52 Blessings: Freedom

We had a fabulous time last night with the cul-de-sac neighbors!  We celebrated our nation’s Independence with fireworks and food, as will most of our country over the weekend.  But REAL freedom isn’t found in a country, politics, friends, family, or food.  Real freedom comes through Jesus Christ, who gave up His own life, dying on the cross, to give us freedom from sin, so we are reconciled with God.  Real freedom came at a huge cost, but it is offered freely to you!  If you want to know more about freedom in Christ, visit Steps to Peace today!

Tal & Acacia CD Winner!

Winner of the Tal & Acacia CD is Le (theDomesticChick), my new friend that got me started on couponing.  She is responsible for my super organized coupon binder that many of you have seen!  :)  

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 
4
Timestamp: 2009-07-04 15:05:40 UTC

Congrats Le!

New Christian Artist CD Give-Away!

Check out this new Christian artist, Tal & Acacia!  I got a copy of their music to review and Morgan & I immediately listened to it.  We love their fun, fresh sound.  The music has a great beat; I’ll definitely add this to the playlist for my morning walks! 

The duo-sisters Tal & Acacia grew up in Portland, Maine, and first began songwriting and playing guitar in their teen years, while the family spent an insightful year in Russia aiding a humanitarian orphan ministry. Now, in their early twenties, Tal & Acacia aim to create songs that wake listeners and refresh the soul "like a cold splash of water for those who hear it."

Especially in desert times, the songwriting duo's music ministers and inspires. Musically, Tal & Acacia bear resemblance to such acts as Feist, Norah Jones, Imogen Heap and Sixpence None The Richer, and credit songwriting inspiration from artists like Keith Green and Stevie Wonder. The quirky pop sound of Tal & Acacia's debut album, titled Wake Me, is a breath of fresh air-defined by catchy choruses-and girded in joy. Produced by Monroe Jones (Ginny Owens, Chris Rice, Third Day, Caedmon's Call), Tal & Acacia's Wake Me is distinctly rich and infectious, and intuitively embraces the clash between the principled, spiritual inner self and a confusing, glittery outer culture.  (FROM THEIR WEBSITE)

Now you have 2 opportunities to listen to their music. 

1. Tal & Acacia are giving away 3 FREE downloads of their music on their website!  http://www.talandacacia.com/freemusic/ Make sure to invite your friends to grab this too!

2. I  have one of their CD’s to giveaway!  Just leave a comment on this post and you’ll be entered.  If you visited their site to download the free music let me know which song is your favorite.  I’ll take comments until Friday evening, July 3, then use a random number generator to choose the winner. 

A big THANK YOU to Provident Music Group for providing this music!

Granola Nut Cluster Review!

If you like nuts then you’ll definitely want to try these new Granola Nut Clusters from Nature Valley! I am not a big "granola” lover, but when My Blog Spark asked if I wanted to try them I said sure! Today I received a box with four packages – one of each variety. Honey Roasted Peanut, Granola Nut Clusters, Roasted Almond, and Roasted Cashew. The first pack we ripped into is the Roasted Cashew and I will say this snack has definitely changed my mind about granola. I love these!

These snacks are clusters of nuts, granola, and a touch of honey - bite sized treats with no high fructose corn syrup! A great combination of sweet and salty, they are packaged in resealable pouches, and would be a great on-the-go snack.

Right now, Nature Valley has a coupon for $1 off – which makes it a pretty sweet deal to try!

A big thank you to My Blog Spark for providing the Granola Nut Clusters for the review!

52 Blessings - TESTIFY

I believe in Jesus, And I won't apologize. He has bought me my freedom, With His blood and with His life. I believe in Jesus, And I ain't ashamed to testify. You might change this world around me, But you'll never change my mind. (SHOOBY, NCM) click to hear it

I ♥ Nicole C. Mullen! Her music is edgy with soul, makes me wanna dance and praise the Lord! I was listening to some of her music on my iPod while walking this morning and it just made me want to dance down the street - but I did restrain myself. Nothing like making the neighbors think I'm crazier than they already do! :)

This song, Shooby, reminds me how important it is that we aren't afraid to let our love for Jesus shine. I was so filled with love for my Savior this morning I wanted to post that on my facebook page. But now I have so many friends from highschool, etc. on FB that knew "the old LouAnn" years ago that I hesitated, thinking maybe they will think I'm a Jesus freak, or a hypocrite, or whatever! Then I remembered what Jesus said in Matthew...

“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33

That was sure a good reminder for me! Not only do I not want to be denied, but I want to be used by God in whatever way He wants to further His kingdom. Only the Lord knows who needs the love of a Savior RIGHT NOW! Who needs to hear that Jesus can give them freedom from their pain and suffering! That no matter what their circumstance is right now, they can have joy in the Lord! I'm so thankful that I can publicly testify no matter where I am that I BELIEVE IN JESUS and I WON'T APOLOGIZE!


A glad heart makes a happy face. Prov. 15:13

CT News – DeCrow Designs!

DeCrow Designs is now open at ScrapOrchard and to celebrate they have a store-wide 35% off sale until Wednesday!

AND – a great freebie kit on their BLOG TRAIN! Click the image to visit the first blog in the train.

Here are some layouts I’ve done with Molly’s kits and templates.

Kit: Tizzleberry Pop!

Kit: Eastern Whispers

Template: Blueprint #1

Kit: Hip Junky

Kits: Let’s Be Friends, Hip Junky, and
That’s Some Pig from Tangie Baxter Designs

A glad heart makes a happy face. Prov. 15:13

Get your Verse On!

Have you checked out Wild Olive Tees yet?  You gotta do it!  I ordered the Consider it Joy T, and just love it.  Cute, comfy, and has a great message!  They are having another give-away!  Visit Wild Olive Tees to check it out! 

Girl’s Weekend!

Kim flew in on Wednesday and we’ve had a great time so far!  Yesterday we went to the Creation Museum – she took lots of pictures, I took none!  :O  Today we are heading up to IKEA to meet Susan, Kristin, Cheri, April & Suzanne.  Watch out IKEA….  :)  Hopefully I’ll have pics to post later, but so far I’ve forgotten.  How can I be a digi scrapper and not take pictures?  LOL  

To be continued….

52 Blessings - TRUST

My blessing this week: TRUST
In the last few months our pastor has done a complete series on Trusting God in Uncertain Times, my WOW group spent 2 months on "Trusting God Even when Life Hurts" by Jerry Bridges, and our small group spent 10 weeks going through the study guide for that same book. I think God was trying to get my attention. :) This morning Clare & I prayed about different things and one was the uncertainty of their jobs when the outsourcing is official on June 30. And that whole "trust" thing hit me again. I feel like I am trusting the Lord in this situation, but it's so good to be reminded that it is a CHOICE to trust in Him even when my tendency would be to worry. And this morning, in my Bible reading for today was this verse. Proverbs 16:20 -- He who heeds the word wisely will find good, AND WHOEVER TRUSTS IN THE LORD, HAPPY IS HE.
Thanks for the reminder Lord. I need it! :)

May your day be incredibly blessed!


A glad heart makes a happy face. Prov. 15:13