Tag: homemade

  • Why Share the Gospel? A Personal Reflection

    We all need Jesus

    Sometimes I wonder why it’s so important to share the gospel. How silly, now writing it out, because we all NEED the gospel, we need Jesus. I know I was wicked before knowing Jesus, and I am saved for eternity with him and only because of his sacrifice. And I love telling people about Jesus! I realize now that there are people who grew up or are growing up in environments where they don’t have that Christian mom or grandma to drag them to church. Some people grow up in cults, in witchcraft or paganism, as Buddhists or Muslims. Not everyone has heard the gospel as soon as they need to from people who love Jesus, who have been called to spread the good news to the whole earth. 

    Growing up “Perfect” and Spiritually Blind

    Growing up, I was called “perfect”. It bothered me and put this heavy responsibility on my shoulders, and I didn’t understand that I could be a sinner, too. Ignorance is bliss, and I was just living my little kid life. I was unaware of the ways I was sinful, at least in a way where I felt condemned. I didn’t feel strong urges to do terrible things because I knew it was bad and I would get in trouble. At Sunday school, they told us that when we break one of the 10 commandments, we are sinning, or ignore what God wants, we are sinners. I knew that, technically, and I didn’t forget it. I just didn’t have the fear of God in me yet. Part of it was my faith in God; I knew he always had my back, so I didn’t worry much about the details. Part of this problem was that I didn’t notice my sins, or even see those sinful behaviors as bad. For example, fighting with my siblings or not doing what my parent had asked me. Or judging others, especially for things I also did. Many people are blissfully unaware of what a true moral code is, the one that the God of Jacob and Jesus laid out for us in the Holy Bible. Some people still do not know why Jesus died, that he is 100% God and man, or that he is the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament. I hope to help change that. 

    The Gospel Through the Lens of History

    In the first few chapters of Genesis, we instantly see how easily humanity falls into sin. Further on, we read about how God made laws for his people; they fell away, came back to God, and marched through this cycle continuously. We then see how prophets and leaders are sent to inspire change in the people, and how they were often killed for being different. We see how people born hundreds of years before Jesus describe him perfectly in prophecy without knowing what they did. We see cross-references and the breath of God himself blown onto thousands of pages, proof among proof that God is real and he does talk to us. 

    We see how the world comes to a precipice in the Roman Empire and how radical a simple carpenter with wise words rocks their world. We can start to wonder, even just historically, why God would send such a Son at a time like that? As a man with no honor, a prophet with no money, a leader with no title, yet people have debated for thousands of years whether he was truly God.  If we could prove this historical carpenter was just a man, how is it that we still talk about it? His name is still on our lips. So yes, Jesus is a household name, but do we truly know him? Do we know he is God, sent to die for our sins, and we are wretched sinners? I think our culture is blinded by our sins, and I know the love of Jesus is the only cure. 

    I Need Jesus, too

    Even I, as a Christian, have to remind myself daily of the gospel. It took almost a year for me to stop feeling so guilty for not being perfect, and that feeling can come back. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The problem I am witnessing is that we have become desensitized to the wicked and ugly things in life. Culture relies on what brings pleasure, not goodness. Morals aren’t popular, and neither is living biblically. Christian behavior is partially the blame. The quote “No hate like Christian love” is wildly popular and for a reason. The same reason I left the church at 17. Not all Christians are aware of themselves and how they can hurt other people with their judgments and words. It is not our place to play God and pretend we know other people’s hearts. I wish we would live up to the commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us. I know the world would be easier to live in. 

    Thank God I Went Through Hell

    The gospel should be so simple to tell others, and it is. Experience trumps knowledge, and that makes me so thankful I went through hell before finding Jesus. When I did finally come back to the faith, I finally had the fear of God in me. I understood that he is all-powerful, knows everything, and still chooses to love me. He gave me mercy after all the bad things I’ve done, and it is terrifying to think I could’ve lost that love. I could have gone to hell living the life I chose. I did all the things I wanted to do, gave in to my flesh at every turn and my desires became my gods. I am beyond thankful that Jesus pursued me and granted me access to the most beautiful and fulfilling life yet. I get eternal life because Jesus never gave up on me. 

    The Truth that We Need is Sugar-Free

    I recently had the opportunity to share the gospel with someone online, and they asked questions, and I answered based on my knowledge and experience. This person had gone through horrible things in their childhood, and they wanted to know why a good and faithful God of everything would allow that to happen. I used to ask those questions, too, so I understood. They wanted to know if sinners could go to church as well, and I told them that I did, and I still am a sinner. We all fall short, and that’s why we need Jesus. He loved us, so we can love him. He died for us so we can live. He is all that we will ever need, and it is the greatest gift of life. Something so good should be shared with everyone. I am so glad I went through some similar rough times so I could relate the gospel to someone who needed to hear it real and blunt. I didn’t sugarcoat anything because the truth doesn’t need sugar. The gospel stands strong all on its own.

    Shame and guilt will pull us away from God, and the enemy loves to use those to hurt us. When we bring our burdens to a God who loves us, we are renewed and get restored strength. I want everyone to have the opportunity to have that comfort in this life, and the insurance that we will be with Jesus in heaven for eternity. My life has had many challenges since finding Jesus, but it has never been easier. I have someone to walk through life with me, to guide and comfort me in good and bad times, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I used to be completely alone, I did anything I wanted, but I was scared and lonely. Now, even in the darkest alleys and loneliest places, I have a God who is my friend, my savior, my husband, and my life. 

    Share The Good Gift!

    I think it can be used for good to know that we fall short of the glory of God. I like knowing that I can and need to do better. It keeps me close to God. If you get that pull from the Holy Spirit that someone you know could benefit from hearing the gospel from you, let God use you and bring that person to salvation. It’s the least we can do. We can depend on his perfection in everything. We can rest knowing he has everything under control. We fall short, but the love of Jesus fills that gap perfectly. 

  • Welcome Spa Bundles!

    I’ve observed a need for high-quality bathroom necessities like washcloths, loofahs, and face pads (cotton rounds).

    In the past 6 months, I’ve been creating crochet cotton face pads for cleansing and skin care. They have helped people in my community switch to a low-waste alternative and provided great gifts for their friends and family. After getting a rush of orders for those face pads, I have started making more bathroom products to help people transition to a zero/no-waste lifestyle. These products also support me in my education as my goal by the end of the year is to continue college to become a high school teacher.

    There are so many actions we can take to help the future of our children and nation; education and lifestyle choices play huge roles in the outcome of the country and the world. We need teachers who care about their job and kids, and we need to be intentional about how we consume as Americans. Buying from a local small business like BusyVandCo supports someone who wants to further their education and those of a small community, as well as brings you well-made products meant to last you years rather than moments.

    Crochet Spa Bundles

    Currently, the spa bundles contain three different washcloths, two face pads, one loofah, and one encouraging bracelet. Washing instructions come with each bundle, along with a description of the products so you know exactly what you’re purchasing and why. Every bundle can be made with custom colors, either monochrome or a color scheme.

    $25 + shipping. Local pickup and drop off are free.

    As time continues, the bundles will evolve for different needs in the community, like teenage skincare bundles, kid bathtub bundles, bulk spa bundles, and so on.

    I am so happy to have made something I know can brighten someone’s day and life when they receive their package. I hope the love for a low-waste lifestyle grows as people become more aware of their consumption and how it affects our ecosystem.

    Give a good gift, treat yourself to affordable luxury, and help a young college student become a teacher with BusyVandCo’s Spa Bundles!

    Thank you for reading this far. Your support means a lot to me and helps me more than you know.

  • The Story of Ruth

    I love the story of Ruth. The short book in the bible about a heartbreaking story that turned glorious thanks to God is one of my favorites. I love how Ruth loves. If you put yourself in her shoes it would be difficult to do what she did, leaving her life to care for her mother-in-law. Usually, that relationship is strained, but Ruth defies all typical situations in this story. 

    If you don’t know this story it starts with a famine and Ruth, her husband, Naomi, her other son and daughter-in-law, and Naomi’s husband. All three husbands die and they set out for land the Lord has favored. Naomi told her daughters-in-law that they could now depart to their lands since they were foreigners and their husbands had died. Ruth decided to stay with Naomi, and her loyalty preceded her. In this culture when a woman was without a husband it was challenging for them to survive physically and socially. It would be easier for Ruth to go to her homeland and find a new husband, but family was important to her. 

    As Ruth stayed with Naomi she would gleam grain behind harvesters so she could find favor with someone. She found favor with Boaz a family redeemer. Naomi then helped Ruth by telling her how to act around Boaz. Boaz thanked her for pursuing him and not other men and commended her kindness. She lay at his feet overnight and he sent her home in the early morning with more barley. Ruth told Naomi about the news and they were very happy. After Boaz saw how good her character was he went to find out if he could redeem them. He found a relative who could redeem her but he could not due to his inheritance. So Boaz was able to redeem Ruth. He was protective of Ruth and treated her very well. He gave her food to take to Naomi to provide for her. Boaz and Ruth married and God blessed them with a son. 

    At a bible study once they gave us little sheets of paper that said “I want a blank faithfulness like Ruth and a blank faithfulness like Naomi”. I wrote “Unconditional” for Ruth and “Selfless” for Naomi. They loved in a way I wish all people did. I wonder if their harsh situation brought more love and joy into their lives when they realized what truly matters. Adversity often produces resilience.

    Ruth’s virtues are ones I strive to have. Loyalty, love, forgiveness, dignity, resilience, care, and cunning. She is a wonderful woman with a meek nature and a strong will. Her willingness to step outside of shame and receive a new reality is inspiring. When she was waiting for God’s goodness to prevail, she was found working hard for her family in the fields. There were plenty of things going through her head about her situation that we never get to know, yet we see how despite any fears she might have she does what she needs to. Her decision to obey, listen, trust God, and be her best self led to her having a family, a son, a family redeemer, and helping Naomi to a better sustained life. Ruth is also part of Jesus’ lineage through their son Obed. Her decision to live a life with the Lord instead of her life back home which could’ve been more comfortable, put her in relation to Jesus, the son of God who died for our sins. What a miracle. 

    It goes to show that our virtues can change our lives for the better in big ways. Small decisions can lead to big consequences. I am so glad we have such a faithful God that he does not forget the Ruths, Boazs, and Naomis of the world but rather blesses them with abundance and joy. Our God is overflowing with goodness and love, I cannot wait to celebrate this goodness in heaven forever. I hope to have a love like Ruth’s and a faith like Naomi’s. I pray you do too. My question for you today is, who are you gleaming from? When God looks to favor you, will he find you working or complaining? Will you be faithful like Ruth and Naomi? 

    Like the Proverbs 31 woman, Ruth is feminine, grounded, trusting, diligent, and hard-working. Her reliable personality landed her a brand new life from God. Her hardships helped shape her destiny and provided life to multiple people. Like I said, I love Ruth! Thank God for such an inspiring story about a woman.

  • I love men

    I love being a woman, but that was not always the case. I used to identify myself as pansexual and non-binary. I thought this because after leaving the church at 17, I remembered asking myself questions about my life as a child. At 5 years old, I was asking God why I was here on earth, why I was made a girl when I am so good at getting muddy outside, and why I was placed in Idaho. Those questions slowly are getting answered in my life, but the question about my gender seemed to seep its way into my life as a young adult. The culture was so open to new ideas and loved putting a label of identity on everything and everyone. 

    I was comfortable in my masculinity because I had to be an adult from such a young age and had little to no masculine role models growing up. So, I became my father to myself. It seems that the younger me forgot how deeply I loved being a girl, the idea of motherhood and caring for a man. Despite the labels I put on myself, I still ended up in feminine scenarios. I would date a man for a while and become his caregiver or his new mother. This happened more than once. Why was it so easy for me to pretend to be manly? Why is it now more normal than ever to identify as masculine or non-binary?

    The answer is that we don’t have Jesus. God, through his design of humans and the world, and in his love, made a perfect outline for us to follow. He gave us laws to structure society and rules on how to act ethically. He told us how to love one another through the Old Testament and the New. Jesus came to earth as God and man to show us what ultimate love and sacrifice are. But we so easily neglect such a thing. 

    Hebrews 2:3 says 

    “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”

    So we know, based on our knowledge of God and love for him, that we cannot neglect our salvation, but what about his commands? 

    Psalms 119:128 says, “And because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.”

    John 14:15 says, “If you love me, keep my commands.”

    The love of God makes us do crazy things. Jesus told us it would divide families and friends. If we love God, the equation assumes that we follow his commands. The Bible lays out how we are supposed to love God and each other. My journey from being non-binary to straight and female is a funny one. Truly, God was chasing me in pursuit while I kept asking him, “Why me?” After I finally gave in and understood God loved me despite my sins, I realized I loved him, too. 

    Because I started to fall in love with Jesus, God of the universe, I started reading his word and trying to follow all the rules and precepts mentioned. I was hungry for his word and got up early every day to read outside. God had put a new spirit in me and loved me like a father and a friend. My whole life changed once I surrendered my life to Christ. I realized I always wanted a husband and kids. I wanted to live a traditional lifestyle like I had imagined growing up. I loved men and after a harsh breakup, I saw how valuable all men are and how poorly they are treated in this world. 

    I won’t get into a debate about who is treated worse, because I don’t think that is the whole issue. Let’s go back to the Garden of Eden. Eve ate the fruit after talking with the serpent and getting convinced it was worth the risk to not trust God, and do what he commanded not to do. She ate the fruit first, and my favorite theory about this is that because Adam was there the whole time, and he had a covenant with God he sinned first. Not that who sinned first truly matters, but hear me out. He stood back while the serpent spoke to her, and he never defended Eve or used his masculine role correctly. He had dominion given by God over the creatures of the earth, he named all the animals. So instead of being proactive and defending his wife, he laid back while she got deceived. He knew what God had told them just as well. But, when God made Adam he said it is not good for man to be alone, so he made woman. Both were made in the image of God, one from dust and one from bone. He made women in such a mysterious way but also made them with lots of intelligence and grace. Eve should not have eaten the fruit, but Adam should’ve protected her. Both decisions are in our nature as humans and since then the divide between matter and opinion has only risen. 

    Currently, in our culture it is normal for women to hate men, even choosing a bear instead in a hypothetical scenario. Women do not feel safe with men, and men are then taught to be afraid to be around a woman out of fear of rejection or accusation. Men are also taught to hate women for being cheaters or greedy. The union God designed between us was perfect when he made it, and the devil knows the power of a relationship with man, woman, and God. Some Christians can see the way satan tries to separate us, because Bibically when a man and woman join, they become one flesh. The benefits of being one flesh with God at the center are many. 

    Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” 

    Women and men need each other. We are great in pairs, and better in trios with God. Women need a strong hand to pick up what they can’t, men need a soft touch only women can provide. It’s much easier for a gentle woman to thread a needle than a rough man to. It’s much easier for a man to take out trash that weighs 100 pounds than a woman who barely weighs more than that. These are simplified examples and in no way mean to betray the strength of either man or woman. It just goes to show we need each other and complement one another. 

    My journey with God has brought me to a better understanding of men. I started seeing a pattern of the fear of rejection, the lack of purpose, the demeaning ways they are talked to, and the ways they are simply ignored. God was changing my heart to be more feminine. The Proverbs 31 woman is not weak because she is feminine. She is strong-willed, strong-hearted, and strong-armed. Being a woman does not equate to weakness, but gentleness and grace. Biblical womanhood is something to be valued, cherished, and cultivated. Our feminine nature calms the man, as well as encourages him to be himself. A masculine man allows a woman to feel comfortable being feminine and safe. That is why we need each other. We can choose to bring out the worst of each other or the best. Our design was made to be paired together with God, and I pray our culture becomes more holy and allows biblical roles to flourish. 

    Ephesians 5:33 says, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

    I love this verse because not only is God commanding us to love, but He is also showing us how to love each other and how we desire to be loved. Women need to be cherished and loved, it helps them thrive. Men need to be respected, that is how they flourish. The Bible when read and understood, can help every problem subside and become answered. If you wondered how men and women are supposed to work together in the modern world, he lays it out. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us how to love and what love is like. God is love. If we remain in God we remain in love. If we work with God we work with and through love. This issue can be more simple if we let it, and if we surrender to the design God has for us. So I challenge you as a man or woman, to release control over your idea of identity, and give it to God. Let him teach you how to be more of what you were created to be, and trust me you will experience more joy than before. Doing this will also help men and women trust each other. We are all sinners and need God’s help, so there is no need to compare, we only need to trust God in his wonderful will. I pray you go in peace and discover a more gentle and well-rounded version of yourself in the role God made you for. 

  • Why Homestead?

    I keep asking myself if I want to homestead. I recently had the opportunity to take care of some chickens and rabbits, a perfect way to see if I am cut out for that type of work. Maybe it’s just the voices of others that said I would hate that kind of life since they did… But I loved it. I love talking to sassy chickens and caring for small animals. I loved seeing the different types of eggs we got each day and seeing the amount pile up while the rest of the world was paying 8 dollars for a dozen eggs. I loved the idea of doing this on my land one day with goats, quail, sheep, or other farm animals. Pair that with a thriving garden or greenhouse, I am sold.

    I think the strange question to ask is if I am cut out for the 9-5 life. Stressful mornings fueled by coffee or energy drinks, working endless hours at a place too far from my home and family just to make another person rich while I pick up the crumbs. That life is horrendous to me. How did we get here? 

    I get a certain kind of joy when my fingernails are filled with soil while planting new vegetables, or when I smell the fresh-cut grass or bite into the first apple of the season. God gave us this earth to subdue and work it… and somehow we have gotten to the place where we do unnecessary jobs to make corporations happy while our fresh veggies cost three times as much as the canned ones. And too bad if you developed a sensitivity to pesticides because most produce is sprayed with them down to the wheat and barley. What kind of life is that? I don’t know about you but I do not put my trust in men who have more money than is physically possible to work for when they tell me to eat this or take that. Maybe that makes me a cavewoman who wants to own chickens and grow her food but I think we may have gotten it twisted. 

    In high school we read Walden about Life in the Woods by David Thoreau and how he liked living alone in a sufficient log cabin where his simple life got him everything he needed. I can’t say I am anything like that. But it is inspiring that his idea made him do something that today is more radical than when he wrote it. 

    Since I was young I have had this theory that if God put us here on this earth he wouldn’t leave us without the resources we needed to stay alive and live for him. So when people live these extremely extravagant lifestyles with tons of money, cars, makeup, and every trending item they can get ahold of, it makes me wonder if they know the true wealth we have with Jesus. Or that we have wealth just living on this earth and being able to fend for ourselves and provide for our family. That is a freedom money cannot replace and it has been the original plan for us from God in the beginning. That is the life I strive to get to. So yes, I want to homestead and that is exactly the type of work I find fulfilling and worth my energy and time. 

    I often worry if that life will leave me bored, but quickly God corrects me and reminds me of books, art, children, and living outside and how that never grows boring. What is boring is the lifestyle I live addicted to my phone with friends in my life who would never care about me enough to die for me. That makes God my best friend and biggest supporter. He will always give me enough to live with and to learn. He always has new revelations in the Bible and when I feel lonely he goes with me and talks to me wherever I go. God provides, and if we simplify our lives it will be easier and easier to see when he provides us with abundance. 

    That is my goal with the homesteading lifestyle. It will bring joy and entertainment to my family, it will help me to work hard and worship the Lord, and it will sustain my family and me in a way that does much less harm to the planet. It’s a win-win. The only downside is maybe the hard work, but we all have to work hard at something, and maybe the social exclusion. But honestly, those are the people and places I want to be excluded from- the ones who don’t value life like I do. This way of life may not be for everyone and that is perfectly okay. Some people love modern technology and convenience, I am just a bit old-fashioned. 

    I am welcoming the kind of life where I put a bit more work into my house than outside of it. Where I feed children and animals before myself. Where things are harder but the long-run benefits outweigh the hardships. Where when the world can’t afford groceries and stores shut down, my yard provides all I need for food. The kind of life where my old lady skills help more than just me and my family, where I can teach and play and run as much as the Lord allows. Where food is homemade and love is overflowing. This is something I hope to teach my children one day as a form of generational wealth, knowledge and skills are so valuable.

    I will romanticize this life because I rather that than agreeing with the nightmare we are living in right now. I will not give in to the idea of working my life away to make someone else rich while lettuce, eggs, and chicken are being recalled in the stores where I get all my food. I refuse to be blind and helpless in this age, and I encourage you to do so as well as much as you can. Keep praying and trusting in the Lord. He has good works for you, it is your job to do them. Thank you, God for this good earth you chose us to subdue.

  • Giving Good Gifts

    When I was 5, giving gifts inspired me the most. My aunt’s comment at Christmas that giving gifts is better than receiving them altered my brain chemistry. Little did she know that this is biblical. 

    Acts 20:35 says “In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

    I want to be a person who gives amazing gifts. It’s in my nature. My family is full of great gift-givers, with tightly wrapped bows, thought-filled notes, and personalized trinkets… they love giving well. They think of your gifts months in advance, buying them throughout the year, and collecting them in closets and show boxes. God gives to us like that. He gives with abundance, thought, and will all the love we can accept. God tells us about how he gives to us.

    Luke 11:13 says “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

    My political placement is all over the place. I use the Bible to discern morals, and history to decide on all different views. I am not just a one-party person, I am more concerned with justice and an ethical culture. I don’t think that comes with picking one party forever. But one thing I wish our economy would shift to is a gift economy. At least at the local level, to have an abundance of resources and mindset, so when we have enough, we also ensure our neighbors have enough. A recent event I attended made me think of this. Everyone has a little to spare for the ones who have nothing to spare. In fact, in America, there is an overabundance of material resources that we waste a good amount of it in the trash. 

    Handmade gifts can be some of the best gifts we receive. Nothing says “I love you” like hours spent on heartfelt handmade goods. My community here in Idaho has shown me beautiful gifts including cheese, lotions, soaps, fresh produce, sourdough bread, jams, knit and crochet wear, quilts, sewn gifts, plastic canvas items, cards, and more. It is so wonderful to receive gifts like this that its impact lasts a lifetime. I would cry if I received a crochet gift that took more than an hour to make. That is the lasting love I hope to receive and I know this world has to give. My handmade crochet shop has items perfect for gifts like loofahs, hot pads, hats, and ear warmers that can light up anyone’s day. Shop local, shop clean, shop BusyVandCo! https://556042-3.myshopify.com/

    A bit of us already love the idea of a gift economy. We love birthday parties, baby showers, and t-shirts shot at us through cannons at concerts. Humans love gifts. A gift economy is similar to trading and bartering, where a member of a community gives to another without expecting anything in return. The idea is that you grow in love for each other and out of the abundance of love, you give to others as well. This idea can be worked on for our society, since we live in a capitalist nation, it would have a different spin. A good version of this is that every time we end up with extra, we thank God for the abundance and distribute the extra to the community, sowing seeds for the future and from the love God gives us. I hope that at least slowly, we can normalize the idea of giving as a better form of wealth. Considering the wellness of our neighbors is something Jesus told us to do.

    Matthew 22:37-39  says “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”

    If we value being cared for, being provided for, and having enough we need to make sure our friends, family, and community members are taken care of too. I hope in 2025 and beyond, instead of being afraid of scarcity we embrace each other, help one another have enough, and share the wealth. Wealth comes in more than one way, and the biggest form of wealth, in my opinion, is the love we hold for one another. I pray Jesus pours his abundant loving Spirit into your heart so that it overflows to everyone around you. Amen. 

  • Seasonal Depression

    I have dealt with seasonal depression, also called SAD, since I was 13. It seems each year as the end of Autumn approaches I become more sad, tired, and exhausted by life. I learned the term seasonal depression in health class in 9th grade, my best friend also had been dealing with the same thing. I noticed a big difference the second the snow melted and the sun came out.

    I should be better in Idaho since I lived in Oregon for years. Oregon, especially the PNW, is known for rainy weather year-round. When I lived there, I hated the rain. I complained about it frequently and told all my Oregon friends about how Idaho only has rain in the spring and winter like a normal state would. Oregon made up for the rainy weather with beautiful nature and forests all around the best cities they have. Occasionally you’ll find a town in Oregon that is just concrete, and those places I can’t stay long. I was made for the mountains and trees. My seasonal depression there was bad, but not horrible since it stayed just about the same most of the year. I also had a tight community, food stamps, sunshine, and a busy enough schedule to distract me from the rain. Turns out, that now that I am away from the wet weather, I love and miss it. When it rains I take it in deep and pretend I’m back where I used to be. 

    In a way, maybe it’s a good thing I get depressed because of the dark. Maybe that says something about me, maybe my assumption is over-spiritualized, but I don’t do well with darkness. I need the sunlight to feel alive. I am trying not to say it anymore, but my finding is that every year my seasonal depression gets worse. Because life and death are in the power of the tongue…

    Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

    …I am trying to do my best to not curse myself with more seasonal depression. I know the power of the blood of Jesus will overcome this struggle.

    In a way, this is the thorn in my flesh like Paul describes in his letters. I am happy just about all year until the sky grows gloomy and the ground is frozen in white snow. I take Vitamin D to try and relieve the symptoms, but it does no good compared to time spent in the sun. It gives me time to rest in Jesus and read, sleep, work, and prepare. It is a time of hibernation and sleep. I may be a Christian, but I am nowhere near perfect. I don’t have a great way to cope with this, I just trust Jesus will take it away from me in his perfect timing. Reading my Bible brings me hope, and community meet-ups help, having several things to attend to throughout the week. Without community, my days would drag on in darkness so much more than they do. Thank God I live with family so I have people to talk to on the bad days.

    When I do pray and am brave enough to tell Jesus my problems, I do have this renewing of hope and energy. He grants me this new life I get to have in him when I trust him with it. I don’t do this enough, so if you struggle and are reading this, let it be a reminder that carrying that burden yourself will only drain your energy when our God tells us to give us our burdens. He will give us rest if we accept it. Winter does not have to be as productive as the rest of the year. Everything is frozen, roads suck, seasonal depression is high and motivation is low. We are not machines and do not need to constantly add to this society of overconsumption and overworking. We only need to be vessels for God’s light and goodness, allowing his will to be done in our lives. 

    Winter is in God’s divine will. He makes every snowflake fall at his hand, so I don’t desire to despise his word and will. This verse gives me comfort 

    Isaiah 55:10 “Yet just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the one who sows and bread to the one who eats.” 

    Maybe the lesson the Lord wants to teach me through this is that through patience and watering, he will cause me to sprout. His will is good. I read the book of Job this January and over and over it is confirmed, God knows best and more than us, we need to trust he knows what he is doing.  

    I hope this snow doesn’t make you cry this winter, and if it does I hope it waters your flowers or your garden. Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for you, I only hope you trust in him long enough to see his goodness come to fruition. 

    Make the best of your situation. If you love knitting or crochet, do it. If you love reading, make time for it. If you are a writer, start writing even if it leads you nowhere. Create and love, be who you are because you are made beautifully in the image of God. Let yourself be real and loved.

    Thank you, Lord for the winter, thank you for the snow that I despise. It’s not about me, the picture is bigger than my perception. Bring more people to you through your word and my blog, and give them a hope and a future you promise us in Jeremiah 29. Amen!

  • 10 Easy Habits to be more Holy

    The easiest ways to stay holy are the simple habits we do every day—or should. Here is a comprehensive list of small, easy tasks for being a Proverbs 31 woman. 

    1. Make your bed

    Making the bed every morning after getting ready for the day can make a big impact on the day. It is an easy reset that keeps the clutter out of the room and mind.

    1. Pray on your knees

    Praying is incredibly important, leaning on God is what will get us through this life. Praying in submission to God puts us where we belong and reminds us that we petition God. You can pray your normal morning prayer, a written prayer, a casual prayer, or the Our Father. God wants to hear from you and know you better. Watch your posture to God change when you pray on your knees.

    1. Read multiple chapters of the Bible daily

    In my first year back with Christ, I read a minimum of one chapter a day. A baby Christian can benefit from simplicity and gradual growth, but seasoned Christians are more than able to read more and soak up the word of God. Increasing how much you read can edify your spirit, bring you closer to God, and ensure you read the whole Bible in time.

    1. Pray for friends and family

    A good friend prays for her friends and family. If you are in Jesus and practice righteousness it is so good for you to pray for others. It can change their lives more than you know. As she provides for her husband, kids, and servants, a modern biblical woman should utilize our direct line to God through Jesus. 

    1. Be in your community

    I have noticed my days get increasingly better when I spend more than one day at church. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or any day, it can lift the spirit and mind to spend more time in fellowship with others. Helping at a soup kitchen, church, or friends can make a big difference in your week and others’. 

    1. Journal or write about your experiences with God

    An easy way to remember to have faith in God is by writing down your experiences and conversations with him. This creates a time to be intimate with God and provides a way to look back on your walk to help you in the future. 

    1. Surround yourself with Biblical art

    If you are a visual person like me, you like to have art surround you and have visual reminders of truths you hold dear. Biblical art from small artists can cover your walls to remind you of God’s goodness and creativity he gave us in this world. Even just pictures of nature or Bible verses can help to make each day more about Jesus.

    1. Love working and moving your body daily

    When you fall in love with God you also find respect for your body, the thing he calls a temple. We are called to be a living sacrifice, and moving our bodies is quite literally a burnt fat offering to God. All our work can be worship if we position ourselves towards God and give ourselves to him. 

    1. Have a consistent or healthy sleep schedule

    A Proverbs 31 woman gets up early and stays up late working. And we do the majority of our healing while we sleep, so there needs to be balance. As an adult sleeping seems to get harder and harder, but more enjoyable by the day. Creating a schedule that works for your life, habits, and work schedule can save you a lot of energy and stress. For me, I get chores done easier in the morning, have fun and exercise better in the afternoon, and do computer business work in the evening. Creating a time to work, rest, and reset can ease your mind, especially when you know what works best for you. It is not a one-size-fits-all all, and women do not work at the same circadian rhythm as men do. Remember you are not a machine. 

    1. Strength and kindness

    God gives us everything we need to survive this world, and without him we are nothing. We must depend on God and renew our strength in him. That also means being kind, praying for our enemies, and doing the diligent thing even when it is inconvenient. A proverbs 31 woman is strong, diligent, dependable, and dependent on God. I hope we all strive to be more like that every single day. 

    She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

    Proverbs 31:25

  • Content Schedule Resource

    To help my fellow content creators, I made this cute free content schedule template, to share and download. I hope you love it as much as I do!

    Free Content Schedule Download

    If you love digital products like this, like and share this post so I know to make more for you in the future. Let me know your thoughts!

  • Banana Squash Muffin Recipe

    Winter keeps me indoors here in the cold mountains of Idaho, but homemade muffins keep me warm on the inside. Winter squash has taken over the house since we received three gigantic banana squash! I had to find recipes to use it up. I found out winter squash has many healthy nutrients and can be used for savory and sweet dishes. This winter squash is seriously slept on.

    I tried it roasted with cinnamon and brown sugar and loved the flavor so much. After making amazing pumpkin cookies, this recipe popped into my mind. I didn’t see any other recipes like this, so I had to make it my own! To make sure these muffins were sweet, I added mashed bananas to create a soft and fluffy texture, which worked so beautifully.

    Get the pumpkin chocolate chip recipe here!

    Organic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    With all that squash I had to make my own squash puree for this recipe. To do this I sliced the squash into 12 pieces, cut off the outside layer, greased a sheet pan, and baked it at 400 degrees for an hour. Once they had 5 minutes to cool, I pureed them in a food processor.

    This recipe used organic flour, bananas, and sugar. This version is dairy-free but can be made with dairy products in the same portions.

    Instead of making you read on forever, here is a simple recipe graphic you can download or screenshot!

    Banana Squash Muffin RecipeDownload

    These muffins turned out perfectly soft and fluffy, flavorful and nutritious. I recommend them for children and even as a breakfast muffin. You can add less sugar I found out because the chocolate chips make up for the sweetness. Enjoy this recipe and comment on how it turned out for you! Contact us for questions and updates!