by mandacarpenter | Jan 14, 2020 | Books, Faith, Growth, Inspired
My Space Devotional started off as a private journey long before it was public. In the summer of 2018, I hit my breaking point. Having always been a “yes” girl who kept busy to the point of unnecessary stress and panic attacks, I felt God speak to me clearly in the...
by mandacarpenter | Apr 26, 2018 | Books, Faith, Family, Growth, Inspired
Sitting next to me at a table in one of my favorite little cafe’s, I recently overheard a woman on the phone complaining to someone about her husband. (I think it was her sister. Eavesdropping is a strength of mine.) From what I could pick up on, this woman felt...
by mandacarpenter | Feb 19, 2018 | Beauty, Books, Faith, Family, Growth, Inspired, Kids, Marriage
I sit down with a plan to write, but most days I don’t have the energy to recount the day’s memories or retell what we’re in the midst of because that requires reliving it. And right now, living it is hard enough. I don’t want pity or sympathy,...
by mandacarpenter | Mar 6, 2017 | Books, Faith, Growth, Inspired
When E and I first moved to Chicago in August, we set out to find a church we could both feel at home. Little did we know it would be the very first place we tried out: Soul City Church. The funny thing is that Jarrett and Jeanne Stevens, the lead pastors, were on a...
by mandacarpenter | Jan 4, 2017 | Books, Faith, Growth, Inspired
Hello 2017, You’ve been a bit of a disappointment. I ran into your arms at the pace of my 6th grade skinny-self while 2016’s shadow lingered behind. I hoped you’d be a net of safety and comfort; a fresh start. But who was I kidding? You came, but not...
by mandacarpenter | Dec 9, 2016 | Beauty, Books, Faith, Growth, Inspired
I gave myself permission to take a month off blogging. I thought I needed it. Then, after a few days of suppressing the desire to scratch my itch. I sat and wrote. Freeing my soul, worshiping in a way I will never be able to express through words themselves....
