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.
Thank you ladies so much for reminding me to ‘frame the moments.” Blessings.
Came over from Ann’s blog, and I have her book (but I could give it to another of course!) but I need yours! When we moved here (Santa Barbara, CA) in 2008 God was going to do a new work. He gave me a new name: confidence. Oh my, only he could bring that about in me, but praise God, he’s at work on it! I read through your 7 Day Doubt Diet through Proverbs 31 ministries, just hadn’t clicked over to read your blog yet, but I think I’ll subscribe. Blessings, Beth
Thank you for blessing our lives with your time, your grace and companionship through your blog and books. God’s grace flowing through you, is a gift,
I put my spiritual armor on this morning, I really did. One of the “panels” that makes the shield of faith is the statement, “I am who God says I am: adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven and redeemed.”
I believe this because it is from God, about me. Not because I feel like it.
Because it’s truth. Rock solid.
Framing the moments, like you mentioned in your video,which I loved watching, seems to be like the conduit in my life to believing I am adopted, blessed, chosen, forgiven and redeemed. It’s a holy lens to seeing, to being grateful, to appreciating instead of whining and complaining..
LIfe is not about wanting out of where you are, or what your eyes may be seeing, it is becoming more aware of WHO is with you and shifting your vision, some times, just a tad, to see LIGHT.
Praise be to the One Who made us, fashioned us, and loves us, though we are “but dust.”
Praise God for sisters in Christ, like you two, who God used this scorcher day, to breath life into my soul.
Blessings!!
I came across the website from the “Holy Experience” website. I, too, added One Thousand Gifts to my wish list. I am definitely at a point in my life where I’m trying to get closer with God. I’m grateful for all of the inspiration that I’ve been able to find on your website!
I have just begun to know “A Holy Experience” in the past 2 weeks, and have been so blessed already. As a Christian counselor, I often counsel people to be mindful of the little ways–all of them–in which God speaks and moves through each one. Every day IS a gift! I have already told many of my clients to check out this webpage, as we seek to recognize God in the everyday, even mundane things; and to be thankful.
“A Confident Heart” speaks to my own struggles, as well as so many of my clients. How we often struggle with self doubt!
And yet, God is in the midst of our daily days, eager to pour into us His grace and mercy.
I am very excited about BOTH of these resources as I hope to minister to those who are hurting.
Thank you so much!
Hi Ann and Renee, I so enjoyed your visit on the porch. My heart has often taken me to the farm after I read and see your beautiful blog, Ann. Please allow my confession. Ann’s words of her daughter in the wheat field brought the tears. I always read her words aloud, as I do poetry. The reading and reflecting to piano music, be it on a sunny morning or in the wee hours, becomes a time of worship in my kitchen.
Though I’d always been grateful for God’s gifts, a life-changing accident over 7 years ago taught me to treaure life more deeply than I’d ever known. Not only did God save me, He blessed me with a niagara of writing and creativity for His purpose. I’m not sure exactly how yet, but God has been speaking to me about using Ann’s book in seminars I do regarding letters. I would love a copy of Ann’s book, as well as your wonderful book, Renee. I hope to meet each of you sisters someday. Thank you both for all the holy experiences. Much joy!
Thanks for sharing this with us! We can all use “Godfidence” in our lives!! God bless both of you for what you do and what you share with others.
Just discovered One Thousand Gifts and Ann’s blog recently. I have the book in my wish list on Amazon! I am so grateful that God lead me here and is helping me to stop being stuck in the mire of this world and is helping me to see his glory, grace, mercy, and love that is literally everywhere around me. Praying that I will continue growing into someone overwhelmed with joy! Thank you for the gracious giveaway!
Love watching you listen and talk about God, Ann. Your excitement and love for the Lord is contagious! Also was fun to see you both zip lining! You go girls!
Thanks for letting us sit on the porch with you. 🙂
You are so inspiring, thank you!
On Friday, July 15, 2011, my daughter Lindsey and her husband Stephen named their gift “Samuel Job”. He was born 8 weeks early, and we held him and kissed him and gave him back to God for safekeeping until we see him again in heaven. Lindsey had been the first to read Ann’s book with her church friends as a book club, and then gave it as a gift to her friend Kristin whose child had lived only 17 minutes. They cried and prayed together, and gave thanks for God’s gifts. Then my daughter Laura and Leslie starting reading, and two days before Lindsey and Stephen were told they would not get to keep Samuel with them in this life, Laura posted this quote on Facebook as an encouragement to Leslie, who was struggling with difficult days on her summer job:
“We have no knowledge of good and evil apart from God. My seeing, it is not omniscient. Can I really see if a death, disaster, dilemma, is actually evil? Mine is only to faithfully see His Word and wholly obey Him in this. Murmuring thanks isn’t to deny that an event isn’t a tragedy and neither does it deny that there’s a cracking fissure straight across the heart……Giving thanks is only this: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God.” Ann Voskamp
Just a week earlier, I had also started reading Ann’s book and bought a copy for my mother-in-law so we could learn to be thankful together. And so the 34th entry on my list became “Samuel Job, 4 lb. 13 oz., with Jesus. ”
My son-in-law prayed in the hospital delivery room, giving thanks to God for their son, and that their prayers had been answered that he would have a deep knowledge of Jesus from an early age – His unwavering faith was another gift to me that day.
Going through loosing my job and having health issues has really made me stop and reflect on where I am with my life and my walk with the Lord. As a artist at heart I do look at the small things, the details and love using my camera to capture life’s details. God is all around us and we usually are to busy to stop, look and bless our world. I desire to have more guidance on getting my life back on track. I have been enjoying receiving “A Holy Experience.” I’ve been interested in the book, feeling that if its as good as the blog then it must be a must read in my life. Who ever is blessed by a copy will grow in their walk. Thanks for offering this special gift. I also love the music on the blog, thanks.
A timely reminder that when I pour out my heart, I’m not just pouring I’m also receiving…
What a blessing God gives us in cherished friends!
Thank you both for sharing the gifts God has given. By faith, all that we have been given is a gift. I am enjoying recording those moments. I’m up to # 13…:)
Framing our moments brings beauty to those moments leading to worship the author of all beauty…This conversation just helped me to realize how my daughter and daughter in law practice this, framing moments and bringing beauty into their homes, which leads to that unexpected response of calm, peace, joy, even surprise…making their homes reflect the glory of God! Great conversation. Thank you.
you both have such a beautiful way with words & i am ever thankful to God that you share with each of us. I have learned so much from your 7 day devotion & Ann’s webiste. Both book are on the TOP my wish list. thank you for answering your call!
thanks for women like you two, ministering to all of us and uniting us in the name of Jesus.
The wonder and glory there is when we realize the gift of living inside His Masterpiece! Thank you both for your ministry, and for encouraging us in this way.
Thank you for these special videos. It is always great to see and hear, rather than only read. I feel like I was there with you.
I, too have picked up my camera to record some of those special visuals that reveal God.
I love the camera lens approach, to find the best perspective and capture the most light.. Fun to see your excitement! Much love..:)
I am so thankful for women who love God and welcome Him into their lives. It is a blessing to share Him. Thank you for telling us how He shows Himself over there in your corner of the world! Your experiences in Him are so encouraging over here in my little corner. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing! Porches are such wonderful places for conversation. Thanks for the chance for the giveaway. Would love to read your book. I struggle daily with self confidence.
I would love to win a copy of these books. What a gift to linger with a good friend on a porch on a summer day talking about our wonderful God!
Thank for sharing! So true and beautiful!
Thank you for reminding me to enjoy the gift of every day moments.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Ann and Renee for your encouraging words. I am so excited and humbled to be a part of God’s moments, learning to frame these holy experiences. Look forward to reading these books!
Blessings over you both,
Tiffany
so beautiful! thank you. 🙂
Beautiful!
I love, too, that the Lord can help us to RE-frame the *old* as well. To be able to look back and see the beauty – and His glory – in the memories and the messages from long ago.
I think of all of the monuments and altars God’s people were told to build throughout the OT. He was framing the moment for them – Look at, and remember, what I have done and what I did *here*.
Loved watching this!
~Kari
Thank you! For this.. the conversation.. and the opportunity!!!
Blessings!
Wendy S.
I have lost count of how many 1,000 Gifts books I’ve given away. In fact, I just asked my husband to pick one up while he’s out for a birthday gift for a friend. My life has been changed and refocused. When the kids are fighting, my husband hasn’t met my expectations or I’m feeling disappointed I am learning to thank God. To believe God is both good and sovereign is something I need to oft be reminded of. And loved the article by Ann in World Magazine. Looking forward to reading Rennes’ book also.
Still counting….toward 1000.
Still praying to overcome my doubts and believe God……maybe your book could help me.
Thank you for offering your words,
Ashley
Walking the wheat fields with Ann this morning and find my friend Renee. Enjoyed your conversation so much. I’ve framed so many gifts and the Giver is relentless in His generosity! I’ve given away more of Ann’s books than I can count…family, friends, teachers…the only safe copy around here is on my Kindle. I say this not to boast, but to be humbled because the gift has been returned so many times. The journey of counting and framing A Thousand Gifts is surrounding me on all sides, reminding me of the beauty even when my lenses are out of focus. Precious gift. I do not have a signed copy and I would love to read yours as well. Thank you, my friend. Your heart is gift to so many.
It is a gift(!) to listen in on the conversation with you and Ann. As I hear my girls giggling together in the other room, u can feel the urge to frame the moment with gratitude. Thank you.
Hi there!
So thankful for the both of you and the gift of writing that the Lord has blessed you with so abundantly! I’ve read One Thousand Gifts and looking so forward to diving into A Confident Heart. You’re hearts for the Lord shine through your words and your excitement in your conversation together. What an example and blessing to me!
So grateful for women of the faith, for you two, who share and encourage and inspire others in Him. You both are such treasures. Bless you for sharing this with us. Bless you for walking this path along side us all. You are true beauty.
I have only recently found both Proverbs 31 and A Holy Experience Websites. What a blessing!! Thank you for being faithful to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and ministering to women who desire to draw closer to Him!
What a treasure to listen as you and Ann visit on her porch…God is indeed with us in every life moment.
Thank you so much for sharing your time together with us. I hear my camera calling!
Thanks for sharing! Trying always to see through Godly frames here.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. I love the thought of “framing”each moment in our life so we can acknowledge and worship the Creator who created them for us. Such a blessing to have found both your blogs.
Blessings!!
Timely words for me today, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your deep hearts and your words and witness. I am a former Latin teacher, so I am well aware of the nuances of the language of eucharisteo, but Ann’s imagistic narrative added a dimension of the meaning to my faith in a very immediate and visceral way. The Greek word for “fool” is nepos, the negative before epos which means story. (we get epic from this root.). In the Classical world, a fool was someone who did not yet know the Story. You have reminded me of the importance of the Story, and that I am in it. Many warm thanks.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful conversation. My life is changing because of these truths.
All for His glory!!!!
thank you so much for these videos and for sharing your conversations with us – it was a huge blessing – i may have to watch them again and again because the truths buried inside are so powerful – thanks again
rebecca j
By God’s grace I am beginning to learn these truths you were sharing about. Thanks for being disciples to all of us who are searching for more of God! May he richly bless you with more of the only true treasure, Himself.
Learning to daily enjoy the little blessings! My four year old Eli just wanted me to “get that moth on the wall” for him. He loves to let insects crawl on him and watch them 🙂
God blesses us in so many ways. Let’s not miss Him!
I am continually learning to “frame moments” and to know in my heart how God sees us and puts things into perspective for us in the simple things, a smile from our children, the breeze blowing across the tips of grass, the beautiful colors of a rainbow that He painted just for us and we are part of that. My heart is troubled and yet I have comfort because I know that in the midst of chaos God is there. His perspective has touched my heart. I have been struggling with self doubt for as long as I can remember and…. still at 49 Satan creeps in and brings thouse doubts to mind. I am looking forward to the Bible Study in September “A Confident Heart”. You ladies are such a blessing in my life and I am so thankful that you both are sensitive to allowing God to speak through you to millions of women just like me. Yes Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so. Thank you and God bless you and your ministry!
I adored the conversation. But the actions of the zipline, joy spoke louder. Fear not. Find joy. Thanks for sharing the blessings!