Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Too Cute...Tuesday!














Here are my girls in their 2 year photo shoot. I took the pictures, and of course they would not let go of their babies! Camden is in the brown outfit and Callan is in the pink. Enjoy! :)
(Just ordered our third pair of dolls for the girls!)
Aubrey Carpenter

Your girls are getting so big!
It has been a blessing to watch them grow!

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We are running low on cuteness!!
{If you have a picture to share on Too...Cute Tuesday, please email them to babybeblessed@gmail.com. ~Thank you so much for sharing your family with us!}
When emailing your photo's you are giving BbB permission to post them on our blog and website.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Marvelous Monday Ramblings!

Did you have a good Thanksgiving Holiday?

We have had an overall wonderful weekend. Two of my babies were sick with the flu again, but it gave me some down time to pray and focus on the coming season. It has been good.

I'm just finishing up my last week of the Beth Moore Breaking Free Study.
Let me just tell each of you...if you haven't gone through this study, PLEASE prayerfully consider! It is amazing how God is using this study to pull together much of the work He has been doing within me over the past few years! I praise Him!

...and to finish up my Monday ramblings,

I came across this video today and I simply love it!
Maybe it will speak and encourage you as it has me.

{please pause blog music}


Every day, I'm closer to who I'm meant to be!
This is redemption story!

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Too Cute...Tuesday!





These beautiful girlie's belong to our sweet friend Carrie! Carrie has been with us pretty much from the very beginning of this doll ministry! She has been an encourager and prayer warrior to us, though walking through many valley's of tough times herself.

Carrie, we love you! And oh, those sweet and precious girls! I want to just grab them and smoosh them up! As I was reading through some scriptures this morning my heart immediately thought of you when I read this...

"Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy." Psalm 126:5 (NKJV)


Rejoice and overflow in joy, sweet friend...this is only the beginning!

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Monday, November 22, 2010

Marvelous Monday!

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT)

I pray you each had a wonderful weekend and look forward towards this coming week of Thanksgiving!

May we be mindful of His promises and hope! Remembering and choosing to praise and rejoice through the hustle and bustle of organizing, cleaning, shopping, baking and feeling like we're going crazy with busyness....

Take time to be still and Give Thanks!



"Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies." Psalm 103:2-4 (NLT)


The winner of our Yay...Free Friday Giveaway, Dayspring Memo Board is #7!!

May you be blessed richly as you embrace all your gratitude's and blessings!!

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Friday, November 19, 2010

Yay...Free Friday!

BLESSED!

"I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (ERV)

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

"For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4 (NKJV)

"I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10


Choosing to see our Blessings!
Psalm 34:8reads "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" Pick it up...taste it...be BLESSED!

I've missed this most of my life...but I praise God that He is giving my mind understanding and my eyes new vision!

In August I started a prayer journal. You know how things go (at least for me) I started strong and then started to fizzle out. I wrote a lot of the same requests (all good...I know we are to pray without ceasing) but I was struggling with joy. Just joy in my life in general. So I started to add PRAISES alongside my prayer requests. My Praise list was much shorter than my Request list.

God started stirring my heart. Why so few praises?? What does God's word say?
Here is a small sampling from the Psalms (NKJV)

Psa 21:13 Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psa 22:22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
Psa 22:23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
Psa 22:25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
Psa 22:26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!
Psa 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him.
Psa 30:4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
Psa 30:9 "What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?
Psa 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Psa 33:1 REJOICE in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.

You get it right? And there is MUCH more where that came from!

Then God led me to this post and I started counting one by one the blessings that are all around me. Give me eyes to see Lord! Give me eyes to hear. Give me your heart!


That first morning sip of hot coffee. Pretty coffee mugs.

Afghan "dog houses"


Little fingers. Leaves. Glue

Washing machine surprises!

The gift of love.

Friendships

Eyes that SEE. Hearts that worship.



As a family we start writing them down. From big kids, little kids, family, friends, Moms, Dads and even Grandmas! We write and share what our eyes have seen. What our heart has felt.

And we PRAISE!

I've lived most of my life defeated. I didn't know any better. That is what I saw...what I was taught through the lives of those around me. My heart not knowing the hope and freedom of a Christ filled life.

I now have Christ...and I now CHOOSE to live the life that Christ has intended for each of us.


This week we are going to give away an

Ever Grateful - Memo Board with Easel from Dayspring! They feature it in their fall catalog marked with beautiful blessings!

Sit it on your counter.
Allow your eyes to see. Be reminded.
Write your blessings...
Your gratitude's and praises!!

REJOICE!







To enter, please leave your information below.

Have a very Blessed weekend!
The winner will be chosen on Monday!

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Spreading God's Word...one GIFT at a time!

Whether we like it or not...Christmas is quickly approaching!

I've actually started my Christmas shopping already and by the grace of God think I'm half done! =) I joke, because seriously...I'm a notorious Christmas Eve shopper/wrapper!

Why? I think because #1, I was too busy and #2, I was buying too much and it stretched the budget out to the last day to shop!

Last year I decided to take a step back! Choosing to stop and make sure I'm taking time to reflect on the meaning of the season...bake cookies with my kids...relax and enjoy!

This year I'm so joyful over the coming season and embrace it! To focus on celebrating the birth of our Savior! To teach our children that less is more and giving is better than receiving! This is only done through action!

We are also cutting back on gifts. This has been the most freeing thing of all!! Lets make what we buy meaningful! To our children and also to others! Products that share the Hope we have received from this season of celebration...CHRIST.

So lets link up some ideas!

Do you make, sell or know of products that are sharing the message of Gods word?

Please share them!
I've still got some shopping to do!

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Too Cute...Tuesday


This is not a great quality photo since I took it with my cell phone, but it's too cute not to share :) My daughter Claire reading bedtime stories to her BbB doll. My dad made her the little doll bed and I made the blanket. I love that she has all these little keepsakes to play with now and cherish when she's older.

Thanks so much for what you do! We love BbB!

Cindy


How precious! I love it!

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WE ARE RUNNING LOW ON CUTENESS!
{If you have a picture to share on Too...Cute Tuesday, please email them to babybeblessed@gmail.com. ~Thank you so much for sharing your family with us!}
When emailing your photo's you are giving BbB permission to post them on our blog and website.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Marvelous Monday

The Winner of Yay...FREE Friday is....

True Random Number Generator
Result:
45

Congratulations!
I just sent you an email!

-----------------------------

A note of encouragement today:

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD will give grace and glory;
no good thing will He withhold from
those who walk uprightly."
Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)


Have a wonderfully MARVELOUS Monday!!

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Friday, November 12, 2010

Yay...Free Friday!!


Our Giveaway this week is a beautiful Elizabeth doll!

She measures 16" tall and has yellow minky hair with yarn ponies. She has regular muslin skin, safety eyes, handstitched lashes/mouth and a touch of blush on her cheeks! She is dressed from the Daisy collection and the scripture patch on her belly reads:

"Don't let anyone look down
on you because you are young,
but set and example for the believers
in speech, in life, in love,
in faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12


Wow! I LOVE that scripture!

To enter, please leave your information below.

Have a very Blessed weekend!
The winner will be chosen on Monday!

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

My Veteran...my Love!


I remember when I first saw this picture. We were miles and oceans apart. It appeared on my computer screen. My heart ached for him. My love. I ran my hand over his. My heart beat fast and almost, just almost with closed eyes could feel his hand on mine. With three babies around me we looked proudly at our Soldier! Those wrinkles around his eyes...I melt in my love for him. Then, my eyes open to the bigger picture. The feet behind him standing out so clear. It becomes real. War. The fighting for freedom. Our freedom that we take for granted.

Love on all the men and woman that have fought for that freedom! Love on their families!

Our eyes will never see what their eyes have seen, our hearts will never carry what they carry. They hold words that will never be spoken. Still dream what they wish they wouldn't, but would do it all again if it meant protecting those that they love.

Thank you sweet Veterans and a big thank you to my very own veteran, my love!

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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Count it all joy, my Brethren...

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work,

that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2-4 NKJV

The NKJV translation (above) reads that -the testing of your faith produces PATIENCE.
The NASB translation reads that -the testing of your faith produces ENDURANCE.
The English Standard Version -the testing of your faith produces STEADFASTNESS
The New International Version -the testing of your faith develops PERSEVERANCE.

I enjoyed reading The New Living Translation:

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way,
let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

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This past month or so has just seemed to be one trial after another. Our cat died, I was couch-bound-sicker-than-a-dog for a week, then our kids starting getting sick, our dog got hit by a truck (she is okay, PTL!) husband sick, 2nd round of kids getting sick (Natalie is home AGAIN today), spiritual warfare within the family, hurting hearts, weekend getaway canceled, unexpected financial strain (big vet bill), missing testimony Sunday (which I was supposed to give mine) and really falling on my face spiritually due to the pressure of it all! I am tired and weak. My faith tested.

I feel that Satin is attacking our family. Is he? Maybe. I would not be surprised at all because of the work that the Lord is doing in our hearts.The ground that he has lost...we wants back. The only thing is that he can't take it back. We would have to give it, but boy can he sure try to steal our joy! Regardless of why these things happen, how are we going to look at them? How are we going to travel through them? Scripture says that we are to look at them as opportunities for joy. Hmmm

We all face trials everyday. And I don't try to compare my trials with yours because frankly...so many others are dealing with far greater things! Sometimes I think we get discouraged and don't reach out and share because we feel our troubles are a bother, small or unimportant.

I am so guilty of this! I don't want to bother anyone...my issues are SO small compaired to the many of you I pray over. God doesn't call the small stuff a bother. He wants it all.

So how do we "count it all joy" or "look at them (trials) as opportunities for joy" when the situation really doesn't leave you feeling too joyful?

I'm learning that being joyful is a choice. It's believing in His word! We will be joyful when we can look at the laundry list of trials and see His mighty work in and through it all! It's trusting that through the trials, through the testing of your faith we WILL as His word says produce patience, endurance, steadfastness, and perseverance! It's knowing that you will look back and say, Thank you Lord for carrying me through that! He will! I can not make it through JOYFUL in my own strength!

I trust in that! I desire that! Joy floods my heart!
He has a mighty plan for our lives!
Nothing happens to us that has not flown through His hand!

Let us share our Joys and Trials today.
How can we be praising and praying to our God for you?

May the testing of our faith leave us strong in character and ready for anything!!
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Too Cute...Tuesday!



This is my daughter Siara.

I bought this doll for her almost a year ago and just gave it to her for her third birthday. At the time I did not know the trial we would be facing so soon.

Our daughter, was abandoned, by her birth mother, when she was 2 months old. She is now trying to take sweet Siara back out of no where.

This baby belongs with her dad and I and these holy words on her doll are giving us comfort in knowing that the Lord knows what is best for her.

"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

These pictures were shot on one of the stressful days when we were dealing with lawyers, she fell asleep on the the couch with her doll, it amazes me how little ones can sleep right through distress, You think it is God's way of protecting them?

Many Blessings,
Jennifer
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You sent these photo's in July Jennifer. I pray that sweet Siara is doing well! I love how He uses simple things like this doll not only to give Siara comfort but His mighty Word to give you comfort as well!

Praising Him!

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Monday, November 8, 2010

Marvelous Monday!

Did you have a fantastic weekend?!

The winner for last weeks Yay...Free Friday is:

Jessica said...
I'm a fan on FB- thanks for the oppertunity to win :)

Please email me Jessica with your shipping information.

Thanks to everyone who entered!
I especially LOVED reading all of your scripture verses!!

*********************************

I'm also WAY LATE in choosing the winner from the Cinderella drawing (it was supposed to be Oct. 30th sorry!) But the winner of the $56 BbB Gift Certificate is:

Shirley A Green!

I just emailed you Shirley!
Thanks so much for supporting Show Hope!


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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Yay...Free Friday!


He has made
everything beautiful
in its time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

We would love to give one of you...this sweet Grace doll.
She measures 16" tall, has tea stain muslin skin and espresso brown hair with minky piggies.
Her scripture patch speaks the promise of Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Would you like a chance at winning her?

Here's how!


1 Entry for each of the following:

-Leave a Bible verse that is speaking to your heart in the comments under this post.

- Become a "Follower" our Blog

-Grab our button and add it to your site.

- "Like" Baby be Blessed on Facebook

- Blog post, Facebook mention or ReTweet about Yay...Free Friday!
(1 Entry for each thing you do)

*please leave a separate comment for each... for example if you blog and have our button on your site that will be two separate comment entries- #1 I blogged, #2 I have your btn. This makes it SO much easier to choose the winner and make sure I don't miss any one's extra entries!


Winner will be chosen on Monday 11/08/2010!


Thank you for sharing Yay...Free Friday's!
You are helping us spread the Word of God, one doll at a time!

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Living Proverbs 22:6





"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.


And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.


And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Love. It has been something that I thought had been missing all my life. Please don't miss hear me...I have been loved, but there are those childhood hurts that haunt and linger. That sting deep within your soul. That grip you right into adulthood. Ugliness that raises it's head over your own children. Things you hate the most, that you swore you'd never be...seeping out of you. Heavy chains that have taken years to break.


I praise God for his grace and mercy! That He now clearly shows me that I have always been loved unconditionally. That I am His beloved.


This has taken much longer than it should have. But God knew this. It wasn't until I started clinging to Jesus...believing him, that I tasted the freedom He has desired for me all these years. Soaking daily in His word. Asking for the spirit to fill. Seeing my need for Him.


My hearts desire is to teach this love to my children. To teach a love that myself as a child had not known. To cling to Christ...learning each step of the way through grace.


My Natalie just turned 10. I look out the window and see her. With a blanket spread out on the sun filled grass, there she lays. Eyes closed, arms wrapped around her hound. LOVE. No worries, no cares, no hurts...just love.


It was the picture of Christ! This gift is there for each of us to take! We simply need to seize the opportunity to take hold of it. Choose it.

May your day be full of love today! As it speaks in 1 Corinthians, we can have everything under the sun...faith that moves mountains! But without love it is nothing.


"But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." Col 3:14

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8


The one that is loved much...can love much!

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

How can we be praying for you today?

Let us join together to pray and rejoice!

"Let us rejoice always. Pray without ceasing"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

"I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 9:2


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Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Too Cute...Tuesday!





Camryn loves her baby be blessed doll and we do too! We take it on the swings, to the park, just about anywhere and we spread a little message about God's love everytime someone remarks about it! Thanks for doing what you do! ~Troy, Bethany & Camryn Sauer


Camryn May
"The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with his love.
He will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17

We love you sweet Camryn!
Keep spreading the message!!

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{If you have a picture to share on Too...Cute Tuesday, please email them to babybeblessed@gmail.com . ~Thank you so much for sharing your family with us!} When emailing your photo's you are giving BbB permission to post them on our blog and website.