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....
by mandacarpenter | Nov 14, 2016 | Books, Faith, Growth
9 Books Reviewed + a Giveaway I’m a binge-reader. Once I have a couple of books in hand that I’m excited about, there’s really nothing else I’d rather do than curl up on the couch and get lost in a book. The older I get, the more I choose...
