Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Joy in Sharing...and a NEW product!

The youngest in the family is usually known for getting their fair share of hand-me downs. Not that I know this fact for myself as I am the lucky oldest, but I  have heard the rumors. When we found ourselves in graduate school with baby daughters just 13 months apart, we survived by using and re-using the girls clothes.

As the girls got older, our second daughter took full advantage of "sharing" while begging for new outfits. I said often that she always had the most clothes because she truly hated hand-me-downs. (Today she is my "fashion-ista" that we all ask for advice as we shop and dress).

Our third child arrived and he wouldn't have looked great in pink, floral and bowed outfits so I packed those goodies up and gave them to friends who had just adopted a daughter. Our caboose had arrived so it was safe to pass along our wealth of frilly frocks.

Two years pass and our precious tribe of three would be greeted by a new baby sister-SURPRISE! Those sweet friends whom we loaned all of our girl clothes to had passed them on to another friend. Before we knew it, bags of clothes found their way back to our doorstep.

One would think that the baby would be spoiled and never accept such re worn attire, but our baby girl loves to find bags on her door step. It would become like Christmas morning when "her" bags arrived. She would try on every item as if it were her own personal shopping spree at Macy's.

As I reflect on her eagerness to open bags of worn, used and sometimes stained clothes then put them on to wear with pride, I think of Jesus. Isn't that what He does for us?

He takes the worn - used- sometimes stained- puts it on Himself and is so proud to display us for all to see. We are made new. We are REDEEMED by His precious blood.

DaySpring has created this great new line of products to remind us of our Redeemer-Jesus. The Redeemed products offer many items that communicate Christ redemptive love for us. Check them out here.







I received products by DaySpring to review for this post. Thanks DaySpring for helping me spread the word of God's redemptive love.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

My Brave Little Girl

I have four beautiful children, and they each make me proud. We have been blessed beyond belief with kind-hearted, Jesus loving, and beautiful children. (I am bragging-a Mother's right!)

It is so hard to believe that our oldest is  17 TODAY. This shy little girl has grown into a beautiful and strong young woman. She serves in church, in our community, she is an athlete and a good student. She is driven to be the best at whatever she is involved.

This girl in her early days was shy and fear-filled. It is amazing to see what God has done through her. I know that her life is still just getting started, and He has more things to do through her.

When she was little, she loved to dress-up. She and her sister would put on plays on our hearth where they sang at the top of their lungs. Both girls, when in public would hide behind me and stay as close as possible. 

Some days though, this shy little girl would leap off of the chair and proclaim "Marykathaleena!" We always have joked when she called herself  that name she was her "brave self".

Now that MK is older there are few days I see a shy, fear-ful girl. Lately, we see her shining her light for the Lord so brightly. Just the other night I witnessed by 16 year old daughter leap forward screaming-"Marykathaleena".

Her good friend encouraged her to participate in a school Parade of Beauties. Now my girl is beautiful, but she isn't normally one to put on a formal dress and waltz across a stage waving. Take a look at these pictures and you too will hear her use her brave voice.....










By the way, she was MOST BEAUTIFUL in the eyes of family and friends!
Happy 17th Birthday Mary Katherine!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Disciple Now 2012

The sound of music thumping my bones. Singing voices rising from below.

                Worship of 1000 teenagers over a weekend.

Words spoken, lives directed and changed for Him.

Hungry stomachs...food galore. Pizza, Mexican and sweets for more...


A time of serving for the youngest ones and us. Disciple NOW weekend for the oldest ones a must!

Collide the theme...
                Kids smiles they beam.
                         College students touching the lives of my teens
                                       Jesus words by no other means.

Getting to serve a blessing to me
            Glad I got to share this with my family!