From Frazzled to Fun

At the risk of upsetting a few people, I feel because of information I learned from three sources that all came to me on the same day this last week (I don't think that was by chance?), that I must bring up a question for consideration that is pertinent to all moms...

Is it in my child's best interest to be vaccinated with the recommended childhood vaccines?

If I had it to do all over again, I would take the time to find the answer to that question by doing more research (how much did I do when my children were young? None) before allowing my children to receive the battery of recommended vaccines at each age and stage.

I simply want to inform you of resources I have recently seen that might aid you in your research:

•  Turtles all the Way Down: Vaccine Science and Myth is a book has been called a one-stop shop for understanding the science behind the vaccine debate. Reviewers appreciated it regardless of their stance. The book touts 1,240 references of...

"God's children are not for sale." The movie Sound of Freedom has this phrase as it's anthem.

May that anthem be loud and clear as we show up in droves July 4 and after to support this movie, produced by Angel Studios, the makers of the Chosen series.

Sound of Freedom is based on the gripping true story of a man’s mission, in spite of overwhelming dangers and sacrifices, to rescue children from the darkest corners of the world.

This action-packed drama, starring Jim Caviezel, shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it.

The movie addresses the reality of child sex trafficking in a nuanced and creative way that doesn’t show outright sexual abuse or rape, but all of those are implied.

Because of the mature content, this movie is most appropriate for teens and older.

Despite the heavy subject, a common thread throughout the movie is that...

Click here to play Imago Dei. 

Here's one way you can stand for your children today.

The enemy knows that one of the easiest ways to keep our children from living out their destinies is to deceive them about their identity.

The enemy only comes to steal, kill, and destroy each life.

Especially this month with the promotion of gender confusion at every turn, it's important to talk with our children about how beautifully and wonderfully made they are.

Continuously remind them

• God made them
• God loves them
• God sees them
• God has gifted them to do great things

I encourage you to play this beautiful song, Imago Dei, by Sean Feucht over your children as you tuck each one of them into bed tonight.

Imago Dei so powerfully reminds us we are made in the image of God, and the beautiful music will touch you to your inner being.

Sean Feucht has been a major prayer warrior and advocate for the life of the unborn, and he wrote the song before the overturn of Roe...

Would you like to fly to visit a family member or friend this summer, but don't think you can swing it financially?

Yes, airline prices have gone up (along with everything else), but there are still deals out there from airlines like Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier. Even United Airlines has jumped into the low-cost ring with a personal-bag-only option.

Check out this seven minute video with my best strategies, which have worked for me now on almost 30 backpack-only cheap trips.

At first I couldn't imagine how I could survive a trip with only my backpack, but 8 years ago this mama hurdled that obstacle when my son was the lead in his college's musical, and I realized I could make do with a lot less than I thought.

One year with this strategy we even were able to afford to fly 7 of us in to see him in another musical!

One bonus tip that I don't think I mentioned in the video: Check in for your flight just two hours before the...

Just a quick post to let you know about a resource that is available to watch for free this weekend.

So many people these days are getting diagnosed with cancer.

As we love and care for our families and friends, it is encouraging to be able to share with them that there are people who have beat cancer using affordable, non-invasive treatments that strengthened their overall immune system instead of tore it down.

We as mamas can learn in the anti-cancer diet modules  about good foods we can feed our family to build strong immune systems, whether anyone in our family has cancer or not.

I so appreciate Chris Wark, "Chris Beat Cancer", and what he has put together. What the enemy meant for evil the Lord has turned to good!

I also appreciate and own a similar educational program that Ty and Charlene Bollinger produced.

Click here to watch the SQUARE ONE program, this weekend for FREE.

I had planned to write about Target's PRIDE push (did you sign one of the circulating boycott petitions?) As I dug into this, I was surprised to discover more retailers that have similar agendas. 

One of the most shocking for me, after Target, was North Face, who just released their "Summer of Pride Tour" ad with drag queen "Patti Gonia" (one minute ad can be seen at 5:50). I guess they didn't learn from Bud Light's recent and sudden loss of 16 billion dollars because of a similar campaign.

Mama bears, let's send them a clear message...go woke, go broke.

Enough said, because I also learned about a very different tour that brings so much HOPE in this darkness, and I'd much rather focus on this!

Can you imagine doing a family vacation this year that would include joining other faith-filled families in the great outdoors for family movie nights watching "The Chosen" on a 20 ft. movie screen, fishing...

Today is the National Day of Prayer, and I want to encourage you by sharing this message my husband Chris sent out to our church:

* * *

Let's join millions of brothers and sisters in our nation and around the world praying directly to God

Let's pray for ... 

> Revival

Lord, let it begin in me. 

> Unity

At a time our country is divided, it's time for the church to be united.

> Spiritual Awakening

Who can I share Jesus with today?


“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”  D.L. Moody

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

* * *

I also want to pray Eph. 3:14-21 (NIV) for the people of our nation:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth...

Which of your children is currently in the most difficult stage?

What behavior is most challenging?

Have you thought about the giftedness that might be associated with that behavior?

We know that our greatest strengths can be our greatest weaknesses.

But we often forget that when training our children.

I was talking with a mom last night at a mom's event who talked about her concern about the deceitfulness of one of her children.

Digging deeper, I realized that the deceitful behavior his mom was describing all had to do with him wanting to make his own decisions.

Hmmmmmm.

A leader.

I encouraged her to sit down with him and have a talk about seeing that gift of initiative and leadership in him, but also let him know that it was not coming out in a good way in the choices he was making.

Then to let him know she wants to support that gift and let it come out in a positive way by finding whatever ways she could to involve him in the decision making of his schedule, jobs he...

Feeling that Spring Cleaning itch?

I sure was!

So Coach Mom Tribers are in the midst of a Make a Clean Sweep Contest.

We are focusing on sprucing up the common areas that guests would visit.

So...the front porch, the entry, family room, kitchen, back patio, etc.

If you'd also like to bring a little sparkle and freshness to your own home...

...the first step is seeing things from a fresh perspective.

(We can get used to our "stuff" sitting around, can't we?...til we just overlook it altogether.)

Do this:

1. Supplies needed: phone (or camera), paper, pen
2. Pretend this is the first time you are seeing your house.
3. Walk outside your house and then walk back in, as if you are a first-time guest.
4. Take photos to capture the “before” and help you to see where needed changes are
5. Study the photos and jot down areas that need change, so when you have an extra few minutes, you know what to do
6. Work in 15-minute increments daily on your listed tasks and...

I've given up canceling out my own prayers for my child.

What do I mean?

Well, let's consider something that I really wanted to see change in for my child.

For example, my child was making selfish choices and always seemed to put herself above others.

When I was in a quiet reflective moment I prayed that the Lord will help her to learn to put others first and be more considerate of others.

Later in the day, when bringing in a pizza for the family and a few friends I said to my husband,  "Oh boy, here we go again...she's going to push to the front and rush to get the biggest piece as soon as we come through the door, just like she always does."

Wait a second.

Back up.

I had to ask myself, Do I believe the Bible is true?

Because I know it says this: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever...