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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 20, 2012

It’s Inspiration Friday No. 74! Welcome!

Inspiration Friday Graphic
Is it really the middle of July?

Did we really see Back to School Supplies and Fall Décor appearing in stores?

We love Fall as much as the next gals but we definitely are going to make the most out of these lazy (ha!) days of summer!

And what better way than partying here with you each week?!

We are thrilled this week to be welcoming a new Sponsor to the Fence.

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Lauren has an incredible Blog filled with everything from recipes and crafts to encouragement for women and inspiring stories as well as a weekly Linky Party called Heart & Home Link Up which takes place every Tuesday.

She is also a self-taught Graphic Designer with an Etsy Shop, Mercy INK.,  carrying Digital Subway Art Prints like this Night Night Subway Art which would be so perfect for a nursery!
NIGHT Night Subway Art - Modern Childrens Nursery Art Decor DIGITAL PRINT - Orange & Teal - Languages
And this set of Social Media Icons which are just one of many options!

BLUE & GRAY Custom Social Media Icons - Blogs or Websites -
We hope you will help us welcome her by paying her a visit at her Blog or her Shop or both!
Also, Heather is honored to be guest posting for the fabulous Amanda of Serenity Now! While she’s digging her toes in the sand on vacation, Heather’s sharing her fun DIY Dining Caddy project.  Be sure to head over and take a peek! 

and Vanessa is excited to have her Ballard Inspired Sea Shell Topiary featured at Knock Off Decor!

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Now, are you ready to check out some amazing features from last week??!!
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INSPIRED ROOMS

Cas from Peaches and Maple shared the incredibly gorgeous room she submitted to Australia’s Home Beautiful Magazine’s Most Beautiful Room competition. And, while this room is undeniably beautiful, what we appreciated most about this post was what Cas shared
 about discovering her passion and developing her gifts!

And speaking of beautiful rooms, there was just no way we could not include Amanda from Dixie Delight’s incredible kitchen. Get out a napkin folks, cause this one is drool-worthy!

July 2012 112 copy
MAKEOVERS

This is a fantastic hallway transformation from Katie at Creatively Living! One of our favorite parts is what is hiding behind those closet doors….
you’ll just have to go over to visit Katie to see what we’re talking about!

Now technically, this room could also be up among the Inspired Rooms Features but what we are highlighting here is the wonderful job Lisa from Shine Your Light did painting the tiles that are on top of that bay window ledge. You will not believe how this looked before!!

You HAVE to go check out how an old dresser became this amazing Portable Bar over at Bliss Ranch! There’s even a built in ice trough for chilling beverages. And we can’t get enough of the lettering on the side!

 
  CRAFTS and CREATIONS

How cool is this light?? It was created by Serendipity Refined and made using paint stirs! It is a knock-off of one she saw priced at over $200. She shows exactly how she got that wonderful aged patina and you should see how it looks on her gorgeous patio!

And while we are on the subject of cool lighting knock-offs, check out this Horchow Natural Cane Lamp Shade Knock-Off from At Home on the Bay. We love how fresh and summer-y it looks!
And check out this Twine Towel Basket made from a cereal box!! That’s right…a cereal box! You have to go over to Inspired By Family Magazine to see how she did it.

 
OUTDOOR LIVING
Have you met Miriam and Erika from Be Book Bound? How do we love them? Let us count the ways…they are sisters who blog together…they love words as much as we do…they are kindred spirits in their passion for Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen and Laura Ingalls…and they create gorgeous settings like this Apple Pie in the Orchard inspired by Little House on the Prairie! Sigh…

The Country Farm Home showed us some beautiful photos from a Rustic Barn Wedding she attended and we think these ideas are just fantastic and could translate into our own decor.



RECIPES and PARTIES
Oh Anna…can we please, please, please come to one of your fabulous parties??! We promise we would dress the part to join in this Mad Men themed Birthday Party. Even when it’s for your own birthday you put together the most incredible events and we hope it was all you had hoped for and more…even if we couldn’t be there!

Mad Men Women
Have you ever heard of an Iced Tea Float? Well, we hadn’t either but after seeing the recipe for this one from The Alchemist we are definitely going to be trying it out!

INSPIRING STORIES
Heather’s in-real-life friend Nedra of Adventure Mom shared with us the story of her first TRYathlon and we loved hearing about how she conquered her fears and had the experience of a lifetime!

Jordan from The 2 Seasons shared with us about The Ultimate Makeover when she traveled to Argentina to help remodel a local elementary school and we loved seeing the details of how they made a huge difference for the students there!

 
If you were featured today (or have been featured in the past) please grab the featured at button code located on our Buttons Page found under our header!
Are you following At The Picket Fence on Facebook? Don’t forget we feature many of your links during the week on our Facebook Page! If you’ve been featured there, grab a button as well!
Are you following us on

Pinterest
We sure hope so! BUT…We have a SPECIAL REQUEST of you, if you visit INSPIRATION FRIDAY and like to PIN the great projects you see here! Please pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE and not our blog…unless it’s one of our own creations, then by all means pin away from here…we won’t mind! 😉
Thank you to everyone who shared so many fabulous posts with us last week! We appreciate you!
Now it’s time to share with us what has inspired you this week!
Thank you so much for joining us for Inspiration Friday at the Fence,
When you are done linking up head over and party with the other Friday Party Friends:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
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Now all ya PARTY PEOPLE it’s time to link on up…here’s some instructions for Inspiration Friday
  • Link Up any post you’ve written that has Inspired You and will Inspire Others-it can be a home improvement project, craft, recipe, story, devotional…if it inspires link it up!
  • Be sure to link back to your original post  and not just your url (main blog address)
  • Please post our button (code on our Buttons Page found at top of blog) or a text link on your blog so others can join in the fun! (MANDATORY to be featured At The Picket Fence) Tutorial on how to link up a button: Blogging 101
  • Visit another guest. Please try and visit at least the link directly above and below you! We try to visit as many posts as we can but as Inspiration Friday grows sometimes we miss some and for that we apologize. It makes us feel good knowing others are visiting people as well! Thank you..it truly means a lot to us
This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:
 
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Disclaimer: At the Picket Fence may feature any of the projects linked up to Inspiration Friday in other posts or on Facebook, twitter and hometalk with all credit being given to the original source. If you would not like your projects featured please email us.

77 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    SUPER features, girls. Thanks so much for hosting.

    Reply
  2. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Must hop over to Be Bound Brook – anyone who loves Jane Austen is a friend of mine!

    And of course, Bliss’s bar has me in cocktail heaven!
    Kelly

    Reply
  3. allisamazing says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  4. Honey at 2805 says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Hi sweet ladies! Thanks to your both for always being gracious hostesses! Great features! I always appreciate you linking to Potpourri Friday!

    Reply
  5. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    Oh what great features, love that toolbox caddy. Thanks for hosting. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  6. Anita says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:23 PM

    So many great ideas again girls…thanks for hosting the party!!

    Reply
  7. Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Love all your beautiful features; I’d never leave Dixie Delight’s kitchen! Thank you so much for hosting Inspiration Friday.

    Reply
  8. The Farmer's Daughter says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:29 PM

    What a wonderful surprise! Thanks you so much for featuring the Rustic Barn Wedding we had here at the farm! The bride and groom will be thrilled! And, thanks for hosting another great link party!

    Reply
  9. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! Hope you both have wonderful weekends!

    Reply
  10. Trish says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:49 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Hope you’re having a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  11. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Great features as always. Amazing the entries you two get. Thanks for doing this every week. I sure appreciate it!

    Reply
  12. suzyq says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting – absolutely incredible features this week!
    Off to browse
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  13. Savvy Seasons says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:00 PM

    Love Inspiration Friday and I love to browse all the fabulous blogs. Thanks for hosting! xo ~Liz

    Reply
  14. keri @ shaken together says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, ladies!!

    Reply
  15. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:06 PM

    Love the features! Thanks so much for hosting!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  16. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    Hey Girls, just linked up, thanks for the Friday Party Love!!

    Reply
  17. Paula says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    Great features! That rolling bar is really neat. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  18. Janette - The2Seasons says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:09 PM

    Thanks for featuring The 2 Seasons. We hope you like this week’s makeover entry that we did on the porch for under $100. We appreciate your hosting this party so that our blog can get more exposure. Love, Jordan and Janette

    Reply
  19. Nicole {WonkyWonderful} says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    Thanks for hosting – have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  20. Dixie Delights says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my kitchen and for your kind words 🙂 Now I’ve got to check out that breakfast room!

    Reply
  21. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    July 19, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Awesome features as always!!! Thanks for hosting! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  22. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    Hello ladies,
    Y’all have some wonderful features this week…thanks for hosting.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  23. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  24. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:12 PM

    Incredible features this week…thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  25. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:19 PM

    There is so much creativity out there, and you gals always do a great job of highlighting it! I’m celebrating two years of blogging on Saturday, so stop by if you get a chance and visit my Vintage Linen & Dish Auction benefiting Hope Unlimited for Children. Auction runs through 9PM EDT Wednesday.

    Reply
  26. Athena at Minerva's Garden says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa: Thank you for hosting the party today–the featured projects are certainly beautiful. I look forward to seeing today’s creative projects! Have a super weekend!

    Reply
  27. Miriam@BeBookBound says

    July 19, 2012 at 11:43 PM

    Oh Heather and Vanessa. I don’t think we could love you more if you crowned us the joint queens of England. Thank you so much for featuring us, and for visiting us, and for being kindred spirits, and for being just so incredibly awesome! I can’t tell you how many times we have said to each other, “I just love these AtThePicketFence girls.” We truly do- thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

    Reply
  28. Carmella says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    What a great party {as always!} and I just love MercyINK, great sponsor to have!

    I hope you ladies have a great weekend!

    Reply
  29. Katie Goldsworthy says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:12 AM

    Thanks for the feature gals! Hope you are having a wonderful week!

    –Katie
    @ Creatively Living

    Reply
  30. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Wish I had time to visit all these great features, but I’m busy PINNING! Hehe!
    I linked up my tomato pie recipe. Thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  31. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    This is always such a great party! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  32. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    You guys always have the best features 🙂 So many beautiful ideas and inspiration.

    Reply
  33. Lauren @ mercy(INK) says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:01 AM

    As always you’ve featured such fabulous projects and inspiring posts!

    And thanks SO much for the sponsor shout out! It’s such a blessing! 🙂

    xo,
    lauren @ http://www.mercyINKblog.com

    Reply
  34. Anne says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:13 AM

    I am so impressed by all the talent out there – what marvellous features!!!

    Thanks for your fabulous party!

    xox

    Reply
  35. Calypso In The Country says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    Ooops…something went wrong when I linked up! Could you delete two of those! thanks! Thanks for hosting today!
    -Shelley

    Reply
  36. Bliss says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:07 AM

    I’m honored to be among such great features, thank you. A lil ‘ol portable bar’s got nothing on those inspiring stories.

    ~Bliss~

    Reply
  37. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:17 AM

    Lovely features – as always! Thanks for hosting a fun party! Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

    Reply
  38. Good Time Charlie says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:32 AM

    I love the inspired rooms, and oh what fun that party must have been. That Bliss, she has more talent than one person should be allowed to have! Happy weekend girls!

    And yes, my kids go back to school in one week, those school supplies in the stores are there for people like us….Ugh.

    Reply
  39. Poppy says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    Loved Heather’s dining caddy, looks so pretty with the hydrangeas and silverware. Thanks for hosting,girls. Hugs,Poppy

    Reply
  40. Kathy Moody says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Thank you so much for hosting! 🙂

    Reply
  41. classic • casual • home says

    July 20, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    So much fun and inspiration here!

    Reply
  42. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting! Have a wonderful day:)

    Reply
  43. Danni says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    What a wonderful site! So much Inspiration! Thanks for hosting

    Reply
  44. Liz Fourez says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Hi ladies! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  45. Alderberry Hill says

    July 20, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks for this great link party!

    Reply
  46. Maury Kilgo says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls!

    Reply
  47. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    July 20, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    You always choose the most amazing features… thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  48. Kelly Rowe says

    July 20, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting, lovely ladies 🙂 Hugs to you both. Have a fabulou weekend!!

    Reply
  49. Vintage Street Designs says

    July 20, 2012 at 3:54 PM

    Thanks for hosting ~ have a super great weekend! ~ Judy

    Reply
  50. Emily says

    July 20, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    Love your linky parties!! You are both such great hostesses!! Thanks again!!

    Reply
  51. South Shore Decorating Blog says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Thank you SOOOO much for hosting! I know it’s a LOT of work!
    Stacy

    Reply
  52. Shelia says

    July 20, 2012 at 6:32 PM

    Hey Cuties! Oh, what wonderful inspiration snaps you’re sharing with us. We do have the most talented ones in Blogland! I hooked up to your party this morning but didn’t have time to leave a comment but I’m back now! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Be a couple of sweeties,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  53. Upscale Downhome says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    Thank you ladies for hosting. I certainly am inspired by many of these projects! Lots to pin!

    Reply
  54. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Thank you for hosting! Great features! Wishing you gals a grand weekend. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply
  55. Mimi says

    July 20, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting!

    Reply
  56. ~ Liz ~ says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:03 AM

    Your features are definitely an inspiration! Thanks for bringing us this packed house of a party!
    Liz

    Reply
  57. Mary says

    July 21, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring the cane lampshade among so many great projects, and as always thanks for hosting such a fun party each week.

    Mary

    Reply
  58. FABBY'S LIVING says

    July 21, 2012 at 3:40 AM

    Fabulous features, thanks for sharinmg them! Thank you for hosting this wonderful party, although I’m late as I didn’t have internet for almost 3 days..I’m here!! Enjoy the weekend.
    FABBY

    Reply
  59. Jenni@MomEssentials.Net says

    July 21, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Hi!
    Thanks for letting me share my own recipe of delicious, healthy mayo!
    Here’s the link:
    https://www.momessentials.net/delicious-healthy-mayo-spicy-or-mil/

    Reply
  60. Christie says

    July 21, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Hey friends At The Picket Fence! I hope you girls are having a wonderful summer! Such lovely features! I recognize some of the sites from Pinterest! Will check them out! Christie at three pixie lane

    Reply
  61. Sherry says

    July 22, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    Hi Vanessa and Heather,

    Great features and new submissions. Thank you for hosting. Have a great week; enjoy!!!

    Reply
  62. Dewdrop Gardens says

    July 22, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Hi Heather & Vanessa!
    I saw Heather’s guest post over at Serenity Now and LOVE the outcome of your adorable caddy!! I have a similar item collecting dust since the 70’s and now I know exactly what I’m going to do with it! I forgot I still had it, lying under old pots in the lean-to. 🙂
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  63. portland condos says

    July 23, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    The greatest more inspiration and interesting post shared we can be watch and read in this video and fantastic also. This is very nice and informative post shared.

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  64. Peaches & Maple says

    July 25, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    Thanks so much for featuring my post, I really appreciate it 🙂
    Cas x

    Reply
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This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
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