The Bright Eyed Brunette

 In every small church, especially those of us tucked between cornfields and county roads, youth ministry doesn't run on a big budget or flashy lights. It runs on faithful people. And if you've ever tried to recruit volunteers for youth ministry, you know-- it can feel harder than planning the lesson itself. But here is the truth: God has already placed the right people in your church. Sometimes they just need an invitation.. and reassurance. Start with the why . Before you ask someone to serve, remind them why it matters. Youth ministry isn't babysitting. It's discipleship. When adults consistently show up for youth (especially in the teenage age group), they are living out the call of Matthew 28:19-20-- to go and make disciples. They are becoming steady voices in a world that is loud and confusing. Youth don't need perfect leaders. They need present ones. Personally Invite-- Don't Publicly Beg.   General announcements from the pulpit rarely build a team. A pe...

 I love curling up with a good book that keeps me up far too late. The kind where you tell yourself, "Just one more chapter", and suddenly it's midnight and the house is quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator and your racing thoughts. These page turners could not have been more different in setting-- but they are strikingly similar in one powerful way: they both explore the fragile space between love and truth. The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave If you've read The Last Thing He Told Me , you already know Laura Dave has a gift for writing women who find themselves standing at emotional crossroads. In The First Time I Saw Him , she once again leans into layered relationships and quiet unraveling of what we thought we knew. This story feels intimate-- like you're sitting across from a friend who is finally telling you the whole truth about how it really happened. Dave writes about memory in such a subtle way. How we replay moments. How we romanticize first ...

 This year's Valentine's Day weekend wasn't flashy or extravagant--and honestly that made it even sweeter. On Friday night we had Wrenley for a little while, so we made homemade pizzas! She loves the whole process, but her favorite is putting a lot of pepperonis on her pizza! She was so proud. Excuse her hair, she loves to pull her ponytails out! After we ate our delicious pizzas, I gave her a bath and Makena took her home to have a girls night, as Carlie and Caleb went to the movies in Little Rock and were coming home late. Carl and Trey have been into trapping beavers at the farm lately. They usually go out sometime after dinner and come in around 8, depending on how it is going. Carl and I stayed up too late watching television and enjoying each other's company (uninterrupted). Saturday was Boone's birthday! He is our little lover💗 Happy Birthday Big Boy! Before lunch Carl and I made a trip to see my grandmother in the nursing home, and I brought her some flower...

 On Tuesday Makena and I picked Wrenley up and took her to the Little Rock Zoo. She was a little skeptical about going because her only memory of being with big animals was the drive through safari (and parts of that scared her to death). Best Buds! She loves a photo opportunity! There was a pregnant pigmy goat and she said, "that goat has a baby in it's belly like my mommy!" It was a fun day! Wrenley loved the animals and the playgrounds, but she was not happy at all that the train wasn't running. It had rained earlier that morning and there was a chance later in the day. It is always a blessing to spend time with both Wrenley and Makena. On the drive home, the chatter faded into quiet. Someone dozed off watching Ariel again. Makena listened to her music on her phone, and I just soaked it in .  "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Much Love, Beth

 We don't talk about it much. We expect middle school girls to whisper, exclude, and form cliques. We expect teenagers to weaponize friendships. But grown women? Church women? Moms? Professionals? Surely we've outgrown that. And yet...we haven't always. Relational aggression doesn't usually look loud or dramatic in adulthood. It rarely shows up as shouting matches or obvious cruelty. Instead, it slips in quietly: The lunch you weren't invited to . The group chat you slowly realize exists without you. The polite smile paired with subtle exclusion. The prayer request that feels a little too detailed. The "I'm just concerned" conversation that somehow damages your reputation. It's not fists: It's frost. What Is Relational Aggression? It is behavior meant to harm someone through relationships, reputation, or social standing rather than direct confrontation. In adult women, it often looks like: Social exclusion Withholding communication Backhanded ...

 Happy Monday my good friends! We had a pretty good weekend here on the homestead. We celebrated Carl's birthday and the Super Bowl!  On Saturday, Carl and I went to Little Rock on the hunt for him some new shoes. We couldn't find the ones he wanted anywhere. We couldn't even order the ones he wanted in his size. After trying 4 or 5 stores we decided to eat lunch and then come back home. He did end up finding an alternative pair in town. He is on his feet a lot, and as he has gotten older, good shoes are a must! We celebrated with our family on Saturday night. He loved his cookie cake! Wrenley likes to help open presents! He is a great husband, Dad, and Pappy. Happy Birthday, Carl! Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday! We aren't that much of a sports family. We watch a few games here and there but we don't live and breathe it. But we do love a reason to celebrate (and by celebrate, I mean eat, lol). My mom fixed lots of party food for our Sunday lunch and my dad fixed a del...

Every February, love gets wrapped up in pink paper, heart-shaped boxes, and expectations that can feel heavy instead of hopeful. Valentine's Day tells us love should be grand, romantic, and always feel good. But the Bible paints a very different picture of love- one that lasts long after the roses wilt and the chocolate is gone. Scripture doesn't describe love as something we fall  into and out of without control. Biblical love is intentional.      "Love is patient, love is kind..." (1Corinthians 13:4) Patience and kindness don't just show up when emotions are high. They show up in the ordinary- when you're tired, misunderstood, or stretched thin. Love is choosing gentleness when snapping would be easier. It's choosing grace when feelings are complicated. Real love is often quiet. The Bible never promises that love will always feel easy. In fact, some of the strongest examples of love in Scripture happen in suffering.      "Greater love has no one tha...

 Ah February, the month of love. I love a good theme month, and I also love loving on my people! I know that most of the time the way to their heart it through their stomach💗 Today I want to share my recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Cups.  Ingredients Strawberry Filling 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice Shortcake Cups 2 cups prepared pound cake or vanilla cake, cubed Whipped Cream 1 cup heavy whipping Cream 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Instructions In a bowl, toss sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice. Let sit for 15-20 minutes until juicy. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. To assemble, layer cake cubes in the bottom of small cups or jars. Spoon strawberries and juices over the cake. Add a layer of whipped cream. Repeat layers once more, finishing with whipped cream and strawberries on top. Chill for 10-15 minutes or serve immediately....

 Happy Monday, friends. It has been a pretty long week. I tested positive for flu A on Tuesday, and let me tell you, I think its mission was to take me out! Then Makena got it on Thursday. She and I are both a lot better today.  Carl was trying to clear the end of our driveway so that we could get in and out. The snowplows and road graters did great but they threw the excess in the driveways. After almost a week of not seeing Wrenley, I was finally feeling better and the roads were clear enough for me to go pick her up! She came with us to my niece, Ellie Kate's birthday party.  All smiles for fun with BeBe and nuggets! Happy Sweet 16 to my favorite niece! Wrenley was living her best life: eating birthday cake and playing with Play Doh. Between the big freeze and getting sick, I found an excellent book to read. A few months ago, I discovered that I enjoy Meagan Church books! I would 100% recommend this book. I think I finished it in a day :) That pretty much sums up my we...