New Year, Fun Stuff

Happy New Year, dear friends! I pray that this year is one of digging ever deeper into the well of abundant graces from the Father.

On the topic of new things…here are a few fun updates:

-We are adopting a dog. Yes, this little guy is coming home to us this week. I don’t know exactly how it happened but one look at his puppy face and it all makes a little more sense...

-I joined The Catholic Young Woman as a contributor, thanks to the beautiful and talented Clare. I’m excited to be a part of this new ministry as well as getting to know the girls who write it and
the girls who read it. Feel free to stop over even if you’re not Catholic or young or a woman!

-GIVEAWAY ALERT! I think that blog giveaways are super-fun and have been wanting to try it out. Check back soon for my very first giveaway—I’ll give you a hint: nothing spectacular but it is handmade.

Also, don’t forget those marching for life in Washington D.C. today and around the country. PRAY. Speak the truth in love. Be a part of the local right-to-life marches in your county today. Spiritually adopt an unborn baby in danger of abortion and pray that his or her life be spared (I ‘adopt’ a different one each year on my birthday)—maybe they’ll thank you in heaven someday!

Life is beautiful--and everyone deserves a chance for it.

One Cup Connection

I love tea. And coffee. And really any warm and cozy drink…hot chocolate, hot caramel apple cider…

But especially tea and coffee. I like them a lot—or should I say, a latte. (I know, I know; so un-original, but I couldn’t resist!)

So when I was contacted by Sara with One Cup Connection, my interest was perked—or should I say, perc-ed, you know, like percolated? (Okay, done with the coffee jokes).

Sara works on behalf of One Cup Connection in reaching out to bloggers and having them help spread the word about this company. After checking out their website and communicating with the delightful Sara, I’m happy to share a link to the One Cup Connection website and toot their horn for them.

The main products of One Cup Connection are the Keurig brewers and the corresponding K-cups. Now if you haven’t tried these cute little guys, you’re missing out on a fun experience. Keurig brewers are designed to brew the perfect individual cup of coffee (as well as some of the other warm and cozy beverages I named!). You simply choose your K-cup from a variety of yummy flavors and brands, pour some water into the brewer, then pop in the K-cup to begin.

My own experience with Keurig products was at a campground this summer on a weekend trip with the girlfriends. We stayed up late—and got up early—and filled the days in between with all sorts of activities. So when I tumbled out of the tent each morning, coffee seemed a good idea. Lo and behold, the campground store boasted a Keurig brewer and those cute little K-cups. It was love at first sip.

I do have one disclaimer here. I have not actually ordered anything at this point from One Cup Connection, as we do not own a Keurig brewer. Therefore, I cannot fully endorse their company or its service. However, I can say that I was genuinely impressed by Sara’s fun and friendly personality as well as her professionalism. If she represents the company, I have a feeling their service is similar. This review is simply intended to share a link for careful perusal by those interested in coffee, tea, and/or Keurig products.

If you’re curious, intrigued, or already using K-cups and looking for a great deal…perhaps you might take a jaunt over to One Cup Connection. Their special runs through October: Buy 4 boxes of K-cups, Get 1 free and free shipping!

My Turn...

...to be the birthday girl! What a great day! So many little things that added up to one very special day. I didn't really have any expectations for my birthday this year-- I think that's what made it so enjoyable! I appreciated all the small moments and thoughtfulness because they weren't expected. (Hmm...do I see a life lesson in that?)

In the evening, I opened...are you ready for this...a letter to myself that I wrote ten years ago on my birthday. Four pages of words from my teenage self. Advice, hopes, dreams, memories. Some of it brought tears to my eyes. And some of it made me laugh out loud!

Then I sat down and penned a letter to myself ten years from now. What a difference in the content, yet some things are very much the same. Will I look back at this one and laugh just as merrily? Will the memories make me cry? Will I smile at God's faithfulness once again?

Looking back ten years...then looking forward ten years...all in one evening. A lot of emotion for my little heart.

I have a couple blog posts in the making, but for now, only a couple websites to share.

Whole Grain Gourmet- I love cooking with whole wheat flour and other whole grains, yet substituting them in a new recipe can make for some interesting results. Enter Whole Grain Gourmet-- where they've already tested the recipes with whole grains. I love it! Such a variety of recipes and the comments provide helpful feedback. At this point, I've only perused the recipes, but I do see they have a forum as well.

Old-Fashioned Living- I stumbled onto this website when looking for instructions on cooking pumpkins last fall. What a jewel! All sorts of Do-It-Yourself ideas for crafts, recipes, decorating, and more--all with an old-fashioned flair. Again, I'm not a member on the forum, but I have certainly enjoyed the resources shared on this site!

I haven't been through all the content on these sites, so as always, visit with care. They really are delightful, though, and I hope you enjoy them.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sweet Birthday Girl

This month my sponsored child, S______, turns 10 on her birthday. I look at her in the picture on the refrigerator, dressed in a pair of baggy jeans and a purple T-shirt too big for her. A pair of sandals with flowers peeking out from under her jeans. Gorgeous dark eyes twinkling. And the most beautiful smile.

Something inside me softens.

And I’m humbled by the fact that this little girl halfway around the world, living in a culture and poverty level I can’t begin to understand…smiles at me. Writes to me.

And thanks me.

For sharing with her what was not mine from the start (1 Chronicles 29:11-17.

I didn’t make the choice to be born to a middle-class family in America. And she didn’t choose to be born in a poor African village. We are separated by an ocean in more ways than one—yet so very connected by the fact that we are both daughters of God, both so precious and loved by the One who created the very ocean between us.

But really, we’re not so different from each other. She does her chores and helps her family. She studies her lessons and learns about God. She loves, she hopes, she laughs, and she dreams.

My sponsorship has been an incredible blessing to me. It broadens my view, taking me outside my little bubble, remembering that it’s not all about me. S____’s letters bring a smile to my face along with her artwork. The knowledge that my small gift each month can make such a difference in her life is amazing. And that heart connection that spans the distance is indescribable.

I know some of you already sponsor children, and some of you may not be able to afford it right now. But if you have been thinking about it as a possibility, I want to put in a good word for CFCA—Christian Foundation for Children and Aging. I’m so impressed with their mission and that the over 94% of your donation actually goes toward those sponsored (the remaining percent going to fundraising and administration). Their co-founder has for the past year been traveling throughout communities CFCA serves, meeting the families—all on foot. He is truly ‘walking the walk.’

Father of us all, we pray for CFCA and other organizations like it, that you bless them in their mission to see You and care for You in the hungry, the thirsty, and those without clothing or shelter. We pray for all those they serve, and those they would like to serve. Open our hearts to our brothers and sisters, that we live in solidarity with them, remembering them and lifting them up to you as we eat, drink, shop, and rest in our warm homes. Help us to live with grateful hearts and to share from our abundance, not just our money but our time and the love You've poured into our hearts. Amen.