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When Your Soul Needs to Feel Its Worth

This post is part of a series by Holley Gerth and myself entitled All Things Possible Christmas. You can read more about it here and visit Holley’s place tomorrow for the conclusion.

I imagine how the Christmas story would read if Mary and Joseph were two professionals with PhD’s on their walls rather than two poor teenagers.

We don’t know exactly what Mary was doing when Gabriel delivered the message that she would deliver the Son, but we can assume it wasn’t anything that would have made the Nazareth newspapers.

Joseph was sleeping when God sent an angel to explain the details of Mary’s pregnancy in a dream.

I imagine how the Christmas story would read if God chose Bethlehem celebrities – maybe the Taylor Swift or Brad Pitt of their day – to first hear the news of Jesus’ birth. Instead, He chose shepherds tending flocks in fields, ordinary folks doing ordinary business.

With one hand, God reaches down from heaven and pulls extraordinary from the ordinary. And with the other He tosses up one illuminating star that leads kings to a stable.

From the moment of Jesus’ conception, God turned the ways of the world upside down. He brings the small to big places and takes the big to small places.

From the moment of Jesus’ conception, God made His name Emmanuel – God with us – very real.

Every year Emmanuel means something different. Life peels back more layers and we’re left standing raw until they heal. But God coming down to this gritty, dusty, land of the dying makes every difference in our hope for living. He is with us. He is in us. He is here. ~Emily P. Freeman

Emmanuel means inn doors of the heart aren’t slammed shut, but opened wide with welcome.

Emmanuel means miracles happen in the quiet of our ordinary days.

Emmanuel means our souls have worth.

Emmanuel means all things are possible.

But sometimes I forget all this, so I need reminding in my heart and home. Today, I am giving away two favorite things that do just that. I adore this pendant necklace from Lisa Leonard! If you win, you may choose this “He calls the stars by name” necklace or another single piece from Lisa’s faith collection at DaySpring. Not only are they swoony-pretty, but they match everything and are made of pewter. So lovely! {And just FYI~all Lisa’s jewelry is now 25% off at DaySpring.}

{photos from be small studios}

And have you met the lovely Annie Barnett of be small studios? Not only is Annie a beautiful soul herself, but her clean, classic, and bit-of-whimsy artwork is just glorious. {Annie also designed the picture above for this Christmas series!} If you win, you may choose any one of the Christmas prints above or another from her darling line.

To enter, all you have to do is like both Holley’s facebook page and my own in the handy Rafflecopter tool at the end of the post. By doing so you will automatically be entered to win both items. If you have already “liked” our pages, you will still be allowed to enter the giveaway, just follow the prompts in Rafflecopter. You will need to be signed into your Facebook account for it to work. One winner will be chosen for both prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to both Lisa Leonard and Annie Barnett for graciously donating both gifts for our giveaway!

December 6, 2012 17 Comments Filed Under: Fun Stuff, Giveaway, Holidays, Hope, Uncategorized

A Weekend to Chat

By Kristen

“Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and find what I have planned for you to do.” Sarah Young, Jesus Calling

Hello darlings! How are you doing today?

We have relished a week with 70 degree weather, and it has given me a hankering for spring. it’s been a glorious week of open windows, afternoon walks, and front porch reading. Our spring break is a little over a week away, and I’m sure we will get a snowstorm or two during it {grin}. I love living in Colorado Springs, but springtime here is bipolar: 72 degrees one day, 32 the next.

Right now, my Bible study is doing Linda Dillow’s new book/study What’s It Like to be Married to Me? I tell ya, we only just started it and it’s getting all up in my business {in good ways}. Linda is a hometown girl from the Colorado Springs area, so it’s extra fun to read her. What books are you reading these days? In fiction I’m wrapping up the Hunger Games trilogy. While those kind of books aren’t usually my cuppa tea, these three are crazy exciting page turners.

Finally, I’m so sorry I’m late to announcing the winner of Holley’s You’re Already Amazing books and canvas print. Using random number generator, the winner is…commenter no. 15: Amy! Amy, look for an email from me asap. And congrats! If you didn’t win but would still like the book, DaySpring has it on sale for $9. I promise it’s worth every penny. {Update: Right now, Holley’s book is available on Amazon for $3.99 and the Nook version is also available for $3.99. Smokin’ deals, folks.}

St. Patrick’s day is tomorrow! I have a good deal of Irish blood in me, so I like to make a big todo about this holiday. When I was a little girl, my parents did the same thing, and my Grandma Rea would give my sisters and I little clover or leprechaun pins and treats. Tomorrow, we’ll read about St. Patrick, have shepherd’s pie and some kind of treat, too. {My husband prefers his Irish treat in a mug ~ heh!} Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s day?

I don’t know if your weekend promises springlike weather or winter holdover storms, but I pray you have time to rest, to be on the lookout for what the Lord is doing outside your window and inside your soul. Enjoy Him, sisters, because heaven knows He’s wild about you. Settle into His plans today. And Irish or not, be blessed. I love you.

March 16, 2012 3 Comments Filed Under: Uncategorized

Because She’s Already Amazing {plus a sweet giveaway!}

By Kristen

Amazingness galore :: Cheryl, Jen *and* Mary

*Giveaway now closed.*

Her graciousness struck me from our first meeting, and what a first meeting it was. Mary, looking totally darling with her thick, dark hair swinging in a pony tail, and me looking totally not darling with primary colored birthday cake frosting smeared. all. over. my chest, face, and hair. {I later realized I even had frosting on my back. How? I’ll never know.} Unfazed by my disheveled appearance, Mary introduces herself and welcomes us to the Juniper Court neighborhood. We schedule a playdate for our same-aged toddlers, and so begins a friendship that has spanned a plethera of mountain top and valley moments together.

Goodness, how did Mary serve and love on me during those babies crying, husband traveling, crazy exhausting days? Let me count the ways. She babysat my kids, cooked us meals, hosted Bible study, introduced me to MOPS, and invited me to every soiree she attended. When I went on bedrest while pregnant with my daughter, she regularly checked on me and even brought me groceries. {With extra fun stuff not on my list like ice cream and chocolate!} Even more than all the serving, Mary encouraged me as a wife and mom. We haven’t been neighbors for almost ten years, but Mary still inspires through word and example every bit as much as she did during the Juniper Court days. Her arm must hurt from giving me countless I’m-there-with-ya-and-you’re-doing-great pats on the back.

While I’ve witnessed Mary’s lovely, Spirit-led nature over and over, I’ve never seen it so visible as when sorrow shows up on her doorstep . In this last eighteen months alone, Mary’s story includes an ectopic pregnancy, her husband’s deployment, her mother’s stroke and sudden death, a major move across the country, and the loss of a son. While she has walked the hardest of the hard roads, Mary still lives with hands open and eyes toward heaven. She lives the hard faith that proves genuine.

And so every time the gentle, stirring words and music of “When Emptiness Sings” drift towards me, I think of Mary. She is indeed an amazing wonder who keeps her bow on the strings ready to play the song God orchestrates.

{subscribers, click here for video.}

But oh,

Her bow is on the strings,

And the tune resonates in the open space

To show us how emptiness sings.

Glory to God, Glory to God!

In fullness of wisdom,

He writes my story into his song,

My life for the glory of God.

Chorus of “How Emptiness Sings” by Christa Wells

Now I know Mary, and she will read this and say, “Oh Kristen, but you don’t really know me. You don’t know all the times I haven’t handled the easy and hard things well. The times I still don’t.”

And I’d just look into her dark brown eyes and say, ”But Mary, God doesn’t expect perfection from you, only perseverance in the process. And because you do this – and a thousand other things – so imperfectly wonderfully, you are already amazing.”

“The moments you lived in your strengths, the challenges you pushed through, the ways you made a difference – they’ll all be something beautiful that you can give the One who gave everything for you.” Holley Gerth, You’re Already Amazing

{I’d also add, “And thank you Mary for not finding my frantic, frosting-covered self totally bizarre and weird. Amen.}

I’m gushing about Mary today in honor of a surprise book shower for Holley Gerth {another already amazing woman}. Her book, You’re Already Amazing, is available now at DaySpring, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Today, several of Holley’s friends are conspiring to surprise her with stories of those women in our lives who are already amazing. And if there’s one thing Holley loves, it’s her sisters lovin’ on each other by spreading around some major Jesus truth.

You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be

Isn’t she just the prettiest cover you’ve ever seen?

Speaking of major Jesus truth, Holley’s book is chock-full of it. God has used Holley’s blog and books to grow my faith over and over, so I knew I’d love this book, too. Really love it. But honestly, I didn’t know I’d really really love it this much. As in, it’s one of my all time favorite nonfiction reads. You’re Already Amazing isn’t your typical inspiring, biblically based book. While it certainly encourages my faith walk, it also gives practical ways to move biblical truths from my head to my heart, to accept them in all the deep places. And as a licensed counselor, Holley’s knowledge of why we women think and feel the way we do {the way God wired us} makes this read just plain fascinating.

Gettin’ my Holley love on.

Visit Holley’s place today and read more stories of amazing women *and* link up your own! Not a blog writing chica? Then maybe facebook or tweet a little love note about someone you think is da bomb diggedy. Better yet, tell her to her darling little face.

Finally, what’s a shower without presents? Because I so adore this book and wholeheartedly believe in its message, I’m giving away *two* copies of Holley’s You’re Already Amazing, one for you and one for a special loved one in your life. And also? You’ll have your pick of your fave Holley Gerth canvas print, some of which are pictured below.

Holley Gerth - Wonder - Canvas Wrapped 6" Block

Holley Gerth - Shine - Canvas Wrapped 6" Block

Holley Gerth - Strength - Canvas Wrapped 6" Block

Holley Gerth - Change the World - Canvas Wrapped 6" Block

To be entered to win, just leave a comment telling me what already amazing woman will be receiving your second book. I’ll announce the winner on Thursday, March 15th. {And while I do write for DaySpring’s blog (in)courage, I was not compensated for this review or giveaway. I just think Holley’s newest book is totally swell.} And if you’re interested in discussing You’re Already Amazing in a book club setting, check this out.

Hot diggedy! Not bad for a Monday, right?

March 12, 2012 23 Comments Filed Under: Authors Extraordinaire, Being a Woman, DaySpring, Fun Stuff, Giveaway, Hodgepodge, Uncategorized

What You’re Really Doing in Your Relentless Routines

By Kristen

Over three weeks now she shoots up from a dead sleep all panicked, convinced her legs are running away. So we go through this routine where I sing “Amazing Grace,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” and “I Am Jesus Little Lamb.” Tonight it happens again, so I close my eyes while singing, making the words a prayer while rubbing her legs. I finish the third song with the last line of the second verse, “When I thirst He bids me go, where the quiet waters flow.” She drinks in the words and calms considerably. She still needs a distraction, so I open the laptop and find Say Yes to the Dress. Nine times out of ten, a parade of pretty wedding dresses will draw her attention away from the restless legs.

The doctor says this could all be night terrors triggered from her hospital stay, and the episodes should subside with time. So for now, we maintain this routine of massaging, singing, watching, and putting her back to bed. Next night: repeat.

Last week, Sarah wrote of building an altar in her daughter’s bedroom, and that sums up what I feel every time I go through this relentless nightly routine. Oh sure, I wish Faith could sleep straight through the night and not wake up terrified. I wish her legs didn’t feel rigid and like they were “running away.” I’m tired, cranky, and long for normal quiet bedtimes. But while I lay with her in bed, I see an altar amidst the activity. In comforting my daughter, I bow down and talk to the Lord. On her white sleigh bed, we find a sacred place to meet Him. In a seemingly mundane place, His eyes still watch over me for my good. And in that promise I find our own little promise land.

I hear confirmation whispered in my ear when Faith thanks me and tells me she loves me, that I’m the best mama ever for staying with her. God tells me I’m the best mama ever for her, that I was handpicked for her.

He sees the good you do for those in your home, for those you were handpicked to care for and watch over. In our laundry rooms, kitchens, and little white sleigh beds we know He sees our good. We move through the routines and worship.

Amen.