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Happy November, everyone! Welcome to a political-free, Jesus-filled zone. I think we can all use a breather from the first and an extra dose of the latter, don't you? I hope you find something here to encourage you to make every effort to build godly character through a consistent yet imperfect pursuit of Christ; wrestling through doubt and fear, spending time with Him, being immersed in truth, serving others, and continually learning and growing while resting in the grace of God. I want to partner with you to succeed in your pursuit!

We are facing the end of the year and the beginning of the holiday season, and with that, there are many reasons for celebration and gratitude as well as concern and sorrow. This season can remind us of those we have lost, cause nostalgic sadness, seasonal depression, financial stress, and continued isolation. But I believe we can experience both joy and sorrow as humans and new creations. Christ makes this possible; to be renewed with joy in the midst of sorrow through praise, worship, and gratitude to God.

The Thanksgiving holiday, for a believer, is about allowing our souls to rest. To remember. And to worship. While it should be our daily practice to acknowledge God's goodness to us through our new life in Christ, dedicating a whole day to this end is a much needed reprieve from our busy lives. Our faith should always leads us naturally to thanksgiving. If you are grieving, praise is the roadmap to healing. I pray you will make every effort to truly celebrate God for who He is regardless of circumstances. It is easy to forget what God has done for us through Christ. When we remember this merciful grace to us, it is easier to put the rest of our circumstances into perspective. Express your gratitude daily and think on good and right things. I promise the peace that comes will be worth the effort! If you need prayer, please send me a message, and I will be more than happy to intercede on your behalf.
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In case you missed it, here are some links to my latest posts:

If you missed any previous newsletters and want to check them out, you can go to the member archive and view past issues. The archive also holds the Psalm 119 study, Fall Inspiration Guide and upcoming studies for members to access. If you find anything here that you think would encourage someone else, please consider sharing and inviting them to subscribe. If you read an article on the blog you want to share, just click the social media icons on the right hand corner! This is a great way to support me and hopefully help others!
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My favorite things this month:

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  • My church, High Street Baptist, gave us gratitude journals and challenged us to write out prayers of gratitude each day this month. We are also memorizing 5 verses on gratitude together. LOVE!
  • Washi tape and crafting supplies to add some personality to my gratitude journal! :)
  • Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries! You guys, I have always thought I would hate sweet potatoes (not a sweet potato casserole fan), but these are amazing. I didn't have time to make the sauce, but we didn't need it. So good!
  • Walking with a friend I haven't seen in quite some time on a 71 degree, sunny, November day and talking about life and ministry goals. What a gift!

Best Monthly Read:

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I am not done with this book yet, but each chapter is a separate sermon, so I am slowly digesting each one. Peterson describes how to have congruence between what we believe about God and Scripture AND how we live out those truths. Meshing life and faith in practical ways. His ability to narrate a Bible story/passage is beautiful to read.

Subscriber Spotlight!

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This is my wonderfully supportive husband, Jason Prahl, who is also a subscriber to my blog. :) He actually reads most of what I write and gives me honest feedback. I am grateful for his encouragement to pursue my writing goals and dreams. He keeps it real.

Jason is the IT director for Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. He would like to encourage you to donate blood if you can to help the sick and injured people within our community. If you have recovered from Covid, consider donating plasma for those struggling with the disease. Check out their website for more information!

Jason loves photography. Check out his blog at jasonprahl.com to see his amazing photo gallery.

If you would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming issue, send me a short bio and picture to share through e-mail. I would love to connect you to our community of readers!
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Links to Good Things Worth Sharing:

  • My Fall playlist in case you missed it. Christmas one coming soon! I use this for writing, baking, or going on a drive.
  • Ambassadors for Children is looking for Christmas donations for foster kids. Check out their site for other needs too!
  • Marked Podcast with Angie Smith and Scarlet Hiltibidal on anxiety and gratitude. Raw and real and encouraging.
  • If you are looking for a local community event and like antiquing, check out the flyer below! Today is the day!
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