Happy {Fall} Friday

Fall is definitely here, as is obvious by all the leaves turning beautiful colors, the big puffy clouds in the sky and the falling temperatures!  For the most part I love fall.  I love football games (no, I don't "get" the sport, but I do love to watch my son play), I love leaf piles, I love wearing jeans again, and I love apple picking!  Yum! 

Found this Fall Subway Art via Pinterest today that I wanted to share, it's free and it's printable!  Enjoy!

My trail of finding: Pinterest --> my blessed life --> Antsi-Pants (which is where the link is found)

Have a great weekend and stay tuned for some great giveaways shortly!  Seriously.  I'm so excited about this!

Trials and our faith {In the Word Wednesday}

We all have our trials in life.  To the outside some trials may seem insignificant, but on the inside a trial is a trial. 

Each week I've been struggling to come up with something for In the Word Wednesdays.  It's frustrating.  In the past year and a half I have had what some would consider big trials.  And, you know what?  I'm so extremely thankful for that trial.  Yup, it sucked.  But I was so close to God during that time, I was definitely walking that journey with Him.  I'm so sad to report that I've fallen away a little bit.  I'm trying to get back on track by making sure I'm having some quiet time alone, spent in the word, daily.  But, I'm still struggling to feel that closeness that I once had. 

So, I decided to look through some of the devotional books that got me through that period.  Most of the books are very specific to cancer, but if you take out the word cancer and enter "trials" in it's place it get's much more generic.  I'm a highlighter.  I LOVE to highlight.  Look through any of my books on my bookshelf (space reserved only for the best ones I've read) and you will find lot's and lot's of neon colors.  This also make it super easy to go back and find things that spoke to me.  I just wanted to share a few things that I found helpful. 

• God amazes me each time he meets my needs through those around me.  He never sends someone early, but he never sends someone late either. 
• We don't have to allow the fear to have free rein in our lives.  We can give God a chance to meet our daily needs.
• His healing may be physical, or he may simply help me peacefully accept my circumstances.  I'm convinced he knows which is better for me. 
• It's okay to admit we are scared, sick, weak, or powerless.  God will meet us where we are.

Can I pray for us?

God, I look to you now with a repentant heart.  I've moved away from you.  Please give me the time and desire to move back in line with you.  To renew that closeness that I felt in the past. 
Thank you for sending friends, family and sometimes complete strangers to fulfill all of my needs.  Please give me the opportunity to also fulfill that need for someone else.  Give me opportunities to be your hands and feet in this world.  Help me to accept my circumstances where I am now, knowing that you put me in this circumstance and that you are always with me.  Give me peace and release any stress or anxiety that I may be feeling.
God, I ask you to be with all of the M-LIFE moms that will meet together soon.  Help us all to develop relationships that allow us to grow closer to you, with the accountability of other women. 
Amen

Monday Monday!

Have a great Monday!

Recap

There have already been a lot of posts this week, so I'm taking today off!  :-)

Not before reminding you of our open house today though!  9:30am-11:00 at Community Reformed Church.  10376 Felch Stree, Zeeland Michigan

and, I wanted to do a quick recap for you of all of the housekeeping posts from this week...

Be sure to check out the "pages" in the right margin.  That is where you will find all kinds of important information regarding dates, times and schedules! 

There are LOTS of fun events, both for moms and for kids, listed on the moms-night-out and playdate page, you will also find sign up's for these events on that page!  Invite your friends, even if they are not able to attend M-LIFE... anyone is welcome!

Breakfast is an important part of our M-LIFE meetings, but in order to do this, we need your help.  Would you consider signing up to bring something on our breakfast sign up schedule?

Would you, or do you know someone that would, like your name on our reccomended sellers list?  Would you like to sponsor a giveaway here on the blog?  Make sure to check out the reccomended sellers page for more information and make sure to share that information with any friends that may be interested!  I already have two great giveaways lined up... can't wait!

and the WINNER is...

Congratulations Rachel... you can pick up your book either at the openhouse on Friday or at the church office during business hours.

Thanks to everyone for RSVP'ing!  Can't wait to see everyone on Friday.  And if you haven't RSVP'd yet, and even if you don't, feel free to join us anyway!

We have a few more copies of the books that we will be giving away the first 2 meetings of M-LIFE! 

Loving Jesus {In the Word Wednesday}

From Manna for Moms
by Megan Breedlove

I started my day early,

Before the room was light.

I lifted my son from his crib

And wished it was still night.

But as I held him close and said,

"Hi, Kenneth, precious one,"

I knew that as I greeted him,

I greeted too God's Son.

When my daughter woke up later,

Calling, "Mommy!  Mommy!  Down!"

I picked her up and hugged her

In her worn Elmo nightgown.

I know she felt the closeness

That a mother's touch affords.

I welcomed not just Ellie,

But so, too, the Lord of Lords.

That day, I mixed some formula

And opened jars of peas.

I fixed some "pizza butter" bread

When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."

I heated up some leftovers;

I had to nuke them twice.

And when I fed my children,

I was feeding Jesus Christ.

I made some funny faces,

And "played puzzles" on the floor.

I dressed kitties, ran around outside,

And played with them some more.

We laughed and jumped and tickled,

Making memories to be stored.

When I spent time with my children,

I spent time with my Lord.

I wiped up sticky cereal

And washed the dishes clean.

I straightened, picked up, put away,

And dusted in between.

I did six loads of laundry

And folded it like new.

When I cleaned for my children,

I cleaned for my Savior, too.

When my children were both crying,

I held them in my arms.

I cuddled them and whispered

That I'd keep them safe from harm.

I told them how their Father saved them

With His perfect Lamb.

When I comforted my children,

I comforted I AM.

Later on that evening,

I put them in the bath.

I washed their little bodies

As they kicked around and splashed.

I dried them in soft towels

And put their jammies on.

When I had washed my children's feet,

I'd washed the Holy One.

I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,

Made beds and taught and played.

I made sure that we had food to eat

And that we often prayed.

I died to self.  I made a home

From ordinary things.

But when I served my children,

I served the King of Kings.

To some, I have done nothing,

But to two, I've done the world.

I made eternal difference

To my precious boy and girl,

And to the One who watches over

Every pathway that I've trod.

For when I've loved my precious children,

I've loved Almighty God.

Mmmmmmm! Breakfast!

Did you attend M-LIFE last year?  Wasn't the breakfast D-licious?  It was always nice to go drop off the kids and get a breakfast where I could sit and talk and eat, instead of feeding someone else!  :)

But, we need your help in order to provide this part of M-LIFE. 

Could you kindly sign up to bring something to one of our meetings this semester? 
Just click on this link and you will be directed to a spreadsheet where you can add your name under the item you would like to bring and next to the date you want to bring it!

Thank you so much!

More Giveaways?

We would love to do more giveaways here on this blog, as I'm sure you would also love to see more giveaways, as well as learn about some products or companies, right?

We need you in order to do this though.  We need donations for the giveaways.  Something that would interest moms of younger children, it could be for themselves, their families, the kids, the house, anything really!  In return we will link up to your website and/or facebook page and encourage people to check you out, both through our facebook page and our blog (minimum of 2 blog posts, one for the giveaway and one for the winner).  We will also add you on a list of recommended sellers for the M-LIFE year (for this year that would be through September of 2012, or 6 months whatever is later).

Do you have something you would like to donate?  Or do you know someone that would maybe be interested in some more advertising?  If so, please email me... lynettebell@chartermi.net

Check it out...

Just some stuff I wanted to point out on the blog that you can check out!

To the right under "Pages" you will find lot's of information about M-LIFE. 

Check out the 2011-12 schedule
Find out who we are (the committee) (and take note that we need a new picture taken...)
AND... you can also find the Mom's Night Out and Playdate schedule

On that Mom's Night Out and Playdate Schedule page, you can sign up for some of the great events that the hospitality team has planned (seriously, there is some FUN stuff there).  As other events get closer we will add more sign ups as well! (Be sure to check back often)

Oh, and  you do NOT have to attend M-LIFE on a regular basis, or at all, in order to sign up for these events!  Bring your friends (just make sure to have them sign up)!


Did you know that if you like a post or a certain idea we discuss here you can share it on facebook with just the click of a button?  See that little f on the bottom of each post... just click it!

Secret Keeper

I was able to attend the Secret Keeper Girl event at Community last night.  What a great event. 

What is a Secret Keeper Girl? 
(taken from their website)
Well, she is lots of things! A Secret Keeper Girl values modesty, she surrounds herself with wise friends and she embraces Godly beauty. So, she keeps the deepest secrets of her beauty for just one man. But she also knows that she can share all of her heart secrets with her mom at any time. The coolest thing for you to know is that a Secret Keeper Girl is a masterpiece created by God. So whether you are new to our site or a SKG pro who’s been to an event, read “Secret Keeper” or already had eight great dates with your momma, you, sweet girl, are a Secret Keeper Girl because you are a true masterpiece created by God’s hand.

If you are the mother of a daughter I would encourage you to check out this great ministry, while it's geared to 8-12 year olds, I think that all moms can find some great information there!

Ministry of Motherhood {Giveaway}

Time for another giveaway of the Ministry of Motherhood book!

This time it's super simple (because last time it was Oh SO difficult, right???  Ha Ha, just kidding)!

All you have to do is RSVP to the M-LIFE openhouse event page on facebook.  RSVP with a Yes, a No, or a Maybe.  Just RSVP! 

If you've already RSVP'd, your already entered!  If you haven't... what are you waiting for?  Drawing will take place September 21!  Stay tuned!

**Note: prize can be picked up at Community Reformed Church after the drawing takes place and winner is announced**

8 rules {In the Word Wednesday}

found via tumblr

Come back Friday for another opportunity to win the Ministry of Motherhood book!

One more chance before we start the new year!

Just a couple of randoms....

From Real Simple

Seam ripper to clean off that roller bar on the vacume (let's just say mine never looks that good and it's a job I HATE to do, but this may just make it easier! 

From Fake-It Frugal

I did try this and yes, it really does work just as well as febreze.

And, last, but not least...

19 handy things to do with a lemon! From Crunchy Betty

Have a great Monday everyone!

M-LIFE openhouse

Don't forget to join us on September 23 for our openhouse.  Learn more about M-LIFE, register yourself and your child(ren)!  Can't wait to see everyone again!

So sorry {In the Word Wednesday} a day late

I'm so sorry.  I didn't post a In the Word Wednesday post yesterday.  Back to school, sports, homework and paperwork have got me burried in busy-ness.  I'm very sure I'm not alone in all of this.  Some days are just bad days and I do my best to get through them. 

My devotion this morning referenced this verse: Jeremiah 31:25 says I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.  Or, the message version... I'll refresh tired bodies; I'll restor tired souls. 

The key word in that verse for me was "I", meaning God.  I've been trying to refresh my body and my soul all by myself and need to be more deliberate about letting him do it, turning to him when I'm worn out and weary. 

So, today, when the kids come home with more paperwork, homework and have to be at practice all at the same time, I'm going to turn to him and let him refresh me!

Labor Day means Back to School

I know some of you don't have kids in school yet, but for those that do, tomorrow is the official first day back (with a few exceptions). 

For some of us, this also means that we have to pack lunches.  (Can't say I missed all that this summer)

Here's a fun way to pack a lunch.  What kid wouldn't giggle when they opened this up?  And, super easy too!

From little. lovely.  Check out the blog, there is some super cute ideas and things on there!

Have a great weekend!

Have a great weekend / Labor Day!