Wouldn’t you agree that it’s very easy now to stay connected?   Between blogs, facebook, twitter, and email we can know a bunch of information in a short amount of time.   With this quick finger approach I feel we are losing an oldie and goodie…sending a card.  I love going to a card shop, seeing all the rows of cards.  Some funny, romantic, some with words of encouragement, there’s thinking of you, thank you and congratulations!   I enjoy reading through the words, pondering what they say, sometimes laughing my head off and praying over who needs to read and  hear them.  Who could could use some encouragement or just a smile through a card? I purchase the ones I feel led to get and take them home.  I always know of someone who could use the blessing of a card.  We all have something going on in our lives whether it’s a marvelous moment or a trial.  Words of love written in a card can speak volumes to someone’s heart and soul!

Once home I get a blue ink pen (that’s another post, I am addicted to blue ink pens and yellow highlighters), sit with my choice of warm drink and start writing.  I love to feel the joy in my heart thinking that I could brighten and bless someone’s day.  I have sent many, many cards and feel it is sorta a ministry.  I would rather send a card then an email.  It’s more personal.  There is a novelty in it.

I admit I enjoy sending a card because I really enjoy getting a card.  To know that someone took time out of their day to write me a note is so thoughtful.  To know you are thought of, brighten’s your day!

There have been many times in my life when a card is just what I needed.  In tough times when I was in despair…a card in the mailbox from a friend or family member telling me I will get through it.  Joyous times, our wedding, the birth of one of our girls…a card congratulating us on our treasure.   Birthdays…a card from someone celebrating with me  the day God delivered me to earth.  Then there are those cards that are the “just because” cards.  LOVE them…no reason for one, but someone cared enough to send one.

Dayspring has beautiful cards.  Their cards come in many varieties and I love that they have  scripture inside of them.  To give someone God’s truth is such a gift.  I was recently asked to review the “SIMPLY MARVELOUS” card pack.  I want to disclose Dayspring gave them to me free to review and that all opinions stated are my own. Take a peek…can I just say that these are fun and pretty!

This assorted pack of cards features messages of encouragement, friendship, and birthday greetings.   I can’t wait to sit and go through each one of them, pondering over who I want to send one too.  So friends, be looking in your mailbox, your day could be brightened!

Here is an email that’s been making the rounds. How does it strike you?

 Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go….hmm…where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think ‘where are my priorities’?

And no dropped calls!

Something to think about as we head into a new year!

I hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.  I hope to get some pictures out soon.  Our’s was grand…we had family, food and fellowship.  Doesn’t get better than that. 

I wanted to share a couple of “fun finds.”  Everyone remembers the 1980′s family sitcom Full House.  Remember the girl that played “DJ?”  Well her name is Candace Cameron Bure and she has a new online magazine.  Here, let’s refresh your memory:

Here  she is today,

Her new online magazine is called Roomag.com.  Be sure to check it out.  She has compiled a bunch of fun contributors and many topics that apply to us as women, wives, and moms.  Fashion, food, fitness, faith, fun!  Sounds good to me!!

The other fun find is with Karen Ehman,

This is such a fun way to start the Christmas season.  Karen highlights a friend each day, asking questions about Christmas memories, food, activities and so on.  All you have to do is leave a response and you could win a special surprise!   We all like to win things, and we like tips and ideas so this easy as pie! 

I hope you take some time out of your crazy, busy day, grab something warm and fun to drink and look around at both of these fun finds.  You could win something! 

I really enjoy having my home feel cozy.  With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas coming upon us, I thought it would be fun to share how we make our homes feel warm and inviting. 

I love to have a fire in the fireplace and classical music playing in the background.  I almost always have a candle or tart burning and a tea kettle ready with water for that yummy cup of warm tea, hot chocolate or cider.  Blankets drape my couch and I have a fun winter novel and devotional on the side table.  I enjoy having many of our nightly meals from the crock-pot and yummy apple or pumpkin treats ready for an evening treat. 

There is just something about this time of year.  I love the idea of getting cozy with a good book, snugly throw, and a cup of something warm.  Time to read, rest and rejuvenate our souls. 

So how do you make your house a home?

My husband and I recently went to see COURAGEOUS the movie.  Can I just say, incredible.  It has such a good story line and message that has you crying, laughing, cheering, and is very thought provoking.  I encourage you to go see it.    Find out more information about it  here. 

Our sweet, caring friends at Dayspringhave come up with an entire collection that accompanies  the movie.  I love that they have created products that can take the movie  from the big screen to our homes.  They have created mugs, cards, t-shirts and this beautiful print that is the message of the movie.  Great gifts for the great men in your life.   (Oh, a disclaimer, DaySpring gave me  the free product to review and  all opinions stated are mine.)

Courageous Resolution PrintEncouraging Card Pack

Here is the cool thing….you have a chance to win the very things pictured above.  Just leave a comment about how you encourage the men in your life.  The 7th person that leaves a comment wins.  Deadline for comments is Friday October 28th at 2pm EST.   Thank you Dayspring for being so generous!  You must have a U.S. mailing address to win.

 I absolutely love this time of year.  There is nothing like it.  I thought it would be fun to list our top 10 favorite’s of fall.  Here are mine,

1.  The changing colors, have you looked around?  I love the majesty of the oranges, reds, yellows and browns.  God is  Amazing!

2.  The cooler temps.  We had such a hot summer here.  The cooler temps are a reprieve!  Can’t wait for it to be closer to 65 degrees.

3.  Pumpkin spiced Latte’s at Starbucks, yum!

4.  Roaring fireplaces.

5.  Trips to the pumpkin patch and apple orchards.

6.  Jeans and sweatshirts. 

7.  Baking!  Love to make anything apple.  Pumpkin mousse, pumpkin muffins, pecan pies.  Also add soups and roasts.

8.  Quiet days…time to rest.

9.  Time to snuggle down with a great novel and something warm to sip. 

10.  Fall decorations!  Love to see all the leaves, pumpkins and scarecrows!

 So now it is your turn.  Tell us what you like about fall.  I thought I would add a few links of some fun websites to check out.  Lots of fall ideas from cooking, baking, activities and decorating. 

 http://www.sugarpiefarmhouse.com/blog

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/

http://www.gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/

http://www.southernplate.com/

http://www.aprongirls.blogspot.com/

Happy Fall Y’all!  I hope to post some fall recipes soon and would love to have you share a simple one as well.

Well, school is in full swing and we are getting back into routine.  I love it!!   Biblestudy starts next week and I look forward to getting back together with some dear friends, digging in God’s word together and the adventure we will go on.  Make sure to check out Moms In Touch.  It’s a wonderful ministry that get’s mom’s together to pray over their children and the schools.  There are other types of groups ranging from home-school, private school to grandma’s getting together.  Cover your families in prayer.  Teach your children to pray.  This is something I am personally working on.  Instead of worry, pray.   It is so nice to hear other moms pray for your kids.  There is power in numbers.  Look for a group you can join.  One hour, one time a week…we can do that!

I follow this blog and about two weeks ago they asked the question, “In God’s Heart I am..”  You had to finish the sentence, take a picture of you and your answer and post it on their facebook page.  Easy enough, so I concluded the sentence for Natalie, Phoebe, and myself.  We posted them and WE WON!!  Well, Natalie won.  This company is so giving.  Check out all the goodies I received today:

I can’t wait to share the blessings!  Thank you so much (in)courage and Blessing Unlimited for sharing Christ with me and for choosing Natalie’s photo.  She is such a blessing to everyone who meets her.  Natalie lights up a room with her spirit and sweetness.  We are confident that she is making a difference for the Kingdom!   Oh, and if you want to see the photo’s check them out here.   You will have to go through a few pages to find our’s, it’s worth it just reading all the comments, it get’s you thinking about who you are to God!  

I pray that the gal reading this right now realizes who she is in God’s heart!  She is chosen, strong,  free, accepted, delightful, redeemed, captivating, adopted loved, valued, able and BLESSED!

Hi, it’s been a while.  We have had a fun and fast summer.  I have to say that it is our fastest one yet.  Lot’s of entertaining, swimming, camps, visiting relatives, the beach and starting a business.  So here is a recap in pictures.

Tricia and Travis Cottrell

VBS

Papaw and Phoebe with sparklers

beach wheelchair..very cool!

Natalie, Phoebe and cousin Emma

cousin Lily, Emma's little sister

getting hair wrapped

church camp slide..FUN!

Phoebe and Holland at church camp

girls with Buddy Davis at the Creation Museum

Papaw's cannonball

Phoebe's cannonball

Elliott's cannonball

Last day of Summer break Celebration

Amazing Beauty by God

Christ the Lord is Risen today!!   Hallelujah!  Today I spent some time reading in all 4 gospels the accounts of the crucifixion.  It was really neat to get all the perspectives.  Though there were differences, they all told the same history, a different perspective.   Christ died to set us free!  That is what Easter is all about.  A sinless, blameless man walked the earth and died a brutal death so that we could be reconciled with God.  We are free, redeemed, adopted, chosen, blessed, loved, accepted and renewed! 

Phoebe has been asking alot about being baptised and becoming a Christ follower.  Last Saturday night a young lady at church accepted Christ and was baptised.  She stood before family and friends and professed the faith she has in Jesus!  Everyone clapped, cheered and sweet Phoebe looked over at me, with a big smile, but in a question stated, “it’s that easy?”  I smiled back and said “yes, it’s that easy, you just have to believe”  Now, I did explain that being a Christian is hard, we are called to be different.  We are not to have worldly standards but live by God’s word, which is Truth.  We are not perfect but strive to be like Jesus.  We have a Savior that we can go to and ask for forgiveness and because of what was done on the cross whatever “it” is..is not remembered.  Thank you Jesus!

 This Easter do you need some renewal?  Do you need a fresh start?  Do you need to follow through with a commitment?  Do you need a change?  What is your need?  Take it to the cross.  Lay it at the base and humbly give yourself and it to God.  He will meet you there. 

I pray that you rejoice in our risen Savior.  The rock is rolled away and Christ is alive!

Ephesians 3:12 

 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

 

Acts 2:24 

But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him