St. Patrick's Day Favor

Every 5 weeks I make a new treat for my husband's staff.  This month's focus is St. Patrick's Day.  I had the idea a few years ago to make goodie bags with gold rolos and Skittles (the gold at the end of the rainbow.)  Who knew that it is impossible to find individually wrapped skittles this time of year?  Amazon to the rescue!

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I made the topper using an adorable clover found here at Miss Kate Cuttables.  The quote makes me smile every time I look at it. 

"What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?  ... A rash of good luck!"

Happy 16th Birthday, Angel!

Our friend from church, Angel, celebrated her 16th birthday last week.  She had a party in the Philippines and her mom asked me to create a hot cocoa holder/favor for the guests.  Each guest received things that Angel loves, including hot cocoa.  What a fun idea!  Her party was "Gatsby" themed, and I had so much fun putting together these black and gold themed treats.  This was one of most favorite projects of all time.  

Encourage a sister in the Lord

“Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another…” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Last week, I sent this card to my fellow sisters at church.  Due to illness, car issues, etc., I haven't been at church lately and really miss fellow-shipping with them.  As I signed each card and addressed the envelopes I was able to pray for each one of my friends individually.  What a blessing to my heart.

I have a few cards left and would love to share them so that you can send one to someone.  Leave a comment here or on My Many Occasions' Facebook Page if you are interested.  On Wednesday, we will draw some names to receive the cards and will contact you for your address if you are selected. 

My challenge to you for this week:  Send a note of encouragement to a sister in Christ.  Don't know who to send it to?  Pray and ask God to show you who needs encouragement.

It doesn't have to be a handmade card.  A store bought card, a note on a piece of paper, anything will do.  Please leave a comment below and share how God used you this week. 

Be blessed as we encourage one another. 

A blog in the making...

This blog has been a long time in the making.  I've made efforts in the past, only to have them fizzle from the start.  And so, I have waited.  And waited.  Trying to figure out God’s plan, only to keep putting it off as the timing hasn’t been right.  I’ve shared various blog ideas with my husband; plans to sell my crafts online, plans to share the things I have made.  Plans to do with me.  And, yet, again, the time wasn’t right.  Neither was the plan.

Then, a year or so ago, I felt God’s leading.  Again, I put it off due to the many excuses of balancing being a wife,  motherhood, illness and just being busy.  Then, on my 42^nd birthday, we received the news that our landlord was selling the home we had lived in for over 5 years,  causing us to leave amazing friends and neighbors, and ultimately moving an hour away from home.  Thankfully, we moved closer to my husband’s work.  But, we are no longer close to church, schools or friends.  And it’s been a hard road.  We are renting the home of my dreams, but haven’t made many friends in the past 8 months.  We’ve added gymnastics classes, youth groups, etc. to our schedule and are slowly beginning to reach out to others.  Being the introvert that I am, this is HARD.  I’m much better staying home and being quiet.  My 8 year old daughter, however, has never met a stranger.  Everyone is her friend, despite the fact she can’t remember anyone’s name.  And so I have been forced to step out of my comfort zone.

Enter the gentle nudging of God’s plan again.  Instead of being about me, I began to realize that God’s plan was much different than my own.  My husband has often told me I have the gift of encouragement, but I wasn’t using it fully.  Again, I let fear stand in the way.  Many years ago, before I had children of my own, I used to write letters.  I would send verses to friends and church members as God led me to.  I stopped, out of fear of offending someone.

Fast forward 20 or so years and a week ago.  I sat in Starbucks with Richard and poured out what I felt God was leading me to.  A blog of encouragement.  Not only to encourage others, but also to encourage you to reach out and encourage others.  But, I am afraid, again.  Afraid of failure, of not following through.  I had decided not to follow through, as what if I’m the only one reading this?  What if I wasn’t able to reach out to anyone.  And then my husband came home last Sunday and said that God had confirmed to him that I am supposed to step out.  And I cried in fear and relief.  To have the confirmation of God and my husband was what I had been seeking for so long. 

One of the greatest women in my life was Margarita.  She knew more Bible verses than anyone I know.  She knew everyone’s birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.  Even when she couldn’t personally hand-write notes herself, she had friends and sisters in the Lord who would write them for her.  These notes were treasured by many and all felt God’s love through Margarita.  So, as I move forward, it is in her memory that I press on. 

My prayer for you is that God will use me to help you encourage one another.  Each week, I plan on encouraging you to reach out to someone with a note, a call or even a text.  It doesn’t have to be fancy, just from your heart.  To God be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.