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Wholly Abiding

“I love being a mom!”

Encouragement· For the Mama

19 Jan

Moms, I think our culture needs to hear us say this more. There’s so much that says that kids get in the way of our dreams. There are so many messages and posts that say kids cause messes and stress and busy our schedules and that we are better off to chase our own dreams before settling down to have a family. There’s the idea that we lose ourselves once we take the title of “mom”.

I am guilty of saying motherhood is hard, because well, it is; but that doesn’t mean that hard isn’t good. There are so many moments that feel unseen and unnoticed in motherhood. There are days of living in complete survival mode and the feeling that bedtime can’t come soon enough. There are daily battles with attitudes and sibling fights.

It often feels like our parenting is all for nothing. It is so hard, but we can love hard things. We can learn to love the moments of inconvenience. Like when dinner is finally on the table and that first drink spills within a couple of minutes. Is it inconvenient? Absolutely. Can we take it as an opportunity to slow down and exercise patience? Yes.

Motherhood is kingdom work. It is a daily surrender of laying down our own desires. It’s so humbling and often really messy. I want to just get my coffee and sit down with Bible for some peace and quiet without all the questions first thing in the morning. I want to feed myself first and have my house stay neat and tidy, just the way I like it. I’m still learning the act of selflessness and let me tell you that most days I’m not doing it well. Motherhood can be a challenge but it is such a joy to be a mom! To know our true value as moms is something we won’t often see in the little years. We often can’t see it in the day to day, through the attitudes and the tough moments, but when our kids are hurting they run to mom. We get be their comforter and their biggest encouragement.

Some days we will have to FIGHT for joy. Most days we will have to sit at the feet of Jesus and humbly ask Him to give us the strength to get through the day, but we can’t forget the value of our job as moms. It’s not for nothing. It’s a big and beautiful job! It’s an exhausting and draining job, but when we watch our kids run to us when they get a skinned knee or ask mom to snuggle them or read to them, may we remember our purpose in motherhood. May we remember that we get to be the ones to point them to Jesus, to love them and to be their biggest cheerleaders. May we experience the joy and remember the importance of being Mom!

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Hi, I’m Kristen!

I am a follower of Jesus, a wife to my sweet husband and mommy to three beautiful little girls. My desire is to grow closer to Christ each day as I point my children to Him. Life is not perfect and I am a work in progress as He continues to shape me and refine me. I hope this can be a place of encouragement for you!

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whollyabiding


Happy SPRING! 🍋🫐

This Lemon Blueberry loaf
Happy SPRING! 🍋🫐

This Lemon Blueberry loaf has been on repeat in our home! 
Lemon bread + sunshine peaking in = perfection 🍋☀️ 

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
1/2 cup milk 
1 cup fresh blueberries 
1 Tablespoon flour

Lemon glaze:
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, blend butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, zest and lemon juice. Add flour mixture and then milk. Rinse off blueberries and toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour. Add flour coated berries to batter. Pour into prepare prepared 9x5 pan and bake at 350° for one hour. Prepare glaze and pour over loaf. Enjoy!! 💛

#recipe #homemade


The girls have been praying for a puppy 🤎
Meet

The girls have been praying for a puppy 🤎
Meet Penny 🐕🐾 
The newest addition to our fam!


Yes, discipleship matters.
The example they see i

Yes, discipleship matters. 
The example they see in us is critical.
And YET, an undeniable experience with the True and Living God is the most important factor to their relationship with Him 🙏🏻🙌🏼

Father, give them eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand. 

#prayingmom #prayingmomma #christianmom #christianliving #womenoftheword



Sharing a delicious fall favorite in our house 🧡

Sausage Gnocchi Soup:
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (hot/mild)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 3 T flour
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch cayenne 
• Dash of hot sauce 
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder 
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 5 cups chicken broth 
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• gnocchi (packaged/homemade) or tortellini
• salt + pepper to taste

Cook ground sausage and onion over med-high heat until sausage is cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another minute. Stir in flour and cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in spices and hot sauce. Add chicken broth and use spatula to “clean bottom” of the pan. Slowly stir in heavy cream and bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Add kale and gnocchi (or pasta of choice) and simmer for 5 minutes. Salt + pepper to taste and enjoy! 

Serves: 10 / Time: 30 minutes 

*this original recipe is from @acozycook and I have adjusted the tortellini to gnocchi for a personal preference but both ways are delicious! 

#cozyrecipes #easydinner #fallfood #fallrecipes #fallfavorites #homemade


September was sweet 💛
Tennessee adventures
Gard

September was sweet 💛
Tennessee adventures
Garden harvests
Sunrises & sunsets
Sourdough bread 
+ more in between!
Fall is in full swing 🌾🧡


“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no fai
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus was traveling with his disciples across the Sea of Galilee when a storm rolled in. They began to panic and when they found Jesus, he was sleeping. 
They woke him and said “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Several of the disciples were fishermen so they had been through storms before, but this must have felt like a close call for them. Jesus got up and he calmed the storm with just a few words. “Quiet! Be still!” And the winds and waves obeyed His voice.

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” He asked His disciples. They experienced Jesus, the Son of God, face to face. They saw him perform miracles, cure diseases and heal the sick and yet they weren’t sure that He would see them through the storm safely. 

As I soak this in, I think Jesus asks the same of us. 
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

God has calmed many storms in my life and yet I still find myself fearful of storms that I haven’t even had to endure yet or storms in my mind when I allow the “what ifs” to wander. I hear him asking me, “Kristen, why are you still afraid? After all you’ve seen me do, do you still have no faith? Do you still question my power to keep you safe in the storm? Do you still question my ability to see you through and to calm the storm with a simple word?” 

Maybe you’re in the midst of a storm or maybe you, like me, let your worries get the best of you some days. Let’s remember that Jesus has power over the storms in our lives and He will see us through.

#womenoftheword #christianmomsofinstagram #christianmom #sistersinchrist #wellwateredwomen #dailydevotional #soulscripts #momsoffaith #christianwritersofig #faith #faithfulwomen #joyfulmamas #soulscriptssisterhood #scripture #christianliving #womenforjesus #christianblogger #faithblogger



Follow on Instagram


Happy SPRING! 🍋🫐 This Lemon Blueberry loaf Happy SPRING! 🍋🫐

This Lemon Blueberry loaf has been on repeat in our home! 
Lemon bread + sunshine peaking in = perfection 🍋☀️ 

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest 
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
1/2 cup milk 
1 cup fresh blueberries 
1 Tablespoon flour

Lemon glaze:
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, blend butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, zest and lemon juice. Add flour mixture and then milk. Rinse off blueberries and toss them in 1 tablespoon of flour. Add flour coated berries to batter. Pour into prepare prepared 9x5 pan and bake at 350° for one hour. Prepare glaze and pour over loaf. Enjoy!! 💛

#recipe #homemade
The girls have been praying for a puppy 🤎 Meet The girls have been praying for a puppy 🤎
Meet Penny 🐕🐾 
The newest addition to our fam!
Yes, discipleship matters. The example they see i Yes, discipleship matters. 
The example they see in us is critical.
And YET, an undeniable experience with the True and Living God is the most important factor to their relationship with Him 🙏🏻🙌🏼

Father, give them eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to understand. 

#prayingmom #prayingmomma #christianmom #christianliving #womenoftheword
Sharing a delicious fall favorite in our house 🧡

Sausage Gnocchi Soup:
• 1 lb ground Italian sausage (hot/mild)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 3 T flour
• 1 teaspoon dried basil 
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 pinch cayenne 
• Dash of hot sauce 
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder 
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 5 cups chicken broth 
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• gnocchi (packaged/homemade) or tortellini
• salt + pepper to taste

Cook ground sausage and onion over med-high heat until sausage is cooked, about 8-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another minute. Stir in flour and cook 1-2 minutes. Stir in spices and hot sauce. Add chicken broth and use spatula to “clean bottom” of the pan. Slowly stir in heavy cream and bring to boil, then reduce to simmer. Add kale and gnocchi (or pasta of choice) and simmer for 5 minutes. Salt + pepper to taste and enjoy! 

Serves: 10 / Time: 30 minutes 

*this original recipe is from @acozycook and I have adjusted the tortellini to gnocchi for a personal preference but both ways are delicious! 

#cozyrecipes #easydinner #fallfood #fallrecipes #fallfavorites #homemade
September was sweet 💛 Tennessee adventures Gard September was sweet 💛
Tennessee adventures
Garden harvests
Sunrises & sunsets
Sourdough bread 
+ more in between!
Fall is in full swing 🌾🧡
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no fai “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Jesus was traveling with his disciples across the Sea of Galilee when a storm rolled in. They began to panic and when they found Jesus, he was sleeping. 
They woke him and said “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Several of the disciples were fishermen so they had been through storms before, but this must have felt like a close call for them. Jesus got up and he calmed the storm with just a few words. “Quiet! Be still!” And the winds and waves obeyed His voice.

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” He asked His disciples. They experienced Jesus, the Son of God, face to face. They saw him perform miracles, cure diseases and heal the sick and yet they weren’t sure that He would see them through the storm safely. 

As I soak this in, I think Jesus asks the same of us. 
“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 

God has calmed many storms in my life and yet I still find myself fearful of storms that I haven’t even had to endure yet or storms in my mind when I allow the “what ifs” to wander. I hear him asking me, “Kristen, why are you still afraid? After all you’ve seen me do, do you still have no faith? Do you still question my power to keep you safe in the storm? Do you still question my ability to see you through and to calm the storm with a simple word?” 

Maybe you’re in the midst of a storm or maybe you, like me, let your worries get the best of you some days. Let’s remember that Jesus has power over the storms in our lives and He will see us through.

#womenoftheword #christianmomsofinstagram #christianmom #sistersinchrist #wellwateredwomen #dailydevotional #soulscripts #momsoffaith #christianwritersofig #faith #faithfulwomen #joyfulmamas #soulscriptssisterhood #scripture #christianliving #womenforjesus #christianblogger #faithblogger
The Best Homemade Granola: 4 cups old fashioned o The Best Homemade Granola:

4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup chia seeds 
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 
1/2 cup dried cranberries 

Heat oven to 350° and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl mix together, oats, almonds, Chia seeds, cinnamon, and sea salt. In a separate bowl stir together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until combined. Poor oil mixture over oats and toss until oats are coated. Spread on parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add coconut and bake five more minutes until golden. Let cool and add dried cranberries. Store for up to one month.

My girls love this homemade granola! They eat it with milk or over Greek yogurt and with fresh fruit as parfaits! Enjoy! 💛

#food #homemade #breakfast #healthy #easyrecipes #recipes
This is such good news 🙌🏼 This is the gospel This is such good news 🙌🏼 This is the gospel, friends!

And it’s so incredibly counter cultural. How often do we expect someone to get it together before we choose to love them completely and wholly? How often do we hold others to a standard of perfection and then once they’ve achieved that standard then we can love them the way that they “deserve”? 

Jesus loved us and died for us at our absolute worst. He never expected anything out of us before He chose to love us. We don’t have to get our lives in complete and perfect order before we can come to Him. In fact, we would never be able to. He wants us in our mess because that’s when He does His holy and perfect work in us. It’s His Holy Spirit in us that changes hearts and helps us to love the way He does. We must come to Him in our mess and admit that we can’t do this life on our own. He won’t turn away and say we need to do X, Y and Z and then try again. He will accept us with open arms because while we were still in our sin, He died for us. He loved and chose us at our absolute worst. Praise God 🙌🏼

#womenoftheword #christianwomen #christianwomenofinstagram #christianmom #sistersinchrist #wellwateredwomen #dailydevotional #soulscripts #momsoffaith #christianwritersofinstagram #faith #faithfulwomen #joyfulmamas #soulscriptssisterhood #scripture #christianliving #christianblogger #faithblogger #christianbloggers #goodnews #gospel

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