Shannan! When I say you are my favorite read everywhere—Substack, Insta, non-fiction books—I mean it in my bones. ❤️ Thanks for continuing to show up every Friday. I have 144 unread emails but yours always gets read immediately. PS can’t wait for the meet-ups!
Most often I save the Soup email to read at some time over the weekend - when I have time and space to fully engage with your writing. It’s like a piece of really good dark chocolate I intentionally choose to savor. I’m so thankful to be a part of this!
Dec. 20, 2019, which I read while in the hospital with pneumonia: "Listen closely enough and you’ll hear the low notes of sadness weaving through December’s soundtrack. What then? What if we don’t have it in us to orchestrate an elaborate outpouring of brightness, constant fun, and cheer? . . . It’s Christmastime and we were not made for this world. The lights are twinkly and the cheese balls are delish, but those things can’t complete us, perfect us, or transform us into people with lives that never bend at odd angles. . . .Emmanuel came. He came to walk in my sorrow and in yours. He came to see it for Himself, to touch it, to redeem it and call it beautiful. He came to suffer with us, to stick around for the long haul. Are you lonely today? Missing someone you love? Did you wake up today to the throbbing reminder that life is just as messy as it was yesterday? Emmanuel is coming for us. He’s entering our captivity. . . He alone is all the good news and great joy we’ll ever need."
A more recent post about how people will remember you (as a follower of Jesus) when you die-- I think about this one often!
Also...where is that mug from? Our newest and final addition to our family (now 2.5 months old!) is named Cora Shalom. Now I think our family needs a Shalom mug :)
I'm so glad FTS works for you! Here's to our third trip around summer. 🍅 🥂 The mug surely came from a Goodwill somewhere in the tri-county area. 😄 Congrats on the newest babe! I've always loved the name Cora.
I accidentally stumbled across the Shannan Cinematic Martin-Verse back when Ordinary Places had just come out. The Englewood Review of Books recommended a podcast with Jen Hatmaker in their end of year round up, and I was like 'Ordinary Places....exciting!' Back when I read christian books. I'm grateful for Shannan's wisdom and skill as a writer, and generosity and hospitality as an online space-convenor. Its an honour to be a regular in the Soup community. I would love to get to know other community members a little more, but wherever you are, it's a long way away. The Soup is encouraging, safe, challenging, and wonderfully ordinary. It rocks.
I love The Soup so much!! I honestly can't remember how long I've been a subscriber... maybe not as long as five years, but close I think. I adore this newsletter and I appreciate you and your writing so much. You help keep me real and honest and hopeful. 🌸(Imagine here a bouquet of peonies)
Thank you for faithfully writing The Soup for five years! My normal Saturday morning ritual is to sit at my kitchen table, watch the birds and squirrels at my feeders, and read The Soup while drinking my coffee. You encourage me in so many ways. I look forward to a meetup soon!
Happy 5th Anniversary! I always look forward to reading your weekly Substacks and experiencing life through your eyes and words. I've followed you long enough that when I see different political news articles or life events, I think of what your perspective would be because I feel like I know you personally from you being so open by sharing your inner thoughts and opinions. Looking forward to info on the meet ups!
Shannan! When I say you are my favorite read everywhere—Substack, Insta, non-fiction books—I mean it in my bones. ❤️ Thanks for continuing to show up every Friday. I have 144 unread emails but yours always gets read immediately. PS can’t wait for the meet-ups!
I adore you, Kayla! Until we meet again... 😏
Most often I save the Soup email to read at some time over the weekend - when I have time and space to fully engage with your writing. It’s like a piece of really good dark chocolate I intentionally choose to savor. I’m so thankful to be a part of this!
Cheers to 5! You are the realest of the real and the best of the best. ❤️
Forever grateful our paths collided! 🫶🏻
Dec. 20, 2019, which I read while in the hospital with pneumonia: "Listen closely enough and you’ll hear the low notes of sadness weaving through December’s soundtrack. What then? What if we don’t have it in us to orchestrate an elaborate outpouring of brightness, constant fun, and cheer? . . . It’s Christmastime and we were not made for this world. The lights are twinkly and the cheese balls are delish, but those things can’t complete us, perfect us, or transform us into people with lives that never bend at odd angles. . . .Emmanuel came. He came to walk in my sorrow and in yours. He came to see it for Himself, to touch it, to redeem it and call it beautiful. He came to suffer with us, to stick around for the long haul. Are you lonely today? Missing someone you love? Did you wake up today to the throbbing reminder that life is just as messy as it was yesterday? Emmanuel is coming for us. He’s entering our captivity. . . He alone is all the good news and great joy we’ll ever need."
Thank you for sharing this with me, Janeen. Just read the full post in my email. It was fun to see some familiar names! I'm so glad you mended. 🩷
I take my Saturday morning coffee with The Soup. It keeps me awake, curious, and connected in all ways necessary and good! Yeah to 5, Shannan!
Highlights:
The first FTS-- so much good!
A more recent post about how people will remember you (as a follower of Jesus) when you die-- I think about this one often!
Also...where is that mug from? Our newest and final addition to our family (now 2.5 months old!) is named Cora Shalom. Now I think our family needs a Shalom mug :)
I'm so glad FTS works for you! Here's to our third trip around summer. 🍅 🥂 The mug surely came from a Goodwill somewhere in the tri-county area. 😄 Congrats on the newest babe! I've always loved the name Cora.
What would we do without you, Shannan?! Thank you for continuing to bless us with your writing, honesty and life experiences xx
🩷🩷🩷
So glad I decided (8 years ago?) I didn't care if Dave Ramsey fired my husband because I followed you :-) Thanks for always being a truth teller.
You challenge me in beautiful, bold ways. I love it here.
I love it here, too. 💞
I accidentally stumbled across the Shannan Cinematic Martin-Verse back when Ordinary Places had just come out. The Englewood Review of Books recommended a podcast with Jen Hatmaker in their end of year round up, and I was like 'Ordinary Places....exciting!' Back when I read christian books. I'm grateful for Shannan's wisdom and skill as a writer, and generosity and hospitality as an online space-convenor. Its an honour to be a regular in the Soup community. I would love to get to know other community members a little more, but wherever you are, it's a long way away. The Soup is encouraging, safe, challenging, and wonderfully ordinary. It rocks.
I love this origin story! I too wish we could all gather up and really celebrate what we have here. 🥂
Yay for 5 years! 🎉 Thank you for helping us see the beauty in the ordinary, for challenging us and for keeping it real.
Keeping it real is all I know to do! ✨💞
Hooray for 5 years of The Soup! Grateful for you! I love Saturday mornings with you and my cup of tea! Shine on, Shannan!💕
I'm always so happy to see your name/face, Kim!
I love The Soup so much!! I honestly can't remember how long I've been a subscriber... maybe not as long as five years, but close I think. I adore this newsletter and I appreciate you and your writing so much. You help keep me real and honest and hopeful. 🌸(Imagine here a bouquet of peonies)
Thank you for the bouquet, Elizabeth! 💐
Happy 5th birthday! I’m so glad you are here Shannan! ❤️
Back atcha, Heather!
Thank you for faithfully writing The Soup for five years! My normal Saturday morning ritual is to sit at my kitchen table, watch the birds and squirrels at my feeders, and read The Soup while drinking my coffee. You encourage me in so many ways. I look forward to a meetup soon!
Happy 5th Anniversary! I always look forward to reading your weekly Substacks and experiencing life through your eyes and words. I've followed you long enough that when I see different political news articles or life events, I think of what your perspective would be because I feel like I know you personally from you being so open by sharing your inner thoughts and opinions. Looking forward to info on the meet ups!