SOUL CrossTraining

  Starting this journey my fav a.m. beverage . Abundant Simplicity is an odd combination of words, don't you think? At face value it seems more like an oxymoron .  You know, like Crazy Wisdom, Deafening Silence, Irregular Pattern or Sweet Sorrow .  An unexpected combination of two things that seem to contradict each other.    Abundant describes something that is present in great quantity; more than adequate, over-sufficient, abounding, overflowing. Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple, free from complexity or singleness of nature.   Is it possible to have abundance and simplicity at the same time?  We'll see. Could abundant simplicity be a paradox?

Last year we talked about ADVENT as part of Real Moms (our weekly gathering @ Grace Church for Monms of young children).  With the ADVENT season fast approaching -- it seemed like a good idea to offer this quick reference guide for moms and others who might want to integrate ADVENT into their holiday season.  Thanks Amanda Congrove for pulling this guide together.  Advent Guide                                  Believe! The English word advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means “coming”. The Greek word for adventus is parousia .   The meaning of parousia is also “coming” but refers specifically to the second coming of Christ. Advent is celebrated in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve.   These four weeks of anticipation are the WHY of Advent.   ...

African Women's Leadership Training - in partnership with Grace Church and ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries).. These women are leaders in the communities and churches .  They are participating in a 3 year leadership program.  They will graduate in the summer of 2018. (Rwanda, Africa) www.AfricanWomensLeadershipTraining.org I am undone by the stories of these women.  Their perseverance and strength amazes me.  They may live thousands of miles away in what we see as a remote pat of the world. However, we must realize that we share this world .  We must open our eyes and hearts to OUR world .  We must be willing to look around.  Take a look and you'll see some of the broken places of  OUR world .  It's heart wrenching.  Yet, there is beauty as we look through  windows bursting open with hope  in some of the most difficult places.   I invite you to join me as I link arms wit...

What if there were another way? Another way to be. Another way to live. What if we could be like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.   - Psalm 1:3 WOD Conference Session 1 • Corinne Gunter from Grace Church on Vimeo . I had the chance to speak to this way of life.  This way of being at the Way of Discipleship Conference at Grace Church -- it begins with our own walk and journey with God.     

At the beginning of a new year, it seems natural to pause and reflect.  I have to be honest last year was hard.  Sure there were great things, fun and excitement.  Yet in midst of living our family experienced a life-altering loss on October 10, 2013.

The years have flown by.  It seems only yesterday I was a little girl living in the back bedroom. Days spent helping my mom with laundry or gardening.  Or at least pretending to be helpful--you would have to ask her the truth. My mom has always worked tirelessly -- from early morning to evening.  Not only did she manage our household and create delicious meals from the produce she grew from their enormous garden, she also was an entrepreneur and business owner.

It takes time and intentionality to establish a rhythm.  It takes time and intentionality to develop a relationship. And sometimes we need a CHALLENGE to get us moving.        So, here's one!  31 Days -- reading and engaging in Bible.   Just 3 questions to guide your reading!