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Jan 3, 2021 | Category 2, Category 4 | 0 Comments

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Clare Smith

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clare@claresmith.me

Happy anniversary to us! 21 years in and you could

Happy anniversary to us! 21 years in and you could say that our marriage is akin to the ups and downs of the Guardians game last night! 😂 ❤️

Sam’s junior prom! Gotta love his signature bow

Sam’s junior prom! Gotta love his signature bow tie and big smile. (And beautiful date 🥰) Love him and his friends so much!

I’m not sure that I have enough space to explain

I’m not sure that I have enough space to explain exactly what I feel about this book that released today!😭 If you have followed me for any amount of time, you are familiar with my friend Courtney @womenlivingwell . She was the catalyst, over 13 years ago, to my online ministry that I lead for many years.

A little history: I babysat her oldest son once when he was a few months old 😂 but then, after that, we got closer as she would attend my fitness classes that I taught at our church. I wrote health articles on her blog. (which was the door to mine opening) We did Bible studies together, play dates, and clothing swaps! Haha

We experienced so much life together as we raised our children and tried to figure out this online ministry world. We attended blogging conferences(2nd pic) and hosted one of our own. We are personal friends and while our daily lives don’t intersect, we dive deep in 3 minutes time, picking up like nothing ever changed. She even attended the conference I spoke at this weekend…an ever-cheerleader! (Now we’re back at living 7minutes apart from each other.😃)

This is a lot of context to let you know how much love and respect I have for her. You may not be familiar with her story but through divorce, single parenting, dating, re-marriage and a whole bunch of messiness in between, she is still standing.

I’ve gotten to watch her grow and blossom into new ways that I’m not sure that she would have for not the hardship and suffering in her life. Brokeness and pain is hard to watch a friend walk through, but she has embraced it with honesty and humility. I’m not surprised at all that God is using her story to minister to so many others.

You know and love her from leading online Bible studies over the years, but I would encourage you to pick up this book to see the deeper and more personal parts of who Courtney is. It’s practical and biblical and I guarantee after you read it, you will feel a nudge to send it to another woman who could use the encouragement! Thank you Courtney for sharing your heart….may God be glorified!

Merry Christmas from the Smith fam! We had such a

Merry Christmas from the Smith fam! We had such a great day with one side of the family. More fun to continue as the week goes on. Happy birthday Jesus! 🌲 ❤️

It has been a heavy few weeks for my prayer life-

It has been a heavy few weeks for my prayer life- walking alongside or simply observing the pain that many are experiencing. At times I wonder if my constant breath prayers to heaven are even being heard, and if they are worth my time. I was reminded of this quote from @tylercstaton in his book “Praying like monks, Living like fools”. I want to share just a few more quotes that lifted my spirit.

“Our persistence in prayer comes from the promise that we don’t pray to a reluctant, half-interested, can’t- be-bothered judge, but to an unfathomably loving Father, who collects our prayers, like love letters, and our tears like fine wine.”

Nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God! He does not tire of us. Keep praying and crying out, remembering this, “That new creation (when we see Him face to face!) is seeded by the prayers of God’s people and watered by their tears.”

Happy 20 years to us! 🎉 Just getting around to

Happy 20 years to us! 🎉 Just getting around to posting a day late. Man, I’ve got so much to say about marriage. 20 years is no joke and it hasn’t come without a lot of work and grace. I’ve got a lot to say about what it’s been like for us to arrive here but can’t quite fit it in. 😂 However here’s 4 things for any couple (or person ready to couple!) to keep in mind:

1) Your marriage will go through seasons and it’s important to roll with it. Know that in time and with intentionality, you will move through it.

2) Your spouse is going thru internal stuff just like you are. They may be aware of it but they also may not be. They may feel comfortable sharing it or they may not be. Growth and change is part of life and give your partner the freedom to work through it.

3) Your marriage is telling a story whether you like it or not. People are watching. As a Christian, this matters bc everything we do is a reflection of our faith and how we apply that faith to our every day lives.

4) Chill the heck out and laugh. Life is hard enough as it is. Do what you have to do to keep levity in your marriage.

5) Ok one more which should surprise none of you. Always go back to Jesus. Kory and I would be toast without him. Seriously.

I always want to note- I’m sensitive to marriages that are not as easy as tending to the steps above. I’ve walked with plenty of people whose marriages have ended whether they wanted to or not. My heart has so much empathy for you. But for many of us, we just need encouragement and a kick in the pants to keep on keeping on. 🤪 I know that I’ve needed that before! Much love to all of you out there fighting the good fight!❤️

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