Charlene VandenBrink

Welcome!

It is a gift to connect with YOU here.

My name is Charlene, but Char will do.

I am a dreamer and believer who is blessed to be Benj’s ‘wifey’ for 16 years and a homeschooling mama to six kids ranging from age 5 - 14!

I’m curious—what makes your heart stop, weep, or skip a beat?

Deep waves of grief entered my life in 2022, with the loss of my beloved dad.

I am out at sea, listening for Jesus’ voice speaking “peace be still,” and trusting his arms to anchor me when the next wave of grief hits.

As I string together words from everyday pain & joy, the Creator of goodness & light has the last word!

Soulful Words for Life’s Beauty & Struggles

I have a gift for you…

“I love hearing your stories and words Char. So encouraging and truthful.”
— Naomi M.
“Hello poet, because that is what you are—such a deep thinker.”
— Nathalie V.
“So beautiful! Your words, your story, and our God who orchestrated it all.”
— Kerri A.

Home Schooling

I have been exploring the homeschool lifestyle for over a decade and want to see women filled up to overflowing so they can love their family and community in a way that shines JESUS!

Knowing our why changes everything and will help us take our next right step—the one only we can bravely take today!

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Home Making

While my heartbeat is to inspire the soul, I also enjoy sharing laundry systems, meal plans, chore systems, and daily routines.

The goal isn’t perfect order or squeaky clean (confessions of a recovering perfectionist) but rather peaceful rhythms!

We are all learning, adapting, and figuring out how to be keepers of our homes, season by season.

Hope Writing

Each of our stories are layered with trauma, healing, tragedy, and hope.

When I share a blog post, I am sharing a piece of my redeemed heart—a heart that has been fought for and bought by Jesus.

I love painting word pictures that reflect His glory…

Light

“Here’s another way to put it:

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand.

Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16 MSG

Traveling Life Together on Instagram!

View fullsize Dear friends... It's never too late To recalibrate Take the balcony view In whatever's stressing you! My delighted expression captures a helpful leadership/parenting technique I share in this month's blog post reflecting on two books, Soul of Disci
View fullsize "You will see Mommy crying many times over the next days and years..." Those were Benj's instinctive words to our kids two years ago, tomorrow, as we lay in bed after a sleepless night of sorrow. Tears streamed down our faces as little ar
View fullsize I hope you had people to sing loudly, hunt chocolate, and break bread with this weekend… I hope you extended forgiveness as you celebrated the One who paid it all… I hope people caught their breath with you as tears fell when you reme
View fullsize I quickly tossed a book into my suitcase. It was not from my seminary reading stack but a Christmas gift I had been slowly reading over the last two months. I didn’t expect much reading time on our five-day family getaway to the mountains for
View fullsize The recent loss of a beautiful momma of three children because of a senseless hit-and-run is a lot for everyone to process. There are broken hearts in need of a miracle only God can perform. A miracle he is continuing to do in the deepest places of
View fullsize Born to be...40! 💖 This post is tempered by the tragic loss of someone connected to our church community this weekend... And so, I celebrate this milestone's beauty, painfully aware of life's fragility. My soul was touched & blessed at a spec
View fullsize
View fullsize Yesterday marked our sweet 16 ❣️ Sixteen years of hearts and tables expanding... Benj's 2023 labour of love was a gorgeous white oak dining table. The epic legs, creative extensions, and smooth top are love in action over hours of planning and nin

SOULFUL WORDS

A monthly email for reflection and realignment…