Moments with MarLo

Sometime shortly before Christmas a local jeweler put up a new billboard. It wasn't the diamonds that caught my eye, it was the message, "Because she's a gift, not a given." Now that's something I need to apply! No, not as an excuse to purchase extravagant gifts; rather to remind me how precious each family member and friend is to me. To help me keep perspective when I'm grumbling over daily tasks. And to grow in deep appreciation for the gracious gifts given to me. Will you join me today in appreciating our very special gifts, our family and our friends. They certainly are not a given!

I have never had an issue with hanging my thoughts out for others to read. That is until recently. My family has experienced significant change over the past several months  causing me to take a fresh look at me. Truth is I have been afraid to write out my feelings, until now. When January 2009 approached I made the decision to focus on trust rather than some alternative New Year's resolution. Turns out it was the very thing I needed. I leaned into a deeper understanding of what it means to have hope. Opting to cling to knowledge instead of feelings. To grasp expectations with open arms knowing God was fully in control despite my lame attempts to steer my own course. I found I don't really like control as much as I thought I did. Life sure is simpler when the Creator of the Universe is given the reigns. I'm still discovering how not to be a backseat driver, to take directions rather than give them. I found out I'm a much calmer me when I do. A...

I never knew I was blind considering I could see. Guilt, stolen innocence, and abandonment defined me. No one knew I held secrets. Very few saw what I did and no one, not even my husband, knew the real me. “We’re starting a bible study if you’re interested.” Interested? Me? Not in the least. I was raised in the church. Raised and rejected. I was done with God! I feared He knew my secrets. I believed He was watching and waiting to get me. Clearly this was not for me. I still don’t know why I went. I’m sure it was to stay in the inviter’s good graces. The grace, however, was for me. Love, they exuded it, I wanted it! Never had I desired something more. How could I get it? I wasn’t worth it. And yet I was. One simple prayer of repentance and acceptance of Christ transformed my life. The prayer seeped from my heart and out my lips; the weight of my past fell away. I was transformed but I held one old friend, bitterness . I learned the only way to get rid of it is to give it to ...

I am excited to share a fun opportunity with you! To celebrate the release of Hearts at Home’s newest book: Living With Less So Your Family Has More , by Jill and Mark Savage, the Hearts at Home blog is launching the Living with Less Contest . Email Hearts at Home a story or money-saving tip that gives a peek into your daily experiences representing the humor, richness, or spiritual aspects of what it’s like to live with less. Better yet, blog readers will benefit as many of the money-saving entries will be posted on the Heart’s blog throughout the month of February! For contest details go here !

Everyone loves a good sale, Right? We'll let me tell you about a great one: It’s a Hearts at Home Black Friday after Black Friday Sale Dec. 7-11 Did you sleep in on Black Friday? Did you drag yourself out of bed, but still miss out on some awesome deals because you were standing in line too long at one store? Do you still have shopping to do, but dread the crowds, traffic, and cost? Let Hearts at Home help! Their Black Friday sale has been extended to the week of December 7-11. Shop in the convenience of your own home and receive an unprecedented 25% off all of Hearts books and merchandise. They have great gifts for everyone in your family. Find gifts for friends, teachers, bible study leaders, bus drivers, and everyone else on your list. You may even find something for yourself. This is a great time to stock up on all those Hearts at Home books you’ve been wanting to read. Let your family know how much you would love a Hearts at Home gift certificate so you can use it for your...

Welcome to those visiting from Hearts at Home! I would love to know you stopped by. Leave me any comment, even to say "hi" and I'll put you in my drawing to win Jill's newest book, "Real Moms, Real Jesus." For those of you who are reading my blog today and aren't familiar with Hearts you can learn more about this wonderful organization for moms by clicking here . You may also wonder why I'm talking about Thanksgiving on November 5! Well, today this article is being featured on the Hearts at Home blog so I wanted to share it with you as well! Have a blessed Thursday! How often do we think of miracles during Thanksgiving? Aren’t they typically associated with Christmas? Twelve years into our marriage my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith and add to our family. The decision took so long because it required infertility treatments. We said yes though we still didn’t know how we would pay for it and we had less than a thirty percent chance for s...

I have yet to personally meet Mary DeMuth although I know of her through my work with Hearts at Home where Mary contributes to the organization's blog. But I don't have to know her personally to enjoy the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of her newest book, A Slow Burn due to release on October 1. I devoured, Daisy Chain , the first book in the trilogy on my way home from the Proverbs 31 She Speaks conference this past July where Mary was a speaker. And not being one who waits patiently I was ecstatic to learn I could get an early copy of book two by participating in Mary's Social Media tour. I quickly signed up! So here I am having read books one and two and now not-so-patiently waiting for the final book. I'm also pondering what Mary has captured within my conscience in A Slow Burn . Though there is much to take in throughout the book, it was near the end where a key insight leapt off the page. A main character is seeking answers to happiness and turns to a d...