• Prayer Resources

    ByKristin faith, faves

    God keeps bringing the idea of prayer being an everyday relationship to mind. I recently started a prayer Bible study, but, you know how it goes, God repeats truth in lots of ways. At least that’s required for me to really learn something.

    I thought I might be the only one who needs encouragement and practical resources to become more comfortable with approaching God through Christ as we navigate normal life as people with all kinds of distractions.

    A super practical habit I’ve been doing: When someone asks for prayer or a situation comes to mind, I pray in my mind right then and add it to a prayer list in a note on my phone. Then I just read through them, check in our certain people, and pray as various times. Of course, prayer is continual as I throw up praises and prayers throughout the day.

    Here are some resources I can personally recommend:

    Before the Throne: Finding Stregnth Through Prayer in Difficult Times – This is an 8-week study that focuses on practical prayer. I really enjoyed when I worked through it years ago. (Here’s my review of it.)

    Line-A-Day Journal – While I don’t always use this for prayers, it would be a great way to look back as each page as five spaces for a line or two for each date for five years. So you’d be able to look back and see God working through your prayer life. 

    Parenting Prayer Cards – A friend told me she’d been using these for years for her three grown boys. I love establishing an intentional practice like that. 

    Personal Prayers from Colossians – My Bible study group just started a prayer study, Meanwhile, our pastors are going though Colossians during Sunday morning services. These cards were such a great way to combine both studies. 

    Playlist – Y’all know like a themed playlist, so here you go! 

    Prayer Journal – I especially like these Mary Square Prayer Journals with sections for My Worries, My Praises, My Prayers, and God’s Promises. I also like that it’s spiral-bound. I’ve seen lots of cute covers throughout the years, although my current one isn’t as cute as this one!

    The Purpose of Prayer – This is the Precept study our group (along with about 150 women at our church!) is working through this semester. 

    Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible – This version of the New Testament is a little big to tote around, but it’s great for journaling next to the scripture. I have one I started using to write notes for a writing project I’m just beginning. 

    *****

    What would you add to this prayer resource list? Please share!

  • Holiday Gift-Giving Guide

    ByKristin faves, holiday

    Y’all, I do not understand why Black Friday sales are lots of different days, many of which aren’t even Friday. Even so, I joined the online influencer club and created a gift guide for you. Happy shopping and merry Christmas!

    Accessories

    Bombas socks – I know, they’re kind of expensive. But I love how the ankle socks feel on my feet and in my shoes. 

    Crossbody bag – I have loved this Lululemon one for a while, but I found an even better and cheaper one on Amazon. Truly, hooray for liking the off-brand one better!

    Madewell bag with flower strap – My friend Ashlee carries this Madewell bag and I loved it so much I bought it too. I didn’t love the thin strap on it. I probably put too much stuff in my “medium tote.” But I bought a wide, pretty strap on Amazon and it makes the bag nearly perfect. 

    Sweatshirt jacket – You know how it is with teenagers and coats, but, really, I can’t blame them because I don’t like to wear coats either. My boy has long loved these warm, zip-up sweatshirt jackets. So, yep, I got another one in the next size. 

    Books

    Audible – If you know someone who likes to listen to books as they drive around or do chores at home, consider gifting a subscription like this. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it. 

    Book light – I read on my Kindle a lot, but I have a book light just in case I want to stay up later than Greg. I like this book light because it charges and doesn’t require batteries. 

    Book of the Month – Way better than Jelly of the Month, this gives the gift each time your loved once received a blue box with an early or new release they’ve chosen. Again, as a reader myself, what a great gift! 

    Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Nourishing & Gathering People – Yes, this is my book. But, also yes, it would make a good gift for someone who likes opening her home and life to connect with others. There’s many examples from my own life and other friends who share stories about how to be hospitable in any season of life. 

    Created for Communion: Discovering God’s Design for Biblical Friendship – Again, yes, my book, but also a great gift to encourage women in friendship that truly matters. 

    ESV scripture journals – I used to carry my Bible to church and fill the margins with notes. Both during our main church service and the Sunday school class I attend, we go through books of the Bible, so I bought the books we were in and now fill the notebooks with notes. There are whole journaling pages plus wide margins. Marking up scripture is the best way for me to learn, so this is the perfect notebook for me to carry with me to church. 

    Kindle Oasis – Like a Paperwhite, but this Kindle has page-turning buttons. Y’all, it’s waterproof and there’s no glare. It’s the best for hauling around a ton of books on a device that’s about the size of a mass-market paperback, although it’s much thinner than that. 

    Line-a-day journal – I’ve gifted so many of these. It’s a journal that gives you space to write a sentence or two for each day for five years. I’m on my second journal, and I’m going to keep giving them away like candy. Documenting my day briefly each night before bed as become over the past five-plus years one of my very favorite habits. 

    Praying Through Loneliness: A 90-Day Devotional for Women – I have a couple of devotionals included in this lovely book compiled by Kristen Strong. It’s a great book to keep near and pick up when you need some encouragement. 

    Experiences

    I love going on a trip more than unwrapping gifts, so if that’s something you’re thinking about doing, I wholly support it! Here are some of our favorite trips, if you’re looking for some inspiration:

    On a smaller scale, you could gift local and regional experiences likes museums, zoos, concerts, or ballgames. And, if this is the route you’re going, here are some other gift ideas to accompany passes and tickets:

    Baggallini anti-theft crossbody bag – I really love my other off-brand crossbody purse, but the zippers are super secure and I wanted something slightly different to travel. This seems like it’s just right for that. For something bigger than this small purse, I think my Kavu sling bag.

    Capital One Venture credit card – This is a great card to use for expenses because the rewards points are good and allow you to “erase” travel purchases. You can also book hotels and other travel reservations directly through the Capital One website and get special deals. When we signed up for TSA Pre-Check, the fee was reimbursed when we used this card. (Also, sign up for TSA Pre-Check if you’re ever going to fly!)

    Packing cubes – This is the first I’ve used packing cubes, and I just couldn’t justify the price of expensive ones. These had good reviews and seemed like a good place to start. I bought three different colors. 

    Reusable shopping bags – I really like these because they are thin, basic, and easy to wash. They’re great to carry along to separate dirty clothes or move other items if you aren’t staying in one location, which we don’t on many trips. 

    Household

    Blink outdoor security cameras – I’ve shared about these before, but they’re easy to set up and use. I can see movement on my porches, which I especially like at night or if the kids are home alone. We recently added the doorbell to our system. 

    Pellet ice maker – This is our second counter ice maker and I love it! It’s bigger than our previous one and makes the soft, crunchy Sonic ice. (PLUS it’s currently on sale!) 

    Pioneer Woman stuff – Most of any these kitchen & household accessories would make great gifts. I have plastic plates and bowls, mixing bowls, various utensils, cookware, and an Instant Pot in her lovely designs. I’ve gifted items in the past and will likely again in the very near future. 

    Walmart delivery – I am a paying member of Walmart+ and don’t regret it. When my groceries and household items show up on my porch while I’m working, I feel like I’m multi-tasking in the best ways! Plus you get other perks, like free, quick shipping on items not available in the local store. (Save $20 if you sign up through this link!)

    YouTube TV – We ditched cable years ago and love this streaming option. The channel selection is good and it’s cheaper than cable. (Save $15 if you subscribe through this link!)

    Toys & Games

    I don’t give many toys for Christmas, especially with my kids getting older. I do like to give Lego sets.

    Hoverboards have been popular in house for quite some time. The trampoline is another popular activity around our house for kids of all ages that also encourages physical activity. We’re on our second one, and I don’t regret the eye sore given the amount of time it’s been used.

    Crunch Labs – Ben gets excited each month when these boxes show up on our porch. It’s a great subscription box for my teenager who loves to build things. Plus the whole family likes Mark Rober’s videos that go along with the projects. 

    I do love giving family games as gifts. We have so many favorites, such as Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Mancala, Phase 10, Rummikub, and Blokus. (Here are other favorite family games!)

    Online shopping tip!

    ‘Tis the season! We all shop often online, so who doesn’t want some extra money to come their way?! That’s what Rakuten does! I have the extension installed on my Chrome browser on my MacBook and the app on my phone. Just look up the store from which you’re going to shop or use the Rakuten website and earn cash back from so many places. 

    *****

    I also have a storefront of favorite things by category, if you love Walmart as much as I do these days!

  • Back-to-routine faves

    ByKristin faves, life, motherhood

    Now that the school year is underway and my house is in a bit more of a routine, I wanted to share some of my recent favorite things.

    Briefcase purse – Listen, I know that sounds lame and boring, but it’s a great bag that has different pockets. It’s perfect for toting around my laptop, a notebook, my small purse for errands and such, my Kindle, or a book. It stands up too so things stay in there and organized. My friend Megan told me about it, so I’m not alone in this recommendation. I didn’t like the shoulder strap, so I added this one that I previously had on a different bag. 

    Simple, comfy dress – As a school board member, I’ve had some extra responsibilities as the school year gets going, so I’ve worn these simple dresses. It’s easy to throw a cardigan on with it. I have this dress in a few colors. 

    Favorite pens – Pilot’s Precise V5 are hands down my favorite. I like the different colors for writing on all types of paper, including my beloved yellow legal pads, graph paper, Post-Its, and my Precept workbook. And I’ve started keeping them in a silicone pencil pouch. 

    Freezeable lunch bags – They’re easy to clean and have held up well. And they keep my kids’ food cold – as long as they remember to put them in the freezer after school each day. 

    Walmart+ – The delivery service is still my best friend. I’d say I average two porch deliveries with mostly groceries each week. It saves me time and helps me feel like I’m accomplishing two things at once!