Child's hands putting frosting on a cupcake

What About the Real Stuff?

If you spend much time scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest you’ve probably found yourself drawn to images that are beautiful. The ones that are pretty and perfectly arranged. From gorgeous portraits of people who look like they belong in a J.Crew catalog to perfectly hand lettered graphics of heart catching quotes. As humans we’re drawn […]

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Encouragement

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1/12/17

Snowy trees

“Be Careful What You Wish For” – It’s Still Good Advice.

I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, “be careful what you wish for.” 18 days ago I was wishing for snow. I was dreaming of a white Christmas (are you hearing Bing Crosby’s voice right now? Me too.) And just when I thought we wouldn’t get snow over winter break, the weather changed and it […]

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Encouragement

Image of a yellow coffee cup sitting on a counter with a keyboard in the background.

The Truth is: “You’re Not Behind in Life”

Whether you jumped out of bed this morning ready to take on the world or you rolled over, pulled the covers over your head and waited until the last possible moment you could… you did it! You’ve started the first Monday of 2017; only 51 more Mondays to go this year. Much to the chagrin […]

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Encouragement

The Only Resolution I’ve Ever Kept

Honestly, I can’t think of a single one; I’ve just never really gotten into making New Year’s Resolutions. But this year have I think I’m going to do it. How about you? Do you make and keep New Year’s Resolutions? Or are you more inclined to make and break them? Or maybe just not make […]

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Encouragement

Christmas collage of ornaments and candy canes.

Replace “Taking for Granted” with “Having Gratitude”

It would be easy to be stressed today. The last Monday before Christmas and just six days to go until the big day. I don’t know about you, but my day isn’t turning out to be particularly productive. My little one went to bed last night with sniffles and woke this morning with ear aches […]

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Encouragement

When It’s Time to Unsubscribe

Earlier this week my daughter had a melt-down. A total and complete seven-year-old melt dowwwwwn. It was awful. Tantrums thrown by three-year-olds are terrible, but tantrums thrown by seven-year-olds are even worse. In the end it came out that a few kids at school had said some really ugly and cruel things to her. They had spoken lies […]

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Culture

It’s Time to Kick Fear to the Curb

I’m gonna get right to the point today: Is there something people in your life keep encouraging you to do? Something the people who know you best keep suggesting you should try? Maybe you’ve been encouraged to start a new business, take a new class, make a career change, try online dating or move to […]

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Encouragement

Permission to Check Out

I’m sitting in a hotel room in Nashville, Tennessee with about 45 minutes left before I have to check out and head for the airport. And once I get home from this trip, I’m done traveling for the year. And I’m ready. I’m ready to be home. I’m ready to slow down. I’m ready to […]

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Encouragement

React with Love

Regardless of where you stand when it comes to the results of the US Presidential election, it’s undeniable that we are a country divided, plagued with the ugliness and tension that comes from division. Some are elated, some are disheartened. Many are in shocked disbelief (good or bad), while others find themselves in enraged denial. […]

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Encouragement

What Are You Thankful For?

I love the fall. I love the crispness in the air and way the leaves rustle when you walk through them. And I’m so grateful that this year, after 15 years of living in the desert, I’m getting to experience the entire season of fall, not just a weekend here or there. And as much […]

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Encouragement

Trust People to Show Up for You… Give Them a Chance

I remember as a kid going to sleep on October 30th to the sound of my mom’s sewing machine humming along… and waking up the next morning to the same sound. So many times she stayed up all night long to construct costumes ranging from Princess Leia to Laura Ingles Wilder. On several occasions my […]

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Encouragement

What’s the Rush? A New Season is Coming.

I spent this past weekend in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Three of my girlfriends and I rented a beautiful stone house on a working farm in New Holland, PA. Being the only Lancaster County “newbie” they took me around the area to do most of the traditional activities. I say “most” because we didn’t go for […]

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Encouragement

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

ROMANS 8: 14-16, ESV

“A quiet heart is content with what God gives.”

- ELISABETH ELLIOT