All I have to say is that Best Friends are wonderful (daughters, too)!

If you have one that you can let it 'all hang out' with, then clap your hands for joy, 'cuz she is a gift!

(Shannon, thank you for being a trooper of grace today!)

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health 

and that all may go well with you, 

even as your soul is getting along well. 

3 John 1:2

Oh! On Friday, if you love to sew or wanna win a gift to give to someone who loves to sew, then come back October 1st and see what I have put together as a giveaway, as part of this...

 

It's Officially Falll !!

It's here... FALL has arrived!!

~ and you know what that means ~

... drum roll...

Congratulations, Anonymous (you know who you are, even if I don't), you won 

Karla Dornacher's darling book!!!

Please send your mailing address to my email:

encouragingforyou@gmail.com

I will get it in the mail to you ASAP!
(P.S. Dear Anonymous, since I cannot get in touch with you, please respond by the 29th. That way, I'll know you want the book. If not, I will redraw a name. Thanks!!!)

Thank you, Bloggerinas, for joining in my fall fun!!

Give Thanks... it's happy fall !!!

This is Exactly My Heart's Sentiments

There was not going to be another post till my I-Love-Fall giveaway was over (be sure to go HERE and leave a comment for a chance to win), but I so want your hearts to be encouraged in your homemaking, that I am stealing-away Aunt Ruthie's fabulous cheer in that area, to share with you...

"Little touches of seasonal beauty placed thoughtfully throughout our home adds a sense of celebration, warmth and welcome to our loved ones.  Galatians 6:10 says, "Be mindful to be a blessing,” As homemakers, making our home feel cozy and delightful blesses our family! Every home needs a woman’s nurturing touch, it sends a message of love and care to all who enter it.  It’s a troubled world out there and that’s all the more reason to make  our homes a place of comfort and joy. Oh girls, we must never underestimate the significance of  our role as a homemaker…we set the stage for our family’s sense of belonging, safety and well being."

My heart's exact sentiments! 

I tell every young (and old) gal that will listen this very message! God has given us such a unique and joyous job of upholding and encouraging the hearts of those in our household! Thank You, Lord, for this gift! I looooove homemaking!!!! Sooo thankful for what God has gifted us to create within our own little four walls' haven.

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5

(fall does this to you, too... the cooler weather brings out the kitchen's hearty heat)

Hop on over to Aunt Ruthie's uplifting and inspiring blog (her words and photos and recipes..."oh my!" will say your soul)!  Give thanks!

Giving Thanks Giveaway

(This contest is now closed. Thanks!)

Seasons are happiest when a crowd is circled around enjoying it together.  That's the reason for this giveaway. Join me in celebrating the goodness of God. 

Acts 14:17 says: 

"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, 

in that he did good, 

and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons,

filling our hearts with food and gladness." 

Rain, and the food that sprouts up out of the ground because of it, are all reminders that God is mighty and caring. He is our Provider. It's not Mother Nature, it's our Everlasting Father who is sending His provision and care. He sends the rain as a thirst-quenching drink for the soil, and up springs the green plants that supply our sustaining nutrients.

Karla Donacher has this great book for fall. I love it and have been using it as a devotion. I'd love you to win this giveaway and get this copy into your own eager hands. It'd be like we are celebrating fall and God's goodness together! Yay!~

Okay, the sun is quickly fading and I still wanna mow the grass. So, here it is....

There are pages you can personalize too. It's quite fun...

If you go HERE you can scroll down and see a couple of Karla's book's pages.

So... just leave a comment. I'll put the names in a bowl and close my eyes and pick a winner!

The winner will be announced next Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - the first day of fall... when else? :)  (Yes, I will ship out of the USA.... God's goodness knows no bounds!)

Hope you win!

FUN Exercise!!! It's Possible!

Years ago, Superman and I had a verrry nice stay at the Inn at Morro Bay.

 

     Peaceful.

                                           Beautiful.

                        Wonderful! 

Even though I was a trembling at the thought, and longing to be a game gal, I courageously (that means I was praying a lot) dipped my toe into the faded red kayak, then my knees, and finally sat my bottom down for the ride. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - I loved it!

 

 Superman suggested we buy me one, so that I could row around the lakes in our area. But.... the cost. Ay yi yi!

However....  :) smile, smile, smile  ----

Big 5 was having a clearance sale today on summer items. 

And there it was, amongst the $5 pool goggles I was looking for --- 

this bad girl... 

(no, not me!, the inflatable kayak-of-sorts)

I'm pointing to my 'gun' cuz that is what is going to power my kayak)

 So.... when we got home, Superman used his handy-dandy compressor and had me kayak inflated in no time. What a fun way to exercise!!!  The pictures he took will be great as 'before' pictures. :) Find something you think is fun, and do it. You don't have to be fast or athletic. Even taking the kids to the park and climbing up the stairs of the slide a few times is fun exercise. Get creative and get going and HAVE FUN!  :)

Something New?

Bangs seem to be in... but are they 'it' for me? 

I'm still trying to decide how I feel about them on me.

My hair gal, Sonya, who is fun and friendly, and whom I give free reign to, cut bangs for me and labeled me "cute!". 

Now, who doesn't love to hear that every once in a while?

But every time I look in the mirror, it takes me by surprise, because I am not used to full-on bangs. 

Know what I mean?

And then... 

I'm going to confess this to you...

I wonder if I look weird and if others will think I look a bit strange, too. Isn't it crazy that we do this?

Those same feelings creep into my thoughts when I'm riding my 1960 Schwinn...

See, the thing about that bike is that it is a heavyweight, stuck in the high gear (of two), which makes it a perfect ride for pedaling upright on the pedals, bootie off the seat, like nine-year-old boys do. 

All I need is a pink scarf!

But I'm not nine, and I'm sure this is not proper bike-riding behavior for someone way past nine.

But I loooooove it!

It makes me happy, happy, happpppy! 

HAPPY!

So, I do it. 

And smile.
No matter what others may or may not think.

Still, with my new do, I am still in that insecure stage. But I'm determined to smile, or push the bangs back to one side again and then smile.

Learning to be content with yourself is not always easy, is it?
Learning to value your own opinion and to let others' be just their own, is sometimes difficult, too.
Do you think so?
Can you relate at all to what I'm saying?
Are you out there? 
Is there something that gets your likes or dislikes caught in another's opinion?
Talk to me.


"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

Good For The Heart!

Bloggerinas, do you have a garden?

What do you grow?

If you don't have one, you simply must quit denying yourself the pleasure of walking out into the sunshine (or rain, if it's an autumn/winter garden) and plucking a few fresh delights for your meals. Those in my hand were my Italian pasta's toppings. Better than cherries on ice cream. Oh. Wait! I love cherries on ice cream. Hmmm... let's just say, they are the equivalent, and call it even Steven (uh... lol... which means the same thing; just checking to see if you are paying attention).

Anyhoo, fresh garden veggies are good for the heart, because every time I reached my hand inside those leafy bushes and came out with a tiny treat thank You, Lord! took a flying leap out of my mouth!

First of all, it's late in the season to be getting anything out there at all, and next... God is so creative and smart and generous and wonderful! Yep, thank You, Lord!

Giving thanks makes happy hearts! 

Just try it and see if I'm right!