Heart Choices: 2011-10-16 -->

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TSMSS ~ Blessings




It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday and I wanted to share a song that really touched my heart this week.  Sometimes we can pray and pray for relief from trials or pain and yet seem to find no relief.

But have you discovered any blessings even in the midst of your difficult season?  

I'm learning to keep my eyes and ears open for those everyday blessings.  

God is faithful.

God is good.  

And God is unchanging.    


 

We pray for blessings 
We pray for peace 
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep 
We pray for healing, for prosperity 
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering 
All the while, You hear each spoken need 
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things 

(Chorus)
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops 
What if Your healing comes through tears 
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near 
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise 

We pray for wisdom 
Your voice to hear 
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near 
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love 
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough 
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea 
And long that we'd have faith to believe 

Chorus

When friends betray us 
When darkness seems to win 
We know the pain reminds this heart 
That this is not, this is not our home 

Chorus

What if my greatest disappointments 
Or the aching of this life 
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy 
What if trials of this life 
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights 
Are your mercies in disguise


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

A Cup of Encouragement



Have you offered a cup of encouragement to someone recently?

With all of the dismal news recently, it can be easy to become discouraged.  I can recall moments when I felt overwhelmed with circumstances and became discouraged.  There was so much uncertainty in my life and I was learning to trust God in all things. 


During this time, I was on the receiving end of encouragement.

To continue reading, please follow me over to ...Laced with Grace.

Laced With Grace

Blessings and love,


QuickEdit

Sharing His Beauty





Beauty in His Grip Button

Sharing His Beauty is a new blog hop that was started by Joan Davis of The Beauty in His Grip.  I began following her blog in 2010 after she became a contributor to Laced with Grace.  I loved Joan's style of writing and I found many similarities in our lives.  We both recognize that we are on a journey of growth as we live out our Christian beliefs despite many challenges.

So, I decided to participate in Sharing His Beauty this week.

As I turn my focus to God, I'm so thankful for the beauty He has shown me through my blogging friends.  The internet has brought us closer together.  I would never have known many of you except through our blogging world.  There are many that I've shared personal emails with and I've received many words of encouragement.

When I returned home from a short trip this week to Florida, I had several messages from blogging friends.  How that warms my heart!


Sonja of '...bits and pieces' and Janette of Janette's Sage are two that I'll mention.

And even when I was on my trip, I had the opportunity to speak with Lisa Shaw of Sharing Life with Lisa.  She just released her new book called "You are Beautiful in God's Eyes".  I hope you will check it out.  Lisa is such an encouragement to others.


And I have to add that Joan of The Beauty in His Grip has been such a blessing and a source of encouragement to me too.

Have you made some special friendships through blogging?


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

A Novica Giveaway



Have you heard of Novica?  This is how it was described in an email sent to me in late August by Ricky Magana.
 NOVICA is one of the leading fair trade artisan websites. We work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. We have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry and home decor items on our website.
Ricky invited me to check out their website and offered me two choices.

  • A $100 gift certificate OR
  • Two $50 gift certificates so I could use one and offer the other as a blog giveaway
I opted to accept the latter.  I wanted one of my blog readers to benefit from his offer too.  And of course, it's an opportunity for Novica to get some visibility.

After browsing a variety of products, I chose a black and white skirt that was made in India.  This price was $47.95 so I only had to add a few dollars to cover shipping.  (I did notice that the same skirt is now on sale for $43.16).

I work in a private school where there are a large number of children who come from families originating in India.  I thought it would be fun to wear a skirt like this to school.

A variety of views of my skirt from India
 Along with the beautiful skirt, I received a hand written postcard from the artist, Vijay Singh.  He thanked me for liking and appreciating his art.  I thought that was very nice.

I also want to point out the beautiful home decor products they offer.  I noticed some pretty vases and glassware.  

Novica is looking for consultants as they launch a new division called Novica Live.   Many people don't like to order products unless they can feel them and see them. There's an opportunity to host a party in your home and receive products to show to your friends.

So, now it's your turn.  Here's how to enter the $50 giveaway:
  • Check out Novica's products.
  • Leave a comment telling me which items you like.  
  • If you tweet about this giveaway, add another comment letting me know.
  • If you share this giveaway on Facebook, let me know for an extra chance to win.
I'll draw a winner next Monday so be sure to leave your email so I can notify you if you win. 


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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