When it Rains. It Pours.

Hey there!

Any chance it’s been raining where you are? This past weekend we had a strong line of storms move through the middle at night. Knowing the meteorologist were serious in their reports, we stopped and bought a new weather radio, so we had an additional way of receiving notifications of what was headed our way. The weather radio alerts came across several times that night and when the worst of the storm was near, my husband, Aaron, stayed up until it passed.

How often do you wish you were notified of the “storms” headed your way in life?

There are times when I wish I knew when one of our children would be sick so I could cancel the appointment I had first thing on a Monday morning in effort to avoid a cancellation fee. Then there are times when I rather be blindsided because I know I’d be overwhelmed with anxiety knowing I had no control. And doesn’t it seem like when it rains, it pours? If one tricky situation in our lives isn’t enough, we often find ourselves trying to navigate multiple situations we never anticipated.

The first year we lived here in the homestead my husband had to have nearly an emergency back surgery. When he woke from surgery, he was paralyzed from the waist down. What was supposed to be an outpatient surgery went to an extended stay at the hospital for rehabilitation. Our lives were turned upside down in the midst of having just purchased an 1837 farmhouse that was a major work in progress and Aaron was the one who knew how to physically do it all.

Had I known about that particular storm, I may have been able to prepare for it. Maybe I could have made arrangements that would help ease the upheaval of what was already a somewhat transitional time for our family. But what I wouldn’t have gained were the lessons that came through the various stages of the storm. Lessons that would prove how capable I was in an area that typically felt foreign. And untruths I had told myself no longer reigned over me because the experiences transformed my mind.

If perhaps you find yourself today in the middle of a storm, I hope you will keep in mind that the most important thing in weathering a storm is to keep moving forward. Life can be unpredictable and difficult times often seem to come all at once. However, it’s important to remember that these challenges are temporary, and that things can and will get better over time. No different than those spring storms we’ll continue to experience.

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”

– Robert Jordan

xo,

Grounded in the Middle Podcast -Growth Mindset Series

Growth Mindset. So often we find ourselves making an effort to get in that workout, but have you ever considered a possible workout for your mind that could lead to an even better life?

This week is the first episode of the Growth Mindset Series. I’m sharing a quick update from out here in the middle and then I’m going to introduce you to what growth mindset is as well as give you a few things to consider for the week before we dive into how we build or retrain our thinking so it will move us forward in a more positive way in the experiences we’ll be met with in the days to come.

Unapologetically You: Embracing Authenticity and Showing Up in the World- Navigating Societal Pressures and Expectations Part 2 Grounded in the Middle.

This week's topic on the podcast: "Navigating External Expectations and Societal Pressures." Even as adults we are subjected to societal pressures to conform to what society tells us we should be and if we mold ourselves by what the world is putting out there, we're subjecting ourselves to losing ourselves and becoming less of who the world needs us to be-our own unique self. Show Notes: Ralph Waldo Emerson-To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. Maggie Smith | Award-winning poet, author, essayist, and freelance editor (maggiesmithpoet.com) Gratitude Grams – Rachel DesRochers FARMHOUSE STORYTELLER JOURNAL – Where we meet in the middle. Let's Collaborate! Email me @ danielle@farmhousestoryteller.com Let's Hang on Social @farmhousestoryteller — Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/danielle-foulk/support
  1. Unapologetically You: Embracing Authenticity and Showing Up in the World- Navigating Societal Pressures and Expectations Part 2
  2. Unapologetically You: Embracing Authenticity and Showing Up in the World

Link2Us Spring 2023 Issue

Start the new season off with Link2Us Magazine’s Spring 23′ issue featuring the Emmy Award-winning former co-host of Good Morning America and The View, Paula Faris on the cover!

You can also read my article, Grace in the Garden, along with other inspirational stories in the Next Level Faith section titled The Voices of Grace.

You can find a copy at your nearest Barnes and Noble, Books-a- Million bookstores, Kroger, Albertsons and Hyvee supermarkets, as well as on Amazon, Link2Us Magazine Stand or Chapters Mega Stores in Canda and Stellar Airport retails stands at airports around the country.

Are you + your skin ready for growing season?

Ever since moving out here to the middle, I have spent every summer with my arms and hands covered in something and I have even had to have medicine called in because it was bad. The mere thought of the lingering irritation and the heat of a hot summer’s day makes me dread a season I’ve come to really love.

But this year I’m hoping to put an end to the itch.

Farmers Defense sent me a couple of pairs of their Farming Sleeves as well as their Farm and Trim Apron and I am over the moon excited at the thought of finally having a layer between not only me and the poison ivy but also the sun. Curious about Farmer Defense and their Products? Here are some quick details about the Farming Sleeves and Apron but do check out their other products!

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.

Never miss out! Subscribe to FSJ below.

One Comment Add yours

  1. Dawn Kendrick says:

    This is all FANTASTIC!!!

    Sent from my iPhone

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