Sometimes, you just have to start.

It has been months since I have written anything…. I want to post more recipes, and ideas, and tips, and all the things… and EVERY time I sit down to do so, I can’t. Or won’t.

So, today, I am just going to post something.

I know everyone is talking about this year.. and how crazy it is and all the things. You probably don’t need another person talking about it. But, this is where we need to begin.

How are you all doing in 2020?
It’s August already, almost halfway through actually!?! My heart and head feel stuck processing April still. and yet here we are pressing on.

I pray you have felt the Lord’s blessing, even in the midst of the unknown, and unchartered territory. HE is still good and faithful.

It’s also ok to feel overwhelmed and unsure. I don’t think the Lord would expect any different from us. He knows we are only human after all.

I would like to say, I’ll be back to share what this blog Is meant for soon. And I will certainly be trying to.

We are prepping for school right now, to start in just about 2 weeks. I always get myself a little buried under all the prep and organizing. I’d love to share some new things we are trying this year. I think we may have found some things that will be really helpful. wether you find yourself homeschooling, charter, or distance learning perhaps we can share ideas that can help us all!

We always tweak things a bit, to find what will work for us each year!

I have lots of recipes in the posting process. And hope to push them out to you all very soon.

For now, I just wanted to get “back in the saddle” sort of speak.

So, know that I’m praying for your families and am filled with Hope despite all things around us.

Please let me know how I can be praying for you!

your friend,
Deanna grace
at loveandscribbles.com

The other day I came on social media and I said that if anything going on these crazy days has made you curious about natural remedies or hand made products for cleaning and such… that I would love to share with you. And I mentioned that my passion for these things has grown in recent years and it’s true. On my Website Loveandscribbles.com you can find tutorials for our homemade foaming soap and our natural laundry detergent. And it is also true that I love to share what I’ve learned about plants and whole foods and essential oils that can help with soooo many things!

But ever since I posted that story on Instagram I’ve been thinking about what I didn’t say!
THis world is a crazy crazy place and right now, it’s sort of showing the truth of that in ways we have never seen before.

And whether you are scared of catching a virus or what overreacting people can do to others. If your concern is in germs or in government over- reach. Either way… there is something that I am more passionate about than any of these other things. And I’m sorry I failed to mention it before.

With the world around us changing drastically moment to moment. With Media hype and school closures and empty store shelves. What you really need (more than extra TP) is to know that JESUS LOVES YOU!

If you are scared, that’s ok! If you are nervous or even mad and just want to feel secure again.. I get that. Here’s the thing. Jesus has never failed and he never will!

When I am being truly honest, I have to admit that I’m a little nervous. We live in a crazy time right now and I don’t know what the future holds. But, I cannot even imagine going through all of this without knowing Jesus’ love for me and my family!

So, I wanted to write this to YOU. In case you don’t know the peace that Jesus can give you in the midst of this storm.
Yes, I’ll share my recipe for germ killing hand soap, and I’ll even share the tp we have, if you need it… But Above all you have to know my Saviour! And I hope that if you don’t know HIM you would reach out and let’s talk about Him.

Last week in Awana, we talked to the 3rd – 5th graders about the gift of JOY that Jesus gives us. And we talked about how that doesn’t mean we walk around with a plastered fake smile on our face reciting “everything’s OK” it means that even when things are wrong… Jesus’ joy is there for us. Confidence in knowing HE holds our future.

The boys learned last year in VBS that even “when life is crazy, God IS GOOD!” and when “Life changes, GOD IS GOOD!”

And for my sisters and brothers in Christ, I pray you seek out ways to show Christ’s love to those around you. That you remember that your HOPE is secure in Christ and HE has a plan! And it’s ok to be nervous or concerned but FEAR doesn’t come from Christ. Use the love and sound mind HE gave us to think of others and provide for our families.

Praying for you all as I write this. I’m praying that instead of sitting in fear and dread you will find the One who loves you more than anything!! He gave HIS life for you and HE’s got all of us in HIS hand!

Praying you all have everything you truly need and that anything you have extra.. You will share with a neighbor.
Praying for protection.
Pray for our country and leaders. That they only have the power that God has given to them and use it for good and not evil.

Pray for wisdom and kindness!

Love you,
Deanna Grace

5 things that don’t need to change in 2020.

I LOVE New Years. I know that there isn’t any magic to the changing of the calender year. But there is something so refreshing about looking ahead. and even with putting things away that are behind us!

It is easy for me to write lists, goals, plans, hopes for the new year. It is exciting to me.

I like to write out goals for each one of the kids as well as personal ones for me, and even some goals for Ryan and myself too.

 We will be adding things like project we would like to do around our home. And even adventures we hope to have as a family. 

If you are like me, then you don’t find it hard to quickly come up with a long list of things you would like to change or at the very least improve in the new year.

But the other day I was flipping through a Real Simple Magazine and came across this picture. It’s the title of an article (and honestly I can’t remember what the article actually said.) The title is what stopped me in my tracks.

The tag line said, “It’s the time of year to take stock of what you’re already doing right. “

Wow! In the midst of all the plans, goals, and changes… why not stop and think about the things that DON’T need changing.

Here’s my list of things that don’t need to change in 2020

1.We have been more intentional about more fun family time this year. The boys’ ages help with this being more enjoyable for everyone. We have all loved the evenings of playing video games altogether. Movie nights, watching football while eating nachos, board games.

Please note all of these are activities enjoyed in our home and cost little to no money!! comfy, no pressure, cheap, and a blast!! We will for sure continue these things in the new year.

2. Bread making!! Bread making was a goal I set for my self for 2019 and I have accomplished it! I make 99% of the bread products we eat now. And I love Baking bread! I have found it to be therapeutic, a creative outlet, and just plain delicious.

3. Homeschool. I have always struggled to say I enjoy homeschooling. My confidence in being able to teach and my doubts about if it’s really the best choice for us have been stumbling blocks for me. But I am leaving 2019 knowing that it’s what works for us!!! And in fact, I have found a way to enjoy it, would even miss it, if we were to stop!!! That’s a huge realization for me.
Now, this doesn’ t mean it’s easy… and there are still lots of tuff days trying to work well together but it’s a calling I feel willing to claim and will carry it proudly into 2020. And I also hope to share more of that journey here on loveandscribbles.

4. Instant pot classes. I’m so glad I started hosting Instant Pot classes. It’s a wonderful time. Just talking about my favorite appliance, demonstrating some of my recipes, and helping people! I’m looking forward to scheduling more in 2020. Let me know if you have a ministry or group that would love to have a class in our area!

5. Relationships! I am glad for every relationship I’ve invested in this past year. Not once do I regret a time of connecting with someone. The thing about friendship and general kindness is this: The more you try to bless someone else,(with that being your honest intention) the more of a blessing you end up getting yourself in return. It’s a win-win really. I go into 2020 with hope for connections and community, for our whole family!  

** 1 Bonus thing I’d like to add to this list.

6. I love having this space here on loveandscribbles. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to share things like recipes and tips. Instant pot, essential oils, home life, boymom life… and I’m praying for how the Lord will use it in the coming year. I am confident that He has more planned then I’ve even embraced yet. And I hope to be braver, true, honest and helpful in the New Year. But for sure, No matter what’s ahead, this blog is coming with me into 2020. And I’m excited about that!

Also, praying for how things like Instagram fit into this whole purpose. so, if you’d like to come along, please join me and Deannalove_and_scribbles.

So that’s 5 things that don’t need to change in 2020 and I’m bringing with me into the New Year! And now to find my journal and write some new goals to bring with me too!! yay!!!

What would you put on your list of things that you are already doing right?

Happy Happy New Year,

Deanna Grace

1 Samual 12:24 ” Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.”

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