InstaEncouragements Blog

Our Favorite Things Christmas Gift Guide

11/1/2019

Christmas will be here before we know it! It seems to creep up on me sooner than expected every year and I am rarely prepared for it.

This year, however, our family is doing something different. We are not giving gifts. Instead, we're having family photos made. All fourteen of us are meeting for a family dinner on the Sunday before Christmas and then we will head over to a local farm to meet Katelyn, our photographer, who is bringing a huge, mustard-colored sofa. I'm so excited about this! Can you tell?

36 Comments

Finding Hope in Heartache

10/18/2019

4 Comments

Finding Hope in Heartache: Have you ever felt alone in suffering? Where can you turn when you feel completely broken from an aching heart? Your mind says, I know God’s Word could help, but what does that look like? Dear friend, my heart has asked these questions too.

Have you ever felt alone in suffering? Where can you turn when you feel completely broken from an aching heart?

Your mind says I know God’s Word could help, but what does that look like?

Dear friend, my heart has asked these questions too.

One impactful resource I’ve found is the Voice Of The Martyrs. Have you heard of it?

Their podcast called VOM Radio, their magazine, and their books have helped me realize that I'm not alone. Also, they have given me real-life examples of suffering Christians who find their hope in God.

I always come away from VOM media in awe of God and His good work in people through incredible trials.

4 Comments

Finding A Sure Hope After Deep Loss

7/12/2019

4 Comments

About 4 years ago, one of the worst things that I could’ve ever imagined happened to me. My husband and I lost our firstborn son Jack. Read more about that story here.

Last year I came across the book Therefore I Have Hope by Cameron Cole at a large Christian conference. I had heard about it and knew the author had also lost his son unexpectedly, but was unsure if I should read it. Plus, the cover picture looked more sad than hopeful. I was afraid of weeping through the entire book. Could I handle that? I didn’t feel like I had any strength to be weak again.

4 Comments

10 Favorite Bible Verses On Adoption

4/12/2019

6 Comments

10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption Over a year ago, my husband and I started our adoption journey. The wait has been long and hard, but God gives endurance through His Word.

This is part 2 of our series on adoption: 10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption by Redeeming Goods. Read part 1 on adoption: Waiting Well over at Redeeming Goods.

Hi Friends!
Over a year ago, my husband and I started our adoption journey. The wait has been long and hard, but God gives endurance through His Word.

I’ve been compiling a list of Bible verses to encourage us along the journey and wanted to share that list with you!

6 Comments

Hope When My Heart Hurts

2/15/2019

12 Comments

I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to Your name; the upright shall dwell in Your presence. Psalm 140:12-13

Soooo…. The other day I was struggling with depression. Yes, [raises hand] I struggle with depression. For those who know my story, the last few years have been incredibly painful. Where can I find hope when my heart hurts? I have looked in many places. The only thing that has brought life to the deep sting of death is God’s Word, the Bible.

12 Comments