(This book review contains an amazon affiliate link, see full *disclosure below.)

It’s not often that I do a Christian book review. In fact, since publishing the 5 Books the Lord has Used to Change My Life, I’m sad to say that I haven’t shared more of the amazing books God has used to continue to challenge and grow me in my walk with Him (and calling to love Him, my family and others more).

Well … that’s about to change … Each month (starting today), I plan to share with you one book that the Lord has used (is using) to continue to mold me into the image of His Blessed Son.

And this month, I couldn’t be more excited about sharing a new book by Courtney Joseph at Women Living Well Ministries. When this sweet sister mailed me an advance copy of her soon-to-be-released book, “Women Living Well: Find Your Joy in God, Your Man, Your Kids, and Your Home,” I knew I was about to have my socks blessed off … and oh boy, was I right!

Women Living Well thoroughly equips women to joyfully, obediently and faithfully walk with the King by providing practical steps to:

• Enrich your life through studying God’s Word and communing with Him in prayer – to find peace and rest in Him alone, and to build deeper intimacy through practical ways to achieve quiet time alone with Him, no matter the season of life you’re in.

• Cherish and grow in your marriage – to love your husband more fully as the Lord calls us to do and experience the joy of growing in your role as His helpmeet to the glory of God.

• Purposefully parent your children – learning how to better handle anger, disappointment and less-than-perfect parenting days by following biblical principles that help you to love, discipline, teach and train your children through modeling a life centered in Christ.

• Embrace your role as homemaker – learning to find meaning in the seemingly mundane, making your home a haven, and establishing routines that bring rest and balance.

Wholeheartedly, I consider Women Living Well one book that every Christian wife and mother should read. And the great news is … Courtney has a wonderful gift she’s providing to everyone who preorders her book. It’s a 10 eBook bundle for FREE that you’ll receive when you simply email Courtney a copy of your Amazon receipt (offer available through  September 30, 2013).

I’m honored that my Healthy Ice Pops book is part of this freebie book bundle! I wanted to support Courtney’s prelaunch event, because this book is so transformational and empowering! My prayer is that this special giveaway will encourage more women to purchase Women Living Well and reap the blessed benefits that come from putting Courtney’s biblically-based approach to Living Well into practice.

There’s nothing more important than fostering our faith, building our marriage, training our children, and creating a haven for our family within our homes. If you agree and are looking for an inspiring, helpful resource to help you walk more closely with the King and find true joy and contentment in Him and those He’s placed in your life, then this book is definitely for you!

Joyfully Serving Him, Kelly

*Please note: If you opt to purchase Women Living Well using the Amazon affiliate link above, a small portion of the sale goes to support The Nourishing Home at no additional cost to you. There is no obligation to purchase, but if you do, you are helping to support the free resources, meal plans and recipes here at The Nourishing Home. Thank you!

Recently, the boys and I had the amazing privilege of traveling cross-country with my Mom and her wonderful hubby to spend some time with my family in Tennessee. Each summer my Mom and Art make the long trek from TN to CA to visit us and this year, we decided to make the journey back to TN with them.

This five-day cross-country trip and extended visit in beautiful Tennessee was such a blessing … so many cherished moments together!

And so, this post is a little different … not a recipe, meal plan or tip on eating healthy … but a little glimpse of this special time with family, and the hope that your summer is filled with many cherished moments with your family too!

Favorite Moments in Tennessee…

The joy of being back home in the South, to feel the warm embrace of my family, to catch-up on their lives, to simply be together …

Picking fresh ripe berries from the garden each morning with the boys …

Cooking with my amazing “little” brother who serves his country and his family with such faithful dedication …

Cousins dancing in the rain with squeals of laughter filling the air, and breathtaking rainbows breaking through the clouds …

Hanging out on Mom’s porch every evening, enjoying good food and even better company …

Enjoying sweet simple moments with family – sharing cherished stories of our past and anticipating God’s plans for the future …

… with thanksgiving to my family for your love, encouragement and joyful hearts. You are a special blessing that I thank God for each day!

Are you taking a Family Vacation this summer? What are some of your most cherished family gatherings?

Blessings to you for a Happy Summer full of cherished moments!

Today, I’m thrilled to have a very special guest join us. It’s my dear friend Ruth from GraceLaced. She is truly one of the most hospitable women I know. That’s why I’m excited that she’s graciously offered to share a bit of her wisdom with us on how we can experience the joy of blessing others through practicing true hospitality!

Discovering the Heart of True Hospitality
by Ruth Simons, GraceLaced

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we live in a culture that loves to entertain, but rarely shows true hospitality. We pin endless links to great party ideas and beautiful photos of elegantly set tables and thematic dinners. I love all that. But, how daunting it must feel to read about hospitality in the Bible and have those images from Pinterest pop in your head.

Is that what hospitality looks like? What does it take to be hospitable?

What we think hospitality is:
• pressed linens
• home-cooked four-course meal
• spotless home
• fresh flowers
• matching dishes
• quiet children

What True Hospitality really is:
• sharing what you have
• sharing who you are
• involving your children in serving
• inviting others into your home
• inviting others into your real life
• being available when a need arises

What we have to believe to be truly hospitable:
• that we have to get over our pride
• that our sense of perfection is a lie
• that our possessiveness about personal time can be simply selfishness at times
• that we are hospitable unto the Lord and not for reciprocation or accolades
• that our provisions come from God, who owns everything
• that He gave to us for us to give generously
• that the most important thing we can share is not food or our home, but Christ, himself.

You see, hospitality is not about impressing or entertaining. As my wise mom-in-law shared with me in a Special Interview on Hospitality – True hospitality is about extending all that God’s given you…to another. I pray this encourages you to see hospitality in a new light – one that makes much of Christ and less of you.

How can you get started with being more hospitable? Here are a few simple suggestions:
• Hospitality isn’t limited to just dinnertime. It can also happen over a simple breakfast or lunch.
• Mid-mornings and mid-afternoons can also be a wonderful time to set aside for occasional get-togethers with other moms. Simply raid your pantry for dried fruit and nuts, and your fridge for cheese, to make a simple snack platter to share, along with a little spot of tea.
• Do you go to a Bible Study? Consider making an easy snack, and quickly picking up around the house before you leave, so that you can invite a new friend or two over after the study to get to know one another better.
• Surprise a single friend with a last-minute invite to join your family for dinner.
• Once a week, make an extra big batch of something super simple for dinner and offer to bring a meal to another family who may be having a difficult week.

Everything we do ultimately stems from our beliefs. Our theology defines our methodology. It is no different when it comes to hospitality. True Hospitality is a desire to bless, as you have been blessed. We don’t show hospitality to others simply because we have a new recipe to show off, a home that feels clean, or even a desire to help someone out. Our hospitality should flow from a heart that desires to honor and bless the Lord.

When He is our Guest of Honor, there is no end to the richness of our hospitality, or the fruit of what can become of simply opening our hearts and our homes to others.

Meet Ruth!
Ruth is the author of Gracelaced where she writes about finding grace in the everyday life.  Her days are filled with 5 energetic boys, whom she homeschools part-time through the Classical school her husband heads and co-founded.  She has recently transitioned out of her 10 year role as a Pastor’s wife through which she has consistently learned this marvelous truth that keeps her going each and every day: “The Lord is not through with us yet.”