Five Minute Friday – Rest

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Kristin

Linking up with Lisa Jo again this week to participate in Five Minute Friday. I love this because it is just a commitment of five minutes of unedited writing….we can all do that can’t we?? So if you haven’t started this series yet…today’s the day!

Today’s word is REST – ready, set go –

Sometimes I feel like I am finding myself in a constant state of stress and chaos.

And it is probably true that in some cases I work best in those situations….but it isn’t healthy to always be on the go like that….always feeling just a little frantic.

Rest – we all need it. But if you are anything like me it is difficult to settle down and take the time to get adequate rest.

My husband used to call me a “piddler” – said that I always had to be doing something…could never just sit and relax.

I have gotten better about that (a little) – but if it isn’t a craft or cleaning…it is now time on the computer …so for me there is always something “going on”.

But I know that God desires us to rest. To rest in Him in those times of worry and chaos. To take time to rest our bodies so that we can be the best servant for Him that we can be.

Find time this weekend to just be still. Whether it is a nap or a time of prayer and meditation, give yourself permission to be a little lazy 😉 and rest.

STOP

The Desires of Our Hearts

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Kristin

Linking up today again with Holley to discuss this topic – “What do you really want more of in your life? Will you dare to say it out loud?”

When I think of what might be missing at the very core of any of my dreams and plans it is focus. If I am honest, I have a difficult time being intentional. This is unfortunately true in many areas of my life.

I have good plans, good ideas….things that I would like to see completed. I am great at starting something and not always so great at following through. Especially if the follow through requires time, or patience.

Here is just one example – Slowly over the past year I have been painting several rooms in our home. I love finding deals in the clearance paint center at our local Menards and seeing how a little thing like paint can transform a space.

But it is hard work, and isn’t a “quick” job. The last room I painted was our master bedroom. It is 99.3% completed. I started one Saturday morning and painted all day non stop – took me almost 6 hours. At the end I had 1 wall with maybe a 1/4 inch edge that needs to be trimmed out. I was too lazy to tape off the baseboard so I had to leave a space. My brush was soaked with paint at this point and no small line was happening.

So I picked everything up and promised myself that I would finish the edge later that week. That was at least 3 weeks ago. 🙁 The paint cans still sit on our dresser mocking me.

And I realize that this “unfinished” business carries over into other areas as well. Especially in my relationship with God and my relationship with my family.

I am not good about setting a dedicated time to read and study God’s Word. I am trying little things to change that – one being the Hello Mornings Group – we read a set of specific Bible verses each morning and then share a little about their impact with a group of other people.

But I know it isn’t enough. And when I started I was all over the journaling, getting up early, diving in….and somewhere in there “life” happened and the alarm got set back a 1/2 hour and my quiet time is cut short.

And I am convicted of the fact that if I want this space to be God-filled and God-inspired….I have to be spending time with the “filler”. If I want to see the desires of my heart filled – I have to be available to God’s leading FIRST…and how can I hear His leading if I am filling up all of my time with busyness?

And I know that I am not “hearing” my children like I should. I was challenged by my favorite blogger Angie this week when she posted about this very topic. Last night instead of spending time at the computer – Elijah, Karlena and I baked a cake. I had visions of it being this wonderful experience….and it didn’t turn out quite as I had hoped. BUT they laughed, and they were made to feel important. THAT is what matters!

When Holley asked us to share what we wanted more of in our lives, I wasn’t initially sure what I should write….but over the past few days the common theme of being intentional has flooded my heart…so I feel THAT is my starting point.

While I have big dreams for this space….I think that God has even bigger plans for my heart, my family and my relationships. How are you more intentional about your time – especially when it comes to your time and your family?

If you haven’t picked up a copy of Holley’s book yet and would like to join us – you can do so here! And please consider joining in our weekly link-ups – it is a great way to do a little writing and meet some fellow dreamers along the way!

Five Minute Friday – Home

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Kristin

Today’s word is HOME – ready, set go –

It is interesting to me that for the start Marshall has felt like our home. We both grew up in South Dakota, we lived the majority of our married life together in South Dakota. We have been here in Minnesota for less than 2 years. But from the moment we moved here it felt “right”.

God really blessed our moving experience. From finding a wonderful home, in a neighborhood filled with kids, to a church and church family that has blessed and challenged us….it has all felt like home to us.

It was such a big and scary step to make the move that we did. But even through all of the difficulties we have faced in the past 2 years, we have felt such love and support from this community here in Marshall – God is so good. He brought us to a new home, that never felt strange or out of place…it just always felt right.

My prayer for you is that wherever you find yourself today – you may find yourself at “home” and trust that even if it isn’t easy right now…God has a bigger purpose and plan for each of you! That has certainly been our experience!

Allume

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Kristin

Many of you reading this probably have already heard of or know about Allume. But if not let me just tell you a little about it.

Allume is a blogging conference. In their words: “Our goal at Allume is to minister to the woman, the blogger, the story teller. We want to love well, encourage, and spur women on to shine the Light that lives within them. We want to serve you in ways that cultivate the Light of Christ in you, help you expand your influence, use your influence well (in your home, your community, or around the world) and encourage you with stories of those who are living out that Light.”

I heard about this conference last year…and wanted to go – but the finances just weren’t there, and it wasn’t something I felt I could or should make a priority. But after being accepted and added as a part of Holley’s dream-team, starting this blog and finding a bit of my “voice”, the desire to grow this space has developed inside of me.

I want to find a way to encourage here. To share my story – God’s story in my life, and to hear yours. I have found so much encouragement in this community of bloggers. I have once again found my passion for writing and story-telling….something that for many years was long forgotten. And I don’t want to let it go again.

So today I took a small step of faith and I ordered a ticket for Allume. I did so with the understanding that they sell out quickly, and if worse came to worse and I couldn’t go….I could easily find someone to buy my ticket.

But I don’t want to have to sell my ticket. I want to go (even though it scares me to death). I want to learn and grow by hearing stories from those people that have already walked this path. And I want to meet some of my fellow dreamer sisters in person!

But these things come at a cost. The ticket, the hotel, the flight to South Carolina….it all adds up. So I have heard other bloggers talk about sponsorship etc., and honestly I don’t know how to go about any of it….so I am asking you. My wise friends. 🙂

If you have walked this road before and have any tips, would you be so kind to share them with me? I don’t even really know where to start…but I feel like this is something that I NEED to do….so I am willing to be a little uncomfortable while learning how to follow this dream!

And if you are reading this and are also attending Allume would you leave me a comment and let me know – I’d love to connect! 🙂

A letter to you my dreamer-friend

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Kristin

My dreamer-sisters,

This “following your dreams” business can be tough can’t it?! 🙂 I know, I have been there, and in all honesty I am still there at times. There are some days that I spend more time believing the lies than walking in the freedom of God’s plan for my life.

I want you to hear me though…on the hardest days, the days you feel stuck or the days you feel you have moved backward….God knew these days would come, He knew that He could use this for His glory. Take heart in that my friends and keep pressing forward!

The bible verse I studies this morning was Psalm 40:4-8 and it fits for this time in my life. And I think it will fit for you too…

⁴Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.^[a]
⁵Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

⁶Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened^[b]—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings^[c] you did not require.
⁷Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.^[d]
⁸I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

“But my ears you have opened”….

Are your ears open? Are you listening to His whispers? He has called you to this place – wherever you find yourself this morning – for a specific purpose.

Maybe you find yourself with screaming kids, laundry piled up and bills that you are finding hard to pay……maybe you are working at a job that is thankless and you wonder if “this is it?”. Maybe you have taken that leap of faith and started a blog so that you can share your passion through writing – but it doesn’t seem to be growing….is anybody even seeing you??

He sees you. Please trust me in that! God sees you.

He sees the mess, He sees the scary, He sees the overwhelming and the small and He uses them.

We can’t and we won’t always see the end result…..but if we are following in God’s plan for our lives – there will be fruit.

Today, wherever you find yourself, thank God. When thankfulness fills our hearts, it is easier to handle the difficult, and easier to see God’s hand in all of it. Don’t give up, don’t stop seeking after His plan. Some day you will look back and see where the “right-nows” formed you into the amazing woman God has planned you to be!!

And know that I am walking right there with you. If you have a prayer request as you discover all the dreams God has for you – please share it….I would be honored to pray for you!

Much love,

Your dreamer-sister

This week’s challenge: Write a post that’s titled “A Letter to the God-sized Dreamers” and tell your God-sized dreaming sisters why we need them and their dreams–especially when it’s hard. Have you joined us in this journey?? If so please link up over here and share your story!! Holley’s new book is finally available!! If you don’t have a copy yet – you can find it here! 🙂