Jennifer Schoonover | The Grit and Grace Project

What I Learned About Grief from My Dad’s Death

One year ago today, my dad died. It’s been one year since I have spoken to him, held his hand, or been annoyed by his incessant texts. To say that this last year has been a roller coaster of emotion would be quite an understatement. Some of the twists and turns I expected, but grief doesn’t play by the same rules as other emotions, so there have been several curve balls thrown in. Happy, sad, excited, mad—they are each their own entity. Grief, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. It’s all emotions wrapped up into one heavy word. Once grief enters your life, it doesn’t exit. It changes you in ways you could never imagine. Honestly, I believe that […]

What I Learned About Grief from My Dad’s Death Read More »

Has God Ignored Your Need for Support?

By Jennifer Schoonover / Faith

As I sit here gazing out the window of our motorhome, feeling a little sorry for myself, I was given the blessing of witnessing a precious encounter between two little girls. First, I was feeling sorry for myself because I am sick. I have been running a low-grade fever, coughing, and I feel like a tire that has a moderate leak in it, meaning I can’t do much without the need for a nap. I even had to nap after my shower. After a long bought of bad weather, it’s finally nice here. So, we get to go camping, but I end up sick…where is the justice? Alrighty, enough of my soapbox whining and on to this precious moment I had the

Has God Ignored Your Need for Support? Read More »

A Reminder on the Power of Your Words for Grit and Grace

By Jennifer Schoonover / Life & Culture

Words, I just love writing them with beautiful ink on exquisite paper. I like to experiment with different fonts on the iPad, or when writing them out on paper, see if I can give them extra character with a little flourish here or added post there. Words can contain such beauty when spoken and written with kindness and love. Words can mend broken relationships, heal broken hearts, and express our undying love. If used carelessly, however, they have the power to damage something priceless, the very center of the heart, of who we are, the soul. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me, we have no doubt sung this at one time or another, usually followed

A Reminder on the Power of Your Words for Grit and Grace Read More »

When Life Gives You Lemons, Reach Out to Your Friends

By Jennifer Schoonover / Relationships

In this life, the terrain is continually changing; we will climb mountains, skip through lush fields of wildflowers, traverse into deep valleys, and try to navigate our way through dry desert sand. Each with its own beauty and hardship. As difficult as these paths can be at times, we need to make sure we aren’t trying to go it alone. We should take our own advice. You know, what you tell your kids when they head out the door on an adventure, “Don’t go anywhere alone. Remember to use the buddy system.” Now don’t get me wrong, sometimes we need a little time out, some solitude, to do a little self-reflection and see where we should be showing ourselves some grace. Most of

When Life Gives You Lemons, Reach Out to Your Friends Read More »

When Winter Gets You Down and You Need the Sunshine

By Jennifer Schoonover / Life & Culture

For those who don’t live in a dark and dreary place most of the year, you won’t be able to relate to this article. If you do, I’ll expect an “Amen” when you’re done reading. I reside in the middle of nowhere, in the upper left corner of the lower 48. I truly love where I live, most of the year. We’re located in a breathtakingly beautiful land, where you can be in the mountains and 30 minutes later be at the beach. Opportunities to get outside and just enjoy creation are endless. There are great places to hike with amazing views that are ever changing, as well as, lakes, rivers, and the Pacific Ocean to enjoy, bike paths and parks and

When Winter Gets You Down and You Need the Sunshine Read More »