Encouragement for Mothers...

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God's fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God,  as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts."  - Charles Spurgeon

This is the quote that a wonderful post begins with over at The Legacy of Home

I hope you'll take the time to go and read this short post--it will really encourage you!

Check out this blog while you are there. It's a homemaker's dream!

It really turns your heart towards home.

Lots of great godly counsel on this site.

Enjoy!

Simpler Times...

Today I am remembering simpler times...back when I would stay in the summertime with my grandparents,

we would often sit (almost daily) on the porch at some point during the day/evening.

It was a time I loved then, and cherish now.

Back in those times it was commonplace for people to sit on their porches and visit with one another, or with neighbors who pass by.

Perhaps the ladies (and children) of the house would shell peas, snap beans, drink lemonade, eat a popsicle, do handwork, or tell stories to the children.

Perhaps it was just to get a breath of fresh air as there may have been no air conditioning then.

Friendship was valued and nurtured.

Perhaps it was a good place to read the Bible...

Life seemed simpler then...why was that? Now we have so many modern conveniences that you would

think would make our homemaking easier!

Washers, dryers, microwaves, breadmakers, crockpots etc...

Yet how many nights do you spend during the spring, summer and fall sitting on the porch?

I hope it's a lot!

I don't have a pretty porch like the one above, I just have a "stoop".

But, I do have a patio in the back--it's just not the same.

I sometimes sit with my neighbors on their front porch and visit.

And, I really enjoy those times.

Truth be told, I truly miss those simpler days.

Memorial Day Thoughts

I'm so grateful for all of the veterans who have served this country to preserve our freedom...

Many gave the ultimate sacrifice, and so did their loved ones.

And of course I am also so grateful for those who are currently serving and sacrificing.

May God bless and protect each one and bring them safely home!

Practice Makes Perfect

Recently Bri did a practice session to experiment with her different camera settings...

I loved them and am posting some

 (I hope she doesn't mind because they're still unedited)

I just couldn't wait!

The floral ones are from her own garden

I, of course, love this purple!

The veggie pics are from our garden

This lettuce is my fav! Seeds are from Baker Creek

We're having a bumper crop of strawberries this year! :)

I love Bri's photography! Hope you did too! :)

We're having a Flexi Clip Party-and You're Invited!

 If you're like I was until just recently...you have NO IDEA what a flexi-clip is... So, here's a brief explanation.

After my recent illness (which caused me to lose 1/2 of my hair) I was looking for a clip that would actually stay in my fine, thin hair--and hold it! In my quest I found the Flexi Clip. My friend Marci is my consultant and when I recently went to her home I got to see these lovely clips in person.  I LOVE THEM!
They not only stay in all day (comfortably). They are also elegant, stylish and beautiful! Very quality made.
They are beaded and come in many different designs...hearts, butterflies etc... they also make great gifts!

So, Bri and I decided to have an online party and introduce our friends to it!

The link below is what you must go to so that you can browse or order through my party:
http://www.lillarose.biz/parties/621

BEFORE you order, be sure to check out the video and page on sizing. They have 6 sizes to custom fit your hair! And, they also give you styling ideas that are sooo quick, easy and pretty!
http://www.lillarose.biz/AmazingGrazeFarm/flexi-sizing-and-styling.html?id=ySPBsHth


Lilla Rose also sells hair sticks, hair bands and more.
The party works like a Pampered Chef party (only online) - when you buy products through my party, I get discounts, etc.

I am starting my party today, and it lasts for two weeks. You just visit my link  http://www.lillarose.biz/parties/621 and place your order there.
Here are some brand new styles just introduced today!

Any questions just drop me a line.
Enjoy shopping!
Blessings,

Sharri

Cake Decorating

Before too much time flies by I wanted to do a post on Bri's cake decorating!

Some sweet friends of ours generously invited her to come and do a class with them in their home.

They have a friend who is a pastry chef, and she was wonderful enough to do a class

for the girls!

I thought she did a great job!

I picture her using this skill in the future...with my grandchildren's cakes one day!

What a sweet vision! ;)

What Are Girls To Do About Boys?

A sweet friend told me about this book over the weekend. She is reading it and loves it!

I came home to find it on sale, and I thought I'd share it with you!



Attention Young Ladies:

Have you ever been confused about your friendships with boys, or how to handle crushes? How friendly is too friendly? How close is too close? What do you do when a guy is paying you way too much attention? What does it means to be a “sister, in all purity”? And what do guys think about all this?

Guy-girl relationships have always been complicated, but perhaps never more than they are today. So, what’s a girl to do about boys?

Presenting the “What Are Girls to Do about Boys?” Set - Save 35%

Featuring ‘It’s Not That Complicated: How to
Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way’

Enter It’s (Not That) Complicated: How to Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way — a recently-released book by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin.
In this engaging work, these sisters take a humorous, hopeful, and deeply thought-provoking new look at guy-girl relationships in our times. Dealing practically with real-life complications such as online interaction, Hollywood expectations, undefined relationships, and unrequited love, the Botkin sisters share important biblical principles that will help young ladies be sisterly, confident, and edifying as they interact with young men.
Topics include:

• Why We’re Interested in Boys (And Why This is a Good Thing)
• Boys Are People Too: Learning to See Men as God Sees Them
• Rules of Engagement: Practical Tips on Interaction and Engagement
• What a Man Needs by His Side: How to Become a Girl a Man Wants as a Wife as Well as a Friend
• Not Another Chapter on Contentment: How to Occupy Till He Comes

View the Full Table of Contents and a Sample Chapter

It also comes as a set:

What Are Girls to Do about Boys?
Save 35% on Set Purchase!

To provide young women and their parents with an even more comprehensive overview of marriage preparation and godly womanhood, we are including It’s (Not That) Complicated in our new “What Are Girls to Do about Boys” set. For a limited time, save 35% on this set and receive the following books and audio messages:

• It’s (Not That) Complicated (BOOK)
• What’s a Girl to Do? (CD)
• Adventurous Femininity (CD)
• Sleeping Beauty and the Five Questions (CD)
• Joyfully at Home (BOOK)

The purchase price for our “What Are Girls to Do about Boys” set is $37 — a $20 savings! This special offer ends at midnight on May 25, 2012 (CST), applies only to orders placed online or by phone, and may not be applied to past orders.

Save 35% on Our “What Are Girls to Do About Boys” Set

If you decide to order, you can do so right here through my site!
Just click on any link above, or use my Vision Forum affiliate button
on top right. (Then I get credit for it and it helps me out)
Thanks!

 "I believe in the sun even if it isn't shining. I believe in love even when I am alone.
I believe in God even when He is silent."
~Unknown

SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY



SEVEN REASONS NOT TO WORRY

Matthew 6:25      The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.
Matthew 6:26      Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.
Matthew 6:27      Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
Matthew 6:28-30 God does not ignore those who depend on Him.
Matthew 6:31-32 Worrying shows a lack of faith in and understanding of God.
Matthew 6:33      Worrying keeps us from real challenges God wants us to pursue.
Matthew 6:34      Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Great Quote

"...you cannot live by sight and by faith, neither can you live by fear and by faith. It either has to be by faith or by fear, by faith or by sight. Which way are you living? Faith takes out the anxiety It takes out the fear. Faith leans heavy on the Lord. It knows that the Bible is so and can be trusted and that we can live by it and all of our needs will be supplied." ~Lester Roloff

 

Practicing Thankfulness

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col. 3:14-16

Thankfulness has been on my heart a lot recently...

And, I'm becoming more and more certain that being thankful and grateful is a choice.

I have to remind myself sometimes (as I begin to see fault, or grumble) that I need to look for the

blessing in the situation.

In my previous post I mentioned that I keep a God's Grace Gifts journal.

This has been such an excellent tool for cultivating thankfulness!

I can look back through the pages of the last year and be reminded over and over

how many blessings God has graced me with.

I believe that in almost every one's life--that the blessings far outweigh the bad things.

However, the bad things seem to be what folks naturally dwell on,

and they often seem to plague us through the years.

They stay in the spotlight and absorb our thoughts.

I am trying to choose to focus on the blessings that I've been given in my life.

Purposefully choosing to remember the blessings that I've been given throughout my life

(that I do not even deserve!)

That's what grace is! NOT getting what we truly deserve!

(see Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:)

Some of my blessings are visible!

My family, my extended family, friends, notes of encouragement, flowers in bloom, a hug, a smile,  the Bible, the garden, the ocean, the dogs etc...

But some are not...like the feeling of God's presence, the answered prayers, words of love and encouragement, godly music, a gentle breeze on my face, the fragrance of lilacs, the laughter of a child, the voice of a dear friend on the phone...

So, I hope that you're looking for the blessings that are in your life today...and I hope

that you find as many as I am!

I am indeed blessed!

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my sweet Mother's birthday!

What a blessing she is to all of us in our family!

But I particularly appreciate her as she and I are so close!

I appreciate the many sacrifices she made for me - and still does!

She has been so caring during my illness--and every day!

She is also a wonderful "Mommom" too!

All of her grandchildren adore her, and have lots of fun with her. :)

I pray that this new year of her life will be a blessing to her!

We love you Mom! :)

Happy Birthday!

Her children arise up, and call her blessed..

Proberbs 31:28a