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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

July 6, 2012

Welcome to Inspiration Friday No. 72!

Inspiration Friday Graphic1
Ugh. Anyone else still recovering from 4th of July festivities?
Huh? What?
We can’t hear anything after all of those fireworks!

Well, even if we’ve suffered some hearing loss, at least we can still enjoy all of the eye candy which you will be sharing here!
Before we get to the party this week, we have a little bit of business to take care of.
The first thing is that it is time to announce the winner of the $50 Rusted Chain Giveaway!
And the winner is:
Sally Puckett!!
Congratulations Sally! We’ll be in contact with you so that you can claim your prize.
Next, we are so thrilled to be welcoming a new Sponsor to the Fence!
Linda is the talent behind Drop Cloth Designs
and this gal knows how to rock a drop cloth! Check out these Union Jack Pillow covers,
21 x 21 Union Jack Drop Cloth Pillow COVER ONLY
and lumbar Monogrammed Ribbon & Button Pillows.
Linda’s pillows are all custom and made-to-order which leaves so much room for getting exactly the look and size that you want.
We would love for you to head over and check out more of her incredible shop!
Linda is also the author of the amazing blog It All Started With Paint where she shares even more of her talent, amazing projects and hilarious writing. You will want to pay her a visit there too!

Finally, we are so thrilled to be guest posting on Thursday with Kathy at A Delightsome Life 
as part of this wonderful series! Want to know more about how we blog together? Head on over and read about a day in our blogging lives…that sounds kinda like a Soap Opera doesn’t it?
“These are the Days of Their Blogging Lives”!

All-righty then, let’s get to some Features shall we?

picketfence_20010_thumb[18]_thumb[2]
INSPIRED ROOMS

Erin from How to Nest for Less shared with us her beautiful Craft Room and we weren’t jealous of it at all…nope…not one little bit!
Laura of The Ironstone Nest showed off her incredible Dining Room and you just can’t appreciate how lovely this is until you go over and see the “Before” photos.

MAKEOVERS

Melissa from Shabby Love showed us how she turned an old door into an awesome set of shelves for displaying her wonderful collections in her kitchen. We love the burlap backing detail!
Kimberly of Serendipity Refined did an incredible job transforming an old cabinet into this perfectly beautiful French-y piece.

CRAFTS and CREATIONS
The talented Poppy from With a Dash of Color showed us how to make these beautiful Decoupaged French Pots and her tutorial is excellent!
Kristin of Craftiments put her own spin on things by transforming a thrift store lamp into this Nautical Rope Lamp with an Openwork Globe Shade. So cool!
Craftiments.com:  Nautical Rope Lamp with Openwork Globe Shade
RECIPES and PARTIES

Now if these Pineapple Juice Fruit Infused Popsicles from Homespun With Love don’t say Summer than we don’t know what does!

Sabrina from Neverland Nook  shared with us the recipe for this Apple Honey Lemon Smoothie. We just love the uniqueness of this and can’t wait to try it ourselves!
Jen from City Farmhouse showed us how to take her recipe for Simple Bruschetta and turn it into a delicious sandwich she calls the “Toasted Triple B”. This looks like heaven on a plate to us!
              
OUTDOOR LIVING

Erin from Just Grand linked up this incredible  Outdoor Shower and the only thing we wanted to know was whether or not she was taking reservations at her beautiful beach cottage!!
 Erin’s Outdoor Shower was also featured over at hometalk this week!

Our talented friend Courtney from French Country Cottage revealed the amazing Outdoor Fireplace she built. We just love how it looks like it has always been there and we envision many a Summer evening out there enjoying the glow of the fire.
INSPIRING STORIES

We couldn’t resist featuring this post called, A Male Haven Maven which was written by Leo, husband of Jane from Cottage at the Crossroads. It was so fun to hear about the conference from his perspective and it sure looks like he had a great time, doesn’t it?
And, we tearfully read this post, The Long Good-Bye, shared with us by Rita Joy of Harbour Breeze. She beautifully and honestly conveys the difficult journey of watching her mom battle dementia and the lessons she has learned along the way. We were blessed by her vulnerability and willingness to share her heart with others.
me and mom cropped

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 FRIDAYand like to PINthe 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
Photobucket



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
And while it’s not a requirement, we’d sure love ya to be following along with us in some capacity!
Below are some great options!

Email Updates
Facebook Page
Pinterest



This Inspiration Friday Party is Sponsored By:
Drop_cloth_designs_co_union_jack_ad_2_250x125
where you can find beautiful pieces like this:
Rosette Drop Cloth Pillow
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.

71 Comments Filed Under: Inspiration Friday

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Previous Post: « A Picket Fence 4th of July!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivienne @ The V Spot says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    OH MY GOSH! all of your features look amazing! Going to check them out. xoxo

    Reply
  2. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:09 PM

    Great features. I must check out that smoothie recipe. Looks good. thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  3. Jenny @ The NY Melrose Family says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting and for the tip about Hometalk. I love it!

    Reply
  4. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:13 PM

    Just saw your tweet so I came over and linked up. Thanks for hosting! I just found a recipe for smore cream puffs…can you even believe it? Two of my favorite things. :o)

    Reply
  5. Pam - @diy Design Fanatic says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:14 PM

    Thanks for hosting ladies!

    Reply
  6. Janel@hatingmartha says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Thanks for the party! Hope your 4th was great fun!

    Reply
  7. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    I’m not jealous of Erin’s craft room either … ok, maybe just a tad!

    You girls sure know how to pick winners!

    Here’s to getting your hearing back after the fireworks!

    And Linda does have the most amazing pillows!!
    Kelly

    Reply
  8. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls, have a great weekend!

    Reply
  9. suzyq says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Wow – every one of those features is amazing!!! Especially love the cabinet!
    Thanks so much for hosting –
    Hugs,
    Suzan

    Reply
  10. Serendipity Refined says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    Thanks girls!!! I came over to link up and was excited to see “Grace” featured. Needless to say, I’m shocked and thrilled! Hugs to both of you and have a wonderful weekend! xo, Kimberly

    Reply
  11. Kristin says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    Thank you ladies for showing off our Popsicle’s!!! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Kirstin says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Thank you for featuring my lamp makeover. Have a great week!

    Reply
  13. Honey at 2805 says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Great features again each and every week! Thanks for being gracious hostesses, ladies!

    Reply
  14. Erin~Just*Grand says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my outdoor shower! The other features all look wonderful, too. Very inspiring. I will have to carve out some time to visit those other blogs. Thanks again for hosting the party.
    Erin

    Reply
  15. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Hi ladies. Amazing features, as always. And I can’t wait to read Leo’s story about Haven!

    🙂

    Linda

    (And thanks for the sponsor post …)

    Reply
  16. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Thanks for hosting. Wonderful features this week.

    Dee

    Reply
  17. Kathy A Delightsome Life says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:25 PM

    Hello Ladies – Amazing features – I just love the door and the collection – swooning! The lamp is fantastic, the fireplace – all just too great! I do appreciate you all being one of my guest bloggers – it has been an honor! I do appreciate you hosting too!
    Have a blessed day,
    Kathy

    Reply
  18. SwedishCorner-DownUnder...Pernilla says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Such a lovely selection of inspirational features! Thanks for hosting!
    Greetings from Australia♥ ~Pernilla

    Reply
  19. Jana@Transformations From the Heart says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:47 PM

    Love the features, really like that outdoor shower. We need one of those.
    Thanks for hosting and have a great day!

    Reply
  20. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    Fantastic features. Thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  21. Poppy says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:52 PM

    Hi Heather and Vanessa,thank you so much for featuring my pots among all the other beautiful features here.I appreciate it so much and I am humbled:) Have a lovely evening!Hugs,Poppy

    Reply
  22. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:53 PM

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

    Reply
  23. Anita says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:54 PM

    Those popsicles look too good! Thanks for hosting girls!!

    Reply
  24. Debra @ Common Ground says

    July 5, 2012 at 10:16 PM

    Hi gals, just linked up, thanks so much for hosting such a great party!!

    Reply
  25. Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says

    July 5, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Thanks for hosting! Can’t wait to try the Popsicles.

    Reply
  26. Anne says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:02 PM

    Thanks for the party! Enjoy the rest of your week!!

    Reply
  27. Sue says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:16 PM

    Wow! Some really great features this week, girls! I’m so glad I could link up- life has just been so busy and it’s all we could do to get our yard ready for this photo shoot. We spent a very hot and humid day cleaning up the storm debris on Wed. Whew- not fun! Thanks so very much for hosting and for the very, very sweet comments on Hometalk!!! xo Sue

    Reply
  28. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:24 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting ladies! Hope you had a fabulous 4th 🙂

    Reply
  29. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    July 5, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    So many great fearures, off to browse 🙂
    XO

    Reply
  30. CAS says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Thanks for hosting, Heather & Vanessa!
    CAS

    Reply
  31. Jennifer @ Town and Country Living says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    Thanks for hosting, ladies. And congrats on becoming Hometalk ambassadors! Love that site!

    Reply
  32. Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:14 AM

    Thanks for hosting! Hope you had a FABULOUS 4th!!! XO, Aimee

    Reply
  33. FABBY'S LIVING says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    Thank you for having me. Congrats on the Hometalk embassador, wow, but you sure deserve it!
    FABBY

    Reply
  34. ~ Liz ~ says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    I love how you break up your features by category. Look forward to reading the story you featured. Thanks so much for providing the party!
    Liz

    Reply
  35. Peggy~PJH Designs says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:41 AM

    Thanks for hosting ladies! I love all of the features but especially that armoire.

    Reply
  36. Jenny@daysofchalkandchocolate says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    All the features are great but wow, that fireplace is awesome! Thanks for the party!

    Reply
  37. Kerry Rossow says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:54 AM

    As usual, your features rocked my socks! (And, made me cry!) Thank you for hosting- love hanging out here!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

    Reply
  38. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:58 AM

    Love all the features….Linda’s pillows are the best…she sure can work magic with drop cloths…and that Leo…he is the best…enjoyed him and Jane so much at Haven!…and the heartwarming story of Rita and her mom..Thanks for hosting ladies and have a wonderful weekend!!!

    Reply
  39. A Pretty Life in the Suburbs says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Thanks for hosting! I hope you had a great 4th of July!
    Jo-Anna

    Reply
  40. allisamazing says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:46 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  41. Jen Lossing says

    July 6, 2012 at 4:02 AM

    Thanks so much for hosting. I hope you guys had a great 4th!

    Reply
  42. Addicted2HomeDecor says

    July 6, 2012 at 4:10 AM

    Thanks for hosting such a wonderful party! This is my first time here and I’m loving it! I’m now a follower and would love to have you stop by for a visit! Blessings ~ Judy

    Reply
  43. Meegan says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:46 PM

    Can you believe the fireplace? And the pillow, and the rope lamp?? Oh! And the craft room!! Absolutely incredible features this week!
    Thanks for hosting Heather and Vanessa!!
    Meegan
    What Meegan Makes

    Reply
  44. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Aww thanks so much for featuring my fireplace girls!! Loving all the other features too-great choices!! I just linked up~ thanks so much for hosting!!

    Reply
  45. Nancy W says

    July 6, 2012 at 10:56 AM

    Thanks for hosting, I just love visiting your blog, so much inspiration!

    Reply
  46. City Farmhouse says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Hi Vanessa & Heather, Thank you so much for the feature:)!I am LOVING the outdoor shower & of course the beautiful outdoor fireplace. Have a great weekend & thank you for hosting and giving all of us a place to share.
    Jen

    Reply
  47. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Heather and Vanessa, it was so wonderful meeting the two of you at Haven. Thanks for the feature, and because of that photo, I think more men will be signing up for Haven next year! Hehe!

    Reply
  48. Liz Fourez says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    Lots of inspiration this week! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  49. Maury Kilgo says

    July 6, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting girls! I hope yall have a great weekend!

    Reply
  50. Kelly Rowe says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:02 PM

    Thanks for hosting lovelies 🙂 Have a fabulous weekend! xo-Kelly

    Reply
  51. Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:08 PM

    Thank you for hosting!

    Reply
  52. must love junk says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting 🙂
    Susan

    Reply
  53. Heather says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Wow! I am drooling all over my keyboard looking at all the gorgeous features here! Thanks for hosting the fun and hope you have a fab weekend! Heather 🙂

    Reply
  54. ReiLynnDesigns says

    July 6, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    Thank you for hosting such a great linky party- so many unique and amazing ideas! I think I will be reading blogs for the rest of the day! LOL

    Reply
  55. Tammy says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:15 PM

    Great features…you two really know how to host a party! I am doing my very first one right now, I sure hope it turns out as good as your…well I know it won’t be as good as yours, but one can wish right?

    Reply
  56. Kim @ La Belle Époque says

    July 6, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    Thanks for hosting, girls!

    Reply
  57. Debbiedoo's says

    July 6, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Thank you for hosting. I am so late! I have been a pinning fool at our pin fest! Have a happy weekend.

    Reply
  58. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    July 6, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Fun features, girls! I especially loved reading Leo’s take on Haven — isn’t he something? Happy weekend!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  59. Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    Thanks for hosting girls! I’m working on a little something, I’ll actually be able to play next week =) Love the features, especially that buffet! I am smitten with it!

    Reply
  60. RaNae at Ewe Creek Cottage says

    July 6, 2012 at 11:22 PM

    Thanks so much for hosting your blog is always a joy to visit.
    RaNae

    Reply
    • RaNaeLuvsEwes says

      July 6, 2012 at 11:26 PM

      I signed in with my name and url for my blog and it takes u to a free blog forum I don’t think it is spose to work like that is it?? I am new to blogging I thought if I did that it would link back to my blog

      Reply
  61. Janis@All Things Beautiful says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:25 AM

    Oh girlies…how did I miss you at Haven? I will hunt you down next year! Loved meeting so many great bloggers! Leo & Jane were so sweet (I’m the one “kissing” his head in the pic). Thanks so much for hosting this awesome party!!

    Reply
  62. Dayle @ A Collection of This and That says

    July 7, 2012 at 5:50 AM

    I always enjoy coming here. Great party, and thanks for hosting.

    Reply
  63. Tani@Tagana Rose says

    July 7, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Thanks for hosting!! First time I linked up here!!

    Reply
  64. Erica {let why lead} says

    July 10, 2012 at 8:06 PM

    You have some really fun features here. Thanks!

    Reply
  65. seo rankings says

    January 12, 2014 at 4:52 PM

    This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly happy to
    read all at alone place.

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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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