Life with Sally

Cultivating Deep Friendships Through Teatime Discipleship

We all long for kindred spirits — those with whom we could spend hours dreaming, laughing, and sharing our heart's troubles. But many people I know struggle to find those kindred spirits. Living our busy lives, we hope that lifelong friendships will fall into our lap, or come knocking at our front door. But over many years of struggling with loneliness myself, I've found that the best way to cultivate a true, deep-rooted friendship is to commit to seeking them out, intentionally going out of our way to invite a new friend over for a cup of tea and a deep discussion.

24 Family Ways: Loving God By Loving Others

At this time in history, where very little is considered sacred or holy, we must seek diligently to create not just knowledge of what the word holy means, but to place tangible practices in our lives where we and our children come to learn that some things are sacred and set apart and deserve our reverence and worship.

Trusting God When Your World is Falling Apart With Ruth Schwenk - Episode #476

Anyone who is seasoned in their faith has become used to trials, difficulties and hard times. Yet, it is how they responded to their stress and challenges that makes them worthy to follow.

Faithful: The Secrets of a Blessed Life - Episode #475

Awaking Wonder: Resist Conforming to Worldly Patterns, Follow the Jesus Way & With Jamie Martin - Episode #474

Refresh, Restore, Relax: Life is a Marathon - Episode #473

We are all human beings—fragile—and limited. We need to take time to refresh, relax and restore. From time to time, when my four were much younger, and I had pushed them to their limits during the day without a nap, too much activity, beyond their bedtime, too much sugar, and sometimes with lots of over-stimulation, bedtime would be impossible.

Awaking Wonder: Giving the Gift of Faith & Cookies - Episode #472

Today, on my podcast, I will read a portion of Awaking Wonder, that gets to the heart of this message. This world is hostile to the gospel love and message of Jesus, in general. But each person you see was made to know God. As we get to know Him, our hearts will change. He will fill us with His love, His generosity, a willingness to lay down our lives, our pride and to humbly reach out to others.

Awaking Wonder: Beauty Ignites A Desire to Learn - Episode #471

Awaking Wonder, for us, was often simply opening our eyes to the beauty around us, then diving into whatever that beauty caused us to wonder about!

Finding a Way Forward: Misfits in Storms of Life - Episode #470

Feeling like a misfit is also something I have dealt with for many years. I am an idealist and passionate about living life purposefully in a world that is violent, relentless, filled with conflict and argumentative. This drains me to my toenails. And yet, from feeling this way before, I know that I am in good company—Job despaired of his life while being one of the godliest men on earth, same with Elijah, Jeremiah and more.

Home Sweet Home, The Place That Holds and Embraces Me

Secret to Awaking Wonder to Learning - Episode #468

As we evaluate how to love our children and students well, we must ask ourselves, 'Do they believe and feel I have their best interests in mind, or do they think I have my own agenda for them?' 'Do they understand that even though they struggle, I am here to help them succeed?' 'Is their heart open to my instruction, or is there a wedge of resistance that I need to figure out and address?'"

Awaking Wonder: The Secret of Loving Children Well - Episode #467

As we evaluate how to love our children and students well, we must ask ourselves, 'Do they believe and feel I have their best interests in mind, or do they think I have my own agenda for them?' 'Do they understand that even though they struggle, I am here to help them succeed?' 'Is their heart open to my instruction, or is there a wedge of resistance that I need to figure out and address?'"

Special: A wonder-filled Conference! Register Today with Anne Mille - Episode #466

Anne Miller has been hosting home education conferences in Virginia for tens of thousands for many years. She has hosted speakers from every background and given her life to mentor and encourage families. I will, of course, be speaking from our family's philosophy of home education and discipleship, (Whole Hearted Learning Model). But you will be hearing from many inspirers from different philosophies. I have discovered that when I engage with experienced educators, I always learn something and stretch my own capacity and skill levels. I can't wait to listen!

Friends, Friends, Friends! A conversation With Jennifer Pepito - Episode #465

A favorite memory of mine, was being with my sweet friends from the Wild and Free Community both in the States and in the UK—Stratford on Avon. What a beautiful group of women. One of the highlights was to meet wonderful Jennifer Pepito. We were kindred spirits immediately. I know you will enjoy our podcast together today.

Awaking Wonder Launch Day: Opening Your Child's Heart to the Beauty of Learning - Episode #464

Today, I would like to share a part of the story of my first chapter with you so that you can enter into our wonder-filled story of an unforgettable evening as we cuddled together in the Colorado Mountains. (And you can listen to me tell it on the podcast today.)

Take Courage, Dear Heart & Awaking Wonder At Home Conference - Episode #463

Today, as you face these circumstances, may you find purpose and live into your capacity to keep going to keep spreading light, to be patient, to invest your love in young hearts. He trusted us with these times, that in His strength, we would be able to endure with grace and live in the realty of His light.

Awaking Wonder Together At Home: Registration Begins Thursday, August 13 - Episode #462

In a series of twelve short video visits in different rooms of her home, I will share how she awakened wonder as a mother. Awaking Wonder at Home Together videos will let you walk with Sally, along with Clay and their grown children—Sarah, Joel, Nathan, and Joy—as she recalls the blessings and beauty of awaking wonder at home in the Clarkson family.

Awaking Wonder: Grace & Peace from Sarah Mackenzie - Episode #461

Grace and Peace, Grace and Peace…….a song from Fernando Ortega wafted through my home on many occasions. How we need to be around people who offer us a breath, a kiss on our cheek, an angel friend who brings grace to us in spite of our challenges, imperfections or just thoughts that must be shared with a kindred spirit. Such is sweet Sarah Mackenzie. We had so much fun talking that we are doing 2 podcasts, one on hers and one on mine—and an instagram live.

Awaking Wonder: Never Ending Discipleship, Part 2 Character & Faith - Episode #460

Part two of our discussion on shaping character and inspiring faith, we share about the struggles of having different "out of the box" children and how the life of Christ shows us the path of reaching their hearts. There is no formula, but a path of life formed brick by brick. My friends and I share book resources and practical ways that we incorporated scripture discussion, and built in habits and rhythms of being in the Word as a family.

Awaking Wonder: Shaping Character, Inspiring Faith Part 1 - Episode #459

One of the gifts we have as parents is the laying of foundations of faith in the lives of our children. I am back with my friends talking on the podcast today about building a life of faith with your children. Awaking their hearts to wonder, truth, beauty, and goodness is a call for all parents no matter what educational path you take. We share practical ways of how we shared scripture in our homes, walked through difficult seasons, and incorporated faith into all areas of our lives and home. We hope you are encouraged to see beyond education as merely test scores and accumulation of facts, to the intentional passing on of wisdom and following Christ.