Welcome To CornerStone Life
As women, we are multi-faceted. My hope is this blog will encourage you
and give you hope and direction in your life, home, and relationships.
Client Reviews
Brenda was able to work with me virtually (I live in NC) and give me simple action steps to make my home easier to clean. I’m a busy homeschool mom to 4 under 5 (and I run my own business) so finding a solution to make the housework faster and less overwhelming was a MUST. Brenda helped me pinpoint problems areas (my kitchen) and created a personalized strategy for decluttering and organizing my kitchen. Honestly that small session helped me so much—once I experienced the transformation in my kitchen, I found myself applying those principles to other areas of my
Creating Spaces to Nurture Your Home & Soul
How many of you have heard of the word hygge (HEW-guh)? Hygge is a concept from the people of Denmark. The Danish people have consistently been known to be the happiest people in the world over the last many years. One reason for that is hygge. This word that does not translate into English – to sum it up in 2 words – it’s cozy contentment. Basically a practice that centers on slow living, shared moments and fostered friendships. It nurtures beauty, contentment, and well-being. Something we all long for, right? So maybe you’re wondering … why does it matter?
What is Home Coaching?
Stop for a moment and visualize your home (did you really do it??) Now what feeling comes over you when you do that? Cozy, restful, and brings a smile to your face? Or do you feel overwhelmed, chaotic and basically, ugh?? I want to help you create a home that is a haven for you and your family when everyone comes in from their day. One where you enjoy inviting people over to hang out, knowing they will feel comfortable and at peace just from walking through the front door. How do we accomplish this? First is helping YOU define
First Steps to the Home Coaching Process
So, you’ve taken the first step and reached out to schedule a free consultation with me … now what? For our time to be most productive, here are some of the questions I will be asking you during our phone conversation. How do you feel when you walk into your home after a long day or maybe when coming home from vacation? How do you want to feel? In 3-5 words, describe how you want to feel or how you want others to feel upon entering your home? What is your #1 obstacle to creating the space you want? When
Writing Your Story in 10 Words
good girl … rebellious teen … restored … painful marriage … redeemed by Him Listening to “More Than Small Talk,” one of my favorite podcasts I’ve mentioned before, the hosts were talking about the stories of our lives. They challenged their listeners to write their own story in 10 words or less. You see mine above. In the podcast, they shared how sometimes we may have pages or chapters of our stories we wish we could tear out and re-write. And while we cannot re-write them, we can certainly re-frame them. This was a great exercise to stop for a
America … Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
I don’t know about you, but this year, our nation’s Independence holiday had more of an impact on me than ever before. If I had to guess, I would say it is because of the current state of our country and the direction we appear to be heading. This will not be a political post, simply my thoughts on how we as individuals, living our day to day lives, can make a difference. We must make a difference to ensure that America stays a land of the free and home of the brave for our children and grandchildren. The most
Home … Our Happy Place
Home … What feeling or emotion does that word conjure up in you? Maybe the home you grew up in was chaotic and full of all kinds of messiness. But what about the home you are in right now? Whether it is a studio apartment where you live by yourself or a 3000 square foot house with many bodies filling the space … what do you feel when you think of your home? And what do you want to feel? “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and
Imagining God
Close your eyes. Now I want you to imagine God. Does that sound silly? Or strange? Or scary?? Just try it. You might be surprised like I was! In my new favorite journal, The Next Right Thing Guided Journal (everyone needs one!), Emily P. Freeman includes what she calls a monthly practice. This month she suggests what I did above: Close your eyes … and imagine God. Why? Because as she says, “What we believe about God informs every aspect of our lives, including our decisions.” Before I share my experience with you, stop now, close your eyes and
The Gift of Friendship
This week I had the joy of spending several hours with a small group of women over dinner and gelato. Our friendship with each other dates back to the early ‘80s. We all met at the same church during our college or young married years. As I went to bed that night, I reflected on the life-giving evening and thanked God for the gift of these long-term friendships. Between the four of us, we represent almost 140 years of marriage, 11 children, and 12 grandchildren to date. We have lived a little bit of life. In our 20s we spent
Unexpected Changes ~ Making Something Other than Lemonade
We have all heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But when life recently dealt me some unexpected changes, I found I might be ready to make a totally new flavor instead of sticking with more of the same. I have been in the same line of work for over 25 years, retailing high fashion jewelry through a wonderful, Biblically-based direct sales company. This business changed and challenged me in so many ways from personal development skills to leadership to finding my extroverted side when called upon. It also incredibly blessed my family financially over the years.
Heart Communication with My Adult Children
Last week I was listening to the “More Than Small Talk” podcast and one of the hosts, Suzy Eller, said something that I cannot get out of my head. Which is a really good thing. In fact, I had to stop drying my hair, rewind it, and go write it in my journal. She was sharing about how this past year she had made some blunders with decisions and the people around her. As she had been praying about it, she has started running her words through this filter: “How would it make my heart feel if someone said to
A Look Back to Look Forward
Okay, so I’m a few weeks late with this post … but it’s still January so I think it is timely! For the past several years, somewhere in the last week of the year or the first week of the new year, I intentionally carve out a day to reflect and plan. Each year it seems to evolve a little more which has made it more meaningful as the years go by. I used to only look forward to plan my upcoming year. But when I added reflecting on the past year as well, it was a game changer. As
A Christmas Letter Legacy
I have always loved the power of the written word. As an avid reader, the words on a page can transport me to another place or teach me ideas in a whole new way. As a writer, they are a way for me to pass my experiences on to my reader in hope they find encouragement for their life. As a mom and wife, they are a way for me to bless, encourage and share a little wisdom with my family through the legacy of my words to them. Three years ago, I began the practice of writing each of
How I’m Refuting Election Fears
Four years ago this past summer, I was going through a personal crisis with fear. I had input coming in from several sources that were pushing my mind to unhealthy thoughts causing crippling fear and anxiety. Plus, it was an election year … need I say more?? As someone who had never dealt with these feelings in my 50+ years, I was totally taken off-guard. I wrote about that a bit in Fear … Living in an Uncertain World and the tools I used to get my mind back to thoughts that were healthy and pure. Since then, I have learned to
Beyond Your Borders
Are you familiar with that yearning to do something of significance with your life? Yes, we know we are making a difference in our family member’s lives, and possibly a few other close relationships. You may even possibly have a job that brings you fulfillment that way. But do you sometimes feel the need to do more, to reach beyond your borders on a larger scale? There are so many avenues to influence others and show the light of Jesus. It could be through using the creative talents God has blessed you with to share with the world. My youngest
A Time to Laugh
Life is hard. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. Every single one of us has experienced hard. Your hard may have lasted weeks, months, years or decades … it could still be in full swing right now. I know … I’ve been there too. The hard where you don’t know how you will make it through until the end of your days. But I have to tell you … a time to laugh and a time to dance and a time for happiness will come again. I didn’t believe it either, but now I’ve lived it. Hard
My Favorite Podcasts – Words That Fill My Soul
Now don’t laugh … but until about two years ago, I had no idea what a podcast was, where it was, how you would listen to it, and where you could learn about it. Yeah … a little behind the times! But now … I have found they are a great way to fill my soul on a regular basis. I may listen as I’m out on my morning walk (once it no longer feels like Death Valley outside!), while I’m putting on my make-up, or fixing dinner. So I thought I would just share a few of my favorites.
10 Steps for Healthy Conflict Resolution
Last weekend I experienced a beautiful thing. Back story: whenever one of our husband’s goes out of town, my sisters and myself, along with my mom, plan a girl’s weekend at the temporarily single person’s home. This time we were able to squeeze in a fun 24-hour get-away. We talk, play games, eat, share what’s going on in our lives, help and support each other through our current challenges usually including a time of prayer. Occasionally, a “discussion” arises that is unexpected and takes us by surprise. This was one of those times. But what I witnessed was beautiful healthy
The Value of a One-Word Prayer
We have all experienced times of great pain, disappointment, or confusion – and maybe you’re in one of those valley’s right now? I know when I have been in those seasons, there are times I cannot even form a sentence to pray to God. What I find myself saying over and over again is simply His name, “Jesus!” The value of that one-word prayer has sustained me many, many times. As I say His name over and over again, my mind will regularly tune into a song I sung throughout my childhood and thankfully, the words are still ingrained. “Jesus,
Be Present ~ What Does That Really Mean?
For the past few years, in early December I begin praying and thinking about what I want my “word” for the next year to be. Something that inspires me to more—a word that can be a filter for the way I live my life and the decisions I make. A couple years ago, God kept showing me, “Be Present.” But what does that really mean? As a Queen of multi-tasking, there were always things I could be “doing” when I was having a conversation with someone, both on the phone or in person. Because there was always more “to do” than
