Seeing Him in You

Wow, my sweet friend Laurel, at Laurel Wreath bestowed me with this neat “Blogger Reflection Award”:

Award

Laurel, you humble me with what you shared with your readers why you find it worthy to present this award to me:

Iris at Sting My Heart. She has become my lifesaver, on days when Satan is attacking. She is my confidante when things of the heart are pressuring me. I always enjoyed flying home to see my family in Phoenix, now I have the added bonus of seeing Iris. I don’t think I would be blogging or writing as much if it were not for her encouragement. She is a friend you can be real with, lay out all your imperfections and she still talks to you…now that is a keeper in my book.

Now the instructions say I get to pass this on to 5 people and I quote:

“who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy… of knowing them and being blessed by them.”

“This award is for the best-of-the-best so consider who you pick, carefully. This award should not be given to just anyone. If you’re going to do the award don’t just write a few words and slap it on your Blog. Write real thoughts about these Bloggers and what they’ve meant to you. If the Bloggers you pick have already been given the award, don’t be afraid to give it to them again. They deserve it as many times as it’s given.”

It is so hard to just pick 5 women. There are so many women that have impacted my life, my view on things over the past year. I wish I could just give out a blanket award for all who I have come in contact with. But I do will hold to the rules. Here are my five recipients:

  • Terri at In His Hands – she has shown me that you just have to trust in Him and His provision. Terri and her family are waiting right now to adopt a little girl from China. Although the waiting is hard on her, sometimes she even gets frustrated; she keeps her faith through it all. Terri’s support for others in the same situation is awesome.
  • Lisa at the Preacher’s Wife – she makes me laugh. She is an amazing woman—raising 4 children, getting a degree in theology, being a preacher’s wife (which I know is not an easy task to share ones husband with an entire congregation), writing a Bible study…What really has impacted me though is her sense of humor. She is showing me that one should not take oneself too serious and laugh over the little mishaps in life.
  • Carol at She Lives has hugely impacted my spiritual life. She made me dig much deeper into Scripture—go directly to the Source of our faith. When I have questions about doctrines, guess who I email? Although we are from a total different congregational background, it doesn’t mean that we can’t have civilized discussions. Carol blew some fresh air in my stuffiness.
  • Linda at Middle Years – her love for God and her family is an example to me. Linda and her hubby are married for 40 years and are still so much in love with each other. Although I am sure that they had their struggles here and there, they made their marriage work—with Christ in the center.
  • (I know I probably break the ‘rules’ with this one) Laurel at Laurel Wreath is not just a blogging friend. Laurel is to me more like a younger sister (I know Laurel you already have siblings). We talk about everything – I mean EVERYTHING. She knows, even without me telling her, that there is something wrong with me. Now sure how she does it, but she knows. My favorite part about her—she is honest with me. If I am on the wrong track, you can bet she’ll let me know 🙂 .

Okay, so this was much harder to pick just five. Because there are so many others that have impacted my life (as I mentioned above a blanket award would have worked for me). If anyone ever tells you that blogging women are not ‘real friends’, tell them that is not true. They go with you through everything just like your friends in your town/city.

So, thank you Laurel for giving me the award and me the opportunity to share the award with others.

The rules for this award can be found here, and I understand that you can feel free to bestow this honor on Bloggers that you want to honor.

Blessings on your Saturday and as always…

Sig Tag

Books Galore…

Books

Ok so Crystal asked me to participate in this book meme last week. Lately I don’t find the time to read books besides THE BOOK. But I will share anyway. This meme didn’t have a time-table—when I read the books or when I am going to read the ones on ‘my shelf’ 😉 .

The Rules Are:
Post your responses.
Tag anywhere from 1-5 friends
Leave comments to let them know they’ve been tagged.
Come back and leave a comment when your post is up.

Next 5 books on your to be read shelf:

Last 4 books you’ve read:

Last 3 books you’ve borrowed (library or friend):

Last 2 non-fiction books you’ve read:

The 1 book you wish everyone would read:

Why do I recommend Randy’s book “Safely Home”? Although this is a fiction book, it is based on a true story. This book truly has opened my eyes that worshiping the One True God is not always without persecution. The story is about the underground Christian Church in China. Talk about powerful. I will read it sometime soon for the 3rd time—to remind myself what worship really means.

Now I suppose to tag 1-5 people. I am not tagging this time, but I really, really, really would like my readers to share with us about their books, especially their all-time favorite one (oh, did I mention I would really like to know). Leave me a comment so I can check out your book list 😛 .

Once again, I have been MIA this weekend. I really apologize that I have not been around and visited your blogs this weekend (except for all Thankful Thursday participants). I am working on my Scrapbook project. I mean, a really Scrapbook–not just the pages I have been sharing with y’all. My Sweetheart got me some supplies this weekend (photo paper, ink, cutter, Scrapbook). It really starts coming together. And guess what? My Sweetheart really likes it 🙂 . I am using the digi-scrapping supplies–it is so cool–you can print them!!!!!!! Which I could make a living of creating Scrapbooks for others *sigh*…Well, back to my little project. I sure hope to see you around this up-coming week.

Scrapbook

Blessings on your Sunday afternoon and always…

Sig Tag

Encourager of the Month ~ May’07

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. ~ Romans 1:11-12 (NLT)

Sting My Heart Award

I don’t even know where to start with this month’s Encourager of the Month~ May’07. She makes me laugh, smile, think, how I act in public…I think I like her sense of humor the best. But then again there is her Biblical teachings. What can I say about that? Wow really doesn’t cut it, does it? She always finds ways to apply Scripture passages to every day life situations. And this post made me cry and reflect deeply on who I am in Him…

Most of you know her through her beautiful Bible study “I Am…so I don’t have to be“. Lisa, you have been really encouraging not only to me, but to a lot of women IRL and in Bloggyland. I am so thrilled that the Lord has crossed our paths. I am very blessed and I feel privileged that we are blogging together at the Internet Cafe.

I pray that you will accept this little award and that you know that I am challenged by your thoughts on your personal blog, “The Preacher’s Wife” and your post on the “Internet Cafe”

If you have never, ever visited Lisa, I urge you to just check her out. I know that she will draw you back for more…

Blessings on your Friday and as always…

Sig Tag

Thankful Thursday ~ Lovely

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” ~ Philippians 4:8 (ESV ~ emphasis mine)

Okay, didn’t we just write our thankful posts yesterday? But I personally think it is never too often to count our blessings in a world that likes to tell us that we NEED things in order to be happy…So, here is my short list for this week (although there are many thoughts that rush through my mind)…

  • I am thankful for Scripture passages. They give me hope; they give me comfort. Although Ephesian 2:8-10 is still my favorite Bible passage; my favorite epistle is Paul’s letter to the Philippians. I think it is the most wonderful letter of encouragement. I read it often and I always have peace after I read it…
  • I am thankful for lovely little get-aways like last Sunday to Jerome. Although we only spent a few hours there, we were refreshed. My Sweetheart was able to breath through his nose up there–no pollution like here in the valley…
  • I am thankful for the lovely ladies at Laced with Grace. I thank our Lord daily that you opened your hearts to share with others your own personal walk with Him…
  • I am thankful for the lovely weather we have in May. It is not that hot yet…
  • I am thankful for the lovely Thankful Thursday bunch. Thank you for sharing weekly your blessings. I did make it to every single one last week–I think. If I did forget to visit your blog last week–or I forgot to add you to the TT-Blogroll, please let me know…
  • I am thankful for my lovely friend, Millie from China. I love reading about her walk with our Lord. She has truly become an inspiration to me. We always take our worship for granted. Millie spends 7 hours on Sundays to get to and from church…
  • I am thankful for lovely, long weekends. I am so looking forward to Memorial Day coming up…
  • I am thankful for lovely Darlene. She allows me to host IOW once a month. I hope you will join us next Tuesday. I have picked a quote by Max Lucado. So check out IOW on Friday to get the quote…
  • Last but not least I am thankful for lovely digi-scrapping resources like Jenny’s Scrap Place. She has awesome LO material. Now I just have to start using them 😉 …

What are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link below. As your time permits, please visit other participants. The link will always be permanent, so you can even visit some participants over the weekend 😛 .

I apologize that I am a tad late tonight, but my web-host’s server crashed tonight right when I was ready to publish…

Blessings on your Thursday and as always…

Sig Tag

Thankful Thursday Participants

1. Lynn Donovan
2. Amy – Knights Acre
3. Rachelle
4. Nise’
5. Lyndy
6. Denise
7. Alycia@Where Your Treasures Are
8. Angel
9. Terri @ in His hands
10. NspiredByFaith
11. ThoughfulMom
12. Dana
13. MyThreeDaughters
14. Christine- Fruit in Season
15. Mary
16. In Light of the Truth
17. Deborah
18. The Preacher’s Wife
19. Laurel Wreath
20. Karen – Changed by Love
21. Heart of Wisdom
22. Serving Him
23. Devildogwife
24. Melissa Lea
25. Diane
26. Multiple Hats
27. Lori
28. Traci
29. Karen from the Korner
30. Sandy
31. Carmen
32. Deena@Wholly Devoted
33. Jennifer
34. Sharon
35. Mindy
36. Kahri
37. Robinznest
38. Becky
39. MrsX
40. Proverbs 31
41. Susanne
42. Linda
43. Darlene (CWO)
44. Amy Grant
45. Kathleen Marie
46. flipflopmom
47. Mindy
48. Sharon
49. Faerylandmom
50. Andie
51. TaunaLen
52. FullofGracenBlessings
53. Becki@Introverts.net
54. JEANNIE78
55. Jen
56. Nancze
57. Dale Noles
58. Brenda @ Remain in the Vine
59. Brenda
60. Dawn 😉
61. joanne
62. Patty
63. Angie
64. Heather @ Desperately Seeking Sanity
65. Ann
66. samibear

Learn more about Thankful Thursday here.

Powered by… Mister Linky’s Magical Widgets.