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Everyone needs some kitten snuggles. Their purrs soothe any pandemic. ;) Yes, such contentment. * Let’s brainstorm what can mimic that for all you non kitty owners? 😍 * * #kittensofinstagram #kittenlove #countryliving
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No matter the setting, twinkly lights make everything magical. (And a lakeside sunset doesn’t hurt either. ❤️) * With so much time at home, go snag some white lights and hang them asap. Anywhere works - outside over a picnic table, in your apartment window, on the walls in your basement, over your outside deck...trust me on this. It’s an ambience wonder worker for those evening blues. Elevate the ordinary. ❤️❤️ * * #justopenthedoor #elevatetheordinary #lakesideview #weddingvenues #hospitality #debtfreecommunity #frugaltips #outdoorlivingspace
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Just letting you know that it’s been one of those weeks, so be kind and communicate with me clearly. ;) * * #momlife #brainismush #bekind #itsokaytolaugh #orcrylater
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We are made to gather, to celebrate, to rejoice with those who rejoice. * With so much uncertainty for months, it was finally the perfect time filled with overwhelming joy to lift high the God honoring covenant of this precious couple. Simply magical. (Swipe for more pics and go to end of “family wedding highlights for more.) * * I will share later some additional thoughts because I’ve never experienced more what it means to live out Ecc 3 than this weekend. I celebrated here while one of my best friends and her family wept and mourned elsewhere. Such intertwined emotions. * * #wedding #weddinginspiration #weddingvenue @bellacollina
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My last few weeks have been filled with truth from Ecclesiastes. I’ve had a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. * Life is full of that delicate balance and just like I’ve made it my heartbeat to sift through and embrace the beauty and bedlam of everyday life, our extended family now steps into a time of celebration. Let’s get our precious niece (who grew up next door so she’s more like a daughter) married. ❤️🎉💃🏻 * And there will be dancing. A lot of it. They’ve waited soooo patiently and we are thrilled that this is finally happening. * * * * #bridalshower #bridalshowerdecor #weddingweek #appetizers
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In #JustOpentheDoor, I devote time to the concept of taking our “hospitality on the go” and encouraging a foundation of welcome and invitation wherever your feet take you. It takes the excuses for #hospitality off the table when we approach our everyday with the desire to make others feel welcome. * I’ve coined that reminder to myself “Walk a road of welcome.” One of the last retreats I spoke at before shelter at home started, the woman’s director had socks made for each attendee based off my conference theme. She embroidered “I am walking a road of welcome.” I love wearing that reminder. It almost feels like a holy calling. * Everyday when I get dressed that’s one of my desires - that every where I walk - the grocery store, bank, work, kids activities, sidewalks - it’s done in love. With purpose. Cultivating a heart of welcome towards every person and stranger I come in contact with during my ordinary, everyday. What if we all start our days with that reminder? * It might not feel like it makes a big splash of influence, but I can assure you that if each of us everyday purposely pursues others, then over the course of a lifetime we change a generation. Yes, we sure do. ❤️ * 📷@hertrueworth * * * #everydayhospitality #opendoorliving #purposefulliving #christianliving #proverbs31
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Who doesn’t need to end their day with this little spot of joy? She’s posing for all of us. ❤️ * * * #yellowlabsofinstagram #labsofinsta #partydecorations #justopenthedoor #bridalshower
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“Sympathy is a natural response, but LOVE is hard work. Fall in love with humanity and engage in the work of repair and renewal.” * I know that Jesus is the only answer to our nation’s division, but it’s not enough to state that fact and then retreat. Staying silent isn’t an option, so I’m listening and learning from my friend @lucretiaberry as she continues to educate me. I’m thankful for her voice. *@brownicity
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Yes! 🙏 Phil. 1:9 NLT. * Soften our hearts and heal our land, Lord. May Your love flow. ❤️
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Good morning from Huckleberry Haven. ❤️ * May your Sunday include a beautiful time to rest, refresh, renew and rejoice. I never want to take for granted the simple gifts He continually gives. #1000gifts * (P.S. I’ll rejoice once I finish my multiple repurposing projects. So add repurpose and recycle to my list of #blessed Sunday “R’s.” 😉) * * * #repurpose #recycle #reuse #countryliving #ourcountryhome #donkeysofinstagram ;)
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One man’s trash is my absolute treasure. 🙌🏻 * Who knows how many people passed up the box filled with ten, gold goblets at our local Goodwill, but I was over the moon thrilled with this find. * I’m hosting an outdoor bridal shower for my niece next weekend and these will definitely be making their inaugural appearance. * And as always, follow along in stories as I share how to host for pennies on the dollar. Typically I spend most of my #JustOpentheDoor budget towards the food and then I get my creative juices flowing for the beauty aspect. This time will be more different. ❤️ * (Swipe to see them up close.) * Was anyone else having #thrift store withdrawals? 🤚🏻 * * * #goodwillhunting @triadgoodwill #debtfreecommunity #livingonabudget #tablescapes #hospitality #countryliving #outdoordecor
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Honestly, we just had a birthday and this never crossed my mind. * Adding to my list of more questions I never thought I’d ponder: To blow or not to blow? Who would have known candles could be so controversial? 😂 * * #momlife #quarentinelife #quarantinebirthday #birthdaycake dilemma
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Because we don’t have enough beauty and bedlam in our lives right now. * Welcome to The Schmidt’s Huckleberry Haven, little ones. You’re in for an adventure. (Name still being debated since we have so many strong opinions 😂❤️.) * And yes, there’s definitely a story behind these two being adopted and it basically comes down to me attempting to win mother in love of the year. * Swipe for more sweetness. Thank you @hopperanna and HJ. We will take good care of them 😍 * * #justopenthedoor #kittensofig #countryliving #homesteadinglife
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I’ve been struggling. When one of the most important aspects of my ministry’s foundation encourages women to step forward in absolute freedom to love on others by gathering and “Just opening their doors,” my heart has been heavy. Understanding there’s never been a more important time to ward off the loneliness and isolation that play havoc in a woman’s soul, please know that I have been on my knees in prayer for you - yes, you. Community is of critical importance especially now. We are created for it. I’m brainstorming and petitioning and pondering what gathering will look like soon, but know we can’t stop meeting indefinitely. We can’t stop pursuing others, so be creative. It’s too important. * Never before have I been more passionate about wanting to get my #bbbdreambarn built so I can still welcome and create safe spaces but until then, I look back at what I wrote for the launch of #JustOpentheDoor a few years ago. * Did you get your free printable then? Pull it out. Dust it off. I pray you’re cultivating this in your own home...for such a time as this. (Swipe to see.) * Our Home is...a safe, refreshing haven* a place where everyone is valued and welcomed * a soft place to land * a place where real life happens ❤️ a place where guests are comfortable * a place where rest comes easy and our souls can breathe* a place full of love and laughter, tears and hugs. * A place where the doors swung wide open. * * #ourwelcome #gettomoments #welcominghome #everydayhospitality #hospitality #biblicalhospitality #1000gifts #countryhomes #frontporchlife #frontporch
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To everyone who changed out of her quarantine uniform yesterday.❤️. * Fess up, who has had this happen over the last two months? This girl has (more than once) and I don’t even have littles anymore. 😂 * * #momlife #reallife