A Few of (Her) Favorite Things

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love a good swap. The latest swap I participated in was the Mamarazzis Favorite Things Swap hosted by HolleeAnn over at Our Dandelion Wishes. My partner was Lisa over at Growing up Mo' and I'll say this . . . HolleeAnn sure knows how to pair up swap partners. Lisa & I have A LOT in common . . . reading, scrapbooking, the love of food, and of course, our love/hate relationship with "The Bachelor." I've really enjoyed getting to know her.

I received my package yesterday and let me just tell you . . . it was like Christmas morning when I was a child. I had so much fun opening up everything. I wish I had done a better job on her package. Normally, in these swaps, I take the time to wrap up everything and attach cute little explanations of the gifts, but it's been a rough week and I just didn't take the time to do it with her package. So, Lisa . . . I'm sorry!! I hope the gifts will make up for the lack of craftiness this go-round. Hopefully, I'll redeem myself in the next swap.

So, on to the important stuff . . . the pictures . . .

Everything wrapped up nicely in all of my favorite colors

This was the sweet card she enclosed

Package #1 - - - the attached tag read "Two of my favorite reads . . . a little gossip, a little food."

Package #2 - - - the attached tag read "More favorites . . . coffee, my candy of choice, and popcorn salt. This is my daily diet - just kidding!"

Package #3 - - - the attached tag read "I think this bag is super-cute, don't you? Peek inside, there are some scrapbooking goodies!"

Here's a picture of all of my loot!

Thanks again, Lisa for EVERYTHING!!!!

Miss Harper

Is this not the most precious little girl you've ever seen? This is Harper Brown Stamps, daughter of Kelly & Scott Stamps. Twenty days ago, this precious baby wasn't expected to live. Now, after the prayers of thousands upon thousands of people and God's mercy & grace, this precious little miracle is going home tomorrow. Head over to Kelly's blog for the details. PRAISE THE LORD for this miracle child!

Answered Prayer

The Stamps family had the best day yesterday! Little Harper is quite the miracle! She is now off of all the machines and is feeding and being held by her loving parents. If this isn't an answer to prayer, I don't know what is. The pictures are definitely worth 1,000+ words! Head over to Kelly's blog for the full story.

Prayer Request

I have been reading this sweet lady's blog for a long time. She gave birth to her miracle baby, Harper, this evening. From what I've read, it sounds like Harper could use a miracle right about now. Please lift up Harper, Kelly, Scott and the rest of the family in your prayers. I know that they would appreciate it very much.

Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

So, what does everyone think about my blog makeover? I LOVE it! Shauna over at See My Designs did an AWESOME job!!! She was super-easy to work with! She communicated well - shooting ideas back & forth, giving me some examples to choose from, etc. Everything was done within a day!

If you're in need of a blog makeover, but don't want to spend a fortune (because I've seen these for waaaaayyy more than what she charges), but still want quality, head over and pay Shauna a visit. You won't be sorry!!!

Thanks Shauna, for a job WELL DONE!!!!!

Superficial Sunday in the South

I promise promise promise that I'll do a REAL post soon. It's just been so wild the last few days and I just haven't had the time to do one. So, for now, you'll have to deal with short posts, randomness and links to other posts that I find worth reading. Today is one of the latter . . .

I read Perry Noble's blog every day. He is the pastor of NewSpring, a church in Anderson, SC. As far as I'm concerned, he is a brilliant man who is profound and has such powerful things to say. What I love most about him is that he says and does what he feels led to and doesn't worry about what others are thinking/saying.

He spoke to the youth at my home church many years ago. The reconnection with him (at least his blog) has been through my new church, Marathon North. Perry did a post today that struck a chord with me, because it's so true!! That's one of the things I love about the church I now attend . . . you come as you are & you're not judged for not being in a 3-piece suit. I'm no less of a Christian than I was before I started attending - wearing blue jeans & crop pants. And, I was no more of a Christian years ago when I was attending my home church - wearing dresses, high heels & pantyhose. So, Perry . . . THANK YOU for stepping outside of the box and telling us the TRUTH!!! Here's the post.

Have a great evening. Until next time . . .

Why I Believe

Another long day & late night, so a short post before bed. I read a post on another blog tonight that just blew me away. It is beautifully written & speaks volumes. Check it out here. Tomorrow will be another long day & late night because I'm involved in a Womens' Dinner at the church, which I'm very excited about. Hopefully, I'll be able to do a real post by mid-week.

So, until then . . .

How Do We Treat People?

I am FINALLY feeling better after a whole bunch of time spent in the bed. I ventured out of my house early this evening, just to go over to a friend's for dinner & hang out for a short bit, only to find that my Jeep was sitting kinda lopsided. Why, you ask? Because I had a flat!! DAGGUM IT!!!! GRRRRRR!!! I couldn't change a tire if someone put a gun to my head, so of course, I called my brother. He works in Anderson, so there wasn't any hope of him getting to it until after dark. So, my friend swung by & picked me up. Thank you girlie . . . love ya, love ya, love ya!!! The tire is now changed & all is well with the world, where that's concerned. It was nice just to get out of the house for a little while & look at walls other than mine.

I think I'm on the road to recovery now. I still have almost 5 days of antibiotics left, so that's a good sign. All of my tests (for mononucleosis) came back negative. HALLELUJAH! I didn't really think that's what was up with me, but the doctor wanted to be sure. At least I have a doctor now that actually cares & takes the time for me. I think I just have a rotten immune system & I just got bogged down & couldn't get better before something else hit me. I hate that I'm this way, but I am who I am, I suppose. The doctor put me on an additional medicine for my allergies & pulmonary issue, with hopes that it will ward off a lot of those problems. Here's hoping!!

I read a bunch of different blogs every day. There is a church in Anderson called NewSpring. Perry Noble is the pastor there. He actually spoke at my home church many, many years ago. The church I attend now, Marathon North, visits there from time to time, for ideas in growing our church (since it is still a "new" church). I read Perry's blog every day & he is just such an inspiration!! Check it out if you get the chance at Perry Noble's Blog. I read several of the staff members of NewSpring's blogs, as well. I read a great post tonight that I wanted to share. Check it out at Alden Ellis' Blog.

The way this lady explained her feelings about NewSpring is just how I feel about Marathon North. And, I couldn't agree more with what Alden says - - - "God help the church that is more welcoming to people with 'bigger' wallets. People notice how they are welcomed into the church and the underlying reason you greet them the way you do."

I haven't been attending Marathon very long. I've gotten involved the "backwards way," as I call it. Usually, people come to church & then get involved socially, etc. I've done just the opposite. I started going to the Women's Bible Study in the Spring and got to know a wonderful group of ladies through that. I have since started attending the Girls' Nights Out that they do once a month. They are always a BLAST!!! I have gotten involved with a Home Group, as well. For those of you who don't know what Home Group is - - - it's basically like Sunday School, but more relaxed & is held in someone's home. We have about 20-25 people in our group and it consists of people of all ages & from all walks of life. We usually get together every other Sunday at someone's house. We ALWAYS eat (and eat well) and socialize. Our leader is Bert - - - he is a wonderful man & he always does the lesson. These people have become like an extended family to me.

I feel more a part of this church in the short period of time (less than 6 months) I've been involved than at the church I grew up in. And, that's terribly sad!!! Don't get me wrong - - - there are some wonderful people in my home church & I don't refer to them when I say that. But, it's the church, as a whole. I'm still a member of this church, yet I never get any contact from anyone. And, probably haven't in well over 5 years. In that period of time, I've lost a grandmother and went through the tragedy of my daddy's illness & death. No card, no call, NOTHING!!! I can't tell you how much that hurts!

I now know that I am a part of a church that cares. There will always be people who you don't necessarily like or agree with. There will always be "fake" people everywhere you go. But, I know that the church, as a whole, is genuine, caring & loving. That's an awesome feeling! Just today, I received a card from a lady, who's going through quite a bit herself. She took the time to send me - - - little ole ME - - - a thinking of you/get well card. That meant so much to me!!!! I'm very excited about getting more involved with Marathon and where God is leading the church. And, even more excited to see where I fit in with His plan for the church.

I just had to share that because it's something that's been on my mind for a while & Alden's blog just hit the nail on the head tonight.

Hope all is well in your corner of the world. Until next time . . .