Dayspring Christmas favorites

I haven't mentioned it recently on here, but I'm a bit of a Dayspring fan!!  And I love that they have sales very regularly! I just wanted to get on here and share a few things in case you still need some Christmas gifts, because they are having a Christmas Sale ! They have some awesome ones! AND Now through Thursday, December 19^th DaySpring is offering a free upgrade to 2-day shipping with code FREE2DAY at no extra charge! So you can get your gifts in time for Christmas!!

I want to share some of my favorite Christmas items...

I love, love, love this cookie platter and use it every time I'm taking cookies somewhere during the Christmas season (and I've been known to use it at other times throughout the year as well). It is just the perfect reminder that Christmas happens because of the ultimate gift that God gave us... His Only Son! and when the cookies are gone and the platter is empty, we remember that it's all about God's love.

I also love these dessert plates that coordinate (unfortunately, I can't seem to find them on the site anymore, so they must have discontinued them). And I pulled them out for the month and we use them all the time... not just for special entertaining! Because my kids and husband are special enough for the special Christmas plates! and it's been wonderful to hear my early readers sounding out the words and proclaiming, "Jesus is the Gift!"

And then there is this sweet trio of tealight holders with nativity images on it... If I had the space and money, I would start collecting Nativity sets... although I hear they are a bear to dust ;)

I recently acquired (Yes, I bought them for myself) 2 mugs from the Love Came Down  Collection!! Because I love, love, love mugs ... in fact I wouldn't mind collecting a few more (see below)

And a few items that I don't have yet, but are on sale and I would love to own!!!
I would love these red and white mugs to go with my plates!!



And I'm in love with their new Lyrics for Life line... and this one is on sale for $4.99!!! Check it out!



So check out all the great products and be sure to add code FREE2DAY to upgrade to 2-day shipping for FREE!!!

Pierced on Good Friday

While you were all attending Good Friday services and being solemn, and taking communion, and thinking on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross; I was on a sister date ... a hang out at the mall, go shopping, drink coffee together, tell stories and laugh a lot kind of sister date--minus one sister. :(

Part of this date included my little sister holding my hand and doing all the talking at Piercing Pagoda, because as bad as I wanted it, and love to accessorize, I knew that I would never get my ears pierced by myself! --it's expensive, y'all--or maybe I'm just cheap!

So, I sit in the chair and she marks my ears and gets her "gun" ready and she pierces me ... and in a flash of minor pain, all I can think about is Jesus Christ and how he was pierced FOR ME--and it wasn't a little earring stud. It was...

A crown of thorns in His head

Nails (railroad spike size) in His hands and feet

A whip on His back

FOR ME and my sins...

It's been over a week now (almost 3 now that I'm finally getting this post published) and my ears are still a little tender. I'm getting used to these expensive Cubic Zirconiums in my ears, but then one of my kids hugs me too tight and bumps my ear, or my tanktop snags my ear when I'm changing and it stings and I'm thinking about my Savior all over again.

I'm beginning to think this was a good mid-life crisis ... and in 4-6 weeks when I get to finally change my earrings, I'm thinking I'll start with these crosses I just got from DaySpring.




Dwell print from Be Small Studios
Road to the Cross Canvas from Dayspring
He's My Strength earrings from Dayspring
(Dayspring links are affiliate links---if I formatted them right. I love all their products! Be Small Studios I just love and want you to love, too)

Deck the Halls for Christmas

I was originally going to use this post to share about my awesome new ornament wreath that I made... but alas, it didn't turn out quite like I expected. But here's a picture of it. It doesn't quite fit in my door when you close the door, so it's hanging in my hall... and I could use a few more ornaments to fill in the top! :)




I love our tree this year. We got all new lights this year. We (I mean, my dear husband) got tired of messing with all the strands that only half worked and kept fritzing out on us, so we splurged and bought LED lights (while they were on sale). Like I told you a few weeks ago, my kids decorated the tree without me and I think they did a great job!  I did decide that it needed some tinsel, so I hunted some down the last time I went shopping and added it to the tree. I think our tree this year is just perfect!! I can't wait to add some presents under it... My husband says I have to wait until Christmas Eve. Problem is, I think it has already stopped drinking water and I'm not sure we will have any needles left in 2 weeks!  :)



Another part of my Christmas decor that I just LOVE is my "mantle." It is really just a shelf with some hooks on it, but I love it and try to change it for each season. I kept it super simple this year with greenery, white lights, a small nativity and a beautiful print from Be Small Studios.



I have a few other items, here and there. I pulled out a few Christmas pot holders and towels for the kitchen. And I have some fancy Christmas serving dishes that might make an appearance before the end of the month. I also rearranged my Dayspring Message Blocks for Christmas... :)

Do you go all out in decorating? Or mostly just a tree? or somewhere in between like me?  feel free to share a link of your decor in the comments!!

Still trying to share a little bit of Christmas with you through a blog hop... check out these lovely ladies for more Christmas delight...
Jennifer
Katharine
Zohary

All of your days you will be human

It's Sunday afternoon and the Christmas music is playing, the kids are decorating the Christmas tree, and me, I'm hiding in my bedroom having a timeout... Of sorts.

I lost it on our way out of church. A child, that I had sent to the bathroom while hubby was getting the van, took longer than expected. I checked the first bathroom, not there. Checked the one down the hall, not there either. I called her name, then again more frantically. Then I heard the pitter patter of running feet and wasn't patient in my response. My hands were full of paper clutter, most of which will hit the trash can before the end of the day, and my travel mug, and a box of leftover Sunday school snack from a kids' teacher. And I couldn't get into the van. Once I had rebalanced everything and got the door open, this same sweet little girl had thrown some of her belongings right into the seat that I was trying to sit in. I confess. I threw it in frustration to the back of the van.

So much for Sunday spirituality, and the beginning of Advent, and happy memories for an afternoon of decorating the Christmas tree. The van was pretty quiet most of the way home. After a mishmash dinner of leftovers, my husband sent me to my room for a nap.

I awoke an hour later to the sounds of Christmas music, kids' excited voices as they hung ornaments, singing along with the music... And just a whole lot of happiness. I decided that I didn't want to ruin it and pulled out my bags to do some class work (I have a rough draft due for class tomorrow) and to read the first day of Walking to Bethlehem in an effort to refocus myself.

I checked my email briefly... I'm a perpetual procrastinator. And opened THIS email from Dayspring...



You're More Than Your Hard Days
Some days you will try your best
and it will not feel like enough.
Some days the words you want to heal will hurt instead.
Some days you will question everything you do
and why you do it.
This doesn't mean you're a failure.
Or you should quit.
Or God is mad at you.
It just means this...
All of your days you will be human.
All of your days you will grow but not reach perfection.
All of your days there will be grace enough for you.
Keep going, friend.
Keep trying.
Keep moving forward.
I know it's hard on some days. But you are more than those days.
And at the end of all your days you will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
That will make it all worthwhile.
So close your eyes and remember you are loved.
Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

For more words of hope and encouragement from Holley, visit her blog Heart to Heart with Holley and to receive Free Devotionals from Holley, CLICK HERE to subscribe by e-mail.

I share all this not to justify my outburst, but just because I'm thankful for a word from God, through Dayspring and Holley Gerth, just when I needed it.

I have mentioned Dayspring a time or two, and I'm always on the lookout for their great sales, because I love decorating and filling my house with reminders from God's Word. And they have some awesome "flash sales" going on this week. I'm sharing Monday's with you...

This sale is active from 11-3 CST Monday only. This item will be marked down on the website, so no coupon code is required to receive the discount.

Monday, December 3^rd
Redeemed- Everything Beautiful- Decorative Lantern
Flash Sale Price: $14.99 (50% off)

Similar item on sale:
Love Came Down- Trio Tea Light Holders
December Monthly Special, on sale for $9.99


Also, ALL jewelry will be on sale starting Tuesday, December 4 through Sunday, December 9.  Jewelry will range from 25%-50% off.

So sign up for Dayspring emails... they come at just the right time!! :)

What has God used to share just the right thing with you!??!  When was it??

Christmas shopping at Dayspring

Is anybody out there done Christmas shopping yet?
Has anybody even started Christmas shopping yet?
Are you a plan ahead type of person, or a procrastinate until the last minute person?
I'm mostly a procrastinator until it comes to shopping at Dayspring! I'm always shopping through out the year and stashing them in my closet for Christmas! :)

I really meant to get this info up for you earlier this week, and it just didn't happen! I really don't want you guys to miss out on this AWESOME sale!! So hopefully you will be online at some point this weekend and will go check it out!  I have become quite the shopper at Dayspring! They have so many incredibly awesome products and I'm always on the look out for a great sale!

and here is one you should go check out!

You can even get 30% off the clearance items from DaySpring!


and these Super Deals... There are 24 (that's TWENTY-FOUR) awesome products with prices that can't be beat! I will say that I already own the Inspirational Message Blocks, (I bought them on a super sale before and I love them... and my kids love them and use them to work on spelling (shh, they don't know they are learning)


(you can NOT get an additional 30% off the Super Deals...or else they might be free)

be sure to check it out! Great Christmas ideas and presents! Remember both of these sales are only good through November 26, so get on it!! :)

I would love to hear in the comments, which item do you like the best from the Super Deals?
and are you done Christmas shopping or haven't you even started?

ps. I'm experimenting with affiliate links, so if you make a purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small percentage.

Quiet Time/ Organization Dayspring Giveaway!

Quiet Time, Bible Study, prayer and reading, devotions ... whatever you want to call it. For me this week, it was non-existent. Just didn't make it a priority. The urgent took over, even the un-urgent.

Distractions here, not enough time there and before I knew it I had gone a whole week without "cracking open my Bible." I put that in quotes because (sshh, don't tell my pastor father) I've been reading my Bible on my iPad through YouVersion. I opened the app once or twice and then got distracted and never actually read it.

You can feel it when you do this. I know I did! Frustrations came easier, outbursts happened a lot, guilt shoved itself in my face occasionally. But the Holy Spirit didn't leave, He just kept prompting me.

And today, I started right. I caught up on my reading plan, Fearless Journey through YouVersion. I took notes... two pages worth and I remembered that grace is always present.

What's working for me these days? What tools do I use?  Well, there is the reading plans from YouVersion, a journal, and pretty colored pens... lots of pretty colored pens! I do a lot of writing out Scripture. I find that helps cement it in my mind and I love coming back and reading over the Scripture, knowing that God's Word does not return void.

Some of my problem this week was too many opportunities, too many things to do... I didn't say "no" when I should have! I'm so thankful for all of it ... a side job, a special card order, my family, my writing class, prep for Allume, baking for church functions... and that's just what I can think of off the top of my head ... there was also dentist/doctor's appointments and family activities and church activities ... and I'm stressing myself out just listing it all.  Problem is I didn't say no and now I'm drowning.

Enter a family planner... will it help? I don't know, but I hope so!!  I had the opportunity to review some product from Dayspring... maybe you've heard of them? I've mentioned them once or twice. :)  This month, I received a fun Peanuts theme Family Planner and a perpetual calendar

Peanuts - Smiles and Blessings - Perpetual Calendar

don't look too close, I think my spider plant needs watered

My kids are loving this calendar, always trying to get there first to change the calendar to the next day, and anxious to check out the cartoon on their birthdays, etc. so it's definitely adding some smiles and blessings to our day... just as promised!

Peanuts - 16 Month 2013 Family Planner Wall Calendar

I had so much fun using my pretty pens to write in our names on the side to keep us all organized and filled in the month of October... it filled up FAST!  I love the pocket in the back holding cute little calendar stickers... and my meal planning info (when I use it). And it's BIG! I had to clear the side of my fridge for it, but I love that I can read it... and fit a lot in one day (maybe that's not a good thing). Anyway, I am thoroughly going to enjoy using it for the next 15 months (it started in September) You should totally go get one. (did I just say, totally?)

Or you could just try to win one here, on my blog! Yep, that's right, I am one of the lucky ones chosen to do a giveaway of this fine Dayspring product.

To win this helpful family planner and festive perpetual calendar, just leave me a comment on the blog telling me...

What tools do you use to spend time with the Lord?
What are your favorite organization tools or Christian studies?

Giveaway ends on Wednesday, October 24 at 10:00 pm EDT (right before I head off to Allume!!)
Giveaway open to US residents only.
Please leave a way for me to contact you in the comments (email, twitter, blog... something!)

disclosure: The Dayspring links in this blog are affiliate links, but I don't know if they work, because no one has ever clicked a link from my blog and ordered anything... so feel free to click one of these links and buy something (Dayspring products make great Christmas gifts), so that I can see if they work!

Have you been redeemed?

UPDATE: Giveaway over: winner chosen by writing names on slips paper and drawn by my 5YO.  WINNER is Zohary Ross! Congrats!

I've mentioned on occasion how I love Dayspring! I've been shopping there a bit lately! I've won some giveaways, and enjoyed some great sales! Like the one for 20% off select Redeemed items! through the end of the month.

Recently I was able to receive some items specifically for review on my blog! About 2 weeks ago, I got yet another package from Dayspring... and inside were two items from their newest line (at least I think it's their newest line! :)



"The Redeemed collection celebrates the way God, in His generous grace, sews together every beautiful bit of our lives to form one masterpiece creation after another."

I am so thankful for His grace and His work on the masterpiece of my life!  I also enjoy using these items from Dayspring!

This fantabulous Makeup bag... which I so desperately needed to upgrade! (my last makeup bag, I'm pretty sure I've had since college... which was over 15 years ago, but we won't go there) This one has lots of space, such fun prints and patterns inside AND some pockets!!

and the message on the front... that God makes everything beautiful... in His time (makeup or not) makes me stop and think, each time I pull it out!  and it held everything I needed for a trip home to see family!  PERFECT!!

Redeemed - Truly Beautiful - Makeup Bag

 

I also received this chic wallet that reminds me where my treasure is!!
I have to confess that the little clasp on top reminds me of my grandma's change purse... does that mean I'm getting old, that I like it anyway?!?!  :)  So it's fun to use and my wallet needed replaced, too, so I am enjoying these new items!!

I also have the opportunity to give ONE OF YOU a Redeemed Wallet, to remind you how treasured you are in God's eyes!!

To get in on the giveaway, go visit Dayspring, then come back and tell me what your favorite Redeemed product is!

Tweet the giveaway for an extra entry and let me know!
Giveaway is open until Monday, April 23! Winner will be announced Tuesday!

(Disclosure: I was given these items to review... and I'm experimenting with affiliate links, but struggling. so there is a slight chance that I could benefit from you clicking on a link and buying something from Dayspring)