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You are here: Home / Archives for incourage

incourage

Our Stories Need to Be Told

January 13, 2014 by Kristen

I’m a storyteller.

But I don’t always tell all my stories.

I haven’t told you about all the broken pieces that make up my life.

And you probably don’t know that some days I struggle with my yes. As in the last 14. The first two weeks of a new year and I’m weary and my family is stretched and there are a dozen decisions we need to make and I just want to pull the covers over my head and order Chinese food and watch movies with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Okay, I’ve done that already.

I’m supposed to be excited about All the Things, but I’m mostly scared. I’m supposed to be a leader, but mostly I’m inadequate. I’m supposed to love this dream and mostly I’m overwhelmed by it. I’m supposed to be living in community and mostly I feel alone.

Some days I’m not fine. 

There. I said it.

And then just a few days ago, I learned about a community of refugee women and children living in poverty just down the road from me. Women who have faced unspeakable hardships and suffering and they need help. And all of a sudden, they are all I can think about. And I’m reminded of what makes me feel alive.  Part of my story is saying yes. It gives me purpose and makes me want to throw back the covers and courageously live the next chapter of my story.

This is the year I’m telling my whole story. All of it. Even the broken parts.

And you have a story too. Maybe one you haven’t told? That hurt. That testimony. That regret. That hard parenting road. That miracle.

Here’s your chance:

Let’s make 2014 a storytelling year. Because your story matters.

But first you have to tell it.

Check out all the (in)RL details here. Registration opens tomorrow and it’s FREE!

I’m also sharing over at the (in)courage community today about the painful places. 

5 Comments Filed Under: incourage

When God Made Room in the Inn {Giveaway}

December 23, 2013 by Kristen

When God Made Room in the Inn {Giveaway}

Congrats to random commenters Katie and Lyra (you've been emailed). There have been few times in my life when I've been speechless. This is one of them. [Get Lucy's Live Mercy T-Shirt here] Many of you have lived mercy, so others might know mercy. When I walked thru a very crowded Mercy House in Kenya a few weeks ago, I kept thinking there isn't enough room. The house was bustling with cradled, crawling, cruising babies and busy mommas chasing busy toddlers. There ... Read More

233 Comments Filed Under: incourage, MercyHouse

(in)Mercy LIVE from Africa

November 27, 2013 by Kristen

(in)Mercy LIVE from Africa

Teen-aged laughter and baby giggles. Heartfelt worship songs and dancing feet. Red dirt and colorful laundry hanging on the line. I'm in Kenya this week with my family at Mercy House and this verse is alive in my heart: "O, Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.' -Psalm 33:9 Sometimes when we give money, we wonder if it really goes to what it's asked for. I'm your eyewitness today, testifying of mercy. Maureen, Kenyan ... Read More

2 Comments Filed Under: incourage, MercyHouse

An Invitation to Step (in) Mercy

September 12, 2013 by Kristen

An Invitation to Step (in) Mercy

Three years ago today on Sept. 12, 2010, I invited you to be a part of an incredible God-story. Some of you may remember... Thirty-six hard, beautiful months ago, Mercy House was born. It has been a labor of love to help those who would need to labor and learn to love. An unlikely family was created, babies conceived in abuse and desperation, united sisters through grief and shame.   One-thousand-eighty days ago, Mercy House opened it's doors to be a haven for pregnant ... Read More

7 Comments Filed Under: incourage, MercyHouse

For When You Fail

July 6, 2013 by Kristen

For When You Fail

I'm sharing over at incourage about a very bad, no good week, I had a while ago. Even my cat was mad at me. You can read it here. ... Read More

Filed Under: incourage

We are Building a Playground in Africa

April 8, 2013 by Kristen

We are Building a Playground in Africa

Do you want to know what the best thing about starting a maternity home in Kenya is? First Birthday Parties! Not only do we get to see young girls transform from scared, lonely, hopeless girls burdened with the world and child, we get to help them become mothers and watch them fall in love with their babies who were sometimes products of their abuse and usually unwanted. We now have eight babies--six babies over 1 year old and two 10 month olds. (This past weekend ... Read More

5 Comments Filed Under: incourage, MercyHouse

Community Mess

March 2, 2013 by Kristen

Community Mess

The curtains hung half hazard, cups and plates piled high, throw pillows thrown. My hubby wiped the table, I put away leftovers, stepping over a misplaced toy on the kitchen floor, the kids tattled. "Mom, one of the kids said a bad word tonight." It was just another night of community group in our home, kids and parents at our table, breaking bread -and apparently wall hangings-together. No one said it would perfect. This loud, messy gathering of friends filling our house and our hearts. ... Read More

6 Comments Filed Under: incourage

Get Real {Life}

January 14, 2013 by Kristen

The food kept coming, freezers full. Friends from church and school delivered desserts and veggies, roast and brisket, neighbors created a schedule of meals for my brother-in-law and teen nephews. The food piled high and we vacuum-sealed and froze portions for the weeks and months to come. Toilet paper and napkins, loaves of bread and CD's of praise music for the family were dropped off all day long. The hours and days following my sister-in-law's death last week were the most beautiful ... Read More

5 Comments Filed Under: incourage

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