creating with words.

"I miss your writing. "

Me too, I thought. My sweet husband has been gently guiding me back to my love for writing, back to my keyboard. I have tried to write for nearly two years, yet words have been reluctant to come. Questions have been plenty and answers few.

It has been my intention to carve out time to create in word form but my attempts had little success. Early morning writing rhythms were not for me and the sporadic attempts held nothing but air to the wind. In my journey I have found the beauty and value of life giving words - words worth reading - comes from discipline and intentionality, mixed with heart and vulnerability, and God's inspiration setting the table, all which seemed to be off kilter.

This year has been the hardest by far to any other, as some know bits and pieces of. The only word I can use to describe it as accurately as possible has been hell, yet it has brought about and catapulted me to a new rhythm that only by God's grace could come out of the mess, as He has been rebuilding. Echos from Jubilee by Maverick Music have resounded in my soul the last few months:

Listen up, for the season's changing
He's rebuilding everything
Listen for the people shouting, "This is Jubilee, yeah".

With the word of God at the forefront and the promises of God hung around my home the last few months I have been understanding more about jubilee and words have begun to spin and weave, coming to life again, like a spinster spinning her raw, disheveled ball of wool, into something worth using. Something to bring warmth and comfort to those under its weight.

Lying in bed with thoughts streaming, words birthing and a smile spreading across my lips, a nod to what seems like ages ago. Words have been stringing themselves together as my mind sooths itself to sleep for as long as I can remember, as I hurry to write it down before my eyes shut. The thrill of the catch before sleep brings life to my bones and a peace in my heart like no other and I am grateful. Words are something that God has given me. I have seen the power and encouragement and love that they hold. A gift that is not to be mishandled or rushed into, like we see with keyboard warriors and endless posts that leave nothing but a bitter taste in the mouth.

Words carry purpose and should be guarded as such, something I am trying to remember daily conversations, especially with my children. Taking a break from social media and the rushes that come from sharing and commenting has been like a breath of fresh air this year, keeping words fewer and more direct to those in my corner and meeting in person. You still will not find me on social media much for now, as I cozy back into this spot and ease into new rhythms.

I had shared in this podcast about curating my walls with the truths of scripture, which proved even more potent after this past spring. My design shifted from individual chalkboard to printed signs to save space, as I wanted to have it posted in each of my children's rooms and hung on my bathroom mirror, so I created a compellation of the Identity Passport from the Inspire Shop and had it printed. Perhaps it will show up in the shop in the future.

Praying we would find our words. Praying we would be slow to speak, slow to be angry and quick to listen to the words of others. Praying we would use our words with intention and keeping in step with the Spirit, brining comfort and peace.

welcome, new year.

Wherever you are, be all there. Jim Elliot

Ever since I can remember, I have always loved people watching and my thoughts have lead me a million miles from where my body resided.

Dreaming up ways to weave string for a bracelet, how to cut fabric to drape properly, redressing people with outfits to fit their body types or redesigning my surroundings with moderns updates, my mind easily has wandered over the years but then I met Jesus. He has been gracious to show me how to focus, a constant, quiet redirecting.

Back to what is infront of me.

Back to what matters most.

Back to scripture.

Back to my children.

A few weeks off of social media has done wonders for mental rest.

Distance learning while working from home, unpacking, organizing and holidays has definitely left my mind scattered, as much a they are fun and as grateful I have been to enjoy the festivities, there's nothing like rest.

We rang in the new year with our second annual trip to the beach. A nice drive in the car listening to Kid's Corner Podcast (I love it - if you're looking for a biblical teaching with humor and life, let your kiddos listen), telling jokes, and a few minutes of silence.

Looking forward to what lies ahead with a grateful for what has been.

Cheers to a new year.

Writer's Block.

Research shows it takes twenty one days for a habit to form and after that it becomes more natural. Perhaps those are our neuron receptors that we rewiring and removing old pathways that we have been comfortable and familiar with.

Twenty one days.

Writing has always been a source of life for me, yet without time and space, it becomes just another thing that begs to do. Creativity and writing requires a clear head, time and is held in place with consistency but doesn’t life beg us of these same things?

Write. Write. Write.

The beginning of the year the Lord kept bringing me back to my roots, echoing the call to write in the small moments of my day and as I hit my pillow at night, yet the words were lacking and time was sparse as I started working full time. Reworking schedules and roles is no easy task (refer back to the first sentences) but if you are reading this you are not stranger to the effort reworking takes because we are living in 2020, which has had more changes in 21 days than most of our lives I am sure.

At the initial mention of gathering writing back into my routine, my mind is like those of my children as they see the mess they have made before them and say it is too much to clean. Sometimes the very things that God calls us to feel like too much. The very things that will bring us to our knees and give us new life are the very things we remind him are too hard and require more than we can do.

Then the Word springs up with more truth than the banter of the lies:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Nine months have passed since the call back and I have hardly written a thing; though the year is not over and the call is still there like it was in the beginning. Only now I am again reworking timing and dusting off the keypad, literally. I am weak but I cling to the truth that it is only in the weakness that the Lord can show his strength.

Does it take effort, wisdom, guidance and structure and a certain amount of steadiness? Absolutely. His grace is sufficient and it is the Lord who continues to give strength is the very areas I fall short.

This month is our annual #findthejoytoday takeover – one of my favorite times - as we encourage one another, using words to piece together encouragement despite our circumstances and raise up an army of praises to God.

Our words have power and weight. If you have never joined in the #findthejoytoday takeover, I hope you will join us this year and gain a new habit that has the power to rewire your brain and bring about better health. I love how God wired us and throughout scripture share the importance of renewing our minds in the Spirit.

Praying we continue to use them to build each other up, even when we are lacking strength ourselves. May we trust God will provide for us and more when we seek to do the hard things and trust him in the process.

even unto death

Ry and Skyler opened the screen door with hands full of tomatoes and emptied them on the table. I inquired where they found them, as I continued prepping dinner. In the garden they told me, as they asked if they could eat them. Surprised they found such a haul for the time of year, with February was drawing to a close, I assured them to go ahead. They popped the cherry tomatoes in their mouths and went on their way, as I continued cutting and dicing up dinner.

For the next few days, they did the same thing. Finally, I got curious at just how many tomatoes they found, so while Ricardo prepared lunch, I grabbed my boots and headed to the garden with them, this time holding the colander they asked to fill.

As we approached the garden the boys excitedly showed me where their stash had come from. I was amazed to find both of our cherry tomato bushes brimming with red, ripe tomatoes. Mid fall I had stopped tending the garden and let it go, giving it time to do its thing as we waited until spring to start again. With a lack of water this winter and drier days, the vines reflected it, dressed in shades of brown along with dry, crackly leaves. They lacked any signs of life, yet were full of ripe tomatoes.

I bent down to grab tomatoes that had fallen to the ground. Some has been squished by little toes that had been focused on picking the ones above. Others were buried inside the tomato cage. We have never had such an enormous amount of lush tomatoes at once, mostly due to the fact our kiddos love to eat them straight from the vine as they become ripe, which we never object. It was actually work to harvest them from the vine.

As I removed each tomato and watched the fun my boys had harvesting, it was a reminder of how something that looks completely dead, can still bring life. With Easter approaching, it brings me to the cross and what we now sweetly refer to as “Good Friday.” The day Jesus was resurrected.

The hopelessness and sorrow that his followers were feeling; the veil of the temple torn in two. The earth shaking and darkness over the earth. Hope seemed to be lost. Death seemed to have prevailed, surely nothing was to come out of it.

Yet, we have Easter: the resounding empty tomb and Jesus’ risen life; the way our life is freed from sin was birthed out of his death, the very thing that seemed to lack life.

God has a plan and has had one since the beginning, even when we cannot see and especially when we cannot simply understand it. I only can imagine the disbelief the disciples felt when they saw Jesus had died after witnessing the miracles and healings and teachings. 

This is the place that many may be sitting now. Sitting in the unknown and disbelief of our society in the midst of the pandemic, unsure of the next moves as unemployment becomes a reality, stocks go down, children are out of school. It may seem dark and appear as if there is no hope.  

But God has gone before us. He has made a way. He has promised to never leave or forsake us, even unto death in this life. I do not know the challenges you are facing or the tears that have cried or the worries that have made it hard to sleep at night but I do know we serve a God of the impossible. A God who makes a way where there is no way. A God who is faithful, even when we are faithless and doubtful and disobedient. He stays true to His word. Never changing.

Praying you would be able to see the work of God in glimpses and full color in the the days to come this month during shelter in place. Praying that you would see where there is life stemming from the places that look like nothing could ever grow from. Praying that you would know the God who is for you, who gave His son to give you eternal life.

Easter will come. Victory is ours. The battle is already won.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

new soil

I received an array of succulents for Christmas this year, sweet gifts from friends and family fueling my new hobby of turning my house green. I purchased a bag of soil after Christmas to transplant some and give nutrients to others.

As I scooped and poured, I came to my little tray of cuttings and leaves I had been hoping to propogate that were not doing so well. A sweet friend and more experienced succulent mama told me it could be the soil, so I took off the leaves that looked hopeful, and took the tray outside to remove the old soil, along with the dead leaves.

Grabbing a cup, I filled the tray and spread out the remaining leaves on top of the new soil. They looked so pretty sitting atop the fresh soil. More green and lively. I am giving you new soil, the Lord whispered. And at the moment I knew. Sure, I had already accepted the job and knew.

It was time for a real change for me - for our family - new soil to grow in. New soil for Ricardo to sew into in our family. Time for him to pour into our kiddos, as I have had the opportunity to do the last eight and a half years on a moment by moment basis.

I wrestled with God about I had worked so hard through the diapers, bottle feeding, social worker visits, what felt like never ending well child checkups, naps, snack schedules, endless piles of laundry, organizing and stock piling clothes for each time of year, only to hand it over at its easiest (thus far) season.

I reminded God how I did the hard, foundation building only to hand it over to Ricardo at what feels like the turn key phase. Not to say that parenting is easy, only easier now considering the latter.

This is what I equipped you for, the Lord whispered but that did not make the transition any easier for this mama heart.

Words have been sparse and lost in all the emotions processing going back to work. The only three that seem to do it justice have been HARD.AS.HELL.

Has this been easy for me? By all means no.

Emotions are such a funny thing. One second everything is okay and the next it is tears. That has pretty much been me the past month since I got the job.

I explained it to friends that feels like I am dying. (I know, a bit dramatic and all the working mamas reading this laugh to themselves) But loss is loss and part of that is true. The stay at home mama is no longer at home - for now.
I think that is the perspective shift I have been in need of. The new soil I have been given and the opportunity to let go of the daily grind of mamahood in all its glory and embrace my kiddos running to meet me at the door when I come home after soaking in time spent with their dad.

Some days it felt like I messed up. Like anger or resentment or bitterness. And anyone who knows loss or grief knows it takes time. And there has been a certain amount of processing for me to let it go, trusting God knows what he is doing and will use this season as only He can.  

I have to admit I do not miss all the dishes or breaking up disagreements between my kiddos but I feel the loss of reading books before naps and walks to school but I am grateful Ricardo gets to share in those moments now. I have not cried in over a week and finally soaking in the new roles. My job is amazing, which makes going to work that much better and Ricardo is killing it at home and the kiddos are doing well.

Will it be forever? Probably not but for now I can give thanks to God for this gift of new soil.

As I prayed through this transition, it was a reminder of what we can do with our circumstances and emotions. We can let our thought patterns and emotions build and muster inside of us, similar to sticks of dynamite, ready to explode at any moment at the next person we disagree with; despite not wanting to be holding or creating them at all.

Or we can drop them at the feet of Jesus. We can let him use the loss, grief and emotions to light up the night as we allow him to guide us in the process, providing a light the way for others to use. There is a certain beauty in the brokenness and pain; a commonality and reminder of our humanity. We can all relate to it one way or another; something all too common this side of heaven; some more familiar than others.

Pain has a way of giving. The growth process often takes change to start it, whether it is chosen or not.

Praying wherever you find yourself today that the Lord would meet you there and open your eyes to how He has already gone before you for this very moment. Praying you would be strengthened and find joy in the hard and anger and use them to point others to Jesus, despite the pain of the circumstance because you are loved by a good God and nothing can change that.

Foreboding Joy // by allison dolin

Foreboding joy.

Not exactly the kind of joy that first comes to mind. In fact, it’s not something we hear about very often at all. Have you ever been walking through life and thought, “uh oh…things are going too well, something bad is bound to happen?”

That’s foreboding joy.

Its two very opposing emotions, which many of us feel, but maybe don’t understand. However, if you have lived through trauma (hello any human being) you are affected by this.

This is the first year, since 2012, that I’ve had nothing traumatic happen in the month of December. When I was with my abusive ex-husband, every holiday was ruined especially Christmas. Ask anyone who has lived through abuse, they can tell you that holidays were the most miserable with their abuser. After I left the abuse, I was ALWAYS in court during December. I couldn’t quite get in the “Christmas Spirit” until court was over and I had at least a week to recover from court. Now, I have been out of court for a year, yet my body and mind till correlate Christmastime with trauma.

Maybe you haven’t been in an abusive relationship. But, have you lost a loved one around Christmas? A terrible breakup around the holidays? Were you in an accident 10 years ago because of Christmas traffic? Were you fired right at the end of the year? Did some kind of trauma dramatically affect your holiday season in years past?

If so, you may notice that the second those cardboard Santas pop up in stores, your teeth clench and a wave of worry rushes over your body. The Christmas music starts playing in your office, but it only feels like nails on a chalkboard. However, you’re sure there was a time when the words of “Silver Bells” brought you pure joy!

Why does this happen? And how do we overcome it. Our body holds memories and even if we have mostly forgotten something, our body doesn’t. It was through experiencing this foreboding joy, that Psalm 28:7 made the most sense to me.

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Each time I walked into court I would think. “Lord, I won’t survive this. I can’t survive this.” And you know what? I’m still standing! I survived each time. And I would walk away so thankful to the Lord that I had. So thankful that my strength and joy came from the Lord and not me. If the traditions of your past have been tainted by trauma…make a new tradition. Did you always help your Dad put up Christmas lights, but since his passing it’s been too traumatic to hang them anymore? How about walking through a festive neighborhood well known for their decorations. Grab some hot cocoa and the hands of a loved one! You’ve got yourself a lovely new tradition and the opportunity to make new memories.

What Satan meant for harm, you let the Lord create something new and beautiful in its place!

Will we still have painful reminders around a season of trauma? Sure! Does it have to steal our joy! Absolutely not!

The joy of the Lord truly IS our strength.

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// ABOUT ALLISON

Allison is a single mom, who homeschools her son and works full time for a wedding website company. She and her son live near Sacramento, where they can be found making an adventure out of everyday life. Whether they are exploring a local zoo or their backyard, Allison is intentional to make the little things in life as magical as possible.

She is a survivor of domestic violence and a Certified Advocate for Victims of Abuse. She uses social media and her blog to educate and empower women to find freedom and healing in Christ. Allison’s heart is to create for victims/survivors of abuse, what she wished she had when she left her abusive marriage. Her desire is for women in trauma to understand that they are loved, they are not alone and God has a plan for their life.

Find her encouraging women on Instagram @hope_in_healing and her blog.

the joy we receive from the Lord. // by allison dolin

Want to put a smile on my face?

Bring me flowers!

It could be the fanciest and most expensive bouquet or something you picked off the side of the road.

Either way, they will brighten my day. That’s because it’s something I can hold in my hands that  says you care. You like me. You think about me when I'm not around. And I can be reminded of that, every time I take in their beauty.

In my twenties, I went to the Farmer’s Market every single weekend and bought myself the perfect bouquet to place in my apartment. I would proudly display them in my living room, until they wilted and ended up in the trash. Soon, that bouquet was a distant memory when their replacement occupied my glass vase the following weekend. I loved my flowers. I loved buying myself flowers. But, I can tell you. Even the strongest, fiercest, most independent women, enjoys receiving flowers more than buying them herself.

It’s a little bit like joy and happiness. We can manufacture happiness with lots of things and people in this world. A new car. A cool midtown apartment. The most likes on Instagram. A new romantic relationship. But, just like the self-bought flowers, there is an expiration date.

Our happiness can only last so long, when we create it ourselves. Then, it’s in the trash and quickly replaced with the next thing we believe might bring us more permanent happiness.

But, the joy we receive from the Lord? Girl, that’s better than a room full of the finest flowers. Because joy is a gift no one can give. It can only come from living in the peace and strength of God.

This joy does not have an expiration date. In fact, this joy only increases the closer we walk in step with God. This joy isn’t lost when you lose your dream job, your car, your boyfriend or all of your followers on Instagram. Because it’s not dependent on people or things, ONLY the overwhelming love of God. God's love which has no end and manifested with the sacrifice and resurrection of our Savior. The joy that is constantly and consistently based on the promises we know are ours, from His word!

The Bible talks about “joy” 168 times (KJV). Clearly, God wants us to pay attention to what He has called joy. Unfortunately, Christians walking around with abundant joy in churches, families, careers or the local coffee shop doesn’t feel like a familiar scene does it? Why is that?

We have become too caught up in the world’s manufactured idea of happiness. Not the self-sustaining joy of the Lord. Ask yourself...

How many minutes did you spend scrolling through Instagram?

Is it more than what have you spent reading your Bible?

How many texts have you sent today?

Is it more than your prayers with God today?

How many lines can you quote from your favorite tv show?

Is it more than scripture you have memorized?

Who feels guilty after answering these questions? Don’t worry, I’m raising my hand too!

If I feel as if I’m lacking and discontent, doing a quick assessment always puts things back into perspective. It doesn’t take long for me to figure out if I’m seeking temporary happiness or the joy of the Lord.

Are you simply looking for flowers? Or seeking He who created those flowers? Joy always bursts abundantly with the latter. Take a quick look around and prune out those areas that you are filling up with temporary to make room for that which is permanent. And who doesn’t want to live in everlasting joy?

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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// ABOUT ALLISON

Allison is a single mom, who homeschools her son and works full time for a wedding website company. She and her son live near Sacramento, where they can be found making an adventure out of everyday life. Whether they are exploring a local zoo or their backyard, Allison is intentional to make the little things in life as magical as possible.

She is a survivor of domestic violence and a Certified Advocate for Victims of Abuse. She uses social media and her blog to educate and empower women to find freedom and healing in Christ. Allison’s heart is to create for victims/survivors of abuse, what she wished she had when she left her abusive marriage. Her desire is for women in trauma to understand that they are loved, they are not alone and God has a plan for their life.

Find her encouraging women on Instagram @hope_in_healing and her blog.

for the joy set before me. // by kerri naber

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

It is not my intent to take this scripture and minimize or Americanize something this scripture into what it is not. In no way do I want to compare my day-to-day trials to the agony of what Jesus faced on the cross when He forgave the sins of the world. Let me start by stating that I am not writing from a theology background. I am writing as a simple woman navigating everyday life with the belief that God created us and wants a relationship with us.

You can find many other writings about this particular scripture and what it meant for Jesus to have the joy set before Him. Some will say that we were the joy set before Him. Others will state that Heaven was the joy set before Him. Others will write about how it was either agonizing or simple for Him to lay down His life knowing it would benefit literal all of mankind.

This morning this scripture, in all of its complexity and without minimizing it, reminded me what my drive for thankfulness in life is. It reminded me where my drive for personal healing started. I know for sure that I strive to find joy in every day because I want those I love to find joy in every day. I had to teach myself to cultivate healthy habits, routines, mindsets, so that I could encourage those I love in that same direction. I’ve never wanted to be someone who doesn’t take my own advice. I decided early on that the only way I could help someone else was to get free myself. Do, then teach!

I taught--key word, taught because it doesn’t come natural-- I taught myself to find joy in every day because I’ve seen the opposite. I’ve seen when people wake up day after day to the same kind of life without making any change to their normal. They are bitter, they are sad, they feel like life is happening to them instead of them making life happen.

I’m not big on setting goals, I don’t think every woman needs 1 million followers on Instagram or to write a book or anything like that. I just want people to wake up and enjoy their own life. If the coolest thing you did this year was create a new apple pie recipe, stich a new pattern in your quilt, finish a book series, start going to counseling, survive breastfeeding, teach your four year old to tie their shoes —whatever—I am just so glad you did it, you created a moment, and you found joy in the mundane. Because, honestly there are a few cool people I know, but the rest of us are just making it through the day-to-day not-cool lives. And I want our not-cool lives to be done as free with as much literal joy as possible. In summary, You are the joy set before me.

 Honestly when I miss what I can’t have. When I want to live a hippie life without rules and boxed in church protocol, I remember -–you—the woman reading this blog and think but I want her to be free, I want her to find the joy that I know is true. So I get out of bed, I brew coffee and I find Jesus. Somehow, anyhow. I walk, I read, I blare worship music, I cry, I search the Bible over and over—I find the joy. I cultivate the joy, I don’t just wish it to be, I fight for it, because I want you to fight for it too.

There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Jesus offers us peace and joy: Galatians 5:22-23 NIV “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” I know He offers it to us, sometimes I just don’t want to choose it, but just like Jesus in a WAY MORE real way laid down His life on earth, that is where I find my inspiration. I lay it down. My cravings, my desires, my selfishness, my heartache and I fight through because I know I will see you and I want to be there for you. I want you to tell me you found another Selena Gomez song that brightened your day and helped you find more healing from your old relationship. I want you to text me a silly photo of your daughter because in the craziness of Motherhood you are still choosing joy. I want you to DM me an inspirational post that helped cheerlead you on past your childhood trauma. In common day verbiage, I am here for this! I find joy, you find joy, we inspire each other, we continue to inspire others, and this world feels a little bit more cheery, a little bit more hopeful and we find the joy, together. 

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ABOUT KERRI

Kerri Naber is an Upstate NY native living in sunny Sacramento, California. She works at a Christian nonprofit dedicated to helping young women break free from life-controlling behaviors and situations.

Kerri is a newlywed with a Corgi Puppy that is slowly learning how to bring routine and health into her life. As an Enneagram Type Seven she is constantly dreaming, creating, and trying to get to San Francisco. You’ll find her writing to constantly reflect both her love of The Lord and love of all things fun. Find her on instagram at @Kerri_Naber and over on her blog.

When you do hear His voice, be prepared to follow it anywhere.

Six and a half years ago my life had FINALLY fallen into place. After a long battle with infertility and riding the crazy roller coaster of being foster parents, our adoption had just finalized with our two daughters. My husband had a job that he loved, in a church we loved, with a community of people that we loved...deeply. We were in escrow to buy our very fist home together. It was in a neighborhood that would allow our kids to go to a great school... the school I grew up in. For once it seemed that things were going the way I had always envisioned. The story book of my life that I had penned in my imagination as a young girl was coming to fruition.

BUT GOD.

My husband sent me a text one afternoon and told me that he had been made aware of a senior pastor position in Carson City, Nevada, which was about two and a half hours from where we were living in Northern California. He told me that he was being encouraged to pursue the opportunity, and that while he really did not believe anything would come of it (he did not think that this church would call a young pastor with no senior pastor experience), he thought that it would be wise for him to interview for the job, as he believed the interview process would be a good experience for him to have under his belt. I knew nothing of Carson City, other than I was quite certain that it was somewhere that I did not want to live, but since my husband assured me that he really did not think this was going anywhere I encouraged him to move forward with the interview processes.

Just a couple of weeks later, we found ourselves driving East on highway 50 over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to my husband's interview.

The first two hours and ten minutes of our drive was through what I think is some of the most beautiful scenery in all of the world, but as we left the forest of gorgeous Lake Tahoe and started to descend down the mountain towards the valley, the forest quickly gave way into dry dust and rock. I was looking at what appeared to be a moonscape. I remember thinking, “There's no way I could ever live someplace like this!”

We continued descending down the mountain, and as we rounded a curve we were able to look down and see part of Carson City and what I now know is Carson Valley. I felt a weight in my chest and a knot in my throat form. I was fighting back tears. I looked over at my husband and was shocked that he too had tears in his eyes. I surprised myself when I blurted out, “We are moving to Carson City, aren't we?” He looked at me and said, “I think we are!”

You see, just as we were descending down the mountain, God's presence descended on our car. There was no doubt in either of our minds that it was God that was speaking to us. Rather, He was calling us... calling us to Carson City. Before we had even stepped foot in the city, seen the church or met the people in the church, been interviewed for the job (let alone offered a job), God knit our hearts to Carson City. In a moment we knew that we were called by God to love and serve this community we were looking at from a bird's eye view. We knew that this was going to be our home.

I cannot explain how God can convey all of that information on unsuspecting hearts in just an instant, but He did, and we knew to deny that truth would be to deny God's calling on our lives.

***Spoiler Alert*** It was a several month process after his initial interview, but my husband got the job!

We canceled our home purchase in California, and moved our family to Carson City. I would be lying to you if I said this move was an easy one for us. It was not. Nothing felt familiar. I missed our family and friends. I grieved over the fact that my children would not get to grow up close to their cousins and my side of the family. It was a rocky transition into our new church as it often is when replacing a very long term pastor. I had a very hard time making friends, and felt isolated as a new mom.

I often asked God why He would call us from something that seemed to be our version of the “Promised Land” and to the moonscape of Carson City, but during those times I would remind myself of the moment in the car when God spoke to my husband and me and called us to this place.

I now know that God's calling on our life that day was such an act of kindness and grace to us, because reflecting back on when He spoke to us so clearly brought such peace and assurance to our hearts during difficult times. We knew that it was God who had called us to Carson City, and even when that calling did not make sense to us we trusted in His plan for our lives completely, because we knew He was a good Father!

As I sit here six and a half years later I stand in awe of what God has done. Although our transition to Nevada was not easy initially, I can finally say, as is one of our state's motto's, “Home Means Nevada!”

Our family loves it here, but more importantly, God is working in our lives here. My husband, kids, and I have all had opportunities to minister here that I know we never would have had in California. We love our church family with all our hearts, and are grateful and blessed by their presence in our lives on a daily basis. We have developed true and meaningful friendships, have seen people come to know and serve the Lord here, and have witnessed God truly at work in our community. And, believe it or not, the moonscape terrain has grown on me. I think Carson City is beautiful. There is nothing that quite compares to a Carson City sunset or the spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada Mountains I see from pretty much any location in town.

I am so thankful that God spoke to my husband and I that day, and I'm grateful we obeyed Him. There is nothing that compares to knowing that you are in the center of God's will for your life. Friends, I want to encourage you to be ready to hear God's voice. Listen for it. Wait for it. Ask Him to speak to you.

When you do hear His voice, be prepared to follow it anywhere. When you follow Him, know that it will not always be easy. And, during those hard times look back and remember when He called you. Let His calling on your life be an anchor to your soul!

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ABOUT MELANIE

Melanie is a busy wife and stay at home mamma to three kids. She and her family serve the Lord at Hope Crossing Community Church in Carson City, NV where her husband is the Lead Pastor. Melanie is an advocate for foster care and adoption and has volunteered with her local CASA organization as well as in her city’s DCFS offices helping to educate and support new foster/adoptive parents.

Although she’s an introvert she’s also a people person. Above all else her heart’s desire is that she can be a conduit of the hope and healing of Jesus to the world around her. Connect with her at Melanie_Emery@yahoo.com

I knew what I needed but I almost forgot how // by kerri naber

There are a lot of buzzwords out there right now that are looking hecka cute on wooden signs, office plaques, and Target shelves with ‘hustler’, ‘lady boss’, & ‘follow your heart’ kind of vibes. And at first I loved them. I would do my de-stress walk at Target with an Americano in hand, big red cart to push around for no apparent reason, just loving all the cute things. It felt like the cutesy encouragement items screamed from the shelves “you go girl” “Dream BIG” and I was hopeful... for about a minute. 

I would drop off my big red cart either empty at the front of the store because nothing was even cute enough to fill the void I felt or I would buy all the things to bring a false hope of comfort to my life. I was sad, like actually sad this time. The last few years I finally hit something big enough in my life I couldn’t solve on my own. This new phase of life highlighted weaknesses in me no cute wooden sign or Reese’s Cup could bandage. I needed real encouragement, real uplifting and unfortunately my hustling and lady boss skills were not getting me closer to true healing. 

I knew what I needed but I almost forgot how. I needed to hear from God. Not people, not wooden signs, not Pinterest, God. I needed a promise that would actually sustain me instead of just comfort me for a little while. And I know that there’s a difference between what the world can give and what Jesus offers. Not only because of this amazing scripture here, but because I felt it, seen it, been changed by it. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”John 14:27 (KJV)

Something happens when you hear from God. It’s like a strength that is deposited into your spirit that keeps you moving when you swear you would have stopped moving even weeks before. God comforts your spirit, not just your outer being. When you actually hear from God day by day you seem to get stronger mentally, more peaceful internally, and you are able to let things go that you were never able to let go of before.

So the question then becomes how do you hear from God? I refuse to even play with the question can you hear from God right now. Hopefully I can write that encouraging blog a different day but for today I want to focus on how. Since we know it’s so impactful, since we know it’s so motivating, since we know it’s the answer we’ve been hoping for-- how can we do it then.

My first piece of advice is that you allow yourself to believe what you already think is the voice of God in your life, is the voice of God— even if you are scared to admit it. Admit it, there have been times where you had a thought that wasn’t your own but you didn’t want to believe it for the fear of feeling crazy, or for the fear of it not being true, or for the fear of authority, or for the fear of the supernatural, or for the fear of the reality it brings. To be honest, if you don’t believe what you heard is the voice of God, then you don’t have to you act on it. But it was true!

For example, when you were lying in your bed crying yourself to sleep and you felt this overwhelming warm presence in your heart that whispered “Everything is going to be okay”— that was true, that was the still small voice of God. And last week when you were driving home from work and you had that gut feeling to call Aunt Peggy although you hadn’t called her for months, that was from God, that was an impression. He impressed upon you to do something because he knew that’s what Peggy needed that moment and you brightened her whole day.

How about that night last month you had a dream and somehow you remember it to this day. You just know that it holds some significant meaning but you’re not really sure what it is because you haven’t taken the time to ask God about it- but the dream lingers in your mind. God does speak through dreams. And that time your friend was telling you about her heartbreak and you wanted to listen the best you could but all you could see was an image of her in a wedding dress smiling beautifully in a sunflower field. God does speak through pictures--- that was Him.

Then possibly my most favorite way— because it becomes so obvious— God can speak through confirmations.  I’ve heard some really good examples of this over the years. Where you kind of know something is from God whether it’s a direction or a new season coming up, or the next step you need to take. And instead of just going with it we kind of wait and see if it’s from God. Which to be honest isn’t the wrong thing to do. We always want to make sure that something is actually from God not just from our own heart. So He confirms it. He confirms it through the radio playing a song, He confirms it through the sermon at church, He confirms it from a random woman at the grocery store, He confirms it when your kid comes home with Sunday school homework about it— boom it’s been confirmed. God is speaking through all that.

And finally, and most importantly, and I hope it’s the most obvious, God speaks through His Word.  We hear that God‘s word is alive and active and if you need convincing of that then I encourage you to check on that for yourself. Do some scholarly research. But for the sake of a short blog post, let's just say that His word is alive and active. He highlights scriptures to us, words jump off a page, we feel it in our spirit that something about this ancient text is speaking to our current situation. At the beginning of this post I said I forget sometimes how to hear the voice of God although opening the Bible would have been so simple. Instead I would run into Target hoping to get a little cheerful. It sounds boring, it sounds outdated, and it sounds like work to open the Bible and find some encouragement there-- but it works, every single time I allow space in my day He totally intrigues me through His word. 

My second piece of advice is to reach out to someone you know and trust— possibly even Tiffany from this website, The Inspire Shop, and connect with them about hearing the voice of God. Maybe you’ve never experienced it, maybe you fully doubt it is possible, maybe you used to experience it and just haven’t given yourself time and space for it to happen again. Maybe you’re mad at God and understandably so, this world is treacherous at times. Still though, reach out. Take the time to be with someone who can guide you along because you know once you hear the voice of God you’ll actually be strengthened, encouraged, and filled up.

My last piece of advice is to talk about it. A bunch of us are walking around in this modern day society knowing that God can speak and are kind of hiding that treasure from others. Get encouraged by God yourself so you can then encourage others! You’ll be surprised how many other people know that they’re hearing from God in different ways but this doesn’t seem to be the most comfortable topic to talk about yet. It really fires me up that we’re not talking about! If God really created us and He created us to have a relationship with Him, we should be talking about how He communicates in that relationship!

Wouldn’t it be nice to remind the wandering soul at Target, like myself, that God speaks and they don’t have to feel empty! So let’s talk about it. Deal with whatever is holding you back from hearing and knowing the voice of God whether it be your fear, boredom, apathy, and let’s talk about it. 

---

// ABOUT KERRI

Kerri Naber is an Upstate NY native living in sunny Sacramento, California. She works at a Christian nonprofit dedicated to helping young women break free from life-controlling behaviors and situations.

Kerri is a newlywed with a Corgi Puppy that is slowly learning how to bring routine and health into her life. As an Enneagram Type Seven she is constantly dreaming, creating, and trying to get to San Francisco. You’ll find her writing to constantly reflect both her love of The Lord and love of all things fun. Find her on instagram at @Kerri_Naber and over on her blog.

Hearing the Voice of God // by allison dolin

As children, we can believe that a large man delivers presents to all the good boys and girls in the world on a single night. We believe that somehow when our teeth fall out of our mouth, they hold so much value that a mythical creature will fly in our room undetected, just to trade our teeth for some monetary compensation.

Why is it that when we grow up, believing that God speaks to us, seems so impossible? Do we just think that God has better things to do with His time? Does our sin and shame, make us feel unworthy? Do we just think we aren't important enough to God? There are so many things that can make us believe that God would choose not to speak with us.

I once heard a quote that said, “It’s not that God doesn’t speak to us. He does! It’s not that we don’t hear His voice. We do! It’s that we don’t believe that He’s speaking to us.”

There’s that idea again of belief…of faith. Our faith dictates hearing God’s voice. Detecting that still small voice. Believing that when God speaks to us, that is exactly what it is.

There have been many times in my life where I question God’s voice.

“That was a strange thought…I’ll just ignore it.”

“Why do I feel like I should call that old friend up…eh…I’ll do it some other time.”

Why is it that we cry out for God to speak to us? Beg Him for wisdom and guidance, then ignore it when He does?

We don’t need to guess and be left on our own. God has made us a promise in His word.

Jeremiah 33:3

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

When you hear those thoughts that don’t quite make sense, adhere to them. When God impresses something on your heart, don’t ignore it. But, always…ALWAYS go to God’s word to make sure what you’re hearing lines up with Scripture. That's the surest way to decide if what you're hearing is God, you or even the devil's sneaky voice.

I have found that God in His goodness, will always confirm my hesitant human heart. I believe He honors that I am truly seeking His heart and His direction. Each time I have asked, “Lord, is that really what you want me to do?” I always receive loving confirmation.

Have you convinced your child that a bunny delivers treasure filled baskets on Easter? That if they make that face long enough, it would stick?

I hope we are more easily convinced that our Heavenly Father speaks to us. Desires relationship with us. And a healthy, loving relationship involves lots of communication!

God is speaking to you. God is speaking to me. May we embrace a childlike faith to enjoy the beauty of this truth!

---

// ABOUT ALLISON

Allison is a single mom, who homeschools her son and works full time for a wedding website company. She and her son live near Sacramento, where they can be found making an adventure out of everyday life. Whether they are exploring a local zoo or their backyard, Allison is intentional to make the little things in life as magical as possible.

She is a survivor of domestic violence and a Certified Advocate for Victims of Abuse. She uses social media and her blog to educate and empower women to find freedom and healing in Christ. Allison’s heart is to create for victims/survivors of abuse, what she wished she had when she left her abusive marriage. Her desire is for women in trauma to understand that they are loved, they are not alone and God has a plan for their life.

Find her encouraging women on Instagram @hope_in_healing and her blog.

Intimacy is Intentional.

If there has been one thing that has been a resounding cymbal in my life recently, it is that my relationship with God is sacred and needs to be valued.

I will be the first to admit that I have a difficult time putting God at the beginning and center of everything. It easy for me to wake up and rush into my day without ever thanking God for the air I woke up breathing. It’s easier to make a decision in the moment that feels right than really seeking God for his wisdom on it.

I know from experience when I’m not placing God at the center of my life, I’m going to struggle more than if I would let him in.

Read that one more time.

Did you catch the word more.

I know I forget even when I am walking with the Lord I will face trouble. However because I have Him I am not crushed, perplexed, or abandon.

The way The Passion Translation puts 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

"Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out.”

Knowing all of this leaves me with a choice. To continue to try to do things on my own, or to lie down at his feet and allow him to work in me and through me. I would much rather have the latter of those two. In this season I feel like I’m learning really practical ways that I can connect with the work without it feeling like a burden. I’d love to share just three of those with you and maybe you can find one that will help you draw closer to the Lord.

1.      Doing a devotional/bible study

Right now I am reading through a devotional called 100 Days to Brave by Annie F Downs. I absolutely love her books and would recommend them all! They have carried me through so many seasons. This one is written as a devo page or two long that you can read pretty quickly every morning or night. I prefer to start my day with the devo and even try to read my before my feet ever hit the floor. 

If you’re not looking to buy a devotional or study there are plenty of free downloads on the Youversion bible app.

2. Journaling your prayers

When I am feeling really heavy and I want to draw close to the Lord I love to grab my journal and pour out my prayers and my heart in my journal. I love actually writing them out because it gives me the ability to go back months and years down the road and see all that God has accomplished.  This is another great way to start your day, waking up thanking God for that day (so much changes when we start each day with a heart of thanksgiving) and pouring out every burden you have. If your mornings are too busy, take a few minutes every night to reflect on your day and thank God for what he has done and pray for anything on your heart. Try it for a week and see how it feels.

3. Art and the Word of God

One of my favorite ways to meditate on scripture is to embrace my creative side by turning what I’m reading into a piece of art. For me, this usually looks like calligraphy or watercolor. Feel free to use whatever medium of art is most comfortable for you. Not forcing something that feels unnatural. If art is not your thing, you may not connect to God in the way and that’s okay. If you haven't tried though, I would really encourage it. Breathe, slow your mind, ask God to reveal more of the scripture and let your mind paint the picture for you. If you try this at all I would love to see what you create. Please share it with us!

Connecting with God on more and more intimate levels is a process, and one that takes time. I’m thankful we are on this journey together. We may not be where we want to be but we are getting there together.

I’m so excited to see what we learn this month as we continue to discuss creating foundations with our creative devotional study.

Let’s dive in deep, lay it down at his feet, and see just how much freedom we can experience in the loving arms of the Father.

All my love,

Elizabeth

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// About Elizabeth @etothegreeno

22. Artist. Writer. World Traveler. Light Giver.

May my life be a constant reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. May the work he has done in me be a testimony of provision and favor.

Submit, surrender, believe.

If you know me, you may know that I am a very black and white thinker. This has not only served me well, but it also hindered me from overcoming certain beliefs and lies. This month we have been talking about the word RENEW.

For as long as I can recall I felt like in order to experience renewal I had to go from one person to another in a single action; that I could be instantly renewed if I just prayed and asked God to heal me or take away my negative thoughts. Come to find out that’s not at all how the process works.

Renew is defined as the processing of making something new by resuming an interrupted activity, re-establishing relationship, or repeating an action. None of those would make you believe that to be renewed is a onetime process.

It’s an everyday choice; it’s showing up on the hard days, on the good days. It’s believing in the truth even when it feels a million miles away and like you can even fathom reaching it. For me it’s believing in God - that He can do what He says He can, that He is making me into who He has called me to be.

He’s shaping me into the women of God that I never thought possible.

I am the pot in the potter’s hands.

I am the vine being tended to by the vine dresser.

My process of renewal isn’t coming outside my relationship with Jesus. At least the process of renewal that is helping me fulfill my purpose.

For me it all started with making the choice to establish my relationship with the Lord after years of running and living like an orphan. That place left me feeling broken, miserable, and honestly hopeless.

Friend, if you feel like you are lacking purpose, if you feel alone and burden, ask yourself what are you allowing to renew your life? I believe we can use other things to renew us that are not healthy. Maybe we believe alcohol will help us to feel satisfied. Maybe it’s even things like shopping for things we don’t need, saying yes to everything to help us feel fulfilled.

What I am trying to say here, beloved, is that we have a chance to decide what we give ourselves too. And sure we can choose the things I listed above, but speaking from personal experience those will not satisfy. They will not bring contentment, joy, peace, or the person you are designed to be.

Here may be another slightly controversial and difficult statement. We can’t have both. The bible is super clear about being in this world but not of it. As hard as it is (speaking from 100% personal experience here) we have to learn to lay aside the things that are not helping shape us to be more Christ like.

Easier said than done, right?

Welcome to the process of renewal. The choice to submit, surrender and believe that with him, all things can be made new.

I feel so challenged by this, friends. Challenged because there are still things I am laying down and learning to surrender.

We have the opportunity to be renewed day by day.

We get to choose.

Let’s choose together friends to lay our lives down for a purpose and a calling so much bigger than we can create for ourselves. Let’s give the Lord the opportunity to come in and renew our hearts and minds and lives to be more centered on Him.

---

// About Elizabeth @etothegreeno

22. Artist. Writer. World Traveler. Light Giver.

May my life be a constant reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. May the work he has done in me be a testimony of provision and favor.

give yourself time.

A couple of months ago, a friend & I walked into a clay shop and before me were (what seemed like) endless options of clay items that I could paint. A Sloth. Plate. Box. Mug. Any animal. Ya know, all the things. The list goes on and on. 

After debating and picking up many items and then placing them back on the shelf due to my indecisiveness, I opted for a coffee mug. However, the process really just began at this point.

From there I received the quick run down, things to do/not to do to help make for a smoother time and better finished product, including the encouragement to put on an apron since it was bound to be a messy adventure. Next, I stared at all the color choices. 

I’m pretty sure they had every color shade imaginable, with or without sparkles of course.

At last, every decision I needed to make was complete and it was time to sit down and paint. I took a deep breath and began.

I knew the general idea of what I wanted the final product to be, but I was oblivious to what the journey would be to get there.

Ya know, paint bottles that didn’t want to disperse paint. Paint smudges. Running out of a specific color. Smeared words. 

But as I pushed through and continued on, I started seeing it all come together.

Finally, I arrived at what seemed like the end but that was the point when I had to leave my mug behind so it could be glazed and go through the fire...it had to be transformed just a little more so that it could truly sparkle and shine.

The overall theme displayed on my mug became a great representation of the overall experience and it sure does apply to the journey I’ve personally been on, and perhaps you have, also...either now or at another point in your life.

Just as a caterpillar goes through the process to transform into a beautiful butterfly, and like the process I walked through with my mug, we each go through a process as well when we’re being refined and transformed into the best version of ourselves. 

Does it happen over night? Absolutely not.

Is it painless? No.

Is it messy at times? Sure thing.

Are there things along the way that represent smudges or smeared words? Oh sure there are.

But is it worth it to give yourself time and see what comes from it? You bet.

Trust the process, friends.

You’re a beautiful work in process, and you’re worth every single second it takes.

Much Love,

Taryn 

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// About Taryn

Insta: @taryn.it.upppp

I’m an almost thirty year old gal who has experienced the radical transformation that only Jesus and His love can bring about. Although originally from Ohio, I now live in southern Tennessee and have added the phrase ya’ll to my every day vocabulary. ⠀
⠀
You can usually catch me singing along to most any song that comes on, sipping a chai tea latte at a local coffee shop, or enjoying time outdoors which is where I connect with God the most! 

art + worship.

For Christmas last year, my husband gifted me a fancy, journaling bible that had just released. Another bible was a sweet surprise but something I did not know how to use, as I have a few for unique purposes but this one did not fit into a category.

Early this past fall, I stumbled into bible journaling on Instagram. I had not heard much about it or understood what it was but one post caught my eye: mother – daughter bible journaling sets.

My daughter is a born creative and I knew I had to do this eventually - when she was older. But as I thought about it and saw all the beauty of the bible journaling community, I opted to gift her one for Christmas.

This made me think about my own fancy, journaling bible with its gold embossed cover and pretty lettered pages that I had started using for my afternoon readings through Proverbs.

Its pages were straight and neat. Almost too pretty to touch with a brush or felt tips. The initial thought of covering its pages with paint and color were a little daunting, as I did not want to ruin it.

But the idea of the mother – daughter set kept floating around and so I went for it, just before purchasing one for her.

Taking the leap and making a mess of the page with paint and lettering was more fun than I had anticipated. Especially, the first time we were able to sit down together with our water colors and colored pencil and illustrate God’s word. To my surprise, my daughter decided to paint, in biblical order, descriptive pictures from the text – from Noah’s ark to Cain coming behind Abel to murder him (I was a bit shocked by this one, though the illustration was well rendered AND she quoted the exact verse).

It was a sweet time and exciting to see her actually reading the text as she painted, something I had not considered when I had chosen my favorite translation for her bible, the ESV. It has been a beautiful outlet for her and I am thrilled for this little adventure we are on together, as we worship together in the truths of scripture and art.

Worshipping God can come in many forms, from art and bible journaling to hiking and prayer. Praying that if there is anything that you have been hindered or put off doing to worship God that you would push yourself to it and go there, even it is messy and feels like you are ruining the very thing that you are trying. Praying that you can laugh as you learn from the process and embrace the joy that is to be had there. Praying that Lord would guide your steps as you take them and that you would see Him in light as you worship.

//DIVE DEEPER

+ Read Psalm 148. *Use the SOAP method for a deeper study. Download it for free here.

+ Is there anything that you have wanted to try? Is anything stopping you? If so, take time to pray about it. Find time this week to do it or set a date.

+ Is there anyone you can invite into it? 

Originally posted in The Inspire Monthly newsletter, February 2019. Join the adventure to be the first to get it straight to your inbox, along with other fun tidbits from the shop. 

get in the boat

As I was lying in bed last night, I closed my eyes, tears leaking out of the corners. I was frustrated, discouraged, hurting and kind of lonely. It stemmed from a way too hectic schedule and from missing my time with God. Then out of nowhere - God gave me a vision. Consider yourself warned, it's an odd one. It made me laugh out loud and the tears suddenly stopped as I looked at the sight behind my closed eye lids. I saw a helmeted turtle standing upright in a boat, out in the middle of a body of water. Seems logical, right? It really made me laugh and then made me wonder. I asked God what it was supposed to mean and the interpretation came immediately. 

I was to slow down and get in the boat... Whoa. It was so clear. And so totally opposite of what I've been doing. And just like that, things suddenly got a little bit clearer and I thought back over the past couple of weeks.

I’ve been moving one-hundred miles an hour, tying to get as much done as possible. Running here, running there. Doing this, doing that. Saying yes over and over and over again. I’m just trying to paint a picture - probably one that many of you are familiar with in your own life. Then, suddenly, I hit the end of the day and I realize I haven’t taken any time to sit down with God....once again. Day one, day two, day three. The pattern continues until I honestly feel like I can’t breathe.

I got frustrated with God...how on earth do I find the time? How exactly am I supposed to get in the boat? What about the things still moving around me? 

Get in the boat, He gently replies. 

So I did. 

I got in. 

I’ve spent most of this week sitting in the boat with Jesus and listening to the soft beckoning of His voice that comes through reading His word and drawing closer to His heart. 

Let me tell ya, friend. 

It’s been SO good. 

The world around me slowed down. 

The pace of life didn't seem so fast.

I could breathe more clearly. 

My thoughts were re-focused on the Lord and my prayers began to take on deeper meaning. 

I'm learning that as God continually prepares me for something bigger, there will be trials. This is one of those times I believe He is asking more of me.

There are and will be seasons when it's hard to hear His voice...but He is always there and ever so patient with us. 

All He is asking is that we take the time to get in the boat and He'll take care of the rest.

Who is jumping in to the boat with me?

Let’s ride it out together, friends!

Hugs,

Taryn

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// About Taryn

Insta: @taryn.it.upppp

I’m an almost thirty year old gal who has experienced the radical transformation that only Jesus and His love can bring about. Although originally from Ohio, I now live in southern Tennessee and have added the phrase ya’ll to my every day vocabulary. ⠀
⠀
You can usually catch me singing along to most any song that comes on, sipping a chai tea latte at a local coffee shop, or enjoying time outdoors which is where I connect with God the most! 

Evidence of a Changed life

It’s been nearly one year since I made a declaration of my new found freedom while completing a nine month (and one day) Christian residential treatment program.

I never thought I would end up in a treatment center for an eating disorder, depression and anxiety feeling suffocated by life, let alone in a treatment center at all.  Yet here I am, having experienced more of the Lord, more joy, more freedom, and more heartache and pain than I imagined.

 Even though this last year of freedom didn’t look remotely like I imagined it to, I can confidently say that I am not who I was; I have grown, I have changed.

 Sunday I came home after church and lunch with a friend and felt an overwhelming presence that had me ugly crying at the goodness of God and it was the most beautiful thing. I sat in complete awe of the amazing work that he has done in my life.

Right before getting out of the car, my friend and I began sharing parts of our stories with each other and a simple “see ya later” turned into a twenty five minute conversation. My heart began to break as I recanted a time in high school where I was so broken and hopeless that I sat on my bed with a bottle of pills ready to end my life. The intervention of a friend that day and the grace of God is the only reason I am able to still draw breath on this day, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As I spent that afternoon reflecting on what the Lord has done in my life I decided to take a peek at my old journals: my pre treatment college days, during treatment and now. There was an astonishment that came over me as I realized how the Lord has answered so many of my prayers. Let me tell you, it took work, and grit, steadfastness and faithfulness in the process. But what I asked of him, he guided me to.

 I started off praying in 2017 for breakthrough, for freedom from sin, for a realization of his love for me, resting in him, THE LIST GOES ON.  I didn’t imagine that those prayers would be answered in the way they were. It took me stepping completely outside of my comfort zone, moving to yet another state thousands of miles away from my friends and family to look at my life and choose healing, freedom, and Jesus over the ways I had found to cope.

In these past two years I see the way the Lord has continually be faithful to answer the prayers, desires and hopes that I have brought before him. As I reflect, I realize I understand his love in a completely new and beautiful way now. I am able to find rest in him and know I don’t have to prove myself to him. It didn’t happen overnight, it didn’t even happen in nine months honestly. It is this constant growing and learning.

I am not sure where we began to believe this but the process isn’t “one and done.” It is not a microwave, and there is no quick fix for learning and believe truth. For most of my life I had this thought that there was something wrong with me and that I should have had this figured out already, I should be “fixed” and I was completely missing the point. As I surrendered and gave way to the process I found more growth, more freedom, more joy than I had in my life. Did this mean that every issue I dealt with, every lie and every sin feel away? Uhm absolutely not, but there was something different.

I’ve walked as a different person these last two years. I will not fully understand or know the Lord until eternity but I’m content with surrendering my life to run after the Lord and his heart.

When you pray dear friends, do not be discouraged if you don’t see the fruit, sometimes it comes in the most unexpected ways and sometimes it takes time. But be faithful, be obedient, and be expectant. He hears you.

Challenge: There is something so beautiful about looking back and seeing the Lord move and show up. Find a notebook or journal and begin to write down some of your prayers or at least the things you are praying. Next month, 6 months from now, and next year look back and check in on how you have seen the Lord move in those areas. Watch him show up, he is MORE than enough for everything you are facing.

All my love,

Elizabeth

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// About Elizabeth @etothegreeno

22. Artist. Writer. World Traveler. Light Giver.

May my life be a constant reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. May the work he has done in me be a testimony of provision and favor.

why.

For as long I can remember, why has been a choice word. Questions coming one after another. I love back stories and the reasons behind choices. There is always an action or reaction or cause and effect, whether conscious or unconscious. It just is. When I could muster up the courage, I could ask why, though my shyness hindered my analytical nature growing up, diving deep into pointless and futile thinking patterns.

I have been told that my questions can be intimidating and perceived to some as interrogation, though that is not my intention or heart in the slightest. The statement itself caught me by complete surprise, as they rolled off a friend’s tongue. My curiosity is just in full effect and I love a good story, especially those who are willing to share and be transparent and honest and open. It is the depth and realness that questions beckon us into, should our answers be truth filled.

I see it now in my oldest son. Questions that he is brave and bold to ask anyone who will listen and answer him. His little mind soaking in what is being told to him. His eyes listening intently as he is conjuring follow up questions.

The why dives me deeper with God to questions about why he did what he did. Things that I may never know on this side of heaven but none the less lead me into other studies and other questions that he does graciously answer in the time I have given to it. The constant leading and inquiries that arise keeps the light burning.

The Lord graciously urges us to ask and seek and knock. We ask our questions, which become an adventure as we dive in to scripture and study and prayer and fasting. Asking and seeking. We have the opportunity to invite others into our questions. We invite them into the study, to come and search with us. We seek the Lord together as our questions are answered and the door is opened to his presence. To his goodness and mercy and love.

As this new year is unfolding, full of possibilities and new questions to be asked and sought after and doors opened, I pray that you would be able to see where the questions are leading you and the answers would be ones that lead you to the feet of Jesus. Praying that you would invite others into your questions, no matter how silly sounding or too small, because relationships build off of questions and answers, as does our faith. May your curiosity and faith be renewed and perhaps the answers that you believed to be true in the past would have new light shed on them, as your faith deepens in the coming year.

//DIVE DEEPER

+Read Matthew 7: 7-12. Then read it again, letting Jesus' words soak in. Highlight any words that stand out. *Use the SOAP method for a deeper study. Download it for free here.

+ Do you have any questions about God or your beliefs? Write them down and pray about them this week. Find someone to talk about them with. 

+ Is there anything you are asking or seeking the Lord right now? Schedule time this week to pray specifically about it, Invite a friend to pray with you and for you through it. 

Originally posted in The Inspire Monthly newsletter, January 2019. Join the adventure to be the first to get it straight to your inbox, along with other fun tidbits from the shop. 

new to the team // taryn

Hi friends!

I’m so thankful for the opportunity to get to hang out with y’all on the blog!

You may remember my social media posts back in November when we were journeying together to find the joy in everyday life through the #findthejoytoday movement! Speaking of that, how’s that going for you? Are you still striving to find the joy on a daily basis, even if all of your feelings/emotions convince you there are some days that just don’t contain any joy? I promise you, there’s something joy-filled in every single day...let’s keep looking for it together! Deal? 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been in continual processing mode all month long. That seems to be pretty common at the beginning of a new year as we anticipate what this year will hold, in comparison to what last year or the years before that held for us, and setting goals for personal growth the months to come. 

Last year was one for the books, as I finished my year long journey in a Christian residential treatment center. However, It wasn’t just treatment. It marked the beginning of a life transforming relationship with Jesus that radically rocked my world and showed me what life with Him looks like. It wasn’t easy by any means, but to be equipped to continue walking out my freedom and healing on a daily basis made it all worth it. 

All month long, I’ve noticed the theme of prayer popping up every which direction I turn. It’s almost like the Lord was setting a challenge before me to turn my prayer life up a few notches.

In taking an honest evaluation of that area of my life, I realized how little of time I was spending in prayer. It seemed to be like my times of prayer was me advising God, directing God, making suggestions to God...ya know how we do sometimes. However, there was very little time spent just hanging out in His presence and adoring Him and not just throwing my requests at Him. 

Don’t get me wrong. He is ok with us presenting our requests to Him, but for me that’s what my prayer times became about....constantly asking and rarely thanking. Talk about a heart check!

So, in that, He’s challenged me to set aside a certain amount of time every single day aside to just abide in Him and converse with Him like I would a friend.

He longs to be in communication with us. 

We’re His children and He’s head over heels in love with His kiddos. His heart swells with pride and increased love when we choose to boldly enter the throne room and sit at His feet without an agenda. Just unrestrained time between a Father and His child. Wow. 

I’m leaving you with a challenge to simply spend some time hanging out with Jesus in prayer. Maybe that’s something you already do. Awesome. Perhaps you can add in an additional time of prayer today where you focus more on listening to Him speak to you rather than you solely doing the talking. 

Or maybe you’re on the other end of the spectrum and you haven’t stopped and prayed for months. It’s ok if that’s where you’re at, but He’s longing to hear from you. There’s so much grace being lavished on you and He’s extending a listening ear and warm heart. ️

 I’m praying for you, sweet friends! We’re all on this journey together!

See you again soon!

Love,

Taryn

Insta: @taryn.it.upppp

P.S. The breathtaking view in this picture came about as I took some time one morning this month to just be still and pray as the sun was rising over the mountains. It was almost like He was saying “hey, thanks for hanging out with me this morning. Here’s this for you to enjoy while we spend time together.”

How cool is He?!

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// About Taryn

I’m an almost thirty year old gal who has experienced the radical transformation that only Jesus and His love can bring about. Although originally from Ohio, I now live in southern Tennessee and have added the phrase ya’ll to my every day vocabulary. ⠀
⠀
You can usually catch me singing along to most any song that comes on, sipping a chai tea latte at a local coffee shop, or enjoying time outdoors which is where I connect with God the most! 

new to the team // Elizabeth

Hey y’all!

My name is Elizabeth and I feel so privileged to introduce myself to you all and journey with you as we dive into faith, freedom, truth, all the things! I hope and pray through my post that you will feel seen, known, loved, and inspired to continue to press on in whatever season you find. May these words not only be encouraging but bold, faith-filled, and challenging.

To start off I thought I would share a little about myself so you might have some context for what I share down the road.

Is that okay with you? (I know I can’t hear you audibly respond but I LOVE to pose questions as I write!).

I always have a hard time finding a place to begin when I share my story with people, so let’s just jump right in.

…Young Elizabeth, she felt broken, hurt, and like she could never amount to anything. These lies began to shape her life and caused her to see no hope, or purpose for her life. As a teen she struggled with suicidal ideation, self harm, and an eating disorder. Trauma from her childhood caused a lack of trust in other people and feeling like she didn’t belong. Years of being perpetually stuck in these lies really took a toll. In her second year of college she began to feel like there was absolutely no hope left and was content with death. Through faithful friends and mentors, she was able to accept that she did not want death to be the outcome of her actions and decided it was time to get help.

Sharing my story with people is not something I felt comfortable with for so long, even after going through a residential treatment facility and finding freedom that I didn’t have for so long. I was ashamed and felt like I wasn’t bad enough off to need help (which is a lie that I believed for SO long). I am thankful that was able to receive support and counseling through a Christian treatment program in Northern California. During those nine months I grew in my walk with the Lord, learned to replace truth with lies, and realized that I am more capable and stronger than imagined.

In the last several months there has been a stirring in my heart to talk more openly about the things that I have experienced or walked through. Because the thing is, we cannot grow if we are sitting in darkness, and the only way to come into the light is to be HONEST and VULNERABLE, which let me tell you friends: it can be so challenging.

Nine out of ten times it is not always comfortable in the moment to expose the things you have struggled with or are struggling with, but there is FREEDOM in doing it. A freedom that we cannot find when we are hiding in the dark.

And if we are on the topic of HONESTY, I really find it much easier to hide in the dark. But is gets uncomfortable, and scary, and I know I need to crawl back out into the light. We can’t stay where we’ve been and continue to do the same things we’ve been doing and expect to see change.

I hope through my honesty, vulnerability, and walking in the light that we can grow. Grow in truth, love, freedom, service. This life is about so much more than being freed for our own sake, but experiencing freedom, reconciliation and the gospel so the others can experience it too.

I am so looking forward to talking with you more, sharing more of my heart and seeing what the Lord does. Keep an eye out on The Inspire Shop’s social media for some posts from me and check back in February for my next blog post.

 All my love,

Elizabeth// Insta @etothegreeno

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// About Elizabeth

22. Artist. Writer. World Traveler. Light Giver.

May my life be a constant reflection of the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. May the work he has done in me be a testimony of provision and favor.