Coffee With Kris

25/01/2024

You can BREW It!
Enjoy the journey and be encouraged! ☕❤️

17/12/2023

Finally! A long anticipated & much needed date night! You excitedly climb into the car and then, it starts...

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't care, what do you want to do?"

"I don't care, I'd really just like for you to pick."

"Well you're the one that has taken care of the kids and the house and worked all week, I want you to pick something you want to do."

"Honestly, I'd rather you just pick! We do need to eat, so let's just go somewhere to get something to eat first."

"OK, what would you like for dinner?"

"I don't know, I'm honestly good with anything, just take me somewhere."

"Well, I haven't really thought about it, I wanted to let the night be about you and let you decide. We can go wherever you want!"

"What I WANT is for you to just make a freaking decision! I have had to make 107 decisions today! For once, I'd just like you to make one and surprise me." (Meaning she'd just like to be surprised and not have to make the decision. But what he heard was "You have it easy - you don't have to make decisions...)

"OH! So you think I don't have to make any decisions huh? Why don't you try walking in my shoes for a day and see what decisions I have to make!

"Well why don't you walk in mine for a day - you'd be exhausted!"
"I don't even want to go out now."

"Me either! Let's just go back home!"

"Fine!" (Pulls into the house - goes their separate ways - everyone cools off - a pizza is ordered or a peanut butter sandwich made - date night officially ruined before it ever started.)

The sad thing is this argument typically ensues from two people who truly love one another and are trying to be respectful of one another and a desire to make the other happy. Unfortunately, that gets lost in the decision-making process of what the night will look like.

For those who suffer with depression and anxiety, making a decision can be a difficult task. When put on the spot to decide quickly, it can create a lot of frustration and anger.

One fun, creative way to solve this issue and enjoy a night out:
1. Get a jar (decorate one, buy one, whatever you like)
2. Give each person 3 slips of paper. On those slips of paper write out 3 separate things you would like to do with your significant other that can be done in one evening. (Restaurants, places to go, etc.)
3. Read what each other wrote.
4. Stick the slips of paper into the jar.
5. Pick a day for each month that is specified as "date night" - write in your calendar, put a post it note on your computer so you don't forget, get a sitter and make time for each other.
6. Two days before your "date night" make it a fun moment to pick out a slip of paper and see where you will be going.

(Note: You can take this same approach with "family" time. Let each child put a suggestion in for the game they want to play on family game night and draw them out - reducing the need to remember who got to pick last time. Because we all know that is often an argument waiting to happen.) 😀

Make the most of your Quality Time!
All my best -
Kris

28/10/2023

"Fake it 'til you make it" is a phrase you may have heard someone say who is struggling with happiness. What you may not know is that this is actually pretty good advice! What I am about to tell you will sound too easy, and too good to be true. But I promise it works more often than not!

Let's start with the science behind the strategy...

When you feel happy inside your brain will normally send a message to your face to smile. But did you know that your face is also sending messages BACK to your brain when you smile saying, "When my muscles are in this position, I am happy."

In that same manner, when you are unhappy your brain sends a message to your facial muscles to form a frown to express the fact that you are unhappy. And likewise, your face sends a message back to your brain saying, "When my muscles are in this position, I am unhappy."

If you find yourself feeling unhappy and want to try to pull yourself out of it, one way is to use the knowledge of this system and force yourself to smile! When you start smiling, that signal goes to your brain that says, "My facial muscles say I am happy." Your brain starts to believe you are happy and release some of those happiness hormones, and in many instances you start to feel a bit better.

Don't believe me? Try it for yourself! For one whole day make eye contact with everyone you meet and make yourself smile. Also try to smile more when you're driving down the road, doing a chore, or just watching TV. At the end of the day try to take note in how you feel. You have nothing to lose in trying this method, but a mood lifter to gain!

06/09/2023

I had the honor and pleasure of sitting with Anna Lou Dyer and her three beautiful daughters back in July as we talked about the book she released last year at 92 years old! (Yes, you read that correctly!) If you have not ordered your copy, I encourage you to do so! (The link is within YouTube Video Description. It is entitled "Alzheimer's Took Mom's Smile Away, Love Brought it Back."

This book takes the reader back to a harder, but simpler time. Just 80 short years ago when things were very different than they are today. It's a time that as a society we will likely never get back to. However, the book is also laced with eternal truths that will stand the test of time! It's some of those eternal, biblical truths that I will be sharing at one of our Women's Bible Studies in October.

I encourage you to consider ordering the book - pouring a cup of coffee and finding your favorite reading nook - and get carried away in a wonderful, inspiring story.

Anna Lou Dyer released her first book at 92 years old! I recently had the pleasure of sitting with Anna Lou and her three beautiful daughters to discuss som...

30/07/2023

It's been a minute since we've released a "Coffee with Kris" video, but I'm excited to share that on Friday I sat with 3 of my dear friends and their Amazing mother who just released her first book at age 91!! (Yes, you heard that right - 91! God never stops using a willing vessel.) If you haven't ordered your copy yet, I encourage you to do so! It starts by reminding us of a sweeter, simpler, harder time (Just 85 short years ago). While we will never get back to that time, it reminds us of the importance of "In person" fellowship with those we love. It soon moves into timeless truths about God's Word, His promises, and our authority over the devil. As Anna Lou told me Friday "He's under my feet!" :-) I have my copy underlined, highlighted, and plan to use it to speak at the next women's event as it has been such an encouragement to me!

Look for the release of the video mid-September as well as a "Live" event where we will watch the video and discuss some of those good nuggets of truth brought to light in this book.

If you would like to order your copy to read prior to the release of the video, you can do so by selecting the link below: https://www.amazon.com/Alzheimers-Took-Moms-Smile-Brought/dp/B09YNMGNTB/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?crid=21YOT6IWNXGT7&keywords=Anna+Loud+Dyer+Alzheimers&qid=1690718675&sprefix=anna+loud+dyer+alzheimers%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1-fkmr1

26/05/2023

There are no requirements for receiving the divine rest and reassurance God offers. No boxes to check, no favor to earn, and no need to measure up. We simply accept the daily invitation to draw close to Him and hear His heart...

**From the book 40 days to a Calmer Spirit

28/04/2023

When our hands are closed in clenched fists desperately holding on to things of the world, instead of things of God, we miss the blessing. When we open our hands and our hearts in Faith - He is able and willing to provide in accordance with His will.

As David writes .. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." - Psalms 37:25

Some of us say we have Faith, but never really turn it over to Him. We work hard and do our part, but we worry and stress about the future and wonder if God will do His part. Learning to trust in Him is one of the biggest blessings you can give yourself.

Say it with me: Jehovah Jireh - God is my provider!
Now say it again, and mean it this time! 😁