Sunday, October 29, 2017

November Scripture Writing Plan: Strength

Happy almost November friends!
(How is it already November? Where in the world did October go?)
The new topical plan for this month is over
STRENGTH.

If you are tired and weary, this plan is for you. 
My prayer is that every verse in this plan is a reminder 
to you that we don’t have to walk through this life in our strength.
Thankfully, the Lord has given us HIS strength.
When we face impossible challenges 
(and we WILL face them)
we can turn to the all-powerful and all-knowing God.
I pray that you are reminded daily and find comfort in His word
 as you read what God has to say about strength.

I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with
 all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-
not just the month I write them for.

You can find a copy of the plan in English and Spanish in the folder HERE.
{Just a reminder, don't try to print the images below or they will be blurry. Be sure to click the link to download a PDF copy!}

You can also find an iPhone lock screen with the plan on it HERE.


Below are the plans for the month of November from last year- 
over the topic of GRATITUDE. 
You can download a copy in the folder HERE.





Monday, October 23, 2017

Acts of Kindness Lunchbox Notes

Back in August I created a Lunchbox Note set and added it to my ETSY store.
It includes 48 little notes to put in a 
lunchbox, locker, or backpack to encourage your child.


{If you are interested, you can purchase the set HERE. }

This weekend as I prepared for a MOPS talk I'm giving in a few weeks, 
I thought.....Wouldn't it be fun to have some acts of kindness lunchbox notes? 
Each could give a suggestion of something kind for your child to do that day. 
So after jotting down a list of ideas, I created some! 


Being kind is something everyone wants to do but 
sometimes we all need a little help thinking of WHAT to do! 
This listing is for a set of 18 acts of kindness notes for your child.
This gives you 18 positive and motivational notes to print and give to your child-
each with an idea of something kind they can do for someone that day.




If you'd like to purchase a set, you can find them HERE

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Good News 10-19-17



I love happy stories.
You know- those happy, inspiring, tear producing stories that
remind you there IS good in the world!
{And there IS so much good in the world!}

I LOVE those so very much! 
I love them so much that I seek them out
daily to remind me of the good in people.

Here are a few of my favorites from the past week!

This sweet man is 99 and still working as an usher for the Pittsburg Pirates. 
He's worked there for 81 years!

This sweet father son reunion is precious and a sweet followup to another great story!

This video of this precious girl's excitement as she finds 
out she is being adopted is ADORABLE! 
True JOY! 

This teenage girl is doing laundry for folks in her community. 
So awesome! 

What a fabulous story of friendship and not putting limits on yourself! 
You can also watch the TED Talk HERE

Dr. Arabia Mollette is an aspiring woman who went from living on the street 
when she was 15 to becoming an emergency room doctor. 




Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Chemo Fairies

I'm pretty sure every single person I know has been affected by cancer in some way. 
Either they, a close family member, or friend has been diagnosed 
and battled cancer at some point in their life. 
I had a dear friend in middle school/high school, Heba,
who battled cancer and died our sophomore year. 
My sweet mama was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2001 
and died in 2002 after battling it for 9 months. 
I have had countless friends diagnosed and battle cancer, 
some winning and some losing and some still fighting today. 
I myself even had a diagnosis earlier this year. 
I was lucky mine was caught early and only required surgery, 
not chemo or radiation but so many do. 

If you have walked with someone who has had chemo, 
you know the process and side effects are terrible and brutal. 
My heart truly broke for my mama when she had chemo- 
she was so very ill and had so many awful side effects. 

For my birthday this year I had friends and family donate money 
so that I could make chemo bags for our local Cancer Clinic. 
I finally finished them up a few weeks ago 
(it took awhile because I had to save some additional money in order to include all that I wanted in each bag) 
and delivered the 100 bags to the Cancer Clinic. 

The bags are from Thirty-One


and each included the following: 
(fuzzy socks, small throw blanket, water, lemonade drink mix, granola bar, mints, lotion, keychain, nail file, 
puzzle book or coloring book, pencil with positive affirmation on it, bookmark, prints of Bible verses, 
and encouraging notes I made and printed out)



They were so thankful for the donation and said I had 
no idea how much a treat of some sort made to their patients. 
They said that they had about 90 new chemo patients each month 
and approximately 100 patients receiving chemo each week. 
That number broke my heat y'all and as I drove back to work that day I thought, 
"What can I do? Surely I can do something for all those folks each week to remind them they are brave and strong and loved!"

Here's what I came up with.....
I often do little treats for different groups & send them through school mail
& I thought I could do something similar for the chemo patients each week!
Each would just be a little treat (usually something to eat) with a note 
that would be tailored specifically for those going through chemo. 
Just a fun little something to remind them someone cares and is thinking of them.
Honestly the treat isn't the main thing, it's the fact that 
someone is thinking of, praying for, and rooting them on in this battle!

I ran it by the folks at the Cancer Clinic and they loved it. 
I then asked any of my local friends to see if they wanted to join me in the fun 
and found several willing and excited. 
I named our group the Chemo Fairies and got to work creating some printable tags for them. 

I delivered the first set of treats on Monday and think they turned out so fun!

I've added the first 12 Chemo Treat notes to my ETSY store 
in case others would like to do the same in their town. 


The listing includes 12 treat tags, one each for the following: 
  • Chemo BLOWS {but you are awesome}: Blowpops
  • Just keep swimming {You are a warrior}: goldfish snacks
  • Chemo is stinky hard, hope this helps you ROLO with the punches: Rolo 
  • You are EXTRA amazing and brave!: Extra gum
  • In case you need a reminder today, you are seriously Marvelous & Magnificent: M&M's
  • You are so BERRY incredible and strong!: Fruit snack
  • Just be-TWIX me & you....You are amazing! :Twix
  • You are MINT to keep fighting so stay strong! :Mints
  • Cancer sucks, but don't worry, you are going to LICK IT! : lollipops
  • Because chemo is super stinky, you deserve a big BREAK! : Kit Kat
  • Hope you are feeling BUTTER soon! Don't lift a FINGER till you're well! : Butterfinger
  • You are one tough cookie! : cookies

If you are interested in becoming a Chemo Fairy and want to purchase 
the tags you can find them HERE.  

These tags would also be great to use for a gift basket for a friend going through chemo. 
I made a basket for my sweet friend Peggy's daughter in law this morning. 




Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Treat Tags

One of my favorite things to do is send
happy mail to folks in our school district. 
I actually put items on my calendar to remind me to 
do so and I've made an effort to do it for any meetings I hold as well.

It may seem silly to send folks little bags of snacks or treat with a cute note, 
but it's funny how something little bitty with a note reminding someone 
that they are loved and appreciated- can make a HUGE impact. 

I gathered some of the treat tags I've made 
and placed them in my ETSY shop HERE


The set of tags includes a set of 10 treat notes to print and attach to 
a treat for a teacher, friend, or employee. 
You will be provided with a zipped digital file (no item will be shipped)
of 10 images to print in any size 
(I typically print mine in wallet size). 

Treat tags included:
  • You are so BERRY Appreciated: fruit snack
  • DONUT ever forget how much we appreciate you! : donuts
  • There is absolutely, positively no way to HIGHLIGHT all the amazing things you do! highlighter
  • Just keep swimming: goldfish crackers
  • Just POPPING in to say no one is BUTTER than you! : popcorn
  • Have we told you REESE-NTLY how thankful we are for you? : Reese's PB cups
  • Thank you for your achieve-MINT, commit-MINT, invest-MINT, involve-MINT: mint
  • Thanks for the important ROLL you play each day! : Tootsie Roll
  • You deserve a big BREAK: Kit Kat Bar

Here are some examples of treats I've done using the tags: 













Thursday, October 12, 2017

Good News 10-12-17



I love happy stories.
You know- those happy, inspiring, tear producing stories that
remind you there IS good in the world!
{And there IS so much good in the world!}

I LOVE those so very much! 
I love them so much that I seek them out
daily to remind me of the good in people.



Here are a few of my favorites from the past week!

This story of the single mom and the professor happened here in my town! 

This story of two teens- one with cancer and one with loss of vision, is so sweet. 
They guide each other in and out of the water to swim. 


This grandpa has volunteered to hold premie babies for the past 12 years
at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 
Precious. 

This beloved Wendy's manager fighting breast cancer gets a big surprise from Hoda. 
Such a warrior! 


A brave, determined young lady who wanted to play high school football- 
and did- as a linebacker! 
She's the personification of grit and determination! 


This elephant playing in the mud? 
Adorable....and sometimes you just need to watch something cute! 

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Jeremy Camp: The Answer {Giveaway}


I've been a Jeremy Camp fan for many years- 
one of my favorite songs of all time is his song There Will Be a Day. 


Jeremy is a three time American Music Award nominee and 
he releases a FABULOUS new album titled The Answer tomorrow!

My absolute favorite song on this album is Word of Life: 

I loved hearing Jeremy share about this song in this video



As much as I love that song there are so many other great ones too! 
 The Answer is a beautiful song that reminds us the 
HE is the answer to every question we face, 
He is the solution to all of our fears. 
HE alone is the answer. 



So many questions, the world is reaching
So many hurting, so many lost
With all this thriving, who can we lean on?
Creations crying, out from the dark
I know the answer, to every question
The one solution, to every fear
I know my helper, where it comes from
Jesus, He is the answer
He sees our sadness, He feels our sorrow
And in our weakness, He is strong
He holds the weight of, all of our failings
Greedy is our sin but greater the cross
I know the answer, to every question
The one solution, to every fear
I know my helper, where it comes from
Jesus, He is the answer
For every heart that's breaking
For every soul that's shaking
For every sickness, there's healing in Your hands
Let every heart awaken
To see it's You who saves us
You are my help and the rock on which I stand
You are the answer, to every question
The one solution, to every fear
You are my helper, where it comes from
Jesus, You are the answer
Oh Jesus, You are the answer
You are the answer
You are the answer
You are the answer
Another of my favorites from the album is the song Never Stopped Loving. 
It's a beautiful reminder that Jesus NEVER stops loving us. NEVER, 


You can follow Jeremy on Facebook, Twitter, or his website and
purchase the album on iTunes HERE or on Amazon HERE


I'm SO excited to be able to give away a copy of this fabulous CD.  
Just leave a comment with something you are thankful for below 
and I'll pick a winner tomorrow morning - October 6th!

WINNER: Jennifer Peterson
(Please email me - link in sidebar- with your address!)


“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Good News 10-4-17



I love happy stories.
You know- those happy, inspiring, tear producing stories that
remind you there IS good in the world!
{And there IS so much good in the world!}

I LOVE those so very much! 
I love them so much that I seek them out
daily to remind me of the good in people.

Here are a few of my favorites from the past week!

This former neo-Nazi has swastika tattoo removed thanks to an unlikely friendship. 
Proof that change is ALWAYS possible! 

When one teen gives up her role in the marching band to be her friend's eyes? 
Precious!

This 7 year old cancer patient became a deputy for the day and it is adorable! 
He even got to catch bad guys and wear his own uniform!

Houston Texan Deshaun Watson gave away his very first NFL check
 to three NRG stadium employees who were affected by Hurricane Harvey. 
Love this so!





Love Your Enemies


But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them 
without expecting to get anything back. 
Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High,
 because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 
-Luke 6:35

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

5 Word Prayers


If you've ever wanted to pray but struggled with WHAT to pray, 
do I have the absolutely perfect book for you! 

Lisa Whittle's new book 5 Word Prayers is a 
precious book full of beautiful, simple prayers. 

Each day of this 40 day devotional book includes a 5 word prayer, 
a corresponding verse and a short devotional. 

I love Lisa's quote about this book: 

I love the simplicity of these sweet prayers and truly look forward to each one. 
Each day I think...."Oh this is my favorite prayer". 
{This is my favorite today -until tomorrow when I turn the page and find a new favorite!}

The prayers are just perfect and I love that this book is perfect for both
baby new Christians and seasoned older Christians alike. 

You can purchase the devotional book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com.

This sweet book also have a companion adult coloring book 
that includes beautiful illustrations and 5 word prayers.

You can purchase the adult coloring book on AmazonBarnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com.

And if you don't already follow Lisa on social media, you definitely need to! 
Lisa’s Profiles – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter