motivation | encouragement | support
I love the idea of mug cakes and brownies–a single serving that satisfies a sweet tooth but doesn’t leave leftovers to taunt you all week. 🙂 Why not apply the same idea and try a delicious mug apple pie? It comes together quickly and bursts with sweet and tart flavors. What types of apples work … Read more
Hope isn’t something we simply stumble upon. It’s something we can nurture, strengthen, and cultivate in our daily lives. Just as a gardener tends the soil, waters the plants, and removes weeds to help something grow, we must be intentional about making space for hope to flourish. The Bible gives us many reminders of where … Read more
I’ve never really been a basketball fan, but I am most definitely a Caitlin Clark fan. It is FUN to watch her play. However, Caitlin Clark’s impact goes far beyond her amazing statistics. She’s elevated women’s basketball to new heights, drawing record crowds, major media attention, and a new generation of fans. And the best … Read more
An absolutely riveting read! Perhaps I was so caught up in it because I had never read anything about the Berlin Wall. Moreover, I remember when the wall came down in 1989. Getting a glimpse of how the wall impacted people and turned lives upside-down was thought-provoking and emotional for me. An enthusiastic five stars … Read more
Cultivating connection is the intentional practice of noticing, nurturing, and deepening relationships—with God, with others, and within ourselves. It is accomplished through presence, authenticity, and openness, allowing for mutual growth, shared understanding, and a sense of belonging. True connection fosters empathy, strengthens community, and aligns us with God’s ongoing work in the world. My word … Read more
Authors Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair are two of my absolute favorites. I turn to them when I want to read something that’s fun, lighthearted, heartfelt, sassy, and sweet. They never disappoint! They collaborate from time to time, so I thought it would be nice to feature them together. In a nutshell, they write … Read more
A compelling read based on a true story, Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris is the second book in her acclaimed Tattooist of Auschwitz series. Alternating between her experiences at a Soviet gulag and Auschwitz-Birkenau, the book emphasizes Cilka’s time in Siberia. The hardships Cilka faces are unfathomable, but she demonstrates exceptional strength and resilience through … Read more
Have you heard of imaginative contemplation? Also known as Ignatian contemplation, it’s a contemplative prayer practice where you use your imagination to place yourself in a scene from the Bible and use that as a basis for your prayer time. St. Ignatius developed this practice primarily for gospel passages in an effort to know Jesus … Read more
You’ve identified some new people in your community and invited them over for dinner. The house is presentable, the menu is planned, and now it’s time to figure out what to talk about. Or maybe you’ve been invited to someone’s house and you’d like to be prepared to socialize. If you’re introverted like I am, … Read more
Three Sisters by Heather Morris is beautiful and full of hope. But also harrowing. Really disturbing. It’s based on the true story of three Jewish sisters and their experiences in World War II. A must read. Book summary: Three Slovakian sisters—Livia, Magda, and Cibi—have endured years of imprisonment in Birkenau-Auschwitz, Nazi Germany’s most infamous death … Read more