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.
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So many women are sooo afraid to admit defeat in their lives. Always putting on a mask & hiding so much inside. Through A Confident Heart women can dif deep into God’s word and realize we are made for so much more!! Thank you so much for sharing your heart and God’s love to women. Would love to have these books as giveaways during our upcoming women’s retreat. “Extravagant Love”
God Bless!!
Thank you! You both are a blessing to so many!
I just finished reading Ann’s book last week and promptly loaned it to a friend at work, who asked to read it after I shared my thoughts on it. And then I found the link in my email to this site. I now have another book on order! God definitely guided me these past few weeks and is still gently prodding me along. This interview really hit home–our circumstances don’t necessarily change, but viewing things in snapshots definitely brings out the beauty with those circumstances. There is a song flowing through my heart right now: “I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.” God is definitely speaking to me through the words you ladies have shared with the world.
Framing the moment, naming the gift… how timely was this? No coincidence, but God’s gift to me, meeting me and filling me right where I was. Feeling left out, not fitting in, wondering why me, feeling guilt and shame for my less than perfect response, why can’t I be like her? mourning the trouble that I am causing, I am right to raise this flag, doubts capturing my heart, my mind, my soul. Longing for my husband who is away for work for the summer, missing my true human anchor, the one that helps me by pointing me back to God and how God made me just exactly as I am suppose to be. Thank you, this video was like a balm on an open wound.
Blessings
Christina
Oh my what an awesome place to have been. Two awesome woman of GOD sharing what GOD has and is doing in their lives. Thanks for sharing about how we can frame our every day moments in a frame. i just loved the moment of seeing two woman on the porch sharing how awesome our GOD is.
two beautiful women with two beautiful stories..and a beautiful God in the middle of it all!
How wonderful to listen to two Christian sisters chat on the porch! Could there be anything more special than time spent together discussing the Lord?! Praise Him!
Blessings,
Tammy ~@~
Praying for you as you share God with so many.
You are a blessing!
My everyday moments in a “frame”; a picture of me folding the laundry – the fresh towels that I sometimes bring closer to smell or my boys licking the cake batter off the spoon with their long tongues. Those simple little moments that are so beautiful in a “frame”. Thanks for sharing ladies!
Ann’s book has changed my life by encouraging me to be thankful for and in all things. I have started a thankful journal and it has made such a difference in the way that I look at things. Would love to have my own copy of the book. I tell everyone that they need to read the book. Thanks for sharing this interview with us. 😉
I love the idea of framing moments and of stopping to take in each day. I think we forget all that God has done and is doing and focus on the things that are wrong or struggles that we face.
Beautiful reminders to shift our focus from darkness to light: from self-doubt to confidence in God. Framing the moments – love it!
Thank you, both, for drawing me (as well as many other women) closer to the heart of the Lord.
I would love the opportunity to win both of these books. They are both on my wish lists. I love the idea of framing our moments. Since surviving breast cancer, my new mantra has been to live in the moment, and I find it suits me well to make myself slow down and appreciate the many precious moments of each day, and just breathe.
thanks for the oppty to “sit on the porch” with the 2 of you – I have been so blessed by Ann’s book and excited to read Renee’s too~ Still ‘in process’ by His grace,
~C
I have SO enjoyed and grown spiritually and emotionally through reading Ann’s book, one thousand gifts. I just can’t begin to tell you the depth of gratitude I feel for the revelations that have come … revelations that I wish had come much earlier in my life. I am finally able to see all of my life as a blessing … knowing that God uses all things for good, and I am finally able to truly trust Him as never before and not feel anxious about anything! I know He loves me. I know He wants the best for me. And if His blessings must come through tears, that’s fine with me, too, for I know His grace is sufficient and I know that He gives me all the strength I need. It is SO freeing! Add to all of that, the beauty of Ann’s writing and her book is such a truly precious gift in itself … given to all who will simple “eat of it” by God Himself through Ann. I have given so many of the people in my life a copy of Ann’s book, and, with very little effort, I can think of at least a dozen more of whom I would like to share the book if I could afford it. One is my sister-in-law whose 25-year-old son was killed in a motor cycle accident 4 years ago. He would be 29 on the 27th of this month had he lived. I just know that she would appreciate this book and that it would minister to her broken heart. I would SO appreciate getting a free copy. I also enjoyed these interviews, and now I only wish for time to be able to read your books as well! 🙂
Realizing that I need to properly frame each moment of each day…..and then have the COURAGE and CONFIDENCE to hang that frame up and look at it. Thank you!
I never realized how much I don’t frame the events in my daily life and give God the glory. Thank you Ann for that eye-opener. I feel like I am out there all alone to fend for myself. Renee’s book and her 7-day Doubt Diet have opened a ‘locked’ part of me that I have struggled with for years, but especially in the last year. I beat myself of all the time with ‘un-Godly’ thoughts that I render myself ineffective and unable to move forward because of self doubt. NO MORE! I am not the only one who struggles with this! Thank you Renee for ‘walking’ me through this journey back to trusting in Christ alone for ALL things.
With a grateful heart <3
Leslie
I am truly grateful to God that after so many years of struggling with a very low self esteem I finally get to learn so much about confidence from women who are so mature and rooted in His word.Ur friendships also inspire me so much,I now wanna become a better friend to the friends God has blessed me with…Thank u so much for allowing God to use u so mightily,influencing the lives of so many women around the world.Be blessed
Writing the moments in a journal truly makes praising Him so easy. I started making my list last week and can see how awesome God is in even the tiny things.