Friday, January 30, 2015

Shelfie: The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith

Book Description: This (in)courage Dayspring writer, with a strong endorsement from Ann Voskamp, will appeal to women who love God and want their home to be a place of welcome to all.

Popular blogger and self-taught decorator Myquillyn Smith realized years ago that although immaculate-looking homes are pretty in pictures, when she's actually in one, she's not comfortable. Instead, she's worried that she'll spill her drink on the rug, or she's wondering if it's okay to move the pillow out of the way to sit down.

This stay-at-home mom in stretchy yoga pants with expired milk in her refrigerator has stumbled upon the secret to decorating for real people, and it has nothing to do with trying to convince others of our perfection. Myquillyn believes that there is beauty in imperfection, in the lived-in and loved-on and used-just-about-up. Imperfections put people at ease and free us to take risks and create the home-and the life-we've always wanted.

Myquillyn's warm and insightful words are paired with her own gorgeous four-color photos and creative, easy ideas for arranging, decorating, and building a home that welcomes everyone. Readers will learn how to create their own style-without breaking the bank or stressing over comparisons.


Book Review: I should start off by telling you I am no interior decorator. If you've been to my house you are probably painfully aware of that. I decorate in basics. Think functional necessities. I have a few pictures in frames around the house. Most of them people gave me and I just hung them somewhere. Classy, I know. I've looked in magazines before and everything is so neat and put together. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I knew those pictures were way out of my league. I'm pretty low maintenance when it comes to just about everything.

That's what I loved about Myquillyn's book! She says, it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. All through her book you'll see beautiful pictures of her home. It's lived in and imperfect. She walks you through the smallest tweaks of making your home beautiful. I generally need inspiration to start from. Her book does just that. From throw pillows and knick knacks to gallery walls and lighting fixtures. Decorate with things you love! Make it home. This book is perfect for those who are decorating pros and those are not. You'll get insight along the way on how Myquillyn started and tips! 


*BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book.The opinions are my own.*

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Happy January!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (so far)! As a family we are really excited about 2015! Last year ended with us really busy! We got back from Africa in August. Then, in October we headed to South America. Joe started his seminary extension courses. We started a new program about missions for kids at our church. 

In December, Kendall made and sold crosses to raise money for Mercy House Kenya. We heard there was a
12 year old
that was pregnant in their program. I shared this with Kendall and she wanted to help! In one month she raised $186! Thank you to everyone who helped her! You can read more about it here: http://www.mercyhousekenya.org/node/601.


January has been busy so far too! We started a new homeschool program that Kendall loves! Then yesterday, Joe started his regular seminary courses again at the Baptist College of Florida.

God has continued to work and provide us with opportunities to serve Him in different parts of the world.This year we will be taking part in three mission trips so far! As a family we will head to Ecuador in April and June each for a week at a time. The other  trip will be Joe going to Indonesia. We are asking for you to partner with us in prayer and if God leads for support. These trips will be focusing on sharing the Gospel, preaching, teaching, construction, and building up Kingdom workers for further ministry. 

Thank you for continuing to be a part of our adventure with God!

In HIs Love,

Joe, Jenn, and Kendall Hennis

Contact us:                                                    
Email: hennisfamily@cfl.rr.com                  
Blog: thisgracelife.blogspot.com


Donations can be sent to:
Crosswalk Community Church
77 N. Carpenter Rd.
Titusville, Fl 32796
Please put Hennis Family Missions in the memo line.  

Monday, January 5, 2015

looking back

I can still remember everything about this day seven years ago...


Getting up and having my makeup and hair done. Getting ready with all my girls in the choir room of the church. I was three months pregnant. My dress was too big from all the weight I lost from morning sickness. I forgot my wedding jewelry. My girls looked beautiful. I was sick and had no voice to say my vows with.


 My soon-to-be father-in-law showed up in a tux with a bow tie on the advice of his son. The rest of the guys had on suits and ties. The best man had a black eye from being sucker punched the previous weekend. My dad helped the groom and groomsmen with their boutonnieres. My groom showed up hung over.


We were an attractive looking motley crew.


Joe cried when he saw me.


I cried the whole way down the aisle with my dad holding my arm.


Joe carried me over the threshold when we got back to our house for the reception.


I threatened him with the cake cutter if he smashed cake in my face.



The next year proved to be hell on Earth. We barely made it through alive, literally. During that year we welcomed our daughter into the world, Joe struggled with addiction, and our marriage was a hot mess. We thought we knew what we were doing. We were just kids.

We accepted Jesus into our hearts and our lives were flipped upside down.


For the first time we understood what love was.


God brought beauty from ashes.


Today, we celebrate seven years of marriage.


We praise Him for His faithfulness.


It is worth fighting for.


Happy Anniversary my love!


Thank you Lord!

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23





Sunday, January 4, 2015

Fair Trade Friday: Box #4


As you know... The first Friday of every month is one of my favorite days! That's the day my Fair Trade Friday box arrives! To learn more about these boxes check them out here


In each box now comes this fancy card! I love that they note how many women the box employed! This month all of my items were from India with the exception of the bag from Mercy Covers! 


This bag is from Mercy Covers. Mercy Covers is an outreach of the St. Bryce Missions that provides skills training, personal finance management, education, discipleship, and meaningful work for women in rural Costa Rica.


The is bracelet is called "Pharoah's cuff". It's from Mata Traders. I couldn't find the exact bracelet. You can read about Mata Traders and how they came to be here


This is the needlepoint necklace in black also from Mata Traders. I found one similar here


This market tote is from JOYN. You can read about their mission here and find a tote for yourself here


I also got a lanyard from JOYN. Which is currently on my keyring. You can find them here

I loved all of my items. I love that fair trade goods get shipped to me every month. I'm seriously in love. I get to help empower women around the world and Fair Trade Friday helps me do that. They take all the guess work out of it! So much fun! 

Thanks for loving mercy with me!

In His Love,
Jennis

P.S. I also won this from Mercy House Kenya. Some of you asked where the items were from so here you go. 


1 & 2. Crocheted Pot holders from The Refugee Project.
3. Purple Coin Purse from Mata Traders.
4. Clutch from carry 117.
5. Headband from World Finds.
6. Necklace from Mercy House Kenya.
7. Blue Maasai bangle from Global Crafts. (Kenya Collection)
8. Beaded silver plated bracelet from Global Crafts. (Kenya Collection)
9. Recycled earrings from the Takataka Collection. 
10. Lanyard from Joyn
11. Garden Party cuff from Mata Traders.
12. Chevron "Your Yes Matters" Farm House Tote from Mercy House Kenya.