Friend,

With only a couple of days left in February and some record-breaking warm temps in the Ohio Valley, I haven’t been able to keep myself from thinking ahead to spring. The anticipation of the transition from winter to spring comes with excitement and a renewed energy, but at the same time a different schedule and more added to our to-do-list. The earth will soon awaken and will need tended to, our chicks will soon join the hens we already have in the coop, sports schedules will be posted, and thankfully our days will grow longer to help us manage it all.

I used to think that in order to be doing well managing work, home, friends, and our kids meant everything had equal attention. However, I have learned over time balance doesn’t always mean equal. Balance to me means there is more of an ebb and flow. Like when the tide rushes in and then recedes. Sometimes there are going to be parts of our lives that require more attention, and the other parts can wait to be tended too.

Rather than trying to pack our weekends full of house projects, sports, and the usual chores, we have learned there truly is a “time to every purpose under Heaven.” Learning this has given us a freedom from our past tendencies of trying to squeeze so much in that we miss out on moments that will in the end sustain us more than any project we tackle. It’s a lesson that hasn’t been easy but in time I find has grounded in this life out in the “middle.”

Balance looks different for everyone. What does it look like for you?

I’d love to hear back from you. You can simply reply to this email anytime to share your thoughts. It’s always a pleasure to receive some happy mail in my inbox. It would make my day!

xo,

Grounded in the Middle Podcast

This is part 3 in the 4-part series, What’s Your Story? This week I’m sharing how a find at the antique store got me to thinking about how when thinking about our own personal story is similar to a scrap book. It’s made up of several pieces that account for us as the whole we are today. I’m asking for you to consider over the week what matters to you, evaluate your commitments and what might have to be eliminated to make room for something you are feeling called towards, decided on what you, yourself, believe in-not what the world has shaped you into believing and lastly consider taking time to pray/meditate on all of these things. This allows an opportunity to reflect, rethink, and consider who we are and who we want to be in the days to come. 

Learning From Others. – Grounded in the Middle.

We not only can learn from our own personal story, but we can also learn by listening to someone else's story. Get ready to be inspired by Oliver Asher, author of Invincible Joy! Listen in today to learn more about how over time he was transformed by the Lord. "I spent my childhood in poverty, my house burned down (twice), I've spent days wondering where my next meal would come from. I once dreamed that I was going to lose my job, then found out the next day that dream was coming true. In the midst of it all, God was there with me. Through those experiences I learned the secret to joy that doesn’t fade and doesn’t depend on circumstances. That’s Invincible Joy." -Oliver Asher Ways to connect with Oliver + purchase Invisible Joy: https://www.oliverasher.com http://www.advancingnativemissions.com @OliverAsherOfficial 

1. Learning From Others. 36:06
2. What's Your Story Part 4 30:33

2 More Days until the next recipe exchange-Now Worldwide!

If you missed joining this month’s snail mail recipe exchange, no worries! You can simply email me at danielle@farmhousestoryteller.com with your name and mailing address and I will be happy to put you on the list for next month’s exchange.

Inspiration behind the exchange. Gathering around the table with those we love offers us the unique opportunity to share of those who came long before us through preparing recipes that have been passed down from family members from one generation to the next. I want to invite you to the table and have you share a family recipe + brief story, if there perhaps is one, through the Farmhouse Storyteller Recipe Exchange.

How the recipe exchange works. You will choose a recipe of your choice. I encourage you to neatly handwrite your recipe (like the old days) and a note to say hello and share about the recipe you are sending. The note you include could share about yourself, your Instagram account handle, why you enjoy this recipe, what time of year it’s typically made (if significant), or if it’s a special recipe that’s been passed down through generations. You will then send it off in the mail to who you’ve been assigned to (included in an email from me) and they will send a recipe to you. Did you know there are participants this month that span from Alaska to Florida?!

At the end of the month, I will ask if anyone wants to “opt out” of the exchange. If there is a majority of people who want to continue the exchange for the month of March, I will email those participating with a new name and address. Be sure to use and follow the hashtag #farmhousestorytellerrecipeexchange to connect with our community and invite your friends to join in March!

Farmhouse Storyteller Playlist

If you’d like to tune in to what I’m listening to out here in the middle, you can join me on Spotify where I have a playlist titled, Farmhouse Storyteller. You can easily find the station by directly clicking play to the right or searching for Farmhouse Storyteller on the Spotify app.

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