heads up, heart stuff, schedules + getting smushy

Well, hello there, friends!

It’s always such a treat to get to actively touch base with you after a long plan – to kind of reflect on our time as a whole together, to look ahead, to look around at what God might be calling us to after having our heads down in a season of prayer and study. We have a little weekend break ahead of us to catch-up/wrap-up James, and if we’re already finished – to get our hands dirty doing the good work of living what we have learned!

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Can we spend a little time today just being real together? (I mean, not that we’re not real together all the time – but doesn’t it sometimes take a natural break in routine to sort of look each other in the eyes and do a heart check?)

So… how are your hearts?

I mean really. Where are you? How are you?

Me? I’ve found myself caught up a lot in life lately.
Our family has experienced some sadness this past month. My heart has been heavy and achey.
I’ve done a lot of traveling this fall – fun things, but very real routine-breakers.
We’re in our first semester of our first year of homeschooling our 7-year-old. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed and overbooked.
It’s dark outside super early (like before 5:00!) and it’s throwing me off and making me feel unproductive. (I know that doesn’t sound like a heart thing, but it is when it means I want to put off Jesus time in favor of my heated blanket and the television.)

That’s how my heart is right now. Even as one of the leaders of this God-given ministry, I need a restart sometimes. I imagine I’m not alone.

And truly? That’s why we keep our plans as short as they are – or break up the longer ones into sections. We like to give lots of restarts – lots of grace! SheReadsTruth began as a handful of women wanting to read the Bible together every day – wanting direction and accountability – and that’s what we always want to be not just for y’all, but for us, too!

So tell me – what is throwing you? And what is buoying you? Has this been a season of faithful study, or are you in need of a restart as much as I am?

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And speaking of fresh starts, we have such a great schedule of plans coming through the end of 2013, and we’re really, truly geeked about it! Can I give you the rundown?

• Next Monday, November 11, we’ll start a happy little 5-day plan simply titled “Five Favorites“. As writers (who are also readers!), we sat down together and picked five of our favorite days from the past year to create a little “best of” plan to revisit some of the days we think are absolutely worth going back through. This plan is short, but powerful. We’re excited to see you there!
• Following that, on Monday, November 18th we’ll start a plan titled “Give Thanks In All Circumstances“. You guys. I mean, we’ll tell you more about it later, but it’s one of my favorites yet. Also, we’re doing a brand new thing with this plan – to give an added layer of worship to the Thanksgiving season, each day will be paired with a hymn. Again, more details soon, but it’s really going to be special.
• And of course, following Thanksgiving is a new Advent plan. That’s what we’re writing now and I won’t say anything else about that one for now since we’re still puzzling pieces and praying over what The Lord has for us to write.

And, WHOOSH! That’s what’s ahead to round out 2013.

Girls, we really (but really!) care about you. Like sometimes (lots of times) we get weepy when we think about you and your struggles and joy and pain and crazy passion for our Father. I know it’s smushy to say, but y’all are loved and cared and prayed for by four little writer girls spread all across this country. We’re thankful for you!

Blessings, y’all. Grace and peace and mercy be with you on this Fall Friday.

xoxo,
Raechel