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? :) 

Reflecting on 2011, Looking Ahead to 2012.

Midnight marks the ending of one year, and the beginning of a new one. I'll be at home with the kiddos, wearing silly New Year's Eve hats and 2012 sunglasses, drinking sparkling grape juice and playing with sparklers. :)

A few of the ways I'm waving goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012:

Linking to (in)courage and looking back on 2011: 20 Questions for a New Year's Eve Reflection. I've already begun a new journal, and this is the first entry.

Arming myself with the Word and gaining control of my thoughts, my emotions, and my physical health. I'm determined to start 2012 with a fresh outlook and a healthier lifestyle, and to teach my children to do the same. Reading the Bible dAiLy, as well as "Battlefield of the Mind" and "Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now" by Joyce Meyer, and "Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness" by Candace Cameron Bure.

CLEANING HOUSE! Physically AND Spiritually! January marks the beginning of a new year, what better time to begin clearing out the clutter and making room for new, beautiful things? Doing this with the help of Sarah Mae. I bought her eBook months ago and I think it's way past time to put it to good use! (If you've seen my house lately, you understand.)

Looking forward to (in)RL in April 2012! :)

Becoming a child sponsor for Amazima, and hopefully sponsoring a child through Compassion. Praying about these things and feeling confident that God will give me the ability to do so.

and... last, but certainly not least, praying for peace, comfort, happiness, love and joy for all of you in the new year!

Pink is my signature color...

Get (in)couraged, meet (in)RL, and get your verse on, too!

The amazing people over at (in)courage are sharing LOTS of Christmas cheer this year! Click here to head on over there and hopefully win some Christmas pretties! 12 days of giveaways (and 78 gifts to give away!) to celebrate the upcoming (in)RL "no need for packing or travel un-conference" and, of course, Christmas! The best part? Even though it's the 5th day of Christmas,   all 12 days of giveaways will remain open until they've sung their way through all twelve verses and 78 gifts! If you are just finding out about the giveaway fun, you can enter today, and go back and enter the giveaways for Days 1-4! 

Haven't heard about (in)RL? Mark your calendars for April 27 & 28, 2012, because you won't want to miss it! Click here for more information, and don't forget to register while you are there! Fun, friendship, fellowship, (and a t-shirt!) right here in the ArkLaTex, all for $10! (in)courage will even have a few free goodies for us! I will be posting details about the location closer to the date! Please visit our local meetup page and RSVP today! 

(in)courage and Wild Olive Tees are hosting another fun giveaway, open until Thursday December 8 at midnight EST. They are giving away 4 Wild Olive Tees, and trust me, you want to rock one of these gorgeous shirts! Get over there, enter to win, and "get your verse on!"