This face...

If you've never seen the face of an angel...well, now you have.

The Cup or the Coffee?

I received the following story in an email today and I just had to share it because it is so very true. Please feel free to share your thoughts.

A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general.Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address th e small gathering. ''You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems." He continued. "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other's cups.'' ''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup,we fail to enjoy the coffee that God has provided us. God brews the coffee, but he does not supply the cups. Enjoy your coffee!'' The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything. So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. Leave the Rest to God. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

"Lord, let me focus on the coffee and not the cups ~ not the "things" of this world: the best of this and the best of that...But, to focus on this life in which you have blessed me with! Regardless of what avenues you take to get my blessings to me, the fact is that you have brewed me up a Life of really great coffee! Help me to sit back and relax while I enjoy the coffee you've provided. But, most importantly, help me Leave the Rest to You! Who needs the fancy "cups" when I've already got the Maker?!!"

And the Winners Are...

Okay, so I am way later on posting the winners of my bloggy giveaway than I planned on. We had a totally hectic and busy weekend and before I knew it, I woke up and it is Monday already! Whoever came up with just 24 hours in a day huh? (smile)

So, here they are:

drum roll please

da da da dum...

Bloggy Giveaway #1: BOZ the Bear book ~ Eden @ Once Upon a Dream

Bloggy Giveaway #2: Cinnamon Bella Bun candle ~ April Russell (non-blogger)

I was blown away by a whopping 227 entries!! to these contests. I never expected such a "turnout," but it was a blast reading all of your comments everyday. I wish I could give something to each of you, but I certainly look forward to doing this again in the Spring. Who knows...I may even hold another giveaway of my own around the holidays. I already have some wonderful prizes in mind!

Thanks again everyone! I know you ladies will enjoy the prizes that you won!

Bloggy Giveaway #2

Okay so here is my 2nd giveaway. (Be sure and check out giveaway #1 as well!)

I have a gourmet candle business that I run from my home. We have lots of different candle and bath/body products.

But, I thought I would giveaway one of our Cinnamon Bella Bun candles. You can see what it looks like here. I figured this is a great time of year, being that it is Fall, for someone to burn one of these. It smells just like there are cinnamon buns in the oven...without the calories!

All you have to do is leave a comment here...tell me about one of your family traditions for Thanksgiving. I will pick the winner based on your traditions and you will have your new Bella Bun to burn by Thanksgiving.

There is no need to enter more than one and you don't have to have a blog to enter. US residents only please.

Oh and don't forget to check out this site to enter LOADS of other giveaways. Did I mention they are all FREE? Oh what fun!!

Bloggy Giveaway #1

Yea! The Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway carnival is officially underway. It actually began yesterday, but I'm a little late as you can see. All you have to do to take part in this fun, FREE contest is visit here and check out the list of participants. Click on their link and enter their FREE contests!
But, first check out my giveaway below.

Ever heard of BOZ the Bear? Well, he is like another member of our family around here and has been since my daughter was about 10 mos. old. She LOVES her BOZ...actually that is the first and only word she knows how to spell right now. :o)

"Preschoolers have a new friend...BOZ!"

"As a parent, you want your preschooler to have a strong foundation for life.

That's why we created BOZ.

It is the only DVD series that combines the important everyday

elements of faith, family, fun and education.

BOZ helps reinforce the values you are already teaching your child."

I urge you to give BOZ a try if you haven't already. Your children will love it!

So, my first giveaway is for 1 BOZ the Bear book. You can go here to view all of his products and a list of his books.

All you have to do is leave a comment here and on Friday morning, Nov. 2, I will randomly pick a name and send you your new book. Please leave only one comment and a way to reach you. You don't have to have your own blog to enter. Oh and only US residents please.

Stay tuned for my 2nd giveaway later today!

Photo Jubilee

I have had quite a few of you ask to see recent pics of E, so here are some for your viewing pleasure. (smile) I mean, how could looking at her not be pure pleasure right? WARNING: there are quite a few...

Following in her
Dadaddy's footsteps...


And lastly...
one of my favorite pics

"Batter up!"

How can life not be GRAND?!!

What it comes down to

We've recently started singing a worship song at church that is simple, yet it touches me deep in my heart each time I hear it.

"All of life comes down to just one thing;
That's to know You Oh Jesus; and
to make You known."

"All I need is You;
All I need is You Lord, it's You Lord;
All I need is You."

I've tried to find a clip of it to post on here so that you could hear it, but maybe I'll find one later.

While these words are the simplest of words, they've made me realize that the reason for my life on this earth is the simplest of reasons...to know Him and to make Him known.

Oh yeah, I know Jesus...but, do I know Him? I know my family like noone else does. I know the little quirks that my husband has that noone else will ever know due to my deep relationship with him and the time I spend with him. I know the things that can put a smile on my child's face that noone else knows about. I know her perfect tickle spot. I know her favorite songs, even at 2 and the way she loves to watch me dance for her as we drive down the road each morning. And the list could go on and on.

I know that Jesus' mother was Mary. I know that he had 12 disciples (although ashamedly, I cannot name them all on a whim. :o/) I know that He performed miracles and the most important thing is that He died for me, as well as each of you. These are all great facts to know...we all know this right?

But, if I go through the rest of this life on just the basics of what I learned in Sunday School and what we all know, what an empty life this will be. It can still be a good life, but oh so very empty. What is my marriage if I just know the basics? My relationship with my husband is due to my knowing his quirks; what makes him tick; what makes him laugh, cry, leap for joy; and the things that I do that irritate him like crazy. It is so wonderful because we talk to each other and we listen. We know each other's desires in this little life and so on.

My prayer very often is to have a deeper hunger for the Lord and to know Him more. But, I guess I pray that and then expect Him to come find me. I don't do much further than praying it. I do want to know my Heavenly Father more, deeper, intimately. But, how devoted will I be this time around? He wants us to know Him, know Him, know Him.

2 reasons for being on this earth...In addition to the above, we are to make Him known. Why keep Him all to ourselves? He has done so many great things for me that I need to share. How come that is so difficult at times? It's ridiculous.

I have been raised and brought up in a Christian family. We were in church every time the doors were open and then some...still that way. My life is church; my life is my walk with God. That is who I am. That is all I've ever known (well, except for a couple stupid teenage years, but I won't go there.) Even then, His hand was on me and tugging me back in. If this is who I am, why am I not telling everyone I meet about His love? Forgive me Father.

I mean really...when I find a good sale in town, what is the first thing I do - call my friends and let them know. When someone I know gets married or has a baby, I'm spreading the good news. When we have movie night at church or something fun, I find it no problem at all to invite anyone. What about every Saturday service, Sunday service, Wednesday service, Bible study, etc.? Again, forgive me Father.

To know Him and to make Him known.

Lately, we've been dealing with a lot of issues. I've got a business that I am really trying to get up and running and successful. We need financial security in our lives right now (who doesn't huh?) My husband works so many crazy hours and we miss our time with him. Certain friends fail us. (none of you reading though ;o)) Family disappoints us. There aren't enough hours in the day. The "terrific two's" are upon us at the moment. Talking back, throwing things, tantrums, crying. Life happens. But,...how much does it really matter?

To know Him and to make Him known.

In the light of eternity, where does this all fit in? Yes, it's important, but we should be hesitant to get so wrapped up in the day to day stuff that we forget our purpose for existing in the first place.

It all comes down to...You Lord...You are all we need!