Restore One – Red Tent Living

Empty Spaces

By: redtentwomen October 22, 2018October 21, 2018

Day to Day, Intentional Living, WarriorAnna Smith, Brave On Conference, Change, Hope, Jen Hatmaker, Ministry Burnout, Moving, Restore One, sabbatical, The Anchor House, Transitions4 Comments

I whispered, “I am not my burnout,” a phrase I held underneath my breath just silent enough so no one else could hear. These words erupted as Jen Hatmaker was giving a stellar keynote at the recent Brave On conference. While I do not recall Jen’s exact words, I sharply remember her speech triggered a new…

While I Wait

By: redtentwomen June 18, 2018June 17, 2018

Day to DayAnchor House, Anna Smith, Change, Moving, Restore One, Saying Good Bye, Transitions1 Comment

A few weeks ago I felt the Spirit’s prompting to make a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies. The invitation did not feel uncanny; I love nudges to create. Instead, I was curious about the message I would receive in the process. Baking chocolate chip cookies is a ritual I practice during seasons of the…

April Fools

By: redtentwomen April 18, 2018April 18, 2018

Day to Day, Intentional LivingAnna Smith, Fundraising, Generosity, Restore One, Safe House for Trafficked Boys, The Anchor House6 Comments

Upon founding Restore One, Chris and I told our executive board that we felt God was calling us to build The Anchor House, a safe home for boys exiting the life of sex trafficking, debt free. Bright eyed and bushy tailed, we had the audacious faith to believe God would provide adequately for an $800,000.00…

The New Dance of Motherhood

By: redtentwomen January 15, 2018January 15, 2018

Day to DayAnna Smith, embracing change, life changes, New Mother, Pregnancy, Restore One, The Anchor House8 Comments

I stood there baffled as two blue lines appeared on the Walgreens pregnancy test. I struggled to find words as I called Chris into the bathroom. About eight pregnancy tests later, I poured out my beer, over ate pizza and spent the night on the couch. To my disbelief we were now a party of…

Loving Her Well

By: redtentwomen December 14, 2017December 13, 2017

Day to Day, relationshipsAnna Smith, Dreaming, Motherhood, Recovery from Abuse, Restore One, The Anchor House3 Comments

“Do you love me?” say the blue grey eyes of my 12 week old daughter, Asha, as she stares at me. I respond, “We’ve been doing this for a while, haven’t we my love?”

Almost Ending

By: redtentwomen May 15, 2017

Day to Day, relationshipsAnchor House, Anna Smith, depression, Fighting for your Marriage, Hope, Restore One9 Comments

I have never played football, but if I was to guess, I held the position of a tackling linebacker as I ran shoulder first from one end of our hallway into the spare bedroom door.

Redeeming Woman

By: redtentwomen March 15, 2017March 13, 2017

Day to DayAnna Smith, Blessing your Body, Dan Allender, Healing, Pregnancy, recovery from childhood abuse, Recovery Week, Restore One, Yoga16 Comments

Nearly two years ago, I sat at Recovery Week Two listening to Dan Allender talk about breaking curses that had been spoken over our bodies, and I felt a stirring in my heart.

The Hippopotamus and The Holy Spirit

By: redtentwomen January 18, 2017January 19, 2017

Intentional LivingAnchor House, Anna Smith, Recovery from Abuse, Restore One, Sex Trafficking11 Comments

“Hello, my name is Robert”, spoke a tall statured middle aged man. I paused and reciprocated the greeting with the exchange of my name, and we discussed a bit about our professions.