are you looking for a safe place?
Are you feeling alone or misunderstood or sad or stuck or even maybe a bit crazy?
Are you in a difficult Christian marriage? Separated or divorced? A single mom?
Are you trying out dating again? Adjusting to remarriage or step-mothering?
Are you going through a midlife crisis? An empty-nester? Struggling with an illness or job situation or relational chaos?
but why trust me though? what makes me get it?
Because I have been where you are…
…in a difficult Christian marriage for almost nineteen years.
…familiar with abuse and addiction.
…told repeatedly to work on being a better wife, without the big picture and the details of my marriage being taken into account.
…walked through a fifteen-month church-led reconciliation attempt.
…separated for two years, after being released by my church leadership.
…divorced since July 2012, after being served with divorce papers by my then-husband.
…single mom to two teenagers for four years.
…jumped back into the dating scene for the first time in over twenty years.
…fell in love and married a wonderful man in May 2015.
…became a stepmom to three young adults.
…very aware that every day life is a gift that is both crazy amazing and crazy hard. Still.
…lover of Jesus.
This is a portion of my story, as shared with my former church community, The Orchard, in October 2015.
in other words, sweet one, i have been you and i am you.
my heart’s desire is to reach out to as many women as possible.
I offer tangible help and support along with the mysterious and beautiful hope of God
through books and e-books, my blog, mentoring e-courses, private Facebook groups, speaking events and retreats.
more about elisabeth
what i love
Jesus, through and through. Because he first loved me.
My sweet, sweet husband, Richard. Or Buzz. Or Tall-Shadow. Whatever you want to call him.
Our children, five of them altogether between nineteen and twenty-nine, plus a few in-laws and a grandbaby!
My girls. My friends are the absolute best.
Writing.
Reading.
Traveling with my husband.
Shopping. Especially online. Especially ThredUp. (Kinda obsessed.)
Being home.
Walks and bike rides and yoga.
Smoothies and green tea.
My goofy morning routine. (I could be a touch OCD with this.)
Going out to eat. (I might like this too much.)
Naps.
Candles.
Speaking with my husband at retreats.
Singing in the car. Singing while cleaning my house. Loudly.
Exploring cute little small towns.
Knowing that every day is a brand new day.
Helping women realize we’re not alone and we always have options and plenty of hope and that we’re loved no matter what.
what i’m not a huge fan of
When someone is mad at me.
Haters and mean words.
Change (though I’m working on it).
Being judged.
When I realize I’m judging.
Cooking. (Sorry, honey.)