#saltysweetmama

Dec 26, 2019
2 min

Is There Room in the Manger of Your Heart?

“That’s where baby Jesus is.” Said the three year old, bright eyed girl pointing at the manger, the rustic, splintered wood, feed trough like structure. “Yes, my love, that’s where He laid.” I replied. “He went there too”..she pointed up at the wooden cross. “Yes, baby He did.” I replied with a lump in my throat. I looked down at her as she wrapped her tiny arms around my leg. “Mama Mary is with Him?” She asked. I nodded and scooped her up into my arms as I too looked upon t

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kpwoodard3

Nov 27, 2019
4 min

Heavenly Hero

”My Daddy is on the ship….” The 4 year old girl said. “He is going to miss my sister’s birthday, my mommy’s birthday, and Christmas, but, he will be home for mine.” She held a doll with her daddy’s picture printed on it. He was dressed in perfect Navy uniform with stripes and his name in place. It was really him! I climbed down off the bleachers and approached the girl and her caregiver. “Excuse me sweetheart.” I said. “I hear you are the daughter of a hero. I would love

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kpwoodard3

Nov 24, 2019
2 min

Heavenly Composer

I watched the sun come up and fought off sleepy eyes and an anxious stomach. I heard these words stream across the music station, “In the middle of the chaos you’re writing a symphony...” I instantly pictured my daughter, in piano lessons, attempting to learn the gift of music. Sometimes, on very rare occasions, when we come into practice early, we may stumble across her teacher practicing a piece from Mozart or Bach. In those moments my daughter turns quickly to me with her

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kpwoodard3

Oct 22, 2019
3 min

Who’s Your “Mickey”?

Rush out the door. Grab book bags, lunch boxes, sports bags, one kid, two kid, three, ok let’s go! Off to school!!! Now, as we are all confined, let's dim the music and pray for our school, for our friends, and for our families before the kids jump out of the vehicle and enter into the world of classes, social lives, and sports. So, I begin the process with the same daily question, "Who or what would you like to pray for today?" "MICKEY!!!!" She squealed at the top of her th

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kpwoodard3

Oct 18, 2019
4 min

Footsteps Into The Unknown...

They took off from the start line. Running in the opposite direction of us, away from their families and their friends. Backs to us as they excitedly bound off into the wilderness. A path with forest on each side. Tall trees, winding paths, and from a mama stand point, lots of hazards and things to fear like poison ivy, snakes, and rocks to trip over. I watched my son leave the start line with his mind set on completing the race in his personal best time. Suddenly I realiz

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kpwoodard3

Oct 2, 2019
4 min

Did You Hear The Bells?

Sunday morning we walked out of the sanctuary after a beautiful service where we were given the gift of seeing multiple children and youth declare their intent to follow Jesus through baptism. As we exited the church doors out into the world our ears were filled with the joyous sound of bells ringing. It was almost as if the bells were rejoicing alongside the angels in these decisions. What a beautiful sound!!! My son immediately stopped, looked up, and questioned “Do you hea

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kpwoodard3

Sep 22, 2019
3 min

HIS POWER > the weight of our worry

We sat in the den looking out at the sound on one side of the house and the ocean on the other. Wow…it was sheer beauty. What a creation! What a privilege to get to lay eyes upon it. As the sun became covered with clouds and the wind rolled in, the temperature dropped suddenly. The sea oats, who once stood proudly on the dunes, seemed to bow down in response to the power of the wind. A once calm, clear, ocean that gently kissed the shore turned into a choppy, white capped da

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Friday 13th, Harvest Moon, & Toddler Talks

kpwoodard3

Sep 16, 2019
3 min

Friday 13th, Harvest Moon, & Toddler Talks

So Friday was a rare occasion. It was Friday the 13th and a harvest moon. It was certainly “the talk” as far as the kids were concerned. Even some adults had pretty high levels of superstition governing their day and night. My kids and I spent a couple hours in the car and the moon was certainly out in full force! It prompted questions... What is the harvest moon and why is it such a big deal? Is it scary? Is it bad? So, we did a little research. According to The Old Farmer

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kpwoodard3

Sep 11, 2019
3 min

Life, a Gift to Celebrate

.....Happy TO YOUUUUUUUU! She began to sing in her sweet little two year old voice... “Happy to you! Happy to youuuuuuuuu!” She owned it!!! She was proud of her lyrics and her joyous song…singing out at the top of her lungs and she finished with a strong “YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY” while clapping her hands to celebrate her musical talent. I started to teach her that she needed to include the word “birthday” in her song…. happy birthday to you….that’s the way we sing it right???? The

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kpwoodard3

Sep 1, 2019
6 min

Predators of Joy

So often our lives are filled with loving on others. Making sure everyone has what they need and that boo boos are taken care of even down to putting the little smiley face on the band aids. We ensure that cow licks are suppressed, sunscreen is applied, noses are wiped, kids are taxied and dinner is balanced...somewhat. We carry baby bags, ball bags, beach bags, and toddlers while juggling full time jobs and sometimes caring for aging parents. We want to go above and beyond t

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kpwoodard3

Aug 23, 2019
4 min

Back to School - As the Jar Empties

Wow! What an attempt at a live event 😳! Jessi put it perfectly when she said our imperfect bravery would encourage others. Y’all - it’s real - good nights and bad - and through it all He gives us others to say “it’s ok we understand.” Thank you all for your patience and your input tonight! I was encouraged and enjoyed our time together. I do apologize for the dramatic exit 😉. Some take away moments: - Pray with and for your tribe -Ask...Where did you see Jesus today? -A lis

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kpwoodard3

Aug 22, 2019
4 min

It’s More Than Just Baseball...

It’s All Star Time!!!! Hot Summer days and nights spent at the local ballparks with friends, families, and fellow baseball fans as we watch our players give their all to a game they love. So many gifts can be found in this environment. It’s way more than just baseball. There are obvious God sightings such as a teams huddled together in prayer before and after the game. Maybe you’ve scouted out great miracles in little league children with disabilities hitting homeruns and ca

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kpwoodard3

Jul 26, 2019
2 min

Use Your Arms Baby Girl!

I believe, if we are, we will resemble the two-year-old giggly girl running with her hands reaching the sky and God will still smile upon

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OUR TEAM

Jessi

Strother

Jessi is not the only a writer and the founder of Salty Sweet Collective, she loves leading her local churches women ministry ~ The Salty Sweet Sisterhood. She also travels to share Salty truth and Sweet Grace with all ages, in hopes to further the upside-down kingdom.

She is thrilled to bring you here this team of beautiful beloveds working to provide you with the best merchandise and words of encouragement.

Kristin

Woodard

Kristin is serving as Director of Youth and Children's Ministries. She was raised in a US Air Force family and traveled as a child. She is a graduate of Wake Technical Community College with an AD in Nursing, North Carolina State University with a BS in Animal Science, and American Sentinel University with a MS in Nursing. She is certified in Chaplaincy with NC Disaster Relief. Kristin is a wife, mother of three sweet munchkins, and a nurse. She has a desire to teach, serve, and walk hand in hand with others towards the cross whether it be in the church, mission field, classroom, hospital, or home. She loves God, her family, serving others, our country, animals, and searching for God's presence in her daily life whether it be in the smile of a child, the sunlight rushing through stained glass windows, words that come to life through song and text, or the peace found at the water's edge. If she had to pick a favorite verse from the bible it would be from Matthew 1:23 …"and they shall call his name Immanuel," which means, "God with us."

Jessi Strother

Is There Room in the Manger of Your Heart?

Heavenly Hero

Heavenly Composer

Who’s Your “Mickey”?

Footsteps Into The Unknown...

Did You Hear The Bells?

HIS POWER > the weight of our worry

Friday 13th, Harvest Moon, & Toddler Talks

Life, a Gift to Celebrate

Predators of Joy

Back to School - As the Jar Empties

It’s More Than Just Baseball...

Use Your Arms Baby Girl!

OUR TEAM

Jessi

Strother

Kristin

Woodard

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