Welcome to Coffee Talk. Picture you and me are sitting over a cup of coffee sharing our lives, sipping on stories that are changing us, growing us, inspiring us to become better children of God. Jen and I want to be real before you, and we want to bring what God is teaching us and slide it across the table to you, where hopefully you can take a bit of something shared, put it in your purse and take it with you on your way.
Coffee Talk
Written By JenI have been wondering what I could post during this holy week that may be encouraging. I can’t think of anything worthy. Amy and I have a lot of friends who are in different places in their journey with God. Some of you don’t believe in God, Jesus or the Bible. Those of [...]
Written by JenI am slowly reading The Jesus Way by Eugene Peterson. We tried to read it in our couples small group and it didn’t go so well. It was easier to read on our own. I am really enjoying it though. If you are feeling like you need to exercise your brain, read this. [...]
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.I have heard and said the phrase “Life is messy” a lot lately. The description fits. One of the benefits of being in mid-life (40) is that you begin to gain some perspective on the realities and expectations of life…one [...]
Written by JenI was just thinking about the quality time I had with my mom growing up in the car as she was driving me from one thing to the next. I was thinking about this as I was talking on the phone driving my youngest to school. I really don’t want my kids to [...]
Living at peace with everyone is sometimes difficult. Conflict seems to permeate all areas of our lives:Yesterday my husband and I spent a couple of hours working through some conflict issues with one of our children. Today I had a client at work yell at me. Tomorrow…well, hopefully…Life is just messy. And the messy-ness is [...]
We continue our journey through Romans 12. Today’s verse is a great one for those of us who love to be the hostess with the mostess…a good perspective check!“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”Because I really enjoy entertaining, and in the bible these two sentences converge in one verse at the [...]
After the flurry and excitement of Christmas, there is a lull of quiet during the shift from one year to the next. One stretch of life sheds its old and weary skin, and a new fresh skin emerges as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. There is something I just love about a new [...]
Hello Friends! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. This year we had some close family friends from Dallas visit us for the holiday, and it was a gift to plan and shop and cook with my friend Jodie. We decided to try a new idea around the Thanksgiving dinner table. We had each person (child and [...]
Do you want to know when I clean my wood floors? When they get sticky. Seriously. I’ve tried that scheduled-cleaning method but life seems to get in the way and bump me off any cleaning schedule I try to make. So if you are reading this and totally grossed out by my cleaning barometer, sorry. Keep [...]
Do your words ever get you in trouble? I mean, do you ever say things that you wish you could take back because they hurt someone? I know I have.I have been learning a lot about “words” lately in the bible study I am doing. Priscilla Shrier’s study, Can We Talk?, takes us straight to [...]
I went “back to work” this past January. Actually, I have always worked in one form or another since I have been a mom; selling Southern Living, having my own business as a Home Stager, or tutoring, but it was always very part-time, tucked into my life when the kids were at school or on a [...]
I can’t believe school starts in a week and a half (some of you have kids starting next week!). For us it means that welcome shift back to predictable days, earlier bedtimes (which means a little more down time for Jon and I), and the restored rhythm and flow of the weeks and weekends. The kids are excited to see friends from [...]
Our lives are about building. Building a family, building a home, building a career, building friendships, building a healthy body, building skill at our favorite sport or pastime. Sometimes we are successful by the world’s standards, and at times we are not. Even in success we can feel emptiness and ask ourselves, “Does this really [...]
When we started this blog, Jen and I worked for a long time on our “categories.” We wanted to hit many areas of life, many specifically geared toward our walk with God. We knew that God places thoughts and feelings on our hearts all the time and we wanted to figure out a way to [...]
When I was in college, I had to pick a major to go along with my teaching license program. It feels odd to me now, but at the time, I loved history, so that’s what I chose! My college professors were gifted in their ability to tell the story of the world, and I became [...]
AmyYou know those times that you think you are doing something for someone else, and then you realize that actually, God had in his plans to get your attention instead? Yep, just had one of those times this weekend. After a pretty stressful week at work I was tired, and just wanted to be home for a [...]
AmyAttitude is so important. We know that, right? Yet, having the right attitude in the wrong circumstance can be quite challenging. It sneaks up on you. It sneaks up on me. Attitude is a word we “discuss” a lot in our home….because we have a 13 year old. We see her struggling to have a [...]
Amy I decided to kick off the new year with another list…this time my top 10 life principles for 2011! Much like the morning routine I post for my kiddos to get them out the door with as little chaos as possible, these are reminders to me, both big and little, to help me navigate [...]
AmyOK, so I hope I learned more than 12 things this year, but I guess the ones I’ve shared so far and will share next are the lessons that have impacted me the most. Apologies ahead of time for the length of this post….feel free to take a chocolate break in the middle. Lesson #9 God [...]
AmyFor some reason three of the next four all happened in the last week and a half. I think there’s a lesson in that alone….Lesson #5I have learned to SLOW DOWN. I often find myself head down, barreling through life on a mission. It seems there are just not enough hours in the day! I plan [...]
Number 1: No matter how clean I get my house, it looks like a bomb exploded 10 minutes later. I have learned from the bible that life is in a constant state of unraveling and chaos ever since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. God’s plan was for order and stability, but the first act of disobedience [...]
Amy St. Stephens Church, Edina, Minnesota When I was growing up, I attended a beautiful Episcopal church in my hometown. One memory that has not faded is of Christmas Eve at St. Stephens. The chapel, with its stone arches, smooth wooden beams and delicate but grand stained glass windows would somehow transform on this evening. Churchgoers would enter the [...]
JenThe other night as I was heading upstairs to read my Bible I got stuck at my computer. I just had to look at one more thing. An hour later I got up from my chair. I was perusing blogs of creative women, saw some inspiring things, but when I stood up I felt empty. [...]
The things you planned for us no one can recount to you: were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declares. Psalm 40:4-5 NIV Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalm 107:1 NIVBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by [...]
Amy I am trying, now that Thanksgiving is not only right around the corner, but coming up the sidewalk, to get focused. It is hard for me to do! At the moment, thinking about “being thankful” is just one more thing on my “TO DO” list! I was not thankful this morning when my son left [...]
JenI wanted to give you a few thoughts around the name graceFULLhome. We put one of our favorite quotes on the front page. It’s found in Lamentations 3:22-23 and says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion’s never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”(NIV) I don’t [...]
Amy I was watering plants in the backyard the other day and noticed one of my favorite pine “bushes” had brown patches of dying needles around the base of one side. This is the first time I have noticed anything but new fresh growth on this tree. I scratched my head…is the drip line clogged? [...]
Amy One would think that my children would be comfortable around the camera since camera snapping has been happening since they were born. Yet, (sigh) they rebel. They either make funny faces or turn their backs, or just refuse to participate. This day, as I am trying to get a sweet picture of Maddie fishing, here’ s what [...]
JenHere is a helpful hint to get change a few negative statements. I usually say, “Don’t spill your milk on the way to the table.” Instead I am practicing saying, “Let me see how carefully you can take your milk to the table.”Or“Hurry up, we need to go right now.” vs.“Let me see how quick [...]
Talk on Friendship
Written By Jen We had a lesson tonight in restitution. The Mirriam-Webster definition of restitution is : an act of restoring or a condition of being restored : a restoration of something to its rightful owner : a making good of or giving an equivalent for some injury. The Bible talks about restitution too. One time it is mentioned is in the book of Numbers [...]
Posted by JenHey friends. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I have been reminded lately that the world starts to spin these last few months of school. It is a time of completion, parties, celebrations and life just starts to feel like it’s spilling over the top of my cup. Instead of just [...]
Written By JenI am feeling a little down this week. Tired, sick, my hubby was out of town, and I am catching some heat. You know, one of those weeks:)I heard a story recently of a man who got in a fight about how to stack wood on a trailer with his father and has [...]
Written by JenHi blog friends! I have been busy with summer fun with no time to blog! I have so much stirring in my heart and head that I want to share with you, but I just haven’t had time to post anything. I have been learning some great lessons on friendship and I [...]
Jen I have had a couple of interesting weeks. My daughter is hitting one of her first big lessons on friendships. We have touched on so many topics in the last few weeks. What do you do when someone doesn’t want you around? What do you say to others? What is gossip? Then there are [...]
AmyHow is your heart towards God lately? Is it tender and open to his will and voice in your life, or is it a little bit hardened, keeping God at arms-length? For me, it’s in between. I haven’t had the time I used to have to spend with God, and it is showing. I am [...]
Jen Just the other day, I came across a situation that caused me to turn into a porcupine. All the sudden, I was a big puff ball with quills all over me. My quills were a defensive action, pricking up like involuntary goose bumps, all over my body. My quills are full of pride, arrogance, bringing others [...]
Talk on Grieving
Dear Lord,I pray today for my friend and co-author of this blog, Jen. Today is the anniversary of the passing of her dad, Terry. God, I am so thankful for Jen and her steadfast faith in you. She has chosen to be vulnerable and walk through grief with brokeness and strength wrapped up together. As she has mourned the loss [...]
Written By JenOn July 24th, 2010, early that Saturday morning, I received a phone call from our close family friend Gail. My mom was en route on her way home from visiting her family in Germany. Gail said, “Jenny, as you know we are staying at your parents place and I usually don’t answer their [...]
Written By JenThis Father’s Day will you join me in a one time gift to lend a hand to children who are fatherless? Please? For me? For them. For you.How Far We Have ComeImagine being a child and losing both parents. How would you feel? How would you survive? Who would help you to make [...]
In late July of 2010, I received a phone call that my dad had dropped off the radar while flying his single engine airplane in the North West Territories of Canada. The amazing Canadian Search and Rescue team worked tirelessly for 5 of the longest days of my life. Finally, after discovering his whereabouts they declared he had [...]
JenI am ashamed to say that I didn’t know what I should or shouldn’t do when someone close to me lost a loved one. Since I didn’t know what to say, I did not say a thing. I just avoided it all together. I felt awkward and imposing. I was afraid that I might say [...]
JenFor our new readers here is the background: My dad died in a plane crash about 6 months ago in the NW Territories of Canada. He went off radar shortly after taking off. He was flying himself in a single engine airplane. It took 5 or 6 LONG days to find him. His plane crashed and [...]
I have never lost someone I loved. This is a first for me. I have seen good friends grieve the loss of a child, these were my first experiences in loss. I want to give you a window into my heart because sometimes it seems like a forbidden topic. I have never done this before [...]
As some of you know my dad is and his single engine plane is missing in the NW Territories of Canada. Detailed information is at:We have been very busy trying to find creative solutions to help aide the search. Of course I am going through a wide range of emotions. I find my self at [...]
My dad and I. These are going to be interesting days for me to blog. I feel like I am in a wrestling match with God, my emotions and my mind; all while life goes on and laundry piles, kids laugh, dishes need to be done, and life goes on. Oh [...]
Indeed I am still grieving, but my life is beginning to thaw. I felt frozen for awhile. Now I can make dinner, put laundry away, engage with my kids. I still miss my dad. My next few hard days have come at my first day taking my little one to pre-school; a place my dad [...]
I wanted to post a few thoughts for you all on the state of my heart. I talked with a dear friend recently, and she had a few thoughts for me. Her first thought was a book suggestion, called Severe Mercy. It talks about bringing up each memory of the past and grieving through it. This sounds like good, [...]
Jen A year of firsts. I am super sad. For the past several years our family has had some awesome family traditions in October. We have had pumpkin carving contests. Where we also have a cook off with a theme. We are competitive! We VOTE on our favorite dish and pumpkin. Just a little Johnson family [...]
Talk on Hope
After the flurry and excitement of Christmas, there is a lull of quiet during the shift from one year to the next. One stretch of life sheds its old and weary skin, and a new fresh skin emerges as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. There is something I just love about a new [...]
Amy There seems to be extremely difficult things going on in several of my friends lives right now. I just received an email from a friend who lives in another state who just last year lost two parents, two grandparents, and a baby they had been planning for two years to adopt. When they went [...]
Talk on Identity in Christ
Posted by JenWritten By my friend, housemate & guest blogger: Cynthia Omega Often times as believer/Christian we look at our lives and contemplate in what ways and areas we can have more influence. Whether with our families, friends at church, coworkers or even neighbors, we wonder what we can do to become better leaders in [...]
Our Monday night women’s bible study has been reading a book called: “Fight Like a Girl” by Lisa Bevere. While the book has stirred up some good conversation in our group (because not everyone agrees with the premise of the book), Lisa has some great nuggets of “womanly wisdom” that she shares. Heres a tidbit [...]
AmyToday I had one of those experiences where time seems to stop and the word “priceless” is the only way to describe the moment. I was at my daughter, Hannah’s, middle school awards ceremony. Hannah had consistently been on the honor roll at her school until last trimester, when she didn’t make it. At the time, she [...]
JenNeeding some fun lunch ideas? Making lunches is well, boring! To me it is. If it were delicious soups or exotic salads, gourmet pizza that would sound fun, but the same old lunch for kids who don’t eat it any way sounds mundane at best. I am thankful we have food for them and we [...]
Talk on Marriage
A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the differences between men and women, and how we can find more peace in our relationships with the other gender when we understand God created us to be different, to compliment each other.That being said, those differences will continue to crop up in unexpected places and [...]
Last week my husband and I traveled to Mexico for a 6-day vacation…no kids, just us. Although we almost brought Hannah, Hunter and Maddie (don’t tell them), we decided in the end to preserve the time for our marriage. As you well know, vacationing is just “different” with little people, as we noted several times [...]
Jen A Job Lost Again I want to start this by saying I love my husband! I am sure that he is the one God choose for me. I can look back on our dating years and see God’s hand in every step. I have mentioned this before but one of the reasons I married [...]
