Friday Faves ~ Free Printable Kitchen Sign

Y'all know this girl loves sweet tea. 

Love it.

Drink it daily.

Drink large amounts with way too much sugar. 

I'm ok with that. 

So this weeks Friday Faves is in honor or my favorite beverage (besides coffee) 

Print, frame in your kitchen on your porch, wherever sweet tea is served. 

Who's with me? 

Anyone else in love with the official year round beverage of the south? 

Happy Weekend Friends ~ May you and yours enjoy life this weekend! 

Back to School ~ Free Printable!

Can you believe it is that time! 

For some of you it has already happened and for others it is just around the corner! 

Here's a cute little freebie for you mommas who love to capture the first day in pictures! 

Feel free to down load, print and enjoy! 

Best wishes for a safe, happy and productive 2013-2014 School Year! 

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!

He desires you ... part 2

Have you given any thought to yesterday's post?

I sure have and it doesn't matter how many times I read these promises in His word...

I am excited, I am grateful and honestly there are days I am relieved.

I don't have to do it on my own and I am not meant to.

Neither are you.

So let's dig in a little deeper.

What happens when you choose something? 

You pick it out and it is yours.

You chose it because you saw value in it.

You take care of it because it is yours.

Remember yesterday when I said He chose us.

He chose you. He chose me.

Well the same theory applies to us.

He chose us and we are now His.

We belong to Him.

We have a new idenity.

It is in Him.

Daughter of the King.

Princess.

Beloved. 

Loved.

Honored. 

Cherished.

Prized,

Special.

Perfect in His Sight.

If you have never heard those words attached to your name,
I encourage you to print them out, paste them on your bathroom wall,
on your fridge, on your desk,
anywhere where you will see them, and read them and believe them.

I love that identity.

It is so far from how I see myself many days.

But every day I wake up He sees me through His eyes, not my own. 

I am sinner, saved by grace and in Him I am a new creation.

Guess what sisters? You can be too!
It is such an exciting thing and I can't help but share it.
It is a message I want to shout from the rooftops.
So many of you know just what I am saying, you too know about His amazing grace...

 but maybe you needed the reminder.

Or maybe like me you never tire of hearing you are made new in Him.

In Ephesians Chapter 1 vs 17 -18 Paul is praying for the church at Ephesus and his prayer is that they would be given a spirit of wisdom, and revelation so that they would know Him better.

My prayer is the same.

That as women of the body of Christ we know be given a spirit of wisdom, to know Him better. 

In getting to know Him better we also come to know our purpose and our plan in Him. 

What is your purpose, what is your plan?

Maybe you are still even doubting there is one for you.

Well sweet friend, there is a purpose and plan, unique for you.

It isn't my plan or my sisters plan or even my best friends plan.

It has been designed specifically for you, and no one can fulfill it but you.
You are destined for greatness, you have something that has been set apart, by Him for you.
only you.
Can you imagine that?
He has a plan, the God of the universe, the painter of the majestic skies,
the one who commands the oceans
He has a plan, just for you. He designed it with you in mind.
Only you.

He also shares that we would come to know we are His glorious inheritance. 

You are His prized possession.

And that as a believer we are given incomparably great power...

Remember, God power is never tied by our past, our present, titles, degrees,
positions of authority, or rules of this world.
The power He possesses is all surpassing power

Believe that promise and take heart that He is bigger that anything you face.

As a daughter of the King you are linked to Christ, forever. No matter what may come to pass. 

In Him there is Victory, therefore, we always have victory because Jesus always wins. 

Friends, I am proof of God's mercy and grace. 

I am proof He shows no favoritism among choosing His children. 

He just desires a relationship with you. 

There is nothing you can do to change that.

If you decline today, He will still desire you tomorrow, and the next day.
He will still pursue you until you take your last breath.

Maybe you have accepted His offer to be your Lord and Savior,

this message is equally important to us as well.

He pursues us too.. He desires to grow in a relationship with us too.

He desires to be the place to run to with all your fears, He desires to celebrate in your joys,

He desires to hear the deepest concerns of your heart, He desires for you to know Him

to experience Him fully. 

Come with me, let's say yes and pursue Him together.... 

He desires you... What's your answer?

This summer I have been spending a good bit of time in the book of Ephesians.
This letter written by Paul to the church at Ephesus isn't something that was just relevant for the
people in 62AD but it is just as important today...
we are still the body of Christ.

Growing up going to church was about doing the "right thing".
You wore your Sunday best and after Sunday School and the Sermon you went to lunch.
People talked a lot about denomination and which church you attended.
There were "in" churches and not so "in" churches.
The Methodists had their "ways" and the Catholics theirs and then there was the Baptists and don't forget the Church of Christ and so on and so forth... especially if you're from the south, you know what I am talking about. You have been witness to these conversations round a kitchen table.

Today I see such a shift in this body of young adult believers and it is blowing me away.
God is using this generation and there are people rising up all over this nation to lead, and serve and be His hands and feet. God is knocking down boundaries and barriers in such a big way. There are churches popping up that are non-denominational and I love it. It isn't about your denomination it is about Christ,
 it is about loving people where they are for who they are because they are a beautiful and unique,
loved child of God.
 It honestly makes me excited to see it...
I am even more excited that I get to be a part of a church that really walks that out.
On any given Sunday I can sit next to a woman who has attended church faithfully for 50 years
or I can sit next to a man who was just released from prison last week for theft and
it doesn't matter. In those walls there is love. In those walls we have all sinned and we have all fallen short
and there is the same solution to save us all.
God doesn't show favoritism over His children and I love how today's church is opening their doors and hearts to all His children.

So many of us grew up worried about following the rules, and being taught what we were supposed to do.
It is what I now call "religion" as opposed to relationship.
Religion is about rules, religion makes us fail every single time.
See, we will never in our own power be able to get it all right.
We are human, we are broken, we are unable to make ourselves right with God.
If we try, we'll wear ourselves out and give up.
It is a common denominator of humanity.We all fall victim.

But relationship, now that is a whole other ball game. 

God doesn't desire religion. God desires relationship.
He desires to be your Father, He desires to be your Savior, He desires to walk with you, to listen, to uphold, to support, to love, to lavish grace and mercy and peace. He desires to be your safe place.
I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago.
One I wish I had learned many many years before...
Maybe it is one you have learned and as they say "teachers are the worst students"
so it would make sense I came to this concept late....  : )

Once you fall into this relationship with God the boundaries, the rules, the religion,
it all changes. You have this love, this respect, this innate desire to please your Heavenly Father and out of right relationship with Christ these things fall into place.
He is my Daddy after all and what little girl, what daughter of the King doesn't want to please her Daddy?

In Ephesians 1:4 we learn this valuable piece of information:
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be HOLY and BLAMELESS in His sight.
Do you see that?
He chose us.
That means He chose me,
He chose you. 
Just the way you were, before creation, before religion ever came into play.
He chose you.
He desired you.
Just the way you were.

What a shift right?
In religion we are always striving, battling for approval, for keeping the rules.

But here He is saying He chose you.
He is desiring a relationship with you right now.
It doesn't matter what rules you didn't keep.
He doesn't care.
He just wants you.
Will you say yes?

You say, oh but you don't know what I have done, or what I am doing or who I am involved with.
I have to stop this, or that, or maybe when I am done with this chapter of my life.
Then I can have a relationship with Him.
Or ______________ fill in the blank with whatever excuse applies....

Read these words, HE desires YOU.
Just where you are today.
You see God is not inhibited by our circumstances.
Even if you think you have created quite the mess out of life.
He is bigger, He is stronger, and His love covers it all.

He just wants you.
Will you say yes?

part 2 tomorrow....

This weeks giveaway!

Y'all blew me away last week and that give away was so fun I just have to do another!

This week I am giving away one set (8 cards + envelopes) of my latest shop item!

Personalized, handmade, notecards!!! Are these adorable of what!

All you have to do is subscribe to this blog! 

For an additional chance to win mention this on your blog and send me the link... 

I will toss your name in twice! Lucky you!

Winner announced Friday! 

thank you note freebie ~ printable

What's better than a free printable?

A handwritten thank you note!

Just whipped this up for our latest summer party and thought you too might enjoy!

I am a lover of written words and thank you notes, well, they are a MUST in this home. 

Just save to you computer and print on cardstock. 

There are 3 to a page so they fit into a regular legal size 

envelope. How fun is that? 

Enjoy! and Happy Summer Friends!

Anchor Invite - Printable Freebie

Y'all know this girl loves a good party! 

My heart is happy and full when my home is busting at the seams with my favorite people.

We also know nothing sets the tone for your get together like a perfect invitation!

Recently I created these for a little party we're having this summer but they were just too adorable not to share! We love all things nautical so this fit the bill perfectly! 

The only thing I ask is that do share how you use them! 

You can click and save then edit using your favorite editing software. 

Enjoy! 

Book Worm ~ Printable

Around these parts come summer, there is no shortage of books!
Weekly trips to the library or the thrift store yield many new titles for our family. 

Adventures to far off places or the opportunity to learn something new about our favorite sea creatures.
We can't get enough! If you do not use your public library this book worm is encouraging you to do so!
You would be amazed all at the great stuff within those 4 walls.
Ours often boasts DVD's, exhibits, kids programs among the books. It is truly remarkable.
And best of all momma's, it's free. Just as long as you don't rack up those over due fees.

This summer I have created a little printable to log all our titles.
We've issued a challenge at this house for the summer and the kids are up for it!

I'd love to hear what your family does with it!

So here it is! Gender neutral, because after all who doesn't love pirates?

Isn't she darling? If you like them let me know and I just might customize a few more with some other fun themes... For now all you have to do is click and print!
Happy Reading!

freebie printable ~ enjoy!

Enjoy this free printable from Anchors of Grace.

Happy Weekend Friends

for more information on The Pearl Event ~ The Triple Strand

www.thepearlevent.com

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.

nothing and everything

source

life lately has been consumed with routine, the mundane, typical family life stuff.

likely much of the same stuff that goes on at your house

as i laid in bed last night 

i was wrapped up in thought.

lately if someone had asked me 

"what have y'all been up to?"

my answer would have been "nothing"

but you know what? 

that isn't true.

it is so stinking far from true.

and i couldn't be more thrilled!

we have been up to so, so, so, much more than "nothing".

our days have been consumed with life.

a beautiful, gorgeous, full life.

our nights aren't filled with the city lights and my days aren't spent lunching

with famously important people. i don't always wear the perfect outfit 

nor look like i just stepped out of a magazine. 

our living room likely won't grace the next southern living.

but it's real. and it's so much more than anything i could have ever dreamed.

it isn't picture perfect each day and i certainly won't try to paint that here.

we have children who cry when they don't always get what they want or stay up too late.

we have relationships we struggle with in our family.

we have bills, and work stress, and on and on. 

but in the midst of all that. in the midst of "nothing"

we have everything. 

we have precious people to love on, read stories to, and laugh with.

we have meals together that involve stories and life lessons

we have football games on friday nights

and dinner at a local hole in the wall with too much greasy food.

we have friends to share church and brunch on sunday.

we have each other, we have love. 

above all else, we have Him. 

we have a peace that passes understanding

and a Savior who loves us without limitations

despite failing Him daily. 

you see, it wasn't too long ago, we weren't sure of all this.

it wasn't too long ago games under the friday night lights,

and brunch after church and falling asleep with both kids under one roof was not normal.

our world was upside down, how it looked when it flipped? 

well that was anybodies guess. 

we weren't sure this would be "life".

God knew. 

so tonight when i fell asleep

after a weekend of simple,

of laundry and cleaning, 

of loving on babies and husbands

and sitting in the church pew.

"nothing" sounds priceless.

because in the end it is everything.

it is everything to me. 

my heart could not be more grateful.
i have never been so grateful for a weekend of "nothing"

it was a hard lesson.

it was a painful one...

one that literally ripped me to pieces.

but one that brought me to a level of understanding,

of faith, of trust i likely could have missed otherwise.

sometimes in life i have found that the secret of true happiness

is in the little things.

it is in the mundane and in the routine

that our biggest and best blessings reside.

favorite verse

made by me

i love this verse. 

really, i think of it more as a promise. 

i like promises a lot.

pinky promises sealed with a kiss.

this is a sweet promise dear friends.

a promise that whatever giant you are facing.

whatever that thorn is in your side,

He is already there. 

He knows what you face.

He has gone before you. 

He is standing with you. 

picture it, arm and arm, you and Him. 

facing your giants together. 

burdens are lighter when shared with a friend.

what better friend than the King of Kings, your Father.

somehow that makes the unknown a little less frightening doesn't it?

He promises us, his children, that He has gone before us.

He will not leave us.

He is there with us.

With you:

in the waiting room of the drs office

next to the hospital bed

at the counselors office

with you. 

He won't abandon you. 

promise, sweet promise.

you are taken care of. 

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. 

simple sentiments

source

best part is, if you go to her blog, it's a free printable. 

who doesn't love that.