{miscellany monday}

Happy Monday to everyone! I decided to jump back into {miscellany monday} because sharing about other things I find on the web is one of my favorite things about this blog!

1. 5 Ways to Fight Slavery

I liked this post - What Christians Do About Modern-Day Slavery over at the desiring God blog. It was informative, convicting and challenging. We need to do our part in fighting the evil of human trafficking and this article helps point out some easy and obvious ways to do it. I can't help but think of this quote by Martin Luther King Jr.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” 

2. Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart

This is a review of J.D. Greear's book, Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart, by Tim Challies.
Challies says, "Greear sets out to accomplish two things: to help the Christian find assurance that he has been saved, and to help the unbeliever resting on a false assurance see his danger and to turn to Christ." It looks like a great book and would be helpful for anyone who struggles with the assurance of their salvation.

3. A mover and a shaker

Iris is on the move! 
So far she still army crawls everywhere, but she gets up on all fours and rocks it like a rock star. I love to see their personalities take shape. She's 6 months and I love this age!


4. The Greatest of These is Love

photo by cloistered away

My friend, Bethany, wrote a great post on Valentine's Day last week. I could totally relate and I know you will too.
  Check it out, will you?

Grace and peace to you 

this glorious Monday morning,

miscellany monday {random}

One of my absolute favorite things about blogging is the ability to share with you all the awesome things I come across in cyberspace. Here are four of them.
 
1. Honest Toddler. It is probably one of the funniest blogs I have ever read. I have literally cried from laughing so hard. If you are a mom (or if you have ever spent more than a minute with a toddler) and you have a sense of humor, then check this post out. I had a hard time picking just one for those of you new to that blog. You might want to check out the other posts with your smart phone in the bathroom, because I guarantee that you will wet your pants. Don't say I didn't warn you.

2. Craftfail.com is hilarious, and this made me laugh. I like look at this website when I get disillusioned with pinterest. It's therapeutic.

3. This is so funny. No explanation needed.

source

4. And, of course, Happy Columbus Day!

miscellany monday {april matters}

1. Idleness, gossips and busybodies

Nancy Ann Wilson, wrote an article that really challenged me titled, "Daughters and Boredom."  

 "And we need to see the value of keeping our little girls busy too. Boredom and idleness lead to grumpiness and annoyance, and make fertile ground for fault-finding and tattling. Little girls who indulge in the sins of tattling and tale-bearing can grow up to become gossips and busybodies." Read the rest here.

First it challenged me as a woman to not be idle and to not be a busybody. My natural tendency is to be lazy, so this was a great reminder of what we are called to do - namely, being faithful with our time. I am also thankful to be reading it while my daughters are still young, so that I can set a good example for them and encourage them to be hard workers. But even if your daughters are grown up, or you don't have any, Wilson also encourages grandmothers in this as well.

2. Motherhood in the little things  

My friends and I have been talking a lot about this article that Rachel Jankovic (Nancy Ann Wilson's daughter) recently posted. She hits it on the nail again when it comes to being a mother in the little things. I encourage you to read it! 

"Organization and dishwasher running are not the only things that are little about motherhood. Your days are full of little questions, little answers, little puzzles, little problems, little concerns. Little disobedience. Big disobedience over little things. This can be very discouraging to any mother. What have I ever done that was important? What, in the course of my regular day, matters? Is this hot new system for containing playmobil really as big of an accomplishment as I think it is? What happened to me that I think this is important?"

Read the entire article here.

 3. Speaking of not being idle  

I am totally nesting. And I love it. I bought a bunch of fabric and have caught the sewing bug. I made these for a friend who is having a baby boy soon. My only regret was that she was the guinea pig and they came out okay, but definitely could have been done better. I didn't take a picture of them, but I did take a picture of the ones I started my baby girl. Below is the source and then next is part of what I have done so far.

  

via pinterest

 

4. Cutting for Stone

I am currently reading Cutting for Stone, by Abraham Verghese and am nearly finished. I have enjoyed it for the most part. It has been a little slow, but it's held my attention, which is saying a lot in this phase of my life. And I don't know if it's because my life is going to radically change in July, but I have been wanting to read more than I have in a long time. So I am really excited to pick up a copy of The House at Riverton that my sister-in-law, Laura, recommended. Another friend recommended, The Kitchen House, but I haven't been able to locate a copy of that one yet. If you have one, could I borrow it? Also, if you've read Cutting for Stone, I would love to hear your thoughts!

5. Traditional Easter pics

 

Happy Monday, y'all!

 

   

friday favorites {linky love}

1. Mommy guilt, anyone?

My hand is raised and I found this to be VERY encouraging.

"Most mothers labor under the weight of guilt—of frustrated ideals, imperfect performance, and deficient production. The laundry remains undone; story books unread, and tempers flare. . . ." Read more here.

2. A funny take on that mommy guilt

3. Bless the LORD, O my soul

"In a culture haunted by fragmentation, hi-tech distractedness, and the loneliness of individualism, where hearts---even Christian hearts---feel like empty theaters of longing, God's life-giving power is needed more than ever. Along with food and clothing, divine blessing is a necessary commodity.

The blessing of redemptive grace, proceeding from the finished work of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, is new every morning, fortifying our souls with the requisite faith to stand and declare to angels and men, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!" Read more here.

 4. Teach children the Bible is NOT about them.

 This is a wonderful article and reminder of how we should teach the Bible to not just children, but to anyone (including ourselves).
"As a child, even though I was a Christian, I grew up thinking the Bible was filled with rules you had to keep (or God wouldn't love you) and with heroes setting examples you had to follow (or God wouldn't love you)." Read more from Sally Lloyd-Jones here.

Happy Friday, y'all!

 

fair-trade fashion {a Noonday Collection giveaway}

 

". . . when you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the noonday." 

Isaiah 58:10

I can hardly contain my excitement! And I will tell you why in just a minute, but first, do you know about Noonday Collection yet? It's a company where fair-trade fashion meets helping the oppressed. Now, that's a Win/Win, amen? 

  

"Our passion at Noonday Collection is to connect you with the lives of artisans struggling for a better future while styling you along the way. Fashion and design are a vehicle for opportunity and change. You, too, can be a voice for the oppressed!"

The company was started by a woman in Austin named, Jessica Honeggar. She was asked by friends in Uganda if she would sell some fair-trade Ugandan made goods in Austin, in order to raise money for her costly adoption process of her son, Jack, from Rwanda. You can read the story of Jack here and here. She, of course, agreed and started this incredible company. They now have artisans from around the globe and you can go here to read more. Here are just four of the countries below:

One of the things I love about Noonday is their passion for orphans. I was introduced to this wonderful company by my friend Missy. She sent out an invitation to a trunk show that would benefit the adoption of her baby girl, Bethlehem, from Ethiopia. My girlfriend Jamie, and I went together to the trunk show and left so encouraged and inspired by what this company was all about. Not to mention falling in love with all of the beautiful jewelry. Since then, we have been advocates for this company and are always excited to share about it with others.

There is where it gets good, people. Recently, Jamie and another woman from our church, Lee Ann, hosted a trunk show and I came home with these earrings. They're the Cleopatra earrings, made in India. Gorgeous, aren't they?

  

I was also introduced to one of the Houston ambassadors, Courtney Garrett. Y'all, she is fantastic! She's gracious, smart, beautiful and passionate about what Noonday is all about. And you want to know another reason why she's so awesome? Because she offered to give one of my readers a $50 gift card towards purchasing something from Noonday Collection. I know, seriously, this is exciting, people.

Here are the 4 ways to enter:

1.  *UPDATE: Please make sure to leave your EMAIL (I am new to this giveaway thing and this slipped by me, but if I can't contact you, I will pick another winner!!)
2.  Mandatory Entry: Go to Courtney's page and pick out your favorite jewelry and/or accessories and come back here and tell me what it is in the comments below
3. ALSO, I would really appreciate if you were a follower of finding the beauty and/or subscribe via email or via RSS (let me know if you already are)
4. "Like" Noonday Collection on Facebook
5. Share this giveaway on your FB page and/or blog (and leave the link)

Please let me know what all you did in the comments below.
Enter before midnight, Thursday, October 27
Winner announced on Friday, October 28

Right now this is my favorite necklace - the Light Layers necklace, which I believe comes from Ecuador. Y'all, isn't is fabulous???? Oh, be still my beating heart.

Now, go and come back and tell me your favorites and get a chance to win! You need some Noonday Collection!

 

friday favorites {linky love}

via pinterest

 1.

I pray regularly that God would capture my children's imaginations. My good friend and my children's godmother (no, I'm not Catholic, but my husband and I wanted this particular family to be more than just friends, we wanted them to be set apart as spiritual mentors in their lives as well). Anyways, I digress. This friend of mine always prayed that for her kids and I started to when my kids were born. I want them to know that the theme, of good vs. evil, plays out in every story ever written. That God wrote that story and He placed it into man's heart. So when they read their favorite book or watch their favorite movie, they will know that the theme is not original. That it originated in God, in the creator Himself. I want them to see Christ when they read all sorts of different stories. Because ultimately we have all been written into His Story.
So when i read this article by N.D. Wilson, I couldn't wait to share it! He captures so well this idea of God capturing our imagination. I encourage you to go read it now.

 "Kids (and adults) don’t just need the truth in their heads — they need it in their bones. They need to know what courage looks like and tastes like and smells like before they ever have to show it themselves. They need to do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly — heroes and villains can show them why. They need to loathe the darkness and love the Light."

source

2.

Pie season is quickly approaching. Pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie...mmm... what's your favorite? Well, if you enjoy making pies as much as me, then check out this wonderful article on the Pioneer Woman's blog, by her friend Pam, about different pie crusts. It is SUPER HELPFUL and actually pretty interesting! Don't you just love the Pioneer Woman?

3.

And it wouldn't be a friday favorites {linky love} if I didn't include an article from the ladies at Femina.

"God will never give you more than you can handle?" How many times have you heard that? I know I have heard it more times than I can count. And it just has never made sense to me. I understand in essence people are saying that God will be there in time of need, but the fact of the matter is that - God gives us more than we can handle all the time. And Nancy Ann Wilson explains why in this awesome article. 

"But He never promised not to give us more than we could handle. In fact, He gives us more than we can handle all the time. If He didn’t, then we would not need to lean on Him for grace and strength." Keep Reading.

Join me over at Rachel's blog for {friday} favorite things. Link up and read along!

Happy Friday, y'all!
 

the best banana bread {hands down}

The reason I say it's the best banana bread, is because all three of my kids request it. With or without chocolate chips. That is huge, people. I'm no Pioneer Woman, but I always feel like I found a gem of a recipe if my entire family will eat it. Oh, I forgot to mention that P-Daddy likes it too. He has particular things he likes to eat, and is not the type to eat everything I bake (which is good and bad), but this banana bread is one he'll help us finish.
 

3/4 c sugar

1/2 c vegetable oil

1 egg

*1 tbsp flax meal as an egg substitute (this is my secret ingredient)

3 very ripe bananas

1 c whole wheat flour

1 c white flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 c mini chocolate chips (optional)

1 c walnuts (optional)

*1 tbsp ground flax meal mixed with 3 tbsp of water, let soak for 2 minutes

Mix all ingredients in one bowl, one at a time. So easy. Makes for easy clean-up.

**The mini chocolate chips are important as they will remain even throughout the entire loaf, whereas the regular size ones will sink to the bottom.**

Spray a 9 x 4 loaf pan with cooking spray. Cook in a 375 degree oven for about 55 min-1 hour. Let cool, slice and enjoy. 

Wrap it with this handy little wrapper that I found at joy ever after and take it to a neighbor.

If you make this, I would love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments what you thought.

Linking up with Kristen at We are THAT Family.