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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

I’ve been doing a deep dive into “Les Miserabl

I’ve been doing a deep dive into “Les Miserables”- reading the unabridged book and going to the play. And echoing Jean Valjean, I have to ask myself this same question: “Who am I?”
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I think Victor Hugo put in the characters he did, in order to juxtapose different ways of living to help us see them much clearer. As much as I hate the Thenardiers, the book would not be as powerful without them.
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Am I the Bishop, who forgives, shows mercy and who sees past what everyone else sees? Who sacrifices for others without a second thought? Who allows people to change and loves them even if they don’t? Would I have been a Monsieur Madeline (Valjean), who sees the full story behind Fantine and who honors her love and sacrifice for her child? Am I a Javert, who is afraid of going too far astray, that I cling too tightly to the law of justice and do not allow room for mercy? Do I have his impeccable integrity? Am I a Thenardier, who takes advantage of others and only thinks of myself? Am I a Valjean, who allows myself to be changed by love and redemption? (Having been labeled a thief and starting towards violence, he easily could have been a Thenardier.) Do I tame my inner beast and challenge myself to become more holy, more loving and more selfless? Do I seek out those who are ignored, forgotten or abused?
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I find so much inspiration in this story. If you haven’t read the unabridged version, I challenge you to try it. It’s SUPER long, and some parts do seem irrelevant. But the pay off is incredible and life changing. ❤️ If you know this story, what has touched you the most? #lesmiserables #lesmis #heroes #inspiration

Source unknown. My brother-in-law who is a vet sen

Source unknown. My brother-in-law who is a vet sent this on our family thread. Amen!

I’m at my son’s senior grad party helping out

I’m at my son’s senior grad party helping out and the fabulous @davidbowmanart is here doing caricatures for all the kids! But he does WAAAY more than fun drawings...
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If you are looking for super kid accessible ways to teach the scriptures, check out @davidbowmanart. I have ALL of his books for kids and teens and they are getting worn out at my house. They are fun for the kids, but also are stuffed full of inspiring nuggets. Take a look at his store, buy a book or three or look at his subscription service! #bookstagram

This adorable baby graduates today. ❤️ I love

This adorable baby graduates today. ❤️ I love you, Rev. I’m so proud of who you are. And I will try to not cry tonight. 😬😭

Why are the classics so important, anyway? . A lot

Why are the classics so important, anyway?
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A lot of people have this question- and it’s such an important one!
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Classics are stories that stay with you and make an impact on how you think and act. Your classics might be different than mine, but many of them are agreed on world wide.
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Les Miserables is one of those books. I ADORE the story, have seen the play, have a family friendly movie that I recommend for it and teach my kids the important lessons it contains about redemption, justice, mercy, sacrifice and charity...but I’ve never read it all the way through.
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My birthday present from December is to go see @gentrimusic perform Les Miserables at @halecentretheatre and I am SO EXCITED! So I decided to read it all the way through (err, listen to it on @audible, actually).
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I knew it was tremendous- but it is even MORE tremendous than I expected. The backstory of the Bishop was inspiring. The introduction of teenage Eponine was gut wrenching...and I could go on and on. I am DIFFERENT because of this book. And that is why the classics matter. They have changed generations of people for the better.
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Fill your home with classics. Read them with your kids and let your kids see you reading them on your own. Make classics a part of your home culture, and you will find it easier to incorporate other things that are “virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy.”
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What is YOUR favorite classic?
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#classics #bookstagram #lesmiserables #familyculture

Mentors are INVALUABLE to our kids because frankly

Mentors are INVALUABLE to our kids because frankly, we just can’t do it all!
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As you help your kids find ways to earn money or get a job this summer, I urge you to be deliberate in finding ways to use mentors. They can teach and shape our kids in ways that we can’t- and if they are going to be spending all summer working with someone or learning from them anyway, let’s make sure it’s someone worth spending time with!
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I have a whole post about finding mentors. If you’d like the link, just leave a comment here, and I’ll send it to you! #summerplans #mentors #deliberateparenting #schoolsout

Yesterday I spoke up about something that has been

Yesterday I spoke up about something that has been really bothering me for over a month.
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I was worried that I would make a really great lady mad or offend her. I was worried that I was being too sensitive about something. I was worried about rocking the boat and thought that maybe I should just rearrange my life so that I wasn’t participating in this activity any more.
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But...it was bothering several people and not just me. But no one felt comfortable saying anything.
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And I remembered all the times I have urged my kids and the teens I teach in church to speak up when something makes them uncomfortable or is offensive to them.
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So I sent a text and tried to open a conversation about it. And the person was SO responsive and kind. I tried to be considerate and tactful, giving her the benefit of the doubt, and she was beyond accommodating. It was amazing.
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But it was hard for me! It was a good reminder that it is hard for our kids, too.
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Not every situation will turn out this way, but I am proud that I spoke up, and now my kids know that I will walk the talk.
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Doing what you want your kids to do applies in so many areas of life! Making your bed, limiting phone use, reading, hard work, playing an instrument...ANYTHING! Your example is one of your greatest tools.
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What good habit do you do that your kids follow? I want to hear all about it! #leadbyexample #parenting #parentingtips

I haven’t posted for over a month. I didn’t kn

I haven’t posted for over a month. I didn’t know what to say.
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I felt small, insignificant, ineffective, boring, and with nothing of value to say. I felt like a failure at life. I was consistently overwhelmed with the problems of life, it’s busyness, my family’s needs, etc. My body started to echo what my soul was feeling. It hasn’t been pretty.
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But then yesterday, it all changed. I was so sick of feeling like such a weak, ineffective loser.
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I poured my heart out in prayer more than usual. I spent a lot of time thinking. And this is what I figured out. (I knew it already, but I FELT it this time):
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I am a daughter of all powerful God, Creator of the universe and everything beyond it.
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That is a powerful lineage.
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My heavenly parents did not put me here to be weak. They did not put me here to fail. They did not put me here to be insignificant.
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They put me here to make a difference. They gave me everything I need to do that.
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I can call for inspiration and divine help when I need it. But first I need to recognize and accept the power I already have as a daughter of God, and fully step into it.
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I was born for such a time as this- AND SO WERE YOU.
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I am OFTEN plagued with insecurity and a lack of confidence. If you ever feel this way, too, I want you to know that you also have power within you and that you were put here on earth at this specific time for a very important reason.
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When the world feels like it is spiraling out of control and we feel helpless, let’s remember that our being here is not an accident.
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After my little epiphany, I was able to speak up about something that had been bothering me for a long time, and it’s been affecting others as well. I was guided in the things to say, the conversation went really well, and I made a difference. I honored myself and my feelings and made a difference for over 20 other people because I spoke up. And now I feel more empowered- because I tapped into what I already had and my own special gifts.
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If you are in a dark place like I was, I am so sorry. It’s awful. But I know that you matter, that you are no accident and that you have gifts that the world needs. Step into your power. ❤️

A sweet mom, who didn’t even know me, but recogn

A sweet mom, who didn’t even know me, but recognized me since we live in a small town, stopped me in the grocery line to say something really kind about one of my kids. It touched my heart so much and totally made my day! When she was finishing up, she said, “Being a mom can be hard sometimes, so I always like to share the good things I see in their kids.” What a great lesson! (And you can bet that this lady suddenly felt like my best friend!) I want to do better- imagine if all the moms in the world supported each other like this! ❤️❤️❤️ #bethegood #sharethegood #lookforthegood #momssupportingmoms #youvegotgreatkids

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