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Special Occasion

Announcement: December Break

We took a break earlier this year, in May, and a lot has happened for both Emily and Melissa since then! We’re taking the month of December off from The Valley ministry to give ourselves–and you–a chance to rest and be refreshed as we spend time with friends and family, celebrate our Savior’s birth, and […]

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Wednesday Writings

You Can Have It, Lord: A Poem of Relinquishment in Chronic Illness

Last week we looked at how to find grace, joy, and peace in chronic illness based on Elisabeth Elliot’s short devotional about the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford: by receiving what God has given us and by relinquishing what He takes from us. As I meditated on Elisabeth Elliot’s […]

Categories
Wednesday Writings

To Receive and To Relinquish: Finding Grace, Joy, and Peace in Chronic Illness

I recently started reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book Secure in the Everlasting Arms, a collection of short devotional thoughts from the newsletter she wrote for almost twenty years. The very first entry hit me square between the eyes.  The Lot We’re Dealt The entry is titled “Whatever My Lot” and, after giving a brief, personal backstory […]

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Songs on Saturday

Songs on Saturday: It Is Well With My Soul

Scripture tells us that, under the control of the Holy Spirit, we should be “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). May you be encouraged by the spiritual truth in this song! It Is Well With My Soul words by Horatio […]

Categories
Women in the Valley

Women in the Valley: Rebecca’s Story

Thank you, Rebecca, for sharing your story with us! Tell us about yourself! “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” Christopher Robin Hi, my name is Becky. I currently live in the piedmont of North Carolina, although I spend my best days hiking in the Smokey Mountains amidst […]

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Embrace Wednesday Writings

Making Yourself at Home in Chronic Illness, Part 3

Two weeks ago we looked at the context for Jeremiah’s letter to the Jewish captives and God’s message to them (and us): stop panicking, pick up your hammer, and make yourself at home. In other words, don’t fight what is part of God’s plan for good. We also saw how part of making ourselves at […]

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Embrace Wednesday Writings

Making Yourself at Home in Chronic Illness, Part 2

Last week we looked at the context for Jeremiah’s letter to the Jewish captives and God’s message to them in Jeremiah 29: stop panicking, pick up your hammer, and make yourself at home. In other words, don’t fight what is part of God’s plan for good. But God had another message to give to His […]

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Embrace Wednesday Writings

Making Yourself at Home in Chronic Illness, Part 1

I recently read through the book of Jeremiah in my morning devotions, and God gave me a load of encouragement from Jeremiah 29. I took tons of notes and am excited to share those notes with you in the hopes they can encourage you too.  A Message for the Needy First of all, let’s set […]

Categories
Wednesday Writings

Life Is Good Even When It’s Hard

One of the things I’ve noticed in the almost-five months since my move, more than ever before in my life, is the juxtaposition life can offer of hard and good at the same time.  Some weeks ago I was talking about it with my mom, and she said (in paraphrase, since I don’t remember her […]

Categories
Songs on Saturday

Songs on Saturday: Nearer, My God, to Thee

Scripture tells us that, under the control of the Holy Spirit, we should be “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19). May you be encouraged by the spiritual truth in this song! Nearer, My God, to Thee words by Sarah Flower […]