Link Love: Blog Tips, Women in Ministry, Nashville, How We Respond, Adoption, God

I am so happy to find the time to write again on here and connect with all of you. One of the biggest things I miss sharing with readers is my roundup of favorite links I have stumbled upon the Web in the recent days.

Hope you find some (if not all) of these helpful!


The One Page of Your Blog That Everyone Wants to Read. Do you have a blog and need direction in optimizing your 'About Page'? I know for a fact that I do. Check this out and get some valuable tips.

I Am Not Different (and Neither Are You). I must say, if I can share every single blog post Christine Hoover writes, I would. She challenged me with these questions: Do you know how needy you are? And do you vocalize those needs? Do you allow the body of Christ to minister to you? When she implores, I understand.

Nashville. Nextville? NowVille! I love my current home city. It's been getting a lot of press lately. Read this and you will know why.

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

How to Publish Your Book. Great (and really funny) infographic!

He made you this promise. Having a crazy day? This might help.

Dear Pastor Mark: Pontificate This. Sharing not to generate controversy but to express the grief I have felt several times when I see this famous pastor's tweets. I don't hate him but I do get brokenhearted when I don't see the spirit of kindness, gentleness, and self-control. Don't judge him. Pray for him. And most of all, examine our own selves -- we might be guilty of the very same thing.

Mark Driscoll is My New Best Friend. A very challenging perspective in relation to the previous link. The comments are just as thought-provoking.

The Useless Web. Need a 5-minute break from work? It will take you to funny and interesting places.

The Love Gives Way Story. Andy Brophy, the founder of Love Gives Way shares the story on how he started a community that helps in the recovery and restoration of sexually exploited people.

"He Smelled of Urine and Infection": On Adopting a Russian Orphan. Another adoption story that will leave you wrecked.

Postcards: Downtown Franklin

I love our home city.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Minutes + A Box of Kleenex

I dream of things that most of you do.

A home we can call our own. To take awesome vacations. To never worry about the lack of money. To buy really nice gifts for my family and friends.

But nothing, absolutely, nothing comes close to my dream of rescuing unwanted children. As we wait on God for Him to say "YES, it's time," I rejoice when I see families fulfill that same calling.

 

*Note: This video is part of a generosity campaign that is my dear to my heart. I want everyone to know about it. Check it out. Try it out.

Book Review: Beyond Ordinary

I do not know Justin or Trisha Davis personally. However, I feel closely connected to them because of the following reasons:

(1) Their heart to minister to married couples is very obvious on their online presence -- which I have been following for quite some time now. Their lessons, words of encouragement, and candor have spoken to me quite often. I have also shared their wisdom to many close friends who needed hear their heart.

(2) They have a tender spot for married couples who are in ministry. In fact, they have freely given us their paid (and excellent) 12-month MentorUs subscription program. This is an incredible gift. Robert and I have reaped the benefits of it.

(3) They started ministry as youth pastors. They currently live in Nashville, TN. I feel like if there is a couple we hope we can run to for some "been there, done that" advice, it is them.


When I heard that Justin and Trisha co-wrote a book on marriage, I knew it was going to be something special. I was certain that it was going to be honest, raw, and genuine.

As I started reading "Beyond Ordinary" (Tyndale House Publishers) right before the holidays, it was clear that it did not disappoint. I was drawn to their non-workbook approach.

 
BeyondOrdinary from RefineUs Ministries on Vimeo.


Their voices became storytellers. And with these stories, I saw in detail how tiny seeds of discontent played roles in the bigger challenges their marriage faced. Communicating this is crucial, as all married couples are vulnerable to planting these seeds. A few of us recognize it from the get-go and seek remedy. Some of us are not as intuitive, letting these seeds grow into thick, damaging vines that cut off the flow of a healthy, loving marriage.

An ordinary marriage is what breeds the more famous marital diseases like dishonor, infidelity or lack of physical intimacy. I am grateful that Justin and Trisha have made themselves vulnerable to the world so that couples can truly believe that even in the depths of brokenness, it is possible to re-claim God's vision of an extraordinary marriage for all of His children.

Whether you are married or waiting to be someday, the restoration and redemption of their marriage is something you need to read about. My heart is that you will see God's grace in all of this -- how He relentlessly redeems through His goodness, mercy, and grace.

Buy it today and hope that it blesses you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book for free from Tynedale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." 
 

True Love

I woke up this morning next to my husband. As I looked at his face in deep slumber, my insides pointed to only one state: I deeply love this human being.

It's been 2,144 days since I married Robert and have woken up next to him almost every morning of those 2,000+ days. One thing I can honestly tell you: I have felt the exact same love (if not more) on every morning that I have woken up next to him.

The kind of giddy love that one feels at the beginning of a blossoming relationship. Combine that giddly love with a much deeper one that can only come from doing life with someone for 10+ years (we met in December 2002).

It's the most incredible kind of human love.

My point is this: to be hopelessly in love with your husband after almost 6 years is possible. Whether you are a single lady waiting on your one true love or have been married for years -- it can be your love story too.

It is okay to want it because it is possible.

My heart for you today: may you be filled with hope and encouragement that a love like this exists and it can happen to you.

I will tell you why in my next blog post.

One Word 2013: BREAKTHROUGH

There are about 263,000 words in Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. And yet one word stood out -- at least in my own personal quiet time in the last 14 days.

There is something to be applauded on the beauty of rest at the end of a busy year. My time with Him has just been sweet and unhurried.

His voice sounded so clear in my spirit. I knew, without a doubt, that this was His promise to me and my husband.

As Robert sought our Father in his own personal time with Him, he received the same promise. The very same word: BREAKTHROUGH.

I can probably come up with hundreds of scenarios on how this word will play out in our year. But one thing I am certain of: God's version of a breakthrough is way much bigger than I can ever fathom.

I am also preparing my heart on the possibilities that some things need to be broken (well, the word in itself has 'break' in it) in order for God's renewal to activate in me. Will I ever be ready for it? I honestly don't know. But I am thankful that His strength in me can sustain what my own flesh cannot.

How about you:
Did God put a word in your heart for this year?
 

I hope this helps start your December right

Sick of being sick ...

Today officially marks a full of week of reaching for a box of tissues, blowing my nose, coughing at the most random times, not getting a full night's sleep because of discomfort. Yes, the common cold got to me -- the worst attack I've had since I moved here two years ago.

Before this year, I hardly got sick -- ever. I thought I had a pretty awesome immune system.

After thorough research, I learned that working at a daycare likely has something to do with it. I consider myself responsible about sanitizing, getting enough vitamins, hydrating myself like crazy and even worked out 24 days out of October!

It's been 8 full days of soups, liquids, vitamin Cs, Nyquils, cups of hot tea, vapor steams, cough drops, and everything else I have heard about curing the common cold. I cannot wait to be better.

Any other ideas out there that I may not have tried or heard of?


On another serious note:
Please pray with me as my grandmother (who I lovingly call "Abuelita") is ill with pneumonia and her body is not taking it well. It is difficult for me not be by her at this time. I wish to see her this Thanksgiving -- a prayer that I humbly ask God for. Will you stand with me on this one? I believe in miracles and I believe she can still bounce back no matter what doctors say. Thank you.

What I am Looking Forward to this November

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV

I have great love for the first days of the month. But this month seems a little more special than most. I do not know why but my heart is filled with hope.

I can't wait to see couples getting married, enjoying our own marriage even more, witnessing teenagers having a true encounter with Jesus, my husband seeing open doors more then he ever imagined, pouring life into more children, being free of sickness and worry, receiving an abundance of encouragement, speaking life into more people, finding a new place to live so that we may serve our community more, quality time with family this Thanksgiving, and a continued pursuit of Christ-likeness.

What are you looking forward to this month?

 

My Imaginary Closet for Fall 2012

My fall imaginary closet will have these.

A black leather motorcycle jacket

Jacket by Dorothy Perkins

A pair of flat, brown leather boots

Boots by Rachel Roy

An oversized chambray button-down shirt

Shirt by Urban Outfitters

A military-style navy wool coat

Coat by J.Crew

Leopard-print loafers

Loafers by Charles Phillip

A mustard-colored sweater dress

Sweater Dress by 3.1 Phillip Lim

An oversized, fair isle sweater

Sweater by ASOS

How about you? 

What are you dreaming about wearing this fall?