Merry Christmas! This season is in full swing, and if you haven’t been in shopping mode yet it might just be time to dive in. Gift ideas are incredibly helpful, so thought I’d share some of my fav’s! There’s nothing like shopping in small businesses! If we’re going to spend money, let’s spend in ways to benefit a friend or a wonderful cause. The first suggestion is for locals of the Shenandoah Valley, but for those of you who are not in the…
OK friends, this Give Away ended up being so good for my heart. Ah! I was feeling pretty down about blogging over the weekend, and headed to the grocery store. What better way to cheer a person up than to grocery shop, right?! Yuck. Anyway, when I was done I checked my email and saw a bunch of comments for the Give Away. It just got me so excited to read what you all had to share. I loved it! And now…
Today marks 1 year since the official re-launch of the blog. (You can check out that initial post here.) Even though I’ve been blogging for years, this past year has been the most significant. Writing weekly has helped to grow me as a writer, but something else happened unexpectedly. I grew closer to Jesus. He gave me a vision for this thing, and He has been faithful to pour into me. The more I write, the more I hear from Him, and…
March 27, 2006. A young, 24 year old woman sat in excited anticipation at a small, light-colored table in her sunny kitchen. She looked around the apartment she rented with a friend. It was the first home she could call her own. Independence. Adulthood. It suited her. Though a deeply broken heart haunted her, she was ready for a new beginning. A fresh start. Blogging seemed to be the ideal way to chronical this new freedom, so she sat at…
I LOVE a Give-Away Day! Congratulations to Jess Lockwood! Gretchen’s book will be heading your way very soon. And a big THANK YOU to all who commented. Many blessings of Sweet Things to each of you.
It’s not my story; It’s your story, Father, so help me tell it well… Hello blog world. I hope you all are doing well. I am writing to you from Bloomington, Minnesota—the place I have called home now for 11 years. Abigail approached me about 3 months ago to write a post, and I have had several ideas swirling around in my head, but nothing was making its way in coherent form on paper. This weekend, God solidified in me…
Hi All! Thank you SO MUCH for your comments! Every comment I read brings great joy- it’s like a little gift each time. It was wonderful reading about the ways God has crafted each and every one of your hearts in such unique ways. Keep those comments coming- there are more give aways to come soon! Also, thank you for the kind birthday greetings! What a fun week it has been. And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! CONGRATULATIONS…
I’ve been SO excited for this post ever since the launch of the new direction Jesus has given me for Full or Joy! Jesus is a giver. He loves to give, and give abundantly. If you’ve ever heard of “The Five Love Languages”, Gifts, hands down, mean the absolute most to me. For example, right before I moved away from MN about eight years ago, a friend gave me a soft, fitted T-shirt. It was such a sweet gift from someone I…
Congratulations to JULIA! I will be contacting you via email. Kristi’s awesome new book is yours! THANK YOU to all who shared. Your comments were a great encouragement.
The tree keeps falling over. The dinner burns. The baby spits up on your new sweater. Finances are too tight to buy presents. Family can’t make it for the holiday. The neighbor you invited to church didn’t come. You miss the celebration due to sickness. The flight is canceled. That special present didn’t arrive in time. The weather isn’t cooperating. You’re stressed and yell at someone you love. Another car hits yours in the mall parking lot. There’s no bonus…
