Tag Archives: #FindingGod

31 Days of Finding God – TASTE

Posted on by
1

Thank you for joining me in my series 31 Days of Finding God. Each day I am going to use a prompt from Kate and incorporate that into how I am finding God in my everyday!

Taste and see

Today’s prompt is Taste!

Can I be honest with you for a moment?

I REAAALLLY don’t like difficulty. I know, who does right?! But oh how I struggle most in my faith during these times.

I read stories of women who’s first response to crisis is “God is good, He is still the same…I will trust Him.”

My typical first response is “Why me God?!”

And then as I was reading on  Psalm 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”, I was challenged by a idea. “Make a trial, an inward, experimental trial of the goodness of God. You cannot see except by tasting for yourself; but if you taste you shall see.”

You cannot see except for tasting yourself. (<====Click to Tweet)

As I ruminate on those words I can think of many times in my life that I did face a struggle and in hindsight I was able to see every.single.place where God was working, involved.

Yes it is usually in hindsight, because my natural response has been “why me?!”, I don’t always see and feel God’s presence with me in the thick of the struggle. It isn’t because God is not there, it is likely because my focus is on the problem not the solution.

My faith has grown BECAUSE of the trials I have gone through. (<====Click to Tweet)

I had to taste God’s hand in my life to be able to fully see His goodness.

So while I don’t always appreciate the struggle, I have found more about God through those times than other times in my life. And for that I am grateful.

31 Days Button

In Him, Kristin

31 Days of Finding God – LONG

Posted on by
12

Thank you for joining me in my series 31 Days of Finding God. Each day I am going to use a prompt from Kate and incorporate that into how I am finding God in my everyday!

Fall 2

Today’s prompt is Long!

Today after I picked the kids up from daycare we took a little detour on the way home. I had seen the tree pictured above on a street nearby and wanted to see it again before all the leaves fell off.

It is a magnificent tree. Beautiful red leaves, shining in the sun. It is one of the things I love most about this time of year.

It is also a reminder that winter is close on our tails. If I am complaining about the 40 degree weather predicted for tomorrow what am I going to do when it is 10 below?!

You see there always seems to be a longing in my spirit for something more. Do you ever feel that too?

If it is hot, I long for the cooler weather. If it is cold, I long for the warmth of the summer sun. It seems as though I am one who will never be satisfied.

I find this true in so many areas of my life….feeling that longing for more and a dissatisfaction with what I do have.

But that isn’t how God calls us to live is it?

He wants us to find our hope, our security, our comfort and happiness in Him. No matter what is going on around us.

Instead of longing for what I don’t have, what I think I may want or need to make me feel better, I should look for all of the reasons that I have to be grateful.

A supportive family, a successful business, opportunities to connect with people from our church, exciting adventures ahead for our oldest son, Allume right around the corner!!! 😉

All blessings. Each and every one of them.

As I seek to know God more, I am praying that the longings of my heart would be centered around a deeper knowledge of Him.

That I would count my blessings more often than I count my wants. That I would seek to have a heart that gives unconditionally out of love for others and seeks to be a blessing because I have been so richly blessed.

Yes my heart longs for more, but may my longing be to find God in each moment of my day. Because there I believe I will be filled completely.

31 Days Button

In Him, Kristin

31 Days of Finding God – ADJUST

Posted on by
1

Thank you for joining me in my series 31 Days of Finding God. Each day I am going to use a prompt from Kate and incorporate that into how I am finding God in my everyday!

College

Today’s prompt is Adjust!

This year has been a year of changes. Our business has grown and we have been steadily busy since before the first of the year. Isaac, our oldest, will be turning 18 in a little over a month and is facing some big decisions soon.

This is my first experience with helping a child get ready for college and it is daunting! Hats off to those that have gone before me…especially my parents because apparently I didn’t make the transition easy for them! :/

But there are big adjustments that will be taking place, and so many choices to be made.

Tomorrow Dominic and I are going with Isaac to another college visit. He has been to 2 others, and accepted. But this school is another that has a quality Pharmacy program, and since Isaac is looking at that as his primary choice right now, we want to explore all the options!

As a mother I want this to be easy for him. I don’t want to see him struggle…but I can’t make it all perfect for him even if I want to.

So how do we help our kids with these major life adjustments?

PRAYER, and lots of it! 🙂

Today I completed the first round of Mark Batterson’s 40 Day Prayer Challenge. 

I say first round because I plan on starting over from the beginning and doing it again. It has been life changing. So when I started I committed to praying for Isaac for 40 days. Praying that God would guide his path, give him clarity about God’s plan for his life, strengthen Isaac with wisdom and knowledge and give him confidence in his choices.

I have become even more convinced that we HAVE to be in constant prayer over our kids.

With each phase of life they will face new adjustments, more choices, difficult decisions and while I can talk at them, share my experience and try to be a guide…the reality is that just like me, they will ultimately have the free will to go and make their own decisions.

So covering them in prayer is just another round of defense, if you will. An opportunity to give back to God the child we have been given to parent, and trust that He will guide them on His path.

I know it won’t always be easy, sometimes the adjustments are painful as we grow, but when we follow God’s plan, ultimately we know that we will succeed because He gives us the power to do so.

I pray that for Isaac and wait in anticipation and excitement to see where God will take him!

31 Days Button

In Him, Kristin

Photo Credit: Sean MacEntee

31 Days of Finding God – LIFE

Posted on by
5

Thank you for joining me in my series 31 Days of Finding God. Each day I am going to use a prompt from Kate and incorporate that into how I am finding God in my everyday!

Candle

Today’s prompt is Life!

Today, October 15, is Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day. For every mother reading this that has lost a baby too soon, please know that I am praying for you.

We too lost a pregnancy to miscarriage. It was heartbreaking. HEARTBREAKING.

Yes we had 2 kids already at that point. Yes getting pregnant proved that we COULD get pregnant, but losing that baby was so hard on my mama heart.

Today I celebrate Life.

A life that was gone too soon. I celebrate life with the mama’s who have had babies that died shortly after birth. I celebrate life with the mama’s that never had a chance to hold their little ones. I celebrate life with the women who have carried the burden of loss in silent for years and years because it wasn’t something that you talked about.

Every baby lost is a life that matters. Every,Single.One. (<====Click to Tweet)

To my dear friend Mel who is grieving a recent loss, know that your baby’s life matters. Today I honor your little one that was taken too soon.

To my sweet friend Suzanne, who I met because we each lost a baby around the same time…your eight angels in heaven are remembered. And while I know your heart is full with your two sons, today is a day especially that can be hard to remember the loss that occurred.

Unfortunately I know so many that have walked this same road….I wish that wasn’t the case.

October 24th 2008 would have been my due date. February 19th was the day I had to give up that dream. Dates that are forever burned into my heart. A mama doesn’t forget.

Until I experienced a loss myself, I had no idea why it was such a big deal. I probably said those things that people said to me, because they just want to make it better.

But for us mamas, a small piece of our hearts were lost when we said goodbye…so we move forward changed, don’t we?

Today I thank God for the gift of life. Even when it is short. And I say a prayer for each woman reading that might have lost a little one themselves. If you have lost a baby would you please leave me a comment so that I can specifically pray for you by name.

It is an honor to celebrate the lives of your children. And I do so with the anticipation and hope of heaven when someday we will be reunited.

31 Days Button

In Him, Kristin

Photo Credit: L.C. Nottassen

31 Days of Finding God – AWAY (Some Allume Pre-Conference Fun)

Posted on by
11

Thank you for joining me in my series 31 Days of Finding God. Each day I am going to use a prompt from Kate and incorporate that into how I am finding God in my everyday!

Allume 2013 Today’s prompt is Away!

In a week from tomorrow I am heading on a little vacation of sorts – I am going away to Allume!! And the best part about all of it is that I will get some time to fellowship with some of the most amazing women I know.

Allume 2013

Women that get me, that pray for me and my family…women that encourage and laugh with me. Women that I didn’t really know even 2 years ago that have now become fast friends.

Holley and I!

Yep, I getting away. Leaving on a jet plane from an airport I haven’t been at in years, and never alone….so I am a bit nervous about that but for the most part I can’t wait to get away and surround myself with these beautiful women!

So in the interest of a little fun I thought I would share some of my best tips for enjoying a conference like this and how you can get the most out of your time away!!

1) Share a room! Last year I shared a room with several women and at the time I didn’t really know any of them really well. Yes it was scary at first, but these women have become some of my best friends and except for 1 new addition this year (yay Mandy!!) we are all rooming together again!

2) Bring a power strip and an extension cord. As is typical at a writer/blogger conference, most everyone has a cell phone and a computer…possibly an iPad so lots of spaces to charge your devices is helpful. Bring a power cord so there isn’t a shortage, and I brought an extension cord so that i could use my curling iron in the room easier. (Have you ever noticed that IF there is an extra mirror in the room that there isn’t an outlet nearby!

3) Pack layers. I am cold by nature so I always pack several layers. I would rather be able to take a sweater/jacket off than sit freezing all weekend.

4) Be flexible! I went last year with a lot of “must do this” ideas…and quite frankly when I got there so many of those went out the window and were replaced with time for laughter and fellowship. The keynote speakers were great and the breakout sessions were as well, but nothing topped spending time with friends in community.

5) Spend time connecting with a cause that you love. Last year my plan for attending Allume was to grow my blog, and get tips for building my platform. And what I walked away with was a heart to give more, give back to others. What a gift that was for me. Realizing that it isn’t all about me, but more about what God can use me for in His greater purpose, for His glory….well that was life altering!

6) Give yourself the ability to take breaks. 450 women around for 3+ solid days can be a little overwhelming, especially if you are an introvert like me! If you need to steal away to your room for awhile, it’s ok!! I missed a session last year because of a bit of a stomach ache…but Mel and I got some quality time together just hanging out in the room – priceless!

7) Don’t be afraid to talk to someone you don’t know! We are all in the same boat, women who likely feel a little nervous and unsure…if you see someone alone – approach them, take time to get to know them. On the shuttle to the hotel last year a women recognized me and knew my name. I was surprised but felt such a peace because of her warm welcome. Debi that will always be a gift you gave to me last year – thank you!!

8) Worship freely. The worship time was a favorite of mine. As someone who grew up in a church that doesn’t have “hand raisers”…coming to a conference where women are worshiping freely can feel a little intimidating. But I can say from experience that giving myself the freedom to worship unashamed, allowed me to just experience God’s presence even more.

9) Attend a meet-up. Last year I attended a couple of different meet-ups. This is an opportunity to meet like-minded women who either participate in a group like Hello Mornings, or blog for a specific cause. This year the God-sized Dream website team is hosting a meet-up!! All the details can be found here, but if you are a dreamer and want to join us we would love the opportunity to pray for you and will you!!

10) Bring a LARGE suitcase. Let’s just be honest here, packing light just doesn’t happen. Even when I am trying to pair down my shoes or my jeans…5 days away (I am flying in on Wednesday and out on Sunday) is a lot and a small suitcase just won’t cut it. And with all the amazing swag that you go home with, and all the vendors that will be available to purchase from…you are going to want the space. Trust me on this one! My bag weighed EXACTLY 50 pounds going home last year. All God that I wasn’t over!

I have been waiting for Allume since last year, and counting the weeks down since I saw my GSD girls in Houston in April. Getting away, even for a short time can just rejuvenate the soul! Are you attending Allume? What is your favorite thing to do to get away, even if it is for a short time?!

If you are attending please let me know – I would love to connect while we are there! 🙂

31 Days Button

In Him, Kristin