The two books I'm reading in tandem that don't jive but I'm doing anyway 🤷‍♀️

The June Digest

It’s June! We’re almost halfway through 2025, and as per usual for a person over the age of 18, time is flying by. Next, you’re gonna tell me it’s December and I’m just not ready for that. So let’s make the most of summer, shall we?

A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT

I pretty much use whatever my sister tells me to use when it comes to makeup because I have no clue. And I stick to it for YEARS! I still use Bare Minerals powder. I finally tried Merit to replace my Tarte foundation, and I'm quite impressed! It blends so well, and for some reason, using the stick and then the brush to blend instead of squeezing the tube into your hands feels faster. I’m not a fan of the perfume, though. I felt short of breath when I tried the sample. If you're sensitive to smells, prone to headaches, or short of breath, I cannot recommend Henry Rose enough (Torn and Blonde Barry for me!). In fact, so many of you have purchased from my link, that I have a ton of credits, so I’m giving away a Torn perfume ($130 value!) to one commenter (not email reply but comment on the post!). I’ll pick a winner by Friday!

WE’RE DOING IT

Texted this pic to some friends¹ and asked if we can officially start wearing swim skirts. I saw this one from Old Navy (it’s still on sale!) and thought, ok, it’s happening. They aren’t just for old ladies anymore, right? Or did I grow old enough to no longer be bothered by them? Regardless, I got this one, and it’s so comfy that I also got the black and white gingham one. We spend 3-4 days a week at the pool in our neighborhood and will be headed back to family camp soon, where you’ve got to make that long walk up four flights of stairs in your bathing suit to the top of the water slide. Last year, we wrapped our floaties around our waist because who loves walking up stairs in a bathing suit? This year, I’m excited to be a bit more covered without the use of a flotation device.

STICK TO WHAT WORKS

When it comes to workouts, that’s been pilates for me. I feel so good when I’m consistent with it. I’m getting back in the saddle. What have you been able to be most consistent with for workouts?

WHERE ARE THE CHURCH GRANDMAS?

The topic has come up several times in conversations or talks I’ve listened to lately. One even said, we don’t have a “young people leaving the church” problem. We have a “lack of older Christians stewarding younger Christians in the church” problem. Ouch, right? But it made sense. It’s made me want to know my Bible and mentor those younger than me. From what I’ve seen, many older women in the church feel displaced or as though their voices don’t matter. Maybe it’s because of how things were when they were growing up in the church, or just the enemy’s number one lie that he whispers in the ear of any woman past 50, but we need older women in the church to disciple and mentor us! We want it! We don’t think you’re too old. We don’t think you are useless. I know I covet the conversations I have with the older women in our church. If you have felt like you don’t have a place, please know that’s a lie from the devil. Pray today about who God might have in your life to speak into.

CONFESSION TIME

I watched the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. And, listen, I know it’s a waste of time. But seeing these women, I was overwhelmed by how much they strive for “morality” or feel shame about not being good enough. Multiple women sat in their “confessionals” feeling less than. And the truth is? They had screwed up. They are MESSY to say the least. But what a helpless and hopeless place to be in without the cross! I just wanted to shake them and introduce them to Jesus and the grace His death and resurrection bring! One positive aspect of watching shows like this is knowing exactly how to pray for them. If this sounds silly, might I introduce you to this post.

MY CURRENT PROTEIN-FILLED BREAKFAST

I’ve been enjoying more food prep lately, and one thing that’s really worked is this breakfast bowl! Why? Because most ingredients (if not all), I can prep ahead of time!! Ready for it?

• Ground turkey sausage (cooked beforehand)

• Sweet potatoes (cut into cubes and baked in the oven before)

• Hard-boiled egg (bought or boiled beforehand) - I didn’t have hard-boiled eggs the day I snapped this pic, so I just scrambled eggs

• Cottage cheese

• Red pickled onions (pickled 😜 beforehand)

You can drizzle some olive oil and everything bagel seasoning to really spice things up.

SUMMER OF PRAYER

I’m gearing up for my summer Bible study and thought, if you are hosting a study this summer of Pray Confidently and Consistently, let me know! I'll send you the PDF guide to lead a group for free. It’s essentially a guide to transition your group from a book club to a prayer group, gradually increasing the time spent praying and decreasing the time spent discussing the book each week.

WAYS TO SAY NO

I am the queen of feeling like I need to explain why I have to say no. This is when my people-pleasing comes out most. It’s the reason for my most heated and insane conversation with another mom in my entire life. Instead of saying a polite “no” to something, I overexplained, and things snowballed really fast. Suffice it to say, when I saw this, I immediately took a screenshot of this list from

Noam Leon Kaestner

! 😬

CURRENTLY READING

Do you ever just want to read two completely contradictory books just to make your head spin? JK. I’m not a masochist. I am genuinely curious about both psychology and how we might have become a bit too obsessed with it as well.

• Lies My Therapist Told Me - Greg E. Gifford

• It Didn't Start with You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle - Mark Wolynn

• The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel

• Heartburn - Nora Ephron

• 8 Great Smarts for Home Schoolers - Tina Hollenbeck

Tell me! What are you reading this summer? And don’t forget about that perfume giveaway! ;)

Val

1. Ignore the mess. I was packing for a trip.