Growing Home Together

Planning an evening to spend some time with your love? Be sure to grab our Conversation Cards before the special day!

Each card has a question paired with an inspiring Scripture or quote to help you connect with the one you love. 💗

Visit our store to get yours in time for Valentine's Day: https://growinghometogether.com/store/

This May, after months of hoping and planning, Rob and our youngest daughter will be taking their dream trip to Scotland! What an amazing chance to make memories and keep growing the close bond they've shared through the years.

The fact that Rob shares that bond with our girls, even as they're now young adults, means everything to us. We know that the quality time he spent with them as kids laid the groundwork for their strong relationships today.

But we'll let you in on a little secret—being a dad to daughters didn't always come naturally to Rob!

When God blessed us with three girls, Rob was determined to be the best father he could be to them. But having grown up in a house full of boys, girlhood felt like alien territory—and he wasn't confident he'd know the best ways to connect with our daughters on a deeper level.

Dads, can you relate? If so, you might be looking for fun, meaningful ways to show your daughter how much she means to you—and as we approach Valentine’s Day, it’s the perfect time to make special memories together.

On our latest blog, we are sharing 3 fun activities to help dads connect with their daughters. You can read it here: https://growinghometogether.com/3-dates-daughter/

Love is in the air! In honor of Valentine's Day, we wanted to share some of our top podcasts that help and encourage couples in their marriage.

You can listen to these anywhere you get your podcasts to prepare for Valentine's Day with your spouse. 💕

Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart… Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

The best way to become aware of where we need to grow is to talk with God and listen to His guidance in our lives. Join us in praying this prayer as we start a new week:

Lord,

My family is a gift from you. Sharing life with them is one of the greatest joys I’ve known. Yet while I want to love and bless them with all that I am, too often I hurt their feelings. I put myself first. I disappoint their hopes and break their trust. While they know my heart for them, my blind spots are real! I need you to reveal the words, habits, and behaviors that hinder me from loving them well.

Open my ears to hear any thoughtless words, rudeness, or critical remarks that are damaging my loved ones’ spirits. Expose any attitudes of selfishness or pride that diminish the value of those around me. Show me the reality of my priorities and how I spend my time so I can give my family the attention they deserve. Keep me tenderhearted. Faithful in prayer. Humble and teachable. Full of grace and the kindness you lavish on me. Do a new thing in my heart and mind so I can love with the love of Christ.

Amen.

As we head into the weekend, we want to help your family spark some fun and laughter together!

We've got 10 FREE family activities to help create connection today. Just sign up at the bottom of this page to get a copy sent to your inbox: https://growinghometogether.com/family-fun/

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Like even the simplest task can drain your energy away?

Decision fatigue can be especially overwhelming, especially in seasons where your family is moving through one transition after another. If you're struggling to put one foot in front of the other, here are 3 things to remember:

1️⃣ Leave room for feelings.

One of the greatest gifts to offer your family during times of transition is space to express and process emotions. Your loved ones might be experiencing sadness, anger, stress, or uncertainty about the future. Rather than what we call "passing the stress around," set aside time to pause and simply feel your feelings.

2️⃣ Find routines to anchor your day

In the midst of transition, one of the first things to go is our routine. We skip date nights. We rush through bedtime instead of connecting with our kids. We eat on the run instead of gathering around the table. Yet during transitions, it's important to keep as many things the same as possible. Recapturing routines will give a sense of security as your family adjusts to all that's new.

3️⃣ Receive comfort and strength
Not every transition is welcome or expected. Yet God is with you through every life change you face. He is ready to provide comfort, encouragement, and strength. Lean on him through these seasons and discover his comforting peace.

If you've been feeling overwhelmed or craving simplicity, be sure to go back and listen to Episode 73 of the Growing Home Together Podcast all about navigating decision fatigue: https://growinghometogether.com/transition-fatigue-73/

From the day we bring our children home from the hospital, we do our best to make sure they are healthy and happy. We try to teach them how to make good choices, and we work to help them develop a strong faith in Jesus. However, even our best efforts can't guarantee that our children will always make wise decisions for themselves.

When we discover that our child has fallen into addiction or some other kind of self-destructive behavior, it can feel like a nightmare. We start to wonder, what did I do wrong? In these tricky situations, we often struggle to know how to help our children, and at times, it may even feel like God has abandoned us.

We are so grateful to introduce our guest on the latest episode of the Growing Home Together podcast. Dawn Ward is an author, speaker, and biblical life coach. She has written a powerful book titled "From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children."

In this conversation, you'll hear why having a child struggle with addiction doesn’t make you a bad parent, what to do with fear and worry about our children, why it’s important to continue to invest in your marriage even during hard parenting seasons, and much more.

Listen here: https://growinghometogether.com/dawn-ward-106/

From the day you marry--and all throughout your marriage--there is no better way to express your love and care than by praying for your spouse. ❤️

Prayer makes a real difference in each of our lives, and as Scripture promises, God hears every word (1 Peter 3:12).

Swipe ⬅️ for three ways you can start praying for your spouse today!

"All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people praise you." — Psalm 145:10

Are you and your partner in a stressful season of life? Those times can stretch you, challenge, and even wear you out. But through it all, marriage can be God's gift of help and encouragement as we face hard things together.

Will you join us in lifting up this prayer in thanks? 🙏

Where we live in West Michigan, the temperature has dropped to the single digits this week! Our house feels a bit colder, the winds feel a little sharper, and sometimes, the frigid temperatures can seem to cut straight to the core.

How are you feeling this winter? Perhaps the shorter, darker days have left your spirits low. Or perhaps it’s not just the weather outside, but a difficult season in your heart that’s weighing you down.

One thing’s for sure—life’s emotional winters can leave our hearts feeling heavier than our homes when they’re covered in a thick layer of snow.

In our latest blog, we have 3 hope-filled reminders to share with you if your heart is feeling heavy this Winter. You can read it here: https://growinghometogether.com/3-hopeful-reminders/

When was the last time you laughed? We mean REALLY laughed. The kind of laughter that starts out small but then rumbles through your entire being.

Today is National Belly Laugh Day and we wanted to remind you to laugh without abandon! Watch a comedy special of your favorite comedian, tell a good joke, or have a silly conversation with those you love!

And check out our own Rob's book of Belly Laughs. Each joke is sure to get you and your little one laughing with glee. ❤️

https://growinghometogether.myshopify.com/collections/family-fun/products/belly-laughs-a-my-first-lol-book

A little peek behind-the-scenes of what devotions have looked like recently in our house for Rob. 🙏

Something I (Joanna) really admire about Rob is his constancy in the Word. Even if he's tired or stressed, busy or distracted, discouraged or feeling spiritually "dry," he's in the Bible every day.

Each year he commits to resources that include a daily plan, and this year he's using Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp. This resource walks you through the entire Bible in one year and provides a daily meaningful devotion to read. He's pairing it with Be Thou My Vision by Jonathan Gibson, a 30-day devotional plan that he'll keep on repeat all year since it immerses you in the catechism of the faith and provides guided worship along with Scriptures and prayers.

We're curious: What have your devotions looked like recently? What resources are you utilizing to help you connect with God and deepen your faith this year? Let us know in the comments! 👇

"Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up… I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does." — Romans 7:20-21, 24-25 (The Message)

So many of our determined resolutions are born from the seeds of regret.

You wish you had saved your money or cut up the credit cards.
You wish you hadn’t binged on holiday treats or cocktails.
You regret the words of gossip or deceit that broke up your friendship.
You wish you could take back the harsh criticism that wounded your child’s spirit.
You regret giving up when your goal or dream felt too hard to achieve.
You regret the choices that have you trapped in addiction.
You wish you were the person you know you should be.

For us, we find that falling into regret is like getting stuck in the mud. We want to move forward, but our tires just spin while the dirt flies. We rev our inner engine but can’t move an inch. We need more than motivation—we need something or Someone to set us free and make us new.

Today, let’s admit defeat. Let’s get real with God and confess the decisions and failures that landed us in our mess. Let’s set aside our good intentions or excuses and simply pray for mercy. For forgiveness. For help. For His promised love and faithful work that transforms us from the inside out.

May we go forward with only one regret—that we took so long to trust in the One who has been waiting for us all along. With Him, there is hope and life that never ends.

Lord, the pain of regret is tearing me apart. Thank you for Your grace and open arms. Be my strength and help as I place my life in Your hands. Renew my mind through Your Word. May I surrender to You with a joyful “yes” to all You call me to be. Your love is everything. Amen.

"But may all those who seek refuge in You rejoice; may they ever shout for joy, because You defend them; may those who love Your name be joyful in You." — Psalm 5:11

Have you felt the heavy winds of winter give you a chill? Or perhaps life's circumstances have made it feel like the entire world is on your shoulders. In these seasons, we can feel like God is far away instead of running into His loving arms. If that's you, will you join us in praying this over your family today?

Lord,

It feels as if the cold of winter is seeping into our family’s hearts. We’re irritable and touchy, and it’s tough to get along. Our bodies easily fall to fatigue and sickness. Motivation is sagging as our routines feel like a tedious grind. We crave light and laughter and the joy that only your Spirit can bring.

Refresh our gratitude for all the ways you protect and care for our family. Soften our hearts so we’re quick to show compassion and slow to take offense. Draw us together when we’re tempted to head to separate corners of the house. Spark creative ideas to have fun and express our love. Comfort our hurts, mend what’s broken, and renew glad hope for tomorrow. May we look to you as the Source of all that is good and wonderful in our lives. Fill our home with your praises. Amen.

Prayer is such an important part of our lives. We've seen the difference God can make in our friends and loved ones' hurts and struggles. We like to keep a list of all the prayer requests that come our way so we can be faithful to lift them up again and again.

Did you know that we also pray for you? We would love to hear how we can carry your burdens to God in prayer specifically this week.

Drop your prayer request in the comments or DM us if you have a request you'd prefer to share privately. 🙏 It is such an honor to partner with you in prayer!

The "winter blues" aren't just a saying. Even if you don't usually struggle with depression, it's common during the long winter months to feel more down and even hopeless.

Those emotions can be tied to less sunlight and shorter days, but they can also be due to tough circumstances in your life.

We can relate! Joanna has often shared about her experiences with depression, and those dark days inspired her to write a collection of prayers to help you come face to face with the love of God in the midst of your pain. "101 Prayers to Cope with Depression" is full of encouragement, helpful reminders, and lament for anyone who is in a dark season of life.

Remember, no matter what you're going through, God is always with you and is ready with open arms to hear your prayers.

Get your copy of "101 Prayers to Cope with Depression" here: https://growinghometogether.myshopify.com/products/101-prayers-to-cope-with-depression?fbclid=IwY2xjawFigWxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQbLszWJQAIA0Gk7gLFUyByvzH8yJOq9cZJivVk9ZLtM1ypuXJU96PjKcQ_aem_J6hfcSX1JQ3Wlq_TteQoXw

It can be so hard to go back to school with these dark days, cold weather, and busy new schedules.

One of our favorite ways to brighten the kids' days is through lunchbox notes. These simple handwritten messages are the perfect way to remind your children how loved and cherished they are.

Give it a try this week as your child heads back to school! You can use a simple Post-It or grab some of our pre-written lunchbox notes from our shop: https://growinghometogether.com/store/

P.S. This is also a great way to show your appreciation for your spouse. Leave them a note in their work lunch, favorite book, or around the house where they will be sure to find it.

"Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his presence continually!" -- 1 Chronicles 16:11

Did you know that almost 25% of us give up our New Year's resolutions by the first week? If you're feeling stuck, discouraged, or defeated, join us in calling out to the One who sustains us and renews our spirit.

Lord,

Like every January, I started this new year resolved to grow. To change. To break old habits and patterns. To move myself forward. To build stronger relationships. And most of all, to surrender more fully to you as the Lord of my life.

Yet I know how quickly I grow bored or tired. I’m easily discouraged. I get distracted and lose my focus on what’s most important. Despite my best intentions, I give my attention to everything but you.

Forgive me, Lord, for thinking I can make it through life on my own. I need your wisdom or I lose my way. I’m in desperate need of your Spirit to bear good fruit and enable me to love others well. Without your Word to renew my mind, I begin to believe the enemy’s lies and soak up the selfish, destructive mindset of the world around me. I need your strength to keep me in your Word and on my knees in prayer every day.

This year, continue your work to make me strong. Grow me up so I’m faithful and devoted to seeking your face. Keep me in a posture of humility that depends on you for everything. May I love you with my whole heart, soul, and mind forever. Amen.