developpé...graceful becoming

Dreaming...

2013-05-09T10:59:00.002-04:00

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day.

Psalm 139:13-16

Our little family is growing and in this season of our lives

we are dreaming big! we are dreaming about the beautiful

days ahead getting to know each other, to marvel once more

at how a new baby is gifted to us to love, of sweet summer days

exploring with not just one but two little ones!

So much change for this big brother!

He is so excited about baby and talks to her all the time!

He is the only one picking names, we are still trying to make a list!

He is also growing up too fast! He is potty trained and in a big boy bed!

Time really escapes through our fingers like water.

My prayer for him is:

"May Sami love the Lord his God, with all his heart,

with all his soul, and strength." Deut 6:5

This pregnancy has been bathed with love from the very beginning!

Thank God for my wonderful husband who tenderly loves, blesses,

holds, and cares for us.

As a woman I have discovered so much while being pregnant.

At times when I want to be negative about the way I look or feel

friends are so amazing at reminding me how beautiful I am.

This still feels a little weird for me to type but they are simply

looking at me through eyes of love. The same eyes the Lord

sees us all through. Love. His love for us let's him look at the beauty

he has placed within us.

We are excited to bring you home little one! The Lord is good to us

and so he gives us you. I pray that as you develop and grow you become

stronger, that you can sense how much we love you, that you can hear

our voices sweetly loving you and longing for your arrival!

We are preparing our hearts and our home for you! We love you and cherish you so...

Gracefully Daisy

all pictures were taken by the beautifully talented Catherine Marrs

Vizcaya: An Enchanting Afternoon With My Love

2013-05-03T11:45:00.003-04:00

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach,

when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's Most quiet need,

by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for right.

I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints.

I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life;

and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

What a sweet enchanting afternoon we spent together last year on our

romantic get away to Florida. This was last October and oh my times flies!

I can't believe I am just now posting this! it has been in drafts for over 6 months! Better late than never!

Gracefully Daisy

Surrender

2013-05-03T11:15:00.001-04:00

"Whatever you're doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
but I'm giving in to something heavenly"

- Sanctus Real

Picture taken by Rosalyn

Over the last year the Lord has truly been doing something inside of me that

at times has been hard to understand. Like so many of us the thoughts in my

head swirl, spin, pound and crash.

It's amazing though that life doesn't stop because we feel inadequate, unwilling,

unchanging, and simply lost. But even more amazing what doesn't end thankfully are his mercies-they are new every morning. Lamentations 3: 22-24

How much change can one go through without breaking?

How many seasons of life can happen all at once?

How do you know that you are truly you in the midst of all this change?

How can you function when you are tired, worn out, and frustrated?

So many questions yet the sun sets and rises and you do too.

Can you survive, teach, model, and learn all at once? You must because there are

two sweet, big brown eyes who are watching and absorbing your life.

Thankfully the one who created your inner most being is also with you

modeling true love.

And then when you feel like Spring will never come, spring comes forcefully

and beautifully opening into hope. Just when you feel like you are at

a breaking point-if one more thing happens, spills, drops, or is expected of you...

then he tenderly reminds you to surrender.

Sweet surrender envelopes and lifts you are no longer living by your strength

but lifted into his strength which is bigger than life.

The molding waves continue to crash but the fog lifts and your identity established is:

You are loved with an everlasting love...

You know peace because after surrender comes peace

you can stand the next thing because you are now

standing on higher ground.

Relationships are sweet and you do everything with purpose and hope. Life still

sends hurts, your heart longs, missess and sheds tears. Yet with nightfall comes

peace and restoration. Tomorrow will come again and when you find yourself

trying to reclaim those burdens- you surrender; because after surrender comes peace.

This draws you into something heavenly...

SANCTUS REAL from Retrospec Films on Vimeo.

Gracefully Daisy

Treasures from our Chicago Trip 2012

2012-10-10T14:57:00.000-04:00

Chicago...sigh...I need to spend more time there.

Sam and I were fortunate to tag along with Josh

and go to Chicago at the beginning of this month!

here are some of the treasures I brought back with me!

one of the greatest treasures was spending time with this
charming lil gentleman!

at one of our excursions to the suburbs of Chicago we
discovered Oakbrook Center. While making our way
through Macy's we ran into some construction and a dead end.
But this dead end turned out to be a wonderful discovery!
We discovered LUSH! Fresh Handmade Cosmetics one of my favorite things!

After trying their Ocean Salt and helping hands lotion I was hooked!
the sweet lady showing us around even demonstrated their bath bombs.
This captivated my lil gentleman so he needed one for himself!
we brought this little Robot home for him.

I know you are wondering about these adorable ceramic spoons!
Well, I went to Crate and Barrel and found these for 95 cents a piece!
I can't wait to use them at the black and white party!

that's all for now, Gracefully Daisy

all pictures were taken by developpe please do not download

A visit by the sea

2012-09-27T00:20:00.003-04:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Loved, loved loved making this photo book! Thank you to my sweet friend Marie over at bakingchic.com for taking these beautiful pictures and sharing your family with us!

You'll love Shutterflys award-winning photo books. Try it today.

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick

2012-09-19T09:10:00.000-04:00

Where Lilacs Still Bloom

This book is based on Hulda Klagger's life and her quest to create beauty in her own garden. Although at first she is no supported by her husband, he begins to understand her passion and her God given gifts. Amidst tragedy and natural disasters she perseveres and finds ways to help and love other young women around her. I love how the author weaves two other women's stories to come together at Hulda's garden. Hulda without knowing it influences these ladies to find and create beauty where they are. As the years go by she continues to find and create beauty although her world has been rocked to the core, her faith and eternal perspective are beacons into her destiny. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Received it from Blogging for books.

Gracefully Daisy

my arms full

2012-06-06T14:36:00.000-04:00

Sam's third week home

The days when Sam fell asleep in my arms were my favorite! They were so sweet and tender I wanted to hold him forever. He was so tiny and sweet I couldn't believe he was really mine to keep! What a miracle!

As he grows everyday he is smarter, faster and taller! I can't believe that this tiny baby that I loved to rock to sleep is now a toddler running, laughing (out loud), jumping and screaming! This stage is so fun too and I love helping him discover and explore!

Today, oh today it was as if the Lord took a timeout for me! I put him down for his nap and he even told me he was ready for bed. I left the room and next thing I hear he is sobbing. so I wait a few minutes and he continues to cry. I go in and tell him its nap time but that I will rock him and hold him. He responds, "Hi Mama!" I love it!

So we rock and I hum his favorite song, " Jesus, Jesus, Jesus there's just something about that name..."

Soon, I feel his body relax and his sweet baby snores begin! He is completely asleep and all I want is to stay in that moment forever! Because, my very active Sam does not fall asleep in my arms anymore he points to his bed when he is ready and even if I try to rock him to sleep he wiggles out of my arms!

It's these little moments that take my breath away and I enjoy the blessing of being Sam's Mom!

Gracefully Daisy

My sweet Samuel

2012-05-24T08:55:00.001-04:00

What a wonderful week! Sam is growing up way too fast but the process and the adventure is still so breathtaking. He is working so hard on communicating and we are loving celebrating his accomplishments! Just in the last week he has spoken at least 5 new words!

All of sudden he will say things like bubbles, buddy, puppy, mona (spanish for monkey) and ice! He loves ice in his water! He got that from his grandma GG so cute! He loves his new house and loves to say the word house and is learning to say what his name is! When you ask him his name he first practices the word name! So cute! He really brings a lightness to our hearts through his sweet demeanor and and brightness! His favorite word is apple and he throws that one in for good measure too!

Our next big adventure is potty training he is already working hard and comes to tell us when he is ready to be changed!

May the Lord bless you and keep you Sami, May the Lord shine his face upon you and be gracious unto you and give you peace (all the days of your life) numbers 6:24

head on over to the mob society and see what other cool boys are up too!

Gracefully Daisy

A sweet package from a sweet friend

2012-05-20T17:22:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 25:25
Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

I opened it up and found these sweet treasures

although, my friend is not long-lost she does live across the Atlantic!

so when I received this sweet package it was like a cool drink of water.

Let me begin by telling you the story of our friendship...

Anja and I met at the gym, to be exact in the restroom, I know...interesting.

We both smile at strangers all the time, so we smiled at each other and then a few days later actually spoke to each other. We attended the same work out classes and we talked some more. after a few times chatting we met for tea and after that we saw each other at the gym all the time and we started having weekly dinners together alternating homes.

Our husbands also became good friends and that was so much fun! They had these two sweet blue eyed boys that melted your heart, David and Levi! we loved spending time with them and watching this little family grow in love and strength.

They were the strongest couple that we had ever met, they were going through some intense trials but they walked their walk with Jesus with humility. Anja and I met weekly for Bible Study as well. We discovered our strengths and weaknesses together and prayed over questions and doubts together. She challenged me to make the most of the time and always run to God when I felt I had no other place to go.

She was the first friend I made after I moved to Dayton and my faith again was tested when it was time for them to move back. Through this the Lord shows me that he cares about that little things. He knew that they would move away and strategically began placing wonderful women in my path so that when I was worn out and weary I could have a friend. He also teaches me that distances are not meant to hinder but to empower. although it might seem impossible to see each other or talk He leads us to understand the importance of cultivating our friendships. We have shared the greatest moments in our lives and via skype we have seen our families grow and mature!

My dear friend just gave birth to a little girl Lois and what a treat to meet her via skype and watch their adoring eyes on their new baby! What a gift!

so I celebrated with her from across the world with a cup of tea and sprinkles!

My little Samuel also loved receiving this packager. He opened the package and found his first back pack! the first words out of his mouth were: "wow, wow, wow" it was so sweet to see him relish this gift!

May the Lord bless you and keep you sweet friend and may he bring our paths together again soon!

Gracefully Daisy

Cute as a Button Baby Shower

2012-05-06T23:58:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I hosted a baby Shower for my sister in law. It turned out to be a beautiful affair.a yogurt bar was offered full of fruit and a delicious homemade granola.

a "sew" sweet dessert table on top of a sewing machine table given to me by the sweet Jenilee was a highlight.
Here is a little bit of where I got my inspiration
1. Invitations and thank you cards 2. Sew on and sew forth printable 3. Cute as a button printable

What a lovely time we shared alongside family and friends. The beautiful S was created from buttons by me. A dear friend and I baked the strawberry cake and cupcakes.The little buttons were made using a candy button mold. The flower pin for the mommy to be was inspired from here

Gracefully Daisy

A Vintage Garden Baby Shower

2012-05-06T22:59:00.001-04:00

A little taste of what I've been working on these past weeks.A few places where I gathered my inspiration

(Left) 1. An Alfresco affair 2. Mason jars for drinks and paper straws
3.Spring Cake 4. Invitations 5. flower photo display
6. vintage garden 7.i spy game 8. cake with flowers 9. pink lemonade with cucumber

Gracefully Daisy

Awakening by Stovall Weems

2012-04-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

A practical, informative, and much needed guide to faith, fasting and Spiritual Freedom.
I enjoyed reading through this book but was even more excited to see the practical pages towards the end of the book. There is a 21 day plan for fasting and praying that you can use over and over again. step by step the plan is laid out from what you will need to starts, meal plans, a calendar set up and more. I can't wait to use these tools during my 21 day fast.
I really appreciated the testimonies at the end of each chapter of people that participated in the 21 days of fasting and the impact it made in their life. This book is very easy to read and understand. It walks you through the scripture of the importance these spiritual practices play in your daily walk with the Lord.
I would recommend this book.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.
Gracefully Daisy

Andalucía, España

2012-04-12T07:32:00.000-04:00

A beautiful country
your breath taken away when least expected
the stark differences of cultures stunning
all the while they marry and blend forming the uniqueness of Andalucía

This is where I have been the last two weeks
up and down mountains
over bridges of old
architecture incomparable, the lens cannot capture
nevertheless I try
so I can take with me the memory of standing here, in this very moment in time

there is another storyline unfolding, the story of my Love's beginning
Here in this beautiful marriage of cultures another culture integrated
My Darling was born in Puerto de Santa Maria
what a lovely visit to the sweet house
where he first cried out in the night
where he first smiled at his mom
where he took his first steps
where he first heard the name Jesus
where he was baptized
where his parents prayed for him
where his parents prayed for me
where he first discovered the world

Now his son has been here
he also has walked where his father walked
such a sweet moment and I try again
to bring with me the memory of standing here, in this very moment in time

A beautiful time as exotic and unpredictable as the weather
a time to know family deeper
a time to reflect
a time to try new things
a time to dream new dreams
a time to see through the eyes of a sweet little couple who
lived and played; worked and made a sweet little life with a sweet little baby

from Spain, Gracefully Daisy

High Tea

2012-03-30T12:09:00.000-04:00

I love high tea!

I love tea time with friends!

My friend Marie over at bakingchic inspired to have tea almost everyday! While she lived in Ohio we loved to meet up for afternoon tea; once a week would have been wonderful but with our boys and busy life every few weeks was doable!

We reveled in the times we spent together and before the tea time was over our hearts were poured out to each other, and soothed were our worries and fears of motherhood.

since my sweet friend moved away I have missed afternoon tea so I looked to invite another sweet friend over. Jenilee at ourgoodwinjourney came over with her beautiful daughters. Our friend Mindy and her sweet daughter joined us too. My little guy slept through the whole tea time-so sweet. I couldn't believe how sweet and quite the gals were. Very different from our tea time with Marie and our boys-let's say it was a little more active!

Jenilee and I are trying to eat more gluten free diet for health reasons. So I set on a quest to find gluten free yummies to serve at our tea. I was happily surprised with my discoveries!

Date and Almond Scones

ingredients

2-1/3 cups Pamela's Baking ; Pancake Mix

1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup dried chopped up dates and sliced almonds

4 tbsp butter

1 egg, beaten

2/3 cup milk

I adapted my recipe from this original one.

Directions

Yield: 10 to 12 scones.

Mix the dry ingredients together. Cut in the butter using two knives. Add the milk and beaten egg. Mix together with a fork. Dough will be thick. Drop large, tall dollops of dough (scones will spread when baking) onto lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for 15-17 minutes.

of course I used my kitchen aid mixer for all( way easier)

we also had chicken Curry Tea Sandwiches
I adapted my recipe from this original one.

Ingredients:

2 cooked whole chicken breasts, finely chopped
1/4 cup finely-chopped red onion

1/4 cup finely-chopped yellow or orange bell pepper
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
Salt pepper to taste

my two favorite ingredients when preparing tea sandwiches

are dill and cumin! a pinch or more to taste is perfect
Faye Greek yogurt about 1/3 cup or more to moisten
Curry powder or paste to taste
16 slices of udis bread I discovered this gluten free bread is sturdy and perfect for tea sandwiches

* Choose the best-quality white or wheat bread as possible. Never serve end slices. Freezing the bread before cutting and then spreading makes for easier handling.

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine chicken, onion, bell pepper celery, salt and spices, and yogurt; stir until well blended. Add curry powder or paste (Remember, a little goes a long way with curry - be careful). Carefully cut the crusts from each sandwich with a long, sharp knife. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and then cut in half again.

tea sandwiches and the beautiful banana and nutella Macaroons from my dear friend Abbie

We had a wonderful time and before the tea was over our hearts were poured finding encouragement, peace and joy reigned!

Gracefully Daisy

Friendship

2012-02-25T21:59:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 27:9

Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

My sweet friend Marie and I on the last day we saw each other before beginning her new adventure.

My soul continues to be refreshed by friendship. I love meeting new people and being around people. I love having people over and enjoy getting to know them better. I recently posted about my friend Marie who just moved. I believe God gave us a friendship that refreshes our soul in this season of life.

I love that a friendship can be maintained and nurtured in this day and age by a simple touch. at the touch of a button you can connect with a friend anywhere in the world. I have friends all over the world-literally and although that might seem daunting-I assure you it is very exciting. the privilege of visiting my friends has not yet occurred but we do "see" each other via skype etc.

We keep up with each other by looking at the picture postings on facebook or now instagr.am!

The projects we are working on are updated on Pinterest almost daily.

But...there is always a but isn't there. We long for human interaction. We love to sit across from each other and chat over tea. We love coffee and conversation. Although girls night outs in this season of our lives are few and far between, we revel in them when we get them!

On a sweet Tuesday night when the only things that normally happen are work and school. I had a beautiful meeting with 5 beautiful ladies. They inspired me to reminisce on how friendship has refreshed my soul all my life.

You see I attended a health session given by a local doctor only for my own education I thought. Not knowing anyone I ventured into a tightly packed room and noticed a table of ladies and I sauntered over to join in their conversation.

They welcomed me and Micki said, " Yes, sit down by the end of the night you will have our emails and we will invite you to lunch." and this ladies and gentlemen is exactly what happened. We had lovely conversations: from politics, to books, to the Holocaust, to solving social issues and back to movies and shows. I looked around the table at Gayle and Donna who's friendship formed from their children's marriage. Dee and Cea neighbors who met from a flyer posted at Lofino's because Cea sold baskets-Micki was at this basket gathering and as they say the rest is history. Some of these ladies have known each other almost 40 years and it is the bond of friendship that continuously refreshes their soul creating a tight knit group.

Proverbs 17:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ A friend loves at all times,

Gayle and Donna

Micki, Cea and Dee

So, I thought of my friends all over the world creating such bonds with the friendships they nurture and their souls are refreshed. I remembered that in this same week My friend Marie would move away to a new adventure.

As I pondered on this change, I thought, " It's ok these very sweet ladies live in Dayton. I will be ok."

Proverbs 25:13
Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

So, new friends don't replace old friends. Instead they refresh our souls by filling our longing for face to face interactions. They help us remember our friends that are far,thus encouraging us to reach out and nurture the friendships afar with a simple touch.

Proverbs 25:25
Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

So, at the end of this bittersweet week an email was delivered to my inbox, from a lovely blog about how to be a better friend. A Holy Experience is the name of Anne Voskamp's blog. As I read her post about 4 ways to be a better friend, tears gathered and in my heart arms extended and closed. In them the beautiful friends of long years and short. And with a simple touch I connected and praised for the simplicity of it all

Gracefully Daisy

Sweet days

2012-02-15T15:40:00.002-05:00

Gracefully Daisy

Book Review: Just In Case You Ever Wonder

2012-02-09T10:17:00.004-05:00

A sweet little book that helps to give a child perspective about a father's love. This example of a father's love helps to begin building a bridge of how God also loves them. I enjoyed the way he describes the uniqueness of the child and how God took such pleasure in creating them.I liked the examples of what things could be bad in a child's life and to give them a sense of knowing that father's are there for them even through the hard times. I love that it talks about teaching them about God and heaven. I see this book could become a favorite for our home. Thank you book sneeze for providing this book for us.
Gracefully Daisy

Raising Godly Children: 31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

2012-01-18T23:27:00.000-05:00

Raising Godly Children: 31 Days of Praying for Your Husband: “She does him good . . .” (Proverbs 31:12a) Bless your husband by praying for him! The Apostle Paul instructed all Christians to pr...
This is my third attempt to share this with on my blog via the iPad.

Will you join me...just in time for this season of love to cover the love of your life in prayer.

Even of you are not married or have not me him yet- cover him in prayer anyway

Gracefully Daisy

Advent

2011-12-05T14:32:00.001-05:00

I have missed you. It has been so long...

My life has been changing quite a bit recently and we are doing well adjusting.

I couldn't wait any longer to share with you about Advent ( although I must admit: I'm a tad bit late). Advent has already begun and for the first time my sweet little family and I are having advent daily in our home! But don't let this confession deter you from observing it this year with your family-it is never to late to remember and reflect on the coming of our Lord and Savior!

Last year I read a book called 25 Days, 26 Ways to make this your best Christmas ever by Ace Collins you can download it straight to your kindle! I was inspired during the Christmas Season last year by reading it like a devotional. I began reading it again this year and loved being reminded of the beauty of this season! The first chapter in the book talks about Advent and it made me go searching for what it meant and how to incorporate it into our Christmas tradition. Here are some inspiring thoughts I discovered along with 3 different ways you can practice Advent this year.

here is an excerpt from the above mentioned book:

Advent is a Latin word meaning "the coming"...In the beginning Advent started on the Sunday closest to November 30 and ran until Christmas Eve. Essentially, the church leaders of the day set aside four weeks to consider what the coming of Jesus meant not only to the world but also to every individual's soul."

Collins also gives three reasons for Advent. Take some time this Christmas to reflect on these:

1. Reflect on what it means for God to come to earth in human form as a baby.

2.Consider how accepting Jesus as Savior changed your very existence.

3.Know that Jesus is coming back.

Here are three different advent calendars to walk you through this Christmas Season!

Free Jesse Tree Advent Family Devotional

This is the one our family is following this year. I love how it guides us through the Bible from the very beginning reminding us that the Lord's plan of redemption began in Eden.

Many ways to keep an advent calendar

Maybe next year I can start ahead of time and make a cute calendar like these!

Last but definitely not least Collins suggests at the end of his advent calendar chapter (chapter 1) to use the gospel of Luke as a biblical Advent Calendar! What a great and simple idea. The book has 24 chapters just the right amount to help you focus on Jesus' birth and life!

and an excerpt from the first chapter of Luke...

Luke
Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary   ²⁶ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, ²⁷to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name wasMary. ²⁸ And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”^[c]²⁹ But when she saw him,^[d] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. ³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. ³²He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. ³³ And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” ³⁴ Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” ³⁵ And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. ³⁷ For with God nothing will be impossible.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.Mary Visits Elizabeth
   ³⁹ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴²Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?⁴⁴ For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”The Song of Mary
   ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

      “ My soul magnifies the Lord,        ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.        ⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;       For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.        ⁴⁹ For He who is mighty has done great things for me,       And holy is His name.        ⁵⁰ And His mercy is on those who fear Him       From generation to generation.        ⁵¹ He has shown strength with His arm;       He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.        ⁵² He has put down the mighty from their thrones,       And exalted the lowly.        ⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things,       And the rich He has sent away empty.        ⁵⁴ He has helped His servant Israel,       In remembrance of His mercy,        ⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,       To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
⁵⁶ And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Let's Remember the real reason for the Season~Gracefully Daisy

Owl Calendar!

2011-11-08T20:57:00.000-05:00

They are here the new owl calendars for 2012

These are my favorite!

I love this owl calendar you can download for free!

2012 Owl Calendar

Gracefully Daisy

Photo Book

2011-10-29T20:12:00.001-04:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

It was so much fun to create this book! What a beautiful Year we have shared with our little guy!

John 4

2011-10-24T13:03:00.000-04:00

Picture found here

What a beautiful time of Bible Study Lauren and I shared today! We read together chapter 4 of the Book of John and just spent time discovering the truths of God's Grace in it.

Here are some of the highlights!

Lauren: "Jesus is the living water"

Verse 14

But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.

2 points that Lauren was able to take from this were

I must be willing to accept the living water that he offers
The water that God offers is good!

it quenches thirst and satisfies that desire for God that lies deep within our hearts!
She loves how he uses definitive! " will never thirst again"
I love spring water and reminds me waterfalls and springs in Hawaii-awesome!
this is a challenge for her but when you accept-it is also full of hope!

Daisy: the Samaritan woman an example of the struggles we face and the change that can only happen when we meet Christ!

She Struggles and sins as we do
Seeking, searching and questioning
needs to be accepted and loved

Because she does not walk away from Jesus when he encounters her but instead converses with him and dialogues with him to have her questions answered- He meets her there! He reveals himself to her!

²⁵The woman said to Him, I know that Messiah is coming, He Who is called the Christ (the Anointed One); and when He arrives, He will tell us everything we need to know and make it clear to us.
²⁶Jesus said to her, I Who now speak with you am He.

boundaries set by society do not matter to Jesus he will meet you right where you are

She was a woman
a Samaritan (Jews and Samaritans did not get along)
A "married" woman
an outcast (a scarlet letter type character)

Jesus met her right where she was: after 5 failed marriages and living with a man that was now not her her husband-to the world standards her life was undesirable. To Jesus she was a child in need of a father and lost soul in need of a savior. When Jesus looked in to her eyes he saw a woman in need of Love- She depicts Jesus purpose for coming to this world-to save the lost.
An encounter with Jesus changes your life and gives you boldness and courage to live a life worthy of Jesus!

verse 29:Come, see a Man Who has told me everything that I ever did! Can this be [is not this] the Christ? [Must not this be the Messiah, the Anointed One?]
³⁰So the people left the town and set out to go to Him.

...

^{Verse 39}Now numerous Samaritans from that town believed in and trusted in Him because of what the woman said when she declared and testified, He told me everything that I ever did.

⁴⁰So when the Samaritans arrived, they asked Him to remain with them, and He did stay there two days.
⁴¹Then many more believed in and adhered to and relied on Him because of His personal message [what He Himself said].

⁴²And they told the woman, Now we no longer believe (trust, have faith) just because of what you said; for we have heard Him ourselves [personally], and we know that He truly is the Savior of the world, the Christ.

God's Grace is available to you! But you must be willing to accept it! Lord, I pray give us a hunger and thirst for you! I pray that you will help us to accept your grace and set it as the standard for our lives! teach us to be more and like you!
Gracefully Daisy

John 3

2011-10-20T21:14:00.001-04:00

In John 3 we find the the reason for Jesus' coming to live among men. We discover that God had a plan of redemption so that we could have a way to spend eternity with Him.
I will begin with Nicodemus:

The Message
Born from Above

^1-2 There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, "Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it." ³Jesus said, "You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom."
⁴"How can anyone," said Nicodemus, "be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this 'born-from-above' talk?"

in this passage I see myself- many times we approach Jesus when no one is watching or when we have the cover of darkness-meanwhile the people closest to us don't even know that we have approached Jesus. When we don't live in the light that Jesus is we often don't understand what he is teaching us. This is in fact what we read with Nicodemus he wanted to keep his status in society but his heart yearned for Jesus. He tried the easy approach if I just come to see him without anyone knowing I will be ok. But he was blow away by what Jesus revealed to him. He did not understand how anyone could be born again!
What is Jesus Saying?

^5-6Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
^7-8"So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be 'born from above'—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone 'born from above' by the wind of God, the Spirit of God."

We are created by God! We must turn over our hearts to him voluntarily. We must die to the old way of life and "be born again" so that we can now live and be lead by the Spirit of God! But Jesus does not only tell Nicodemus what needs to happen; but he lets him know that Jesus will pay the price for this to transformation to occur.

^13-15"No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life.
^16-18"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

^19-21"This is the crisis we're in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won't come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is."

In these verses Jesus describes our old state-when we were running from his light into darkness! But he also depicts his plan for redeeming us of our sins. How great is He! He always has a plan! In his infinite Love he was beginning to reveal his plan for our salvation right from the beginning! He chose from the greatest and most sacred part of his heart-his only son! I think about My little Sammy here and I am not jumping at opportunities to send him off into another place far away from me for the sake of others! Thank God that as his heart broke at the thought of what his Son was going to endure, he willingly gave Him away so that we could be brought back to Him through his sacrifice!

I love how Paul describes the plan of redemption here in Colossians

²Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the ^[l]portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light.
    ¹³[The Father] has delivered and ^[m]drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son ^[n]of His love,

    ¹⁴In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

    ¹⁵[Now] He is the ^[o]exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.

    ¹⁶For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

    ¹⁷And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).

    ¹⁸He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent].

    ¹⁹For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him ^[p]permanently.
    ²⁰And God purposed that through (^[q]by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled ^[r]back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.
    ²¹And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities,
    ²²Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father's] presence.

I am grateful for you all and pray this prayer also found in Colossians for us all.

For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [^[g]special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the ^[h]full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [^[i]in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things--
    ¹⁰That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and ^[j]desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight,^[k]acquaintance, and recognition].
    ¹¹[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,
    ¹²Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the ^[l]portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. Amen.

All my love,
Gracefully Daisy

Book Review: The Love and Respect Experience A husband friendly Devotional that wives truly love by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

2011-10-14T12:20:00.001-04:00

A few years ago my dear Josh and I went through the bible study " Love and Respect" and we really enjoyed it. We really gleaned so much from it that we own the book. So when I saw this devotional from book sneeze I knew I had to get it. The book contains 52 Devotions that are based on the three cycles that make up the base of Love and respect.

These cycles are: the crazy cycle, the rewarded cycle, and the energizing cycle.

When I received it in the mail I was thoroughly surprised and impressed. It is beautifully leather bounded. The colors are rich and pages are smooth and inviting. I love the way the pages are set up, especially that at the end we have a time of prayer and an action to take on after reading that devotional. My husband and I have been reading it before we go to bed and we are able to recall the information we learned before; but for those who have not read the book there are many resources at the end of the book. Devotionals are not on the men's top picks for book to read, so when I saw that this one was especially geared for men I knew we had to give it try. My husband is very satisfied with it and the only thing he wished for was for a bookmark as part of the book to mark the place we left off at. We highly recommend this devotional. Warning: you might not only be able to read one at a time or one a week for that matter!

Gracefully Daisy and Josh

John 2

2011-10-07T20:55:00.002-04:00

October 7,2011

John 2

The second book of John depicts the beginning of Jesus' ministry. We learn some things about Jesus that seem to be so "human"-so normal. Something I would do and later really ponder upon the reason why I did that. We know that Jesus is God incarnate on the earth walking among men. Before I dive into the character of Jesus let me talk a little bit about his mom.

Mary has such wonderful insight into her son's life. She was told from the very beginning what his purpose was for coming into this world. As a mom now I have to think about the little life that he entrusted me. She knew that He was God. She knew that he could be approached at all time for anything. She trusted in his power and knew that he cared about the little things. Read these verses

John 2

The Message (MSG)

When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus' mother told him, "They're just about out of wine." ⁴Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn't my time. Don't push me."
⁵She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, "Whatever he tells you, do it."

in these verses you see that she is not afraid to approach him about something that to some would seem so insignificant and almost a bother. Although Jesus tells her " it is not yet my time" he is obedient and cares about his mother word as well as for the couple who need something at this time. He cares remember that nothing is too small or insignificant for him-if it matters to you it matters to him!

This chapter reminds me of me- this is why-JESUS LOST HIS TEMPER! Do you know how many times I have to find my temper again!!! He is jealous and Passionate about what he believes. His boldness at this time took over and you see someone on a rampage as we would say!

^15-17Jesus put together a whip out of strips of leather and chased them out of the Temple, stampeding the sheep and cattle, upending the tables of the loan sharks, spilling coins left and right. He told the dove merchants, "Get your things out of here! Stop turning my Father's house into a shopping mall!" That's when his disciples remembered the Scripture, "Zeal for your house consumes me."

He wants them to understand that the House of God is sacred and that they have strayed far away from that knowledge and have allowed things to take place and take home in the temple that belongs to God. When I read this I think about our bodies. Like this verse states

1 Corinthians 6:19Amplified Bible (AMP)19Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

if Jesus were to step into our temple what would he find? Would he have to clean up things that we have allowed to take shelter in it that takes us away from him? Remembering that we are not going to be perfect while we are here on earth-we are called to Holiness never the less. Remember through Christ we can do all things-if he has called us to pursue Holiness then we can do it! he has given us his word to guide! so doing this Bible study together will help us to learn more about what he desires of us!

I love the insight I gain about Christ in this chapter. He allows me to understand that he was just as human as I am. He wants me to see that he knows what I am going through and understands what I go through. He is not just up there in Heaven looking down at me and not understanding my life. No- he lived it and experienced it and it was because of that knowledge that he bore the Cross for my sins so that I could live with him for ever!

Lord, I pray for my friends as we go through this Bible study together. I pray that you give us the strength to read your word. I pray that you will give us the wisdom to understand your word as we read it. Lord, help us to understand your character as we read this book so that we can be more and more like you. Lord, I pray that you will teach us how to pursue holiness the same way that you did. Lord, you were human when you lived her on earth so that you could go through the struggles we face and you leave us the example that through it all you trusted in your father God! Give us your strength, your boldness, and your passion for the things of the Lord! We ask for your favor and grace over our lives and that it would over flow to our home and those that we come in contact with! Thank you Lord because you always hear us and you care about all that happens to us! Thank you sweet Jesus for loving us!

Gracefully Daisy

developpé...graceful becoming

Dreaming...

Vizcaya: An Enchanting Afternoon With My Love

Surrender

Treasures from our Chicago Trip 2012

A visit by the sea

Book Review: Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick

my arms full

My sweet Samuel

A sweet package from a sweet friend

Cute as a Button Baby Shower

On Saturday I hosted a baby Shower for my sister in law. It turned out to be a beautiful affair.a yogurt bar was offered full of fruit and a delicious homemade granola.

A Vintage Garden Baby Shower

A little taste of what I've been working on these past weeks.A few places where I gathered my inspiration

Awakening by Stovall Weems

Andalucía, España

from Spain, Gracefully Daisy

High Tea

Directions

Friendship

Proverbs 17:17

Sweet days

Matthew 22:37-40

Book Review: Just In Case You Ever Wonder

Raising Godly Children: 31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

Advent

Owl Calendar!

Photo Book

John 4

John 3

Born from Above

Book Review: The Love and Respect Experience A husband friendly Devotional that wives truly love by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs

John 2

John 2