2019 Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Blog Hop

Congratulations to Lisa T. from New York, the winner of the $15 Amazon gift card!

Spring is a time of renewal, when everything is bright and fresh. Spring is the time when we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Christ. We watch as trees begin to bud, perennials push their colorful heads out of the ground, and the grass turns to a soft, vibrant green. And we are reminded of the renewed life we receive through Jesus’ resurrection.

To celebrate the arrival of spring, and with it, Easter, I’m joining The Kids Did It blog and The Mommy Island blog to participate in the 4th Annual Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Event, which runs from April 2, 2019, to April 16, 2019. The winner of this giveaway will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. Continue reading “2019 Rain Rain Go Away! Giveaway Blog Hop”

Choosing the Best Yes

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (Jas 1:5)

Those of you who read my blog know I’m a self-proclaimed overachiever who likes to stay busy and who has a hard time saying no. I volunteer for a variety of organizations in my spare time. I’m president of my state’s writing organization, Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. (OWFI), I serve on the board for a senior nutrition site, I volunteer at church, and I organize a monthly celebratory meeting for the women in my small group. While I love being involved in each of these things for different reasons, I sometimes become overwhelmed when activities for each coincide. In this season of life, I’m often faced with two (or more) good choices, and I’m learning to choose the best one when presented with scheduling options. Continue reading “Choosing the Best Yes”

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced…” (1 Chron 16:11-12)

As the year draws to a close, I’m reminded that this is a good opportunity to reflect back over the year. In honor of that, I’ve selected my top ten blog posts from this year. These are the posts that resonated with my readers the most. I’ll be back soon with new content for the new year! Continue reading “Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018”

Winter Is Coming Giveaway Blog Hop

Congratulations to Laura Jacobson from Minnesota, the winner of the $15 Amazon gift card in the Winter Is Coming blog hop!

Christmas is my favorite holiday by far. Like many of you, I have cherished memories of family gatherings. I’ve spent many hours throughout the years cross stitching gifts for others and baking sweet treats with my mom. As adults, we can feel overwhelmed and stressed by the season for many reasons: financial difficulties, too many activities, family members who don’t get along…the list goes on and on. Joy seems elusive, but we can experience the joy of the season when we remember why we celebrate this season: Jesus.

This Christmas season, I’m joining The Kids Did It blog and The Mommy Island blog to participate in the Third Annual Winter Is Coming Giveaway Event, which runs from December 4, 2018, to December 21, 2018. The winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. Continue reading “Winter Is Coming Giveaway Blog Hop”

Practicing Gratitude

“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.” (Ps 95:2-3)

Being grateful isn’t something that comes naturally. We’re inherently selfish and focused on ourselves. We don’t always feel thankful. There are a lot of bad things happening in this world, and it’s sometimes hard to figure out how to be thankful in the midst of them.

Learning to be grateful takes practice. When faced with a trial or an unexpected bump in the road, my first thought is never how thankful I am for the difficulty or inconvenience. How I wish it were! Turning my mind from my struggles and onto the things for which I’m thankful allows me to grow closer to God and to receive physical and psychological benefits. Continue reading “Practicing Gratitude”