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  • Wellness

    Wellness

    Wellness: the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal

    I hear the word wellness quite a bit. Typically, this word is used in the context of physical and mental health, but I realized one day that I don’t completely know what wellness means. After finding the meaning, I quickly saw how it could be applied to a spiritual context as well.

    You see, my goal is to be healthy in every way possible — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I want my health and wellness game to be at 100 percent.

    However, if we look through the lens of reality, this unfortunately is a goal I’m missing the target on.

    Finding time to work out is tough. Finding the energy to work out is hard. Finding the money to purchase the best healthy foods is not that easy. 

    And my failings in this area had me looking at my spiritual life as well. So let’s use this Word of the Week to examine yours as well.

    Wellness means to be in a state of good health, and it requires active pursuit.

    Did you read that? 

    Spiritual wellness requires active pursuit.

    If we want to be healthy physically, we have to actively pursue it. We have to go to the gym and work out. And just like physical health, we have to pursue God to have a healthy spiritual life.

    Actively pursuing spiritual wellness will include spending time in His Word, praying, worshiping Him, attending church to be fed, and seeking Godly wisdom.

    But we can’t expect these things to come to us without putting in any effort. We have to actively pursue it.

    With our active pursuit, we’ll be in our best spiritual health. This is when we will experience wellness.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • Rest and Relax With a Bowl of Beef Stew

    Rest and Relax With a Bowl of Beef Stew

    Do you ever get overwhelmed because you take on more stuff than you can handle? I’m sure everyone has. I’m to blame for this for sure.

    I feel like if I don’t have something to do at all times then I’m wasting my time. I have my hands in several projects, but sometimes I just feel weighed down.

    God let me know in a dream that it’s okay to rest. Take time for yourself. Overworked folks can’t do God’s work or any other work when their bodies and minds are tired.

    I woke up from my dream with a feeling of peace on my mind. That day was a day of rest for me. I did absolutely nothing. I found a quiet spot, read my bible, and prayed. Let’s just say I’ve never felt so much peace and rest in my body. 

    So everyday I spend one hour by myself with the Lord. No matter how busy my life is I take that time to be with the Lord.

    Find your quiet time and talk to the Lord. He will give you rest.

    The verse for this week is Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 

    The recipe for this week is Beef Stew.

    Beef Stew

    4 teaspoons oil

    2 pounds beef stew meat (cubed)

    ½ onion (chopped)

    1 cup carrots (diced)

    1 cup potatoes (diced)

    1 pack Lipton beef mix

    2 stalks celery (rough chop)

    3 teaspoons flour

    1 carton beef broth

    2 cups water

    Take cubed beef and roll in flour. Put oil in the pot to get hot. Add beef; fry until golden brown. Then add all remaining ingredients. Cover, let cook until everything is tender. 

    From my blog to your kitchen, God bless and happy dishes. 

    Stay tuned for more homemade recipes and blessings from my table to yours.

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.

  • We Have a Great Inheritance

    We Have a Great Inheritance

    So this past Sunday, our church celebrated Heritage Sunday. It was the day we honored the people that had been at our church for 15 years or more. 

    And it got me thinking, what is our heritage? What is our history? How did we get here? And what is our inheritance? 

    Did you know that you are a child of God? You are a King’s kid! Let me explain: 

    In the beginning God created a man and a woman, and they were the joy of his creation. They were His children. But in time, the children turned away from God and ate from a tree that God forbade them to eat from. So God had to fix it somehow, so He sent Jesus. 

    Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin named Mary, and since the first Adam messed up, God called Jesus the second Adam.

    1 Corinthians 15:45-49 says the first man, Adam, became a living being, the last Adam became a life giving spirit. Jesus was perfectly sinless, and God sent Jesus to die on a cross so that you and I would not die, but have life more abundantly. He literally went to hell and back for you.

    Coolest thing is, if you were the only person in the universe, He would still do it just for you.

    Jesus came so we could have life and life to the full. God calls us His children! We have an inheritance! 

    Here’s what we are entitled to as God’s kids:

    The bible says that we are a royal priesthood, we are co-heirs with Christ, and we are called His holy people. 

    Go and check out Deuteronomy 28 to see what else we are promised by God. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart! 

    He loves you so much! He wants you to come to Him. If you haven’t given your life to Christ, here’s your chance. All you have to do is pray this prayer and mean it with your whole heart:

    Dear Heavenly Father, 

    Thank you for dying on the cross and raising back to life. I give you my heart; please come into my heart and change me! 

    Thank you Jesus; in Jesus name amen.

    If you prayed this prayer… welcome to the family of God and testify by telling me or another blogger on this network. And remember God loves you and so do I!

    Hannah Benson — known for her big heart, her kindness, and her eagerness to serve — is the author of the Overcoming Autism blog.

    Hannah was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 14, and now uses this media platform as a way to reach out to those living with Autism and other handicaps. Hannah shares tips and coping skills for those with Autism and for family and friends of those who have been diagnosed; she also relates her life to stories in the Bible and chronicles the lessons she’s learned along her journey.

    Hannah Benson can be found on Instagram @hannah_benson94 or on Facebook on the Overcoming Autism Hannah’s Story.

  • Today Is the Day the Lord Has Made So Let’s Enjoy It

    Today Is the Day the Lord Has Made So Let’s Enjoy It

    I originally started this blog in order to share my struggles with depression, how I’ve come out of it, and to encourage others to do the same.

    But I must confess: I haven’t completely come out of it.

    I know, that’s not terribly encouraging and it’s not exactly easy to share, but it’s necessary, I think. 

    You see, I don’t ever want to put out this facade like I have everything all put together, because I’m still figuring out life and experiencing new things and discovering different obstacles. I’m no different than anyone else.

    I used to put so much pressure on myself to be perfect and to have it all together, but it’s just not humanly possible. I, on my own, will never be perfect. But during this journey of struggle with depression, perfectionism, pressure, and fear, I’ve come to learn a few things. And I want to share these things with you.

    My purpose in sharing this with you and making myself vulnerable is this: I am not perfect. I still struggle some days. I still experience moments of depression and heaviness. But I also still experience joy. I still experience peace. I still am able to walk uprightly. And you can too.

    Having a struggle does not define you. It’s what you do with it that makes all the difference. 

    I want to help give you the tools to work through it, to manage it. I want to inspire you to find ways to help yourself along, find strength in God, and to truly enjoy the life you’ve been given.

    So in this post, I’m going to compile a small, random list of things that help uplift me in times of discouragement and strengthen me in my weak moments. 

    However, I want you to be informed that there’s no “quick fix”. There’s not a three step process to ultimate and lasting freedom. Of course Jesus can heal — absolutely! But when a stressful moment creeps in, a bad situation arises, or you fall on hard times, are you prepared to act?

    That’s what this is for.

    And be aware, following and using these tips is not always easy. It will take work and effort and intentional pursuit. So be ready to go after it. Be ready to chase after joy, no matter what. Be ready to find peace, no matter what. Be ready to go after that thing you so desperately need and hold onto it with the strength we have through Christ.

    Are you ready? Let’s go!

    Tip One: When you can’t change your circumstances, change your perspective.

    Sometimes, situations are not in our control. We can’t control someone’s health; we can’t control social situations, governmental affairs, or other people. And if you’re anything like me, this can be unsettling. 

    I love to fix things. When people are upset, part of me turns into comfort mode and the other side immediately starts thinking of ways to fix the situation. But, like I said, it’s not always possible.

    So if you find yourself in one of these uncontrollable situations, and there’s no way for you to fix or change them, the only thing left to do is change your perspective.

    When I’m in a situation like this, I get stressed and depressed real quick. But when I shift my focus, things begin to change.

    Instead of honing in on the issue, worrying about it, stressing about it, and looking at all the negativity, I begin to remind myself of the God I serve. And I think this:

    If God’s brought me this far, why would He abandon me now?

    This problem is big, but I know my God is bigger. 

    My fear and worry is big, but I refuse to let this override my faith. God, resurrect my faith and let it be bigger than my worry, fear, and doubt.

    I trust that God has good things in store for me; that He has a plan and a purpose; that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I am in the palm of His hand; He cares for me; He has not left me.

    This situation is not the end of the story. I will overcome it and come out stronger through Christ who gives me strength. 

    And when I begin to encourage myself, as the Bible tells us to do, I begin to shift my perspective from everything that’s currently wrong to the God who can do all things. I look to the God who is bigger, stronger, and able.

    And while this might not completely alleviate my fears immediately, it sure does make a difference.

    Tip Two: You can’t control the actions of others, but you can control your response.

    I know this one seems a bit odd, like, what does this have to do with struggles and overcoming them? But trust me, it does.

    When someone hurts me by their actions, I typically begin analyzing the situation and wondering what I did wrong. Even if I had absolutely no hand in the situation, I still pick myself apart over it.

    For instance, if someone says they don’t like me, I wonder what I did wrong to make them feel that way and wonder how I can fix it. If someone lashes out at me for seemingly no reason, I wonder what I did to provoke it. If someone starts giving me the cold shoulder and I have no idea why, I blame myself.

    And in these instances, insecurities begin creeping in. The thoughts like I’m not good enough and I always mess things up and I’m such a screw-up and what’s wrong with me start overtaking my brain.

    Then, I get stressed about it. Then I get depressed about it. And none of this is healthy. 

    While, yes, it’s good to make sure that you were not in the wrong, you can not agonize over it like I stated above.

    Sometimes, it very well might be your fault. And in that case, you deliver a sincere apology, do what you can to fix the situation, and move forward. But other times, you’ve done nothing at all. 

    In either instance, though, you can not stay stuck in this negative thought process. 

    If someone starts treating you badly, with no respect, or no love, your first reaction may be to retaliate in kind. But don’t do that! It will not make you feel better in the end.

    If things like this happen, respond with love, respect, and kindness; that is what we are called to do. 

    The Bible says to love your enemy, pray for them, and give to them. In other words, respond in love and kindness.

    When you do this, your conscience will be guilt-free. Even if you made a mistake that caused the situation in the first place, you can rest at peace knowing you’ve done all that’s humanly possible to rectify the situation. 

    Tip Three: Never lose your excitement for the future and all that God has in store for you, but don’t forget to enjoy today too.

    Oh so often we focus on the future with excitement. And that’s great! We should have a plan, a hope, and a vision. But if we only live for the future, we miss today.

    I recently listened to a sermon on this subject and it was so good! In the sermon, the pastor said that we should be content with where we are while still striving for a good future. 

    This, at first, seemed so foreign to me. Like, how do you enjoy today and work towards a future at the same time. 

    But I ask you this: how can you enjoy that future you’re planning when you never learn to enjoy today? Because when the future becomes today, will you be striving for something else then?

    We should always look for ways to grow and improve, but we should also be practicing gratitude in our everyday lives. We should learn to love the journey and not just the destination. We should learn to love the little things. We should learn to recognize how we’re blessed in each and every moment, even the hard ones.

    And when we do these things, we’ll live in so much more joy. We’ll learn to practice gratefulness in all seasons of life. And we’ll learn to simply enjoy the day the Lord has made.

    Today, I only want to leave you with these three tips so I don’t overwhelm you. But I want to also share a statement I heard on a podcast recently. I loved this so much and I want to share it with you while you’re on this journey.

    The statement is this: “Perfectionism is not a prerequisite to a relationship with God.”

    We do not have to be perfect and put together before we seek a deeper relationship with our Creator. He knows us better than we know ourself, and He wants you just as you are right now.

    So today, I share with you that I’m still on this journey as well. I still have hard days. I still experience struggles. But that doesn’t discredit my testimony or disqualify me from a relationship with God.

    My struggles make me stronger, my hardships give me wisdom, and my journey is a beautiful testimony of what is possible through Christ.

    So today, I want you to walk away from this knowing that you are not stuck in your struggle, but you’re simply on a journey and you haven’t reached the destination yet. I want you to know that even though the journey is tough, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. And I want you to know that it’s okay to still be journeying; no one is perfect. We’re all on a journey, and it’s okay that yours is different from mine. 

    We’ll reach our destination soon, and I can not wait to stretch my legs! But I’m going to use this time to intentionally learn more, grow deeper roots, and gain more wisdom. So when I exit the vehicle, I’m better off than when I started.

    I refuse to let the journey wear me out. Instead, I choose to let the journey strengthen me for the next one. And I pray the same for you.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • Prepare

    Prepare

    Prepare: make ready or able to deal with something; be willing to do something

    Right now I’m doing a lot of preparing for my future. Now, more than ever in my life, I’ve had to prepare and plan for things that are quickly coming up. 

    And all this preparation got me thinking about this word: prepare. What exactly does it mean to be prepared for God’s call?

    2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to “be prepared in season and out of season”. 

    And, after seeing the definition of the word prepare, I found my answer.

    We are called to be prepared at all times, as seen above. And spiritually speaking, this means that we are to always be ready to learn, grow, and receive. We should always be Word-fed and Spirit-led, even if you aren’t in leadership or ministry. We should always be ready to do whatever God calls us to do and go wherever He leads us to go.

    But, prepare also means “be willing to do something”. So I ask you this today: are you truly willing to go wherever and do whatever God calls you to?

    In the midst of all our preparation for the future, we should also take the time to make sure that we have truly submitted our will unto Him. We should have a heart that says not my will but yours be done Lord (Luke 22:42).

    So today take time to examine yourself. Are you ready? Are you willing? That way, when the time comes, you’ll be truly ready to take that next step. You’ll be prepared. 

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • #smallblessings

    #smallblessings

    In January 2017 I started what I like to call my “Spiritual Walk Journal.” I had always seen the importance of journaling and writing your thoughts down, so I had decided to do one of my own. 

    Now, this wasn’t the stereotypical journal of a teenager talking about drama and boys. Mine was a recording of, as it’s named, my spiritual walk.

    I started it for two reasons: 

    1. To sort through my day and write my thoughts onto paper and 

    2. To be able to read back through it later in my life and see how far I’ve come. There are often times when life is hard and I can look back through it and be encouraged from something I wrote months or even years ago. Now, I keep it and keep writing more not only for the two reasons listed above, but also to encourage and inspire those who will one day read it.

    I actually read a few entries not that long ago and noticed some recurring themes: focusing on the small blessings.

    In one in particular, I described my frustration in taking a pre-cal test. I was apparently stressing out about it, not understanding any of it, so I took a break. Going down to the kitchen to get a glass of water, I looked out the window and saw three dogs. Listen y’all, God must’ve known that I needed to see those puppies because it caused all of the frustration and stress to melt away and joy filled its place. It might seem like such a small thing, but it was just the thing I needed. I was so thankful to God for it that I even gave it a hashtag #smallblessings.

    In today’s day and age, for most of us it can be hard to slow down and notice the little things in our lives. But for me, if you couldn’t tell, I’m the type of person that likes to look for the little ways in which God has blessed me. A two dollar tip to buy a pastry after work? Blessings! Order a small drink at a fast food drive thru and they give me a medium instead? Highly favored!

    The point is, I like to look for the small blessings, recognize that it’s a gift from God, and give Him the thanks He so deserves.

    2020 has been a crazy year, and for most of us it has been difficult. With everything getting shut down due to covid, quarantine, jobs lost, plans cancelled, wedding plans either postponed or drastically changed, seniors not getting the graduation they worked so hard for, and all of the other crazy things non-covid that’s taken place this year, it can be hard to see the ways in which we’ve been blessed.

    On a normal day, in a normal year, most of us don’t see the small blessings. This year? If we allowed it, we could be blinded to all the ways in which God blesses us each day. I mean, with the things mentioned above, it could be hard to see the ways God has blessed us through it if we aren’t intentional in looking for it.

    Truth is, whether we notice it or not, God is blessing us each day, EVEN in 2020. I’ve always said that if you can’t think of any other way that God has blessed you, think about how He woke you up today. That itself is a blessing. Another example I often like to use is toilet paper. Goodness, that’s one thing we take for granted, amiright? And I mean, how fitting of a year for that statement, but I think all of us have learned that one this year for sure.

    Living from this place in noticing the small blessings is living from a place of gratitude. You begin to realize how blessed you are rather than looking at all the things you want, wish you had, but don’t. It shifts our focus from living in lack to living in the abundance that God has given you.

    So I want to encourage you in this season. Maybe things are difficult right now. Or maybe life is actually good, in which case I’m so glad! But in either case, I encourage you to look for the small ways that God is blessing you in your life, and live from gratitude and abundance.

    Catch you all on the flip side,

    Caleigh

    An adventurer and coffee enthusiast at heart, Caleigh Ball has a passion for reaching out to others to inspire them to live with intention and purpose. As an ordained minister, she spends her time ministering as a youth pastor and is actively involved in Arise Ministries as the vice president and bookkeeper as well as one of the ministers. She enjoys life with her husband, Emmanuel, and their cat, Alaska, in their home state, Almost Heaven West Virginia.

    Find Caleigh on Instagram at @caleigh.ball 

  • So Will I

    So Will I

    If you left the grave behind you, so will I. If you gladly chose surrender, so will I. If you gave your life to love them, so will I. You’re the one who never leaves the one behind. If you left the grave behind you, so will I. 

    The lyrics to this song are amazing. I linked it at the end of this post. It is one of my favorites and I encourage you to sit somewhere quiet and just listen and take it in. 🙂

    Radical. One of the definitions of radical is this: (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.

    This definition is literally what it means to spread the Gospel.

    Being a christian is radical y’all. It’s radical to pick up your cross daily and die to your flesh. 

    It says that being radical relates to or affects the fundamental nature of something; that it’s far-reaching or thorough. Would we agree to say that what Jesus did on the cross and what we choose to do while we are on this earth for Him, affects the fundamental nature of our entire beings? Is being a christian far-reaching or thorough? 

    Our fundamental nature on this earth is to literally teach people how to change their fundamentals and encourage them on their paths to Heaven. To reach them even when it’s tough, and to be thorough even when it seems impossible. Because when we are thorough, we are not superficial or partial. To truly be thorough, we need to perform with great care and completeness. 

    Didn’t Paul tell us to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith? 

    In politics, we talk about being radical, and it’s usually in a negative light. But shouldn’t we be radical for Christ? If those in the world are radical for all the wrong things, then we need to be radical for the right ones. 

    Sometimes it can be hard to stand up for what we know is right (or wrong) when all of society is saying it’s okay. When society screams to follow and give in to our feelings, we have to choose to be radical and deny that lie and choose truth. Dying to our flesh is choosing to do the right thing, even if everyone around us is doing what is wrong and pleasurable for a season. 

    We are to be radical to create change and take action towards finishing the race our Lord has set out before us. 

    Reading our Bible is radical, worshipping out loud is radical, loving others even when they hurt us is radical. If we truly loved and walked like Jesus did, we will most definitely be radical, and described as other things that can even be hurtful by those who don’t understand. It won’t be easy, but I can promise you it will be worth it. 

    The truth can hurt at times and may not feel fun or pleasurable, but it WILL set you free. 

    Choose to be radical for Jesus, because what He endured that day on the cross was the most radical thing done in history. He was radical for you, so let’s be radical for the one who never leaves the one behind. And if you ever need someone to be radical with you, I’m always here!

    Hannah Smith, author of the Moving Mountains blog, is a woman who feels she has experienced a lot of life in her 33 years. 

    At 19 years old, Hannah joined the Army. After moving around the country, getting a divorce and losing what seemed like everything, she landed back where God wanted her in Ohio, even though she fought the whole way. She is now a devoted follower of Christ and seeks the Lord with all she’s got.

    Hannah is married and a RN, but works as a stay-at-home mom to her 3 children per instruction from the Lord.

    She loves to hike, travel, drink coffee, and talk about Jesus. Hannah also has a heart to create a home and life in which she can be a safe place for the hurting and the broken. Her biggest piece of advice would be to never tell the Lord you will never do something- because He will most likely then ask you to do that very thing, LOL!

    To her readers, Hannah says, “I believe that God set every single one of you reading this apart, for such a time as this. It is my hope and prayer that God would use the words I say to change your life in a way you and I never thought possible!”

  • Dream

    Dream

    Dream: a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal

    If someone were to tell you that they were dreaming of something, what would come to your mind?

    Would it be a wacky set of circumstances that take place while you’re drooling and snoring away? Or would you imagine that someone is thinking of doing something super far fetched?

    Typically, that’s what comes to my mind too.

    So often, I think we see dreaming as something that never has or never will take place, but I don’t believe that is all that dreaming is.

    I believe that God gave us the ability to dream so that we can see ahead into the future. We can imagine things not as they are, but as they can be.

    If we were to take everything at face-value, just as you see it, then we would probably never see potential in anything.

    We wouldn’t be able to see the potential a home has before it’s renovated. We wouldn’t see the growth that’s possible for unbelievers. We wouldn’t see the things that God can make out of a not-so-ideal situation. 

    But when we dream, we can.

    We can walk into an outdated home and say, “We could do this, move this, rip the carpet out, put this in…” and know that home has potential to be beautiful.

    When we dream, we have the ability to look at someone and know that God can capture their hearts. We can look at a bad situation and know that God is going to turn it around.

    Dreaming, simply put, gives us hope for the future. Yes, we should be content where we are, but sometimes situations are not ideal. And sometimes we have to say, “God, I know you’re here in this situation, but this is hard and right now I need some encouragement. I need to know you’re going to use this.”

    And when we can picture all the ways God could be moving right now, all the ways God could use the things we go through, it gives us hope that this situation isn’t the end.

    The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18 that without a vision the people perish.

    I think this ties right in with dreaming, because vision means “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination and wisdom; a mental image of what the future could be like”.

    So if we are to have a vision then we first have to dream.

    So I want to encourage you this week in this: where you are is not the end. We always have a hope and a future, and our God promises us it’s a good one. So dream today. Grab a hold of your vision, and walk forward with confidence that God’s will is working out in your life today.

    Maddisen Sauls is the smile and voice behind the Everyday Joy blog as well as the author of the Word of the Week posts and the editor of by leaps and bounds. Throughout her life, Maddisen has worked as a reporter for small town newspapers, a School Age and Preschool teacher, and has acquired her ministerial license. 

    An avid book reader and lover of the written word, Maddisen is passionate about using her favorite medium to reach the lost and the hurting, and to offer encouragement and hope to those struggling through life. 

    Following her battle with depression, Maddisen has made it her mission to help other people through this journey and to bring joy to the lives of the people around her. 

    You can find Maddisen on Instagram @maddisen.paige

  • You ARE a Teacher; Please Teach the Right Things (Plus, a Free Resource Inside)

    You ARE a Teacher; Please Teach the Right Things (Plus, a Free Resource Inside)

    This one’s for all the non-teacher, teachers (plus a free resource).

    In memory of one of my mentors, Elaine Purkey.

    Did you know it’s possible for dreams to change? 

    It happened to me. I used to have a dream that I would be a teacher, but I never finished college to get my degree. There are a few reasons I didn’t but the main point is that I do not have a degree in teaching. 

    I have held onto the dream for years that someday I would still get my degree, and who knows, it may still happen. However, I have spent time volunteering in my kids classes at school and I’ve seen those classes, without the rose colored glasses I was looking through back then. I have also seen more of what those teachers are going through right now and I’m not sure it’s really something I want to do anymore. 

    I think that if I did finish my degree, I probably wouldn’t use it in a traditional classroom setting like I always thought I would. 

    At the end of the school year last year, when many parents were abruptly forced into “homeschooling” whether they wanted to be or not, I think it was a bit of culture shock for me. I have always played with the idea of possibly homeschooling my kids and that made up my mind that I would not be considering that anymore unless I had to. 

    Now, here we are. At the beginning of another school year where it looks like we will at least be starting off the year in an untraditional way of them learning from home most of the time. I am determined to do better this time. I have all kinds of tricks up my sleeve and I think I’m a lot more prepared. You might want to ask me how I am doing in a week or two. 

    I have heard many parents say, “I am not a teacher”. If I’m honest, I have considered myself somewhat of a teacher but not really. I mean, I didn’t even get my degree. 

    But here’s the thing. When you’re a parent, an aunt or uncle, a grandma or grandpa, or even just a human being, you are a teacher whether you want to be or not. People watch you and learn from you. You can even watch small children and see it. Notice a younger child observing an older child and then starting to do what they do, good or bad. 

    In one of my songwriting classes, the teacher made the statement that when you are a songwriter, the question is not if you are a theologian or not, it’s whether you’re a good one or not. 

    I say to you, if you’re alive, the question is not if you’re a teacher or not, it’s whether you’re a good one or not.   

    As a matter of fact, you are your child’s greatest teacher. 

    Does that scare you a little? It probably should. I know it does me. 

    I’m not only a teacher to my kids, but to others who are watching me to see how I act and react. They’re watching to see if what I say and what I do line up with each other. They notice when I do well, they also see me mess up. Hopefully, they also notice when I go back and admit my mistakes, apologize, and ask them to forgive me and bear with me as I try to learn to do better.

    Some of my greatest teachers in life never had a teaching degree. I was just telling my kids one of the many things that my mom taught me earlier this week and quite possibly, they will tell their kids some day one of the things I pass on to them. 

    My mom has taught me so much, mostly by the way she lives. Maybe one of the biggest things she has shown/taught me is how to have faith regardless of how you feel. I am a feeler and she is more of a realist so that kind of stubborn faith kind of amazes me.  

    In fact, I have had several people to pour into my life that really didn’t have an obligation or really any reason to. But they’ve made a huge difference in my life by deciding to take some time to teach me. 

    I just lost a great friend who passed away last week who took me under her wing when I was a teenager. She was a musician/singer/songwriter and took me with her on several great adventures. I got to sing with her at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. when I was 18 years old. She was over twice my age and didn’t have to waste her time dealing with a silly teenager. However, she chose to mentor me and pour into me. She spent time with me. Showing me things. Teaching me things that I won’t forget any time soon. She made a huge difference in my life and I am thankful that she took the time to do that. 

    I want to make that kind of difference in the life of someone else too.  

    Actually, this is a biblical concept. 

    Titus 2:3-5 says it like this: 

    3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

    4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

    5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.    

    Did you notice the last line of the third verse? Teachers of good things? There were teachers before there were degrees. That tells me that having a degree does not make me a teacher. Being alive does. The Bible also encourages older men to be good examples for the younger men too. 

    So I guess I am a teacher! You are too!! You know what else we are? Equipped to do what God has called us to do. I believe that with His strength and guidance, we will have the best school year ever. 

    This year has started off quite a bit different than what many of us had hoped. I, along with many others that I have heard from, have a lot of uncertainty about what this school year will be like. That’s kind of how I’ve felt about this whole year in general. However, I refuse to let that uncertainty turn into fear. I will learn as I teach. I will take what comes knowing that I am the woman for the job and I will do the best I can. I hope you will too. Nothing productive comes from that kind of fear.   

    Now, I’m not saying that I am qualified to do the job of a teacher without having all of the education and training that they have gone through to do what they do. I don’t even want to think about what it would be like to try to keep over twenty kids quiet and engaged and learning all day. God bless the teachers. To say that I appreciate them is an understatement. 

    What I am saying is that we can do this. We don’t have to be intimidated by this season that we’re in. We are not going to ruin our kids and we will all be okay.    

    Through it all, I pray that we can be teachers of patience. That we can show our kids that even though things might not be going the way we want them to, we can still find the good in it and enjoy where we are instead of wasting time wishing things were different and having a horrible attitude. 

    Thankfully, I have had some time to prepare for this school year. I have decided that since my kids will likely not be having any field trips through the school, we will be having our own. Even if they are in our backyard. We will be creative and learn together. I have also added an extra subject: Bible. If you are interested in a good Bible study for your pre-teen, here is a link for some very good and free ones! https://kathyahutto.com/https-kathyahutto-com-shop/?orderby=price 

    There is one other thing that I’m fully confident in: we will have the best lunch break ever. That’s my kids favorite subject anyway and I’m determined to rock it.  

    Please be encouraged in this season of life and know that it is just that. A season. It won’t last forever. We will get through it. One step at a time. And we will come out stronger, closer, and better than ever.

    Telina Frye is the author of Dare to Dream, as well as a pastor’s wife and mother to her 13 year old son and 10 year old daughter. 

    She is a singer/songwriter and a natural born dreamer. Telina is also credentialed in the Church of God as an Exhorter and holds a Minister of Music License. She serves as the worship leader at the church where her husband serves as lead pastor. 

    Telina loves having deep, meaningful conversations about what is and what could be. She hopes this blog will inspire readers to dare to look past what is, see what can be, and reach for the impossible.

  • A Slice of Apple Cinnamon Bread and a Letter to My Son

    A Slice of Apple Cinnamon Bread and a Letter to My Son

    To my son:

    As I watched you get ready for your first day of your junior year of high school, I thought to myself you were that three pound one ounce baby I just brought home. 

    You were so small I thought how can I do this by myself? But I knew I was strong enough. 

    You were such a good baby. Gram Haythorne loved you like no other. Pap just couldn’t get over how small you were. Your Gram Morgan also loved you as you were her first grandson. She spoiled you beyond belief.

    The love that people had for you was unreal. The love I had for you — there were no words to say. God had truly blessed me with you because I was told by doctors that I would never have children. Then, at the age of 37, I became pregnant. 

    I didn’t know God in my life as I do now, yet He still blessed me. 

    Our lives have been full of ups and downs, but with God on our side we have prevailed.

    You have grown up to be a handsome young man.

    Now, have we had our tough times? You bet. But I wouldn’t want to do it without you.

    I can’t wait to see what God has for you in the coming years. Whether it’s a college degree or a bride on your arm, God is the only one who knows.

    Mom loves you!

    The verse for this week is Psalm 127:3, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him”

    The recipe for this week is Apple Cinnamon Bread. This is delicious!

    Apple Cinnamon Bread

    1 box yellow cake mix

    1 cup self-rising flour

    4 eggs beaten

    1 can apple pie filling

    2 teaspoons cinnamon (divided)

    2 teaspoons sugar (divided)

    1 apple diced

    Add dry ingredients, mix well. Then add the rest of the ingredients (except for apples) and mix well.

    Separately, take apples and 1/2 sugar and 1/2 cinnamon and toss well.

    Fold apples into batter.

    Pour into two loaves pans then sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on top. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes to an hour (or toothpick comes out clean).

    From my blog to your kitchen, God bless and happy dishes. 

    Stay tuned for more homemade recipes and blessings from my table to yours.

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.