Season Finale: Watch HERE!

I am delighted to pass along the on demand link to watch the season finale of my parenting TV series, Chaos to Calm with Noelle Kirchner! In this episode, entitled "The Calm of Connection," I explore the many benefits to a church connection. People often think of the church as simply a provider of religious education. This episode will explore how it is SO much more - largely, how it can be a valuable partner for parents in the character building of their children. I'll explore transformative moments through mission, racial reconciliation, key components to resiliency in children, and more! Meaningful connection is essential to help us all move from chaos to calm! 

Sermon Sunday and Show Tuesday!

I am excited to pass along some important end of the school year news! 

For those of you who are local, I will be preaching for the last time this school year on Sunday at 5 pm. The service is Central Presbyterian Church in Summit's contemporary service called WAVE, which will be held this week in the sanctuary. We've been covering the beatitudes from Jesus' first sermon, and I'll be exploring: "Blessed are the pure at heart, for they will see God." How can we have a pure heart? What does it mean to see God? I'd love to see you there!

Also, the season finale of Chaos to Calm will air this Tuesday night! You can watch "The Calm of Connection" on Verizon (channel 33) or Comcast (channel 36) if you're local, or via live streaming here if you're not at 9 PM EST. In this episode, I sat down with other church leaders to explore the many benefits of a church connection, which span well beyond simple religious training. Find out how the church can partner with parents for important character development, foster healing in our communities through reconciliation, and empower the voice of your child. Meaningful connection is essential to help us all move from chaos to calm! I can't wait for you to see it! 

On set for the finale with two of my guests!

​9 Reasons Why I’m Celebrating Mother’s Day

This post is in honor of the "I'm a Great Mom Because..." challenge for the TODAY Show Parenting Team. Like it? Laugh at it? Click here to VOTE UP and spread the word! It's also over at the HuffPost. Happy Mother's Day!

1. I try hard to ignore the mess when I trip over Legos as my child explores. The small ones really hurt, however, and warrant a guilt-free glass of wine.
2. I kiss boo-boo’s and am an expert stasher for emergencies. Just check my purse or car for anything you need … seriously.
3. I choose to care more about how my children feel at the end of the day rather than what my internal mom says about the dirty dishes in the sink.
4. I delight in the cuddles, even if I’m disturbed by the icing-covered faces (and fill in the blank) on my new clothes … Keep them coming.
5. I am my child’s best advocate. In fact, although the quote “A worried mother does better research than the FBI,” makes me giggle, it’s probably true.
6. I know that “mommy brain” is a fallacy. If ever I am forgetful, that’s because I am juggling more than the average person … times X number of kids. 
7. I can drive safely with loud carpools, be a pinch kickball player in work clothes, and magically find missing, needed items (like homework) around the house. In fact, hand me my superhero cape, please.
8. I am an expert in teaching hygiene lessons, potty training, and germ prevention … just don’t ask me the last time I got to shower (without company knocking especially).
9. I’ve learned firsthand that my heart can beat outside of my body and in another as I send my children off to school each day. 

First Book Deal!

I have been SO excited to share the news with you! My denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), has just contracted me to write a book for their best-selling Being Reformed workbook series. The book will be an interactive discernment tool to help people live more fully into God’s plan for their lives. It will be forthcoming in 2018.

Life purpose has been a topic that I've been exploring a lot this year. In addition to watching my recent episode on fulfillment, I hope you didn't miss my article for iBelieve.com on three steps to discerning life purpose. The article includes insights I preached about at my church as part of its New Year, New You series.

You won't have to wait until 2018 to read a book from me, however, as I am also writing my first e-book! It is a short 31-day devotional journey for parents looking to move from chaos to calm, in honor of my TV series. It will be forthcoming later this year. My hope is to offer it for free to all subscribers to my blog!

Speaking of Chaos to Calm, this season's final episode will air later this month. I'll be exploring the virtues of a church connection for families - and believe me, we'll go far beyond simple formal religious education! Stay tuned for more details. Are you already a blog subscriber? If not, subscribe here to have the episode sent right to your inbox!

And for those of you who are local, I will be preaching for the last time this school year at the WAVE service on May 21^st at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit. I will be exploring one of Jesus’ beatitudes, his basic teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. WAVE services are kid-friendly and begin at 5 pm. Hope to see you there!

Thank you all for your support!

Episode WINNERS!

Thank you to everyone who registered to win a Jar of Joy from the recent episode of Chaos to Calm! The three lucky winners, who will be receiving a month's worth of inspiration, are: Anita K. of Florida, Debbie Y. of Wyoming, and Becca Z. of Florida. Our winners took advantage of bonus entry options, which helped their chances!

Winners from this blog have now hailed from New Jersey, California, Connecticut, Maine, Texas, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, South Carolina, Florida, Wyoming, and Arizona! We've had registrants from many, many more states. Stay tuned for your next opportunity to win!