24 Apr 2017

A book for every woman

by Kimberly | posted in: Books, life together, Women | 0

Women’s ministries come and women’s ministries go. I mean churches always minister to women, some way, good or bad. But through the years we have seen many fads come and go out of the church.

But, if there is any book, that can be used by all women, young or old, to learn how God wants her to live in relationship with other women in and outside of the church, it is Adorned.

First, its a beautiful book. And its thick – there are 350 pages. And even though its long, all of it is so good. I’ve underlined so much

Second, its written by Nancy Demoss Wolgemuth. She has spent most of her life in ministry with women as a single. Now, she is still ministering to women as a married woman, who also ministers to her husband. She is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.

She gears her book to women, young and old. Each chapter can be read through eyes of faith, trying to live to spur each other on, to love and good deeds.

So, if you are in women’s ministry, or leading a women’s ministry at your church, I would get this book and devour it, answering the questions, going through it with your ministry team, encourage your pastor to read it for him to get an idea of what women’s ministry should look like.

This doesn’t tell you exactly how you should plan every event or what events you should have, but it gives you biblical guidelines about the personality or reason behind your women’s ministry.

Every women’s ministry should include: Teaching the word in a way that will grip the lives of your women. Time to build meaningful authentic relationships (not all teaching, but good relationship building time too). Multi-generational. And, as a side note to me: some celebrative worship and childcare! But, it is all about living out the Bible in authentic ways to other women, celebrating the Gospel!

Thanks Moody for this wonderful book. All opinions are my own.

17 Sep 2015

Blogtember: My Latest Obsession

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, marriage | 2

Obsession is a strong word. Hmmmm…I’ve got one main one. Its been my latest obsession for the past 4.5 years now.

My mister. As we come up on our 4 year wedding anniversary, I’d have to say he gets better with age. I can say he’s in his 40s because he is and I’m not…I’m such a baby compared to him (ha!)

He is definitely my better half. He is the caring, shepherding person who makes any and every church that he is a part of more wonderful. He listens to people. He cares about them. He takes what they say to heart.

He is an amazing musician. Its like he doesn’t have to work at it. It just flows from him – like worship. Though I know he does work at it – it is more a part of him. He loves playing with his favorite musicians: Erica, Nathan, Tim…and some penny whistle action by Phil.

He is a humble man of God who seeks to lead me gently and lead our children well. They will know patience by knowing their daddy.

I do not get enough time with this man. But, tonight, after he got back from a concert…he tasted the food I cooked, helped with cleanup, fixed my knife block, and now we are sitting on the couch both working on our computers.

He is amazing. I’m obsessed with him. And will be for the next 60 years so Lord willing.

15 Sep 2015

Transformation Tuesday: Community and Weight Loss

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, weight loss | 0

Hi friends. Welcome back for another edition of Transformation Tuesday, where I talk about all things in this healthy living lifestyle. I’ve hit a plateau in weight loss which I knew would be coming since I’m getting down to a healthy weight anyway. But, I’ve still got about 7 lbs to go and I’m not giving up!

This is a tough topic because we all have food loves and food issues. But, what I want to talk about today is the importance that community plays in your weight loss journey. I’ve been involved in weight watchers several times, and that has shown me how helpful it is to have people around you that have the same goals. This applies in many different avenues in life: parenting, job related skills, creative outlets, runners groups, etc.

Why is this the case?

Motivation. I have found when I have people around me who have similar lifestyle and health goals it is easier to pursue my goals. I think that is one reason I knew that my mister was on the one for me. Now my mister does not have trouble with weight and can eat anything. But, he likes healthy foods (and still eats what I bake) and he always wants to be active. We love to hike together, even now with our boys, and he could eat grilled salmon and other whole foods ALL THE TIME. For me, I knew I didn’t want to marry someone who really struggled with their weight. I needed someone who could spiritual and actively lead me in this area because I knew it was a stronghold in my life. Just like if you have money spending issues, you don’t want to marry someone who also has a heavy hand when it comes to credit cards. I love that we pursue an active and healthy life together – and still enjoy some summer ice cream cones and celebratory food days too. So, when it comes to friends, it is easier for me to surround myself with people with similar interests and goals: active lifestyle people, healthy cooking, knowledge of their bodies and why we should take care of them. Not that you can’t go out and have a cookie together – but not letting one cookie lead to indulging every day in baked sweets. Another example: if you are an alcoholic, if you are trying to break the addiction, you don’t want to hang out with other people who drink too much.
Challenge. I am a competitive person, we’ve talked about that before. Right now, I have a “bet” going on with a friend in another state. She asked me to help her with accountability so that’s what we are going to do. But, we have the same goal weight number in mind for a short term goal and we weigh the exact same thing. So, I asked her if we could put a wager on it: whoever gets their first gets a 10$ gift card from other to Target. Perfect! Game on! I love people who push me in running. When I started running, I had three friends who were so pivotal in that: Sarah, Sloan, and Sarah (another one). I was single and could run anytime I wanted, but it was good to have running buddies and people to do races with. I don’t have that here. I miss that. I do love running by myself, but I don’t have anyone locally to challenge me in that area. In every area I’ve lived since I’ve had athletic people around me to challenge me and help me succeed – that is something I desire here as well. Its important.
Encouragement. One of the nicest things a family member said to me when I first lost a TON of weight back in college was absolutely transformational for me. But the comment that got me to a point in life that I knew I needed to lose the weight was awful and I remember it to this day. I want to encourage others, not make people feel bad about themselves. I want to push people to meet their goals in weight loss. I want to keep them on the right track. I want to help them see the spiritual side of the struggle of weight loss and taking care of our bodies in a God-glorifying manner (I’ve got a book in the works if anyone wants to publish it.) I find even a simple text or a note to accomplish this. A friend and I text almost every day to see how we are doing eating and exercising. It is good accountability. And if we have had a bad day – we don’t yell at each other in all caps: we tell ourselves that the next meal is a new chance to be healthy – and get to that gym – even for 15 minutes. I can not tell you enough how much positive reinforcement helps in this area. My mister has learned this. I often am a comfort food eater. He has learned not to criticize me in that moment, but talk to me gently and help me to see other ways of coping with whatever is going on – and if I do still mess up, he forgives me quickly and champions me in ways I’m being healthy and meeting my goals.

27 Feb 2014

kd316 Photography: Sweetheart Shoot: Gina & Brad

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, marriage, photo shoot | 1

Marshmallows. You normally don’t think of the gooey sugary treat as being something that will bind friends together. But, before I met my husband, I made marshmallows from scratch for the first time and put it on my blog. When we came to Arkansas in view of a call for our church, Gina, the wonderful spunky lady in these photos, came up to me and said, “I think we are going to be friends, you make marshmallows.”
And yes, we are friends, and love to make marshmallows together. Thankful to her and Brad, their story, and the Shoe – all their children that God has blessed them with. For these photos we went to downtown Mabelvale, the booming metropolis, and enjoyed the trees, benches, church, bbq joint, and a set of railroad tracks.

Thank you Gina & Brad for letting me share your life with my readers!

22 Nov 2013

Truly Families: The Cranford Family

by Kimberly | posted in: Arkansas, life together, photo shoot, Truly Families | 0

I love getting to know families: how they interact, how they laugh, how they love! This family is no different. It was a cold day here in Little Rock the day that we had scheduled photos. Their kiddos were troopers. I loved how the parents stayed calm and peaceful in talking with their children even in fussy times. It was a blessing to see. And to photograph!

Contact me at kimddavidson @ gmail dot com if you would like a photography session for any reason.

7 Aug 2013

Marriage, Ministry and Hospitality

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, marriage, Uncategorized | 0

Eating, and hospitality in general, is a communion, and any meal worth attending by yourself is improved by the multiples of those with whom it is shared.

Jesse Browner

Marriage includes many joys!

One of the highlights of marriage and ministry for my husband is the idea and general enthusiasm I have for hospitality. He is a very hospitable person – but how “odd” is it for a family from your church to come to lunch at the home of a bachelor? Even one who keeps his home immaculately and can cook a great meal. E was grateful for marriage for many reasons but one of them was his increased opportunity to practice hospitality. I’m all for it.

Most anytime I mention an idea I have to practice hospitality, my husband gives me the thumbs up. Here are some that we’ve had the joy to do in our home, yes, with an infant, yes, moving to a new town.

1. Write the Word parties: where a group of women come over one night every other month to talk about the word and write out or journal a specific book of the Bible. All I need is chairs and maybe extra pens. What is optional: coffee, tea, water, evening goodies. My husband hangs out with the little mister so I can focus on talking with the women who come over.

2. Worship Ministry Birthday Parties: My husband is a worship pastor and loves pastoring those in the choir and orchestra. And I am not a part of his choir, but I do want to be involved in his ministry. So, each month we pick a night to have the birthday people for that month (and their immediate families) over for a dessert time. I love to bake – sometimes I get to be creative, sometimes I don’t. But each month it has been a joy to get to know families – no matter how many birthday people can make it that month.

3. Men’s Discipleship Groups: Every other week my husband would meet with a group of men from the church to discuscuss a book on church ministry and leadership. I loved exploring some new breakfasts with this group, but I have to admit this one was the hardest because I experienced first trimester through this one. Early mornings were rough, but the men were gracious as was my husband. They survived some weeks on bagels or store bought muffins. And with this one, much of it could be prepared the night before and ready for Eric to welcome them in the morning.

4. Hang Out times: This one I’m sure many of you do anyway. I love being able to have women in our home during the day while E is at work. Baby can be sleeping, or other babies can come along and join in on the fun. Especially helpful if you just have something to drink on hand – but that is not necessary either. Fellowship in your home doesn’t require anything but an open door and a welcome smile.

5. Sunday Lunches: Our Sundays are long days as you can imagine, but the crockpot comes in handy for this one! Or you can always pick up a pizza on the way home! Pick a different single, couple, or family. This one with my family where it is right now is easy – because right when we get home little mister goes to bed, so he sleeps through almost anything. The afternoon is cozy and good for conversation. We don’t do this one a lot because of the hecticness of Sundays, but it is fun when it happens.

6. Porch Nights: This one is about to start. We have many single ladies in our church and I love ministering to them, discipling them, and getting to know them. We have a great porch with plenty of room. So, we are having a quarterly theme for the single ladies to get together and hang out – no agenda necessary. We are doing appetizers in August.

This post was meant to be a help to you – to know that you don’t have to have a big house, lots of money, a love for cooking, or home decorating to practice hospitality. I love opening our home to others. And God gives us the command to be hospitable to others! Have fun fulfilling this command!

6 May 2013

Mirroring Christ in our Hospitality

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, Women, Worship | 0

There are probably people we know, men and women, who are amazing at showing hospitality. There was a lady in our church growing up who was fabulous at this. She welcomed everyone in the church and was a fabulous cook as well. My mentor is incredible in this skill as well: cooking, opening her door, opening a bed or place to sleep for guests, praying over her guests, etc. I learned much of my “activity” of hospitality from them. Thankful.

Our church’s women’s ministry just had a night of learning about hospitality. I was not able to go but you can find some of the handouts from the sessions on our women’s blog. I’ve written much about hospitality, but what does it mean in a more spiritual sense? Meaning, the hospitality that God shows for us?

An illustration you might understand before I get to Tripp’s quote: Some people you welcome into your home with welcome arms. You can’t wait to go out of your way for them, sit and talk for hours, invite them into your heart and home. Others, you tolerate. You really could have them leave at any time, don’t care if they stay or go. Really, if you are honest, you wish you could probably just show them the door quickly after dinner was open. (If you are reading this with dropped jaw in disbelief that anyone could ever have such a thought toward another person – look at your own life. This is where sanctification comes in. I’m not perfect. Spirit is still working).

Well, as Tripp says in his book, Dangerous Calling, Christ doesn’t just tolerate us:

“One of the sweetest blessings of the cross of Jesus Christ is that the curtain of separation has been torn in two. No longer are the holy places open only to the high priest once a year. No, now each of God’s children has been welcomed to come with confidence into God’s presence, and not just once a year.”

“We, with all of our sin, weakness, and failures are welcome to do what should blow our minds. We are not only tolerated by God at a distance; no, we are welcomed into intimate personal communion with the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the creator, the sovereign, the Savior. We, as unholy as we are, are told to go with confidence into his holy presence.”

– Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling, p. 197.

Live welcomed.

23 Apr 2013

Family Ministry Today: Meals and Media

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, parenting, restaurants, Uncategorized | 2

Meal time has often been considered one of the most needful times when connecting with your family. Whether you eat at home at the table, in the living room, in the car, or at a restaurant, meal time is important. You can make it either meaningful or literally a waste of time (except for filling bellies). What are some issues concerning meal times and what can we as parents do?

1. Media. Mostly I mean television – and I’ll start with home. Rarely do my husband and I eat in front of the television. I can probably count on one hand the times we’ve done that in 19 months of marriage. But, growing up we did that more times than we didn’t. It was acceptable and counted on to eat while watching a Mets game, the news, or sitcoms. Television watching at home provides a means to have no conversation and to also not think about what you are eating.

2. Social Media or Telephones. I rarely remember a meal when the phone didn’t ring in our house growing up and someone didn’t get up to answer it. It speaks of what is more important: the person on the phone or those you are eating with. There may be times when emergencies happen and you must do that – but I would say those are rare. Parents: leave your phones in another room or turn them off. Eat with your family: be all there. If your children do have phones or other handheld media devices, have them turn them off or don’t allow them to interact with them during a meal time.

3. Restaurants. Last night my husband and I went to Carino’s for dinner. We sat in the bar area and I sat facing the news channel. They were focusing on a sex crime/murder trial. I didn’t know anything about it but caught myself glancing up every now and then. By the end of the meal I had mentioned it to Eric just as a way of soundbite. It didn’t do anything to fuel our conversation, but sometimes it does. If you are out with small children: go to a place without a tv or sit in a place where they can’t see it. You usually have no control what is going to be shown and therefore can’t be on guard against what your children (or you) might see. I often am saddened by couples or families that sit in almost silence at restaurants. They rarely talk with each other and are instead engrossed in their phones or just staring at their meals.

4. Use meal times strategically. You can teach young children responsibility and what is important. You can make meal times a priority for your family and a chance to have great conversation about their day and your day and what you read in the Word that day or use some books to fuel conversation. Nancy Guthrie has a book on dinner table devotions that would be an excellent choice. Eric and I use a grouping of memory verses to read and pray through before the meal.

Whatever you do, don’t let meal times be stolen away by society. Use them for your family’s strength and God’s glory.

30 Jan 2013

life together: the isaacson girls

by Kimberly | posted in: life together, mothering, photo shoot | 0

Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters.

S and A and their mom Jennifer are such sweet dear people. Jennifer and I go way back (to her middle school days) and I love the fact that me and my son get to be a part of their lives. For this session we were in Palm Coast, FL at Princess Place Preserves – never been there, want to go back. It is such an old Florida place – trees, moss, water, not a bazillion tourists around! Then we trekked back to St. Augustine and had lunch at her parent’s place and played on the beach with the seagulls!

Such sweet time!

life together

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