A Time of Waiting & Trusting

What a time this has been for humanity; the necessary call to pause, to trust, to delay, to slow down, to be still. So many people are experiencing a halt in their life, a time of transitioning to a new normal, or a more hectic time of serving and caring for others, or a mix of it all. We are also without luxuries that we probably all took for granted without realizing it until now: facials, mani/pedis, getting our hair done, events, dinners with friends, stopping by the grocery store without a worry in the world, massages, work out classes, running a small business, our morning coffee at the local bakery, a walk on the beach, going to church, giving someone a hug! It makes my heart hurt to think of the weddings that are delayed, those who are healing alone in hospitals, and mamas having babies without the experience they may have envisioned. I want to encourage us all to know that it is okay to accept that this is hard. I wanted to share three things that have been a test of trust, patience, and realizing that the time that something is meant for is going to be better than the time I think is best. There are ultimately true blessings in the waiting.

Fertility

Jase and I have been trying to get pregnant for a few years now. I know so many people are on a similar journey. In this time, we may be a tad too relaxed as we truly believe God's timing is perfect, but at the same time, we are doing our part and being productive. We have met with two fertility doctors, did two IUIs, imaging tests, and have altered our diets and added in fertility-encouraging herbs and supplements. In the Fall of last year, my close friend happened to tell me about this amazing fertility doctor in Dallas. He is extremely thorough and is only one of the few physicians in reproductive medicine with quadruple board certification in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology-Metabolism, Andrology and Embryology. He is a mad scientist! I was in tears talking to the girl who saw him as she was telling me about her experience. The Fall was a crazy time of transition in our life, so I took the information in and stored it away for the time being. A few months ago, I had an epiphany that this was the best next step. We had an appointment scheduled in March, and the quarantine started a few days before this time. It was such a clear God moment when I realized we needed to schedule a visit with this doctor + had several confirmations, and it was interesting to see another delay. In fact, each month during ovulation, something almost always seems to cause a delay (sorry if that's too much info). Jase and I were discussing this yesterday and were just saying that it reveals it's not time yet. We have so much trust and faith in that even if on a human level it doesn't make sense. But God is so big and knows! There is so much hope in that. Also, I listened to a sermon that touched on fertility, and it said that often we think it's  the perfect time for US but God has this whole baby's life planned, including the time he/she enters this world. I love this change of perspective!

Nontoxic surface wipes

You may know that my husband and I and the Stranded team have been working endlessly on our nontoxic surface wipes for the last year. Each product development of ours takes way longer than expected because we are a grass roots company (all with full time jobs), and we are doing extensive research on how to create the purest wipe. We are doing it in an entirely different way, making them completely biodegradable + are using the purest ingredients (that benefit your health) to wipe away germs and simultaneously nourish your hands. Also, we are using plant based preservatives that have yet to be used on a wipe, so they have had to go through stability testing. The entire team was so bummed when everyone was in need of wipes and ours were not yet out to help the nation. We are also delayed on the launch because some of our key people are out of the office. We have had to change our perspective, realize this is all for the better, and we are learning so much even during this time on transitions to the formula that may make the wipes even better. We have realized there is always good in a pause if you aim to see it.

Our home

Oh what a process this has been! We purchased the house we are currently living in in November of 2018, and after months of renovation, nightmare experiences with our designer, living in a hotel and then an apartment with another couple friend, and being way over budget because of uncontrollable and unstated rise in labor costs after the Woolsey fire, we find ourselves here and full of a new kind of patience and gratefulness. We are currently working with such a wonderful designer and started ordering furniture in December. Now most shipments are delayed, Kirsten's styling trip is on pause, and we are again, in waiting. BUT there is so much we are cherishing during this time! We are working on the things we can and realizing what matters the most is a safe place to live, time with each other, health, and essentials.Are you in a period of waiting? How do you stay hopeful?

The Gift of Giving & Receiving

Right now is an extra important time to love extra on your friends and family. We all need it! After acknowledging and processing my emotions, my dad would always encourage me to serve someone when I was struggling, and it was some of the best wisdom I have received. We should all pitch in to help each other not feel alone in these unknown times + it takes the focus off of ourselves when we doing something special for someone else. Also, with Easter coming up, it is the sweetest time to send thoughtful little things that will make someone smile. Also, this is the best way to support small businesses!The Magnolia Cookbook is the perfect present to give someone right now, especially because we all have no choice but to cook! I made the cilantro lime rice and roasted carrots as part of our meal last night, and it got me out of my cooking rut + they both were so easy to make, flavorful and tasty!A candle sets such a peaceful tone in the house + these beeswax candles clean the air! What gets better than that at this time?These Jaymes Paper cards are always stocked in my home. You can buy a pack for yourself to write loved ones handwritten notes and send a set to your friend too!I am sending bright flowers to my parents and Jase's parents this weekend for Easter to help make this season feel extra hopeful!Gift an at-home spa night for your bestie or send some nontoxic cleaning products because everyone is cleaning extra right now.For my sweet nieces, I got Kate (who is three), this tee, these pants, and this nontoxic tie dye set to create a fun memory during this time at home. (thank you to Lauren Gores for this idea).This book is so precious for a little one too!Puzzles have been my go to activity during these last few weeks. It is so rewarding, good for your mind, and it keeps you off your phone! These are so fun and they are framable; in my mind, it is a memento to remember all we are learning during this time.Get a cozy pair of jammies. These get extra comfy with time, too, and you and your friend could have matching ones!xo Lo.

Love All The Love

Valentine's Day is so soon! Team LSK loves all the love and we love that there is a holiday to celebrate it. No matter what your relationship status is: single, healing through a breakup, engaged, or married, Valentine's Day is something that can be celebrated and enjoyed with a joyful heart!To the single girls- look around at your family and friends, at yourself, and at your Creator on this day. See all the love there!? Hold on to it, savor, and thank God for it! Just because you are single doesn't mean you aren't loved!! You are so loved by so many and you have so much love to give. Celebrate that today however you want to: Galentine's Day dinner, self care, or a night in with your parents. Whatever you want to do, do that! Keep the faith and keep loving yourself well.To the girls in relationship- show your other half how much you care! This is such a fun day to do something special for him. Whether it be a gift, an experience, or even just a handwritten note, taking the opportunity to show your love is always a great idea. Give the love and receive the love today and thank God you two found each other; it something to celebrate! Don't feel pressured to go out if you don't want to, as some of the best nights are the ones spent in. Most importantly, enjoy your time together and take advantage of this day that gives you an excuse to love extra much!

Knowing Our True Names

Hey friends!New Q&A for you and a new must-read book! We recently had the opportunity to read Esther Fleece Allen's new book, Your New Name, and friends...it's incredible. It is full of faith-filled lines and encouraging words. Esther opens up about her personal story in a really raw, vulnerable, and powerful way and conveys the importance of knowing our true names- the ones God calls us. Keep reading to learn more about this valuable concept and amazing book!--LSK: We are so captivated by the concept of this book! Can you share what inspired you to write about naming?EFA: When reading through the book of Ruth [in the Bible] I saw how it was a story of three widows, one of who renamed herself in the middle of her grief. I realized there have been many times I have renamed myself during awful circumstances. Victim. Abused. Forgotten. Left behind. Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi [whose name means sweet] renamed herself to Mara [meaning bitter,] after her husband and sons die. Yet-- Naomi’s life didn’t end bitter. God challenged me to not rename myself in the middle of a storm. Naming is much more significant than labeling ourselves due to our circumstances, and I hope this book helps the reader throw off the labels that limit them and ask God for their new name.Hint: God’s names for us are more beautiful than our circumstances!LSK: You write beautifully about how we discover our new name in Christ and how this new name is given to us, not earned. Can you share about how God pursues us, adopts us, and names us?EFA: When God makes us his own, it comes with benefits [Psalm 103:2.]Our mutual friends [Michael and Lauren McAfee] recently adopted their daughter from China and chose the beautiful name Zion for their little girl. Not only did she become theirs instantly [and not out of her works or behavior,] she took on a new name and their name! So it is with us when God saves us. God does not foster us; he adopts us, and with it comes spiritual blessings like a new name, carrying His name, and more! Labels limit us to circumstances and seasons, but a new name stays with us forever. We won’t be called by our strengths or weakness in heaven, we will be identified as His children, and called by our new names!LSK: God's protection is an amazing gift from Him and you talk about how it is important to rely on His protection when the enemy comes knocking on our doors, trying to tempt us to doubt our new names. What does this look like and how can we be on our guard?EFA: In my first book, No More Faking Fine, I tell the difficult story of walking through stalking from my biological father. During these years I wrestled with the protection of God. I lamented a lot during these years. But as my faith was challenged, I discovered the protection we are offered in scripture is a spiritual one. I was thinking my life should receive a physical protection, and while that can and sometimes does happen– this is not a guarantee. If my name is hidden in God’s name, my spirit and soul are protected forever.I hope to give the reader some tips in Your New Name of how to fight off the lies of accusations that come at every single one of us. One thing that will surely help us fight off these attacks is knowing our new name.LSK: One of our favorite quotes from your book is on page 105 re: wrestling with God. You write, "Scripture rarely talks about struggling without also talking about persevering. Not only are we to hold on to our faith; there may be a new name for us on the other side." How essential are perseverance and endurance on our journey of faith with God?EFA: God is able to keep us in the faith. The book of Revelation speaks to us learning new names for God when we overcome. A lot hinges on us overcoming, so I dedicated a entire chapter to it! When we’re tempted to give up in the middle of the pain or when we’ve been misunderstood or mislabeled, Gods calls us to overcome until the very end.Many of us start well, but we need the courage and perseverance to end well, too. I look forward to learning new names for God in Heaven! There will always be more about God for us to learn. Not only will we be renamed, but we will learn more about His Names in the process. Whenever I’m tempted to give up, I remind myself that overcoming is less about me, and more about how He has already overcome, giving me the power and victory to do so also.LSK: Above all, is there one thing that you pray readers will take away with them and hold on to after reading your book?EFA: One of the biggest take-a-ways for me when writing Your New Name is the power we have to rename our offenders. After a season of lamenting the wrong that was done to me, renaming became a tool to help me forgive. I share a personal story of how I was able to re-name my biological father after years of neglect and torment. This forgiveness came not because I am great at forgiving (I’m not!) but because I believed my new names given by God, and attempted to live out of them. We have the power to rename and forgive others after we hear our new name. This will be a lifelong journey as we learn to become great forgivers, and live out of our new names!

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The Beauty In Your Journey

You know that feeling when you read a good book and your whole soul fills up with hope and encouragement? Naturally after feeling like this you want to tell everyone about it! That is how we felt when reading Box of Butterflies by Roma Downey. It is an absolutely beautiful book including poems and art, but most importantly Roma's words about faith, God's grace and love, and the value of living a life dependent on and thankful for Him.There is one part toward the end that we felt so inclined to share, but be sure to pick up a copy to read the entire book. It is a treasure of a book, one that you will want to hold on to forever and loan to dear friends and family. On page 207, Roma writes an incredible passage comparing our journey here on earth to Dorthy's journey in The Wizard of Oz, stating that our "true home is within us. True home is in God." We can search the earth and think we need certain things to make us whole and make us feel at home, but who we truly need, God, is with us all along!"I hope that in this book you have begun to see the beauty in your journey. How it may have twisted and turned, and had ups and downs, but ultimately that you were never alone on the Yellow Brick Road. That even in the dark forest, God was preparing you. That even as you danced in Munchkinland, it was time to say thank you. That even though when you arrive back home and nothing has changed on the outside, you'll see that you've been changed on the inside. And that is all that matters. When we awaken fully to God, it's as if we finally remember that we are not merely caterpillars but that we are, in face, beautiful butterflies with wings to fly." -Roma Downey in Box of ButterfliesThank you, Roma for such beautiful, wise, love-filled words that encourage, inspire, and uplift us as the beauty in all of our journey unfolds, even after twists and turns and ups and downs.[show_shopthepost_widget id="3880691"] xo,Team LSK. 

Inspiration To Pray Big

We are so excited to have Julia Sadler, author of the book: Pray Big Things, with us today on LSK. Julia has an incredible story to share of faith, trust, endurance, and hope and we just know that her answers to our questions are going to inspire you. Keep reading to learn more!

Q&A With Julia Sadler

*Tell us what inspired you to write Pray Big Things!I wrote PRAY BIG THINGS after the most challenging and exciting season of my life and marriage. After experiencing three miscarriages in less than a year and praying specifically and consistently, my husband and I conceived our miracle triplets. I ended up going into labor at 22 weeks and was told the babies would be born blind, deaf, with brain bleeds, or not even survive at all. By God’s grace we all survived 49 days of hospital bedrest, 63 days in the NICU, and all were home the night before our 9-year wedding anniversary!By being open about the losses, infertility, bedrest, and NICU on social media and on the TLC show, Rattled, I was able to connect with so many women and couples struggling to find hope in these hard situations. I had actually contracted to write a different book but knew PRAY BIG THINGS was the one I was meant to write. Even if these aren’t your specific struggles, everyone has a prayer and dream they’d give anything to see fulfilled—and that’s what PRAY BIG THINGS is all about. I challenge readers to take God at His word and see Him work beyond anything they’ve ever imagined.--*We love the title description: The Surprising Life God Has for You When You're BOLD ENOUGH TO ASK. Can you elaborate on what it means to you to be bold when praying to God?That’s a great question. I think we are scared to ask God for what we really want. We are worried our requests aren’t holy enough, important enough, or matter enough in the grand scheme of the universe. However, this is completely contrary to Scripture. James 4:2 says, “You have not because you ask not.” It doesn’t get simpler than that!For whatever reason, many people have bought into the lie that following Christ isn’t exciting when really it’s the most fulfilling and surprisingly life we can lead. I had to be bold in asking God what purpose He had for me as I lay in a bed for 49 days, but He was faithful to give me people to minister to and encourage. Big prayers honor our big God and I think we would be amazed at what God will do when we are bold enough to ask.PRAY BIG THINGS is not a “name it and claim it” book. I actually put my therapist hat on for a few chapters and talk about what to do when God says “no” and how to process anxiety, anger, grief, when God doesn’t answer our request the way we want. But even when God says “no we can still trust in a loving God Who has a perfect plan He is working out in our lives.*Why do you think it is more natural for us humans to settle for less when God truly has created us (and wants us) to be bold and live in abundance?I think settling for less is comfortable. We say we want more, but our actions --or inactions-- prove otherwise. A lot of us think we need to let God off the hook. If we don’t ask, then He can’t disappoint us or let us down. “Praying Big” is definitely what I call “2.0” to the high school senior girls I teach in Sunday School. To “Pray Big Things” is the next level in your relationship with God. It’s more than what most people do, but it will get you further than most people ever go.--*How did you muster up the courage to be so vulnerable and open re: your story of infertility and miscarriage? Your vulnerability is such a gift to your readers!I truly believe my purpose in life is to point people to Christ, and I decided a long time ago to use whatever I have to do that. Romans 1:16 in which the apostle Paul declares his commitment to sharing the gospel is my life verse. When I found out 6.1 million American women struggle with infertility, and I saw so many people of faith and of no faith being encouraged through our openness and story, I knew our experience—as hard as it had been-- was a gift from God to use to talk about Jesus. I absolutely love getting messages from people telling me they have renewed hope because of God’s work in our lives! There’s nothing better than that!*What is the one thing, most of all, that you hope your readers feel and walk away with once reading your book?I want people to know that God can be trusted and that there is a surprising life awaiting everyone who dares to PRAY BIG THINGS![show_shopthepost_widget id="3852395"]

How To Experience Real Rest

Just last week, one of our favorite authors and speakers, Rebekah Lyons, came out with a new book. Her book, You Are Free, is one we have recommended here on the blog before and her new book, Rhythms of Renewal, is once again a must-read.We are so excited to soon be asking Rebekah a few questions, so of course the Q&A will be posted here on the blog, but until then we had to share an excerpt from her book that we keep re-reading. Focused on four rhythms: rest, restore, connect, and create, this new book from RL encourages readers to incorporate these four ways of being in their lives in order to truly rest, experience restoration, deeply connect, and beautifully create.Just from the dedication page, it is clear this book is one that your soul is going to soak up. She shares this psalm in the opening page:"Show me the right path, O LORD;point out the road for me to follow.Lead me by your truth and teach me,for you are the God who saves me.All day long I put my hope in you."Psalm 25:4-5 Then on page 21, just in the introduction, Rebekah writes this:"Through study and experience, I've come to understand four rhythms that help us replace stress and anxiety with life-giving peace and purpose. They help us nurture and sustain lasting emotional health. These rhythms aren't complicated- Rest, Restore, Connect, and Create...however, these rhythms do take practice. Practical acts like fasting from media (Rest), exercising (Restore), sharing a laugh (Connect), or recovering an old talent (Create) can help us break the anxiety-inducing cycles of the world around us and bring balance to our otherwise hectic lives. They can help us cultivate the spiritual and mental space needed to allow God to bring us through complacency and fear and into freedom." -Rebekah Lyons Here's to breaking "the anxiety-inducing cycles of the world around us" that are so easy to slip into. Instead, root yourself in these rhythms and find yourself flourishing and truly living from a place of peace, rest, and strength! Thanks, Rebekah, for writing such a faith-filled and much-needed book.With love,Team LSK.

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Take Good Care Of Yourself

The other day someone in passing said to me when saying goodbye, "take good care of yourself"! Their words made me think: what does "take good care of yourself" actually mean? How does one do that well?

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF...

...means different things for different people at different times. But man oh man, is it important. Our loving Lord of course is our great caretaker; He takes care of us in multiple ways from His throne. I believe though that He equips us to take care of ourself AND in His great provision, surrounds us with people who will also care for us. It's our responsibility, though, to care for ourselves to the best of our human ability. This includes caring for our physical bodies, emotional selves, spiritual souls, and our God-focused minds.

I PRAY...

...for all of us to fight off the guilt that the enemy uses when we do focus on and care for ourselves. Don't be surprised when the devil tries to tell you you are selfish or you should be doing something else for someone else. It's simply NOT TRUE. Taking good care of yourself by rest, relaxation, taking time to do your favorite hobby, investing in yourself, doing something that makes you smile...all of those things fill up your energy tank in order to take care of others in your life well! You have to be filled up in order to fill others up.xo

MY OUTFIT

*gifted by the brand!

sunnies*| hat* | bag* | top* | jeans | shoes* sold out, but love these & these

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Five Questions With Bianca Olthoff

Friends! We are so excited to bring to you an amazing Q&A we had the honor of participating in with author and speaker Bianca Olthoff. While we have not met Bianca in person, we feel as though we know her from interview her, reading her new book, and following her on Instagram and that is because she is real and honest in everything she writes and says and THAT, my friends, is a gift and a treasure. Her new book, How To Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want To Be Tomorrow, is one of those books that you think about constantly once you start it and one that you tell all your girlfriends about. Bianca is encouraging, inspiring, and convicting; she writes in such a way that makes you want to hit your knees, praying and crying out to God, praising Him for all he has done, and trusting Him for all that He will do. Her words makes you want to stand firm in your faith, obey with endurance, and step out in courage. Keep reading to meet Bianca Olthoff and be inspired to read her incredible book.

TAKE A READ...

Let's talk about your Instagram. We are loyal followers and your posts always do things: 1) make us LOL so hard and 2) inspire us beyond words, motivating us to fight the good fight and love the Lord with all our hearts. What do you love sharing and interacting with others on your Instagram platform and what has inspired your approach to your IG posts?

First of all, I don't have followers—I have FRIENDS! I love that we are cyber friends. Secondly, the fact that you laugh at my posts SOLIDIFIED us as forever friends.But the reason I love social media is that it has really leveled the playing field of communication within social class, nationality, and popularity. Within seconds you can commenting and engaging with a superstar in Brazil by leaving Instagram love, Snapchatting your roommate in the bunk bed next to you, or inspiring someone you’ve never met via Facebook live. Social media has many pitfalls, but there’s a lot of amazing ways to connect, inspire, and be encouraged by new friends we wouldn’t have otherwise met if it wasn’t for the good ol’ world wide web.For me personally, I  know my online friends don’t really go to church. And if they do, it’s not very consistent. So I  bring church to them! Yes, I post silly things that I love, but I also posts clips of me teaching the Word of God, sharing inspiring quotes, or sharing stories of life transformation. Why? Because we have this awesome tool called the internet and we can make a really big world feel really small if we take time to engage with people.--

Tell us about the title of your new book, How To Have Your Life Not Suck: Becoming Today Who You Want To Be Tomorrow. Did it come to you right away or as you started to write? It is an extremely powerful title and fits so well with the content. Did you always intend for it to a guidebook to living one's best life? Because that is definitely what is was for us when reading!

First of all, can I put y’all in my pocket and pull you out anytime I need encouragement?! All this flattery will get you EVERYWHERE. Just kidding! (Well, half kidding.)The very first bible study I taught was on the book of Ruth over 15 years ago. I discovered that the Bible was FULL of practical wisdom, truth, and humor that could have me not just survive my quarter-life crisis, but THRIVE in a difficult season. So I guess you can say it was a 15-year process to write this book! But I set out to write a playbook that I wish I had when I was in a really sucky season of life. Being single, moving back home, not working my dream job—those were all very normal struggles, but no one talked to me or mentored me in a way that impacted me.This is my playbook for women who want to get their life together and a primer for those who want to understand and connect with the next generation.

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As we started to read, we couldn't put the book down! Your vulnerability and willingness to share your story, as well as your strong faith and passion for God's Word, are so evident in these pages. I am sure there are many, but if there is one thing that you want readers to take away from your book, what would it be? YES! Without a doubt, I  want people to understand the power of legacy. This isn’t fully obvious in the book of Ruth, but in the New Testament we see that this pagan, barren, widowed Moabite (basically she was HOT MESS EXPRESS) ends up in the lineage of Jesus Christ?! The decisions she made in her everyday effected her tomorrow—she wasn’t living for a good weekend, she was building a good legacy.If people read one chapter of my book, I would suggest reading the very last chapter. Go ahead! I give you permission. My hope is that people understand that all decisions, all disillusionment, and despair can be redeemed. Because if you are not dead, then God is not done.--

Your writing style is the perfect balance of straightforward, tell it like it is, preach it type of wisdom, with a side dose of humor that makes what you say incredibly moving and memorable. Your relationship advice in particular is always spot-on! What is it about single women and the dating world that inspires you to speak into their lives with such Truth and passion? It is such a gift!

Hand to heaven, I  told Jesus that when I would preach, teach, write, or create, I will NEVER ostracize my single sisters. I love the Church, but it felt like I was less-than, unwanted, or diseased during my single years (I didn’t get married until 30 and instantly inherited two step kids). The enemy will have a field day with our mind if we believe that narrative. So I’m always intentional to include as many voices to the conversation as possible. And dating SUCKS, man. Let’s share wisdom and stories with humility and candor so we can learn how to date well!

--Did the story of Ruth always hold a special place in your heart? You weave Ruth and her story so well into your personal stories throughout the book. When did you first realize that God had placed on your heart to write this book and how did Ruth become a central role in it? I’m a first generation American with a family that wasn’t religious. My parents came to this country with nothing, but chose God to be their God, the United States to be their land, and God’s people to be their people. That was Ruth’s story. Scrappy, hard-working, and not like those in her community, she showed up. Her chutzpa inspired me and I hope everyone who reads this book finds a piece of their story in her story. Redemption isn’t just for the perfect, polished, and pretty. Redemption is for all of us.

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follow Bianca on social // buy her book

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