The Journey Continues

 

For future blogposts, I invite you to visit InTheQuiver.com. This site includes articles from multiple women, all with the same goals of glorifying God in our homes and in our lives.

From the site:

Different women, many paths, one purpose: to glorify God where we are.

And we are where you are. Balancing families and finances, homes and hearts, dreams and demands.

But through it all, daily we strive to put on the full armor of God, endeavoring to fight the good fight and grow through the journey.

Our aim with in the Quiver is to come alongside you, our fellow friends and warriors in the faith, to equip and encourage one another, fortifying our quivers through devotions, practical parenting tips, and home ideas.

May you be richly blessed as we continue this journey!

In Christ,

Leigh Ann 🙂

 

https://leighathomas.com/2017/02/02/peace-in-believing/

Give Thanks

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I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts (Psalm 145:1-4).

 

Have a beautiful season of Thanksgiving and praise!

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann 🙂

 

Fun on the FridgeFront!

RRichards1-ed 544KB 300resToday, I’m honored to be a guest on Ramona’s FridgeFront, the creative blog of author, editor, and speaker, Ramona Pope Richards.

From her blog:

Sticking here whatever appeals to me, just as I would to the front of a refrigerator. Part journal, part scrapbook, it’ll be a collection of ramblings, reviews, book excerpts, photos, devotionals, links to other stuff. It won’t always be sweet or inspirational or even fun. Sorta like life.

In her interview, I share the story behind my new release, Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone and why the book is dedicated to the memory of my sweet grandmother.

I invite you to hop over to Ramona’s blog for the interview and to hang around and explore her much-adorned fridgefront!

Blessings and joy,

Leigh Ann 🙂

Book Release Day

Today is the day! (June 10, 2019)

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Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone—Inspiration for Women in the Middle is now available!

The infamous middle years:

  • Children move through school, fly the coop, and return home bringing more children
  • “Natural” highlights are—in reality—gray hairs
  • Clothes-shopping in Juniors brings guilt and undergarments get sturdier
  • Children need us less, parents need us more
  • Questions abound: Who is that woman in the mirror? What is my purpose? Where do I fit in? What now, Lord?

Over 40? No problem. With joy and transparency, Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone uses scripture, prayer, and the power of story to show women in midlife how being smack-dab in the middle of God’s plans and purposes is the best place to be.

With the Lord’s guidance, this packed-with-transition life season can be infused with growth, discovery, and edge-of-your-seat adventure!


Special thanks to my sisters in the faith who shared their hearts and their stories for this manuscript. You bring beauty and passion to midlife!

All honor and glory to the One Who makes each breath possible. Thank you, Jesus. I love You.

And to you, my fellow midlife travelers, join me as we explore this crazy-unique life season—and as we seek God’s heart every step of the way!

Blessings and joy,

Leigh Ann 🙂

 

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:19).

 

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Book Cover Reveal!

Last summer, I shared news of a new book on the horizon. And now, after an intense year of writing, praying, rewriting, editing, and more praying, we’re close to launch!

In the curious journey of bringing a manuscript to life, the much-anticipated glimpse of the final book cover is rather thrilling for an author, and I’m so excited to share the fun.

Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone will release mid-to-late June (high-pitched squeal)!

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Over 40? No problem. With joy and transparency, Smack-Dab in the Midlife Zone uses scripture, prayer, and the power of story to show women in midlife how being smack-dab in the middle of God’s plans and purposes is the best place to be.

With the Lord’s guidance, this packed-with-transition life season can be infused with growth, discovery, and edge-of-your-seat adventure!

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:19).

Many thanks to Elk Lake Publishing Inc., specifically Editor-in-Chief Deb Haggerty, editor Sue Fairchild, and graphic designer Derinda Babcock, for using their gifts and talents to help bring this work to life.

All glory to God, the Author of creativity.

More details coming soon!

Blessings and joy,

Leigh Ann 🙂

Never Alone: The God Who Sees

This beautiful song and video by Kathie Lee Gifford and Nicole C. Mullens contains a powerful message.

God saw the burdens of Hagar, Ruth, David, and Mary Magdalene. And He sees ours, as well. No pain is too deep for the Great Physician to heal.

Trust Him. He sees.

 

May you be blessed as you reflect on the One Who knows you best.

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann 🙂

Winter Evening Reads

resized_reading_by_the_fire_books_istockOh, wintertide. I try to love you. I really do. My heart bravely endures the 1.7 days of southern snow and sleet each year, and I semi-cheerfully add a layer of long sleeves to battle the onslaught of below-fifty-degree air.

The struggle is real. I mean, I’m a southern gal for a reason. In fact, could we pause for a minute of sincere silence for the joys of flip-flops, shorts, and sitting on the front porch until 9pm?

Thanks. I just, um, needed a moment.

There is a bright spot in these long winter evenings. We can stoke the fire and curl up with a good book, article, or blogpost. So, while we wait for the much-beloved early signs of spring, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, light a candle or throw a log on the fire, and grab your favorite blanket. Check out a few favorites I’ve enjoyed these past weeks. Happy reading! Continue reading

Christmas Inspiration

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

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Oh, what a beautiful season—a time set aside to focus on the incredible gift of Jesus. My prayer is that each of us may enjoy a few quiet moments to worship the One Who loved us enough to send His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

I hope you enjoy the following links to inspirational Christmas reads. Merry Christmas from Heart Undivided!

God’s Sacrifice, My Gift by Marcy Martin

Christmas, Purpose, and Love

20 Simple Ways to Offer the Love of Christ this Christmas by Cathy Baker

Joseph, Did You Know? by Sylvia Schroeder

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7).

Christmas blessings and joy,

Leigh Ann 🙂

 

(photo from Bing Images)

Perspective and Praise

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“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
    Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
    Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
    or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together
    and all the angels shouted for joy?

Who shut up the sea behind doors
    when it burst forth from the womb,
when I made the clouds its garment
    and wrapped it in thick darkness,
when I fixed limits for it
    and set its doors and bars in place,
when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;
    here is where your proud waves halt’?

Have you ever given orders to the morning,
    or shown the dawn its place,
that it might take the earth by the edges
    and shake the wicked out of it?
The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
    its features stand out like those of a garment.
The wicked are denied their light,
    and their upraised arm is broken.

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?
Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.”

Job 38:4-18

***

Oh Father, Your long-ago words to Job humble me today. I am in awe of Your majesty! I lift my voice in the song of David,

Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Psalm 103:20-22

Have a  blessed week as you consider the magnificence of our Creator God!

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann 🙂

(Photo taken in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona)

The Sunday Wiggles

In retrospect, we shouldn’t have been running late to the evening service. And we probably shouldn’t have squeezed a family of five onto an already tight pew near the back of the church.

But the early summer day had been pure magic—mild, sunny, and a glorious playground for the afternoon. The girls had expressed reluctance to end their time of play and to prepare for the late worship hour. But mom and dad had insisted, and here we were.

Mid-way through the sermon, I’d had enough. With an official mom-look, I dared them to fidget in their seats—again. More than once, I placed a hand on a shoulder or touched my foot to theirs. Lord, if they would just be still and quiet.

A few minutes later, one daughter did get still and quiet—and nodded off, hitting her head on the back of the pew loud enough to make me give a little squeal. Answered prayer? Not sure.

Click here to read the full article on Just18Summers.com!

Blessings and joy,

Leigh Ann 🙂