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deep thoughts on parenting…

January 15, 2017 Filed in faith,parenting

i have been thinking about blogging for weeks but my thoughts have just been very jumbled.
i couldn’t come up with words about living rooms or paint colors or recipes because…
ya’ll… this raising big kids thing is no joke.
parenting kids at any age is no easy job but this whole tween/teenager/semi-grown kids phase???
dude.

i love my kids to the moon and back.
being their mom has been and will forever be the best thing i ever do.
i think they are fabulous.  i think they are smart.  i know they are a gift straight from the Lord.
but oh my heck… sometimes it’s craaaaazy!


it’s not any one particular child or circumstance that is tough.
no one is perfect and i would never expect that from them.
One of the biggest challenges for me continues to be how different every single day can be!!!
i never know what to expect!
between the homework, teachers, practices, coaches, peer pressures, mean girls, mean boys, bosses, emotions, hormones, chores, cars, deadlines and 50 other things… it is always something to get your heart rate up in one way or another on a daily basis.
sometimes its for good things where you are super proud of your kid’s accomplishments and other times it’s… not.
sometimes i am so mad at the way my kid has been treated.
sometimes i am so mad at the way my kid was treating someone else.
and on and on and on.

i have been a mama for almost 22 years.
i have messed up so much.
so badly wish i could go back and know then what i know now.
i look back and think “how could you not see that megan?!”
sighhhhhh.
i wish i had responded with much more grace to poor behavior.
(but in defense of that mom back then… she hadn’t slept a full night in a decade soooo…)
not that i was a wild screaming dictator before but when my kids were little i felt i could “fix” things with a time out or a nap.
and a loud voice too.
so when they got older… my voice got louder & naps and time-outs turned into grounding.
and lots of frustration – from me and from my kids too.
all these years later i can see that “bad” behavior is something that can be met with questions, discussions & gentleness instead of shouting, anger & consequences.   i just could not wrap my mind around that before.
if you had told me several years ago in my own words what i just said i would have told you that you were naive & clueless and your kids are probably walking all over you.
i still believe in consequences but quite often the natural consequences are enough.
an example could be if a child didn’t do their homework & the coach says she can’t play in a game that week – that is a natural consequence.
instead of me laying down more punishment on top of that i can say “what is your plan to not miss your homework again?  how can i help you meet that goal? why do you think you didn’t do that before? how can you do things differently now”

in the past when there were poor choices made i would get mad.
mad at the kid.  mad at the choice.   just plain mad.
it was all reaction and no responding.
and then somewhere along the way i just got tired of feeling mad all the time.
something switched and now i have a desire to understand their thinking, talk it out calmly (or attempt to) and asking where they are struggling and if they know why?
it doesn’t always work BUT i feel so much better after we have parented in that way.
it feels right!
i can lay my head on my pillow at night knowing that i was calm… i was loving… i wasn’t manipulating guilt or pouring on shame… and i was honest.
(of course i still fail at this often because i am human)
because no matter what i want my kids to feel SEEN & HEARD & LOVED even if they screwed up majorly.
and if i am always mad – HOW would they feel those things?

when they were younger i didn’t really understand that all these little shorties running around my house were PEOPLE.
that sounds ridiculous i know but we just had baby after baby and it was kind of a decade of survival mode.
not in a traumatic kind of way but in a sleep deprived, out numbered, monotonous eat-cry-sleep-repeat kind of way.
there wasn’t a lot of thinking about their teenage years.
i could basically control their whole world… our entire day was doing whatever i wanted us all to do.
and when they got a little older – suddenly they didn’t always want to be part of my plan.
letting go of control was and still is hard!
but it’s necessary for them to become their own person.
i don’t want five little Meg robots who are just like me.
i want happy kids who feel awesome to be themselves even if (and especially if) they are the opposite of me or their dad.

each of us is given free will – even my own children! (gasp!)
no matter how much i try to instill my values onto my kids – they still get to choose their own path.
period.
i have to remind myself time and again that a bad choice does not equal bad kid.
nor does a poor choice equal a crappy mother who is to blame.
and instead of scrambling to fix it or rescuing them from the natural consequence or laying down my own consequence on top of what has already happened… i can step back, assess the damage, try to understand why it happened and ask where is the lesson in this situation?
and if necessary – issue a consequence that is fair and not made hastily in anger.

OH HOW I WISH I COULD HAVE PARENTED LIKE THIS 20 YEARS AGO!!!

there is nothing that can be done to change the past.
i can apologize when i am wrong (something i suck at!) and i can strive to do better in the future.
i can be honest with my kids and with my husband.
i need to confide in my girlfriends and listen to their advice.
being fake helps no one.
i can change the conversation in my home about choices, actions & expectations in love and not anger.
and therapy helps everybody.
it’s true.
everyone should go to therapy… it’s good for the soul.

if i was excellent at this parenting gig – i wouldn’t need Jesus.
I am so glad i don’t have to do this on my own!   i am so happy i have a Savior who is also my friend.
i can pray for His grace to cover the mistakes in my mothering.
i pray that i’ll show His love to my kids and when i don’t do that well that HE would love them even harder.
i pray that He will relentlessly pursue my kids’ hearts in whatever way He chooses.
that He will give me faith to trust His plan for my family in the good, the bad and the downright ugly.

parenting big kids is way harder than i expected and 100 times cooler than i ever thought.
i had no idea teenagers were so much fun!  obviously it’s not fun all of the time but way more than i ever knew to expect.
it’s a roller coaster of feeling all the emotions to extremes practically every day.
as a mom to 5 older kids – i am exhausted and exhilarated all the time.
i’m not awesome at it but i’m not going to give up trying.
i am overjoyed to be their mom.

add a comment

Cassandra - I just came back to read this post a second time. Thank you for this post, my oldest is 6 so I have a ways to go with this parenting gig I appreciate truth from those “ahead” of me. And thank goodness for God’s grace in it all!!

Rebekah - I rarely comment, but this just spoke to me! The thing about controlling our children’s behaviors is–we truly can’t, even when we think we can. Control is always about ME making MYSELF feel less anxious about getting assignments done on time, or about ME being less embarrassed by their mistake, or less worried that they’re going to end up in juvi or homeless or a not nice human being. Control is a technique I wrongly employ to help ME! Why is that my go to parenting? I don’t know. But your message resonates with me. Love, parent, discipline, but give up the control. God has me and them all in His hands anyhow. Thank you so much, Megan. I love your cheerful, happy corner of the web!

Laura - SO. VERY. TRUE.

Thank you, Meg for putting into words what us older moms know to be truth. May younger moms use your words to benefit their families.

Leslie @Farm fresh Fun - This is gold and why I’ve been following you for years as your kids and mine grow!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Laura - Such truth! My kids are 12-25 and I tell people all the time I thought it was suppose to get easier! It’s so much harder than I thought it would be. Their problems are so REAL and BIG! Parenting big kids isn’t for wimps, that’s for sure. Thankful every day for God’s grace and peace. Keep soldiering on 🙂

Heidi Garrett - Oh how I needed to hear this today! I have two teenagers and two littles, and somehow 3rd grade homework and preschool drama are NOTHING in comparison to raising teens. I am winging it!!! It is wonderful, but so tricky and new. Thank you for your encouraging post!

Bekkah - Hi Meg :]

I have been following your blog for a few years now, and it’s so crazy to see how old your children are now!! Especially Annie because she was so little when I first started reading, and she always reminded me a little of myself. 😛

Thanks for sharing this! I am particularly sitting with this line: “i still believe in consequences but quite often the natural consequences are enough…”

because that’s what God has been showing me about his heart towards me. Bless.

Have a good weekend!! xo

jennibell - I hope I have time to come back and read more of these comments. . .but as it is it has taken me 5 days to get around to this one — and I’ve been motivated to read it b/c I knew it would be chock-full of “good stuff”. Meg, love your heart and your honesty and your thoughts. Thank you for them. We have 4 ages 13-18. . .I have followed your blog for YEARS and taken MUCH of your advice b/c you’re right — we cannot do this “alone”. Listening to friends is very important (is that weird that I consider someone I don’t know IRL a “friend”?). Anyway, I shared this on my FB b/c last week I shared http://amycarney.com/blog/walk-away-from-doing-these-8-things-for-your-teen-this-school-year/ and got (some) flack. . .I’m a MS teacher and Amy Carney’s thoughts just hit me right. Your post was more about Jesus and love and mistakes and grace and a good balance — I agree with and will continue to refer to both posts often. Thank you for taking your time, opening up, and letting us know that we are not alone and encouraging us to be “better”.

Iris Brown - This is powerful & heart wrenching. I recognize myself in the shameful before & after. This post highlights that we are in a position to make changes so we are not reacting when we only have fumes (which is often) & to make provisions by complete dependence on Jesus.

I made these harsh & unfair judgments on my mother raising 3 girls by herself in even more dire circumstances. Only when I started raising my own kids I realize I need to cut her some slack and now towards myself.

OMG this was so good & so helpful so powerful! (Sigh) I need to chew on this for a while.

Lindsay Soetaert - THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom with us!! I had 4 children in under 6 years and I totally resonated with your statement about having baby after baby and how our mind has to shift into realizing they are actual people. And I certainly don’t want little robots of me, or just robots in general. I LOVE their personality and fire and everything else that makes them unique and wonderful and at times challenging. I have printed out a few of your blog posts in the past as reminders, and this one will definitely be one of them!

Carrie - Oh goodness this is appropriate for me. My oldest is 9 and we have entered an unusual phase. My sweet and happy little girl is a moody and often disrespectful little girl. Not to anyone outside of our family but nevertheless it has left me floundering. We have talked to her gently and my husband tends to react before thinking but I finally had it tonight. I told her that I knew that she was going through a lot and that she might not always be in the best mood but that being disrespectful was stopping today or there will have to be consequences. I told her that instead of snapping at me, using unkind words, or rolling her eyes that she needed to let me knew she was not in a good mood or that she was having a rough time. I tell her a lot that we are both learning this tween stage together and we need to figure it out. I have not lost my cool but I actually think that might happen soon and it might be a wake up call to her. But currently my 6 year old is a breeze!

Tanya H - I have thought about this a LOT lately. Especially the natural consequences, vs adding my own. Isn’t life challenging enough?? Sheesh mom!
I have kids close to Talby and Annie’s ages and a newborn. I am SO much calmer now, with all of them. I care so much less about how other mom’s do “it”, and what other people think I should do, and so much more about what my kids think and how they feel about things. Maybe it comes with age, or just the time spent being the mom… But I love your post and agree with everything. Nice to know we’re all learning and improving… 🙂

Lori Tacchino - I love this so much, Meg! Thank you so much for being real and honest.

Kimberlee - I love you.
That is all.

Annie - This is so good. I’m struggling with yelling and resentment, quickly followed by guilt and despair. I needed this today. Thank you for sharing.

Louise - Oh wow, Meg, I needed to read this today. I have yelled too much today and reacted poorly to my boys’ poor behavior. Thank you so much for the opportunity to press the reset button, apologize, and try again. So grateful for you.

Andrea - AMEN!
My oldest, who just turned 22, was home after graduating college in December – but just before she moved 2200 miles away to be on her own. She saw me dealing with our youngest and said “where was that Mom when I was little?” It made me cry later (I didn’t want to cry in front of her and make her feel guilty) because she’s right. The yeller, the mom who is tired and frustrated would yell and ground and threaten and use guilt, and that mom isn’t here any more. I think the hardest thing about her moving away from home to be her own person was letting her go, and for me knowing the wrong or right, her childhood is her past now. I wish I knew then what I know now, like you said. Adult kids are awesome and cool and so much fun, and the worries are there but different, so I’m not done being her mom, but I do have a different kind of importance now. God’s got us, Meg.
Great post!

cathie w. - Ditto everyone’s positive comments!!!!

While reading I kept thinking YES….This is how I feel and what I am striving for as a mother.

Thank you for putting this into words and sharing so opening.

Lisa - I remember the moment I realized my 5, where little people.
It changed me. After I quit crying.
Remember no one is perfect, no one is the mother that they really want to be, we’re too human. And how would kids even survive life, if they have that perfect upbringing?
I don’t know you, but I know you are a good mom.
When you’re having doubts,,, go to walmart, look around, observe. Or watch the news.
We’ve experienced, that about the time our girls have left the nest, they get feisty and critical of their parents. The mature ones have said, hey, you did what you knew to do,nobody’s perfect.
The less mature ones, well, they’re still feisty. Their choice.
Don’t get discouraged.
The lord, he knows our hearts. He understands.

Jen - Oh Meg, THANK YOU so much for this post. I feel like I’m walking around MAD too much and I don’t want to be there! I love your advice about meeting bad behavior with questions, discussion & gentleness; that is something I am going to try much harder to do! Blessings on the rest of your week!

Elisa - From what you shared, I think you’ll like these two things:
book: Seven Desires of Every Heart
Instagram, blog, etc: Danny Silk – loving your kids on purpose https://instagram.com/p/BO9zyigDjXT/

kensie - love.
I’m a mom to a 1, 2, 3 year old.
Stuff is tough.
Thanks for the perspective and rubber-meets-the-road advice.

I’m a little afraid of feeling all of what I feel now PLUS what you say is on the way.
Oy.

Thank the Lord we have Him.
Love your writing- Kensie

LIsa - Oh Meg –
I just clicked over to your blog today on a break at work and
I think you wrote this JUST for me!
I also need to remind myself that my kids are not robots of me.
and they have their own free will (double gasp!).
It WAS so easy when they were little and we could plan their days!
We have really great kids , but the ups and downs and change of plans each day/hour can be exhausting. I feel like numerous texts come in each day about new plans with friends or projects due, etc…..
Today our second daughter turns 13! So fitting to be reminded of great ideas for raising great kids!
Thank you, Lisa

Kristin F. - This was so, so good and something I absolutely needed to hear. I’m a yeller and the more frustrated I get, the louder I become. Just last night I had to back down on some consequences because they were too harsh for the action. Thanks for helping me keep myself in check. xo

Sally Carne - GREAT article. I also have recently switched to the “let’s sit down and try to understand the choice made” instead of punishments for my teens and step children (we are a blended family with 6 kids, all tweens or teens). I finally figured out that in the end I will feel better about trying to parent out of love than expectations, but getting here was rough, just as you explained above! I have been one of your original followers of your blog, and I have loved every entry over the years – I found you while searching for the rainbow cake oh so many years ago. Thank you, I enjoy your experiences!

Jennie - my son (my first) is ten months today, and i soaked up every single word of this. not that i’ll never get mad. but thank you.

Kristin S - Meg, I just shared this on my Facebook wall. That’s a lot of guts since I don’t even have kids! BUT so many friends have teens and I just couldn’t not share. It’s the same people I screenshotted (when did that become a verb?) your podcast with Kendra last summer and sent it to them. Friends who need hope. I love your perspective from experience and love and Jesus.

Thank you for sharing!

SC - Needed this today. I opened up my computer during lunch today to google “how to discipline my 15 year old boy”….I was out of ideas..he does so well most of the time then out of no where -BOOM….he’s made a poor decision that has landed him in trouble…and it makes me so angry… I start blaming my parenting….I worry about what he’s teaching his younger siblings,..it just a hopeless cycle and I end up MAD…and he knows I’m mad…and I know he feels guilty but what good does that do? My first instinct is to “discipline” by punishments…taking phone away, grounding, no social media….but I realize it doesn’t work… today I was out of ideas…I realize my google search was on how to punish… not how to nurture, teach and be loving when my child has done something wrong. Thank you for the lesson today.

Christin - These words spoke right to my heart. Thank you

Courtney - yes. thank you for these words. I needed them. I feel like I want to laugh, cry, smile and jump up for joy all at the same time. this parenting thing is NO joke!! (6 kids. 2 adopted. ages 15-6 years old.)

Kim B - Well said! Thanks for sharing!

Routhie - Thank you for being so honest and sharing your wisdom. I’ve got a tween and a teen and I find myself forever wishing things were done differently. Sometimes, you just need to hear from someone else the obvious thing to do.

Amy - Yep. I am right where you are. I have 7 children 21,19,17,15,13,10 and 8. It’s a roller coaster I never expected. In a lot of ways it’s harder parenting with more sleep. The things you worry about seem more serious. Instead of worrying if they should eat chicken nuggets I am worried they will drive carefully. I am a worrier by nature and so teenage years are especially hard for me. And wow I am amazed how times have changed. I am the old fashioned mom that still gives her teenagers curfews, don’t allow them to spend the night with the opposite sex, and gives the consequences for messing up grades or attitudes. But I am learning to let them have control and show them trust in situations that make me uncomfortable too. That has been hard. I think like you said it’s a control thing. But giving them rules and trust is turning out to be a great balance. I am working on not flipping my lid in situations. Being graceful is so much better but more important than that is admitting my mistakes and apologizing. I think that has helped our relations with our teens to show them we are trying to figure this out with them and we get things wrong too. We aren’t the dictators and demand respect. We have to show them respect just like what we want from them. Thanks for writing this post!

Ella - Our kids are ages 20, 17, 16, 15, 6 & 2. I’m so grateful to see my own motherly ruminations here today. Busy moms have trouble connecting regularly with other busy moms in those deeper & so meaningful discussions these days. I needed to see/hear what I had rolling around in my own grey matter in order to fully process it. I was an angry mom for years when my eldest was transitioning from elementary to middle school. That was on the heels of a very literally smoke & mirrors crazy custody battle regarding DH’s DD. It wasn’t until I took my eldest for some needed counseling that I realized how angry I’d become & how dysfunctional our parenting was heading as a result. My biggest take away was learning to let go of all the things I truly had no control over. That included my kiddos mistakes weren’t mine & I didn’t need to own them any more. I just needed to help them figure out why they made them & how they could do better the next time they were faced with a similar situation. I don’t believe I’ll ever stop learning & growing. These kids are constant teachers & God’s grace is amazingly generous.

Whitney - I love this. Thank you! I hope you never give up blogging completely.😊

Shannon - Thank you for this post. I’ve been struggling in some areas lately….and this was good to read! Thank you for your raw and honest words! Mothering is a very hard AND rewarding job! There’s a whole lot of “if I knew then what I know now”….! I get that!! I will treasure this post in days to come!! Thank you!

Ann - Best post ever. As a mom of littles I take all the wisdom of more experienced moms that I can get. Thank you!!

Nina - Awesome article! I’m just getting into the older kid stage, my oldest son just turned 11 and he has three brothers 5,7,9. I feel like I’m mad a lot and I hate that! I also struggle with their poor choices being a reflection of my parenting.

LindaP - Love this. Plain and simply love it. Having 2 teen boys right now is the hardest and greatest thing ever and you captured it all. We don’t do ourselves any favors by pretending it’s all good all the time. The day in and day out can be tough but the overall is the best!

Alice H - Being a parent is so HARD!!! I agree with everything you wrote.
I have a senior daughter who is getting ready to graduate and leave me for college, a sophomore son, and then I started over and have a first grade boy also. Every day, every age, every stage is a different struggle.

I have been struggling with the homework situation with my sophomore boy. I was so mad. I finally had to step back and let go. I told him I knew what he was capable of. And that if he needed help, all he had to do was ask and I would get him tutoring, etc. So hopefully now with me off of his butt, he will realize what he wants to do.

Kristen - It looks to me like they love having you as their mom, as much as you love being their mom. Thank you for the way that you share your family, and God’s role in it. You inspire me to be a real-er mom to my 4 kiddos, and I’m grateful for you!

Tina - Its like you KNEW that I needed this post. Thank you. I never thought that when I was struggling with 5 babies in 6 years that anything could possibly be harder….then I had teenagers. I want to be more compassionate and understanding, but I’m also walking a fine line with a couple of kids who have behavior problems that sometimes puts them in danger. I also wish I had known when they were younger how lonely parenting teens can be. There’s always a village when you need advice about diapers or potty training or feeding or bottles, etc, but I find that my teenagers problems are not mine to share with others. Its a little isolating.

Thanks again for the great advice.

Kimberly - Your blog is my favorite!! I love all of it– and I especially love these parenting blogs because I have 3 little ones 5 and under. It’s nice to hear from someone further down the parenting road than me. Someone besides my mom– who’s is wonderful, but, you know– it’s good to hear from a neutral party. Thanks for sharing this!

Lee - Oh Meg! Hugs from one mom to another! Transparency, wisdom, truth and on and on . . . . . You said it all so well. Other moms will be encouraged by your words! My girls are adults now raising their own children and I will be encouraging them to read this blog. (one of my daughters & I came to a craft weekend & loved it!) Blessings and grace to all moms!!!!!!!

Amy - All that you wrote are my thoughts exactly! I struggle with wishing I could go back to when they were little and parent differently. I struggle with trying not to be to demanding of them and knowing that they have to learn from natural consequences and that I cannot control or fix everything they do. I miss when they were little but this age is so awesome too. Parenting is HARD!

Ruth - Thank you Meg, for starting my week off this way! With 3 in the same stages as yours I very much relate, am grateful for your can do and say amen to every word! Much Love.

Jennifer - Really great post. Thanks for sharing and thanks for being honest. Wonderful words of wisdom and insight. I’m fast approaching the teenage years and this helps with perspective. You’re doing great! Can’t wait to see you next month!

Cindy - I have 2 teenage girls and this is just so good! Thank you for sharing with us.

Brady W. - Aaaaaannnnd….cue the knife to my heart. Your (should I say God’s??) timing couldn’t have been better with this post. I just had a yelling match with my 5 year old son last night that resulted in both of us in tears (pathetic, I know–who fights with a 5 year old?!?). As I was yelling at him, I was arguing in my head about whether or not that was the best way to handle it. “But if I don’t yell, he doesn’t listen or do what I say. I’ve explained it nicely 15 times!” “If I just stop yelling and hug him, will this fight be over?” “But if I hug him, is he going to understand that what he did is wrong?” It was a CONSTANT back and forth and I realized last night more than ever that all I did was frustrate myself and my son and make the devil dance with joy that he was winning. It’s SO hard to know the “right” way to parent. The sad part is it takes making so many mistakes to figure out what works the best–thank God for His grace and that my kids are so forgiving! I’ll be praying for you (and myself-ha!) to have wisdom and grace and forgiveness. Mommin’ ain’t easy! Hang in there!

Maureen - Yes! Parenting older teens is a whole new game! I, too, have parenting regrets and parenting wishes and “why didn’t I?” and the whole rush of emotions of having these boys-almost-men in my house. Feeling nostalgic many days and proud and afraid of what the future holds and excited all at the same time. Thank you for your post. Mothers unite!

Patty - Amen to that lady! My kids are 23 and 27. It is so cool to see them be the awesome, successful adults they are and enjoy them as such, but you still parent/give advice which they take into account and act on/don’t act on… When my daughter was in middle school I’d send her and her friends off with a “Make good choices girls!” (think Jamie Lee Curtis in Freaky Friday) It started as a joke, but when moments were right I’d follow up with a deeper conversation. “Life is made up of choices. We make them sometimes good, sometimes bad. Learn from your choices. I hope you make more good choices than bad. Most importantly, I just don’t want any bad choices to affect you, or someone else for the rest of your/their lives.”

Cara - this was an answer to prayer. thank you, thank you, thank you for being real, honest and vulnerable on the internet. God wanted me to read this today. i don’t know you but i am extremely grateful for your obedience in stepping out and sharing your heart on this matter. bless you and your sweet beautiful family!

Andrea - Thank you, thank you, thank you! I arrived home last night from a weekend away with several older christian moms and grandmothers but somehow felt more overwhelmed and discouraged than ever because I don’t have it all together like they do. Your honesty was the best encouragement ever!!!!!! The timing of your post was amazing and so God speaking through you!!! Sharing your heart has helped me more than ever! I am so glad you shared!!!

Trina - AAAAHHHH! This had me in full fledged ugly cry mode! I’m in the “toddler mom” stage of life and I feel so defeated a lot of days. I feel like I yell too much. That I’m not patient enough. That I expect too much. And while all of that is something I will struggle with on the daily (because I’m human), this post was soooo encouraging to me, because it reminded me of things I already know, but things I still desperately need to hear. Jesus covers my mistakes and His grace is what I need to lean on. Grace is also something I need to bestow upon my children…and honestly myself when I’m disappointed with the amount of times I’ve lost it with my kids that day. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting something that is super poignant for me at this point in my life!

Gevay - I love this. This is a good word. It’s humble and honest and raw. Thanks for sharing your heart and your wisdom to those of us on the cusp of this.

Abby - I think I have been holding my breath for this post for a long time. thanku. I am a mama of 5 children also we are very slowly climbing out of the babyhood trenches (our youngest is 2 and our oldest 10). I have felt the need to shift away from anger and timeouts but not sure what to do. I have felt that there is a better way to discipline my older children. Thank u for shining a small light on the path I need.

se7en - Isn’t this post the truth!!! Love it… Parenting littles is exhausting in a completely different way than parenting teens, which is definitely not for sissies!!! I had this idea that they would grow up and sleep and become more and more capable and sleep(!)… and then kind of slide out of home… its nothing like that. Their needs are bigger and can’t always be fixed with a sleep… they do sleep, but not before two in the morning and if you want to stay close with them… then that’s when they chat!!! It is a giant rollercoaster of the best of times and the most trying times, all in a state of fatigue!!! Is it worth it? You had better believe it, they may not be the people I expected them to be, but I really like them, just as they are!!! Of course I am their mother so I love them completely… but I really like them. I want to hang out with them and spend evening playing games and catching up with them… the ultimate achievement is to get through all this growing up, for all of us and out the other side and still be liking each other totally!!!

Christy - Thanks. Your post was just what I needed to here this weekend. As a mom newly experiencing the “older kids” years I’ve been a bit overwhelmed lately by the same things. I find myself looking back with regret at decisions I made, responses I had, etc. hoping they know I meant only the best for them. That I love them so much it sometimes physically hurts. Instead I need to be looking forward and praying for more grace on both sides, more understanding and patience.. My girls are amazing and I often find myself tearing up over the idea that they will soon leave my house one minute, and just wishing for a moment of quiet the next. It is hard, and crazy, and an emotional roller coaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Prayers for all of us moms out there!

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Fair Trade Friday

September 1, 2016 Filed in africa,charity,faith,things i love

i love to share about organizations that are changing the world.
i am inspired when i read about women who see a need and get busy helping.
when they find ways to empower women in poverty through employment or education or prenatal care or counseling AND i can be a part of it right here in my home in my pajamas at 10PM with The Office on Netflix – it is the coolest!
today i want to share about Mercy House Global.

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Those are some pretty heavy issues!
So I love to see the BIG vision that comes right afterwards.

One way that Mercy House can live out their vision is through a subscription program they created called

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You can chose your subscription based on the amount your would like spend,

OR you can choose by how many goodies arrive each month.

The best part is that it’s all fair trade and ALL the money go to the artisans who crafted it.

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Fair Trade Friday exists as an avenue for women to empower women.
We are tackling poverty through job opportunity and empowerment rather than enablement in Jesus’ name.
100% of the proceeds support the artisans, thousands of women and their children around the world.
FTF is a ministry of Mercy House Global, a non-profit organization.

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Fair Trade Friday is a monthly subscription club that delivers a box of fair trade items to your door every month.
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“The beauty of Fair Trade Friday is that when a person gets that box of product,
they have literally enabled mothers around the world to put food on the table, to pay school fees
for their kids and to be employed”

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Please click over to Mercy House Global and read all about it.
and definitely watch the video!
The founder of Mercy House, Kristen Welch tells the story of starting Mercy House Global
and the impact that it is making in the world.

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Anyone who joins by September 17th will still receive their box in September.
woo-hoo!
Join the club!
🙂

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“It’s not just something cute to wear.
It’s not just another accessory.  It’s changing the world for these women.”

– Kristen Welch

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add a comment

Kristen Welch - You’re the best! xoxo

Sabrina - I just ordered the Bracelet of the Month!

Kimberlee Jost - What a great idea! I love this evidence of good in the world today. Yay Fair Trade Friday!

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$1 a day

August 3, 2016 Filed in africa,charity,faith,things i love

I know it may sound corny… like the Sally Stuthers commercials from when we were kids.
But truly – just one dollar a day CAN change lives when we are intentional.

I love working with organizations that make a difference!

One group I have worked with, traveled with and LOVE is called The Adventure Project!
They are working hard every day to create jobs to empower those in poverty.

Here are some snippets from their website:

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What people want most in this world is the opportunity to thrive.
Not with handouts, but by using their own two hands.

Economic growth is the key to lifting communities from poverty to prosperity.

The Adventure Project gives people the tools, education and resources to become entrepreneurs, so they can serve their own communities with improved health, decreased hunger, a safer environment and clean water.

They “add venture.”

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WE FOCUS ON THE
WORLD’S GREATEST ISSUES AFFECTING
PEOPLE LIVING IN POVERTY:
THE ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, HUNGER AND WATER.

THEN, WE INVEST IN ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS THAT SAVE CHILDREN’S LIVES.

add a comment

Kerrin - I love when you do these kind of posts. My daughter and I LOVED watching the “People are Awesome” video. Thanks so much!

Becca - Meg, this sounds like a really awesome organization. Thanks for sharing. I was wondering, are they associated with any church?

Corinne Heffernan - That is why you are one of my all time favorite bloggers, I feel happy and hopeful whenever i read your blog. What a wonderful organization.

Becky - Meg. You continue to inspire. We’re so thankful you joined us. Also, I’m happy to answer any questions! Anyone can email me at: becky(@)theadventureproject.org or call our office: (650) 303.1899.

Thanks so so much!

Tiffany - Your big heart in always having the desire to help others globally is one of the many things I love about you. 😊

Lisa - I love that you share these kinds of things. It’s so important and this organization is SO good!

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i am second

March 27, 2016 Filed in faith

i came across these videos this week and i watched like… 20 of them?!!

I Am Second is a website (apparently… again i am late to the party)
it breaks down the videos based on different kinds of struggles.
it also talks about who is first… and questions about God and life.

millions of people have watched them so i will assume that many of you have seen them already.
but in case you haven’t – go for it!

this video links to just one but in the sidebar you can see the other I Am Second videos.
there are 111 videos!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwLC76lHuHQ

here are a few of my favorites….

Nathan Schroer

Ryan Ries

Brain Welch

The Robertson’s

Kay Robertson

Annie Lobert

i just LOOOOOVE stories of jesus saving lost people.
more than anything.
#hearteyes

add a comment

Kelly Sites - I LOVE these videos too. I love the one from the lead singer of Corn (don’t know who Corn is, or what his name is, but it is a powerful testimony). I can’t wait to watch more of these.

Shannon - This is a great website too. It’s videos of Jews who met their Messiah.
http://www.imetmessiah.com

Andrea - My kids have played Upwards (Christian based) sports for years. They show these at 1/2 time of the basketball games. They are pretty awesome. One of my favorites is Bethany Hamilton (the surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack).

Claudia - Ethan Hallmark’s I am second video is incredibly moving:
http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/ethan-hallmark/
From this link you can also see the documentary I Am Second
filmed of his life before he passed away from neuroblastoma.
An amazing story of an amazing boy who lived his life for
Jesus. What an example to us all!!

martha - Never heard of this site. was so moved by ms. kay and her faithfulness to God and her marriage. thank you for sharing…I to will share..there is something for everyone

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my friends and compassion

February 1, 2016 Filed in faith,things i love

three of my online-turned-real-life friends are on a special trip with Compassion International this week with their sons!
i am loving getting to follow along with them online.
you can follow along as well!

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i read each of their posts and teared up thinking about all that they are experiencing.
i love these ladies.
and admire each of them so much.

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shannan martin with sweet Zulema

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ashley campbell with Ismael

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and ruth simons with Luz & Segundo

i read each of their stories so far then i clicked through the Compassion website.
i looked at the faces, into the eyes of those kids and my heart ached for every one of them.
we have talked as a family for years about sponsoring a child.
we’ve done all kinds of other programs and fundraisers but not one like this that is so personal.
well… no more waiting.

today is the day.

today was the day our family said yes to sponsoring!

hip hip hooray!

i am so glad there are ways to give in ways that connect.
i am so grateful there are organizations that do the work so that is possible to do something for others.
i am thrilled for my friends that they get to meet their sponsor families and share a bond now.
that’s huge!

thanks Compassion for doing work that makes a difference!

 

add a comment

Crystal - I somehow missed this post before & I guess the Lord led me to it at exactly the right time when it will give my heart & soul the lift that I genuinely need right now. Just seeing the words, “Compassion International” warmed my heart & brought so many wonderful memories & life lessons learned early on in my own childhood through their sponsorship program.
I’m 33 now & due to many fertility issues, miscarriages, etc. the good Lord blessed our family w/my 2 younger sisters…but not until I was 11 & 13 yrs. old~ I got to live life as an only child AND as and older sister essentially & what an amazing BLESSING that has been!!! However, prior to each of their arrivals & through all of those many difficult times…disappointments & what felt like, “impossible to ever get through”, heart aches… (Especially for a kid who’s Christmas list EVERY single year for as long as I could compose one, ALWAYS…ALWAYS…ALWAYS included one, key, item: “a baby brother or baby sister”. NOTHING mattered to me more~ & Prior to being old enough to actually understand the struggles that my poor parents were facing, trying to fulfill my wish (& of course theirs!) my mom had the wonderful idea of sponsoring a child!
It was LIFE CHANGING for me- thinking about it now even, probably more than I ever realized & I’d bet probably more than I ever really made it a point to share directly w/my parents either~ (Note to self to get on that stat…Life is too short to not share these things w/our people! Am I right or am I right!?!)
Anyways, not only did it give me someone special to connect w/that felt like a real extension of our little, nuclear family…but, it opened my eyes to so much beyond myself & my little bubble of a world…(That I didn’t even know I was living in prior to the whole sponsorship experience!)
I was so blessed to have parents that worked incredibly hard & sacrificed greatly to put me (& eventually my younger sisters) through the beat schools available & to travel extensively- but, I had no idea through those experiences what children, just like me in many ways, EXCEPT that they were living in places like Africa or Haiti…where as you know from your experiences, had VERY DIFFERENT & VERY REAL Struggles & Fears that I never, ever, ever would have to worry about in my blessed & protected life.
We chose a sponsorship in Haiti b/c we had friends who ran a mission there & bc my parents had visited there, on a cruise of all things! Prior to my birth, when it was a popular port of call stop! Can you imagine!?!? And, it just felt right…you know?
The girl that we sponsored was a part of out family until she “graduated” for lack of a better word from the program & we stayed in touch for quite a while Into her early adulthood as well. It was an incredible experience for me & such a binding experience for our family as well. All of her letters were so, so special! Getting to see them in her writing & then the translation attached was so neat to me as a kid! I LOVED getting those in the mail! & I loved learning as much as I could about what her life was really like there, about her family, scho (that was made possible for her through our sponsorship!!! Can you say CHOKE BACK THE TEARS! When I now think about how truly POWERFUL & empowering that really is! WOWZERS!!! I learned so much about empathy & generosity & loved doing things to her & her family when I personally could. I felt like I was doing something really impactful, even as “just a kid” & the life lessons that that taught me…PRICELESS!
The small amount of money that it cost to sponsor her monthly in the big scheme of our “American life” vs. The difference that that made in her life- I think is even more astonishing to me now, as an adult, than it was as a kid even. (Probably B/C I have a better understanding of $$ I assume…)
But, my point & ridiculously LONG (SORRY!!!) Heart out pouring here is that I can’t say…scratch that…SCREAM FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS!!! Enough!! PLEASE… DO THIS! Sponsor a child, or 2 or 3 or More. Make a donation- get your kids involved~ It WILL CHANGE their lives & teach them INVALUABLE life lessons if you let it! & Get excited about doing it! You are TRULY CHANGING someone else’s life…& we can all stand to give up something on occasion or, on a regular basis- whatever we can afford…
I’ve gone through really difficult times (including financial due to severe health issues-) & praise God again that he is slowly helping my body heal & us get on our feet again. But, I truly believe that this sponsorship experience changed me in a way…way back when….that impacted me & strengthened my faith- gave me hope & helped us better, “weather the storm” the past few years through all of our struggles & my treatments & ups & downs & hopes & failures…ALL of it! I can actually see that now & your post on this brought it ALL flooding back to me as if it was just yesterday & flooded me w/so much emotion & so much gratitude that God led my mom to find Compassion International when she did & for the beautiful life lessons that found their way to me & my life through it.
I think that maybe myself & my family were the most blessed & the biggest recipients throughout the entire experience rather than the other way around, I really do.
Sponsoring a child is the FIRST THING that I am going to do AS SOON AS I AM ABLE to – & I know that as long as I keep leaning on God, that WILL be very soon. Thank you SO SO SO MUCH for this post~ It probably sounds so silly to you, but it was EXACTLY what I needed to read & be reminded of in so many ways! & I mean, exactly!
I have read your blog, & found incredible encouragement, peace, solace, happiness when I was struggling to see any at all to be honest, beautiful creativity that fueled my soul so many times when I, myself haven’t physically been able to actually do any of the things along those lines that had ways been escape…my “Happy Place” really… I could go on & on really, b/c I feel like you are such a kindred spirit even though we’ve never met & your blog has done so much for my life~ there just aren’t enough words to describe how & to thank you enough Meg! Keep up the FABULOUS work that you do & sharing what’s on your heart, b/c I think we all just love you straight up, for being YOU! 😉
“Rainbows & Sunshine”…That’s what you are…& WHO doesn’t love & need that in their lives!?! I mean- come on! 😃
God Bless you & your family & thank you again for be such a gift in my life when I needed it the most!
💛💙💜💚❤️ (I just HAD to throw in some color & a little nod to your live of emojis while I was already taking over for a minute!) 😍

Lisa - I loved following their trip on Instagram! So cool! We have sponsored kids through a different organization. But I love Compassion and know they are such a wonderful organization.

Sarah Lahrman - My husband and I sponsor a child through Compassion as well. It is such a great feeling to know how much you can impact the lives of these children at such a small price. The letters you get just melt your heart. to. pieces. Congrats 🙂

leslie - My family has been sponsoring a little girl in Bolivia through Compassion for about five years now. It is such a worthwhile experience! For the price of a large pizza each month we are able to support her and help her family learn of God. And the letters we get are so precious!

Jenn - What wonderful news! Congratulations!

Heather S. - I find it surprising that you don’t already do this. No reason, really, just assumed you probably did. My husband and I began sponsoring a girl together when we were college students. She grew up and out of the program and we took on another girl. As my girls grew they became more interested in Compassion. Now we have 4 Compassion girls and my 13 yo has been a Compassion correspondent for three years now. She is responsible for writing to 2 of our girls and an additional girl who has a financial sponsor, but no personal relationship. It’s an incredible way for my girl to speak love into the lives of other girls around the world. We have the Philippines, El Salvador, Bolivia, Ghana, and Brazil all represented and my girls learn about these cultures through our correspondence as well. It is an awesome way to serve!

Kelly - That’s so exciting!! You have a new “baby”. Blessings! Kelly

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women of faith

May 28, 2015 Filed in faith

have you heard of the Women of Faith Conferences?
they are all over… Oklahoma to Florida to California and every where in between.
it’s a two day conference filled with loads of speakers and entertainment.
i haven’t been to a conference YET but i am going to the Oklahoma conference July 24 – 25!
basically meaning i will follow Jen Hatmaker anywhere.

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If you are interested in going… look through their website and find one that is close to you.
get your girlfriends together and get a hotel room!
make it a FUN getaway!
or go with any ladies in your life that would like a time to worship and learn together.
or go on your own! that is totally cool too!  🙂

Women of Faith gave me a discount code to share with you!
what?
i was super excited to get to share that!
if you use the code: Whatever20 to get 20% off your ticket price!!!!

🙂  🙂  🙂  🙂  🙂  🙂  🙂  🙂

tell me which one you pick!  I’d love to know where everyone is going!

add a comment

Melia - Hi Meg!
Do you know how long this code is good for? Trying to round up some gals for the Minneapolis one in October!

Becky B - I love Jen Hatmaker, I should totally be going!

Lisa - I’m going to the Portland one with my sisters!

Sarah - Hmm, Jen Hatmaker is in Connecticut too, that’s a little closer to home!

SoCalLynn - I’m so excited for you! WofF conferences are wonderful, so inspiring and refreshing. I haven’t been for several years, but now my youngest daughter is old enough to go so I’m thinking we will this year. Anaheim, CA!!! A hint for buying tickets: if your event is sold out, go on the website where there is a page for churches re-selling tickets. Some churches buy in blocks and they re sell the tickets their church has overbought. Enjoy!

Katie Skiff - I hope you can go. I’ve been to five, including this one here in Billings. You just have to go. These women are so amazing.

Kelly - I LOVE hearing Jen Hatmaker speak! So encouraging, so challenging, so GOOD!!! I see she will not be at Denver which is closest to me so maybe I should come to OKC!! How long is the code good for? Thanks! Kelly

Rachel J - Hey Meg! My church might be hosting the live simulcast in October for this, buttttttttttttt……….there’s a chance I may be at the Oklahoma event too! That would be awesome to see you there! 🙂

sharon / theprincipledtype.blogspot.com - in my (ever-be-it-so-humble) opinion the number one thing to look for in a woman (spouse) — ‘faithful’ With that virtue, everything else will work itself out 🙂

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hope spoken weekend

April 1, 2015 Filed in faith,me me me,pretty,things i love

well i am home from a really good weekend at Hope Spoken in Dallas.
i have been trying to write this post for three days but life is busy!
appointments and carpool and dinner and groceries and puppies and chickens and everything!
take me back to Dallas!!!

kimberlee and i drove down together and talked our heads off every. single. minute.
#duh

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when we got to dallas we ate at Lyfe Kitchen for lunch.
hummus on a salad? quinoa and cucumbers? avocado AND hot sauce?!
and i tried my first radish!
this salad was not only photo worthy but memorable.
i wish i could eat it every week!
over this meal kimberlee said “i always forget how good it feels to get away and do something out of the norm”
amen.
YAY for leaving the routine behind and having fun outside our everyday lives!

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the first place i went for the conference was the Speaker Dinner.
the other Hope Spoken speakers were there and i met them for the first time.
We met at Neighbor’s Table with Sarah hosting us in her back yard.
(go read about her Love Mission!)IMG_3572

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the table setting was beautiful and made us each feel so special.
i loved hearing Sarah’s heart in what she does… how she serves.
she made me want to be more intentional about sharing and gathering!
it was a relaxing way to start the weekend.
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not hope spoken related but still weekend related:
we ate lunch on friday at the Rusty Taco.
OMJosh.
the #2 Roasted Pork Taco with cotija cheese and pickled red onions was something i can’t stop craving!
we tried to go back twice but it was closed on the weekends!
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Hope Spoken opened on friday night with Jen Hatmaker.
now… i knew she would be good.
but she blew me away.
i have read her books but i’ve never heard her speak… it was the best thing i have heard in possibly years!
she’s the real deal.
this is a terrible picture of her… but i wanted you to see the stage and the set up… SO lovely.
i don’t think it was recorded but if it was you have got to hear it!  i will keep you posted.

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these were my roommates.
i mean, they were ok i guess…
ha ha ha.
ashley, shannan and kimberlee are so nice to room with me.
they make me so happy.
i wish we all lived in the same state… in the same town…. on same block… with adjoining backyards where we can hang out every night!  🙂

 

this is my small group i got to be in.
i always feel anxious when joining a group of women… (will this feeling last forever?)
and as usual… the group was totally lovely full of sweet women with stories that matter & big hearts.
Crystal was our leader and i have been wanting to meet her in person for a long time.
our group even had a smiley baby mascot.

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i spoke on saturday morning.
i was a sweaty mess but i made it through!
and i did cry… but not out of control.
they did not record the break outs so literally “i guess you had to be there”
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(thanks for picture kimberlee)
i felt like i needed a nap when i was done!
but i am so glad i did it!!!
at 10:55 i tried to get the other break out speakers to go out for coffee with me.
(we spoke at 11:00)
ha ha ha
i shared about how Jesus wants us right where we are, no matter what we have done in our past.
there is no one “qualified” to be used by Him… none of us are and He uses us anyway!
i shared that it’s O K  and even good to DREAM with God & the setbacks we encounter when we do.
about how it’s really hard to see ourselves the way God does – we focus on our sins but God sees us clean.
and about how all the stories & events in our past are about God changing us for His good.

i also told them i was super worried that my spanx were showing since i was on the stage instead of the floor.

Stephanie (Honey) Holden spoke on sunday as our closer.
it just couldn’t have been better.
i had never met stephanie but i think she & i should have been friends forever.
she has the best accent!
i loved her stories, the way she read the bible and how she walked us through the verses.
and yes… i had been the crying just before this picture.
it’s not like i just walk around and burst into tears but when someone says something that touches my heart or hugs me when i need it or tells me good news (or sad news too)… the tears come.   it’s just me.  it started in seventh grade and i don’t think its stopping anytime soon.

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jeanne and i have been friends for a LONG time.  🙂
she’s super cool.  i always enjoy my time talking and laughing so much with her.
you should take her online art classes!
at the very least you should take part int the Becoming Class – it’s free and awesome!

we ate across the street by default at the Rodeo Goat.
it looks like a 4H building and i was very skeptical.
but like with most fun places… it looked weird but it was really GREAT!
i was wrong.
once i saw this wall… it was my new favorite place in the whole world.

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isn’t this a funny picture?!  we all had such a good time together!
i got to meet Paige for the first time after ‘knowing” each other online forever!
blogging rocks.
so many online friends are every where!  it’s so fun to meet in real life!
paige i loved our meals together.  🙂

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i follow Ruth on Instagram but we had never met until thursday.
she was F U N!  i loved her from the second we met!
(partly because she walked up and said “oh my gosh you are so beautiful!” or something like that)
if you don’t follow her you are missing out!  her shop is RAD too.
she has 6 boys! (with a body like that) (inside joke)

 

just now i went to the #hopespoken on IG and stole all these pictures!
i wish i had thought to take each of them… and about 100 more.

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the speakers each were given “gift bags” which was kinda dreamy.
better life bags… katygirl designs… persimmon prints… intentional home… lovishly… 25:40 Love… eclectic joy… the lovely words

i felt spoiled! thanks to all the sponsors and to the Hope Spoken crew!
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Danielle, Casey & Emily – THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

so dear readers… you should go to hope spoken next year.
be brave!
meet new people!
get away from the everyday routine!
have FUN!
worship together.. grow… hear… experience!

i had heard how good it was and i was still skeptical… and it was SO GOOD!!!
i am so glad i went!
tickets go on sale May 1 for Hope Spoken 2016.
🙂

add a comment

natalie - I hate to ask this here, but didn’t find the info on the hope spoken website. Does anyone know what the cost will be for 2016? Thanks!

Mindy - What a beautiful group of ladies. Good things happen when God gathers His people and open hearts are filled (and I am with you as far as the tears go…) to overflowing. Thanks for sharing! And what a lovely backdrop you all had – so sweet.

Lasso the Moon - I was so happy to meet you, Meg! I’ve been a reader for such a long time. You did great, and your talk was so inspiring. When you are in Dallas again, look me up! Let’s be friends!
Anna

Necole@seriouslysassymama - This makes me miss living in Dallas. Now we live in the burbs and it is jut too far to drive for all that yummy food!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - OMJosh. Hahaha
I’m on a mission to recreate that pickled onion taco… Fyi

Rebekah - I’m the same with the tears. There’s a Jewel song that that I think about sometimes that says, “I’m sensitive, and I’d like to stay that way.” That’s me. 🙂 Not in a bad way, just tender-hearted.

Tere - I so love you. Thanks for being you and always filling my heart with your amazing words….xoxo tere

Jen Dahl - i was looking at those tacos thinking, yeah, that looks pretty great. so I clicked on the locations, and wouldn’t you know there is one near me. guess what I’m having tomorrow night for dinner? YUM.

jessica - Thank you so much for mentioning us in this post! It seems like such a lovely time! We are working on going next year! Hope you enjoy your shirt!

Jenny - Sounds amazing! Can you share links to the shops for the swag you got? That shirt!

Lorraine - One of these years I’m going to get there!! It looks like such an incredible time of fun, fellowship and love!!

Karen - Can you still attend if you aren’t a blogger? 🙂

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Your black dress – wow! You looked stunning. I so wish I could have been there to hear you. I know it was amazing!

Eugenia from Southern California - Oh my goodness, you are all so beautiful. My job sucks so much out of me, it’s nice to be reminded that there is purpose. I pray and my co-workers pray to remove the darkness from our workplace. Sometimes, its the one claiming to love Christ that cause so much havoc and suffering. Reading your witness really helps and encourages me to press on. Thank you for reminding the rest of us to answer His call. To have Hope and to feel worthy.

xxxooo e

Jenny B. - So glad it went well! I knew you would do great. 🙂

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