The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life

Bitter.Shame.Cowardice.

2012-03-01T00:11:00.000-05:00

Bitter.

Shame.

Cowardice.

Sometimes I feel these in abundance.

I let my heart become ensnarled by it's tangles-

Jealousy.

I find my sould ragged and warn by my "Lack of...".

I patch up my feelings of failure with bitterness...

And slather glue upon my heart's fragmented layers.

This. This leaves me standing in shame...

I am ever so broken.

I need Grace.

I am so ugly inside, sometimes that it aches-

Heart wretches, Soul snarls...

In these moments, I have to not bend-

But BREAK my knees into a humbled spot on the floor.

"Lord, I am sorry. I must be ever so disgusting in your eyes at times. Messy. Sloppy. Ugly.

Not what you picture me to be... but other.

Take this broken heart, make it like clay in your hands and give me a good working on.

Turn my bitter into sweet.

Turn my shame into honor.

Turn my cowardice into something more brave.

Create in me a clean heart and renew me, this I humbly pray. Amen"

Smearing away trangressions as these-

He does provide healing of the most awesome kind.

Forever grateful I will be to this LOVE...

It's Only A Matter Of Time...

2012-01-04T23:28:00.000-05:00

"There is a time for everything,

and everything on earth has its speacial season..."

-Ecclesiastes 3:1

Lately, I feel them slipping by-

these moments lived...

Tender fragments of my life,

scattering about me.

My heart, powerhouse of my being-

Growing, Aching, Maturing, Feeling...

More than I can handle these days-

Yet thumping forward in spite of this, because of HIS strength in me.

I reflect desperately on wise words spoken in Ecclesiastes-

they ripple like waves around my thoughts...

"...A time to be born, A time to die...A time to cry, A time to laugh..."

Yes.

Truly, life is a matter of time...

Time we don't own.

Time given to us for purposes only He-Who Is, fully understands.

Days of my own, I have been filling with busy clammer...

Bringing up children I adore, sharing my heart bountifully with my husband-

Taming the wild waters of our day's technologies...

tick, tock... Moments gone... not wasted...but gone, none the less.

My mind races to make sense of loss...

Three loved ones gone in one year's time.

I read words long ago written,

They are most assuredly bittersweet- but healing to me...

"Enjoy all the useless days of this useless life God has given you here on earth, because it is all you have. So enjoy the work you do here on earth. Whatever work you do, do your best, because you are going to the grave, where there is no working, no planning, no knowlege, and no wisdom."

-Ecclesiastes 9:9-10

It's not exactly the kind of passage that makes one feel warm inside,

But oh the wisdom in it.

I need these words just as much as the rest of them...

Daily reminders of our moments lost forever as the clock hand does move.

But, the moments I pine over...

Wedded kiss, Newborn babe in my arms, Inspired sunsets-

They belong only to this life.

And wonder beyond wonder- He, who Is, has created for us a time beyond this...

Where moments like those will be everlasting and unending...

"But do not forget this one thing my friends: To the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as is one day. The Lord is not slow in doing what He promised- the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost but He wants all people to change their hearts and lives...God made a promise to us and we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives."

2 Peter 3:8-13

"The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first.... And we will be with the Lord forever."

-1 Thessalonians 4:16

Indeed.

It's Only A Matter Of Time...

Merry Christmas To You All...

2011-12-23T19:55:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Sweet Friends...

I just wanted to take this time to send out a prayer for each of you...

Dear Sweet Lord,

Thank you... Thank you for each lovely person who gathers here to share a smile or thought with me.

Thank you for their kindness and friendship- May each one know that they are cared for and loved by you!

May the gift of You be a resounding light in each precious heart-

Reflections of your humble entry unto our sinful world- becoming flesh to save, an ever present thought.

Blanket us in Joy this Christmas,

Overcome our spirits with Hope and Grace...

Bend our knees in daily humility, so that we too can offer tender mercies.

Sweet Father, your Love is the Gift-

Help us to see it..

Help us to feel it...

Help us to know it...

Help us to share it...

Standing in your Grace and only in your Grace...

Amen.

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100 Devotions,100 Bible Songs Review and Giveaway!

2011-11-09T05:13:00.000-05:00

Layla loves to read.

Infact, she loves to pour over as many Bible based story books that she can get her hands on.

Her book shelf has at least 6 that I know of. {There are plenty others, I'm sure}

But...

100 Devotions,100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins is a little bit different.

Not only does it include totally readable text for children ages 4-8,

But bit is done in a format that is

"Bible Devotions" style.

{Here Layla is reading the devotion about Adam and Eve. }

Each story/devotion has a lovely color illustration...

A prayer or scripture from God's word...

And a matching song on one of the two enclosed CDs.

It's truly a well rounded way to encourage the daily habit of spending time in the word via devotionals.

Thanks to Tommy Nelson,
I am able to give away one copy of this book/CD combo to one of my US readers!
Yay!

All that you have to do is leave a comment below!
{This is open to anyone- no blog needed!}

For extra entries, feel free to facebook this giveaway...
Or tweet about it using the hashtag #100Devos.
{Be sure to leave an extra comment for each!}

Through this giveaway, I encourage you to introduce a daily devotional to your children if you are not doing so already. Fun books like this one really make it easy to implement!

If you would like to take a peek at the book, click HERE.
This will take you to the Free Digital Flip Book version. {I love free!}

Now,Get Reading! :)

Believing It. Really Believing It.

2011-11-08T05:50:00.000-05:00

" For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. "
Romans 8:38,39 NIV

Powerful words, are they not?

Sometimes I just want to wade in them a bit and let their meaning saturate my whole heart....

"For I am convinced..."
Not I think.
Not I suppose.
Not I wonder.
But, I AM CONVINCED.

To believe it so fully that you are convinced of it...

" ...that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation..."

Believing fully that there is nothing;
Not the persuit of life or the very moment your heart stops beating.
Not the natural or supernatural.
Not time or space as we know it.
Not the grandeur of the skies nor the uncharted deepness of the darkest waters...
Nothing, NOTHING AT ALL...

"...will be able to separate us from the love of God.."

No seperation from the LOVE of GOD.
He who created it all, owns it all, deserves it all, knows it all, thinks it all;
Loves us All. Each one.
Never to be seperated from Him.
Not ever. The End.
Not even if _____.
Because...

"...Christ Jesus our Lord."

Christ Jesus, our Lord.
He who laid it all down.
For me; wretched soul I am. Ugly to the core and rotting in sin.
I, who am full of pride and fear, anxiety and insecurity.
Christ Jesus laid it down-took up the cross full of sin, ended HIS life for me.

For YOU.
He laid it all down for YOU,
No matter who you are. No matter what you've done.
No matter what you will do or where you will be.
He paid it all for YOU.

And to Believe those words-
BELIEVE THEM...
Mighty words who stake the claim that you and I can be convinced...
CONVINCED
That nothing, not ever, no way...
Will ever come between the deep and abiding LOVE of God,
That is in Christ Jesus.
Sweet, Forgiving, Beautiful, Three in One,
Christ Jesus.

It's enough to make your brain do a backflip isn't it?

My feeble mind has been wrestling with my heart...
And my heart daily, is winning.
I am believing it, No I am convinced of it more and more each day...

Not because I deserve any of this LOVE at all- but because HE gives it to me.
Freely.
"Through the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus."

Can I get an Amen?

Do you struggle with believing it? Really believing it?

I would love to pray for your heart- so share with us in the comments if you wish or simply send me an email and I will keep you tucked away in my heart and prayers.

Be convinced.

The Christmas Lodge~ A Giveaway!

2011-11-07T05:59:00.006-05:00

This Giveaway Has Now Ended. The winner is Penney Douglas! :D

Are you ready for the holiday season?

I can hear some of you say "Yes!!!"

And

I can hear an even larger portion of you grumbling...

{Not that we don't love the holidays-

We just never seem to be prepared for the whirlwind like frenzy that it places us in}

Well, whether or not you answered "Yes" or "No"-

I have a little giveaway that will help you to get into the mood.

When I prepared to watch "The Christmas Lodge" I threw on some jammies, wrapped up in blankies, had some tea at the ready and cuddled with my puppy...

{Pretty much standard "mama movie routine"}

I started up the film and slipped into Christmas spirit mode; You know, reflecting on the importance of family, love, traditions, etc. It was quite refreshing actually.

{I tend to not always be a "mushy" movie person.

In fact, I tend to like movies/shows that most of my friends would frown upon.

I'm okay with this...}

But this movie gave me that "all warm and fuzzy inside" feeling that just puts a smile on your face.

Here's a preview for you to see what I'm talking about:

"Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge."

Sweet right?

{It's also a winner of a Dove award!}

Would you like to win a DVD copy to add to your Christmas collection?

I have one copy to share with one of my readers and all that you have to do is-

Relevant 2011

2011-11-04T11:42:00.002-04:00

Today- I finally feel the courage to embrace what I've learned from Relevant this year.

Today- I will be brave and type it all out...

Insecurity.

Walking into the conference lobby, I felt like turning and running away. What was I doing here?

I am not a "problogger".
I am not one who racks up followers,subscribers and fans by the thousands.

But I was standing at a table-

Registering in Relevant attendees...
With an unsure and nervous smile plastered to my face.

Feeling small and insecure.

God, what is your plan for me?

Pride.

Finding a table to sit at during meals felt like a time warp back to high school.

Hadn't I made lots of new friends on twitter? Why was this so hard?

Yet, there I was- with the perverbial "tray" looking for a kind soul to smile at me and offer up a seat.

Several times I felt like Forrest Gump- the phrase "Seat's taken" stung my ears.

You mean- I didn't get an invite to a "popular table"?

Burn.

God, what is your plan for me?

Tears.

Oh, did the tears fall hot down my cheek. More than once.

During Joy Forney's key note speech, she asked everyone to lay a hand on the shoulder of a fellow sister in Christ during a prayer....

No hand was on my shoulder. Alone.

Sobbing, I made my way to the Prayer Room at the conference to let God's love wrap me up in tender mercies.

God, what is your plan for me?

What is your plan for me this weekend- Why did you send me to Relevant?

His answer fell swift and hard on my prideful, hardened heart.

Maturity.

Heart Maturity.

Spiritual Maturity.

The struggle with insecurity, anxiety...Well, like thunder crashing- I remembered:

" Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. "

Phillipians 4:6-7

Yes, Lord. I will pray and seek not a heart of fear.

Moments when I was wrapped up in pride and popularity....

"Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father." 1 John 2:16

Oh, Lord. I will ask for your mercy and forgiveness.
Help me to have a heart for YOU alone.

During moments of flooding tears and pain...

"You, LORD, have saved my life from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling." Psalm 116:7-9

Dear Father, you have given me reason to turn my sorrows into laughter!

How dare I commit so much of my time to tears?

Awakened:

My Heart needed a revival-
Tender mercies from He who gives them freely to all who gather at His feet.

Focusing on what was bitter, blinded my heart to-

A small gathering in the lobby...
Mothers of Daughters. Joy and sharing in the journeys that lie ahead.

Laughter, Hugs, Friendship.

A moment of celebrations....
Women, sisters in Christ, who came together to tackle the burdens of weight and unhealthiness.

Celebrations, Smiles, Thanksgivings.

Breakfast table invite...
Sharing a meal with sweet women who had no idea that I prayed that very morning for their company.

Warm, Caring, Titus 2 in it's very essence.

Soft shoulder to cry on...
A sweet, sweet friend to cast my sorrows upon.
She uttered words I needed to hear and they spoke volumes to my broken heart.

Tender, Gentle, Compassion.

Moments sharing hard issues, hormones and emotions....
Three women struggling just the same- turning difficulties into laughter.

Fellowship, Understanding, Humor.

Stacks and stacks of books...
Given and signed by women who have traveled down roads so familiar.

Generosity, Wisdom, Kindness.

A prayer journal...
With several sweet messages scrawled out for me to tuck away in my heart.

Lovely. Sweet. Soothing.

Oh- the lesson in Maturity my heart has recieved.

Thank you God for knocking me down the ladder of pride, insecurity and sorrow.

Thank you God for humbling me.

Thank you God for your sweet mercies and providence.

Truly, it is amazing the way God has taken this conference-

Two years in a row and has placed His blessings upon it~
That each women recieved a gift from His heart
That was custom tailored to their soul needs.

None the same.

Each one different...

I marvel at His ways-
For I am continually transformed by His grace.
I am thankful for having heard His words spoken just for me.

Our Anniversary~ Our First NFL Eagles Game...

2011-10-29T11:00:00.001-04:00

We are Philadelphia Eagles fans here at this house...

So much so, that as an anniversary gift to eachother {13 years} we decided to donate blood in order to recieve NFL tickets to see our team play.

We had to sit in the second row {from the top} :) of the Washington Redskins stadium to do so- but it was awesome!!!!

Here the Philadelphia Offense huddles before a snap...

Coach Andy Reid starts his famous whistling from the sidelines...

One bench full of all star players!

M. Vick, D. Jackson, J.Maclin, R.Brown

Post Game Prayer...

Anniversary Sweeties~!

{We must have brought the Eagles luck- they won the game!}

My first NFL game... Go E-A-G-L-E-S!

Have you ever been to an NFL game? Aren't they a blast?!?! :)

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

Sisters...

2011-10-28T10:49:00.004-04:00

"Sister to sister we will always be,

A couple of nuts off the family tree."

~Author Unknown

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

I Am Going To Relevant... Again....

2011-10-27T13:00:00.000-04:00

By the time you read this I will be at

Relevant 2011

I hope to enjoy a special time of fellowship, refreshment and blessing.

You can catch some keynote speakers LIVE-click here!

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

To the Mountains We Did Go...

2011-10-26T22:40:00.000-04:00

Earlier this fall, my dad and stepmom invited us to visit them at their campsite in the western PA mountain region. We even got to drive through some mountains... which is always fun... not.

Anyways, here are some snapshots of the fun~

Willow and Layla look out over lake Raystown.

This is the camper/camp site that my dad and Wanda call their home away from home. It's super nice and my dad built the deck and the neat shed in the background.

Sitting by the fire on a chilly fall day.

Then we drove to a nearby town where my dad's family owned this log cabin for a long time- I spent a few weekends there as a kid myself. It always reminds me of Little House In The Big Woods...

Willow and Layla horse around on the porch of the cabin.... Mary and Laura Ingalls would have never done that!

Then we went to my grandma's home town where we visited her favorite candy shop...

So many yummy choices!!!!

After we stuffed our tummies full of chocolate, my dad and Wanda drove us over to Del Grosso park which a family centered amusement park... LOTS OF FUN!!!

Here we are on a ride that literally made me wish I hadn't just eaten a bunch of chocolates!

We had a great, great time.

Thanks to Dad and Wanda for having us up for a great weekend!

Love you guys!

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

Sticky Fingers Bakery, Washington DC

2011-10-13T04:20:00.000-04:00

So, this is where I share about my love for Sticky Fingers bakery in Washington, DC.

Oh, how I love thee...

{and thy sugary, confectionary goodness}

After an all out- eat whatever we want on the cafe menu fest-

Our sweet little family tore into some cupcakes, as if they were going out of style...

The giant cookies & cream cupcake and Willow battle it out in a duel of the taste buds...

Layla and the chocolatey -chocolate cupcake have become besties in a matter of moments-

chocolatey kisses and all!!!!

Johnny's cupcake was un-identifiable because, well- it was gone before it ever had a chance!

And I took the lovely server's suggestions and shared a sacred moment of enjoyment with the tiramisu flavored cupcake. mmmmmmm......

The bakery case was just full of things that made my teeth tingle in delight!

Why, oh why couldn't I just have one of each?!?!

And the little logo pins were simply adorable~ I am bummed that I forgot to actually purchase one though. Dratz.

If ever in Washington, DC- you must stop by Sticky Fingers Bakery and do a face plant into some confectionary craziness!!!

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

A Visit To American Girl~ Washington, DC

2011-10-12T06:44:00.000-04:00

Chances are, if you have a young girl in your life-

a daughter, grandaughter, niece, little sister, etc.

Then you are probably quite familiar with the American Girl brand.

On a recent trip to Washington, DC our girls were ~~excited~~, er- ~~impatiently waiting~~, er- DESPERATE to visit the newest store in the American Girl Doll line up.

{We had visited the New York store, last summer.}

Once we arrived, the girls were squealing and chanting, and singing and jumping...

"American Girl!" "American Girl!"

Here, Willow and Layla are standing outside of the new store.

Upon entering the store, it's a bit of a task to keep our little girls calm.

They start verbally going over the list of things that they have patiently saved up all of their

chore money & gift money for this year.

With Rebecca and Julie in arm, the girls make a bee-line for the precious goods~

with a few detours along the way!

Here, Willow admires the newest in the "My American Girl" dolls...

And Layla is proud to have seen the new Cecile' doll and dresses.

In keeping with the American Girl Doll of the year tradition, we got some snapshots with

Kanani- The adorable doll/character from Hawaii.

Of course, one of the most anticipated stops for Willow and Rebecca was the one they made to the

"Doll salon" Where Rebekah got her ears pierced- just like Willows :)

While our visit only lasted a few hours {ahem}the time spent at the American Girl Store in Washington, DC was full of great memories and won't soon be forgotten!

Have you had the pleasure of visiting an

American Girl store near you?

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

Introducing- Theo "Teaching Children God's Word"

2011-10-11T17:28:00.001-04:00

Introducing Theo~ Teaching Children God's Word

From Michael Joens of "Adventures in Odyssey" comes the bright new animated series "Theo Presents".

"Theo Presents" will guide children and adults alike through the study of God's character, the Bible, salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My daughters were delighted with the new DVDs about the dear, sweet "Theo" and his mousy friends "Belfy" and "Luther".

In a very easy to grasp and thorough way, these animated movies provide families with an entertaining look at the Gospel of Jesus, salvation, sin &grace.

{For a few consecutive nights, Willow and Layla have actually watched these repeatedly- giggling each time- As if they were watching Belfy and Luther scuddle around for the first time.}

The really cool thing about this new series is that there are:

* FREE APPS available for parents

{on itunes- via the Theo website...}

*Parent Guides/ Free Printables

*Kids coloring pages

*Church Curriculum available from Lifeway Christian Stores

*facebook page

Here is a quick preview of one of Theo presents videos:

Isn't that cute?!?!

Would you like to win a copy of a "Theo Presents" DVD?

All you have to do is comment below!

This giveaway will run until 10/20/11 so don't wait...

If you help spread the word, via twitter/facebook or other way- please feel free to enter another comment for each!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I recieived one product mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products of services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in advertising".

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

Family Fun Time~ The County Fair...

2011-10-11T15:43:00.000-04:00

{Willow and Layla ride on the "swings" that nearly made this mama's heart stop beating!}

Just a few snapshots from our family day at the local fair...

Willow and Layla on a really neat hang-glider ride.

The petting zoo sponsored by the local 4H program...

Layla loved the Guinea Pigs...

Willow loved the cute little bunnies...

And then I waited in this line-

Just for my beloved annual fair treat~

Lola's Waffles & Ice Cream Sandwhich!!!

Delish!!!

Did you visit a local county fair this year?

What is your favorite fair foods?

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

Willow and Layla First Day Of School 2011

2011-09-30T05:32:00.000-04:00

Willow and Layla's first day of Homeschool 2011

I can't believe it but I have a 3rd grader and a 1st grader this year!!!

{sniff, sniff}

Time sure does fly...

Layla and Grandpa...

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

"What a bargain grandchildren are!

I give them my loose change, and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure."

~Gene Perret

Layla and her Grandpa working on a Lincoln Log house. :)

"Don't Check Your Brains At The Door" ~ Review and Giveaway!

2011-09-28T12:00:00.002-04:00

Congrats to Heidi the winner of this book! :)

Do your kids know what they believe about their Christian faith and Why?

You might be surprised.

{or horribly shocked}

Woven within the texts of this really cool book are ways for your teen/tween to debunk those myths that often muddle the line of Christian faith.

Things like:

"God, doesn't care about me on a personal level...."

"The Bible has lots of holes in it. It's not sound and factual."

"I didn't murder anyone and I am a good person, so I guess I'm going to Heaven"

"Jesus didn't really die, His tomb was mistaken by another, etc."

And that "Christianity is just another religion- a choice to make about faith and nothing more."

Chances are your kids will come face to face one day with questions from their peers or quite frankly, their own curiousity.

Help to prepare them now, with sound teaching so that when those moments arise, they will be ready.

While this book is geared for the tween/tween/young adult crowd-

I can't help but pick up the book and dive in. :)

Would you like to win a copy for a tween/teen in your life?

Thanks to Tommy Nelson, I am able to give one copy away to a reader! {US residents only}

Just leave a comment below by Sept.30th~!

Be Sweet... Subscribe to The Cupcake Sprinkles In Life by Email

"It Couldn't Just Happen"~ A Giveaway!!

2011-09-28T06:00:00.002-04:00

Congratulations To Charissa who is the winner of this book! :)

Are you ready for this line of questions:

Your sweet kid: "Mommy, How was the world made?"

You: "Well, God created it."

Sweet ~~but curious~~ kid: "But How?"

~~Generic answer~~ You: "Well, let's see. On the first day...."

Your really sweet ~~but smarty pants~~ kid:"No- I mean how did God really make the world and the animals and the dinosaurs and gravity and the stars and the plants and the bugs and the fish and the water and the snow and the rain and the people and the oxygen and the......"

~~Scratching head, frazzled and nervous~~ You: "Uhhhhh...."

You get my point...

Well, "It Couldn't Just Happen- Knowing the Truth About God's Awesome Creation"

by Lawrence O. Richards

Is just what you need to brilliantly provide your curious child with well thought out and biblically insightful answers.

Some topics covered:

fossils

Space

Dinosaurs

Pangea

DNA

And Lots, Lots More!

I personally find myself flipping through this book quite often and keep it out for the girls to look through.

Many of the topics and explanations, while relevant, still tend to be worded a bit beyond their level as of now- but I am keeping this one handy for those moments when I need answers to their quick questions! :)

Would you like to have a copy for your family?

Thanks to Tommy Nelson, I have one copy to give away to one of my readers.

{open to US residents only}

All that you have to do is comment below!

This is open until 9/30/11

Good Luck!

Hope~ Constant &Enduring....

2011-09-27T05:24:00.002-04:00

On my way to our car in the parking lot, I glance around to survey my surroundings.

Typical tuesday.

Consumers shopping, sunny sky, hustle&bustle.

From the corner of my eye, I notice her- she is in a jeep, windows down...

Weeping, sobbing.

In what was probably a moment of greif stricken embarrassment, she glanced around hoping that no one has witnessed her emotional unraveling.

Alas, some one had noticed- me.

My feet start to carry me over to her direction.

Yet, not of my own power- clearly, this is HIM at work here.

Gently, I reach to touch her arm and ask her{though the answer was evident} if everything was okay.

Her eyes, filled with tears-look up at me. Full cheeks offer a small, half-hearted grin.

A heart pours out.

Words of pain- drenched sadness flow as does the tears down her face.

Mama pain. The kind that rips raw a heart with fear and ache.

A son, a young man... wondering from her arms.

Problems that she cannot remedy.

Brokeness that she cannot fix.

It all rushes pass her lips, I listen with a heavy heart.

It's all that I am able to offer her.

I ask if I may share a time of prayer with her and the Lord,

prayer for His Love to mend the broken hearts of her and her son.

She uttered, "Yes, please."

I use no eloquent words, I offer up what is most basic at the moment.

A prayer for HOPE and Healing.

But oh, the HOPE. How it eases the dull ache within a mass of heaped up burden.

"I patiently waited, LORD, for you to hear my prayer.

You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, and you gave me a new song,

a song of praise to you. "

Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

In times of troubles and sorrows so deep...

He offers to us Hope that is abundant and transforming.

"The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope."

Psalm 34:18

He is amazing.

At the prayers closing, I surrender a warm hug to her.

She shares a few light humored words with me, to help ease the transition back into her busy day.

While walking away, making those few steps over to my car-

I say my own prayer.

This time, a prayer of thanksgiving.

I thank HIM for his Hope, Grace, Healing and Love, which shows up whenever we ask or need.

Would you please join me, in saying a prayer for this woman and her son?

In an effort to protect her privacy, I will not offer names but you can be sure that He knows them. :)

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Soul Surfer~ A Devotional Giveaway!

2011-09-20T22:21:00.002-04:00

Contest Closed** Winner is Sennie**

Stop by her blog and wish her a hello. :)

I just want to start off by saying that I ADORE Bethany Hamilton!

What an immensely brave young woman- a truly wise and lovely example of shining for Jesus in a real way...

To literally have a limb ripped from your body in such a hurrendous way, yet still get back up and persue your dreams while sharing the immense love of Jesus and his direction in your life- Whoa~!

With that in mind, when Tommy Nelson gave me the oppurtunity to review "Soul Surfer Devotions" by Bethany Hamilton-

I jumped on it!

But I have to confess, not for myself- but for someone I truly adore and love... My 12 year old sister, Lauren.

She is beautiful inside and out.

She makes me so very proud and I am blessed to be her big sissy!

Because she too is a fan of Soul Surfer and Bethany Hamilton, I handed her the book in hopes that she would find hope and encouragement through it's pages.

Do you have a tween/teen girl in your family that could be blessed by Bethany Hamilton's story & daily devotionals?

If you do, I have ONE copy to give away-All you have to do is comment to enter. This is open to all of my US resident readers.

{If you have not yet seen the movie- run, don't walk to the video box to rent it!}

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Learning To Pray The Lord's Prayer...

2011-09-19T10:23:00.000-04:00

For some reason, up until about a month ago-

It never occured to me that my little girls had not yet learned the Lord's Prayer.

So, one day before our lunch we folded our hands, closed our eyes and let the moments unfold as Willow and Layla diligently uttered the words...

"Our Father Who Art In Heaven..."

After a few meals and some repetition, the girls finally have it down.

There were moments when they asked us what the words meant...

There were questions about why it was the Lord's prayer to begin with...

And I am again amazed at how something so very basic and foundational sparks a fire in our girl's hearts.

Don't you just love these moments?

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On Becoming A National Park Service Junior Ranger: Assateague Island Edition

2011-09-10T12:33:00.000-04:00

Have you ever read about the "Wild Ponies" of Assateague or Chincoteague?

During our visit to the coast in Maryland, we made a trek out to Assateague Island National Park.

Situated off of the Atlantic Ocean, Assateague is home to many fascinating species of wildlife- birds,deer,crustaceans- but the real draw are the wild ponies.

According to the history, no one is exactly sure how the horses managed to settle on the island- many believe perhaps that they arrived via a shipwrecked Spaniard voyage in the area hundreds of years ago. Yet others have decided that they arrived as domesticated horses that were abandoned on the island in an effort for their owners to avoid a taxation on their ownership. You can read more HERE

The National Park Service has opened up a great center for learning on the island and we were happy to stop in and explore-

Our girls even became Junior Rangers!

To become a Junior Ranger of the National Park Service, you need to complete certain educational and hands on activities that enhance the visit to the park.

Here, Willow and Layla are diligently working on the written portion of the handbook-having the most fun in drawing an invented sea creature...

There is also a hands on component to the program and Willow and Layla enjoyed observing local marine life...

Especially the opportunity to handle the creatures in the touch tank exhibit!

A Whelk....

And a Horseshoe Crab...

Upon completion, the girls handed in their handbooks, stamped and recorded their visit and received their Junior Ranger certificate and badges.

Also, as part of the program they pledged an oath to protect the parks and wildlife-

It's official- they've become Junior Rangers!

Shortly after this we drove out to try to view some wild ponies grazing on the island-

Luckily we saw a few along the bay...

There is something so lovely about their wild and untamed nature. It's no doubt that they claim the island as their own and that we, the tourists are just simply part of their landscape. It's astounding!

For more information about the Junior Ranger program, which is available at MANY National Parks around our gorgeous country, you can visit the National Park Service website.

{And if for some reason a National Park visit isn't easy for you to manage- they also have a web based Junior Ranger program for children!}

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A Simple Prayer....

2011-09-08T10:51:00.001-04:00

Today, a simple prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to see the world through the eyes of a child.

To find simple joys in the "mundane" and "ordinary".

Help me to walk the course that you have charted for my life.

Wrap me in courage and strength- that I may not give up or feel inadequate.

Use me Lord; my abilities and talents{humble that they are}to be an encouragement to others.

Bless the community who gathers here.

Thank You Lord for your unending Love and Grace...

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Our Family Beach Vacation: Ocean City, MD Part Two {Breezy Ocean Nights}

2011-08-31T05:00:00.000-04:00

While we enjoyed lovely sun filled days on the beach, we also enjoyed the cool, breezy nights along the bay...

The sun setting over the Assawoman Bay{no joke}.

Willow and Layla cozy up on the bay boards...

Then marveled at all of the yummy nosh on the boardwalk...

Here, we await our yummy pizza on the deck above the boardwalk- overlooking the ocean.

I couldn't help but snap some pics of my favorite boardwalk icons~

The Ocean City Life Saving History Museum

{more to come}

The Shark at Ripley's on the boards... My girls get a kick out of all of the junk that gets tossed into that sharks mouth- we saw a football one night in it! LOL

A view of the promenade from N.Division St.

{The entire boardwalk is in excess of 3 miles!}

Following tradition, we purchased tickets for Willow and Layla to ride on some fun rides...

The Ferris Wheel

The Fairy Whip...

And the century old Carousel...

Here, the girls and I show off our OC,MD shirts-

Vital souvenir purchase!!

Johnny and Layla catch a rest on one of the Kite Loft's cozy hammock chairs...

A highlight for Layla was meeting "Real Life Officers",

As she wants to be "A Girl Cop, an Engineer, a Chef and a Farmer" when she grows up...

They were given junior officer badges to wear and were thrilled to do so!

Truly, we had an amazing week- even though we were evacuated from the city before our vacation was over by Hurricane Irene.

{Which I will admit was quite scary!}

Never before had I experienced and earthquake and a hurricane while on vacation- so that was a first...

Yet in the midst of all of that~ time spent with my lovely family...

Those gorgeous girls...

My sweet husband...

Uninterupted...

Was quite a treat for my soul and heart!

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