A Little Getaway & A Beautiful Canvas

Amanda and I were able, thanks to our wonderful husbands, to have a little much-needed getaway to Charleston last Friday-Saturday. We dropped our older children off at preschool and left straight from the parking lot at 8:55am. We were like giddy little girls ... so excited to just have a little uninterrupted time! Our husbands, knowing that we needed some time away, both took Friday off to stay home and keep everything in order, and boy did Jason do just that! It was so nice not worrying while I was away. This was only my 2nd time away by myself in over 4 years since Ella was born.

Amanda and I talked, laughed, shopped, relaxed, and ate a couple of incredible meals. It was glorious!!

She is such a true, genuine friend and I am so blessed to have the best friends in the world! You all know who you are!! I thank God that He brought each of us together and for the friend He gave me in each of you.

"It's never too late to be what you might have been."

George Eliot

On another note, I received a package yesterday. I was so excited to find this ...

I absolutely LOVE it! This is one of my absolute favorite pictures and captures both of my children perfectly.

I snapped this photo of Ella and Wilson Labor Day weekend while we were spending some great time with Jason's family in Sunset Beach, NC.

I have been wanting to take advantage of this incredible deal, but it took me awhile to decide whether I wanted a black and white or a color canvas. Obviously I did the black and white one, and I am so happy with the quality. I chose a smaller one (11x14) and put it (for now) on the bookcase in the playroom. I think it's too small to hang on the wall by itself. I may just have to order one in color that's larger because I just love it! A set of grandparents may be seeing it as one of their Christmas gifts! Or it would be beautiful hanging in Jason's office, too.

And finally, I wanted to share with you the Bible verse that had the most "votes" this week. I am SO glad you are participating with me and opening your Bible. I hope that you are finding comfort in HIS words and are learning more each day about HIS wonderful ways.

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

1 John 3:18

A Touching Prayer from a Mom to her Dying Son

No one loves us as God does. No one cares as He does. He is patient and true and waits with open arms for us to return to Him in truth, in prayer, and in the ways that we live. God is truly our best friend. He is everywhere, all around us, and we can see it so easily if we just take a minute to look.

Give your family the ultimate gift by incorporating prayer into your lives. Life is difficult and suffering is an inevitable part of it.  Turn to God with your triumphs and your failures and give Him all control, honor and glory.

I came across this beautiful prayer a mother wrote for her dying son as she trys to explain Heaven to him.

Dedicated to the Memory of 7 yr old, Ellis Mayfield, of Simpsonville, SC, who fought a 1 1/2year battle with an inoperable brain tumor. He received the SC Governor's Outstanding Leadership and Citizenship Award for his unfailing bravery and courage...a little boy who kept laughing and loving... 'til the very end.




To Our Ellis
© Pamela A. Snow

How does a loving mother, explain

Heaven to her dying child?

Please give me the words, O Lord, and

let me say them with a smile...

There is a place called Heaven, Son,

beyond the skies above,

It is the place where GOD is watching,

His Heart so full of Love.

He watches all His children, Son,

He watches you and me,

He wants to know we love Him, and

hopes that we will be...

Always strong and healthy, always

kind and free!

But, sometimes, things do happen, Son,

and sickness takes a hold,

It might be something serious, it

might be just a cold.

GOD sends His special angels,

to watch over us and pray,

And, by our side they linger, they

are never far away.

They lift us up on angels' wings when

we are all too weak,

And, oh!, they pray so softly, Son,

with gentle whispers do they speak.

So, have no fear, my darling, should

GOD come to take you Home,

For it is up there in that Heaven,

Son, where you will run and laugh

and roam!

You will hear that angel choir rejoice

in praises to the LORD,

And, my darling precious child, you

never will be sick, again...

No, never, anymore!!

But, most of all, you will meet the

King, our Saviour, your Best Friend,

oh my!,

If I could see him take your hand, I

know that I would cry!!

You have fought so long, you gave your

all..GOD says it's time to rest,

We will always love and miss you, Ellis,

but GOD...He knows what's best!



Source: To Our Ellis, Prayer Poems http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/spiritual/poetry.asp?poem=427#ixzz11JlpTQId

An Important Message

Before viewing, don't foget to scroll down to the bottom of my page and pause my music.
This needs to be heard.

God's Land, Birthday Wish, and Silhouettes

Ella said to me last night, "Momma, did you know that all the clouds, the stars, and the whole earth is God's land? It's His land, Momma."

Yes it is, Ella. It sure is.

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground‑‑trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:8-9

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

Psalm 95:1-7

VOTE in the new Bible Verse poll. This is my way of encouraging both myself and you to open our Bibles and learn just a little bit more. Write these verses down so you can refer back to them later, maybe when you need some uplifting words or some extra encouragement.

I would love to hear from you as to what your favorite verse is. The verse from last week that had the most votes last week was one that I absolutely love and refer back to often ...

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A very special Birthday wish to my adorable niece, Anna Chapman, on her FIRST birthday today. I cannot believe it's been an entire year! I think about what an exciting day it was for us all this time last year. And she will be welcoming a sibling in March! We are so blessed.

For this child, I have prayed.

1 Samuel 1:27

And lastly, these are my silhouettes I had done of my children by Clay Rice. I'm trying to figure out where to hang them.

He is an extremely talented artist and it was absolutely amazing to watch how he does these. You should look him up. He also wrote and illustrated this book, which is beautiful. You should look him up and have him come to your town!

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

Ephesians 3:20

FRIDAY FAVORITES - The Crippled Lamb

I am so excited to share with you my FRIDAY FAVORITES item. The good thing about this product, is that absolutely anyone can enjoy it and benefit from it. Children of all ages, adults, strong Christians, and those that may not have a personal relationship with Christ.


The Crippled Lamb, written by one of my favorites, Max Lucado, is a beautiful book, equally in illustration, content, and spirit. It will warm your heart everytime you read it. As one review read, “It is sure to move even the hardest of hearts.”

This book is a beautiful story of a little lamb named Joshua that is very much different than the other lambs. He can’t run, jump, and play, for he has a bad leg. Because of this, he often feels sad and left out – except when his best friend Abigail, an old, wise cow, is around.

Abigail spent most days telling Joshua, “Don’t be sad, little Joshua. God has a special place for those who feel left out.” But it was still hard, and he often felt alone.

Then, one special night, when Joshua was feeling extra low, God put him in such a special place at the most special time, and little Joshua realized that God has heard his prayer and gave him an answer that will give you chills … and move you to tears! It was then that he understood why he had been born with a crippled leg.

This is a story that, although is more of a Christmas story, can and should be shared year-round. I actually just finished reading it again to Ella, and I just glowed as it sparked a wonderful, meaningful, and in-depth conversation with her.

We have the small board book, which is great for the children right now, however I would love to get the nice hardback copy to place on my coffee table to enjoy the beautiful illustrations and also as a reminder that God has a special place and purpose for each and every one of us. He created each of us differently for a reason and we are all equally important.

Next Time a Sunrise Steals Your Breath or a Meadow of Flowers Leaves You Speechless, Remain that Way. Say Nothing and Listen as Heaven Whispers,
"Do you like it? I did it just for you."- Max Lucado

Time With God = Growth in Attitudes & Thoughts

First of all, I am beyond humbled by Liz's post. God's perfect timing is truly amazing and I am so thankful that He is at work in each of our lives. His grace and love shine through in so many ways and it shows all around us. And as her post reads, it is yet another reminder that as we spend time in God's word and ask Him for His help, we can see growth in our attitudes and thoughts.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9



Liz over at Crafty Mama Blog is a beautiful Mom, wife, friend, and Godly woman that has decided to share her incredible talents with the rest of us! She, like us all, is juggling and balancing life along with the time, energy, and courage it takes to open her own etsy store. She has recently launched a new line of products for adults that are similar to her adorable children's products. You have GOT to check it out and support and encourage her in this new venture! http://www.elizabethcarrington.etsy.com/

Also, I am continuing with a new Bible verse poll. I really would love for you to do this with me. We all get busy and this is a simple way to open our Bibles and learn just a little more about God. Hopefully you will be encouraged at a time you are struggling and can find hope during an overwhelming time. It is my hope that you will open your Bible along with me, and learn just one more thing about God's amazing love for us. I struggle with this, with opening my Bible each day, but I know that spending time in His word is what we are supposed to do. It is expected of us. So I am starting at a simple level, soaking in every word I can, as I have realized how much I do NOT know and how much left there is for me to learn. Looking up just a few verses each week is the very least I should do. I am learning so much by just opening my Bible. I would love for you to take this simple challenge with me. Now take a much-needed minute, open your Bible, find these verses and VOTE!

A Simple Gesture

Ella was at preschool. Wilson was asleep in the car. I realized I was somewhat alone for a moment. I took advantage of that moment and turned on K-love. I found a nice beach access with no other cars and parked. On the radio, they were talking about simple acts of kindness. Simple things we can do that can make such a difference - even life-changing. And it always seems to come at just the perfect time for both the do-er and the receiver. But we should know that it is God's doing. And it is all done in His perfect timing.

Jesus asked all of us who believe to, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven"

Matthew 5:16

I came across this wonderful, touching story and found it very much worthy of sharing. Remember that sometimes, a little thing doesn't mean a lot, it means EVERYTHING.

A Simple Gesture

By: Sharon Jaynes

(taken from http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/)

 

Today's Truth:

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today…" (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)
Friend To Friend:

My husband, Steve, was pumping gas. It seemed like he was always pumping gas. Living out in the country and driving into town each day required gas, and a lot of it. As he stood holding the nozzle and watching the numbers rapidly roll by higher and higher, he noticed an old 1992 grey Honda Civic pull up to the pump behind him. The car had seen better days: rusted roof, missing hubcaps, faded paint, and dented bumper.


Out of the corner of his eye, he observed a young woman who appeared to be in her late 20's get out of the car. She was dressed in medical scrubs and looked about as tired as her Civic. Methodically, she swiped her card, placed the nozzle in the tank, and squeezed the handle. Within one minute of beginning, she stopped squeezing. She then placed the nozzle back in the pump and began screwing the cap back on her tank.


That couldn't have been more than a couple of gallons, Steve thought.


"Is that all the gas you're getting?" Steve asked.


"Yeah, well, you know. Trying to space it out," she replied.


Steve placed his nozzle back on in its holder, walked over to her pump, and swiped his card. "Let's fill it up today."


"No, no. You can't do that," she protested.


"I already did," he smiled. "It's already done. See. The card's approved. Fill it up."


"Tears welled up in her eyes. "Thank you," she said.


"Now you have a good day," he replied. "God bless." And off he drove.


I just love that man.


As I thought about Steve's act of kindness, I was challenged to pay closer attention to those around me throughout my busy days. I was stirred to look for someone who needed a kind word, a bill paid, a burden carried.


Throughout Jesus' thirty-three years he walked this earth, he noticed people who crossed his path during his busy day. He noticed a small man in a tree straining to catch a glimpse as he passed by (Luke 19:1-8). He noticed a woman with a bent-over back sitting in the women's section of the synagogue straining to hear (Luke 13). He noticed a 38-year-old lame man sitting by a pool (John 5). He noticed a grieving mother mourning the loss of her only son (Luke 7). He noticed the hunger of the crowd after a long day of teaching on the hillside (Mark 6). He noticed … and he did something about it.


It is very easy to go about our busy days with blinders on - focusing on our own little worlds and ignoring the ministry opportunities surrounding us. But Jesus showed us how to pay attention, lighten a load, bestow a blessing, give a gift, help the hurting, and bind-up the broken. Listen, Jesus was busy! He had a lot to accomplish in 3.5 years of his earthly ministry. But he was never too busy to pay attention to the needs of the people around him.


Steve was my hero that day. And I suspect, for one young lady in a beat-up, old gray Honda Civic, he was her hero as well.


Let's Pray:

Dear LORD, open my eyes today. Forgive me for being so selfish that I forget to notice the needs all around me. Show me someone that I can help today. Show me how I can be Your hands and feet today. I'm listening. I'm watching. I'm paying attention.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Friday Favorites

Today I wanted to share with you a product that benefits the entire family! This all really started when I was on bedrest last summer. Having been told that my little baby was coming at only 27 weeks, I was determined to fatten him up as best I could. I did not care how much weight I gained. Wanted to take-in as much protein as I possibly could. I wasn’t able to be in the kitchen cooking healthy meals, though. So, this is what I counted on to get the most nutrients to my baby boy (along with all the wonderful and numerous meals my church family brought to us) …

(You can usually find it in grocery stores near the oatmeal and breakfast bars. I personally prefer the Rich Milk Chocolate flavor. And by the way, remember my Friday Favorites are all personal to me. I am not getting compensated -- just simply sharing what I think is a good product!)

I am not a huge milk-lover, however this stuff I love! And so does Ella. I put about ¼ packet in her milk every morning and evening and I know that she is getting SO many more vitamins and nutrients.

Carnation Instant Breakfast has:
2x Protein of an egg
2x Calcium of yogurt
Extra Antioxidants to support immune system
Extra B Vitamins to convert food to energy
Vitamin A – 45% of your daily requirement
Vitamin C – 50% daily requirement
Iron – 25% daily requirement
21 Vitamins & Minerals in each serving

When on bedrest, I fixed probably 3-4 servings of this each day! I know, that sounds crazy, but it helped me know that I was giving extra and proper nutrients to my teeny tiny baby. One thing I did to mix it up a bit ...

Poor a serving of milk in a blender with ice. Pour in a packet of Milk Chocolate Instant Breakfast. Then add a ½ Tablespoon of INSTANT coffee (must be instant). Blend that together and you have a delicious mocha-like shake.

Instead of coffee, you can add a banana for another different treat. I wouldn’t recommend giving the coffee shake to your children! But think how healthy the banana shake is! And what a fun way to get your children to intake so many nutrients. You can also have them help you make it for a fun parent-child activity.

Happy Friday to all my dear reader-friends! I hope to enjoy some downtime with my family. I have been fighting a bad cold for 8 days now and feel so run down. I feel overwhelmed. Don't we all feel pulled in so many directions all at the very same time?! I still haven't learned that balance of being a good mom, wife, homemaker, friend, and Christian -- all in one. How do you do it?

Don't forget to VOTE! Open that Bible of yours and enjoy God's Word!

Target GC, Worthwhile Quotes, and Bible Verse Voting!

Check out my friend's blog Karen At Home. She is an incredible mom and I love reading about how she is learning to balance life at work, life at home, and being a loving and supportive Christian, Mom, wife and friend. She is a beautiful person inside and out, and ... she loves SOUTH CAROLINA!

She is hosting a fantastic giveaway for reaching 300 followers. Check it out and enter away at http://adayinthelifeofkaren.blogspot.com/

QUOTES

"When we set an example of honesty our children will be honest. When we encircle them with love they will be loving. When we practice tolerance they will be tolerant. When we meet life with laughter and a twinkle in our eye they will develop a sense of humor."    Wilferd A. Peterson

...be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

"If you want your child to accept your values when he reaches his teen years, then you must be worthy of his respect during his younger days."    James Dobson

...in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example.

2 Thessalonians 3:9

"A mother is a person who sees that there are only four pieces of pie for five persons and promptly remarks that she's never cared for pie."   Unknown

...it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

VOTE for GOD!

Take this challenge with me by spending just a few minutes reading God's word. I have started something to encourage both you and me to open our Bibles and learn more about God's love for us and the way in which HE wants us to live. This is a constant struggle for me ... I want to be better for HIM.

So, I am keeping things simple. I learn more that way! I encourage you to and hope that you will take just a few minutes to learn just a little more. VOTE for your favorite Bible verse. A new poll will be starting in a few short days.

A Simple Challenge for You and Me

I get easily overwhelmed with challenging tasks. Sometimes simply opening my Bible can be overwhelming, wondering where to start, and if I am interpreting His word correctly. This thought has been tugging at my heart lately, wondering how I personally can learn more about God’s Word and His amazing ways, and also spread and share it in a not-so-overwhelming and challenging way, although His word and love for us IS SO OVERWHELMING!!

I have started something new on here. If you look on the right sidebar, you will notice a Bible verse poll. Things don’t seem quite so overwhelming if I break it down verse by verse. It seems to hold more with me, and I tend to learn more when things are kept simple. I thought what a better way than to take you along this learning process and share in this simple challenge with you.

This is challenging me to open my Bible and read and learn. It may be little by little. It may only be one verse at a time, and that is okay. I know the importance of spending time in His word daily, but sometimes life just keeps me from doing so and that frustrates me.

So … let’s do this together! I am challenging and encouraging both you and myself to take this journey. I am spending time finding Bible verses that I think might be helpful, encouraging, and enlightening to you, which puts ME spending time in His word learning more. And YOU gain too. It’s simple! Each week I will post 4 or so Bible verses. You open your Bible, look up each verse, and tell me which is most meaningful or relevant to you at the time. Just maybe it will be the exact thing you need to hear at that very moment ... and it puts YOU in His word. You never know how God works through His perfect timing. You may even want to start a notebook of verses to look back on when you need some uplifting words and encouragement.

If you do not have a Bible, please email me. I would be honored to send you one.

I am excited about this challenge, and I really encourage you to and hope you will participate with me.

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

2 Peter 3:18