A Year in Review: Simquily’s 10 Most Read Articles

Last May, I launched Simquily.com with a dream that the articles, ideas, and content shared would offer encouragement and inspiration for daily life. I have so enjoyed planning and executing each issue, and what I’ve really come to appreciate and enjoy is working with the contributing writers who so generously give their time and talents to write for Simquily. And so, in celebration of one year since the launch of Simquily, here are the ten most read articles over the past year.

To all of you who read Simquily, thank you for coming back month after month to read our articles!

~Barbara, Editor

No. 1o: Closet by Closet: 6 Lessons I Learned While Decluttering My Home’s Hidden Spaces

When it comes to clutter in my home, it’s the hidden spaces—my closets—that tend to be the biggest culprits. And this past fall, I’d had enough of the clutter. . . . Whatever your motivation for getting rid of the clutter in your home, I hope the following lessons I learned during my own decluttering journey might help guide you through your own project. And, because I’m no organizational expert, I reached out to Certified Professional Organizer Ellen Delap to get her thoughts on how best to declutter those pesky hidden spaces. Continue reading >

No. 9: The Heart of Hospice: The Story of One Woman Who Answered the Call to Work in Hospice

It had been nearly twenty-three years since my grandpa’s death when I called Sharon to ask if she would allow me to interview her about what it’s like to be a hospice nurse. Graciously, Sharon agreed to an interview, and so we talked—for a long time. When we spoke, I asked questions here and there, but I mainly just listened. And gladly so. Because when Sharon talks about hospice, you can hear the love she has for the profession, yes, but more so you hear the love she has for the people. Continue reading >

No. 8: Thankful for Teachers: A Gift Guide for Teachers by Teachers

The more you speak with a teacher and listen to her talk about her job and the students she teachers, the more you realize just how special she is. During this season of thanksgiving, we pause to give thanks especially for educators—for all the men and women who have answered a life calling to go above and beyond to teach, coach, inspire, and encourage our children. To help you think through some gift ideas, whether for Christmas or just a special “thank you” gift before the end of the semester, we asked several teachers to share some of their favorite gifts they’ve received over the years. Continue reading >

No. 7: On Becoming a Dad: Adventures of Fatherhood

By Steele Shippy

Life brings along many adventures, from learning to walk and ride a bike to catching the first fish, climbing a mountain, scuba diving in a cave, and jumping off bluffs into a lake. But none of these experiences compares to the adventure of becoming a dad. In many different ways, being a dad is so much more than what I expected or ever could have imagined. Continue reading >

No. 6: When God Says No: Reflections on Seasons of Waiting

Last night I was trying to explain to my son why I was telling him no. I’m a first-time mom, so I often find myself doing things that make no sense—things like trying to reason with a seventeen-month-old. I don’t know about you, but “no” is such a hard word to hear no matter our age. And it’s especially hard to hear when we don’t understand the why behind the oh-so-finite answer. Continue reading >

No. 5: To Budapest and Back: A Texas Teacher’s International Journey of Faith

When I talk with Laura Smith, I feel like I’ve found a kindred spirit, a mentor, and a role model all in one. We don’t know each other well—our only connection being that I married her sister’s husband’s brother—but when we spend time together, either in conversation on the phone like we did for this interview or in person once every few years around the Fourth of July, conversation flows easily, and I find myself wishing Texas and Missouri weren’t so far apart. But rather than write about our shared loves and interests, from God and family to travel and education, I want to share with you a bit of her story. Because it’s a story of faith and of courage and one that I think will inspire you as it does me. Continue reading >

No. 4: The Lonely Wife: 13 Ways to Thrive During Seasons of Loneliness

Loneliness. Maybe you’ve experienced it before, or maybe it’s a new sensation for you. If you’re a wife and a mother with young children, you might even feel silly admitting that you feel lonely because you are never alone—especially if you are a stay-at-home mom. But when you’re married to a man whose work often demands much of his time, or takes him out of town more than you’d both like, your days can become long, the nights longer, and the weekends even longer. Continue reading >

No. 3: Giving Thanks for Open Homes & Hearts: A Q&A with One Young Family Who Said Yes to Foster Care

This month, as we shift our focus from everyday things to a season of giving thanks, we also recognize November as being National Adoption Month and give special thanks for the everyday superheroes who open their homes and their hearts to children in foster care. To shine some light on the incredible people who say yes to foster care, we asked one young couple from Jefferson City, Missouri, to share a little bit of their story. Continue reading >

No. 2: Mercies Not Wasted: How My Near-Death Experience at the Grand Canyon Spurred Me on to Realize a Lifelong Dream

By C. F. E. Black

The year of 2014 humbled me. A series of challenges began to cut out the idols from my life one by one, leaving me near death, and with nothing but the clothes on my back (which happened to be really ugly pajamas). But these challenges changed the course of my life—for the better. Continue reading >

No. 1: The Fruitful Life: Peace

By Sharon Shearman

Peace is a much desired commodity in this world. We pray for peace. We try to negotiate peace. We pursue peace. We desire inner peace, peace in our relationships, peace with other nations, and peace with God. When we lack peace, we are anxious, distressed, fretful, and worried. The unrest in our world today makes us feel out of control and leads to unrest within. Continue reading >

To learn more about Simquily—particularly if you’ve recently stumbled upon this website for the first time—I encourage you to check out our About page. There, you’ll discover more about the website, its name, and how it came to be!