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When The Going Gets Tough, Go To Your Tribe

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For anyone not familiar with the tourism industry, people of all kinds weigh in on the community where you live. Some have lived here all their lives, some have moved here, some visit regularly, some have been here once, and some have never been here before - but they all have an opinion about who you are and what you're doing. Last week I posted this on LinkedIn, a social media platform for leaders in business and industry:  "I reached a “what’s the point?” moment this morning. Someone I’ve never seen before posted two walk-through videos of our town mall, mocking and insulting every business, restaurant, and closed storefront along the way. It was painful to watch, knowing that man didn’t have a clue. * He saw a bakery with no one at the counter. I know they’re in the back, working feverishly on dozens of special occasion cakes every week so they can keep their local business afloat. They have a camera to see when people walk up and a bell so they can hear when they’re ready...
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Words For Wednesday

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Mix And Match Your New Favorite Cocoa

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Never, ever have boring "just add water" hot cocoa. Life's too short for that kind of mediocrity.  As temperatures continue to hang out around in the single digits here in southeast Iowa, it's the perfect time to experiment with cocoa - flavors, textures, mix-ins, and all the other good stuff. I tried adding chai powder to mine, and I loved it. Take a look at the ingredient suggestions below, mix and match to your heart's content, and let me know which ones you love the most. Creamy Bases Replace water with: * Whole milk * Oat milk * Sweetened condensed milk + water * Coconut milk * Half & half Extracts and Syrups *  Coconut extract * Hazelnut syrup * Orange extract * Maple syrup Blend-ins * Nut butters  (peanut, almond, hazelnut) * Marshmallow fluff + torch  (s’mores vibe) * Chocolate chips  melted in * Ice cream scoop  for instant “hot chocolate affogato” Candy Mix-ins Throw in pieces to melt slowly: * Andes mints * Toffee bits * Root beer barrel cand...
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The Recipe For A Good Night's Sleep

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If you do a search online for how to sleep better at night, you'll get a ton of mediocre responses. Go to bed earlier, at the same time, in a cold room, with lots of blankets, after a cup of hot tea, and after an all-natural supplement. Turn off your screens 60 minutes before bed, read a good book, and don't start any new projects. Sound familiar? Is it working? Maybe? Kinda? Sorta? When I went to the Bible instead of Google, my sleep research came out a little differently. Here are two positive suggestions and two warnings that Scripture says are important when it comes to sleep and rest. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 One of my favorite verses about getting a good night's sleep comes from a psalm that starts with distress. David was begging God for mercy in a difficult situation, and he lays awake all night thinking and praying through things. By the end of the psalm, David's peace and calm have b...
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My Faith Makes Things Possible Planner Layout

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Sometimes you know you're going to have one of those weeks. I wish you could seen my planner layout After The Pen already - it's full of meetings, Boards, youth group, after-hours work stuff, and lots of little bits and pieces. I knew exactly what this week was going to need. It needs lots and lots and lots of Scripture. You know those weeks, the ones where if you're not prayed up and read up and wisdom-ed up that you're not going to make it through. Well, I tackled that problem right from the get-go by choosing many of my favorite Scriptures and filling my planner pages with them. They will not go unnoticed, standing out among all the to-do lists and appointments. Whether you already know it's going to be a busy week or not, this is the time to pull out your sword - the Word of the Lord - and get down to business. Fill your planner and your heart with all the Scripture possible so you're ready for whatever the week brings. My prayer is that we'll be so fill...
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Sympathy Cards And The Scripture Inside Them

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Once again, I'm working on a handmade greeting card order that I wish I wasn't. Yes, I enjoy having business, but I don't like having to make sympathy cards. Yes, I'm blessed that someone who is hurting will receive  a beautiful, original card, but I'm sad that they have to go through a heartbreaking season to see it. Sharing God's love and truth is the best way I know to shine a light in the darkness of this world. And if putting His word on a piece of paper in an envelope, then I am blessed beyond measure to serve Him this way. If you find yourself sending a multitude of cards to uplift and encourage right now, it can be difficult to come up with words and Scriptures after a while. Here are some of my favorite phrases and passages to include in my sympathy cards, designed to shine the love of God where it is needed most. May the tender love of God bring  peace and comfort to your heart. Praying the Lord will touch your  heart in a special way today. May the ho...
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Words For Wednesday

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