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A Nature Of Nurture

Though a decade has passed, it doesn’t feel like long ago that I was thrust into the world of parenting. At the ripe old age of 22, with flu like symptoms, I took one pregnancy test. Just one. Ladies, that apparently, is all it takes. Though my mother was convinced I needed a blood test, things had changed over the 20 odd years since she had taken hers. Alas, I went to the physician and sure enough… I was growing a human! My due date: October 31, 2006. Well, it could have been November 1, I had varying doctor’s opinions. It just depends if having a “Halloween Baby” would freak you out. Not me, he would be my little pumpkin no matter what day he’d arrive. And boy did he make a grand entrance.

During my first pregnancy, I am sure I did all the stress-related things you are not supposed to do. Well, it was also my first year of marriage… 4 months in, to be exact when we had the wonderful news of pregnancy. We relocated to a different state, 7 hours from my in-laws and 22 hours from my parents. My husband and I started new jobs, got a new apartment, and started our 2^nd Bible College. (We met at the first one we attended) It was during a week full of school classes and nightly conference meetings, that I began to have contractions. I ran the registration table and greeted those who walked through the front doors of the church each night, and by the end of the week… My baby was ready to be born! He came 2 weeks before his due date, on October 17, 2006 in the most wonderful delivery. (Which is another story, for another time)

14523104_10155415538642907_5111112616676401767_n — My first Mother’s Day!

This was my entrance into the beauty of Motherhood. Was I prepared? No way. Did I take classes? A few. Had I even changed a diaper before? Not one. But ladies, there is a unique quality in each one of us that is triggered during the birthing process… Nurture! This glorious ability to look at the tiny human you have grown on the inside of you for the better half of a year and see their needs first. It’s just amazing to watch the transformation in your own life and embrace a love you didn’t even know you were capable of.

Motherhood is a treasure, a gift, for some a rite of passage. It’s a revealing of your true nature, one of nurture. One of joy unspeakable combined with the most difficult thing you have ever done, revealing strength you didn’t know you possessed. If you’re pregnant or a new mom, you can do it! There are times of doubt and uncertainty, but when you rely on the Lord for strength and direction he will always guide you as you raise your children.

I have since had another baby. Worked full-time, stayed at home fill-time, worked 3 jobs at once, finished my 2^nd Bible College with degree, co-founded my own Non-Profit Ministry, traveled the world, had kids attend public school, homeschooled, breastfed, bottle-fed, natural birth, had a cesarean section, became an ordained minister, volunteered with my kids, volunteered as a Hospital Chaplain, rented apartments and finally bought my first house…. My point is, that throughout all these variables and different roles I took on, the one consistent stream was my role as a Mother.

You, as a person, will always be changing, growing, evolving and so are the circumstances that surround your life. I can’t give you a perspective from a Stay-at-Home Mom, because I have also been a Full-Time Working Mom… and both are just fine! Free yourself today of any particular expectation you may have unknowingly placed on yourself. Be encouraged that no matter what vocation you find yourself in presently, you are doing what works best for your family. I think that is key, drop the comparison and competition with other Mothers and do what you were designed to do and be. God has entrusted you with these tiny lives and specifically placed them in your care; he knows that you have been equipped with everything you need to be an amazing Mother and when you have those times of self-doubt, trust Him. Today, be free to do you and do it well!

Love,

Brynn

“For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3 (Amplified)

What About The Good Girls?

The multi-color glow from the stage lighting slices the dark atmosphere of the room, spotlighting on an unsuspecting teen before darting haphazard to the next adolescent. The air is pungent with the scent of CK One, mingled with pockets of Clinique Happy. He takes the stage, which is more of a designated area at the front of the room blocked off by heavy sound equipment and large speakers, his charismatic personality entrancing all who listen. Words shot like arrows into the heart.

This is how it begins. Somewhere in the world of youth camps and lock-ins. Late night bonfire chats lead to lifelong memories. In the mix of this, somewhere in the 1990’s of my life, a question was posed… “What is your testimony?”

I can remember the first time I heard this expression and had no idea what they were talking about. Like, no clue. It wasn’t long before I caught on though. The stream of almost 20 year olds and upwards, who had spoken at different youth retreats and events conveyed the power of Christ in their lives. They told stories unending of being a “party-er” or experimenting with drugs, having sex before marriage, living a wild lifestyle – all before they met the man named Jesus. The list goes on of all the beautifully crafted stories in the lives of those who had encountered the saving power of the Cross of Christ and its ability to transform a nature.

So what was my testimony? … In those moments, I supposed I had none. My life choices paled in comparison to some of the tales I had heard. So whenever asked, I would simply reply with, “Oh, I don’t have one.” Until one day, God’s power to KEEP ME resonated within my soul. The same power to deliver, is the very same power to preserve.

The other day I was having a conversation with someone about weed. I know, right?! How do I get on to the topic of weed… who knows, but in that very moment I asked for definition of a particular description of said weed. My vocabulary in drug culture is extremely limited for obvious reasons. Yet in that prying moment the comment was made, “Oh, you were a good girl?!”

Yes. Yes I was… and maybe you are too.

Maybe I’m talking to you, the one that’s been labeled a good girl. Maybe you feel like because of the choices you have made and dedication you have given to the Lord, you no longer have what is considered a testimony. You’re wrong. Honey, you are the strongest and most brave soul one could ever meet. So what about the good girls?

Your testimony is the evidence of God’s power to keep and to guard. Your life cries out as a praise to the one who has held you in the palm of His hand. Never feel unqualified, slighted, belittled, or as if you don’t have anything to share with others because you have chosen to follow God and His will for your life, for your entire life. So be you, be good and shine bright.

“I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121 (The Message)

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Equipping Women in the Word

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Travel Escapades…

This year (2016) I will average 207 days living out of a suitcase… that is over half the year!! I have not even totaled up my traveling, preacher-man husband’s days. Those numbers alone are mine… all mine. Of course, for the most part we all travel together, which means my travel days include my two little minions. I think I have packing down to a science, and would like to share some of my tips & tricks with you.

First things first, let’s set the scene…

Processed with Snapseed. — Brynn in London, UK… with all the bags.

I dash down the hall like a half-crazed lunatic, grabbing garments of clothing from the piles of unfolded laundry heaped upon the living room sofa, all while yelling “Shekinah, Glory… Where are my leggings? Kids, do you have your clothes set out on your beds? I am not doing everything for everyone! Deep breath, Brynn. Shalom, shalom… Prince of Peace, Help me!”

Okay. So now that you have a lovely image of me pillaging my own home, let me tell you exactly what happens. My husband travels the most, so I am in a constant state of doing his laundry. He packs himself, but I always unpack and wash. So, usually I am finishing up said laundry for him, myself and kiddos before I ever set gaze upon a virgin suitcase. See, I do insist the large luggage be put away in it’s storage between trips… though our carry-ons have made themselves somewhat of a permanent fixture in our bedroom decor.

Once laundry is clean, I sort outfits for the kids depending on the length of trip. I lay them out on their beds and count off the days, then I cut it in half. Yep. Straight down the middle and say, you will most likely never wear this while we are away. I skim down on the kid’s clothes until they can share 1 suitcase for the both of them, with room to spare.

Kid’s Tips:

Always pack a swimsuit… just trust me.
Ziplock gallon bags for socks & undies.
Roll clothing, place in bags, label
Use a sharpie to label bags… who needs to color code??
2 pairs of shoes… 1 for play & 1 for party
Each child should have a small, rolling carry-on full of toys & snacks. Options are your friend when it comes to boring Airports & Hotel rooms.

Now on to the adult bags. Most above tips can be used for you as well, but then there are the miscellaneous items, like mouth guards or eye drops we may need. This is where I should own stock in ziplock, because LITERALLY EVERYTHING in my bag is inside another bag. Packing cubes are a great item to have too!

Adult Tips:

Take half of what you plan to pack, believe me you won’t use it.
Roll everything, its a space saver.
2-3 pairs of shoes… you’re not going to wear the electric blue heels, you didn’t last time either.
Liquid toiletries like shampoo, face cream, sunscreen should be in a ziplock so you don’t stain your favorite shirt. You could even cut a small square of plastic to place over the open container and twist the cap back on to ensure and extra tight seal and no leaks.
Bring those jeans… they are your favorite and despite them being heavy, smelly when wet or too casual… you know you’ll wear them.
Layers, Layers, Layers. It is super easy to change up outfits with the same top but a different cardigan or blazer.
1 fancy dress… you may have a date night or just want to dress up, its okay to pack at least one nice dress and heels that are versatile.

Alright, so these are a few of my tips… I can’t emphasize ziplocks enough and bringing a few extra bags to sort dirty from clean or contain muddy shoes until they can be cleaned. I am currently mid- 3 month trip to the UK and have managed 1 suitcase per person with a small carry-on for Homeschool supplies. Yep. That’s another blog in itself… homeschooling on the road.

Since I haven’t covered everything in this post, leave a comment with your favorite travel tip or hack. Remember to keep your destination in mind and obviously that will impact the necessary items you bring.

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” ~Saint Augustine of Hippo

When given the choice, always choose the adventure…