Hello, Reader.

Today marks the first day of the Lenten season. I'm not Catholic, so I didn't grow up observing Lent. But I'm all for anything that shifts our central focus away from baskets and bunnies this time of year and onto the finished work Christ accomplished on the cross.

Aren't you glad Jesus paid sin's penalty in full? No extra measure of personal penance is required to purchase your pardon or mine. Yet, once we've received this wondrous gift by grace through faith, we should want to live holy lives that honor God. Not to secure our salvation, but to celebrate it.

All that is the aim of this week's link list. Consider it encouragement to meditate on the marvelous love of Christ and to live a life fully set apart unto Him.

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Should Christians Celebrate Lent? - my answer to a reader's question on this topic
• ​Easter Conversation Starters - foster great discussions throughout the Lenten season
• ​Lent Scripture Chain - use this printable to help count down the days until Easter
• ​Gospel Tracts for Easter - a simple way to share the good news of God's love with others
• ​Let Them Know - this original music video uses a familiar Disney tune to share the gospel

What I'm reading this week:

​12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke is another discussion-worthy book my family members chose to read together for this year's reading challenge. Written from the perspective of an author who regularly uses his phone (including for social media), the book explores the unique challenges smart phone users face. Such personal, high-tech devices pose serious dangers but also open up incredible opportunities. Reinke explores God-honoring ways responsible Christians can use current technology to take advantage of these opportunities while simultaneously guarding against the habits, vices, and temptations that have become so prevalent in modern-day society.

What we're eating this week:

My daughter requested I make a big batch of these Quick & Easy Egg Muffins to bring to the Galentine Brunch she hosted over the weekend, so I whipped up a double batch the morning of the party and served them hot from the oven. Yum!

This week's reader request:

I received a message last week from and Instagram follower who had been searching my website (unsuccessfully) for a Romans 8:28 coloring page and wanted to know if I'd be willing to create one, which I gladly did. Such a great verse!

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 108 ​HOW TO TELL WHEN YOU NEED A BREAK​ I'm answering another question from a reader this week on planning breaks or vacations, especially for homeschoolers who are beginning to feel a bit burned out. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished everything on my to-do list for the second week in a row, including: ✅ adding labels to my newly organized costume boxes, ✅ enjoying a trip to the zoo with my kids, ✅ preparing for my craft class at co-op, ✅ attending my daughter's annual Galentine event, ✅ starting back to homeschool Spanish lessons, ✅ switching out Valentine's for springtime decor, ✅ babysitting four grandkids to give their parents a night away, and ✅ outlining a new workshop I'm creating (on a topic I get asked about all the time).

Personal goals for this week:

• attend a talented friend's senior piano recital
• send another friend suggested edits for the new book she's writing
• drive to Dallas to visit my mom
• attend Dallas Blooms at the Arboretum
• paint a hydrangea on my backyard mural
• prepare the slide deck for my new workshop

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊