My Marriage Still Rocks {Giveaway}

10:07 pm Bykristen

*Updated* Congratulations to random commenters: reader Celeste (I’ve emailed you) and Candy M from Altered State of Mind! You guys and your spouses will be rockin’ new shirts!! Don’t forget to take advantage of the awesome coupons below!

I know him. I could pick his rough, calloused hands out of 100 pair. I know what every look means. I don’t know where he ends and I begin. One.

We’ve been through a lot:

the depths of Hell and the edge of Heaven in the last 16 years.

But I can say from my core, my marriage still rocks.

That doesn’t mean it’s always good. We argue over who ate the last of the hummus and fight our way through balancing the budget. We’re are OH, SO HUMAN. But we believe in our marriage.

We press in to the hard questions. We push each other to being better. We fight for our marriage (and over chick peas, apparently).

Y’all know I love Union 28. And so it’s no surprise I love their new shirts: My Marriage STILL Rocks!

Today, Union 28 is giving away two sets (two winners) of HIS & HER “My Marriage Still Rocks” tees!

Plus, you’ve gotta check out the new darling Valentine’s shirts:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Visit Union28 and check out all the fun tees that celebrate your marriage. (I seriously love love wearing my shirts from Union28. It makes me think of my hubby all day. And he doesn’t mind either!)

U28WATF20 – The first 20 people to use this code during the giveaway will get 20% off any Union28.net order!

U28WATF15 – Everyone can use this code for 15% off any Union28.net order!

(And as always, there’s free shipping on orders of $60 or more.)

Just leave a comment, telling me WHY your marriage STILL rocks!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderGiveaways 196 Comments

Taking Care of Business

9:27 pm Bykristen

My third grade son has spent a fair amount of time learning about economics in school this year. During the first semester, they created a product as a class and had “Market Day” to sell their item to the other classes who did the same. They learned the art of an advertising campaign, pricing and about product demand.

His class is rewarded with “bucks” for doing their class “jobs”, turning in homework, outstanding behavior, etc. They have to pay weekly class “taxes”, but can spend their remaining “money” on items out of the Treasure Box (orange pencil grippers are HOT) or save them for “No Homework” and “Extra Computer Time” coupons.

[Remember, the "air quote" is your friend].

My son is a spender.

(Christmas money from Grandma that didn’t get to meet his wallet).

He has three orange pencil grippers. I know this because I vacuumed up one and saw our black cat batting another one around the house. Several times this year, he has borrowed Bucks from friends just to pay his taxes. I encouraged him to save and plan ahead, but mostly, I’ve let him learn the hard way. (Plus, I’ve been busy trying not to suck up orange grippers with the vacuum).

The unit ended with the semester in early January.

But my son was just getting started.

He came home last week and said, “Mom, I’m starting a biz. You know, a business.”

Well.

Then he explained: “Some kids are cleaning desks for extra Bucks, others are selling erasers. I’m thinking bigger. Since those orange pencil grips are 20 Bucks in the treasure box. I’m selling mine for 10 to get startup money for my big idea.”

Um, okay. Donald Trump.

“I used the money to hire a couple of friends to advertise for me, you know to get the word out. I talked to my teacher and she said I could sell my leftover Lego necklaces on Fridays. I’m gonna put everyone out of business.”

KAPOW. (I wasn’t sure if he should be grounded or commended since this was new territory for me).

Who was this 68 pound, 8 year old entrepreneur?

When I picked up my son from school on Friday, the first thing I noticed were more than a dozen or so kids wearing familiar Lego necklaces. I could see my son’s smile before I saw him.

“Mom, I sold OUT in 5 minutes. I have loads of money, wads and wads of Bucks. Plus, I’m not in debt anymore,” he said excitedly. “I’m going to come up with a new product.”

He had me at debt. What??

“I told you Mom, I’m taking care of business.”

Air quotes.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderThose kids 33 Comments

Links I Love

10:53 pm Bykristen

Breaking the Silence-a heartbreaking post we all need to read
i {heart} mason jars- love this
iPhone Valentine Printable-♥
Croup with a Side of Constructive Criticism-This made me laugh so hard!

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderLinks I Love 2 Comments

How to Really Love Yourself

10:12 pm Bykristen

[Note: We are learning how to really live together. This isn't an instruction guide. The posts in this series are my open journal. Please include your thoughts in the comments. Let's find out together how to really live!]

It’s probably not a surprise that when you talk about How to Really Live, God gives you ample opportunity.

Only I have been: surprised. I didn’t know I would receive a call right after writing this post from a (very) distant relative who needs to be really loved.

And I didn’t know that in the days leading up to writing about how to really love yourself, I wouldn’t: love myself.

Truly, I am more the student than the teacher. I am in the classroom of life, sitting in the back, squinting to find the answer.

How do I really love myself? How do I love the me that just yesterday crawled into her oldest child’s bed, thankful to find her awake, reading, and burrowed my face into her sleeve and cried, asking forgiveness for harsh words?

I know myself well. I present a picture to you, the world, even my family. I try to be the same person, but I know me. I know the thoughts I have, the jealousy, the anger, the selfishness that I stuff down.

(I don’t love that this is the only picture of me at my in-laws farm over the holidays)

In learning how to really love myself, I’m learning that God wants me to love myself. It’s not vanity or self-centeredness. I was created in His image. We were divinely created to glorify Him. He doesn’t stop loving us when our jeans stop fitting. He doesn’t withdraw his affection when we’re stingy with ours.

He loves you.

He wants you to love yourself.

How do you (we) really love ourselves?

Forgive Yourself

Accept Yourself

Nourish Yourself

__________________________

Forgive yourself-do it. Forgive. You. Give yourself permission to let it go. Hand it over to Him. You can’t expect others to forgive you if you can’t forgive yourself. And I’ve learned that this is on-going.

Accept yourself-stop trying to change what isn’t supposed to change. I’m all for self-transformation…becoming more like Him. But often we try to transform ourselves into someone else. This isn’t God’s plan. Accept who He made you to be. He gave you that nose, the tall frame, the funky thumb (okay, that’s mine). Change what needs to be changed (mostly inward) and accept the rest. Once we accept Him, we are transformed into a new creation.

Nurture yourself- you need community. You need friends and family. You need God’s Word, time with Him. You need worship and sustenance. Don’t starve yourself. You need to feed yourself well-physically and spiritually.

How do you really love yourself?

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderReally Live 22 Comments

When Things Don’t Add Up

8:26 pm Bykristen

[I'm still finding words for my next How to Really Live post. It's been one of those days. This is what I need to say today.]

I punched the numbers into the calculator again.

Tension from hours of accounting were taking their toll.

I pushed back my computer, put my head on the desk

And I cried.

No matter how hard I manipulate or speculate, I can’t make it work on paper. I can’t figure out how we will sustain nearly $4000 a month of donations to run the Mercy House in Kenya, Africa. We’ve had great success with fundraisers in the last four months, but sustaining $50,000 a year and more, year after year, seems impossible, not to mention exhausting.

Things just don’t add up.

I’m not going to lie: I didn’t want any of this. And the burden, the responsibility, literally drives me to my knees on a regular basis. When I feel the room close in and my breath comes in short panicky gasps, I realize I’m trying to figure this great big God-idea out on my own.

I left the piles of papers on my desk, turned out the lamp and closed the bathroom door behind me. As hot water filled the tub, silent tears fell. I crumbled.

And then He spoke: “If things added up, you wouldn’t need Me. Leave room for me, Kristen. Let me do the work.”

So. Here’s the picture: You have me-weak mortal, carpooling Mom, blogger-turned-crazy-dreamer, trying to add up numbers that don’t exist and feeling responsible for creating something out of nothing.

And then you have God, creator of all and in all, building a house of mercy in Africa, known for turning nothing into something. He has a plan, a purpose, a path.

He asks us to be the hands of His work so our faith will grow. And when things do not seem possible, He is glorified when they become possible.

In jumping into the unknown, I am being stretched beyond my comfort. When people try to commend us for obeying God, I want to say, He knew we needed this journey. He knew we needed to dive into something that lacks our complete control. He knew it would grow us. He knew we couldn’t do it on our own. He knew we would have to leave room for Him.

When things don’t add up.

——————————————————-

And so I ask, what isn’t adding up in your life?

What are you desperately trying to control?
Do you wonder how your marriage will survive it’s current crisis?
How will you pay the bills?
When will your wayward child come home?
How will you survive this cancer?

I urge you and remind myself as I type the words–

Leave. Room. For. God.

Because He will be glorified in our inability to figure it all out.

**I’d love for you to read an update on Maureen’s amazing training at the Ethiopian maternity home!

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderMy Life 52 Comments

WFMW: Key to Parenting Outside of the House

9:14 pm Bykristen

I’m not a parenting expert. Just ask my kids. No, really, ask them. They will give you the scoop. Actually, never mind. Don’t ask.

Let’s pretend I know what I’m talking about.

{crickets}

Years ago, in passing a friend made a comment about their parenting rule: “We always leave when we’re having fun.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I watched them at gatherings. Sure enough, they never stayed too long and everyone laughed healthy. I decided it was the most brilliant statement I’d ever heard. (Except for “We only serve sweet tea here.”)

Leave while you’re having fun. We implemented it immediately. And it seriously changed our lives. (Why, yes, I am feeling dramatic today).

So, if you’re at a birthday party, the library, the park, zoo, museum, YOU NAME IT, do not wait for signs of sleepiness and do not let the whining be the sign that it’s time to leave. LEAVE WHILE YOU’RE HAVING FUN. It reduced the meltdown quota substantially.

WFMW guidelines and upcoming theme suggestions are here. Are you out of tips? How about sharing a Valentine’s Tip next week?

What works for you?

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderWFMW 44 Comments

Worship Music by Kristian Stanfill {Giveaway}

10:21 pm Bykristen

*UPDATED WITH WINNER* Congratulations to random reader mommy2jands!

Worship leader, Kristian Stanfill is one of this generations most compelling singer/songwriters.

I love his music and his heart for worship.

“A great worship leader must first be a great follower,” Kristian asserts. “In order to lead people in worship you must first know how to listen to and follow the Holy Spirit. That is something I’ve been learning over the past few years, just by observing how people respond to what God is doing at any given moment.”

Kristian not only produces amazing worship music, he is a worship leader at his church. I love this.

His voice is amazing and by the way my hubby confiscated his new CD immediately when it arrived, I know it will be a new family favorite!

His new album that just came out on 1-11-11, Mountains Move:

is phenomenal.

Today, I am giving away SIX CDs to ONE lucky winner: Mountains Move, Attention and all four of the Passion CDs Kristian is a part of (Passion: Awakening; Passion: God of This City; Passion: The Best (So Far) Passion: Everything Glorious).

Go listen to a preview for free or download a new favorite.

Leave a comment to be entered to win this huge collection of incredible music!

This giveaway ends on Thursday.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderGiveaways 129 Comments

Because Sometimes You Have To….

6:58 pm Bykristen

♥ Pull to Flush

The handle broke, replacement on it’s way and my hubby is a southern engineer.

♥ Pick Your Battles

(my 4 year old insisted that I buckle up her paper friend)

♥ Pretend it’s clean

My desk lately

Life isn’t neat.

Sometimes you have to……

Fill in the ______ (blank)

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderMy Life 28 Comments

Links I Love

9:51 pm Bykristen

Evidence of God in the Mundane
25 Vegan Recipes
This ends at the end of the month
Love this Simple Vintage Imperfection
Join us over here on Monday to celebrate (in)courage’s support of Compassion International. Link up a Compassion post (new or old)!
Kelly’s got a little Online Love Connection Going on!

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderLinks I Love Leave a Comment

I Hate Your Blog

10:17 pm Bykristen

The words I recently found in my inbox.

I didn’t want to read the email.

I should have deleted it.

I’m really glad I didn’t.

The email was actually a great compliment …the writer said that some of my posts made her uncomfortable…made her think…made her feel. “I don’t want to listen. I want to run.”

And while this has never been a blog growth strategy of mine, I’m not sorry. I can’t stop this train. I can’t stop telling the story.

But I understand her words.

Because sometimes I hate it too. I’m the uncomfortable writer.

And I have a list of others that I read with one eye open, afraid I will feel too much.

——————————–

Do you read things that make you uncomfortable?

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderMy Life 45 Comments

How to Really Love Others

10:00 pm Bykristen

When I was in the seventh grade, I learned an unforgettable lesson on how to not love others. I was a Christian and made the fact known. Most days, I really tried to honor God in my junior high world. I even prayed for my unsaved classmates.

I ran hurdles (try not to laugh, because, lo, it was funny) for my school. My biggest competitor was a teammate. She was faster, better and I didn’t like it. At the District meet, I walked up to a group from my school and I started talking ugly about her. I gossiped and criticized and completely left Jesus in the bleachers. One of the girls caught my attention and pointed to the girl sitting at my feet: the very one I was talking badly about.

I was dumbfounded. Convicted. Embarrassed. And pretty much spent the rest of the school year, rebuilding my reputation as a Christian.

I’ve learned well how not to love others. I’m still in school on learning how to love others well.

I will tell you this: We cannot really love God, if we do not really love people (even, especially the ones that are hard to love).

It’s one of the hard sayings in the Bible: “If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both.” -I John 4:20-21

So. How can we really love people?

Put Others in Front of Ourselves

Practice Really Loving God

Put Others First-Let’s face it: our natural tendency is to take care of ourselves. We are good at it-experts! We know what we like, when we like it and we want it our way. This crazy, commandment, the second greatest of all by God is basically impossible. Loving other people, as much as or more than we love ourselves?

Practice Really Loving God-That takes us right back to the first commandment. When we really, truly love God, He gives us the supernatural capacity to really love others-more than we love ourselves.

[Of all the people in the world, moms are the closest to really getting this. We love our kids more than we love ourselves. We give them the first bite, lay in bed for weeks on end to keep their unborn lives safe, endure years of painful infertility, give them a kidney...the list is endless. Moms love their kids unselfishly. But we still struggle with loving others, putting them in front of ourselves.]

I’m learning and asking God to expand my love for others.

How do you really love others?

******************************

Further Resources:

Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself part 1

Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself part 2–these are powerful sermons by John Piper.

List of 100 tangible ways to love others

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderReally Live 22 Comments

Mercy Came Running

3:32 pm Bykristen

Thank you for making our first Mercy Benefit Day such a HUGE success! Thank you to the businesses who donated, the bloggers who helped promote and the readers for bidding!

Grand Total: $2361 dollars to help save babies and girls in Africa!!

If you are a high bidder, please expect an email in the next few days. Payments can be made via Paypal or by check in the next 7 days. Thank you!!

Goat Milk Stuff-winner: Jessica highest bid: $60
Thirty-One -winner: Cheryl highest bid: $75
Show Off Art -winner: Amy highest bid $100
Union 28 -winner: Ann highest bid: $250
Calvin Murphy basketball- winner: Kat highest bid: $50
Art by John Mowen: winner: Leslie highest bid: $30
Mercy House Art winner: Jen highest bid: $75
She She Made -winner: Janene highest bid: $80
Family Matters: winner: Misty highest bid: $120
Moxiemandie winner: Lynette highest bid: $30
Zehlahlum Blanket -winner: Wendy highest bid: $60
Elizabeth Engelhard Creations-winner: Jen highest bid: $30
Needlicious $50 Gift certificate-winner: Barb highest bid: $100
Scentsy Perfect Plug-in Combo Pack winner: Kassia highest bid: $50
Jessica Weaver Editing Services-winner: Darren Wilson highest bid: $100
Twirling Trees-winner: Aggie Jen highest bid: $75
Values-driven Beeyoutiful package winner: Maegan highest bid: $65
The Vine-handpainted cross-winner: Darla highest bid: $70
Who+What{LOGOS} winner: Jill highest bid: $40
Dayspring-winner: Jody highest bid: $171
EMI Music CD Set-winner: Dianne highest bid: $65
Just Eyewear winner: Mary highest bid: $40
The Rusted Chain winner: Kassia highest bid: $60
“Love Never Fails” art winner: Denise highest bid: $55
Year of Chick-fil-a breakfast winner: Melissa highest bid: $100
Seasons of the Heart Photography-winner: Kara Portilla highest bid: $50
Warrior Prayer Art Piece- winner: Jennifer highest bid: $100
Wild Olive Tees-winner: Amy Bennett highest bid: $105
The Vintage Pearl-winner: Susan highest bid: $155

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 6 Comments

WFMW: What to Bring a Friend on Bedrest

10:00 pm Bykristen

*All bidding for the Mercy Benefit Day is now closed at 10 p.m. CST. Thanks so much for supporting Mercy House. Winners will be announced tomorrow!

One of my dearest friends (you may remember her from these posts) was in the hospital on total bed rest with her third baby. She actually delivered early and she and baby are doing great. I spent a few mornings with her last week and I reached out to Twitter for some ideas on what to bring a friend on bed rest.

TWITTER NEVER DISAPPOINTS. Except when I ask it to clean my house. Rude.

The tweeted replies were so impressive, I thought I’d share them in case you ever need to bless a friend:

Knit/crochet supplies
Bible or books on CD
notepad/pen
lotion (massage her feet)
picture collage of her loved ones
Bible verses written on note cards
flowers
deck of cards
candy basket
body wash
puzzle books
handheld games
stationary w/stamps
music/CD player
chapstick
Sudoko book
peppermints
fleece blanket
cozy socks
iTunes giftcard
hand sanitizer
embroidery kit
portable DVD player
new pajamas
journel
money for vending machines
Netflix subscription
muffins
origami
first book in a new series
nail polish
board game
favorite fountain drink
coloring books
big HUGS and warm conversations!
SWEET TEA

I also learned of this cool bedrest forum.

What works for you?

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderWFMW 39 Comments

Benefit Day: The Vintage Pearl

8:45 pm Bykristen

The Vintage Pearl is known for meaningful and inspirational handstamped jewelry and keepsakes. Each piece is handcrafted from start to finish with care using raw sterling silver, freshwater pearls and birthstone crystals.

In addition to necklaces, The Vintage Pearl designs customized bracelets, keychains, leather cuffs, earrings, dog tags, baby spoons and more, all with simple vintage beauty and elegance. Customized with names, dates or words of inspiration, with several fonts and charm shapes to choose from, The Vintage Pearl has plenty of options so that your piece is unique and meaningful to you.

The Vintage Pearl has a $150 gift certificate up for bids to benefit The Mercy House.

To bid on the item in this post, please leave a comment with your bid amount. Please leave a current email address in case you have the final bid. Winners will be announced on Jan. 19th and payment can be made via Paypal or by check. All bids close by 10pm CST on Jan. 18. There is no minimum bid.

100% of the proceeds from the Mercy Benefit Day will go to the work of Mercy House. The Mercy House exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living. The Mercy House has approved 501c3 status.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 9 Comments

Benefit Day: Wild Olive Tees

8:20 pm Bykristen

Wild Olive Tees is a collaboration of three women, all regular moms, who are united by a passion for God and His Word. Born of a dream and named after the truths in Romans 11:17, Wild Olive Tees designs trendy Christian tees for women and kids. Each Wild Olive tee has scripture printed on the back, created with the purpose of sending God’s Word out into the world.

Wild Olive Tees has donated a $75 gift certificate for today’s benefit auction.

To bid on the item in this post, please leave a comment with your bid amount. Please leave a current email address in case you have the final bid. Winners will be announced on Jan. 19th and payment can be made via Paypal or by check. All bids close by 10pm CST on Jan. 18. There is no minimum bid.

100% of the proceeds from the Mercy Benefit Day will go to the work of Mercy House. The Mercy House exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living. The Mercy House has approved 501c3 status.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 7 Comments

Benefit Day: Warrior Prayer Art

8:00 pm Bykristen

The MOB Society exists to reach the hearts of boys for the Gospel & to prepare a generation of men to love the Lord. The site is run by moms of boys, written for moms of boys. One such mom, has created beautiful art to connect your heart in prayer for the hearts of your son(s). The Warrior Prayers Art Collection by Michelle Pendergrass is unique and beautiful!

Today, up for auction:

A set of (3) 16×20 rolled canvases, in acrylic paint

* * *

Lord, You alone change hearts of stone, to hearts of flesh. Place Your Spirit within my children and cause them to walk in Your statutes and to be careful to obey Your rules. For You know the plans You have for them; plans to prosper them and not to harm them, to give them a future and a hope. Let them fear You Lord, and thus have a foundation for wisdom and a heart for instruction. Let them receive wisdom and incline their hearts to understanding. Help them not to lean on their own limited understanding, but in all their ways to acknowledge You so that their paths will be straight.

Protect them from walking in the counsel of the wicked and standing in the way of sinners, but lead them to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. May they abide in the shadow of the Almighty and not fear the terror by night. May they walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. Instead, may they be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. May their minds and thoughts be fixed on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything worthy of praise.

May they not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewal of their minds. May they discern the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. May their love be genuine. May they abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. May they love one another with brotherly affection, outdoing one another in honor. May they do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than themselves. May they lie down and sleep in peace; for You alone, O Lord, make them to dwell in safety. Bless them Lord, and keep them, and make Your face shine upon them.

$150 value

100% of the proceeds from the Mercy Benefit Day will go to the work of The Mercy House. The Mercy House exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 10 Comments

Benefit Day: Seasons of the Heart Photography

7:30 pm Bykristen

Here’s one specifically for the Houston, TX area!

Need an updated family portrait? Seasons of the Heart Photography is a fairly new business in the Houston, TX area. Run by a homeschooling mom of 5 with a heart for Africa, Denise Winston sees Seasons of the Heart Photography as her ministry. Take a look at her talent…

Seasons of the Heart Photography has donated an individual family session (value up to $100) to take place at a location of your choice within 50 miles of Houston, TX. All sessions come with a CD of all pictures, plus enhancements, and a “Photographers Choice” 8×10.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 4 Comments

Benefit Day: One Year of Chick-Fil-A Breakfast

7:00 pm Bykristen

One year of FREE breakfast at Chick-Fil-A, donated by MamaHall.

The certificate is for 52 free breakfast entrees from Chick-Fil-A.

Value $200

100% of the proceeds from the Mercy Benefit Day will go to the work of Mercy House. The Mercy House exists to provide alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya. The Mercy House will aid them in nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical teaching and job skills for sustainable living. The Mercy House has approved 501c3 status.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 12 Comments

Benefit Day: Love Never Fails Art

6:30 pm Bykristen

Brought to you by the anonymous artist who created the “Love Mercy” canvas exclusively for The Mercy House, this mixed media collage original is valued at $125. This sweet bird couple would love to perch in a special place in your nest and remind you each day that love never fails. Layers of textured paper, oil pastels, paint, and ink give this piece much depth and interest.

“Love Never Fails”
16×20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas
A $125 Value

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 7 Comments

Benefit Day: The Rusted Chain

6:00 pm Bykristen

The Rusted Chain’s Beki Hastings creates custom jewelry using sterling silver, stainless steel, natural stones, and the finest components, for a rustic elegance. Each piece of jewelry is completely unique; stamped by hand for a truly charming look.

Your words, your names, or your prayer, stamped precisely and dangling beneath a freshwater pearl, tiny piece of red coral, or turquoise bauble, always close to your heart.

The Rusted Chain has donated a $50 gift certificate to the Mercy House Benefit.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 8 Comments

Benefit Day: Just EyeWear

5:30 pm Bykristen

Just Eyewear is a direct seller online for prescription glasses and sunglasses. Their prices are cheaper than Costco, Walmart, and even the eye doctor. Just Eyewear has a “Frame Fitter” system to help you find the correct frames online. Plus, they host weekly giveaways for FREE glasses! In my opinion, the best thing about Just Eyewear is their 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, because they admit that buying glasses online takes a little bit of faith.

I did a little searching on the Just Eyewear website, and was impressed by the style selection and the prices to go with them. At their prices, one could afford to have several pairs of glasses…depending on your outfit or mood for the day!

Having a normal day…

Need to add a little color…

Feeling sassy…

Want your hubby to look like your favorite teacher from High School…

Just Eyewear has so graciously donated a $50 Gift Certificate!

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 7 Comments

Benefit Day: HUGE Christian Music Lot

5:00 pm Bykristen

EMI Music is one of the world’s leading music companies, home to some of the most successful and best known recording artists. And they have been a regular sponsor of We are THAT family for more than a year now, offering fantastic Christian music giveaways!

EMI Music is generously donating a brick of CDs and a DVD valued at $120 for the Mercy House Benefit.

The CDs are:

Kristian Stanfill – Mountains Move

Charlie Hall – The Rising

Hillsong Live – A Beautiful Exchange

Chris Tomlin – And If Our God Is For Us…

Matthew West – The Story of Your Life

TobyMac – Tonight

Audrey Assad – The House You’re Building

Britt Nicole – Acoustic

Josh Wilson – Josh Wilson

Sanctus Real – Pieces of A Real Heart

And the DVD TobyMac – Moving Pictures

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 9 Comments

Benefit Day: Dayspring

4:30 pm Bykristen

I love Dayspring! They are a wonderful supporter of The Mercy House. Plus, they have fabulous products–everything from cards to dishes! The dishes Dayspring carries are absolutely stunning! Have a look at the Ever Grateful Collection….

Ever Grateful 4 Piece Setting (Taupe)

Ever Grateful 4 Piece Place Setting (Wasabi)

Serving Bowl

Pitcher

Large Platter

Isn’t it beautiful?!?! Want one of your own?

Dayspring has generously donated FOUR 4-Piece Place Settings and the Serving Pieces that go with them! This auction item is valued at $300. The winner will get to decide their colors–Taupe or Wasabi.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 16 Comments

Benefit Day: Who+What {LOGOS}

4:00 pm Bykristen

Who+What{LOGOS} is made up of a small group of experienced graphic designers obsessed with typography. Formal, casual, contemporary, urban, fun, classic–whatever your style, Who+What{LOGOS} generates creative personal logos that are truly custom-created especially for you, to do with it what makes you happy. Use your new custom logo to print labels, make a vinyl wall cling, or personalize a coffee mug. Let Who+What{LOGOS} help you get started.

Who+What{LOGOS} is offering 1 Color Logo, personalized with your name(s) or initial(s). You receive 6 final files (JPEG, EPS, and PDF each in black and your chosen color). (valued at $75)

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 6 Comments

Benefit Day: The Vine

3:30 pm Bykristen

Run by a husband/wife team, The Vine specializes in crosses and home decor. Their handpainted crosses are beautiful, meaningful pieces of art to add to your home. Not only are the crosses a daily reminder of the One who paid it all for us on the cross, but it is a conversation piece for all who visit your home. The highest bidder will win a handpainted cross from The Vine.

The handpainted cross is a $50 value.

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 6 Comments

Benefit Day: BeeYOUtiful Natural Supplements

3:00 pm Bykristen

Values-Driven is a ministry designed to encourage and equip Christian families as they strive to make the most of every opportunity.

The Values-Driven website provides find articles, free books, and other resources to help you in home management, family relationships, homeschooling, and more—so that you can glorify God in all you do.

Values-Driven is a distributor for Beeyoutiful natural supplements and wellness products, because they can certainly help you to experience better health and greater effectiveness in everyday life.

To benefit Mercy House, Marc and Cindy Carrier of Values-Driven are donating a Beeyoutiful package valued at over $100. The package includes a 3-month supply of Super Mom vitamins, Berry Well elderberry syrup with propolis, Echinacea, and raw honey, Grapefruit seed crush, Bee Strong bee pollen powder, Bee’s Aid first aid spray, and Tummy Tuneup.

Value $100+

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 7 Comments

Benefit Day: Twirling Trees

2:30 pm Bykristen

My trip to Kenya left me wanting to do something… Enter The Mercy House.

Her trip to Kenya left her wanting to do something…Enter Twirling Trees.

The owner of Twirling Trees is 13 years old. I love that she is doing something in response to what she saw in Kenya. Because one way or another, there will be a response.

Twirling Trees is an Etsy Shop full of handmade paper bead jewelry. All proceeds from the Twirling Trees Etsy Shop go toward sponsoring a little boy in Kenya.

Twirling Trees has generously donated a $50 Gift Certificate their shop!

If you have enjoyed or learned from this post, please share it:

Filed UnderBenefit Day 3 Comments

Benefit Day: Jessica Weaver Editing Service

2:00 pm Bykristen

Are you a writer? Are you a blogger working on an e-book or PR kit? Are you putting together an e-course or book proposal? Did you rub a genie’s lamp and wish for an assistant?

Well! Your wish is Jessica Weaver’s command. Jessie is a professional freelance writer, copy editor, and proofreader, as well as a stay-at-home mom to a 2-year-old and a newborn! She worked for LifeWay Christian Resources for 5 years, the last 3 1/2 years on adult Bible study resources.

She has written articles for HomeLife, ParentLife, and Living with Teenagers magazines; manages the ParentLife Blog Community; and has done editorial work for bloggers Once a Month Mom and Naturally Knocked Up.

Jessie would like to help you with your writing or editing project! That’s right- 5 hours of professional editing assistance ($100 value) to be used after February 1.