After many years of infertility, my husband and I finally brought home a daughter. She was eight years old, adorable, precious, and…extroverted. A few months went by without any issues because, hello! I had a daughter. Of course she can talk to me nonstop, of course she can be attached to my side 24-7, of course she can be touching me and needing me constantly. It was my husband who started saying things first. I wanted to shrug off the ... Read More about How to Be An Introverted Mother with an Extroverted Daughter
Personality
When You and Your Husband Have Opposite Personalities
No other test I took in college changed my life like the MBTI personality test. I was just chatting with a friend today about how we both first took the MBTI during our college years. We both found it so freeing to discover that we are wired this way. And that's okay. Other people are, too. Not my husband, though. One of the first questions I asked my husband after we met was whether he'd taken the MBTI. I confess, I was ... Read More about When You and Your Husband Have Opposite Personalities
Paralyzed by Shyness, Freed by Jesus
This would work a whole lot better if you were sitting in my living room. As I pester you with tea choices (black, green, or herbal?), heat the teakettle, and pour you a fragrant cupful in a brightly flowered Polish mug, I’d be bubbly and a little too talkative, with lots of hand motions and tales of travel and teaching and friends on three continents. If we were face to face, it would be obvious what a miracle our whole conversation is, when I ... Read More about Paralyzed by Shyness, Freed by Jesus
Reading People: How I See through the Lens of Personality
My whole job is reading people. Or, as I am learning, I do my job well because I am good at reading people. I watch body language, I pick up on preferences (Do they like my corny jokes or my attempts at intelligent wit? Are they comfortable with PDA or do I need to coach them into position?), I see tensions in the room and work to diffuse it. My job as a wedding photographer is to find ways to ensure my clients are as comfortable as I can make ... Read More about Reading People: How I See through the Lens of Personality
If You Want to Learn How to Be Gentle and Quiet
When my professor told me I wasn't participating in discussions enough to earn an A in his literature course that semester, I had an idea. Confessing that my heart stopped beating if I so much as thought about speaking up in class, I told him that if he would just call on me and save me from having to initiate speaking up, I'd know the answer. And if he could please call on me toward the beginning of class so as to get it over with, I'd ... Read More about If You Want to Learn How to Be Gentle and Quiet
what it (really) means to put your identity in Jesus
It was another college party. I was the odd man out, the one who didn't actually go to college at all, the one who didn't know the songs playing from the iPod in the corner. I was the one sitting on the back of the couch, wondering what to do with my hands. I looked at other people, dancing and jingling their lanyards and car keys as they loudly conversed. Finally I spotted one of my friends and lifted my hand into a meager wave. He brought his ... Read More about what it (really) means to put your identity in Jesus
Hope Gave Me Courage
We could hear the engine from our driveway. The big yellow school bus was headed towards our house. I remember standing there, watching it come closer. Though we had talked through getting on the bus many times, fear was taking over. I don't want to do this! It stopped. My mom and dad were both holding my hands. We walked up to the bus. I saw kindness in the driver's eyes, but still, I was too afraid to take on that first step. It was ... Read More about Hope Gave Me Courage
Giving the Gift of Understanding in Relationships
I was 21 when I first read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. My mind was blown as I began to see and understand my family members in light of their unique love style. The inexplicable bond I felt with my Dad? We had the same love language: Words of Affirmation. The distance I felt with that sister? The result of two very different love languages--Quality Time and Words of Affirmation. When I realized the times she sought me out in my ... Read More about Giving the Gift of Understanding in Relationships
friendship for the rambling family
Today we have an interview with a special guest. Kristen Strong of Chasing Blue Skies is here talking about friendship, getting along with other women, and true community. Don't miss this! Caroline: Hi Kristen! Welcome to Kindred Grace! Thanks for joining us in this place to talk about friendship, conflict and that reoccurring theme, grace. We appreciate you sharing your words. First, tell us a bit about yourself. Kristen: Hey there, ... Read More about friendship for the rambling family
Do Personality Profiles Describe or Define Us?
Is who you are determined by your personality type; or is your personality type determined by who you are? A packed question, but one we should be asking ourselves. This month at Kindred Grace we have spent a lot of time discussing personality types and preferences, and it’s been great! As a huge fan of personality profiles, I believe it’s very important to understand how the Lord has created us in order to serve Him more effectively. Knowing ... Read More about Do Personality Profiles Describe or Define Us?
Fun with Personality Types
My mom always said that my hair matched my personality -- different every day. Of course, if hair defined personality, then it would have to be based on more than color: my brother Will and I have matching copper red hair, but there the similarities end -- in hair and in personality. Will's hair is straight and thick; mine is curly and thin. Will is laid back, methodical, and quiet -- I, well, like my mom said, my hair matches my ... Read More about Fun with Personality Types
Breaking Out of the Personality Type Box
If you met me, you would instantly classify me as an extrovert. I’ve always lived under the label of extrovert, but I’ve always felt like I didn’t quite fit that label. Despite enjoying my time with people, I've spent many hours on the back of my horse, riding across the prairies. Alone. Just my horse, the wind, the grass, the big blue sky. I’d like to say that I filled her ears with all my deepest secrets and thoughts, but I didn’t. I just rode, ... Read More about Breaking Out of the Personality Type Box
