friends Archives - Home With The Boys

The Definition of a Friend {Five Minute Friday}

April 26, 2013 By Erin 6 Comments

It’s Five-Minute Friday with lovely Lisa-Jo!

Set a timer and just write. Don’t worry about making it just right or not.

For me? An exercise in letting go and letting words flow. Five minutes only. {yes, I did set a timer and it quacked like a duck at 5 minutes, which totally made me smile}

Today’s prompt: Friend.

And go…

I used to hold on to a pretty small definition of the word “friend.”

Requirements included years of knowing one another and living life together in the same space and agreeing on most things was always a good thing.

Friend no longer means the person next door. Some of my dearest friends are miles and miles and miles away. We are not living life together on the same block or even in the same town, but “life together” can mean so many different things these days.

Moving and this internet world have broadened my friend definition. Women I haven’t seen in years or haven’t even met in person know my heart as well as those I’ve known for years.

We may not agree on politics or movies or a whole host of other things, but my friends are knit together with me through Jesus and that’s where real friendship has its roots.

I cherish deeply the friends I’ve had for years – since second grade, since our first children were born a week a part.

But I am also quick to call someone a friend, even when we met 24 hours prior. Because God just knows those friends you need. And when He shows them to you, you do not hesitate.

I call them friend and mean it.

Stop.

And now I’m off to link up this post with the fabulous Five Minute Friday community and then spend time with my beautiful friends at Bible study!

A blessed weekend to YOU my FRIENDS!

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Filed Under: five minute friday, friends

God-Sized Dream Stories: Those Who Inspire Me

February 26, 2013 By Erin 9 Comments

God-Sized Dreams Team As I’m pursuing the dreams God has placed on my heart, I have many days where I think…

“What am I doing? I’m not qualified to do this? I just need to stop and let someone else pursue this dream…”

Most of the time I am able to stop myself mid-thought and realize these are not words my loving, wonderful God would put in my head. They are lies.

Other days, I need some extra inspiration to help me press on, and the stories of other God-sized dreamers are just what I need. The most inspiration has come from moms like me, living mom lives, putting God and family first, and saying yes to the gifts and dreams He has given them.

Dreamers like these…

Heather – Fellow boy mama, although she’s one up on me. Going about her life being an encouragement to many in real life and through her blog and BOOM! She gets an email from an agent asking if she’s ever thought of publishing a book! That is a WOW GOD type of thing to me. And Heather has stayed humble, seeking God and taking the process slow. I. Love. This. Story.

Brooke - She wrote Warrior Prayers because she just knew it needed to be written. Not for fame, not for money – just to pass on her heart for praying for her boys. God has done so much more than she ever dreamed with her obedience in writing that book, in her own life and the lives of thousands of boy mamas. And there’s more to come…

Jen – She has FOUR boys who are all SIX, so that automatically makes her a hero to me. The way Jen and her family honestly share their lives, from stories of pregnancy with multiples to unemployment to taking on adventures with their boys, is so real and so God-honoring. I’m not sure Brad and Jen would have ever said this is where they dreamed they would be one day, but they let God write their story and move forward with joy and faith.

Amanda -As a former teacher, I love that Amanda’s previous career in children’s ministry has become a part of how she parents and how she encourages other parents in her writing. And the stuff she writes about she actually DOES with her kids, impressing God’s Word upon their hearts in creative, meaningful ways. Motherhood is not mundane for her – it is fun and God-inspired and full of life. I love when my music teacher training and motherhood collide, and Amanda inspires me to use what I’ve been given, even though I’m not a music teacher at a school anymore! I don’t believe that teaching and being a parent and becoming a writer are all separate dreams – God is weaving one big dream through all of them!

I don’t know that my words can do justice to the God-sized dreams of these women, but I know their dreaming keeps me going on days I’m not sure I have what it takes to follow the path He has shown me to take.

And we all need those stories, don’t we?

Tell me a God-sized dream story that inspires YOU!

Read more inspiring God-sized dream stories over at Holley’s place today!

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If God-sized dreaming is your thing or you think God is gently nudging you to step out in faith on something new, you MUST read Holley’s newest book, You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream: Opening the Door to All God Has for You, launching THIS FRIDAY! Pre-order your copy now and come back later this week to read all that I have to say about it!

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Filed Under: friends, God-sized Dreams, inspiration

The Power of Having a “Dream Team”: How Community Helps Your Dreams Succeed

January 29, 2013 By Erin 20 Comments

Yesterday we talked about the importance of community for moms. Let me sum it up for you:

Alone = bad. Together = good.

This same formula works well for me in other areas as well. Dreaming is one such area.

It’s actually quite easy for me to dream. I am a big-picture thinker, an ENFP {see my note at the end of this post to find out more}. ENFPs are excited by new ideas, but get bored easily with details. In other words, I get distracted by the next “shiny thing” to come along quite often.

I have dreams coming out of my ears, but on my own, most of them will never happen.

That’s where my own personal “dream team” comes to the rescue!

The Power of a Dream Team

These are the people who inspire me, bounce around ideas with me, and ground me in reality when needed! The power of having a “dream team” comes when they fill in your gaps, spur you onward, and help your dreams succeed.

My gaps include procrastination, lack of attention to details, and struggling to finish projects before starting new ones. This “dream team” is helping me overcome these deficits to pursue all that God has planned for me – those wonderful, amazing God-sized dreams!

Who makes up my “dream team?”

The Hubby is my ultimate “dream team” member because he loves to plan and look ahead at where we’re going, but he also thinks about how every decision will affect our family. And he knows me better than I know myself, so he always has what’s best for me in mind!

My best friends take on two significant team roles – one as a cheerleader and one as a prayer warrior. Dreams can really take flight when supported by encouragement and prayer! These gorgeous girls are always there holding me up.

Brooke and I are united in our vision to reach out to moms and dads of boys, so dreaming together is a joy. And, like my husband, she’s a details-thinker, so she fills in those gaps for me. Hallelujah for puzzle pieces that fit together just right!

Amanda is that person in my life whose creativity and enthusiasm inspire me to dream bigger and keep moving forward {Meet the Robinsons for the win there}, particularly in the areas of blogging and all things kid-related! She just oozes big, wonderful, God-centered ideas!

Dream Team Gals

And to round out the team are two ladies who are so willing to listen, pray, and sweetly speak truth into my life. Stacey and Teri Lynne are women I greatly respect for their faithfulness to God and their families above all else. They are already modeling my God-sized dream, and doing so with grace and wisdom.

Notice how I need lots of realistic-minded people around me to keep me from floating off in a million different directions, chasing dreams that just aren’t right for the here and now?! Maybe you’re a detail person and the big-picture dreams don’t come as easily – surround yourself with those who dream big and catch some of their spirit of adventure!

Find your team. Share your dreams. Watch God move. There is power in community!

What kind of people do you need on your team to help your dreams succeed?

I mentioned above that I am an ENFP. That’s not a misspelled word, but rather a personality type based on this test. I would love for you to go take the test {it’s free!} and come back to share your results!

*Linking up over at Holley’s as part of the God-Sized Dream Team today!

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Filed Under: friends, God-sized Dreams, inspiration

Dear Friend…

September 12, 2012 By Erin 21 Comments

Dear Friend,

Did you know I’ve been praying for you?

I have. I’ve been praying for you a lot lately. Even if this is your first time reading this blog, I’ve been praying for you.

My heart is heavy with all of the judgement and dissension and comparison being flung around groups of women. On the web, in our communities, even in our churches. In a quest to be “right” and look good and convert others to our own way of thinking, women’s hearts are being trampled on.

Chances are you are or have been that trampled heart at some point or many points in your lifetime.

Is this really what we want to use our words for, ladies? To make others feel wrong or less than or judged in some way?

Words are so painful, especially when written down in black and white, aren’t they? When did we forget the command given to us in Ephesians 4:29?

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. ~Ephesians 4:29 {The Message}

Each word is a gift. I want to use my black-and-white words today to tell you this:

You are loved just the way you are.

You are dearly loved by our Heavenly Father and He wants to speak words of love into your life. That other stuff is NOT from Him.

That Facebook post that made you feel like a terrible mother? Not from Him. Let it go…

The blog post that had you feeling like a failure as a wife? Not from Him. Let it go…

The woman at church that gossips about clothes and shoes and makes you feel self-conscious? Her words are NOT from Him. Let them go…

Let all of it go and run to His Word – the only words that matter. The only love and approval that matters. And He has already offered them both to you.

God so loved YOU that He gave His one and only Son. {John 3:16}

While you were still a sinner, He demonstrated His great love for YOU by dying on the cross. {Romans 5:8}

He loves YOU so much He calls you His child. {1 John 3:1}

And nothing can separate YOU from His love. {Romans 8:37-39)

You are loved with the greatest love there ever has been and ever will be.

And as for those we make you feel inferior and unloved? Don’t allow any of that to take up residence in your heart and mind. Fill them with these thoughts instead…

I am doing the best I can.

I already am beautiful inside and out.

My worth is not determined by anyone else’s actions or non-actions.

And know that I am here to give you a pep talk whenever you need one.

With love and prayers,

Erin

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Today is the National Day of Encouragement – would you pass on some kind words to the people who matter in your life? Your words will go a long way! Each one is a gift!

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Filed Under: friends, make a difference, Scripture, women

They Get Me

August 24, 2012 By Erin 5 Comments

It’s Friday morning. I’m headed to a new Bible study I just started last week. Childcare is provided at the same location. {Hallelujah!} And the Bible study is with several other wives of residents.

We’re actually doing a Bible study about being a doctor’s wife. I could not have thought of a better way to start off our three years of residency than studying the Word of God and discussing our unique situations together.

Although I don’t know them well yet, this group of women is an answer to prayer.

I’ve never been one that has a hard time connecting with other women, but moving away from our home and church family of 12+ years, my prayer was to meet other women who really GET me.

God has always provided this in the past, so I shouldn’t be surprised that He is doing so again…

I have a best friend who knows my dislike of small talk and feels the exact same way. Let’s not waste time with any of that – life is too short to talk about “nothing.” With us, there is no fluff. There is no beating-around-the-bush. Real is all you get when we are together.

She totally gets me.

As a mama of two boys who grew up with no brothers, I found myself wondering what in the world I was doing raising these crazy, wonderful little men. Enter The MOB Society. Boom – 8,000+ boy moms sharing in the chaos and joy of bringing up boys. Boy moms wanting to raise strong, godly men who will take a stand for Jesus. I feel surrounded by wisdom and camraderie there.

Those boy mamas really get me, even if they have no idea who I am.

Then there was the time we decided to start homeschooling. God put just the right women in my life who would be starting the same journey. We get the fact that the life of a homeschool mom is hard and awesome and tiring and blessed and very hard to describe.

We get each other.

Now, I have these doctors’ wives. From just one Bible study meeting, the consensus was clear. We need this time together because we GET what each other is going through. There were lots of heads nodding in understanding as life stories were told – the journeys that led us to all be in a common place.

Nothing sounded unfamiliar as we discussed our current lives and schedules. And on top of it all, we all love Jesus and want to walk more fully in His calling for us as medical spouses.

One meeting and I can tell we GET one another.

Near or far, in person or online, new or old, each one of these is a blessing straight from heaven because we are on a similar path. I feel community and normalcy when I interact with these beautiful women.

It’s a good thing to be “got” and get through this life together.

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Which connections are you most thankful for in your life? Is there an area in which you really need someone to “get” you? I would love to pray for you today!

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Filed Under: doctor's wife, friends, gratitude, women

Women of Faith: Blessings and Truth

August 18, 2011 By Erin 10 Comments

{I realize it is not Tuesday, but due to the blog crisis earlier in the week, I missed Top Ten Tuesday and will now post a Top Ten Thursday post. I’m not confused. I promise.}

I knew Women of Faith would be a great experience.

Two days with super fun, beautiful girlfriends…

an overnight stay at an awesome hotel, yummy dinner in the Old Market…

and loads of wonderful Christian speakers and musicians…

{Oh yes, that IS Mandisa doing “Shackles” with the worship team. And yes, I WAS a dancing fool during this.}

All of that added together has to equal a great experience.

But, when you walk away from that experience with loads of quotes and notes and truth that needed to be spoken into your life, THAT is when a great experience becomes AMAZING.

I’m not sure I can sum up the experience very well. I have heard other people talk about going to Women of Faith before, and I still didn’t get it until I was there.

So instead of attempting to sum it up, I want to share some of the quotes that touched my heart and brought God’s Word front and center for where I am right and now…

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Top Ten Truth-Packed Quotes from Women of Fatih

10. “It is tough for the seeds of depression to take root in a grateful heart.” ~Andy Andrews

{This was heaven for me. I could listen to Amy Grant sing all day long.}

9. “To be lead by the One who made us – that’s the ride I want to be on.” ~Amy Grant

8. “In friendships, be grateful for what the other person has to give without expecting them to give you exactly what you need.” ~Lisa Whelchel

7. “Our restlessness will be satisfied by no one but God.” ~Marilyn Meberg

6. “Our lives are filled with many storms, but God uses them to wash and clean us.” ~Andy Andrews

{First time EVER duet between Sandi Patty and Amy Grant! Totally impromptu!}

5. “If I believe God’s Word is true, I must believe God’s Word is true for me.” ~Sandi Patty

4. “Emotions don’t have brains. God has given us a will that is stronger than our emotions.” ~Patsy Clairmont

3. “Smile while you talk. Nothing is more illuminating and attractive than a smile.” ~Andy Andrews

{Patsy – the cutest and funniest lady ever. And she speaks TRUTH.}

2. “The greatest need we all have is for connection.” ~Patsy Clairmont

1. “All the good things that happen in your life will happen because of how you act, but all the great things that happen in your life will happen because of how you act when life isn’t fair.” ~Andy Andrews

How is that for a little something to think about? Almost a week later and I still haven’t fully digested it all…

If I had to pick one highlight from the weekend, however, it would have been the final drama of the weekend, “The Invisible Woman.” Oh man, the comparison between cathedral builders and our work as mothers was EXACTLY what I needed to hear. To the tee.

I wish I could describe it to you better, but just know that even though your daily work as a mother may seem tedious and insignificant, GOD sees everything you do to “build” your children into godly men and women, even though YOU may never fully see the finished product. THAT is motivation to keep pressing on!

And an added bonus of the weekend?

Meeting the other bloggers who were sent by BookSneeze! Such a lovely group of women!

Thank you SO much to BookSneeze and Women of Faith for making this weekend possible for my friends and I – we were SO blessed!

And THIS is the perfect way to end a fabulous weekend…

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Filed Under: friends, inspiration, top ten tuesday, women, Women of Faith

Fun at the Zoo Times Two

June 17, 2011 By Erin 3 Comments

We love zoos and have had lots of fun at two local zoos so far this summer!

First, the “big zoo” with family…

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And our local zoo with friends…

And my most favorite pic in a long, long time…

Great idea for a photo opp, Donna! Love these kiddos!

{I’ll be posting in the future about learning at the zoo – lots of fun to be had!}

Have you had fun at your local zoo lately?

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Filed Under: family, friends, kiddos, zoo

Heaven Prepares for a Hero

June 8, 2011 By Erin 6 Comments

The hubby wrote this last night after we received news of a dear friend’s rapid decline in his battle with cancer…

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Mark is an incredible man.

Always willing to give his time and energy to help other people. Passionate about getting people involved at church, taking leadership roles in small groups and outreach, being involved with nearly every ministry a church offers. Bright, personable, the kind of guy everyone wants to be around. The kind of guy you call to have lunch with, help you move, or just be there at a tough time.

Mark was diagnosed with cancer a little over a year ago.

People like Mark should not ever get cancer. I guess that’s one of the big questions that many of us have for God – not why there is cancer in the world, but why do people like him get it?

Mark fought. He fought hard. When some doctors felt ready to give up, he went through radiation and even more chemo with horrible side effects. He made it through a bone marrow transplant. He was getting close to being in the clear.

Cancer came back.

This isn’t how the story is supposed to end. A guy like him, a faith like his – this is supposed to culminate with a story of triumph, of God’s divine providence. A miracle cure. A testimony for the ages. But now in hospice care, his time left is down to days or hours.

One of the downfalls of being in the medical field is that we come to expect the worst. Mostly to prepare for it, but also because we’ve seen the bad outcomes.

But as a Christian, I still pray that those fears don’t come true. Because as childish a sentiment as it may be, IT’S NOT FAIR. Not for a guy like Mark.

I feel no comfort in saying this, even though it’s true: Heaven is preparing for a hero to come home tonight. We all love you Mark. While we are left with memories of a hero, Heaven is welcoming you home.

{Photo of Mark and Laura from his CaringBridge site}

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The hubby was able to visit our friend – a former Marine, a tireless volunteer, a jokester and an amazing man – one last time today, and we just received word of his passing.

Please keep his wife, Laura, and their family and friends in your prayers.

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Filed Under: friends

So a lovely thing happened…(a giveaway!)

September 17, 2010 By Erin 40 Comments

Remember last week when I entered a contest to be in a fashion show?

Well, I didn’t win.

But two wonderful things happened thanks to that post:

#1 – A VERY good friend SO sweetly ordered this scarf for me as a surprise! It was a REALLY good mail day!

And let me tell you – this scarf is even cuter in person! I really do have the best friends a girl could ask for!

#2 – Another good friend – this one from high school who I recently reconnected with on Facebook! – saw the scarf I posted and MADE a very similar and equally as cute scarf for me!

I LOVE the fall color of it and it is very lightweight and soft! She made it out of a curtain and she is a genius! You can check out how she made it over at her adorable blog.

And the best news?

She made one for one of you too!

That’s right! One for her, one for me and one for a lovely Home with the Boys reader!

And you have all weekend to enter!

Just leave a comment letting me know what you think of the scarf!

Super easy!

And you can earn an extra entry by following Kara’s Creative Place through Google Friend Connect! You won’t regret it because she is ALWAYS posting the best projects!

Feel free to tweet, blog or post about this giveaway on Facebook as well – just link back to this post! One extra entry for any of these! Please leave a separate comment for each!

A huge thank you to Kara for the beautiful scarf! You KNOW I will be sporting it at ALL the time!

Contest will be open until Monday evening at 9 p.m. CST. Winner will be chose randomly from all eligible comments.

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Filed Under: friends, giveaway