What's On The Book "Roll"

     I was in Dallas this past weekend for a Rodan + Fields Training Event!  While I was there, I had the privilege and blessing to catch up with some good friends, host an event of my own, and visit The Branch, our church when we lived in Texas.  I also stopped by my all-time favorite bookstore, Half Price Books.  There is not much better than hunting for a good book or two, and finding unexpected treasures while on the hunt!  

Philippians 4:8

     This verse has been on my heart so much this week.  I don't know about you, but I often struggle to keep my thoughts focused on these kinds of thoughts...good thoughts...encouraging thoughts.  I struggle with worry, frustration, impatience, anger. I've also noticed that my boys struggle with the same things as well.  One of the joys, and difficulties if I'm being honest, of homeschooling, is that you get to spend a WHOLE lot more time with your kids.  Sometimes this is awesome.  Sometimes this is NOT.  Walking through character building opportunities, seemingly ALL THE TIME, can wear on a person.  And, when you realize that some of those habits that your kids have MIGHT have come from you in some form or fashion, it makes it all the more fun disheartening.

     This is where the Word of God comes in.  Starting this spring, we renewed our commitment to reading the Bible together.  It only takes a few minutes.  We try to talk about what we have read.  And we ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand what we read and apply it to our lives.  Beginning our day with God always helps the day to go better! 

     And in an effort to 'write' more of God's word on our hearts, we have also started memorizing one scripture a week.  Simple, I know. Why we haven't been doing it lately? I guess we just weren't being intentional. Philippians 4:8 is this weeks scripture.  What a beautiful, challenging, centering scripture! I hope it is a blessing to you today! 

~Kendra

With Great Expectation - Thoughts on IF:Gathering 2016

    I love orchids.  Years ago, when we lived in Florida, I had a dozen or two hanging in the oak tree in our backyard.  I just couldn't get enough of them!  I still can't.  But I now live in Oklahoma, and our weather isn't quite as conducive to leaving orchids outside year round.  So, I now have one orchid in my kitchen windowsill. One orchid that hasn't been in bloom for almost a year.  One orchid that is now putting on buds and will eventually bloom again soon!  And I CAN. NOT. WAIT. I wait in great expectation as day after day passes and it gets closer to that inevitable day!

     This is the SAME feeling I had leading up to the IF:Gathering.  I was so EXPECTANT.  So EXCITED.  So READY.  As the weekend grew closer, I saw the buds of excitement growing in other women.  And over the course of this past weekend, I saw the beginning of beautiful blooms.  Women chasing after God.  Women allowing the love of Jesus into their lives.  Women DECIDING to take that next step in their lives that would put them on the path to walking WITH GOD, not just living for God. And not to overuse the word...but IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!

Ready for the IF:Gathering!!

   
     Three years ago, before the IF:Gathering first started, I remember trying to figure out what exactly IF was.  I would mention it to friends, but then wouldn't really know what to say except that they needed to be there.  No one could really explain it, not even those who had the vision for it, because it had never happened before.
     Fast forward to 2016.  After attending once, hosting once, and getting ready to host for a second time, I have an answer.  To me, the IF:Gathering is all about women in community with one another, being unified, learning from one another, lifting each other up, meeting Jesus for the first time, being released from bondage to walk a life of FREEDOM.  It is women being equipped and encouraged to walk out their faith, their gifts, their callings, no matter how big or small in the eyes of the world...RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE! 
     IF is SO much more than that, but if you asked me today, that would be my answer.  What does that mean for you? It means, find an IF:Local near you!  And Go.  It's not too late. Don't worry about whether you know anyone or not.  God will do his God thing and bring friends and connection right where you are.  Be Brave.  Have the courage to live the life that unfolds before you.  (NOTE: That last line is not original to me...if you haven't read "The Wilderking Trilogy" by Jonathan Rogers, you should!)
     If you are not able to attend an IF:Local, then do all you can to watch it live from home this weekend! Comment below and I will send you the live link tomorrow (Friday 2/5).

Blessings to you, friends! ~Kendra

*If you are in the Tulsa, OK area, join us at IF:South Tulsa!  There is still room!

The Tuesday Review: A Child's Book of Character Building

     The book I am reviewing today is very special to me.  There are actually two books in the series A Child's Book of Character Building: Growing Up in God's World - At Home, At School, At Play, Book 1 and Book 2, by Ron and Rebekah Coriell.  This series had been recommended to me by a good friend several years ago when we were just starting our homeschool journey.  When the boys were younger (age 3-7), we went through this series at least twice.  And I feel that I need to add...you DO NOT have to homeschool your children in order to use and enjoy this series!  It only takes 5 minutes a day to read through the scripture and short stories. 

      For each character trait highlighted, the authors share a very simple and easy to understand definition of that trait, a story from the bible that relates to that specific character trait, and then short stories from home, school, and play that help the child to recognize and put into practice each trait.  We would take a week to look at each character trait, reading a different story each day. 

      I have fond memories of reading these stories to the boys and then talking about them throughout the week.  If you are looking for a character building series for your younger children, I highly recommend that you check out THIS BOOK! 

    What character building books and/or series have you used and enjoyed?  I would love to hear your suggestions!  And, if you know of a good series for older boys (9-12), please share!  I'm always on the hunt for good books!