Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

How to Apply for a Thrivent Action Grant

Published June 06, 2019 Updated August 17, 2019 Leave a Comment

Have you ever applied for a Thrivent grant? Yes? Good for you! I am so glad you are taking advantage of this seed money for special projects. No? Well, then, I am here to explain how easy it is for all Thrivent members to apply for a Thrivent action grant. Let me preface this by saying - I am not a Thrivent representative nor am I receiving any compensation for writing this post. This is my personal understanding of how the process works, after having applied for and received several grants.  I am simply a frugal Lutheran who hates to see free grant money go to waste by the many Thrivent … Read More...

When Going to Church with Kids Feels Pointless

Published March 11, 2019 6 Comments

Words of grace filled truth for every parent who struggles in the pew! It may be difficult and feel pointless at times but it is important. Here's what to remember when going to church with kids feels pointless. Written by a Lutheran mom who's right there with you!

Dear Mom with the Restless Little Ones in Church, I see you. I get it. I really do. Going to church with kids - especially little ones - is not easy. There are times when I honestly feel like going to church with kids is pointless. But here's the grace filled reality that I cling to. I am a mom who is sitting in the pews, just like you are, with a 5 year old, 3 year old and just turned 1 year old. This past Sunday was one of those Sundays that made me question my sanity. My son fought me about getting dressed for church and complained the whole drive to church about why we … Read More...

When Your To Do List is Never Done

Published February 18, 2019 Updated August 17, 2019 16 Comments

Love this! I feel this way SO many times. It's nice to have hope when your to do list is never done. #momlife

This is a topic that I keep coming back to day after busy day so I expanded upon an old post with some new thoughts. It's a constant challenge of mine, as a working from home wife and mom. I hope you find some encouragement in these honest musings of mine and realize that you are not alone. Because there is hope when your to do list is never done. The day started out well enough. I was full of good intentions and motivation. I woke up an hour before the kids (as has become my best new habit) and wrote a custom book on the couch, cozy under warm blankets. All the kids actually slept past … Read More...

When You Can’t Keep Seem to Keep Up

Published October 01, 2018 Updated November 11, 2018 1 Comment

Encouragement for those days when you feel overwhelmed and can't seem to keep up with life around you.

Anyone else feeling overwhelmed and like you can't seem to keep up with life? You too? Oh good. Because I am definitely overwhelmed with all there is to do right now. There is the never ending chore list, baskets of laundry, meals to prepare, grocery shopping to be done, children to care for, and work responsibilities to complete. I seem to be going from the moment I wake up each morning and as soon as I cross something off my list, I add two more things in its place. It's the beginning of a new month and so I made my monthly to do list. Here's a glance at my October List. (Please realize … Read More...

Encouragement As You Send Your Kids Off to School

Published August 20, 2018 Updated August 17, 2019 2 Comments

Dear Fellow Mom, This is it. This is the day you've known is coming. It's the day you've told been simultaneously anticipating and dreading. The first day of school. Whether you are sending your first child off to school for the first time (that's me!) or you are sending your last child off for the last time or anywhere in between - first days bring a lot of emotions for Moms. We have to let go. We have to entrust our child to another teacher. Now it is my job to entrust my son to another but it is not time to let go. Oh no! Mamas, we are always Mom! Remember this as you … Read More...

When You Can’t See Your Calling Because of the Laundry Pile

Published May 29, 2018 Updated August 17, 2019 2 Comments

Let's do real life together, shall we? I love being a wife and mom. It was always my heart's desire. Now that I'm several years in (9 years married and 4 years with kids), the reality can be overwhelming. Because, let's be honest? Being a mom is hard. Being a wife is hard. Sometimes you spend the day tackling four loads of laundry...only to do more loads of laundry the next day when accidents happen overnight and the baby has another blow out. (This is the Instagram moment that started these musings.) This laundry? And all the other baskets waiting to get done? This laundry is … Read More...

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