Waiting is hard, but it's not a punishment; it's a process. God is not delaying; He's developing. He is not leaving you; He's loving you.

When many of us hear the word theology, we conjure up visions of stuffy old guys in dark clothing, scratching a pen across paper (or maybe a quill across parchment!) and assume that it's not for us. But at its most basic, theology is just words (logos) about God (theos). Conversations, if you will, about the most important part of our lives—our good, loving, and grace-filled God.

Annie Jones always assumed adulthood would mean adventure: a high-powered career; life in a big, bustling city; and travels to far-flung places she’d longed to see. But her reality turned out differently. As the years passed, Annie was still in the same small town running an independent bookstore—the kind of life Nora Ephron dreamed.

In medieval times, uncharted waters were marked on maps as Here Be Dragons to signify that no one knew what dangers might lie ahead. Melanie Shankle quips that the years spent raising our teenage daughters could be labeled the same due to the uncertainties before us. Filled with personal stories and written in the same whimsical and honest style Melanie is known for, Here Be Dragons will have you both laughing out loud and crying—as you confront the challenges of raising your own strong, independent daughter while fighting dragons along the way.

Do you long for a richer life? One that's lighter, freer, and more focused on who and what matters? As moms who are busy, stressed out, and living in survival mode, we feel desperate for peace—with ourselves, our families, our homes, and God. But we often don't know how to find it. God wants us to experience abundant life—and it all starts with clearing clutter, first in our hearts, then in our homes. Julia Ubbenga—creator of the popular blog Rich in What Matters—is a guide and companion as she shares the tips, tricks, and inspiring lessons she's learned on her own journey to minimalism.