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A Sure Foundation

On a recent hike the questions kept coming. We sat as a family admiring the strength of this hardened magma and all I could think about is that this is the kind of foundation I want my life built upon.

This is the kind of foundation I want my kids to build their lives upon: a foundation that stands firm even when the sun is beating incessantly down upon their weary journeys. The kind of foundation that can still support when every comfort is stripped, every rational thought taken, every dollar lost. The kind of foundation that withstands erosion from the harshest storm.

Learning Life Skills

Now that I am about to have a teenager in the house, my focus has switched from past growth to future goals. Here I share with you about a new Life Skills Worksheet that can be downloaded now for FREE.

I created this tool to help families with children at any age have a focused plan for learning and responsibility in the home. Grab it here!

Audience of One

What if we stopped looking for life to get easier?

What if we stopped looking for that trophy, that upgrade or that prize and begin to leverage everything we have for a life beyond the here and now?

Living As A Lead Learner

This one phrase I learned on my homeschooling journey spins around the mazes of my mind quite often these sun-filled days and motivates me to press on: “I am a lead learner”.

Here I discuss what being a Lead Learner in your home entails and encourage you to take hold of every opportunity to learn, listen and act.

A Greater Privilege

The passing down of stories creates legacy but it also creates tradition.

Here I share a personal story from my own family and suggest that in order to bridge the differences between us, we must search our own hearts first and foremost. As we acknowledge our own privilege, then we can live the greater privilege of truly loving others.

Casting Your Burdens

After feeling burdened this week for the growing needs around me, I was reminded that even while bearing one another’s burdens we have an opportunity to cast our cares on One who promises to carry them for us.

Anyone who has gone fishing can testify that the art of casting is a tricky skill to master and can threaten to steal the joy of the entire journey.

May I encourage you to experience the sustaining power of God by casting your burdens on the One who can carry them? What does it look like for you to cast more and carry less?

Faith, Engaging the Heart, Freedom in Christ, Knowing God, The Weary MomShawna SullivanMay 26, 2020Encouragement.Comment

Summer Round Up

Looking to keep the fun in your summer this year?

Here are a few things we do to make learning and life fun all summer long. Take an idea and be sure to leave one before you go!

It Is Worth Our Looking

How long will it be this way?

The undefined timetable of this life we have come to know over the past few months is what stings the most. How long will we fear connection, how long will the days be filled with increasing unknowns or how long will our prayers hang without clear answers?

If there ever has been a time to turn our eyes to a reality beyond our day to day it is now.

Beloved: Exchange Your Title

I smiled, but deep in my heart I felt the same way. I minimized my role. I didn’t feel like I had anything of value to contribute.

There are many areas where we can feel on the sidelines watching every one else move forward with a life we think will be fulfilling. If you've ever struggled to feel significant in the role that you have, then it's time to exchange it for a new title. May I encourage you to exchange it for this one?

Won't You Be My Neighbor

This one line, sung not stated, catapults me back to one of my favorite childhood TV shows.

With one lyrical line sung to a catchy tune, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” sent influential messages from Mr. Fred Rogers, who lived out of what he believed. What we believe informs the kind of neighbor we are to those God has placed in our lives. Here I share real stories from NYC to Texas and encourage you to think about how real needs can usher us into real relationships.

Take Comfort

Looking for comfort too? I read in Psalm 119: 50 that our comfort in times of affliction come through his promises. It helped my heart to remember some of his promises and I pray they encourage you too.

Faith, Knowing GodShawna SullivanApril 28, 2020Comfort, God's Promises Comment

Character Training

It starts in the newborn phase when you are figuring out how to just get a full night’s sleep, for the love of all things good and holy. When it comes to parenting, hands down the part that I consider one of the most important aspects, and that usually gets the least amount of focus, is the character training.

Here I share five areas to focus on, including two of my favorite resources for investing in the character of your child.

Value of Parenting, ParentingShawna SullivanApril 22, 2020Parenting, character training, character, discipleshipComment

Measuring Our Days

When the celebrations are cancelled and the awards kept in boxes, how do we measure the value of our days? How do we help our children measure the countless hours of study, words read or papers written without a ceremony, designation or distinguishing letters accompanying your name?

The quarantine season has left us all with a myriad of questions, not the least of which begs us to analyze the way we have become accustomed to stewarding our days.

Don't Forget to Breathe

So cliché, this phrase tends to lose significance.

However, during this season more than any other, I talk through what it looks like to view the very act of breathing as the miracle that it is. We are all invited to breathe differently. Here I explain what that can look like for you and for me.

Diving Deeper with Books

During any unforeseen transition, life change, time of loss or grieving, it may be challenging to find the appropriate words to say to our kids or to tap into their inner dialogue.

Here I share a few of my favorite books for drawing out discussion during this difficult time with your little ones.

Parenting, Engaging the HeartShawna SullivanApril 7, 2020Read-alouds, parentingComment

Grow in Confidence

We know it is an honor and privilege to become a parent. We can see that precious face staring at us and the truth resonates that this child will now look to you as a guide, in addition to the source of their next meal. Gulp. You have prayed your way through an emotional adoption process or a 10 month pregnancy, but the question remains, “Now what?”

Not one of us is ever fully equipped for the journey of parenting, so how do we gain confidence in our role? Here are a few ways.

ParentingShawna SullivanApril 7, 2020Comment

Lingering Long

The date keeps shifting. The virus keeps spreading. The uncertainties keep swirling.

And so we linger.

We have the opportunity to savor the gift of lingering long this week. Care to join me?

Sheltering in Christ

These unprecedented times overwhelmingly remind us that no matter where you live or what your background, you will feel sacrifice and suffering in some way. Suffering is a universal state that is common to humanity and was, no doubt, before any Coronavirus entered the scene.

Here I share three specific and reassuring comforts that come from finding shelter in the person of Jesus. I pray these encourage your heart and strengthen your trust in the refuge that is always available to you.

Finding an Anchor

Over a month ago as I planned my intentions for the weeks leading up to Easter, this week was a time I wanted to focus on memorizing scripture. This also happens to be the week that I find myself waking up at 4am consistently filled with swirling anxious thoughts. Maybe I am not alone.

In this post, I reflect on Psalm 119 and am reminded to treasure the word of God in my heart to lead us through the battles ahead.

Maybe you will find that anchor your heart is longing for in this season and begin to hide it in your heart for the journey.

Knowing God, Investing in Your Heart, Faith, Spiritual DisciplinesShawna SullivanMarch 25, 2020Bible, Word of God, Scripture, FaithComment

Read Alouds for Spring

With every new season, we can be thankful for the reminders of hope. Here I share a few intentions to set your hearts and minds upon, 15 ways to keep your children engaged in story time, and a few of our favorite Read Alouds for Spring.

Fun Learning, Homeschool Tips, EducationShawna SullivanMarch 19, 2020Education, Read Alouds, Spring activitiesComment

You know how sometimes it feels like we are just going through the motions, and don’t really know why?

My desire is to help women gain a clearer vision of God’s plan for their lives by learning to say YES to their intended purpose one decision at a time.

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