The Golden Egg

The girls dashed from the barn

and burst through the kitchen door with wild excitement!

"Hope laid an egg! Hope laid an egg!"

Finding the first egg was like finding gold.

We took turns holding it...

...and were careful not to break it.

Because this wasn't your everyday egg.

It was soft and squishy...missing its hard shell.

{Apparently, that's normal for the first few eggs. Who knew?}

And while we were admiring the first egg,

our girl Hope laid another.

Just like that. No shell at all.

{Learning as we go!}

And here's our golden girl:

{Hope. The one we prayed over. So proud of her!}

Checking for eggs has brought a whole new

level of excitement to our farm duties!

Hopefully, our girls will learn to use the nesting boxes in the coop.

Any tips on how to make that happen?

P.S. Finding an egg was especially exciting during a week when we're losing yet another chicken. We've lost half our flock to an incurable disease. They've all been exposed, so it's just a matter of waiting to see who will survive. A slow and painful process...made brighter by the HOPE that we might have a few who make it. Once again, farm life is teaching us how to hold both the pain and the glory.

The Power of A Father's Love

On this Father's Day, I'm struck by the power of a father's love. It changes everything. {If you're a numbers person, these statistics for fatherless children will convince you.} I don't know what life is like without a daddy. I honestly can't imagine.

{Classic 80's moment.}

When I was a girl, I had two favorite super heroes: Wonder Woman {I wore the Underoos} and my daddy. He could do no wrong in my book. Was he perfect? No! He cussed like a sailor and was stubborn as a mule at times. But he was my daddy.

And I was his girl. He delighted in me...not because I was his high-achieving, rule-following first born daughter, but because I was HIS. Simple as that.

At the end of the day, every girl wants to be delighted in...not because of what she's done to earn attention or become worthy of affection, but just because she is who she is...just because she belongs to her daddy. This is how a father really loves: he delights in his girl.

When I was 12, I started hearing about my Heavenly Father's love for the first time. I went to Camp Ozark thinking it was all about sports and outdoor adventure. {The Christian part would've scared me. New and unknown things always do.} But something happened during those two weeks at camp. God's love for me felt real and believable...even familiar.

When I was in college, I wrote my dad a long letter...thanking him for the way he loved me and letting him know that his love paved the way for me to believe in God's love. My dad doesn't share my faith, but by his love, he taught me more about my Heavenly Father's heart than anyone else.

{My wedding day.}

A mama's love is fierce and strong, but there's something about a daddy's love and how it relates to God as Father that we mamas just can't replicate. And sadly, not every girl has experienced the love and delight of a father. Some girls don't know their fathers, some have lost their fathers, and some have been deeply wounded by their fathers. I don't know your story, but I know this: if your father didn't love you well, it wasn't because of you. It was because he was wounded and hurting. And because he didn't find the healing he needed for his own wounds, he wounded you. I'm so, so sorry, sweet girl. 

I only know one place to take our very real and painful wounds: to the heart of God. His heart toward you is loving. And the power of his love is healing. Even my earthly daddy can't offer my heart all that it needs. But my Heavenly Father can.

The older I get, the more I can see my father's imperfections. {And the more He can see mine!} But what a girl really needs isn't her father's perfection {she can find that in Jesus}. What a girl needs is her father's delight.  

 A girl and her daddy.

How great is the love the father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

{1 John 3:1}

 Happy Sunday!

A Family Heirloom

I just had to share this today:

A family heirloom.

Can you believe this pink lily has been in my family since the late 1800's? The original plant belonged to my Great Great Grandmother...right here in Franklin, Tennessee. {You can see an old family photo here.}

My mom's first cousin, who lives here in Nashville, decided it was time for this plant to return to Franklin. I was so honored! I have actual, literal roots here, y'all! Can you believe it? {And all this time I thought my only roots were in Houston, Texas.}

My girls have promised to keep this plant alive. When my youngest saw the first blooms, she ran back inside to alert me....then made me close my eyes so that she could lead me out and surprise me. She even took pictures. {Sweet girl!}

I'm a sucker for history and nostalgia. And I'm enjoying the deeper glory: that new growth can burst forth from very old places...and that the roots of our stories run deeper than we think.

Oh, happy day!

My June Book Stack

Nothing says summer like...a great stack of books?!?! Maybe that's just the dorky English major in me talking, but if you're anything like me, you love seeing what other people are reading. Here's a look at my stack right now:

{I'm old school. I love a printed book with real pages!}

From the top:

1. The Light Princess - Planning to read this one aloud to my girls. {Something I wish I did more often, even though they are 10 and 12 and can read quite well on their own.} George MacDonald was a great inspiration to one of my favorite authors and thinkers, C.S. Lewis. Awesome to know who inspired the greats.
2. The Lost Husband - I'm feeling downright giddy about diving into this one! The cover couldn't be any cuter {here}, and it's set on a farm. I'm dying to read it in my barn hammock with a tall glass of iced tea and lemonade! {Does that sound like good summer reading, or what?!?!} This is Katherine Center's fourth book, and some say it's her best. One thing's for sure: she's found her voice, and I love it! She's witty, brilliant, excellent at her craft, and also happens to be a friend.
3. Intentional Parenting - I don't read many parenting books these days {I think I overdosed when the girls were little}, but this one is refreshing. The title includes one of my favorite words: intentional. Who doesn't want to be more of that? It's also co-authored by one of my new favorite people, David Thomas. This guy is the real deal. And don't get me started on his precious family. I could write a whole post about them and still not be done. {If you have boys, you might also like Wild Things.}
4. Love Story - This one landed in my pile unexpectedly. It was given to me by a blog reader who I had the privilege of meeting in person. I thought I'd get around to it later, but once I started, it was just so easy to keep going. Nichole Nordeman is known as a singer/songwriter, but she's hysterical and honest as an author. She confesses all kinds of funny things: like being so nosy that she'll look through your purse if you leave it at the table while using the restroom!
5. The Divine Romance - I hardly know what to say. This is an allegory that is so beautifully, exquisitely descriptive that it has to be divinely inspired. It was placed in my hands by someone I only met briefly, and somehow, she just knew it was for me. Maybe it's for you, too. Enjoy!
6. Daring Greatly - Brené Brown is one of Houston's hometown heroes who's gained national recognition...and for good reason! I was drawn to her "I choose authenticity" movement years ago, but these days, she seems more authentic than ever. She wrote this book after a breakdown that led to a breakthrough, so you know it'll be rich and real.
7. Abba's Child - This is one of the few books I've read several times. C.S. Lewis said, "Those who read great works...will read the same work ten, twenty or thirty times during the course of their life." Brennan Manning wouldn't call himself a "great," but his words are worth re-reading again and again. He undoes me every time...gently exposing the impostor and calling out my true identity as a child of God. Ragamuffin Gospel is another great book of his. {I was sad to learn that he died this year. He was a deep soul who offered greatness out of his nothingness.}

I'm hoping to read a stack at least this high in July, too. {Making up for lost time after our move. Just now catching my breath a year after our crazy leap of faith!} So tell me, what are you reading these days? Anything I should add to my July stack?

Happy reading to you!

By the way, C.S. Lewis would advise me to read something old and classic in between all the new. Not sure what that will be yet. My Granny used to re-read Pride and Prejudice almost every year. She was a brilliant woman, so maybe there's something to that! {Granny and C.S. Lewis...two of my greatest inspirations...and both with the last name Lewis!}

The Gifts of Writing

I'm not a runner and I'm not fast, but this quote is one of my all-time favorites. Sometimes I like to test out my own versions. Here's one: God made me a writer. And when I write, I feel His pleasure.

I'm a writer at heart, but sometimes I have no idea what to write. And sometimes writing feels too hard. Maybe you feel the same way? Or maybe you don't think you have anything to say? Sweet friend, your words are powerful. They tell your story. They help you find your voice. They encourage and inspire others.

Can I help you find your words today? Here are a few ways you can put pen to paper...or fingers to the keyboard.

1. Journaling

A gift to yourself.

I've been journaling since I was a girl. Most of the early stuff is downright silly. {I had quite a lot to say about boys!} But even the ridiculous stuff is part of my story. And reading it allows me see that I've come a long way! Journaling isn't about the end result; it's about the journey. It's not about reporting the perfect story; it's about walking through the mess. And as you flip back through the pages, you begin to see the glory of it all. Journaling is a safe place to tell your story.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

-Maya Angelou

2. Letter Writing

Whether it's an 8-page letter to an old friend or a short note to someone you just met, letter writing is a gift to yourself and others. A gift to yourself because it forces you to slow down and tune in to your heart for a moment. A gift to others because you know how good it feels to get old fashioned mail! {More on letter writing here, here and here.}

3. List Making

If writing complete sentences feels overwhelming, try making a list of simple thoughts. Your whole family can participate in this one. Ann Voskamp has mastered the art of giving thanks with a list. It's powerful. Her book One Thousand Gifts inspired me to start a list of my own. {She's also released a devotional that some like even more than the book.} It's fun to look back at my list from two years ago and see the little things that made my heart sing.

4. Blogging

I realize blog writing isn't for everyone. It's public, time consuming and leaves you feeling over exposed at times. {Not to mention the crazy ways it can feed self-importance and insecurity if your heart isn't in the right place.} But there are gifts in the midst. {I met one today. Deana, you're a gem!}

For every post I've written, I've also had thoughts of never writing on the internet again. But then a little nudge or word of encouragement comes my way. A reminder that my small voice might have a greater purpose. Because God is doing something bigger than me. Bigger than my blog. He's speaking to people's hearts. And sometimes, He uses the words I write to do it. {Talk about humbling.} 

Perhaps your voice is needed in blog world? Whether you author a blog or leave words of encouragement in the form of comments, your words can be part of a greater purpose. 

5. Writing a Book

The Lost Husband.

A must-read this summer!

No, I haven't written a book, but I know someone who has: Katherine Center. She's always been a writer in some way, shape or form. Even during the years when writing was hard {little ones at home}, she stayed true to her gift. I so admire her. {And highly recommend all four of her novels.}

There might be a book in me, but the Lord is going to have to call it out and convince me it needs to be written. Writing is hard work, even when you have a clear purpose and vision, so there's no way I'd write a book without a calling!

I hope these different ways of writing have encouraged you to let your words out today. Even if it's just a little note to someone in your own home. {This might be the best writing of all!} Use your words well today, my friends. They are powerful gifts!

Blessings,

{via}

Our Farmhouse Dining Room

I can't believe it's been a YEAR since we moved! I remember seeing the Houston skyline in my rearview mirror as we drove out of town a year ago...and feeling suffocated by every emotion under the sun. {I'm pretty sure I cried oceans of tears.}

There's a lot I could say about the last year, but for now, I want to share the place where new friendships are growing:

Our farmhouse dining room.

We love feasting with friends, even if it's just sharing leftovers. Something magical happens when people sit at a table together and share a good meal. {And WOW does my husband know how to prepare a good meal! He focuses on the food; I focus on the beauty making. What a team!}

{Before I hung the curtains.}

When you're new to town, you don't exactly know who to invite to dinner. But before we moved, I prayed that God would make room in people's hearts for us. {Finding true friendship was my biggest fear.} In only one year's time, God has answered in a BIG way. We've met the most amazing people. A few feel like old friends already. It's as if our souls have known each other a long time.

{I love the way curtains cozy up a room. Wanting to trim down

the custom seagrass rug from my Houston dining room so that I can use it here.}

This room was once a living room. And would've made a great living room for us, too. But we needed a room long enough for my beloved dining table. {Remember all that table drama? There was no way I was giving up my custom designed table after all that drama!}



This is the only room in our house with a fireplace. The upside: we enjoyed some awesome meals with a crackling fire. The downside: it's not the best spot for curling up with a good book and a cup of tea. {When I find the inspiration and motivation, I'd love to whitewash the orange brick and replace the mantle with a chunky piece of reclaimed wood.}

Here's a look at a few of the details...

because we beauty hunters always appreciate the little things!

Designed by moi...after looking at every table in the city of Houston.

{Built by a table angel. Painted by Tamara Moore in Houston.}

Bought this piece at Marburger before I even knew if the farmhouse dream

would come true. Didn't have a spot for it in Houston, so it was risky!

You already know about my crown fetish.

{A constant reminder that I'm a daughter of the King.}

And my small pot fetish.

Oh, and my basket/organization fetish.

{Turns out I have a lot of fetishes!}

Bought these napkins in Provence 8 years ago...

and they were already monogramed perfectly for me!

Made in France; purchased at Sur la Table.

My husband picked this as my birthday wine back in January. So good!

Another great use for my Warrenton olive harvesting buckets.

I thought some of you would appreciate the way to fake a pleat: ring clips!

No sewing required. Just pinch and clip.

{Linen curtains from Ikea; rods from Target. Very budget friendly!}

I was 37 when we chased our dream and moved here.

A year of courage, hope, fear, adventure, prayer, heartache...the whole spectrum!

{From City Farmhouse, my favorite antique shop in downtown Franklin.}

Oh, and the paint color:

Wickham Gray by Benjamin Moore. Half formula on the ceiling.

{Same as my Houston dining room.}

Our farmhouse dining room isn't like the one in my dreams, but the more we feast with friends here, the more dreamy it becomes! And as I sweep away the mess from this weekend's feasting, I'm feeling thankful that after only one year here, we have the sweetest friends gathering around our table.

Thankful for food and friends today!

P.S. Forgot to tell you about the light fixture. {I've developed a lighting fetish since most of the rooms in the house needed new lighting.} The dining room was lightless, so we added the Eldridge Chandelier from Ballard Designs. Different for me! At first, I was going to hang a chandelier, but it made the room feel too French in the heart of Franklin. {I like to take cues from the surrounding environment, and we're surrounded by rolling hills and farm land, not the upscale urban area that we left in Houston.} The farmhouse has provided me with a fun challenge of giving my French-inspired decor a simpler, more relaxed, sometimes industrial, sometimes country feel. Most of the things in my house aren't new; just arranged in a different way. Amazing what that can do!

When You've Got Nothing

You know those "I've got nothing" days? The days when you feel like you've got nothing to offer? Or maybe you've got a little something, but you feel like it isn't really needed?

Yeah, you know the days. The days when you hold back and hole up...keeping your nothing or your little something all to yourself because surely no one else will need what you've got.

Well friends, today is a new day!

And today, and I'm here to say to myself and to you:

You are needed.

You absolutely have something to offer.

{A gift from a neighbor's garden.}

The truth is, your "nothing" can be used as God's "something." So go ahead and offer your nothing today and see what happens!

Love and hugs,