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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Wow, wonderful weblog format! How long have you ever been blogging for? you made blogging glance easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, as smartly as the content!
Thank you and Ann, both, for giving so much of your lives, passions, and loves to serving women. May His name be glorified in your works!
New to both these wonderful blogs and feeling blessed to be led to these books.Wonderful lessons from wise women. Thank you for offering these giveaways and sharing your journey.
I just read this poem by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (author of Gift from the Sea) and immediately thought about your conversation about framing God’s gifts. It was another reminder for me that even though life can seem dark and hopeless, we need the space to step back and frame what God has given us, because it IS always GOOD (even if we can’t see that clearly). Please share this with Ann, since I can’t post it to her site. The poem reminds me of her poetic prose. Thanks!
Space, by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
For beauty, for significance, it’s space
We need; and since we have no space today
In which to frame the act, the word, the face
Of beauty, it’s no longer beautiful.
A tree’s significant when it’s alone,
Standing against the sky’s wide open face;
A sail, spark-white upon the space of sea,
Can pin a whole horizon into place.
Encompassed by the dark, a candle flowers,
Creating space around it as it towers,
Giving the room a shape, a form, a name;
Significance is born within the frame.
A word falls in the silence like a star,
Searing the empty heavens with the scar
Of beautiful and solitary flight
Against the dark and speechless space of night.
Hi! I just wanted Ann to know her book has blessed me so much..the whole of what I felt after reading it was..God is soo good..he is soo Good!! I even read the whole book twice – something I hardly ever do!!! I am a pastor’s wife, mom to 6 also, and I am mennonite – although i do have a driver’s license, a microwave, and even the internet!! God bless you so much!!
I am a channel of His life… I’ve never Thot of myself that way, thx.
Oh, speaking of not “measuring up”, my theme has been: Never enough. That’s a lie Satan has successfull seered into my mind and on my heart for so many years. “You’ll never be good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, successful enough. You’re not enough – not enough for your husband, for your friends, for your family, your profession. Try harder, work harder, say “yes”, don’t upset anyone, try to be all things to all people. Or, you can just give up. Don’t bother trying, because you’re not enough. You never will be.” How often have I replayed those phrases in my mind. I am so thankful for your scripture confessions today. I’m going to print them and read them daily.