Kari Jobe - You Are For Me - Live Version

Found this video this morning... the message before the song is simple yet powerful, and I just love her music!

I'm such a bad blogger...

Hello, my 13 followers... are you still there? :)

Forgive me for being so absent. I have the best intentions, and then life gets in the way, and then the words don't make it to the page. Maybe that isn't a bad thing? Life has been busy since school started. J just finished basketball and has Boy Scouts every Tuesday and M has cheer practice on Mondays, Girl Scouts every other Tuesday, and cheers every Saturday morning right now. We all have church activities and I am co-leading a GA's group on Wednesday nights.

I'm not complaining, but maybe I've stretched myself a little thin?

I feel so thankful that my kids have so much to do, so many opportunities to be active in school and church and community, but some days I wonder why I signed up for so much. Our family has gotten into the habit of being busy and we get so caught up in the busy that we often forget to slow down and just live life.

On good days, I get everything done and we run here, there, and everywhere. Some days, I don't do anything. Nothing. Notta. (Like today.) The dishes pile up and the laundry piles up and the toys aren't put away and I don't even change out of my pajamas or wash my hair. I pile up in the recliner and drink coffee and browse (in)courage and play on Pinterest and catch up with friends on Facebook. This usually happens when my husband is working and won't be home for a day or two... on those days, I know I should be doing something, but I just feel too mentally exhausted to even care. It sounds horrible, but it's an honest confession.

Do any of you have days like that or am I the only slacker here today? I'm determined to get the dishes done and the laundry folded before church this afternoon... pray for me?

It's Fall, Y'all!

I love this time of year. I love the smell of pumpkin pie candles burning throughout the house. I love the reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves falling from the trees. I love the crisp fall air and being able to wear cute scarves and sweaters and boots. Most of all, I love being able to pull through a Starbucks drive-thru and order a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

(Because the arrival of the Pumpkin Spice Latte is how you really know it's fall, y'all.)

Kari Jobe - Beautiful music for your weekend :)

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

I look at her face as we open the cardboard box that the UPS man carried to our door today. It's glowing with excitement and wonder at what might be inside. As I cut through the tape and pull the flaps back to reveal the new friend that's waiting inside, she erupts into giggles and one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen.

"Mommy, is that for... ME?"

Dweeber is just one of many cute and cuddly little friends available through DaySpring's U-Neeks line of products. 

She lifts him out of the box, we unwrap him and this is the first thing she does. See that smile? She just loves this little guy called Dweeber! I tell her that Dweeber is here to remind us that we are all special and unique... fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God loves us just the way we are. She smiles bigger and holds him tighter. I thank God for this box of goodies from (in)courage and Dayspring, this box of little reminders of God's love for us. 

I love that every time we use one of these notebooks, folders, or binders, we will see a special message, like the ones inside the front covers of the composition books... scripture and words that uplift and remind us that "we are never, ever alone in this world" and that we are cherished and chosen. 

Our school made a few changes this year, and one of those changes was that parents no longer had to purchase school supplies for their K-4th grade students. I didn't find out about the change until after we received the products, and since my daughter is in the 1st grade, that means she isn't able to use them at school. At first, I was disappointed, but then I thought about how we could use them at home. I decided to use a folder and binder to hold materials for the GA's class I am leading on Wednesday nights. I am using one of the composition books as a prayer/gratitude journal, and I am going to give the other one to my daughter for the same purpose. 

For those of you who have students who can choose their own supplies, and use these at school, they are the perfect way to share their faith with friends! (I would have sent them with my 6th grade son, but I don't think he would have appreciated hot pink notebooks or binders!)

Just a few days ago, I gave my kids the greeting cards to let them know that even when we are apart during the school day, they are always on my mind and in my heart, and that God's love is always with them, too. 

There are so many uses for these wonderful, beautifully made products! 

You can find them all at DaySpring, and through August 31, 2012, back to school products are Buy 2, Get 1 Free! I am linking up over at (in)courage, please visit their Inspired Deals page to link to more posts on these awesome products! 

*All products were sent to me by DaySpring for review. The opinions expressed here are my own, and no compensation was received other than the products themselves. 

Thankful Thursday...

Things I'm thankful for this Thursday:

#24 It's looking a little cloudy... I love grey days. There's something so peaceful and calming about grey, possibly rainy days. Call me Eeyore, I guess. :)
#25 The school year is starting off smoothly. No morning fuss so far!
#26 As always, my morning cup of coffee. (This morning, in my beautiful mug from the Holley Gerth collection at DaySpring.)
#27 Friendship. I've had a rough week, mentally and physically. It's nice to know that just when you need it most, God places words on the heart of a friend, and that friends places them in your path. Thankful for Brandi's post on Facebook last night... scripture I truly needed to read, right then.
#28 This blog. I may only have 13 followers, and they may not even be reading these words, but if there is even a remote possibility that something I say here might lift someone's spirits or speak to their hearts, then I am happy and thankful for that.

What are you thankful for today?

Happy Thursday! :)

Grati-Tuesday!

What am I thankful for this Tuesday, you ask? Well, I'm here to tell you!

#16. The kids had a great first morning of the school year! All smiles and happy faces!
#17. I discovered eleventhgorgeous. (Hey, this girl loves girly things. And so do these girls. Perfect match.)
#18. Turquoise and Pink Mani. (inspired by eleventhgorgeous) I did it myself, and it made me feel pretty and happy. Happy girls are the prettiest, right? :)
#19. The box of back-to-school goodies we received from DaySpring this week. The kids can't wait to use them, and I can't wait to share them with you.
#20. My always muddy when he's spent the day outside puppy dog, Marley. I can't be mad at him for tracking dirt and grime into the house when he looks at me with those big, brown puppy dog eyes. I'm in love with that little guy.
#21. Peace and quiet, the three cups of coffee I had this morning, and good (free) music on Spotify.
#22. Instagram.
#23. Just life. So thankful for each new day the Lord gives us. : )


A few of the things I'm thankful for, and proof of my Instagram addiction:

Oh... and I almost forgot! These went out this week, so I'm thankful for that, too! :) 

What are you thankful for today? Please comment below! Have a great Tuesday! 

Sneak Peek...

... linking up to (in)courage's (in)spired deals on August 17th to review these awesome back-to-school items from DaySpring! I can't wait to share how my family will be using these products and what they mean to us! 

(photo taken with Instagram.)

Feeling really "(in)couraged" today...

Have you visited the (in)courage beach house lately? There are some really exciting things going on over there, and I am hoping and praying that I will have the opportunity to be a part of the fun!

(in)courage is hosting an open call for community leaders, women like you and I, from all walks of life and all across the map, to partner with them in leading unique communities within the (in)courage community. Did this girl apply? Of course, I did! (Fingers crossed!) I would be so thankful, to be a part of something so wonderful! Real life, with real women, just lifting each other up and pouring love into each other's hearts... such a blessing! 

I will also be reviewing the Jesus is My BFF and DWEEBER U-Neeks sets, part of Dayspring's back to school line, as part of (in)spired deals. I'll be linking up on that page on August 17th, so be sure to visit here and check out my review, as well as the reviews of others who were lucky enough to receive these products for review from Dayspring. You can purchase them online and in select retailers. I saw them in our local Walmart just a few nights ago, and can't wait for ours to arrive. They will be fun little reminders of God's love, and I know the kids will love them!

I hope you all have a week full of blessings, and if your kiddos, like mine, are returning to school, that their first week back is wonderful!

Thankful for YOU,
Courtney 

The Pink Magnolia

I'm on Tumblr now, too! Please visit me at The Pink Magnolia! If you're on Tumblr, please leave a comment here letting me know that you are, I would love to follow you!

Hugs, 

Courtney 

Days like these...

Days like these usually start out on the right foot. Wake up, kiss the husband goodbye, scramble eggs and cook turkey bacon. Pop a few slices of bread in the toaster. Brew a pot of coffee. The kids take turns saying a blessing and thank God for each other and we enjoy our breakfast at the table as a family. Read a devotional while the kids play awhile. Check the posts on (in)courage. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter. Then...

Madison (yelling) : "MOM!! JORDAN TOLD ME TO SHUT UP!"
Jordan (yelling) : "NO I DIDN'T! LIAR!"
Me (yelling) : "STOP BEING UGLY TO EACH OTHER! DON'T TELL YOUR SISTER TO SHUT UP! LEAVE YOUR BROTHER ALONE! GO TO YOUR ROOMS!"
Both (protesting) : "THAT'S NOT FAIR!" "I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!" ...

Why are they always yelling? 
Wait... 
What? 
Why am I always yelling?
Maybe that's why they're yelling at each other...
I just don't understand why they always have to yell... 
Why can't we all just get along? 

Sound familiar? Surely, if you're a mother, you've been in this situation before. Your blissful coffee-and- scripture-filled morning suddenly becomes the scene of a battle, and even after the yelling stops and the kids forget why they were mad at each other in the first place, no matter how loud you turn up the volume on that Kari Jobe song you love so much, you can still hear the sound of your conscience nagging you.

You said you wouldn't yell at the kids anymore, didn't you? 
You're such a failure... so impatient, so imperfect... 
what kind of mother are you?

The human kind. The kind who makes mistakes, who will make plenty more before her children are grown. The kind who sometimes yells when she shouldn't, and knows she's done wrong and feels like she'll never be as patient or soft-spoken as she should be.

Fear not, there is hope for you yet.

Joyce Meyer says "If you've made mistakes, don't spend half the day beating yourself up. Sincerely repent and go on." 

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. - Acts 3:19 (NIV)

Sincerely repent and go on. Be refreshed. 

If you truly recognize your mistakes and repent, don't worry about a thing... God's got this. God's got you. You're already forgiven. That's the wonderful thing about God's grace. We're covered in it always. Not just on good days, but on days like these, too.

Be still...

"Do you spend too much time running around and not enough time at home? You cannot grow spiritually, train your children properly or enjoy caring for your home if you are always on the run. Things do not have time to sink in if you are always on the go. Busyness makes us feel rattled, stressed and tired. Maybe it is time to cut back on the play dates, the extra curricular activities or the oodles of trips to the store." - an excerpt from this blog post at GMG. (Emphasis mine, not the author's.)

... wow. As I read these words, I wondered, when was the last time I posted on my blog? Didn't I say, in the last post I made, that I was going to update my list of gratitude everyday? Have I updated it since then? Ummm.... no. (shamefully hanging my head, here, friends.) I think maybe the Lord was speaking right to me this morning, through Jen's words, and telling me to slow down. To be still. In the past week, we have had Kindergarten graduation festivities, a school carnival, chaos at home... all busyness that has definitely made me feel rattled, stressed, tired, and completely unfocused. All the going, going, going and worrying over the small things made me forget for a moment to just. be. still. I need to be still to draw closer to God. As much as I see him in the beauty of His creation, all around me, everyday, I can't truly grow spiritually if "stuff" is always in the way. Putting all the "stuff" aside for a moment to thank him for everything he's blessed me with this week... 

#11. My sweet girl's graduation day - full of parties, friends, family, fun, and smiles... and okay, a few joyful tears, too. 
#12. beautiful, sunny weather for the kids to enjoy the carnival on Tuesday. 
#13. a hot cup of tea in the morning.
#14. GMG and the Proverbs 31 woman, for giving us something to aspire to this summer as we read the word together. 
#15. My sweet Brandi, for being a beautiful Christian woman, for having a giving heart and a sweet spirit. Thank you for going on this journey with me. 

Thursday Thoughts...

... things I'm thankful for today:

#1. beautiful, uplifting music with a message... instant mood lifter!

#2. gorgeous, sunshine-y, 60 degree weather that's perfect for taking a walk around the neighborhood

#3. a warm cup of coffee

#4. Buttercups Cupcakes - this morning, Blueberry Muffin cupcake. Yum! 

#5. a wonderful day with my Jordan yesterday - doctors appointment and all.

#6. the smile on my Maddy's face yesterday when I picked her up from school and asked her how spa day went (nails, hair, lip gloss... every little girl's dream, right?) and... 

#7... her upcoming graduation from kindergarten. monday's the day, y'all. this mama will cry. that's a fact. happy tears, though. happy tears. 

#8. waking up to "spare change" in my bank account from Thirty-One. I mean, I get to earn money for selling cute bags? Really? Awesome. 

#9. the fact that Mandisa is singing to me right now... technically, I'm listening to her on Pandora. But anyway... she's the bombdiggity. Srsly. 

 #10. this blog. everyone who is following me. i am thankful for you. and i am praying God's blessings over you today and everyday. you give me someone to talk to in the quiet moments before laundry, dishes and picking up messes consume my day, so thank you for "listening" to my randomness. 

I'm planning on adding to this list EVERYDAY... if you notice that I haven't updated my list on any given day, feel free to shoot me an email at courtneylfanning@gmail.com and remind me... my mama brain gets scrambled sometimes and I get off track. Keep me accountable, let's be thankful together. :) 

Wishing you all a bright, beautiful, blessed day... unless you are in Seattle or something, in which case I think you are really cool, because I love the rain and the grey and I am a firm believer that you can have a bright, beautiful, blessed grey-ish day just as easily as you can have a bright, beautiful, sunshine-y one. Okay, I'm done rambling. :) 

His beauty surrounds us...

I felt completely surrounded by God's presence yesterday as I took in beautiful works of art and the beauty of nature. A few of my favorite pics from the gardens at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery... 

The main walkway is lined with beautiful magnolia trees. 

One of the ponds in the art gallery's gardens. 

I loved this pretty little water lily! 

Colorful and Well-Loved

I found this picture on another blog and just had to share it with you all. This is EXACTLY what I want my bible to look like... colorful and well-loved. What does your bible look like? Are the pages marked up and dog-eared and decorated with notes in every blank space? Or do you use a notebook or a journal for bible study? What are the methods you use to study your bible?

By the way, that blog I found this picture on... delightful. :) 

Getting "Carried" Away...

... literally. I'm loving this track from Carrie Underwood's newest cd "Blown Away." It's called "Thank God for Hometowns." Random, I know, but just thought I'd share.

Mama...

... you have given me so much. I remember a childhood full of happy memories in that little house on Clarke Blvd. I remember bookshelves full of stories, and days spent swinging and sliding in the yard. I remember you bandaging skinned knees, drying salty tears, and kissing away the hurt when I fell down. I remember walking to the corner store and buying candy that costs twice as much now as it did then. I remember catching fireflies and lizards and making mud pies and experimenting with an Easy-Bake Oven.  I remember every school play you attended, every honor roll certificate you kept, every Girl Scout meeting you led. I remember trips to the lake and to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream to the park to play. I remember seeing you take in stray animals and give them a home, I remember you being friends with all kinds of people, of all shapes, sizes, skin-colors and genders, and I learned how to love well and fully. I remember being happy and feeling loved and thinking that life was perfect. I learned that it wasn't...

 I remember being heart-broken when you and daddy divorced, when I knew we were leaving that little house and never going back. I also remember how much grace you gave me in the years to follow, the hard years, when I rebelled against you and told you I hated you. I never hated you.  I remember how hard you worked to take care of us, to give me the things that I wanted that you really couldn't afford. I remember us living in a one-bedroom apartment, and not having a car for awhile. I remember wondering how you did it all, how you worked so hard and paid the bills and paid for pep squad and clothes with labels and prom dresses and class rings and how you put up with me. I look back at those days and I am thankful, thankful that you loved this lost little girl through the hard places and taught her to be strong. You taught me to be strong because you were strong. Again, I remember you drying salty tears and kissing away the hurt, even though this time, you were bandaging my broken heart. I remember you holding me when I cried over the latest break-up, over something a mean girl said, over something we'd fought about. Boy, did we fight. I look back now and I realize we fought because you fought for me. You looked at me and still saw the little girl who lived in that house on Clarke Blvd. You never forgot who I was or who you'd taught me to be, even when I'd forgotten.

I remember being 19 and pregnant and scared, ashamed because I was sure I'd disappointed you. You just loved me through it, and when I was determined to do it on my own, helped me move into my own little one-bedroom apartment, and cried with me on the phone every night for a month because I was homesick, even though I was only a few miles south of home. You were by my side when I brought that boy into this world, when I brought him home, when my heart broke over his father... you were always by my side. I remember being 26 and repeating the cycle... I thought I'd finally found "the one" and when I found myself alone again, you were there. There for another pregnancy, another c-section, another homecoming. This time, a beautiful little girl. I remember feeling like I'd let you down, because I couldn't manage to do things the right way... I had no husband, I had two children, I had bills to pay and mouths to feed and could never seem to get it right, and yet again, you loved me through the struggle. You loved me through broken relationships, single-motherhood, and irresponsibility. You never gave up on me, you never let me down.

Now I am 32, finally happy, secure, free... The lost little girl, finally found. Found by a savior who I believe held us in His arms through all of our struggles, found by a man who adores me and who I truly believe will never walk away... I have two beautiful children and 4 beautiful step-children and the family I always wanted. I wake up every morning and realize how blessed I am and try hard to be better than I was the day before, and I think of you and how much you've given me and can only hope that my children will one day be able to say the same thing about me. I am so blessed to call you mama...

I love you bigger than the sky.

(Linking up to Mother Letters today... click on over and read more about this beautiful collection of thoughts and stories about motherhood.)

It's a good morning!

I wake up to this song every morning when my alarm goes off. You can't possibly wake up on the wrong side of the bed when this is the first thing you hear! I hope you all have a happy Monday and a good morning! :) 

I have the blahhhs...

Today,  I feel ugly.  Me, a beautiful, cherished, daughter of the King. Ugly. I don't feel beautiful today. Rather than bright and bold and happy, like the color red, I've felt more than a little gray lately.

I look at pictures taken yesterday and all I see are the lines around my eyes, the 30-40 pounds I need to lose, the double chin I try so desperately to hide as I smile. I know that, physically, I am not the girl my soon-to-be husband first laid eyes on. Last night, as I complained about my expanding waistline, he told me I am still the same person on the inside, still beautiful. Although I know he didn't mean it the way I took it, all I heard was "bigger, but still beautiful." We've had this conversation many times, and every time he tells me the same thing: "You could weigh 500 pounds and I'd still love you." Really? Would I still love me? And if I couldn't even love me, how could he? This afternoon, I looked at photos from yesterday, a picture of two friends and I in our (in)RL t-shirts, my extra pounds and inches glaring at me. Tonight, at the dinner table, my son told me I had a lazy eye. (Do I really have a lazy eye?) My soul, sliced by the sharp words of a 12-year old, was left wounded and bleeding. He apologized immediately, but the damage was already done. I sat sobbing, disgusted with myself for being so... imperfect. Flawed. Less than. Ugly. There's that word again... The enemy was having a field day with my thoughts, waging spiritual warfare on my heart and soul.

Have you ever felt ugly? Even though you know that God looks down upon you and rejoices at the beauty of His creation? How did it make you feel? How did you overcome those feelings?

Asking for grace, and for prayer... that I will have the discipline to lose the weight and inches. That I will honor the body my creator gave me by taking better care of it. That I will absolutely ROCK that wedding dress in September. I don't know what I'll do about that lazy eye. I guess I'll just pray it doesn't show up in my wedding photos...

Thank you in advance, because I know that as soon as I hit the submit button and publish this post, someone, somewhere, will be lifting me in prayer... and if there is some way I can pray for you today, please leave a comment here. I would love to pray for you, sisters.

(in)RL

I feel so blessed to have these beautiful, amazing, ladies in my life. (in)RL was a beautiful experience. We didn't get to watch/listen to the webcasts yesterday because it was just too loud in the cafe we met in, but we had a lovely time just visiting. We are planning our own little (in)RL once the dvd comes out next month... a day at my house, in our jammies, watching the webcasts, digging deeper with the study guides, crafting, and enjoying yummy snacks... and I can't wait.

Today, I caught up on what I wasn't able to watch yesterday. This is what most of my Sunday looked like... (Hi, Amber!)

I really needed to hear beautiful words today, and I did in these webcasts. I am so thankful for (in)RL, and for the people over at incourage. I really don't want this weekend to end, but I know that I have the dvd's to look forward to. A day full of feet on the coffee table, sweet tea in mason jars, cupcakes, laughter, tears, and creating pretty things for everyone to take home when the day is done. A day of REAL LIFE. 

Taking it all in...

God's Heart for You by Holley for April 7: God says. "I'll be right here telling you all you need to know every day, every step of the way. I love to hear your voice... and I love when you listen to Mine."

The house is quiet. I sit, warm cup of coffee in hand, listening to Natalie Grant. The air outside is cool and crisp, I know this because it woke me up at 7:30 this morning when I took the puppy out. The sun is shining, there is breath in my lungs, the Lord has blessed me with another beautiful day to enjoy His creation. I think back on the week and realize I haven't talked to him much this week... mostly just listened. Watched. Waited. Sunday, the pastor spoke of palm leaves turning to fists and joyous cries turning to angry shouts and innocent blood shed out of love for us. My children took their first Lord's Supper, and I felt tears in my eyes as I saw the knowing in theirs. My 12-year old son watched "The Passion of the Christ" for the very first time, and as I cried he declared he just didn't understand why we ever celebrated the Easter bunny when Jesus went through all of that torture to save us from our sins.  A butterfly landed on my shoulder this week, I think it was Wednesday, while another fluttered around me. I knew at that moment that I was fully in His presence, because only He could be responsible for something so delightful. The next morning, the kids and I saw two butterflies again, in the same spot in our driveway.... we decided they were our angels, checking in on us, or maybe just His way of telling us "I am with you." I delighted at seeing my beautiful ring sparkling in the sunlight, a symbol on my finger of the love I never thought I'd find, let alone deserved. Friday I spent the day marveling at how very handsome and grown up my son is, and wondered where my little boy had gone... but felt so very thankful that I've had the opportunity to witness the transition from little boy to young man, because life is so precious and fleeting, and some mamas don't get to see their babies grow up. Now it is Saturday, and the house is quiet, and I'm thankful I've had a few moments to think back on the week and well, be thankful. I've felt more aware this week, more aware of redemption and grace and beauty and Him. Just taking it all in and feeling so thankful...

All I ever really need to know I learned in Ephesians...

... things like living life to the fullest (Eph. 4:1) and being humble, gentle, patient and loving (Eph. 4:2). Things like unity and peace (Eph. 4:3) 

1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)

That prayer is absolutely essential (Eph. 6:18)

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people

 ...and that if we stand strong in the full armor of God, we can fight off any evil that comes against us. (Eph. 6:10-17)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Life-giving words...

Today, I'm linking up with (in)courage... because there is something so beautiful about hand-written, life-giving words. Pen and paper coming together to lift up and inspire. Words of encouragement and cheer... a note of sympathy... a celebration of birth, of life... or maybe even "just because."

I was blessed with 2 free greeting card packs (and a super pretty card organizer!) last week, courtesy of (in)spired deals and Dayspring. I say blessed because, in my opinion, there is nothing that makes me happier than knowing I've made someone smile... I've already sent a few of these cards to friends. Cards with scripture and encouragement and beautiful pictures, sent to friends who encourage, inspire, and bless me with beautiful moments every day. I'm so thankful to (in)courage and Dayspring for blessing me with a way to reach out to those around me... a way to share His love with the ones I love.

The Joy Dare

Ann Voskamp never ceases to amaze me with her beautiful words and even more beautiful soul. She always encourages us to look for the gifts in the everyday, to see God in the everyday... a child's smile, the smell of cupcakes baking, a butterfly fluttering past... and to write them down as a reminder of how much we have to be thankful for. She is daring us to find the joy in the everyday and count a full 1,000 gifts in 2012, in her own words "a joy dare to give all glory to Him." To celebrate the Joy Dare, she is also hosting a giveaway! Click HERE to visit her blog and  learn more! (Because she explains it far more beautifully than I ever could!)

Is there such a thing as Post-Holiday Stress Disorder?

... If there is, I am suffering from it. Lately I've been stressing, worrying, yelling at my children, and just plain down in the dumps, things that are definitely not of God. I'm not going to dwell on those things anymore, because I know I'm already forgiven.  2 Chronicles 7:14 reminds us, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  So, what am I gonna do about how I've been feeling? Just what the bible says... humble myself, pray, seek His face, and turn from my wicked ways. I'm going to remember that I'm covered by Grace, and I'm going to be iNtEnTiOnAL... I'm going to consciously make the decision EVERY DAY to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in myself - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Two things I've chosen to participate in to help me along the way are The Gentleness Challenge over at Women Living Well and starting January 15th, a study of Ephesians at Good Morning Girls, a sister site of Women Living Well. Won't you join me in renewing your mind with the Word and a little encouragement from other women across the blogosphere by clicking on the links and learning more about the challenge and the study? :)