Coffee equals Encouragement

I wasn't always a coffee drinker. It was my third pregnancy, at it's peak in the heat of summer that turned me on to iced coffee, full of sugar, full of flavorings. And it just grew from there. I began to look forward to my specialty drinks... sometimes more chocolate and cream than coffee, but little by little, I lessened the amount of sugar in an effort to be "more healthy" so much so that a friend of mine made me some coffee this summer and she went a little heavy on the sugar... I couldn't even drink it! :)

To make a long story short, I gave up coffee twice in the last year in an effort to see how caffeine affected my mood swings. I'm still not sure it's made a difference, but I am currently avoiding caffeine again.  But there is still something to be said about a cup of coffee with a friend--encouragment before we even say a word.

My friend, Holley Gerth, is starting something new this year called "Coffee for Your Heart."  It is all about encouraging your readers, so when I am actually blogging, come back here on Wednesdays for a little bit of love and encouragement.

Today, it's the reminder that when you are feeling down in the dumps, the best thing you can do is encourage someone else. Instead of sitting around thinking "oh, woe is me," Look around, see who needs a bit of encouragement themselves.  Make a phone call, Bake something for someone... make some eggnog for your family, or Send a handwritten note, maybe even written on a handmade notecard. But most of all, start with prayer.

Ask God to help you see  the needs of others, look outside yourself and your wants/needs, and be aware of what you can do for someone else.

And when all else fails and you can't shake your doldrums... go get some sleep!!

Happy New Year! Let's make it a year of love and encouragement!

Are you an encourager? If you have a blog, join us on Wednesdays at Holley Gerth's blog for a linkup to spread the love? Not a blogger? --find someone to encourage today and make it a priority to share the love this year!

Just a seed of faith

Well, it is Day 3 of the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and it is almost 11:00 pm. 
I still have a chance to make it in for a post today, but I'm tired from a FULL and fun day!

Committing to this challenge when I only have access to an iPad probably wasn't the smartest idea, 
but as in most things I acted before I thought ... and I may have bit off more than I can chew!

My first ever Dayspring mug

        While visiting family and "vacationing" and "reunioning it up" one of the things I have missed about being at home is my coffee mugs... I have a slight addiction to Dayspring mugs, but didn't think to bring one with me. My mother-in-law has some nice mugs... and ones that are the perfect size ... more than 10 ounces. But tonight, God gave me a little gift.  I poured an evening cup of coffee into this treasure, with just the right verse of encouragement I needed for a situation in my life!!

        Okay, I was going to take a picture of it (with my ipad), but the dishwasher is already running, so here is the fantastic verse that I needed today.

Matthew 17:20
... If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ... nothing shall be impossible unto you.

And here is the verse in it's entirety!
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Can I just say, I have a few mountains in my life that need moving?!?!

Yes, God even speaks to me in my coffee addiction! :)

Community Conversation: Bloggers, have you ever blogged on an iPad? How, or what app do you use?  Coffee drinkers, are you particular about your mugs? Everyone else, What verse has encouraged you lately?

Five Minute Friday --Graceful

It's Friday... Five Minute Friday write time! This great idea started by Lisa-Jo which has just grown into quite a community! You should really check it out!! :)

 

Today's Prompt --Graceful

Two little blond haired girls in pink tights and black leotards, dancing around my bedroom.

Tendue, Passe, Tendue, Passe, Releve

They are practicing the moves they learned last year, in high anticipation for a new year of ballet classes.

Graceful --it's necessary for ballet, but also necessary for life in an inner graceful ... How do I teach my girls that? .. when I'm still learning myself.

Graceful -- characterized by elegance or beauty of form. To have such a word define me, define my girls. And not just an outward elegance, but the inner beauty that comes from accepting God's grace and living out accordingly.

I fail, a million times I fail! 

We get to the Discount Ballet Supply at 6:20, only to discover they close at six and I get MAD and she starts crying and I get mad at her for crying, And God's grace, His Holy Spirit checks me and says "Are you responding right?" and I am filled with His unending supply of grace.

And we head to Target, make a return, find a few things and head to the coffee aisle ... and the Archer Farms Pumpkin Spice shelf is empty, EMPTY and I respond wrong again. (This time just an inner pout, but still not pretty)

So we head home and right there, before our driveway, at the neighboring farm ... a brand new calf, stark white and black, Oreo cows we call them, skipping and running in and around the older cows; and we stop, we smile, I take pictures and I'm reminded that God's grace is full, overflowing and He showers me with grace, He showers me with gifts. (tweet it!) 


And I say Thank you, Jesus.

In full disclosure: this took me more than 5 minutes, but it was on my heart and I wanted to get it out! Thanks for grace! :)

Project 52 --Still Life

Life with 4 kids isn't often STILL, but this week's Project 52 theme is Still Life. So when I think of Still Life, this is what I think of... :)

a coffee/cookie break!

and by the way, Project 52's Linky home has moved; be sure to check it out!

Previous Project 52 entries
Fiesta
Green
Things That Grow
Sacrifice
Foolin' Around

Project 52 --Drink Up

When I think "drink"... the first thing that comes to mind is coffee... Yes, my dear husband, I will finally admit I have an addiction!! I really wanted to think hard and come up with another idea for this week's Project 52 theme, but I just couldn't, no matter how hard I tried... So here is my perspective on "Drink Up"!  My other problem is I have a hard time picking just ONE! so here's a few!!


I took this one last Friday when I was still thinking on the Shadow theme and enjoying my coffee out on my sun porch!!  Notice the cup is practically empty... all drunk up! :)

Sunshine, coffee, shadows

Then I took this one, because I am LOVING my Keurig and use it at least once a day!! :) (I don't really like this picture at all, there is nothing special about it at all... but I love my Keurig!! :)

And finally, a Starbucks cup... because they make me smile, and covered in messages of love... even more happy!! :)

what's your favorite drink?




Previous Project 52 entries:
Shadows
Self-Portrait
I Dreamed a Dream
Made with Love
Resolution

my favorite cup!

For Mother's Day this year, my sweet husband bought me a most wonderful invention... Starbucks Venti Cold Cup.  I think every drink tastes better in this... even water! I mostly use it for my homemade iced coffees at home, but I often use it for juice, lemonade or even water!  I try to take it whenever I go to Starbucks to "save the environment" one more disposable cup!  Some Starbucks even give me a 10 cent discount when I use it! :)

This is my original "sweet shot"  ...just a little grape juice yesterday.

but then I had an opportunity to go to Starbucks today... and I ordered my new favorite... Iced Coffee with Dark Cherry flavor added!  So of course I had to try my hand at a much "sweeter" picture!!  YUM!

For more "Sweet Shots" go here!