Sunday Song: Cry Out To Jesus

I apologize for the lack of posting this week. It has been a very long, emotional week. I have so many friends who are hurting right now and my heart is so full for them all. I have shared this song so many times this week that I felt it only appropriate to post it as my Sunday Song.
If you will, please remember the following situations in your prayers and thoughts this week:

• Our school band director is battling leiomyosarcoma. He is and his family (wife and three kids) relocated to Houston, TX, last October to be closer to MD Anderson and his doctors. He had scans today and will know results on Tuesday. Please pray that this regiment of chemo is working and his tumor is shrinking.
• One of our English/Journalism teachers is pregnant with twin girls. They think she is forming Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. She is in Cincinnati this week for in-utero surgery on Monday. Please pray for her, her husband, these precious baby girls and the doctors and nurses who will be performing this surgery on her.
• One of my dear friends from college lost her aunt and uncle last night in a head-on collision. Her aunt was more of a sister, as she lost her mom 20 years ago and they helped to raise her. Her aunt and uncle were also raising their granddaughters. Both girls survived. Please pray for healing and comfort for this family in their loss, and for these two precious girls who are recovering from their injuries.
• My aunt and uncle are now facing the reality of what they lost in the fire two weeks ago. We are thankful for their safety and that they have a place to stay, but I can't imagine not having a "home" to go to. Please pray for them as they begin the process of rebuilding and all the emotions they will face.

I can't help but be humbled as I write this post and thankful for all the blessings I have in my life. Lord, please help me to be a comfort to these during their time of need. Help them to see you in my words and actions.

Crying out to Jesus today...

Sunday Song: Praise You In This Storm

Last Saturday (01/08), my aunt and her family lost their house in a fire. They lost everything! This week my family has clung to Psalm 46:1 and the song "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns.

We are so thankful for their safety! Count your blessings each and every day. We all have them in our lives, even if we are facing storms.

Snow and Ice 2011

I think I have a post-it note addiction. These were all in my work bag that I cleaned out during the ice/snow storm of 2011.

We went back to school on Thursday. Some of our sister schools are still not back in session because the snow and ice is not melting fast enough for the roads to be safe in rural areas. The following are just a few pictures of the snow and ice left on our campus this week. Enjoy!

$20 CSN Stores Giveaway Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNDA....

Lynda Del. said...

I would get one of the french pressers.

lyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

JANUARY 11, 2011 9:18 AM

Lynda - I have sent you an email. Please respond in 48 hours.

THANKS to all who entered!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I am linking up for the first time to What I'm Loving Wednesday! I am so excited and look forward to meeting new bloggers via this weekly post. So without further ado, here is what I'm Loving right now...

I am loving unexpected mail from friends with small gifts... Totally made my week!

I am loving that I have been home for three days and stayed in my jammies until late afternoon, but...

I am loving that I get to go back to school tomorrow and see my fellow teachers and students.

I am loving my new low-carb meal plans and the grocery lists for ingredients that go along with it. Cooking has never been so much fun and grocery shopping easier... and I am eating healthy!

I am loving my new bed that my parents bought me as an early birthday present. Can't wait to get the rest of the room together.

What are you loving this Wednesday? Head over to This Kind of Love and link-up!

P.S. Don't forget to enter my $20 CSN Stores giveaway! It ends on Friday, January 14 at midnight CST.

Top 2 Tuesday: Strange Addictions

This week's Top Two Tuesday's topic is Strange Addictions:

1. I have to put my earrings, ring and bracelet in my mini jewelry bowl on my dresser each night before I go to bed. I can't sleep knowing that it is not in there. When I travel I find something similar and put my jewelry in it on a dresser or bedside table.

2. My rain boots have to be beside the dryer in front of the back door on the mat. I don't put them in a closet or move them from this location. Not sure why I feel they have to be there, but I don't move them from this spot. I guess if I have to go outside I will always have shoes available!
What are your Top Two Strange Addictions? Head over to The Undomestic Momma and link up.

Snow Day!

This is the second day we are home from school because of the weather. As much as I hate the thought of having to make-up two days of school, I am grateful for the way our Heavenly father has a way of slowing things down. I really needed this time at home to rest, relax and reconnect in his word. I have been able to organize my office space as well as purge some closets and get rid of the old to make room for the new. I am caught up on all I can do from home for work, and that makes going back a little easier. It has been a productive time for me, mixed in with some winter fun in the snow and time to just be still.

I entered five fun giveaways that I thought I would share with you. I am a new reader of all these blogs and have really enjoyed getting to know these ladies through their blogs. I hope you will go by, say hello and enter for yourself!

• Do you love Starbucks? Go over and check out Lincoln Park on a Lark and enter to win a $50 Starbucks gift card and homemade black and white cookies. Yum!

• Under My Umbrella is giving away this great burlap wreath. And as a bonus Melinda gives you step-by-step instructions on how to make one!

• I love stationary! One of my favorite things is sending and receiving hand-written notes. Songs Kate Sang is giving away a set of cards from Lollipop Cards. Go check out the giveaway and Lollipop Cards blog.

• The Rusted Chain has some of the cutest hand-stamped jewelry. Head on over there now and enter to win a $25 credit to spend on your own piece of jewelry or as a gift.

• With Valentine's Day coming up we can all use some tags for those gifts we give those we love! Go enter the giveaway over at Simplymedb's blog.

Don't forget to enter my $20 CSN Stores giveaway! It ends on Friday, January 14 at 12 midnight CST.

CSN Stores Giveaway

How about a giveaway on this snow day in Alabama?

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from stylish modern dining room furniture to cute cookware to chic lighting pieces! I have ordered bakeware from CSN and am very impressed with their wide variety of items, fast shipping and great customer service.

I love this Wildon Cimarron Rectangular Dining Table in Rich Cappuccino.

To enter to win a $20 gift certificate to CSN Stores, please do the following:

1. Leave a comment telling me what you would purchase.

2. Follow my blog. (Current followers just leave a comment that you follow.)

3. Tweet about it and leave a link.

That's three different ways to enter! The contest will end on Friday, January 14, at midnight CST. Winner will be announced on Saturday.

Snow Day - January 10, 2011

Sunday Song: My Own Little World

I have a dear friend from college who works for an organization called SIFAT (Servants in Faith and Technology). I blogged about SIFAT, and Nate and Laura's wedding a little over a year ago. I recently had the chance to go and visit them, and let me just tell you, I left with such a heavy heart. Being with them and two of their staff members reminded me of just how truly blessed I am and how much of my life I take for granted. Hearing the work they are doing and the people's lives they are impacting made me realize that I can do more - locally and internationally. As I enter this New Year, my prayer is very similar to the words of this song...
"Father, break my heart for what breaks yoursGive me open hands and open doorsPut your light in my eyes and let me seeThat my own little world is not about me.
What if there's a bigger picture, what if I'm missing outWhat if there's a greater purpose, that I could be living right nowI don't want to miss what matters, I wanna be reaching outShow me the greater purpose, so I can start living right nowOutside my own little worldMy own little world."

01.01.2011

“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!”

Wishing you all a healthy, happy and prosperous 2011!