Table Talk…
Friends, I need to apologize for my tardiness in getting this newsletter out to you. May was an absolutely bonkers month in between finishing the semester of seminary, a big meeting for work, some family issues, Kyle starting his new job, our move, getting a dog, and trying to wrap up the school year with the kids. I’m averaging about five hours of sleep a night, and I’m drinking waaaaay more coffee than water, but I keep telling myself: it’s June now. Summer’s coming. It’s almost over.
The problem with that, however, is that this lifestyle isn’t sustainable. We were not made for the hustle-and-grind culture we are living in, and I know that. I know that burnout is the inevitable destination of burning the candle at both ends. And yes, it’s totally countercultural. We are told we are not allowed to rest until we’ve worked, finished our tasks, proved our worth. But I’m here to tell you there’s a better way.
You deserve rest and joy and cozy vibes and connection and living slow and gentleness. So do I. We deserve to savor the hours instead of burning our way through them. We’ll be much happier doing our work, whatever that work might be, when we’re able to approach it from a place of deep rest and joy.
You don’t owe anyone a thing. You are worthy, just as you are, with however much you’ve done — or not done. You are not a machine. You are allowed to fill your own cup first. Cheers to living slow.
It’s Giveaway Time!
If you know me, you’ll know I am passionate about fair trade refers to a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices.
I also love handmade global goods because purchasing them are a great way to give business to the artisans who made them. This giveaway features products from India, Uganda, and Canada:
A colorful kantha dishtowel made from recycled Indian saris
A beautiful necklace made from hand-rolled Ugandan paper beads
Vegan leather earrings made by Canadian trafficking survivors
To enter the giveaway, visit online at Woorise campaigns. (Sharing it gives you extra entries, too!) Giveaway closes June 19, 2021 at 11:30 pm and a winner will be chosen & contacted soon after.
5 Things That Are Giving Me Life This Month…
The new family movie The Mitchells vs the Machines on Netflix. It is absolutely hilarious, and both the preschooler and teenager loved it. I laughed just as much as they did (if not more!) and we’ve already rewatched it multiple times.
Lib Lou Market’s newest products. They curate beautiful, handmade products from around the world, and with each purchase, you are empowering artisans, their families and their communities. You can shop from their Facebook page, which has some exclusive products, or via their website.
Following along with the Great Cicada Brood X! I’ve always lived north of where the cicadas come out, and have not realized just what a big ordeal it is! A lot of friends are posting pictures of it, and I just read a beautiful piece on the Washington Post about how meaningful this is to a mama who lost her son.
This cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s Our House, by The Head and the Heart.
The Pentecost sermon by Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry:
In Case You Missed It…
As an adoptive mother, celebrating Birth Mother’s Day is very important to me. I wrote a letter to my daughter’s mother this year.
I posted about the radical roots of Mother’s Day
I shared a bit of my story for Mental Health Month
I wrote some thoughts about what it’s like for our family in this season
Young Living Oils…
What's in my current Young Living box? Soooo many goodies! I keep telling you: Young Living is not just oils!
Hand soap (we love the Luscious Lemon in the spring and summer!)
Our favorite emotional support oil, White Angelica
Seedlings baby wipes (which I use to remove my makeup and soothe skin that’s been in the sun too long)
Seedings Calm (our nighttime diffuser blend)
A ton of freebies because YL is so good to us! Kyle has a YL account too, so we get DOUBLE the rewards every month!
If you're not on ER, why the heck not?? There are so many goodies you can get for FREE! Let me help hook you up!
Essential Rewards offers you a percentage back for each month you order, plus promos each month and free products along the way! Does your favorite subscription reward program do that? My favorite bulls-eye store only offers 5% (still love you, Tar-jay) & Kyle and I are earning 25% back with YL after more than a year.