how to give more without spending more
Once upon a time, some crazy friends of mine in South Africa decided to take a road trip. As in, a road trip. Two couples packed up a Land Rover and a Land Cruiser and trekked overland for nearly six months, crossing borders all the way from Cape Town to Kenya and back again. During their journey through the African continent, they visited several missionaries – some were friends of theirs, and others they had never met before. Through these visits, they were convicted by the need that exists amongst those serving the Lord, often in relation to lack of resources and funding. The main...
five minute friday :: relief {& a video!}
The countdown is on for your chance to snag a spot at the first ever Five Minute Friday Retreat! Registration opens at 9pm EST on Thursday, April 16th. There are only 30 slots available, so make sure you save the date! More information can be found here. And this week, we're so excited to introduce our ... FMF Retreat Sponsor ViBella Jewelry God has graciously connected us with ViBella Jewelry, a wonderful company who has agreed to partner with our retreat by providing sponsorship! Let's all show our appreciation in a thunderous round of applause by tweeting this thank you note,...
books, books, books!
I had a bad habit in college. I used to start several books at once, devour a chapter or two, then get distracted by another cover that looked equally fascinating. My attention diverted, I'd begin eating up another book before finishing the first. This became a constant routine, to the point where I'd have numerous titles bookmarked, and never finish a single one. When I became a homeschooling mom, the curriculum necessitated that I finish the books I was scheduled to read. I found such satisfaction in reading a book through to its completion -- like the final page read was a real...
when friends go above and beyond
If you asked me to draw a picture of true friendship, I would take up a pencil and sketch you this scene. I’d have to start with the background, of course, before you would see the main characters begin to take shape. First I’d outline how we came to be in such a state — my husband and me, that is. We’d been married no more than a year, doing campus ministry together at a college in Cape Town, raising our own financial support. The Lord blessed us with faithful supporters, and sustained our work through their generosity. A donation came on a monthly basis via international...
five minute friday :: good {and a brand new video!}
Happy Easter weekend to you! I pray that you have a blessed time reflecting upon the death and resurrection of our Savior. May you know the hope of your own resurrection, because of His. If you missed last week's edition of Five Minute Friday, you might not have heard the latest news about the FMF Retreat. Help us spread the word? [Tweet "Registration for the Five Minute Friday Retreat opens on Thursday, April 16th at 9pm EST. http://wp.me/P4RaMa-1ci"] There are only 30 slots available, so mark your calendars! Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis. For more info about...
on burying what is good
“Mommy, look! I got a sweet!” My daughter’s excitement and voice escalated a full octave with the last syllable. I smiled as she toddled over to me that Sunday morning, grin and palm wide open, displaying her prize. Then she clutched her cherished piece of candy and ran off to play as I continued chatting with friends outside after our morning church service. Several moments later she was back, but this time empty-handed. “Where’s your sweet?” I asked, presuming she had eaten it without asking for permission. “I planted it!” she replied, swinging her little four-year-old arms with...
I Have a Secret
My youngest is seven years old. I can only say that for two more months — then he’ll be eight, and goodness, that sounds old. But now he’s still seven, so I take advantage of the moments while they’re here, and I lean down close when he’s all tucked in with his Cars 2 duvet cover up to his chin, and his giant, stuffed German Shepherd slung under one arm. And there in the dark, in the quiet end of another day, I bend my voice around his little ear and whisper, “Psst. I have a secret to tell you.” His sturdy little body stiffens up with piqued interest as he leans onto one elbow, “What?”...
five minute friday :: break {and a new fmf video intro!}
Registration for the first ever Five Minute Friday Retreat will open at 9pm EST on Thursday, April 16th! Click here for more details about the retreat, and click here for ticket info on the registration form. In a nutshell, here's what you need to know: Tickets for the whole retreat are $180. This includes two nights of accommodation, Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday lunch, and Sunday breakfast. Cost of transportation and Saturday dinner are not included in the ticket price. Tickets for Saturday only are $45. Day visitors are welcome from 9:30am-4pm on Saturday. The day visit...
confessions of a hoarder
In the film, Eat, Pray, Love, the main character, Liz Gilbert, decides to spend a year traveling to Italy, India and Bali. Before she leaves, she boxes up all of her worldly possessions and packs them into a rented storage unit. As the employee is about to close the garage door, Liz sighs and says forlornly, "My whole life fits into a 12x12 box." The mover rolls his eyes and remarks condescendingly, "Lady? You know how many times I hear people say that in a week? And most of 'em don't come back for their 'whole life.'" I could’ve been Liz Gilbert in that scene. I, too, have...
the sweet relief of jesus
She made it. Precious Kara Tippetts, wife of Jason, mother of four, and author of The Hardest Peace, made it home yesterday. She got her "well done, good and faithful servant." She got her crown of life. Kara fought the good fight. Her battle is over. And she won. She scaled the mountain of The Hardest Peace .. and now she knows eternal peace. There is no more hard for her. She didn't cower away and crouch down to shield herself from the ugly pain of suffering. She held her candle high, standing firm on the sturdy hill of sufficient grace, and she let it shine. For Him. Though outwardly...
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