These 21 Scriptures we can pray for our children in 2021 can make all the difference. And while we have high hopes that 2021 will have less conflict and trials than last year, we can’t guarantee it. There are many things we can do for our children to help them during hard times, but the… [Continue Reading]
The Better Mom
Walk It Out #140: In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake with Patrick and Ruth Schwenk
In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake with Patrick and Ruth Schwenk **GIVEAWAY** Be sure to enter to win one in five copies of Patrick and Ruth Schwenk’s In a Boat in the Middle of a Lake below! Our storm. Our boat. The truth is at some point, we all find ourselves in… [Continue Reading]
Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things
Are you facing the Hard Places in Adoption and wondering How Prayer Changes Things? I hope my words might offer you a lifeline when you’re drifting into doubt. Hard Places in Adoption and How Prayer Changes Things No one would argue the fact that in our marriage John is more realistic, and I’m more… [Continue Reading]
How to be Successful Unexpected Homeschooling Parents
How to be Successful Unexpected Homeschooling Parents When I started homeschooling 20 plus years ago, I shared the same fears that you might be experiencing today—fear of inadequacy, fear that my kids would fall behind, being unable to keep a good schedule, and losing my patience with my kids. However, after decades as a homeschooling… [Continue Reading]
What Does God Ask of Us?
What Does God Ask of Us? So many times we want God to reveal Himself to us. We question if He is real. And if we do believe in Him, we expect Him to really put Himself on display in big ways. What I’ve discovered the 27 years since I’ve become a Christian is that… [Continue Reading]
No More Grumbles: How I learned to trust God, stop acting helpless, and be a better example to my kids
No More Grumbles : How I learned to trust God, stop acting helpless, and be a better example to my kids So my family and I did a pretty dumb thing. We decided to take on a challenge not to grumble for a year. We chronicled the highs and the lows (lots of lows) in… [Continue Reading]
How to Budget for Back-to-School Expenses
Budgeting for Back-to-School Expenses I hate to say it, but back-to-school expenses are coming. Summer has been flying by and, depending on where you are, the school year is quickly creeping up on us. Here in Georgia, school started the first week of August! I know for me, last year was hard. Maybe that was… [Continue Reading]
25 Ways to Breathe Life Into Your Day
25 Ways to Breathe Life Into Your Day Do you go through your day drained and exhausted? As a mom of ten kids, I understand. There is always so much to do, it’s hard to slow down … let alone stop to catch a breath. But as moms we need that. We need refreshment. We… [Continue Reading]
Frankly, my dear, I don’t trust in God’s compassion
Okay, here’s the truth, for most of my teenage years I tried to ignore God. Why? Because even though I’d grown up going to church, I wasn’t living as I should. And if I thought about God I’d think about how disappointing (and downright sinful) I was. So it was easier to pretend that God… [Continue Reading]
How to Regulate Yourself as a Mom … and Control Your Anger
How to Regulate Yourself as a Mom … and Control Your Anger is what I’m talking about today. As a mom, I can tell when I’m out of sorts. Sometimes I don’t stress about the sticky floor or the grumbling kids. And then there are days when everything seems wrong, and deep down I know the… [Continue Reading]
How to stop your child’s angry cycle
The flash of anger in my tween daughter’s eyes surprised me. We’d been camping, and Maddie’s 6-year-old sister, Aly, had just burned her finger on hot ash. As I treat the wound, Maddie strode up. “I hurt myself, too,” she said, with attitude. “Last night when we were making S’mores.” “Hold on,” I said. As… [Continue Reading]