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47 Comments

  1. Ellen
    September 22, 2015 @ 12:33 pm

    Great idea! Challenge accepted!!

    Reply

  2. Linda Hehn
    September 22, 2015 @ 12:44 pm

    Fall is here … I accept your challenge!

    Reply

  3. Jennifer Wiser
    September 22, 2015 @ 12:55 pm

    I accept! I love it. Will you come over? I miss you desperately!

    Reply

  4. Mary Patterson
    September 22, 2015 @ 1:02 pm

    I am honored to accept your challenge and I will be happy to post pictures of my challenge event! I love that you are leaving this up to your readers to be creative!

    Reply

  5. Mary Patterson
    September 22, 2015 @ 1:03 pm

    I am honored to accept your challenge and I will be happy to post pictures of my challenge event! I love that you are leaving this up to your readers to be creative!

    Reply

  6. MQT
    September 22, 2015 @ 1:32 pm

    Looks like we will have a football party to watch the Pats play…..

    Reply

  7. Casey Ferri
    September 22, 2015 @ 1:58 pm

    Best giveaway ever! Challenge accepted – so fun!

    Reply

  8. Rachel
    September 22, 2015 @ 3:07 pm

    Challenge accepted. I am hosting dinner for 3 families with a combined total of 10 kids. Should be exciting and eventful!

    Reply

  9. Murraygirl
    September 22, 2015 @ 3:09 pm

    I'm in! Love the idea and the gift card ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply

  10. Becky
    September 22, 2015 @ 3:14 pm

    Thank you so much for this Julie! We LOVE to have people over to our house and we do it a lot! As much as I love to plan everything down to the smallest detail, the spur of the moment parties are always just as much (if not more) fun! Hopefully I can share this with some friends so that they, too, will open up their homes…maybe I will even get an invitation! Challenge accepted.

    Reply

  11. Kara Cabage
    September 22, 2015 @ 3:41 pm

    I'm in! Hospitality is something the Lord has recently burdened my heart about, so this couldn't have come at a better time ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  12. Kara Cabage
    September 22, 2015 @ 3:45 pm

    I'm in! Hospitality is something the Lord has recently burdened my heart about, so this couldn't have come at a better time ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  13. Sarah Will-Ham
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:00 pm

    I love this! I read recently to stop apologizing for any messes that might be there, because your guests aren't there for home inspection. They want to visit you and your family, and moving a laundry hamper off the couch in order to fellowship over a cup of coffee will go much farther than a home perfectly put together. Oh, yes, and I promise to open my home to others!!

    Reply

  14. Lynette Van
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:02 pm

    Thanks for the push…I accept the challenge. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  15. Heather @ Southern State of Mind
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:02 pm

    Such an inspiration! I just spent the weekend in an amazing house and came home feeling inadequate. Thanks for reminding me it's not the size of the house that matters

    Reply

  16. David and Dee Dee Sterling
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:07 pm

    Challenge accepted! Seahawks 12th Man (12th birthday) party coming up soon!

    Reply

  17. Noelle Myers
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:18 pm

    Challenge Accepted.

    Reply

  18. jrsreagan
    September 22, 2015 @ 4:40 pm

    Challenge accepted to our 900 sq feet!

    Reply

  19. Brettnay Brazzell
    September 22, 2015 @ 6:10 pm

    Challenge accepted!

    Reply

  20. Brettnay Brazzell
    September 22, 2015 @ 6:10 pm

    Challenge accepted!

    Reply

  21. Stephanie Fowler
    September 22, 2015 @ 6:28 pm

    I'm accepting the challenge! I stepped out of my comfort zone and had about 25 people over last weekend. I'm not a natural at hospitality so I appreciate this encouragement!

    Reply

  22. Photography by Michelle
    September 22, 2015 @ 7:15 pm

    I'm in!
    -Michelle(not sure why my google acct says Photography by Michelle)

    Reply

  23. Natalie
    September 22, 2015 @ 7:24 pm

    I accept!

    Reply

  24. Julie Rose
    September 22, 2015 @ 8:41 pm

    Yes- I accept the challenge! So excited for this! I am having a family over for dinner and then a bonfire outside if the weather permits. They have recently left out church but we want to continue our friendship with them. Great idea for this challenge-I love it!

    Reply

  25. Unknown
    September 22, 2015 @ 8:58 pm

    OK! I will try! No excuses and I will not be sidelined! Thanks for the challenge! I needed it!

    Reply

  26. jamie
    September 22, 2015 @ 9:49 pm

    Yes! This gives me just the push I was needing to host the backyard bonfire I've been planning in my head for months. Now, come on cool nights, fall foliage, and enough friends to make it memorable!

    Reply

  27. Michelle
    September 22, 2015 @ 10:52 pm

    Awesome idea! Thank you! I will offer to host a couple of mommas and their littles for a playdate:) Thanks so much for the push:)

    Reply

  28. Michelle
    September 22, 2015 @ 10:52 pm

    Awesome idea! Thank you! I will offer to host a couple of mommas and their littles for a playdate:) Thanks so much for the push:)

    Reply

  29. carol
    September 23, 2015 @ 2:57 am

    This will be really hard for me!. New home. Not unpacked yet. I accept the challenge!

    Reply

  30. carol
    September 23, 2015 @ 2:58 am

    This will be really hard for me!. New home. Not unpacked yet. I accept the challenge!

    Reply

    • Jennifer Bell
      September 23, 2015 @ 9:34 am

      We just moved to a new town too. The week I began school (I'm a teacher with four children, husband, and dog) we moved into our house. . .my inlaws babysat the packers in our old town and my husband had to take the day off the day they unloaded. A week later we found out that another family that we slightly knew was also moving into our town — we invited them for dinner even though half the house was still packed. It was a wonderful evening! Last weekend friends from our old town were in town for a soccer game — I invited them over after the game (I didn't have a thing to offer them!) but they declined. Later she texted me about why they couldn't make it. . .I said, "oh, my house isn't company-ready, but it's always open to friends!". With school full-time, 4 kids in sports activities, church, etc. our house is STILL 1/4 packed — and will be for awhile!! That's o.k. though. . .I ask forgiveness once from those who come over and move on. I'd rather spend my time with THEM than unpacking anyway ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply

  31. HS
    September 23, 2015 @ 3:09 am

    Great idea! I would love to accept the challenge.

    Reply

  32. Jennifer Bell
    September 23, 2015 @ 9:29 am

    Challenge accepted!

    Reply

  33. Hannah Smith
    September 23, 2015 @ 10:44 am

    Challenge accepted! As a newly married wife, I needed this encouragement to get out of my comfort zone! Thank you! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  34. Jennifer Lovett
    September 23, 2015 @ 12:53 pm

    Great idea! Challenge accepted!

    Reply

  35. Dorene Blauvelt
    September 23, 2015 @ 1:10 pm

    Challenge accepted and I love the printable. Thank you for the reminder that it is about spending time with those you love and not about having the perfect home.

    Reply

  36. Tanya
    September 23, 2015 @ 1:22 pm

    I'd love to join this challenge! We are planning a family get together at our house soon, and I usually mildly dread these events because of the work involved. Your article us a great reminder to be more hospitable than worried!

    Reply

  37. Liz
    September 23, 2015 @ 3:22 pm

    What a great reminder for us to open up not only our homes but our hearts to others too!! Family here on Friday for Family Night together! Much love and blessings to you from Oklahoma! :o)

    Reply

  38. Marlene B.
    September 23, 2015 @ 5:38 pm

    This is definitely something I need to work on, and I use all the excuses you listed, plus some.

    Reply

  39. kelsey rae
    September 23, 2015 @ 9:25 pm

    Challenge accepted and planned! And you feel free to pop over any time on your way to or from Jeff City! ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply

  40. Christa D
    September 24, 2015 @ 12:52 am

    This could be the motivation that I need to put out the fall decor and do some baking. I'm in!

    Reply

  41. My Kentucky Living
    September 24, 2015 @ 2:48 am

    I am giving this a big go! I love to have folks in the fall of the year. Spiced cider and cookies, cake, or pie. I can do this! Sheila

    Reply

  42. Angela Jennings
    September 25, 2015 @ 12:12 am

    I will happily accept the challenge, I love having friends over! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

  43. Sandra Lankford
    September 25, 2015 @ 11:22 am

    If it's not to late I accept. It's something I wanted to do anyway.

    Reply

  44. Amy
    September 25, 2015 @ 9:02 pm

    I'm in!

    Reply

  45. http://purposefulconfusion.com/
    October 9, 2015 @ 5:52 am

    Reply

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