The Happy Day Project - Day 5

"Refresh Someone Today"
There is nothing more refreshing than God's Word.  Today I decided to let God's words refresh those around me.  So...I left notes with God's promises and truth on the pillows of my man and all my beautiful daughters (even Alli's is waiting on her little pillow for her), I wrote a family verse on our kitchen chalkboard and I sent a note to Anni's teacher with encouragement and a special verse just for her.

But the most incredible thing is that in going through God's Word, looking for verses to encourage my family and Anni's teacher - I was encouraged...and refreshed.  I love that God's Word just has a way of doing that!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  
Romans 15:13
Praying that you are refreshed and overflowing today!

The Happy Day Project - Day 4

Today is Share a Good Book Day!
There just really is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee.  Instead of passing on an actual book to someone today, I decided to pass on a couple of book recommendations to all of you!  Here are two books that have inspired me, challenged me and changed me.

Read them both!  Even if you're not normally a "reader", I promise these 2 books will be worth the effort.  And if you'd like to borrow my copies, I'd love to share.  Happy Reading!

The Happy Day Project - Day 3

Today was Give a Giftcard Day.  God calls us to live generously and this is an area of my life I hate to admit I struggle with.  Not that I don't want to be generous, but it just doesn't seem to flow out of me like it does out of some. I know truly generous people - they are generous with their finances, their time, their talents, their praise and encouragement - I LOVE these people. They can spot a need a mile away and they are the first to respond.

Honestly...this is an area I'm praying God will stretch me in.  Today was a good step.

So thankful today that I serve a generous God who gave His everything for me and daily lavishes grace and love on me!

The Happy Day Project - Day 2

Today is Handwritten Note Day!  I LOVE handwritten notes - I love getting them, I love sending them!  Words are important to me and I especially love the written kind.
My husband always teases me about the length of time it takes for me to write a note, a blog post or even an email (of all things!) - just hit send, just hit send! :)  But it's important for me to feel like I've expressed my thoughts well.  It's important for me to feel like the words I've written are a true expression of my heart.
I guess my problem comes in thinking that every email I send out needs to have me pouring out my heart in it. :)
Oh well...today is the day for pouring my heart and thoughts and prayers into handwritten notes for several special people in my life.
Happy Handwritten Note Day! 

The Happy Day Project - Day 1

Today starts The Happy Day Project (if you're wondering what that is see the link on my sidebar).  I'm excited to spend time this week thinking about others and spreading a little bit of "happy".  Today we were supposed to take a treat to someone.  I decided to take a treat to someone{s} - a very special group of ladies  that I have the privilege of sharing a building with each weekday.  Our Children's Ministry (The Cove @ Southbrook Church) shares a building with our weekday preschool - Southbrook Christian Preschool.  Our weekday preschool's director, Raina, is a great friend of mine and I love serving alongside her in ministry. Since my office is in our Children's Ministry building I get to see the preschoolers and teachers each day of the week as they come to school.
This morning Raina asked if I'd come and share a devotion with the teachers before their school day began - which I was so happy to do! These ladies are amazing and I love having the chance to encourage them and tell them how valuable they are!  I also wanted to bring them a treat - who doesn't need some chocolate goodness while dealing with almost a 100 two, three, four and five year olds?!
I made them Toffee Crack (I honestly don't know what it's real name is)
It's YUM and sooo easy!  Here's the recipe:
Line saltine crackers in the bottom of a cookie sheet (one with a lip). Melt 1 stick of butter - add 1c. of brown sugar to the butter and stir until it caramelizes a bit.  Pour the butter/brown sugar mixture over the saltines.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.  Take out of the oven and pour a bag of chocolate chips over the top.  Let the chocolate chips melt and then spread until even.  Place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  Take it out and break into pieces.  Enjoy!  Just a word of warning - it's addictive! :)

No Abandonment Decree this week :(

We've been praying...our agency told us that they were expecting several abandonment decrees this week - obviously we wanted one of those to be for our case.

We got the news today that several abandonment decrees were received (so happy for those families), but ours was not one of them.  So we continue to wait...and pray.

Our sweet case worker, Cherie, told us that they are expecting ours SOON and to just hang in there a little bit longer.  We sure are trying.

We'd love for you to pray along with us that next week will be our week!

November is Here!

Yay!  November is here - which means that turkey and stuffing and all things delicious are right around the corner... and Christmas is just around the corner...which means that the time for bringing our little one home is just around the corner (we're praying hard!) But I'll post about that another day.
Right now, let's just focus on November!  What better way to start off our month of thankfulness than by spreading around some "happy"?!
There are so many great blogs in the blogsphere, but one that I absolutely love is Joy's Hope.  This coming week I'll be linking to a project that she and a friend are launching -
Happy Day Project (see the link in my sidebar).
I'm excited to take part in this and start off November in such an amazing way - thinking about others and spreading some joy!  If you want to join in the fun, click on the Happy Day Project button in my sidebar and linky up!