FF #211: ❄️ A Warm Welcome for Winter


Welcome to the 211th issue of Flanders Family Freebies, a weekly themed link list of resources designed by me, Jennifer Flanders, in hopes of helping you build a strong, happy, healthy home. Thank you for giving me a place in your inbox! Was this newsletter forwarded to you by a friend? Want your own? Subscribe here.

Tyler, Texas
Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Hello, Reader.

Did you know the "official" first day of winter is this Saturday? It also happens to be my youngest son's birthday -- he'll be 17!

To celebrate (the coming of winter, not Gabriel's birthday), I'm sharing a few winter-themed printables in this week's link list. Enjoy!

Free resources for you this week:

What I'm reading this week:

I finished Kevin DeYoung's Just Do Something a few days ago and would recommend it to anybody who struggles with decision-making.

The seemingly endless number of choices, possibilities and opportunities available these days is enough to paralyze a lot of people. They are so afraid of making the wrong decision that they fail to decide on anything at all (which, o is itself a decision).

Instead of waiting for God to spell out, in advance, a step-by-step plan for your life, DeYoung argues in favor of using the general principles of His Word to map out your own course of action and pursue it, trusting that God will redirect you if He has something different in mind for your life.

This week's reader request:

Several months ago, a reader wrote to ask if I could publish a Prayer for the Grieving, which I finally got around to doing last week. At the time I penned it, I was not having to grapple with any fresh grief, loss, or devastation myself. So I just simply included the things I imagined I'll be praying over myself -- and asking others to pray on my behalf -- when such a time should inevitably come.

Well, the time came much more quickly than anticipated when I received a breast cancer diagnosis less than 24 hours ago. And, do you know what? I still stand by these same requests. I firmly believe, as John Newton so eloquently put it, that "Everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds."

Given the choice, cancer of any kind is not something I would blithely sign up for. But if God in His sovereignty deems such a diagnosis necessary to conform me to the image of Christ, to deepen my faith and dependence upon Him, and to help me more faithfully point my family and friends to Jesus, then I say, "Yes, LORD. Not my will, but Thine be done."

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 69

WHEN THINGS DON'T GO AS PLANNED

The best laid plans sometimes go awry. But what are we supposed to do when it happens?

That’s what we’re discussing on this week's episode of Loving Life at Home: How should you respond when things don’t go according to [your] plan?

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished the lion's share of my goals last week: I ✅ recorded my podcast, ✅ did crafts with the grandkids, ✅ made some great memories, ✅ printed my new day planner, ✅ watched a couple of Christmas movies with the kids, ✅ ordered the last of the stocking stuffers, ✅ posted a new Timberdoodle review, and reduced the messages in my email by 90% (❌ less than the 95% I was shooting for, but progress has been made, nonetheless! 😊)

Personal goals for next week:

  • drive to Mesquite to see my mother
  • visit the Dallas Arboretum & Biblical Arts Museum
  • record another podcast
  • celebrate Gabriel's birthday
  • do some Christmas quilting with my daughter
  • go in for lymph node biopsy and genetic testing
  • lay up 8 more freezer meals

Remember, the code I gave you last week, SAVEHALF, is good for 50% off of all digital products in our shop through the end of the year, including our newest Big Book of Christmas Printables (vol. 2) and both of our Scripture Memory Print Packs (pictured above).

Flanders Family Freebies

A happily married mama of 12, I am passionate about faith & family and love sharing ideas, fun resources, and free printables to help you build a strong, healthy, happy home.

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