Happy 2016!

I thought I’d share a few of my favorite posts from this past year… These are in no particular order, but they are all my own favorites or those that appear to be reader favorites  🙂

Christmas and New Year concept with vintage alarm clock and wooden background

When You’re Wondering What You Want to be When You Grow Up

“Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck at an impasse, lacking clarity on which direction to go next in life?  Have you ever wished someone would show up alongside you, to guide you along from where you currently are to where you want to be?

Most people reach a point (if not many points) in life of utter overwhelm, discouraged by too many (or not enough) choices. This can feel particularly discouraging when we’re all grown up yet we’re still not really sure what we’re here for – wondering, just what is it am I supposed to do with my life?”

Read more here

What to do when you're not sure where to go next in life

You Don’t Want a Boring Story

“You know Syb, I think this is just supposed to be part of your story.  You’re going to be able to encourage someone else through this. And you know you don’t want a boring story.”

Read more here

Are you living the life story you were created for? The good life isn't always what it appears to be at first!

What I’m Learning About Marriage 14 Years In

“After much in the way of challenges, I’ve learned a few things that I never could have guessed as a newlywed that have brought me to a very good place. This is real life, folks – and I’m loving it!  Allow me to share why?”

Read more here

Take a peek inside the marriages of real women who married young!

Creative Ways to Write Truth on the Walls of Your Home

“I’ve often thought how nice it would be to have more options to get the most encouraging truth I needed to see every day posted around my home, in an easily accessible way.  I used to write down scripture verses and inspiring quotes on index cards and tape them to my bathroom mirror just to have words of truth right where I needed them, when I needed them. You too?

Being a creative at heart, I’ve found it so fun to expand options – especially as my girls have grown older and I want to fill their minds with hope and point them to the truth every chance I get!  Here are four of my favorite ways to do just that and I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments below!”

Read more here

Creative Ways to Decorate Your Home with Inspiring Truth

Why You Need to Know Your Neighbors (and Helpful Hints to Make it Happen)

“In reality, our God-given influence is not nearly as limited or black and white as we may sometimes think. Indeed, it’s not about where we spend our time, for everywhere can become a mission field, if we choose to make it so.”

Read more here

Here's why it's so important to know your neighbors - and helpful hints on how to make it happen!

Please Stop Asking My Child if She Has a Boyfriend

“Dear Well Meaning Friends & Family,

I know you mean well, truly I do.  And I appreciate the interest you take in my child’s life. But the time has come I really must ask – please stop asking my child if she has a boyfriend.”

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Please Stop Asking My Child If She Has A Boyfriend .... A Letter to Well-Meaning Friends and Family

How to Change Anyone You Know in One Easy Step

“Refusing to condemn someone in their sin, frees them from bondage and reflects to them the image of who they could become. Painting people a picture of who they could be, simply by treating them as such, inspires a hope in that which is far greater than human self-reliance.

This is why the single easiest way to influence another to change is to interject hope into your interactions with them – even long before you’ve begun to see signs of change from within them. Self change works much the same.  When we see ourselves as already who we are in the process of becoming, we are much more likely to rise to the occasion.”

Read more here

How to Change Anyone You Know in One Easy Step

5 Ways to Write the Life Story You Want to be Remembered For

“Have you ever thought about, really thought about how your own life and legacy will be described after you’re gone?  Once in awhile I’ll find myself contemplating the gravity of those weighty words people speak over those just passed.  I’ll ask myself what words might be spoken about me at my funeral and then consider whether I’m living a life worthy of my calling – worthy of the story I’d want shared about me.”

Read more here

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Your Parental Influence Spans Generations

“We have this opportunity now to make the most of these opportunities, but soon – soon, our influence will no longer be so innate and accessible … or even welcomed.  Just consider it – how common is it for grandparents to instruct their children in the art of parenting, as their children raise their own children each day?

Yet if we as parents begin with the end in mind, it’s a total game changer!  Right now while our children live under our roof as our own, we are instructing them in the art of parenting, just by parenting them!  Just like we are all students in the school of life, our kids are our students in the school of parenting, like it or not.”

Read more here

How to Leverage Today's Time with Your Kids for the Good of Tomorrow!

Free printable Christmas Kindness Countdown Calendar

“I am a firm believer that small intentional acts of kindness can change the world and absolutely know that even busy Moms and little kids can make a big impact …. It really is the little things that add up to be the big things.  Still – if you’re anything like me, you may have plenty of good intentions and heart to make a difference, but time and organization?  Not so much.  That’s why I wanted to post a Christmas Countdown Kindness Calendar in our home this year as a visual reminder of our goals and I’m sharing it with you to be able to do the same!”

Read more here  🙂

Grab your fun & easy FREE acts of kindness printable Christmas countdown calendar! You'll find two different versions for two different ways to print and implement that even the smallest of children can be be a part of too!

These are just a few of my favorites things from 2015 here on the blog 🙂  Just for fun, check out the She Lives Free year in review from 2014 too!  I’d love to hear your favorites and what you learned or how you grew this year too!