How do I make (and follow) an easy budget?
How do I make (and follow) an easy budget?

I am so excited to chat about all the budget things in this post!

This is a topic I’ve never written about, which is crazy because it’s something I’m so passionate about and talk about all.the.time.

I thought it might be helpful to write everything down in one place, since I get questions on this topic every time I talk about it in my Instagram stories.

Even if this only helps one person, or one couple, it will be worth sharing this info!

Before we get going, let me just say that I understand if your blood pressure is rising just at the thought of talking about money. It can feel very overwhelming and cause you to bury your head in the sand, ignoring all the problems.

If you can pop your head out for just a few minutes, you might find that it’s easier to get started than you thought it might be. :)

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2023 Hills Christmas Card
2023 Hills Christmas Card

I love looking back on our Christmas card blogs. If you’re interested, you can read our digital Christmas cards from the last few years at the links below. We’re praying for so many blessings to pour out over you and your family in 2024 and that the Lord would do more than you could possibly ask, think, or imagine!

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Julie Hills
Sabbath: Building a Palace in Time
Sabbath: Building a Palace in Time

We read that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh because He had “finished His work.”

At some point He decided it was enough. He was finished. (And shouldn’t we do the same?)

I often picture Adam and Eve in the garden, walking around with the Lord “in the cool of the day” talking about the day’s happenings.

Maybe Eve figured out how to make a taco and she was just giddy describing it to her husband and her God.

Or maybe Adam was going on and on about seeing two otters hold hands while they napped for the first time.

And this must have been His favorite time with them, too, hearing His creation find delight in what He had made.

The Lord set the tone for this weekly gift we’re still invited to receive - rest & holy attentiveness.

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5 Healthier Ways to Use Social Media
5 Healthier Ways to Use Social Media

Do you have a love/hate relationship with social media?

I GET IT. It can be overwhelming to keep up with at times.

I love the connections I've made (mostly on Instagram) and the real-life friendships that have come out of it, but it can feel overwhelming at the same time.

The good news is that you are not a slave to social media.

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The Year I Made Things
The Year I Made Things

Tomorrow marks one year of design.

It's hard to believe how much has happened in a year, considering the fact that I wasn't able to draw or see images in my mind until a few months ago.

Click "Read More" to read the whole story and to see my One Year Anniversary tee!

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Stand Up for Racial Equity
Stand Up for Racial Equity

Do right. Pursue justice. Defend the Oppressed.

These words from Isaiah 1 have been ringing in our ears since we heard them at a peaceful protest a few nights ago.

I have to preface this by saying I’m still shocked that the statement, “Black Lives Matter” is so controversial and polarizing. Seriously? Listen to it again and please hear my heart. Black. Lives. Matter.

I know many people just clicked off of this page. And that’s the sad reality, right?

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Social Media Fast (aka A Wilderness Journey)
Social Media Fast (aka A Wilderness Journey)

Well friends, it’s that time again. It’s time to step away and recharge. But this time, things are a little different.

I'm posting an atypical Tuesday night post to share an important (to me) announcement. The Father is calling me away from social media and blogging for a while.

There are just some icky things in my heart that need to be pruned and He's doing what He always does - disciplining in His time and with love.

Message me your number if you'd like to stay in touch over the next few months! Love y'all!

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Home Reno
Home Reno

I'm finally (almost, maybe?) ready to share the before and after photos of our recent home renovations! It was a long process and it's not something I'm planning to do again any time soon.

It's funny how updating your house actually makes your "House Dream List" only grow longer. The more we do, the more we want to do. The Father had a few things to say about what He's building INSIDE our home as I reflected on the last few months of renovations.

Be sure to read the whole post so you don't miss the deets about the FREE giveaway I'm doing over on Instagram right now! Yay!

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Our Love Story
Our Love Story

I slapped him across the face the first time we met. Kind of a strange place to begin a love story, but here we are.

He's the only one whose hand fits mine perfectly. The only one who has my heart. The only one I want to adventure with.

After work tomorrow, we'll spend our 17th Valentine's together. I thought it'd be fun to "interview" each other and share a little bit about our love story! And who doesn't love a good love story? Come on over to the blog tonight to read ours!

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Faith, MarriageJulie HillsFaith, MarriageComment
The Psalm Project: David vs. Job
The Psalm Project: David vs. Job

While reading The Chronological Bible last month, there were several weeks devoted to reading the book of Job. Job (pronounced jobe) gets a lot of criticism from the Christian world. Like A LOT. Like so much that some people would say we won’t even see him in Heaven. 

But the Bible, God’s inspired Word, describes Job in the very first verse of his book as blameless, upright, one who feared God, and one who turned away from evil. By the Old Covenant’s standards, this type of man was about as good as it gets. He loved God and God poured out so many blessings in Job’s life.

In my mini case-study, we'll see that both Job and David waited on the Lord to rescue them from suffering and trials. Yet, only one of them shows us the better way to wait. But, the answer may not be as simple you think. Will you give both of them a chance?

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Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Julie Hills
Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Julie Hills

A few months back, I interviewed five incredible women who so graciously shared their testimonies with me (and hundreds of my readers.) I was so blessed by reading their testimonies and I know many of you were, too.

I’ve been thinking about including my own testimony on this blog, but I thought it might be weird to “interview” myself. But then I realized I just don’t care and it’s my blog, so I get to make the rules! haha 

I’ve shared bits and pieces of my story in different posts, but maybe it’d be helpful to share it all in one place. So, here goes nothin’. Also, if you haven’t read the other testimonies that were shared in this series, be sure to stick around to read all of the posts! 

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Song Feature: Raise a Hallelujah
Song Feature: Raise a Hallelujah

In November of 2018, I did a super-hard-for-me thing. For the first time, I co-led a song from the stage. Even though I’d sung on this stage almost weekly for the last 15 years, this was different.

It was scary and I was beyond terrified. I couldn’t hide behind the instruments. I couldn’t hide behind the harmony. 

We sang a song I’d been proclaiming for months, daily prophesying its lyrics over my life. I didn’t even know how much I needed this song (and I wouldn’t know for many more months to come.)

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The Psalm Project: Psalm 15
The Psalm Project: Psalm 15

Have you joined #thepsalmproject yet, friend? If not, it's not too late. You can start reading with us today (and I truly hope you will!)

This week's reading took us through Psalm 15, a short but mighty song. While reading it, I realized that something very dangerous can happen when we read a list of "to-do's" in an Old Testament passage. 

Before you grab a pen and begin writing a list of ways you can earn the love of God, will you take a few minutes to reflect on this with me? I think there's something here for all of us, no matter where your relationship stands with God right now.

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Thirty-Six
Thirty-Six

It’s that time of year again when I talk about how old I am and people older than me can yell obscenities at me cause I’m “not that old.” I know, I know. 

There are days when 36 feels old and days when I feel like I still have my whole life ahead of me. It’s hard not to think about how I’d planned for my life to go and what is actually playing out in front of me. 

On the blog tonight I'm reflecting on the story of Abraham and Sarah. On promises fulfilled - late, but at just the "right" time. Come on over!

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The Psalm Project
The Psalm Project

A group of friends and I went "live" with a new type of online Bible study yesterday and we were shocked to find that over 100 women are already following along!

We cannot wait to see what God does with this study. We wanted to make a quick blog post to answer a few commonly asked questions we've been getting this week - the main one being, "How do I join??"

If you started reading Psalm 1 with us yesterday, great! If you already feel behind, don't! It's only January 2nd and we have over 300 days to read 150 chapters. We can do this!! 

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