Last year I wrote,
“Admitting that you are burned out can be hard, but many of us face it, some of us on a yearly basis (or more). My friend Elizabeth Foss has battled burnout herself, and she has created a workshop to help those of us who are suffering, recover joy. As my close friend, Elizabeth has held my hand through some of my hardest times. She’s one of those friends who always seems to know the right thing to say. Her words have turned my panic into peace on more than one occasion. She has poured herself and her wisdom, the kind that has grown through life experience, into her Restore workshop.”
This year, Elizabeth is offering her Restore workshop again, this time expanded to include all of Lent up through the week after Easter. Having taken part in the workshop last year, as both a contributor (we recorded a podcast together that is included again this year) and a participant, I know what a gift it is.
In Elizabeth’s words:
If you are feeling weary, frayed around the edges, or even falling apart at the seams, let’s make something beautiful together. If you go to bed exhausted and wake up tired and it all seems like to much too do, let’s journey together to a place of rest and peace. If you are willing to dig deep, do some soul-work, and seize the abundant joy that is Easter, let’s begin the restoration.
The Restore Workshop is a six week online course geared towards adult women who have struggled or are struggling with or want to avoid burnout. It is for any woman who wants to nurture joy within her life and the lives of those around her.
Every Monday, there is a podcast with a guest who shares her own perspective on burnout. We talk about the value of friendships and strong marriages. We discuss exercise and nutrition and quiet time alone. Each podcaster brings her own unique perspective and offers something new. These are frank conversations about the real struggles women face as they endeavor to lead holy and excellent lives. We laugh together and we build each other up, inviting the listener along for the talk.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday bring each component of restoration into sharper focus. We explore themes of self-care—from adequate sleep to creating healthy boundaries to getting in a daily walk. Fridays are for using our hands. Each Friday, a tutorial for a simple craft or recipe is offered. We make nourishing soups, pretty guest towels, hand kitchen towels, healing herbal salve, efficient headbands for morning runs, and more simple things to make life a little more beautiful. In many cases, two version of the craft are offered—one with a little more detail and one for the mom with a baby on her hip.
Every day, throughout the workshop, quiet time alone with Jesus is encouraged and facilitated by brand new devotions. There is a quote to think upon, a short prayer, and a do-able daily action.
*****
To be honest guys, I don’t have a great Lenten plan for this year. I’ve been so overwhelmed with daily life the past few months, that I am having a hard time coming up for air. Maybe you are in the same boat? Maybe Restore is just what you are looking for, to help carry you through Lent and into the season of Easter?
You can find more information on the Restore website. Elizabeth answers questions here. You can register here.
Elizabeth is offering one Small Things reader a space in the workshop! If you are interested, leave a comment on this post. The winner is Lorena who commented, “this is something i need more than ever right now……..”
p.s. I am sharing this workshop with you because I believe in Elizabeth, and I believe in the good work she is doing through Restore.
thanks for the chance to restore
As I sit here exhausted and overwhelmed, my heart pumping loudly, I read this and it could be just the thing I need. Thank you for sharing it.
I could certainly use a workshop such as this one.
Would love to try this. With two special needs boys, mommy burnout seems to be the norm. It isn’t about what’s best for me, but I wouldn’t trade it.
what a blessing this would be to win! Thank you for the chance.
Restore is a word I could use a little more of in my life. Thank you for the opportunity!
I would love the chance to win this. I’ve been burnt out all year and I can tell it’s affecting my family. Need something to help change things.
This sounds so wonderful, as it has been a very difficult year for our family. Even if I cannot participate in the workshop, I will certainly check out Elizabeth’s book! Thank you for sharing this blessing.
This workshop sounds very interesting. I would love to be part of it.
Oh please! This is just the time of year to be restored: in faith, in daily living so I can run this race well! Thank you for the giveaway, but also for sharing this opportunity so others may know and be encouraged.
What a lovely workshop & gift…
Going to bed exhausted and waking up tired….sometimes lingering in the shower b/c of the work and stuff that needs done when I get out…..yep! That’s me….sounds like a wonderful opportunity!
I have had a very, very tough year that has left me so vulnerable and Restore certainly sounds like something my depleted soul could use. Thanks for sharing this.
This sounds like a wonderful way to spend the lenten season. Thanks for sharing it!
This looks like such a lovely study. A special gift…
This would be a wonderful gift. Thank you!
I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do Restore but I hope it’s this Lent. Thanks for the opportunity.
It is comforting to know we all go through times of burn out and weariness. Thank you for sharing, this sounds like a great opportunity to restore and refocus….. A blessing.
This workshop called to me as soon as I read about it. Thank you for sharing it.
I’m drowning at home with 3 3 and under during 3 weeks of blizzards and frigid temps in Boston! Help!
I’ve been really thinking and praying about whether I should do that workshop this year. 🙂
Would love to win.
This sounds like something I could truly benefit from!
Would love to win this for a friend who desperately needs it.
Would love to win this spot! Thank you very much! ~x~
this couldn’t come at a more perfect time! I really need to work on creating self-care to help avoid burning out but just thinking about it seems to stress me out. It’d be lovely to have guidance!
What a gift! Thank you for the opportunity!
This looks amazing! I love Elizabeth’s writing – a balm to the soul. And what homeschooling mom doesn’t need some encouragement come February?! Thank-you!
This is just what I need! Thank you so much for the chance to participate.
I participated last year and it really really helped me stay focused on Lent. I didn’t relalize how much I needed it until I was a part of it. Thank you!
A great time of year for this:)
Ah! My soul NEEDS something like this!
Would love the opportunity to try to recover some joy. Life is a little hard right now…
Entering this giveaway with prayers.
This looks like such a great workshop to restore up. I have never had the chance to take an online workshop, it seems like a great resource though!
What a delightful workshop and so lovely to have the nurturing. Thank you for the opportunity.
I would love to be able to participate in Restore!! Thanks for the chance to win a spot.
I would love to participate in the Restore workshop. I so need it.
Oh my Goodness!!! I have been checking this workshop out for weeks – I would LOVE to be able to participate! I was so hoping somebody would hold a give-away for this – thank you so much for the opportunity!
Last year I had wanted to do this workshop so badly but we just couldn’t swing it financially. I love the fact that she’s offering it again. Thanks for offering a chance to participate!
Ooh I’d love to be considered please! How useful! I’ll keep an eye out to see what other resources people are using for lent. I need to do something, but life is a bit overwhelming at the moment.
would love to participate.
getting joy back sounds sooo good……would be nice to win this free entry buu otherwise I´ll join in anyway
thanks for encouraging me dear Ginny.
sincerely Sanne
I think all the comments here are a testament to how necessary workshops like this are. I would love to participate.
I have loved and been ministered to by Elizabeth’s writings for years! Her chapter on burnout in her book is dog-eared, tear stained and underlined many times. I cannot afford to do the Restore workshop as much as I would love to and need to right now. My father had open heart surgery 1 month ago and suffered a stroke during the surgery…my sister and I have been running back and forth to hospital and rehab all month. I have 2 children left at home that I homeschool, I’m a youth leader for middleschoolers at our church and teach at a homeschooling co-op as well….right now, I am fighting burnout. I say I am fighting it because I recognize it and am trying to build a little margin into each day for Bible reading, prayer…rest, healthy food , knitting and relaxation. I also have RA and Fibro and this winter has been a killer! LOL God bless you, Ginny, in all you do! You and your blog have blessed me immeasurably, too! Especially enjoy the yarn-alongs….pure relaxation every Wednesday! God bless!
sounds so peaceful, I’d love to join. Thanks!
Thank you for highlighting this workshop.
What a blessing!
A restore workshop seems just what I need this lent! I would love to participate!
this is something i need more than ever right now……..