Kristen Welch

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Ep. 29 | Permission to Grieve- Part 2

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Friends, this is my last podcast episode for the “season.” I’m taking a break this summer and I hope you’ll tune in for more this episodes this fall.

Here’s an expert:

Today, you might not be okay. You might be looking at a scary diagnosis, experiencing a financial disaster, or struggling with a wayward child. You might be facing a mountain of sadness or impossibility. You might be walking through a valley of despair. You might not even know why you aren’t okay.

At these moments, we do everything we can think of to resolve the struggle in our souls. And life sort of feels like quicksand—the harder we struggle, the deeper we sink. The days are dark and lonely, and our souls are crushed by the heaviness of despair. On these days, sometimes I see how easy my life appears in the eyes of those who live such difficult ones, and I push away my pain out of guilt. While I admit that I’ve made my life harder in an effort to ease the burden of their lives, I also confess that I get weary in well doing. There are many days I’m not okay.

But one thing can refresh and renew and save our souls, and that is the Word of God. Yet often it’s the last place we turn. It seems crazy to think a book with words can be the answer, but God’s Word is alive, and it cuts to the broken places and heals what we cannot. Our situation or struggle may not dissolve overnight, but we can find solace and comfort in the words he’s given us.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

    He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

    he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

    I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

    your rod and your staff—

    they comfort me. (Ps. 23:1–4 NRSV)

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When Your Soul is Starving

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Guest post by Janel Breitenstein I spoke to two women this week—women I would describe as hungry. Both were choosing tough situations: not situations where they needed to endure, but choices that twanged my heart like a violin string. Choices whose destination would be obvious if they weren’t within them. I found myself wordless. My friends seemed desperate for a safe embrace from me. For acceptance. But my head clanged with warning. Y’know those situations where you wonder if you’ll ... Read More

A Prayer for a Summer in the Middle of a Pandemic

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Dear God, Spring brought a storm we didn't expect and even though it filled our lives with torrential rain, we know you still reign. Summer is beginning. We are grateful the sun still shines and that the Son still breaks through our darkest days. And there have been some dark days. School will end without a big celebration, but it's okay because we are learning to recognize joy in the little things. Camps may be canceled, jobs may be uncertain, parents may be going a little ... Read More

Homebody (Free Digital Bundle)

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Jane Austin once said, “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” I don’t know about you, but when I think of the phrase global pandemic, there’s no place I’d rather be than home with my family. For many, home—big or small—means comfort and safety. At Mercy House Global, we work really hard to bring pregnant teen girls to our homes in Kenya for those exact reasons.  But, after more than fifty consecutive days home, maybe you’re like the people at my house and you could use a ... Read More

Ep. 28 | Permission to Grieve

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This unexpected season has taught me a lot about suffering. And I’m not referring to my first world disappointments brought on by a global pandemic. I’m referring to the stories of suffering I’ve heard firsthand from people I love in Kenya. Through Mercy House Global, we were recently able to provide food relief for 125 families in Kenya (and we raised $150,000 on May 12 for our She is Priceless Giving Day!) These are family members of the teen moms living in the maternity homes and artisans ... Read More

She Is Priceless: The Gift of Home

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Home. It was the last place I’d planned to be. I should have been on a long plane ride to Kenya and instead I stayed home for another long week. This season has brought a new kind of grief –the kind that comes with staying instead of going. Yes, this pandemic has provided disappointment and discouragement. At the same time, it offers us the gift of perspective. It’s the kind of present that is hard to unwrap—a way to look at our loss and mounting problems from a new vantage point. It’s ... Read More

Moms Need Grit This Mother’s Day

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Well. This has been the weirdest May of my existence and it definitely doesn't feel like Mother's Day to me. Or my kids. Last night, we ate another dinner outside to vary it up and my kids were shocked that Mother's Day was this weekend. Good thing homemade gifts are my favorite. Mothering in the middle of the global pandemic takes motherhood to a whole new level. In the last 8 weeks, we've become school teachers, nurses, prison guards, outdoor wellness coaches, chefs...oh wait. We ... Read More

It’s Monday (In Case You Have No Idea)

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What I'm doing a lot of lately: Embroidery. I've had an embroidery hoop collection for years and I've always wanted to learn how to make one. (Here's where I got the pattern below with step by step instructions). Planting a garden and all the flowers I can get my hands on. Tune in for this Thursday night's Facebook live sale on the Mercy House Global page. I'll be on my back patio sharing new fair trade outdoor items! The profit from this week's sale will go directly to feed 125 families ... Read More