God’s Promise Keeps (Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook)

From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”
God’s Promise Keeps
June 1
Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. (Ecclesiastes 11:1)

We must not expect to see an immediate reward for all the good we do; nor must we always confine our efforts to places and persons which seem likely to yield us a recompense for our labors. The Egyptian casts his seed upon the waters of the Nile, where it might seem a sheer waste of corn. But in due time the flood subsides, the rice or other grain sinks into the fertile mud, and rapidly a harvest is produced. Let us today do good to the unthankful and the evil. Let us teach the careless and the obstinate. Unlikely waters may cover hopeful soil. Nowhere shall our labor be in vain in the Lord.
It is ours to cast our bread upon the waters; it remains with God to fulfill the promise “Thou shalt find it.” He will not let His promise fail. His good word which we have spoken shall live, shall be found, shall be found by us, Perhaps not just yet, but some day we shall reap what we have sown. We must exercise our patience, or perhaps the Lord may exercise it. “After many days,” says the Scripture, and in many instances those days run into months and years, and yet the Word stands true. God’s promise will keep; let us mind that we keep the precept and keep it this day.

From the Faith’s Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app – http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

 

Mark of Divine Approval (Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook)

From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook”
Mark of Divine Approval
September 14
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)

Yes, he is blessed while he is enduring the trial. No eye can see this till he has been anointed with heavenly eye salve. But he must endure it and neither rebel against God nor turn aside from his integrity. He is blessed who has gone through the fire and has not been consumed as a counterfeit.
When the test is over, then comes the hallmark of divine approval — “the crown of life.” As if the Lord said, “Let him live; he has been weighed in the balances, and he is not found wanting.” Life is the reward: not mere being, but holy, happy, true existence, the realization of the divine purpose concerning us. Already a higher form of spiritual life and enjoyment crowns those who have safely passed through fiercest trials of faith and love.
The Lord hath promised the crown of life to those who love Him. Only lovers of the Lord will hold out in the hour of trial; the rest will either sink or sulk, or slink back to the world. Come, my heart, dost thou love thy Lord? Truly? Deeply? Wholly? Then that love will be tried; but many waters will not quench it, neither will the Roods drown it, Lord, let Thy love nourish mine to the end.

From the Faith’s Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app – http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

 

Now For a Few Awards I Designed

For the last few weeks I’ve been working on compiling a list of awards that are here on WordPress.  Some of these awards many of us have received over and over, so I thought we needed some fresh ones to share.

The first one is The Full of Heart Blogging Award.  It is to be given to bloggers who write from their hearts, no matter what the emotion, but you must be able to feel their heart through their words.

Rules for this award are…

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.
2. Share the people or things you love most in an anagram using the word HEART.

     (Example:  H…Hearing laughter from my family

                        E…Every single day that I am alive.

                        A…All my family

                        R…Reading Books

                        T…The Bible

       3.  Nominate 7 other bloggers, and notify them of their nomination.

Since I designed this award I will thank God for the inspiration to design it.  My anagram is the example listed above, but I will nominate 7 bloggers to recieve this award.  They are as follows…

http://momentumofjoy.com/

http://thelmac.wordpress.com/

http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/

http://adifferenceforyourlovedones.wordpress.com/

http://93percenttrue.wordpress.com/

http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/

http://kyllingsara.wordpress.com/

 

 

Award #2 is The Super Sweet Blogging Award.  This award goes to those bloggers who give the sweetest comments, or have the sweetest blog.

The rules are…

1. Say something sweet about the blogger who nominated you, thank them and then link to their blog.
2. Answer the following questions…

     a.  Cookies or Cake?    (My answer is both, because it depends on my mood and the type.)

     b.  Chocolate or Vanilla?  (My answer is Vanilla, unless it is a candy.)

     c.   What is your favorite sweet treat?  (Mine is Chex Turtle Mix)

     d.   When do you crave sweet things the most? (Not often but usually when I real low on energy.)

     e.   If you had a sweet nickname, what would it be?  ( Mine would be Chocolate Covered Cherry)

3. Nominate a “Baker’s Dozen” (13) other bloggers for the award and notify them of their nomination.

   Since I designed this award I will thank God for inspiration and my husband for fixing my computer and keeping it running right.  My answers to the questions are in parentheses next to the questions, and here are my nominees for the award…

   http://kyllingsara.wordpress.com/

   http://waltbrite.wordpress.com/

   http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

   http://thehomeheart.wordpress.com/

   http://iftodaywehear.wordpress.com/

   http://mylifeuncutalmost.wordpress.com/

   http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/

   http://twisteddomesticgoddess.wordpress.com/

   http://redwhiteandgrew.com/

   http://throughthehealinglens.com/

   http://lynnecobb.com/

   http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/

   http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

   That’s my Baker’s Dozen, and they are really sweet people who deserve to be noticed.

    

    

   

   #3 of my awards is The Crafty Blogger Award, and is an award that I believe should go to those bloggers who are crafty and are always posting things they have made or want to make, or share craft ideas with their readers, or who share their creativeness through art or photography.

   The rules are..

   This award should be given to those who show crafty projects they have made on their blog.

   1. Thank the blogger who nominated you, and place a link to their blog in your post.
   2. Tell about the greatest home made gift you gave or received.
   3. Nominate 5 other bloggers for this award and notify them of their nomination.

   Since I designed this one I will thank all those craft bloggers who have inspired me throughout the years, and God who gave me the gift of being creative.

   I’ve had the joy of making special gifts for many others and for being given great homemade gifts, so I will mention one I was given, in fact I’m given every year.  My sister-in-law started a tradition a few years ago of making clear glass ornaments with special things in them and a slip of paper attached with an encouraging thought.  She has encouraged us to have faith, to dream, to love, and more through these ornaments, and it is one of my favorite Christmas gifts each year.  I can’t wait to see what she has come up with each year for us to add to our Christmas tree.

   My 5 nominees for this award are all bloggers who inspire me through their crafty posts, their art, or their photography.  They are…

   http://e1aine.wordpress.com/

   http://blackcatoriginals.wordpress.com/

   http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/

   http://artbycamila.wordpress.com/

   http://jumpoutthebox.wordpress.com/

    

    

   #4 of the awards I designed is The Creative Writer Blog Award, and is meant to be given to those who share their creativity through writing stories, poems, and themselves through their writing.

   The rules are…

   This award should be given to those who have written a poem, a story, scripts, or some other creative form of writing for their blog.

   1. Thank the blogger who nominated you for the award, and link to their blog.
   2. Write a 8 line poem about yourself.
   3. Nominate 4 other bloggers for the award and notify them of their nomination.

      Since I designed this one I will again thank God for the creativity and inspiration he gives me to share this gift of writing.

      Here is my poem…

      Every morning when I rise,

      I wipe the sleep from my eyes.

      I wonder what the day will hold,

      And if my daughter will do what she’s told.

      I talk to God to start the day,

      And ask for help when I pray.

      I know that I will make it through,

      As the Lord helps me with all I do.

      My 4 nominees are…

      http://thelmac.wordpress.com/

      http://5gsandacupofjoe.net/

      http://allinthelifeofjk.wordpress.com/

      http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/

       

       

       

      #5 of the awards I designed is The Dining Blogger Award.

      The rules are…

      This award goes to bloggers who share recipes, cooking stories, or cooking tips, canning tips, or food gardening tips on their blog.

      1. Thank the blogger who nominated and put a link to their blog in your post.
      2. Answer the following questions…

          a.  Is the cup half empty or half full?    (Always half full, but don’t mind if it’s overflowing.)

      b.  Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing?          (Salad dressing, preferably Miracle Whip)

      c.  Butter or Margarine?                            (Butter)

      d.  Favorite food?                                     (Seafood or Chinese)

      e.  If you could have a meal cooked by any famous chef who would you choose?  (Guy Fieri)

      f.  What was the last thing you cooked or baked?  (My homemade 3 cheese lasagna)

      g.  Party style, Buffet style, or Family style?  (Family style)

      h.  If you could have one last supper, what would you want?  (Boiled crab and lobster, shrimp cocktail, hushpuppies, fried clams, and boiled mussels, all with garlic and butter sauce.)

            3.  Nominate 6 others bloggers for this award, and notify them of their nomination.

      Since I again designed this one I will thank all those chefs on television who inspire me to cook, and who keep me hungry!   My 6 nominees are…

      http://rantingchef.com/

      http://letsgetbasted.wordpress.com/

      http://soulsbyfarm.wordpress.com/

      http://myhomebaked.com/

      http://justafrugalfoodie.com/

      http://modernchristianwoman.com/

      Two more awards to go!!!!!!

       

      

      #6 of the awards I designed is The Imaginative Youth Blogging Award.  This award was designed because of all the homeschooling parents out there sharing ideas for our children.  So it is meant for those who share things for our youth, whether lessons, crafts, words of wisdom, or such.  But it must be things that help young people, not hurt them.

      The Rules are…

      1.  Thank the blogger who nominated you and link to their blog.

      2.  Share a story from your youth, or if you are still young (20 or younger) share a hope and dream you have for your future.

      3.   Nominate 5 other bloggers and notify them of their nomination.

      Here is a story from my youth…wow, I just went blank…lol.  Hmmm.. .okay here is one I haven’t written about.  When I was 7 and 8 years old we lived in Biloxi, Mississippi, because my dad was stationed there.  We lived in base housing that was surrounded by a swamp filled with snakes, including water moccassins.  Across the swamp from where we lived was the V.A. Hospital, where there was lots of land surrounding it, big enough for a few sports fields.  My brothers and I, along with a few other G.I. brats use to climb a large tree that had a branch that crossed over the swamp, and we would drop into the Hospital lawn.  We would play ball and other games until we got caught.  One day the military police were waiting for us as we started dropping out of the tree.  After taking us all home, they chopped down our favorite branch so we couldn’t do it again.  I won’t tell you what we started doing to get back at them, but let’s just say it involved other trees, netting and snakes as surprises as they patrolled the sides of the swamp.

      My 5 nominees for this award are…

      http://homeschoolyear.wordpress.com/

      http://creationscience4kids.com/

      http://canadianmommytime.wordpress.com/

      http://naturallyfundays.wordpress.com/

      http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/

      I love sharing things from these blogs with my daughter, Jk, and so they are well deserving of this award.

       

      

      Finally, here is the last award I designed.  It is The Family of Bloggers Award, and was designed with the thought that there are many guys who also blog that might not want the Sisterhood of Bloggers award…lol.  Really, I’ve come to think of many bloggers as a part of my family and so this award was designed with them in mind.

      The rules are…

      1. Thank the person who nominated you and tell them what family member they would be if they were really related to you.
      2. Place a link to the blog of the person who nominated you in your post.
      3. Tell what attributes you bring to the family, using an anagram of the word FAMILY.

      (Example)…F…Fun

      A…Artistic side

      M…Maturity

      I…Intelligence

      L…Laughter

      Y…Youthfulness

      4.   Nominate at least 4 other people to be in your family of bloggers, and for this award, and notify them of their nomination.

      Since I designed this one I will thank all those bloggers who have been so warm and encouraging that I have felt like part of their family, like that crazy aunt…lol.  Here are my 4 nominees…

      http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/

      http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/

      http://kyllingsara.wordpress.com/

      http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

      Well, that’s it folks!  I’m finally through blogging awards.  All that is left to do is add pics to this posts in editing, and notifying all the nominees for all the awards I blogged today!

      Yay!!!!!!

    

 

One Lovely Blog Award

Here we go again with the music in my head!  I see this one and for some reason here is what I hear in my head… I feel pretty, oh so pretty.  I feel pretty, and witty, and gay…”  Yep, those old musicals can pop up at the oddest times, and this song is what I hear when I see this award.  In fact, as I started posting on this I was singing it out loud and my husband walked in to see what I was up to and started laughing at me.  I often do this, and he always knows I am up to something when I’m just singing some random song.  It’s even funnier when I’m sitting in bed, curled up under my snuggie (or call it a slanket), and I’m singing to my laptop.  That is exactly how I looked when he walked in this time.

Anyway, I was nominated for this award by Michelle at http://forgoditestify.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/one-lovely-blog-award/ , who is a lovely blogger, as well as a homeschooling mom. She has a wonderful blog and writes on many topics such as parenting, homeschooling, church, and more.  If you get the chance, and family is important to you, take time to visit her blog.  Thank you Michelle!

Now, for the rules of this award,

1. Give generous thanks to the blogger that nominated you.

2. Write 7 things about yourself.

3. Make a list of 15 Bloggers you admire and let them know how awesome they are.

Wow, another 7 things about myself…

1.  I’m short…real short!

2.  I always say “Good things come in small packages and so does dynamite, and I’m both!”  This is my answer to short jokes.

3.  I have eyes that change colors depending on my mood, and my husband is pretty much the only one who can decipher the mood by them.  I can tell you this much…stay away from me when they have a golden glow about them…lol.  Okay you might want to stay away when they are brown, hazel, green…hmm, just approach with caution no matter what color they are, and inquire on my mood…lol.

4.  I’m allergic to just about everything it seems, and some of those allergies are severe ones.

5.  I love color…lots of color, and my favorite color changes everyday, although red seems to be my most favorite and seems to reoccur in my daily favorites more often than others.

6.  I was born with long, black hair, but by the age of 1 and 1/2 years old I was a tow-head blond, by elementary school I had light brown hair, and then as an adult it has been blond most of the time until the last 3 years when it has gotten darker with wings of silver on the sides which is slowly taking over the front of my hair.

7.  My mom could always tell what I thought of a person by the way I acted around them.  If I liked someone I teased them.  If I didn’t know them well, I would be polite but quiet and watchful around them, always studying them to see if they could be trusted.  If the person was someone I did not like, my mom used to say I would stick my nose up in the air and walk away without acknowledging them.  To be someone I did not like you were either rude, a bully, or treated others with disrespect.  Mom always said I was a person that you would get back what you gave to me.  If you treated me with respect, I would treat you the same way.

Now I am going to break the last rule and only nominate 7 others for this award.  My nominees are…

Heather at  http://thehomesteadatspringcreek.wordpress.com/

Diane at  http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/

Loopyloo at  http://loopyloo305.com/

http://todayiprayed.wordpress.com/

Camila at http://artbycamila.wordpress.com/

Robyn at http://throughthehealinglens.com/

Thank you all for being such lovely people with such lovely blogs!

 

As the Adults Say in Peanuts’ Cartoons…Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!

The Commentator Award

Every time I see the picture of this award I think of the old Charlie Brown Peanuts television specials and cartoons, where the adults were never shown and didn’t speak except to say, “Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.”  In fact there was only one Peanuts special where an adult ever spoke actual words.  Do you know which one it was?

I was nominated for this award by http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/the-commentator-award/ , and I am honored to accept it from a fellow homeschooling mom, especially since we often feel like we are with our children so much that they actually begin to hear us speak like the adults in the Peanuts cartoons…lol.  Thank you for the nomination!

Here are the rules for this award…

1. You will find your Top Recent Commentor’s on your site stats page on the bottom, right corner. If you do not see this, click on the Screen Options in the top, right corner and be sure that “Comments” is checked.
2. If you are good about responding to every comment, then you will be the first one in the list.
3. It is the next six commenter’s on the list that you will nominate and pass this award to.
4. But wait! You may nominate one more person. This person can either be a brand new commenter on your blog, the very last comment you have received (most recent), or the one who has posted your most favorite comments. This seventh nomination is your choice, but please do tell us why you have chosen them as your seventh.

   My statistics show these people to be the most prolific when it comes to comments:

   Terry at http://terry1954.wordpress.com/

   Diane at http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/

   Bird at http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/

   Apple at  http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/

   Beatrix at  http://babydogogos.wordpress.com/

   Lynne at http://lynnecobb.com/

   My seventh nominee will be…

   Stephanie at http://modernchristianwoman.com/

   I appreciate all comments from everyone and I’m very thankful for the feedback of those who take the time to respond so often and with such encouragement and help.  Thank you!

 

Shedding a Little Light!

I can’t even look at this award without a dozen different Christian songs going through my head, from “This Little Light of Mine” to “Shine Down Your Light on Me”, they just keep playing in my head over and over when I look at this award picture.  I count this nomination as an honor because we always should be a shining light for Jesus, and I only hope and pray I am.  I was nominated by NanaDoll at http://momtoldmetowriteabook.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/such-an-honor/ and  Diane at  http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/surprised-twice/ ,  who I see always shining their lights for Jesus through their blogs.  Thank you,  Nanadoll and Diane!

The rules are for this award:

1. Leave a comment on the original award site.

2. Tell who nominated you, and thank them on your blog post.

3. Choose a random fact about yourself to share

4. Choose 5 bloggers to pass the torch to.

A random fact about me…okay here goes.  My daughters’ godfather, who is an ex L.A.P.D. cop tried to teach me to play guitar years ago when my oldest adopted daughter was a toddler.  I struggled to learn and he finally decided that I had a hard time because I have short, stubby fingers.  He actually sat down and wrote a song about my short, stubby fingers that he could sing to me at every guitar lesson.

Now for the 5 bloggers I will nominate…

http://5gsandacupofjoe.net/

http://armagettingready.com/

http://sharinhislove.wordpress.com/

http://artbycamila.wordpress.com/

http://allinthelifeofjk.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/church-camp-day-4/

Thank you again for the nomination, NanaDoll and Diane!

 

Very Inspired Blogger Award!!

I have had a crazy summer already, in fact a crazy spring too.  Between trying to get Jk through the school year, which ended with the need for Summer School (yes, I’m a tough teacher!), and getting the flu and a major inner ear infection besides dealing with my other health issues, being diagnosed with bone spurs that are causing me problems with walking and setting in chairs with no padding on the back, finding out I have a serious potassium and Vitamin D deficiency, we also had a graduation for a niece and a wedding for a different niece.  Along with these I’ve had books to read and review, and I’m working on a home business idea to help my husband with finances because I can’t work outside the home due to health issues, and I still have the normal housecleaning and cooking duties most housewives have.  It seems I’m always playing catch up now, and that is what I’m doing today…trying to catch up on award nominations.  So here goes the first of this long list.

Inspiration is a thing I believe comes from God, so anything I write, or craft, or do usually is based on His Holy Spirit moving in me and inspiring me to do it…even housecleaning…lol.  There are times I can’t keep up with how He inspires me, and there is a list of ideas for this blog that he has given me and I hope to share one day soon.  Because of my view on inspiration I’d like to thank God, and the blogger who nominated me.  I was nominated by http://loopyloo305.com/2012/07/30/very-inspired-blogger-award-2/ , who is such a wonderful friend and encourager.  I am humbled to receive this nomination from her, and owe a debt of gratitude to her for all the help she has given me on compiling a list of awards from WordPress.  I believe that help from others can be one of the biggest forms of inspiration we are given, because that is what spurs us on to achieve the task ahead of us.  Thank you so much loopyloo!  I was also nominated for this award by NanaDoll athttp://momtoldmetowriteabook.wordpress.com/  , whose blog is an inspiration in itself.  Thank you NanaDoll!

Now for the RULES to follow when nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.

2. Link back to the person who nominated you.

3. State 7 things about yourself.

4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.

5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.

On to stating 7 things about myself…hmm

1.  I am a closet cook.  Don’t tell anyone but I love trying new recipes, especially from other countries, but I only like to cook with fresh ingredients, not processed foods.

2.  I play guitar, which has become a challenge due to the numbness in my left hand.  I can’t feel how hard I’m pressing the strings down anymore, but that won’t stop me when I want to do it.

3.  I have a degree in Music/Vocal Performance, but most of what I do is self-taught except singing, and working theater.

4.  Sometimes I am so hyper that I forget about my  need for a cane to walk, and will get up and start to take off walking without my cane and find myself tripping or losing my balance.  I’ve scared Jk a few times, who will run for my cane, and has declared herself my other walking aid…lol.

5.  My brain works at the speed of light, while my body is slower than a snail.  In fact in a race Jk says the snail would be so much faster than I am, that it would be able to crawl right over me without me stopping to let it do so.

6.  I am a neat freak, and it drives me crazy that I can’t keep my house as clean as I use to, but I’m still going to try to.

7.  I am very opinionated… ask my husband and children…lol.

Now for the 15 bloggers that I am going to nominate.  I will not be nominating 15 this time because I have so many awards to do, and nominate bloggers for, instead I will nominate 5.  Those I am nominating are bloggers who have inspired me, and often have given me a Bible verse, a devotion, a story, or a comment that have spurred me through a hard time or a mental block, or have posted something that God used to inspire me in something to do.  They are…

http://nhwn.wordpress.com/

http://momentumofjoy.com/

http://e1aine.wordpress.com/

http://creationscience4kids.com/

http://adifferenceforyourlovedones.wordpress.com/

I will notify all those I nominate today, as soon as I finish blogging all the awards.  Once again, thank you Loopyloo for nominating me and for being an encouragement.

 

Need A Favor from My Followers

I really need a favor from all my followers.  I’m trying to make a Word Document that lists all the WordPress Awards and the rules and requirements for each one.  I’ve found some, but they seem to vary on others, and there are still others that I haven’t found the requirements for.  I could use your help, and if I can get all the awards possible, the symbol for each, and all the rules/requirements, I would be willing to share the final product with anyone who would like a copy for their own use.  So if you know of any and would be willing to share all the info and pic of it in my comments on this post, and let me know you would like a copy by including an email to send it to, I would so appreciate it.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Catching Up On Awards Today! … The Commentator Award

Along with dealing with my health issues of Fibromyalgia, Epstein-Barre Syndrome (which means I catch every virus I’m exposed to), Severe Osteo-Arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (in both wrists), and the newest diagnosis of Bone Spurs, I have a great deal of other stuff that I have to do.  I’m not only a mom, grandmother, and wife, but I am homeschooling my daughter so I’m her teacher. I have a big house to get cleaned up, a porch herb garden to take care of, along with all the normal housewife and mom things as well.   I not only blog, but am a book reviewer with about 20 books piled up to read and reviewed, with more books on the way already.  I also am an avid fiber crafter, with loads of mending to catch up on, a lot of shawls to knit for Christmas and my church where I’m trying to get a Prayer Shawl Ministry started.  I’m still trying to catch up on my emails, facebook, and other blogs that I like to follow.  If I haven’t been to your blog for a while, this is why…I’m just way behind on so many things.  Sometimes I get overwhelmed and have to take a step back and put some things on hold until I can get through bad days with my health, like now when I’m fighting an ear infection, and trying to get a regular sleep schedule back with the help of a natural mineral, instead of sleeping pills.  Since today the ear infection seemed to be keeping me down I decided to take some time and catch up on blogging some awards that I was nominated for, that I’ve received over the past few weeks.

The first one I’m going to tackle is “The Commentator Award.”   I was nominated for this one by Anne Sikes of http://mylifeuncutalmost.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/the-commentator-award/ .   This is the first time I had heard of this award, and was thrilled to be nominated by Anne, although her shoes I could not fill at all.  Anne not only is a talented and creative woman, who does some fantastic computer art, but also writes some beautiful poetry, and her blog posts as well.  But what amazes me about Anne is the caring, and compassionate way she comments on the blogs she follows.  She truly shows the heart of Jesus Christ in the love she shows to others, and encourages them through whatever life is throwing at them.

Now to nominate others for this award.  I am going to nominate those I often see commenting on other blogs with encouragement and compassion, with a great big dose of wisdom in each of their posts.

1. http://creationscience4kids.com/ …Each of the comments that they make are filled with excitement and encouragement.  I love the encouragement that my daughter, Jk, has recieved from this blogger!

2. http://adifferenceforyourlovedones.wordpress.com/  …I love the encouragement that this blogger often shows to others, and that I have received from her.  She has such a love for others and Christ, and expecially for her family.

3.  http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/  …Bird is the most understanding and encouraging blogger out there.  I’ve watched her encourage many others through some dark times with love and understanding.  I have to say I really hate getting behind and missing some of her blogs.  I’m going to have to devote a whole day to catch up with her.

4.   http://sharinhislove.wordpress.com/ …I love bloggers who not only encourage you through their comments but also through their own blog posts.  I can depend on this blogger to always do that.  If I need a pick me up word of encouragement, this is one of the blogs I go to for that!

5.   http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/ …Diane is one of those people that will look past what is going on in her own life to use her time to encourage others.  I know that when she comments on my blog posts it is always heartfelt.

6.   http://artbycamila.wordpress.com/ …Camila is one of those bloggers who through her words, the Bible Scriptures, and her wonderful photography can’t help but be an encourager to others.  This blog is another one I go to when I need a word of encouragement, that also gives me a mental picture to remind me of that encouragement.

7.  http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/  …Apple is the perfect name for this blogger, because she is truly the apple of God’s eye!  She is so encouraging, and helpful, and really gives me hope for the youth of today.  Her love of God, her family, and especially for others is so evident in her comments.

Well, I think I posted more than enough nominations, Congratulations to all of these wonderful bloggers and commentators!  You all deserve it!

 

Two Versatile Blogger Awards!

Wow!  I’m so honored!  I finally got an internet connection this morning and was blessed to find that I had been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award!  Thank you http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/ for the nomination!  As a homeschooling parent it is a wonderful thing when we can make a connection with other homeschooling parents and share activities, learning and craft ideas and experiences.  Future.Flying.Saucers is a blog full of wonderful posts on homeschooling, but it is more because it is also filled with a lot of love and joy.  I love the way this mom shares her love for her children, for the homeschooling experience, and just her love for being a mom.  Everytime I click on her site I get the excitement of opening a present at Christmas, the anticipation of what might be inside today, and I can see why her children are excited about homeschooling, and about their mother!  Thank you again, for sharing your blog with us, and for the nomination, http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/ !

Also thank you to http://scottsholar.com/  for the second nomination!  From current news events to thoughts on the teaching from the Bible, Scott always shares his Christian perspective and his love for Christ.  Although his site is new to me, I’ve loving it, because he is dedicated to standing up for his Christian faith, and isn’t being swayed by the lies the world is using to sway believers from God.  I also like that Scott is an encourager to fellow Christian bloggers, and that he is a good source for information about what is going on in our country that pertains to Christians.  Thank you Scott, for the nomination and for sharing your faith in Christ Jesus as well!

The Rules for this award are as follows:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging (or whose blogs you enjoy most).
2. Let them know that you have nominated them.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

Now for 7 random things about me.  I think I’ve shared so many things this week through the other awards, that I’m not sure what is left, but here goes!

1.  My sister, Nelda, dyed my hair the summer between my 8th and 9th grade years of school.  It was suppose to be blond, but turned out orange.  Because she didn’t know how to fix it, I went to school that year and garnered the nickname “Rusty” from my friends at school.

2.  That same 9th grade year of school, my mom decided to buy me a purple shirt for school pictures and get me a perm.  Well, the perm turned out to be really tight and frizzy, and with my orange hair and purple shirt, I looked like a clown…lol.  Talk about the worse school picture.

3.  I started working at the age of 12, cleaning houses for various people at our church, usually those who were ill and couldn’t do it themselves, and others who worked or were elderly.  I continued to work many jobs from that time on, until I started homeschooling my youngest daughter a few years ago.

4.  I have held as many as 3 jobs as a single mom, to make sure my family was taken care of.

5.  I actually graduated from Cosmetology School when I was 21, and started regular college that same year.

6.  I have a thing about Queen Anne’s Chocolate Covered Cherries, but I only want them at Christmas time and only 1 box.  It’s because of my mom, who worked at the Queen Anne’s factory in Indiana when she was 16.  She passed that love she had for them on to me.  No other brand will ever do, once you’ve had Queen Anne’s.

7.  I play guitar, and I taught myself to do it with God’s help.  I tried to learn when I was 15, but I couldn’t do it at all.  When I became a Christian I sat down with my guitar, and spent a whole day learning to play “Jesus Loves Me” and “Jesus Loves the Little Children” so I could play them with my daughters, and to use in Childrens’ Church.  By the end of that day, I could play both songs and a few more, and since have added many chords and many, many more songs to my repertoire.  I never forget though that it was the Lord who made it possible.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Okay, 7 things about me done, and now on to nominating 15 fellow bloggers for this award!  I have nominated so many for awards this past week that some of these may be among those already nominated for other awards.  I think The Versatile Blogger Award should probably go to bloggers who fill their blogs with a variety of posts, but while showing the various sides of them, still show their heart through each post.  So those will be the type of blogs I will nominate.  The following blogs are the ones I have chosen to nominate for The Versatile Blogger Award.

1.  http://momentumofjoy.com/  I love her thoughts on Christ, but I also love the laughter she brings through some of her posts.  I find this site to give me great moments of introspection and joy!

2.  http://birdmartin.wordpress.com/  Whether speaking of her love for Christ, about her love for family, or just a funny story about her life and her family, Bird always shows her heart and her personality in every single post.

3.  http://canadianmommytime.wordpress.com/  You want a taste of Real Housewives, then quit watching television and visit this Canadian Mommy’s blog.  This is a real mom, real housewife, and real woman’s life, not that glitz and glitter of shallow, spoiled women you see on television.  Canadian Mommy shares her love of her family, and of her life in every post.

4.  http://e1aine.wordpress.com/  I love this young lady’s blog, whether she is showing her beautiful jewelry creations, talking about fashion, or giving a good grammar lesson.  She writes with the heart and humor of youth, and the wisdom of maturity all at the same time.

5.  http://homeschoolyear.wordpress.com/  I know this is a Homeschool blog, but the variety of posts feature not only the written word, but photos, craft ideas for families, and even book reviews.  This blogger truly approaches homeschooling and blogging from a variety of angles.

6.  http://barbarabazzocchi.wordpress.com/  This blog is filled with a love for crafting, crocheting, gardening, travel and family!  Every time I click on Barbara’s blog I feel like I’m about to set off on a new journey filled with adventure!

7.  http://5gsandacupofjoe.net/  I can’t tell you how much I love this blog, but I can tell you why.  Visiting this blog is like sitting down with an old friend and talking about anything and everything in life, from Christ, to prepping, world news, to family.  This regular Joe makes you feel right at home when you visit his blog.

8.  http://sharinhislove.wordpress.com/  This blog does just what it says.  It shares the love of Jesus Christ in a variety of ways.  If I need a word of encouragement, or need a new way of looking at things that are going on, or just want to feel the joy and love of Christ in my life, this is one blog that gives me those immediately.

9.  http://hometogo232.wordpress.com/  What to feel love in a variety of ways, this is the blog for you.  You’ll either feel like you are at Grandma’s home, Mom’s home, or a dear friend’s home when you visit this blog, depending on your age.  It is evident, no matter what Diane is blogging about, you will feel welcome into her life, and her heart, but most of all you will feel her love for Jesus.

10.  http://thehomesteadatspringcreek.wordpress.com/   Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to homestead, to live off the grid, or what it must have been like for early settlers?  Then this is the blog for you.  Each post is an adventure in the making, whether family life, gardening, information about different plants, recipes, or a new look at things in nature.

11.   http://pulchradoctrina.wordpress.com/   Another homeschool blog filled with ideas, photos, family, and personality.

12.  http://lynnecobb.com/   I love that this blogger writes about a variety of things from a variety of emotions.  One moment you will feel empathy with her, the next you will be laughing at her adventures and her look at life.

13. http://originalapplejunkie.wordpress.com/  Can’t forget my Apple Junkie  Sister-in-Christ!  Her blog is filled with her adventure of living in Portugal, yet filled with a variety of things from cooking, family, and personal thoughts from the heart.  You can’t help but feel the heart of home in her writing while enjoying her adventure in another country at the same time.

14.  http://naturallyfundays.wordpress.com/  Another homeschooling blog with a variety of adventures, ideas, and lots of family love.

15.  http://childdrivenlearning.wordpress.com/  Nothing I like more than traveling…taking a journey to some place new.  This blog takes the reader on a trip with them through their homeschooling adventures.

16.  http://lbtk.wordpress.com/   I’m adding an extra one because I feel this one is so deserving of this award.  The variety of posts which all share this bloggers love for life, for teaching, and for the Lord Jesus, always leaves me with a warm feeling of standing at the foot of the throne of Jesus, yet feeling his warm hugs and love for me, that I’m drawn back to see how that love is expressed with each post.

Again I would like to thank http://futureflyingsaucers.wordpress.com/  for the nomination, and to all these other bloggers as well for filling my blogging adventure with variety, warmth, and fun!