Anna Rendell

If you’ve ever watched fireworks, then you know how mesmerizing the view can be. Each tiny light makes its way into the darkness, and two perfectly-timed fuses within a shell perform their duty to create an illuminous masterpiece. If the shell sits in a covered box, protected from anything that might ignite it, then the beauty it contains is never seen. The incredible vision of light it provides is, sadly, never displayed. We should have faith … [Read more...] about Faith Like Fireworks

Your weekend may be filled with family gatherings, neighborhood get-togethers, church activities, and soaking in the sun, so keep things easy with these adorable and super simple patriotic cookies! They come together in a flash. Or if you're hosting a Gathering this month, make it a treat for your guests to nibble on as they shop! Thank you to Nancy C. for making and photographing these for us! Easy Patriotic Cookies Recipe DOWNLOAD THE … [Read more...] about Easy Patriotic Cookies Recipe

Hammock? Check. Lemonade? Check. A good book? Check. An afternoon all to yourself? Check. Mix those four ingredients together and you have a recipe for a perfect summer afternoon. So why can’t you relax? Why is your mind racing a mile a minute, as usual? What seems to be missing? There is one more secret ingredient needed for this dish and it is often overlooked - a spirit at peace. For many of us, pushing the pause button is … [Read more...] about 6 Verses to Help You Rest this Summer

We’ve looked forward to these days for months. After wishing and planning, hoping and waiting, summer is finally here! Long days of outside fun, road trips, and ice cream dripping down sticky fingers are ahead of us. But before you know it, August will roll around again. We’ll wave goodbye to summer days while waving hello to routines, packed lunches, and new beginnings. Instead of dreading the eventual end of summer, let’s live purposely … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Create a Summer to Remember

‘Family vacation.’ The words conjure up images of lazy days at the lakeshore, campfires with roasted marshmallows, sleepy kids sharing rooms. Often those sweet pictures in our head don’t quite match up with the reality of a family vacation. Vacations can be stressful, taking us out of well-developed routines and throwing us at the mercy of compromise. Our kids may spend the trip bickering and scowling, or overtired and cranky. Those well-placed … [Read more...] about A Prayer For Your Family Vacation

I’m sitting by the pool with my neighbor, laughing because my kids are already driving me crazy and it’s only been a few weeks. They’re picking on each other. I’m tripping on their toys. The baby’s out of control. But we’re having a blast. Lazy mornings; No real schedule; Ice cream for dinner. That’s what summer is all about, right? But I look up and see tears in my friend’s eyes. She’s a single mom going through a painful divorce. Her … [Read more...] about When Sunny Days Aren’t So Sunny