Great news!! My newest book is ready! Holding on to Hope is now available!
Click on the image to go to my book page which will direct you to where you can purchase.
 Enjoy the video below where I talk about my book. And share the inspiration behind it.
And my exciting news of some opportunities I have of being a guest on some podcasts!!
​In Him, Mae

Hey you all,
It's been a long while since I have been able to post on blog. The only things I really had  been posting was just my YouTube videos, and now here of late I haven't even been able to manage that.
 Life has been busy. Here is what's been going on in my life.
Homeschooling. Housekeeping. Working on my book. Organizing and packing for our trip to Texas.
Then our trip to Texas. Unpacking. Back to schooling. Back to working on my book. Schooling. Book editing. Schooling.  More book editing.
 That's been my life.
But good news! My book is nearly ready for uploading to the global network! 
Holding on to Hope - A family's story of loss and the hope that keeps them going.
Yes, almost ready!!!  And I can't wait for it to go out and bless those God has attended for it to. It will be ready by Thanksgiving . So start looking for it soon.
  I haven't been doing much for videos lately on my YouTube, but I do have several there that I have not posted here on my blog. So if you want to see what I've been up to please check out my YouTube channel. Mae Renfroe - YouTube
​Something new. I have the opportunity to be a guest on some podcasts. I'm very excited about that, and to be able to talk about my book and my hope in God that has kept me going. I can't wait to see what all God has in store with this book and our story!!
In Him, Mae.
   

In this video I am talking about the series ,Hope from the cemetery ,I did last year.

 Hey you all!!
 I'm so happy to announce that my latest book is in the works! And in fact is nearing completion. Praise the Lord!
  This is a very time consuming project for me being a busy homeschooling mom, but I'm very excited about it just the same. And can't wait for it to be finished and ready for you.
 There is some really great and powerful content in this book to encourage you in your journey regardless of what you may be going through in life.
 Watch this video for more details about my book!
  Look for Holding On To Hope coming later this fall!
Mae Renfroe

 Have you ever been around someone that is always full of joy? No matter what’s going on in their life, they're upbeat & positive. Well they must know the secrets to living a joy filled life.
 It’s not that I have this all figured out and am always living this joy filled life, but I know it's possible and it's spiritual.
   It’s not that we will always be walking on sunshine, but when we live out the 6 secrets of living a joy filled life then we can stay above the waters when the clouds do come, which they will. And when we have learned to be content in whatever state we are in.
  
How can you live a joy-filled life when things are not always going smoothly? If you're faced with great disappointments in life, or have gone through  tragedies and your life has been changed forever? Or when things are not going your way, when things don't happen the way you wanted, when you wanted and how you wanted? When life isn't going the way you thought it would.
  This is especially vital for us mothers since we are the heart or center of the home. As the saying goes, “If momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy.”
  Or my spin on it, “If you have a stinking attitude the whole house will smell.”
How we are feeling, and the attitudes we express, and how we go about our days really affect the whole household. And more often than not our children will pick up on it and portray the same thing.
  Just as there is always things to be thankful for if we would just look, we also  will always have things we could complain about too, but we all know regardless of how much we grip, wine, complain, fret, or worry over something it won’t change anything, so this is an area we really have to be purposeful about.
 In part one I cover the first 3 steps that I put together on living a joy-filled life. Learning to give thanks in all things, rejoicing constantly, and continuously forgiving.
 A full and abundant life is possible in Christ, and is the life He intended for us, when we heed his words, and the things He instructed us to do. He gave us these commands, instructions, and guidelines for our good. There is a reason. It wasn’t withhold any good thing from us, but that we would have a more abundant and fuller and richer life in him. And I don't mean the riches the world can give, that is so temporary and fleeting. 

 Jesus said, “A thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). People often talk about God doing “exceeding abundantly, beyond all we can ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).


  In part 2 I cover the last 3 of the six steps to living a joy filled life: Dying to self, Seeking first the Kingdom of God, and Trusting God.

1. Being thankful -Being thankful in everything
   

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thess. 5:18
This veres doesn’t just say to be thankful when things are going smoothly, it says to be thankful in everything. No matter what happens in life.Thankful in difficulties, in disappointments, in tragedies, on good days, on bad bad days. Sick days, well days.
 We can always find things to be thankful for.  As the saying goes there is a silver lining to every cloud. There is always a bright side to every negative thing. But we have to be more diligent and very purposeful about finding it. We can always find something to be thankful for even in a major tragedy, and when we do it lifts the spirits, allows you to smile even with tears in your eyes, and heals the heart bit by bit.
  Like when we lost our son we found things to be thankful for, lifting our spirits.  We were thankful that he died very quickly, with no suffering, that he didn’t have any of the other little ones with him, thankful for our new baby who was really healing to my heart, thankful for my other children.
  And be thankful for the very simple everyday things in life, the ones we often take for granted, like the gift of a new day or life it’s self. Since we lost our son I see life in a new light, each new day as a gift from God, and life nothing short of a miracle.
 When I wake each morning I thank him for the new day. And I thank Him for life. I’m awake, I’m alive, thank you God!! We are still here, we are alive and breathing! There is still time and hope for our plans and our dreams, and what God wants to do in us, and through us for others, and for us. There is so much to be thankful for all the time.
  In the same way though there are always things we could complain about too, but we all know regardless of how much we grip, wine, or fret over something it won’t change, so this is an area we really have to be purposeful about. And when we are always grateful and thankful our countenance is  joyful and others can see that joy in you and they can wonder, “Wow, why is she happy ? She has gone through all this and she is still smiling.” Only God. And staying grateful and thankful and always looking for things to be thankful for. Everyday I look for something new. Yes, you will have to be purposeful about it. And you're doing it with a purpose in mind. I encourage you to do that everyday and you will see what it will do for your heart and spirit.

2.Rejoicing  - rejoice evermore 
Rejoicing and finding things to praise the Lord for.
Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
 Praise the Lord.
Rejoicing is similar to being thankful. Rejoicing in every situation. Focus on the blessings. Focus on what we do have and not what we don’t. Rejoicing in the Lord for who he is. That He is our great and mighty Lord, our refuge, our strength,our protector, our redeemer. 
 OUr strong tower.  Our help in times of trouble. Our hope, peace, comfort.
 He is always there with us and for us. And when negative thoughts come, speak life over them and truth over them in Jesus. Shoot all negative thoughts down with praise and rejoicing to the Lord.
 Yes, I may be worried about this, but my God is good, He is on the throne and in control.
 Yes, but I'm serving a great God, and He has said he would never leave me nor forsake me.
 Yes, this may have happened, but I’m in God and He has me, yes this is bothering me, but God loves me, I am forgiven, I’m chosen, I’m His daughter.
Just thank them, and rejoice in his goodness and greatness, and what He has done for us, and through us.  There are so many things to rejoice and thank him for, and just do it throughout the day.
  And Rejoice in the things we usually take for granted, Like rejoicing in HIm for your marriage, your children, your good health, a roof over our heads, a dependable vehicle, a warm house, etc…
Be mindful throughout the day to do that. The more we do that the more we will find to rejoice about. And that lifts us up and puts joy in our steps.
Rejoicing that He loves us, cares for us, calls us by name.  Psalm 146:5

 Happy is the man who has God as his help and his hope is in the Lord.
 That is what keeps us joyful!
   Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.KJV Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. NIV
 


1 Peter 4:13-17  Rejoice in tribulation and in sufferings for Christ sake.  
Mathew 5:12
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philpiallans 4:8

3. Forgiving -Matthew 6 14-15  - love and charity
Forgiving is so powerful and healing. Having a forgiving spirit and forgiving attitude. 
Matthew 6:14-15New King James Version 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Always forgiving.  We will be hurt, and not like in tragedies, but by our spouses, by other family, or just things in life. 
 Sure this may be easier said than done, but we can do that in Christ, He gives us the ability to forgive.  and we just have to keep forgiving, and keep forgiving, it’s an ongoing thing as long as we are living. We have to seek to do that and be very purposeful about it, and we can.
 And dying to self, because it’s really not us living anymore, but Christ living  in us. And if we can truly live like that, die to ourselves and not be so consumed on ourselves and our little feelings, and be more concerned about and looking out for others, and not have these little pity parties and wow me attitude, then we can be forgiving, because we want to be joyful.
  Not forgiving is just being down in spirit and low. But when we can forgive we can just get on with our lives and these things won’t keep bothering us anymore.
  Like sometimes my husband says something or does something that hurts me or disappointed me and I've let that get me down. And I know he needs to tell me he is sorry and until he tells me sorry I will be upset at him. So finally I'm tired of being upset at him and I go to him and say I'm tired of being upset. Let's get this over with I don’t want to be mad at you anymore. So when i mention that to him, he is usually a little quicker to tell me he is sorry that he would have, and then i'm like great, now we are good again. Let's be happy, let's not be upset and that helps us joyfull each day.

   Forgiving is so powerful and healing and life giving, but we have to be intentional about it, and as the other things we have to continually be forging throughout our days everyday.
Not worrying about the future. Philippians 4:5-7


 So today we covered being thankful, rejoicing, and forgiving. And just got to keep doing things everyday, it's a choice we have to make. The choice we have to make is to be thankful, rejoice in the Lord to praise the Lord no matter what happens, be grateful, in whatever situation we are in, and forgiving. And we know that when we forgive others, God forgives us because we know we do plenty _ everyday, we are not perfect, we keep making mistakes. If we want to be forgoing, we have to be forgiven. And that keeps us joyful and keeps us going.

  This is something I wrote around the three year mark of loosing our son Clayton. This is things that we were currently doing at that time, and things that helped me.
​ God is still writing our story!

  
On April 19th, 2020 we were still living in Deadwood. This year we neither went to the cemetery, walked out to the accident scene in the woods, watched the picture slideshow from the funeral, or watched the funeral service as we had the previous two anniversaries after our sons death.
 It's not that I didn't want to go to either the cemetery or accident or both that day in remembrance of our son but things came up and we weren't able to. I was certainly thinking of him that day though.
  I did  something different this spring and summer though. 
 First I did a youtube video over in the woods at the accident spot. I shared our story of loss, gave hope and encouragement, and read some scripture. 
 Then shortly after that I started a video series called Hope From the Cemetery summer 2020 series. I just wrapped up that series with my last video from the cemetery at the end of October. As well as one more video out in the woods. 
 In all I did 13 videos from the cemetery over the summer. I'm very thankful for that platform where I was able to give hope, encouragement, and scripture to someone going through grief and loss or other difficult things.
 At this point, November 2, 2020, I only have 13 subscribers and some videos only have a couple fews. But I'm still very glad for what I was able to do through those videos and I never know How God will bless those videos and get them into the hands that need it. I also post every video on my blog too, but I don't have much of an audience on there either. So I'm praying to expand my audience and build my platform so I can get my stuff out to more people. The ones that need it.
 I'm also trying to diligently look for places to speak at still. Early in the new year of 2020 I was praying diligently for places to speak at and how to find places and at that time I really felt I was to just book a couple halls in our area and put on my message. So I did. Though I didn't see the need to do it so soon so I booked the first one about a month and half later followed by the second one about 2 weeks after that. Well I got my first one in and had about 20 ladies show up. But for the next one it was cancelled when everything got shut down with covid-19 the middle of Mar. Then I waited till August when we could have meetings again and planned one more again for August 27th. And no one showed up.
 That was very discouraging for sure. And set me back for a bit thinking I wouldn't plan another event on my own like that anymore and would just wait and look for opportunities to be invited to speak somewhere. Then I contacted a few churches in GP about speaking. They said there wasn't much going on right now with covid-19 but they would check out my website and keep me in mind.
 But now we are headed to Texas for a while so I will try to do outreach there and continue to look for places to speak. I'm praying for God's leading, direction, and guidance, and for an open door.
  I'm thankful for the platforms I've had via video and online to be able to give hope and encouragement through our story and loss of our son Clayton. It means a lot. And I know that our story is not over yet. I know God's got more in store for us.

​

  In this blog post I wanted to share something I wrote about a year ago of things I've learned or God is teaching me or putting on my heart since loosing our son Clayton in 2017.  It has been just over for years now since our loss. God is still working in us and through us!!