My Home Sweet Home: Decorated with Family, Faith, and Photoshop

Decorated with Family, Faith, and Photoshop

June’s Desktop Calendar!

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June 2019 Desktop Calendar

I intended to create a calendar before leaving on June 1 for my annual (in)courage authors’ retreat but it didn’t happen. I photographed some lovely water lilies last month and I’d hoped one of those images would work.

Since I spent the last few days in Colorado—my first visit!—I thought I’d share a glimpse of those beautiful snow capped mountains. Going from record high temps in the 90s in Georgia to daytime highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s in Colorado was a welcome reprieve. I love the south but I don’t always love our summer temps. I was happy to pull on a winter hoodie for the trip.

The big surprise was the crazy affects of life at that altitude. And bagged snacks! I had a bag of nuts that looked like it was ready to burst. The ladies on our trip who live in Colordo didn’t know that wasn’t normal for the rest of us.

Isn’t God’s creation glorious?

Download June’s Desktop Calendar!

Enjoy!

Eight Ways to Fireproof Your Marriage today at (in)courage

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May (in)courage post

A few years ago, I told my husband I felt that someday we would be called to work with couples. I presented it as a heads-up, almost as a warning: prepare yourself. Since then, I’ve wondered what that call might look like. Is it the book I compiled, The Heart of Marriage? Is it the essential oils information I’ve shared with couples for intimacy? Will we contribute to a marriage workshop someday? Should I write more about the topic here at (in)courage?

Thanks to Pinterest, social media, and the fact that our private lives are more public than they’ve ever been, many couples focus more on preparing for their wedding than their future. But tending a marriage requires work and intention. 

We fell in love almost by accident. I didn’t plan to meet my future husband during the last month of my senior year of high school when I thought my college plans and future were set. But we haven’t been together half of our lives by chance. Recently, we examined our nearly thirty-four years of marriage, what has worked and what hasn’t, and I’d like to share some things we’ve learned along the way.

Please join me today at (in)courage for my list. I’d love to hear your tips too.

Eight Ways to Fireproof Your Marriage

May’s Desktop Calendar Tiptoes Through the Tulips

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May 2019 desktop calendar

Happy May! I hope April’s showers blessed you with May flowers. Spring is in full swing here; I love the cool evenings and not-too-warm days. Our family wrapped up our our track season, got our daughter back home after a three month mission trip, and finished our school year within the last few days. So much change.

Now it’s time to buckle down and work on my next book, a 52 week study on essential oils, one for each week of the year. The subject is near and dear to my heart, especially now that I no longer have the hypothyroidism I’ve dealt with for half my life. In December my doctor said I could discontinue the meds I’ve taken for 26 years. Four months later and I’m still doing great! Honestly, I can hardly believe it.

{Read about the oils I use and how you can get started with them too on my Oils page.}

I couldn’t give you this month’s calendar without sharing about Tulip Mania in Holland in the 1630s and Tiny Tim singing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips.”

I’ve made these desktop calendars for you for at least eight years. I pray they continue to bring you joy!

Download May’s Desktop Calendar

Enjoy!

An Easter Sunday Hymn: Thus Far the Lord Has Led Me On

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Christmas Cactus

On this Easter Sunday morning I’m thinking about Hope with a capital h, Hope you can hang your hat on and cling to in the dark. Take a moment to soak in the lyrics from this beautiful hymn written by Isaac Watts in 1707.

I can only imagine how many hearts they’ve comforted over the years.

Happy Easter—He is risen!

Thus Far the Lord Has Led Me On

Thus far the Lord hath led me on,
Thus far His power prolongs my days,
And every evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of His grace.

Much of my time has run to waste,
And I, perhaps, am near my home;
But He forgives my follies past,
And gives me strength for days to come.

In vain the sons of earth or hell
Tell me a thousand frightful things
My God in safety makes me dwell
Beneath the shadow of His wings.

I lay my body down to sleep;
Peace is the pillow for my head;
While well appointed angels keep
Their watchful stations round my bed.