Next week, I go to my first middle school parent meeting. My 10-year-old will be a middle-schooler next year. How did that happen?
The switch from elementary school to middle school is a big one -- for both her and her parents. While I'm proud of the lovely young lady my daughter is becoming, I'm a little wary of the change. My concerns range from, "How will she adapt to all the added responsibility and homework?" to "How will I adjust to giving her a bit more freedom that comes along with those responsibilities?"
Change, even good change, always comes with some bumps and concerns. But change also opens up a world of opportunities. My daughter will have the chance to try a whole bunch of new things and meet some new friends.
And through it all, God will be there leading her (and us) through the transition. Exodus 15:13 says "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed." If we are following Him, God is always there to lead us.
Like my daughter transitioning to middle school, Everyday Truth is growing and going through some changes. As this little blog has grown in the past year and a half, God has shown me some things He'd like for me to do in the future. This blog is hosted on a site called blogger. Unfortunately, blogger's capabilities are limited, so we're moving over to a new site built on a Wordpres platform. That means we have to switch our web address.
If you clicked through from Facebook, you're already there. If you get Everyday Truth in your email inbox, I'm hopeful that everything will transfer over smoothly on Monday morning. But if you wake up and are missing your Everyday Truth, head over to our new site, www.everydaytruth.net, and drop me a note telling me you didn't get it.
I'm really excited about our new site. It already allows me to offer you so much more than the current site. At www.everydaytruth.net, you'll find the daily blog, but you'll also find some free stuff, organized links to all of our Friday Introductions, a schedule of speaking engagements and some information on how to guest post on this site. You'll also find links to our Facebook page and Twitter along with a nifty little Everyday Truth button that you can use to link up to your own blog. In the next few months, look for a store where you can purchase Everyday Truth resources and an online Bible study.
So, head on over to our new home and take a look around. Leave me a comment on what you think and what you'd like to see Everyday Truth do in the future.
I'm so excited about where God is taking Everyday Truth, and I can't wait to see what God has in store for the future. I'm also thankful for all of you. Everyday Truth wouldn't be what it is today without all of you. As a thank you for reading, I've got a free gift for you today. Head over to www.everydaytruth.net and check out the Free Stuff area. You'll find a Valentine's Day download on 10 Ways to Use Valentine's Day to Teach Your Kids About God's Love. You can grab it for free until Feb. 1.
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you at the new Everyday Truth.
Showing posts with label Everyday Truth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Everyday Truth. Show all posts
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
It's Our Anniversary
Today is Everyday Truth's anniversary. A year ago today, I started the Everyday Truth blog with this post. I was reluctant to start a blog and post my triumphs and failures in parenting for everyone to see. I was most worried about the pressure it would put on my kids. I didn't want people to expect them to be perfect children or me to be a perfect mom.
My prayer has always been that God would protect my girls from criticism and judgment rendered just because their mom writes about parenting. You've probably noticed that I don't use their names in the blog. I know it's more impersonal for you to read, but it gives my girls a layer of protection. However, my fears of critique and judgment have generally been unfounded. God has protected my girls from all hurtful comments and judgment.
Once I pushed past that fear and began writing, I discovered something. I love this little community. Those of you who read, comment, press the "Like" button on the Facebook page and send me emails are the reason I get up at 6 a.m., five mornings a week to write what God puts on my heart. You are a group of the most encouraging, thoughtful readers. I love hearing suggestions, triumphs and concerns from you.
In the past year, I've learned a lot about how to write a good blog, a little about search engine optimization and to ask my children before I post anything potentially embarrassing to them. But the most important thing I've learned is that if God asks you to do something, He's going to show up and help you do it.
On this day last year, when I finally said "OK, God, let's go," I made a commitment to God that I would show up in my recliner ready to write every morning if He would show up as well. I've missed a few mornings, but God has never missed one.
In Philippians 1:4-6, Paul said "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God's good work in us begins with our salvation, but it continues on in the way that we serve Him.
Sometimes God asks us to do something that pushes us outside our comfort zone. We may be hesitant to step out and begin, but God is faithful to walk every step of the road with us. He is faithful to complete the good work He began.
A year ago, I really didn't think I had much to say on the topic of raising kids. I mean, really, what do I know? My kids are only halfway to being raised. Yet, God wasn't impressed with that argument. He knows a lot about raising kids. All I have to do is listen to Him.
And every morning, He has shown up and given me something to say. I know that He will continue to do so.
So, this morning, if you have been touched by something that appeared in this blog in the past year, take a minute and thank God for His faithfulness in providing something to say each morning. And if you have used one or more of the ideas in the blog in the past year, comment here or on the Facebook page and let us know how it worked.
I look forward to spending another year sharing God's wisdom with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives for the past year. I can't wait to see what God has in store in the next 250 blog posts. Thanks for sharing the adventure with me.
My prayer has always been that God would protect my girls from criticism and judgment rendered just because their mom writes about parenting. You've probably noticed that I don't use their names in the blog. I know it's more impersonal for you to read, but it gives my girls a layer of protection. However, my fears of critique and judgment have generally been unfounded. God has protected my girls from all hurtful comments and judgment.
Once I pushed past that fear and began writing, I discovered something. I love this little community. Those of you who read, comment, press the "Like" button on the Facebook page and send me emails are the reason I get up at 6 a.m., five mornings a week to write what God puts on my heart. You are a group of the most encouraging, thoughtful readers. I love hearing suggestions, triumphs and concerns from you.
In the past year, I've learned a lot about how to write a good blog, a little about search engine optimization and to ask my children before I post anything potentially embarrassing to them. But the most important thing I've learned is that if God asks you to do something, He's going to show up and help you do it.
On this day last year, when I finally said "OK, God, let's go," I made a commitment to God that I would show up in my recliner ready to write every morning if He would show up as well. I've missed a few mornings, but God has never missed one.
In Philippians 1:4-6, Paul said "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God's good work in us begins with our salvation, but it continues on in the way that we serve Him.
Sometimes God asks us to do something that pushes us outside our comfort zone. We may be hesitant to step out and begin, but God is faithful to walk every step of the road with us. He is faithful to complete the good work He began.
A year ago, I really didn't think I had much to say on the topic of raising kids. I mean, really, what do I know? My kids are only halfway to being raised. Yet, God wasn't impressed with that argument. He knows a lot about raising kids. All I have to do is listen to Him.
And every morning, He has shown up and given me something to say. I know that He will continue to do so.
So, this morning, if you have been touched by something that appeared in this blog in the past year, take a minute and thank God for His faithfulness in providing something to say each morning. And if you have used one or more of the ideas in the blog in the past year, comment here or on the Facebook page and let us know how it worked.
I look forward to spending another year sharing God's wisdom with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives for the past year. I can't wait to see what God has in store in the next 250 blog posts. Thanks for sharing the adventure with me.
Monday, July 19, 2010
A Different Kind of Blog Post: She Speaks
Today's blog post is going to be a little bit different. Usually in this space I offer you some ideas for teaching your kids about God. Today, I'm going to ask for something from you instead.
For the past five years or so, God has been talking to me about using my writing talents for Him. This blog is a direct outgrowth of those conversations. I've also written a couple of Bible studies, which I have taught at our church. The last one I wrote was called Everyday Truth and is the basis for the creation of this blog. Earlier this year, a friend of mine introduced me to a Christian writers' and speakers' conference called She Speaks. After much prayer and discussion with my husband, we decided that I should go.
The conference starts next Friday in Charlotte, N.C. I'm so excited to be attending, but I'm also shocked to even be on this journey. All through my life, I've been able to string a few words together, but I never thought I would consider myself a "writer." The best part of the conference will be getting to learn as much as I can, but I'm also scheduled to meet with two publisher representatives while I'm there to talk with them about publishing the Everyday Truth Bible study. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I know those appointments are in God's hands.
Here's where you come in. I'm asking that you would all pray for me while I'm gone. This is an amazing opportunity for me, but I'm pretty nervous. Pray that God would let this be a wonderful learning experience for me -- that I would come home refreshed and confident that this is the direction that God wants me to go. The conference begins on July 30 and runs through Aug. 1. Please pray especially at 3:15 on July 30 and at 9:45 on July 31, which is when I meet with the publisher representatives. Pray that I would know exactly what to say and would be able to cast a clear vision in these meetings.
I appreciate you reading and supporting me in prayer. I know that the things I learn at She Speaks will make this a better blog for you and will help to reach even more moms with the message that they can teach their children about God.
For the past five years or so, God has been talking to me about using my writing talents for Him. This blog is a direct outgrowth of those conversations. I've also written a couple of Bible studies, which I have taught at our church. The last one I wrote was called Everyday Truth and is the basis for the creation of this blog. Earlier this year, a friend of mine introduced me to a Christian writers' and speakers' conference called She Speaks. After much prayer and discussion with my husband, we decided that I should go.
The conference starts next Friday in Charlotte, N.C. I'm so excited to be attending, but I'm also shocked to even be on this journey. All through my life, I've been able to string a few words together, but I never thought I would consider myself a "writer." The best part of the conference will be getting to learn as much as I can, but I'm also scheduled to meet with two publisher representatives while I'm there to talk with them about publishing the Everyday Truth Bible study. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I know those appointments are in God's hands.
Here's where you come in. I'm asking that you would all pray for me while I'm gone. This is an amazing opportunity for me, but I'm pretty nervous. Pray that God would let this be a wonderful learning experience for me -- that I would come home refreshed and confident that this is the direction that God wants me to go. The conference begins on July 30 and runs through Aug. 1. Please pray especially at 3:15 on July 30 and at 9:45 on July 31, which is when I meet with the publisher representatives. Pray that I would know exactly what to say and would be able to cast a clear vision in these meetings.
I appreciate you reading and supporting me in prayer. I know that the things I learn at She Speaks will make this a better blog for you and will help to reach even more moms with the message that they can teach their children about God.
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