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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Thank you for the reminder to frame the moments He has given us. Beautifully said.
God-fidence! I love that! It really puts into perspective where our hope, our confidence needs to be; not in ourselves, but in our Lord. Thank you both for giving me that image of framing the moments, the gifts, from God. Easier said than done sometimes, but that word picture will help. The Lord bless you and keep you both!
After 47 yrs of marriage and with 5 grown up children and eleven grandchildren, and numerous ups and downs and caring for loved ones, I often get discouraged in my christian life as to how so many things have happend contrary to my beliefs that I begin to doubt my salvation so I would love to read your books so as to help me to frame things and get rid of this self doubt.
I have been blessed through both of your blogs … and now here you are together! Awesome! Learning to ‘frame the moments’ as I count His gifts. Thank you both for sharing your hearts and your love for Jesus. You are changing lives! Praying for you both and She Speaks this weekend.
What a beautiful video, and how much glory it must give to the Lord! You are unique, amazing women and I thank you for reminding me of the beauty and value of each moment and experience God gives us. I love Ann’s statement that every experience is Holy, because He is with us at all times! Praise be to God.
Thank you Renee and Ann. There are 6 of us that are studying Ann’s book right now and are growing so much because of it – up here in Southern Ontario, Canada. A friend just recommended YOUR book for our next study (before I even saw this post!) so I look forward to checking you out more and being blessed by growing closer to our Saviour and more confident in HIM!!
Framing God’s gift what a neat idea I will start capturing my blessings and framing them I have been trying lately to give God thanks in all circumstances and Praise Him in this storm , I am currentley unemployed and have been for just about 2yrs never thought I would be in this situation but God has used it for His good my elderly Mother who has alot of health issues I have been able to spend more time with her and be more attentive and God is restoring that relationship that once was broke and He is still working on it He is teaching me to be a servant and teaching me how to love when thegoing get tuff. It would be awesome to win and her and I could do the book to gether because somedays it is hard because of her being so set in her ways she gets aggravated at me and it can really get awful so I am trusting God and trying to have a joyful attiude towards all of the things that I am going thru.
Thank you Ann and Renee you both are a huge blessing in my life.
Carol
reframing is like “perspective” which is an idea God has been repetedly bringing to my attention!
I have found your blog via Ann’s. Thank you for offering these generous gifts.
I have so enjoyed the conversations you and Ann have shared with me…I am reading One Thousand Gifts for the second time and God has so used it to wake me up and show me how to worship him and love him. Eucharisteo has become my daily word… I have been following her blog A Holy Experience for many months and found your blog recently through her’s. I am so enjoying your words…thank you!! “Framing the moments” is a wonderful concept. I’m so loving all that God has been bringing into my life regularly this year… 175 days of new insights and blessings….I’m so in love!!!
Thanks for sharing this conversation. I so enjoy getting to put a voice with a face. Technology can be a great thing. Thanks for the opportunity win these two books.
Ladies,
Thank you. I have been so blessed since God has taught me to name,…count my blessings…I am changed, and I am never going back! Ann’s book has made all the difference…..and Renee, I would love to read yours! I am a wife to the most amazing man and a homeschooling mother of 2 precious children. I love the Lord more than life and am always hungry for more of Him. Thank-you for all you do to serve our God.
In Jesus,
Deva
What an absolute blessing you both are! I really enjoyed watching the videos and experiencing your enthusiasm for the Lord. I just discovered Ann’s blog today and have just kept reading, and reading! I read the excerpt from One Thousand Gifts and just sobbed! What a powerful witness! And stories of the loss of children touches my heart all the more since we almost lost our 3rd child last year. He developed a life threatening condition after birth and we were not sure he would come home with us. But, PRAISE GOD, he is a healthy, rambunctious little guy getting ready to celebrate his 1st birthday Aug 26!!
The desire of my heart is to love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind. I love the concept of “framing” the moments so we don’t miss them. That has never resonated with my heart so much until we almost lost our little guy. I want to live each day to the fullest, though I still miss the mark at times, I’m trying much more than before!
How I love dear Ann! Have joyfully shared her book (some given away) to 336 people! What raving reports we have! Our pastor wants to share eucharisteo with his congregation! Says it will help them get their minds off themselves and on to God! How people have been blessed! We plan to continue sharing One Thousand Gifts to many more – as the Lord leads! Would also love to read what you have to share in your book! So thankful we have a mutual friend! 🙂
Oh how I LOVED this. You are heart-sisters. Truly. It’s what Pollywog Creek is all about…and my heart swells with joy when I “meet” other women who “see” His mercies, His love and grace, in the not-so-graceful moments and places.
Thank you, Renee….for how you love Jesus and carry the fragrance of Christ where ever you go…and for generously sharing Ann with us here.
Framing God’s gifts such a powerful way to celebrate the blessings He has given us. Naming the struggles that’s a cool way to identify what is happening to us so that we can go to the Father in prayer and ask for help. By naming our struggles we can use that to shape our fears, worries, doubts etc. into prayer.
You look great together, beautiful women of God.
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for posting. I love Ann Voscamp.
God is using both of you in such a powerful way – Ann’s book is making it way through the ladies of our church and has turned on a lightbulb in my own heart. I would love to read Renee’s book and share it also! Bless you!
What an inspiring concept….to name something removes it from the shadows of fear, and puts it out in the light of Jesus. Thank you for the reminder!
I’m a Christian songwriter, and I have found many ideas/inspirations these past months in reading Ann’s blog. I don’t even remember how I found it (!!), but obviously God led me there. And now – today – He led me to you as well!
Framing the moments w/ photography is such a perfect way to stay focused on God. Writing blogs is another way. And I pray my songs do the same – after all, 3 1/2 minutes isn’t very long to get the job done! (And 3 1/2 minutes is pretty much all my publisher is interested in – haha!) Maybe someday one of my Ann-inspired songs (or Renee-inspired songs) will get recorded, and I can share them with you! 🙂 It could happen….
Anyway…thank you for this moment! God bless….
Bev