Hey friends!
So life's been sorta crazy lately. Not crazy in a super busy, packed way... just normal life crazy. Days are kind of blurring together, but we've been enjoying a great fall so far. Last week I meant to share like four or five fall themed blog posts but that just didn't happen. My hands, head, and heart are all feeling pretty full right now. I love blogging but it's just been tough to get to lately. So I'm learning to just let myself take a step back know it will be okay if things don't go as planned. It's always so good to type here and connect with you.
But, yeah, we are doing really good. I was texting my friend Kirsten the other day, telling her I feel like I've found a little bit of a rhythm with some of this momma hood stuff. I joked that that probably means everything is about to change. :) Bekah is a sweetie, a great sleeper, and I am loving my time with her. Today I'm feeling sort of beat, to be honest. Just sleepy and impatient but still very thankful. Luke is still a phenomenal partner in parenting, always serving us so kindly. There's always so much to be thankful for and sometimes just writing or talking it out, like this, helps me get the right perspective again.
Phew. How are you doing?
I just wanted to share a few things that have been really meaningful to me this past week or so... maybe they'll encourage you too.
1. I recently joined The Influence Network - a community for women committed to using their online (and offline) influence for good and for the Gospel. Part of my membership includes a free monthly class, so last month I purchased one by Ellen Parker called "Minister to Women right where you are". It was excellent... watched it for the second time while catching up on a sink full of dishes yesterday. I'll link you to her blog here. She's a sweetheart and her love for the Bible gets me fired up.
2. Speaking of the Bible - I finished the Open Your Bibles SheReadsTruth plan yesterday. It was fantastic. The ladies of SRT took 14 days to restore the way we look at the Bible and perceive our ability to approach it/make it a part of our daily lives. Great stuff. Here's the link to that plan if you want to read it! Let me know what you think.
3. Luke surprised me with a new dining set a few weeks ago. We had been planning to buy it from IKEA for a while, but we just hadn't gotten around to it. He picked it up and assembled it while I was out of town. It's meant so much to me to have family dinners sitting around this table - even now I'm blogging here while Bek naps. Last night Bekah joined us at the table in her little highchair for the first time. I told Luke, in a silly voice, that I had "been waiting for this moment for my whole life". Haha! Family dinners are the best. I really am enjoying cooking lately and it's so special so share that time with my husband and daughter.
By the way, if you're looking for an easy dinner... last night I made a modified version of this meal, switching out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes, and adding in onions, fresh green beans, and sliced green pepper. So easy and really yummy. There were no leftovers. :)
Alright. So after you tell me how you're doing... do you have a link to share with me? :)
Hope you're having a good week, friends. Whether it's been crazy or fun or boring or whatever... I'm glad you're here and would love to hear about it.
Love,
Bonnie
I know exactly what you mean! I felt the same way and debated joining for quite a while. I think for me it came down to just a couple things... 1) I love that it is absolutely, without a doubt, outspokenly gospel focused. They are so clear that their priority is to build God's kingdom, not "our own kingdoms". That is so inspiring to me and it feels worth the price because it's encouraging eternal things in me. 2) The classes! They are usually $10 a piece, but instead I pay $10 a month and get a class credit and other benefits. There were a few things I was expecting to use more, like the forums, but they aren't super easy to use. All in all I really like it a lot. :) I've only taken one class but it was so good and I can't wait to take another - they have a wide range of gospel focused classes to things like becoming a better writer or different topics like that. I hear that in the beginning of the year they'll launch new community groups and I'm excited for that! (That was so long! haha - but if you have anymore questions let me know!)
ReplyDeleteFunny you mention it, I just visited her page the other day :) I am looking forward to reading it more!
Thanks Holly! <3 SOOO excited to see you!
I've been going back and forth about joining The Influence Network since I found it a while ago! I've also been considering the The Influence Conference--I just can't pull the trigger yet! Your little girl is so cute and I love that your husband surprised you with a dining set--it's the little things, right?!
ReplyDeleteHey there Bonnie!! I loved this post and being able to hear about how you're doing. You and your baby look so adorable and your family is the sweetest! Also really glad to hear mention of the Influence Network and SRT-- two things I've been seriously considering joining. I'd love a further review (on your blog or via email!) about the Influence Network and how you're liking it-- like Sarah, I've been kind of back and forth on the Conference, especially because of the expenses involved:)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I've had a good but busy week as well!! I've started part-time seminary classes on marriage and family therapy which I'm loving:)
Have an awesome weekend!! <3
I'm still in the process of going through the Open Your Bible series. I'm loving it so far! I've been a believer for almost my entire life, so it's very interesting for me to rethink how I approach a text that I've read for so long!
ReplyDeleteYeah - I totally know what you mean, Sarah! I think the biggest thing is to decide why you want to join :) For me it was totally worth the try because I wanted to try the classes and the focus on carrying the Gospel is so prominent. I'm coming up on a month and I do LOVE the classes and I have been so much more inspired to live out and share the gospel through different resources they've provided me with. I will say, it's easy to not take advantage of it all - but with a little effort it is such an amazing thing to be a part of. :) Thanks for your sweet words, girl!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were enjoying it, Leah! :) I agree - it did make me rethink what ideas I had embedded in my head about the Bible. I liked the one about approaching it confidently - it is for me!
ReplyDeleteSending you an email now :) I just wrote out a long response and realized I had questions for you! :) haha. Thanks so much for your sweet words!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! So lovely of your husband to surprise you with a new dining set. What a keeper! Great to hear that you have joined the influence network. I've been thinking about signing up and after what you said I might just do it! :)
ReplyDeleteI have not joined SheReadsTruth but reaaaaaly thinking I should :)
ReplyDeleteOhh totally consider it :) A new plan on hospitality starts today! Really looking forward to this one!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Yes! He is such a keeper ;) Yeah - it is a wonderful network... I am really loving it still! Definitely worth the investment :)
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