Revealing a Little More ...

I promised to reveal to you a new product of mine every few days. I am thrilled with my new business and cannot wait to see where it leads.

Imagine a red monogram (will be offered) on the plain white tee, with the matching girls A-Line Dress (to be shown soon). One-stop shopping for your convenience!!!

These adorable,very inexpensive, high-quality play clothes will be available to YOU in about a week, so keep checking back! And I'd love to hear what you think! More revealing again soon! View another practical product here.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."

Hebrews 12:2

How is Salt Like our Hearts?

The Bible is a map, a guide that gives us direction in the way in which we live. I can read it all I want, and I can be a diligent church go-er. But that's not enough. I need to constantly be feeding my soul, growing in my heart, my love for our Almightly God.

I love the example I heard in Sunday School today. You know how salt, if left too long in a salt shaker, becomes lumpy and hard and dry? We have to USE the salt shaker to keep the salt fresh. You know how if you miss a few consecutive weeks of church, or a few days of your personal growth with God, it becomes a lot easier to miss more and more? If we don't feed our souls with the love of Jesus, even if we attend church regularly, we become dry and hard and absent in our spiritual walk and growth.

 

When I get out of my daily routine of praying regularly throughout the day, and sharing my heart with Him, and learning how to deepen my faith each and every day, it becomes so much more difficult to get back to where I should be. This simple little example made me realize that my soul can so easily become dry and hard and I WILL feel empty. I know how much I need and want God as the center of my life and my children's lives, and I won't get there by doing nothing. I must constantly be feeding my heart with Him.
 
 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith"

Hebrews 12:2

(I love this verse and am repeating it over and over until I learn it and remember to use it in my life.)



A Sneak Peak

I am excited to be starting my new business selling

adorable,

high quality,

practical

children's clothing

at exceptional prices!

Here is a sneak peak of my products.

I will share a new item every few days.

What do you think?

If you would like to place an order, you can email me at

BrittonsAppleTree@gmail.com


"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."
Hebrews 12:2

Save the Date!

I am SO excited ... My friend and I are hosting an Extreme Couponing Workshop sponsored by Southern Savers at our church. We would LOVE to have you join us for some time of learning and fellowship!

In today's economy, pinching pennies is becoming increasingly important to many of us. And since the grocery bill is one of the largest expenses every family incurs, saving money on food is quickly becoming a focal point for families wanting to spend their limited incomes more wisely.
 
On Saturday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m., First United Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach will host an Extreme Couponing workshop lead by SouthernSavers.com frugal blogger, Jenny Martin, from Columbia, SC. Come and learn how to save 50% or more on all your grocery, household and personal care items. It's not just about cutting and handing over coupons! Learn how to use coupons effectively to save hundreds of dollars a month. Shop at your regular stores, buy the food you normally eat and pay half of what you normally pay. Using coupons effectively, the average family of four can save $250-$400 a month. To register for the workshop, go to http://www.southernsavers.com/. The cost is $10 per person and is payable by cash or check at the door.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith."

Hebrews 12:2

My New Love

Since we moved into our home, the formal living room has been completely empty. I took my time and finally decided on what colors, fabrics, overall look and feel I wanted for that room. I was so excited when the lady called me yesterday to tell me she had finished making my drapes and pillows. Jason and I spent the evening hanging them, and I have to say I am IN LOVE with my new room!!

We also recently bought a sleeper sofa for the playroom, since we don't have a guest bedroom. We thought this would at least give us an option for having overnight guests, which we don't have often. The walls are a pretty khaki color and we have a lot of white woodwork/wainscoting. I decided on a plain chocolate sofa and found these pillows that I am very pleased with. I want to recover our loveseat in the playroom a robin's egg blue. I love the color combination. It's all a work in progress, but that's how I like it!

Simplicity

I had planned to post today, and after 2 hours and 56 minutes of being on the phone trying to fix my computer (while also being a parent to 2 active children), I have

NO

 MORE
   ENERGY.

I will, however, leave you with some pictures from our New Year's Eve. We spent the evening with some very special friends and had a great time just being US.

This friendship is just simple. Don't you love that?!

MORE Money for God!

Oh how I love our little girl.

We were gone this weekend spending time with Jason's family. It's been awhile since we had all been together. We had a nice visit. We spent the weekend in a beautiful oceanfront suite and we probably went around the heated indoor lazy river 200 times! Ella and Wilson had a great time playing with their cousins and grandparents.

When we got home and settled Sunday evening, I witnessed Ella talking to God. It was such a pure moment. She stopped what she was doing, looked up and said, "God, I'm so, so, so sorry we missed church today. We will do something extra special for you."

Later that night as we were saying her prayers, she said to me, "Did you know that God has 2 homes? One is our church and the other is Heaven." Then she asked if church was open then. When I told her it wasn't she replied, "Well then we need to go by tomorrow after school and take some more of my money for God. We shouldn't have missed church, Momma."

She amazes us constantly. I love seeing how God is at work in her little life, even at the age of 4, I see it. I see it each and every day. And I love it.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

(Learn along with me my SSMT verse)

A Needed Eye-Opener

A friend called yesterday. We were discussing the next step in something we're working on within our church. As we started our discussion, I immediately said, "Let me guess ... our first bump in the road?" She kindly replyed, "It doesn't have to be a bump unless we let it."

Wow. That really hit home. I realized how negative thinking really affects things. I am grateful to her for opening my eyes and heart to changing the way I think. Thank you, my dear friend.

"I'm convinved that the whole world is better when we, as individuals, capture and savor each moment as the gift that it is, embrace the challenge or joy of it, and thereby transform it with the magic of creative possibility. Life, for the most part, is what we make it. We have been given a responsibility to live it fully, joyfully, completely, and richly, in whatever span of time God grants us on this earth."

Luci Swindoll 

Learn along with me my next Bible Verse ...

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Read my post "A Little Nudge" to learn more about the SSMT I am participating in. I would love for you to join me.

 

"Talking Jesus!"

He died for me. I live for Him.

That’s what the t-shirt said on the gentleman that came to do some upholstery work for me today.

I thought, “This is my opportunity.” And I’m a better person because of it.

We stood in my front yard and “talked Jesus.” It was some of the purest 20 minutes I have ever spent.

He told me how he will fail his wife, his child, his parents, his friends, and God, but God is so awesome – He will never forsake us or leave us.

He told me how heartbroken he is because his parents don’t live for God. He prays every day for them to be saved. He fears that when he is home in Heaven, the best place there is, he will look down at his parents in the darkest, worst place possible. I could see the hurt in his eyes.

It made me wonder how he chose God. So I asked him. I asked him how he was saved – how he came to know, love, and live for Jesus.

He responded quietly, “A 4-foot building.”

With tears in my eyes, I listened to his story of the dark place he was in when he fell off the top floor of a 4-foot building. As he was falling, he cried out to Jesus. He cried, “I’m a sinner, but Jesus, please save me.”

And to see how this gentleman turned his life around is truly amazing. His spirit touched my heart more than I will ever be able to describe. I am smiling now. I am genuinely changed by the time God allowed us to spend together “talking Jesus” as he called it. He had that child-like faith and spirit that I long for. I know that God is working on me, though. God plants seeds all around us, all the time. I love recognizing His works.

He died for me.
I am learning to live for Him.

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

I want Jesus

I want Jesus. I want more of Him. I want to surrender myself totally and completely to God's purposes. I know that only He will bring me the most pleasure and satisfaction in this life here on Earth and in Heaven.

I don't want to be a "lukewarm" Christian. God doesn't want me some of the time ... halfhearted. He doesn't want me on Sunday mornings, and when I am going through a hard or stressful time. He wants ALL of me.

But how do I get there? In all reality, as a mom of 2 young children, I am finding it a struggle to find the time and passion I need to really grow in His word and truly shine for Him. My desire is present, but I am struggling.

How do you do it?

God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20