31 Mar

Out of God’s perfect love, he formed Adam and Eve. His divine desire was for a unity in relationship with man in the same way that He had perfect relationship within his triune self. This love isn’t the fake, surface-y stuff that permeates our culture. It is a true, unadulterated love that always puts the other person above oneself. It continuously seeks to “prefer, serve, promote and release the other” (Steve Chua, ID Encounter). It’s a love that wants to see the other person in their best possible version of themselves, and can both encourage and correct in love to get them there. It is a...

12:28 / Featured / Healing / Heart Things / Instagram
27 Mar

Quite a few people have asked where I got my journaling Bible. It's a beautiful TruTone ESV Journaling Bible with an imitation leather cover. I actually bought mine at Hobby Lobby, but it is also available on Amazon. I love it because I can make all sorts of notes on the edges. For the more creative types, you can also do hand lettering along the edges too. At the same time it's not too large or unwieldy. I also have an ESV Study Bible, but that thing is a bit of a beast, and not as much fun to carry around,...

22:47 / Featured / Instagram / Stewardship
23 Mar

I need and am passionate about finding true rest. When I was a bachelor, and even when I was newly married, I did not realize this about myself. However, when I entered the season of parenthood and took on the role of not just a husband, but a father and all the responsibilities that came with it, this part of my personality and character became apparent. Real, soul-satisfying rest was elusive and did not come naturally. I remember one time Christine and I discussing my commute to work. Her - “You are all alone in the car. You are not working,...

21:08 / Featured / Instagram / Rest
21 Mar

I originally bought these Tombow Twintone pens when I was trying to get into hand lettering, but I've recently found that they make are perfect for taking notes and journaling in my Bible. A couple month ago, I decided to buy a journaling Bible, and didn't like the harshness of writing in it with regular pens. I love that Twintone pens have two sides - a thicker one that I can use for underlining, highlighting, and even lettering or drawing in the margins, and a thin tip side for taking smaller notes. The pens come in sets of 12 -...

23:03 / Featured / Instagram / Stewardship
18 Mar

We have had the blessing and privilege to have gotten to know Kelly and her family in the 4 years we lived in the St. Louis area. They are the real deal - if you need help, they are the first ones to extend their hands. They love Jesus, they love people, and they have a huge heart for children in foster care. They have adopted a child through the foster care system, and Kelly is the director of Royal Family Kids Camp Columbia, an annual sleepaway camp specifically for young children in foster care. Even if you don't have any...

12:57 / Featured / Instagram / Stewardship
10 Mar

My boys and I are in love with this beautifully illustrated collection by Julia Rothman featuring Farm, Food & Nature Anatomy. Not only does it come with three thick books filled page to page with gorgeous illustrations, but also 10 prints on heavy cardstock that are ready to be framed. The Julia Rothman Collection makes for a perfect gift for a curious, nature loving child. As I'm writing this, it is currently on sale on Amazon for $30.17 for the entire set! Here's the Amazon link to purchase Julia Rothman's Collection (if you use this link to purchase, I do get...

16:53 / Featured / Instagram / Parenting
25 Feb

It always amazes me how people all around us carry stories of miracles, and oftentimes we never even have the chance to hear them. When Lauren shared briefly on Facebook about how God healed her son Izak, I knew I wanted to hear more. The stories God writes in our lives are meant to be shared - to encourage and ignite hope. Not everyone's story is the same, and we can't pretend to know how God will work in each situation, but I'm thankful that through the witness In each others' lives, God continually shows himself faithful. I'm honored Lauren...

10:18 / Featured / Healing / Heart Things / Instagram
23 Feb

Let’s start with a fact. I am better at folding laundry than my children. In fact, I’m better at folding laundry than anyone in my household, and my husband will happily attest to that. I actually enjoy folding laundry under the right circumstances, I think it’s from my days working retail in college. There’s something therapeutic about seeing neat piles of clothes sorted by type and person. Now, let’s go to a confession. Some days, when my 4 year old asks to help me fold laundry, I honestly can’t be bothered. I give him an excuse, shrug him off, and say “it’s ok honey, you’re so...

13:11 / Featured / Heart Things / Instagram / Parenting / Stewardship
10 Feb

This is a guest post written by my beautiful and talented friend, Jess. You can find her at Oil & Splendor. Anger is easy. I’m sitting on my couch, very pregnant, and very annoyed. Why? Because I’m impatient. I’m 37 weeks , and I think I should be finished, and that this little guy should come out…NOW! My other pregnancies were not like this. Graeme was born on his due date, and Scout was five days early. I was ready, but I don’t remember feeling this need to go early, or this extreme discomfort. A disclaimer…I have had a relatively easy pregnancy, but these past few...

14:00 / Heart Things / Instagram