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A Mother’s Love Knows No Bounds

Raychel Chumley — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:36 +0000

A Mother’s Love Knows No Bounds

By: Raychel Chumley

Last Sunday we celebrated Mothers Days. You did celebrate your mother, right?! Today, I want to share with you one mothers story. She is a young mother to a one year old little boy and her and her husband are in the process of adopting two special needs children. She is an amazing woman with an amazing goal. Her story is the perfect example of a mother’s love knows no bounds.

Natalie Maxwell is an amazing young woman who I have had the privilege of getting to know over the last year. Less than a year ago, a few months after having their first born, God called them to adopt. Not in a few years when their baby was older, not someday when they owned a home, NOW! Instead of running from what God was asking them to do, Natalie and her husband Ryan accepted God’s call on their life and have taken the steps to bring home TWO sons. These are not “normal” children according to the words standards. In fact, their sons are considered rejects and unworthy because of their disabilities and the color of their skin. That didn’t matter to Natalie. One look at their brown eyes…and their mom was hooked. This is a mother who understood that love knows no bounds. I want to share her story in her own words of how God has brought their family together…

TWO clicks

We originally had our hearts set on Russia and were planning on pursuing a Russian adoption after I graduate from school and God provided us with a house.God obviously had different plans! Plans that revealed themselves through Two Clicks…In the beginning of December God led me, through one of my favorite blogs, to stumble upon a website called Reece’s Rainbow. With one click of the mouse my heart and life would be changed forever.

CLICK

There my eyes fell upon a beautiful child with soulful eyes just like our Landon’s. His eyes spoke to my heart and asked me the question that would change it forever…

Will you love me?

My heart broke for this child and I knew I had to know more about him. I contacted RR and they told me where Ivan lives and that he is in danger of being transferred to a mental institution very soon. They sent me all of the information for an adoption from his country and to my astonishment we met EVERY requirement and it would be less then half as expensive as a Russian adoption would be. My heart was still set on Russia, but I just could NOT get this child’s face out of my mind.

Lord is this you?

Ryan and I began praying about/for Ivan. We began researching orphanages and institutions in his country and what we found wrecked us. The abuse and neglect of children with special needs there was unspeakable. I knew that God was giving us our answer with every horror story we read.

We had NO choice.

We HAD to do something.
We had to do everything we possibly could to rescue Ivan.It seemed like God was growing my heart for the children of this country by the minute. In only a couple days of praying for Ivan, he seemed like a member of our family. Our hearts longed for him and my heart was breaking more and more knowing the hell he was living in.One night I couldn’t sleep. All I could think about was our Ivan. So I did what I had been doing none stop for the past two days, I went onto RR and found his picture. I stared at it for a long time and then I saw something that would again change our lives and hearts forever… Orphanage 42

CLICK

The next image I saw was a little boy with dark olive skin sitting in a bumbo chair. I read his profile and my broken heart somehow found a way to break even more. He was 5, just a couple months younger then Ivan. He was diagnosed with CP just like Ivan. He was in imminent danger of being transferred to a mental institution just like Ivan, but when I read that because of his skin color he is completely ostracized by the staff at the orphanage and never interacted with,
when I read that after only a couple days of another mother playing with him he could clap his hands, when I read that he had a twin sister who a family had chosen to adopt, but had left him in his prison, my heart BROKE!

It shattered!

I couldn’t take it, so I scrolled down to find Ivan’s picture, but something always drew me back up to the other boys picture, sweet little Simeon.

I finally fell asleep that night, but I awoke early in the morning and hurried to my inbox to find the email that held the information on adopting multiple children from this country. I had skipped over it before because we had no intention of adopting more then one child, but something in me had to know.

What I read blew my mind!

To adopt another child from the same orphanage was only $5,000 more! Simeon already had $4,000 raised for him through RR.

Lord what are you doing!

God, seriously are you crazy!! TWO!!

Ryan had just really accepted moving forward with an adoption. How could I tell Him that God wants us to adopt TWO!?! So I did what any brilliant wife would do, I waited until he was in the shower and I couldn’t see his reaction through the shower curtain. I spoke quickly, “Hey babe, I think God wants us to adopt two boys. There is another 5 year old boy in Ivan’s orphanage who is almost completely funded. I don’t see how we could go to adopt Ivan and not try to adopt him as well.”

I left it at that…

Ryan eventually got out of the shower and came to find me…. “Can I see his picture?”
I showed him… and the rest is history We had found our boys

Two days later we were speaking in church about the pillow pet project and in between services the church secretary came up to me and gave me a check for $1,000 from someone in our congregation. I asked her if they said what it was for and she told me that she thinks they wanted it to be used when we adopt someday. NO ONE knew about the boys.

God knew

In that moment we knew that this child was our Levi. It just made sense. Months before this ever happened Ryan and I were praying for our future child. We would pray for God to give us his name so that we could pray more specifically. Then one day I woke up from a nap with the name Levi so clearly written on my heart. It was a name we never would of chosen. I was brought to tears when I looked up what it means. Levi is Hebrew for “joined in harmony” “attached” “combined”.

At the time I took it as God’s confirmation that our adoption was going to be okay for our family, that our child was going to be joined in harmony with us, but now I know, at that moment, months before we would see his face, God gave us the name of this precious child who had been rejected by so many in his short life. His country looked at him and called him “cursed”, but God looked at him and called Him Levi. God knew that someday he would be joined into a family that would love him like crazy.

God sustained him for such a time as this. Please pray for our Ivan and our Levi. It will take a miracle for us to require the funds and be approved to bring them home. Please join us in believing and praying for our miracle.

You can read more about their journey with Landon (who was born with a heart defect), Ivan, and Levi on Natalie’s blog at http://ourlegacyoflove.blogspot.com/

Seriously. What kind of woman does something like this? A mother’s love knows no bounds! I want to share this story to not only celebrate a wonderful mother; but, also to ask you to help. The Maxwell’s are so close to raising the money they need to adopt their boys. Would you be willing to help this family and send one special mother a beautiful surprise? Right now on their blog they are holding a contest through May and are giving away a A Canon Rebel T4i! This camera is AMAZING! They are also giving away HUGE gift cards to Shutterfly as well. Even just $10 gets your name in this incredible drawing…and brings two special boys closer to home.

Thanks in advance for being generous and opening up your hearts, and wallets, to this incredible family.

~Raychel

The Heart of a Warrior-What Women Need to Know About the Wild Hearts of Men

Raychel Chumley — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:05:31 +0000

The Heart of a Warrior-

What Women Need to Know About the Wild Hearts of Men

By: Raychel Chumley

Inside every man beats the heart of a warrior. Women need to fully understand this concept if they will ever understand men. Women have been trying to change the hearts of the men around them believing them to be unpredictable, dangerous, and sinful. However, the heart of man with all its wildness and passion was created by his Creator. It is something to be celebrated not shamed.

I read a book that forever changed my concept of masculinity and who God created man to be. The book was Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge. I read it like a crazy person! I couldn’t get enough. If you have not read that book I urge you to RUN to your local bookstore and get it. I want to share with you just one of the many things I learned from this book: Men are wild at heart.

Born to be Wild but Doubting their Strength

According to Genesis chapter two, man was created from the dust of the earth in the untamed parts of creation and then placed into the Garden of Eden. Woman was created in the lush beauty of the Garden but man was created in the outback! The core of his heart is wild and that is good!

Men have a longing in their souls, created by God, for adventure, conquest, and freedom. The problem is we have been trying to redefine men and masculinity into something tame, safe, sensitive, and manageable for years. Then we look around and ask ourselves, “Were have all the good men gone?” The truth is they are hiding. They understand their true role as a man about as well as we do. They know something is not right but they have no idea how to fix it.

“Why don’t men play the man? Why don’t they offer their strength to a world desperately in need of it? For two simple reasons: we doubt very much that we have any real strength to offer, and we’re pretty certain that if we did offer what we have it wouldn’t be enough. Something has gone wrong and we know it.”

(Wild at Heart, John Eldridge pg. 50)

*******************************

Wow! Isn’t that mind blowing? However, I know this concept is difficult for many of you. Many of you don’t feel you can trust the heart of your man because you have been so hurt by him and others. I’m so sorry. Trust when I say I understand where you are because I have been there myself. I urge you to seek whatever professional help you need to heal and move towards a healthy concept of men.

But, for the majority of us it’s mere ignorance, our stubbornness, or our pride that allows us to feel we can disrespect and change our men. Ladies, we need to get this concept! We cannot keep trying to fix the wildness in our men’s hearts as if it is something sinful and needing of correction. It is placed there specifically by God.

Our men are called to greatness, but so many of them are hiding behind wounded hearts. They doubt their ability, they doubt their calling, they doubt their strength, and they doubt they have what it takes. Whether you want to believe it or not, women play a crucial role in how a man feels about himself and his abilities as a husband, father, and man. Let’s accept this challenge and truly learn to love and respect the warrior heart of our men.

~ Raychel

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments please leave them below!

A Call to Prayer

Raychel Chumley — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:25:04 +0000

A Call to Prayer

By: Raychel Chumley

Today is the National Day of Prayer in the USA. I had the privilege of attending our state’s ceremony this afternoon with my best friend Mandy Anderson. It was a heart warming ceremony with a call to prayer for our city, our state, our businesses, our schools, our churches, and our families. I wanted to share with you the 2013 National Prayer. I also want to encourage you to spend a few minutes of your day praying on behalf of our nation.

~Raychel

Life on the 15th: April

Raychel Chumley — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:15:41 +0000

My “Staff” for the Day- Baby Man & Little Miss

Where the magic happens…

Redecorating the living room…Do any of these colors speak to you?

Please help me! I’m drowning in paint chips!!

Crate training with Jake. Yes…that is a “Thunder Shirt.”

Yes…it’s a $40 miracle product!

Working on Love and Lavender brochures…Aren’t these pictures fabulous!

Coffee…Because some mornings are like that.

I have piles like this all over the house…Spring Cleaning and starting fresh!

What the 15th of April really looked like…

Postpartum, Anxiety & Depression and a Happy Healthy Me- Random Thoughts on My Journey

Raychel Chumley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:00:11 +0000

Postpartum, Anxiety, & Depression and Finding a Happy, Healthy Me

Random Thoughts on My Journey

By: Raychel Chumley

I’m happy today.

That is the thought that went through my head as I left the church. Sure, the sun was shining, it was a balmy 26 degrees, and I could hear geese overhead (a sure sign spring is coming to the frozen north) but I knew those were not the only reasons why. I was truly feeling happy again. I was feeling happy on the inside. True happiness and joy was welling up inside me. It felt awesome.

I painted my toes a few nights ago. I can’t even remember the last time I did that. I sent my husband a picture with the caption “Pretty, Happy, Toes” he messaged me back that he was glad to see that picture because it meant I was happy again.

A week ago, I posted on my Facebook page this question: “Do you think your home reflects how you are feeling emotional, physically, and spiritually? In other words, does the condition of your furniture, the color of your walls, or how often you clean tell something about how your feeling on the inside?” I believe it does. I believe my home reflects how I’m feeling emotionally as well as physically. Many of the women who answered confirmed my feelings as well.

What prompted that question was my living room. I was sitting in my living room one night after the kiddos were in bed and I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. My living room was a big, boring, blob of brown. I’ve felt like something has been “wrong” on my main floor for months now, but I couldn’t put my finger on it until the other night. The living room and dining room felt gloomy. I was feeling better but my house still reflected how I felt a year ago. It was eye-opening.

I’m feeling good. I want to add color to my house again. My most favorite way to decorate is with bold black and white patterns and pops of color (blue, orange, green, and red being my faves) I am looking at my home again with a critical eye. I’m taking down pictures that have been up since our early days of marriage; but, no longer reflect who we are and what we love. I’m falling in love with this house, and however long God keeps us here, I’m ready to make it our home.

I love my Love and Lavender Bath. I love that it’s a creative reflection of who I am and also a unique way for me to help people physically, emotionally, and mentally. I’m so happy that I finally feel like this is a valid part of the overall ministry of This Beautiful Life…not a side line.

Total random thought: If you want a story in pictures of how 2012 went for me, just look at the different labels, bottles, and designs Love and Lavender has been. It’s a glaring testament to the chaos in my brain at times. This is the first time I’ve ever felt my products reflected me and what I wanted them to convey. The labels are black and what with a little pop of color and a touch of country whimsy…exactly perfectly me

I read the chapter in a new counseling book I usually avoid. How to help people who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and trauma is a topic I stay away from. Reading these case studies is a huge trigger for my panic attacks and anxiety. I usually cannot disassociate my own children from the children/adult survivors I am reading about. I am tormented for days with images of my children being hurt by the men they love and trust. It’s terrifying and exhausting.

I am not a survivor of this kind of abuse. It’s just Satan’s personal brand to attack me with. However, God has a big plan for my life and helping women overcome this kind of trauma is going to be part of it. I have to be able to hear their stories, empathize with their hurts, face the horror and ugliness, and not have it trigger panic and anxiety. I made it through the chapter. I slept well that night. I have not had it trigger a panic attack. I have not thought about what I read over and over again until I’ve driven myself to fear and anxiety.

This is a miracle.

I keep hearing God say to me “Do it with a Spirit of Excellence.” Truth be told, I’ve heard this phrase muttered many times in my past by mentors and coaches. But, I’ve never heard God say it directly to me. It will come at the oddest times: when I’m folding laundry, when I want to go to bed instead of taking 10 minutes to pick up the living room for the night, when I’m sitting in my office prepping for a client, and when I’m wanting to stay in bed looking at pinterest until the wee hours of the morning instead of writing this blog (ahem.)

I think God is trying to tell me something.

The last year and a half I have been doing everything but be excellent. Striving for mediocre would be a more accurate description of my behavior. Last year some time I remember my mom saying to me “You don’t care because it’s not important to you. It’s important to her.” To tell you the truth, I don’t remember exactly what was important to my Claire that I didn’t see as worthwhile, but I do remember thinking “I wonder why I don’t care.”

Not every day is going to be happy. I will still have to fight to overcome the darkness some days. Now, I know how to fight. I think God is telling me it’s time to wake up from this depressive slumber. It’s time to overcome the anxieties and fears. It’s time to take responsibility for the mess I’ve created. It’s time to act like a mommy again, not just their mother. It’s time to break down the walls I built to keep out my husband emotionally. It’s time to care.

It’s time.

I’m happy.

I’m ready.

~Raychel

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sunday’s Coming…

Raychel Chumley — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 03:44:08 +0000

Happy Easter!

It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming.

No matter what your Friday is…Sunday is coming!

10 Prayers for My Husband

Raychel Chumley — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:00:31 +0000

10 Prayers for My Husband

By: Raychel Chumley

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in specific, dynamic prayers. I believe in asking God for impossible things. I believe in miracles.I believe a wife should pray for her husband. I believe prayers for our husbands should be specific and dynamic. I believe it is an honor and a blessing to pray for your husband.

Do you?

I bet you do. But, if you are anything like me, you probably forget how important prayer actually is in a marriage. I will be the first to admit that even though I believe these things about prayer, and praying for my husband, I forget to actually practice what I believe. Do you have a problem with that too?

Or, maybe you just don’t know what to pray about. What is it your husband needs you to pray for? What are specific things you can pray over your husband that will make a difference in his life and your marriage?

Maybe you are going through a difficult season in your marriage and just need some direction on what to pray for when every day is a struggle.

I want to help you, and the man you love, by giving you 10 specific and dynamic ways to pray for your husband.

10 Prayers for My Husband

That he would be a godly parent and train our children to love God.

Ephesians 6:4 “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

That he would be kind, tender, and able to forgive others.

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

That his job and influence would be blessed and increased.

I Chronicles 4:22 “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So god granted him what he requested (Prayer of Jabez)

That he would know and understand God’s deep love.

Ephesians 3:15-19 “I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit-not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength-that Christ will not live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. (The Message)

That he would be protected.

2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

That he would not be fearful or anxious.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

That he would be courageous and brave.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

That he would be wise in his decision making.

Psalm 119:66 -Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

That he would be a man of great faith.

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

That he would be a wise steward and a cheerful giver.

Proverbs 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.2 Corinthians 9:7 “God loves a cheerful giver”

I want to share with you what I am going to personally do with this list. I made a letter to God on behalf of my husband with each one of these prayers. I am going to print it out, frame it, and hang it in my bathroom beside the prayers I pray for myself every day. When I am getting ready in the morning I will repeat these prayers for my husband, and myself, out loud.

Here is what the letter says:

Dear God,

I come before you today to lift up Brandon. I pray that Brandon would be a godly parent to Claire, Eli, and Chloe. I pray that he would raise them up to know you and love you. I pray that Brandon would be kind, tenderhearted, and loving. I pray that he would be able to forgive others as easily as you forgive him. I pray that just like Jabez, you would increase Brandon’s territory and influence. I pray your mighty blessing over him and everything he does. I pray for an increase of Brandon’s inner strength. That he would know beyond a shadow of a doubt your love for him. I pray that Brandon will be able to experience the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. That he would reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! That together we would live full lives in the fullness of God. I pray for protection over Brandon against anything the devil would try to bring his way to distract him from you and your purposes for him. I pray that Brandon would not be fearful; but, rather strong and courageous. I pray that you give Brandon wisdom. That he would know he can ask for direction and knowledge regarding every decision he has to make. I pray that Brandon would be a man of great faith, a diligent worker, and a cheerful giver. I ask these things on behalf of the man I love, Amen

There are many ways you can make these prayers for your husband part of your routine. If you journal you can write them down as part of your daily, or weekly, list of prayers. If you are a visual person you can print them out, frame them, and hang them in your bedroom. Below I have a beautiful picture of these prayers so that you can pin it on Pinterest, share on Facebook, Tweet it on Twitter,or just print them out and put in your Bible. There is no wrong way to pray for your husband. The point is to do it, and do it often. I hope you take this privilege or praying for your husband seriously. Won’t you join me as we lift our husband is prayer? I would love to have you along for the ride!

Please share with me below how you plan on using these prayers in your own marriage. I love to hear your comments! Thanks for reading this edition of “Life, Love, and Lavender”

~Raychel

Natural Beauty DIY- Super Muscle Relaxing Salt Bath Recipe

Raychel Chumley — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 08:05:37 +0000

Natural Beauty DIY

Super Muscle Relaxing Salt Bath Recipe

By: Raychel Chumley

I love all-natural beauty products you can create in your own home. (that’s how Love and Lavender Bath Co. started ) It’s scary when you start researching and looking at all the chemicals in our cosmetics and bath products. Not only do I want to create wonderful handcrafted products for you to use in your home, I also want to share with you some easy DIY beauty recipes you can whip up in your own kitchen!

Today, I want to share with you a natural beauty DIY recipe you can put together in no time. It’s the Super Muscle Relaxing Salt Bath Recipe and it is perfect after a hard day at the gym, when you are long over due for a massage (who isn’t?!) or just had an especially strenuous day. Salt bath’s have amazing benefits for your skin and body.

Salt baths improve circulation, ease muscle tension, and relief stiff muscles and achy feet. Soaking in a salt bath helps open up your pores to purify your skin. Epsom salt is high in magnesium, which is a vital nutrient most of us are deficient in. “According to the National Academy of Sciences, magnesium deficiency helps to account for high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a number of other ailments.” (Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/health-benefits-of-epsom-salt-baths.html#ixzz2OBhL3nDE)

Now those are some great reasons to give yourself 30 minutes of “Me-time” and relax in a super relaxing salt bath. Here is the recipe…

Super Muscle Relaxing Salt Bath Recipe

1 cup Kosher Salt

1 cup Baking Soda

1 cup Epsom Salt

15 drops of your favorite relaxing essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients together and store in a clean jar. Pour at least 1 cup of the mixture into warm running bath water slowly, allowing the minerals to dissolve completely. Step into the bath and relax.

Yield: This recipe makes 24 ounces. Enough for 3 baths.

Doesn’t that sound wonderful! Just a word of caution on this recipe. Please, do not use Epsom Salt if you are pregnant. Also, this bath salt recipe can be drying on your skin. Don’t forget to use your favorite Love and Lavender Nourishing Body Oil after getting out of the tub.

After you’ve tried this relaxing bath, come back and leave me a comment and let me know what you thought! I would love to hear your story. Or, find me on Facebook and share with me a comment on how this recipe worked for you.

See you next time for another edition of Life, Love, & Lavender

~Raychel

Life on the 15th: March

Raychel Chumley — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 19:26:01 +0000

New Hobby Lobby find…perfect for hubby and me!

Popcorn for Breakfast.

Relaxing by the fire…it’s cold today!

Told you. It’s cold today. Yesterday it was 65 degrees. Yup…welcome to ND!

Hello cards and Gratitude Notebook…taking care of my clients

Being Goofy

Dreaming of Spring and planning our yard

We decorate in Early Childhood…and condiments. Don’t you?

Aren’t they sweet

Love note from Claire

That’s my life on the 15th ~ Raychel

We All need a Little Hope

Raychel Chumley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:25:27 +0000

We all need a Little Hope

By: Raychel Chumley

We all need a little hope. Hope is how you survive. Hope is how you thrive. Hope makes all the difference when the word looks black and you are full of fear.

Hope is why you get married.

Hope is why you go to college.

Hope is why you go to church.

Hope is why you get a gym membership.

Hope is why you get a life coach and go to a counselor.

Hope is why you invest in the stock market.

Hope is why you read your Bible.

Hope is why you read self-help books.

Hope is why you make plans, dream dreams, and have visions for your future.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) You live by hope! There is a lot of scientific research that has been done about how hopelessness affects your health. Without hope you literally get sick. You get sick emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically without hope in your life. As a busy wife, mom, and woman you need hope to survive the daily demands of life. I want to remind you of a few verses and quotes you can use when you need a little shot of hope.

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”

JeanDe La Breye’re

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

“You are full of unshaped dreams…You are laden with beginnings…There is hope in you.”

Lola Ridge

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8

“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”

Anonymous

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”

Maya Angelou

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Proverbs 31:25-29

If I was you, I would print out a couple of these and tape them up in a few strategic places in your house. Put a verse of hope beside your bathroom mirror. Tape a quote up beside the kitchen sink. Make hope a priority. If you are one of my readers who are walking through postpartum, anxiety, or depression, I want to make this mandatory for you. Ok, I can’t make it mandatory, but this is how serious I am about this. If you deal with anxious thoughts, thoughts or doom, or overwhelming feelings of fear this is a great way to combat those harmful thoughts. I do this in my own home! It makes such a difference.

I would love to hear from you on this topic of hope. Do you have a personal story of how hope has affected your life? I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and let me know how having hope has made a difference in your life. Also, please make sure you share this article on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Give your friends and loved ones a little hope and encouragement today. You never know whose life it can change!

~ Raychel

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net