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Showing posts from February, 2016

I'm in love with you. I have fallen in love with you. I love you. #thebachelor

Before the show even starts tonight, we learn that all three women tell Ben Higgins that they love him. We know that he loves two of them. Who gets really hurt tonight? Love is in the air in Jamaica. Three overnight dates are in store for the evening.  According to Ben, Caila has her beauty and smile going for her. He's worried because she is so happy all the time and can't express her true feelings. She wants someone she can cry with.  For Ben, Lauren is the closest he's ever experienced love at first sight. He feels like he is chasing after his first crush. Is this too good to be true? Why hasn't someone snapped her up already? She doesn't know where she stands. Then, there's JoJo. He feels more like himself with JoJo than anyone else. He's confident when he's with her. She's fun. However, the hometown date was an emotional roller-coaster, and her brothers almost scared him off. After we hear what Ben thinks about the women,

Blue Skies and Rainbows

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Blue Skies and Rainbows By Gary L. Mabry Blue skies and rainbows, and sunbeams from heaven, Are what I can see, When my Lord is living in me. Chorus: I know that Jesus is well and alive today. He makes His home in my heart. Never more will I be, all alone since He, Promised me that we never would part. Green grass and flowers, all blooming in springtime, Are works of My master, I live for each day. Chorus Tall mountains, green valleys, The beauty that surrounds me, All make me aware, Of the One who made it all. Chorus I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus, For it is the power, That saves us today. Chorus

This weekend in the crafty studio

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I've been intending to get more done this week than I have. I know I've already posted pictures of the blue and pink Mason jars, but I finally finished the light purple one this week. Although pink wouldn't have been my first choice (it was a special order), I really think it may be the best one. I feel like I have been trying to finish bunnies forever. I know it hasn't been forever, but I did finish a couple of eggs. Meanwhile, the crafty uncle has been busy too. Look at the the owl and frog! We're going to have the owl in more colors.

Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents' Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens

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A parents’ guide to honest discussions about homosexuality Tom Gilson encourages Christian moms and dads to speak hard truths with compassion Parents of teens today may have a tougher job in front of them than parents of any other generation in recent history. While immorality has always existed, the Western world has never seen such a time of moral confusion, especially regarding sexuality, gender and the definition of marriage. To help parents cut through the lies and political correctness and find a way to impart truth to their teens, Tom Gilson has written Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents' Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens (Kregel/February 27, 2016/ISBN: 978-0825443961/$15.99) . This is one of the most complex issues Christians face today, and it’s rife with landmines. In Critical Conversations, Gilson describes the efforts by some to paint Christian beliefs as hateful, making many believers hesitant to speak truth for fear of being seen as

I would rather have a cookie

There has only been one other time that I have been so ready for March 1. (That one time I was looking more forward to March 1 was the last leap year. Four years ago. I hated the fact that there was a February 29. You can look back at my blogs from four years ago as to why. On slightly different subject, my memories on Facebook popping up have been interesting the past couple of weeks. Four years ago, I was looking for a job. Three years ago, I was packing up to move from a duplex to a house.) Anyway, this year, I am so ready for the election primaries to be over and done with. If all of you, all over the country are already tired of all the election talk, you ought to be glad you don't live in District 8 for the Texas House of Representatives. There are two local Republicans running for this Texas House seat. It's turned into mud slinging, but I haven't even read what all of that is about. It's a good thing that both men come from the county's most wealthy

Easter Take 1

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I will have more Easter items to post by the end of the weekend, but to get you excited for what's coming, these are currently available from The Crafty Dad and Daughter . If you ask for this one now, I'll do this egg for $20 since I have it left from last year. New ones will be $25.  Bunnies are $18 and can be done in different colors and can be personalized (such as initials) instead of "Hoppy Easter."

God refines us through pain and suffering

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Part 1 of an interview with Sherri Burgess, Author of Bronner: A Journey to Understand God teaches and refines us through pain and suffering. Author Sherri Burgess, wife of Rick Burgess of the syndicated The Rick and Bubba Show , knows this to be true. After the earthly death of her youngest son, Bronner, Burgess asked, “Why?” And God answered. Journey with her through this powerful testimony of healing to understand the purpose behind the pain. With a reader’s guide in the back, this resource makes an empowering tool for book-club discussion or small-group Bible study. Bronner: A Journey to Understand (New Hope Publishers) is much more than a retelling of an inspiring story. It is a call to action! Q: Your book is named after your youngest son. Tell us a little bit about Bronner and his short life on earth. Bronner was the baby of the family, the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, and we adored him. He knew it too. Bronner kind of had that air about him like

Family interaction reveals #thebachelor truth

This week's episode of The Bachelor sends Ben to the hometowns of the four remaining women. He's excited about them, and he hopes they are excited about him. The first hometown is Laguna Beach, CA with Amanda. They meet at the beach, and after a big hug, her ridiculous shirt almost comes off. Dress smart, women, dress smart! It's basically a sleeveless shirt with long sleeves connected between the elbow and shoulder by a string. Very impractical. Amanda hasn't seen her girls yet since she's gotten back. While she is falling in love with Ben, she can't say she's in love until she sees how Ben is with her girls. When he asks what the girls like to do, she said they like to be chased. Her sister or some caregiver bring the girls to the beach to meet them. Kinsley (3) says she wants to meet Ben, but Charlie (maybe 2) isn't so sure. I don't suggest that he chase her right away. They work on building sand castles, and the girls do the chasing first.

Jesus Loves Me

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My third graders always say that "Jesus Loves Me" is a baby song. Maybe, but they don't know all four verses! When one of them complained, I asked, "does Jesus only love babies? Does he love you?" We settled that pretty quick! :) Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus love me he who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus loves me he will stay Close beside me all the way, He’s prepared a home for me, And some day His face I’ll see. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so! Jesus take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly thine; On the

Finally finished the flag letters

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I finally finished touching up the flag letters and adding the burlap. I'm TERRIBLE at bows. And knots for that matter. These are $30 and available in any letter. (They are 18" tall) We went ahead and made up these and a bunch of Easter items thinking we'd have two shows, one we were really counting on before Easter. Earlier this week, it was cancelled, so I'll have to try twice as hard to get some items sold online.

You may have to be from Texas

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You may have to be from Texas (maybe not) to appreciate these armadillos, but I think they're awesome. The crafty uncle did a good job. If you have to have something practical to do with them, they do work as letter/mail holders.

Purr-fect for the cat lover

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The crafty uncle has finished more lately than I have. That's what retired people get to do. ;) Aren't these cats cute? They are $35 each for anyone interested!

Colleen Coble talks about Mermaid Moon

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An interview with Colleen Coble, Author of Mermaid Moon Shame can cause people to make drastic, sometimes  life-altering decisions. When they experience the consequences of failure, whether at their own hands or at the hands of others, their instinct can be to retreat to avoid experiencing hurt again. That knee-jerk reaction can strain relationships and lead to isolation. This is one of the themes a ward-winning author Colleen Coble chose to examine in the second book in her Sunset Cove series, Mermaid Moon (Thomas Nelson/January 12, 2016/ISBN: 978-1401690281/$15.99) . Q: Mermaid Moon is the second book in the Sunset Cove series. How is the series tied together? Is there a specific theme that runs throughout? I wanted these books to examine the various ways we all come to family. Some are born into the family, some are adopted, and some create their own family with friends. Claire’s story ( The Inn at Ocean’s Edge ) is continued as a subplot through the story as well,

Terri Blackstock introduces readers to a complex character who breaks the mold

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When the lost act lost New York Times best-selling author Terri Blackstock introduces readers to a complex character who breaks the mold     Fans of Christian fiction will find an unlikely heroine within the pages of New York Times best-selling author Terri Blackstock’s latest release, If I Run ( Zondervan / February 16 , 2016/ISBN: 978-0310332435 /$15.99) . Blackstock chose to feature a heroine who is different from what her readers are used to. If I Run tells the story of protagonist Casey Cox, who isn ’ t a Christian, and when her life becomes complicated, she resorts to lies — even crime — to survive. While Casey is broken in many ways, Blackstock admits she is one of her favorite characters she ’ s created. Casey Cox has had her fair share of struggles, but a fter her best friend is found dead, Casey’s life is turned upside down. When her DNA is found all over the crime scene, she knows talking to the police is useless; they have failed her abysmally before.