The Circle Maker - GIVEAWAY!

"History belongs to the intercessors." -Walter Wink

The original "circle maker" was a guy named Honi who drew a circle in the sand during a drought, fell on his knees inside of it, and told God that he wouldn't move until God moved; until God ended the drought.

And so God did.

"...the power of a single prayer to change the course of history."

If you are a believer, if you have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you are called to be an intercessor - a prayer warrior - a circle maker.

I have only recently began obeying this call on my life over the past couple of years and this book - The Circle Maker - has been instrumental in my growth in and understanding of prayer! I have said this before on social media and I will say it again: every Christian needs to read this book.

I believe in God's call on your life and on mine to be prayer warriors, so much so that I'm giving away a copy of this book!

There is only ONE entry necessary - share with me in the comments an answered prayer! It could be from last night, or from 20 years ago. Take a minute to reminisce on the times God answered your prayers (either how you hoped He would or otherwise!) and share one!

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As I write this, we are anxiously waiting to hear back about Marie's blood test results. Derek, my steady, level-headed husband is even struggling with not being able to do anything for Marie's pain. But I was challenged and encouraged by Mark Batterson the other night -

One of the reasons we get frustrated in prayer is our ASAP approach. When our prayers aren't answered as quickly or easily as we would like, we get tired of circling. Maybe we need to change our prayer approach from as soon as possible to as long as it takes. Keep circling!

That's what we are choosing to do. What prayer do you need to keep circling? Or return to circling? Or start circling? Remember that - "100 percent of the prayers I don't pray won't get answered."

You are a Circle Maker.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16

Prayers for My Boys: His Marriage {+ Giveaway!}

A couple of years ago a friend posted on facebook about how she doesn't pray for an easy, happy life for her kids. Instead, she prays that they will be dangerous for the Lord, and that He would use them for amazing things for His glory. Even if it's hard.

I was immediately convicted because I was definitely the type to pray for a happy, blessed life for my kids. But I was missing the point. It's not about being "happy," but about finding true joy in following the true Lover of their souls. So I began praying slightly more boldly.

Just days before Amanda was murdered, Derek and I were discussing trials. The idea of them scares me literally more than anything else! At any moment tragedy can strike. I confessed to Derek that I had been praying that God would use the kids in mighty ways but protect them from horrible tragedies. Tragedies like the one that occurred a few days later.

In the last month something totally unnatural has happened.

While the idea of trials and tragedies still scares me just as much as before, I see them in a completely different light. I see a family, who's wife/mom/daughter/sister's life has been cruelly snuffed out from this earth, be a bright, shining beacon in the midst of the darkest time of their lives. I see God work miracles. I see beauty.

I would never ever ever ever wish such a horrifying experience on even my worst enemy, let alone my babies. But the beauty… I wish that so much for my babes.

My blogging plan for November changed in the middle of the month when pure evil attempted to wreak havoc on God's family. But through watching Davey (Amanda's husband) from afar, I was led to pray for Jack and his future spouse in a way I had never done before: with passion. with hope. with excitement. with determination. without fear.

His Marriage

Lord, I know You have a helper, support, perfect match for my Shnook. I pray that while he runs full speed toward You, Jack will find her running beside him. Protect his sensitive heart as he navigates this cruel, ugly, impure world. Give Jack the strength through Your Spirit to flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18). Give him eyes to see the way out that You always provide (1 Corinthians 10:13), and the power to take captive every thought and make it obedient to You (1 Corinthians 10:5). So when he meets his wife, he will be able to love her as you love us (Ephesians 5).May he be a good steward of his wife's love, and may he always show her honor and grace (1 Peter 3:7). Please, Lord, help them to love You even more than they love each other. May they change the world- together.

Most of this focused praying for my babes happens in my war room. If you have not seen the film War Room yet, it is a must-see! The movie will be available on December 22, but Family Christian not only has it on sale but is also doing an exclusive pre-buy where you get a free prayer journal along with it! And if you pre-buy it, you can pick it up in store in time for Christmas. So go order it HERE right now! Then come on back here to enter for a $25 gift card to Family Christian! Woot!

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Giveaway ends Friday at midnight!

The Main Reason We Homeschool (with a Book Review + Giveaway!)

There are so many reasons why people homeschool. Derek and I have several reasons ourselves. But above all other reasons out there, our main reason for homeschooling is to take advantage of the opportunity to obey this Scripture:

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7

I believe these verses can be followed homeschooling or not. But God has laid it on our hearts to keep our kids home.

Bible class generally happens over breakfast. Just keeping it real, my friends.

With this being the most important reason for homeschooling, that probably means I need to make sure I'm actually teaching God's Word day in and day out. While it is pretty easy for me to talk spiritual things throughout the day, it has not always been easy for me to find a good Bible curriculum. So I was excited to receive this book and be given the opportunity to give my honest review -

The Bible is My Best Friend Family Devotional

The great news is, it's not even meant for homeschooling families in particular. It is set up to do one lesson a week as a family. So simple and so very doable! And those are key ingredients to just about anything I'll allow in my life! Especially when it comes to cooking dinner...

Anyway

Each lesson has a memory verse with a devotional.

I love the discussion questions. Every question the kids are supposed to ask the parents are tough. The kind that make you be honest with your kids. The kind that make you be honest with yourself. If you know me at all, you know this is very important to me. The author (Sheila Walsh) nailed it on these for sure!

There's also fun activity suggestions and weekly challenges.

Two final thoughts on the book:
1. Marie, at 7 years old, seems to be just about the right age to begin this book. The boys are definitely gleaning from it, but Marie does most of the question answering.
2. It is only one lesson a week. This does not "fill your quota" as a Christian parent! The name of JESUS should be spoken within the walls of your home every single day, multiple times a day! But this book offers a simple way to get the whole family together for focused time in the Word. The rest of the week for "Bible class," we generally read a Psalm and practice some of our memory verses. Marie also does her own devotions.

We've been so pleased with this book which makes me super excited to offer it to one lucky winner! Yay, new book smell! And if you don't end up being that lucky winner, or simply don't want to wait, order one straight from Family Christian just in time for Christmas!

Follow the Rafflecopter below for your entries! Only one is required - share with me your ideas for making JESUS a part of your every single day.

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Giveaway ends in ONE WEEK!

The Power of a Praying Wife GIVEAWAY

I love this book.

While trudging through a rough patch in our marriage, my mom recommended reading this book. I have read through the prayers and verses every day since then. That's 18 months to be specific.

It is not a new book. You have probably all heard of it. But if you haven't taken the time to read through it, even once, you are missing out. To make it easier for you, I came across a second-hand hard back version in mint condition that I want to give away!

Here's a little blurb in case you need some convincing that this book is for you...

"Something amazing happens to our hearts when we pray for another person. The hardness melts. We become able to get beyond the hurts, and forgive. We even end up loving the person we are praying for. It's miraculous! It happens because when we pray we enter into the presence of God and He fills us with His Spirit of love. When you pray for your husband, the love of God will grow in your heart for him. Not only that, you'll find love growing in his heart for you, without him even knowing you are praying." 

If you'd like a chance to win this book, just leave a comment sharing something you love about your husband! 

I love that Derek is incredibly patient and never raises his voice. He has never said anything derogatory to me but rather is regularly encouraging. I am very blessed! And so are you, so comment away!

((The winner will be chosen randomly))

WINNERS!

Listed below are the lucky winners of the 400 Fans Celebration Giveaways!

Crochet for Your Life: Shirley Moweary

The Shop Around The Block: Caitrin Cowan Tarnovsky

 

DandLs DangLs: Jennifer Fletcher

Every Day Hat: Jenell Reece

Custom TuTus and Bows: Kacie Born

Moon Glow Haven Studio: Jamie Zagarich Mahlum

Creative Kitty Crochet: Cathy Spagnolo-Kaluszka

A Li'l Dab'll Do Ya: Sharon Snyder

DandLs DangLs: Alicia Gray

Moon Glow Haven Studio: Lela Hinojosa

Laylah's Ribbons: Amber Keller-Beer

Van Bow: Heather Smith

Much TuTu Cute: Bethany McDaniel

Buggga Bows: Gail Gray

WINNERS: please contact the sponsor by Monday, 6/27.
SPONSORS: please contact me (DandLsDangLs@gmail.com) if you have not heard from your winner by Monday, 6/27

Congratulations! And thank you all SO much!

Are you a fan??

Over on my Facebook page, I'm having a very fun giveaway! A handful of wonderful sponsors are helping me celebrate 400 amazing fans!!

Here's a glimpse of what's up for grabs (so far!)...

Join in on the party!!

And make sure you check back often as more sponsors generously join in on the fun.

Good luck!

Introducing...

Finally adding a whole new type of jewelry to the DandLs DangLs shop! I'm SO excited!!!

Meet the Sweetest Crystals WATCH!

The sis-in-law and I were like kids in a candy store when we walked into this little bead shop in Shipshewana. Walls and walls of beautiful, sparkly, colorful happiness!


Then we spotted them: watch heads! Steph had suggested this before, but now the option was directly in front of us and we went in search of just the right beads to match.


Thus begins the new line of watches!

Check out these gorgeous rondells...

Love the toggle clasp.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this watch is SOLD as I type this up, but maybe these pics will whet your appetite for the new line!

Keep an eye out for more of this beautifulness! Super easy way to do that is to become a fan on Facebook and/or follow on Twitter!

Also, don't miss out on a great giveaway going on HERE!

Over and out.

Dainty Rings

My birthday month is almost over *sad face*. But as I always like to extend my birthday for as long as humanly possible (all year long??) I'm going to continue giving these dainty rings away with every purchase until I'm tired of making them. That could be a long time! Or not. I'll let ya know when I know.

So head over to my website and purchase anything your little heart desires and get a happy birthday gift.

(You choose the color - blue, green, silver, copper - and the size)

Do you ever wonder why we celebrate birthdays the way we do? Why do we block out one day every year to honor ourselves for something we had absolutely nothing to do with?

I don't remember jumping up and down and saying, "Pick me! Pick me!" and God finally picking me to be born into this sin-soaked world. Do you?

I am very glad that we celebrate birthdays, don't get me wrong. I just wonder if it makes Jesus a little sad that we play up our own birthdays so much, but often forget all about Him on His "birthday." Just a thought.

{Oh and just so you know, become a fan over on facebook and you'll be entered into the 300 fans giveaway!}

Logos and Mac unite!

We would be SUPER thrilled to win one of the prizes! Thought you might be thrilled, too :)

Logos Bible Software is giving away thousands of dollars of prizes to celebrate the launch of Logos Bible Software 4 Mac on October 1. Prizes include an iMac, a MacBook Pro, an iPad, an iPod Touch, and more than 100 other prizes!
They’re also having a special limited-time sale on their Mac and PC base packages and upgrades. Check it out!