by Janel Breitenstein | Dec 13, 2019 | Discussion Questions, Holidays; Occasions, Printables and Freebies, Questions to take your relationships deeper, time alone with God
I’ve shored myself in tonight for something I’ve looked forward to for a month and a half: a chance to be alone with some Christmas reflection questions. (A chance to be alone, period.) For my birthday, my husband got me a personal retreat. And the timing...
by Janel Breitenstein | Dec 5, 2019 | children, Family, Holidays; Occasions, kids, motherhood, Parenting, stress
A friend asked me today on email how my Advent was going. I may have remarked it was still tightly sealed with the rest of the decor in the garage. My lack of decorating thus far allows me to ignore the fact that I would like to be preparing my heart. I reflected to...
by Janel Breitenstein | Nov 25, 2019 | free download, Holidays; Occasions, Printables and Freebies, shareables
Happy Thanksgiving! I love that we still celebrate a day of gratitude. I don’t want to hop over it in my scurry on to Christmas. I’m hoping for more than a quick, compulsory burst of gratitude tending to last five minutes over some corn muffins. I’m...
by Janel Breitenstein | Nov 23, 2019 | challenging, closeness and intimacy, closeness; intimacy, community, friendships, relationships, women
Ever feel like “real” friendships aren’t worth the risk? Back when I was sporting a baby bump (still in the “Is she chubby or pregnant?” phase)—I found out that my third-born was a girl. There in my then-testosterone-dominated household, pint-sized...
by Janel Breitenstein | Nov 15, 2019 | Africa, beauty, challenging, children, difficulty, Family, kids, poverty, practical, prayer
1. The running list. At dinner each night of November, see if your family can collectively think of 10 more things you’re thankful for. Keep a running list. 2. Turkey day decor. A vase filled with your list written on slips of paper, or written scrawled on kraft paper...
