Nativity picture books play a big part in our December traditions. Every night leading up to Christmas, I read my kids a different Christmas themed bedtime story. Some are silly and goofy, but we always make sure to sprinkle our best nativity picture books as well. I am excited to share with you some nativity picture books that are my personal favorites, but also some of my sister's favorites. My sister, Amy, is an avid lover of children's books. Plus, she works as a story time coordinator at her public library. Talk about getting recommendations from an expert! There are no mentions of Santa in any of these recommend nativity picture … [Read more...]
The Power of Contentment
Last year my church started a podcast, PetraCast, to encourage and enrich our church family as well as those outside of our church. I had the privilege of being one of the first guest co-hosts last fall, and my husband was a guest co-host this August. Although I am very open about my Christian faith here on Simply Rebekah, it isn't something that I talk about all that often. I think you will apperciate a change in pace as you listen to me discuss key moments in my spiritual journey and my thoughts on contentment. My husband, Nate, was featured in the episode "Making Disciples is Messy." Nate shares about his experience being the … [Read more...]
I Experienced a Miracle!
This post contains affiliate links. My Miracle When Noah was born in 2012, we received a bill for several hundred dollars that wasn't covered by our insurance. Someone at the hospital suggested that I request a deduction in the bill, and we ended up needing to pay only $10! The massive reduction of that bill was a huge blessing for us. When Isaac was born this winter, we received the same bill. I requested a deduction again, but my requests weren't going anywhere. Nate and I are thankful for our insurance coverage, but it comes with a pricey premium and a pretty steep deductible. Paying nearly $1,000 (for a bill that we had reduced to … [Read more...]
To The Heartbroken This Christmas
It feels like for every snowflake that falls, you shed a tear. Your heart is broken. Your spirit is crushed. And the weight of the world is practically pressing you down to your knees. And yet it is Christmas. The rest of the world is smiling, shopping, singing, and full of great cheer. Yet you are parentless, childless, jobless, or fighting a disease that refuses to die. It is Christmas and you are heartbroken. Your "to do" list continues just like everyone else. Shopping needs to be done. Presents need to be wrapped. Christmas cards are arriving, and you don't have the mental energy to get off the couch, so how in the world … [Read more...]
Let The Heavens Open: reflections on the Paris attacks
All day on Saturday my thoughts returned to France. I looked through my photo albums and skimmed through my old journal. My heart broke for the French nation after the vicious terrorist attacks that happened on Friday, and I couldn't shake the sadness as I thought of the friends I had made during my time in France. It was May 2002 when I boarded a plane for France. In my journal I made note of the increase in security at the airport due to the September 11th attack that happened less than a year prior. When I landed, I had prepared myself not to be well liked. My service training had explained all the ways that Americans and French were … [Read more...]
The Missing Pacifier
This post was originally published on November 6, 2010. It is one of my favorite stories from the archives. Enjoy. Little Grace loves her pacifier. I love that she loves her pacifier! It sure has come in very handy, but now Grace is old enough that we can start to limit how often she has her pacifier. My goal is for her to have it just in her crib, but… Grace doesn't really like being left in the nursery at church. For the sake of Grace and the helpers in the nursery I always have her pacifier readily available in the diaper bag. Wednesday morning I was rushing to get ready for a moms’ group at church. I was almost ready to walk … [Read more...]
