The Bright Eyed Brunette

 It seems that every year, when the new church year rolls around, I am looking for fresh activities for my kids to do. I have most of the same church kids on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings (small rural church problems), and although the lessons aren't the same, I feel the need to make them two very different experiences.  Sunday mornings are a little more structured, while Wednesday nights are more fun and laid-back. If you find yourself a similar situation, I'm going to share a couple of ideas that I absolutely love and plan to try in my class this year. If you try them, let me know what you like and works for you! I really love this first idea for my Wednesday night class do before we start our lesson.  Sometimes we have new kids, but even if we don't, I still think it would be a fun way for the kids to get to know a little more about each other (and help me get to know them better). I will change some of the prompts, but you can find this particular one on E...

 It can start with something as simple as a glance down the pew. You notice her perfectly styled hair, her kids sitting quietly, her beautifully color-coordinated Bible journal- and suddenly, without even realizing it, your thoughts spiral: She's more put together than I am. She's probably more spiritual. Why can't I get it right like her? Comparison is as quiet as a thief. It slips into our hearts, even in sacred spaces like the church, and it robs us of joy, peace, and connection. This seems to be even more true among women. Whether is spiritual maturity, parenting style, leadership roles, or even who's serving the best Bible study appetizers. The temptation is real. At its root, comparison often stems from insecurity and a misplaced sense of identity. When we forget that our worth comes from Christ (not our performance or appearance), we begin looking sideways for affirmation instead of looking up. Of course, social media doesn't help. It magnifies curated moment...

I have read/listened to a surprising number of books this summer. I'm warning you that my list of books are all over the place :) Here are the most recent ones: The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea This is a suspenseful book with many twists and turns. It is about two abducted girls- one who returns and one who doesn't. Ya'll, I never guessed the ending of this book! It is a must-read!  The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible by Mary DeMuth Many of us believe we are unseen. Memories of being on the outside still haunt us today. We somehow believe that we are unique in being overlooked. And yet, the Bible is full of women just like us, women who felt on the outside of life, unseen and voiceless.  This book will help you find your place in this world, rest in being seen, and empower you to find your unique voice. There Is a River by Patricia Sweet This is a wonderful Christian Fiction book. It is set against the backdrop of a small church community in upstate New York. It ...

Happy Monday, friends! We had a fun and productive weekend here on the homestead. It has been so hot here for around 2 weeks now. I'm talking 100 degrees with a heat index of 113. I don't think any of my plants are thriving. In fact, they are barely surviving! Thankfully we got a break this weekend! Eighty-four degrees is much better than 100! Carl helped me give our plants a little TLC and they are looking so much better. I have also vowed to do better about keeping them trimmed up and watered (fingers crossed!)! Last week was a busy week. We celebrated the 150th Anniversary of our church on Homecoming Sunday, then had Revival on Monday through Wednesday. It was a lot of celebrating, cooking, eating, and preaching!  A beacon of light in our community for 150 years Noah and Trey This is my face after wrestling a wild two-year-old for over an hour! During Revival we also celebrated Grammy's 90th Birthday! She is a wild one, but I sure do love her! Nanny, Carlie, Wrenley, and...