Lisa Jacobson's Blog, page 8

For the Mom Who’s Dreading the Holidays This Year: Finding New Joy

She whispered it so quietly I didn’t hear her at first.

I had to ask her to repeat herself.

The second time around, I could hear it a bit better.

I am dreading the holidays.

She said it as though she knew she wasn’t “supposed” to agonize over the coming days. But couldn’t quite seem to help herself.

The noise, the stress, the frazzle, the financial strain.

Hardly something to look forward to on top of all the other things she had going on as a mom.

And now to add some guilt on top of that already teetering pile on her heart.

Oh, my dear friend, you are right: This is not how is it supposed to be.

And it’s not how it has to be either.

The celebration of Christ’s birth is meant to be a joyous affair!

How to Keep the Joy in Your Christmas This Year

Stick to your priorities. Jettison everything else. I love this one because it makes everything so much easier.

Continue reading For the Mom Who’s Dreading the Holidays This Year: Finding New Joy at Club31Women.com

A Dozen Helpful Thoughts for When You Feel Depressed

School ended on Tuesday for the holidays, and I had this wonderful list in my mind about the cleaning, baking, shopping, decorating, and gift-wrapping I would do over my Thanksgiving break.

But then I woke up sad on Wednesday. My body felt like lead, and I ended up putting every activity away. Tired and unable to enjoy doing anything, I kept finding myself sitting down while the tears fell. The next day wasn���t any better, although I worked up a smile and the energy to enjoy our family gathering for the afternoon and evening.

Depression comes uninvited, but it does come at times and can be hard to shake. In these moments, we need to be women who do one thing very well:

Think.

Jesus tells us that the greatest command of God is this:

���You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.��� Luke 10:27

��(ESV)

When we feel depressed, it is an opportunity for us to love God with our minds.

Continue reading A Dozen Helpful Thoughts for When You Feel Depressed at Club31Women.com

6 Inspiring Books to Encourage You in Hospitality

A bowl of fire-roasted goat passed around under an inky Kenyan sky, the unforgettable smell of camel and smoke permeating the air. A ride offered by an acquaintance so the foreign student could join a Bible study at her temporary church. A perfectly made cappuccino and slice of toast waiting every morning, crafted by a woman who didn’t speak a word of English.

The common denominator between a goat, a ride, and daily breakfast? Home. I have been on the receiving end of hospitality all around the world, and no matter what language was spoken (or not spoken) or what we ate, I have felt at home because of other people’s willingness to give a piece of themselves to a stranger.

It’s inspiring to think I have the same opportunity to create a sense of place and belonging for other people, even my own family, by keeping an open heart and home. We should always be on the lookout for ways to offer hospitality, but the holidays are full of opportunities to welcome others into our homes with care and to be a little beacon of peace when we visit others.

The following six books approach hospitality with different nuances and styles but all have been instrumental in shaping my view of hospitality.

Continue reading 6 Inspiring Books to Encourage You in Hospitality at Club31Women.com

Nantucket Cranberry Pie

I feel bad that after 13 years of marriage, I’m still discovering things I didn’t know about my husband. I know that his favorite colors are blue and black, and that his two favorite meals are beef stroganoff and chicken divon, and that writing is one of his (many) passions that he hopes to one day make into a full time occupation.

But would you believe that last week I was shocked to discover that Christmas was his favorite holiday?! I don’t know know what I thought his favorite holiday was exactly, but I wouldn’t have said Christmas. Mostly because winter is his least favorite season.

I can understand that. Once you get past Valentine’s Day, you’re waiting on pins and needles for the gray clouds to part and the sun to shine. At least, that’s how we feel here in the Pacific Northwest…

Sometimes, no matter how close you are to someone, you’ll never stop discovering new things about them. In fact, maybe that’s truer the closer you are. Of course, this certainly applies to people you aren’t as close to, too. For example…you may not know they don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with unless you ask!

Continue reading Nantucket Cranberry Pie at Club31Women.com

15 Simply Special Gift Ideas for Every Friend and Sister On Your Christmas List

What to get her? 

That’s the question that’s been going through my mind.

I’d like to come up with something special, but that fits into our small Christmas budget as well.

You probably know what I’m talking about here.

I could get all the “regulars” – those “specials” that are displayed at the same stores we both shop at, but that feels a bit lame.

I want something more.

But that costs less.

And those kinds of gifts are much harder to find.

So I’ve spent hours and hours researching on that kind of gift.

And now I’m sharing what I’ve found with you. In case you might be facing that same dilemma.

Simple. Special. Affordable.

I think you’re really going to enjoy these lovely gift options! 

15 Gift Ideas for All the Girls on Your Christmas List

1.   Fresh Hope Prayer Journal

I took one look at the prayer journal and – with just the title alone – my eyes filled with tears.

Continue reading 15 Simply Special Gift Ideas for Every Friend and Sister On Your Christmas List at Club31Women.com

6 Inspiring Books to Encourage You in Hospitality

A bowl of fire-roasted goat passed around under an inky Kenyan sky, the unforgettable smell of camel and smoke permeating the air. A ride offered by an acquaintance so the foreign student could join a Bible study at her temporary church. A perfectly made cappuccino and slice of toast waiting every morning, crafted by a woman who didn’t speak a word of English.

The common denominator between a goat, a ride, and daily breakfast? Home. I have been on the receiving end of hospitality all around the world, and no matter what language was spoken (or not spoken) or what we ate, I have felt at home because of other people’s willingness to give a piece of themselves to a stranger.

It’s inspiring to think I have the same opportunity to create a sense of place and belonging for other people, even my own family, by keeping an open heart and home. We should always be on the lookout for ways to offer hospitality, but the holidays are full of opportunities to welcome others into our homes with care and to be a little beacon of peace when we visit others.

The following six books approach hospitality with different nuances and styles but all have been instrumental in shaping my view of hospitality.

Continue reading 6 Inspiring Books to Encourage You in Hospitality at Club31Women.com

How to Prepare Your Family’s Hearts and Home for the Holidays {Real Life with Lisa}

It’s often one of the first things I’ll hear from the cashier at the check-out counter.

The response used to astonish me, but now I’ve come to expect it.

Can even laugh along now.

‘You have eight children?? Wow.  Life must be C.R.A.Z.Y. around your house during the holidays!!”

She says this to me as she’s ringing up what must seem like an unusual amount of socks.  Pajamas. Wrapping paper. And a generous supply of candy canes.

I’m not sure if I should tell her that it’s nearly always a bit “crazy” around our home and that Christmas is no different.

But it’s also surprisingly peaceful too.

And not hectic, like I could see she was imagining.

Since  there is a long line behind me, however, I don’t get into it with her and start the long explanation required.

I simply smile and wish her a Merry Christmas instead.

If you have a few minutes, I can tell you, however, while you’re wrapping those early Christmas presents.

How we prepare our home – and our  hearts  – for a joyous Christmas.

Continue reading How to Prepare Your Family’s Hearts and Home for the Holidays {Real Life with Lisa} at Club31Women.com

The Benefits of Teaching Our Children the Value of Work

When we think about responsibility and our roles as parents, there comes with it the reality of duty. Duty is not a dirty word. Duty is recognizing we have an obligation we are expected to uphold, whether we feel like it or not. God has given us our children to care for, teach, nurture, discipline, and disciple our children.

This is not something to be taken lightly and it’s not an easy role. It’s impossible, even if we try to control all our situations, eventually hardship will find us. Or we are majorly neglecting areas that need more attention in our life for the sake of ease.

Recognizing parenting alone is meant to be hard work will help teach our children the value of hard work. Rather than spend our lives trying to skate around work, we need to learn to embrace it and teach our children the same.

A Simple Life

My husband and I have taken multiple trips with our children to a local historical village that allows you to go in and out of the old houses and shops from the mid-1600s to early 1900s.

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4 Tips to Make the Holidays Wonderful for Everyone {Yes, Everyone!}

It’s the season!

Your head is spinning with preparations: shopping, cooking, invitations, fundraisers, junk mail, holiday cards and parties.

And this is above and beyond the regular stuff on your plate- sports teams, concerts, work deadlines, school projects.

And there’s the unexpected- a child’s broken leg, another ear infection, a friend in crisis.

For many there’s another source of underlying stress – your in-laws or parents are coming for the holidays – or you are going to be with them!

You may be anticipating this visit with great joy or with a bit of dread. It all depends on your relationships with them. Either way, however, simply having extra adults or extra children around will bring extra confusion and increase the level of stress.

Four tips will help make these holidays good for everyone.

1. Have realistic expectations.

It’s easy to be swayed by the picture of a perfect family deeply enjoying one another by the fireside at Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Our longing for this image can set us up for disappointment.

There is no perfect family.

Continue reading 4 Tips to Make the Holidays Wonderful for Everyone {Yes, Everyone!} at Club31Women.com

15 Affordable and Fabulous Gift Ideas for Every Guy On Your Christmas List

I love giving thoughtful gifts to the men in my life.

Somehow it makes me so happy to watch that guy open up something that makes him smile. It doesn’t matter if it’s my dad, my father-in-law, or my husband.

Okay, it’s especially true when it’s my husband.

So it’s a real treat for me when it’s time to pick out Christmas gifts.

Well, except for a few things…..

Like the fact that I don’t enjoy shopping.

And I don’t like spending money either.

Admittedly, there’s a bit of a conflict going on here.

Maybe you’re like me and can relate to at least one – if not more – of these dilemmas come Christmas time. If so, I’ve put together a rather unique list of appealing and affordable gifts for all those great guys on your Christmas list!

*All of the gifts below are under $40 and many of them fall in the $20 range.

15 Fabulous Gift Ideas for Every Guy on Your Christmas List

1. Tactical Flashlight

In case you’re stumped (I was!) on why this would be such a wonderful Christmas present, just read the reviews.

Continue reading 15 Affordable and Fabulous Gift Ideas for Every Guy On Your Christmas List at Club31Women.com