Happy (late February)! All the jokes and memes about January feeling really long are 100% true. We lived a full life, didn’t we? We got a new president. California was devastated by fires. Louisiana got a blizzard. Personally, we packed and moved out of our house in a week and have been learning all about water heaters, insulation, flooring, and more. Hence, a monthly digest coming 8 days in ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.
WHAT I’M READING
Sometimes, I get myself in a little book rut, but not today, my friends!! These books run the gamut, so I’ll pick them up at different times. I usually like lighter books at night, faith-related, with quiet time, family, and health when I read a bit before school pickup.
Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart by Russ Ramsey
The Deep-Rooted Marriage by Dan Allender and Steven Call
Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspe
Every Home a Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer
The Search for Significance by Robert McGee (with our ladies’ Biblestudy)
10 PRAYERS FOR 2025
For the last 2 years, I have kept a Post-it in the front of my prayer journal with 10 prayers for the year. I shared mine from last year when I talked about all the ways God answered my prayers last year. It was honestly insane. If you have not prayed about 10 prayers to pray in 2025, it’s not too late. Do that today and start praying specifically. No vague prayers. And if you need help, grab our Focus Prayer Map and tape it in your prayer room. I did this last year, and it was so sweet to pray deeper for very important things in my life.
VMP UPDATE
Me and our soon-to-be owner are very patiently waiting for the paperwork to be completed. Goodness gracious! It’s crazy when the Lord makes a decision clear, but you still have to follow protocol. We’re both so ready to share the news and it’s requiring a new level of “Hey! You’re not in control, but God is so chill out.”
HOT TIP FOR LESS DISTRACTED READING
If you have a Kindle and want to read Substack posts on it, this poster shared how to do it! That’s one more point for Substack. ;)
SKIN HYDRATING
A few years ago, I got influenced and ordered this snail stuff. I never used it, but I found it while packing the house and decided this dry winter was the time to try it. I am in love!
BOUGHT THIS IRONICALLY
If you’ve been here any length of time (or have read my book Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday), you know I’m not naturally optimistic, so when I saw this sweatshirt, I got it hoping to be inspired and maybe hoping to make my loved ones laugh. I locked myself out of the house wearing the sweatshirt, started sweating, and literally threw it off of me. 🤣
THE EASIEST GAME TO PLAY WHEN YOU’RE TIRED
You know how when your kids ask you to play a game and you literally can’t even imagine playing because you’re so mentally exhausted? Just me? If you feel the same, try mancala! My brain fog right now is awful but I am always up for a game of Mancala. Vana is obsessed, and it makes her day when she hears me say YES. Plus, there’s something rhythmic about dropping the marbles in the holes.
WHAT’S YOUR PRAYER PLAN?
I shared yesterday how our prayer prompts have REVITALIZED me lately! Almost like I forgot?? Crazy!! If you don’t have a prayer journal for 2025, there’s still time. In fact, our Rhythm’s Prayer Journals are still 30%! Grab here!
That’s it for now!
Val
We love mancala over here!
I will gladly take your monthly digest on a Saturday night. I was excited to see it pop up in my notifications!
I just got Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart on Audible. It sounds quite interesting. My kiddos love strategy games and my mind just doesn’t work like that so I’m always looking for something easy to play with them. You always have great recommendations.