Encouragement for Every Reason & Season "There's beauty in anticipation, but extraordinary beauty in staying a while!" "A meaningful life is not built by constantly chasing the next thing," shares Daune Pitman at Cottage in The Oaks. "But by learning to be deeply present within the life already in front of you. There's

"Praise awaits You, our God. You who answer prayer. Blessed are those who choose to live in Your courts! We are filled with good things of Your house. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior!" Psalm 65 Do you want to become a woman who hears that still small voice and recognizes that it is God's? Of course you do and so do I. All through the Bible, God tells us to listen to Him and in the seasons ahead I especially need to hear from Him. I can be

"May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love." L.O. Baird "Blessed by the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits..." Psalm 68:19 Homemade Cozy Coasters that feel like a hug! The best part of all is you can use up all those fabric scrapes you have! Have fun! Supplies needed Supplies Needed: Fabric scrapes or - Backing - 1/4 yard of quilt batting cut into 4" squares. Top - 1/4 yard each of matching f

Marlene’s Autumn Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting This recipe is packed with fresh apple chunks and cinnamon for a tasty autumnal treat. Perfect for fireside nights and cozy autumn days. Meet my first contributor, Marlene (and her sweet husband Ed.) She and I have known each other since high school! Enjoy her recipe with a friend and get caught up! Ingredients: 3 large eggs 2 cups sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons cinnam

Encouragment for Every Reason & Season Picture Credit: Southern Living Magazine AS AMERICA celebrates its 250th Birthday, we're reminded of God's blessings on our nation, at its birth, and now. Gratitude for our freedoms turns our hearts to God, trusting Him to continue to light our path and guide us. As we do, I invite you to join me this summer in stepping back, slowing down and taking the time for reflection, prayer, worship, creativity and rest. Reduce your

Savor the Slow Photo Credit: Pinterest "Before rushing into the next thing, linger in the loveliness - the quiet beauty of your Savior is often found there." The summer season invites you to slow down - explore, wander, savor and linger instead of going down the digital rabbit hole. Digital input is rewiring our brains and drastically shortening our attention spans. Emily Thomas shares on her podcast, "Let's put down our phones and pick up real life." What concerns me is

KEEPING with simplifying things this summer, I thought you'd like to make your own Analog Tote. Made from a placemat with the edges already finished, this is quick and easy! This would be a fun project to do with your grand darlings or with a group of neighbors or friends. Karen Ehman encourages us, "Get creative and put things in your finished tote tailored to your current interests. Keep the bag easily accessible as your heading out the door" Here are some suggestions to

"This summer, trade a little screen time for story time and see where a good book will take you" Whether you're stretched out on a beach towel, relaxing on a porch swing, or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, every page is an invitation. Enjoy these book reviews and dive in! Here's three books you'll want to find a favorite spot in the sun, and let the season unfold one chapter at a time. The Atlas of Untold Stories is a classic women's fiction. A literary journey beckons the

Encouragement for Every Reason & Season THE BIBLE is God's blueprint for us, it gives us clarity and encouragement. We find Him on every page. He rescues, He delivers, He brings peace and He comforts. In Deuteronomy 33:27 we read, "Underneath are the everlasting arms." C.H. Spurgeon reminds us that, "The text speaks of the Lord's everlasting arms, a strength that never fails, and never turns aside from the purpose to which it has bound itself. The arms of God are busy on y

I believe the only fitting response to His pursuit of our hearts is to wholeheartedly seek Him in return." Jennifer McCaman C.H. Spurgeon shares, "He is ever near when we are sick, feeble and beaten down. Underneath dying saints there is a living God!" Dying... dying to self, dying to dreams, maybe it's a new season where your passion or calling is being redirected, we die to the familiar and comfortable. Maybe it's a relationship that meant everything to you, now you w