I have had a pretty rough month so far. Things have not gone as I had hoped or planned. If I’m being honest, I have felt a little lost and alone.

SpiritualityAmber WhiteFebruary 9, 2018wilderness, faith, hardship, foster care Comment

Jump On In!

I’ve mentioned before that I like the practice of choosing a word for the year. Sort of a scaled-down mission statement as I move from one year into the next. This isn’t something I do flippantly;

SpiritualityJana SchmittFebruary 2, 2018dream, faith, ocean, adventure, travel, deep Comment

Hard And Holy Things

Yesterday afternoon, I sat with a dear friend on my front porch, sharing a slice of leftover birthday cake, while she expressed the heartache and frustrations that come with

SpiritualityAlyssa BellJanuary 26, 2018community, women, women empowerment, motherhood, holy, hardship, beautyComment

Why New Year's Is Not Just About Starting Over

I find it fitting that January first would begin the way it did for me this year. I had it in my mind that all my ducks needed to be in a row and my life in order by December 31st, because January first is a fresh start, a new beginning

SpiritualityAlyssa BellJanuary 4, 2018New Year's Resolutions, community, health, wellness, goals, dreamsComment

May I Have A Word, Please?

I began 2017 with a single word in mind. Inspired by a friend who was spending some time with us last year during her Christmas break, I loved her practice of

SpiritualityJana SchmittDecember 28, 2017 Comment

'Tis The Season

Christmas is just days away. We have all been busy decking our halls, dressing our trees and hanging stockings with eager anticipation. We have been listening to Christmas music since November 1st and

HomeAmber WhiteDecember 21, 2017Comment

On Marrying My Best Friend

One cold February evening, nearly six years ago, when I was at the tail end of my internship at CCM, my dad drove all the way to east Texas to take me out to dinner. He had a small, wrapped bag with him containing

MarriageAlyssa BellDecember 14, 2017 Comments

Making Room

It strikes me as sadly ironic – as I’m clearing out my fall decorations to make room for Christmas – that there was no room for them in the inn.

Spirituality, HomeJana SchmittDecember 7, 2017Christmas, Jesus, holidays, simplicity, community Comment

The Gift of Giving

Thanksgiving was great -- I am sure we all sufficiently stuffed ourselves with all the trimmings and desserts. We gave thanks for our many blessings and spent quality with friends and family.

FosteringAmber WhiteNovember 30, 2017foster, foster care, adoption, Christmas, holidays, givingComment

On Being Human

I think as humans, we have this tendency to oscillate between bloated egos and severely low self-esteems.

SpiritualityAlyssa BellNovember 16, 2017vulnerability, grace, love, self-esteem, community Comments

The Backyard Gathering

This week’s blog is a story of celebration and victory. It’s a story of God coming through.

Spirituality, HomeJana SchmittNovember 9, 2017 Comments

Fostering Thankfulness

Halloween is now over and Thanksgiving is upon us! I love November and all it brings with it. I love the food, I love the weather,

Spirituality, FosteringAmber WhiteNovember 2, 2017fall, foster, foster care, adoption, thankful, thanksgiving, homeschool, homestead Comment

These Days

These days are not what I expected they would be. They are both harder and better. More chaotic and more satisfying. I thought the tired-eyed, fuzzy-headed, new mom thing would have worn off by now, but it hasn’t.

Home, MotherhoodAlyssa BellOctober 26, 2017community, simplicity, motherhood, hardship, beauty, life, wife, God, faith, graceComment

An Open Invitation

Fall made its opening debut early this week, enticing us with crisp, clear mornings and crystal blue skies. They say fall is a southerner’s reward for surviving the summer.

Spirituality, HomeJana SchmittOctober 19, 2017Comment

Fostering A Sparrow

I have sat here and thought about what to write. Twice now, I’ve written about our foster babies.

Fostering, MotherhoodAmber WhiteOctober 12, 2017foster, adoption, foster care, love, community, home, natural Comment

The Cost of Convenience

When I heard that malls are starting to die off, I wasn’t initially bothered because I could practically count on one hand the number of times I’ve been to a mall since I graduated high school (the better part of a decade ago). But I’m realizing

Home, MotherhoodAlyssa BellOctober 5, 2017 Comments

My Friend, Bev

Have you ever had a close friendship with someone whom you never actually met? That’s kind of weird, right? But then again, maybe not

SpiritualityJana SchmittSeptember 28, 2017 Comments

Do The Can Can

“Well, I have a lotta years of fit throwing under my belt. Rarely works in my favor.”

-My friend, Jenny

Fostering, MotherhoodAmber WhiteSeptember 21, 2017 Comments

Managing Fall Stress

I love Fall. It’s my favorite time of year. But it also tends to be the season where I take on WAYYYY more than I should. Maybe the excitement of the cooler weather and

WellnessAlyssa BellSeptember 14, 2017 Comment

What Harvey Couldn't Have Predicted

Nothing like a hurricane to put things into perspective. I’ve been drawn into the news stories, the visual images forever stamped on my brain.

SpiritualityJana SchmittSeptember 7, 2017harvey, hurricane, hope, community, serveComment