I’m going to take a wild guess that you and I have a few things in common.
We think differently.
We want to make the most of this life.
We’re cultivators.
A cultivator uncovers her own unique goal and path. Instead of looking to other people’s goals or social media feeds to define her own, she puts in the hard work of uncovering a path that fires her up.
A cultivator embraces little by little progress. She doesn’t believe in quick fixes or overnight results, and she knows it’s okay to grow slow.
A cultivator gets her hands dirty and takes action. Waiting can be good and a time of ripening, but she knows that sometimes it’s worth it to dig in right where she is with what she has.
A cultivator examines where she is in order to leap to what’s next. Instead of ignoring what isn’t working, she takes the time to intentionally evaluate and uncover the path forward.
A cultivator creates a long-term vision and gets after it. She refuses to keep going through the motions, doing the same things she’s always done. Instead, she steps forward into a new path.
A cultivator sets out on a purposeful path by uncovering cultivated goals. She’s tired of wandering aimlessly.
A cultivator finds joy in the journey instead of placing all her value in the finish line.
A cultivator doesn’t just embrace imperfect progress; she celebrates it. She’s tired of abandoning ship at the first bump in the road, and she knows that the best things in life grow slowly.
Whether you realize it or not, we just described YOU.
Ready to dig into March, fellow cultivator? Let’s do it!
February was a month of learning to trust—trusting in times of unknown, trusting in taking little steps forward without a finish line in sight, and trusting God’s crazy plans over mine!
Here’s a recap of my February progress and what I learned:
February Monthly Goals:
— First things first. My top priority for February was to spend more time with God than with the world. — This is a perpetual goal, but I did a lot of praying in February as I faced many unknowns. Some of those things are still unknown, but I have a peace and trust now in place of the worry that was there before I started praying and seeking His wisdom. Prayer changes things.
— Prayer journal date. — Done! I have a recurring task on my Things app that reminds me to prepare my prayer journal a few days before the new month.
— Prayerfully hire new team members. — I’m so grateful to share we’ve hired two new team members who start on Monday (we’ll be introducing them in the weeks to come!). We’re still hunting for two more though, including this one.
— Start seeds indoors + garden planning. — Yes! Seeds have been started and my Gardening 101 post and giveaway goes live soon! More to come here!
— Write the 2019 PowerSheets. — DONE! Eeeeee! So excited about this! We have some big changes coming, which always amazes me. Every year I can’t imagine making it better, but there’s a big process shift I wrote in this year that I hope you love as much as I do! 2019 PowerSheets will be on sale in October.
— 2017 corporate taxes completed. — Progress was made, but not done yet.
— Pray over the plan for books. — Done! I’m so so so grateful to have clarity and next steps in motion for all of the long-form projects we have had in mind. The other book may be developed for 2020, but the Gracie’s Garden book is hopefully coming your way next spring. Up next for me is writing the draft text and finding an illustrator by April!
— Set strength training plan + start. — I got this over-the-door contraption and I love it. More about this goal coming in my March goals below…
— Identify budget steps and goals. — I finally got unstuck here, and all it took was one intentional step forward that led to the next. Our budget is set and I added the Mint app to my phone. This month we’re focusing on praying together regularly about finding giving needs and meeting them. We started praying about this last week and it has already been fruitful.
— Cultivated Calendar prep. — I have been so grateful for this shift in how I prepare for meaningful celebrations and events. Get the free download at the Cultivated Calendar replay link and go through the process—so helpful!
Someone turned two this week! We now officially have two to-year-olds!
Weekly goals:
— Write + study Gimel + Daleth (Psalms 119). — I only did this once this month because our Sunday afternoon times got taken up by other things.
— 2 Days “on.” – Yes!
— Undistracted + cultivated homeschool. – Yes! This is us below doing some notebooking.
— Re-creation. – Yes, we had some dance parties in the kitchen, spent lots of time outside, and we took several outings (trail walks and exploring Jordan Lake) that were a treat for everyone.
— Read Traction with Emily. – Yes, we are on the last chapter and our whole team has worked hard implementing the Traction model in our company. I can’t recommend it enough!
— Pray the Word. – Yes, there were several times I prayed for guidance and cried out to God using Bible verses as my prayers.
Daily Goals:
— Chronological Bible reading. – I continue to love this daily reading time!
— Soul care at night. This means spending time with my prayer journal, in the Word, preparing for the next day, or doing anything that doesn’t involve my phone. — This is an area I want to continue to improve.
— Kiss Ari. — Yes! We went to our church’s marriage retreat in February and had several date nights as well.
— SLEEP. — Another area I need to improve in (mainly going to bed earlier and turning my brain off.) Ari and I started reading Tim Keller’s Prayer which has been helpful to get my brain to unwind. Random fun fact: I used to live in the same apartment building as Tim Keller about 14 years ago and would often say hi him when we were both getting our mail. 🙂
— Pray over kiddos + family worship. Family worship is new and something that I’m excited about. I watched a video series by Donald Whitney that inspired me to give it a try. So far so great! While the kids eat breakfast in the morning, I read them a super short Bible story, we say a prayer, and then we sing a song. That’s it! It takes 10 minutes and they are loving it. — Yes, morning Bible story reading has become a habit after a month and the kids love it. This is the book we’ve been reading from.
On to March!
March Monthly Goals:
— Pray + Praise! These two things keep me on track for the rest of life! I marked this as my top priority for March with one of my favorite Goal Setting Sticker Book stickers.
— Gardening 101 series + garden prep. I am waiting till the recommended time (after April 15th here in Chapel Hill) to plant the garden, but there’s a lot to prep in March—clearing out old plants, cleaning pots, and it’s time to replace the garden beds themselves. I discovered several critter colonies and most of them are falling apart now after the winter. I resisted replacing them before (as you know if you’ve read Cultivate), but they are not functional in places now. So, new cedar beds are in our future.
— Prayer journal date.
— Celebrate 12 years of marriage! Our anniversary always falls on the weekend that the Making Things Happen conference kicks off, so we’ll be celebrating with lots of friends at dinner that night. Our vacation to Watercolor this month will be our time to celebrate with just the two of us while my mom babysits the kiddos one evening.
— Lead our best-ever MTH conference. Friends, I cannot wait for this! We’re nine years into making Making Things Happen happen and it just keeps getting better! (I can’t wait to see many of you there!)
— Have a meaningful Purim and Passover. I. Love. Passover! I love most of the Jewish holidays, but Passover is my favorite. The story of God delivering the Israelites from slavery and all the mess Moses and Aaron had to go through with Pharoah and the plagues… is it cheesy to say I just love the Bible!? I do! We’re having a Passover seder with our Bible study group on Easter Sunday, which is really special. There is so much meaning and symbolism in the seder that illuminates the power of the resurrection and God’s big picture plan for Jesus to be our Passover lamb. Ooooh it’s just so good!
Ari and the kids making traditional hamentaschen cookies for Purim yesterday (cookies in the shape of Haman’s hat). Grace is super into Purim and I’m so glad! The story of Esther is true “girl power”—God-led bravery!
— 2019 project finalization. This is exciting. As I mentioned in my updates above, I got clarity on future projects recently and we are working on many new things right now. Getting them all of to print in March is happening, Lord willing!
— Onboard new team members.
— Spring Team Summit prep. Really looking forward to this in the first week of April! We meet about once a quarter, and I’m excited to have new team members joining us for a time of planting roots with our big picture vision.
— April Cultivated Calendar prep.
Weekly goals:
— Strength training 2x/week (using my new over-the-door contraption I mentioned earlier).
— Write + study He + Waw (Psalm 119)
— Undistracted + cultivated homeschool
— Re-creation
— Pray the Word
— Finish implementing Traction — praising the Lord for this book and all we’ve learned over the last year!
— 2 Days “on” + vacation
Daily Goals:
— Chronological Bible reading.
— Soul care at night.
— Kiss Ari.
— Pray over the kids
— Family worship.
Your turn! Do you have goals for March? What are you cultivating in this new month? I’ll pick one of you to send a special surprise box of goodies to from the Cultivate What Matters shop. I love sending real mail, and I love hearing your thoughts! Congrats to February’s winner, Vanessa Milner Eberbach!
keep reading
118 Comments
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:11 pm
My goals for March are to get back on track with blogging and get back to going to the Y regularly.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:16 pm
One major goal I have is to prioritize my time more efficiently and stop letting the “hustle” distract me. I want to get back to the gym a few times a week, keep up my daily water intake, and focus on little-by-little progress on my book manuscripts.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:20 pm
I just finished getting my March tending list filled in..now I just have to add stickers!
My goals and focus include speaking my husband’s love language, building great relationships with the ladies on my team, finishing the books I’m reading, hitting a new goal in our business, consistency in the gym, and also daily faith cultivation – my bible plan, devotional, confessions, and writing a psalm a day, like David!
Pumped for March, and you’ve got this too Lara, have an amazing month!!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm
That is so kind of you to encourage me, Nicole! High fives, my friend!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:22 pm
My major goal is to make these few weeks leading up to Easter meaningful for myself and my family. Spending more time with God than the world is something I love and am going to try to implement in my daily life.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:24 pm
My goals for March are finishing your books! I bought them last month in order to prepare for when your PowerSheets are back in stock.
I am so eager to learn more from you and look forward to this personal journey to grow as an individual. The first few chapters have already touched me and I am excited to see what this new year brings! I appreciate your words of wisdom and your posts, they mean so much to me.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:46 pm
I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged, Louisa!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:29 pm
I’m a graduate student who will be graduating in May with a Masters of Education in School Counseling. While this is exciting, it’s also nerve racking to go through the job search process. To make me a little less overwhelmed, I’ve made a March goal to spend 30 minutes each day during the week working on applications and then not worrying about them the rest of the time!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:45 pm
That is awesome, Kaylee! I’m so excited for you!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:29 pm
March goals: Prep, prep, prep for our baby boy to arrive in April.
1) Solidify a plan for child care after maternity leave.
2) Have successful baby shower.
3) Arrange temporary (joint master bedroom) nursery.
4) Prep hospital bag.
5) REST. Literal sleep and spiritual rest.-
on March 1, 2018 at 1:45 pm
How exciting, Tara!
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on April 6, 2018 at 1:11 pm
Tara! You are the winner of the goodie box! Send us your address and we’ll get a box to you! http://www.laracasey.com/giveaway-winner
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on April 6, 2018 at 1:43 pm
OH! This made my day and, better yet, a great blessing after meeting all my March goals – Thank you!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:29 pm
I am still working on my Power Sheets for March. Rebuilding my garden one thing I am going to cultivate.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Yay for gardening!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:34 pm
I want to keep training for the Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon in April, finish my taxes on time, and work on my business marketing. Oh and try to stay calm and less anxious….
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Love these goals, Jessie! Amber from our office is also doing that run! : )
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:34 pm
I have yet to complete March’s tending list, but I know something I want to Cultivate this month is really hammering down on my technology/social media usage so I can be more productive with my days and not just slumping on my couch after work scrolling. I also CANNOT wait to begin half marathon training next week!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:44 pm
I love that goal, Carli! And hooray for your training!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:35 pm
Just did my March tending list this morning! My “big” goal for the month is getting my home office set up.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Beginning and completing a health reset with my husband. Prioritizing more time with my family. Getting stuff done, but giving myself room to breathe.
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:43 pm
March is kicking off with a new transition for me… my work project is ending, which means I likely have some unexpected time on my hands while the potential new job(s) are being set. I’m a bit nervous, but I have no doubt that God has a firm hand on things. I will be adding a reminder to my calendar for some quiet time to review and prep for the coming month BEFORE the next one begins! 🙂
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Hi! I’m working on recovering from cancer treatment (it worked! clean scan earlier this week!) and turning back into myself, but more intentional.
My most important March goals:
monthly – build stamina by walking and dancing; allocate my $ intentionally; celebrate some loved ones; believe in and plan for my future, ‘cos I’m going to have one!
weekly – do something fun outdoors with my doggie BFF
daily – gave myself a lot of margin here because I’m still exhausted, but 2-minute declutter; psoas release; foot mobility and strength exercisesI’m so excited for this! Have a wonderful month!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:47 pm
That is AMAZING, Di!!! Praising Him for your clean scan!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:52 pm
In March, I am so excited that I made watercoloring a priority! Although I work in a creative job, I lack creativity in my personal life. So one of my weekly goals is to watercolor twice a week!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:54 pm
I looove the photos of your kids! Happy birthday, Sarah!
I’m sad I’m going to miss MTH this year, but I’m hoping to attend next March! I learned so much last year that is still bearing fruit!As for monthly goals:
Finish my $1K emergency fund;
April budget
Knitting shop commissions (I have a tinnny store 🙂 )Weekly:
Contentment Challenge
Blog
Meal Plan
Weekly House Cleaning
Budget check-inDaily:
Balance checkbook
Evening prayer
Yoga classes daily
Knit
“Zero out” –quick (under 5 minute) house tidy before bed.AND I’m going to plant Zinnias this year! But not until April, probably. 🙂
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:58 pm
I’m glad you say it’s okay to grow slow. If I were a furry critter, I’d be a sloth or a turtle. If a person from a novel, I’d be an ent (aged tree -person as in Lord of the Rings). I’ve been trying to de-clutter for 3 years and this house still shows little evidence.
You seem to be so much better organized than I am! Even with the Lord’s help, I can barely plan and aim at tasks for part of a day at a time. Today I still have 7 items to do before my husband gets back from one of his rare shifts (he’s mostly-retired). Anyway, I like your theme – growing things! keep on encouraging people!-
on March 1, 2018 at 4:21 pm
Haha! Love that, Gail. I’m cheering you on as you make little-by-little progress!
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on March 1, 2018 at 1:58 pm
To write daily in my Write the Word gratitude journal
To continue on my weight loss journey of 20-30 lbs.
To continue on building my steps to 7000+ daily
To continue on my daily habit of drinking 2 more glasses of water a day.
To spend 30+ min each nite with Jesus , reading His word and listening for Him to speak to me.as I pray through my list
To continue to remind myself “When I feel like giving up, remember why I started”. -
on March 1, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Feel like February ran with the wind and I missed it. Planning to be more intentional with my time and energy this month. More one-on-one time with my precious girls listening to their hearts is something I want to cultivate this month.
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:05 pm
Some of my monthly goals are to read 3 books and pray for a faith mentor. Weekly goals are walk a 5k each week and attend my confirmation class. Daily goals include daily Pilates, She Reads Truth study, and add a fitness video.
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:11 pm
Goals: celebrate my son’s 9th birthday! Start working on our garden! Spend more play time with the kiddo! Improve my photography skills. Keep journaling!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Cultivating the practice of noticing God in my day. Also an ongoing thing I desire to practice for my year to integrate into my life:)
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:14 pm
I just finished reading Cultivate and it was amazing. It made me realize that I need to SLOW way down and not try to do so many things! This month I am really focusing on little by little progress. My biggest goal is to bring everything to God. I am going to do this by starting my mornings with my new Write the Word Journal, praying throughout the day, and by praying before bed every night with my husband. I am also planning to create and prepare a new morning routine to help me become a morning person (and hopefully make it to the gym more often) and to create a personal budget/savings plan. I realized in February that I sometimes spend on things I really don’t need so to kick start this I unsubscribed from emails that make me want to buy things right then and there and deleted apps from my phone that make buying things on a whim so accessible. I am so so so excited for March!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:20 pm
I’m so grateful Cultivate encouraged you, Kelsey!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:17 pm
The two big goals we’re working on cultivating this month for the first time are 1) more family time in the Word and 2) spending time with each of my children one on one.
We’ll also be licensed as foster care parents some time this month. Exciting! -
on March 1, 2018 at 2:17 pm
A few of my goals for the month are to invite friends over for dinner at least two times this month, schedule a date night with my sweet husband, send weekly emails to friends to keep in touch, plan one outing per week with the kids and continue to declutter our garage, house and life! It’s going to be a good month!!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:18 pm
This month I’m cultivating health. I have a dr. appt. I’ve been needing to make for months and I finally made it in February and the appt. is this month.
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:25 pm
Love this! Monthly goals are definitely a helper in order to reach long term goals.
1.) This month I’m looking to write more. The Lord has given me a gift that I have yet to fully understand or take hold of. He beconned me to journal more & write things that he’s put on my heart last month, but I let things get in the way of that particular quality time with Him. It’s time to start praying more about what he wants me to write and opportunities to share that.2.) Balance. I haven’t had a lot of balance between going constantly & refreshing my body. My soul got the bulk of the work the last couple of months, but this month I’m trying to cultivate more balance between going all the time, resting & preparig before I’m tired so I have energy to go, such as going to bed earlier, and eating & exercising the way my body is craving right now. Knowing your body is so important & when we don’t listen is usually when we run into trouble.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:20 pm
What you shared about writing really resonates with me. Your intentionality in asking God for the words is inspiring!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:32 pm
Since we just had our 3rd baby in February, my goals for March are to grow a little slower and take better care of myself and my family.
Monthly goals:
– plant flowers in backyard
– set dental + vision appointments for myself
– take a family adventure before my husband goes back to workWeekly:
– Nap with the kids 2x a week
– plan special time with each “big kid”
– Take “mommy time” once a weekDaily:
– am + pm self care routine
– hug my people
– praise my people openly
– drink water-
on March 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Wow, congrats on the new baby, Amy!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:33 pm
March goals for the Month:
– Start a new online shop
– Get 3 photo clients
– Build raised garden beds
– Spring cleaning
– Get my debt snowball going
– Pray pray pray, praise praise praise, and keep faith
– Be a better cultivator of what God is giving me to work with!
Weekly goals:
– Stay on budget
– At least two things of content created
– Educational/business reading
– working out 3-4 times
Daily Goals
– praying with Mark
– morning devotion
– making time to relax at night
– Spending my time more intentionallyWheeeewwww that looks like a lot. But I’m here!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:33 pm
My goals for March are simple. February overwhelmed me so I wanted to get back to basics and cultivate my faith, my marriage (we celebrate 4 years in March!) and praying about how I can best serve others.
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:38 pm
So many goals, so little time. Goals:embrace me by leaving my hair curly. Read,Pray,Listen, take multi-vitamin, write, write,write, plant tomatoes(starting small), find religion home school program, de-clutter and finally honor the sabbath. Rest.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm
Well, you know I love all of your goals! Yay for embracing those beautiful curls of yours!
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on March 1, 2018 at 2:39 pm
This year I wanted to go slow with goal to make them habits. In January I made sure I read my Bible every day. I continued that in February while also adding in dietary steps. For March I want to continue those as well as starting exercise. These are daily goals to cultivate my spiritual and physical health which was my overall goal for 2018!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:05 pm
February didn’t totally turn out as planned, but March is going to be amazin. I just created my Minthly Vision Board. https://thepeacefulmom.com/2018/03/01/organize-with-a-monthly-vision-board/
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Love it, Kimberlee!
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on March 3, 2018 at 7:04 pm
I typed that on my phone and just realized all the typos — goodness!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:14 pm
I am working on Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. It is time to get the finances going in the right direction. This takes some discipline in a time commitment also and sitting and making the time to “cultivate” the process!
Thanks for your encouragement along the way!
Blessings to you and yours!-
on March 1, 2018 at 4:16 pm
That is wonderful to hear and what a great program you are doing with FPU!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:18 pm
Your power sheets helped me stay on track with my theee goals. 1 – move to Washington DC. 2- Get my dream job. 3- find permanent housing AL BEFORE MARCH 1. Complete x 3. GOD is soooo good. AND…. planning to succeed works. BAM!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:16 pm
BAM indeed! Way to go, Tamra!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:27 pm
Lara, I love how you share your goals every month. It helps me to stay inspired. The #powersheets feed on Instagram is also a place I go for help when I am feeling lost throughout the month and need the motivation to get back on track.
I am cultivating many new things on my Tending List this month:
Monthly Goals:
1. Lose 5 pounds (which coincides with my goal to exercise, that I crushed last month!)
2. Try new recipes from my e-meals subscription
3. Listen to “The 5 Love Languages” during dinner with my husband
4. Go to a local church with a couple we are friends with
5. Get taxes done!
6. Start and finish “Turtles All The Way Down” by John Green
7. Make an eye doctor and gynecologist appointment (both of these are overdue, and extremely unhappy places for me!)One of my daily goals is to look at my Cultivate Planner DAILY! I feel that laying eyes on my goals every day will be a way of keeping them at the forefront. I haven’t been able to “check all the boxes” yet this year, but I have high hopes for a solid month.
I hope everyone has a wonderful March!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm
Yay, Alex! I’m so grateful you’ve been encouraged. Also, love that you are listening to The 5 Love Languages. When Ari returned from deployment in Iraq, we listened to the audio version too as we drove from Arizona to California. Hearing Gary’s voice read it was fun!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:30 pm
I always love reading your goal posts, Lara! 🙂
I hope your Making Things Happen Intensive is wonderful! I really hope to make it to one some day!I’m just finishing up my goals for March, but here are a few of the things I plan to cultivate this month:
• Continue to fast social media for Lent
• Write upcoming guest blog post
• Prayerfully plan and write the teaching for the session I’ll be co-leading at my church’s upcoming women’s retreat
• Fill out March prayer journal and have a prayer session right then and there (you inspired me to do this, Lara!) 🙂
• Fast sugar for 10 days
• Choose one book to read
• Make a monthly plan room-by-room for the organizational projects I want to tackle this year
• Two weight-training sessions with personal trainer
• At least one additional cardio or strength/cardio workout (kettlebell, yoga, barre, yogalates, pilates, Revelation Wellness video etc.); switch it up each week to keep things interesting 🙂
• Meal plan/prep for the week ahead (figure out a routine for this that I can actually stick with)
• Word Before WorldCheering you on this month, Lara! 🙂
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:14 pm
Yes, I hope I get to hug you one day too my friend!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:39 pm
I’m so excited. I started a 12 week goal setting journey in January and have completed almost all of them and ahead of schedule on some. Some of my goals for March, plant seeds for garden, get two baby goats for farm, continue blog schedule.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:14 pm
That is awesome and I LOVE your goals (namely the baby goats and gardening!)!
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on March 1, 2018 at 3:44 pm
I’m really working on self care this month. Spending time on me, in the form of exercise, reading, and spending time in the Word
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:13 pm
So good, Ashlee!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:01 pm
This month I’m cultivating more recreation time for myself. Being kind to myself as I recover from .a broken wrist, which also impacted my crossfit/running goals.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:13 pm
I’m so sorry to hear about your wrist! Prayers for complete healing as you get back into more recreation!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:13 pm
One thing I’m really trying to cultivate in March is scheduled white space. I need more margin in my life (even though I hate that particular word). I have a weekly sabbath, but lately I haven’t known how to use it for good and rest without going crazy. It seems I’ve forgotten how to rest. So this month I’m exploring what new sabbath rhythms I can start implementing into my life.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:18 pm
So good, Jazmin! I think a lot of us have felt similar things in forgetting how to rest. I needed that reminder right now too!
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on March 3, 2018 at 4:49 pm
Have you read The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan? If not, I would recommend giving it a try!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:16 pm
I’ve just started reading your Cultivate book, and I’m so excited to get started in growing an intentional life! This month, I’m cultivating FAITH. I have a lot of scary things going on in my life right now, and I don’t know what the future holds. So I’m focusing on cultivating faith so I can lean on the Lord for guidance and peace.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:18 pm
Madeline, you are on the right path. With so much unknown, you can always trust in our steadfast and never-changing God. I’m excited for you!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for sharing, Lara!
This month, I’m cultivating relationships and my love for reading and writing.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:30 pm
I really want to be more strict with turning off my phone before bed and reading instead. I also want to memorize two Bible verses, continue my chronological Bible reading plan and Bible journaling. And I want to start keeping a journal again.
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:31 pm
I just started my cultivating last month and I’m excited by the little by little progress! I focused exclusively on my relationship goal last month, so this month I’m adding steps on my getting organized at work goal. I love that i don’t have to have everything figured out. Just get started, take a few steps and see what unfolds! The hardest step can be the first, but by taking the pressure off of focusing on progress not perfection, i am already cultivating what matters!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:48 pm
I worked on my March goals last night! I am so excited to meet with a spiritual director for the first time this month. I’m ready to cultivate what God is up to in my heart, spirit, and mind!
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on March 1, 2018 at 4:53 pm
I’m preparing for our new baby! At the end of March is our goal of 37 weeks (due to complications). So I’m praying to bake her to full term and prepare our bags, just in case.
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:01 pm
My goal for March is to slow down…take a moment before I speak, and to use more care in how I talk to others.
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:12 pm
I’m focusing most on health for the whole family this month. Some of the goals include drinking more water, more sleep, exercise 2x/week, healthy food prep, and we’re doing a no processed sugar challenge!
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:19 pm
I’m cultivating spending my evenings more meaningful and less on my phone.
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:21 pm
This month i’m Working on cultivating a home that is not cluttered (and therefore freeing us from feeling overwhelmed when we walk in) as we get ready to welcome a new baby into our family. Looking forward to having a space of peace & laughter for our family to grow!
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:24 pm
I’m excited for you, Melody!
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:25 pm
Could you share the resources you use for your Passover dinner? I have been piecing together things as we have gone through this the last two years and would love Your & Ari’s insight for a Messianic passover that is true to the Jewish traditions
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on April 9, 2018 at 9:08 am
Hi, Jessica! So sorry for the delay in my reply here! We use a Messianic Haggadah, similar to this: https://www.shalommaine.com/downloads/Messianic_Passover_Haggadah.pdf I hope this helps! It is such a meaningful and rich celebration.
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:49 pm
My main goal for March is to finally lock down our budget!!
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on March 1, 2018 at 5:56 pm
Oh no, it’s March!
Since mid-January we’ve had stomach bugs, colds, ear infections, pink eye, and some sort of viral sore throat thing go through our house. Just keeping up with work and getting the minimum done taking care of everyone else is about all I’ve been able to manage. My sister and husband are both traveling this week, so I’m sort of on my own. Monday would have been my mom’s birthday, and Saturday marks 9 years since we lost her. My February tending list is tacked on the bulletin board above my desk, and nothing is marked off. I want to curl up under my desk and cry.
I’m brewing a cup of coffee, turning on some music, and going through my March goal planning, even if I’m late doing it. Whenever Mom hit a breaking point, where she just didn’t think she could handle anything else, she said that God’s grace was enough and just kept going. I’m my mom’s daughter, and so I’m going to do the same thing.
Thank you for the reminder!
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:00 pm
Life is short and none of us knows how much time we really have. When my aunt was dying she asked my sister if she had the time. My sister said she did. My aunt said but do you? Not moving so fast that I miss what is most important in life. If I could go back to when my kids were little I would savor every moment as they grow up so quickly. I knew as was going to get older, I just didn’t except it to happen so soon. Prepare for eternal life. Praying for my lost loved ones and others that they might find Christ before it is too late.
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:05 pm
Life is short and none of us knows how much time we really have. When my aunt was dying she asked my sister if she had the time. My sister said she did. My aunt said but do you? Not moving so fast that I miss what is most important in life. If I could go back to when my kids were little I would savor every moment as they grow up so quickly. I knew as was going to get older, I just didn’t except it to happen so soon. Prepare for eternal life. Praying for my lost loved ones and others that they might find Christ before it is too late.
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:13 pm
My word for 2018 is Cultivate! Which ultimately led me to your book! I have deeply enjoyed every single word on every single page! So much highlighting & underlining going on over here! I am coming out of a deep winter season where alot of healing happened physically & spiritually; talk about digging up roots & some massive landscaping going on! Now I am stepping out in faith to write, start a blog, help women, homeschool, AND start a backyard garden! 🤗😊 I appreciate all you do; your joy & Godly drive are contagious & a true inspiration!
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on March 2, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Yay for your backyard garden!
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:14 pm
It’s really helpful to have this space to write my focus for this month. It’s been a rough day that really comes down to my struggling with my imperfection. I want to cultivate homemaking as an art form. In short– The Refreshing Beauty of Order. I am very far from that now, but I look forward to taking small steps in that direction.
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:31 pm
Work derailed my February debrief and March planning- tomorrow for sure! March will bring more time with the word and my husband. In March I am exploring a new opportunity that the Holy Spirit has placed in front of me. Excited to see where I am led. Oh by the way Lara – the link from the email to the blog doesn’t lead to the blog page, rather to a very lovely picture of you sitting on a couch. 🙂 just thought I would let you know, I still managed to find your post and enjoyed it.
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on March 1, 2018 at 6:31 pm
This month for me is all about the Home. be more present with my husband and son when we all have the chance to be home. Put the phone and computers down more when at home and enjoy each other. Organize our home; from switching over the baby’s clothes from winter and clothes that are too small for him to spring and ones that will actually fit to rearanging our kitchen and pantry so im able to cook and bake more and find more joy in being in that space. get ready for the spring and put together our garden boxes and plan out what we want to grow this upcoming season. find time to add yoga/ a workout to my daily routine and to find time to reflect on and say thank you for the blessings my family and I have.
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on March 1, 2018 at 7:11 pm
This month I have taken daily prayer off of my daily goals because I have totally cultivated that as a normal part of my morning so I moved it up to weekly calls. I am in the process of contentment challenge. Also Lenten sacrifice which limits my social media usage and also I’m fasting from all sugars.
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on March 1, 2018 at 7:44 pm
In March a lot of my monthly goals are about brainstorming and researching new things that tie into some of my big yearly goals…composting, gardening, writing….excited to see what comes of it!
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on March 1, 2018 at 8:25 pm
Thank you for sharing your February look back & your intentional March. Love your daily goals. Soooo very important in putting God 1st. I heard someone say whispers with God b4 shouts with the world. I AGREE.
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on March 2, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Oooh I love that, Tara!
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on March 1, 2018 at 8:48 pm
I am cultivating clarity this month. I am focusing on cutting the chaos and clutter and cultivating clarity. My 5C ‘s!
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on March 1, 2018 at 8:49 pm
This month my mother n law who has breast cancer is moving in with me so this month I’ll be cultivating my faith to handle her, my husband, and my 3 kids plus a full time job.
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on March 1, 2018 at 9:45 pm
This month I will spend my first 30 minutes of my day in Gods presence and the word. I’m making a commitment to spend a full “just girls day” with my 16-year-old twin daughters (God they grow up sooo fast) Cover and Protect-Amen
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on March 1, 2018 at 10:23 pm
This month is all about celebrating my oldest’s birthday, making progress with my business, and digging in to my jobs. I’m feeling great that on day 1 I am almost done with one of my major monthly goals.
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on March 1, 2018 at 10:40 pm
I sent my friend and fellow cultivator a text today that said Happy New Year! because I finally finished all the prep and goals and made a tending list for March! So excited and relieved to be on track this month. Letting go of stress about not having January and February written out. It’s not like I did nothing those months anyway. But it feels so much better to see my plan in writing!
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on March 2, 2018 at 1:01 am
I LOVE that one of your daily goals is to Kiss Ari! 💚
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on March 2, 2018 at 7:23 am
My main goals for March are getting our 2018/2019 homeschool planned, spring cleaning my house, and making sure we are intentional about having our family devotion time. ❤️
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on March 2, 2018 at 8:32 am
I am also cultivating a garden in March with the children that I work with from eighteen-month olds to teenagers. It is still snowy here so we will start our seedlings in the garden room, and enjoy watching them sprout, root and put up their first leaves. Looking forward to the Gardening 101 series. Thank you!
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on March 2, 2018 at 8:35 am
One of my goals this month is to regularly keep up with my tending list. I let this slip big time in February. I’ve given up social media for Lent, so I look forward to seeing what fills that gap in the month of March!
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on March 2, 2018 at 9:35 am
My goals for March include reading a story with each of my kiddos every day, journaling once weekly, get moving outside once a week for playtime, buy a small gift to surprise my husband (his love language), & plan meaningful family time to celebrate Easter. I’m so excited for Easter!!
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on March 2, 2018 at 12:41 pm
It’s March already? My February tending list is staring at me from the bulletin board over my desk with absolutely nothing checked off.
We’ve had a string of everything from the stomach bug, to ear infections, to pink eye going through our house since mid-January, and we’re all still sick. Monday would have been my mom’s birthday, and tomorrow will mark 9 years since she passed away. My sister is on vacation out of state, and my husband is on a business trip. One of the kids just told me that they feel sick to their stomach again. I’m trying to handle everything when I just want to crawl under my desk and cry.
But, I’m going to brew another pot of tea, pull out my powersheets, and see if I can get a March tending list put together today. The routine and fresh start will do me good. 🙂
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on March 2, 2018 at 1:08 pm
My encouraging words are: only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ shall last.
Monthly:
In my managing our photo archive of family photos I have a goal to reduce the total by another 1,000 pictures.
Do May, June, July of 2017 Family Album.
Cultivate Mar and April calendars.
Date night – go through and update our couples goal guide and create a family recreation list.
Finish Tim and Kathy Keller’s Meaning of Marriage book. This was a Feb goal that is only 1/2 done so I rolled it to March.
Finish pruning closet and clothing.
Order one Shutterfly album – our 2016 family reunion one.
Finish Reading A Simplified Life.Weekly:
Menu plan each week.
Call my Mom.
Intentional use of social media.Daily:
Read through Bible reading plan.
Soul care at night (I just added this one after reading about yours).
Hit steps goals.
Prepare for the following homeschool for our boys with notebook tasks to be prepared to homeschool with love and grace.
Do my DR an exercises to close my ab gap.I want to prepare my heart and home for a spring clean out to match my goal of living as if this world is not my home. So I’m drafting up notes for that to do in April’s section.
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on March 2, 2018 at 7:54 pm
My goal this month is to read your book Cultivate. I just found out about you through Emily Ley (also new recent obsession) and I cannot wait for the simplified planner and power sheets to be restocked!
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on March 3, 2018 at 1:31 am
I’m cultivating more quality with my family. I’m always so busy working my business and my blog, that we don’t do much together as a family and I can tell how much that affects the mood of my household.
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on March 3, 2018 at 7:23 am
February was a month I took a leap of faith and resigned from a full-time job to a part-time job, so that I could do God’s work full-time. I’m heading into the unknown in March so my goals relate to trying to find balance in my secular work and my spiritual work. I’m terrified and excited for what He has in store for me this month. ☺️❤️
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on March 5, 2018 at 3:59 pm
I’m continuing my same goals from the beginning of the year, but the focus has shifted a bit from certain goals to others. This has been my best year yet, in terms of accomplishing goals, and taking those baby steps! I’m not longer giving up if I skip a day or a week or a month! I give myself grace, and re-assess the goal to see if it’s still a priority and/or change it. Woohoo! Thank you, Lara and team!
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on March 7, 2018 at 1:02 pm
Yay, Linda! I’m excited for you!
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on March 6, 2018 at 10:32 am
Hi Lara!
I wanted to share something with you and figured this comments section on March goals would be appropriate!
This month, I ended up digging into my March goals a few days late and actually just created my March tending list today (3/6/18). This time, I approached my goal setting and list tending a little differently (honestly, because life happens!) I stretched the process out over a couple of days while reading Cultivate. Today was the day I just happened to fill out my tending list and you wouldn’t believe it, it was also the day that I opened up Chapter 7. This wasn’t planned, but a surprise and a true gift. I think some way somehow the Holy Spirit was working through those pages – speaking through your words and experiences – and knew that I needed some extra support and strength this month. Thank you for meeting me where I’m at in my growth!
I wanted to share this moment I had this morning reading your book and working through my March PowerSheets. I am grateful for the work and your team does to inspire others. Your words also give me confidence! Thank you again. Here’s to the beginning of spring!
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on March 7, 2018 at 1:01 pm
I love hearing this, Olivia! God is truly so good to meet us right where we are!
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on March 7, 2018 at 1:56 pm
Hi Lara! I am also reading the bible chronologically. Gotta admit – I am struggling a bit. In the books of the Law and I just feel like its hard to connect to God. I am trying to see it as big picture and the overall love story of God and his people but feeling stuck at times. Any thoughts or encouragement? Thanks!
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on March 7, 2018 at 10:21 pm
I’ve been building a consistent exercise routine. March priority is to add Strength training workouts – upper body 3X a week and lower body 3X a week. Starting easy and gradually increasing weights used.
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on March 12, 2018 at 7:30 am
I ask that you consider the following, as you choose to celebrate Jewish holidays such as Purim and Passover with your children: “Christians may desire to become more Christ-like or to develop deeper understanding of Christian roots, but hosting a Jewish Passover outside of the context of Jewish relationships does more harm than good. Christians celebrating their own Passover do unwitting harm to the Jewish people because they ignore centuries of persecution of Jews—and they do harm to themselves by ignoring their real-life Jewish neighbors, treating them as relics rather than people.” (Taken from https://religiondispatches.org/why-christians-should-not-host-their-own-passover-seders/) I find it very troubling that you are taking two special Jewish holidays and turning them into Christian celebrations for your family, all while seemingly ignoring the significant Jewish history involved in these stories. I know you are a deeply reflective person and do not intend harm in these celebrations, so I ask you to think deeply about the other effects of appropriating these celebrations.
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on March 15, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Hi, Rachel! I appreciate you sharing these thoughts. My husband is Jewish, so we take great care to honor the Jewish roots and history. I so appreciate your concern and sharing this!
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on March 15, 2018 at 9:53 am
My goal is to continue with this new strength and empowerment that I’ve had in my soul. It’s incredible and only God could have brought me here! The past two years have been extremely difficult. I had a baby and then a stroke two weeks after she was born…and suffered from really bad postpartum anxiety and depression. God has brought me through this storm in my life and has made me stronger than ever!