Faithful Fridays ~ Those Little Things

Hi everyone!

It's Friday again!  Wednesday was Leap Day!  I'm usually not one to do anything special or unusual or really even ponder Leap Day and all, but as I looked around at other Leap Day blog posts, I'm wondering what I'll be doing in four years.  Let's see...I'll be sixteen (Eek!  Ever wanna go to Neverland and never grow up?  :P).  Eleventh grade (Scary, I'm telling you, scary!).  Going through all of the CLEP stuff and online college, hopefully, and even more hopefully--I will have been to C*ina and back

over...
and over...
and over again.  :D

Please note--this button does not link back to my blog.  :)

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post! Once I see that you've participated a few times, I will add you to this list of regular Faithful Friday-ers! :)

My mama participates on her blog, Country Girl at Home.


Ms. Patty participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond.

Ms. Retha participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles.
Rachel participates on her blog, Stand Out Don't Fit In.
 
                                                         ~*~
I've posted on this before, but today made me want to post about it again. 
 
Today was a pancake-flippy day.  My day started off hectic, crazy, tiring, and frustrating (not to mention it was cloudy and overcast--literally).  And then in the last few hours, it just flipped like a pancake.  The sun came out, things calmed down, and I got a new burst of energy.  A catchy song came on in my head and as I was alone outside, I began to sing to the air.  I felt like skipping around, hugging people, dancing, singing, and praising God for just about everything.
 
And sometimes, we just have to pause.  Take a breath.  And really just thank God for those little things (blessings) that He sends to brighten our day.  Because he really does care about the little things, the small things that make us happy.  Those little perks to our day.

A new friend.
A random compliment.
A hug.
A smile.
A greeting.
A Scripture.

And then we can sing and dance around the room. :)

Take delight in the LORD,

and he will give you the desires of your heart.  

~Psalm 37:4

Have a great day, everyone!

Smile! :)

As I was looking around on Pinterest (where else?) I found these little quotes that made me smile.  And everyone needs a smile, right?  So here's your smile for today!

Source: 9gag.com via Joy on Pinterest




Can I get an amen?  Amen!

 

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Definitely!

 

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All of the above!



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Have a great day, friends!

Photo Shoot With Christina

I spent my birthday (February 2nd) having a lovely day out with my friend Christina.  We had photoshoots, got our hair and nails done, went to a movie, went out to eat, and had a sleepover!  :)

And here is the product of our photoshoots!  We took turns taking pictures of each other and playing around with different angles and poses.  It was a bit hard to find a background as there were puddles everywhere and an extremely busy road goes right by our house.  :)  But we did our best!  Keep in mind, these were taken before we were all made up with our curls and what not.  :)

And I couldn't end the post without a silly shot!  :)



Have a great week, everyone!

Faithful Fridays ~ Keep On

Hi everyone!  Happy Friday!  We're getting ready for Luke's birthday party tomorrow and are leaving a bit early today to pick up his cake, so I wanted to get my post on before we left!

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post!  Once I see that you've participated a few times, I will add you to this list of regular Faithful Friday-ers!  :)

My mama participates on her blog, Country Girl at Home...

Ms. Patty participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond...

Ms. Retha participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles...

and Rachel participates on her blog, Stand Out Don't Fit In.

I had two subjects on my mind to write about today but when I began to really think about them, I realized they could be tied together.

First of all, I was reading the online news that pops up when I check my email.  You know, something usual, but last night, it just seemed like the news was nothing but deaths and cruelty and evil.  You know, one of those times that you just sit back and think, When is Jesus coming?

A nine year old little girl in Alabama was forced by her mother and grandmother to run around their house for three hours, simply because she lied to her grandmother about eating candy bars.  A day or two later, Savannah Hardin, severely dehydrated, had a seizure and passed away.


Savannah Hardin

Fourteen year old Ashley Long told her parents she was going to a slumber party at a nearby friend's house, but instead, piled into the car with her friends and traveled to another city to one of the girl's older sister's condo, where they drank alcohol and took drugs.  Then, they passed around a helium tank to make their voices sound funny.  Ashley didn't want to do it, but when a friend held it up to her face, she finally assented and just moments later, she passed out.  She never regained consciousness and later passed away in the hospital.  Ashley enjoyed drawing and going to church and had never drank, taken drugs, or gone to a party before.  Her school and family are banding together to make this tragedy an example to the community of what can happen in just a moment--just one bad decision.


Ashley Long

I want to ask that you all keep Savannah Hardin's and Ashley Long's families in your prayers.

Sometimes, we just feel depressed.  Down.  Sad.  Upset.  Whether it be from losing a loved one, a bad day, an arguement with a family member, or some other disappointment.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

-Hebrews 12:1-3

Pause.  Pray.  Get into the Word.  And remember that God loves you so much that he sent his Son to die on the cross for you.  For you!  His Only Son.  The cross was the way common criminals were killed.  It was the worst, most shameful, most torturous way to die, and God put that burden on His Son!  And you know what?  He'd do it all over again.  So keep on running the race.

Faithful Fridays ~ Do Everything

Hi again, folks!  Welcome back to Faithful Fridays!  :)

Remember me saying a few days back that my friend Christina had come over for my birthday? 

Well, Christina's birthday was a few days ago and today is her birthday party--a sleepover!  So I'll be heading over there in a couple of hours.  Very excited!  :)

I started Faithful Fridays so that Christians could have one designated day a week (although I don't think they should keep it to just one day) to share something about their Faith--a prayer request, answered prayer, Bible verse, something God's laid on your heart, etc. To participate in Faithful Fridays, just grab the button above for your post along with a link to my blog somewhere in your post, too. After you've published your post, please come let me know in your comment that you participated and leave me a link to your blog. I'd love to come read your post!


My mama participates on her blog, Country Girl at Home...

Ms. Patty participates on her blog, Blessings Beyond...

Ms. Retha participates on her blog, Retha's Rambles...

and Rachel participates on her blog, Stand Out Don't Fit In.

How many times in a day do we have to fold clothes?  Hang up jackets?  Sweep?  Vacuum?  Clear off the table?  Cook a meal?  Clear toys off the living room floor? 

It gets tiring, doesn't it?  Old?  Boring? 

And sometimes, I think we just take a look at it and go, "What am I doing for God?  I'm stuck here in my house all day.  Is this even significant?  Does this even matter?"

We absolutely love the song Do Everything by Steven C*rtis Chapman.



Your picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today

Matching up socks
Sweeping up lost cheerios that got away
You put a baby on your hip
Color on your lips and head out the door


While I may not know you,
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you,

To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do

Maybe your that guy with the suit and tie
Maybe your shirt says your name
You may be hooking up mergers
Cooking up burgers

But at the end of the day
Little stuff
Big stuff
In between stuff
God sees it all the same

While I may not know you
I bet I know you
Wonder sometimes, does it matter at all?
Well let me remind you, it all matters just as long
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you

To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
Tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every thing you do


Maybe your sitting in math class
Or maybe on a mission in the Congo
Or maybe your working at the office
Singing along with the radio
Maybe your dining at a 5-star
Or feeding orphans in the Myanmar
Anywhere and everywhere that you are


Whatever you do
It all matters
So do what you do
Don't ever forget
To do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause He made you

To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
As you do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you,
Cause he made you


To do
Every little thing that you do
To bring a smile to His face
And tell the story of grace
With every move that you make
And every little thing you do
In every little thing you do
In every little thing you do

I couldn't have said it better myself!  So whether you're blogging, being a mommy, working to provide for the family, doing schoolwork, being a mommy, traveling, writing, or whatever, do it all to the glory of God.

God bless ya'll!
Joy :D

Broken Vessel.

Hi everyone!  Mama and I have been reading the book Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman.

I definately recommend that book!  In case you didn't know, in 2008, the Chapman family (family of Steven C*rtis Chapman, the Christian singer-songwriter) lost their then five year old daughter, Maria, in a car accident at their home.  Will, their oldest son, didn't see Maria when he was pulling in the driveway.

Since then, the Chapman family has used their harships and struggles to shine a light for Jesus.

And as I was reading the book the other day, I had a thought.

We are all broken vessels.  Some have faced tougher times and have a few more cracks, but when we get down to the nitty-gritty of things, we are all broken.  Broken, empty, dusty pieces.  But, we can allow God to pour Himself, His glory, His grace, His...stuff, shall we say, into us, and we can let it wash us and pour through our cracks and fill up the world!  Isn't that a beautiful, awesome picture?

So, no matter what you've been through (or what you haven't), let God pour Himself through you.  It doesn't take anything special.  You just have to be willing.  Available.  Just be there and be open to whatever God tells you to do.  He'll give you the nudge when it's time.

Lucia's Photo Challenge + A Giveaway

This is my first time entering Lucia's photo challenge!


  
Here is the photo I'm entering:

"Like Father Like Son"

Lucia is also hosting a giveaway for an English Country Dancing DVD that teaches you step-by-step those lovely old-fashioned dances.  Click HERE to visit the giveaway post.

Have a wonderful day!