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Monica Salmela Steely

@monicasteely

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What a blessing! It doesn’t feel quite real. I’m a published author today! God is so faithful, even when you feel like you missed your chance. Especially then, really. 🤍

This book is available now on Amazon. Link in bio. Get your copy today! 🥹📚 by @monicasteely

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3 months ago

📝 I remember writing as a little girl. I’d scratch out rudimentary stories and illustrations on small scraps of paper that would fit into little mint tins, and pretend they were my books.

In elementary school, I learned how to physically make and bind a book, and I took the task very seriously. It was the greatest thing ever! I won a writing competition sometime around 4th or 5th grade; I don’t even know what the story or prize was. I just remember the thrill of writing.

In college I took a creative writing class; imposter syndrome kicked in, and I put down the pencil and paper for too many years. It wasn’t until motherhood that I started tiptoeing into writing again. Mainly journaling…then blogging. It ignited a yearning to really write—I attended writing conferences and workshops, and even shopped around a not-so-great book proposal, only to be met with rejections.

Somewhere along the way—between life, imposter syndrome, podcasting, and work—writing took another backseat. And then about a year ago, I mustered the courage to take a just-for-fun writing class, and a fire was stoked deep in my heart to finally, at long last, pick back up my pencil.

Imagine the sheer joy and excitement the 8 year-old in me felt finding out I was selected to be a part of my first, official published book! I’m honored to be one of several contributing authors. It’s a dream come true, and the first of hopefully many more to come.

Peace is needed now more than ever in our lives, and you are going to love diving in and reading the words of these incredible women. God alone is the author of peace; hopefully our words resonate in your soul, and point the way to the One who gives it.

It’s available Thursday on Amazon, and is going to bless you! 📚 by @monicasteely

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3 months ago

Most everyone would say he’s hilarious—sarcastic and witty. Funny and playful.

Many would say he’s serious and efficient—focusing on the job at hand and tackling the to do list with fervor. Finding the best practices to accomplish any goal.

And I agree—he’s hilarious and sarcastic and witty. When we need something done he stops at nothing to finish the job well. And I fell in love with those sides of him immediately.

But beyond that, what I get to see every single day is how loving and kind, caring and tender he is. How loyal and fiercely he protects the people he loves.

- How he instituted weekly grocery shopping trips for the two of us because he knows how much I hate it and wants to help and make it more fun.
- How he’d rather spend time just the two of us versus anyone else ever.
- How he wants to throat punch anyone he feels is taking advantage of me or treating me poorly.
- How he says yes in a nanosecond anytime the kids need his help or advice or wisdom.
- How he agrees to all the activities I want to do even if he thinks they’re cheesy.

He has a million wonderful qualities and I’m the luckiest one on earth to witness them all firsthand all the time.

Happy Birthday to my hilarious, sarcastic, focused and loyal husband. I love you so much. @gregsteely 🎉🎂🎈🥳🎁🎊 by @monicasteely

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9 days ago

It’s been quite a summer for my girl. She’s graduated college, gotten engaged, spent time at the beach, shopped for wedding venues and wedding dresses and clothes for her new job.

And now today is the first day of that journey and the start of her career.

I look back at these pictures from only the past two months, but as I do my mind is flooded with 22 years of memories. From starting kindergarten to moving to the mountains, to moving back from the mountains. From the highs and the lows to the hardships and the victories…from the times she questioned herself to the times she stood firm in her decisions.

I’m so proud of her my heart could split wide open.

I’m so grateful to God for His faithfulness in her life I could fall to my knees.

Thank you, Jesus.

Go get ‘em, @jaanasteely. The very best is yet to come. I know that because God said so.

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” (Isaiah‬ ‭64‬:‭4‬) by @monicasteely

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18 days ago

Just needed this to have a permanent spot on the feed! 🎓💙👩🏼‍🎓🧡🦅 by @monicasteely

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3 months ago

This beautiful book from @calledcreatives releases in two weeks, and when it does, I’ll be a published author!

This book features essays from several writers and each one focuses on the incredible topic of Peace. You will be encouraged, filled with hope, and inspired after reading these incredible authors. What a joy to be a part of this compilation!

I’ll release purchase details in the coming days. Thank you so much for your support on this amazing journey! by @monicasteely

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3 months ago

He sees you in your place of want and hurt and need and desperation. He sees you in your place of deep ache and broken dreams and misplaced desires. You may feel a little lost in life, but He has never lost sight of you. He’s watching, He’s loving, He’s reaching, He’s waiting. -@monicasteely. 🙏 Amen? Be encouraged today. God sees you, dear friends. 🫶 Link in bio to read more from this article! by @monicasteely

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4 months ago

🎉 22 💗 • Long gone are the days of princess dresses and themed birthday cakes with matching invitations and balloons. Long gone are the days of gaggle-of-girls sleepovers and roller skating parties with pizza and candy galore. Long gone are those good ol’ days, but here’s the biggest blessing—I knew they were good ol’ days smack in the middle of them; I soaked in every single second. What people don’t tell you very much? While you may get nostalgic for some of those long gone days, every season of parenting just gets better and better.

Jaana is 22 today, and is more her than she’s ever been. She’s confident and secure, sure-footed and determined. She’s loyal and faithful and true. She knows what she believes and doesn’t waver; she stands up for what’s right and sets her face like flint to accomplish whatever challenge is in front of her. She’s wildly funny and sarcastic and adventurous and courageous. She’s the best travel buddy and friend and I could burst wide open with pride and love and adoration at the queen this princess has become.

Those long gone days have paved the way for a future so bright it’s blinding. She graduates college soon, starts a full-fledged job, and many exciting, untold adventures await. I can’t wait to see where God takes you, and will always be your biggest cheerleader along the way.

Happy Birthday, @jaanasteely, I love you! 🥳🎁🎈🎂🎊 by @monicasteely

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5 months ago

My boy is 16 today. It’s hard to believe that this once teeny, tiny squish now stands above me.

Paxton, you’ve grown more in the past year than at any other time—not just physically (hello 5”!), but spiritually, skillfully (you released albums and now play bass guitar!!), emotionally and mentally, too. Watching you transform into a strong young man of character, integrity, and strong faith is an absolute joy.

I sure do love you, buddy. The best is yet to come! 🎉🎈🎂🥳🎁🎊 by @monicasteely

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8 months ago

Alright friends we are to the final topic in our Get Real series! While we have already covered Marriage, Parenting, and Relationships (scroll back and catch up if you’re just seeing this series!!), this week’s topic fuels all of those. @monicasteely is kicking us off talking about how we lead ourselves and take care of ourselves.

We can’t pour into others from an empty well! Monica’s wisdom and insight into slowing down and creating the quiet space to think, be bored, and dream creatively is a much needed word in our busy culture.

Check out the this week’s conversation and send it to a friend to hold each other accountable in creating some quiet, undistracted time over the next week! by @monicasteely

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8 months ago

Part two of Relationships is here!

This week I get to tag onto @monicasteely’s advice on vulnerability to talk about boundaries in relationships. While it seems that they are not congruent with each other, vulnerability and boundaries can play hand-in-hand are are both essential to every relationship.

Scroll back to catch up on part one if you missed it! by @monicasteely

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8 months ago

We are back! This week we are talking about something that affects us all…relationships. Not just romantic relationships! But rather any kind of relationship you find yourself in whether it be a friendship, professional, family, or acquaintance.

@monicasteely is kicking us off again sharing some words around vulnerability and how sharing what’s going on in life only helps relationship. by @monicasteely

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9 months ago