Sally Clarkson reflects on a full-circle moment, glimpses of what is to come for her both personally and professionally, and advice for finding serenity.
The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson has been on my nightstand since last summer. One might assume that it means that I have been trying to finish it since last summer, but in fact, it just means that I keep re-reading it. I think I’m on my fourth time though. I rarely...
I have read that loneliness is epidemic in our society today. People are often mobile and moving more often. Then connection are often thr...
My mom is just about the bravest person I know.
The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson has been on my nightstand since last summer. One might assume that it means that I have been trying to finish it since last summer, but in fact, it just means that I keep re-reading it. I think I’m on my fourth time though. I rarely...
Launch Day! Today is the day Clay and I launch our newest book, The Lifegiving Parent. We hope that moms and dads, groups of friends, classes at church will grab a copy and go through it together. After 34 years of parenting, we know that parenting matters. The most fulfilling work of our liv
Once in a while you find yourself part of something that you know is God ordained and bigger than you are. Such is how I feel when I think of my friendship with Sally Clarkson. The first time I e…
My favorite Advent resources.
Recommended by all the homeschool moms, I decided to give it a try. Amazon Kindle had a crazy summer thing going on where you got points every time you purchased books and those points could be use…
The Life Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson has been on my nightstand since last summer. One might assume that it means that I have been trying to finish it since last summer, but in fact, it just means that I keep re-reading it. I think I’m on my fourth time though. I rarely...
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of these books in exchange for my honest review and did not receive any additional compensation. All opinions are my very own. Home. What comes to mind when you see or hear that word? It will be a myriad of things to each one of us. I have been pondering home a great deal lately, as we prepare to move once again. I've been recollecting all the places we have called "home" throughout our married lives (almost 24 years). I'm strolling back through the addresses, cities, counties, states, provinces and countries where we have chosen a dwelling place, moved in and called it home. There have been many, especially in the past four and a half years. I have taken pleasure in making a home over the years, wherever we are, whether a one bedroom apartment, a hotel room or two, a vacation rental, a large home on 3 acres with plenty of room to spread out or quite a few other varieties. I truly believe in the "bloom where you are planted" idea, but honestly, sometimes it's exhausting to think of all those moves. And in the midst of thinking about packing boxes one more time, I'm wondering what semblance of home have I managed to salvage in so much transition? When I was recently invited to be a part Sally and Sarah Clarkson's launch team for their newest book, The Lifegiving Home: Creating A Place of Belonging and Becoming, I knew it would be right up my alley. Sally has long been a favourite author of mine. I have read the majority of her books, and I have followed her blog for many years (back when it was "I Take Joy"). I have met her and had the honour of hearing her speak several years ago at a conference in Canada. What I didn't realize was how much The Lifegiving Home would speak to my heart and remind me of all the things I have treasured and hoped to create in the haven I call my home. I love that Sally and Sarah, Sally's oldest child, collaborated on this project. They have done such a splendid job bringing their family culture to life on these pages. Even if you have never heard of Sally or read any of her previous books, you will know her beautiful heart through this book. And let me tell you how fun it is to hear from Sarah! She is an incredible author (don't miss her others books, too) and has such a poetic way with words. It is absolutely delightful to read words from both of them in one place. Sally Clarkson is co-founder of Whole Heart Ministries (with her husband, Clay) and serves as its women’s ministry director. She’s the author of many popular books, including Own Your Life and Desperate (with Sarah Mae). As a mother of four, she has inspired thousands of mothers since 1998 through her Mom Heart Conferences and small groups. Sarah Clarkson is author of two books on children’s literature, as well as a book of devotional stories and meditations for young women. She currently hails from Oxford, England, where she is studying theology. As I've read through this inspirational book, chock-full of stories, experiences, preferences, ideas and ideals, I have been deeply strengthened as well as challenged, once again, to put my hands to the plow. I've realized how the difficulties of the past four, really almost five, years have affected me, and how much I needed a renewed vision for our Royce Family Culture. These next photos have been a helpful reminder of what our home has been and can be, in even greater proportions . . . a place of welcome . . . a place of beauty . . . a place of celebration . . . a place where God's Presence dwells . . . a place of coziness . . . a place of belonging, just to name a few. This quote from Sally puts it succinctly and gives me a place to recommence. I also took time to ask my children what they think of when I say the word "home," especially as it relates to our specific family. This is the list they gave me: Safety Cookies Yellow (We've lived in two yellow houses.) Cleanliness Candles Home church/fellowship nights Table spread with food Music Warmth Celebration Food Light I have a few more words that I hope they will add in over the years, but for now, I think that was a pretty good foundation. I have new vision and even an excitement after spending time praying and dreaming about a new home. I know it will be a place of safety and refuge, of hope and healing, of love and laughter, as well as a place to rest and be renewed. I join my voice with Sarah's, as we both seek Father God for ways to bring joy, refreshment and life, as I have the honour of opening my current home and the future new home to family, friends and strangers alike. Blessings and love. xo P.S. As you can see, I highly recommend this book for anyone who has the honour of making a home. Go now to buy The Lifegiving Home and The Lifegiving Home Experience today! Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. There is no additional charge to you to use these links, and I make a small commission. Thank you.
"There are moments when it seems the clouds of life part and the sun comes peeking through like a warm blanket grace, wrapping around my soul. It feels as if God is tenderly bending down to kiss my cheek to remind me of his affection and grace." "This sunshine invaded my life when I
I received a review copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers. This post may contain affiliate links. My injury, D’s surgery, Munchkin starting college, and D continuing with his college work makes for a pretty crazy environment around here. Our regular routine was thrown out the window as we tried to find a new normal. It really highlighted the importance of creating a safe haven at home. We needed one place that we could relax and breath – a place where we could be ourselves and find comfort. During this season, some things around the home have been pushed…
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of these books in exchange for my honest review and did not receive any additional compensation. All opinions are my very own. Home. What comes to mind when you see or hear that word? It will be a myriad of things to each one of us. I have been pondering home a great deal lately, as we prepare to move once again. I've been recollecting all the places we have called "home" throughout our married lives (almost 24 years). I'm strolling back through the addresses, cities, counties, states, provinces and countries where we have chosen a dwelling place, moved in and called it home. There have been many, especially in the past four and a half years. I have taken pleasure in making a home over the years, wherever we are, whether a one bedroom apartment, a hotel room or two, a vacation rental, a large home on 3 acres with plenty of room to spread out or quite a few other varieties. I truly believe in the "bloom where you are planted" idea, but honestly, sometimes it's exhausting to think of all those moves. And in the midst of thinking about packing boxes one more time, I'm wondering what semblance of home have I managed to salvage in so much transition? When I was recently invited to be a part Sally and Sarah Clarkson's launch team for their newest book, The Lifegiving Home: Creating A Place of Belonging and Becoming, I knew it would be right up my alley. Sally has long been a favourite author of mine. I have read the majority of her books, and I have followed her blog for many years (back when it was "I Take Joy"). I have met her and had the honour of hearing her speak several years ago at a conference in Canada. What I didn't realize was how much The Lifegiving Home would speak to my heart and remind me of all the things I have treasured and hoped to create in the haven I call my home. I love that Sally and Sarah, Sally's oldest child, collaborated on this project. They have done such a splendid job bringing their family culture to life on these pages. Even if you have never heard of Sally or read any of her previous books, you will know her beautiful heart through this book. And let me tell you how fun it is to hear from Sarah! She is an incredible author (don't miss her others books, too) and has such a poetic way with words. It is absolutely delightful to read words from both of them in one place. Sally Clarkson is co-founder of Whole Heart Ministries (with her husband, Clay) and serves as its women’s ministry director. She’s the author of many popular books, including Own Your Life and Desperate (with Sarah Mae). As a mother of four, she has inspired thousands of mothers since 1998 through her Mom Heart Conferences and small groups. Sarah Clarkson is author of two books on children’s literature, as well as a book of devotional stories and meditations for young women. She currently hails from Oxford, England, where she is studying theology. As I've read through this inspirational book, chock-full of stories, experiences, preferences, ideas and ideals, I have been deeply strengthened as well as challenged, once again, to put my hands to the plow. I've realized how the difficulties of the past four, really almost five, years have affected me, and how much I needed a renewed vision for our Royce Family Culture. These next photos have been a helpful reminder of what our home has been and can be, in even greater proportions . . . a place of welcome . . . a place of beauty . . . a place of celebration . . . a place where God's Presence dwells . . . a place of coziness . . . a place of belonging, just to name a few. This quote from Sally puts it succinctly and gives me a place to recommence. I also took time to ask my children what they think of when I say the word "home," especially as it relates to our specific family. This is the list they gave me: Safety Cookies Yellow (We've lived in two yellow houses.) Cleanliness Candles Home church/fellowship nights Table spread with food Music Warmth Celebration Food Light I have a few more words that I hope they will add in over the years, but for now, I think that was a pretty good foundation. I have new vision and even an excitement after spending time praying and dreaming about a new home. I know it will be a place of safety and refuge, of hope and healing, of love and laughter, as well as a place to rest and be renewed. I join my voice with Sarah's, as we both seek Father God for ways to bring joy, refreshment and life, as I have the honour of opening my current home and the future new home to family, friends and strangers alike. Blessings and love. xo P.S. As you can see, I highly recommend this book for anyone who has the honour of making a home. Go now to buy The Lifegiving Home and The Lifegiving Home Experience today! Disclaimer: This post contains my affiliate links. There is no additional charge to you to use these links, and I make a small commission. Thank you.
What does it mean to create the feeling of "home"? Today I'm talking with Sally and Sarah Clarkson about their new book "Life Giving Home". What is the balance between rhythm, routine and play that goes into creating a life giving home? Today they share encouragement and practical tips on how you can create that same atmosphere within your family home. Listen to this podcast to hear more!
Sally and Sarah Clarkson released a beautiful book into the world this week: The Lifegiving Home. I’m sure I need only say that our own dear Sarah had a hand in it to make everyone rush out and buy it without delay. But let me add that, not only is it penned by a mother-daughter duo we love and admire, it’s an absolute feast of ideals and inspiration, weaving everything from family devotions to picture books to picnic hikes to soup and bread suppers into a story of tangible, touchable love. What
I recently read The Life-Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson and one of the chapters was on the power of expressing love. I was really inspired by this quote: Just as a plant needs to be watered daily, affirmation and encouragement need to be communicated over and over again. Think of the people in your lifeRead More
This is the last week of our series, 10 Gifts of Heart. This weeks' gift is giving your child the heart for reading and thinking. Because Sarah Clarkson, Sally's daughter, just graduated from Oxford and has said that a love for reading was what gave her a desire to ...
The weather has just changed here in Oxford, and I write you with coffee in hand (and high hopes of soup for lunch). For me, life quickens in autumn with freshened energy as the colors change and the rhythm of work kicks in again after the ease of summer. I'm delighted to be writing here at my mom's
When I spend time with my favorite moms, we ask a lot of questions of each other. Mine tend to focus around housekeeping, a subject that has perplexed me well into adulthood: “But when do you clean? Why are your floors so shiny?” Very few people ask me for tips about housework, which is probably wise. They do, […]
One of my 2018 goals, actually the very first and most important one of them all, is to be The Joyful Conductor of Our Unique Lifegiving Home. That's a mouthful isn't it? I read Sally and Sarah Clarkson's The Lifegiving Home last year and it radically changed the way I viewed my home, my role within it and our family, and the way we celebrate, learn, eat, and basically do life. While it's not a Rhi Reads 2018 selection, I highly recommend it. It inspired my most important work I'm setting out to continue over the next twelve months and beyond. I want to share some more of my goals for 2018 now that we're so close to February but I want to do so in a different way than a bullet list of what I'm tending to each month. Instead I'd love to devote specific goals to their own posts and do a recap of how I am doing tending to select goals at the end of each month. My hope is that this approach will help me be accountable but also inspire and give insight to others [...]
I didn’t expect to find God in the mudanest moments of Lilian’s care…
