April Scripture Writing Plan: Grief

Happy almost April! 

The new topical plan for this month is over the topic of Grief.
I have so many precious friends dealing with grief of one type or another right now
 and I thought a plan on grief would be something to comfort them during difficult times.

I made the plan 31 days and plan to do that with

 all topical plans in the future so that they can be done any month-
not just the month I write them for.

Prayer Card Giveaway

It's my birthday  and I want to give one of YOU a gift 

so I'm having a birthday giveaway!  

I'm giving away a set of personalized scripture prayer cards

 (for a child, grandchild or spouse). 

To enter just comment below with your favorite thing about your birthday- 

your favorite , your favorite tradition, anything you love about your birthday! 

I'll pick a winner tonight before I go to bed tonight and post the winner here!

ETSY New Items and a Coupon Code

I've recently added a few new items that I created for our retreat

 to my ETSY store and thought I would share them here- 

along with a coupon code for 25% off! 

I created this print CHOSEN to use on the tables one night and

I love the reminder that we are chosen, redeemed, adopted, brave, forgiven, beloved, child of God!

We even had a sweet lady make some cookies to go on the tables to match and they were beautiful! 

I created these scripture cards for the ladies at our retreat. 

They are an instant digital download so you can download and print as many sets as you'd like. 

They make a great gift for someone and are awesome to keep in your purse or car! 

The verses included are:
-Matthew 5:4
-Psalm 119:50
-Romans 15:13
-John 16:33
-Psalm 27: 13-14
-Hebrews 13:5
-John 16:20
-Isaiah 61:2-3
-Deuteronomy 31:6
-Zephaniah 3:17
-Revelation 21:4
-John 14:27

 You can find other scripture card sets HERE and HERE. 

I also made these bookmarks- which are also a digital download.  

This version of this verse is beautiful and what was on our ladies shirts for the retreat too!

ETSY Coupon Code: 

From now until April 1st, use the code HAPPYBDAY 

(It's my bday week!) to get 25% off your order!  

By far, my most popular items are the scripture prayer cards 

for children, for husbands, and for grandchildren. 

If you don't have a set this is the perfect time to purchase some using the 25% off code. 

They also make GREAT wedding and baby gifts! 

Conversation Cafe Podcast Interview

Ever wonder how and why I started writing scripture writing plans? 

Check out this interview I did with Bekah Shaffer for her podcast, 

Conversation Cafe where we talk about how they started. 

It was my first podcast interview and we had a great time talking about everything from brain tumors to God's calling to our shared love of 48 Hours, Dateline, and Hallmark movies!

You can check out Becca's Blog HERE and listen to the Podcast HERE. 

The Battle is NOT Yours

I'm a fixer by nature. 

If there's a problem and things seem out of control, I want to find a solution. 

ASAP. Stat. Immediately. 

And sometimes that is a good thing. 

Have a technology issue or task you are trying to accomplish? I'm your girl. 

Have a party you want to plan and need some creative, inexpensive ideas? I'm your girl. 

Have a care package you want to send and want some fun theme for it? I'm your girl. 

But other times, when the battle is NOT mine? 

It's not so good. 

2 Chronicles 20:15 says...

Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Many times I get frustrated trying to fix things (and people!) 

and fight battles that are not mine to fight. 

To meddle in things that God is working in and through. 

To allow Him to work in His mighty and powerful ways.  

I love this verse so because it's a beautiful reminder that Jesus has already won victory over EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that this life and world can throw at us.  

He has fought and WON against everything- 

marriage difficulties, financial struggles, cancer- EVERYTHING.  

Just like the verse above says, all we have to do is trust Him, take our positions, 

and stand firm in His promises, His plan, His almighty power.   

I made this little printable for a retreat this past weekend

 and I put one on my desk as a reminder to myself. 

If you'd like to print your own copy, you can get one in the folder HERE. 

I printed mine wallet size (9 per page) and they are perfect for the little army men. 

Forgiveness is Hard Y'all

Forgiveness is hard y'all. 

Super stinky hard.

It's often hard to forgive others when they have wronged us and wounded us- even when we know they didn't intentionally mean to hurt us. When we are wounded and weary forgiveness doesn't come easily or quickly. When someone hurts us it's easier to withdraw and pull away from them to to try to repair the trust and relationship. Often we have to just make the choice to forgive over and over and over again until we feel it.

But sometimes I think even harder than forgiving others-it's harder even to forgive ourselves. 

To forgive ourselves the way God repeatedly forgives us over and over and over again. 

To give ourselves grace and mercy just as we give grace and mercy to those we love.

We torment ourselves thinking about what we could have done, should have done

and although we know God forgives us, we can't (or won't) forgive ourselves. 

I think for me it often boils down to the fact that it's the unrealistic expectations 

I have of myself and put on myself that is at the root of this inability to forgive myself. 

I want to believe that I am better than I am- but the reality is, I'm not. 

I am a sinful, imperfect mess that is saved only by the grace and mercy of Christ.