Renae has one of the kindest hearts I know. She has such a quiet spirit about everything she does. She's one of those people that works so hard in the background, the ones you rarely notice but without her the project would fall apart. I don't think I've ever heard a complaint come from her. She's a wonderful mother, wife, sister, and the best grandma these three little munchkins could ask for. I was so excited when Bailey (her oldest daughter) asked us to be a part of this event!
Read MoreI once heard a story of a man, an athlete, who had both his legs broken in an accident. He would never completely heal and his sports career was over. It would be enough to walk and work a desk job. He spent weeks in the hospital. He would be in pain for years. Evil dealt him a low blow.
But during that time, a particular nurse cared for him, and slowly that care turned to love, and that love turned to marriage. Now an old man, he looks back on his legs being shattered as one of the greatest blessings in his life, because if it were not for that accident, he may never have met the love of his life. God granted him an amazing gift.
Read MoreI met Karen on my first trip to Israel 6 years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!). Our fearless leader, Chris Katulka, for the first 2 and half weeks kept telling us about how amazing his wife of 8 months was. He would tell us she was hilarious, super sweet, and had the best heart. Our little group was nervous about meeting her because either Chris was right and this woman is really intimidating, or Chris is still in the honeymoon phase and she's no where near as awesome as he thinks. Well, when she finally arrived in Israel and it turned out Chris was wrong, very wrong. Karen was so much more amazing than he described!
Karen has the best sense of humor (I mean seriously, talk show host funny), her heart is so full of love for the Lord and for his creation, and is ready to jump in and serve wherever there is a need. Today, six years later, they have beautiful family - their daughter Olive and twin sons Cohen and Preston. I can't believe what Karen is able to accomplish in a day. For our very first guest on the blog, she couldn't have been more perfect. Once you're done reading through our interview, go check out her blog. She is truly one of the most transparent and honest people I know. Hit her up with some questions of your own in the comments!
Read More"Ok, Hannah, I hear you. I understand exactly what you're saying, but slowing down and not being busy is just not an option for me right now." If this is what you're thinking to yourself as you read our last two (one and two) #FamilyFriday posts. I get it! I'm right there with you. Most days, these things are a real struggle. Other days, they aren't even on my radar. And that's okay, as long as it's only for a short season.
Sometimes in life, there's just nothing you can do but lace up and just run, and run, and run. These seasons can be necessary to live out your purpose and fulfill your dreams. The thing is, there needs to be an end in sight. A finish line. A date on the calendar, when things will slow down and you can breathe once more.
Read MoreHave you ever had those times when God, over the course of time, continues to throw you little reminders of a big lesson over, and over, and over again? Instead of using a megaphone to scream to us what we need to learn, He instead graciously drops little hints all around us.
Read MoreI was scrolling through my Instagram feed the other day, when I came across one of the phenomenal photographers and teachers, Jody Gray, teaching her 20 month old son how to crack eggs into a bowl. Now, this isn't the first time I've taken notice of their hands-on parenting that we so greatly aspire to. What she had posted with the picture caught my attention. She had read Wess Stafford's book Too Small to Ignore, and this is what she had to say.
Read MoreLast night, got back into town from a short vacation. We went down to Carolina Beach (where we honeymooned!) and took on all those sharks that are supposedly swimming rampant. (Hint: sometimes, the media just slightly exaggerates things. I know, shocking.) Our lives have been so insane the last couple of months, this was a desperately-needed time for our family to reconnect, to get to know each other once again, and to spend some serious Quality (with a capital Q) time together. The Lord really laid on my heart that, in order to do that, we were going to need to unplug.
Read MoreBefore I dive into the actual review, you need to understand that I come to sequels with a VERY high expectation of being wowed! I don't come to the movie thinking that it's just a continuation of the first movie. I come to it as if the creators are saying, "The first one was great, but we're not done blowing your freaking mind."
Read More"At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough, and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey." - Lemony Snicket
Read MoreAs most of you know, we are in the middle of moving. Yay! Count down is at 11 days! We've known that we were going to have to move for a little over a month ago now. Between looking for a new place, running two businesses, and chasing after our very active (and now walking, and - oh, look, now she's running!) 13 month old, we began to pack. And now we're down to the bare minimums. And guess what? I can't even begin to tell you how ahmazing it is!
Read MoreSometimes being in the moment is really hard, especially when there's something amazing coming your way, or when what you're going through really sucks. It can even be a little difficult if it's Thursday and you just can't wait for it to simply be Friday.
Read More
