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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I am so excited about both the books!! I have been talking to my mom’s Bible group about doing this as our next study. I never realized how much I doubt things and am beginning to unravel those doubts and replace them with beliefs and blessings. Amen Sista’s!!
It is always wonderful to be reminded to focus on what we have instead of what we don’t.
Thank you.
What a great story. Love the pictures. Being from Indiana, but having lived in Florida for almost 28 years, they bring back a lot of memories. I would love to read Ann’s book.
Confidence is something I have always lacked. I was a painfully shy child, and as an adult, it is still uncomfortable to make myself initiate conversations with new people. I second guess a lot of my decisions, afraid that i will say or do the wrong thing. I participated in the doubt diet, and am starting to find my confidence in Christ. I always new I “had” it, but I never claimed it! Thanks to both Ann and Renee who God has used in my life through this! I know many many more will be blessed as you continue to minister!
I can barely slow down my brain to process these thoughts, but I know that in order for anything in my life to change, I need to slow it all down and shift my focus. That really puts it into words for me- I am driven along by all the demands in my life and can’t seem to find a stopping off place, a place to rest for a moment and regroup. Mom of 8, 4 still at home, one with Autism Spectrum Disorders, alone in this place in my faith. It helps, I think, to remember to focus on God in every little thing, in this life where I know in my heart that God is in it, that He is ultimately in control, that He loves me, will help me, is there, even when I am flying haplessly along in this life that I feel is controlled by everyone else. What can I cut out to make it more endurable? Nothing. There is nothing that I can eliminate from my schedule. What can I add to make my life more meaningful, so that I am not just enduring the days? Framing the moments, good and bad, and bringing God into the center of each one. I have lost myself in all this clutter- no passion for anything, because to feel emotion also means feeling the sadness, anger and disappointment, and it is a load I can’t bear, and before I knew it was happening, I shut down emotionally. Anne, reading your blog (fairly regularly) made me realize what was missing. Your video conversations will help me get it back. Thank you!!
Thank you ladies, that was very refreshing even to fellowship with you for a few minutes. May God continue to bless both of your ministries…those to your family and readers.
I just finished reading One Thousand Gifts and have taken on the dare to create my own list. I am only a few days into it but am reaping the harvest because of focusing on the moments. My camera is most always with me, so I really appreciate the idea of framing the moment. It makes such perfect sense!
I stumbled upon Ann’s website a few months ago when I began my own blog. I have been so blessed by her posts and pictures. I had resolved this year to see God’s hand in my every day life. Thank you, Ann, for helping me frame it for others.
One thing just struck me. You mentioned that we are dust. I took a Disciple Bible class last year and that thought that we are dust took on a whole new meaning for me. Pop over to my blog and read my post called Dust. There is such power in that dust. http://everydaymissionary.blogspot.com/2011/04/dust.html
I have just begun reading Ann’s book and have been blogging about it for the last 4 days. I am committed to reading a chapter a day and then processing what I read on my blog. I had heard of the book for months and am so grateful to God that I am finally experiencing the concept of grace, thankfulness, joy…euchristeo! So blessed am I! Thank you for sharing these interviews. Your book sounds like it should be the next one I read and blog about 🙂
What a sweet, sweet friendship you both have, and thank you so much for sharing it with us in your video. Some really good truths to ponder, about framing our experiences in the light of who we are in Christ.
Thank you for the opportunity to win these special books.
Thanks for the encouraging front porch visit. Both of you are encouragers!
Wonderful words! I read Ann’s book this past spring during a dark and difficult time in my life. God purposefully allowed me to stumble upon her website to find out about her book. It’s has been such a tremendous encouragement to shift my thinking to look for the blessing even in the chaos, pain, or uncertain moments. Thanks for posting the video and God’s richest blessings to both of you as you minister to women around the globe!
I love Ann’s blog and I can’t wait to read more of yours, Renee! God has led me to some wonderful women lately and I need to add that to my list of gifts!
Ann’s book gave me a vocabulary of grace, language with which to praise the Giver of all good gifts. I’d love to read Renee’s book, too. As an “older”, hopefully Titus 2 woman, I love younger women teaching me and journeying with me in becoming more what God wants for us as women. Thank you both!
What a wonderful outlook…I cannot wait to read the book. I want to live life this way!! thank you!
Forgot my blog’s website!
I watched both videos and just loved seeing the two of you together. You both have so much excitement about God and His gifts!
Counting gifts has helped me, but I have to remember to consciously *thank God* for the gifts. I don’t know why I picked up the habit of being afraid to thank God for what He has provided. I think it is an odd, sort of superstitious thing that if I thank God for something, He will take it away. I need to examine this in light of scripture and pray about it, because that is not the God of scripture!
Maybe it comes from Proverbs 16:18 and the way Grandma scared my mom with that: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. My mom was so afraid of being prideful! (And I think earlier generations were much more conscious of this than we are.)
But thanking God for His gifts and graces is NOT being prideful. It is being grateful to God and recognizing that He is sovereign.
Now to get that in my heart!
Renee, I so need to read your book next! I look forward to The 7-Day Doubt Diet! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing the conversation that you and Ann had. I love the idea of taking pictures and framing moments–the gifts from God! You are both amazing women–thank you for sharing all that you do with us!! Blessings to you both.
I’m really strengthening my own relationship with Christ through Ann’s website. Looking forward to picking up both books (or winning them) this fall. I work on a school, so in my mind, fall is the start of a new year, not January. I’m needing to rework my own routines to carve out some more time for prayer and devotion.
Thank you for your gift offers. God-findence is something we all need.