A Time for
F un!
by Catriona Futter
YOUR WELL-BEING MATTERS
F ait h
LEARNING TO LAMENT
in a Hostile World by Debbie W. Wilson
THE FLOW OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH YOU STAYING ON COURSE
summer 2021 | F I N D
MORE AT JUSTBETWEENUS.ORG
YOU CAN HAVE JOY WHILE YOU’RE WAITING
welcome from the editor SHELLY ESSER
“While you are waiting, grow. While you are waiting, learn. While you are waiting, listen. It’s your turn to become who you’ve always wanted to be.” ANNIE F. DOWNS, author of That Sounds Fun
“This book is full of wisdom, faith, research, humor, and practical advice on what to do until it is your turn.” CHRISTINE CAINE, founder of A21 and Propel Women
This issue has been fun! As we've thought about our word for the year flourish and incorporating it throughout the issue, it's taken us down all kinds of wonderful paths. I feel like this issue is a celebration of women— you—who are helping women flourish in whatever season of life they find themselves in and whatever place God calls them to. We are not only celebrating moms at this time, but every woman in our lives who inspires us. Speaking of inspiring, you'll love meeting Diane Studer, founder of Soles For Jesus in our interview by Sarah Nielsen on page 18. She has an amazing story of what God can do when we say yes. What started out as an African mission trip turned into a nonprofit ministry halfway across the world with the most basic of things: shoes. Under His Wings Quilting story by Cheryl M. Smith on page 30 will remind you that you can have a big
And finally, I just have to mention the article, It’s Time for Fun! by Catriona Futter on page 14 to spur us on to find the fun in life and the connection between fun and flourishing—and boy do we need fun in these hard pandemic days! "Fun" says Catriona, "allows us to flourish as the beautiful, creative women we are made to be." There you have it! That's just a handful of the highlights we have put together to celebrate you— the incredible, unique woman God has created you to be—God’s special daughter. When we put our minds to it and encourage each other, there’s no telling how God will multiply our efforts and hearts for others whether in our mothering, friendships, workplaces, or hearts for the world. May you not only be inspired to flourish yourself, but be on the lookout to help the women in your life flourish too. Celebrating You!
summer 2021
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I hope every time the magazine comes to your mailbox, you're as excited as we are to be able to spur one another on to love and good deeds in this community of friendship. I know over the years, I have felt like I make new friends as I read articles by the women who so generously share their hearts with us.
impact by offering a simple, practical gesture of love: women sewing for women and children in a domestic violence shelter who have often been forgotten in their community. And a compilation of women’s encouragement, Flourishing Through the Seasons of Motherhood, on page 26, will give you some nuggets of encouragement to hang onto. We invited some of our staff and JBU friends to share their words of wisdom for lifting you up in the different seasons of your mothering.
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HEATHER THOMPSON DAY is associate professor of communication at Colorado Christian University and an interdenominational speaker. She runs an online community called I’m That Wife and is the author of six books, including Confessions of a Christian Wife and How to Feed the Mediavore.
We are excited to be back together again and to welcome those of you who are joining us for your very first issue! I try to imagine your faces as I select articles and then, when a new issue comes out, picture sitting across the table from you, heart to heart, as close friends who can't wait to see each other and catch up. We need other women to grow and to encourage us in those places where our hearts hurt or are struggling, or to have a good deep belly laugh and fun together! Life is always grander when we're able to share it, isn't it? I'm praying that this issue does that for you.
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contents
VOLUME 31
NO. 3
on the cover 14 It’s Time for Fun!
Fun energizes us and strengthens our connections with others, it gives us opportunities to laugh, and improves our mood and well-being. by Catriona Futter
16 How to Grow Faith
SUMMER 2021
features aith chats 18 fPutting Feet on a Yes!
How Diane Studer started Soles For Jesus in one inspired moment. by Sarah Nielsen
Trust Me 24
It’s all about the One in Whom we trust. by Elizabeth Murphy
in a Hostile World
Four principles from the life of Noah. by Debbie W. Wilson
22 Well-Being by Design
A personal inventory to help you cultivate a flourishing life. by Constance B. Fink
32 Learning to Lament
Through the Seasons 26 Flourishing of Motherhood
A variety of women lift up their mothers, mom
friends, coworkers, sisters, and neighbors in their mothering journeys. compiled by Shelly Esser
30
Under His Wings Quilting Wrapping up the hurting with the love of Christ.
It’s the door to intimacy with God. by Lori Ann Wood
by Cheryl M. Smith
34 Downstream
None of us knows where the Spirit will work
through us. We are to focus on just doing what He calls us to do and letting Him flow through us. by Sandy Mayle
CREDITS
Now Where Do We Go? 38
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summer 2021
Editor Shelly Esser
Web Director Mary Ann Prasser
Six lessons for keeping close to Jesus.
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Circulation Manager Suzan Braun
Assistant Editor Suzan Braun
36 Staying on Course
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Founder/Executive Editor Jill Briscoe
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