True Beauty + Giveaway Winner

{Written By Miss Bethany}

I looked in the mirror and gazed into the face looking back at me. Our church was having a special event that evening and I decided to put a little make-up on to look my best. I normally don't wear much make-up-if any at all-and I hardly wear it except for "special events" such as church, special outings and other things like this. As I looked into the mirror I got to thinking about what true beauty is, and how often this world mixes inner beauty with outer beauty. And how they can get them out of order of importantance, often overlooking the most important kind of beauty that is found within. As I left for church that evening I decided that though the make-up I was wearing might make me prettier, I wanted to have my main focus on being truly beautiful with the inner beauty found in a heart fully devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ.

    

   True beauty cannot be found in a bottle. It cannot be purchased. It cannot be found in a curling iron, or in a bottle of nail polish. It does not come in the forms of high fashion, expensive clothing and doesn't have anything to do with precious jewels. Hair accessories and jewelry aren't in the "beautiful" category to God. A slim figure is not one of beauty. True beauty is rather found in a body fully devoted to the Lord in body and spirit {1 Corinthians 7:34}-rather than one adorned to the highest level. It's substance is not of long hair or a pretty face or ears dangling with jewels. Truly beautiful hair is that of which the owner is not afraid of little children hands running through, for they value the children high above that of their hairs neatness. {Matthew 19:14} A truly beautiful face is not one that have been pampered or primed for hours, not one with lots of make-up but one that radiantly shines God's light and love which over-pours from her heart into everyone she comes in contact with. Lips that are truly beautiful aren't those that have lipstick on, but those who smile freely and often due to her joy found only in Jesus Christ. Truly beautiful eyes are not those adorned with mascara and eye shadow, but those that have the look of Jesus' love, a glimmer of hope for those in need. Truly beautiful ears aren't those with long earrings, but those that eagerly listen the the Word of God and those that are attentive to the Lord's laws. Truly beautiful hands, are not that of which have perfectly pained nails, rather, the prettiest of hands are those puffed from lots of dish washing's, those that aren't afraid to get her hands dirty, to feed the hungry, to do God's work whatever it may be. Those that early stretch out to a little child and eagerly dry their tears. To pick them up when they fall, and read them a story when asked. A truly beautiful body is not one of a slim figure, but one that is eager to work for the Lord, to serve others, to value others as more important than herself. {Philippians 2:3-4} Truly beautiful feet aren't those that have nice shoes but those that aren't afraid to go our and proclaim the Gospel. {Isaiah 52:7} Girls, often this world mixes these things and puts them out of place, valuing our self beauty as more important than the true, unfading beauty that is only found in the heart of hearts. 

    Today, we need girls who are truly beautiful to God-according to HIS Word and HIS standards. {1 Peter 3:3-5} We need to be more concerned about our reflection being truly beautiful in God's mirror than that of the Worlds! I am striving to look deep into the Lord's Word to see what makes me beautiful to Him...we need to reject the worlds "beauty" and look wholly and completely to the Lord for guidance. Are you with me? For youthful beauty will fade as the years go on, but the true beauty is unfading, unending and eternal! Dear sister, if you were to look at yourself through God's mirror {The Bible} then would you truly be beautiful? Are you focusing more on the inner beauty of Christianity than that of the outer self? Are we trying with all our heart, mind soul and strength to be beautiful to God instead of the world? {Mark 12:30} There is a choice to make-either way we will strive to please someone by our looks-whether it be a man or the Lord-so let's strive to be beautiful to the Lord-the only one who will never leave us or forsake us. God bless you! ~Bethany Ann

{All photos were found on Pintrest.com}


Postscript :: Due to business in our lives, Johanna and I have decided to end the giveaway early. Our winner is b3 beader. b3 beader, if you could please visit Petal Jewelry, and select one pair of earrings, and then contact us with your selection along with your name and address. Thank you!

Book Reviews

Soul Surfer

By Bethany Hamilton

{Review By Bethany}

Description {From Christian Book Distributors}: They say Bethany Hamilton has saltwater in her veins, and they just might be right! How else could one explain the tremendous passion that drives her to surf? Nothing, not even the loss of her arm in a horrific shark attack can come between her and the waves she loves to surf. Read the story of this courageous 13-year-old and her journey from hospital to competitive surfing once again.

Soul Surfer is the moving account of Bethany's life as a young surfer, her recovery in the wake of the attack, the adjustments she's made to her unique surfing style and her unprecedented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championships. But, most importantly, it's also the story of her belief in God. It's a story of girl power and spiritual grit that shows that the body is no more essential to surfing--perhaps even less so--than the soul. Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Through this honest book you will learn about Bethany Hamilton-a professional surfer with a heart for God. You will read about her struggles, her faith and her triumphs. At the age of 13 Bethany lost her whole arm in a surfing accident to a 15-foot Tiger shark.  Learn of her journey to becoming famous and getting back on the board, as well as how her faith got her through the difficult times and kept her going. 
I give it 4 out of 5 stars. {I have seen the movie Soul Surfer and approved of it except for the poor choice of swimwear, that of which I wouldn't consider modest. For those that are considering purchasing the book I must have you know that inside the book there are a few pictures of Bethany and her friends in bikinis and if you have brothers whom you'd not want seeing the swimwear then you might just want to rent it from a library instead of purchasing it.}

It's {Not That} Complicated

By Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

{Review By Bethany}

Ever been confused about friendships with boys? How to handle crushes? How friendly is too friendly? How close is too close? What to do when a guy is being way too friendly? What guys think about all this? What it means to be a "sister, in all purity"? Guy-girl relationships have always been complicated, but perhaps never more so than today. It's (Not That) Complicated is a humorous, hopeful, and deeply thought-provoking new look at guy-girl relationships in our times. Dealing practically with such complications as online interaction, Hollywood expectations, undefined relationships, and unrequited love, the Botkin sisters offer enduring biblical principles that can make it all much simpler.

{Description Taken From It's {Not That} Complicated Website}

I was very excited when I first heard that the Botkin sisters new book would be coming out soon! I was blessed to be able to purchase it when we visited Vision Forum while on vacation and in the area. To say the least, I read it in 27 hours! :) It was one of the best books I've ever read, and I'd highly recommend it to every Christian girl! It was full of Biblical examples of good and not so good examples of how women of the Bible interacted with men-for good or for bad and it made a lot of sense! These sisters encourage girls to find the much needed balance in between the two extremes of never talking to young men, and flirting. They give helpful advice on how to interact with young men in a way that we can encourage them instead of bring them down. I really enjoyed this read and learned a lot of helpful advice through it, and would highly recommend it for girls ages 13 and up. {Although if a younger girl got her parents okay I would recommend it to them as well} I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Grace At Home

{Note: These pictures and post were drafted a few months ago, but I thought I'd still share them with you all! }

Today for our Grace At Home I'd like to share with you one of my life-savers {Besides Jesus-Christ, of course! :D}! This is my secret to keeping everything in order! I am personally the kind of person who has a hard time remembering anything unless I write it down, so I've always found that if I want to remember something I MUST write it down! :D A while back my mother shared with me her secret to remembering everything and I have always used the "Home Binder" as my secret weapon! It's so great because everything I need is in one place! Here are some pictures of my binder!

My front cover, it's a bit used {huge understatement, I fear I'll have to get another one soon! :)}but I wouldn't trade it for anything! :D

Inside my binder, in the front pocket I place things like letters to respond to, magazines to read {In Virtuous Daughters case, I used their read your Bible in a year plan last year, so I used that every day} and such things.

I have several labels, {also very used! :)} one for my daily things and calendar, one for my address book, one for lists and notes and now one for my Etsy shop, this tap hold things like a list of all my sales, etc. Keeping things in their right tab helps for easy finding.



In my first tab I have a year view calendar for long term planning. I found this print out sheet HERE!



Then a monthly calendar for more up-to-date planning. I found this print out sheet HERE! By the way, this site Donna young.org has so many print out sheets from home school lesson planners, to lists for book you have read and much more! It's a wonderful homeschooling resource!

And then a 3 day view! This is were I write notes for things I need to do for my computer time such as working on certain posts, uploading pictures, emailing so and so and such things. I also write down little things I need to remember to do. It's sort of like a mini to-do list! :D

Now in my second tab I have my own address book! I found these print out address sheets HERE!

This is a chart I made myself using our computers Microsoft. I use it to record when I memorize Scripture, and I keep it under my "lists and notes" tab. If you don't know how to made one yourself then you could easily make one with some paper and a pen.

This  a list of recommended books from Raising Maidens of Virtue. I keep it in my extra tab so that I always have it!

This is a list of books that I've read. I've always thought it was neat to record the books I've read so I can go back and look at all the titles later on! I printed this chart off at our good friends from church the Flanders site found HERE! Again they have a lot of neat charts available so check it out! {Thanks Flanders!}

At the time I took these pictures, I was doing the Autumn Quest with my sweet friends Johanna and Haley. This is the chart we use to record the time we spent in devotions and how many verses we memorize a week. I had to keep it in my binder to be able to find it once I needed it.

This was a neat tutorial I found HERE and copied it to a document and printed it off for a reference when I've got some time to mess with my sisters hair. I've not mastered this particular hair do yet, but hope to! :D yet again, this is a great hair tutorial resource for those with longer hair!

This  a neat bible study that I found at Daugterhood by Design and printed off and put in my extra folder.

So basically the binder can be used to fit your personal needs. Its a great place to keep EVERYTHING in ONE place to stay organized and its lots of fun to start a home binder up! So now you all know my secret to not losing everything! :) So be creative and enjoy your now easily organized life! ~ Blessings, Bethany Ann

Monthly Interview | Miss Miriam

Miss Miriam | 2012

Reflections of Grace | Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? How did you come to know Jesus?

Miriam | I am a young lady of fourteen years, and live in Tennessee with my four siblings (three girls, and one boy) and wonderful parents. I love in a fairly small neighborhood, and have lived here all my life. I am training {under my dear mother} to be a godly woman and homemaker. I enjoy sewing, playing violin, spending time with my family and friends, cooking, penning long letters, playing with children, reading and writing stories, spending time with my Savior {reading the Bible, and talking to Him}, and telling others about what Jesus had done for them. I also enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like watching the sun set, gazing out a window, watching snow flakes fall from the sky, and running through a field. I love the Lord with all my heart, and I was very blessed to be able to grow up in a Christian home. I received Christ into my heart when I was about seven, and realized that I was a sinner in need of forgiveness. Ever since that day, the Lord has changed me and I have never been the same since! Although I received Christ at an early age, I did not begin to grow closer to the Lord until a few years ago, and surrender my life to Him. The Lord has been doing a work in my heart, as He breaks away the pieces of "me", and helps me to honor Him with my whole life. I am not perfect {far from it!}, but I serve a Savior who is!

Reflections of Grace | We understand you went on a Missions trip last summer, could you tell us a little bit about that experience?

Miriam | Well, the mission trip I went on last year was definitely an amazing experience. I had never been on a mission trip before, so everything was very new to me. At first, I was a bit intimidated, because I would have to talk to people that I had never met. Now, I am so glad that I received the opportunity to go to New York. It was a wonderful experience, during which I learned that it it not about me, but HIM.

Reflections of Grace | How were you able to overcome your self, and face people you have never even met before in order to share the Gospel?

Miriam | I have to be honest, it was very hard at first to share the Gospel with others that I did not know. The first day or two were probably the hardest, because I felt so uncomfortable and a bit intimidated too. After realizing that I had to just forget how I felt and what others thought, and just obey the Lord, everything began to get a little bit easier. A young man in our group pointed something out to me. In the book of Jeremiah, the Lord commanded him to judge the people. Jeremiah knew ahead of time that the people would not listen, yet he still told them to truth. Even more so should we tell people about Christ's love for them, because many will listen and believe! We just have to give them the truth. What they do with what we give them is between them and the Lord. I knew that if I did not tell them, that there was not a guarantee that someone else would.

Reflections of Grace | What was one of the most eye-opening experience you had when presenting the gospel to strangers?

Miriam | One of the most eye-opening experiences that I had when sharing the Gospel with people was seeing that a lot of these people had not ever heard of Jesus before. Before I went on this trip, I had thought that everyone in the United States knew about Jesus. How wrong I was! While some on New York had heard about Jesus and what He did for them, many had not.

Reflections of Grace | Did your life change at all after you came home or even during the mission trip?

Miriam | Yes, it most certainly did change during the time I was there. I was convicted that I was using my time for my own pleasures and gain, instead of Christ's. I was being selfish and only thinking of myself, and what I wanted to do. Time is short, girls! Very short. We need to be using all the time that we have for the glory of Christ! When we get to heaven, it will not matter if you have 300 followers, or a whole wardrobe of beautiful clothes. It will only matter what we did for Christ! All around the world, people are dying and will be forever without Jesus if they do not repent of their sin and accept Jesus into their hearts. This is why one of my New Year's resolutions is: do more for Christ. For me, this means telling more people about Jesus, encouraging and challenging my brother's and sister's in Christ, and giving unselfishly of myself for others.

Miriam's family | Caleb, Rebekah, Sarah Grace, Anna, Miriam. 

Reflections of Grace | Do you have a message you can share with those of us who are timid, and almost afraid of stepping out to share the Good News?

Miriam | Ask Jesus for boldness. He will help you overcome your fear. It is hard, and it will take some time. But, Christ says: "For with God nothing shall be impossible." {Luke 1:37} We could not do it on our own, but with Christ, we can do anything.

Dear sister, do not listen to the devil. He will tell you to leave the witnessing to others, and to just have a good time. He does not want others to hear the Gospel. Do not listen to him, or give in to him. He will only lead you astray. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." {James 4:7} The Lord will give you boldness and strength; just submit and follow Him.

Reflections of Grace | Do you find that you made a difference in the lives of those strangers by spreading the Gospel? If so, how?

Miriam | Yes, I do. Even though everyone that we shared the Gospel with did not receive Christ as their Savior, we still planted seeds in their life. Sometimes the Lord has some plants seeds in a person's life, then others water the sends, and others reap. Later in their lives, another Christian may come in to their life, and then they may get saved. We do not know God's plan for each person, but we do know that we need to trust and obey Him!

Reflections of Grace | Do you have a message you would like to share in closing?

Miriam | Even though many of you cannot go on a mission trip, or do not have the opportunity to go, you can still be a missionary right where you are. One does not have to travel somewhere to share the gospel with others; you can do it right where you are! We all can do things like: handing out a tract to the cashier at the store, sharing the gospel with a friend, family member, or neighbor, and, just being a good testimony! Remember, others are always watching you! Are you representing Christ in everything that you do? Are you being faithful to not pass up an opportunity to say a word for the Lord?

"This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

{Galatians 5:16}

Thank you so much, Johanna and Bethany, for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed! May the Lord bless you all as you strive to serve and honor the Lord with your lives!!!

Becoming Mary In a Martha World

{Written By Miss Bethany}

Bethany & Robby

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” {Luke 10:38-42}

"Beppy, beppy! Read to me!" shouted 3-year old Robby as he ran to me with the children picture Bible in his soft little hands. "Beppy, please read to me!" He repeated as he sat down next to me on the living room couch. "Okay Robby, I'll read to you!" I answered as he edged closer to me on the seat, made himself comfortable and softly placed his chubby hands in his lap. I watched his once-baby feet dangle of the couch-his legs too short to touch the ground. He handed me the book and and I opened it and started to read. We read together the stories of Noah and the Ark, David and Goliath, Peter finding the coin in the fish mouth to pay for taxes, and more. Finally we came to the story titled "Mary and Martha". "Read this one!" Robby said as he pointed to the picture of two ladies in Biblical clothing. "Okay" I told him. "Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus" I began. "One time Jesus came to Mary and Martha's house to visit. Mary sat at Jesus feet and listened to Him talk while Martha hurried around and did lots of housework. Martha got frustrated with Mary because she wasn't helping Martha. Jesus told her to not worry and to take a break and listen to Jesus, just like Mary." Robby laughed aloud as he looked at the picture of Martha in a frenzy with a mixing bowl in her arms and a mixture flying everywhere in her haste to mix the contents. I thought it funny that someone could get that busy without realizing it. "How could anyone want to work when Jesus was in their home?" I wondered. But then it hit me: sometimes I'm so busy with things on my to-do list that I loose track of everything that is truly important and that that truly matters versus a long list. That night not only did Robby have a story read to him, but I learned a lesson and gained insight as well.

~*~

     Have you ever been so busy that you didn't think you could keep up? We all have busy times in ones life, but sometimes I think that we can easily over-do it without even knowing it. In today's culture everything is fast paced and everyone always seems to have somewhere to go, something to do, somewhere to be and so forth. My mother has often told me of the importance of slowing down often and taking a break and now I know that she is right.

     Its so easy to commit to doing lots of things but I think that the Lord wants us to take a break often. I've often realized that if I'm busy thinking about everything I need to do during my devotions then I don't get as much out of that time and I don't learn anything! Sometimes all I need to do is calm myself down and forget about all I need to do and let the Spirit speak to me. Because if my mind is bubbling to overflowing with things I've supposedly "got" to get done, then am I really going to hear the Holy Spirit when He speaks over the noise of it all? If I will take a break and stay still and listen for him then I'll be able to hear Him a lot better! Psalm 46:10 tells us "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."


     Sometimes it is necessary to take a break. If we don't have time to do our devotions each morning, or we are filling that time with other projects, than we are being like Martha. Sometimes this means saying "no" to certain activities. And while I'm not saying that you shouldn't ever do anything, I am saying that balance it good and needed. If you are so busy that you can't see straight, then maybe you should consider somethings that you could do without. Ask the Lord what He would have you to do. But I would like to encourage each of you to take a break sometimes this week and calm yourself down and instead of running crazy, sit at Jesus feet and listen. You will be glad that you did!


    One time as Johanna and I were talking on the phone, she shared with me something that I've found useful. She called it a "date with Jesus". The idea is to take one morning, and instead of doing the regular devotions routine, to take some time to get quiet before the Lord. Make a cup of tea and just reflect through His doing, let Him speak to you. I would recommend this to all of you for these are the times the Lord speaks! May you be blessed through your choice to quite yourself before the Lord!

 He says, Be still, and know that I am God

{Psalms 46:10}

Resting in His Presence,

Bethany

Breakfast Recipes

Most people do not eat breakfast....but personally, I've always loved breakfast most over the other meals since they are so good and are a great way to start your day {besides devotions with Jesus, of course! :)}. I've always loved the image of waking up in the morning to the smell of bacon frying, eggs being scrambled, cinnamon rolls in the oven, getting all big and puffy and I think of how the aromas, when mixed together result in a most lovely morning! I've always enjoyed my "chore" {although I can hardly call it such} of making breakfast and the ability to make something refreshing and yummy for my family. It is a great way to show them that you care and today I've compiled a list of some of our family favorites. Do enjoy!

~Bethany

{P.S. I have recently opened my own Etsy shop! I've called it Hands That Bless and you can visit my little store HERE! If you apply this coupon code in the checkout, before paying then you can get 20% off your order! SAVE20}

Crock Pot French Toast

• 1 loaf of sliced bread
• 1 dozen eggs {12}
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 cups milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/4 cup walnuts

Grease crock pot well, place bread inside. Whisk all the remaining ingredients in a bowl, pour on top of bread. cook on low for 6-8 hours. Enjoy!

Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls

{These take a bit of time and quite a few ingredients, but they are SO worth it!!!!}

Rolls:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 1/2 oz. vanilla pudding
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 + cups all purpose flour

Filling:

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons cinnamon

Frosting:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk

Mix warm water, yeast and sugar well. In a large bowl prepare pudding according to the directions on box. Add butter, eggs and salt. Mix well then add yeast mixture and mix well. Gradually add flour, but don't over-flour the dough. Knead on a floured surface. Place on lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel and put in a dark place to let rise. Let rise until doubled in size. Roll out on floured surface into a large rectangle. Spread butter on top and then sprinkle evenly the brown sugar and cinnamon on top of that. Roll up very tightly starting with the long end to make a long roll. Using knife or dental floss {I've fond this work well if you slide it under the dough and then cross the string over the cut the roll, it seems to make a cleaner cut than the knife} cut the rolls out. Place on greased pan with edges and cover with a towel again. Let rise until doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes {it may take longer, depending on the size you choose to make your rolls}. Mix all the frosting ingredients in a small bowl. Drizzle over the warm rolls and serve. Enjoy! Makes 24 LARGE rolls {You can cut the recipe in half if you don't need that many}

Monkey Bread

• 4 cups flour 
• 6 tablespoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups margarine, divided 
• 2 cups milk 
• Cinnamon
• Sugar 
• One package cream cheese 
• 1 cup brown sugar

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or a fork “cut” in 1 cup of the margarine, until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stirring with fork add enough milk until dough leaves sides of the bowl and is moist, set bowl aside.  In a separate bowl mix about ½ cup sugar and a teaspoon cinnamon to make a cinnamon sugar mix. Melt ½ of the 1 cup of margarine that is remaining.  Break a small ball of dough and press with your hand to make a very small circle. In the middle of the dough, place a small amount of cream cheese and take the dough and pinch the sides so that your cream cheese will not melt out of your dough. Roll ball into a circle and roll into the margarine, then into the cinnamon sugar mix. Continue this until you use all your dough. Layer the balls in a greased bunt pan. In a sauce pan melt and bring to a boil the remaining ½ cup of margarine and brown sugar. Pour over the top of the dough balls in the bunt pan. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until well done. Let cool for 10-15 minutes after you take it out of the oven, then immediately (but carefully, it will be hot!!!) flip over onto a large plate, be careful the sauce will be very hot! Enjoy!!!

Egg Casserole

• 18 eggs 
• Any kind of meat we have used lunch meat, turkey, pork chops, chicken, sausage etc 
• Shredded cheese 
• Seasonings 
• Any kind of chopped vegetable; we usually use broccoli or spinach

In a greased 9x13 inch pan beat all the eggs. Add in very finely chopped meat and vegetables into the pan and mix well. Add any seasonings or your choice, salt, pepper etc. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake at 350* for 30 minutes.  Note: We usually make this ahead of time and put plastic wrap over it and put it in the fridge then take it out of the fridge and remove the plastic wrap and bake. 

Muffins

• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 2/3 cup oil
• 2 eggs, beaten

Combine all dry ingredients well. In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Add to dry mixture and mix well. Fill greased muffin tins and bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

Pancakes

• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 teaspoons oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• Smashed bananas, strawberries, chocolate chips, etc. {optional}

Mix everything in a bowl and pour on top hot griddle or pan. When bubbles appear and pop then flip over. Once done, butter and serve with syrup.

Healthy Waffles

• 1 3/4 cups flour {we used oatmeal and ground it up in a blender to make a flour}
• 1 tablespoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cups oil
• 1 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all ingredients and cook in waffle iron. Enjoy with butter and syrup.

Janurary Giveaway :: Petal Jewelry

Greetings ladies! It's time for another giveaway! So today we have a most beautiful shop sponsor! Lois, owner of Petal jewelry came to Johanna and I and offered to sponsor a giveaway so  lets get started!

A Peek Into The Shop ::

{Website} ~ {Etsy} ~ {Twitter} ~ {Facebook}

The Giveaway ::

Today Lois is going to give away a pair of earrings of the winners choice. So if you win you would get to choose the pair of earrings as your prize! Thanks Lois!!!

How To Enter ::

{Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, or it won't count}

MANDATORY:: Follow Reflections of Grace publicly.

• Post the giveaway on your blog {leave your link}.
• Spend a moment in prayer for our ministry.
• Visit Petal Jewelry and let us know your favorite item. 
• Heart Petal Jewelry on Etsy {For those of you who have an Etsy account}
• Follow An Old-Fashioned Girl {Johanna's personal blog} publicly.
• Follow Giveaways of Blessing {Bethany's giveaway blog} publicly.
• Visit Bethany's newely opened etsy shop Hands That Bless and let us know your favorite item!

Additional Information :: Please leave a way for us to contact you in each of your comments (blog address, email, etsy user name, etc). Giveaway ends at noon, on the 30th of January, 2012 and {Lord willingly} the winner will be announced the following day!

Blessings,

~Bethany Ann & Johanna Rose~

yes, my heart welcomes thee. {re-post}

|{yesterday, the Lord put a message upon my heart to share with my sweet readers from An Old-Fashioned Girl. Today, I feel led to share that same message with my readers here at Reflections of Grace. May my words bless you and inspire you as we begin this new year together. abundant blessings -- Johanna}|

although the clock told of how the new year was near at hand, in my heart I wasn't able to come to the realization that 2011 was coming to an end. moments that were once part of my future, soared into a past, each one spent in the reminiscence of countless memories, cascading down from the depths of my soul. at that moment, my heart would seemingly burst with an amalgam of both joy and sorrow.

it would seem that a myriad of colors, sounds, voices, hopes and dreams would be tucked deep below the covers of a passing year, never to be revisited again. how I longed to hold on to the present for one moment longer. yet the ticking of the clock seemed to tell of a haste which had no intention of being slowed nor paused. twelve chimes ascended swiftly yet surely. 

a new year had begun.

it is said that when an end takes place, a beginning has just been invoked. and I can't help but feel a tinge of alacrity creep up when I ponder what might be around the corner. the sorrow within my heart is pushed aside by the arrival of a joyous anticipation. what new colors, sounds, voices, hopes and dreams will life generate? 

although the future is unknown and completely void of certainty in nearly every facet of life, there is yet one pinnacle on which I stand. a faith in which I immerse myself daily. a hope that gives me the courage to look at future in a new light. a Savior who knows me from the void of my heart to the resurrection of my soul.

I don't know what the future holds. yet, I know Who holds the future. and in that, I place my heartfelt trust and confidence. in this I have certainty, even when there seems to be none. 

in closing, I must pen here what I intended to write at the beginning of this entry. to the new year; yes, my heart welcomes thee. I feel you will bring much. and I look forward to watching and being a part of what will take place within this next chapter of my life. it is always exciting to turn the page in a story, and I feel as if I have come to a turning point in my own. I do wonder what shall happen... 

may this year be filled with the beautiful presence of everlasting love from above.

blessings,
-- Johanna Rose

{all photo's via pinterest}