Last month, my friend Erin and I created an 8-day email devotional, Abundant Love. Each morning we sent a little love note containing a Bible verse, reflection, questions for pondering and a spiritual practice to try. It’s been our hope from the beginning that the devotionals would remind readers of God’s unconditional love, and God’s call to share that love with others. If you missed the devotional the first time, you can access all the devotionals here.   

"Lent teaches us to hold postures of hope in the face of despair. Lent, I believe, calls to us to keep moving forward and saying together, We have to go through it. When we reach the final days of Lent, we are met not by what we’ve done or accomplished but rather by the work God has done on the cross. Lent shows us through the cross that death doesn’t have the final word.” Read more for simple practices you can do this Lent from my latest for Living Lutheran. 

"This month, take time to sing together over a meal, during playtime or before bed. Worry less about perfect pitch and more about forming a habit your kids will love. Be inspired by the knowledge that to sing our faith is to connect with the God who first sang us into creation.” Read more from my latest Growing Together column from Living Lutheran. 

What’ I’m reading: Kristin Hannah’s newest book, The Four Winds, is breathtaking and heart wrenching. It’s opened my eyes to a period in history known as the Dust Bowl that I knew little about.

I also devoured 12 Tiny Things: Simple Ways to Live a More Intentional Life by Heidi Barr and Ellie Roscher. The premise of the book is that there are tiny things we can do throughout our days that can open up growth and renewal. One practice I’ve incorporated into my days is simply going outside for a few moments and looking up. Sounds simple, right? But it makes a difference and helps reframe my days. 

For Lent this year our family is marking the season learning about the different names of God thanks to Little Great Design Co’s Lenten Paper Chain and Devotional Cards. Over dinner, we read from our Spark Storybook bible, learn a name for God, and say a prayer. Simple, but meaningful.  

I’m excited to be starting a very part time job with the Exhale online community through Coffee + Crumbs. Exhale is an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, for the enrichment of both experiences. I’m their new community engagement manager so I get to do my favorite things: encourage and support others in their creativity and mothering. 

Are you in a cooking rut? My go-to winter recipe is this cauliflower curry from Pinch of Yum. It’s so easy to make in your instant pot and it’s devoured by everyone in our home. Which is no small feat!