I used to do a weekly publish with a peek into the previous week + plenty of hyperlinks. A lot of you could 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 can even share hyperlinks to posts or different fascinating issues I don’t need you to overlook.
This week’s large cleansing undertaking was my lavatory drawers and cabinets.
I didn’t suppose they have been that unhealthy… after which I made a decision to take the whole lot out so I may see what I used to be working with, in contrast to going drawer by drawer like I normally do! Let’s simply say I used to be actually comfortable I had additional time as a result of as an alternative of half-hour like I believed it might take me, it took me 2 hours!!
However it felt SO good to have it completed! And to create good organizational techniques to stay with! It’s been a full week since I’ve cleaned it out and I’m comfortable to report that it has stayed clear and arranged!
If you wish to see the complete course of, watch my brief video right here.
It’s basketball season and Silas has been having 2-3 video games per week. On account of when the video games are and that many are 45 minutes to an hour away, we haven’t been capable of go to all of them, however we like to get to go after 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 purchasing for markdowns right here. See the whole lot I purchased and what I paid for it in my first journey on this publish right here.
Slowing down has been one of many strangest—and most life-giving—classes for me recently.
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 smart professionals and numerous listening to my physique, I’m realizing how a lot I really need margin, relaxation, and respiration 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 useful medication dr. On account of my persistent anemia and another points, we scheduled my first colonoscopy and endoscopy in February. When you’ve had both earlier than, would love to listen to about your expertise and any ideas you could have!
Jesse and I recorded a podcast episode on my enjoyable listing for 2026. Search for that approaching Tuesday wherever you hearken to podcasts (simply seek for The Crystal Paine present!)
She stunned me and got here house Thursday night time and we bought to hang around and go on a mile and a half night time run which was so enjoyable!
Jesse and I labored on this World Warfare II puzzle he bought for me final Christmas (and we’re lastly doing!) for our morning Sabbath on Friday. It was so enjoyable — even when we solely by way of the primary part (which concerned ciphers and codes and punch playing cards!)
My useful medication dr had me begin taking this once I started working together with her since I had so many bouts of illness final yr. 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 — though I’ve been uncovered to so many issues. I take two capsules each day 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 health club and David was insistent that he sit within the excessive chair and needed to attempt to eat among 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 (due to 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 have been first married and so I’m an enormous fan of tea.
It was such a FUN expertise!
Can you notice Micah??
I used to be SO enthusiastic about my order benefiting from the $10 off $30 Common Mills deal on Amazon! Right here’s what I bought:
Prime Instagram Put up of the Week
I shared a mirrored image on Kathrynne’s sickness a yr in the past on Instagram. I’ve copied the textual content under…
This was precisely a yr in the past. Kathrynne bought actually, actually sick with Flu A that changed into bronchitis that changed into pneumonia that changed into sepsis. All of it occurred so quick… trying again, we see rather more clearly that the Holy Spirit’s prompting of me that I couldn’t shake fairly probably saved her life. We had already taken her to the ER two days earlier than and so they informed us she had Flu A and Bronchitis and was actually sick and sure can be actually sick for an additional week. They gave us a protocol to deal with her and despatched us house.
After the ER go to, she slowly appeared to worsen. We needed to work actually onerous to get her up away from bed to go to the lavatory. She wouldn’t actually eat or drink. After which her respiration appeared to worsen and she or he began doing this shallow speedy respiration factor.
I’ve since realized that + her excessive coronary heart price are indicators of potential sepsis… I had no concept 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 wish to transfer however Jesse and I insisted she go to pressing care. He took her and so they instantly despatched her to the hospital. By the point they bought to the hospital, she was barely functioning and says the whole lot felt foggy and disorienting (additionally indicators of sepsis).
Had we waited a couple of extra hours, issues may have been a lot, a lot worse. However as a result of she went in when she did, they caught it and have been capable of 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 have been nonetheless recovering). We didn’t know if she’d be capable to return to varsity or would want to take a semester off.
However, she labored actually, actually onerous to get better and was nicely sufficient to return to high school on the finish of January. Apart from dropping numerous her hair and another lingering well being issues she’s been engaged on this previous yr, she is absolutely recovered and we’re so, so grateful!
I share this as a reminder that even when you really feel loopy, when you really feel in your intestine that one thing isn’t proper, go get it checked out. God gave us an instinct for a motive — let’s use it to advocate for ourselves and people round us!
Books I Completed This Week
The Solely Girl within the Room — I felt like this e-book had numerous potential to be actually fascinating, however it didn’t stay as much as my hope. It felt just like the creator was attempting to weave numerous historical past into the e-book and the novel half felt somewhat 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 type of backtrack to deliver the reader on top of things. I’d have relatively the story would have simply been written extra chronologically as an alternative of needing to skip forward after which backtrack a number of instances.
Breath as Prayer – I bought this as a free obtain on Libby and it has been actually encouraging. When you wrestle to decelerate, to launch your burdens to the Lord, or wrestle 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 ladies within the Bible and ladies of religion. The creator is a good storyteller and she or he introduced out elements of the tales I’d by no means considered earlier than! You may hearken 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 house from the health club every morning. One in all my favorites lately 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 perhaps going to attempt to watch all 13 seasons this yr since I discover it to be type of a enjoyable and interesting “background present” — the sort you may 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 imagine it?)
In Case You Missed It – Posts From This Week
What Would You Give Up or Do In a different way If You Needed to Decrease Month-to-month Bills? (50 Concepts!) – On the lookout for artistic methods to decrease your month-to-month bills? This listing may offer you some inspiration and concepts to strive!
15 Methods to Make Cash On-line – When you’re seeking to make extra cash on-line from house to extend your revenue, there are many methods to begin. Through the years, I’ve seen numerous readers efficiently earn additional 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 listing of concepts for extra inspiration!
The best way to Get Free Samples – Stretch your funds and uncover new favorites by studying the best way to get free samples in your mailbox — from magnificence and home items to snacks and child merchandise. This information reveals you the very best, 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 yr, I’m joined within the studio immediately by Sherri Hughes-Gragg, an creator whose writing has actually modified the way in which that I learn scripture and expertise God. Her Creation 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 yr!
Hear in as Sherri shares her story of rising up in a deeply legalistic Christian setting the place guidelines mattered greater than relationship, and doubt wasn’t simply unwelcome however was harmful. We speak about what it’s wish to sustain appearances when you are privately unraveling and the way years of attempting to be “adequate” 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 non secular disgrace longer than they need to have.
Hear how a turning level got here when Sherri started learning scripture by way of its Center Japanese cultural and historic context, together with time spent studying in Israel. She explains how this lens remodeled acquainted passages and healed some long-held fears of hers, particularly across the crucifixion and the assumption that God turns away in our darkest moments. One second specifically – Jesus’ phrases from the cross – reframed the whole lot she thought she knew about God’s presence and faithfulness.
Take heed to this episode right here.
Inform me about your week! Something fascinating occur? Did you learn any good books, watch any good reveals, or sort out any undertaking?