julieannfilter

[julieannfilter]

Though this little dude is still in training I can at least handle the bits of time he’s a goober on my back. Thankfully I have some margin in my emotions since learning to hold better boundaries as a mom. Link in the profile to today’s post on the blog 😊😊

[julieannfilter]

Imperfectly perfect, flawfully flawless, graciously grace-filled life. And some days you just gotta “hey google” some Francesca Battistelli and have a dance party. #imperfectlyperfect #perfectlyimperfect #introvertmom #introvert #embracelife

[julieannfilter]

There are so many things I look forward to enjoying once again when we are back in a house and out of this season. One of those things is a washer and dryer AT HOME. For 40 months now I’ve been trucking my laundry to either a campground laundry room or a local laundromat, and though some people probably adore the time out, I don’t. I am not one of those people who hates doing laundry. I’ve always found it quite peaceful and relaxing, but now that it’s not just something happening within my home, it is cumbersome and in the way. I look forward to the day when family folding time is far more easily accomplished, Little can more easily be taught to help, and my preferred style of order can be restored. There are many things I deeply appreciate about the trailer life, but goodness, it is truly not for us. And I’m thrilled beyond measure to recognize, accept, and appreciate that limit within myself. I realized today that these past four years have basically been a Great Physician ordered fast of most creature comforts. Fasts have a way of bringing in clarity of mind and the ability to “see” clearly again. Over these past four years we’ve learned so many Truths, so many lessons, and so many, many life-changing and humbling growth points. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to enumerate them all. But, one of the gems was the importance of simply enjoying and delighting in the little things of life. To not take fore granted the beautiful and abundant blessings so many of us enjoy without even realizing it. To give thanks to our loving Abba who delights to bless His children. And to take joy in both much and little, because it is all gracious. Tonight, I give thanks for washers and dryers, and look forward to the glorious joy when the day comes that I might have mine in my house once again. Until then, I’m still choosing joy, because there is always less to have than this, and even now He greatly provides for our needs. #godsgirl #introvert #faithwalk #firstlove #fasting #wilderness

[julieannfilter]

Within the past 75 seconds my 5 yo daughter opens the door from playing outside and says “mom I’m peeing!!!” So I’m numb, and dealing with that quietly (because, wisdom...) and I look over and see my 9 yo daughter (who’s apparently getting ready for a shower spa) putting her fingers into my coconut oil and rubbing the oil on her feet. And I’m like, “what in the world are you doing?! Why are you putting your fingers in my coconut oil?! That’s food!” And she freezes like “crap...” and I’m just like 😑🤦🏻‍♀️...so I put my head on the kitchen counter and stomped. I feel better now. And then my 5 yo returns from cleaning herself up and is wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt...in the Florida cold snap we’re experiencing...but it’s technically pretty warm out today (mid-60s?) so I’m like, (shoulder shrug) “it won’t kill you. Go ahead...” This. I’ve been reduced to this today. #introvert #introvertmom #largefamily

[julieannfilter]

Robotics competition today and had to bring the entire family. Sanity break at the local Chick-fil-a. Thanking God for the blessing of an indoor playground that isn’t shackled and locked. Miracles still exist. #introvertmom #momlife #largefamily

[julieannfilter]

You cannot do it all every day of every season. Do what you can, and allow yourself to be human. You cannot be everything for everyone at every moment. Offer what you can from what you have, and no more. You do not have to meet every expectation. Know your own, and work to meet those. You cannot please everyone; not even close. Know who you seek to please, and get to know His love for you. Mama, I know how hard it is, every day, every moment. It’s okay. You are allowed to be human. It’s not a error. It’s the design. You were never made to be everything to everyone at every moment of every day. That’s God’s job. You were made to be in communion with Him, as was everyone else. You are not God, and that’s okay. You’re not meant to be God, and that’s appropriate. It’s okay to break. It’s okay to be broken, for when we are we gain access to a grace we cannot know when we think we have it all together. When we break, He heals the cracks with His fullness, perfection, and all-the-time presence. When we know brokenness, we can love more fully. It may be painful, and vulnerable, and weak, but that’s the best place to know how amazing God truly is. Be broken. It’s okay. Be weak. He’s got you. Be human. He’s God. Be you. It’s enough. Shalom. #faithwalk #firstlove

[julieannfilter]

So excited to go out for an early Anniversary date, thanks to the blessing of friends! And REALLY loving using natural and non-toxic products on my face. I don’t use make-up often anymore but I am SOOOO glad I grabbed these. Makes it all the sweeter. Tomorrow we will hit 14 years of marriage. We’ve earned every one of those years and I can honestly say I have married my best friend. I’m truly blessed by this amazing man. These beautiful flowers were a Christmas gift from my oldest girls (who pulled off quite a stunt to avoid my detection!) and they are actually the same ones I had at my impromptu Hawaii wedding. Truly, Lord, You never cease to amaze me! If you want info about the make-up (and so much more) let me know, and I’ll message you...AFTER date night 😉 #nontoxicbeauty #bettersaferproducts #bethechange #beautyisnttoxic #14yearsandcounting #blessedwife #marriagerocks

[julieannfilter]

So proud of my little future engineer competing in her jest robotics competition! Can’t wait to see what her mind will accomplish in years to come! #futureengineer #femaleengineer #proudmama

[julieannfilter]

This little dude is growing so fast and I’m curious if the Lord has determined for him to be our last. Trying to take in all the ups and downs and joys and frustration for all they mean: we are alive, living this crazy, imperfect life, and delighting our hearts in the Love of our Abba each and every day. We might do it imperfectly, we might forget at times, but I’d rather a messy and fully lived life than a Pinterest perfect empty shell any day. Breathing in this time and looking ahead for days to come. What a sweet delight it all is for the soul when I know that my Abba’s got it all under control. #faithwalk #motherhood #blessedmama

[julieannfilter]

Not every day you see a hot air balloon literally right over top of the campground! I suspect some fellow campers were in the basket this morning, but it still made for a near experience for us to see too 😊 #givethanks #littlethings #enjoylife #blessed

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Respect Boundaries (Day 24)

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash I think most people would agree that it is important to respect boundaries. Most of us, though, would never really think that the Lord has boundaries with what He will and will not do, too. But, He surely does. We are going to dive right into the meat today; day 24 of the 30 Days of Prayer series! Let’s dig in and dive into the deep end, for this is where the…

[julieannfilter]

When Giving Becomes the Greatest Reward

Photo by Freddie Collins on Unsplash No one has ever done something like this for me before.” Her words hung in the air in the cold of February in the Mid-Atlantic winter. I was speechless. I’m happy to help.  I hope it blessed you and helps you feel better.  God bless.” On the drive home I couldn’t stop my pondering on this unexpectedly grand exchange. One act of kindness turned into a full life…

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Have a Servant’s Heart (Day 23)

Photo from Jordan Whitt by Unsplash What does it mean to have a servant’s heart?  Does it mean to be a pushover, doormat, and weakling?  Or is there a much bigger, deeper calling bound up in the idea? Welcome to Day 23 of our 30 Days of Prayer series.  I’m thrilled you’ve made it here today. The majority of people are not naturally in love with the idea of “serving.”  Thoughts of various abuses…

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Seek After the Peace of God (Day 22)

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash I remember when peace of God filled me in that season.  To everyone else, we looked insane.  From the outside perspective, we were taking a great risk.  But, to us, we felt it; we knew.  The peace of God that was literally “beyond all understanding” was alive in our plans, and there was nothing else left for us to do but to trust. Have you ever had one of those…

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Be Still (Day 21)

Everyday it seems I am fighting a war with my children attempting to get them to simply “be still.”  And, I have to wonder at times, does God often feel the same way about us? To be still in today’s culture is tantamount to laziness in many circles, and yet scripture extends it often as the solution.   When we can be still, we plant ourselves firmly into a place of trust in the Lord. Welcome back…

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Set an Example for Faithfulness in Your Home (Day 20)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash Sometimes it is hard to embrace the reality that, as a mom, I set an example in my household for what I expect out of those around me.  Seriously, though, sometimes I blow it!  The day is hard, the kids are cranky, I am tired, and I’m just DONE! But, even in the midst of all that humanness I still have the opportunity to set an example on how to turn it all around. …

[julieannfilter]

30 Days of Prayer: Pray to Commit to Scripture Memorization (Day 19)

Photo by Bethany Laird on Unsplash There are many places in the bible that encourage scripture memorization, but the majority of professed believers have not worked on this discipline.  Even just a few minutes a day will reap incredible gains over time.  And, like I said yesterday, spiritual growth is like a muscle; to get better you need to do the work. We are counting down the days as we move…