one word: twenty17

So like I have done for the past 9 years I am putting myself out there. One Little Word. It's been so symbolic for me. Shaping my life. The Power of words is not something to underestimate. Thankful to Ali Edwards for introducing me to this concept:

 "A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything." -Ali Edwards

It's been brilliant to follow through the years and see the faithfulness of God in each word. I want to experience this with you!

Join me this year! Follow me on IG and use #olwhd2017


I feel its so important to establish what I am longing for and looking for this year. I am not into making resolutions - not many seem to ever stick and I also don't need another thing I feel I have to live up to. That just sounds stressful. It's something I can look to as a yardstick to measure life by.


The process is always different.. this year it came easily. As I reflected on the past 9 years I just knew. You can read up on my past words:   2008: Simplify, 2009: Choose, 2010: Present,  2011: Shine, 2012: Authenticity,  2013: Worthy, 2014: Enough, 2015: She Who Is Brave Is Free , 2016: Light


Choosing my one little word each year has been something that has shaped me. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.


"in the end we'll all become stories" ~ Margaret Atwood

This year my word came to me in a big wave. It was undeniable. Let me back up... last year my word was Light and each year as I look back my word weaves its way through all parts of who I am. Light was big for me. God gave me a picture of a Lighthouse halfway through the year as I was struggling with some big questions. To me the Lighthouse signifies a beacon of hope for those who are lost in the darkness. When a boat is lost at sea it's the lighthouse that guides them to the safe harbour... when the lighthouse's beam of light streams across the water it's a way home. It's safety. I felt God calling me to bring Light just as 13 years ago he gave me the VERY clear word I was to bring life to others. Sort of like full circle. Light has been about showing me that the time has come for me to walk into the ministry and community He set in motion all those years ago. A good friend sat with me this week and reminded me that even when we feel insecure and thoughts of doubt creep in we have to remember that our calling means more to those we are called to help and if we deny ourselves that call there are so many out there who need our message, who need our light.

I've wallowed in a belief system that is garbage ultimately telling myself that I can't put myself out there because I will fail. It has seemed as though it's a never ending cycle of climbing the same mountain over and over. I do it to myself.. mostly through self doubt, critiscm and self sabotage. I wrote this verse in my journal the other day and felt God saying it was time to stop climbing the same mountain.. there is a different way. It's time to turn North. I see new opportunities of promise, challenge, growth, change and fulfillment. But my fear has set me back. Unbelief has overwhelmed me, small expectations of myself has lead me to wander around and around. We all have those mountains and life is just a continual circle.. I am ready to move on. I have stayed at this mountain long enough and it's time to turn, take my journey, and go.

"this is not your heart breaking my darling, this is your heart hatching, shedding the shell of who you once were, this is rebirth" ~ 

So for 2017 my word is Legacy || climb to the highest point. strike up the brightest fire. fan the flames and let it burn. the world is waiting. people need to know they are not alone. we need to shine so they can see the lighthouse and find their way. be light. shine. so they can find their way back home. 

Legacy for me will be about vulnerability, authenticity and telling truth stories. 

   

DiFrancesco Family Missions 2017 - Nicaragua

Please consider partnering with us as we go to Nicaragua to serve at Mundo de Amor Children's Centre.

To donate use this link to our paypal http://paypal.me/Difrancescofamily or Electronic Money Transfer at heatherdifran@gmail.com

We appreciate you SO much!

SIX sparky years

I have been sitting here staring at a blank page for some time now. It's hard for me to write this post... Maybe cause it's crazy to me that you have been here for SIX years!

It does feel like yesterday you made your very early and scary entrance into the world. I often look back at these two pictures because they are a landmark for me. A fresh start, a shedding of fear and loathing and a celebration.

We had learned alot about parenting but at the same time having one baby was different. And different you have been from day one. You stand out.

You are funny - not even just funny but your humor is so unlike mine.. you get jokes I never think you'll understand. You articulate your thoughts and feelings through not being serious but it comes across. You LOVE people - especially your Papa and your friends. You crave quality time with people especially your Dad and good thing he is SO awesome cause that's what he craves too. You are teachable, coachable and on your way to excelling at every sport you have tried. You don't get easily discouraged but do want to win. At. Everything. You are super easy to be with.
The hardest part this year has been watching you constantly try for your brother's attention and approval and although I know this will change it's been hard to watch some days. I am so proud of you for persevering and although you have your outbursts of frustration for the most part you forgive easily and keep busy. You have LOVED Kindergarten and I can't wait to see you soar in Grade 1.

I am so honoured to be your mom and spend so much time with you. I am excited for you being able to get to school full time next year but will miss my little buddy in the afternoons. Your endless chatter, singing and jokes. Making you lunch and then more lunch and then more lunch ;)
I pray your heart always continues to be open to trying new things, exploring, being adventurous and unafraid. That your passion for the people you love will turn into the qualities of loyalty, compassion and steadfastness. Happy Birthday Jett.

a decade

I went through the archives this week reading through the moments ten years ago that made me a mom. I have tried to think back to that time and remember if I felt ready. Present day I never feel ready for all that comes with parenting. The days of tiny humans is long over in our house but I feel all sorts surrounding the task of raising growing humans.

When I had Noah & Ari I didn't really know anyone else with twins. It was so overwhelming. I am so thankful for this blog because for me that first year is not a vivid memory for me.. it was lots of days filled with survival and more sadness and crazy than I had space for. I do remember having my mom tell me when the twins turned one that the party was really for us.. we had made it.

And each year I hear her say that.. we made it. And now today. It's been a whole decade. Of scary, awesome, sad and joyful moments.

Being a mom actually means more to me now than it did before and for sure means more than it did when they were little. Our relationship has changed - I have to give up more control than I ever realized. Lara Casey (author of Make it Happen) said this the other day and I love it.

"She believed she could so she did" is lovely and instills confidence, but that doesn't last. I know a deeper truth. She believed she couldn't, so He did. I've made every "mistake," and I'm grateful because my falls led me to freedom. If God is your boss, there's no shame for all those imperfections, sister. There's just grace."

It speaks truth to my soul as I wake up each day imperfect in my motherhood but yet in awe of these boys who challenge me, surprise me and love big.

Ari - firstborn. Your compassion and love for life drives you. The start of this school year was tough on you and I am more than proud of all you have done and what you have pursued. You didn't give up and you worked hard. You are flying now! That is going to go a long way in your life. This afternoon when we walked outside you grabbed my hand and as I sat here to write it stuck out to me cause you always take time to grab my hand, hug me or tell me you love me. You care about others and don't have allegiance to any one particular person but love them all. Competition is not something that rates high on your life scale and it's part of what makes you care deeply for others and have an empathy that I value as part of who you are. I think you are going to be a champion for others and call out the good in those who don't quite see it in themselves. You started out life small and I know being a twin and constantly compared is not always easy but I see BIG life for you my boy.

Noah - You are a leader. People want to follow you. You are fun and full of life. You love your people and want to do good - I'm proud of you for realizing that what you do today and how you invest your time will produce lasting, tangible things for your life. A couple weeks ago when we went on a walk just the two of us I was struck by how much you crave one on one time - being a twin is not always easy and you have so much you want to say. I loved our conversation and the simplicity of just being together. You are a creature of habit and I love seeing you push yourself out of those things that make you comfortable.. reminds me of your Dad when we first met. You love excitement and being apart of the action of all things life.

I sat here and read those two paragraphs and realized you are both the best parts of your Dad and me and also uniquely your own. Gosh what an amazing thing! It honestly blows my mind that I get to be a part of this. Your stories. I can't wait to look back at the chapters but I am most looking forward to watching each page get filled.

I pray that you will continue to keep these things in your heart: there is nothing more important than showing up and putting yourself out there. To be seen. I want you to dare to live your life and not be selfish. To think of others first, show compassion, be love, teach humility, to be able to be wrong and to know your footprint on this world will have impact.

You are worthy of love... no matter what you wear or how much you look like each other. Your stories are entwined for sure but you each have your own book! You belong to that.

I celebrate this last decade with more passion and excitement than ever before. I celebrate each of you for who you are and who you are becoming. Happy 10th birthday Noah & Ari. Double Digits. This mama is proud and so thankful you help me each day see myself as worthy of the title mom.

one little word: twenty sixteen

Choosing my one little word each year has been something that has shaped me. It's being present and awake and stepping up to be my best self physically, emotionally, spiritually, creatively and within my relationships.

I feel its so important to establish what I am longing for and looking for this year. I am not into making resolutions - not many seem to ever stick and I also don't' need another thing I feel I have to live up to. That just sounds stressful. It's something I can look to as a yardstick to measure life by.

The process is always different.. this year it came easily. As I reflected on the past 8 years I just knew. You can read up on my past words:   2008: Simplify, 2009: Choose, 2010: Present,  2011: Shine, 2012: Authenticity,  2013: Worthy, 2014: Enough, 2015: She Who Is Brave Is Free

Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light. ~Brene Brown

Light is energy that makes it possible to see things. Something that makes vision possible, to ignite something. I feel this is the culmination of so many things that have led me to this moment in time. I have had some powerful words and dreams spoken over my life and to me walking into the light is being brave... I sing because I am free. His eye is on ME. 

Matthew 5:4 BE the LIGHT. Let your LIGHT SHINE

Chase the light.. wherever and whatever it may be for you. Chase it.
If you want light to come into your life you gotta stand where it's shining

For more info on where One Little Word started head over to Ali Edwards blog: http://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word

One Little Word 2016 #olwhd

So like I have done for the past 8 years I am putting myself out there. One Little Word. It's been so symbolic for me. Shaping my life. The Power of words is not something to underestimate.

I have had years where it has jumped out at me.. years I had to wait till the final hour.. but ALWAYS it shaped me and it's been brilliant to follow through the years and see the faithfulness of God in each word. I want to experience this with you!

Join me this year! Follow me on IG and use #olwhd

I will be gifting three people with gifts from MantraBand, Maehandmade and Sacred Arrow. I can't wait to see your story unfold!

You can read my past choices: 2008: Simplify, 2009: Choose, 2010: Present,  2011: Shine, 2012: Authenticity,  2013: Worthy, 2014: Enough, 2015: She Who Is Brave Is Free

one who rises

I am deeply impacted by books, music & movies.. the emotional part of me either can get lost in the romance, unpredictability, adventure and movement and the part of me that doesn't want to conform rises up and loves something to stand for.

Today I saw Insurgent - I loved the books and loved the first movie and could not wait for the second. I was having a hard time remembering the book and went into this one forgetting a lot.. I'm going to go deep here but God really spoke to me through this movie.. more than I even realized.. as I drove home I burst into tears.. If you have not seen it I am not going to necessarily spoil it for you but my perspective correlates to the end of the move.







Tris struggles in this movie over what has happened to those she loves - she blames herself for not being able to protect them and she feels everyone who comes in contact with her will get hurt... She is unable to forgive herself and let go... I have been praying into the tendency I have in my life to self sabotage. It causes me to feel unworthy, unloved, misunderstood and lets doubt creep in.. like my beautiful friend Crystal says you gotta BENCH those thoughts.. don't even let them suit up. They can't play..

ok so near the end Tris has to conquer a simulator and she has to fight herself... and in order to win the sim she learns she actually has to put her fists down and forgive herself.. let go and the self who is facing her and wants to destroy her.. can't. It has no power.. And in all love and beauty of the movie this realization not only sets her free but it allows the factions to learn the truth that they were all an experiment and there is so much more for them beyond the wall than they ever realized.. they are free...

of course in true movie fashion the music and the people streaming out of the buildings it all evokes emotion in me.. but as I sat there wanting to see SO badly what was on the other side of the wall I thought.. she had to let it go, forgive herself and be free. And then guys they are just all rushing towards the wall cause they all want whats over there.. just keep going!!

Passion evokes purpose. This has never been more true than in this season of my life. I am passionate and have more purpose than ever before but it's in these times that we have to suit up and realize the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy. Being brave is being free. What an incredible opportunity we have.

I plan to be a world changer. I plan to move forward. I also plan to remember my worth and who I am. Take captive every thought and be FREE. SO much more is coming. SO much more.