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When You Feel Like You Don’t Matter: Volunteer

Movie Review: Unplanned

Character Trait of the Month: Self Discipline

Gratitude and Grit: from Sudan to the Olympics Games.

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Welcome

Hi! I'm Jen. Wife, mom of 5, and someone who is deliberately trying to shape the family culture in our home by focusing on uplifting and inspiring media and other resources. If you are looking for an alternative to negative pop culture- you're in the right place!

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Let’s Connect

In the last month, I have spoken with three teenag

In the last month, I have spoken with three teenagers, boys and girls both, (not these girls, but I love them and I love this picture!) who have graduated/will graduate and have absolutely no idea what they will do next. That can be pretty common- it’s hard to decide! But here’s the kicker- their parents haven’t talked to them about it AT ALL. There are lots of reasons for that, but the teens I’ve spoken with feel overwhelmed and abandoned, even a bit hopeless.
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Parents, our teens NEED us- even if they don’t act like it. Even if we don’t have any answers. Please talk to your teens about their future plans. Ask them questions, research ideas with them that they come up with, help them form a plan that they are excited about. Whether it is trade school, college, volunteer or church service, or going straight into the workforce, please let them know that they aren’t alone. Help them form a plan that will kickstart them into adulthood and serve them in the years to come. Be a safety net that helps propel them into success. They will feel your love. ***Edited to add: If you want to help your child, but don’t know where to start, check out Heather @alignedambition ! This is her specialty and she’s amazing!!
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(If you are interested in learning more about how you can do a more formal Coming of Age with your teens, check out my Coming of Age Guidebook in my shop!) #parentsofteens #highschoolsenior #comingofage #planningforthefuture #loveyourkids #bepresent

Have a happy Sunday! This was a good reminder for

Have a happy Sunday! This was a good reminder for me today.
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I am working on offering free printables. I love to hang quotes like this in my home, and wondered if you might, too. You will be able to find this one at the link in bio, then click “printables” in the menu. #quotes #sunday #worship @churchofjesuschrist

My third gourmet caramel apple class is finished!

My third gourmet caramel apple class is finished! It was SO FUN to meet all the women and kids who signed up. It makes me so happy to teach this! Anyone can make these- you just have to know the right tips and tricks. 😋 #mycaramelapples #digitalcourse #delicious #beautiful #caramelapples

New blog post: “7 Ways I Am Trying To Heal Polit

New blog post: “7 Ways I Am Trying To Heal Political Division”. It took me much longer to write this post than it should have. I wanted to get the wording just right, didn’t want to come off as self-righteous, and had so many other concerns. But I think national unity won’t come until we have individual unity with our families and friends. This is my attempt. (Link in bio.) I know you are concerned about this as well. What has worked for you? #unity #politics #democrats #republicans #family #fighting #peacemaker

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., and the pr

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., and the progress of the Civil Rights movement, I’m challenging myself to read more of his words completely and in context, rather than the short, inspiring quotes we often see. Letters, books, speeches, laws of the time, economic and political pressures, family concerns, etc. all help us have a more complete understanding of his life’s work.
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Learning more than just bullet point history- about all leaders- is what REALLY helps us learn from the past and make progress today. This is true education. Have a great day everyone! #mlkday #civilrights #history #education

I’m a natural peacemaker. I also minored in poli

I’m a natural peacemaker. I also minored in political science and am passionate about American history and government. That means that I have a ton of opinions just like everyone else about the current events in America right now. 😜
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I am really, really sad seeing us so divided and angry with each other- including myself in my own relationships. I listened to a podcast that my brother sent me (Hi, Ben! I still need to talk to you about this!), and I realized that the two sides are (many times) completely out of touch with each other. We don’t understand each other. Oh, we get the sound bites and the bullet points, but mostly we try to shout each other down.
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Stephen Covey had it right- let’s try to understand—REALLY understand each other— BEFORE we start trying to explain ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we are doormats, it actually gives us power when we understand each other. I think this is good for marriages, parenting, work conflicts...and politics. Let’s practice listening.
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Love you guys. ❤️ #stephencovey #politics #listentounderstand #loveoneanother #peacemakers #notadoormat

Let’s be honest: the last few days have been ROU

Let’s be honest: the last few days have been ROUGH! I’m starting my last digital Signature Gourmet Caramel Apple class this week, and I want to give away 6 spots to brighten your day! (To learn more about the course, click in the link in my bio.)
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Tag one person you are grateful for, and I’ll randomly pick 3 winners—you AND the person you tagged will each get a free course (you’ll be responsible for getting your own ingredients, though.) Plus the rest of your immediate family can do it with you- kids LOVE it!
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This ends tonight at 5pm PST. Hurry and enter! #giveaway #delicious #caramelapples #happy

Expect to randomly find hard boiled eggs mixed int

Expect to randomly find hard boiled eggs mixed into your egg carton. They think it’s HILARIOUS! 😂 #boymom #teenboys #jokes

I saw this on a friend’s feed and thought it was

I saw this on a friend’s feed and thought it was powerful:
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“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.

I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hard will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I'm asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I'm asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”

- Kimberly D. Henderson

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