Resources
God authors the stories on our porches and wherever we go. Telling these stories is my therapy, and I love sharing them with friends on my porch. Join me here for #PorchStories resources, products, and services that have helped me along the way.
Bibles & Resources
Alexander Maclaren Study Bible
CSB Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids
CSB Illustrator’s Notetaking Bible
Enduring Word Study Bible by David Guzik
ESV Scripture Journals – Our church preaches expositionally through books of the Bible, so I get one of these each time we begin a new series.
(in)courage Devotional Bible (in which I have two devotions!)
NIV Adventure Bible (for kids)
She Reads Truth Notetaking Bible
Book Things & Hobbies
Adoption – I love to share about our kids’ adoptions and adoption in general, so here are some favorite reads about the topic, including my own book!
Book light – I read on my Kindle a lot when I travel, but I wanted a book light just in case I wanted to read on the airplane or in the hotel while everybody else wanted the lights out. 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 is a subscription service that keeps me excited about reading brand-new hardcover books at a reasonable price.
Completing the Puzzle – A puzzle subscription service? Yes please! I’m only going to work a puzzle once so this is a good way to have new options but not have to store them. A new one arrives after the previous one is returned. AND save 20% on your first month.
Fiction – I love a well-written fiction book as much as almost anything. Here are some recent favorites.
Kindle Unlimited – This is a subscription service through Amazon for Kindle titles, which can be read on any free Kindle app, not just the Amazon-bought reader. Recently, the selection has gotten better and more varied, so I’ve continued to use this and read many books.
Memoirs – I love reading (and listening to) memoirs. Here’s a compilation of some of my favorites.
Non-fiction – I definitely read more fiction, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have some non-fiction titles I’ve loved over the years.
One-Line-A-Day Journal – This is definitely my favorite daily habit. I’m in my 8th year, and love looking back as I fill up the next year.
“Reading in my Favorite Sport” sweatshirt – I happened upon this thanks to a Facebook ad. I’m the athletic director at my kids’ school and have authored three books, so I felt like this was a must-have for me.
Finances & technology
Amazon credit card – I mean, who doesn’t shop on Amazon? I love to make purchases with my credit card points that are automatically applied.
Capital One Venture card – This card is what we use to pay for most of our life and then pay it off each month. But we earn great points that can translate into travel purchases (or other things). Plus, travel arrangements often earn great points and can be booked through the Capital One website.
Greenlight – This is a great kids’ debit card. With the app, you can send kids money instantly, assign chores, and teach them to earn, save, and invest. Plus, earn $30 when you sign up for Greenlight.
Rakuten – I have my Rakuten account installed as an extension in my Chrome browser and when I shop online it’s super easy to earn cash back on things I’m going to purchase anyway. Then Rakuten sends me cash via PayPal.
Southwest credit card – Again, the travel and points are a good combo for me!
Troomi cell phone – I’m not new to teenagers having a cell phone, and this is hands down my favorite choice out there.
YouTube TV – Cutting the cord with cable with such a great decision many years ago, and we haven’t once regretted this streaming as our primary TV-watching option.
Hospitality & community
“Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Nourishing & Gathering People” – This is a book I wrote, but it includes so many hospitality stories from my friends.
Board Games – We go through seasons with what games and how often, but we always come back to this being a favorite activity when we invite others over. I have lists of favorite games on both Amazon and Walmart.
“Created for Communion: Discovering God’s Design for Biblical Friendship” – Again, I wrote this book, sharing what I learned about friendship from Biblical examples and my real-life friends.
Cookbooks – Sometimes I need inspiration, and here are some of my favorite cookbooks.
Hospitality in Any Season – This is a FREE resource that accompanies one of my books. (DOWNLOAD!)
“One Another” verses – This accompanies another one of my books, but it is a FREE resource for anyone wanting to learn about Biblical friendship. (DOWNLOAD!)
Household
Black & Decker pet hair remover – As much as I like a lint roller, this does a better job on say a porch swing where cats like to gather or a rug where a dog likes to lay. You know, just examples from the lady who claimed not to like pets.
Blink outdoor security cameras – We have these all over the exterior of our house. They’re easy to use and effective. I think I prefer the wired ones, though, because I don’t have to remember batteries.
How To Posts – These posts run the gamut of life, home, and parenthood, but all the links are in one place on this PDF. (DOWNLOAD!)
Online storefronts – Yes, in our household we shop online. It saves momma time, if not money! Amazon & Walmart are my two favorite online shops, so I have all kinds of my favorite products categorized for you.
Pens – These are my favorite for most everything I ever write.
Walmart+ – I’m listing this service here because my household 100% benefits from my ability to order grocery deliveries to our country porch, often multiple times a week! There are other perks, too, like discounted gas prices.
Travel
Magnet hooks – These are ideal for cruise ships. They hold a decent amount of weight (think wet bathing suit) and help keep that small space tidier.
Motioneaze – This is a motion sickness relief oil. I know about it because those curvy roads in a hot bus in Costa Rica almost did me in, but my friend had this oil that rescued me. I’ve literally never experienced motion sickness before, so I have nothing to compare it to.
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.
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