We have a new driver and it’s both wonderful and nerve-wracking!
.
Paul and Luke did well in their wrestling season.
Paul with a WLuke gets a W
.
.
We watched lots of basketball. Clark had a fun season and played really well. Our local high school is going to state.
.
.
I visited three different schools to celebrate reading:
.
We’ve only had a little snow this winter but enjoyed it!
.
Wrigley is still living his best life.
.
Ted and I snuck out for date night in between the family madness.
.
Those are a few of the “fun winter highlights.”
However, we’ve had some challenges this winter too. My mother-in-law lost her brother, another wonderful family member is going through chemotherapy, we had a big water leak in our house and I’ve been living with a ‘half kitchen,’ and we had to cancel a trip we’d been looking forward to for months – those are “not-so-fun highlights.” Life has both highs and lows and I choose to focus on the good and know that I have so much to be grateful for!
.
Thanks for reading! I hope you had a good winter and an even BETTER spring!
Today’s Family Tip: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
God has placed unique gifts and talents inside you that the world needs. Don’t try to be like someone else, become the best version of YOU!
.
Suggestions for how parents can help their children not to compare themselves with others:
Encourage your children to focus on their own progress and accomplishments to develop a stronger sense of self-worth and confidence. Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you see in them.
Every child is unique with their own set of strengths, gifts and abilities. Ask God to give you insight into how He’s made them, and share what you learn with your children. This will help them recognize and appreciate their own unique qualities.
Model for your children how to have appreciation for others’ successes rather than feelings of resentment.
Focus less on external markers of success (grades and achievements) and more on personal effort and growth.
Help your children set personal goals and strive for self-improvement. This fosters a growth mindset where they see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats to their self-worth.
.
.
.
The world needs you to be who God created you to be!
Hey there, bookworms! I’m excited to share on some amazing books about remarkable women from history. These are regular women doing seemingly small stuff that ends up changing the world. Thanks to Janet Benge’s fantastic biographies, we get a front-row seat to tales of grit, courage, and downright heroism. These women prove that you don’t need a cape to be a hero; everyday actions can rewrite history. So, grab your favorite blanket, a cup of coffee, and let’s dive into these stories that’ll leave you feeling inspired and ready to conquer the world. Who’s eady to join me on this literary adventure?
Note: If you have a library card, you can download the Hoopla app, and listen to all of these for free.
Once a painfully timid child, Clara was as bold as a lion when it came to helping others, whether working as a teacher with the most challenging children, helping natural-disaster victims, or comforting dying soldiers.
Clara fought for U.S. approval of the Geneva treaty for the care of war wounded, organized the American Red Cross, and dedicated her life to its service. Her courage and compassion impacted thousands of people around the globe – black and white, Christian and Muslim, Spanish and American, Confederate and Union. An incredible story of service and sacrifice (1821-1912).
From the time she was 6, Harriet resolved to escape slavery and move north. Little did this little girl know that one day, she would lead hundreds of slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Even huge rewards for her capture – dead or alive – did not stop Harriet from risking her life again and again in the fight for liberty as the nation spiraled into the Civil War. Whether running from slave hunters, advising generals, or improving conditions in war hospitals, remarkable Harriet Tubman would not be satisfied until every person could experience true freedom. (1820-1913)
Gladys started life as a servant for wealthy families. While at a meeting, she became convinced that God wanted her to go to China. She knew no Chinese, had no contacts in China, and flunked out of a China mission school. Gladys saved up her money and bought a one-way ticket to China. She stood up for women’s rights, inspired prison reform, started a small business, adopted orphans, and won the respect of government officials and civilians alike. Her work in China continues to this day. (1902-1970)
Corrie Ten Boom was an ordinary watchmaker’s daughter when her family was arrested for helping Jewish people hide from the Nazis. They were taken to prison and suffered greatly under the hands of their captors. This book tells how Corrie survived the war and went on to help others by telling them about God’s love and forgiveness. (1892-1983)
Amy, a compassionate woman, dedicated her life to caring for those in need. Initially residing in an English slum, she assisted impoverished women until her health deteriorated. In response to a call, she ventured to a mission hospital in India where she uncovered a distressing reality – baby girls being given away as gifts to temples for forced prostitution. Appalled by this, Amy adopted these girls and established an orphanage, eventually becoming a mother to over 100 girls. As boys joined the fold, she expanded her care to 80 of them and even built a home and a hospital.
At the age of 63, a severe fall left Amy mostly incapacitated and bedridden for the remaining 20 years of her life. Despite her physical limitations, she continued leading her family from her bedside, and prolifically writing books and letters to those around the world. She published 35 pieces of work.
.
Don’t these women sound inspiring? And I love that they each started with a simple beginning, responded to a need, and left a big impact on so many lives. (1867-1951)
I discovered this recipe on Instagram some time ago and recently had the chance to make it. It’s perfect for serving a large group or for preparing a thoughtful meal to share with a family in need. It was a hit with all my boys, and what I particularly appreciate is how effortlessly it came together.
.
Ingredients:
2 lbs of chicken (I used frozen chicken breast)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
2 cups of chicken broth
2 packets of powdered Gravy mix
Noodles (or mashed potatoes)
.
What to do:
Put the broth, soup and gravy powder into the crockpot.
Set the frozen chicken on top.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
Cook the noodles (or mashed potatoes) before serving. In my opinion, the mashed potatoes with the chicken and gravy are SO delicious – I’m a mashed potato lover. However the noodles are much easier and faster to make. If you have the time, make the potatoes, if you are in a hurry or want to save the time and effort, the noodles work great.
Helping your children develop the valuable skill of introducing themselves, will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Most kids do not instinctively know how to greet adults (beyond “Hi!”) so we can model and instruct them on how to do this with politeness and confidence.
.
This simple skill has so many benefits. It makes a great first impression, boosts their confidence, opens doors for them and makes others feel respected and welcome!
.
This skill is taught with 6 simple steps:
Stand up straight
Make eye contact
Smile
Give a firm handshake
State your full name
End with “Nice to meet you.”
.
.
I recommend you practice this at home, and then review it right before meeting new people. Make it a fun! Compliment your kids when they introduce themselves in this manner, even if it’s not ‘perfect’ – acknowledge effort and improvement.
Here are the first two books I finished in 2024. Both are fantastic biographies of men who showed grit and resiliency in the face of extreme difficulty. Their perseverance paid off and both men succeeded in completely different ways.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed diving into the life of Milton Hershey, the visionary behind America’s favorite chocolate. He grew up very poor and struggled in school – many doubted his potential. This was a powerful reminder that each person possesses unique gifts that may only surface later in life. I was amazed at Milton Hershey’s grit and relentless determination to succeed. Despite encountering many failures in his business ventures, he did not give up. I admired his innovative thinking. When land and buildings were too expensive in town for his factory, he built a factory in the middle of nowhere, and built a town around his factory. He allowed the public to name his town – it became “Hershey, Pennsylvania.” Before he died, Milton gave his earnings away to build homes and a school for children in need.
Review: “The Boys in the Boat” is a non-fiction book that tells the inspiring and true story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team and their journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The story primarily focuses on Joe Rantz, one of the rowers, and his challenging life circumstances. Against the backdrop of the Great Depression and rising tensions in Europe, the book explores the team’s struggles, dedication, and ultimate triumph in the face of adversity. The book takes us to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany, where the American team, including the University of Washington crew, faced off against Adolf Hitler’s favored German team. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Brown captures the spirit of determination, teamwork, and resilience that defined the boys in the boat. I highly recommend this book to anyone 15 and up!
.
(Side note: I thought I had read “Boys in the Boat” a while back, only to realize I had confused it with “Unbroken.” Both books are set in the same historical era, and while “Boys in the Boat” revolves around a rowing team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, “Unbroken” follows the life of Louis Zamperini, who not only attended the same Olympics but also survived World War II, including a period spent with several “Boys in a boat.”
Despite the mix-up, I thoroughly enjoyed both stories. The tale of the boys in the boat is distinct from Louis Zamperini’s incredible journey, but each narrative stands on its own merits. I highly recommend both books for their gripping accounts of resilience, courage, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.)
In the face of sub-zero temperatures and battling a bout of illness, I opted to prepare this soup, and it turned out to be the absolute BEST decision. Crafted with a comforting chicken broth foundation and elevated by the invigorating spice of enchilada sauce, it managed to be both soothing and delightfully zesty.
.
Ever since I made the first pot, I’ve been craving more. It stores well in the fridge, so I recommend you make a large pot and savor it all week long.
.
It tastes better being sipped from my favorite mug. A gift from my sister, who knows I love giraffes!
.
Ingredients:
Olive oil and/or 1 TB of Butter
1 chopped sweet onion
1 chopped pepper (I used red)
1 chopped jalapeno
5 cups of broth
2 cans/jars of enchilada sauce
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 cup of chunky salsa
8 oz. of cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
1 TB of garlic
2 cups of shredded chicken
I used a rotisserie chicken, then boiled the bones to make the broth
Leave this out or serve on the side for a vegetarian option
1 TB cajun seasoning or whatever seasonings you want to use
1 t of cumin (optional)
Splash of hot sauce (optional)
.
Optional toppings:
tortilla chips,
sour cream,
avocado,
cheese,
a drizzle of hot sauce, or
diced jalapenos.
.
Directions:
Start by sautéing the onion, peppers and garlic in a drizzle of olive oil and a pat of butter.
After 3-5 minutes, add the broth, enchilada sauce, corn, beans and salsa. Bring to a boil, then let simmer about 10-15 minutes. Add seasoning.
If you’re anything like me, finding joy in January might be a struggle. The holiday cheer is gone, the thermometer has plummeted, and it’s a daily struggle to peel ourselves from the cozy cocoon of blankets. But fear not! Amidst the frosty gloom, JOY can still be found. I am your joy detective, here to uncover the gems that winter has in store for us. Let the January joy hunt begin!
.
Winter BeautyWinter Birds
.
You must arrange your day so that you experience deep contentment, joy and confidence in your everyday life with God.
– Dallas Willard
.
Here are 50 little things that can bring BIG joy:
.
A hot beverage on a cold morning
The first bite of something delicious
Relaxing after hard work
Laughter
Taking a walk in nature and breathing in the fresh, cold air
Listening to a great song
Thinking “I’ve done good work today!”
Spending time with people you love
Saving money
Prayer / Thinking about God
Singing along to a song you love
Watching kids play (or playing with them!)
Petting a dog
Reflecting on a happy memory
Completing something I feel good about
Giving time to something that’s important to you
Smelling a candle or warm soup
Watching my team win
Listening to a funny comedian
Giving (or receiving) a compliment
Learning something new
Watching a sunrise or sunset
Looking at the moon or stars
Finding something you needed to buy, on sale
Selling something
Social networking
Playing in the snow
Soaking in a tub or sauna
Catching up with an old friend
A great find at a thrift store
Getting a card or letter in the mail
Someone smiling at you
Driving and getting all the green lights
Feeling inspired by something you read or hear
Making a gratitude list
Wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket
Dressing up and looking good
Dressing ‘down’ and feeling good
Making cookies and sharing them
A simmering pot of homemade soup
Playing a game with family or friends
Watching birds eat from a bird feeder
Putting your cold feet into warm socks or soft slippers
Crawling into bed after a busy day
Getting a good night’s sleep
Giving or receiving good news
Taking a deep breath
Putting something on your calendar that you are excited about
Forgiving or being forgiven
Feeling LOVED
.
Winter walkSlippersWinter WalkGood books!Dressing up and looking goodWinter joy
.
I hope this list sparked JOY and made you smile.
May 2024 be the year of JOY as you SLOW DOWN and pay attention to the small pleasures of life, and truly savor them.
.
Two things I would add to my personal list:
51. New subscribers! Please consider subscribing if you haven’t already.
52. Receiving an email or comment from a reader about how something impacted them.
.
What would you add to the JOY list? Please leave a comment by clicking that little box next to the title.
When I was planning this post, I really wanted to write ’23 things I learned in ’23.’ That was taking too long to write and some you wouldn’t care about anyway. (I mean, do you really want to know what apps I learned to use to help me connect with my child’s school?) I decided to SCALE back and focus on what I learned that impacted my life in a positive way, and might be useful for you too.
.
.
Lessons I learned in 2023:
.
1. Smile when things are hard. It makes it easier!
On a psychological level, smiling can trick your mind into perceiving the difficulty as more manageable. The act of smiling is known to release endorphins, which are feel-good hormones that contribute to an improved mood and reduced stress levels. P.S. Try it during a test, when you are angry or when working out. Read more here.
.
.
2. Make space for QUIET.
Quiet allows your mind to process what you are thinking and feeling. It moves out some of the ‘sludge’ from constant noise and busyness. It also opens up time for prayer and reflection. Being quiet allowed me to be more ‘present’ – to God, to myself, and to others.
“The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we need most.”
– John Mark Comer
.
.
3. Do ONE thing at a time.
I’m a serial mulit-tasker. In 2023, I learned that doing ONE thing at a time was more effective than doing multiple things poorly.
.
.
4. Slow down and pay attention to what is happening in the moment.
All the best stuff happens in the present and I don’t want to miss all the little moments of JOY.
.
.
5. Less input leads to better output.
In 2023 I learned that reducing the amount of input enhances the quality of output. Previously, I would consume up to 60 books a year and listen to countless podcasts. However, in 2023, I deliberately scaled back. This shift has allowed me the time to process and apply what I’ve learned. Creating this mental space has not only fueled my ideas, but also increased my motivation for writing, speaking, and teaching.
.
.
6. Change might seem too big and too hard, do it anyway.
When we began talking about moving to a different house, I was hesistant. I didn’t want to leave my comfort zone, the work involved with moving seemed overwhelming, and I was distraught over leaving our wonderful neighborhood. After lots of discussion, prayer and planning – we sold our house and bought another. The change turned out to be exactly what we needed. It was a LOT of work. It was really heard to say goodbye to our amazing neighbors, but the change was exactly what we needed for our family. And, it didn’t just take me out of my comfort zone, it EXPANDED my comfort zone. We’ve met so many new friends, while staying connected to our old ones. It made me (and all of us) a little more adaptable to different situations. Embracing change, though challenging, proved worthwhile.
.
Those were a handful of the many lessons I learned in 2023. Which of these should you practice in 2024?
.
What did you learn in 2023? Leave a comment by clicking on that little text box by the title of this post!
A captivating and inspiring tale of exploration, human endurance and survival. It’s hard to believe this is a true story. An amazing book for anyone ages 12 or up.
This book was a breath of fresh air for my soul! It reminded me to slow down and live with intention.
The authors words and methods were simple and life-giving. He doesn’t give you more to do, but plows the path towards less. He shows the reader how to ENJOY this ONE life we’ve been given.
“Through life-giving practices, grounded in the life of Jesus, we gain access to life power beyond our own.” – John Mark Comer
Benjamin Franklin was a fascinating man with so much creativity and wisdom. I loved learning about his life and adventures (and antics)! I had no idea that so many things we use today were thought up by HIM. I loved this story – it would make a great book to read to kids ages 8 and up!
