Whatsoever Things Are Lovely
In a world that can be filled with busyness, schedules, traffic, deadlines, & stress, I wanted to create a space where people could gather to find encouragement & hope. A place filled with “Whatsoever things are lovely”.
A Little Bit About Me
Hi, I’m Kristin.
I’m a Christian, wife, & mama. Starting this blog has been one of my heart’s desires. Lord Willing, I plan to write about things for which I’m passionate. Faith, family, health, home, simple & nutritious meals, and modest fashions are among the topics I hope to cover.
I’m no expert when it comes to making a blog, and I’m prayerfully fumbling my way through making this one.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for your patience & for bearing with me. (Oh, & this picture was taken at an outdoor display at a museum. I don’t usually wash our clothes scrubbing them on a washboard. Smile.)
May God continue to bless you & your families.
Love in Christ,
Kristin
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things.
~Philippians 4:8
It’s Starting to Feel like Fall
Although, the first official day of Fall isn't until September 22, we are starting to see signs of its appearing already. Kids are back in school, there are cooler temperatures, fall decor is starting to show up inside & outside of homes & we were pretty sure we recently smelled the scent of a fireplace being used in the air.
I love to see the vibrant array of colors as leaves begin to change. Leaves can change their color from as early as mid-September all the way through early November.
Fall always seems like a family season to me. There are so many fun activities to partake in- going to apple orchards, hayrides, bonfires, corn mazes. There's even a berry farm near us that has a pumpkin patch each year with yummy goodies to be purchased. Of course, family doesn't always mean biologically related. Friends can be our family. Church members can be our family. And if no one is available to go with you, you can treat yourself. Even if it's having hot cider or a pumpkin spice latte & taking a walk to take in the view of the changing colors. I know not everyone is comfortable with being by themselves (which is perfectly understandable). There are Fall movies available or books to help you enjoy the season.
Peace in the Storm
So often, it seems the cares of this life are beckoning for our constant attention. Appointments, schedules, bills, housework, laundry, deadlines, forms to be signed, and the list goes on. It's easy to get overwhelmed. We may feel like we don't measure up or like we're starting to sink beneath the mass of demands. It reminds me of the Bible story in Matthew 14:22-32 when Jesus' disciples were in a ship at night. It was dark & the ship was being tossed by the wind. Life can feel that way at times. But Jesus came to them walking on the water. At first, they were afraid & thought it was a spirit. Jesus reassured them that it was He, not a spirit & told them to be of good cheer. A welcome sight! Peter wanted Jesus to prove it was truly Him by letting Peter come to Him on the water. Jesus said, "Come." And Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus... until he looked at the wind & was afraid. It was then that he started to sink & cried for the Lord to save him. Of course, Jesus did just that- He stretched for His hand & caught him. He said to Peter "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" We, too, may look at the winds blowing around us- the cares of this life- and become overwhelmed or afraid & feel like we're starting to sink. But we don't have to feel that way. If we keep our focus on Jesus, not our problems, we don't have to sink. We can look to Him, to His Word, to prayer & have peace in the midst of all of life's demands. But it's so comforting to know if our focus does go astray, we can cry out to Jesus & He will lovingly catch us. I pray the Lord strengthen each of our faith, that we be able to keep our focus on Jesus. To trust in His mighty power & not be afraid. Matthew 14:32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Jesus presence truly calms the storm.
This book is called A Word to the Broken. It’s written by Pastor Victor Jackson. He has a touching story & wonderful testimony. It will bring encouragement & hope.
*This is an Amazon affiliate link
Book Series Recommendation
I wanted to share with all of you a book series from Guideposts, that I have been enjoying. The series is called Whistle Stop Cafe’ Mysteries. I had originally ordered these books for my daughter who is an avid mystery fan. She kept telling me that I should read them, too, but I thought I was too busy & didn’t have time to read. Until one day, when I picked up the first book in the series, “Under the Apple Tree” by author Gabrielle Meyer, & started reading. I was hooked.
I like mysteries but really don’t care for ones where there’s murder. I also don’t like to read stories “syruped” in romance. If I’m going to spend some of the precious time God has given me reading, I prefer it be something with some positive substance. This series fits that bill.
It’s about a real place with an important & valuable history, “The Dennsion Railroad Depot” located in Dennsion, Ohio. It’s a wonderful remaining example of one of our nation’s WWll canteens & is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Dennison Depot Salvation Army Servicemen’s Canteen served free food to 1.3 million service members traveling by troop train. They had 3,987 volunteers. The soldiers even nicknamed Dennsion, “Dreamsville, USA” because of their well known home front hospitality.
The series begins with 2 childhood & life long friends, Debbie & Janet, remodeling & reopening the former cafe’ at the Depot, “The Whistle Stop Cafe’”. (There really is still a cafe’ at the Depot, today, called Lucille’s Lunch Stand.) Before long, they find themselves in the midst of solving mysteries past & present. The books are positive with suspense & humor throughout. There are bits here & there of light & clean romance. Also mixed into the stories are scriptures & valuable life lessons from which to glean. These nuggets have helped me in some of my own life circumstances.
Though the characters & situations are fictional, the pieces of history folded into the plots are very real. I like that I’m learning & being educated on United States history while also enjoying a good read.
You can still visit the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, that’s mentioned in the books, today. They have a gift shop as well as a Pullman Bed & Breakfast, which are also featured in the books.
You can find the Whistle Stop Cafe’ series available at Guideposts & also Amazon. I will include links to the book series, as well as a link to the Dennison Railroad Museum website. Happy reading!
Dennison Railroad Museum https://dennisondepot.org/
Whistle Stop Cafe’ Mystery series at Guideposts https://guideposts.org/?s=whistle+stop+cafe+mysteries&post_type=product&_gl=1*1orjt48*_up*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwxY-3BhAuEiwAu7Y6s21RT111WEwe30fxkRjgV0dClYcKvx4dTd6W2w9NspnM2PFvdNk6ZhoCG2kQAvD_BwE
Book 1 in the Whistle Stop Cafe’ Mystery series Under the Apple Tree by Gabrielle Meyer at Amazon https://amzn.to/3zgiqHy (I am an Amazon affiliate partner, & this is an Amazon affiliate link. I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.)
Modesty is beautiful, classy, & always in style.
Check out the links below to find some lovely modest styles my family & I have enjoyed.
Here are some of my favorite
casual dress options from Amazon.
*These are Amazon affiliate links