Reading with a Pencil

One small sentence opened up a whole paragraph for me this morning. And all because I read my Bible with a pencil handy. 

Do you have a Journaling Bible or keep a notebook nearby when reading? I find it so helpful to jot down or underline something each day. That simple action can help wake up my brain when feeling dull.

▪︎ If it sparks more connections, that is exciting! 

▪︎ If it simply gives me an extra minute of focus on the truth and something to look back on through the day, it is a blessing. 

▪︎ And for the years when chronic illness took away most reading comprehension, simply listening to an audio Bible would wash my weary heart with truth.

How do you read and study the Bible in your current season of life? 

~ Hannah

A Simple Way to Encourage through Happy Mail

I love sending and receiving real mail! How about you?! Snail mail may be out of fashion, but it is still so meaningful that I find it worth the extra effort.

And I love tucking a little gift into cards or letters... something that can continue to encourage long after the letter is read and set aside.

My go-to gift for years now has been a scripture art-sticker. So I encouraged my sister to turn some of her beautiful, loose floral watercolors into stickers I could send to friends for daily encouragement on their water bottle, phone case, computer, or anywhere. 

She did it!

Her newest design features Isaiah 33:6, which is so timely in this unstable world. I also love sending her other two designs and look forward to more in the future!

Who could you encourage with a bit of beauty and truth in an envelope?

Find Elsa's art on Instagram @handmaiden.elsa and on Etsy: Here

Shifting Perspective from "I Have To"

Do you find yourself slogging through your days with the "I Have To..." perspective? 

#1: The first step out is to bring awareness to the negative thought pattern. 

#2: Next, purposely replace that thought with a smile and the words "I Get To!" Even if it feels forced at first, your brain will eventually start to believe your new words.

#3: Look for little joys in each task! 

I also like to recite this verse while working:

"And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all that you undertake."

• Deuteronomy 12:18 

Enjoy this in a brief video format here: Perspective Shift: I Get To

February Happenings 2024

Unseasonable warmth continued to give a marked contrast to last year's deep snow. So, I did my mending on the deck, without even a jacket!

I hadn't been getting to any art for a while, but card-making from old photos was an enjoyable and useful creative outlet.

A live read-aloud was long overdue, so on World Read Aloud Day I shared a bit from my current devotional book by Joni E. Tada. Watch the replay in this short video: Here

The basement rebuild is coming along! But some old doorframes that wouldn't hold new paint set us back several weeks. The process also raised inflammation levels again - despite protective gear for those doing the sanding. 

The final touches on woodwork continue as strength allows.

Elsa launched a new sticker in her beautiful and giftable line of watercolor florals! https://www.etsy.com/shop/handmaidenMarket

A couple snows soon melted.

Dad and Mom brought home Valentine roses for Elsa and me!

A double birthday party gave us some family-time...

...and introduced us to this brilliant, new smile!