The trunk of a tree is a great portion of its strength. The roots build a sturdy foundation underground and the trunk continues to build the strength above it. As the tree ages, the trunk gets higher and wider. The trunk tells the story of how old the tree is. It also holds characteristics of the kind of tree that it is.  For example, a maple tree has red markings on the inside of the trunk.

We’re taking a sweet summer break!

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon at the end of June. I stood in the kitchen, chopping carrots to add to the dinner. As I quartered the carrot slices and put them in the pot of boiling water, my husband and our 4 children came home from an afternoon walk. Bethany, our eldest aged 6 at the time, got in first and burst through the door. Seeing me beside the worktop, she said with a tear stained face and a wobble in her voice: “Mummy, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that I lost Owly and the good news is that I found 10p!”

As I was praying about and developing the beginnings of Hope Through Hard Times, I thought about the word hope. What were some symbols that best represented that word? As I did some research, a plant coming out of hard ground resonated most with me. I expressed this idea to my sister-in-law who in turn created our beautiful logo. It wasn’t until a little bit later that the Lord showed me the significance of that logo and the idea behind it.

Are you looking for ways to make a little extra money on the side? Want to build up your travel or savings fund? Do you love animals but don’t want the commitment of having one of your own? Check out today’s blog post for a great way to save!

As this ministry grows, the Lord continues to remind me of where it all began. He brings me back to a specific place and time, a beautiful sunny day in the northwest area of Haiti in 2008.

What do you do if you’re infertile? You’ve found out that you can’t have children, but you’re not sure what your next steps should be. How about getting a pet?

Our bodies and minds are tired and many of us are ready for a vacation. Even if you’ve been off work for a while, the stress of the unknowns have left many fatigued. It’s a good reminder that rest is so important. Our holistic selves are not meant to go full throttle all the time. It is healthy to take time out to refresh yourself. The Lord actually commanded it.

I can’t help but laugh when I think back on my childhood. I was so strong-willed in my thoughts. I knew what career I wanted, where I was going to live, what age I was going to get married, the possible names of my husband, when I was going to have children, and how many. Was anyone else like that? Does this sound familiar or do you think I was a little over the top?

How are you doing? What kind of season are you in? Is it time to step away from the routine and soak up a moment with the Father? Or are you flowing with His ideas and putting them into action?