The One Book You Should Read if You Struggle with Fear

/
The One Book You Should Read if You Struggle with Fear

Fear is Not The Boss of You By Jennifer Allwood has been published less than 2 months, and I am on my second read through. It’s that good. It’s been such a long time since I have read (or listened to) a non-fiction book that was truly inspiring and gospel-centered that I had to share my review. I have felt stuck and, in many ways, still feel stuck. I have a desire to grow and do many great things, but then when it comes to action, I fall short. Every. Single. Time.

Read More

God Moments: Cathy Arauco - Crisis of Faith and Desert Storm

/
God Moments: Cathy Arauco - Crisis of Faith and Desert Storm

“Imagine growing up in an America with no war. That’s hard to imagine for us Millennials, but there was a time - not too long ago - where America was involved in no wars for almost 20 years… You can imagine how Cathy’s entire world was turned upside down the night her husband received an alert and, shortly thereafter, flew off to the Middle East to fight in Desert Storm.”

Read More

Finding Peace Amidst Temper Tantrums

/
Finding Peace Amidst Temper Tantrums

My son is two. [Insert automatic sympathy/condolences here]

Actually, it hasn’t been terrible; it hasn’t been nearly as bad as I expected. Most days I want him to stay two forever! Learning to talk and the innocence of his actions melt my heart. But boy does he have his DAYS. Days where the theme of our life is tantrum after tantrum, triggered by either too many emotions going on in his little head at once or not getting his way.

Read More

Idolizing Sleep in Motherhood

/
Idolizing Sleep in Motherhood

Entering motherhood I was already in a weak sleep position, so the 24/7 job hours of motherhood certainly hasn’t made my issue any better. My spirit and attitude towards sleep has spiraled out of control. I covet every hour, lost or gained. I obsess, anxiously, over the loss or lack of it. I put all of my hope for the next day in that night's sleep. Sometimes I can’t sleep worrying about not sleeping… 

The problem (or my sin) isn’t me trying to create a conducive sleep environment or take healthy steps to obtain a whole night of sleep - it’s that I hold too tightly to the need for sleep. My brain consciously and subconsciously relies on sleep more than God. 

Read More

Why *some* Virtual Communities are Good

/
Why *some* Virtual Communities are Good

“There are hundreds if not thousands of groups we can join ranging from parenthood support, to spirituality, fitness and careers, etc… In all of these groups we are looking for something that ties us together with other people. Something that we can receive and offer support for. Usually something that we are lacking in person.”

Read More

The Evolution of Faith: How Accepting God Changed Me

/
The Evolution of Faith: How Accepting God Changed Me

Often times you hear people telling you that when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior you are transformed. You are made new. But what does that even mean? To a new believer, it can sound a bit hokey. Was God supposed to wash over me and suddenly I stopped sinning? Was I born again? Made perfect? Righteous? How will I feel different (if at all)?

Read More

Dear Reader, Thank you!

/
Dear Reader, Thank you!

This entire week has been all about celebrating the 1 year Blogiversary of A Faithful Step. I shared your Top 5 Favorite posts based on page views, I’ve shared My Top 5 Favorite Posts (that had ZERO overlap with your favorites), and I’ve even shared the Top 10 Lessons I’ve learned this past year. So, today, I share with you my gratitude.

Thank you for faithfully following our journey, even if you’ve just joined us. You may not know this, but you have encouraged me on numerous occasions when I have felt my weakest.

Read More

Blog Roundup: Fan Favorites in the First Year of A Faithful Step

/
Blog Roundup: Fan Favorites in the First Year of A Faithful Step

In honor of A Faithful Steps 1 Year Blogiversary, we are sharing the 5 most popular posts, determined by page views. Popular or “favorite” doesn’t always indicate the “best”, but then again, “best” is subjective. These might not be my favorite posts (you can find those here), but I can definitely see why they were your “favorite”!

Read More

My Top 5 Favorite Posts

/
My Top 5 Favorite Posts

This post was actually inspired by Modern Mrs Darcy’s “My 10 favorite posts of 2018.” Author, Blogger and Podcaster, Anne Bogel, wrote, “...I’m sharing my favorite posts of the year, and as you can see, that isn’t the same thing as “popular.” Her post was very motivational to a first time blogger who didn’t receive as many likes on some of the more vulnerable, emotional, and passionate posts. I enjoyed reading Anne Bogels opinion of her posts and the why behind them, so I figured I would share mine.

Read More

10 Things I’ve Learned During My First Year of Blogging

/
10 Things I’ve Learned During My First Year of Blogging

While I waited, I decided to start my own blog. Overwhelmed by the research and making the “right choice”, I just decided to jump right in. I created a place that I could share my life stories and hopefully encourage and equip women just like me.

Now, one year later, here I am! Looking back, I am shocked that 1) I have actually made it this far (more on that later), and 2) how far I’ve come.

Read More

How God Used my Daughter to Call out my Sin

/
How God Used my Daughter to Call out my Sin

“Mommy” my two year old called with a wide grin on her face.

I looked up to find her bowl flipped over and rice scattered all over the dining room table, seat, and floor.

“NATALIE, what are you doing!” . . . Anger instantly overcame me  and my voice rose louder and louder as she sat there, proud of her actions, knowing full well she would get a response out of me.

Read More

A Letter to the New Mom: A List of Reminders

/

As look into your brand-spanking new baby’s eyes - you are encapsulated with the wonder of their life. Nothing else matters anymore. You never realized how focused and complete you could feel until your baby was laid on your chest in the first moments of their life. Words cannot be formed and your exhaustion is irrelevant as you are entranced into the marvelous adventure of motherhood. Planned or unplanned; this child is everything.

Read More

God Moments: Meekah Marecic's Story

/

It all started in January 2018, during the training period leading up to Ian’s, Meekah’s husbands, deployment to the Middle East. When Ian left for training, Meekah thought of this month as a preparatory period to figure out how to do life on her own with her three girls before the deployment actually begun.


One ordinary day, Meekah paused in the car to cherish a moment of peace while the girls slept in the backseat. Eventually, she carried the girls in one by one, saving Mary Kate for last. Meekah paused in the doorway with Mary Kate draped over her arms and felt this nudge to lay Mary Kate on the couch instead of taking her to her bedroom with the other girls. Meekah was doing the laundry when Mary Kate’s snoring suddenly stopped and silence filled the living room. Meekah rushed in to find Mary Kate purple in the face. She immediately called 911 and started CPR. Compression after compression, she kept going until EMS arrived and saved Mary Kate’s life. After an emergency tonsillectomy, Meekah breathed a sigh of relief; all is well. Or so she thought.  

Read More

Preparing your Heart for a Rough Season Ahead

/
Preparing your Heart for a Rough Season Ahead

I scanned the detailed list of my husbands upcoming work engagements and I began to feel the stress and anxiety pile on.

We have a baby one month and then he leaves for TDY the next, and another the following month, and again the following month. Multiple TDY’s occupying 4 back-to-back months.  All while I manage caring for a newborn and a toddler.

Can you feel the kind of fear that overwhelmed me?

Read More

God Moments: From Airman to Mom

/
God Moments: From Airman to Mom

Through her unique yet challenging deployment, Amanda learned that she could do more than she ever believed she was capable of and that small acts could in fact change the world. She became more compassionate. And her eyes were open to the kind of suffering that was happening outside of the US every day. She realized she had to do more, so upon return home, she started donating to various organizations in helping people less fortunate than many Americans.

Although deploying changed her in many different ways, another challenge also significantly affected her --- transitioning from Airman to Mom. 

Read More