How many of us are running around this christmas season trying to make things "just so"? We want the gifts to be perfect, the tree to be decorated perfectly, the food to be delicious, the house to be spotless, the cards to go out on time (and look perfect), the clothes to be nice... we want all the details to be just right.
How much time do we spend on getting those details just right though? And how much time are we spending with God? Which one is more important? Or I guess another way to put it... which one will last forever?
It's ok to get the details right, just make sure you are spending time with God too, that the time you would normally spend with him isn't getting pushed to the side while you go hang garland.
See Luke 40:41-42 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her"
And, when your done with all of those, make sure you mark on your calendars the M-LIFE meeting scheduled for Friday! We will be making Christmas oranaments, we will have four options for you to choose from in a variety of styles!
Don't forget about the playdate scheduled for December 9 at Gymnastics Unlimited in Hudsonville from 10-12! More information here.
Check out our wonderful sponsors for all those special people on your Christmas shopping list!
Do you want to sponsor a giveaway on the blog? Do you want some advertising for both yourself and us? Please contact us via email (found on the top right of this page)
Have a great week everyone! Giveaways will return next week!
Soooo sorry! Have you been waiting ever so patiently to know who the winner was? I have been busy running around and cooking lot's of fun stuff for tomorrow. Let me tell you, there is an apple pie in my oven that may not make it until tomorrow, it is smelling DELICIOUS! It's a caramel apple pie! I'll let you know how it tastes and if it's good, I'll share the recipe! I've also made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and my husband is in charge of the turkey and my family is bringing the rest! I should be almost ready to go tomorrrow. But, that's not why you are here. Your here because you want to know who the winner was!
I am a wife and mom of 2 amazing children. I have always loved photography, but my interest really sparked after my daughter was born 8 years ago. They started growing up so fast and I wanted to capture those every day moments. My photography went from taking photos of my kids, to taking photos for friends and it turned into something bigger.
My goal is to create a relaxed, stress free session and to capture children/families just having fun. I also wanted to offer photography that is affordable and obtainable to everyone.
I feel blessed to do something that I love and capture these special moments for families. I look forward to meeting you!
You can find Kim through her website or on facebook! You will definitely want to check out both to see more great examples of work she has done!
Winner receives a free photo session and 10-15 high resolution images!
1) To enter, like Kim Egedus on facebook, click the button above to visit entry form.
2) Share about this giveaway on facebook with a link to this blog post for a second entry! (You only need to fill out the entry form ONE TIME for both entries, just check both boxes if you did both things)
You have until midnight on Tuesday November 22 to enter! Winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 23. Winner must be able to redeem prize in the Holland/Zeeland/Grand Haven area. You do not have to be registered with M-LIFE to enter. Chances of winning are 1/# of entries. Good Luck!
Don't forget to join us tomorrow morning (9:30-11) to hear Dr. Emilie De Young, from Winning at Home speak!
If you were with us last week, and made coasters, they will be ready for pick up tomorrow morning! If you can't make it tomorrow, someone else can get them for you, or you can get them from the church office during business hours!
2 Timothy 1:5 I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you.
Not a verse we would typically think of as a verse to study. At least I didn't, until I saw it in a list of verses that I was going through. I kind of had to go through the verse a couple of times, but really, it was quite straight forward: This verse shows us a sincere faith that is being passed on through the generations.
Hmmmmmm. Am I passing on a sincere faith? I am passing on knowledge of God and his forgiveness and grace, but what about a sincere faith? A faith that desires God more than anything else. A faith that knows that his ways, no matter how they seem in this earth, are always the best? A faith that makes us want to be servants. Like, really desire servant hood.
What does a sincere faith look like and what are you doing to pass this on to your children?
God, we thank you for a new day. New start every day. We thank you for your grace and mercy, that our sins are not only forgiven, but also forgotten. God, help me to have a sincere faith, to live a life dedicated to you and your teachings, to desire you above all else. Give me the tools also to pass these things on to my children, so that they too love you above all else and can then pass that love onto future generations. Amen
Congratulations to Kristen G! You are the lucky winner of the pinck circle spirals zippered pouch that has been taunting me all week! I will be sending you an email soon with information on receiving your prize!
Thank you to Sarah for providing the prize this week!
Visit Sarahs website where you can view products and place orders!
You can also email or call sarah with any questions: sbusscher31@yahoo.com or 616-895-7372.
And, did you catch the updated post with information on hosting your own party?
Book a party between NOW and Dec. 12 and receive a Organizing Utility Tote FREE!!!!!! (The regular hostess gifts are still included!)
Make sure to call soon as I'm sure she will book up quick!
Whew! After a busy busy weekend were back at it! The mom2mom sale was great, it was great to see so many moms come out shopping and all the great sellers as well! Thank you to everyone that participated and helped make our fundraiser a great success.
My name is Sarah Busscher, I began attending M-LIFE (then MOPS) last year and have really enjoyed the time of getting to know other moms and having a break from my 2 busy boys. I am a stay-at-home mom and am a licensed cosmetologist in which I do hair out of my house. As for my being a Thirty-one consultant, I really enjoy getting out of the house a few nights a month and meeting a lot of neat ladies. If you have not heard of Thirty-one before, the name is taken after the Proverbs 31 woman....that is 1 of the main reasons I became a consultant, because of the Christian foundation of the company. The other reason was because of the fashionable, functional products that also help you get organized.
Look at all these fun, classy bags! Personalization is available as well!
No way my car could ever be this organized...But, how nice would it be to have the option? Love all the big totes. In fact, I saw someone with a large ThirtyOne tote at the mom2mom sale this weekend, she was able to fit lot's of purchases in that bag and didn't have to carry multiple things/bags! Smart!
I know this picture is small, but it is page 38-39 of the catalog so you can view it closer if you want. The picnic tote (second row down on left) is just calling my name. It's been calling my name for about a year now... thinking I will need it for next summers beach visits, baseball games and football! And with so many prints, I have a tough decision to make!
If you haven't been to a Thirty-one party I highly suggest going! They have the CUTEST prints and the most functionable bags! Sarah has offered to give one lucky winner a zippered pouch in pink swirl (see pink pouch above)! I've had this bag sitting next to my desk for a week now... I'm resisting all temptations to open it up and use it myself!
Visit Sarahs website where you can view products and place orders!
You can also email or call sarah with any questions: sbusscher31@yahoo.com or 616-895-7372.
THIS JUST IN:
Book a party between NOW and Dec. 12 and receive a Organizing Utility Tote FREE!!!!!! (The regular hostess gifts are still included!)
1) To enter, click the button above, but make sure to visit Sarah's website first!
2) Share about this giveaway on facebook with a link to this blog post for a second entry!
Thanks for visiting!
You have until midnight on Tuesday November 15 to enter! Winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 16. Winner must be able to pick up prize in the Zeeland area. You do not have to be registered with M-LIFE to enter. Good Luck!
Regularly scheduled blogging will return next week... after the mom2mom sale! I'm up to my ears and eyes in clothes that I need to sort! Have a good weekend, see you all tomorrow, bright and early!
Regularly scheduled blogging will return next week... after the mom2mom sale! I'm up to my ears and eyes in clothes that I need to sort! Have a good Wednesday and rest of the week, see you all on Saturday, bright and early!
Kelly S, you are the WINNER of the adorable Wiggles & Giggles prize! You should have received an email with instructions on how to receive your prize, make sure to check for that!
This is the shirt that Kelly said she would choose if she won! Love it, great choice!
Everyone else, come back next week for another great giveaway from Thirty-One!
Make sure to check out Wiggles & Giggles on both Facebook and her website, so many cute shirts to be seen, and what great Christmas gifts these would be!
Wiggles and Giggles Clothing is the result of an over-caffeinated, former teacher turned stay-at-home mommy, who is obsessed with polka dots.
As a first time mom, I was excited to buy cute clothes for my little one, but found the market for boys to be somewhat lacking. Tired of the same old mass-produced stuff, I asked for a sewing machine, and at the age of 30, I learned how to sew.
So, take a look around my colorful, polka dotted, whimsy world. I hope you enjoy yourself and I hope you find something special for your wiggly and giggly person!
There is some fabulously cute stuff in the etsy shop... and even more on facebook!
One of the best things I noticed is there is a great boy selection, which is so hard to find in the handmade market! Here are a few other fabulous goodies I found in her shop!
For the baby in your life (or your friends life, or your sisters life... you get the idea)
What boy doesn't like a dinosaur? Or girl for that matter? :)
LoVe lOvE this birdie!
Vroom! Vroom! We have a racecar obsession at our house!
How fun is this guy?
An initial shirt! So cute!
Any special announcements to be made???? Huh? Anyone????
Birthday boy!
Birthday girl!
And, I think this may be my favorite!
Make sure to check out Wiggles & Giggles on both Facebook and her website, so many cute shirts to be seen, and what great Christmas gifts these would be!
One lucky winner will receive a shirt of thier choice from the shop! How fun is that!
Two entries this time...
Entry #1: You must "like" Wiggles & Giggles on Facebook and you must go to the Wiggles & Giggles Etsy store and tell me which item you would choose if you win!
Entry #2: Share about this giveaway on Facebook (with a link to this blog post)
(You only need to fill out the form ONE TIME for this giveaway, you will have the option of checking a box for the second entry)
You have until midnight on Tuesday November 8 to enter! Winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 9. Winner must be able to pick up prize in the Zeeland area. You do not have to be registered with M-LIFE to enter. Good Luck!
Moms Night Out :: November 10 :: Second Floor Bakery cake decorating (at Community Reformed) :: 6:30pm :: $20 for a cake to decorate (and take home), supplies and decorating lesson
Click HERE to sign up for cake decorating with Second Floor Bakery. Deadline to sign up is This Friday, November 4!
The lucky winner of the Giraffe from Strabright Baby is Lisa D.! Congratulations Lisa... I will send you an email shortly with information on how to collect your prize!
Make sure to visit Suzi at her etsy store and facebook page for the giraffe loving baby in your life!
I think that God leads me to what he wants me to share each Wednesday morning. If I let Him. This morning I let Him... and so I came upon this blog, called Call Me Blessed, We Encourage - His Creation specifically, be sure to check out the blog for lot's more greats stuff:
Are you comfortable?
Comfortable in your own skin.
Are you comfortable with who God made you?
This has been on my heart lately and I know it's something everyone struggles with. The journey of finding our identity in Christ is different for all of us. I used to think it had something to do with age. That somehow the addition of years brought wisdom. And while this may be true in some cases, I think it has more to do with your relationship with Christ.
I am not pretending I don't have any insecurities, that would be a lie. I am saying that Christ has brought me to a place where I realize He is not insecure about me. I am His creation, and He doesn't make mistakes.
Scripture tells us... "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."Psalm 139:13-16
When I think about my favorite people to spend time with they all have one thing in common. They know who they are, in Christ. I want to encourage you not to argue with what God thinks about you. He made you, and everything He makes is good. Do you believe that? Do you believe it's true about you?
There is such a ease and peace about just living the life God calls you to. Not worrying about what other people think or trying to keep up with a life someone else is leading.
I want to be simply...who God created me to be. I'm grateful to God for bringing me to this place.
The place where I seek Him first.
The place where I use the gifts and talents He has given me, appreciate the gifts and talents He has given others, and not confuse the two.
The place where I don't waste my time worrying about what other people think of how I'm dressed, how my house is decorated, or how my kids are dressed.
The place where I appreciate how God made me and appreciate how God made you.
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."Ephesians 2:10
I am committing to spend my time doing the work God has prepared me for, believing what He says about His creation. The rest... can worry about itself.
