We are THAT Family

WFMW:Your Friend, The Potato

10:07 pm Bykristen

We are a big soup family. If there’s the slightest breeze, we heat up the stove.

[A few of my favorite recipes: Potato Soup, Posole, Barley Chicken Chili, Black Bean and Pork Chili]

I’m sort of a mad-dasher when it comes to soup. I really like it savory , so I’m all about the spices. But every once in awhile, I over-salt the soup.

I used think too salty soup was doomed, but now I know: the potato is my friend.

Add a peeled, cut up potato to absorb the salt. Discard potato before serving.

Someone also told me potatoes are great for troubled skin (from improving acne to curing warts). It also removes glue from your hands and a million other things. I’m serious. Here are 60 uses.

Now, go hug a potato.

(and if it’s still way too salty, add a little lemon juice).

Coming soon! April 2012: That Works For Me: Tried & True Tips from Works for Me Wednesday

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You are Already Amazing {Giveaway}

12:45 pm Bykristen

UPDATED with winners: Congrats to random commenters:
Jessica Kelley, Amber V, and Danielle

Pssst . . . pull up a chair and I’ll tell you a secret. You’d better lean in close for this one.

Ready?

You don’t have to do more, be more, have more.

I’m sure there are security alarms going off somewhere. You should probably hide this book when your in-laws come over. And this could be the makings of a Sunday morning scandal.

But it’s true.

It’s the kind of true that will change your life, set you free, and make you wake up smiling for the first time in a long time. I know because that’s what it did for me. I’ve seen it happen to a lot of other women too.

So watch out, sister. If you keep reading, you just might be next.

-You’re Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be by Holley Gerth

My sweet friend, Holley, knocks it out of the ballpark with her new book! It’s exactly what we all need to hear. I’m a do-gooder, I’m a try-harder kind of girl. But to Him, I’m already enough. Just like I am….

This brand new bestseller is also the Bloom Book Club book over at (in)courage!

And get this:

If you are able to purchase a book for someone in need, DaySpring has set up a sweet deal for you starting today.

In addition to purchasing your own book, you can choose to purchase a second book for someone in need for an additional $9. (Feel free to give more than one if you can! To purchase a “Sponsor” book,just go here, click on the image of You’re Already Amazing with the green sponsor button on it and purchase the Sponsor book for $9. This option expires March 30)

So, what are you waiting for, girl? You need this book. You are already amazing!

Plus, Dayspring has got great new coordinating items featuring messages that will brighten your day and speak directly to your heart. All regular priced items in the Holley Gerth – Loved by God Assortment Set are 25% off with coupon code HOLLEYG25. This code is valid through 3/31/12.

I’m celebrating with Holley: Today, I’m giving away THREE copies of her new book.

To be entered, leave a comment with something good you have to say about yourself.

Go!

This giveaway will end Friday.

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For When You Don’t Feel Beautiful

8:32 am Bykristen

I stood in the baby aisle at Target, overdue with my first child. Every inch swollen with expectancy. I read labels of diaper ointment and rubbed the foot kicking my side.

Someone stood beside me. I could feel her staring at my profile. I pointed my belly towards her and smiled. She leaned in and said the words like I took her breath away, “Oh, you’re so beautiful.”

I looked down at my too-tight shirt and tugged it over my child. I couldn’t see my feet, but I knew the flesh pressed out of my sandals.

Me? I looked around the empty aisle.

I smiled shyly, smoothing my messy hair. How I longed to hear those words and not just because I was awkward and uncomfortable. I never felt like a beautiful girl. Cute, sometimes pretty, but never beautiful.

And then she tried to sell me Mary Kay.

(Click over to in(courage) to continue to read…..)

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The Good Girl’s Guide to Sex {Giveaway}

10:02 pm Bykristen

Updated with winners: Congrats to random commenters:

Amy Bowling, Jen @ Dancing Through the Minefield and Karla Meachem
So.

We are going to talk about sex.

Oh, yes, we are.

I’m reviewing and reading Sheila Gregoire’s brand new book, The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex: (And You Thought Bad Girls Have All the Fun).

And my hubby said a heart A-men!

I think the book description says it best:

Do bad girls really have more fun? Surveys say no. The women who are most likely to enjoy sex are married and religious. In other words, they’re Good Girls! But good girls know that making sex great isn’t about acting trashy. It’s about recognizing what God really designed sex for, and then learning how to reap all these benefits and joyfully enjoy your husband. Frank and contemporary, The Good Girls’ Guide to Great Sex will give the newly engaged and new brides—and some veteran wives—a Christian place to turn to answer their most intimate, and embarrassing, questions. In a conversational style, with lots of humorous anecdotes, the book will show that sex isn’t just physical: it’s also an emotional and spiritual experience. And we’ll learn why commitment in a Christian marriage is the perfect recipe for a sex life which is out of this world!

And because I’m a big chicken, and prefer not to be THAT family on this subject, I’ve asked the author to share a little with you:

Have you ever been having fun with your husband in bed when the thought, “is there milk in the fridge?” pops into your mind? That’s pretty much a mood killer. We don’t mean to start thinking about groceries, but once we let the thought intrude, it’s over. For women, sex really begins in the brain.

I’ve often heard marriage writers use the analogy “men are like microwaves, and women are like slow cookers”, but I don’t believe it. It implies that women will, eventually, heat up. Actually, there’s no guarantee, because we control the switch. When we’re enthusiastic and excited, we heat up. When we’re not, it doesn’t matter what he does; we’ll likely just lie there and wonder, “will this take much longer because I want to get to sleep!”

How we wives feel and think about sex plays a much larger role in whether or not we enjoy it than what physically happens. When we’re enthusiastic, sex can be great. When we’re scared, or resentful, or just plain tired, sex is likely to be ho hum at best and rather icky at worst. And I’m afraid that we women are missing out on real intimacy because we’re letting our negative attitudes take control of our bodies.

Unfortunately, negative feelings towards sex are awfully easy to come by. For many women, making love just doesn’t feel that great. In the surveys I took for my book, the most enjoyable years for sex are years 16-20 of marriage. It’s not the honeymoon phase. If you’re still in your first decade of marriage, then, and you’re juggling little kids, don’t worry: the best is yet to come.

For others of us, sex feels somehow wrong. We figure God made it as an afterthought, thinking “Well, they’ve got to reproduce somehow, and this is all I can come up with.” It just feels dirty. And what about wives whose husbands use porn, or who feel like their husbands don’t really value them? Too often sex is an imposition.

I understand. For the first few years of my marriage, sex was awful. I figured it was something like The Emperor’s New Clothes, where every woman knew sex was created just for men, but we were all afraid to speak up.

I don’t feel like that anymore. It’s partly because I realized how much my husband experiences love when I’m enthusiastic, but it’s also because I got sick and tired of not living life to the fullest. If God meant for this to be fun, and intimate, and passionate, then surely there must be some way for me to experience that!

And one of the first things I learned was that attitude determines action. We have this preconceived notion that we can’t actually make love unless we’re “in the mood”. After all, isn’t that what sex is about?

But women don’t tend to work that way. Rosemary Basson, from the University of British Columbia, found that in women desire is usually a product of making love, not the cause of it. Most women don’t start out making love “in the mood”. They get in the mood because they decide to throw themselves into it.

It starts with a decision to believe that this is what God has for you—even if you’ve been abused, even if you’re tired, even if your marriage hasn’t always been wonderful. When you believe it, you’re more likely to feel it.

You will always be able to come up with reasons why you can’t have sex. I wonder why we women don’t try to come up with as many reasons to have sex. After all, when we do, we feel better about ourselves. We feel so much closer to our husbands. And we even sleep better!

Embracing intimacy on all levels—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—is a beautiful thing in a marriage. And if you want to get there, but you don’t know how, I hope the book will guide you.

———————–

Sheila is an inspiring Christian marriage speaker and book author and also blogs at To Love, Honor and Vacuum. I’m happy she’s tackling this very taboo subject so openly. I think it’s going to help a lot of marriages!

Today, I’m giving away THREE copies of the book, The Good Girl’s Guide to Great Sex! If you’d like to be entered tell me your favorite part about sex.

TOTALLY kidding.

Just leave a comment to be entered. Whew!

This giveaway ends on Friday.

*Plus, there’s a fun Facebook contest on Shelia’s page (trivia link on sidebar) going on–winner gets $1000 towards a dream honeymoon!

Double Feature Day: Stay tuned for another amazing book giveaway later today….

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100 Ways to Celebrate Spring

11:02 pm Bykristen

We love Spring around here! Today is the first day of Spring Break and we have VERY little planned. Woot! We plan to sleep late and knock off a few things on this massive list:

Make kool-aid play dough

Put fresh flowers in your kitchen

Decorate an old pair of shoes with Sharpies

Eat jellybeans

Pick wildflowers

Have a picnic at a favorite park

Make strawberry shortcake popcicles

Plant a fairy garden

Art: Spring Branch

Make a handprint calendar

Create a Spring Scavenger Hunt

Decorate hot rocks (fun!)

Make your own sunshine

Stay in your pajamas all day

Play Easter Memory Game (Free Printable)

Plant flowers in your yard

Make a kite

Go fly it

Make a Garden Journal (free printable)

Grow your own Easter basket grass (so creative)

Get a new Spring Purse!

Indoor Garden ideas

Pick berries

Hang a bird feeder

Easter thumbprint art

Paint your driveway with homemade paint

Do something fun with cardboard

Paper towel butterflies

Send someone some sunshine

Spring clean to fun music

Read outside on a blanket

Look for rainbows after the rain

Go to the library

Plant Pals

Play in the rain

Go on a Spring Photo Hunt (50 picture ideas)

Make Rainbow Rice

Make a fun paper toy

Play with your food

Blow bubbles

Take pictures in wild flowers

Eat dirt

Go barefoot

Paint a room a bright color

DIY Spring Flower Centerpieces

Create a Ribbon Wand

DIY Veggie Garden Sensory Box

Paint your nails in one of these colors

Celebrate Sundays with ice cream sundaes

Plan a staycation (26 ideas)

Lay in a hammock

Go on a bike ride

Throw open the windows

Visit new babies at your local zoo

Tidy a room

Make sun tea

Hang your sheets to dry on a clothes line

Jump in the puddles

Make a rainbow xylephone

Make yarn eggs (so fun!)

Put a spring wreath on your door (my mom made this one for my door!)

Raise a Butterfly Garden

Make a flower crown

Bake bread in a flowerpot

Resurrection Eggs (or make your own)

Read The Parable of the Lily(one of my favorites)

Eat one of these

Make flower-shaped sugar cookies

Hang a Spring Flag

Create Plant Pals

Put pinwheels in the yard

Go camping!

Have a Spring-themed party

Make cheery Peep S’mores

Force tulip bulbs

Go on a family walk

Discover Geocaching

Raise Ladybugs

Have a tea party outside on a blanket

Hopscotch with sidewalk chalk

Go to a baseball game

Hand wash the car

Dig up worms in the yard

Go fishing

Have a garage sale

Swing together

Make a bug hunting kit

60 fabulous ideas for Easter dinner

Go feed ducks at a park

Plant an herb garden

Make homemade marshmallows

DIY spring vase centerpiece

Gussy up your spring mantel

Decorate with pastel candy

Add a bright colored pillow to your sofa

Make crepe paper flowers

Hang a festive spring pennant

Take a day off to do nothing!

Do something new to celebrate new life

Don’t forget a Spring Safety Check

*this post contains a few Amazon affiliate links

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Lightbulb

10:11 pm Bykristen

My parents stopped by for a visit this afternoon. They live about 30 minutes from us and it’s always a treat when they come over. Today they brought their three Schnauzer dogs to “visit” my one. So, it was a rowdy treat.

After they left, my five year old found me reading in my big comfy chair.

“Mom, can I ask you a question?”

Yep.

“Do GaGa and Pawpaw have any children?”

I tried so hard not to laugh.

I shook my head yes.

“Who are they?” she was totally serious.

I raised my hand.

And if she had been a cartoon character, a LIGHTBULB would have appeared over her head.

“Oh, that’s why they like you so much.”

————————–

I’m gonna need her to stay 5 years old forever.

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You’re Worth More {Free Printable}

10:24 pm Bykristen

Two girls, ages 9 and 10, trapped in slavery, trafficked by evil men. Unfortunately, their story is common. There are 1.2 million children trafficked each year.

If you follow Mercy House on Facebook, you’ve watched this amazing event unfold. Six months ago Mercy House was referred a 10 year old child, being abused in unspeakable ways. Although we exist to help pregnant girls, we wanted justice for this child. We couldn’t turn away and we tried to rescue her, but were stopped at every turn.

Maureen and I have grieved for this child. I’m a momma to a girl nearly her age and I just cannot fathom her pain, her life.

Last week, we had another opportunity with the help of two Christian groups we work with to rescue this child. We were able to get her and another child trapped in this ring and are financially supporting these children as they begin a new life! It was a day God ordained and all the right pieces fell into place. Please pray for justice in this situation.

There are so many details that can’t be shared, but only one matters: God cares about the least of these. His eye is on the sparrow.

And while our problems pale in comparison, I think our enemy wants to convince us that we aren’t worth being pursued by God. There are bigger problems, people in worse situations, and even though that’s probably true, it doesn’t change our worth.

I was reading in Matthew about birds. I love how God makes it plain enough for people like me to understand:

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.

You’re worth more than this:

He not only knows every detail of your life, He cares about them. He cares about that crazy dream, that trial with your kiddo, the big fear that keeps you up at night, the lonely marriage you’re in…every detail.

You’re worth more than a million canaries.

He knows. He cares. He is there, in the details of your life.

I don’t know about you, but I need this Word from my Father:

[Enjoy this free 8x10 printable as a reminder]

Your Worth

photo source

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WFMW: 5 Frugal Tips

10:05 pm Bykristen

[If you don't have a new tip this week, feel free to link up an older tip. Theme idea: Share a frugal tip!]

These 5 frugal tips save me hundreds of dollars… and my momma taught me to share.

Print your own tags for gifts for every occasion. Cards are expensive! It’s hard to find one for less than $5 these days. Shop Pinterest for free printable gift tags and make your own. Or buy cards in bulk from places like Dayspring. They have an amazing collection of cards for every occasion and sell them in boxed sets, which is much cheaper per card.
Celebrate your birthday (and your kids, spouse, your great Aunt Ruth’s) with freebies! Did you know there are dozens of amazing things you get for free on your birthday? Money Saving Mom has a fantastic list.
Decorate your walls with free printables that you frame. I cannot believe how many fabulous printables are out there. Here are 101 amazing, FREE printables!
Sign up for a 3 month free trial of Amazon Mom –you get FREE shipping on all Prime items, plus eligible purchases and 20% off select diapers and wipes, which includes a 5% Subscribe & Save discount plus an additional 15% discount exclusively for Amazon Mom members. The membership is $79 once the trial ends, so be sure to cancel if you’re not interested. Fast, free shipping is worth it if you do most of your shopping online like I do.
Grocery shop with a plan: Either do the crazy coupon thing (buying in bulk) or use something like E-Meals (my choice). There are great menu plans (for every diet) and I spend less when I use the provided shopping list. Click below to learn more.

*affiliate links in this post

Coming soon: That Works For Me! Tried & True Tips from Works For Me Wednesday

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Worthy of the Prize {Giveaway}

10:48 pm Bykristen

UPDATED WITH WINNERS: Congratulations to Kristina Z. (comment 6) and Julie (comment 7)

So.

I downloaded Couch to 5k the other day.

I’ve completed the first week (3 days).

I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’m sore and achy and I miss my couch.

I’m not really interested in running a race (Mr. Welch) and I don’t care about my time or even pace. I’m just interested in finishing.

Life is a lot like a race. We fall down and get back up. The key is in continuing. Our Christian life is compared to a race in the Bible:

In a race, all the runners run but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize! Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever! {1 Corinthians 9:24-25}

Of course, my tangible prize is sweet tea. But I do look good in crowns.

Worthy of the Prize is a ministry that uses sports as a way to reach people for Christ as well as encourage us in the journey. They have provided each of our Mercy House moms with a set of Fit Cards to help them learn Scripture. You can clip these cards on your keychain, bag, etc. and carry them with you while you are out so you can pray, memorize scripture and do devotionals while walking the neighborhood, sitting in the carpool line, etc…the prayer cards are great for praying the biblical virtues over your children, you can insert their names into the guided prayers.

Today, Worthy of the Prize is offering TWO of my readers:

1 Ta Dot Fit Band {wristlet keychain}, 1 Set of Fit Cards {winner’s choice – either prayer, scripture-memory or devotional} and a copy of the book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps.

About the Book: Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps is a church’s guide to implementing an effective, community-reaching Christian sports camp. Any church can use it as a community outreach or on mission – it would be like buying VBS curriculum and running it at your church, but instead of doing crafts, you learn basic skills in your sport and biblical truths and also hear the gospel message.

Please leave a comment if you’d like to win!

This giveaway will end Thursday.

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Please Pray

9:37 pm Bykristen

Updated: thank y’all so much…she’s not out of the woods, but she is more stable…keep praying!

One of my dearest friends (who also happens to be my sister-in-law) is in critical condition in ICU tonight. She needs a miracle. Please pray with me? My heart is so heavy– for her, my husband, his family, especially her teen boys. Thank you for being the kind of friends who will pray with me. xoxo

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Two Years Ago Today

9:32 pm Bykristen

My Dear Maureen,

I stand on one side of this planet.

You are on the other.

We were brought together in a brief collision of divine providence.

Two years ago TODAY, we met in the slums of Mathare Valley. You know you’re my hero, right?

You and I have walked thru the valley of the shadow of death. We have laughed and cried together. Grieved and rejoiced. We have taken off our shoes on Holy Ground as we’ve watched God create something amazing from two inadequate girls. God has grafted us mother and daughter, forever.

You inspire me. You challenge me. You make me want to be like Jesus.

There are seven beautiful girls being transformed by Christ in Kenya because God used the Internet to connect us.

Five babies, alive.

It’s been the most amazing thing in my life to watch our girls enter the maternity home, broken and hopeless, and transform into a smiling, joyful moms. You have loved them so well. I’m very proud of you.

Our God is so good.

Today, we celebrate.

I traveled to Kenya to write a story.

That story is still writing me.

I love you with all my heart, Maureen.

Mom

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We ART that family: Abide

10:10 pm Bykristen

This is probably the easiest art project we’ve done so far and it’s my favorite! I love the simplicity and significance of it. It hangs in my office:

This is easy DIY art that anyone can create!

Supplies Needed for this Mixed Media Artwork:

Canvas of any size (I used 16×20)

Magazine words torn into various sized pieces

Paintbrush and Modge Podge (Matte)

Fabric and scrapbook swatches in various patterns (I used leftover pieces)

Printed word (I printed a word on copy paper from my laser printer)

Brown watercolor paint (if you want an “aged” look like mine)

First, use the Modge Podge to glue down the scraps of magazine type. This is where kids can really get involved. There isn’t a right or wrong, but the key is in plenty of Modge Podge on the back of each piece of paper. It needs to stick well.

Once the canvas is covered, generously apply Modge Podge to the top of the entire canvas, making sure all corners are glued down. Let this dry.

Next, cut a fabric or paper tree trunk in a fun pattern. I used a mix of fabric and scrapbook paper and applied it with a log of Modge Podge.

Next, my kids helped me cut simply “leaf” shapes out of brightly-colored pieces of fabric and paper, applying each again with Modge Podge and placing around the “tree.” I printed out the word ABIDE and tore the edges and glued it into place.

Once all the pieces were in place, I painted the entire canvas again, I watered down brown watercolor paint and brushed a light coat over the entire canvas to give it an “aged” look. This step is completely optional.

When that dried, I gave the entire canvas a final coat of Modge Podge and let it dry before hanging.

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Mini Home Office Makeover

10:31 pm Bykristen

A couple of years ago, we turned our rarely used formal dining room into a home office. It’s where I write and do Mercy House. Lo, that office has seen a lot of sweet tea.

Originally, I chose the red and black colors based on the old dining room. I basically coordinated everything with the wall color and existing curtains. It’s been great, but I’ve been wanting to lighten the whole darkish room up for awhile.

With a bit of tax return, the room was repainted and a few changes were made. I love the warm, relaxing feel. This is probably one of the most used rooms in our house. My kids do a lot of homework at the desk and it’s a popular reading spot.

Before:

After:

What I changed:

Wall color-I love the relaxing two tone shades of beige and tan.
Window treatments-did you know Lowe’s carries extra long drapes?
Rug-I switched the rugs from my family room and office
Chair slipcover from Ikea
Desk skirt and chair covers are a pair of window panels from Walmart (attached to desk with velcro, chair with staple gun)
I added touches of my Dayspring Ever Grateful dishes from the cupboards to the white china
Replaced cardboard storage boxes (that were falling apart) with a Set of 6 Foldable Fabric Baskets, Beige
(and wicker baskets from around the house)
Moved the kid’s old “bookshelf” (old shoe drying rack) from another part of the house, so my kids can read in my chair.
I’ll tell you all about the Abide art above my comfy chair tomorrow!

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WFMW: Totsy

9:56 pm Bykristen

I’m a big fan of The Discount.

I fell in love with Totsy during the fall of 2012. It all started when my oldest daughter entered the sixth grade and discovered fashion.

{insert dramatic pause}

If you have a tween or teen daughter, you understand the significance of this statement.

To me, Totsy is the perfect place to shop deeply discounted name brand items for the entire family. We’ve scored winter boots for less than $15 a pair and cute, cute top and legging sets for my little one who refuses any kind of denim. And look at my oldest daughter’s darling top we got for just a few dollars…

Her winter coat? It was 90% off and I bought it a little big ~~for me to wear~~ for her to grow in to.

I’ve had nothing but great experiences with them! I buy nearly everything online these days and Totsy is in my top choices for apparel!

Here’s how it works:

Totsy is completely free to join
Email is required
Receive daily deal emails
Click and shop
First time buyers get free shipping and a tree is planted with your first purchase!
Often there are clothes, shoes, toys, books, plus more for the entire family up to 90% off!
Refer friends and earn Totsy credits!

So, if you’re looking for a great place to get discounts on awesome brands, click to sign up at Totsy.

*I am using my referral link in this post and receiving Totsy credit for this review–I’m sure I will end up being talked out of by said tween.

Coming soon: That Works For Me! Tried & True Tips from Works For Me Wednesday

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On Community {Announcing (in)RL}

9:40 am Bykristen

[Today, I'm rounding up a month of blog posts from the (in)courage girls, a progressive blog party, so to speak. Melissa of The Inspired Room tagged me.]

Community has hurt me.

I have been wounded by gossiping women, friends who questioned our choices and walked away when they couldn’t dream with us.

When I started blogging four years ago, I was drawn in by the community. It felt like a safe place where I could interact, but still guard my heart.

Little did I know, God would use this community of strangers to heal me.

When I didn’t have a lot of real life people to count on, I had you. Not only did you dream with me, you jumped with me into the unknown. You are a huge part of this. You are a huge part of me.

God used my pain from community wounds to show me that community would also heal me.

In the last year and a half, He’s surrounded us with real life community. Friends who listen, support, serve along side of us.

Lately our family has felt maxed out: running Mercy House, working jobs, loving our kids. But our real life church community has stepped in and held up our arms. We are surrounded by our online community and supported by our real life community.

It’s a breathtaking place to be.

I think that’s why I’m such a huge advocate of (in)courage’s initiative to foster real community right where you are. It’s called (in)RL and it was created for you.

My online and real life friend, Lisa-Jo, explains it best:

So basically, (in) RL kicks off with a webcast for everyone to watch in their living rooms Friday, April 27 and then a dedicated day of (in)courage meetups on Saturday, April 28- imagine little beach house parties – all around the country and globe and a webcast for everyone to tune into. A local meetup on a global scale; friends will gather to watch live webcasts of (in)courage contributors and community, connect with one another, and discover new friendships they didn’t know were right around the corner!

Want to sign up? It’s simple: register here (it’s $10 and you get a t-shirt and card pack – awesome deal!) and then sign up here to host or attend an (in)RL beach house party.

Hosts also have the opportunity to purchase specially discounted beach houses in a box, which are chock full of amazing DaySpring products.

Don’t let your community wounds stop you from discovering the most meaningful community you’ve ever known.

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Confidant Mom Planner {Giveaway}

10:22 pm Bykristen

UPDATED with WINNERS: Mandy S. (comment 24), Cindy (comment 31), Karla (comment 48), Stephanie (comment 75), Amanda (comment 93), Lorrie Clark (comment 104)

Let’s face it: some days, I don’t just manage my home, I run a company! I’m balancing the budget, hiring home repair, firing off orders to my minions (I mean children) and getting along with co-workers (also known as my husband). As the CEO of this house, I’m always looking for ways to run things smoother. I think I found it!

Just released from Susan Heid at The Confident Mom, the 2012 Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner will make completing your daily and weekly household chores a snap! This planner helps keep you on task and productive by utilizing those “in between” moments to complete your household tasks so they don’t build up to become large and overwhelming.

Most of the items can easily be completed in 3 to 30 minutes, and you can select appropriate items to delegate to family members. (Hey, no one said YOU had to do it all!) And nothing feels better than being able to check off those items as DONE!

Here’s a sample of the types of tasks you will find in this planner:

Plan/cook dinner
Make beds
Clean out expired food in pantry
Water indoor plants
Clean bathrooms sinks/shine mirrors
Wash car
Pay bills due
Pamper yourself
Plan cards/gifts for January birthdays/occasions
Quiet Time (Gen 4-6) (Note: A version without the Bible study is also available)

You can even personalize the planner by adding special weekly tasks or notes to remember. A fun or inspirational quote is featured each week to remind you about the joys, and sometimes humor, of family and motherhood.

This helpful planner created for and by a mom is only $9! And you can get $1 off until March 1 – with coupon code: WER1

Today, I’m giving away 6 copies of the Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner!

Please make me feel better about my disorganization and let me know in the comments how badly you need this planner as your entry.

This giveaway will close on Thursday.

(If you buy the planner and are lucky enough to win it, you will be fully reimbursed!)

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Branded

9:26 pm Bykristen

Source: copaceticincarolina.blogspot.com via Susan on Pinterest

God wrote the verse on my heart two years ago this week.

The etching was painful.

The living it out, excrutiating.

Even though I wouldn’t have chosen this path, I wouldn’t trade it now for anything.

My outside now matches what’s inside.

I am branded:

I am turning off comments on this post because I don’t wish to stir up controversy with my very personal choice to mark this anniversary in this way.

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You Will Be Disappointed In Me

10:16 pm Bykristen

The words hurt, cut like a knife.

My heart beat outside of my chest as I let her cloud of disappointment cover me.

Hurting people hurt people. She felt like I let her down and so she let me down. The accusations still ring.

This online space is a tricky place. I’ve spent four years confessing my struggles, trying to find joy in the moment, hoping to inspire the people who spend their time here. It’s not something I take lightly, you reading my words.

I’m reminded daily that God created something adequate out of this space and out of inadequate me. I need you to keep dreaming with me.

But I’ve always tried to be transparent. And in the last month, I’ve received a couple of emails and comments from a few people on different subjects, but all feeling like I’d let them down in some way. Oh, I get people and their opinions and it’s certainly not the first time I’ve had people disagree with me.

Somewhere along the way, some people got into their minds that I’m someone to look up to. You can only look up to people you place on a pedestal. The rest of us are eye to eye, trying to carve out what God wants to accomplish in and through us.

I don’t belong on a pedestal. Most days I find myself under it.

I’m not always a great wife or an awesome mom. I have really hard days just like you. I don’t always share the horrible moments because I’m flesh trying to live this out, messing up more than I can say.

But I am convinced that if you look up to me you will be disappointed.

You might not like that I lose it with my kiddos, nag my hubby, don’t use recycled bags or cook organic. You might be disappointed that when it gets really hard, I think about quitting (everything). You might be shocked at my discipline methods, thinking they are too strict or too lenient.

The bottom line: you will be disappointed in me.

And that’s why I do my best to point you to Him. Because He will never disappoint you.

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There is Charity in All of Us

10:02 pm Bykristen

She came to us alone, with a baby she didn’t want stirring in her womb.

Orphaned at a young age, she wandered this earth unloved and unwanted.

Charity came to us broken, detached, angry.

Outwardly she pushed others away, isolating herself through pain, distancing her heart from love.

But we loved her anyway. We set firm boundaries and we loved. We prayed. We fasted. We begged God to draw her close. We shed so many tears over this child having a child.

We feared for her unborn son. How would this detached girl attach to a baby she never wanted?

He was born to an angry mother. She didn’t want him.

And we didn’t know what to do.

We prayed harder. Loved more fiercely. Forced her to hold him, feed him. Every moment hard.

We willed her to show charity to her precious new miracle rescued from abortion.

And we reminded ourselves again and again that we aren’t the rescuers.

Only God.

Today, we catch her cooing at her chubby son. Smiling down on him. Visitors don’t know the miracle they witness. Our hearts catch in our throats with each tenderness because we remember. We know that only God can heal a barren soul.

I am broken. I am angry. I am orphaned, needing to be adopted by God.

God used Charity’s pain to heal a part of me.

“Jesus brings about my own healing by bringing me into someone else’s.” -Kisses from Katy.

There is a bit of charity in all of us.

God is here.

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WFMW: Store Your Boots

10:00 pm Bykristen

I read this tip in a magazine and thought it was brilliant. I rolled up the magazine and inserted it into my boot! It’s so simple and keeps my boots from doing this:

and makes them do this:

It works for me!

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When Inadequate Is Adequate

7:04 pm Bykristen

She didn’t have much.

Actually, compared to what we have, she had nothing.

But her little was enough.

Imagine the bleak scene: a starving widow in a desperate famine, preparing her last meal-a tiny bit of flour and oil- so she could feed her child and die.

[I've seen pictures of the famine going on in the Horn of Africa today. It's not hard to recreate the horror of the situation.]

A stranger, a man of God, showed up and asked her for bread. She told him her situation. I can almost see the defeat and sorrow etched into the deep lines of worry on her face. Elijah tells her to step out in faith.

She did as he asked. She prepared the bread and gave it to the stranger.

She gave all she had, even thought it wasn’t much to look at. The flour and oil never ran out. He turned her little into a lot.

Her inadequate offering became adequate.

(click to continue reading at (in)courage)

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From Blah to Awe {Book Set Giveaway}

10:26 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: The winner of the book set is Lauren (comment #7).

I have one dream for my kids.

I don’t care if they are successful. I’m not hoping they will be rich or famous or even moderately liked in this world.

My dream is for them to have a deep abiding relationship with Jesus.

That’s it.

Because everything good and bad in their lives will end of being okay if that’s their foundation.

My hubby and I read a lot of books with our kids. We are currently reading It’s Not About Me :Teen Edition during our family devotion time. (My hubby and I always read aloud and filter for our kids if we don’t think it’s appropriate).

We loved reading You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado as well as a family. I highly recommend it.

When I was asked to review Jenna Lucado (Max’s daughter) Bishop’s new book for teen girls, I was interested in focusing in on some special one-on-one time with my girl.

It’s called From Blah to Awe: Shaking Up a Boring Faith. Nearly every night, when the younger kids are in bed, my oldest daughter and I (she’s 12), snuggle up and read a chapter. It’s been so good to talk about our faith or lack of.

We are still making our way through this book, but I love Jenna’s passion for teen girls and her call to them to love God radically, hungering and thirsting for more of Him.

My daughter is a regular girl and I’m seeing faith thru her eyes as we journal and talk about these things. It’s been good and I look forward to more.

If you’d like to win THE SET of You Were Made to Make a Difference, It’s Not About Me and the brand new book, From Blah to Awe, leave a comment.

This giveaway ends Thursday.

Read together as a family. You’ll be glad you did.

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The Hamsters are Dead and Other Fun Stuff

10:02 pm Bykristen

Little Debbie died. Hostess is still hanging on. What? You don’t name your fish after snack cakes?

My oldest came down the stairs with her limp fish, visibly upset about her beloved pet. We hugged her and said our “I’m sorry’s” and quickly changed the remaining fish’s water just to omit any further owner-error. My daughter bounced back quickly. Because in her words, “It’s a fish.”

But later that same night we heard a shriek and this same daughter discovered her hamster had gone to Heaven. Tears. This was obviously a bigger deal and I sent my bewildered husband into the garage to seek out a hamster-sized casket. A definite first for this family.

We said a few words and buried the business card box in the yard.

I tried to soothe my oldest and said “What would make you feel better?” <——–thinking a snack cake and praying to God she didn’t say another hamster. She said, “there’s only one thing I can think of that would take away my pain…………Can I have a cell phone?”

I patted her on the back and said No. (After I laughed hysterically). Yep, that girl will be fine.

The next morning before school my son came downstairs, lip trembling.

Yep, same story, last hamster.

My son was relieved because in his words, “Rodents are a lot of work. Now my room will smell good again.” Which is debatable considering his athletic shoes.

I’m not sure what caused all the pet deaths, but I might have caught my dog and cat googling the Pet Apocalypse.

This sort of narrows down the list of people wanting us to pet sit for them.

We’re choosing to laugh around here.

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Make Your Wrist Happy {Giveaway}

10:58 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Congratulations, Jen (comment 91), you have been selected as the giveaway winner!

(Disclosure) I’m not sure if that last one is still in the store. I might have bought it. Ahem.

Few stores pull me in like the Adopt Shoppe. I think it’s because I know I’m shopping really cute stuff for an amazing cause! Kate and her precious family are trying to bring their child home from Taiwan and your purchase helps!

So, shop for your naked wrists, shop for a great cause.

Today, one lucky reader will win $50 to this inspiring store. Tell me what you love in the comments to be entered.

Happy weekend!

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Get to Know Your Spouse: Questions to Ask

11:11 pm Bykristen

He rushed in from work, worn from a long 12 hour day. Kids met him at the door, one asking for help with math homework, the other for basketball pointers. Our youngest held onto his leg with a death grip. We quickly kissed and I worked to get dinner on the table, knowing we’d have to shorten our family devotion, so we could make it to community group on time.

Our eyes locked with a long glance over the math book , one that said, “I want to connect with you.”

We both knew we had Mercy House reports to finish once the kids were in bed.

It’s a typical day at our house.

There’s a lot of talking in our house, just not so much with each other or privately.

I think that’s why we both push everything aside to make date nights possible. But let’s face it, connecting once a month isn’t enough. We make a habit of taking time (sometimes it’s over the phone or under the covers in the middle of the night) to ask each other questions.

I’ve been married to this guy for 17 years. We renewed our wedding vows six years ago during this difficult season and exchanged these rings. His has a special inscription on it. I’ve always known it was important to him. The other day he took off his ring while working out and called me frantically because he couldn’t find it.

I asked him, “What would you do if you couldn’t find it?” He said that’s not an option. And then he said, “it’s the most important physical possession I own. It represents so much to me.”

I had no idea.

But discovering this small bit of information made me feel closer to him. I tucked it in my heart and I’ve thought about it more than once.

Marriage takes work and communication. If you don’t ask, they won’t tell you what’s happening in their heart.

P. S. I searched the house while he was at work and found the ring in his pocket. Sheer joy returning it to him.

I’m wrapping up this little marriage series–for now. Thanks for sharing your hearts and being committed to love your spouse better.

_______________________________________________________

15 days of marriage in review:

I Respect Him, He Loves Me

{Dear Mr. Welch}: On Writing Love Letters

100 Ways to Make Your Marriage Rock (pinned over 20,000 times on Pinterest and brought a dose of controversy)

Old Married People

Fun Ways to Say I Love You

{Dear Mrs. Welch} What I Love About You

The Key to a Good Marriage {Free Printable}

A Marriage Redeemed [Our Story]

Getting Along: Marriage

200+ Date Nights

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WFMW: 200+ Date Night Ideas

9:49 pm Bykristen

We have at least one date night a month. But I’m pretty sure we have just about talked our dear friends into a second dating co-op, so two date nights a month (without paying a babysitter) is looking good.

What is a date night co-op you ask jealously? It’s just babysitting swapping with friends. You take a turn. They take a turn. It cuts down on costs and my big kids who don’t feel like they need a babysitter, but don’t really stay by themselves yet, can play or help our friends with younger kids.

There’s really no excuse not to have a regular date night with your spouse! No money? Can’t find a babysitter? Get creative with the following ideas:

What date night ideas work for you? (p.s. alternating picture linky with text each week)

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Getting Along: Marriage {Giveaway}

10:11 pm Bykristen

UPDATE: Congratulations, Lauren Plummer (comment 73), you have been selected as the winner!

I love my husband. Always.

But every once in awhile, there are *moments* when I don’t like him.

Yikes. Can I be that honest?

I’ve always said the line between crazy wild love and a crazy wild anger are close.

Here’s the deal: you are probably a robot if you get along with everyone living in your home 100% of the time. It’s just not possible to agree on everything, every day of the year.

But it’s how you get along that’s key.

I’ll give you a for instance: my youngest was playing with my phone a few months ago and accidentally (or either she’s got a wicked sense of humor and she’s just way more techy than me) changed my husband’s ringtone to the “Alien” ring, which sounds a lot like, um, aliens are invading.

The next time I was searching for my phone in my own house (a weekly occurrence) I asked my hubby to call it. When he heard his Alien ringtone, he was slightly offended. I quickly explained and we laughed about it, but I didn’t change my ringtone. What can I say? I’m a simple girl and it had a ring to it (drumbeat).

He casually asked me to change it. I told him no, and I might have said, “Baby, your out of this world.”

(I’m on a roll).

So, a couple of days later, he changed my ringtone to a song he thought was romantic. And I guess it was a little, except HE CHANGED MY RINGTONE. This irritated me. Why? Who knows. But I changed it back.

And we continued this ridiculous back and forth for awhile.

The point? I have no idea.

Oh yes, the point is we could have made this a huge battle. I believe when marriages end for “irreconciable differences” it’s often probably about ringtones. After 17 years of marriage, we are still learning to pick our battles and not make everything a war.

The bottom line: we are in this for the long haul and getting along takes two. It really all goes back to forgiveness for the little stuff and the big. And usually when I’m irritated or angry at my husband, it’s an issue with me. If I step back from the situation and look at the big picture, I know my husband loves me deeply and the little battles shouldn’t become wars.

P.S. His ringtone is now a motorcycle revving up. He will be so proud.

One little way I’ve tried to get along with my hubby in the every day stuff is by thanking him for the small things he does. I married a great guy and I tend to take him for granted. So, when he fills up my van with gas or brings me a sweet tea, I’m trying to show him my gratitude more.

I saw this on Pinterest and created my own variety. It’s next to our bed. It’s fun to wake up and see a little note to each other occasionally.

You can make one too!

You just need :

pretty frame

a piece of scrapbook paper

a dry erase pen (write on top of the glass and it just wipes right off!)

velcro (optional) I attached velcro to my pen and to the back of the frame to keep up with the marker.

I created one for a lucky reader today. Just leave a tip for how you get along and I’ll draw a random comment and send you a romantic framed message board and pen.

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Filed UnderGiveaways, I love my hubby, loveletters 116 Comments

A Marriage Redeemed [Our Story]

10:28 pm Bykristen

Magical. It’s really the only word that described the week our family had just spent at Walt Disney World. It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime trips — the kind you dream, plan, and save for — and it had been a fairy tale.

We were on the long drive home to Texas, the kids asleep in the back of our van, still wearing their mouse ears. I was tired, too, but on a high that comes from making dreams come true. I didn’t know my “perfect world” was about to end.

My husband, Terrell, and I had been married for 10 years. We were good friends in Bible college, and our friendship was one of the best parts of our marriage. After many years of full-time ministry, we had recently settled into the new roles of salesman and homemaker. Life wasn’t perfect with two preschool-aged kids, but we were happy … happy and hiding a dark secret.

Terrell and I were talking on the drive home. I don’t remember what led to his confession. It just happened. I remember thinking, This can’t be real. I must have misunderstood him. He’s telling me about a friend; this isn’t my best friend’s secret.

But it was: My hubby had just told me he was addicted to pornography. Just like that, the fairy tale ended.

I’ll never forget what I did next: I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed into the back of our van where my children were sleeping. I crouched between their two car seats, pulled my knees up to my chin, and cried. I stayed back there for a long time, until I could finally make eye contact with the stranger in the rearview mirror.

This was the beginning of a dark and painful journey that would change my entire life. Perhaps it was my naivety about men and how they are created, or my ignorance about the vast world of lust and pornography, but Terrell’s confession hit me hard. Although I never once contemplated divorce, I did suggest living as roommates at opposite ends of the house.

We embarked on a long, gut-wrenching healing process. My search was for forgiveness. Terrell’s was for freedom. We went to a marriage counselor who deals with this specific issue. He dealt more with me than with my husband, by the way; the counselor was so proud of my husband for resisting and fighting against the deviant, sinful world for so many years and offered him simple tools to resist temptation. But I was scared. I didn’t know how to trust Terrell again. I was emotionally fragile and spent a lot of time blaming myself. I wondered what I could have done differently.

Terrell and I dove deeply into recovery. It became our full-time job. We existed to overcome. I threw away every magazine and catalog in the house and installed securities on our computers and phones. We read books and online articles. We prayed, cried, begged, yelled, and tried to find each other again.

There were setbacks along the way for both of us. I was paranoid Terrell would be tempted. Terrell was tempted and paranoid to tell me. But we waged war against the enemy that tried to destroy us. Ultimately, we knew with God on our side, we would win.

In the midst of such devastation, something unbelievable began to happen just days after Terrell’s confession: With the secret exposed to the Light and focused attention on our relationship, we began to experience an intimacy that was previously unknown in our marriage. God birthed something new through our pain and began turning our ashes into beauty.

My husband learned to kill lust by starving his eyes. He refused to even glance at an image that was tempting, and in doing so, I became his only target — just the way God intends. My family (mostly unaware of our struggle at the time) mentioned on more than one occasion that we’d better be careful or we might end up with a third child.

We did — about a year after our Disney vacation. Her name is Grace because that’s what God gave us. We renewed our marriage vows and exchanged rings with a secret inscription that still fills my eyes with tears.

Forgiveness is a choice and one I made. It was instant, and it was gradual. It was easy, and it was hard. It was something I had to choose more than once. I’ve learned that forgiveness is a way of life. Trusting again is the challenge. And since husbands tend to be human, I knew Terrell would let me down at some point. The greatest lesson I learned is to put my trust in God, who has never disappointed me.

Six years later, I don’t think I fully grasp what it cost my husband to risk it all on that drive home. But he was tired of fighting, he wanted total freedom, and he was willing to lose everything — the wife he loves desperately and the kids he cherishes — to have it.

His Story:

I was 10 or 11 years old when the deep, sharp hooks first stuck in my soul. My innocence was gone, and a 25-year fight began: the battle between desiring God and satisfying the flesh. Like most young men, I was unequipped for a war like this. No one ever talked about lust and pornography, except to condemn it as sin.

I lived a vicious cycle of repentance and sin in isolation. I thought marriage would be the cure. It helped, but then Kristin and I purchased our first computer.

On that drive home from our dream vacation, I couldn’t take any more of my private nightmare. A week earlier, I had finished the book Every Man’s Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker (WaterBrook Press) and I wanted freedom. With every word I spoke, I knew that I might lose my marriage and my kids. I was scared, but I had more to lose living a lie. True repentance is a 180-degree turning from sin toward God.

I wasn’t prepared for the damage or the pain my secret would cause our marriage, but God was ready. He graciously stood by us. My beautiful, innocent wife became Jesus with skin on and offered forgiveness. I dove into God’s Word. With each day, counseling session, accountability meeting, and late-night talk, our marriage began to heal. Sin cannot live in the light.

Six years later, I can declare that God is faithful. If you struggle with pornography and lust, let me encourage you: Don’t believe Satan’s lies. Lust is not a “problem.” It’s sin. God’s Word declares, “If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). Freedom is available.

Reprinted from HomeLife, January 2012, 34. © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. Used by permission. Be sure to check out future articles from Kristen Welch in the February 2012, April 2012, and June 2012 issues.www.lifeway.com/homelife.

The Vintage Pearl has gift certificates for the perfect last minute Valentine’s Day gift. Just in case you’ve waited until the last minute. You know who you are.

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