A Monday Giveaway ~ Because we all need something happy on a Monday!

Happy Monday Girls! 

My hope is that you had a wonderful weekend! 

Since it is Monday and who doesn't love a giveaway let's start off the first Monday of the month in style!

Today's giveaway is a printable anchor monogram art file. 

The winner will receive a custom made jpeg art file in their color and font choices. 

To enter, you must leave me a comment sharing your favorite bible verse and why. 

I can't wait to hear which piece of scripture means the most to you and why!

Friday Faves ~ French Press Mornings

 

Today I am featuring one of my favorite shops on Etsy, French Press Mornings. 

I love this shop... you know what I love even more, her blog! 

Y'all it is a treasure trove of free printable art and you will NOT be disappointed. 

Take a look at her art!!!

She has this neat feature called Encouraging Wednesdays where she makes art out of scripture.

All you have to do is print, enjoy and be inspired by Your Father.

I love this.... love love love this. There are already a few printed and in 4x6 frames ready for my desk at work. It needs some brightening up, I need reminders, daily of His unfailing love and grace. 

Wouldn't this one be lovely in a little girls room? How sweet! 

Hop on over and visit Miss Jenny at French Press Mornings

Blueberi Photography ~ Local Photographer Extraordinaire!

Hello Friends ~ 

I just have to share! You know when you find something so wonderful to just can't help but tell everyone?

Well I have found that something, it's a someone, actually. 

Her name is Jill, the wildly talented photographer and creative genius behind, Blueberi Photography.

Just click on her name and you will be taken to the website that houses some of her work. 

She also has a blog, here. 

It's pure eye candy. 

My family originally worked with Jill back in the fall for our annual family pictures that we use for our Christmas cards for family and friends. 

She blew me away y'all. Every last shot, I wanted to print and frame everyone. 

Thank the Lord for gallery walls, because there are quite a few from that day up there.

So, enough from me rambling on about her, here's the great news!

This sweet lady is having the best summer mini sessions!!!!

I had the honor of helping her style this shoot. 

What a fun tiny little peek into this side of a photographers job! 

Oh my word, it was so fun. She had the theme and we collaborated ideas and this is what we came up with. 

Last night was the test shoot, and again she blew me away.

This location, oh my word!
This is one of those spots where I can only sum it up as
"God was showing off when He made this spot"
It is so unique, so special, it is magical!
You do not want to miss the opportunity for pictures here. I promise, you.

Jill is amazing with the kiddos. She's a momma of littles herself so she really knows how to work with them.
Jill is warm, kind and has the patience of a saint. 

My kids didn't whine, cry or fuss, and momma's you know how important that is! 

Jill captured their real smiles, giggles and laughs!
She captured them, she captured them how I see them!

Here's the details, because I know after seeing these images you are going to want to sign up!

The mini session date is Saturday, August 3rd. (rain date Aug. 4th)

Time slots are 3:40,4:00, 4:20,5:00, 5:20, 6:00, 6:40, 7:00, 7:20

Session is 20 minutes long and includes 6-7 images on a disc.

The location is North Longboat Key beach.

Summer Mini Session: $125

To book please message Jill on Facebook with your time preference and email address. She will then send you an invoice to pay the deposit of $25. The deposit comes off the top of session fee & is non refundable if you cancel. The remainder of your fee ($100) is due 1 week before the mini session event.

So, get off this blog, hop on over to Jill's facebook page and get your cuties signed up!

And tell her Rachel sent you! 

Friday Faves ~ The Pearl Event

You've heard me say it a million times over, but I must say it again. It was amazing y'all. 

Today Sweet Sibi has a post dedicated to this event... and it brought me right back to this Friday in May.

Sibi is a talented writer and she pours her heart into her latest post about this day... about her Father, our Father and His heart for His women. See, Sibi and I we love women's ministry, we love seeing women come to know true healing in Him. Discovering who they truly are, a daughter of the Most High King.

Please go visit her today, read her post.... you will be so blessed. 

What Courage Looks Like

Happy weekend friends!

The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand ~

These women are amazing. 

Cherish, Sibi, and ChaCha... they are too cute. Too cute for words.

Their hearts are huge and God is doing awesome things in and through these women. 

Their stories of grace, redemption, forgiveness and identity are precious. 

Their pieces have been made whole in His lavish grace, which is my hearts desire.

Seeing women made whole in Him. 

There are no words big enough for this event. No words.

I will try and wrap words around this event but know it is so much bigger, so much more special. 

The Pearl Event is such a special event for women and if you have been before you understand.

If you have not been before, pray about attending next year.

One thing I can say with certainty is this was God's show.
We all just sat back and watched Him show up.
He orchestrated every last detail and oh my stars did He blow us away.
He blew me away.
It truly is amazing when you sit back and give Him the space to move using you as a tool in His huge scheme what He is able to accomplish. It will never cease to amaze me and it always brings me to tears.



This precious girl front and center was our worship leader, together with her band they led us in worship...
preparing Him room to move and work and heal and love.
Her name is Michaela McLaird
She has a fabulous new CD out called The Morning Sun. Available through the link above via itunes.
Y'all she has such a unique yet powerful and rich voice.



Yours truly had Session 1
All I can say is that there was such healing in sharing my story. Which really isn't even my story, it is His story, His story of what He has done in my life and His faithfulness to me.



Session 2 was led by the lovely Cha Cha ~ of The Heartfelt Home.
God has moved in her life in such a big way.
Those of you who follow her blog know some of her story but getting to know her over that weekend...
really hearing her pour out her journey of being emptied and then filled by Him.
Such hope, such promise... and there is so much in store for this lady.
He is using her in big ways in her home church in ways she never saw for herself... But God.
Just look at what He is doing!



Session 3 was led by the precious Cherish Pinson of Southern Soulmates.
Y'all this girl is a doll! Love her to pieces.
She walks with grace, beauty and such courage.
Her story is one of heartache but it ends with such redemption in Him.
It is a true testimony of healing, grace deeper than the sea and love that covers all.
To hear her speak brought me to pieces. I was a wreck.... What He has done in her life is so powerful.
She was such an encouragement to me....  there are just no words! No Words.



Our Sweet Sibi wrapped up the day with Session 4 and our HeartWork.
Her blog can be found here. 
If you don't follow, do yourself a favor and become a Pearl Girl! You will be blessed.
Y'all hers is a path full of challenge... Things that were meant to destruct and harm and to ultimately keep her from her Savior, from an intimate relationship with her Father....But God, as Sibi always says, But God.
Sibi's "But God" is amazing, there is no other explanation that it's all Him.
She is true woman of faith, prayer warrior and daughter of the King.
She seeks Him with all her heart and mind and obeys Him even when it doesn't make sense...
She trusts whole heartedly and He uses her willing spirit for His glory and drawing women unto Him.
Sibi has been such a kind friend to me over the years and I am so grateful for her life.
I am so grateful that she says yes to God and and shares the pieces of her story offering hope when
the world is crashing down on us.... she walks her faith and lives her love of Him.
Thank you sweet girl for putting this all together. For saying yes to Him, for listening to Him speak in the midnight hour... for sacrificing, for loving, for every detail down to the last pearl.
and as Rachel always says, "You are loved"



The infamous pearls....


Sibi and her graphic designer did such a fabulous job on the programs. Gorgeous...



If you have been to a Pearl Event you have seen this video... It brings me to tears every time.



You know I love this one with Love Being a Nonny, she's so stinking cute!

at the end we got to love on these women and hug their necks and adorn them with pearls like the princesses they are... and it blessed me beyond words. Aren't they precious?



Wish I had a better shot of the room... so gorgeous. What a setting!



The Green Room for the Speakers and their Hubbies.
Spent a few quiet minutes in here with my sweet guy before the day started and he spoke truth over me that I will never forget. It's written on on the walls of my heart....



The Gardens at the Entrance, these roses are to die for.
My Sweet friend Cherish told me what they were... and now I forget... but I want them in my yard.

 I mean really, look at these babies! That is beauty. God has such an amazing creative side.



If you have never been to a Pearl Event, when Sibi holds one again you can be sure I will post it all over this blog to let y'all know!!! But go. This is something you can't miss. Grab your momma, sister, cousins and friends, load up that car and head on over. Sibi will welcome you with a big ole hug a squeal and a laugh.
You will be blessed beyond belief.

friday faves ~ summer reading

Hello friends ~ 

Around these parts the school year is coming to a close 

and for me that means sweet summer days are looming.

Summer days around our home are often full of lots of of books.

Weekly trips to the library, rainy afternoons curled up with a book.

All year i do my fair share of reading but it's the summer where i get to catch up 

on my stock pile of titles I've collected all year.

Here are a few on my bedside table waiting for the lazy days of summer

This is my favorite author, favorite, hands down love all her books.

Can't wait for it to his shelves June 2013. 

Have you read her stories? They are fabulous, set in the low country with colorful characters....

Such a treat when she releases a new book.

Haven't read this author before but since it is set in the Low Country of Sullivan's Island I am sold. 

Recommended by Oprah's book club and set in the 1920's this is right up my alley. 

Fiction that centers around a main character who is female and overcomes challenges typically 

peaks my interest... this looks awesome

Our small bible study community group has done 1 jennie allen study and this summer 

we are embarking on her second study. 

This book, written by jennie allen has been on my "to read" list for quite some time...

She is such a powerful author, really proving opportunities for deep thought and growth.

Can't recommend her work highly enough!

Have you seen this yet? Have you read this book yet? 

It is a pretty new release. 

I have read about this title around the blog world and so far the reviews are fabulous.

Can't wait to read this...

What are you reading this summer? 

Any good suggestions? 

friday faves

right now i am working on a post that will attempt to capture the pearl event, the triple strand.

however, life is happening right now and i can't give that post the attention it truly deserves. 

this weekend sweet friends, it will get done. honestly, i can't wait to share! 

in the mean time i do have a few friday fave pictures i just have to share.

this is thursday night, sibi took us to chuy's

this was new to my hubby and we and wow! 

it was amazing. loved this spot.

we snapped a quick picture after dinner. 

cherish, myself, sibi and cha cha

amanda pilkinton was my ticket giveaway winner,

however, miss amanda went and had herself a baby right before the event! 

so she treated her sweet momma and sister to the tickets.

girls, these ladies are precious! aren't they cute?

miss amanda, i sure did miss meeting you but i do hope our paths cross soon! 

enjoy that sweet baby and congratulations on such a sweet blessing!

the pearls! what else can i say? ofcourse it is on friday faves, they are pearls

you can never ever have enough.

you dont even want to know how many pieces of jewelry i had on that day that were pearls.

i had a license to wear it all, and wear it all i did! 

loved every minute and i might start doing it more often!

the programs were gorgeous, sibi has such an eye for these things. love her style! 

and this just sums it up girls, lots of hugging and squeeling and this my friends is the lovely woman behind Love Being a Nonny, Do you follow her? if not click on the link, hop on over and subscribe. I have read her for a while and it was such a pleasure meeting her. If we lived closer we'd hang out! She is a doll! 

some of the sweet women getting ready to start the afternoon sessions

and pink peonies, there were many of them and i just adore them...

peonies and pearls, really? does it get any better?

girls there is just so so much i want to share, and share i will.

enjoy this little sneek peek and be sure to come back next week for more on the pearl event. 

lots of love

The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand Giveaway!

Welcome Sweet Friends ~ 

Can you believe it we are 8 days away from the Triple Strand!

I am squealing and twirling and just all kinds of excited! 

What is The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand?

Simply put, it is a God Breathed event for women of all stages of life to be loved on by their Heavenly Father

This year there is a precious line up of speakers who will be sharing their hearts and the pieces of their story. 

Do you want to join us at this event?

Well, lucky you! I have seats to share! 

Enter the give away by commenting below. Be sure to leave your name and email address! 

A winner will be chosen Friday Morning! 

Lots of Love, 

RRA

how He sees you

hello friends ~ 

have you ever wondered how God sees you?

there are times when I have made my own assumptions how He sees me.

Oh boy, the places my mind goes after I know, I've really blown it.

Maybe you have blown it too. 

Maybe you haven't but maybe someone makes you feel like you are less than.

Those times I loose my patience over play-doh in the grout and marker on the new table.

Sometimes I am embarrassed how He must see me in that moment.

But you know what? He has so much more grace for us than we have for ourselves.

A Max Lucado quote struck me today and I just had to share.... I even made a printable... 

(feel free to print and hang on your mirror and read everyday if you need this precious reminder)

because maybe, like me, you need to be reminded of how HE sees you. 

He doesn't see us through our eyes, the only one we are capable of using as our point of reference.

Thank goodness He doesn't see us through that lens.

He sees us through the lens with the beautiful filter of grace. 

Grace for those moments when we feel "less than".

On May 17th some of my sweet blogger friends who have become in real life friends are joining me on a fabulous adventure that is God inspired... The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand.

No this isn't about Pearls or Fashion or even blogs.

It is about Jesus.

It is about the blessing we receive as inheritance as a daughter of the king.

It is about forgiveness, life and love in Him. 

On May 17th I'm going to be sharing more of my story.

More about finding your true identity through His lens and filter of grace instead of the worlds.

I'd love for you to join us.... 

Just click on either of the Pearl Event Logo's on the right hand side of the page for more details. 

So today, as you go about life, toss that old dusty, clouded lens away.

Look at yourself through what He sees.

You are so beautiful, You are so loved,

You are a Precious Princess.

friday faves ~ best of the blogosphere this week

(source unknown. if you know, do share so I can give credit for this adorable image)


This week I am going to link you up to my favorite finds around the web from this week. 

Maybe these ladies blogs are new to you or maybe you have been reading them for a while like me.

Either way, their words this week have inspired me, made me stop to think or struck me in some way that I just had to feature them here. Take look and see for yourself... and if you have a favorite do tell me!

Cherish over at Southern Soulmates

She wrote a post on 4/17 I really enjoyed...
This will touch your heart. So so so sweet.
Trouble is going to come. We know this.... but there is HOPE!

Life Rearranged

Love her. Love her heart. 

This post on 75 Ways to Help, well it is just the end all be all resource idea 

for momma's and families with a child in the hospital.

When you don't know what you can do? 

Read this.

It has ideas.

75 of them.


Cha Cha hostess of The Heartfelt Home
Cha Cha has a green thumb. You'll see that is evident in this post.
However, more importantly you will see she has a heart for growth spiritually too.
So many times when we're in the middle of "breaking ground" we forget their will be fruit
there will be harvest on the other end. Such a beautiful picture is painted in this post.
If you haven't already go on over and visit her.

What was your favorite read this week on the web?
Do share?
send me an email at
anchorsofgrace@gmail.com

Pearl Event III ~ The Triple Strand

Friends, I just very well may be squealing! 

It is my great pleasure and honor to announce the Pearl Event III ~ The Triple Strand is coming!

May 17th, 2013 in Nashville TN

and guess who is speaking??

Yes, mam it is me! 

To say I am excited is putting it lightly. 

To say I am honored, well there are no words friends, no words.

To be in a room with women who love Him and want to praise Him and know Him more,

dancing in my cowgirl boots!

Now, that we have the exciting announcement made we need the details don't we?

Well keep on reading! 

This years event is at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center 

and goodness gracious ladies is this place ever gorgeous!!!!! 

Just click on the link about to take a quick peek, girls it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Talk about a venue, wow, it is going to be spectacular.

Now, you must go and buy those tickets girls!

Grab your momma, your sister or your bible study group to come with you.

Tickets are available here through the Eventbrite page. 

As an added special feature this year, a boxed lunch will be included in your ticket price.

Arrangements have been made for us to eat in their facility and what a treat that will be!

As we go along the next few weeks there will be more information to come so you will want to be sure and follow along with the facebook page for the latest updates.

Y'all can join the Facebook Pearl Event Page right here!

His goodness and grace overflows.

jennie allen study continued - sad

source unknown (if you know do share so I can give credit) 

this week we have been studying chapter 6 in jennie allen's study, stuck.

our chapter was titled sad. 

after 2 tragic deaths in our circle of friends this past week, honestly it wasn't a chapter i was eager to jump into. we've had our share of "sad" and reality in these parts.

the past day or so i was really in quite the rut and emotionally just kinda wiped. 

the holidays and then the cold hard reality that we are never promised one more day was making me a little weary and cranky. have you been there? please say yes?

tonight with an ache in my spirit i sat down with my study materials, a candle and my tea and set out to conquer what jennie had to share... and my Heavenly Father had for me in his word. 

my heart still aches for the pains of this world but there is a new peace. 

we start with this promise from our Father

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the Glory that will be revealed in us"

romans 8:18

how's that for a promise? 

how's that for, "hey I got this, love God"

i read this over and over and over letting it be written across my heart and soul. 

i want to shout this promise, revel in it's goodness.

these sufferings, this "stuff", all this world has to throw at me and at you, 

it is not even worth comparing with the Glory that will be revealed in us!

that is such exciting news.

this is so exciting to me because my God, my Heavenly Father, when He creates He creates big and bold and beautiful ~ for goodness sakes we are told that when breathes stars were spoke

psalm 33:6 says "the Lord merely spoke and the heavens were created. 

He breathed the word and all the stars were born". 

that there my friends, that is my God. 

so if when he merely breathes a word our vast heavens with the sparkling stars in all their glory were created... can you even imagine, can you even consider, because I can't fathom it, what the Glory will be revealed in us when He intentionally creates that Glory? 

be still my heart.

in awe.

we are sad because we live in a fallen world. 

there is sin, and yuck and sadness.

when we focus on the things of this world, we come up sad and depressed every time. 

but what would happen if we focused on the things that were unseen? 

in 2 corinthians 4:18 we are charged "dont look at the troubles we can see now, 

rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. 

For the things we see now will soon be gone but the things we cannot see will last forever."

what if we did just that? 

what if you and i took our focus off what is seen and switched our view to the things we can't?

what would happen?

you know perspective is a powerful tool...

when i think about how awesome my God is, it is so often coupled with what a sinner i am and how awesome is He that he would even find favor me? how magnificent is it that He would call me His child?

my perspective is affected as i know i don't deserve the greatness and goodness that is all He is. 

my heart is overwhelmed time and time again that the God of the universe would call me unto Himself. 

what if i changed my perspective as i viewed the lens of my life?

would there still be sadness? yes i know there will be...

but what if i lived my life with the knowledge that no weapon formed against me will remain.

God is my victory, He is here and He is doing a great work in me.

this pursuit of happiness we're all on, i don't think it's bad.

it's wonderful!

our God made this planet with some of the most extraordinary creations my feeble mind can barely fathom.

we should experience all those things, we are created to feel love, enjoy relationships with others and community within our families and friends. those are some of lifes greatest blessings.

but what if in the midst of all of that we also focused on the things that were unseen? 

what would happen?

a few years ago i was faced with some tough mountains.

God got my attention in some pretty real ways.

what i learned is that happiness, true happiness, isn't in anything i can see.

what i learned is that what i desire is joy.

happiness we all experience, a baby playing peek a boo, a surprise party with friends.

those are happy times.

but joy, true joy, is choosing to be joyful even when the world around me may be falling down.

every day, every day i have found something to be grateful for.

there have been days, hours honestly when being grateful was reduced down to a single breath my son took.

each time his chest rose and fell in an hour, no matter what else was happening inside him made me grateful because it was one more hour i could behold his sweet little face, touch his tissue paper thin skin....

the best definition i have ever read is credited to the "gitzen girl" who sadly passed away in Sept of 2011.

but sara, the girl behind the blog was such an inspiration... and in her blog she defines what she believes is joy... and i have to share:

Joy: the unwavering trust that God knows what He’s doing and has blessed me with the opportunity to be a part of it… not despite what’s happening in my life but because of it. When everything earthly feels heavy He gives me an internal lightness that can’t be touched.

if you have never been to her site, please take some time, get to know her, and i promise in getting to know her, you will see Him. 

How do you define joy? 

ann voskamo quote

ann voskamp 

ann voskamp, blogger, writer, author of 1,000 gifts. 

she's incredible. what a story, what a testimony. 

one thing i really like that she said is this

"only speak words that make souls stronger"

what wonderful advice for all of us.

if it isn't helpful, if it doesn't build someone up, why say share it?

it also encourages me, tell my story, 

by telling our stories, by sharing what we've been through,

souls become stronger.

ann told hers. 

her story made me stronger. 

what is your story? 

more to come on my story... 

joy's hope & a printable

source - joy's hope

do yourself a favor, hope on over to joy's hope. 

i've been a joy's hope blog reader for quite some time.

actually i think she's one of the first bloggers i ever read. 

it's good stuff.

real life, honest momma. 

she shares her heart. she shares her story and she shares printables.

best part, she loves Christ!

she's good people. 

you'll see.

she encourages us all to do more, be more, spread sunshine.

she made this printable above

it was on her post today.

it's awesome. 

it's awesome because i get that statement. 

i love dessert, candy, cokes, sweet tea, ice cream, all of it. 

so i run. 

well that's not the only reason i run but it's part of it. 

for real.