{Hope for the Home} Linky Party: Making JOY Come Alive

He was walking down that long, dusty road from Judea to Galilee. You know the one.

Most would have taken the long way around, avoiding Samaria altogether. It was a dirty place. Filled with ungodliness.  No one wanted to associate with those people. Their very presence could contaminate you.

Coming upon Jacob's Well, he sat down, tired from the journey. When out of nowhere, she shows up, a filthy Samaritan woman. 

I imagine her daily trip to the well was a sort of escape from her life. Anything to avoid the reality of 5 former husbands and now living with a man who was not even her husband.

If only she could meet the right man, her problems would disappear.

Isn't that what we think?

If only I could find a husband...have a baby...get rich...lose weight...land a better job. Get A Drink. Then I would be happy.

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. {John 4:13-14}

What is it that you are waiting on, to be happy?

The woman at the well came in search of water but instead, she found Jesus. Her joy was made complete, despite her circumstances. She immediately ran back to her town, leaving her water jar behind, telling everyone she encountered, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 

And they did. They saw a change in her and as a result, they went to him.

You see, happiness is circumstantial. True joy is found in Christ alone. Will you let him fill you up?

Family Activity for the Week...

I have found that focusing on your blessings and being grateful for what you have, instead of what you don't have, leads to joy. This week I challenge you to read 15 Happy Ways to Joyfilled, Grateful Kids and choose at least one of the activities listed to do together as a family. Be sure to leave us a comment to let us know what you did and how it turned out.

Did you do the love challenge from a few weeks ago? (sorry I am so behind on posts, we have been on the road for 3 weeks straight and I am finally getting caugt up!)

Don't forget to hang your {Joy} fruit on your Fruit of the Spirit tree and display it in your home as a visual reminder for your family this week, as you focus on joy in your home. Go here to download the printables that go with our Making the Fruit of the Spirit Come Alive in Your Home series if you missed our introductory post. And go here  for Cat's tutorial on how to make your fruit printables into glass pebble magnets, so that you can hang your tree on the refrigerator.

Happy Monday, friends! Invite your friends to join us next week as we talk about PEACE! :)

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

JOY: A Year in Review

2012 was a fantastic year!! I set out to find joy in the journey, despite my circumstances, making JOY! my 2012 word and boy did God bless my efforts! Here are a few highlights...

- we started {Hope for the Home} with the help of various bloggers around the web, to help moms and families find God in their everyday lives and homes

-we began selling our sports camp manual "Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp" to enable churches and mission organizations to reach their community (local or on mission) with the gospel message of salvation through Christ alone

- we ran 5 high school volleyball team camps during the summer

- moms living in The Mercy House, a maternity home in Kenya, are now receiving our prayer cards and we have an international presence in Canada and Italy as well

- we started our orphan ball ministry to spread the gospel message one ball at a time and are about to send our very first shipment through our brand new partnership with J316 Ministries, which will go to further sports ministry in Belize

- we wrote "find joy in the journey: how 12 women could face tomorrow just because He lives" which is now in the final stages of publication, should be available for purchase soon

- we helped 5 families bring their adopted children home through our Chosen Child Adoption Ministry

- we held our first donation birthday party which raised almost $900 for our adoption ministry

- we hired Julie Steed, our Director of Orphan Ministries, to help with both our adoption and orphan ball ministries

As for blog traffic, features and numbers...

- we have been featured on some major blogs around the web: our "12 Ways to Make Easter About Jesus" post and our "Pumpkin Pie Croissants" post were both featured on Tatertots and Jello, our "50 Ways to Make Fall Fabulous" post was featured on TidyMom and our "find joy in the journey" printable was featured on Ann Voskamp's site A Holy Experience, to name a few

- we are now averaging 60,000+ hits per month and have over 250,000+ total pageviews

- we have 6,000+ followers on all of our social media sites

- one of the posts from our "Dress Up Your Tailgate" series (Paula Deen Easy Crockpot Potato Soup) has gone viral, being viewed 104,000+ times since we posted it less than 3 months ago

- our blog is now drawing a profit through sponsorships, ads and affiliates

On a personal note...

- we moved from Wisconsin to Tennessee, our 2nd (cross-country) move in less than 2 years

- Big A and I together have lost 55 lbs so far

- Little A started kindergarten

And yet, as fantastic a year as it was, I feel very overwhelmed as I think about the upcoming year. God is doing tremendous things through this little ministry of ours and honestly, I don't feel that I can keep up. I am praying and praying that He will provide the support I need to keep this thing going. I am a big picture, visionary kind of person to say the least, but I have tremendous difficulty when it comes to organization and details. I need others to come alongside of me to put systems into place and keep me in line. I am trusting that God will provide the help I need but most days I want to quit. My life would be so much easier without the burden of this ministry. I feel like God is about to do something huge through our sports outreach ministries and the devil is attacking big time.

Pray for me and us! And a HUGE THANK YOU for your support! Could not do this without you and could never thank you enough for the money, love and prayers you have sent my way!!!

I hope you and yours have a Happy, Happy New Year celebration and a blessed 2013! Check back soon to find out my 2013 word and my plans for the upcoming year, which I believe God has already revealed to me! 

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

{Gratitude Leads to Joy}: 10 Ways to a Thankful Home

As you know, I have been on a quest for joy this year. Joy is my 2012 word and this quest has led to the idea for our upcoming "find joy in the journey" ebook, which I am excited to report is finished!

I sent it off to my designer, Mary Jo Smith at 517 Creations, over the weekend so that she can format it to look like a book and get it ready for purchase. When she is finished, I will proof it one last time and then it will be available for download. Woohoo! 

Along the way I have come to realize that one major key to a joy-filled life is living a life of gratitude, being thankful for all of God's blessings, not taking the little things for granted, learning to embrace and cherish the special moments along the way.

With that in mind, I want to create an attitude of gratitude within our home this Thanksgiving season and I have come up with a few ways to do that!

1. Decorate your front door with some sort of Thanksgiving wreath, so that everyone enters with Thanksgiving on their mind.

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

2. Make "give thanks" pumpkins as a reminder of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 

Source: incourage.me via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

3. Hang this free printable "thankful" banner in a prominent place in your home, a visual reminder to have a thankful heart this season.

Source: shanty-2-chic.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

4. Make "give thanks" dry erase boards to record God's many blessings. You could set it on a little table in a high traffic area and encourage family members to write something down every time they walk by.

Source: brownpaper--packages.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

6. Print this free "harvest" printable as a visual reminder of God's provision.

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

7. Make an autumn chalkboard display in your home with the statement or scripture verse that you want to focus on during this season of thanks.

Source: inspired-design.tumblr.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

8. Download this print as a reminder of how to survive the busy, sometimes stressful, holiday season.

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

9. Create a "thankful tree" (together as a family) and have each member write their blessings on the leaves. Add new leaves every day.

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

10. Display DaySpring's Ever Grateful Collection  on your holiday table. It is an absolutely stunning collection and happens to be 50% off right now, just in time for Thanksgiving! It would make a beautiful display and would be a great reminder of God's goodness for all who enter to see.

It comes in two gorgeous colors, taupe and wasabi, and can be purchased either as separate pieces or as a place setting.

Use this free printable as the centerpiece for your table, to remind your guests how to gather for dinner.

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

Go here to shop DaySpring's Ever Grateful Collection! Go here for more of our favorite Thanksgiving ideas and here for 50 ways to make Fall fabulous!

Check out our Thanksgiving Pinterest Board for even more ideas. Leave comments with your own Thanksgiving posts and I will pin them to my board as well.

Feel free to follow along with me on Facebook and/or twitter as I count down #30daysofblessings!

May you and yours enjoy a beautiful season of Thanksgiving, remembering all that God has done for you!

Let there be thankfulness to God! {Ephesians 5:4}

Linking up with:

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

the winning cover trim color...

BLACK!!!

I just love the clean, crisp look and the way it makes the colors pop!

Thank you SO much for helping us make a final decision!!! :)

By the end of the month I should be able to give you an exact number of stories that will be in our upcoming ebook. And then shortly there after I should be able to tell you a little bit about each contributor and give you a better idea of when the book will release.

Blessings!

"Share Your Story" Contest + Giveaway

Have you been through a tough time in your life? Do you have a story to share of God's faithfulness in the valley? We are looking for you!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. {Lamentations 3:22-23}

Big A and I have been on a difficult journey of faith these past few years. One unlike any other we have ever been on.

Having been in ministry for 10 years now, we have told many people to "trust in God" when going through a trial, tragedy or tribulation. We meant it everytime, but boy do those three little words take on a whole new meaning when you have nothing to hang onto but God himself.

And though I would never wish what we have been through on anyone and would never want to do it again or wanted to do it in the first place, God has brought me to a place where I can honestly say that it was worth it - to encounter the God that we had heard about...the God that we had read about...the God that we had hoped for, longed for...the God that we had believed in.

We have met him face to face. We have seen him in action. We have chosen to find joy in the journey.I began the new year on a quest for joy, making it my 2012 word, intentionally striving to find joy in all things, regardless of my circumstances, knowing that true joy is found in Christ alone.

God has done incredible things through my search and has given me the vision to write an ebook filled with not only our story, but the stories of 11 other women who have been through some of the toughest, darkest times in their lives and yet stand here today to testify that through it all they have seen the face of God and him glorified.

I enlisted my friend Mary Jo of 517 Creations to do the design work. She is also a contributing writer. This is the cover that she is working on, although we will be having a blog survey soon to let you help us decide on the final design.

I am truly humbled that God is allowing me to be a small part of this great work of his. He is writing a story in each one of our lives. He is revealing himself in ways that are undeniably him. He is the main character in his story. He gets all the glory.

Which leads me to you...do you have a God story to tell?

We are hosting a "Share Your Story" contest to find 1 more woman to contribute her story to our "Find Joy in the Journey" ebook! Is it you?

To enter our contest, simply send your story to worthyoftheprize.erin@yahoo.com!

Here are the rules...

-Your story must be about a time in your life when you went through some sort of struggle, whether it be an adoption journey, the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, financial stress, an illness or any other trial, tragedy or tribulation that you have encountered.

-There is no word count limit, however you must tell the full story that you want to tell with specific details of the struggles and most importantly of how God revealed himself and was exhaulted through it all.

-You must also send a picture of you or your family, as well as the link to your blog if you have one because these will also appear in our book should you win.

-You must send your story by Saturday, May 5th, 2 weeks from today.

-Mary Jo and I will choose 1 winner. However, if we receive more than one fabulous story, we reserve the right to choose more than 1 winner and include more than 12 stories in our ebook! I will work with the winner to edit their story and create a final draft.

Every person who sends us their story, by the deadline, will receive 1 FREE Fit Band of their choice. The winner and their story will be featured in our "Find Joy in the Journey" ebook, which will debut Summer 2012.

Check back Saturday, May 12th, 3 weeks from today, when we announce our winner. You will have the chance to enter another fun giveaway at that time!

Because He lives I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives all fear is gone.

Because I know He holds the future.

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

{Free Friday}: Trust in the Lord

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!

{Free Friday}: Filled With Joy

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

{Blog Button}: Find Joy in the Journey

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!




<br /><a href="http://worthyoftheprize.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-2012-word.html"><img src="http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt345/evfranklin/joyinthejourneywithbordersmall-4.jpg" /><br /></a>

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}

My 2012 Word

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,  Creative Busy Hands and A Holy Experience.

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

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

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!!!