Where God Leads

My bff, Kat, texted me a few days ago letting me know that not only had Ann Voskamp commented on our One Thousand Gifts picture, but that we also were in the new slideshow on her posts at A Holy Experience and Bloom (in)courage. I was almost giddy when I saw that she had written on a picture I had loaded on Facebook. Still more so when I saw mine and Kat's faces drift by on the slideshow. And as I sit here still excited, I start to wonder...why?

Why did I get so excited that a woman, a mother like me who homeschools her children and loves her husband and worships her God, commented on a picture? Well, it's hard to get past the fact that it IS Ann Voskamp. Even before the book, her blog has blessed me so many times. I told her at Relevant '10 that I had stopped reading her blog because it brought me to tears each time I read it. Do you know what she did when I said that? She apologized. For making me cry. I'm telling you, this woman exudes grace.

Ann patiently listening to me

But looking past that, what she is is a woman who simply listened to what God told her to do. From beginning her beautiful blog, to writing the book, she listened to His nudging. Is still listening as the popularity of her book grows. If I were to do the same thing, where would God take me?

No, I don't expect to write a best selling book. Nor do I expect to be a speaker at a blog conference. I don't expect to sing concerts the world over, either. But what joy and happiness would be mine if I just listened to Him...and did what He asked?

I have to admit that I let my life be guided by fear more often than I let it be guided by God. Fear of the future, fear of people not liking me, fear of people not liking my child, fear of not parenting my child well, fear of getting bitten by a brown recluse (yes, I'm serious...I'm deathly afraid of spiders).

Why do I live like that? I haven't read One Thousand Gifts completely...since I'm reading the Bible in 90 days, I haven't had time to read it the way I really want to, but I've read far enough into it to know that if I let go of my fear and grab hold of Eucharisteo...giving thanks in EVERYTHING...that my life will be changed.

I can't wait to read it. To sit with it and hear Ann's voice as I read the words. In case you haven't purchased it yet, you can get it by clicking the link above. It's on sale for $12.99. You can also get a "DayBrightener" and the book in a set...what a beautiful gift that would be!

Ann Voskamp - DayBrightener and Book Set - God in the Moment and One Thousand Gifts

If you just gave the DayBrightener and kept the book for yourself I wouldn't tell! Right now is a GREAT time to purchase the set...it's on sale for $16.98, normally $26.98.

While I do get a small percentage from any sale generated from clicking my Dayspring ads (like the one above as well as the ones on my sidebar), I was not compensated in the least to talk about Ann's book. I just can't wait to read it.

And I can't wait to read it after I've finished THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS THURSDAY!!! I'm just a little excited.

Life to the Full

Last October, when I went to The Relevant Conference I was introduced to Dayspring's Life to the Full Collection. Honestly, I didn't pay that much attention to it, since it was smack in the middle of fall and Christmas was coming up. I wasn't in a springy frame of mind. But when I recently had the opportunity to review a Life to the Full place setting, I jumped at the chance!The cheery colors and floral design practically yell, "Spring!" And while I don't see me using a full set of these place settings for every day, they are truly beautiful plates. Each plate has something to do with "life" on it, whether it's just the word "life," the word "life" in over a dozen languages, or John 10:10, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (NIV).

Included in the place setting is a dinner plate (which is HUGE), a breakfast plate, a dessert plate, and a bread plate. Now, if I was the kind of person who collected dish sets, I would be all over these. You wouldn't think the black and red design would fit well with the spring colors of the other plates, but it just works. It also means these dishes would go with just about every decor. The plates are so thick they are almost like serving dishes. They are also dishwasher and microwave safe. That is a MUST in my household.

Since I don't have it in my budget to buy any more place settings, I will use these plates in other areas of my home. I put the dinner plate on my wall with my white plates, and while the arrangement might not be exactly right (I'd have to redo my nail holes, so until I'm ready to do that, this is just for this post) I like it.Like my little ski bear? I got him on dirt cheap clearance at Hobby Lobby and just had to keep him out for the winter. He makes me smile. I will hate to put him away for spring.

Sorry for the distraction...back to the plates. I really do love the way the dinner plate looks against my wall. I might have to rearrange this wall to have a spot in the middle for seasonal plates.

As for the smaller plates, the bread plate would be the perfect size for a bathroom where it could hold jewelry or hair accessories. The other two plates would be really pretty in a plate stand on a shelf or mantel.

However you might use these plates, you can get them on sale right now!

The 4 Piece Place Setting is on sale right now for $40, and you can use coupon code LIFE30 to get 30% off of that price, making the final price just $28! That is a GREAT price for a place setting with as many dishes as this comes with! If you order two sets you get free shipping (all orders of $50 get free shipping)! I love that! Click the link above to get to the collection (and to give me a few pennies if you purchase anything...I am a Dayspring affiliate).

While you're there, check out all the other gorgeous pieces that are in the Life to the Full collection. They are ALL 30% off with the coupon code!

And while you're in the checking out mode, go to (in)courage's (in)spired deals page, where you can read other reviews of Life to the Full pieces, and you might just find yourself a giveaway or two to enter.

Dayspring compensated me for this review with a free place setting, but the opinion shared was all mine. For further disclosure information, check out my disclosure page.

Jesus is the Gift - and a Giveaway!

Are you sick of me talking about Relevant yet? Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one who is still posting about it. There was just so much. I haven't even really gotten into what I learned. Or the people that touched me the most.

I have, however, talked about how much stuff we racked up. The "Ever Grateful" Pitcher. The "Studio Dayspring" cards. My Vintage Pearl necklace. Plus so much more stuff that I haven't even begun to tell you about.

Here's one of those things I haven't told you about. Dayspring has a line of Christmas products called "Jesus is the Gift"...and it is beautiful. Everything I saw on the display table, as well as what was around "The (in)courage Lounge" was just lovely. Things I really wanted in my home. When the opportunity to receive and review a "Jesus is the Gift"13.5" Serving Platter came, I JUMPED at the chance.
I love it. It's HUGE. And even though it's a serving platter, I doubt I will ever use it for that. It's just too pretty. And right now, Dayspring's "Jesus is the Gift" line is on sale! So you can get this gorgeous platter for $8.49! What a great way to express your faith...it has the first part of John 3:16 around the edge of the platter. Very pretty, and not over the top. That's the way the whole line of "Jesus is the Gift" products strikes me.

White Cookie Plate - $5.99

Metal Table Top or Yard Decor - $19.99

And as my Christmas gift to you, you have the opportunity to WIN a $20 credit toward Dayspring products. Just leave me a comment. That's it. You don't have to tweet, facebook, post, jump through hoops, sell me your first born, or anything else. But, I'd like you to answer this question: What is the best gift you've ever given or received? Besides receiving the gift of salvation. That's a given. : )

I can't wait to hear what your best gifts are.

Giveaway ends Tuesday, December 21st, at 11:59 PM, Central time. You won't have time to purchase any Christmas items for this year, but what a way to rack up for next year!

Edited to add: I just found out that the $20 does not cover shipping, so keep that in mind!

Disclosure: Dayspring compensated me for this review by giving me a "Jesus is the Gift" Platter. My review was my own opinion.

Studio DaySpring Cards

Relevant's been over with for over a month. And yet I'm still reaping the benefits. In my home as well as in my spirit.

We had the opportunity to receive 50 Studio Dayspring Christmas cards for free in exchange for a review of them. Well, it didn't take me two seconds to sign up for that one!

When Sound Man and I sat down to try to pick out a design, we were overwhelmed. There are so many to choose from! The original design I had picked out he scoffed at. Not that it wasn't gorgeous...it was just to "girlie" for our family. I am the only girl human in the house...I don't think Windi really cares about Elegant:Blue Christmas cards. So a less frilly design was chosen. But you don't get to see it yet. You have to wait until they come in. I'm so mean.

I asked Sound Man (the computer savvy one) what he thought about the site and he loved it. He said he would like to do it again next year, even when we are paying for them. The custom design section was easy to navigate and comes with so many options...change the front, change the back, pick your font size, pick your font color...there were so many ways to customize these cards.

I really can't say anything negative about these cards. There is no minimum order, but you do get free shipping with 25 or more. And it's been so long since I've ordered picture cards, I can't remember how much they were back then. The design I ordered was $1.49 per card with free shipping (and envelopes) if you ordered 25 or more.

Make life a little simpler...don't go out and buy cards...stay in your jammies and design your own!

I can't wait to see them!

Disclaimer: This review was in exchange for 50 personalized photo cards from Studio Dayspring. The opinions and review are my own.

Ever Grateful!

One of the most wonderful things about Relevant (aside from hearing from amazing women like Sally Clarkson and Ann Voskamp) was all the great products that sponsors gave away. Since one of the main sponsors was Dayspring, they offered some WONDERFUL products to review.

Dayspring's line of Ever Grateful Collection is absolutely beautiful. As the recipient of this gorgeous pitcher, I can honestly say this is quality stuff.

Ever Grateful - 10" Large Pitcher

Photo by Dayspring

When the box came to my door, I was so excited. I've never had a pitcher to grace my kitchen, so this is a beautiful addition that makes me happy just to look at it.

Having the chance to look at so much of the Ever Grateful Collection in person, I now want every piece! The beautiful, earthy colors go with any decor, and the inspiring sayings, verses, and designs allow you to share your faith with friends and family without being over the top. Please check out the Ever Grateful line out from Dayspring. You might even find something to put on your Christmas wish list!

*Disclaimer: I recieved this pitcher from Dayspring in return for an objective review of the product. I really do love it and the rest of the Ever Grateful line!