I used to do a weekly submit with a peek into the previous week + a lot of hyperlinks. Lots of you may have missed this, so I’m bringing it again for 2026! I’ll be sharing some footage and highlights from the previous week + what I’m studying, watching, and listening to. I will even share hyperlinks to posts or different attention-grabbing issues I don’t need you to overlook.
This week’s huge cleansing mission was my lavatory drawers and cabinets.
I didn’t assume they had been that dangerous… after which I made a decision to take all the things out so I might see what I used to be working with, in contrast to going drawer by drawer like I often do! Let’s simply say I used to be actually completely happy I had further time as a result of as a substitute of half-hour like I believed it could take me, it took me 2 hours!!
Nevertheless it felt SO good to have it executed! And to create good organizational methods to stay with! It’s been a full week since I’ve cleaned it out and I’m completely happy to report that it has stayed clear and arranged!
If you wish to see the total course of, watch my brief video right here.
It’s basketball season and Silas has been having 2-3 video games every week. Resulting from when the video games are and that many are 45 minutes to an hour away, we haven’t been in a position to go to all of them, however we like to get to go once we can. David LOVES watching Silas play!
Simply have a look at his smiles!
I went to Kroger to buy markdowns twice this week! You may see a video of me searching for markdowns right here. See all the things I purchased and what I paid for it in my first journey on this submit right here.
Slowing down has been one of many strangest—and most life-giving—classes for me currently.
I’m so used to pushing, producing, and filling each open house that studying to pause has felt uncomfortable at first. However with the assistance of sensible professionals and lots of listening to my physique, I’m realizing how a lot I really need margin, relaxation, and respiratory room… and it’s altering my life!
I’ll share extra about this on this subsequent week’s podcast episode.
I went to the gastroenterologist this week on the request of my purposeful drugs dr. Resulting from my persistent anemia and another points, we scheduled my first colonoscopy and endoscopy in February. In case you’ve had both earlier than, would love to listen to about your expertise and any suggestions you may have!
Jesse and I recorded a podcast episode on my enjoyable record for 2026. Search for that approaching Tuesday wherever you take heed to podcasts (simply seek for The Crystal Paine present!)
She stunned me and got here residence Thursday evening and we obtained to hang around and go on a mile and a half evening run which was so enjoyable!
Jesse and I labored on this World Battle II puzzle he obtained for me final Christmas (and we’re lastly doing!) for our morning Sabbath on Friday. It was so enjoyable — even when we solely by means of the primary part (which concerned ciphers and codes and punch playing cards!)
My purposeful drugs dr had me begin taking this after I started working along with her since I had so many bouts of illness final 12 months. I don’t know if it’s simply from slowing down, from taking higher care of myself or taking this, however I’ve managed to not get sick since I began it — despite the fact that I’ve been uncovered to so many issues. I take two capsules daily or 4 per day if I really feel like one thing is approaching (and each time, I by no means find yourself getting sick!)
I took Kierstyn, David, and Micah to Chipotle for a particular deal with on Saturday after we went to the fitness center and David was insistent that he sit within the excessive chair and wished to attempt to eat a few of the meals. He didn’t really eat any of it, however we’re so excited that his curiosity in meals has grown a lot the previous few months!
Jesse and I celebrated our twenty third anniversary this week by going to excessive tea at a neighborhood tea room (because of my dad and mom for giving us a present card for my birthday!)
Enjoyable truth: I labored at a tea room when Jesse and I had been first married and so I’m an enormous fan of tea.
It was such a FUN expertise!
Can you see Micah??
I used to be SO enthusiastic about my order profiting from the $10 off $30 Basic Mills deal on Amazon! Right here’s what I obtained:
Prime Instagram Submit of the Week
I shared a mirrored image on Kathrynne’s sickness a 12 months in the past on Instagram. I’ve copied the textual content beneath…
This was precisely a 12 months in the past. Kathrynne obtained actually, actually sick with Flu A that became bronchitis that became pneumonia that became sepsis. All of it occurred so quick… wanting again, we see way more clearly that the Holy Spirit’s prompting of me that I couldn’t shake fairly presumably saved her life. We had already taken her to the ER two days earlier than they usually instructed us she had Flu A and Bronchitis and was actually sick and certain could be actually sick for an additional week. They gave us a protocol to deal with her and despatched us residence.
After the ER go to, she slowly appeared to worsen. We needed to work actually laborious to get her up off the bed to go to the toilet. She wouldn’t actually eat or drink. After which her respiratory appeared to worsen and he or she began doing this shallow speedy respiratory factor.
I’ve since discovered that + her excessive coronary heart charge are indicators of potential sepsis… I had no thought on the time. I simply knew I felt in my intestine that this was one thing greater than Flu A and Bronchitis.
She didn’t need to transfer however Jesse and I insisted she go to pressing care. He took her they usually instantly despatched her to the hospital. By the point they obtained to the hospital, she was barely functioning and says all the things felt foggy and disorienting (additionally indicators of sepsis).
Had we waited a number of extra hours, issues might have been a lot, a lot worse. However as a result of she went in when she did, they caught it and had been in a position to begin her on meds and reverse course in a short time.
We spent the following few weeks serving to her slowly get better (she was extremely weak, had misplaced a bunch of weight, and her lungs had been nonetheless recovering). We didn’t know if she’d be capable to return to school or would want to take a semester off.
However, she labored actually, actually laborious to get better and was effectively sufficient to return to highschool on the finish of January. Apart from dropping lots of her hair and another lingering well being issues she’s been engaged on this previous 12 months, she is absolutely recovered and we’re so, so grateful!
I share this as a reminder that even in the event you really feel loopy, in the event you really feel in your intestine that one thing isn’t proper, go get it checked out. God gave us an instinct for a cause — let’s use it to advocate for ourselves and people round us!
Books I Completed This Week
The Solely Lady within the Room — I felt like this e-book had lots of potential to be actually attention-grabbing, but it surely didn’t reside as much as my hope. It felt just like the writer was attempting to weave lots of historical past into the e-book and the novel half felt just a little skinny and missing depth and fleshing out of the storyline. I additionally seen that so many chapters would skip forward fairly considerably within the timeline of the story after which sort of backtrack to convey the reader up to the mark. I’d have reasonably the story would have simply been written extra chronologically as a substitute of needing to skip forward after which backtrack a number of occasions.
Breath as Prayer – I obtained this as a free obtain on Libby and it has been actually encouraging. In case you battle to decelerate, to launch your burdens to the Lord, or battle with fear or anxious ideas, I believe this e-book would encourage you.
It’s By no means Mistaken to Do the Proper Factor – I used to be so inspired by the tales on this e-book of girls within the Bible and ladies of religion. The writer is a good storyteller and he or she introduced out components of the tales I’d by no means considered earlier than! You may take heed to our podcast episode on this e-book right here.
What I’m Listening To
I’ve been listening to worship songs on my drive residence from the fitness center every morning. One in every of my favorites not too long ago has been Jesus Loves Me by Shane & Shane.
What I’m Watching
I’m additionally watching When Calls the Coronary heart throughout a few of my afternoon work time that I can simply do one thing else whereas working. I’m possibly going to attempt to watch all 13 seasons this 12 months since I discover it to be sort of a enjoyable and fascinating “background present” — the sort you possibly can have on within the background when you do one thing else. I’m virtually completed with season one (I’ve by no means watched the present earlier than… are you able to consider it?)
In Case You Missed It – Posts From This Week
What Would You Give Up or Do Otherwise If You Needed to Decrease Month-to-month Bills? (50 Concepts!) – Searching for inventive methods to decrease your month-to-month bills? This record may offer you some inspiration and concepts to strive!
15 Methods to Make Cash On-line – In case you’re trying to make extra cash on-line from residence to extend your revenue, there are many methods to start out. Over time, I’ve seen numerous readers efficiently earn further revenue on-line in sensible, versatile methods — whether or not that’s freelancing a talent they have already got, promoting digital merchandise, managing social media for a small enterprise, or choosing up easy duties throughout spare moments. Take a look at this record of concepts for extra inspiration!
The best way to Get Free Samples – Stretch your funds and uncover new favorites by studying the right way to get free samples in your mailbox — from magnificence and home goods to snacks and child merchandise. This information exhibits you the most effective, legit methods to strive new merchandise without cost with out losing time or cash.
This Week’s Podcast Episode
Episode title: How Understanding the Compassion of Christ Adjustments Us with Sherri Hughes-Gragg
To kick off the brand new 12 months, I’m joined within the studio in the present day by Sherri Hughes-Gragg, an writer whose writing has actually modified the best way that I learn scripture and expertise God. Her Introduction devotional stopped me in my tracks this December, and her latest e-book, The Compassionate Christ, appears like precisely what many people want as we head into a brand new 12 months!
Hear in as Sherri shares her story of rising up in a deeply legalistic Christian surroundings the place guidelines mattered greater than relationship, and doubt wasn’t simply unwelcome however was harmful. We discuss what it’s prefer to sustain appearances when you are privately unraveling and the way years of attempting to be “ok” created a crushing sense of failure, particularly in parenting. Her reflections are tender, unfiltered, and grounded in compassion – not just for herself however for her kids and anybody who has carried religious disgrace longer than they need to have.
Hear how a turning level got here when Sherri started finding out scripture by means of its Center Japanese cultural and historic context, together with time spent studying in Israel. She explains how this lens reworked acquainted passages and healed some long-held fears of hers, particularly across the crucifixion and the idea that God turns away in our darkest moments. One second particularly – Jesus’ phrases from the cross – reframed all the things she thought she knew about God’s presence and faithfulness.
Take heed to this episode right here.
Inform me about your week! Something attention-grabbing occur? Did you learn any good books, watch any good exhibits, or sort out any mission?