by Kimberly | Apr 11, 2017 | Books
One of the best things we can teach our children is to be children of faith. That may seem like a strange thing to say, because faith is a gift, but we can train them in that way.
Faith, saving faith, is indeed a gift from God. But, throughout Scripture we are encouraged to be faith-filled, faithful, and men and women of faith.
In her book, Unsinkable Faith, Tracie Miles encourages us as women to develop a game plan to be women of faith. For me, most of it has to do with a combination of mind and heart – especially when things aren’t going exactly the way that I would like. When we combine how we feel and how we think – it will change the way we live.
Romans 12:1-2 is a popular verse to use about how we live our lives for God. And not for this world. And really it starts with two things: worshiping God (knowing that we aren’t everything in this life) and training our minds by reading the Word of God.
Belief is an active process. We need to read what the Bible says about us, God himself, and the world around us. Actively believe it – repeating it to ourselves, memorizing it, embarking on a journey to apply it, and then acting upon it.
When this world doesn’t go exactly like we want it to, when our instagram pages don’t look as perfect as others, then we tend to start going down in our belief of the Word. Did God really say something and is that really true?
This book is a good read to encourage you to build your faith on something solid – the only unchanging thing in this world – God.
by Kimberly | Mar 29, 2017 | Books
Mondays are typically the day of the week that gets a bad rap. I mean, just because its the start of the week and most people are coming off a fabulous weekend.
This past Monday our apartment complex booted us out of our parking lot for the day. So, instead of sitting inside all day, we ventured to Senioa, a little town south of Atlanta. We stopped by the Varsity on our way down there, eating chicken nuggets with paper hats on, and talking with the car hops.
Then we drove about 35 minutes and had the greatest afternoon. We played with puzzles at the local library, we chased the ducks on the boys scooters, we threw pinecones in the lake, we played King of the Mountain. It was finished off by some Baskin Robbins and dancing in our local store after eating Hulk ice cream!
This past month has been difficult for our preschoolers because we have moved yet again and they don’t always handle the unknown well. I mean, they are 3 and 4. Adults don’t often handle change well, much less kids. We’ve tried to keep much of their lives the same, but still, we have had some difficulties.
I was first introduced to David Thomas and Sissy Goff on Surviving Sarah. They are so practical in their counsel to parents. I love them. They have been super helpful in what I’ve heard. I got their new book (along with Melissa Travathan) from Bethany House to review. It is ideally for older children, but I found some of the topics still helpful for parenting my boys.
There are no SET guidelines for parenting – man, I wish there were. But, as the perfect Creator God has designed every child perfect and unique – every one will develop differently. My boys are no exception.
Are My Kids on Track is a tool to help parents know how their children are doing in the areas of social, emotional, and spiritual growth. Maybe you are wondering why your child is behaving a certain way in school, or why they don’t want to sit down and listen to family devotions.
Some parents would chalk this up to sin and discipline them. Maybe in some cases it is. But, the authors get to the why your kids might be acting in the ways they are.
Definitely a good practical read for parents!
by Kimberly | Mar 27, 2017 | Coffee with..., creatives
There is so much wrong with this world, that when you come along something that makes things right, offers hope, and changes the way things are – you want to share them with everyone you know!
I’ve never been to Nepal, and probably never will be, but I know people who have loved that country. And one way a friend of mine has loved that country is by The 213 Shop. Listen to their story, visit their site, support them by buying beautiful jewelry (I wear my bracelet every day), and read to the end for a special giveaway!
Can you tell us about 213 and what’s its mission is?
The Two Thirteen Shop: Her Skillful Work – Your Purposeful Purchase – Their Impacted Lives
The Two Thirteen Shop was established in 2016. After spending 10 years overseas and seeing firsthand the talent and creativity of so many women, even in the remotest parts of the world, and the benefits of women being given good, wholesome, creative work and skills development opportunities, it is my desire to do all I can to help them get their beautiful products into the hands of people around the world.
The Two Thirteen Shop seeks to provide people in the US with a place to purchase beautiful, handmade, above trade products made by hard working, talented women around the world. Purchases help sustain jobs for women artisans in developing countries. The more we sell, the more jobs are created and the more lives are positively impacted with love, hope and truth. When we impact the lives of women we impact their family and the community they are a part of and when that happens there is no limit to all of the great things that can be done.
How did 213 get started, where is it now, and where is it going?
About 4 years ago, while I was living in Nepal, I had the privilege of helping 3 of my closest friends, all women from Himalayan mountain villages, start Blessed Hope (the business that makes the jewelry that we sell at The Two Thirteen Shop). It started out as an idea and has since grown into a full business completely owned by local women (it is the first business owned by women among their people group). Last year our family returned to America for my husband to finish his PhD studies and I wanted a way to sell and promote Blessed Hope jewelry and products made by other women’s organizations around the world so I started The Two Thirteen Shop in June of 2016. I wanted to stay connected to the women and continue to do all I could to promote their beautiful creations, highlight their story, help create more jobs for and enriching opportunities for women. I am not 100% sure where The Two Thirteen Shop will go. I have big dreams and visions for it but I am taking it slowly, pursuing opportunities as they come and trusting God to lead the business to the places He desires it to go.
What is your favorite piece of jewelry and why?
I love our Pangden Bracelet because it was designed after the colorful, handwoven apron (Pangden) that Himalayan women wear. Wearing the bracelet is a way to appreciate the beauty of the Himalayan culture and I love the way it mixes Western and Himalayan fashion. Each of these bracelets that are sold include a card telling the history behind the Pangden and a picture of one of the Blessed Hope Nepal ladies wearing the Pangden that the bracelet was designed after.
Can you share a personal story of one of the ladies who works with 213?
Sangjung Bhote is one of the original ladies from when we first started Blessed Hope (BH). Before working at BH and making the crocheting the beautiful jewelry we sell at The Two Thirteen Shop she worked on a pig farm and made rice liquor to help make ends meet. Her husband works overseas and she has one son. After the devastating April 2015 7.8 earthquake in Nepal, her BH income helped pay for her son’s school fees, food, cooking gas and other household needs when her husband was unable to send money home. Her job at BH continues to be a reliable form of work and income in an unpredictable country with very few opportunities for women.
When people buy 213 jewelry, how does it impact the lives of the women involved?
Most of the women who make the jewelry that we sell are uneducated. There are very few good, wholesome opportunities for women in Nepal and especially for those that are uneducated. Although many of the women are uneducated in the traditional sense, they are some of the smartest women I know. They are very good with their hands, very creative and extremely hardworking. Working at BH gives them an opportunity to be creative and use their talents to produce something beautiful while also helping to provide for their family. Every item purchased at The Two Thirteen Shop helps continue to provide more and more work to the women. The women are paid per piece that they make so the more pieces equal more work and more work equals a better, more stable livelihood for these women and their families. Through the money these women make they are providing the basic necessities for their family like flour, vegetables, meat and oil, paying school fees, buying clothing for their children and paying for transportation to get around town.
Can you talk about justice ministry and what it looks like in your world?
As a Christian, I know that God values each and every life and it is a privilege to invest myself in work that strives to help women see their value and worth to God and give them opportunities to grow and thrive in the place that they are in. I love watching lives transformed. It is awesome to watch as one women’s life is transformed how it spreads and impacts so many others.
If we were sitting down for coffee, what would you be having and what would we be talking about?
What I’d be drinking…..it depends on if I am choosing the healthy option or not….my favorite healthier option at coffee shops is an almond milk latte without sugar. I LOVE the nutty flavor and I can always use all of the caffeine I can get (and it’s low in calories!). If I am splurging I would choose a mocha (without whip cream) because I love the foam on top and I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate.
What we’d be talking about….probably about all of the things God is teaching us and having us walk through. As a verbal processor I love to talk through the things God is teaching me and showing me with friends. It’s a great way for me to process it and I love hearing from my friends how God is at work in their lives. I am sure our conversation would also include some discussions about parenting and how being a wife, mom and woman in ministry is often a lot to balance but is also such a privilege. And I’m sure I’d talk about Nepal. God has engraved that place and those people on my heart forever. It would be hard to have a conversation without talking about it.
Ok – here is your chance! To enter to win: go over to the shop and tell me what is one thing (or 4) that you would buy! I’ll choose a winner later this week – and so thankful for the 213 Shop for hosting
this giveaway! (And the set of bracelets above is what you will receive!)
by Kimberly | Mar 16, 2017 | Uncategorized
Food is definitely one of my loves: and definitely a love language of mine. Comfort food is definitely a food group – and I love to eat anything I can eat with a spoon. I love to cook and I love good food. And I love what people think of me when I’m thinner and I hate walking around in shame when I’m heavier. And its a topic that no one will ever mention in the church because gluttony is not near as bad as pornography or lying. We live in an odd society. But, sin is sin and sin is dangerous.
And unfortunately, it has been a difficult love to master all of these years. I do not remember a time when food: and the power of it, has not played a significant role in my life.
Some things that we love we can do without (especially if they are an idol in our lives). But, we have to eat to survive. And then if I’m on a diet I think about food too much, how much I’m consuming and of what – then all I do is think about it.
Catch 22 huh?
Well, Asheritah Ciuciu has tackled this issue and has done it in a winsome, gospel-centered way. It is encouraging to find a book about food and your heart: not about chemicals, calories, and protein shakes and exercise.
She addresses by her own story, truth of the Word, and effective communication the freedom that we can have in Christ when we bring our need for help in this area to Him.
“The trigger isn’t isn’t bad, but it can derail our efforts to find fullness in God by lulling us into old bad habits. When facing one of these situations, we have the choice to either turn to food or cry out to God to fill us instead.”
She talks about triggers (stress, baking for others, shopping), and she talks about our need for the Holy Spirit to be our “Dietician” who can help us more than any diet plan can.
If you have ever had a poor relationship with your heart and food, or know of someone who could use this – please just leave a comment and Side Door Communications is giving one away to one of you. And they sent me my book for reviewing, all opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Mar 13, 2017 | Books
I need to learn some things about reading. You think I’ve been reading for decades, I’d have it down, but my reading brain needs to be retrained.
For about 10 years now, post seminary, I’ve been reading mostly for review purposes, so it is hard for me to read for fun. I’ve read books that I love and adore, but most of those aren’t the ones I’m reviewing (there are exceptions of course). And when I read for review, it is hard for me to read for enjoyment.
And it is hard for me to read fiction, because it is hard for me to think that this will affect my heart and life.
Insert: why I don’t read much fiction anymore. I don’t know why it is so difficult.
Carolyn Miller, in her new book The Elusive Miss Ellison, has so many important things about life.
“But although she prayed and tried to believe things would somehow work out for good, the mortification continued to ebb and flow, the questions whirled, and heaviness of heart made sleep impossible.” – Carolyn Miller
Pride, love, family troubles, societal obstacles – you’ll find them all in this book.
Thanks Litfuse for this book. All opinions are my own.
