From Frazzled to Fun

Helping moms create space for fun, family, and faith

Super SIMPLE yet Meaningful Thanksgiving Activity

faith inspiration Nov 20, 2021

Mama, have I got an off the chain Thanksgiving activity for you!

Why so OTC?

So simple
Inexpensive
Requires very little prep
Meaningful
For all ages
A great around-the-table activity
Is useful after the activity is over

What is it?

A THANKSGIVING PAPER CHAIN!

In a meeting this month with my Coach Mom Triber moms, they each shared at least one favorite holiday tradition. They had so many great ideas!

Veronica Bezanson shared what a hit a Thanksgiving paper chain was with her family.

I realize you kindergarten teachers, first grade teachers, and homeschool moms are already on this, but many of us have forgotten about paper chains!

I challenge you to do this Thanksgiving Paper Chain activity for your family this Thanksgiving:

Get paper (even copy paper white will do! That weight is the best because you don't want it to be too thick.)
Turn your paper landscape
Using a ruler, take a pencil and score it the width of the ruler top to bottom all the way across...

Are you Centered?

faith inspiration Nov 13, 2021

One day in June I was laid out in a lounge chair feeling lifeless and discouraged because I was on Day 12 of COVID.

Answering a FaceTime call, I saw my son Micah. He was calling from Guatemala where he was serving on a medical mission.

I was clearly not looking my best or sounding my best and he could read the discouragement all over me.

He happened to be sitting at a keyboard, and, after letting me share a little with him about how things were going he played a chord and started singing. "Jesus at the center of it all, Jesus at the center of it all...." (And he went on to sing all the verses of the song.)

Tears streamed down my face as the song lifted my spirits and the hope and peace of God washed over me.

Reality sunk in -- this was a temporary trouble. And Jesus, the always faithful and always able One, is at the center of everything in my life.

Besides that, I was blessed to have a son who cared so much...

Practical Steps to Move From Frazzled to Fun

faith home organization inspiration parenting Sep 25, 2021

I want to share with you a podcast that came out this week.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Courtney Lowman of Journey of Ruth podcast on the topics of:

questions to ask yourself when home organizing
teamwork tactics and how the benefits can continue to bless you for years
encouragement for mamas of newborns
fun ways to get your kids to want to behave
boundaries and screen time for kids
gettin' 'er done as a mama but keeping it fun

If you want to feel encouraged, be more equipped to be intentional, and be inspired to return to the fun mom you know you really are, Courtney and I invite you to listen in (also includes a link to watch on YouTube).

Miracle in My Kitchen and What it Means Today

faith inspiration parenting Sep 11, 2021

It was baking day. Dillon and Derek, ages five and six, put on their favorite baking aprons, and we were ready to begin our bread making.

The boys meticulously measured the yeast, flour, sugar, and salt into two bread makers with dreams of sweet rolls we would enjoy.

I was disappointed when I went to get the oil from the pantry and remembered I was almost out. As I tilted the container, it looked like we had a tablespoon of oil at the most. We needed two-thirds of a cup.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry, guys! I forgot we were out of oil," I said. "We're not going to be able to finish these recipes today."

Their eyes cast downward. Then my six-year-old looked at me and said, "Remember that story about the woman who needed the oil to bake with?"

I took a deep breath and hesitantly said, "In the Bible?" By this time, both boys were excitedly nodding their heads with anticipation. The ball was in my court. "So what you are saying is that we should pray, and the Lord will multiply our oil like He...

Don't Fear for Your Kids

faith inspiration parenting Sep 04, 2021

Here's a good word for the times, from Alex Cravens. I agree with him and want to spread this faith-filled word! I hope we will all, no matter how difficult, take it to heart:

"Don’t feel sorry for or fear for your kids because the world they are going to grow up in is not what it used to be.

God created them and called them for the exact moment in time that they’re in. Their life wasn’t a coincidence or an accident.

Raise them up to know the power they walk in as children of God.

Train them up in the authority of His Word.

Teach them to walk in faith knowing that God is in control.

Empower them to know they can change the world.

Don’t teach them to be fearful and disheartened by the state of the world but hopeful that they can do something about it.

Every person in all of history has been placed in the time that they were in because of God’s sovereign plan.

He knew Daniel could handle the lions...

Happy Independence Day!

faith inspiration Jul 03, 2021

A few reflections you might share with your children on what makes America so beautiful and praiseworthy...

The U.S.A. is the only country, ever, (including ancient and modern day Israel), to be founded on an idea and not an ethnicity.

Our founders boldly declared this idea in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self evident. That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

It is clear that they believed that the God of the Bible was involved in the birth of our nation. In the Declaration of Independence they used words like "Creator", "Supreme Judge of the World", "Nature's God", and "Divine Providence".

We can also see the same theme in countless writings of historians.

In his private journal, George Washington gave credit to the "finger of Providence" when it came to both the formation...

Have You Taught Your Children These 3 Memorial Day Facts?

faith inspiration parenting May 31, 2021

Happy Memorial Day! Some interesting things about today...

1. How many Americans understand the true meaning behind Memorial Day?

According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans, just 43% were aware it’s a holiday honoring those who died in service while in the U.S. Armed Forces.

2. How many understand the Moment of Remembrance?

Only half of those polled understood that this is a moment when Americans are asked to pause for one minute to remember those who have died in U.S. military service.

But a third surveyed were able to select the correct time for when it takes place — 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

3. How many Americans understand the term "Gold Star Family"?

Half of Americans polled knew this is a family who has lost a loved one in military service.

To see the flag identifying a Gold Star Family, click here and scroll down.

If you are an American, what can you do to make the most of Memorial Day?

...

Dare to be Dangerous

faith May 29, 2021

Really, Chris? A black car with black rims and grill and black leather interior? I wasn’t sure it really “fit” me.

In our search to replace my 2006 Honda Odyssey well-loved van, I had in mind a white vehicle...you know, one that makes you think “glory” or “shine” when you look at it.

But Chris had his heart set on taking me to see this car. I prayed as we headed to see it that the Lord would make it clear if this car was not the one (because he had a different white one picked out for me!)

As we started the car and test drove it, I smiled when I heard a song by Mercy Me playing on the radio. And, wow, I was impressed with all the amenities its great condition for such a reasonable asking price.

After the test drive, the owner was showing us some features on the screen and we saw the words “El Peligroso”.

“What’s El Peligroso?” we asked.

“It’s the name of the car,” he answered.

...

When Mother's Day is Painful

faith parenting May 05, 2021

As Mother's Day nears, with it to many comes the pain of the memory of children lost through miscarriage, abortion, stillbirth, or early infant death.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

I don't know anyone who offers comfort better than my dear friend Jill Rhodes -- I'm bringing you a message from her that expresses my heart today.

As Jill says, "There is no pain in life quite like the death of a child -- whether pre-birth or post-birth. Many of us still carry the tender wounds from having to let go of our precious little ones, regardless of how long it has been."

Know that the Lord holds your precious little one for you until you can again.

I encourage you to lift your arms to Heaven, and say aloud, "I choose to release all grief from my soul in Jesus' Name," and let His comfort and peace wash over your heart.

Please take...

Why is the World so Evil?

faith inspiration May 01, 2021

I heard someone say this last week,

"People ask, 'Why is the world so evil?'

I answer,'Because we as believers are not taking our authority and executing Heaven on earth.'"

What? Are you saying it's our fault?

It made me think of a verse that keeps coming up lately, Matthew 16:19: "I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven..."

Then it became clear to me how important it is for us to receive the keys when I saw a father toss his keys to his 4-year-old daughter....

Hear the story here.

I pray your mama bear rises up and you pray with a new resolution and authority.

Comment below and let me know one thing you are standing for in prayer right now.

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Author

Brenna Stull

Author

My joy is seeing even the most disorganized and defeated moms say goodbye to overwhelm and self-doubt, and move from frazzled to fun as they apply the Coach Mom 7 strategies and move closer to an organized home and family life that runs peacefully and purposefully. I love to hear my readers and clients express the realization that they can faithfully parent, keep an organized home, and enjoy a refreshing return to fun mom...all at the same time.

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