by Shannon Popkin | Jan 21, 2015 | Faith, Father, Growth, Hardship, Humility
We don’t have a snow-blower. My husband says, “Why would we have a snow-blower, when we have three healthy kids who need to learn to work?” So while other kids are inside sipping hot chocolate to get out of the cold, my husband is sending our kids...
by Shannon Popkin | Feb 27, 2014 | Communication, Gifts, Goals, Growth, Leadership, Marriage
Words of blessing, allowed to sift into a soul’s murky depths, often act like yeast. Over time, these yeast-like words have the power to activate and give rise to areas of giftedness which otherwise might have lain dormant. Words can cause people to rise and expand...
by Shannon Popkin | May 8, 2013 | Anxiety, Decor, Family, God, Growth, Heidi, Housekeeping, Prayer
By: Heidi Vriesman The first time I walked into our current house, I almost cried. It wasn’t the house I was dreaming of at all. It had flowered wallpaper boarders and ugly countertops. The bedroom that would work best for the boys had had pink carpet and flowers on...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 19, 2013 | Friendship, Growth, Pain, seasons
As a young mom, I was in a small group ladies’ Bible study. One day I shared a concern about my little boy. I was discouraged and fearful about some patterns I saw forming in him, and I just wanted my sisters to pray for me.But these ladies wanted to advise more...
by Shannon Popkin | Nov 27, 2012 | Anxiety, Decor, Growth, Holidays, Kids' Perspective, Mistakes
I decided to have my boys help me with the Christmas decorating this year. But maybe I should have started with something like the stockings or the tree skirt. Clearly, setting up my village was more than they… or I… could handle.After giving some light...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 5, 2012 | Communication, Family, Growth, Humility, Leadership, seasons
On Sunday afternoon in a shallow area of Lake Michigan, I called my family in for a huddle. I challenged them all to a contest. For the next day and a half–the last moments of our summer vacation–we would only speak positive words. Any negatively spoken...
