Does your schedule seem too full? Are you wondering how you’re going to survive the upcoming school year? That’s me. With seven school-aged kids I’m trying to figure out what we can add. I’m also re-evaluating what needs to be cut. God has given each of us 24 hours, and if things are too crazy-busy,… [Continue Reading]
balanced
Being Transparent: 3 Ways To Invite Others Into Your Healing
Years ago, in 2005, I faced one of the hardest struggles of my life. I thought I was doing so well—as a writer, as a mom, and as a wife. One November, I pondered my family, and my work, and I thought things couldn’t get any better. I even prayed Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O… [Continue Reading]
The Brave Writer
I’ve never considered myself a brave person. I’m not one to bungee jump, and the best I’ve done on the ski slopes is the beginner’s run. (And with much trepidation at that!) Stepping out and deciding to pursuing writing was one of my bravest steps. Writing about the deep pain and struggles in my life—in… [Continue Reading]
Do You Dare? | Trusting God with Your Past, Present, & Future
“I have screwed up big time. If you can do anything with my life, please do.” That was the eloquent prayer I prayed in the early months of 1989. I was 17 and pregnant. I had dropped out of regular high school. My boyfriend was out of the picture. My friends were going on with… [Continue Reading]
Relinquish … Give Your Dreams to God
I was thinking about it yesterday, and I’ve had constant book contracts since 2002. That means constant book deadlines since 2002! This, friends, is the grace of God. It’s nothing I could have done without Him … I don’t even want to try! When I attended my first writer’s conference, I was 22 years old… [Continue Reading]
Take Time to Create. Take Time to Explore.
When I first began pursuing my dream career as a writer, I felt guilty following my dreams. My days looked like this: homeschooling in the morning, and then writing in the afternoon with a few hours I set aside while my children played. Those early years, I wrote articles and ideas for novels as Barney… [Continue Reading]
Contentment | The Key to Having an Awesome Day
Contentment. We talk about it, but do we actually practice it? I have learned that contentment can change your whole perspective and be the key to have an awesome day. Contentment: The Key to Having an Awesome Day I thought I was going to lose my mind. We’d just got back from a trip, and… [Continue Reading]
The B-Word | All About Balance
When it comes to writing at home, serving in our church and community, and loving our family, we all strive for the same thing: balance. We believe it’s out there, and if we discover the right formula we’ll find it. And, when we find it, there we will have peace. As a wife, mom of… [Continue Reading]
11 Ways to Spark Creativity
As a writer, I know all about creativity. I know how essential it is. I know how fun it can be. I also know what it’s like to be at a loss for creativity. Even as a mom, creativity is important. Combine the needed creativity for being both a mom and a writer . …. [Continue Reading]
Homeschooling Mom, Do You Need Outside Help?
As a wife, a mom, a sinner-saved-by-grace, and a servant of God, I have peace knowing God has a plan for my life. That He’s always had a plan. And that He’s here to guide me to His path for me. This is one of my favorite verses: All the stages of my life were… [Continue Reading]
4 Thoughts that Will Transform Your Schedule
4 Thoughts that Will Transform Your Schedule I wrote the book Balanced, yet I love how God is able to use my own words to help and inspire myself! As I’ve written blogs based on the book, it’s given me a chance to rethink some of the concepts. Every season of life is different, and… [Continue Reading]