The Gift That Keeps On Giving

I've hit a really bad patch with my chronic illness.

The fatigue is drowning me. The pain is pushing me to my limits. And don't ask me about my ability to think, concentrate or spell. What once was easy is now a marathon of limitation and difficulty.

I limp to bed discouraged. I'm crying. Again. A rotating calendar on my nightstand catches my eye. It's the God in the Moment Inspirational DayBrightener by DaySpring. Its daily quotes are taken from one of my favorite books, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

The quote says:

YES! Not "I'm worried." Not "I'm stressed out."
Not "I'm anxious." Not "I'm too afraid." Hear me say thank you.
Hear me say YES! Watch me live a life of yes. 

A few days later it says this: "God created the world out of nothing, and as long as we are nothing, He can make something out of us." Martin Luther's words hit me right where I am, feeling emptied of all strength and ability. I am weak and He says that in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. How does that work?

I've been wanting to reread Ann's book, but I can't concentrate long enough. DaySpring sends me two things to review and the other, the little gift book of Ann's words and photography, is just right. Beautiful pictures that remind me to breathe. Beautiful words in bite-sized chunks I can handle.

In this very hard time, in a time of waiting and hanging on to hope, Ann's reminders buoy me. Oh yes, I think, this does help. I'll say thank you for what is good. I'll say thank you for what I can still do. I'll be grateful for the supportive people in my life. I'll try focusing on the good because it will be amplified.

Chronic illness presses hard, crushing the breath out of me. My chest hurts, my hips hurt, my ribs feel broken.

Chronic gratitude infuses life, a whiff of grace. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

So tonight, after a particularly hard pain day, I type this post not just to review these beautiful products, but to say Thank you to God, Thank you to Ann, and Thank you to DaySpring, for reminding me of what and Whose I am, all I have to be grateful for, and how to make thanksgiving a lifestyle.

*DaySpring sent these products at no expense to me, in exchange for my honest review.*God in the Moment DayBrightener can be ordered here; One Thousand Gifts Photo Gift Book can be found here. 

DaySpring Oilcloth Tote: Product Review

The bag rode in the back seat to Grammy's house, toting Veggie Tales DVDs, changes of clothes for the girls, water color paints and sketch books, a storybook, and things I needed for a day away from home. It held an armload -- the perfect amount of comfort and activities for several hours at my parents' house.

The bag rode at my feet as I sat in the passenger seat, the "Flight Attendant." It held my wallet, phone, lipstick, eyeglasses, contact case & solution, books for my girls in the backseat. It held an extra pair of shoes in case my feet flared, PJs for the girls in case it was close to bedtime when we were done shopping in the city.

The bag came on our bookstore/coffee shop date, packed with two journals, a book, art supplies, my phone, my wallet, and a comfortable outfit and other things in case I got cold or super uncomfortable.

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The Hope for the Best oilcloth tote by DaySpring is beautiful. The message applies to my life in more than one way right now, and I find it encouraging. Hope has been my theme throughout difficult times in my life, and is even a nickname given to me by one of my friends. I couldn't wait to receive the Hope bag in the mail to review, and was more than pleased when I took it out of the box.

It's soft, yet sturdy, roomy with a strong magnet closure, the straps are long enough to carry comfortably on my shoulder and feel like soft leather. The colors are beautiful and the lining is pink and fun. There are several pockets inside, including cell phone pockets and a zipper pocket big enough for lipstick, change, medications, or whatever you might need to carry with you. 

I received an additional bag to give to a friend. I gifted it to a friend who recently had a birthday. She uses totes all the time for grocery shopping and toting books from place to place, so I was sure she would put it to good use.

The bag would be perfect for a trip to the beach -- throw in towels, sunscreen, snacks & drinks, a good book, and sunglasses. When you get home, it will be easy to wipe clean.

Our family is going on vacation in September and this bag will definitely be coming along! As a mom, I find it the perfect size.

I can think of a dozen uses for this bag, and have carried nothing else since receiving it. I am truly delighted with it and would order more as gifts or for myself. 

Check out the other oilcloth and jute totes by DaySpring here: http://www.dayspring.com/search/?keywords=oil%20cloth

DaySpring is offering a Buy 2, get the 3rd free deal on their beautiful bags through the month of June. Pick up one for you and gifts for friends!

*I received this complimentary bag from DaySpring in exchange for my honest review. 

Book Review: You're Already Amazing

What is my purpose? What is my identity? What are my talents?
What gifts do I have that are suitable for ministry?

If I could just lose 20 pounds, maybe I would be thin enough.
If I had her Anthropologie boots, people would like me too.

Do you catch yourself thinking thoughts like these? Are you struggling with where you are in life? Are you trapped in the toxic cycle of comparison, insecurity, or doubt?


If so, I'd love to recommend Holley Gerth's new book You're Already Amazing: Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be.


Holley is the co-founder of (in)courage, author, licensed professional counselor, and blogger. Her heart for encouraging women right where they are is apparent, and I believe the message of her book will inspire and encourage those who read it.


Right now you can order You're Already Amazing from Dayspring for only $9. You'll want at least two copies, one to highlight and reference often and one or more to share with your mother, aunt, sister, or friend.


Easy to read, Holley's tone in this book is like a good friend encouraging you over coffee, "You don't need to do more, be more, and have more -- because you are already amazing just the way God created you to be."


*Dayspring provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

and the winner is........

Sheila wins the DaySpring giveaway for $20 off a $20 or more purchase. I will be contacting Sheila with the code and details.

Thanks everyone for participating and congratulations to Sheila!

Using Your Words: Sending Cards to Encourage a Heart

{my little 5 year-old writing a Happy Birthday card to her sister}

I have always loved writing notes and trying to encourage people. When I was little, whenever we would get together with my cousins, I would always rope my (just younger) boy cousins into creating cards and notes with me and then we would hide them for our moms, aunts, etc.... to find. We once hid one in my aunt's mini-van gas tank (not in the tank, just tucked in there behind the door, so that next time she had to get gas, she would find encouragement. Yes, so very sweet of us....

I am a big fan of cards and love to mail them. I could spend hours in card stores, and have.

So when (in)courage gave me the opportunity to blog about DaySpring cards in exchange for some of their beautiful collections, I didn't think twice.

The afternoon that FedEx pulled up to my house and the delivery driver handed me a box was a good day indeed.

I received these beautiful cards -- the So True collection, designed to encourage women in your life. This collection of ten GORGEOUS cards (I hesitated to mail any I loved them THAT much), includes cards for birthdays, thinking of you, encouragement, praying for you, and general friendship. Each card has a hand-made element included like a hand torn layer. They are truly above and beyond what I expected and I am sure I will purchase this collection when I've run out. Also, did I mention the envelopes are a recycled looking brown? LOVE. I also received a pack of Thank You cards and a beautiful card organizer.

I have been a fan of DaySpring for many many years, but I have to say -- the quality of these cards is truly impressive. These are just fabulous.

I sent one to a friend who has recently experienced a devastating loss. I earmarked one for my aunt's birthday and one for a friend battling cancer. I can't wait to drop one in the mail to a friend with chronic illness and to a friend of little kids who is still in that "in-the-trenches-survival" mode. (Who am I kidding, I still feel like that sometimes too.) I also have one set aside to send to a friend who is quietly loyal and supportive of me, my health, my journey and all of my creative pursuits. Everyone should have a friend like her.

You never know how God can use your words to uplift and encourage a heart.

If you're not a card person but you adore the So True collection designs, check out the entire collection, which includes calendars, mugs and journals.

So I was lucky to receive this collection free in exchange for my honest review, but it's your lucky day too, because (in)courage and DaySpring are offering one of YOU $20 off a DaySpring order of $20 or more. So we're going to do a Giveaway!!!! To enter, leave a comment to this post (and maybe share about Live Art.fully on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, if you're feeling generous). My girls and I will do a drawing on Monday, January 30th and post the winner. I will then get in touch with the winner via email with the code DaySpring gave me. When using the code, the winner will be responsible for shipping charges. The code expires on 12/31/2012 so you have almost a year to use it.

So are you in? Let's use our words to bless someone this week.