Fields rolled by and I wondered which farm was her’s. I took photos just in case that was the one. It wasn’t. But we were getting close. Leah and I had been ministering at a women’s event in Ontario all weekend, and now we were on our way to visit my sweet friend, Ann Voskamp.
Leah, Ann, Me
I couldn’t wait to see Ann and meet her family – who were all as unique and wonderful as she describes on her blog. Two boys hid (and giggled) under the porch while we visited. The girls sat on the swing and listened. Flowers bent in the breeze behind the white picket fence.
And a zip line waited for us in the backyard. The kids told me all about it. How their dad created it and how much time it took. Voices echoed excitement. I asked if I could try it. Big smiles stretched across their faces. I don’t think they were expecting a city girl to go on the zip line. But this city girl is a farm girl at heart, and I love adventure!
I even talked their momma into trying it for the first time!!
Later we sat on the porch and talked, and we captured our conversation on video so we could share it with you. I shared earlier this week how we talked about naming things like our doubts and fears, as well as the beauty He brings that we easily miss. How naming them can bring clarity to our thinking and invite God into our everyday moments. Then we talked about framing the moments and messes so we can see God in them and worship Him there. Here is the rest of our conversation:
I have a few gifts to share… I brought home 3 signed copies of Ann’s New York Times Best-Seller, One Thousand Gifts. To enter to win, we’d love for you to be part of our conversation. Simply slip a note in the comments below this post by clicking “Share your thoughts.”
And, since we talked about overcoming self-doubts, I’ll tuck a copy of my book in with each of Ann’s for the three of you who win. Winners will be announced on Monday. To be notified, you can sign up for email updates in that little box at the top.
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I just want to say Thank you for the 7 day doubt diet. I am getting so much from it. I wish I could afford to buy your book right now. But being unemployed that will have to wait for awhile. But I wanted you to know how much I am enjoying it and now your website as well.
I’m looking forward to exploring on here.
Thank you for sharing such a great conversation and the reminder of how easily just shifting our focus can make the biggest difference in how we approach every aspect of our days.
Oooooh, so beautiful! I’ve got to find an empty frame…Thank you!!!
What a wonderful way to cement a friendship and then find a concept of “naming the fear” that bring exposure and light to defeat the fear. It was great to see that we can find God’s Word as our source of nourishment and strength in all our struggles. By applying the truth of the Word to all our difficulties we can find the peace and joy that God intends us to experience. Christ transforms us and enables His life to shine out of our being when we are enjoying God’s Word. Thank you for your timely words of wisdom.
I have been taught lately in life we all get to frame our memories and special moments We are children of God and though we live in a grown up world, do grown up things, we must take time to remember we are all Children of God, have Gods spirit with-in us and to take time to enjoy all of the beauty the God has to offer us today. Taking a grown up time out to smell there air and enjoy the Sunlight of The Spirit
What a needed reminder ~ I pray to live this way, this eye-opened way, recognizing the beauty of the mundane and the messiness of my life because He is in it, with me here. Thanks to two radiant women of the Lord who allow His grace to spill through their hands to others.
Ooooh, I would love to win – both books on my “to read” list! Reading Ann’s blog has been life-changing for me – from scripture memory to gratitude journaling to living a seamless life, she has inspired me and impacted me so much. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Thank you so much for sharing this video with us! I love the framing the moments! I have so been trying to do that the past few weeks. Since my husband lost his job things have been very stressful to say the least, but I try each day to look around me and find moments that are blessings from God and focus on them!
Such a well timed message! On days when we feel physically weak and not quite up to par you both show us to stop and see the gifts within and the gifts without! Thank you Ann and Renee for this God timed gift to me! God is so good to never leave us! Thank God for for Ann Voskamp, Renee Swope and Proverbs 31!
Reading your email posts has been a huge encouragement for me… I plan on buying both these books, but winning them would be so much SWEETER!!! Especially here!
Thanks,
Nicole
Yay to God for friends on front porches, laughter and pleasant fellowship.
What a beautiful testimony you both not only share with others, but LIVE out loud! I am truly moved, to embrace EACH moment as a gift ~ and learn to move away from doubting the simplicity!
What a blessing you must have had fellowshiping together! After a long time of putting God in a Back corner in my life, I let my doubts and fears control me. I am now trying to walk closer with the Lord and I am in such a better place. God is so good!! Thank you so much for the wonderful articals, books, and daily inspurations you write. They are such a blessing in my life.
Thanks for all the postings…. they really touch my heart…….
What a WORD in due season. Thank you, Renee and Ann, for sharing your gifts and allowing God to work through you and minister to us who so desperately need Him.
Renee, so hard not being with you and Ann this weekend…how I wanted the Lord to give me that ‘yes’ among all the other ‘no’s’…but He has a reason…and so instead I am here looking for the gifts of grace He is supplying in this journey with cancer and chemotherapy and praying for you both.
This video post reminded me of another Chrisa Wells song entitled “A Thousand Things”. I love this song. When we don’t understand what is happening, beyond what we can see, a thousand things are happening in this one thing. I am praying that is true on the path the Lord has me walking right now. Here is the song link: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_2432198
Love ya my friend. PRAYNG,
Joy
So blessed by these posts…I too like some of the others have been hurt seriously in relationships at church. My husband is a minister…and seems to keep me from opening up with people around me, therefore, feeling very much alone when it comes to girlfriends. All mine are far away….perhaps because that seems safe? Started a list of 1,000 blessings, Prov. 31 ministries is on that list! Thanks, Renee for you openness to share with us, Looking forward to reading your book!! Praying for a very precious weekend at She Speaks!!
Godly girlfriends are one of our greatest blessings, I think. I have literally thanked God many times for all the wonderful, faithful girlfriends I have , who love me as I am am and are always there for me. I know I can count on them for prayer, for meals if I am in a situation, for encouragement and even to be challenged,
I always tell me daughters and my small group of women that I mentor that relationships with others who also love the Lord are very special- there is an extra layer, like the 3rd cord bond, that makes that friendship or relationship of whatever type extra special. Beside what the usual bonds would be, you have the spiritual connection and a shared love for Jesus which goes beyond description.
Have been looking forward to reading Ann’s book and yours would be good for me also. I visit both of your blogs when I am able. Self-doubt and striving to reframe my life is something I struggle with every day. Just this week in the upheaval of my husband’s job I did find confidence in the Lord and then I let the devil seep in when more bad news came. Today I am weary, so tired of the struggle. I won’t give up, because that is not what I do, however I am moving so slow I think a snail is faster than I am. I appreciated the video and being able see Jesus’ love in each of you. Blessings to you both.
Loved your porch conversation with Ann. Loving her book and reading it now. Two more chapters to go……..it is changing me…………planning a fall women’s group to read it………..Hope to now read Renee’s book as well. Many thanks.
Maureen Benke
Cleburne TX.
I see now that it is time to change the focus of my lens to the beautiful things around me. I have been consumed with doubt and pain because of my husband’s unfaithful actions and this is destroying me. I need to frame the joyful moments in my life, the time with my kids, and not let this valuable time slip away any more than it already has. God has given me a full life that I have been allowing to waste away in moments of fear, doubt, rejection and sorrow. I thank God for bringing this website to me at this time in my life, this is truly an answer to prayer!