Author: mackenziechester

My name is Mackenzie Chester. I am a wife and mother of eight. Welcome to my blog, The Sacred Everyday, where I write about waking up to the miracle of ordinary life.

Sometimes Hopes Come Back to Life

A year ago, after a great disappointment of the soul, I wrote these words: Sometimes small hopes die. And there is a grief that comes to us that cannot be measured by reason. A future that has lived in the illuminated imagination of the mind is set backward in time and exists only in shadowy…

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My Ramble from a Cozy Cottage in the Woods (Podcast #46)

I have missed making podcasts this last month! It has been a really busy time for me because I’ve given myself a deadline to complete something that I’ve been dreaming about for over a decade. Listen to today’s podcast, recorded at a quiet cozy cottage in the woods, where I have been working away, getting…

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Life in a Big Family (Podcast #45)

“How do you do it?” I have been asked this question so. many. times. When people learn that we have eight children ages 1-15, I think they are genuinely curious what our life looks like. Today I am sharing a bit about life as a mother of a large family, as well as some thoughts…

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Moving into a Year with No Fear and No Regrets (Podcast #44)

On the last day of the year, I reflect on 2022, thinking about how this year has been different, what I have learned and some of the milestones of this year. I share some of our own family rhythms that we’ve established this year that have been making home in a family with eight children…

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Marriage and the Creative Life (Podcast #43)

What does it look like to be married to a creative soul? Today, I am sharing a little bit of our story and what our life has been like these 20 years, trying to learn how to find peace in marriage while also responding to the deep call of the creative life. Show Notes: Why…

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December Newsletter

Merry Christmastime, friends! I wanted to share a quick hello from my little office on a chilly Friday morning. I’m drinking a cup of Iced Lemon Poundcake Tea, and I have a day before me of writing and journaling, grocery shopping, decorating for Rosie’s 15th birthday this weekend, and a family evening of Christmas festivities…

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Taking the Help That Comes (Podcast #42)

There are seasons of my life where I become acutely aware that I am in way over my head. When I want to hand my life over to someone who is more qualified to run it for me because I literally do not know what I’ve gotten myself into. I find that as overwhelming as…

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The Paper Doll Club Returns

Dear friends, If you remember the Paper Doll Club (which Rosie, Paloma, and I started seven years ago), I hope you will be happy that we are going to continue it! This is just a fun collection of drawings we have done that can be printed, colored, cut-out and loved. On today’s post in my…

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Homeschool and Creative Family Culture (Podcast #41)

I don’t want my children to be simply entertained through life. I want them to show up for the purposes for which God has created them. I want them to do the things that only they can do. I want them to have the living conversations that can only come from their hearts and mouths….

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My Book Now Available!

*At this time, there is no hard copy of this book. It is only available as a free audiobook. Read on for details! Yesterday, I released my first book. On the outside, it looked like a normal day. Breakfast, homeschooling, lunch, book club, music lessons, supper, laundry, going to sleep with a baby in my…

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