worthyoftheprize.com

{Baby Gift Ministry}: The Mercy House

2012-01-28T14:48:00.003-06:00

We are in the midst of a lot of exciting changes around here these days, if you haven't noticed.

One of those exciting changes happens to be our brand new partnership with The Mercy House.

The Mercy House is a maternity home that provides alternative options for pregnant girls living in the streets of Kenya.

And I am SO proud to announce that from now on, every mom living in The Mercy House will be receiving a set of our Victorious Virtues Prayer Cards - allowing them to pray the biblical virtues scriptures over themselves and their child.

Many women do noble things but you surpass them all. {Proverbs 31:29}

I have SUCH a passion for this ministry - a strong desire to encourage new moms. Motherhood is a tough journey and at the same time, a high calling. This print that I found on Pinterest describes it perfectly. I could not have said it better myself.

Source: ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

And this is my desire - to encourage all moms to point their children to the one true God and to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And for those women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy, I want to do everything I can to encourage them to first of all have their babies and if need be, then give them up for adoption....urging them to avoid abortion, allowing God to assume his rightful authority as the author of life and death - there are plenty of adopting families who desperately want to give these children a home if they cannot keep them, even special needs children.

Why do I care so much, you ask?!

His name is Little A. He is a sharp, vibrant, athletic, perfectly healthy 5 year old little boy who the doctors told us to consider terminating when we were 20 weeks pregnant with him because there "might" be something wrong with him.

We will never know if he was perfectly healthy all along or if God healed him - but either way, I will never get over this.

He is the reason why we here at Worthy of the Prize support The Mercy House through this Baby Gift Ministry, why we help adopting families raise $ for their adoptions through our Chosen Child Adoption Ministry, why we sponsor a child through Compassion International and why we continue to promote other ministries who have the same goals as we do.

We want to do everything we can to honor God and his miracle of life, as well as reduce the HUGE number of orphans in the world.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. {John 14:18}

I will be back next week to fill you in on the changes we have made in our Chosen Child Adoption Ministry. For now, I just want to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your contributions to this little ministry of ours - whether it be financial, through prayer, by purchasing our products, volunteering your time and talents or simply by helping us to promote what's going on around here. We could not do it without YOU.

Please continue to purchase our Fit Bands, Fit Cards and Baby Gifts found right here in our online shop, so that we can continue to fund these ministries - and please help us spread the word!

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. {1 Timothy 1:17}

{Free Friday}: Trust in the Lord

2012-01-27T09:41:00.017-06:00

Oh my goodness - did I hit the jackpot this week!

As you know, Pinterest has been giving me fits lately, right? Well. Turns out it is actually my old, run-down computer that cannot handle the site, not Pinterest itself.

Upon this discovery, I trekked on over to the library one afternoon this week to catch up on all of my "pinning." A necessity, I know.

And while I was there, I found a fabulous little print to share with you this week...

Download here.

Love the clean look. Love the color combination. Love the verse - one of my all-time favorites, such wisdom. Love it.

Little did I know that when I clicked on the link, I would discover a fantastic litte blog by a fellow pastor's wife, who designs all kinds of awesome prints and verse/quote cards, including these...

Download here.

A matching set of verses and quotes that compliment the above printable! And to top it off - they are all about JOY! which as you know, just happens to be my 2012 word! Yipee!

I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be sharing more prints from The Blogging Pastor's Wife in the future. For now, hop on over to her blog and check it out! Leave her a little love while you are there and let her know that Worthy of the Prize sent you!

Happy Friday, friends! May your weekend be filled with JOY!

{Compassion International}: Just a Minute

2012-01-26T08:55:00.023-06:00

Her name is Dianne. She is the realtor who sold us our house a year and a half ago. She just happens to be a member of the large church that my husband had recently accepted a position with, as the new worship pastor.

It was a divine encounter. Unexplainable - were it not for a God of compassion.

I had just completed the hardest thing I had ever done in my life - moving north, far from family, friends and all that is familiar - taking my boys away from their grandparents and cousins {aka. best friends}...

...when in walks Dianne. My angel.

A sweet Southern woman, with that familiar Texas drawl I have known and loved my entire life - 30 years my senior but full of charm and a kindred spirit none the less - lover of all things Tex-Mex, sweet tea, Johnny Cash and Southern living. What a marvelous combination.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:19}

In just one moment, she changed my life. For the better.

She has walked with me through some of my darkest days. The ultimate prayer warrior. And boy do I have some stories to tell about the miracles we have seen the Lord perform through those faithful prayers. I would not want to imagine my life without her.

What about you? Has anyone changed your life in just one moment?

Dr. Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, recently released his second book, Just a Minute. In this book he contends that it takes just one moment for anyone to positively impact the life of a child.

Wess has a stunning story of such a moment. Take a few minutes now to watch him as he tells his story about the power of just one moment.

{scroll down and hit pause on the music player before watching the video}

Wow. Big A and I never want to stifle the passions, hopes and dreams that God is cultivating inside of Little A and Little E. Please Lord, help us to remember...

Every child is a divine encounter. {Wess Stafford}

...even our Compassion child Edwin, who lives in Uganda. Bless him. Protect him. Reveal yourself to him. Meet all his needs according to your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Use us to bring joy into his life and to point him to our savior. Please allow us to meet him in person someday.

Amen.

{Giveaway}: Evangeline Handmade

2012-01-24T09:59:00.025-06:00

I have decided that as part of my quest for JOY! this year, we are going to be giving away something fun here on the blog at least once a month for the entire year - woohoo!

Be sure to follow along and check back often, so that you do not miss out - you just never know when a giveaway might pop-up!

Today's giveaway is from one of my favorite little etsy shops, Evangeline Handmade - which I only recently discovered over the holidays, but am already smitten with!

Melissa is giving away 1 of her lovely custom rosette statement necklaces to 1 lucky winner! I actually have one of these myself {in plum}and believe me when I say, they do not disappoint.

Here is a picture of me wearing mine on New Year's Eve! LOVE. :)

Wouldn't this satin rosette necklace be perfect for your Valentine's Day outfit? Just tell that hubby of yours he needs to take you to some place nice. ;)

And the best part is, if you win, Melissa will let you choose any color/colors you want for your necklace!!! Here are a few of the colors she has to offer:

Be sure to "like" Evangeline Handmade on Facebook because when she reaches 150 fans, she is going to have another giveaway - which gives you another chance to win one of her fabulous necklaces! Let her know that Worthy of the Prize sent you!

Now for the fun part - to enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post, letting me know what color/colors you would choose for your necklace, should you win.

For extra entries - leave separate comments for each one of the following that you do:

1. Follow this blog - scroll down and click Follow {1 extra entry}
2. Heart Evangeline Handmade on Etsy {1 extra entry}
3. "Like" Evangeline Handmade on Facebook and leave her some love while you are there {1 extra entry}
4. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment {5 extra entries}
5. "Pin" a picture of the rosette statement necklace and leave the link in your comment {4 extra entries}
6. Post this giveaway on Facebook and leave the link in your comment {3 extra entries}
7. Tweet this giveaway and leave the link in your comment {2 extra entries}

Be sure to leave your email address in your comments, so that I can contact you if you win!

You can enter through Monday, January 30th. Winner will be announced Tuesday, January 31st.

Goodluck! :)

Linking up with:

Bassgiraffe
Just Us Four
Someday Crafts

Tip Junkie

{Hope for the Home}: Christmas Card Prayers

2012-01-23T06:00:00.015-06:00

Hey, yall! I'm Amanda McDonough, and I am so excited to be here with you today. I am a Christ follower, wife to an education pastor, and stay-at-home mom to Max. Born and raised a Texas girl, I now live in Mississippi with my little family as we follow God where He leads us. We are currently in the process of bringing home our second child through domestic adoption, and we are prayerfully hoping to be a family of four by the end of the year! You can read more about our family over at The McLife.

So...here we are at the end of January and (hopefully) the Christmas decorations have been put away. If not, don't worry. I don't judge. I'm all about the Valentine's Day tree. I am a take it all down on December 26th kind of girl myself, but I always have one problem. What in the world do I do with all these Christmas cards? Way too cute to throw away, but at the same time, way to much clutter in my house! Luckily, I have discovered the wonder and beauty that is Pinterest, and this year I saw the perfect solution:

Source: allendesigns.typepad.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Just go to any store's office supply area, pick up some binder rings, hole punch, and done. Seriously...who thinks of this stuff? And why isn't it me? It seems so simple, and yet I've been stuffing my cards in drawers for years! Now I have nice, neat books to look through all year long.

The best part? Now, we have a great way to pray for friends and family every day! Keep this book in a convenient place through the year, and as a family pray for a family on one card (or more!) each day. What a great way to emphasize prayer with our children. Very visual, which is always a plus with kids, and a simple way to remind us all to be praying for each other.

Now, if you want to get fancy and make a cute cover for your book, you can check out another Pinterest find here:

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Thanks for letting me stop by today. See you again soon!

Amanda

PS: My husband originally saw the idea to pray over Christmas cards over at the CentriKid blog. It's not a completely new idea, I know...just wanted to give credit where it's due. And you might like their blog...so check it out!

Linking up with:
Someday Crafts
Tatertots and Jello
We are THAT Family

{Free Friday}: Filled With Joy

2012-01-20T11:55:00.006-06:00

Pinterest has been giving me fits lately. Anyone else having problems with it?

One day I can get onto the site and the next day I can't. Frustrating.

Today being one of the days I cannot get onto the site, I figured I would just design my own print for Free Friday! instead.

So, here it is..

{Click photo to download 8x10 print}

This verse has become very special to me lately, for many reasons. Mostly because my 2012 word is...JOY! You can read why here.

And because the LORD continues to amaze me with the incredible things he is doing in our lives these days.

What great things has the LORD done for you?!

Linking Up With:
Cherished Treasures
Tatertots and Jello

The Treasurista

Snowman Gifts

2012-01-17T13:50:00.000-06:00

Did you see the cute snowman craft shared on our blog yesterday by Laura of Pitter Patter Art? Go here if you missed it.

I actually had a heads up on this craft because she posted it on her blog a few weeks ago, which prompted me to ask her if she would share it again here as part of our {Hope for the Home} series.

I liked it so much that I decided to use her tutorial to make Christmas gifts for our extended family when we traveled home to Texas earlier this month.

The boys helped me make these...

Which I turned into these...

I used double-sided tape to attach the words to Have Thine Own Way onto the glass and then I taped the snowman and a picture of the boys with the snowman they made last winter on top of it. You can see that I highlighted the verse that says, "whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now" and stuck a sticker with the initial of our last name on it to finish it off.

We made 5 total for aunts, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, framing and wrapping each one for a perfect, sentimental gift that they will cherish forever.

Have you made anything lately?

Have thine own way, Lord,
Have thine own way,
Thou art the potter,
I am the clay.

{Hope for the Home}: Uniquely Made Snowmen

2012-01-16T00:00:00.009-06:00

Hey everyone...I'm Laura Kelley from Pitter Patter Art.

I'm an artist, wife to a crazy, cool guy and momma to 3, almost 4, little ones.

One of my goals for 2012 is to do a planned craft with my wee Kelleys each week. Our first art project for the year were these sweet snowmen.

I personally love crafts where kids get to use their own creative juices. One thing I want to instill in my kids is that God created them to be unique...themselves. And that they won't always look like everyone else. God created them to be different. He took His time and His own creative juices when He set to work on us and all His creations.

"God looked at everything he had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:31

I do my best to encourage their special individuality, even with little crafts.

My daughter Harper had been asking me for a while to make some snowmen, so for our first project of the year, we made that happen. Super easy and the kids loved it.

The supplies we used were scrap paper, three different sized bowls for tracing, glue gun, glue stick, fabric scraps, buttons and glitter. You could easily do this entire project with just paper.

They each picked out their own paper choices.
I used three different sized bowls for tracing and let each kiddo cut out their own circles. I like a craft where the kids do most of the work. I trace…they cut and glue.

Then they glued their circles together…largest on bottom, smallest on top…to form their snowman. Easy cheesy!

And then from here do as little or as much decorating to your snowman as you would like. Let their creative juices flow and celebrate their own uniqueness. We ended up cutting out paper hats, arms and carrot noses for ours, along with a scrap fabric scarf (I did hot glue these), button eyes and buttons and a glitter smile.
My boys always tend to follow their sister, but I try and encourage them to create as they want and to remind them that their craft does not have to look like anyone else's...it's theirs.

There you have it. Super easy and your littles get to be creative...a good afternoon boredom buster for sure.
Get busy creating and enjoying those sweet little people in your life.
Happy Monday!

Linking Up With:
Cherished Treasures

Someday Crafts

Tatertots and Jello

We Are THAT Family

I Believe in Tim Tebow

2012-01-14T15:56:00.003-06:00

I am not a bandwagon Tebow fan. I have actually been a fan since he was a Florida Gator as a matter of fact.

How can you not love a guy who takes a stand like this?!

Did you know that when he wore the John 3:16 eye black during a game, there were 94 million Google searches for John 3:16 that day.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {John 3:16}

That means at least 94 million people heard the gospel message because 1 person took a stand. This does not include the who knows how many people that looked it up in their Bible...you know, old school style.

The NFL has since banned messages in eye black. But I think Tebow got his point across that day.

And what about this?

More than 21 years ago, Pam and her husband, Bob, were serving as missionaries to the Philippines and praying for a fifth child. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in a contaminated food or drink. She entered into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant. Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted.

The doctors "didn't think of it as a life, they thought of it as a mass of fetal tissue," Pam said.

While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband, "If you will give us a son, we'll name him 'Timothy,' and we'll make him a preacher."

Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and, eventually, gave birth to a health baby boy August 14, 1987.

Pam's youngest son is indeed a preacher. He preaches in prisons, makes hospital visits, and serves with his father's ministry in the Philippines .

He also plays football. Pam's son is Tim Tebow.

Is this not inspiring? I heard this story years ago from my pastor and of course I love it. If you have been around here long, you know that we went through a similar situation with Little A and also chose not to terminate the pregnancy, obviously. Little A was born a perfectly healthy baby and is now a full of life 5 year old that I believe God has great plans for...the next Tim Tebow, maybe? ;)

And of course I love the fact that Tim is a Missionary's Kid {MK}, which makes him a great role model for my boys in so many ways, who are pastor's kids themselves. I just love how he strives to give God the glory in everything he does, keeping a healthy perspective regarding his abilities...confident in who he is, yet knowing his talents are God-given, to be used for his glory.

But perhaps the biggest reason I am a fan of Tim Tebow is his work ethic. I don't care what the "experts" say about his arm, throwing style, etc. Bottom line is...he gets the job done...he wins games.

According to Peter King from Sports Illustrated | SI.com, Tim Tebow had a poster growing up that read: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

And I believe it. I am a living testimony of it. And I have to agree with some of the atheists' points in this article, particularly in this statement:

According to this line of reasoning, however, Tebow deserves more credit, not less. Silverman argues that the religious talk from and around Tebow is not only taking away from the performance of his Denver Broncos teammates, but also the quarterback's own ability. From this perspective, the way Tebow has won games this season -- through miraculous and seemingly predestined comebacks; what Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo called "some divine intervention associated with what's taking place" -- undermines the true worth of Tebow the person.

Now, do I think that Tebow is brainwashing himself into believing that he is not doing it, but that God is doing it through him? Of course not. And would I go so far as to say that it is undermining his worth as a person or taking away from his team? No way.

Tebow would be the first to tell you that this is not true. Because he understands that his identity is in Christ and that it takes an entire team to win a game.

But I do believe that these famous athletes were correct when they stated the following...

The harder I work, the luckier I get. {Gary Player}

I've always believed if you put in the work the results will come. I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results. {Michael Jordan}

So let's give Tebow some credit. Quit saying he is some non-quarterback who is getting lucky through divine intervention. That is a bit ridiculous.

On the contrary, he is a hard-working athlete who understands that hardwork pays off.

And honestly, as an athlete, it takes both. You can't just expect miracles to happen without putting in the effort. But when miracles do happen, you must have a clear understanding that without God it would not have been possible.

There is a healthy balance required. And Tim Tebow has found it.

Is God controlling the outcome of the Broncos games? That's not really for me to say.

Does God really care about football? Absolutely. Because he cares about athletes.

And God is without a doubt bringing glory to his name through Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos.

You know why? Because Tebow is allowing God to work through him.

And like I say regarding any high-profile Christian, we must be on our knees in prayer for him because the devil likes to attack what it good...those who are making a difference for the Kingdom of God.

What do you say, will you join me in praying for Tim Tebow and his platform?

And whether or not you are a Tebow fan, you must read this ESPN article entitled, "I Believe in Tim Tebow." Of the many Tebow articles invading the Internet, it is the best that I have found.

I'm a 100 percent believer. Not in his arm. Not in his skills. I believe in his heart, his there-will-definitely-be-a-pony-under-the-tree optimism, the way his love pours into people, right up to their eyeballs, until they believe they can master the hopeless comeback, too.

I could not have said it better myself. The world does not understand Tebow's life, but when you are saved by the blood of Jesus your life should look drastically different than that of the world. I have no doubt that he is sincere and that his motives are pure.

And with that I have to say, Go Broncos!

Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as if working for the Lord and not men. {Colossians 3:23}

{Free Friday}: Let It Snow

2012-01-13T10:30:00.003-06:00

Today I am sharing this cute little print from Therapeutic Crafting. Don't you just love it?

Go here to download.

We had our first significant snow fall of the season yesterday. The few we had previously were about 1-2 inches and it melted within a day. But this one was about 4-5 inches and it should stick around because there are no warm days in sight.

Today we are taking the boys sledding for the first time this winter and they are SO excited! I look forward to seeing the joy on their sweet little faces.

There is just something about snow that always makes me think of Christ.

Being a Texas girl, I had not had much experience with it until we moved here a year and a half ago. Last winter I got a lot more experience than I probably would have liked being that we had several snowstorms and blizzards, each bringing 15-20 inches.

This is what we were dealing with by this time last year. My husband is 6 feet tall and is only bent slightly over in this photo. Crazy!

But I have to say, there are few things that compare to a freshly fallen snow.

Imagine a quiet hush over the land. The peace that passes understanding. Pure white as far as the eye can see. The sign of a new beginning. It's as if time stands still with the overwhelming sense of God all around you. There is nothing quite like it in this life.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. {Psalm 51:7-12}

{What Do I Know of Holy}: I HATE RELIGION

2012-01-11T20:43:00.006-06:00

I am starting a brand new series over at Cap Creations and I would love for you to join us.

Here is what you need to do...

1. Watch this incredible video.

2. Read this post.

3. Return to Cap Creations every Wednesday as we discuss it in depth.

Don't forget to invite your friends!

Just joining us? Here are the posts you have missed so far...

A Hospital for the Broken
Perfume on a Casket

To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. {Romans 4:5}

{Blog Button}: Find Joy in the Journey

2012-01-10T19:54:00.004-06:00

As you know, my one word for 2012 is...JOY! You can go here to read why if you missed it.

I am leaving little reminders for myself everywhere I go, so that I can keep my focus.

As a result, I made a {Find Joy in the Journey} blog button using the awesome print that Mary Jo at 517 Creations designed for us!

I plan to download the print for my home and I already put the button on the sidebar of my blog.

I thought I would give you the code to the button in case you wanted to put it on your blog, to remind you to find joy in the journey this year and every year! It links back to my post about...JOY!

Or if you would rather, simply download the print here and put it on your blog or computer screen, or display it in your home.

Be sure to read the nice things that Mary Jo had to say about me and this print here. Humbled.

May you and yours find joy in the journey this year...

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with JOY! {Psalm 126:3}

{Hope for the Home}: Formula for Change

2012-01-09T00:00:00.013-06:00

Hello, there!

My name is Jen Chase. I am a pursuer of Christ, seeking Him with my amazing husband and two little blessings. Our family is currently growing from 4 to 5 as we are in the middle of our adoption process to bring home our little man, Baby Bekele, from Ethiopia, Africa. In addition to mothering, I also work outside the home as an elementary school counselor; it is such an amazing blessing to be afforded an opportunity to teach and reinforce social skills and values to little ones for a living!

I am so thankful to be a part of this series and hope that I can instill some inspiration for all you busy mamas out there in blogland. I {ir}regularly blog at Team Chase 4 and Counting.

Without further ado, Worthy of the Prize's First {Hope for the Home} post....

Have you been recently thinking to yourself:

What should I do with all this

source

now that this

source

is not outside of every store?!

Well, I've got your solution!

How about taking this

and using it to fill this

source

for these

source

who live in orphanages here

Intrigued? We will be traveling to Africa TWICE in 2012 {once to go to court and declare our intent to adopt our baby and once for our appointment at the American Embassy} and we'd be more than happy to turn your loose change into infant formula for orphans in Ethiopia.

If you are interested, here's what you need to do:

1. Commit to collecting your change for formula through January.

2. Comment below to let me know that you're in or send me an E-mail at jnchase311 @ yahoo.com (I will keep track of who is participating and then contact you at the end of the month to remind you that the challenge has concluded).

3. Collect your household change through the month (I recommend setting out a bottle or some other symbol of your committment to remind your family of what you are doing).

4. At the end of the month, bring me your change or cash it in and send me a check.

5. We will give your money to a fund for Africa which will use every penny to purchase formula for babies at the House of Hope transition home in Ethiopia!!

This is such a fun service project to teach your children about caring for those who Christ referred to as "the least of these".

To introduce the project, I read Matthew 25:34-40 (from the NIV)

³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I then talked with the kids about what Jesus meant in this passage and told them about how we would be collecting change to give to their brother's orphanage to buy food for the babies. When Christ said "the least of these" He meant all those who need help.

I pray that this practical activity will instill a life-long spirit of giving in my children.

$10 = 1 can of formula in Africa

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ORPHANS IN 2012!

Linking up with:
Cherished Treasures

Someday Crafts

Tatertots and Jello
The Treasurista

We Are THAT Family

{Free Friday}: Weekly Organizer

2012-01-06T18:43:00.002-06:00

I have seen an endless amount of {free} printables floating around blogland over the past week that are designed to help you organize something.

It's that time of year where people are trying to set goals, make a fresh start and follow-through on their new year's resolutions.

So, whatever it is that you are trying to organize right now, I guarantee you there is a chart out there to help you.

I have seen everything from small business checklists to wedding planners to calendars to organizational charts. You name it, there is a resource out there to help you organize it.

My personal favorite is this weekly planner designed by my friend Melanie at Only a Breath...

You can download it for free here.

The planner is formatted to be 5 x 7 inches to print and tuck into your regular planner or attached to your refrigerator, whatever works for you! You will need the free Adobe Reader to print it because it is formatted as a .pdf file.

It allows you to set a few manageable goals each week and to make a list of things that you need to accomplish. You can also check off the {exercise} box each day that you workout, to make sure that you reach your weekly number of workouts goal. You can even check off a {drop of water} each time you drink a glass of water so that you get in your 8 glasses a day. There is a place for you to check off the important {homemaker} type stuff so that your meals get planned and your house stays cleaned, without you getting overwhelmed. And best of all, there is a place for you to write down which memory verse you are going to focus on that week as a reminder of something you are struggling with, a truth you want to focus on or in order to memorize it.

I love it! It includes all of the things that I need to accomplish each week to ensure that my home is happy and healthy, physically and spiritually. And it is great follow-up to our 25 Days of Fitness journey, to help us continue the journey.

If you want some accountability on memorizing those verses or on incorporating some bible study into your life, be sure to follow along with Melanie at Only a Breath, as she strives to memorize 2 bible verses a month and as she hosts an online bible study. Be sure to let her know that I sent you!

I hope 2012 is off to a great start for you!

Do you have or have you seen any great organizational printables out there that you can share with us? Feel free to leave a comment with your link.

{Hope for the Home}: Finding God in the Everyday

2012-01-04T11:11:00.016-06:00

Do you have a hard time taking what you learned at church on Sunday and putting it into practice during the week?

Maybe you wish you had better ideas for teaching your kids about God? Or new ways to share him with your loved ones?

Look no further, my friends!

God has given me the vision to start a new blog series that helps people incorporate God into their everyday lives.

The D6 literature calls it "God sightings" or "faith talks."

Basically, it is doing intentional things in your day to day lives that spur thoughts/conversations about God, making your home and life a living testimony.

The series will be called "Hope for the Home: Finding God in the Everyday." It will run every Monday, starting January 9th, and each post will be an idea on how to do this.

We might share a craft that teaches your child a Bible story or a piece of decor for your home. We might share a devotional thought or an object lesson. We may even share a recipe with a spiritual parallel or an inspirational printable to display in your home. Really anything that people can use to make God apart of their everyday life and home. The possibilities are endless.

Overtime if we get enough interest we will add a linky, so that you can link-up your own ideas.

I have noticed that there is an overload of this kind of stuff around the holidays but it would be nice for people to have a place that they can come to for ideas year round, especially for "stay at home" moms or homeschoolers.

My goal is for the Worthy of the Prize blog to become a place where anyone can come to find encouragement and motivation to "reach their full potential in Christ," no matter where they are on their journey.

And the best part about this is that you will not be hearing just from me!

I am lining up some fantastic guest bloggers to share their ideas as well. So far this list includes...

Jen from Team Chase 4 and Counting

Laura from Pitter Patter Art

Mary Jo from 517 Creations

Melanie from Only a Breath

Cat from Cap Creations
Amanda from This is the McLife!
Tina from Baby be Blessed
Cyndi from Walking in Grace and Beauty
Sarah from Carroll Creations
Tina from Being Made New

Here are the posts in the series so far...

{Team Chase 4 and Counting}: Formula for Change
{Pitter Patter Art}: Uniquely Made Snowmen
{This is the McLife!}: Christmas Card Prayers

Don't forget to invite your friends and please grab our button while you are here!

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. {Deuteronomy 6:4-9}

{Urgent Prayer Request}: I Am Begging You To Get On Your Knees With Me

2012-01-03T13:59:00.001-06:00

I know that this is a sensitive subject but it is one that is near and dear to my heart. One that I am very passionate about, so I am going to go ahead and discuss it.

There is a couple {the brother and sister-in-law of a friend of mine} who have scheduled an abortion for tomorrow. They are not believers. Their family is heartbroken.

She has been carrying her baby for 6+ months and received some bad news on a previous sonogram that their child may have some health problems. The doctors are encouraging them to terminate the pregnancy.

I do not have many details but I do know that the mother and baby are not in any harm at this time, should she continue to carry it.

Having been in a similar situation when we were pregnant with Little A, choosing to carry him and ending up with a perfectly healthy child, it infuriates me that doctors today are suggesting termination.

We serve a mighty God who is the Great Physician, the author of life and death. With him anything is possible!

We will never know if Little A was healthy all along or if God healed him but regardless, it is not our decision to make. It is God who gives life and who takes it away. Not us.

And besides, I know many stories of children who were born with disabilities, who have endured many surgeries or who did die, but God was able to bring good out of it and use the situation for his glory.

If this is something that you are struggling with, I encourage you to read this book...

A very uplifting story of how God blesses even through tragedy.

{Read with a box of tissue.}

Here is the video that goes with the book. Incredible.

And here is the blog where Angie {wife to Todd Smith, lead singer for the group Selah} tells Audrey's story.

There may be someone reading this who has gone through with an abortion. I know that with that comes grief, trauma, regret, etc. Know that we serve a God who forgives. He still loves you and desires a relationship with you. Please talk to a counselor if this is you.

Now, who is going to join me in praying for this couple who has an appointment tomorrow?

May God change their minds before then. May he reveal himself to them in a mighty way, so that they put their trust in his saving grace.

But either way, they are going to need prayer, regardless of their final decision.

Please leave a comment if you are praying.

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. {Matthew 18:20}

My 2012 Word

2012-01-02T12:42:00.025-06:00

2011 was a rough year and I am not sad to see it go.

Ministry triumphs were in abundance but unfortunately, so were personal trials.

As the freshly fallen snow covers the cold, hard ground, may the grace of God cover over a multitude of sins as he washes us whiter than snow.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. {Philippians 3:13-14}

As for 2012, I look forward with great hope to the possibilities it brings. A new beginning. A clean slate. A fresh start.

And after much thought and prayer, I have decided that my one word for 2012 will be...JOY!

I am not much for resolutions. I usually get overwhelmed and quit. So last year when I discovered the one word movement, I was so excited. It simply gives me one thing to focus on in the new year. One thing that I want to accomplish. One thing to filter everything else through to make sure that I stay on track and am not adding anything to my life/schedule that does not fit with my God-given purpose and goals.

I suggest you consider doing it too. That way you can head into the new year with a goal, but without setting yourself up for disappointment, failure and frustration.

What do you say?

Tough things may come my way. Unknowns may be scary. Yet, I am determined to find joy in the journey in 2012!

Download here this print designed for us by 517 Creations, which has also been featured at Be Different Act Normal, 517 Creations, Printable Decor and Creative Busy Hands.

Go here for the matching blog button and go here to read the nice things that Mary Jo of 517 Creations had to say about me and this print. Humbled.

I may have to look hard to find it at times, and some days I may even have to choose joy, but the bottom line is that my God is with me, he has a plan for me and his mercies are new every morning.

A big part of this is going to be living a life of gratitude, being thankful for all of his blessings, not taking the little things for granted. And learning to embrace/cherish the special moments along the way.

My husband is a wonderful, loving, Godly man of character and integrity. I have 2 beautiful, healthy boys who light up our home. And if nothing else, by the grace of God {through faith}, I have a personal relationship with my savior Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life in heaven with him!

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. {Philippians 3:8}

These are the things I will cling to when the going gets tough.

And believe me it will get tough when I start Weight Watchers next week! I have been carrying around extra weight off and on {mostly on} since Little E was born, 3 1/2 years ago. It is time for it to be gone once and for all! My sister Sarah {Director of WOTP Volleyball} is getting married in November, so I have 11 months to get rid of at least 30 lbs! The good news is Big A is doing it with me and it was actually his idea, which will make the journey a lot easier on me!

Here's to looking good in that bridesmaids dress! ;)

So, whose with me? Tell me your 2012 word!

Go here for 5 tips to help you decide your one word.

And by the way, I plan to print the {above} 517 Creations print to display in my home this year, as a reminder of my one word and my goals. I already put it on the left sidebar of my blog. I also plan to purchase this necklace from The Adopt Shoppe to wear as a daily reminder as well.

I am sure that my talented friends over at Cap Creations, The Adopt Shoppe and 517 Creations would love to design a necklace and/or a word art print with your word on it for you. Just let them know that I sent you!

Also, my friend Melanie at Only a Breath is giving away free blog buttons with your one word on it!

Be sure to check back every Monday to join in our brand new blog series, Hope for the Home: Finding God in the Everyday, which includes a fabulous group of guest bloggers posting here each week!

I am SO excited about it!

Happy New Year, friends! May God bless you as you seek him in 2012!

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart. {Jeremiah 29:13}

Linking up with:
Baby Be Blessed
Cherished Treasures

It's a Long Story
Someday Crafts
Tatertots and Jello
The Tuckers Take Tennessee
We Are THAT Family

Winner! Winner!

2012-01-01T16:31:00.000-06:00

The winner of the {Joy in the Journey} necklace and word art print from The Adopt Shoppe IS....

{drumroll please}

Congratulations Stacy H!!! Email me at worthyoftheprize@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

A BIG THANKS to all who entered and to The Adopt Shoppe for their generous donation! Be sure to check out Kate's awesome shop, ALL proceeds go toward her adoption! I cannot wait to purchase one of the {Joy in the Journey} necklaces for myself, LOVE it!

Happy New Years, friends! May God bless you as you seek him in 2012! :)

2011 Ministry Recap-- What a Year!!!

2011-12-30T16:39:00.001-06:00

Well, I said you would not hear from me again until 2012 but I also said that I reserve the right to pop in again if I forgot something...so here I am! :)

As I reflect back over the past year, I am pretty much in awe of what God has done through this little ministry of ours and I wanted to share it with you.

Here are a few of the highlights--

1. I had the opportunity to speak at the FCA {Fellowship of Christian Athletes}girls breakfast last spring, where I talked with the girls about "worth." We discussed the difference between how the world measures our "worth" and what God says about our "worth." Of course I used fun team-building games to get my point across, which they loved! ;) The girl that spoke at the FCA end of the year banquet actually said it was her favorite event of the year!

Here is a copy of the poem that I shared with the girls. I have used it over and over again when speaking to teenage girls and young women-- but really it applies to women of any age.

Feel free to download, print and share it! Go here to get your copy.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. {Psalm 139:14}

2. Sarah {my sister, Director of WOTP Volleyball} and I ran 4 high school volleyball team camps this summer, giving us a chance to not only prepare the teams for their upcoming season but to impact the lives of around 125 girls and several coaches, teaching them what it means to have a good attitude, to work hard and to be a team player, while pointing them to Christ!

3. At the end of the summer, Big A and I attended the MOPS {Mothers of Preschoolers} National Convention for the 3rd year in a row, where we sold a ridiculous amount of products, including our 2011 {mops mom} shirts...

and several of our popular matted prints designed for us by 517 Creations, including the {Blessings} print, based off of Laura Story's song, Blessings. Go here and listen to her song if you have not heard it. It will change your life.

**We added the scripture reference because it really compliments the song. Lyrics are from Laura's song, not the Bible.

Download your copy here.

It was absolutely incredible to hear the stories from the women at the conference {in addition to the ones we have heard online} about how this song/print has impacted their life in times of trial. I had the privilege of speaking to tornado victims, women who had experienced miscarriages, women whose husbands had lost their jobs, women who lost loved ones and women whose loved ones were struggling. The list goes on.

What an amazing opportunity to minister to these women in their time of need.

4. I had the opportunity to counsel kids at our local {FCA} "Fields of Faith" event where around 1000 were in attendance and over 200 prayed to receive Christ!!! This event took place at 650+ locations around the country on the same night. Just think if all of the other locations had similar numbers! Unbelievable!

5. My book was published this fall!!! It is overwhelming to think back over the process of how this all came about. It has been a long road and several years since God gave me the vision for these camps and this manual. It is still hard for me to believe that it happened and is actually now in print and available for purchase.

My prayer is that every church/mission organization will have the opportunity to use this guide to implement an evangelistic sports camp for kids as a community-outreach or on mission. It is so easy to run, just like buying VBS {Vacation Bible School} materials and implementing one at your church. You just need someone to coordinate the details. Consider buying one {and giving it to the ministry leaders} for your church to use Summer 2012.

Purchase your copy here and I will even sign it for you! :)

6. I had the privilege of not only going into partnership with Josh Hamilton's company Scripture Art Designs, but of posting this incredible story about him and the impact he has on my friend Payton {an 8 year old baseball player with cystic fibrosis} and the lives of those he comes in contact with.

7. We played a small role in helping bring 11 children home to their forever {adopting}families through our {Chosen Child} Adoption Program, with more on the way! I look forward to sharing their "gotcha" stories over the next few weeks. Email me at worthyoftheprize@yahoo.com if you need help raising $ for your adoption. We are changing up the program slightly in 2012 and are looking for new families.

We also played a small part in rescuing "Brady" from a mental institution in Eastern Europe {and uniting him with his forever family}, where he was sent after being abandoned at birth because of his down syndrome.

These are just a few of the things that God did through Worthy of the Prize in 2011!!!

I can't wait to see what he has in store for next year!

And now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen. {1 Timothy 1:17}

2 Giveaways! And a break from the blog.

2011-12-27T17:25:00.000-06:00

First, we still have this great giveaway going on!

Second, hop on over to the Tower Promotions facebook page, where they are giving away 2 $50 Visa gift cards in honor of our 25 Days of Fitness journey. What a great way to pay off some of that holiday debt! Or buy something for yourself for a change!

You can enter both of these giveaways through December 31st. All winners will be announced January 1st.

Finally, I am going to be taking a little break from the blog for a few weeks. We will be doing some traveling, plus I am tired and just need to rest and relax as we ring in the new year!

So, it looks like this is the last time you will be hearing from me in 2011! Unless I forgot to tell you something in which case I reserve the right to pop in again! ;)

I hope you all had a blessed holiday season with loved ones! May God bless you as you seek him in 2012. Be sure to stop back by and check out the fun new things we will have going on in the new year!

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. {Philippians 1:3-6}

{Day 25}: Christmas Leftovers

2011-12-25T23:09:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

I think I did more cooking and baking this weekend than I have done in my entire life!

Growing up in a house full of women, we have SO many Christmas traditions that we have carried on into adulthood, it is unreal. Big A's favorite one is most definitely the matching pjs that we all wear on Christmas Eve and even take pictures in...which my mom is now threatening to make into Christmas cards! Uh oh.

Anyways, now that we live away from family, it is up to me to carry on these traditions for my boys.

So, I worked overtime this past week and weekend to make sure the house was perfect, the gifts were perfect, the food was perfect, the entertainment was perfect, etc etc etc. And did it turn out perfect?

Pretty close! ;)

Now, do these little details really matter in the grand scheme of things? Probably not.

But I wanted to make sure that my boys had a special Christmas...and it was all worth it to me when Little A said, "this is the best Christmas ever!"

Honestly, any Christmas where he is spoiled rotten with toys {as he always is by Santa and his grandparents} is a great Christmas for him, but it made me feel good none the less.

This got me to thinking...do I go out of my way to give my best to God?

At our candlelight Christmas Eve service it was stated this way..."don't give God your leftovers-- your leftover time, your leftover talents, your leftover money."

And I thought to myself, if God {or any other honored guest, or any guest for that matter} was coming to my house for Christmas dinner, there is no way I would serve them our leftovers.

On the contrary, I would serve him my best meal.

So, I ask you? Are you going to give God your leftovers this Christmas and in the year to come, or are you going to give him the very best that he deserves?

I encourage you to give him the best portion. The first fruits. As I strive to do the same.

Let's not serve him on our own selfish terms-- only if we have any time, any talent or any money left to give.

He gave it all for us. The least we can do is give him our best.

God came as a baby, giving and entrusting Himself to me. He expects my personal life to be a "Bethlehem." Am I allowing my natural life to be slowly transformed by the indwelling life of the Son of God? God's ultimate purpose is that His Son might be exhibited in me. {Oswald Chambers}

I hope that you have enjoyed this 25 Days of Fitness journey to Bethlehem as much as I have. May you continue to seek after the savior all year long, not just at Christmastime.

He is waiting for you.

Before you go, don't forget to enter this fantastic giveaway and be sure to "like" Tower Promotions on facebook because they are going to be giving away 2 $50 Visa gift cards this week in honor of our 25 Days of Fitness journey and you won't want to miss it!

With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us. It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace. {Luke 1:78-79}

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning;
O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father,
Now in flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore Him...
Christ the Lord.
{translated from Latin by F. Oakley, 1841}

{Day 24}: You're Here

2011-12-25T10:58:00.001-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the elliptical

Spiritual Fitness:

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs! I absolutely love the line that says, "you could've left us on our own...but you're here." He did not have to step down from his throne in heaven, but he did it to save us.

{be sure to scroll down and pause the music player before watching the video}

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {John 1:14}

Merry Christmas, friends!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T12:21:00.001-06:00

We have had a crazy busy holiday season this year!

In fact, since Thanksgiving alone we have taken 2 trips to Texas and 1 trip to Missouri in order to celebrate my sister Sarah's engagement, Big A's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary and my grandmother's {Oma's}80th birthday! Whew!

For this reason, we decided to make it easier on ourselves and just do an online Christmas card this year!

So...Merry Christmas from The Franklin 4! :)

We hope this letter finds you rejoicing in the wondrous birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Our big news this year is that after much hardwork, my book was published!!! Praise the Lord, may He get all the glory!

It gives any church or mission organization everything it needs to run an easy, evangelistic sports camp for kids!

Please consider buying one to give to the ministry leaders at your church to use Summer 2012 as a community-outreach or on mission. Purchase your copy here and I will even sign it for you! :)

May God bless you as you seek Him in 2012!

For unto us is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord! {Luke 2:11}

{Day 23}: Free Friday! {Joy in the Journey} giveaway CLOSED!!!

2011-12-23T21:05:00.010-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

Today is Free Friday!, which means we have another {free} printable for you!

I asked my friend Mary Jo of 517 Creations to design this one specifically for today's post.

Isn't it cute?! Go here to download it. It has also been featured at Be Different Act Normal, 517 Creations, Printable Decor and Creative Busy Hands. Definitely gonna have to frame this one for our house.

Here it is again with the description of my 2012 word...JOY!

Go here for the matching blog button and go here to read the nice things that Mary Jo of 517 Creations had to say about me and this print. Humbled.

Sometimes it is incredibly easy to find joy in the journey, isn't it?

Love. Engagements. Weddings. New jobs. Healthy babies. The list goes on.

But what about when the journey gets tough? When you just cannot take it anymore and you want to quit?

Anger. Break-ups. Divorce. Lost jobs. Miscarriages. Sickness. Death.

It is during these times that you must "choose joy." And believe me, sometimes you have to search for it. And sometimes the holidays can be the hardest. Find God in the little things. Count those blessings that you usually take for granted.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. {James 1:2-4}

I truly hope that you are finding joy along your 25 Days of Fitness journey this Christmas season. Like the wisemen, I pray that the star leads you to the King of Kings. And that you find joy along the way, not because of the details, but because of who you are traveling with.

The Journey

by Erin Vick Franklin

This great gift I have been given

I am not worthy of

It's only by the wondrous grace

Of my Lord above.

So I wait upon you oh Lord

I do not want to fall

It's your will I desire

Only your will above all.

I know you have great plans for me

But I just feel so lost

What do you have in store for me?

I will go despite the cost.

It is me my sweet child

That you are yearning for

It is me who is your destiny

I am your great reward.

My plan is for you to know me

And to become just like my son

I promise to come back for you

When all is said and done.

For now enjoy my presence

Lead others to my grace

Don't worry about tomorrow

Simply live life for today.

In honor of this post, my friend Kate of The Adopt Shoppe has graciously agreed to giveaway 1 of her new Joy in the Journey necklaces and 1 of her new Joy in the Journey word arts to 1 lucky winner!

I am SUCH a fan! I want these for myself. ;)

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us 1 thing that has brought you joy this Christmas season.

For extra entries {leave separate comments for each one that you do}:

1. Follow this blog {scroll down and click Follow, 1 extra entry}
2. Heart The Adopt Shoppe on Etsy {1 extra entry}
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link to your blog post in your comment {5 extra entries}
4. Post this giveaway on your facebook page {3 extra entries}
5. Tweet this giveaway {2 extra entries}
6. Pin the {free} printable onto Pinterest {4 extra entries}

**Be sure to leave your email address in your comments so that I can contact you if you win.

You can enter through December 31st. Winner will be announced January 1st. Goodluck!

Sidenote: The Adopt Shoppe happens to be one of my favorite shops! And the best part is that ALL proceeds go towards Kate's adoption.

Update: GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED!!!

{Day 22}: Majesty in the Midst of the Mundane

2011-12-23T09:55:00.002-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Spiritual Fitness:

Now that Christmas is drawing near, it is getting harder and harder to get my 25 Days of Fitness posts up. We get busier and busier as the days go by and I am starting to get run down, fighting off a cold.

But I will press on and finish strong. What about you?

You MUST take 5 minutes and watch this incredible Christmas Flash Mob video of what took place in the South Bay Galleria on December 18th in Redondo Beach. It is simply amazing. You have to watch it until the end.

{be sure to scroll down and pause the music player before watching the video}

While watching it, I could not help but think of today's reading from Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment.

One's imagination is kindled thinking about the conversation of the innkeeper and his family at the breakfast table. Did anyone mention the arrival of the young couple the night before? Did anyone ask about their welfare? Did anyone comment on the pregnancy of the girl on the donkey? Perhaps. Perhaps someone raised the subject. But, at best, it was raised, not discussed. There was nothing that novel about them. They were, possibly, one of several families turned away that night.

Besides, who had time to talk about them when there was so much excitement in the air? Augustus did the economy of Bethlehem a favor when he decreed that a census should be taken. Who could remember when such commerce had hit the village?

No, it was doubtful that anyone mentioned the couple's arrival or wondered about the condition of the girl. They were too busy. The day was upon them. The day's bread had to be made. The morning's chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred.

God had entered the world as a baby.

These people at the mall were caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Most likely frantically trying to find that last gift so that they could get home, finish the wrapping and start baking. They were too busy to notice the savior.

And then something spectacular happened, stopping them in their tracks and reminding them of the true reason for the season.

But the sad part is that there were probably people who kept on walking.

So tell me, which one are you gonna be? Are you gonna stop and worship the Baby Jesus or are you gonna keep on walking and miss the Christmas miracle too?

Thanks be to God for his gift that is too wonderful for words. {2 Corinthians 9:15}

Check back later today for our Free Friday! post, including a fabulous giveaway! Also, are you a fan of our sponsor Tower Promotions on facebook? They are going to be giving away 2 $50 Visa gift cards in a few days as part of our 25 Days of Fitness journey. "Like" their page so you do not miss out!

{Day 21}: I Played My Best For Him

2011-12-22T14:25:00.004-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs is Jars of Clay's "Little Drummer Boy."

{be sure to scroll down and click pause on the music player before watching video}

Have you noticed how much I love music and like to use it in my devotionals? It really speaks to my soul and is a vessel that God has always used to bring me closer to him. Must be why I married a Worship Pastor, who happens to be a drummer himself! ;)

I just love love love the line that says "I played my drum for him. I played my best for him."

It always brings tears to my eyes and is probably one of the greatest lines in any song ever written.

This little boy had nothing to give but his one talent. And yet that did not stop him...he played his heart out for the newborn king.

What an offering of praise to our God. Oh how I would have loved to hear it.

What do you have to give the Christ-child this Christmas season?

I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you're due
O Lord, I bring an offering to you
{Casting Crowns}

{Day 20}: Can Martha Have a "Mary" Christmas? {Girlfriends With a Purpose}

2011-12-20T20:59:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Spiritual Fitness:

Is the pressure of the Christmas season getting to you?

Are you frantically trying to find the perfect last-minute gifts and get your cards sent out?

Do you still have a ton of baking and wrapping to do?

What about packing, traveling or hosting guests?

How is it that Christmas is only a few days away and there is still so much left to do?

Hop on over to another of my favorite blogs, Girlfriends With a Purpose {for minister's wives}, and read this post on how to find a balance between making preparations for Christmas and actually experiencing the reason for the season.

Choose what is better this week. Visit the stable and sit at his feet.

{Day 19}: 3 Gifts You Really Need To Open Right Now {A Holy Experience}

2011-12-19T21:33:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

For today's dose of spiritual fitness, I am simply going to send you over to one of my favorite blogs, A Holy Experience.

Ann Voskamp is an advocate for Compassion International {one of my favorite ministries} and the author of best-selling book, One Thousand Gifts.

She has a beautiful way with words. A true gift that somehow brings you immediately into the presence of God and allows you to rest in his grace.

Hop on over and check out her post from today, 3 Gifts You Really Need To Open Right Now, including a video with music by Mark Schultz.

Big A and I just saw him in concert this past weekend and he is fabulous. I happened to win 2 free tickets, thanks to Lighthouse Christian Books! :)

I hope your 25 Days of Fitness journey is going well. If you are struggling, don't stress about it...just put down your load and focus on the light of the stable. He's waiting for you.

Hail, hail to the newborn King
Let our voices sing Him our praises
Hail, hail to the guiding Light
That brought us tonight to our Savior

Come now, let it shine so bright
To the knowing Light of the stable
Kneel close to the Child so dear
Cast aside your fear and be thankful

{Selah}

{Day 18}: Come and Worship {and a winner!}

2011-12-19T10:05:00.002-06:00

And the winner of the Believe Necklace from Cap Creations IS...{drumroll please}...

Congratulations Julianne!!! Contact me at worthyoftheprize@yahoo.com to claim your prize. A big thanks to all who entered!

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the eliptical

Spiritual Fitness:

Bebo Norman is one of my all-time favorite artists, so of course I love to share his stuff whenever I get the chance!

But seriously, you need to watch this video. It is a scene from The Nativity Story put to his song, Come and Worship.

It will take your breath away.

{be sure to scroll down and click pause on the music player before watching video}

God is calling us to lay down our burdens this Christmas season. To put aside the holiday stresses. To forget about the decorating, the entertaining, the gifts, the baking.

He is simply calling us to seek after and worship the newborn King.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. {Jeremiah 29:13}

Don't miss his birth because you are busy. What a tragedy it would be to have missed the point.

{Day 17}: Christmas Joy!

2011-12-18T18:10:00.000-06:00

Our beautiful, oldest son who the doctors thought might be born with "problems" that could potentially lead to a life-long disability or even death shortly after birth.

As long as I live, I will never forget the specialist's words, "if you are going to terminate the pregnancy," said to a devastated first-time mother and her husband. Are you kidding me?!

We will never know if God healed him or if there was never anything wrong with him in the first place but look at my handsome little 5 1/2 year old child. Can't you just see the joy on his sweet little face after we finally got our Christmas tree up this year, a little later than usual due to some holiday travels?!

Thank goodness we serve the Great Physician, with whom all things are possible! And in whom we trust to be the author of life and death. Not only were those earthly doctors wrong, but boy were they wrong! I have never been around a kid with so much life inside of him. A bright, strong-willed, driven, energetic, perfectly healthy child.

There is definitely something special about him and I have no doubt that God has great plans for his life. He fills our lives with joy that's for sure. And he is one of many reasons we have to celebrate this Christmas season!

What brings you Christmas joy this year?

She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. {Matthew 1:21}

Speaking of joy, I am SO excited to discover Picnik because I can now edit my own pictures {notice the logo and effects on Little A's picture} and can also design my own printables for free! Woohoo! What an exciting step for my little ministry!

This is my very first creation, just in time for Christmas. Feel free to download this 8x10 print here and please share it with others.

And remember, today is the LAST day that you can enter to win the Believe Necklace. The winner will be announced tomorrow. Goodluck! :)

{Day 16}: Free Friday! {Believe} giveaway

2011-12-16T11:11:00.006-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Spiritual Fitness:

So every year we watch The Polar Express together as a family. It is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

This year I even made peppermint hot chocolate and North Pole cupcakes for the occasion.

These were one of my fabulous Pinterest finds and the boys loved them!

We began watching the movie together because of our boys' love for trains but I really like them to watch it because of the message.

Though I've grown old the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe. {The Polar Express}

I just love that it teaches our children what it means to believe in something worthwhile.

Miracle on 34th Street is one of my favorite Christmas movies for the same reason.

I know alot of people in "Christian" circles do not think it is right to trick our kids into believing in something that is not "real" like Santa Claus.

But I happen to have a different opinion.

I think it is good to teach our kids to believe in something worth believing in. In something they cannot see. In something that contradicts the secular culture that we live in.

We believe in Santa Claus here at our house. What about you?

Now, does this mean we lie to our children when they ask us the truth? No.

Does this mean we give them anything and everything they want for Christmas? Absolutely not.

Everything you do in life requires balance.

We actually take it one step further. We allow Santa Claus to point the way to Jesus.

What? You ask.

We hope that in training them young to believe in something worthwhile that one day when they are old enough, they will put their faith in Jesus Christ and what he did for them on the cross.

And we even have many Christmas displays around our home showing Santa Claus worshipping the baby Jesus.

It keeps it all in perspective.

Are we worried that when they find out that Santa Claus is not real, it will damage their ability to believe in anything {like Jesus} again? Of course not.

Because it is all in how you present the truth and teach them the difference between faith and imagination.

To each his own, but around here we believe.

And for all of you who truly believe, I have a lovely {free printable} for you designed specifically for this post by my friend Cat of Cap Creations! Thanks Cat! :)

Click here to download the 5x7 print.

You can display it in your home or as a background for your computer as a reminder that it is good to believe.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. {John 3:16}

And along those same lines, Cat has graciously agreed to give away one of her adorable Believe necklaces to 1 lucky winner!

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Christmas movie!

For extra entries {leave separate comments for each one that you do}:

1. Follow this blog {scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Follow, 1 extra entry }
2. Follow the Cap Creations blog {1 extra entry}
3. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link to your post in your comment {5 extra entries}
4. Post this giveaway on your facebook page {3 extra entries}
5. Tweet this giveaway {2 extra entries}
6. Pin the free printable onto Pinterest {4 extra entries}

**Be sure to leave your email address in your comments so that I can contact you if you win!

You can enter through Sunday. Winner will be announced Monday. Goodluck!

Click here to read the other 25 Days of Fitness posts.

{Day 15}: What Christmas Is All About

2011-12-15T18:24:00.001-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

Every year we watch Charlie Brown Christmas with our boys. It is one of our traditions.

Linus gets it right. He explains what Christmas is all about...

It really is that simple. Will you help Linus spread the word?

{Day 14}: A Little Piece of Heaven

2011-12-15T13:24:00.001-06:00

So, how are you doing on your 25 Days of Fitness journey now that we are over half-way finished?

Have you been working out? Are you watching what you eat? Are you preparing your heart for the arrival of our savior? Or have you been distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season?

Anybody still out there? Let me know how you are doing!

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the eliptical

Spiritual Fitness from One Incredible Moment:

Have you ever spent days, weeks, months even, searching for the perfect gift for that special someone?

Maybe it was for your significant other, to show them how much you care?

Or for that child who only wanted one thing from Santa and of course every store is sold out of that one thing?

Maybe you spent hours on a handmade gift for a friend or loved one?

Why do you do it?

You do it so the eyes will pop. You do it so the heart will stop. You do it so the jaw will drop. You do it to hear those words of disbelief, "You did this for me?"

That's why you do it. And that's why God did it. Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."

My parents came to visit us at the end of May last year to join us for the boys' double birthday celebration. We happened to be at the park by our house, which Little A likes to call "our park" on my dad's birthday when out of nowhere the sky opened up and a breath-taking rainbow of colors appeared.

Within seconds it was gone. It was the strangest thing. And unlike any rainbow we had every seen before, almost like waves of color splashing across the sky.

My dad joked that it was God's birthday card to him! And of course we laughed and agreed and posted it on facebook {because nothing is official until it is on facebook}. ;)

But seriously, there is no doubt in my mind that God sent a little gift to us that day. For some reason, he wanted us to know that he was there with us on that special day and that he loved us.

Find such love hard to believe? That's okay. Just because we can't imagine God's giving us sunsets, don't think God doesn't do it. God's thoughts are higher than ours. God's ways are greater than ours.

And sometimes, out of his great wisdom, our Father in heaven gives us a piece of heaven just to show he cares.

{Day 13}: Here With Us

2011-12-14T12:53:00.001-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

I was listening to Joy William's beautiful song Here With Us in the car and that word "servant-king" hit me like a ton of bricks.

Think about it. It is a contradictory term.

serv·ant
noun

1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties.

king
noun
1. a male sovereign or monarch; a man who holds by life tenure, and usually by hereditary right, the chief authority over a country and people.

How can a person simultaneously be a servant and a king?

How can one lower himself enough to give up his life for another and yet at the same time rule over all?

How can someone be fully man and fully God?

It makes no sense.

And yet he did it just for you.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

{Philippians 2:5-11}

{Day 12}: O Holy Night

2011-12-12T20:22:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Spiritual Fitness:

Listen to the "Phantom of the Opera" sing O Holy Night with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It is simply breathtaking. One of my favorite Christmas songs.

But before you do, ponder these thoughts from Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment...

You are my child. I love you dearly. I'm aware that someday you'll turn from me and walk away. But I want you to know, I've already provided a way back.

Stepping from the throne, he removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in skin: pigmented, human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He whom angels worship nestled himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into a cold night, and then slept on cow's hay.

You wonder how long my love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That's me you see up there, your maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding. Covered in spit and sin-soaked.

That's your sin I'm feeling. That's your death I'm dying. That's your resurrection I'm living. That's how much I love you.

Now listen and remember, he did it just for you.

{be sure to scroll down and click the pause button on the music player before listening to the song}

{Day 11}: To Give or To Get? That is the Question.

2011-12-12T10:21:00.001-06:00

I think it speaks for itself.

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. {Matthew 20:28}

Still looking for ideas on how you can serve others this Christmas season?

It is not too late to Gift A Box through Operation Christmas Child online. This is one of my absolute favorite ministries. We build a box together as a family every year at Christmas-time for a child in need. It really teaches the boys about giving. You can even gift one in honor of someone else.

Or you could give a Gift of Compassion to a child in need or sponsor a child through Compassion International. We sponsor Edwin in Uganda and it is such a neat ministry to do as a family. We pray for him at the dinner table and have the opportunity to write him letters and send him gifts. It is so cute to see the boys draw him pictures and pray for him.

Also, read this post from one of my favorite bloggers Walking in Grace and Beauty and think about doing a random act of kindness this Christmas season! How fun would that be?! I am going to try to do one this week and will let you know how it goes.

Finally, don't forget to make plans to enter for a chance to win 2 $50 Visa giftcards. Go here for details.

How is your 25 Days of Fitness journey going so far? Leave me some comments here or on our facebook page.

{Day 10}: To Win Your Love

2011-12-10T20:43:00.000-06:00

Today's Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Today's Spiritual Fitness:

Here is what we want to know. We want to know how long God's love will endure...Does God really love us forever? Not just on...Sunday when our shoes are shined and our hair is fixed. We want to know...how does God feel about me when I'm a jerk? Not when I'm peppy and positive and ready to tackle world hunger. Not then. I know how he feels about me then. Even I like me then.

I want to know how he feels about me when I snap at anything that moves, when my thoughts are gutter-level, when my tongue is sharp enough to slice a rock. How does he feel about me then?...

Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us?

God answered our question before we asked it. So we'd see his answer, he lit the sky with a star. So we'd hear it, he filled the night with a choir, and so we'd believe it, he did what no man had ever dreamed. He became flesh and dwelt among us.

He placed his hand on the shoulder of humanity and said, "You're something special."

{excerpt from Max Lucado's One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger}

Joy to the World!
The Lord is come:
Let Earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
{Isaac Watts}

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39]

{Day 9}: Free Friday! {Wise Men}

2011-12-09T10:54:00.002-06:00

In keeping with our regular blog schedule, today is Free Friday!

Every Friday we give you a {free printable} that you can display in your home or as a background for your computer screen as a reminder of the great God that we serve.

Some people even frame them or make them into a canvas to keep for themselves or to give as gifts.

I absolutely love this print that my friend Cat of Cap Creations designed which makes a perfect Christmas decoration or gift...

Go here to download it. And go here to learn how to make it into a canvas.

I cannot wait to display this in my home this Christmas season! It goes perfectly with our discussion from {Day 7}: Wise Men Still Seek Him.

Today's Physical Fitness:

100 Stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Today's Spiritual Fitness:

Listen to this song and leave a comment here or on our facebook page letting us know how you plan to "seek him" this Christmas season and in this day and age.

{be sure to scroll down and pause the music player before listening to the song}

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. {Matthew 2:1-2}

{Day 8}: The Author Enters His Own Story

2011-12-08T09:55:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the eliptical

Spiritual Fitness:

In my mind, there are 2 pretty incredible facets of the Christmas story that we do not usually think about.

1. God lets each one of us write our own story. He starts it for us but then he lets us finish it.

What a dangerous liberty. How much safer it would have been to finish the story for each Adam. To script every option. It would have been simpler. It would have been safer. But it would not have been love. Love is only love if chosen.

2. God {the author} enters his own story. Knowing the cost, he steps down from his throne in heaven. Emmanuel, God with us.

The Word became flesh. He, too, would be born. He, too, would be human. He, too, would have feet and hands. He, too, would have tears and trials.

And most importantly, he, too, would have a choice. Emmanuel would stand at the crossroads of life and death and make a choice.

The Author knows well the weight of that decision. He pauses as he writes the page of his own pain. He could stop. Even the Author has a choice. But how can a Creator not create? How can a Writer not write? And how can Love not love? So he chooses life, though it means death, with hope that his children will do the same.

And so the Author of Life completes the story. He drives the spike in the flesh and rolls the stone over the grave. Knowing the choice he will make, knowing the choice all Adams will make, he pens, "The End," then closes the book and proclaims the beginning.

"Let there be light!"

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
{Charles Wesley, 1744}

By the way, I have decided that in addition to purchasing an Africa Glass Ornament to help our adopting families bring their children home, I am also going to purchase a Scentsy buddy for Toys for Tots as part of my 25 Days of Fitness giving. The buddies will be given to underpriviledged kids and $5 from each bear will be donated to the adopting families that we support. You can read more about this opportunity here. Today is the last day that you can purchase one.

What are you doing for your 25 Days of Fitness giving? Go here to find out how you can win a $50 Visa gift card simply by helping others this Christmas season.

And don't forget to track your weight loss during our 25 Days of Fitness journey! Go here to find out how you can win a $50 Visa gift card simply by losing weight this Christmas season.

Now that we are a week in, leave some comments here or on our facebook page to let me know how your journey is going so far! Are you keeping up?

{Day 7}: Wise Men Still Seek Him

2011-12-07T23:00:00.000-06:00

Physical Fitness:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf-raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Spiritual Fitness:

In today's reading of One Incredible Moment, Max talks about the fact that the wise men {the 3 kings} were probably:

1. Men of Wealth-- because they embarked on an extended journey and yet still had gifts to give at the end of it

2. Men of Influence-- because they commanded the audience of Herod

3. Men of Intellect-- because they navigated across thousands of miles following a star

These men were not idiots who set out on some crazy journey.

And neither are you for worshiping a babe born in a manger.

Don't let the world tell you any different.

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria, in excelsius Deo.

{Day 6}: Wait With Joy

2011-12-07T10:50:00.001-06:00

Physical Fitness:

30 minutes on the treadmill

Spiritual Fitness:

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went to the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying:

Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. {Luke 2: 25-32}

Simeon is one of the "characters" in the Christmas story that you do not hear of as often as the others.

Do you know what Simeon was famous for?

Waiting.

Simeon was waiting with anticipation. Calmly expectant. Eyes open. Arms extended. Searching the crowd for the right face, and hoping the face appears today.

The way he waited for the first coming is a model for how we should wait for the Second Coming.

A few months ago we finally took Little A and Little E fishing, after much prodding. They had just gotten new poles, which by no coincidence are Cars {as in the movie} themed. They are addicted to all things Cars {and now Cars 2}. Thanks for that, Disney Pixar! ;)

Anyway, they had an absolute blast. And the craziest part is that they did not. catch. anything. nothing. nada.

I don't know if the fish were asleep that day or if we did not have the right kind of bait, or what. Bottom line. The fish weren't biting.

And yet, my boys were smiling. They were simply enjoying being there at the fishing pond with mommy and daddy, casting and reeling in, over and over again, using their brand new fishing poles. There was no place on earth they would have rather been that day.

They were waiting with joy for fish that never came.

Waiting is not easy. We're not a patient people. When days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months and months turn to years, you can't help but wonder if God is still working on your behalf. But rest assured, He is! Just as your children were born when they were ready {after 9 long months of waiting}, your dreams and miracles will hatch at their appointed times. So, hang in there and wait with joy. Whenever you are able to finally embrace whatever it is you're believing God for, it will be more than worth the wait! {Daily Wisdom for Mothers, Michelle Medlock Adams}

I happened to take Michelle's class a few years ago at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer's Conference. She is fabulous. But when I first heard that term wait with joy, it blew me out of the water. As if waiting on God is not hard enough, we are supposed to wait with joy?!

Have you ever been through a time when you were seeking God for answers and no matter what you did, "wait" was his only answer?

It is a tough lesson in faith, let me tell you. And I am slowly but surely coming to terms with the fact that...

Do you trust God's timing? Is there anything you are waiting on God for these days? What can we join you in prayer about?

You too, be patient and stand firm. {James 5:8}

By the way, I have decided that as part of my 25 Days of Fitness giving, I am going to purchase an Africa Glass Ornament. ALL proceeds go to help the adopting families that we support bring their children home. Today is the LAST day you can purchase one! You will get it in time for Christmas. Go here to purchase.

What are you going to do this Christmas season to help someone in need?

Go here to read about our 25 Days of Fitness contest and how you can win a $50 Visa gift card by helping someone in need!

{Day 5}: The Meek Were Kneeling

2011-12-06T22:50:00.000-06:00

How is your 25 Days of Fitness journey going now that we are 5 days in? Did you set any goals? Are you making progress? Did you weigh yourself to find out your starting weight? Did you decide which charity you are going to donate to? Read the details of our contests here for 2 chances to win a $50 Visa gift card!

Workout:

100 Stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Reading from One Incredible Moment:

Do you ever wonder why the announcement of Jesus' birth first went to the shepherds?

They didn't ask God if he was sure he knew what he was doing.

Had the angel gone to theologians, they would have first consulted their commentaries. Had he gone to the elite, they would have looked around to see if anyone was watching. Had he gone to the successful, they would have first looked at their calendars.

So he went to the shepherds. Men who didn't have a reputation to protect or an ax to grind or a ladder to climb. Men who didn't know enough to tell God that angels don't sing to sheep and that messiahs aren't found wrapped in rags and sleeping in a feed trough.

You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get down on your knees.

So...

while the theologians were sleeping
and the elite were dreaming
and the successful were snoring,
the meek were kneeling.

They were kneeling before the One only the meek will see. They were kneeling in front of Jesus.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. {Matthew 5:5}

{Day 4}: With Us

2011-12-04T22:59:00.000-06:00

Today's Physical Fitness:
30 minutes on the eliptical

Today's Spiritual Fitness:

I find it so fascinating how God continues to place me in the right place at the right time to hear a word from him that I know without a doubt is directed at me.

So, today in church we were talking about the fact that the Christmas story is all about God being...

And that it is his story, not ours.

And I could not help but think about the things we have talked about on our 25 Days of Fitness journey the past few days...

-- how things never quite seem to go the way that we planned
-- and how God does things his way, with his custom label on them, in ways that we could never have
imagined or even wanted, quite frankly

We also talked about the "characters" {if you will} surrounding the Christmas story...a bunch of unlikely people who we know close to nothing about.

For example, all we really know about Mary is that she was probably between 14 and 16 years old and as for Joseph, he was a carpenter.

And that's about it.

This of course reminded me of our discussion on Day 1, that God uses ordinary people.

You would think God might give us a list of Mary and Joseph's qualifications, as to why he chose them to carry and raise his son.

But instead, he barely gives us any details.

And I really love what the pastor had to say about it:

God does not choose to use us in his story because of who we are or anything we have done. It is not about us. He is the central character in his own story. He is the one who gets all the glory.

And the ones he chooses to use are those who are willing to let him overwrite their story with his story.

If we want to be apart of God's story, we have to give up the one that we have written for ourselves.

So tell me, are you willing to do that?

{Day 3}: He Is On His Throne

2011-12-03T14:47:00.000-06:00

Today's Workout:

30 minutes on the treadmill
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

Did you get your workout in today?

Today's eating report:

So far I have not stuck to a specific plan. We have had alot of holiday related things going on. Basically, I have been eating less and also making better choices...grilled or baked instead of fried, diet instead of regular, chicken instead of red meat, no snacking, etc. Next week I plan to get into a more rigid "diet" {if you will} and also start increasing my water intake.

What changes have you made?

Today's thoughts on my One Incredible Moment reading:

After hearing Mary's perspective today, I am reminded of my thoughts on Joseph from yesterday, that things never quite seem to happen the way that we planned them.

Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works more precious: to touch a leper's open wound, to wipe a widow's weary tear; to claw the ground of Gethsemane.

Your hands, so tiny, so tender, so white---clutched tonight in an infant's fist. They aren't destined to hold a sceptor nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.

Mary would never have planned for her child to walk the path that Jesus did. None of us would choose or want that for our son.

And yet, if she had tried to stop Jesus from walking the path to crucifixion, there would have been no resurrection. If he had not died, we would not live.

And I cannot help but think about Lazarus. Jesus could have saved him. He could have prevented him from dying. He did not need to leave him dead for that long. But if he had healed him before he died or if he had raised him from the dead immediately, we would not have witnessed God's glory and known for sure that it was of God and not man.

So when times are tough or things do not go according to plan, I encourage you to remember that {like silver} if we do not go through the fire, we do not come out refined.

And when you are wondering where God is in the middle of this mess, he is sitting on his throne. He is in control. He has a plan and it will prevail. He is on our side.

The God who can, will.

We just have to trust him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. {Proverbs 3:5-6}

{Day 2}: This Wasn't My Plan

2011-12-02T21:21:00.001-06:00

Did you get your workout in yesterday and today? Did you spend some time alone with God, reflecting on the true reason for the season? Did you buy the food you needed for your eating plan?

If not, I have a little motivation for you! :)

As promised, we are going to have some fun stuff taking place on our sponsor's facebook page, Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC, to go along with our 25 Days of Fitness journey!!!

Tower is going to be giving away two $50 Visa gift cards to two lucky winners!!!

1. For a chance to win the first $50 Visa gift card, you must do the following:
    -- "Like" both the Worthy of the Prize and the Tower Promotions facebook pages
    -- Complete ALL 25 Days of Fitness, meaning whatever your physical/spiritual plan or goal was for the
        25 Days of Fitness, you must follow through with it {honor system}
    -- Make a donation to a worthy cause to help someone in need this Christmas {honor system}

**Once you have accomplished both goals, you MUST leave a comment {by December 25th} on the Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC facebook page letting us know what you did for your 25 Days of Fitness and what worthy cause you donated to! Your name will then be entered into a drawing for a chance to win $50!

2. For a chance to win the second $50 Visa gift card, you must do the following:
    -- "Like" both the Worthy of the Prize and the Tower Promotions facebook pages
    -- Weigh yourself at the beginning of your 25 Days of Fitness journey and then again at the end of your
         25 Days of Fitness journey {don't forget to write down your weight each time, you can email it to me
        at worthyoftheprize@yahoo.com if you are afraid you will forget where you put it}
    -- Calculate your % weight lost over the 25 Days of Fitness {honor system}

**Once you have accomplished both goals, you MUST leave a comment {by December 25th} on the Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC facebook page letting us know your % weight lost! The person with the highest % weight lost will win $50! If there is a tie, a winner will be drawn.

Need some ideas for worthy causes you can donate to?

--you could purchase one of our Africa Glass Ornaments here {only available through December 7th}, ALL proceeds go to benefit the adopting families that we sponsor to help them raise the $ they need to bring their children home, read more about this opportunity here

--you could buy a Scentsy Buddy {only available through December 8th} which will be donated to Toys for Tots {Christmas gifts for underprivileged children} and $5 from each bear sold will be donated to our adopting families as well, read more about his opportunity here

--you could take a bag of full of groceries/canned goods or an unwrapped toy to your area food bank or mission organization by December 15th {so they can distribute them to the families in time for Christmas}

**In the spirit of giving, Tower is going to match the giveaway prizes and donate $100 to an area food bank!!

Leave me a comment here or on our facebook page to let me know what your plan is and I will let you know what mine plan is as well! As soon as I decide! :)

As for today's workout:
30 minutes on the eliptical

And my thoughts from today's One Incredible Moment reading:

Oh my goodness!! God really hit me over the head with this one.

Do you ever wonder what Joseph must have been thinking?

This isn't the way I planned it, God. Not at all. My child being born in a stable? This isn't the way I thought it would be. A cave with sheep and donkeys, hay and straw? My wife giving birth with only the stars to hear her pain?

...Who will celebrate with us? The sheep? The shepherds? The stars?

This doesn't seem right. What kind of husband am I? I provide no midwife to aid my wife. No bed to rest her back. Her pillow is a blanket from my donkey...

Did I miss something? Did I, God?

Wow. I think Max could have entitled this chapter, "Erin, what happened to your plan?"

And I would have to answer, "we are so far from my plan, I can't even remember what my plan was!"

I know for certain it was not to leave the great state, move cross country to the frozen tundra, away from family and friends, taking the boys from their cousins and all that is familiar, basically giving up everything....and for what?

This is not the life I wanted for my children. This wasn't my plan.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. {Jeremiah 29:11}

I'm unaccustomed to such strangeness, God. I'm a carpenter. I make things fit. I square off the edges. I follow the plumb line. I measure twice before I cut once. Surprises are not the friend of a builder. I like to know the plan. I like to see the plan before I begin.

But this time I'm not the builder, am I? This time I'm a tool. A hammer in your grip. A chisel in your hands. This project is yours, not mine.

I guess it's foolish of me to question you. Forgive my struggling. Trust doesn't come easy to me, God. But you never said it would be easy, did you?

You know how they say, "God works in mysterious ways."

Well, I believe it is because he wants us to know for sure that it is him. His ways are custom-made with his label on it.

One final thing, Father. The angel you sent? Any chance you could send another? If not an angel, maybe a person? I don't know anyone around here and some company would be nice. Maybe the innkeeper or a traveler? Even a shepherd would do.

Only the God of the universe could have orchestrated the events that took place the night of that first Christmas, all those years ago. Thank goodness Joseph and Mary allowed themselves to be used in such a way that we can know for sure that it was from God and not man.

I wonder what God could do in our lives if we did the same?

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. {Philippians 3:8-9}

{Day 1}: An Ordinary Night

2011-12-01T15:05:00.001-06:00

Today is the day it all begins!

25 Days of Fitness, physical and spiritual.

The first thing we need to do is make a plan. Those of you joining me on this journey to prepare ourselves for the arrival of our savior, what are you going to do to get physically and spiritually fit this Christmas season?

As I told you before, I am going to do something to pursue physical and spiritual fitness each day for the next 25 days.

More specifically, I am going to do some form of exercise each day. It will be a combination of cardio and strength-training. Most likely I will do a little cardio {walking, jogging, treadmill, elliptical, stairs, etc} everyday and will add in some sort of strength-training {squats, abs, push-ups, free weights, etc} every other day, or at least 3-5 times a week.

As for spiritual fitness, I am going to read through One Incredible Moment: Celebrating the Majesty of the Manger by Max Lucado, adding in the scriptures surrounding Christ's birth.

One Incredible Moment is a fantastic little book that I read each year at Christmastime. One year when I spoke at a women's Christmas event, I actually used excerpts from this book. I highly recommend it. It really brings to light the entire story from the manger to the cross. I just love Max Lucado. Don't you?!

I am also going to be watching what I eat these next 25 days, following this eating plan {option #3} and also counting calories using the Livestrong calorie calculator, so that I do not overeat at the enormous amount of holiday parties we will be attending over the next few weeks.

Be sure to leave me some comments here or on our facebook page to let me know what your 25 Days of Fitness plan is.

And don't forget to "like" our sponsor's facebook page, Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC. We will have some fun stuff taking place there as well, which I will fill you in on tomorrow! :)

Remember, I will be linking all 25 Days of Fitness posts to the original post so that you can follow along. You can find the button linking to it on the left sidebar of the blog. You will also find the button code on the original post if you want to put it on your blog as well, making it easy to get to each day. I have also put a linky party on the original post in case you want to link-up any 25 Days of Fitness posts of your own. Just be sure to link back to the original post in your post as well.

As for today, here is my workout:

100 stairs
10 super-slow squats
10 super-slow crunches
10 super-slow reverse push-ups
30 quick calf raises {straight, in, out}
1:00 plank

**If you need any help/advice on finding a workout/eating plan, feel free to ask me! I am not an expert by any means but I can at least point you in the right direction and fill you in on my experiences.

Disclaimer: Make sure to consult with your physician to get approval before beginning any type of diet or workout plan!!

And here are my thoughts from today's One Incredible Moment reading:

Have you ever felt like God forgot about you? Like there is simply nothing special about you?

That you are just ordinary.

If so, I encourage you to think about the night that Jesus was born and, take heart!

An ordinary night with ordinary sheep and ordinary shepherds. And were it not for a God who loves to hook an "extra" on the front of the ordinary, the night would have gone unnocticed. The sheep would have been forgotten, and the shepherds would have slept the night away.

But God dances amidst the common. And that night he did a waltz.

...The night was ordinary no more.

God has a special plan for each one of us. And it is bigger and better than we could ever have imagined.

Who would have thought that the savior of the world would have been born in a stable to a lowly carpenter and his wife, who was pregnant before he married her?

And yet it is a beautiful picture of the fact that "man looks at outward appearances" while the Lord "looks at the heart."

Many at that first Christmas were so busy looking for a "political savior" that they missed God's best...his bigger, better plan...the birth of his son...not the one that would save them from the government...but the savior of the world, the one who would conquer the grave!

Don't miss out on what God has for you this Christmas because you are distracted by the busy-ness of the season or because you are looking for something spectacular.

Slow down. Seek him. And notice what he is doing in and around you this season.

And don't forget that people are watching you too. And you just might be the only Jesus they see.

And can I just add...thank goodness God uses the ordinary. Otherwise we would miss out on the privilege of being apart of his glorious work, bringing us closer to him and making us more like his son.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. {Isaiah 55:8-9}

Be still, and know that I am God. {Psalm 46:10}

{Introduction}: 25 Days of Fitness

2011-11-30T18:39:00.032-06:00

It's that time of year again!!!

Back by popular demand, tomorrow starts our 2nd Annual 25 Days of Fitness series! Physical and spiritual fitness that is.

I am so excited to spend the next 25 days {December 1st - 25th} preparing ourselves physically and spiritually for the holidays, as we anxiously await the birth of our savior! Emmanuel. God with us.

As usual, I actually need to lose some weight this Christmas season, not gain it. So I am committing to doing some sort of exercise everyday for the next 25 days and also watching what I eat. I usually workout 3-5 times a week, but with all the extra calories consumed this time of year, I am stepping it up to counteract this reality, ensuring that I do not gain weight and hopefully lose some instead.

In addition, I am committing to doing some sort of daily devotional reading, focusing on the true reason for the season, over the next 25 days.

Will you join me? Leave me a comment here or on our facebook page to let me know!

I will be blogging this physical and spiritual journey right here on the blog. I will link all 25 posts back to this one and will put a button on the sidebar linking here so that you can easily find and read them whenever you have extra time in your crazy holiday schedule. I will also make a blog button and put it here so that you can post it on your blog to easily hop on over here each day.

I'm sure there will be giveaways and other surprises along the way! Go ahead and "like" our sponsor's facebook page, Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC, because I know some fun things will be taking place there that you will not want to miss out on!

Go here to read the details of our contests for 2 chances to win a $50 Visa gift card!

Be sure to invite your friends to join us!

Tis the season, friends! :)

25 Days of Fitness Posts:

{Day 1}: An Ordinary Night

{Day 2}: This Wasn't My Plan

{Day 3}: He Is On His Throne

{Day 4}: With Us

{Day 5}: The Meek Were Kneeling

{Day 6}: Wait With Joy

{Day 7}: Wise Men Still Seek Him

{Day 8}: The Author Enters His Own Story

{Day 9}: Free Friday! {Wise Men}

{Day 10}: To Win Your Love

{Day 11}: To Give or To Get? That is the Question.

{Day 12}: O Holy Night

{Day 13}: Here With Us

{Day 14}: A Little Piece of Heaven

{Day 15}: What Christmas Is All About

{Day 16}: Free Friday! {Believe} **giveaway**

{Day 17}: Christmas Joy!

{Day 18}: Come and Worship {and a winner!}

{Day 19}: 3 Gifts You Really Need To Open Right Now {A Holy Experience}

{Day 20}: Can Martha Have a "Mary" Christmas? {Girlfriends with a Purpose}

{Day 21}: I Played My Best For Him

{Day 22}: Majesty in the Midst of the Mundane

{Day 23}: Free Friday! {Joy in the Journey} **giveaway**

{Day 24}: You're Here

{Day 25}: Christmas Leftovers

Christmas Ornament {Adoption Fundraiser}

2011-11-29T16:13:00.002-06:00

We are selling these gorgeous Africa Glass Ornaments to help our adopting families raise the $ they need to bring their children home!

What a beautiful reminder of the fact that God sent our savior to the world so that we could become his children! Emmanuel. God with us.

I can't wait to have one hanging from my tree this Christmas!

Please buy one here and then share this fundraiser on your blog/facebook/twitter/etc to help us spread the word!!!

ALL proceeds go to our adopting families and you will have your ornament in time for Christmas. These are only available for purchase through December 7th. No custom orders {sorry!}.

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. {John 14:18}

CYBER MONDAY SALE!!!

2011-11-28T10:11:00.000-06:00

Today is the LAST day to take advantage of the great deals in our online shop and on our facebook page!

Everything in our shop is 30% off + free standard shipping with the code FREESHIPPING.

We also have ten 1/2 price deals listed on our facebook page, just scroll down to find them.

Orders of $30 or more will receive a free fit band {wristlet keychain} and we will also give you a free fit band with your order if you refer someone who places an order.

TODAY ONLY, don't miss it!!!

Our fit bands {wristlet keychains} make great stocking stuffers, secret santa and Christmas gifts particularly for moms whose hands are always full and for teachers who have to carry their keys with them all day!

And just a reminder, you MUST place your order by December 1st to ensure Christmas delivery. Orders placed after this date cannot be guaranteed until after the New Year.

Happy Shopping!! :)

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!!

2011-11-25T11:41:00.000-06:00

Everything in our online shop is 30% off + free standard shipping with the code FREESHIPPING, today only!

We also have ten 1/2 price deals listed on our facebook page, just scroll down to find them!

And just a reminder, you MUST place your order by December 1st to ensure Christmas delivery. Orders placed after this date cannot be guaranteed until after the New Year.

Happy Shopping!! :)

A Happy {Ever After} Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T18:46:00.000-06:00

We have much to be thankful for around here this year, including the fact that my baby sister is engaged!!!

We headed to Missouri for Thanksgiving and to celebrate Big A's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary on Monday as planned and then I took a little side trip to the great state Wednesday - Thursday to be there for my sister Sarah's {Director of WOTP Volleyball} engagement!

It was so much fun and she was so surprised! I am now back in Missouri with my boys and I am SO thankful that I got to be there for her special moment and to see my family even if it was only for a short time...less than 24 hours to be exact!

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving with loved ones as well!!!

I am so thankful for you and your support of our little ministry.

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever! {Psalm 107:1}

Have a great rest of your holiday celebration and don't miss our Black Friday Sale, starting at MIDNIGHT tonight!!! Everything in our online shop will be 30% off + free standard shipping with the code FREESHIPPING. We will also have a few 1/2 price deals on our facebook page.

Don't fight the crowds, shop online instead!!!

And just a reminder, you MUST place your order by December 1st to ensure Christmas delivery! After that we cannot guarantee anything until after the New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!! :)

{Happy} National Adoption Day!

2011-11-19T20:30:00.002-06:00

Happy National Adoption Day to all of the families participating in our "Chosen Child " Adoption Band Fundraiser!!

And to ALL of you who are saving those beautiful orphans, bless you!

Source: etsy.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Many of our families have been bringing home their babies over the past several months, so be on the lookout for a post about their "gotcha" experiences soon!

And a BIG congratulations to Team Chase 4 and Counting who got their referral THIS week! Pray for them as they {im}patiently wait to bring little Bek home!

Wooohooo, God is good! :)

Where are you adopting from? Leave me a comment so I can pray for you!

Free Friday! {Grateful Hearts}

2011-11-19T10:52:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love this print. What a simple, beautiful message.

Source: craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

I thought you might want to display it at your Thanksgiving dinner table as we gather with loved ones this week to celebrate God's goodness. Even when times are tough, He is faithful and continues to bless us in the little things that we usually take for granted.

May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving. :)

{Coaches Corner}: A Little "Link" Inspiration

2011-11-18T11:18:00.001-06:00

Today is our last {Coaches Corner} of the year!

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving and by that time the playoffs will be over and State Championships will have been won. Then we move full force into the holiday season. We will pick back up with {Coaches Corner} after the New Year. I have truly enjoyed our time here together each week and hope you have to.

Watch this video for a little inspiration, it is truly what the game is all about.

While you are here, take a minute to read this article about the World Series Umpires and their ministry Calling for Christ {CFC}. Awesome!!

And please keep OSU and its women's basketball program in your prayers, it will take them awhile to heal after this tragedy.

On a lighter note, be sure to check back for the 2nd annual 25 Days of Fitness, December 1st-25th, to prepare yourself for the holidays, physically and spiritually!

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving with loved ones. :)

{1000 Fans}: A Week FULL of Giveaways!

2011-11-13T14:40:00.003-06:00

We are SO pumped that we reached 1000+ fans on our facebook page during the World Series and are SO thankful for those who have supported our little ministry that we are having a week full of giveaways {1 a day} on our facebook page THIS week! You do not want to miss it!

The giveaways start TODAY and go through next Sunday {Nov. 20th}. We will post 1 new giveaway each day. Winners will be announced Monday {Nov. 21st}.

Giveaways will include items from some of my favorite handmade shops, just in time for Christmas!

These shops include...

Pitter Patter Art

Baby be Blessed

The Adopt Shoppe

Cap Creations

517 Creations

Evangeline Handmade

A Moments Peace

We will also be giving away something from Worthy of the Prize and our sponsor Tower Promotions!

To enter, you MUST be a fan of Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries and Tower Promotions and Planning Solutions, LLC on facebook.

So go ahead and "like" those pages and then head on over to our facebook page and enter the 1st giveaway, which is already up!

Goodluck!! :)

Linking Up With:

Free Friday! {Give Thanks}

2011-11-11T18:39:00.001-06:00

Source: adventuresofabettycrockerwannabe.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Today I am thankful for our veterans. Those who have/are/will serve our country so that we can enjoy the daily freedoms that we tend to take for granted.

You?

{Coaches Corner}: 3 Things I Learned from the World Series + A SALE!!

2011-11-11T09:59:00.002-06:00

So I have been in mourning the last few weeks...over the Texas Rangers World Series loss.

Seriously.

It brought back memories of when we lost the 1995 Texas 5A High School State Volleyball Championship...lots of similarities.

And I was once again reminded of these 3 things:

1. The best team does not always win.
2. It is always easier to be the underdog; the one with nothing to lose.
3. Sometimes, no matter what you do, it is simply not meant to be.

BUT...what a class act organization from the top down {management, players, coaches}! I am SO proud to be a Rangers fan! We will be back and I have no doubt we will bring the trophy home with us one of these days!

God has a way of bringing things full circle. Even though it was a devastating loss as a player in 1995, the team that was supposed to win it all {my senior year, last chance}, He allowed me to return to the 2005 Texas 5A High School State Volleyball Championship and win it, as a coach, 10 years later!

God is good. All the time. Try to remember that.

And if you are a volleyball coach, be sure to check out the HUGE SALE taking place on the Worthy of the Prize facebook page! ALL of our in stock volleyball products are 1/2 price + we are offering free standard {first class} shipping!

Need a banquet or Christmas gift for your players/coaches? These make great stocking stuffers, secret santa, Christmas, player/coaches gifts for any volleyball lover! We can ship immediately! First come first served!

Goodluck to those of you still in the playoffs! WIN IT ALL! :)

{The Mercy House}: Benefit Day Auction

2011-11-08T08:38:00.001-06:00

We are SO excited to be apart of The Mercy House Benefit Day Auction at We are THAT Family!

Go here to bid on our fun prize package that is sure to keep you physically and spiritually fit! We teamed up with Scripture Art Designs to bring it to you!

There are other fabulous items up for bid as well, from some of my favorite shops like Baby be Blessed and The Adopt Shoppe!

100% of the proceeds benefit The Mercy House, a maternity home that provides nutrition, housing, prenatal care, counseling, Biblical training and job skills for sustainable living to pregnant girls living on the streets of Kenya.

Do a little Christmas shopping and help a great cause! There are no minimum bids so you could get some great deals!

Bidding ends tomorrow {Nov. 9th} and the winners will be announced Friday {Nov. 11th}.

Spread the word!!

Free Friday! {Gratitude}

2011-11-04T17:23:00.000-05:00

Since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to provide a {gratitude} print every Friday in November.

I have noticed that alot of people are posting {30 days} of thanksgiving, giving thanks, thankfulness, etc on their blogs, facebook pages and twitter pages this month.

Wouldn't it be fun to do something like that here each Friday?!

I will blog about gratitude and tell you what I am thankful for and then you can do the same! What do you say?

Source: restoredstyle.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

I just love this print. I found it on Pinterest several weeks ago and have been saving it to share during the month of November.

We can get so caught up in focusing on what we need, what we want, what we do not have and what other people have that it robs us of our joy.

I want to encourage you this month to focus on what you DO have. I will be sharing with you some ways to do this over the course of the next few weeks but first, I challenge you to write down 1 thing that you are thankful for each day this month.

It can be anything. Simple, small things. Things we usually take for granted. Write it in a journal or on your blog, facebook, twitter page or on a piece of paper. Encourage your family members to do the same.

Ok, my turn.

Today I am VERY thankful that my book is in print!!!

After years of hardwork, it is finally finished! You can pre-order it now, directly from my publisher, and save $4.05! Just in time for Christmas, only $10.94!

Buy it and then give it to one of the ministry leaders at your church/mission organization to be used as a community outreach or on mission. Go here to pre-order it.

Now it's your turn.

What are YOU thankful for today?! Leave me a comment!

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. {Philippians 4:11-13}

{Coaches Corner}: Words to live by...

2011-11-03T21:31:00.000-05:00

Source: rippedandfit.tumblr.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Goodluck in your games this weekend! Particularly to those of you who are in the playoffs!! :)

{giveaway}: 50,000 Pageviews

2011-11-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we achieved 50,000 pageviews on our little blog! Wooohooo!!!

We are celebrating by giving away a $25 credit to our online shop!

To enter, simply visit our shop here and then leave a comment on our facebook page letting us know what you would buy with your $25 credit and who it would be for---you or someone else!

You only have today to enter! Winner will be announced in the morning!

While you are here, make sure you read the exciting news from this morning!

And finally, a Big congratulations to Becca Pressnall, the winner of our ipad 2 {or $550 cash} giveaway!!!

Happy Wednesday, friends!!! :)

It's Official!!! I'm A Published Author!

2011-11-02T09:09:00.001-05:00

My book is in print!!!! After years of hardwork, I am SO excited to be done! Now here's to hoping someone actually buys it! ;)

It is a guide for churches/mission organizations or any group that wants to run an evangelistic sports camp for kids as a community outreach.

It gives you everything you need to make it happen, kind of like when you purchase VBS materials for your church. All you need is a willing heart and someone to coordinate it. The rest is given to you in this book.

I have actually been partnering with churches to run these camps since 2004 and have seen many successes and lives changed as a result.

I encourage you to buy one and give it to one of the ministry leaders at your church/mission organization. You can pre-order it now, directly from my publisher, and save $4.05! Just in time for Christmas, only $10.94!

Go here to pre-order a copy.

Several have asked about getting an autographed copy from me! You can order one from my shop here and I will sign it and ship it to you myself. It will take a few weeks and you will not get the special pre-order price but it will be autographed! :)

Please help me spread the word!!! Thanks!

{pinspiration}: The One With Halloween Fun

2011-10-31T11:39:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more fun Halloween ideas I found on Pinterest!

Source: theeducationcenter.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Candy corn handprints! I really want to make these with the boys this week!

Source: marthastewart.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

A talking pumpkin using a baby monitor! How funny would that be for trick-or-treaters!

Source: eliseblaha.typepad.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Pumpkin globes! What cute party decor!

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Candy corn bunting! More cute party decor!

Source: thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Candy corn cones! What an easy craft!

Source: freshhomeideas.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Carve pumpkins using cookie cutters! What a great idea!

Source: lowescreativeideas.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Candy corn planters! So cute!

Source: somedaycrafts.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Extra buttons lying around? Button pumpkins!

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Pumpkin party platter! Yummy!

Source: thestoriesofa2z.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Cover with stickers, spray paint and peel stickers! Super easy!

Source: etsy.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Love it! Adorable!

I can't wait to show y'all what I make for the boys' Halloween party tonight! Better run and get to work!

Happy Halloween, friends! :)

Free Friday! {3 Halloween Printables}

2011-10-28T10:08:00.000-05:00

I don't know about you but around here we are not into "scary" halloween. We are into "cutesy," maybe even "spooky" halloween.

We let the boys dress up in cute costumes, trick-or-treat the block and this year we are even having a little halloween party for them and their friends filled with treats and games.

But as for decorations, we decorate for fall. Not halloween. And in no way do we "celebrate" halloween or the meaning behind it. We stay away from all things "gruesome" and "scary."

With that in mind, I found a few "cute" halloween printables that I thought you might like. I may have to print them myself because they would be perfect to display at the boys' party.

Source: thecraftycrow.net via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Source: twotwenty-one.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Source: lovelylittlesnippets.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Enjoy! :)

{Coaches Corner}: Sports Parenting Article by Jim Sundberg

2011-10-27T12:57:00.003-05:00

Today I have a great resource for coaches and parents.

It is an excellent article by Jim Sundberg {Vice President of the Texas Rangers Baseball Organization} on sports parenting.

Go here and read it. It is definitely worth your time.

Also, it would be perfect for you to pass out at the parent meeting at the start of your season.

And if any of you out there reading this are parents, it is a must read for you as well. It really puts your child's athletic career into perspective.

A few of my favorite quotes from the article...

"It is the parents' responsibility to check out in advance how the coach is going to play kids and his coaching style. And it's always smart for a coach to set ground rules with parents before the season starts. After one bad year's experience, I would move on but not quit in the middle of the year."

"God is most concerned about our heart and character, so difficult moments will occur. If we were only allowed to succeed and win, we wouldn't be nice people. We would also be miserable."

And since you are here, take a moment to read this inspiring article about Josh Hamilton. It is always nice to see someone using their athletic abilities for the greater good! Encourage your players to do the same!

Goodluck at your games this weekend!! And GO RANGERS, WIN IT ALL!!!

{Josh Hamilton}: A Hero On And Off The Field

2011-10-26T15:15:00.002-05:00

Most of you reading this already know and love {for one reason or another} Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers Baseball Organization.

Is it his dominance on the baseball field that draws you to him? Or perhaps his faith in God? Or maybe it is his "real-ness" when it comes to his daily struggles?

I would have to agree. All of the above.

And yet there is another reason why I have much respect for this man. And that reason's name is Payton.

A few years ago, Big A and I took a trip to Spring Training out in Surprise, Arizona to scout out the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals with some friends of ours. We had a blast. To say the least.

On our first day there, we went to the Rangers batting practice to try to get some autographs. While I was standing in line to get Josh's autograph on my ball, I noticed a little boy and girl who walked right past the long line of hopefuls, straight to Josh.

I could tell Josh knew them by name and I saw Josh sign this boy's bat and then put a special bracelet around his wrist. I also heard the little girl tell Josh that she tied her own shoes that day. It was so cute!

I did not think much more about it. I proceeded to get Josh's autograph myself and then we went about the rest of our day, getting autographs and watching baseball.

The next day {while still in Surprise} I noticed that pictures of this same little boy and girl at Spring Training with Josh Hamilton were popping up on my friend's Facebook page. Turns out my friend was in fact there in Surprise and that the little boy and girl {who passed up the line} were his kids.

Once we figured this out, we immediately made plans to meet up at the Ranger game the next day, where I had the pleasure of meeting Payton.

Payton is 8 years old and he lives with a devastating disease called cystic fibrosis {CF}.

Here is a little information {from my friend, Payton's dad} about his condition...

Each day we help Payton with breathing treatments, supplemental feedings, vest therapy and other medications; all of these help him live a stronger and healthier life. Payton was admitted to the hospital twice in 2010, once in August and the other in December (staying during Christmas). Both of these hospital stays were for 15 days where he received IV antibiotics, 5 daily breathing treatments, CPT with an electronic vest, multiple blood draws, and nightly feedings through his G-Button. Payton always does an outstanding job and is one of the favorite patients at Cook Children’s. At home each day Payton has to take 25 or more pills, 4 breathing treatments and is feed throughout the night in his G-Button. All of these medications help to assist his digestion, increase his lung function, and treat bacteria growing in his lungs. Although his health is still fragile and a daily struggle, we are grateful for all the medical advances that are available to help him. Payton does remarkably well for an 8 year old, but this is still plenty to take in for someone his age and even more heartbreaking to watch. There are still many sleepless nights and tough days. Recently a new drug was approved that Payton is now receiving. We have seen a huge difference in his response to this medication, and hope that it continues. We all want to see our children grow up, and thankfully that is what the CF Foundation is allowing Payton to do with their research.

I asked my friend to tell me the story behind the bracelet that Josh gave Payton.

It turns out that a man from Cincinatti, who has been a Josh fan since he was with the Reds, came to Spring Training that year and he brought with him a "Believe Band" that Josh and his wife Katie had given out at a prayer service after a game.

He told Josh that he had no idea why he brought the bracelet but when he saw and talked to Payton, he knew. So he proceeded to give the bracelet to Josh who in turn gave it to Payton, telling him the story. And that was the encounter I witnessed at Spring Training, March 2010. And all along it was the son of my friend from high school, whose sister I played volleyball with. Unbelievable.

Since that time I have learned more about Josh and Payton's special relationship.

Obviously, Payton and his family are big-time Ranger fans, must be good people, right? They have been going to Spring Training every year since 2004 and it was in March 2008 that Josh began to take an interest in Payton.

Since that time they have had MANY encounters {beyond the normal pleasantries that occur anytime they see one another}, including...

April 2008: Josh put Payton on the field with him at Fenway Park
August 2008: Josh caught Payton's ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
March 2009: Batting practice at Spring Training
March 2009: Josh's dream bat, wrist bands, batting gloves at Spring Training
July 2010: Took pictures on the field and in the dugout in Anaheim

Even though Payton fights this disease daily, most of the time you wouldn’t even know he had CF. He is very active all day long and loves playing sports. Payton is playing Coach Pitch Select baseball for the Texas Crush and is having a great time! He really loves baseball and we give him every opportunity to play and watch it that we can. He is a huge Texas Rangers fan, and who could have asked for a better year of baseball than in 2010!!! Payton and I had the opportunity to see all of last season’s playoff games and share the experience together. Payton’s favorite baseball player is Josh Hamilton and there is nothing better than seeing his face light up when Josh talks to him. We travel to Arizona each year for Spring Training and try to make some out of town games too. This year Josh took Payton through the Rangers Clubhouse in Surprise, AZ. We are truly blessed and thankful that Josh has been so nice to our family. Baseball is truly Payton’s release from his day to day fight against CF!

And this, my friends, is just another one of the many many reasons why we love Josh Hamilton, why people proudly display the #32 and why I am honored to be in partnership with {Josh's company} Scripture Art Designs.

Which by the way, have you seen their newest design?!

Love it!

GO PAYTON!! You are an inspiration to us all!

AND GO RANGERS, WIN IT ALL!!!

Sidenote: We are giving away a Josh Hamilton autographed baseball on our Facebook page. Go here to enter for a chance to win!

{pinspiration} The One With All The Halloween Treats

2011-10-24T09:47:00.002-05:00

So it's been a few weeks since we have had any {pinspiration} around here. It is well overdue!

We are having a little halloween party for the boys next Monday. A few of their buddies from the neighborhood are going to come over and here is the plan---take pictures of everyone in their costumes, trick-or-treat the block together, cookout, play games and eat halloween treats! Should be a great time!

These are 10 ideas that I have collected in my "Fall Fun" pin board on Pinterest over the past several weeks for cute, easy halloween party treats! Now if I can just decide which ones to make for the party so I can gather the supplies this week!

Source: bhg.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

{Free} Halloween Cupcake Topper Printables!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Halloween Candy Jars! What a fun display!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Halloween Pretzel Kiss Treats! Super easy!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Halloween Cupcake Designs!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Witch Broom Drinks!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Halloween Caramel Corn!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Witch Hat Cookies! So easy!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Ghost Pretzels! My kind of treat!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Ritzy Halloween Spiders! Yum!

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Nutter Butter Ghost Cookies! Adorable!

Which one is your favorite? Do you have any special Halloween plans?

I have a feeling there will be more Halloween {pinspiration} coming to the blog this week as I prepare for the boys' party. There is just so much fabulous stuff floating around Pinterest!

Sidenote: Have you entered our ipad 2 {or $550 cash} giveaway?

Linking Up With:

Free Friday! {Fall Subway Art}

2011-10-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

This week I have a fabulous little fall print for you, courtesy of one of my favorite etsy shops Barn Owl Primitives!

Source: thirtyhandmadedays.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

This would be such a cute, inexpensive display for your home this season!

Happy Fall, y'all!!! :)

{Coaches Corner}: A few quotes...

2011-10-20T19:53:00.001-05:00

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

I came across this on Pinterest and I just love what it has to say. It definitely applies to coaches but really to anyone in a leadership position whether it be in business or in ministry.

Bottom line. You are never going to please everyone. So quit trying.

You have to do what you think is right, what God calls you to do, what is best for the team and not worry about what people might think.

And remember, parents are focusing on their child alone. They do not see the big picture. And in my opinion, they are the worst part of coaching. So take advice/criticism with a grain of salt and move on.

If you need to make adjustments, make them and if not, press on.

And I'll leave you with a little humor...in the words of Chandler {yes I am a Friends junkie}...

Source: None via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Learn to laugh at yourself and with your fellow coaches. Sarcastic comments are what get you through at times. ;)

Goodluck at your games this weekend!!

Don't forget to join the Worthy of the Prize {Coaches} facebook group and share us with your coaching friends!

{giveaway}: It's A Celebration!!!

2011-10-19T11:10:00.002-05:00

Today is a HUGE day of celebration around here!

The Texas Rangers are headed into the World Series, they are gonna rock Game 1 tonight AND....my book is FINALLY going to print!!!!

Wooooohooooooooo!!! In celebration, we are having a BIG Texas Rangers prize package giveaway on the Worthy of the Prize facebook page!

The winner will receive....

-1 copy of my book {which includes a foreword by Jim Sundberg, Vice President of the Texas Rangers baseball organization}

-1 Texas Rangers fit band and 1 Texas Rangers half loop

-1 sports-themed faith memory pack from Scripture Art Designs {the company of Josh Hamilton's wife and sister-in-law who I happen to be in partnership with}

AND.....

-1 autographed baseball signed by THE Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers!!!

Go here to enter. You can enter through the final game of the World Series. Winner will be announced when the series is over.

Goodluck and GO RANGERS, WIN IT ALL!!!

{ipad 2 giveaway}: It's Time!!! ***Updated with winner!!

2011-10-16T23:01:00.071-05:00

A BIG congratulations to our winner, Bethany Pressnall!!!

I am thrilled to be apart of this incredible giveaway and am pumped that it is finally time to enter!!

The winner will receive their choice of an iPad 2 or $550 in cash! Woohoo!!

Should you win, here is exactly what you will receive depending on which option you choose:

iPad2 Option
•16 GB Wi-Fi iPad2 in winner's color choice (black or white)
•polyurethane Smart Cover in winner's color choice (gray, blue, green, orange, or pink)
•optional two lines of engraving on back of iPad2 (up to 28 letters/characters per line)

Cash Option
•entrant MUST have a PayPal account
•$550 cash will be paid to winner as a gift via PayPal

To enter, simply follow ALL of the blogs listed in the form below through Google Friend Connect {GFC}. This is mandatory for entry. For extra entries, follow as many of the facebook and twitter pages listed in the form below that you can. These are optional entries. You get 2 extra entries for each facebook and twitter page that you follow. Other optional entries include "liking" the original giveaway post {3 extra entries}, tweeting about the giveaway {3 extra entries}, blogging about the giveaway {5 extra entries} and putting the giveaway blog button on your blog {5 extra entries}.

Obviously it will take some time to get as many entries as possible which is why you have until October 31st to enter! Take the time to do it {a little each day if you have to} because it will be worth it if you win!!

Once you have followed ALL of the blogs and done as many of the optional extra entries that you can...come back here, fill out and submit the form.

{US residents only. Must be 18+ years old to enter}

Goodluck!!

Free Friday! {Happy Fall Y'all}

2011-10-14T15:06:00.000-05:00

Being from Texas, I of course love this one!

Source: itsacraftylife.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Wouldn't this be perfect for the entryway?!

Happy Fall Y'all! :)

{Coaches Corner}: Introduction and an Incredible Video

2011-10-13T13:51:00.000-05:00

I have decided to start a new series on the blog every Thursday entitled "Coaches Corner."

My hope is that it will become a place where coaches can take refuge each week. A place where they can find encouragement and hope in what can be an otherwise tough, stressful and thankless job at times.

Believe me. I have been there.

My plan is to send you into the weekend {as you head into the big game} with a combination of motivational thoughts/quotes and team-building ideas mixed in with a little humor.

Also, please leave comments with any thoughts that you have that might be of help to your fellow coaches. Just make sure to keep them family-friendly! If you have a blog of your own, feel free to write related posts and link them up here.

And if you are a coach, make sure to join the Worthy of the Prize {Coaches} facebook group. A place designed for coaches to encourage {minister to} and network with one another. Please invite your fellow coaches to join as well!

While you are there, "like" the Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries facebook page for discounts, giveaways and other information pertaining to our sports ministry!

In closing, I leave you with this incredible video, a MUST see! It will take less than 6 minutes of your time to watch and it is well worth it. Seriously. Watch it. And then show it to your team.

{be sure to scroll down and pause the music player before watching the video}

There really are no words. My prayer is that we all live with the character and integrity displayed by the girls in this video. This is truly what it is all about.

Try not to get caught up in "winning." Instead, remember why you got into coaching in the first place---to make a difference in the lives of kids. For love of the game, teach them what the game is really about. Prepare them to be successful in life because for most of your athletes, their time on the court will be but a moment compared to the rest of their life.

And on a different note, this video is a glimpse of what Christ did for us on the cross. Literally, He took our place. The only difference is, we didn't deserve it.

Goodluck this weekend, coaches! May you have success with your team---on and off the court!

{ipad 2 giveaway}: Less Than One Week Away...

2011-10-11T16:31:00.001-05:00

Check back Monday to enter our biggest giveaway yet!

Winner will receive their choice of an ipad 2 or $550 cash!

Woohoo!!

{scroll down to join blog through google friend connect so that you do not miss this awesome giveaway}

Free Friday! {Fall Bucket List}

2011-10-07T18:41:00.001-05:00

There are SO many fabulous free {fall} printables floating around the web these days, I thought I would take a break from the {spiritual} prints and share some of my fall favorites with you this month! I can't wait to display a few of them in my own house.

Isn't this fun?! You can display it in your home to do with your family. I am proud to say that I have completed 8 of them already with my family this fall. Half way there!

In fact, here is a picture of Little E running through the corn maze when we went to the pumpkin farm with his class last week!

Happy Fall, y'all! :)

{Texas Rangers} Fit Band and Half Loop Giveaway + A Brand New Partnership

2011-10-06T10:19:00.002-05:00

We are SO pumped that the Texas Rangers are heading to the ALCS {American League Championship Series} and about our brand new partnership with Scripture Art Designs, the company of Josh Hamilton's wife and sister-in-law, that we have designed a brand new fit band {wristlet keychain} and half loop to rally them to victory!

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE IT!!!

We are very partial to the Texas Rangers baseball team around here, and rightly so. Having grown up in Arlington, playing volleyball with some of the players' daughters, there has always been a strong connection to the team. Not to mention the fact that we are a sports-loving family and have spent alot of time together at the ballpark. My boys each went to their first game when they were just a few weeks old. Many great memories have been made there over the years, including the time I got George W's autograph when he owned the team because my dad said, "he might be the governor someday." Ha!

Add that to the fact that Jim Sundberg {VP of the Texas Rangers} wrote the foreword for my book and that I am partnering with Josh Hamilton's {my favorite MLB player} wife and sister-in-law, and there you go....we here at Worthy of the Prize Sports Ministries LOVE THE RANGERS!!

I hope they win it ALL this year! Let's Go Rangers, ALL THE WAY!

If you are a fellow Rangers fan, be sure to check out the cool giveaway on our Worthy of the Prize FB page. Enter for a chance to win one of these cute fit bands and half loops. There is also a special discount code for 15% off your entire order if you would rather just purchase one in our shop.

Contest ends tomorrow, October 7th. Winner will be announced Saturday, October 8th. These bands will only be in the shop through the MLB playoffs so get yours now!

Not a Rangers fan but want a special fit band or half loop with an emblem on it...maybe your company logo or the outline of the country you are adopting from? Let us know and we will design it for you! We are currently working on one for the Special Olympics that I will show you soon.

Go here to see the current {fall} bands in our shop.

And don't forget to check out Scripture Art Designs, their products are awesome; you will not be disappointed. They are just getting started so show them some love by "liking" them on facebook and following them on twitter, letting them know that Worthy of the Prize sent you! You will be hearing more about our partnership in the near future.

Who are you rooting for this season?!

What Do I Know of Holy? {Waiting}

2011-10-05T10:01:00.000-05:00

Waiting with joy for fish that never came!

Be sure to stop by Cap Creations this morning to read my weekly guest post.

{ipad 2 giveaway}: You Do NOT Want to Miss This...

2011-10-04T16:04:00.001-05:00

Coming Soon to a blog near you...

Stay tuned for details! :)

{scroll down to join blog through google friend connect so that you do not miss this awesome giveaway}

{pinspiration} The One With Things I Actually Made

2011-10-03T10:47:00.002-05:00

This...

Source: bhg.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

And this...

Source: google.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Inspired me to make this...

And this...

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

Inspired this...

And just for fun, here are a few of my other favorite {fallish} spots around here...

Happy Fall, y'all! :)

Sidenote: We are at 800 fans on the Worthy of the Prize FB page! At 1000 fans, there will be a BIG giveaway including {but not limited to} Baby Be Blessed, Cap Creations and Pitter Patter Art! "Like" our page to help our ministry grow!

Linking Up With:
Centsational Girl

worthyoftheprize.com

{Baby Gift Ministry}: The Mercy House

{Free Friday}: Trust in the Lord

{Compassion International}: Just a Minute

{Giveaway}: Evangeline Handmade

{Hope for the Home}: Christmas Card Prayers

{Free Friday}: Filled With Joy

Snowman Gifts

{Hope for the Home}: Uniquely Made Snowmen

I Believe in Tim Tebow

{Free Friday}: Let It Snow

{What Do I Know of Holy}: I HATE RELIGION

{Blog Button}: Find Joy in the Journey

{Hope for the Home}: Formula for Change

{Free Friday}: Weekly Organizer

{Hope for the Home}: Finding God in the Everyday

{Urgent Prayer Request}: I Am Begging You To Get On Your Knees With Me

My 2012 Word

Winner! Winner!

2011 Ministry Recap-- What a Year!!!

2 Giveaways! And a break from the blog.

{Day 25}: Christmas Leftovers

{Day 24}: You're Here

Merry Christmas!

{Day 23}: Free Friday! {Joy in the Journey} **giveaway** CLOSED!!!

{Day 22}: Majesty in the Midst of the Mundane

{Day 21}: I Played My Best For Him

{Day 20}: Can Martha Have a "Mary" Christmas? {Girlfriends With a Purpose}

{Day 19}: 3 Gifts You Really Need To Open Right Now {A Holy Experience}

{Day 18}: Come and Worship {and a winner!}

{Day 17}: Christmas Joy!

{Day 16}: Free Friday! {Believe} **giveaway**

{Day 15}: What Christmas Is All About

{Day 14}: A Little Piece of Heaven

{Day 13}: Here With Us

{Day 12}: O Holy Night

{Day 11}: To Give or To Get? That is the Question.

{Day 10}: To Win Your Love

{Day 9}: Free Friday! {Wise Men}

{Day 8}: The Author Enters His Own Story

{Day 7}: Wise Men Still Seek Him

{Day 6}: Wait With Joy

{Day 5}: The Meek Were Kneeling

{Day 4}: With Us

{Day 3}: He Is On His Throne

{Day 2}: This Wasn't My Plan

{Day 1}: An Ordinary Night

{Introduction}: 25 Days of Fitness

Christmas Ornament {Adoption Fundraiser}

CYBER MONDAY SALE!!!

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!!

A Happy {Ever After} Thanksgiving

{Happy} National Adoption Day!

Free Friday! {Grateful Hearts}

{Coaches Corner}: A Little "Link" Inspiration

{1000 Fans}: A Week FULL of Giveaways!

Free Friday! {Give Thanks}

{Coaches Corner}: 3 Things I Learned from the World Series + A SALE!!

{The Mercy House}: Benefit Day Auction

Free Friday! {Gratitude}

{Coaches Corner}: Words to live by...

{giveaway}: 50,000 Pageviews

It's Official!!! I'm A Published Author!

{pinspiration}: The One With Halloween Fun

Free Friday! {3 Halloween Printables}

{Coaches Corner}: Sports Parenting Article by Jim Sundberg

{Josh Hamilton}: A Hero On And Off The Field

{pinspiration} The One With All The Halloween Treats

Free Friday! {Fall Subway Art}

{Coaches Corner}: A few quotes...

{giveaway}: It's A Celebration!!!

{ipad 2 giveaway}: It's Time!!! ***Updated with winner!!

Free Friday! {Happy Fall Y'all}

{Coaches Corner}: Introduction and an Incredible Video

{ipad 2 giveaway}: Less Than One Week Away...

Free Friday! {Fall Bucket List}

{Texas Rangers} Fit Band and Half Loop Giveaway + A Brand New Partnership

What Do I Know of Holy? {Waiting}

{ipad 2 giveaway}: You Do NOT Want to Miss This...

{pinspiration} The One With Things I Actually Made

{Day 23}: Free Friday! {Joy in the Journey} giveaway CLOSED!!!

{Day 16}: Free Friday! {Believe} giveaway