Audra Jennings

More for Moms: Living Your Whole and Holy Life By Kristin Funston Abingdon Press Tour dates: April 9-23 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP! About the book:   Reset your spiritual and emotional health with these steps. More for Mom  will encourage women to stop believing the lie that more is needed from them, and start living with the truth that more is available for them. With real-life talk, humor and convicting biblical truths, Kristin Funston helps hard working mamas to look at each day and each facet of their life to discover what happens when they believe God has more for them than what they think the world needs from them. And what He has available is a whole and holy life, just waiting to be claimed–a salvation and day-to-day reality complete just as it is. The pieces of

This post amounts to nothing whatsoever other than a little rambling. For the life of me, I don't understand why when replying to an email some people will call me Audrey. I mean my name is right there in the email address and signature. More than one person has done that this week.  I almost replied back to "Marie" instead of "Mary" to see if one person would correct me. Secondly, I am puzzled about how many people think or assume I teach school. Obviously, they don't pay attention to me on Facebook. This has happened a couple of times in the span of a week. Yes, one semester 17 years ago I taught school. However, some of these are people that met me in the past year.  So, just to confirm, I'm not Audrey the teacher.

Some things shouldn't exist because they are just too good, yet really bad for you. Case in point: This is a Samoa frappuccino. Coconut mocha coffee. Chocolate and caramel drizzle with Girl Scout Samoa cookie crumbs sprinkled on top.  I do try to get one each year during Girl Scout cookie season, but it's so indulgent, I usually limit it to one per year. They make these at our "We Proudly Serve Starbucks" here in town, but I am sure some places somewhere might do the same.

via GIPHY Jumping right into tonight's episode of The Bachelor... Poor Miss Alabama (sic) woke up emotionally exhausted. When Chris Harrison arrives, he asks her how it's going and her answer is that things were said about her that weren't true and never should have been said. (It also doesn't help that he called Hannah by Caelynn's name which she was prompt to correct.) Miss North Carolina is over it. Chris announces there is no date today. Instead, it is a travel day. They are headed to a place they've never gone on the show before... Singapore. The women are super duper excited. They leave in an hour, so they better go pack quickly. Colton sets out seeing the sites of the city on his own first. He talks about how he knows the Miss America drama is what it is, and he'll have to try to keep the drama out of it. The women are guzzling down some pink drinks at the Fairmont hotel and are thrilled by their suite. They are gathered around when

I shared this song not too long ago, but this is one of their favorites. This time I made them smile when they sang. It made all the difference! Step by Step Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you. Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you. I will seek you in the morning, and I will learn to walk in your ways. And step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days. And I will follow you all of my days. And I will follow you all of my days. And step by step you'll lead me, and I will follow you all of my days.

Thanks to the Marie Kondo series on Netflix, everyone on Facebook is going on and on about tidying up. Every weekend for me has turned into a new mess to tidy up. However, it's not from eliminating anything.  What's kind of funny is that in all my circles all the memes are about Marie Kondo saying you should only have 30 books in your house. Existing among book lovers, you know people are disagreeing about that part. I added to my hoard this week by something like 240. Because I was looking for solid books and Dad was being antsy about it, I ordered 73 on an "Or Best Offer" auction on eBay. Those arrived by mail on Friday. They'd been in transit for probably close to two weeks. Sometime after I bought those, one of the libraries my parents had stopped by and talked to contacted me saying they had some books. I thought I was going to have to buy those (at a good price), but they decided to give them to us. What started as, "Oh we have 50-60,&q

Back in the fall at one of our shows, I asked one of the vendors to make something special. Bruce of Just Tigging Around  had a really beautiful lily piece that sat on a shelf or table, but I wanted a lily on a stick to go with the hummingbird I had gotten the year before. Knowing how busy he was, I knew it would be a while before he could work it out. This week, I got it in the mail! These pictures are horrible, and I can't wait to be able to put it outside in one of my big flower pots. Except they are covered with frost blankets right now.  These are all made with silverware - spoon, fork and knife handles. Head over to their Facebook page to see some of their other pieces. 

Important Lessons for Teens to Learn about Christ-Honoring Romance Valentine’s Day focuses on love and romance, but do today’s teens truly understand what that means? In a generation where the culture has stolen real romance, and when it comes to sex, anything goes, parents and youth leaders must look for opportunities to talk to teens and model love that brings glory to God. What are some of the ways they can be exposed to romance that honors Christ? Teaching a biblical view of romance is more than simply having “The Talk.” We live in a world of broken relationships and hurting people, and it can seem as though heartache is all around us, marriages are doomed from the beginning and relationships aren’t worth the risk. However, Rhonda Stoppe , author of Real-Life Romance: Inspiring Stories to Help You Believe in True Love (Harvest House), sets out to show that heart-fluttering, long-lasting love is all around us, if we just take the time to look for it. It’s an importa

TYING THEIR SHOES A Christ-Centered Approach to Preparing for Parenthood by Rob and Stephanie Green NOW AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW! CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A COPY. About the book: Through a gospel-centered approach to parenting,  Tying Their Shoes  by Rob and Stephanie Green lays the foundation for expecting parents to welcome a new addition into their home in light of the gospel. First-time, soon-to-be parents and parents expecting an additional child will find Christ-centered hope, practical advice, and encouragement toward parental unity in this invaluable resource.  Authors Rob and Stephanie Green know a baby brings many wonderful changes for both biological and adoptive parents. While other parenting resources help expectant parents prepare for the physical and emotional work of parenting, the Greens address the all-important spiritual foundation needed for parenting. They help parents understand and apply the gospel—the best resource to ground couples in their r

To finish out 2018, I received a jury duty summons in the mail (on December 31). It's been a couple of years since the last time I got one from any court, so I was due. Today was the day that I was supposed to go. The whole experience usually gets at least one good blog post out of it. It's an absolute time suck that means a day of no productivity. But alas, readers of this blog, today is your lucky day. I called into the recorded message yesterday and was elated to find out that jury duty had been cancelled, so no interesting stores here tonight. Move it along. ;) Now, I can't say that the day was completely productive because it wasn't, but more so than if I had been stuck at the courthouse trying to avoid certain people (which happened last time). So, in lieu of writing a new, funny post, I have link back to the blog posts for the time I did serve on a jury just to give you a reminder that at one time my blog was occasionally entertaining.  If you have neve

It's supposed to get uber dramatic tonight on The Bachelor . Sydney hopes the drama is over. Hasn't she ever watched this show? We start off with Chris Harrison arriving with the first date card. He hands it off and quickly ducks out the door. "Katie, Heather, Hannah B., Courtney, Kirpa, Tracy, Demi, Caelynn... I'm looking for life's greatest treasure. - Colton" Hannah B. (Miss AL) was hoping Caeylnn (Miss NC) would not be on her group date. The feeling was mutual. The load up and go to some pirate dinner show theater (think Medieval Times or Dixie Stampede) where he does a little acting. Colton's "friends" are going teach them how to be pirates. They head off to get into costume, then go into "training." There are competitions to knock each other off of beams. Hannah tries to beat the snot out of Caelynn. Then Caelynn and Colton have a moment. Hannah about has a conniption. The pirates choose Tracy and Caelynn to spend

Sanctuary By John W. Thompson; © Kruger Organisation Used by permission. CCLI # 1132191 (girls echo) Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary Pure and holy, tried and true. With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living Sanctuary for You. It was you Lord, who sent the Savior Heart and soul Lord, to every man. It is you Lord, who knows my weakness, You refine me with Your own hand. Lead me on Lord, through my temptations You refine me from within Fill our hearts with the Holy Spirit, And take all our sins away. Lord teach Your children, t o stop the fighting, And start uniting, all as one. Let’s get together, loving forever Sanctuary, for You. And when He comes with shouts of glory And our work on earth is done O, how I long to hear Him saying, “Faithful servant well done.”

Last weekend, I posted the before photos of the latest mess I needed to clean up. Every time I get my house straightened up, I end up with another mess. After putting it off because I'm a procrastinator, I couldn't stand it any longer. After all, Dad brought over a piece of furniture I bought in September or October, and I had to get it in place out in the studio. I know Mom was tired of it in her garage.  Everyone on Facebook has been going on and on about watching Marie Kondo videos and getting rid of stuff. As I posted on Facebook, someone needed to watch the door because seeing my mess would give her an aneurysm.  By the way, I know it's because Netflix series everyone is talking about her, but the Gilmore Girls were making cracks about her two years ago on their revival. There was a big scene about all the things that did not bring Emily joy.  To find out what I got rid of, you have to scroll down.  I have a pile of cardboard boxes sitt

Just a few shots of Peyton playing basketball this week. Sports photography is not my next career move. Other than free throw shots (and even then), I get complete blurs whether I'm on the sports or automatic settings.  The good news: they won both games this week.

A few weeks ago, I saw on Facebook that Blue Bell had a new ice cream flavor coming out. Mardi Gras King Cake. I'm a believer in trying most (not all) new flavors of Blue Bell as long as pumpkin, gingerbread or marshmallows are not involved. It is described as, "A Mardi Gras inspired dessert made with a cinnamon cake flavored ice cream, tasty pastry pieces and a colorful cream cheese swirl with festive candy sprinkles." You had me at cream cheese. The sprinkle are purple. I loved cheese crown (danish) ice cream in Cincinnati. This has to be great, right? Wrong. The first time I tried it, it tasted like a candle. I guess a cinnamon candle. I guess that part was strong and for some reason I thought it tasted like a candle would. As I've eaten more of it (because I'm not going to throw it out), it's grown on me some. However, the texture is funky. The cream cheese doesn't swirl either. I wouldn't buy it again. I'll stick to Pecan Praline

If I were going to dye my hair, the color that I would pick sure wouldn't be "Bologna Blonde." I really do think my phone listens to me in my sleep and catches me on occasion snoring (when my head is stopped up or I end up on my back) and thereby thinks I need a sleep machine and a way to clean my CPAP. I mean, why else would I get those ads on Facebook? I sure haven't been searching for such things and have not talked about needing them. However, I must be age targeted right now for ads on social media for ads for hair color. On Facebook and Instagram both, I have had multiple hair dye ads come up, specifically for the color Bologna Blonde. I've seen other ads from other companies as well since. Why all of a sudden I'm getting hair dye ads on all my social media, I have no idea. I've not looked for hair color. I have not talked about my hair color. I have not posted about having grey popping out. Unlike other "big brother" type ads everyon

For the next couple of weeks my blog tour team is reviewing Who I Am with You  by Robin Lee Hatcher, her latest release from Thomas Nelson.  Learn a little bit more about the book below  and scroll down to enter the giveaway to win your own copy! About the book: For these two broken hearts, the first step toward love will be a huge leap of faith. Jessica Mason isn’t looking for love when she meets Ridley Chesterfield. Instead she is still reeling from the tragic, unexpected loss of her husband and daughter—and awaiting the arrival of her unborn child. Harboring the secret of her husband’s betrayal, her pain is deeper than anyone knows. Ridley Chesterfield is hiding out in Hope Springs, Idaho, avoiding a political scandal and the barrage of false media headlines that have tarnished his good name. The last thing Ridley wants is a relationship—but when fate leads Ridley to form a friendship with his reclusive and pregnant neighbor, he wonders if this small-to