One of my favorite things is to give my kids a camera, sit back, and watch what they do. Caleb just went to Yellowstone and hiking around Idaho with my parents, and I made sure he took his camera. I … Continue reading
Caleb’s Yellowstone/Idaho Pics
Category Archives: General
12 Ways to Support Your Church Staff
Working at church seems like it would be so easy, doesn’t it? I mean, staff members get to hang out together all day, think about Jesus all the time, and work with church members who are precious. It’s like a … Continue reading
Leadership and Vulnerability
I prefer to not be singled out in a group to answer a question. I am a processor. I am happy to talk, but I like to have plenty of thinking time before I have to open my mouth. Awhile … Continue reading
My New Home Office
Some of you may remember that when Chris started a new job a few years ago, we set him up a home office. Now that I’m working from home, it was my turn. (Chris graciously moved his stuff upstairs.) If … Continue reading
Monuments
We have national monuments. We have memorials for all kinds of things. We even make statues to remember or commemorate special people or events. But monuments for our own lives? They are pretty much non-existent. For the last six months, I’ve … Continue reading
Atoka, OK
Introducing Irresistyles
Chris gave me the best, most thoughtful Christmas gift this year! He opened a business for me!
I’ve had a dream for the last year or so of someday starting a business that empowers women. But I’m not sure that I’ve ever mentioned that to Chris.
I’ve been thinking over the last year about how to start my own business making items to sell.
I’ve dreamed about being able to donate money through a business to non-profits that help change lives.
So I was blown away when I opened a box full of business documents, business cards, a bank account, website info, etc. on Christmas morning! It was the perfect gift for me!
I would like to introduce you to my new adventure…Irresistyles!
So far, I have 15 items I have rolled out in my Winter line. I will be selling the winter items while I also start working on a Spring line.
A portion of all sales will be donated to CitySquare in Dallas – a non-profit that exists “to fight the root causes of poverty through service, advocacy, and friendship.”
Local friends, if you would like to order something and would rather not pay for shipping, please feel free to email me at stephanie@irresistyles.com. You can save cost on the shipping, and I will get it to you!
I am super excited about this new adventure! Please feel free to share this site with anyone who might like it! And if there is something you would like but do not see, please let me know! I will make it for you!
Thank you for your support!
2016 Book List
Scary Close by Donald Miller – 9
Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans – 8
The Girl With All the Gifts by M R Carey
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – 9
North of Here by Laurel Saville
Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani
A Spirituality of Fundraising by Henri Nouwen
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
7 Practices of Effective Ministry by Andy Stanley
Trouble I’ve Seen by Drew Hart
Companions of Christ by Margaret Silf
The Bible Tells Me So by Peter Enns
Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger
Reviving Old Scratch by Richard Beck
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
All Marketers Are Liars by Seth Godin
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
Out of Sorts by Sarah Bessey
Matched by Ally Condie
Crossed by Ally Condie
Reached by Ally Condie
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling
Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
A Mile Wide by Brandon Hatmaker
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
Things Hidden by Richard Rohr
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
What I look for in an elder
Our church is going through an elder search process. I honestly didn’t think much about it all until a few weeks ago when I decided that I really needed to start thinking about who I would like to see serve as an elder in our church.
But before I could do that, before I could come up with any names, I found that I needed to take a step back and really think about what I thought were the characteristics of an elder for me. What kind of person would I throw my support behind? What kind of person would I trust and feel like I could go to when I needed help? What kind of person would I really trust to shepherd myself and my family?
I am a list-maker, so I decided I would make a list and see what happened. So, on the way to work in my van (where I do all of my great thinking), I started my list. I’d love to hear what you would add to the list.
- Notice people
- Interested in the lives of others
- Pray for others
- Approachable
- Keep confidentiality
- Ask others how they are doing
- Listen – REALLY listen
- Open about their lives
- Honest
- Appreciative
- Open heart
- Generous
- Encouraging – Uplifts others (positive thinker)
This is not an extensive list, and others probably disagree with my list. But for me, these are the things that I looked for in an elder. And after I created my list, choosing names was easy and fun.
What is on your list?
Crock Pot Recipes
I needed crock pot recipe, dinner help. I asked. You delivered! You guys are the best! Here are some of my friends’ favorite crock pot recipes! As I make them, I’ll add pictures! 🙂 CHICKEN 4 Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Verde … Continue reading
Stephanie Carroll 