Change And Transition: Keeping Up and Giving Away {for you}
**The winds of change and transition are blowing at home**. Our summer's been busy as our family's been experiencing transitions. As I've spoken to hundreds of women this summer, **change and transition** is a theme I hear in people's stories. People transitioning from
- **grief and loss**
- **stages with their children**
- **jobs**
- **being a parent to caretaker**
- **hard times to good time**
- **the status quo to "what's next"**
- **being stuck to moving forward**
- **anger to freedom**
- **life to death.**
**Working through transitions is hard** because you're **leaving behind what's known**. Even if the transition's good, **fear of change keeps us frozen in the "what if's.**" *Are you experiencing transition? How are you handling your transition? Are you walking forward or fighting it?* **Adjusting to life's transitions is important**. As we adapt and grow through transitions, **we allow God to work in new ways requiring faith. And it's scary. **
- **We don't know what "new" looks like.[](https://brendayoder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/MP900438778-1.jpg)**
- **It requires daily [faith in the unseen. ](https://brendayoder.com/having-faith-in-the-unseen/)**
- **It requires giving up control.**
As we **open our hand to God's future**, there's a comfort that comes in walking through transitions. "***Not my will, Lord, but yours***" (Luke 22:42) as our Savior said. **Do you need to open your hand** to God's leading in your transition? **I'd love to walk that with you**.* If you want a prayer partner to walk with you, please email me and I'd be my honor ([brenda@brendayoder.com](https://brendayoder.com/contact/)}.*
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# **Transitions**
There have been transitions this summer in the ministry at Life Beyond the Picket Fence.
- I was going to work on a manuscript, but God said, "**Have a bible study**." So I did.
- I was asked to** co-author an e-book** at[ Parent's Space,](http://www.parents-space.com/new-e-book/) so I did {you can still get it[ here}](http://www.parents-space.com/new-e-book/).
- I've partnered with [Ten To Twenty Parenting ](http://tentotwenty.com/fifty-things-im-glad-i-did-in-raising-a-man-for-2013/)regularly contributing on the lives of Tweens and Teens.
- I've been asked to** co-author a resource series** with [About The Children ](http://aboutthechildrenblog.com/2013/08/06/4-ways-to-deal-with-alcoholic-and-drug-abusing-exes/)for families with custody needs, difficult family situations, and foster care needs {***please pray for me as I put this together***}
- I'll be** joining [Choose Now ministries ](http://nicoleodell.com/choose-now-ministries-nicole-odell/)**in September as a **monthly columnist** on **The Middle School Years**
- I've been contacted by **moms and women** asking for encouragement both in **speaking and resources** *{What's your book? - um, it doesn't exist*)
- The** weekly parenting content** I'm **writing **at **[Parents Space](http://www.parents-space.com/author/byoder/), [10 to 20 Parenting](http://tentotwenty.com/) and [Not Alone Mom](http://www.notalonemom.com/category/the-team/brenda-yoder/)** is expanding {social media calls that going viral}.
- My partnership with [Not Alone Mom](http://www.notalonemom.com/category/the-team/brenda-yoder/) is expanding as both Krissy and I have a heart for moms who feel alone {they We are everywhere}.
- To meet the needs of this ministry, I **redesigned the website** to keep things connected for you.
Because I'm writing **more on parenting** at other sites, I've designed the [home page](https://brendayoder.com/) here to display those weekly posts. You can find it [here.](https://brendayoder.com/) Because I'm writing more on parenting at other sites, **I'll be writing less about parenting here** (so moms - **connect on [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/beyondlpicketfence)**so you don't miss parenting posts on other sites!). Because **more moms are asking for resources**, I'll continue **writing fresh parenting posts every Friday at [Not Alone Mom](http://www.notalonemom.com/)** and becoming **more involved** in what God has planned for that ministry (*stay tuned, we're praying about exciting things!)*. Because **more women asking for hope and encouragement from God's word**, I'm making ["**The Bible Study That's Not With My Husband**"](https://brendayoder.com/love-affair-thats-not-with-my-husband/) a **workshop/retreat **for churches or groups who would like to know more about making God's word personal and applicable to life through personal bible study (*email me at brenda@brendayoder.com for more information).* Because you're encouraged in your journey by this ministry, I'm committing to **consistently writing**, **authentically speaking**, and **keeping you connected** through a **monthly newsletter** to email subscribers. I [](https://brendayoder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_0194-001-e1375321710731.jpg)want to thank you by **sponsoring a few more giveaways** and **getting feedback** from you on what you'd like me to share with you.
- Are there **topics you'd like me to write on**?
- Are there **struggles you're facing that I can pray with you about**?
- I**s the new website helpful in keeping you connected**? (It's not perfect, but are you getting what you need?)
- Are there **groups you're connected with that need encouragement through a retreat?**
As I transition with the needs of this ministry and have the opportunity to share with others beyond this site, I ask you to *pray for the time, energy, and words to bring hope and encouragement as needed* for His honor and glory. And please pray for** the children I'll be working with** as my school year starts next week. Many children are hurting and I have the privilege to offer encouragement to their hearts. {I can use all and any prayer in this realm!}
**A Giveaway!**
[](https://brendayoder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/giveaway.jpg)
If you **comment on the questions above**, I'll **enter your name in a drawing** for a gift I purchased locally for one of you (pictured above). If you comment below **and** **"like" the ministry's [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/beyondlpicketfence)** for the first time, your name will be entered **twice**. I love interacting with you on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/beyondlpicketfence)! If you haven't joined us, please do!
"*I thank God every time I pray for you.*" (Philippians 1:3)