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Home Life & Encouragement

I am a Christian wife of 32 years, a mom of 28 years, and a daughter. It is my desire to encourage and inspire you as I share my life journey, struggles, hardships, pain, and joys. I want you to know you are not alone in life and if I am able to share some encouragement with you then my heart will be at peace.

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  • Home
    • Recipes
      • Appetizers
      • Breakfast
        • Pumpkin Spice French Toast
      • Breads
        • Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bread
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        • French Bread Pizza
        • Garlic Bread Balls
        • Liza’s Banana Bread
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      • Cakes
        • Frosting To Create Your Masterpiece
        • Fun -n- Easy Chocolate Cake
      • Cookies
        • Cake Box Cookies
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      • Fudge & Candy
        • Chocolate Fudge
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      • Healthy Recipes
        • Avocado Egg Salad Spinach Wrap with a Caesar Salad
        • Chicken and Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry
        • Healthy Chicken Cauliflower
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        • Healthy Chicken, Quinoa, and Zucchini Recipe
        • Oven Baked Chicken with Garlic Mushroom Quinoa and Broccoli
      • Holiday Recipes
        • Gingerbread House
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      • Lunch
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        • Homemade Chili
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  • Encouragement
    • Recents Posts
    • Encouragement Today
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        • Sharing the Sweetness of a Smile
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        • Peace Beyond Our Understanding
      • Rest
        • Rest, Breathe, Repeat
        • Refresh, Recharge, & Rest
        • Rest, Rejuvenate, Refresh
        • Rest, Relax and Answers Will Come
        • Rest and Breathe Today
        • Rest and Recover
        • Rest and Rejuvenate Weekend
        • Relax and Rest in The Peace of Choosing Kindness
        • Rest Your Mind and Body
        • Rest Is Necessary
        • Slow Down, Breathe, and Find Rest
        • Stop…Rest…Breathe…and Repeat
        • Take The Time To… Rest
        • Take Time To Rest Your Mind And Your Body
        • True Silence Is Rest To The Mind
        • Walking Toward Peace and Rest
    • Random Thoughts
      • Raw Emotions
    • Strength
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • It is Never To Late To reset
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • Be Strong and Courageous
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Breathe Through The Uncertainty
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Christmas, A Time of Reflection and Many Emotions
      • Darkness Turns to Sunshine
      • Courage Conquers Fear
      • Doors Open To A New Journey
      • Courage Is A Prevention To Fear
      • Faith Believes in The Impossible
      • Courage Pushes Through Defeat
      • Friday Night Comfort Food
      • Difficult Weeks Mean Extra Special Encouragement
      • Discouraged Today, Find Your Peace
      • God Always Comforts Those Who Isolate and To Those Who Help
      • Encouragement For The Frazzled Mom
      • Inspiring Your Heart to Shine Brightly
      • Let’s Get Moving
      • The Battle of Courage
      • Your Battle Will Be Won With Strength and Courage
      • Opinion Vs. Reality
      • Pain: WHERE DO I BEGIN?
      • Procrastination Leads to Difficult Days
      • Sharing Fall Vibes
      • The Battle of Courage
      • You Are Never In Total Darkness
      • Wishing You A Merry Christmas Eve
      • Challenge
      • Sharing the Sweetness of a Smile
      • It is Never To Late To reset
      • Beauty Surrounds Us
      • Doors Open To A New Journey
      • Unexpected Moments
      • Facing Fears Allows You to Conquer Your Strength and Self-Confidence
      • God Gave You Strength For Today
      • Grasping The Strength of A New Day
      • Hope Gives You Strength When You Can Not See It
      • Hope Provides Strength
      • Love, Strength, and Sunsets
      • New Days Brings New Strength
      • Rejuvenate Your Strength in Hope
      • Strength Overtakes Failure
      • Strength Has Power Over Shaken
      • Strength Through Tears
      • Your Battle Will Be Won With Strength and Courage
      • Your Strength Is Your Beauty
      • Welcoming Tuesday With Strength
      • Whether You Are Weak or Strong Strength Comes From Above
  • Life
    • Decorating Tips
      • Fall and Christmas Tiers
      • Decorating A Winter Three Tier Platter
      • Small Kitchen Decorating Ideas
    • Organization Tips
    • Life Hacks
    • Organizing Christmas Chaos
    • Life Management

Baking, Comfort Food, Easy Recipe, Home, Recipes

Fun and Easy Cake Balls

Are you looking for a fun and easy finger dessert food to serve at a gathering or party? I made these personally requested cake balls and chocolate covered pretzels for my nieces baby shower. You can easily makes these as well. All you need are these few ingredients… Your favorite cake mix 1 tub of … Continue reading Fun and Easy Cake Balls

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July 14, 2019Cake Balls, Chocolate, Easy Recipe, Home, Pretzels
#Findingcourage, #keepingitreal, #stepsforward, Believe in Yourself, Bible, Challenge, Comfort, Courage, encouragement, Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Strength

You Are Never In Total Darkness

Do You Struggle With The Power of Darkness I am feeling God has a few of His own who are in need of some encouragement today. Are you struggling with finding your self worth and identity because somehow over the years and the busyness of life you have lost who you are? Know, you are not … Continue reading You Are Never In Total Darkness

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July 14, 2019July 14, 2019Anxiety, Burn out, Depression, Discouraged, Exhausted, Grief, Hardships, heartache, PTSD, Raw Thoughts, Trials, Weakness, Weariness
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Meal, Supper Ideas

Summer Burger

Do you need a fresh supper idea? Try this one. Grilled angus burger topped with cheese. Place it on a bed of lettuce and add a fresh tomato to the side. Do not be afraid to add a few baked fries seasoned with garlic salt, onion powder, and basil. Lastly, add a few slices of … Continue reading Summer Burger

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June 23, 2019Cooking, Easy Recipe, Home, Kitchen, Meal, Recipe, Supper
Cooking, Easy Recipe, Healthy, Home, Supper Ideas

Homemade Steak Nachos

Healthy Steak Nachos. I made with sautéed onion, peppers of every color, kale, and steak. Topped with diced tomatoes, queso cheese, sour cream. Serve on a bed of lettuce, tortilla chips, or on soft taco shells.

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June 22, 2019June 23, 2019Cooking, Easy Recipe, Easy Recipes, Healthy, Home, Kitchen, Meal, Recipes, Supper
Challenge, Discouraged, encouragement, Exhausted, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Strength

Refresh, Recharge, & Rest

This is your weekend reminder to take some time to slow down. Take some time to refresh, recharge, & rest today. Clear your schedule of the busy life you live and allow yourself the time to decompress.

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June 9, 2019Discouraged, encouragement, Journey, Life, Rest, Strength, Weakness, Weariness2 Comments
#Findingcourage, #stepsforward, Believe in Yourself, Challenge, Courage, Discouraged, Encouragement Today, Exhausted, Hope, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Peace, Rest, Strength, Stress, Weariness

Draw Close To What Inspires and Motivates You

I am here to encourage you today to do something that is inspirational, motivational, and makes you happy. I challenge you to find a time to allow peace and harmony in your life today. At some point to allow yourself to breathe and find a place of rest. Even if it nothing more than taking a quick … Continue reading Draw Close To What Inspires and Motivates You

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June 7, 2019June 7, 2019Challenge, Courage, Discouraged, encouragement, Encouragement Today, Exhausted, Hardships, Hope, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Motivation, Peace, Rest, Strength, Trials, Weakness, Weariness
#Findingcourage, #keepingitreal, #stepsforward, Believe in Yourself, Challenge, Inspiration, Journey, Keeping It Real, Life

Do Not Focus On The Steps Behind You

Life Changes, The New Journey Ahead This week has been an emotional week as we said a temporary good bye of 2 (possibly 3) years to our sweet friend, who is like family to us. I decided to use her time away to set some long overdue goals for myself to not necessarily rediscover myself … Continue reading Do Not Focus On The Steps Behind You

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June 6, 2019June 6, 2019Bravery, Challenge, Courage, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Strength
Comfort, Hope, Inspiration, Journey, Peace

The Innocence of The Smallest of Us

Mother Nature ceases to amaze me. Just when we think we have problems this gentle reminder is here to remind us we don’t. “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” ‭‭Matthew‬ … Continue reading The Innocence of The Smallest of Us

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May 27, 2019Bible Verse, Discouraged, encouragement, Life, Motivation
Courage, Gratitude, Holiday, Inspiration, Journey, Remembering

Honoring Our Fallen On Memorial Day

I am remembering my dad today. If he had not been wounded on the battlefield in Vietnam, he would be here today. He was an amazingly gentle and humble man who became a Marine by choice and he died a Marine by grace. As I remember and honor my dad today I am keeping my … Continue reading Honoring Our Fallen On Memorial Day

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May 27, 2019Bravery, Courage, Holiday, Memorial Day
Anxiety, Bible, Broken, Burn out, Depression, Grief, Journey, Life, pain, Rawness, Trials, Weariness

Our Broken Spirits Are Healed

BrokToday’s reminder is a simple one! Are you feeling alone? Are you feeling overwhelmed? “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalms‬ ‭34:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This reminder is to encourage you to know, despite how you may feel, God is with you. He is saving you from all you are feeling. … Continue reading Our Broken Spirits Are Healed

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May 19, 2019Courage, encouragement, Hope, Inspiration, Journey, Life, Strength

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About Me

Heidi Benson

Heidi Benson

I am a wife, mom, and daughter. I served in the United States Army, went to college, received a Batchelor's Degree in Criminology, homeschooled my daughter every year from start to finish, started working at a Christian school after being out of work for 20 plus years while I raised my daughter and now I am currently a volunteer assistant to the director at our local hospital. I married my husband when he was in the United States Army so I have the unique knowledge of what it is like to be on both sides of a Military uniform. While we were stationed in Germany, my daughter, who is 27 years old now, was born and I made the difficult decision to put my career on hold to be her mom. The past 25 years have been wrought with many struggles, but as a result of those struggles, this blog was created. As the years passed and the struggle kept coming, I would say, "I'm not sure why we have to go through all of this, but if we have to then it is my desire to allow my story to serve as a means of encouragement to others so all this pain isn't for nothing." The years passed and the struggles did not. However, I feel now is the time God wants me to share these stories of hardships with the hopes they provide encouragement to you if you are struggling in the same way. It is my prayer they will serve as a healing opportunity for you. I want you to know you are not alone. There are others who know where you are and what you are feeling. Cling to the hope this won't last forever and that God is standing beside you while He holds you up and dries your tears. He is showing you the way, you just need to follow Him. Big Hugs, Heidi

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Most Popular Posts and Pages

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You are…”enough.” Ps 139:14 NKJV

Encouraging and Inspirational Online Church

Are you looking for and encouraging and inspirational online church service?

Check out our church online as well as our 5 locations in Virginia.

LibertyLive.Church

Cornerstone Church of Skippack, PA.

Inspiring Blog Posts

Dear Daughter, I Promise To Try, Author Renae Fieck

Trophy of Grace – Be The Best You

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Thank you for stopping by my blog today.

Feel free to share it with your family and friends who may be encouraged by it as well.

Heidi :) @homelifeandencouragement.com

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