Red-faced Baby, squalling in indignation at being pushed from the comfort of Him mother's womb.
An animal's food dish and some strips of rags, the nursery to welcome the newborn King.
A young mother's heart, trembling in wonder, and maybe a little fear, at all that has happened and all that lays ahead.
Brave Joseph, willingly accepting the name "father" and choosing faith over doubt.
Father in Heaven, heart overflowing with love and anguish for His Son and for all of us, the children He is paying the ultimate Price to call His own through adoption.
Angles splitting the barrier between Heaven and earth with mighty proclamations of joy, peace and praise.
Shepherds, first awe-struck, now giddy, rush to find the Lamb.
Learned men from the East follow a star, kings' journey to humbly bow before a Child.
2,000 years later, it isn't the pile under our tree, but rather the Tree and Empty Tomb that thrill my heart on this Christmas Eve.
Praying that every heart will know the true beauty of the Reason for this season. Merry CHRISTmas!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Mineral Makeup GiveAway
I'm sponsoring a give away of some Affordable Mineral Makeup™ samples on a friend's blog. So far only one person has entered, so head on over and leave a comment because you have great odds of winning!
www.garibaysoup.com/2009/12/mineral-makeup-giveaway.html
Contest runs until Friday, December 18, 2009 @ 11:59pm.
www.garibaysoup.com/2009/12/mineral-makeup-giveaway.html
Contest runs until Friday, December 18, 2009 @ 11:59pm.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
12% Discount
Just 12 days left until Jesus' birthday party!!!
In celebreation, receive 12% off your entire Affordable Mineral Makeup™ order today, tomorrow and Tuesday (Dec. 13-15), until midnight EST with coupon code: 12days
http://www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html
In celebreation, receive 12% off your entire Affordable Mineral Makeup™ order today, tomorrow and Tuesday (Dec. 13-15), until midnight EST with coupon code: 12days
http://www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
One Day Sale
Today only, Wednesday, Dec. 9, until midnight EST, receive 10% off your entire Affordable Mineral Makeup™ (AMM) order at www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html with coupon code: 1209
The post office is already reporting delays, so while I can promise you that AMM will be prompt in fulfilling your order, if you are wanting products in time for Christmas, it would be wise to order as soon as possible. ;)
P.S. My domain, www.InnerBeautyGirls.com should be back in working order soon. In the meantime, please use my full consultant link at www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html - thank you. :)
The post office is already reporting delays, so while I can promise you that AMM will be prompt in fulfilling your order, if you are wanting products in time for Christmas, it would be wise to order as soon as possible. ;)
P.S. My domain, www.InnerBeautyGirls.com should be back in working order soon. In the meantime, please use my full consultant link at www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html - thank you. :)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Joy
What brings you joy? I'm not talking about material happiness, like a new car or even your favorite drink from the corner coffee shop, that might bring a glow for a season, then fades into emptiness and wanting more. I'm talking about that deep, abiding joy that can be there even in the midst of dark circumstances.
Maybe you are unemployed, single or facing some life challenge and think, "Once I find a good job" or "get married" or "regain my health" then this empty place in my heart will be filled. It was like that for me through infertility, thinking that having children would bring lasting joy.
But you know what? Three living miracles later, I'm very thankful for them and they do fill my heart in so many amazing ways, but none of them were "the answer" either. This is not to say that I am not overwhelmingly aware of the blessings these answered prayers are in my life and I am so humbled and grateful to be in this season. It's just stating the reality that my children didn't fix every lonely and broken longing of my heart as I sometimes dreamed they might, just as marriage or a new job or whatever answer you are aching for cannot fill you with full joy either.
The only true joy I've ever found came in the form of the Baby born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Through infertility, the Baby mocked me from the manger, for if even a virgin could give birth, I was in sad shape to not be able to conceive or carry even with cutting edge medical assistance. But it was in looking beyond the manger, to the Father in Heaven who gave His Son and knowingly took up the anguish of a grieving parent so that He could call me His adopted daughter, that made the manger a beautiful place in my heart.
It was in watching that Baby grow, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, who willingly exchanged my sin and shame for the His own life, taking on death to buy my eternal life, that I realized the source of deepest, lasting joy.
There are many things that bring me happiness in this life, my husband and sweet babies certainly at the top of my list. In preparation for Jesus' birthday party, I also delight in beautiful sights, smells and sounds that fill our home. But true joy is found only at a manger, a cross, an empty tomb, and in the hearts of those who believe in the certain hope of all we cannot see.
The (in)Courage blog is offering a whole month of Joy-themed posts that I'm really en-joy-ing. One that especially resounded with me last week was Still Happy? about the "golden thread of joy" that can weave through our lives even in painful seasons. And if you are struggling to hold onto joy in the midst of unhappy circumstances in life, I invite you to visit my Harvesting Hope™ blog for an encouraging give-away!
To add to the fun and celebratory spirit of the season, I would also love to invite you to check out the newest limited edition shade from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ whose name, Joy, inspired this post. "Joy" offers an array of pearlescent pinks, light green with a touch of lilac and is great on eyes. A 5g jar is only $6.99 at www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html
Joy
In this season when the whole world celebrates CHRISTmas, I would love to hear one tradition that brings you happiness in your home. For me it is wrapping our "Baby Jesus" (from the hand carved wooden nativity set that was in my childhood home) in toilet paper. Sounds odd? As a 3-year-old I was worried that the Baby was cold and so I swaddled Him "just like Mary" did. It's a quiet, yearly tradition that makes me stop and think in the business of the season and continues to remind me of the amazingly humble yet powerful Gift that brings me Joy.
Maybe you are unemployed, single or facing some life challenge and think, "Once I find a good job" or "get married" or "regain my health" then this empty place in my heart will be filled. It was like that for me through infertility, thinking that having children would bring lasting joy.
But you know what? Three living miracles later, I'm very thankful for them and they do fill my heart in so many amazing ways, but none of them were "the answer" either. This is not to say that I am not overwhelmingly aware of the blessings these answered prayers are in my life and I am so humbled and grateful to be in this season. It's just stating the reality that my children didn't fix every lonely and broken longing of my heart as I sometimes dreamed they might, just as marriage or a new job or whatever answer you are aching for cannot fill you with full joy either.
The only true joy I've ever found came in the form of the Baby born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Through infertility, the Baby mocked me from the manger, for if even a virgin could give birth, I was in sad shape to not be able to conceive or carry even with cutting edge medical assistance. But it was in looking beyond the manger, to the Father in Heaven who gave His Son and knowingly took up the anguish of a grieving parent so that He could call me His adopted daughter, that made the manger a beautiful place in my heart.
It was in watching that Baby grow, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, who willingly exchanged my sin and shame for the His own life, taking on death to buy my eternal life, that I realized the source of deepest, lasting joy.
There are many things that bring me happiness in this life, my husband and sweet babies certainly at the top of my list. In preparation for Jesus' birthday party, I also delight in beautiful sights, smells and sounds that fill our home. But true joy is found only at a manger, a cross, an empty tomb, and in the hearts of those who believe in the certain hope of all we cannot see.
The (in)Courage blog is offering a whole month of Joy-themed posts that I'm really en-joy-ing. One that especially resounded with me last week was Still Happy? about the "golden thread of joy" that can weave through our lives even in painful seasons. And if you are struggling to hold onto joy in the midst of unhappy circumstances in life, I invite you to visit my Harvesting Hope™ blog for an encouraging give-away!
To add to the fun and celebratory spirit of the season, I would also love to invite you to check out the newest limited edition shade from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ whose name, Joy, inspired this post. "Joy" offers an array of pearlescent pinks, light green with a touch of lilac and is great on eyes. A 5g jar is only $6.99 at www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/innerbeauty.html
In this season when the whole world celebrates CHRISTmas, I would love to hear one tradition that brings you happiness in your home. For me it is wrapping our "Baby Jesus" (from the hand carved wooden nativity set that was in my childhood home) in toilet paper. Sounds odd? As a 3-year-old I was worried that the Baby was cold and so I swaddled Him "just like Mary" did. It's a quiet, yearly tradition that makes me stop and think in the business of the season and continues to remind me of the amazingly humble yet powerful Gift that brings me Joy.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
With Thankfulness (and free makeup drawing)
I know this year my blog has mostly been sale spotlights, product information, and not nearly as much inspirational content as I would like to be sharing. In many ways it's been a "survivial" year for me due to ongoing health struggles, weekly hospital IV treatments and endless medical tests, appointments, bills, paperwork, phone calls and more.
There are days that I'm tempted to feel "poor me," but in all honesty, I am overwhelmed with just how blessed I am. I hope you don't mind indulging me in my list of beautiful blessings. At the end, I would love it if you would post yours as well. And if you stick with me to the very end, there's a special money saving blessing posted for you as well. ;)
- I have a God who loved me so much that He paid the ultimate price, the death of His only Son, to make me His child! (If you want to know more about that, please email me and I would love to share this beautiful story with you in more detail!)
- I live in a free country where I am a able to speak or post whatever's on my heart and (at least for now) to share my faith openly without fear of criminal pursecution.
- I have a loving husband who is faithful to me and support through all the "better" and "worse," the limited "health" and the frequent "sickness." (Watching friends go through widowhood, diviroce, and entended/unplanned singless, I do not take this blessing lightly at all!)
- I have three loving, healthy, beautiful children, blessings profoundly poinient to me after infertility and losses.
- We share the joy of homeschooling and I don't have to send my sweet treasures off into someone else's care for the larger portion of each day.
- My parents have lived less than 10 minutes away from us for over 2 years now and we are so thankful to have them near!
- My parents-in-law are also delightful people we are very blessed to have involved in our lives, living only an hour away and seeing usually on a weekly basis.
- We just enjoyed Thanksgiving with Rick's brother and family and my brother will be bringing his family to Reno for 10 days at Christmas. :)
- We have a church home where we truly have an extended family in Christ and can both give and receive ministry there.
- My husband is currently employed (again, something we don't take for granted) and we are blessed with health insurance that has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of treatment for me this year.
- There has been groundbreaking research in medicine this year that may be life-changing not only for me, but for millions around the world. Thank you www.wpinstitute.org!
- I have new glasses and can see again!
This is just the tip of the iceburg in my thankfulness list, but my point is, even when things are hard, just stopping to take a moment and actively seeking the good can surprise us with beautiful realizations of all we have. I truly would love to hear what you are thankful for right now. If you are struggling and can't find anything to list, please share with me how I may be praying for you as well. {{{hug}}}
Please share this post with your friends, because if I have at least 10 commeters post and join me as blog followers before the end of November, I will draw one name in early December and contact you to request a mailing address where I can send you some free makeup! :) (Don't forget to leave me a working email address when you post. If I can't easily contact you, I'll have to pick an alterate winner should your name be drawn.)
One more thing to be thankful for:
Affordable Mineral Makeup™ has dropped prices, making our line even more affordable than ever before. All 5g jars are now priced under $7, even our exclusive lines! Order directly at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com
I will also be placing my final Gurrlie Girl order of the year on Dec. 1, so if you are looking for beautiful, inspirationa jewelry for anyone on your list, please let me know before the end of the month. http://jenni.saake.gurrliegirl.com
There are days that I'm tempted to feel "poor me," but in all honesty, I am overwhelmed with just how blessed I am. I hope you don't mind indulging me in my list of beautiful blessings. At the end, I would love it if you would post yours as well. And if you stick with me to the very end, there's a special money saving blessing posted for you as well. ;)
- I have a God who loved me so much that He paid the ultimate price, the death of His only Son, to make me His child! (If you want to know more about that, please email me and I would love to share this beautiful story with you in more detail!)
- I live in a free country where I am a able to speak or post whatever's on my heart and (at least for now) to share my faith openly without fear of criminal pursecution.
- I have a loving husband who is faithful to me and support through all the "better" and "worse," the limited "health" and the frequent "sickness." (Watching friends go through widowhood, diviroce, and entended/unplanned singless, I do not take this blessing lightly at all!)
- I have three loving, healthy, beautiful children, blessings profoundly poinient to me after infertility and losses.
- We share the joy of homeschooling and I don't have to send my sweet treasures off into someone else's care for the larger portion of each day.
- My parents have lived less than 10 minutes away from us for over 2 years now and we are so thankful to have them near!
- My parents-in-law are also delightful people we are very blessed to have involved in our lives, living only an hour away and seeing usually on a weekly basis.
- We just enjoyed Thanksgiving with Rick's brother and family and my brother will be bringing his family to Reno for 10 days at Christmas. :)
- We have a church home where we truly have an extended family in Christ and can both give and receive ministry there.
- My husband is currently employed (again, something we don't take for granted) and we are blessed with health insurance that has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of treatment for me this year.
- There has been groundbreaking research in medicine this year that may be life-changing not only for me, but for millions around the world. Thank you www.wpinstitute.org!
- I have new glasses and can see again!
This is just the tip of the iceburg in my thankfulness list, but my point is, even when things are hard, just stopping to take a moment and actively seeking the good can surprise us with beautiful realizations of all we have. I truly would love to hear what you are thankful for right now. If you are struggling and can't find anything to list, please share with me how I may be praying for you as well. {{{hug}}}
Please share this post with your friends, because if I have at least 10 commeters post and join me as blog followers before the end of November, I will draw one name in early December and contact you to request a mailing address where I can send you some free makeup! :) (Don't forget to leave me a working email address when you post. If I can't easily contact you, I'll have to pick an alterate winner should your name be drawn.)
One more thing to be thankful for:
Affordable Mineral Makeup™ has dropped prices, making our line even more affordable than ever before. All 5g jars are now priced under $7, even our exclusive lines! Order directly at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com
I will also be placing my final Gurrlie Girl order of the year on Dec. 1, so if you are looking for beautiful, inspirationa jewelry for anyone on your list, please let me know before the end of the month. http://jenni.saake.gurrliegirl.com
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Limited Edition Holiday Mineral Makeup
Affordable Mineral Makeup™ has come out with another great product, available in limited quantities, and just in time for the holidays. In fact, it's name is Holiday and this delightful shade offers various tones of gold shimmer with a touch of crimson shimmer and shine, great for cheeks, eyes, highlighting. Get a 5 gram sifter jar for just $7.04 at http://www.InnerBeautyGirls.com while supplies last!
Holiday
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Body Shop Grab Bags
I guess you could say I'm "advertising for the competition" tonight, but when I see a great deal that excites me, I can't help but want to share it with my friends...
The Body Shop is currently offering holiday Grab Bags that promise to have at least $50, and up to $75, worth of products in each bag. They are selling for $15.
I am a member of eBates, an online shopping rebate program. Right now eBates is offering a 10% rebate for all The Body Shop purchases made through their link.
There is a limit of 2 grab bags per customer. If you spend $50 on their website, standard shipping is free. But then I happened across the coupon code WEL103 that gives FREE shipping on any size order.
I placed my order on my Discover Card that is currently offering a double cash back bonus for online puchases between now and Christmas! So, my total for 2 grab bags (anywhere from $100-$150 worth of stuff I can use for the Christmas gifts) cost me just $32 and some change (I did have to pay sales tax, thus the $2+). I'll get 10% of the $30 purchase price back from eBates, and get cash back rewards from Discover too, so in the end I'll have spent around $25 for the whole thing!
The Grab Bags go fast, so if you are interested you can use the free shipping code of WEL103 and go right to The Body Shop's website. Or you can stack your promotions like I did by joining eBates through my link (we each automatically get $5 into our eBates accounts if you join and make a $20 purchase through their links within 90 days) to take advantage of your 10% rebate too.
As for credit cards, I go to the Discover Card website on a monthly basis and check what special offers they have going. While we always get cash back on our Discover purchases, most of the special extra rewards are not automatic, but can be easily requested on the credit card website through opt-in options. It's well worth the minute it takes me to log in, look around and enter the extra programs that often offer additiona 5% cash back or something similar.
Hope this gives someone a fun Christmas. My eBates referal link is http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=dlY13lnuPOHMBICJyYWAUg%3D%3D if you need it. :)
The Body Shop is currently offering holiday Grab Bags that promise to have at least $50, and up to $75, worth of products in each bag. They are selling for $15.
I am a member of eBates, an online shopping rebate program. Right now eBates is offering a 10% rebate for all The Body Shop purchases made through their link.
There is a limit of 2 grab bags per customer. If you spend $50 on their website, standard shipping is free. But then I happened across the coupon code WEL103 that gives FREE shipping on any size order.
I placed my order on my Discover Card that is currently offering a double cash back bonus for online puchases between now and Christmas! So, my total for 2 grab bags (anywhere from $100-$150 worth of stuff I can use for the Christmas gifts) cost me just $32 and some change (I did have to pay sales tax, thus the $2+). I'll get 10% of the $30 purchase price back from eBates, and get cash back rewards from Discover too, so in the end I'll have spent around $25 for the whole thing!
The Grab Bags go fast, so if you are interested you can use the free shipping code of WEL103 and go right to The Body Shop's website. Or you can stack your promotions like I did by joining eBates through my link (we each automatically get $5 into our eBates accounts if you join and make a $20 purchase through their links within 90 days) to take advantage of your 10% rebate too.
As for credit cards, I go to the Discover Card website on a monthly basis and check what special offers they have going. While we always get cash back on our Discover purchases, most of the special extra rewards are not automatic, but can be easily requested on the credit card website through opt-in options. It's well worth the minute it takes me to log in, look around and enter the extra programs that often offer additiona 5% cash back or something similar.
Hope this gives someone a fun Christmas. My eBates referal link is http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=dlY13lnuPOHMBICJyYWAUg%3D%3D if you need it. :)
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vetran's Day Sale
From now until midnight (EST) on Friday the 13th, place an order of $30 or more and get 11% off your entire Affordable Mineral Makeup™ order at http://www.InnerBeautyGirls.com by using coupon code: vetsday
Additionally, Affordable Mineral Makeup™ is donating 11% to USO to support our troops. :)
A heartfelt thank you to all who serve for our country, both past and present! If you or someone you know is affiliated with the military in any way, please drop by Cadence.org for Christ-centered support and encouragement all year long. (This is the ministry my parents have served with for over 37 years.)
Additionally, Affordable Mineral Makeup™ is donating 11% to USO to support our troops. :)
A heartfelt thank you to all who serve for our country, both past and present! If you or someone you know is affiliated with the military in any way, please drop by Cadence.org for Christ-centered support and encouragement all year long. (This is the ministry my parents have served with for over 37 years.)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Discount Code & Limited Edition Colors
Affordable Mineral Makeup launched two new "limited edition" colors this month (avaliable until current supply sells out) and is also offer a special discount code good only until midnight EST tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 7), so you have about 28 hours from the time of my posting to take advantage of it.
First, it is my pleasure to share our two newest, limited-time availability colors with you, Calm and Cactus.
Calm is a Semi-matte Multipurpose mauve shade with a touch of pale pink that works well on eye or can also be used as blush.
Cactus is a Pearlescent Multipurpose mineral with green-brown tones that are lovely on eyes.
The discount code for 10% off your entire order placed before midnight tomorrow night is:
enviroexploitation
This discount is a reflection of the company owner, Tara Burner, and her passion for the environment. You can learn more at http://www.greencrossinternational.net and if you you post one face you learned from the link in your comments when you place your order, you will also receive a bonus gift with your order, in addition to the 10% discount. :)
First, it is my pleasure to share our two newest, limited-time availability colors with you, Calm and Cactus.
The discount code for 10% off your entire order placed before midnight tomorrow night is:
enviroexploitation
This discount is a reflection of the company owner, Tara Burner, and her passion for the environment. You can learn more at http://www.greencrossinternational.net and if you you post one face you learned from the link in your comments when you place your order, you will also receive a bonus gift with your order, in addition to the 10% discount. :)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Chocolate!
One of my favorite "just for fun" blogs is Stop and Smell the Chocolate. Today Lisa is reviewing products from chocolate.com and offering instructions for a $5 coupon to that site as well.
I don't have any edible chocolate to offer today, but reading through her blog not only got my mouth watering, but got me thinking of a few of our beautiful Affordable Mineral Makeup™ (AMM) colors that I wanted to share with you:
First up is an AMM exclusive,
Chocolate Mint, one of 54 colors currently offered in our Pearlescent Multipurpose Mineral line. This shade is a warm chocolate brown, enhanced with a slight shimmering mint green. We have 9 product size options to choose from, but to give you an idea of pricing, order a sample of this shade for $3.30 or an entire 5g sifter jar (1 gram net product weight) for $7.79.
Next we have great foundation shades for darker complexions such as African-American women, including
Chocolate Foundation and 
Dark Chocolate Foundation. Our foundations (like all of our mineral powder products) are made from pure minerals, free of additives, fillers and irritants such as talc or bismuth and do not harbor bacteria like conrstarch-based mineral lines can. Many sizes to choose from with a 5 gram sifter jar (1 g. net weight) running just $6.79. :)
Chocolate Brown Mascara is an exclelent mineral-based mascara. It contains water, beeswax, candelilla wax, ozokerite, carnuba wax, fennel extract, hops extract, balm mint extract, mistletoe extract, matricaria extract, yarrow extract, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and ozokerite and you can get a .25 oz tube (with applicator) of this dark chocolate shade for just $20.99
See the entire line of quality Affordable Mineral Makeup™ at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com by clicking on the "shop" button there right now. :)
I don't have any edible chocolate to offer today, but reading through her blog not only got my mouth watering, but got me thinking of a few of our beautiful Affordable Mineral Makeup™ (AMM) colors that I wanted to share with you:
First up is an AMM exclusive,
Next we have great foundation shades for darker complexions such as African-American women, including
See the entire line of quality Affordable Mineral Makeup™ at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com by clicking on the "shop" button there right now. :)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Face Impressions
We all make "first impressions" when we meet someone new. Our faces, and the expressions on them, are our often the first thing someone uses to measure perceptions of us. Here are some great devotional reflections I just posted to another blog about the importance of a smile...
http://InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/2009/10/Whats-In-Smile.html
http://InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/2009/10/Whats-In-Smile.html
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Columbus Day Mineral Makeup Discount!
Save 10% off your entire Affordable Mineral Makeup™ order through Monday at midnight (EST) 10/12/09 w/ code:
columbusday
http://www.InnerBeautyGirls.com
I haven't been posting to this blog as frequently as I would like. I've been pretty wrapped up with some personal health issues and in posting to my other blogs lately, especially this week with the news of the XMRV retrovirus and it's link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Thank you for allowing me the time and space to process all of this news. The research is bringing me much hope, but there are a lot of emotions to work through as well!
columbusday
http://www.InnerBeautyGirls.com
I haven't been posting to this blog as frequently as I would like. I've been pretty wrapped up with some personal health issues and in posting to my other blogs lately, especially this week with the news of the XMRV retrovirus and it's link to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Thank you for allowing me the time and space to process all of this news. The research is bringing me much hope, but there are a lot of emotions to work through as well!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Mineral Makeup for Your Birthday
Affordable Mineral Makeup™ wants to celebrate your birthday! Email birthdayclub@affordablemineralmakeup.com with the following information to join the free birthday club:
Name
Date of birth (do not need to include year)
On your birthday, be on the look out for your birthday gift from Affordable Mineral Makeup™. :)
Name
Date of birth (do not need to include year)
On your birthday, be on the look out for your birthday gift from Affordable Mineral Makeup™. :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Win FREE Makeup & Jewelry
I am helping one of my dearest friends, Julie D., celebrate her 40th birthday. She's hosting a huge birthday bash over on her Mom2Ways blog (yes, she's one of my after-infertility-mom sisters, with her family growing through both the blessings of adoption and birth). She's giving away over 20 wonderful prizes to blog readers this month and one of those prizes is a makeup bag stuffed with Affordable Mineral Makeup™ and some Gurrlie Girl™ jewelry. To enter, head over to http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/2009/09/birthday-bash-giveaway-post.html and leave a comment for item 22 (or any other great prizes you would like to win).
Happy Birthday, Julie!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Beauty in the Shadows
Have you ever heard someone describe a time of trial as, “living under the shadow of [xyz]”? My shadows have included infertility, grief, depression, chronic illness and more. I'm sure you can plug in your own "xyz"s; maybe cancer, abuse, loneliness…
Job and the Psalmist talk of “the valley of the shadow of death.” Shadows impress a dark picture of gloom and heaviness in my mind.
Hope demands I give shadows another look... [To read the remainder of this article, please visit (In)Courage where you can also enter to win a copy of my book, Hannah's Hope.]
Keep scrolling here for a great list of verses that reflect God's sheltering shadows in my life.
-----------------
One way God seems to work in my life is through “theme word seasons,” specific life lessons He wants to drive home with me and situations that bring those themes to light over and over until I finally begin to grasp a small portion of what He longs to teach me. Wait resounded in our hearts through the loss of our business and the struggle for my husband to find a new career that truly fit, all in the midst of infertility's endless cycles of hoping and hurting, wanting and worrying, coping and crying.
Waiting has given way to new horizons, a series of theme seasons too numerous to list here, but with one of the most recent being Hope. And then to Hope, God’s spent this year adding the active pursuit of Joy to my life as well. Here are some of my favorite resources from these three themes:
Wait:
- Hannah’s Prayer Ministries offers support through fertility challenges, including infertility or the death of a baby at any time from conception through early infancy.
- A Graceful Waiting by Jan Frank
- The Wait Poem by Russell Kelfer (Truly beautiful book, with a written message even more powerful than the photos! This poem was life-changing for me and has been impactful in many lives.)
Hope:
- Out of the Valley Ministries, Inc. Postpartum Depression Support
- Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg
- Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss by me, Jennifer Saake :)
Joy:
- Rest Ministries provides support in the face of chronic pain and illness, including National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week each Sept.
- Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times by Holley Gerth
- The book of Philippians, written by the apostle Paul.
-----------------------------
Verses that reflect God's sheltering shadows in my life:
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3. (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" Micah 7:7. (NIV)
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God..." Psalm 40:1-2, (NIV)
Job and the Psalmist talk of “the valley of the shadow of death.” Shadows impress a dark picture of gloom and heaviness in my mind.
Hope demands I give shadows another look... [To read the remainder of this article, please visit (In)Courage where you can also enter to win a copy of my book, Hannah's Hope.]
Keep scrolling here for a great list of verses that reflect God's sheltering shadows in my life.
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One way God seems to work in my life is through “theme word seasons,” specific life lessons He wants to drive home with me and situations that bring those themes to light over and over until I finally begin to grasp a small portion of what He longs to teach me. Wait resounded in our hearts through the loss of our business and the struggle for my husband to find a new career that truly fit, all in the midst of infertility's endless cycles of hoping and hurting, wanting and worrying, coping and crying.
Waiting has given way to new horizons, a series of theme seasons too numerous to list here, but with one of the most recent being Hope. And then to Hope, God’s spent this year adding the active pursuit of Joy to my life as well. Here are some of my favorite resources from these three themes:
Wait:
- Hannah’s Prayer Ministries offers support through fertility challenges, including infertility or the death of a baby at any time from conception through early infancy.
- A Graceful Waiting by Jan Frank
- The Wait Poem by Russell Kelfer (Truly beautiful book, with a written message even more powerful than the photos! This poem was life-changing for me and has been impactful in many lives.)
Hope:
- Out of the Valley Ministries, Inc. Postpartum Depression Support
- Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathe Wunnenberg
- Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage, and Adoption Loss by me, Jennifer Saake :)
Joy:
- Rest Ministries provides support in the face of chronic pain and illness, including National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week each Sept.
- Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times by Holley Gerth
- The book of Philippians, written by the apostle Paul.
"Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies” Philippians 4:8-9. (MSG)
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Verses that reflect God's sheltering shadows in my life:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:17. (NIV)
“I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3. (NIV)
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” Isaiah 9:2. (NIV)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Isaiah 40:31. (NIV)
"But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" Micah 7:7. (NIV)
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield" Psalm 33:20. (NIV)
"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God..." Psalm 40:1-2, (NIV)
“I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light…
“He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship.
He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead…
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness…
“For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love…
“You came near when I called you, and you said, ‘Do not fear.’
O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life…”
- from Lamentations 3 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Healthy Passion
It took getting really sick for me to stop and think about making healthier choices for my body. My chronic illness has taken a lot away from me, but it has given me new things as well, including different perspectives on life and even new passions. I would love to have you visit my Harvesting Hope from Heartache™ blog to listen to a radio interview I did yesterday. One of the things I talked about there was how chronic illness lead me to investigate natural beauty alternatives and ultimately to create this Inner Beauty Girlz blog. :)
http://HarvestingHope.blogspot.com/2009/09/crisis-chronic-2.html
http://HarvestingHope.blogspot.com/2009/09/crisis-chronic-2.html
Monday, September 14, 2009
Healthy Hair Care
I've been trying to learn about natural hair care for some time now and keep coming up rather short in the information I've been able to track down. Today I happened upon several articles from dkMommySpot and want to link them here as much as for my own future reference as for your information. As I take the time to play and experiment with these myself, I'll post my own update results in the future. :)
How to Darken (and Fight Gray) Hair Naturally with rosemary and sage
Apparently the hair darkening tip led the blog author into trying No Shampoo methods for hair cleaning and she posted several updates:
- Personal No 'Poo Challenge
- Day 12, Is Essential Oil the Answer?
- To 'Poo or Not to 'Poo 3 week update
- Sane Jane or Dirty Hairy? 5 week update, raw eggs, still experimenting
- Almost Threw in the Towel 4-month update, baking soda scrub, apple cider vinegar, and some lessons learned the hard way
Wow, I'm eager to do some more reasearch and maybe give "No 'Poo" a try myself. Any readers with experience in this area?
And one more post on hair from her page is this simple tip for Homemade Hairspray the Really Works
How to Darken (and Fight Gray) Hair Naturally with rosemary and sage
Apparently the hair darkening tip led the blog author into trying No Shampoo methods for hair cleaning and she posted several updates:
- Personal No 'Poo Challenge
- Day 12, Is Essential Oil the Answer?
- To 'Poo or Not to 'Poo 3 week update
- Sane Jane or Dirty Hairy? 5 week update, raw eggs, still experimenting
- Almost Threw in the Towel 4-month update, baking soda scrub, apple cider vinegar, and some lessons learned the hard way
Wow, I'm eager to do some more reasearch and maybe give "No 'Poo" a try myself. Any readers with experience in this area?
And one more post on hair from her page is this simple tip for Homemade Hairspray the Really Works
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Save 10 Give 10
From now until midnight (EST) Labor Day Monday, Sept 7, 2009, you can get 10% off your entire order of Affordable Mineral Makeup™ at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com by using coupon code laborday09 at checkout. But the good news doesn't stop there!
You may or may not know that Affordable Mineral Makeup™ donates at least 10% of all profits to a variety of organizations and causes. Typically it is up to the company owner, Tara Burner, to decide where she will direct these donations, but for this special sale she will allow you to specify where the donations from your sale go, from among a pre-selected group of charities, simply by writing the name of the organization you have chosen in the comments section when you place your order.
It's a win-win with a 10% savings for you AND a 10% donation given to the charity you select. Your organization choises are:
Way FM ~ Christian radio
Compassion International ~ releasing children from poverty
Heifer.org ~ helping end hunger
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital ~ finding cures, saving children
In review, go to www.InnerBeautyGirls.com where you will "Shop" through the link toward the bottom of the page. Once you have everything in your shopping cart, head to check out and use coupon code laborday09 to get your 10% off, then in the comments section type in the name of one of the above organizations so they will receive the same amount you just saved as a donation from Affordable Mineral Makeup™! (If you don’t list one of these companies, Tara will pick one and still donate on your behalf.) If you get a chance to drop me an email at InnerBeauty @ AffordableMineralMakeup .com or leave me a note here, I would love to hear what charity you selected when you placed your order as well. :)
So go, shop, save and help now! :)
You may or may not know that Affordable Mineral Makeup™ donates at least 10% of all profits to a variety of organizations and causes. Typically it is up to the company owner, Tara Burner, to decide where she will direct these donations, but for this special sale she will allow you to specify where the donations from your sale go, from among a pre-selected group of charities, simply by writing the name of the organization you have chosen in the comments section when you place your order.
It's a win-win with a 10% savings for you AND a 10% donation given to the charity you select. Your organization choises are:
Way FM ~ Christian radio
Compassion International ~ releasing children from poverty
Heifer.org ~ helping end hunger
St Jude Children’s Research Hospital ~ finding cures, saving children
In review, go to www.InnerBeautyGirls.com where you will "Shop" through the link toward the bottom of the page. Once you have everything in your shopping cart, head to check out and use coupon code laborday09 to get your 10% off, then in the comments section type in the name of one of the above organizations so they will receive the same amount you just saved as a donation from Affordable Mineral Makeup™! (If you don’t list one of these companies, Tara will pick one and still donate on your behalf.) If you get a chance to drop me an email at InnerBeauty @ AffordableMineralMakeup .com or leave me a note here, I would love to hear what charity you selected when you placed your order as well. :)
So go, shop, save and help now! :)
Tease
I've saved the best for last, at least as far as my personal preferences go. There are 5 new shades available from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ this fall! I've introduced you to a new one each day this week, but this one is my personal favorite. You can see the entire line at InnerBeautyGirls.com by clicking on the "shop" button right now. :)
Tease is a fun shade of magenta, pink, sheen. Can be applied lightly or in layers or wet for darker, more dramatic look.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Tease is a fun shade of magenta, pink, sheen. Can be applied lightly or in layers or wet for darker, more dramatic look.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Drenched
There are 5 new shades available from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ this fall! I'm introducing you to one new one each day this week, or you can jump right to InnerBeautyGirls.com and click on the "shop" button to see them all right now. :)
Drenched is a shade of various pearlescent blues that can go on lightly or apply few layers or wet for deeper more dramatic look.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Drenched is a shade of various pearlescent blues that can go on lightly or apply few layers or wet for deeper more dramatic look.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Drama Queen
There are 5 new shades available from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ this fall! I'm introducing you to one new one each day this week, or you can jump right to InnerBeautyGirls.com and click on the "shop" button to see them all right now. :)
Drama Queen offers an an array of pink, purple and gold tones.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Drama Queen offers an an array of pink, purple and gold tones.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Coral
There are 5 new shades available from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ this fall! I'm introducing you to one new one each day this week, or you can jump right to InnerBeautyGirls.com and click on the "shop" button to see them all right now. :)
Coral is a pearlescent coral shade that has many uses. Excelent shade for eyes, cheeks, highlighter.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Coral is a pearlescent coral shade that has many uses. Excelent shade for eyes, cheeks, highlighter.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
New Mineral Makeup Color: Smooch
There are 5 new shades available from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ this fall! I'll introduce you to one each day the rest of this week, or you can jump right to InnerBeautyGirls.com and click on the "shop" button to see them all right now. :)
Smooch is a delightful mixture of violet and purple with a touch of sheen.
Can go from light to dark if applied in layers or wet.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Smooch is a delightful mixture of violet and purple with a touch of sheen.
Can go from light to dark if applied in layers or wet.
$7.79 for 5g sifter jar (1g net product weight) or select from select from 9 other sizing and packaging options!
Sept. Herb Specials
Lots of great deals at Mountain Rose Herbs this month! To see more details about any of these items, please visit http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/cgi-bin/Main.pl?AID=101123&BID=676 (I greatly appreciate it when you always enter the site through my affiliate link) then select the "Monthly Specials" tab near the top of the page. Here are some highlights from this month's discounts. :)
15% Off!
Mint Tea
Contains: organic Peppermint, organic Spearmint and organic Peppermint flavoring.
3 oz bulk
Regular price - $4.50
Sale price - $3.82
25% Off!
Vanilla Flavoring Extract
Contains 35% Organic Ethyl Alcohol
2 oz bottle
Regular price - $12.50
Sale price - $9.37
20% Off!
Illipe Butter
"Cold pressed and rendered from whole Illipe nuts (Shorea stenoptera) this exotic butter... quite comparable to cocoa butter in its constituents, and is beneficial for the treatment of numerous skin and hair disorders."
8 oz container
Regular price - $8.50
Sale price - $6.80
15% Off!
Tea Press/Carafe
"French design with quality stainless steel filter, chrome plunger unit and Pyrex glass carafe."
Extra Large 48oz design
Regular price - $40.00
Sale price - $34.00
20% Off!
Soybean Oil
"High in natural source lecitihin, sterolins, and vitamin E, this oil makes a great base for your products which are being created for outer epidermal healing."
16 oz bottle
Regular price - $6.50
Sale price - $5.20
15% Off!
Spice Bottle
"Historically correct spice jars as they were once used over 100 years ago. These traditional spice jars are manufactured in Spain from 100% recycled glass and each is accompanied with a cork top."
European 90 cc and they hold between 1-2 ounces of dry material and 2-3 ounces of liquid. Dimensions- 1 1/2 x 3 1/2
Regular price - $1.50
Sale price - $1.27
25% Off!
Black Pepper essential oil
1/2 oz bottle
Regular price - $8.50
Sale price - $6.37
20% Off!
Savory, Winter essential oil
1/2 oz bottle
Regular price - $8.00
Sale price - $6.40
20% Off!
Cinnamon (Cassia) Sticks
2.75 inch sticks/contains 3% oil
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $5.00
Sale price - $4.00
25% Off!
Ginkgo Leaf
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $8.00
Sale price - $6.00
20% Off!
Stevia Leaf
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $9.00
Sale price - $7.20
25% Off!
Devil's Claw Root
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $11.00
Sale price - $8.25
55% Off (Clearance)!
Cornflowers (With Calyx)
1lb
Regular price - $40.00
Sale price - $18.00
15% Off!
Mint Tea
Contains: organic Peppermint, organic Spearmint and organic Peppermint flavoring.
3 oz bulk
Regular price - $4.50
Sale price - $3.82
25% Off!
Vanilla Flavoring Extract
Contains 35% Organic Ethyl Alcohol
2 oz bottle
Regular price - $12.50
Sale price - $9.37
20% Off!
Illipe Butter
"Cold pressed and rendered from whole Illipe nuts (Shorea stenoptera) this exotic butter... quite comparable to cocoa butter in its constituents, and is beneficial for the treatment of numerous skin and hair disorders."
8 oz container
Regular price - $8.50
Sale price - $6.80
15% Off!
Tea Press/Carafe
"French design with quality stainless steel filter, chrome plunger unit and Pyrex glass carafe."
Extra Large 48oz design
Regular price - $40.00
Sale price - $34.00
20% Off!
Soybean Oil
"High in natural source lecitihin, sterolins, and vitamin E, this oil makes a great base for your products which are being created for outer epidermal healing."
16 oz bottle
Regular price - $6.50
Sale price - $5.20
15% Off!
Spice Bottle
"Historically correct spice jars as they were once used over 100 years ago. These traditional spice jars are manufactured in Spain from 100% recycled glass and each is accompanied with a cork top."
European 90 cc and they hold between 1-2 ounces of dry material and 2-3 ounces of liquid. Dimensions- 1 1/2 x 3 1/2
Regular price - $1.50
Sale price - $1.27
25% Off!
Black Pepper essential oil
1/2 oz bottle
Regular price - $8.50
Sale price - $6.37
20% Off!
Savory, Winter essential oil
1/2 oz bottle
Regular price - $8.00
Sale price - $6.40
20% Off!
Cinnamon (Cassia) Sticks
2.75 inch sticks/contains 3% oil
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $5.00
Sale price - $4.00
25% Off!
Ginkgo Leaf
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $8.00
Sale price - $6.00
20% Off!
Stevia Leaf
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $9.00
Sale price - $7.20
25% Off!
Devil's Claw Root
1 lb bulk
Regular price - $11.00
Sale price - $8.25
55% Off (Clearance)!
Cornflowers (With Calyx)
1lb
Regular price - $40.00
Sale price - $18.00
Saturday, August 29, 2009
My New Natural Beauty Column
I was recently asked to join the team of columnists at the Dr. Mommy website as their "Natural Beauty Expert." I plan to post about two articles a month. Feel free to check out my tips at http://drmommysays.com/category/natural-beauty-tips/.
Friday, August 21, 2009
This Fall's Trendy Colors
Look for 5 new shades of Affordable Mineral Makeup™ coming in early September. Want a sneak peak at what the experts are saying will be "hot" colors this fall and winter? Coral, violet (with pink or blue undertones), deep blue, mauve... Come back in September to see for youself!
Monday, August 10, 2009
25% Mineral Makeup Rebate until Wed!
I am trying to sell $200 worth of Affordable Mineral Makeup™ by this Wednesday in order to qualify for a rep incentive. If anyone makes a purchase from http://www.InnerBeautyGirls.com by Aug. 12 (before midnight EST) at full price, email me - InnerBeauty@AffordableMineralMakeup.com - your purchase order number from your completed transaction. I will paypal you a 25% refund of your product purchase total (not including tax/shipping fees) as soon as your order is processed. Your purchase MUST originate through my link in order for me to receive credit for your purchase and be able to send you the refund.
I really want to hit this goal, so I'm offering you a huge chuck of my commision as a direct cash-back refund. Tara (the company owner) sometimes offers discounts ranging from 10-13% (and only very rarely up to the 13% mark), but 25% if a really big deal and I'm willing to take the cut directly out of my earnings in hopes of gaining some new long-term customers and letting you see how wonderful these products are for yourself! This really is your very best chance to try out Affordable Mineral Makeup™ at a really great price. I hope you will take advantage of this amazing, but very time-limited deal and pass my offer along to your friends as well. Thanks for helping me out!
I really want to hit this goal, so I'm offering you a huge chuck of my commision as a direct cash-back refund. Tara (the company owner) sometimes offers discounts ranging from 10-13% (and only very rarely up to the 13% mark), but 25% if a really big deal and I'm willing to take the cut directly out of my earnings in hopes of gaining some new long-term customers and letting you see how wonderful these products are for yourself! This really is your very best chance to try out Affordable Mineral Makeup™ at a really great price. I hope you will take advantage of this amazing, but very time-limited deal and pass my offer along to your friends as well. Thanks for helping me out!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Where True Beauty Starts...
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her." ♥ Max Lucado
Thursday, July 30, 2009
3 Day Sale, 12% Savings!
Affordable Mineral Makeup™ is celebrating three years of sucessful business on Sunday, August 1! I have been proud to serve as your AMM consultant since Novemeber, 2007 and look forward to many more years providing you with quality makeup, free of additives and fillers, all at an affordable price.
What's a birthday without presents? In celebration of this lankmark I'm offering two gifts, and they are both for you! First is our company-wide special 12% discount code, valid three days only, Aug. 1-3 (until midnight EST) to be redeemed at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com - click on "Shop" near the bottom of the page, add items to your cart, then
use coupon code: 3year
at checkout to receive your discount.
The second present is my personal gift to my faithful customers. When you have made your purchase, come back here and leave me a blog comment with your order number and I'll give you three entries into a drawing for a free makeup bag! :) (Please note, this give-away is sponsored directly by me and is NOT connected to Affordable Mineral Makeup™ as a compnay. It will not do you any good to leave a comment about the makeup bag in the shopping cart comments area when you place your order. In fact, doing so would only complicate the fulfillment of your order as the company would not know what you are talking about.) To enter for the makeup bag you must come back to this blog at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com ("girls/z" is spelled with a "z" for this blog while spelled with an "s" for my main product page) to leave your comment with your order number.
Want to earn more entries into the drawing and be sure you never miss deals like this again? Here's how to earn up to five more entries!
1. Please follow this blog - www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com and leave me a comment for this action (if you are already following, leave a comment stating so) including the email address associated with your follow. Earn one entry.
2. Follow me on Twitter, username InfertilityMom and leave me a comments with your Twitter ID (even if you are already a follower). Earn one entry.
3. You can also earn entries for posting the following messages or re-tweeting my Twitter posts on this sale at least once per day during the three days of the sale. Leave me a comment with the link to your tweet each day for one entry per day. RT messages:
RT @InfertilityMom Save 12% on Affordable Mineral Makeup & many ways to win FREE bag at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com Plz RT!
OR
Visit @InfertilityMom at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com for 12% Affordable Mineral Makeup discount & enter to win FREE bag. RT!
OR
12% off Affordable Mineral Makeup at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com & enter to win makeup bag. Plz RT!
So now you have a potential of earning up to EIGHT entries into this contest! (three for purchase, one for blog follow, one for Twitter follow, one per daily RT on each of the three days of the sale). I will accept entries through Aug. 4 (so those who order on the 3rd still have time to post order numbers) and will announce a winner by next weekend. Please be sure to leave me a valid contact email address with each entry so I'm able to contact you for mailing address when you win!
Friday, July 24, 2009
10% saving if you email your order
I'm participating in several blogging parties right now and meeting lots of great new friends as a result. What most of us have in commen is that we are women bloggers who either are attending, or in my case would like to be attending (but aren't), a conference called BlogHer this weekend. In honor of this event, I am offering my blog readers 10% off your Affordable Mineral Makeup™ order (discount applies only to products, not tax or applicable shipping) if you email your order directly to me and I receive your Paypal payment by July 29, 2009. To receive the discount, simply mention "BlogHer" in your email and I'll know how you found me. (No, you do not have to be participating in any of the NonBlogHer events to enjoy this discount. It is available to any blog reader who will follow these instructions.) :)
To view available products please visit my page at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com and select "Shop" near the bottom of the page. You are welcome to place your order directly through the website there, but I will not be able to extend my personal discount to you if you choose to do it that way. If you want the savings, please email me with your name, mailing address and items you wish to purchase (including sizes and if you want makeup in sifter jars or baggies) along with your PayPal address so I can invoice you and receive your payment by July 29. :)
My email address is InnerBeauty AT AffordableMineralMakeup DOT com (changing AT to @ and DOT to . and removing spaces) or if you have any email issues you can also try jsaake AT yahoo DOT com. If you email me, be sure to check your SPAM folder for my reply as some ISPs don't like the AffordableMineralMakeup domain and a few others don't seem to like yahoo either.
If you could also help me out by visiting www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/ and leaving a comment on my "Top 10 Reasons I'm Excited to Be Staying Home This Weekend" thread I would really appreciate that. (Note to infertile friends, children are mentioned in that post.) I'm trying to win a $100 cash prize for most blogging comments on that thread. Thank you!
To view available products please visit my page at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com and select "Shop" near the bottom of the page. You are welcome to place your order directly through the website there, but I will not be able to extend my personal discount to you if you choose to do it that way. If you want the savings, please email me with your name, mailing address and items you wish to purchase (including sizes and if you want makeup in sifter jars or baggies) along with your PayPal address so I can invoice you and receive your payment by July 29. :)
My email address is InnerBeauty AT AffordableMineralMakeup DOT com (changing AT to @ and DOT to . and removing spaces) or if you have any email issues you can also try jsaake AT yahoo DOT com. If you email me, be sure to check your SPAM folder for my reply as some ISPs don't like the AffordableMineralMakeup domain and a few others don't seem to like yahoo either.
If you could also help me out by visiting www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/ and leaving a comment on my "Top 10 Reasons I'm Excited to Be Staying Home This Weekend" thread I would really appreciate that. (Note to infertile friends, children are mentioned in that post.) I'm trying to win a $100 cash prize for most blogging comments on that thread. Thank you!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Beauty of Sisterhood
I came across a delightful post this week. It's much more about inner beauty than outward beauty, but I wanted to share it with you all because it made me reflect on the many beautiful friends/sister I have made through the internet over the years, especially through Hannah's Prayer but not only there. My life is truly richer for all the "sisters" God has given me. If you are one, thank you!!!
Take a moment to enjoy You Know You're a Sister When... at http://studiojewel.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-know-youre-sister-when.html (Note to my sisters stuggling with infertility, prengnacy and motherhood are mentioned in this article, so be prepared. But it was in her description of post-partum depression that I most related, not only for my own journey of post-partum depression, but in the same kind of life-giving, life-saving, life-enriching sisterhood of support described here that I found from you all in the midst of our infertility joureny.)
And we are talking about sisters, drop by my post at www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/2009/07/having-fun-not-going-to-blogher.html to join in the sisterhood of blogging women who are celebrating this weekend. :)
Take a moment to enjoy You Know You're a Sister When... at http://studiojewel.blogspot.com/2009/07/you-know-youre-sister-when.html (Note to my sisters stuggling with infertility, prengnacy and motherhood are mentioned in this article, so be prepared. But it was in her description of post-partum depression that I most related, not only for my own journey of post-partum depression, but in the same kind of life-giving, life-saving, life-enriching sisterhood of support described here that I found from you all in the midst of our infertility joureny.)
And we are talking about sisters, drop by my post at www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com/2009/07/having-fun-not-going-to-blogher.html to join in the sisterhood of blogging women who are celebrating this weekend. :)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Rain on Me Book Give-Away
If you participated in my Virtual Spa Weekend in May, you may remember Holley Gerth's post, God thinks You're Beautiful. Holley has also recently released the book Rain on Me: Devotions of Hope and Encouragement for Difficult Times and she's giving away a copy on one of my other blogs, Harvesting Hope from Heartache™. Drop by and leave a comment there before July 31 to be entered for this drawing. :)
Monday, July 13, 2009
Where's My Focus?
In her Selective Focus post on the "Already Pretty" blog, author Sally McGraw gives some great ideas about how to rethink what I see when I look in the mirror. While not a Christ-centered article, her thoughts made me think of the advice found in Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse... Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Free Book July 10 only
Order Skinny by Laura L Smith for FREE today only from the Nav Press website, using coupon code H20E1M3Y4. This is a book about teenage girls and eating issues. Enter your coupon code at the top of your cart before you head to check out. Shipping is also free and no tax!
If you are looking for another title to add to your cart, Nav is my publisher for Hannah's Hope. ;) I was pleasantly surprised that the free shipping extended to the other item I placed in my cart today (still had to pay tax, but I'm fine with that) and when my order confirmation came through, that email included a discount code for 25% off my next order from the Nav Press website! Great deal all the way around!!!
If you are looking for another title to add to your cart, Nav is my publisher for Hannah's Hope. ;) I was pleasantly surprised that the free shipping extended to the other item I placed in my cart today (still had to pay tax, but I'm fine with that) and when my order confirmation came through, that email included a discount code for 25% off my next order from the Nav Press website! Great deal all the way around!!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Free 5gram Sifter Jar of Affordable Mineral Makeup™
Receive a FREE 5g sifter jar of Affordable Mineral Makeup™ in your choice of color by placing any $50 order before July 13! To receive this gift, write "free 5" and the name of your color choice in the COMMENTS section (notice, this is different from the discount code area) when you place your order from InnerBeautyGirls.com
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Save $2 on Vegan Lip Stick
Cheers Vegan Lip Stick and three additional shades of lip gloss have been temporarily added to the Affordable Mineral Makeup™ sale page at http://www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/catalog/specials.php?ref=357.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Mineral Lip Gloss and Eye Liner Sale
Selected Lip Gloss and Eye Liner on clearance at Affordable Mineral Makeup™. View current specials at http://www.affordablemineralmakeup.com/catalog/specials.php?ref=357 or our full product line at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com.
(A gentle reminder to my returning customers: If you go directly to the main Affordable Mineral Makeup™ page and place your order there without first going to my website or entering through one of my direct referal links posted on this blog, I will not receive credit for your purchase. I so appreciate all my customers, especially those who find our products worthy of repeat business, and I am thankful when you take the time to bookmark my direct page at InnerBeautyGirls.com or make your purchase by starting here at the InnerBeautyGirlz.com blog and following provided links! Thank you very much.)
(A gentle reminder to my returning customers: If you go directly to the main Affordable Mineral Makeup™ page and place your order there without first going to my website or entering through one of my direct referal links posted on this blog, I will not receive credit for your purchase. I so appreciate all my customers, especially those who find our products worthy of repeat business, and I am thankful when you take the time to bookmark my direct page at InnerBeautyGirls.com or make your purchase by starting here at the InnerBeautyGirlz.com blog and following provided links! Thank you very much.)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Frugal Fashion Fashionista
Twitter led me to a fun blog today, called Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. (Note for my friends facing infertility: Yes, there are many child-related posts on the BB&B blog, but also several topics that do not involve motherhood.) Today the blog owner is featuring a Frugal Fashionista Fashion Show, highlighting how to put together great outfits on very small budgets through yard sale and thrift store finds.
Well, since my mom calls me "The Yard Sale Queen" and my husband says I should write an ebook on successful yard-saling (both how to host one and how to shop them), you can bet I got excited to find this post! The wardrobes these ladies have put together for a handfull of change is amazing. Makes me want to make a run to Savers and see how many cute outfits I can put together for $10! Who says Frugal Fashion can't be fun?
Because I'm still wheelchair bound, I don't suppose today's a great day for me to try to model any of my super-saver fashions for you. :( It's pretty hard to find anything that makes this heavy black medical boot with 2-inch wide Velcro straps look too attractive (and it certainly wasn't a discount purchase at the price of the ER and orthopedic specialists), plus it is incredibly hard to change clothing around! So since I can’t show you my finds, I will share with you a couple of fun shopping stories instead.
As newly weds we lived on a TIGHT budget; down-to-the-penny tight. After rent and utilities we usually had only about $100 a month for everything else from food to toiletries to clothing. So by the second year of marriage, when I was very much in need of some specific clothing items, I just had to make it a matter of prayer and wait to see how the Lord would provide. I walked into a department store that I normally wouldn't have even stepped foot into, but that day I decided to go in just for fun. I happened upon a clearance rack and found that the store was offering additional discounts on top of the clearance prices that day.
I don't remember all that I found, but I know the purchase included 4 skirt, 2 of them suit-style and 2 more casual, some blouses and some much needed under garments. The suit-skirts alone had been originally priced at about $65 each, and I walked out of the store with the entire purchase for around $32 after tax! Since I had received a $50 birthday check earlier that week, all I could do was thank the Lord for His amazing provision.
A similar experience happened when I was in need of a formal dress for a business occasion and we didn't have a lot of wiggle room in the budget. I went straight to a high-end department store in town, sought out their clearance rack, and ended up walking out of the store with a $120 evening gown that fit me like it was tailor made for me, for only $24. What made that shopping trip even more exciting is that I was spending a $25 gift card that we had won as a promotional gift when the store had it's grand opening a few months earlier, so the dress literally was FREE! Moral of these stories is not to be afraid of pricy stores as long as you are willing to stick to the bargain and clearance racks.
My wardrobe is at least 50% made up from thrift store or yard sale finds under $6, often just $1-2. Sometimes I need to make minor repairs like replacing a button or taking a 50 cent risk on the hopes that I will be able to remove a stain, but usually I can walk out of a thrift store with items that are perfectly wear-ready, just no longer wanted by the previous owner (maybe a size, style or color she didn’t like or couldn’t wear?), sometimes even still with the original tags in place! On several occasions I've found beautiful dresses at yard sales in new or next-to-new condition that would retail for $60-$200 but are being sold for $5-10!
My favorite yard sale finds have actually been kitchen appliances and house wears. One was a nearly-new drink maker I had drooled over in the past but been unwilling to pay $200 for and I picked it up for $8. Another was a crystal punch set that matched my grandma's antique cake plate - I paid about $10 then priced it on eBay when I got home and found it selling there for around $300. My mom spotted a china tea service at a thrift store and when she told me about it we looked it up on eBay and discovered the creamer alone was reselling for $60 so she turned around and went back to spend her $40 on the entire set!
Speaking of eBay, it’s worth keeping your eyes open for deals there as well! We received two plates and one mug from the china pattern we had registered for as wedding presents. Call me old fashioned, but yes, I still love setting the table with fancy dishes for holidays and special occasions. So about 10 years after our wedding, still with just those three pieces of China sitting in our cupboard, we went on eBay to see if we could pick up additional pieces at an affordable price. Nope, each place setting there sold for about what it would cost at regular retail and we weren't interested in spending that kind of money for china! But we kept the search on a watch list just to see what might happen.
One day we saw our china pattern listed as an estate sale in a set of 14 place settings and multiple serving pieces. The starting bid was equivalent to only about 3 full place settings at individual pricing. Yes, it was used, but in excellent condition, so we placed a bid and kept our eyes on it over the next few days. Because it was such a large set, there only seemed to be a few interested bidders. We decided what our maximum investment we were willing to bid would be and we jumped in again in the last moments of the auction (yes, I'm a self-admitted eBay sniper) and placed our final bid, then walked away from the computer so as not to be tempted to overbid.
We came back a couple of minutes later to find that we had indeed won the auction! We sent our payment and received our china quickly thereafter. Then we turned around and re-listed several of the place settings individually (we certainly didn't need 14 place settings in addition to the couple of pieces we already owned!) and re-sold everything we didn't need, one place-setting at a time. In the end we kept a full service of I believe 10 of everything for ourselves, also acquired all the serving pieces we had never had before, and not only fully paid for the entire purchase by reselling our additional pieces, but actually made a few extra dollars in the process - better than free! :D
Moral here is to know your market and be willing to think a little bit outside of the box. We had seen a consistant market for the individual place setting of this china pattern so we were willing to take a calculated investment in bidding for more than we knew we could use because we had valid reason to think we could recoop at least some of that money through resale of the items we would not need.
OK, so I promised a picture for the fashion show and here it is, even if it is a year old. ;) No, not a deal quite comparable to the other finds showcased by other bloggers here, but not bad for a Sam’s club clearance at only $7 for the blouse. And the brand new necklace I bought at half price using my Gurrlie Girl consultant discount, so it was $7 as well. Makeup also at consultant discount (though already an amazingly great price to start with) through Affordable Mineral Makeup™.
God created us as beautiful women. He longs for us to see ourselves as beautiful through His eyes. He also delights in abundantly providing for not only our needs, but the desires of our hearts when we trust His to help us feel beautiful through Him!
Well, since my mom calls me "The Yard Sale Queen" and my husband says I should write an ebook on successful yard-saling (both how to host one and how to shop them), you can bet I got excited to find this post! The wardrobes these ladies have put together for a handfull of change is amazing. Makes me want to make a run to Savers and see how many cute outfits I can put together for $10! Who says Frugal Fashion can't be fun?
Because I'm still wheelchair bound, I don't suppose today's a great day for me to try to model any of my super-saver fashions for you. :( It's pretty hard to find anything that makes this heavy black medical boot with 2-inch wide Velcro straps look too attractive (and it certainly wasn't a discount purchase at the price of the ER and orthopedic specialists), plus it is incredibly hard to change clothing around! So since I can’t show you my finds, I will share with you a couple of fun shopping stories instead.
As newly weds we lived on a TIGHT budget; down-to-the-penny tight. After rent and utilities we usually had only about $100 a month for everything else from food to toiletries to clothing. So by the second year of marriage, when I was very much in need of some specific clothing items, I just had to make it a matter of prayer and wait to see how the Lord would provide. I walked into a department store that I normally wouldn't have even stepped foot into, but that day I decided to go in just for fun. I happened upon a clearance rack and found that the store was offering additional discounts on top of the clearance prices that day.
I don't remember all that I found, but I know the purchase included 4 skirt, 2 of them suit-style and 2 more casual, some blouses and some much needed under garments. The suit-skirts alone had been originally priced at about $65 each, and I walked out of the store with the entire purchase for around $32 after tax! Since I had received a $50 birthday check earlier that week, all I could do was thank the Lord for His amazing provision.
A similar experience happened when I was in need of a formal dress for a business occasion and we didn't have a lot of wiggle room in the budget. I went straight to a high-end department store in town, sought out their clearance rack, and ended up walking out of the store with a $120 evening gown that fit me like it was tailor made for me, for only $24. What made that shopping trip even more exciting is that I was spending a $25 gift card that we had won as a promotional gift when the store had it's grand opening a few months earlier, so the dress literally was FREE! Moral of these stories is not to be afraid of pricy stores as long as you are willing to stick to the bargain and clearance racks.
My wardrobe is at least 50% made up from thrift store or yard sale finds under $6, often just $1-2. Sometimes I need to make minor repairs like replacing a button or taking a 50 cent risk on the hopes that I will be able to remove a stain, but usually I can walk out of a thrift store with items that are perfectly wear-ready, just no longer wanted by the previous owner (maybe a size, style or color she didn’t like or couldn’t wear?), sometimes even still with the original tags in place! On several occasions I've found beautiful dresses at yard sales in new or next-to-new condition that would retail for $60-$200 but are being sold for $5-10!
My favorite yard sale finds have actually been kitchen appliances and house wears. One was a nearly-new drink maker I had drooled over in the past but been unwilling to pay $200 for and I picked it up for $8. Another was a crystal punch set that matched my grandma's antique cake plate - I paid about $10 then priced it on eBay when I got home and found it selling there for around $300. My mom spotted a china tea service at a thrift store and when she told me about it we looked it up on eBay and discovered the creamer alone was reselling for $60 so she turned around and went back to spend her $40 on the entire set!
Speaking of eBay, it’s worth keeping your eyes open for deals there as well! We received two plates and one mug from the china pattern we had registered for as wedding presents. Call me old fashioned, but yes, I still love setting the table with fancy dishes for holidays and special occasions. So about 10 years after our wedding, still with just those three pieces of China sitting in our cupboard, we went on eBay to see if we could pick up additional pieces at an affordable price. Nope, each place setting there sold for about what it would cost at regular retail and we weren't interested in spending that kind of money for china! But we kept the search on a watch list just to see what might happen.
One day we saw our china pattern listed as an estate sale in a set of 14 place settings and multiple serving pieces. The starting bid was equivalent to only about 3 full place settings at individual pricing. Yes, it was used, but in excellent condition, so we placed a bid and kept our eyes on it over the next few days. Because it was such a large set, there only seemed to be a few interested bidders. We decided what our maximum investment we were willing to bid would be and we jumped in again in the last moments of the auction (yes, I'm a self-admitted eBay sniper) and placed our final bid, then walked away from the computer so as not to be tempted to overbid.
We came back a couple of minutes later to find that we had indeed won the auction! We sent our payment and received our china quickly thereafter. Then we turned around and re-listed several of the place settings individually (we certainly didn't need 14 place settings in addition to the couple of pieces we already owned!) and re-sold everything we didn't need, one place-setting at a time. In the end we kept a full service of I believe 10 of everything for ourselves, also acquired all the serving pieces we had never had before, and not only fully paid for the entire purchase by reselling our additional pieces, but actually made a few extra dollars in the process - better than free! :D
Moral here is to know your market and be willing to think a little bit outside of the box. We had seen a consistant market for the individual place setting of this china pattern so we were willing to take a calculated investment in bidding for more than we knew we could use because we had valid reason to think we could recoop at least some of that money through resale of the items we would not need.
OK, so I promised a picture for the fashion show and here it is, even if it is a year old. ;) No, not a deal quite comparable to the other finds showcased by other bloggers here, but not bad for a Sam’s club clearance at only $7 for the blouse. And the brand new necklace I bought at half price using my Gurrlie Girl consultant discount, so it was $7 as well. Makeup also at consultant discount (though already an amazingly great price to start with) through Affordable Mineral Makeup™.God created us as beautiful women. He longs for us to see ourselves as beautiful through His eyes. He also delights in abundantly providing for not only our needs, but the desires of our hearts when we trust His to help us feel beautiful through Him!
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.Matthew 6:28-34 (NIV)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Healthy Smoothie Freebie!
Print out your coupon at http://www.orangejulius.com/downloads/freeCoupon.pdf and take it to your local Orange Julius® on June 19th for a FREE 20 oz. Light Smoothie.
Offer valid only on June 19, 2009. Offer valid for one 20 oz. Light Smoothie, either Strawberry Delight™, Tropical Sunlight™, or Berry-Pom Twilight™. Limit one coupon per customer during the day of the promotion. While supplies last. Not valid with other coupons or special offers. No cash value. Valid only at participating Orange Julius® locations.
Offer valid only on June 19, 2009. Offer valid for one 20 oz. Light Smoothie, either Strawberry Delight™, Tropical Sunlight™, or Berry-Pom Twilight™. Limit one coupon per customer during the day of the promotion. While supplies last. Not valid with other coupons or special offers. No cash value. Valid only at participating Orange Julius® locations.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Broken Foot
Just after we moved to Reno 11 years ago, I broke the small bone in my left foot that connects my little toe to my ankle. That break resulted in surgery and I still have two pins holding those bones together.
Well, graceful woman that I am, I managed to break the exact same bone, but this time in my right foot, the beginning of this week. At this point the foot is still too swollen to cast and the jury is out about surgery or not because of the placement of the fracture. So I'm in a splint with instructions to keep the foot elevated (thus greatly limiting computer access) and to bear no weight on it for 6 weeks.
On Wednesday we plan to take another set of x-rays and either cast or schedule surgery (depending on what the x-rays reveal about current healing) at that point.
Well, graceful woman that I am, I managed to break the exact same bone, but this time in my right foot, the beginning of this week. At this point the foot is still too swollen to cast and the jury is out about surgery or not because of the placement of the fracture. So I'm in a splint with instructions to keep the foot elevated (thus greatly limiting computer access) and to bear no weight on it for 6 weeks.
On Wednesday we plan to take another set of x-rays and either cast or schedule surgery (depending on what the x-rays reveal about current healing) at that point.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Recovering from our Relaxation!
You know that feeling of "I need a vacation to recover from my vacation?" Well, that's pretty much how I've been feeling since Sunday night! Wow, am I ever exhausted!!!
I did get a chance to use the Random.org website last night to select winners for each prize and will be emailing contest sponsors and winners later this evening to connect you with each other. I'll be posting a winner's list by tomorrow evening. Sometimes my emails don't seem to get where they are supposed to go, so if you don't get a winner's email from me, be sure to check the winner's list announcement and email me right away if you think you have missed a notification! Any prizes that remain unclaimed by Friday may be redrawn for new winners.
In addition to the 11 gifts offered through specific drawings this past Weekend, I also drew names for about ten more of you who will be receiving emails from me offering you a copy of the small book Childless: The Hurt and the Hope, by Beth Spring. This is an older title, now out of print, but a very helpful, compact resource for anyone dealing with inferitlity. If you receive this email offer from me, you are welcome to accept it for yourself or to give me the name and address of a friend you feel it might bless and I will send it to them on your behalf.
Thank you for your patience as I recover from such a whirlwind weekend! I'm still working my way back through all the wonderful comments and feedback and will be addressing some of your individual questions in future blog posts. :)
I did get a chance to use the Random.org website last night to select winners for each prize and will be emailing contest sponsors and winners later this evening to connect you with each other. I'll be posting a winner's list by tomorrow evening. Sometimes my emails don't seem to get where they are supposed to go, so if you don't get a winner's email from me, be sure to check the winner's list announcement and email me right away if you think you have missed a notification! Any prizes that remain unclaimed by Friday may be redrawn for new winners.
In addition to the 11 gifts offered through specific drawings this past Weekend, I also drew names for about ten more of you who will be receiving emails from me offering you a copy of the small book Childless: The Hurt and the Hope, by Beth Spring. This is an older title, now out of print, but a very helpful, compact resource for anyone dealing with inferitlity. If you receive this email offer from me, you are welcome to accept it for yourself or to give me the name and address of a friend you feel it might bless and I will send it to them on your behalf.
Thank you for your patience as I recover from such a whirlwind weekend! I'm still working my way back through all the wonderful comments and feedback and will be addressing some of your individual questions in future blog posts. :)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Thank You
With this post we conclude our Virtual Spa Weekend, but I hope this will not be the last time you visit me here at InnerBeautyGirlz! I will be spending the next few days going back through all your wonderful comments, taking note of questions and suggestions you have posted to gather ideas for future posts, and will continue striving to provide you discount codes, quality beauty information, devotional reflections and additional give-aways from time to time. If you haven't done so yet, please take the time to either "follow" me using the Goggle link on the right-hand side bar, or sign up for my email list in the mailing list box also to the right.
Thank you so much for joining me, for all the great participation and comments (about 300 of them!), for helping spread the word and share the joy with friends, and for making this a memorable Weekend! Thank you also to our many amazing guest bloggers and to all the Weekend sponsors who have so generously donated gifts for our give-aways. Don't forget that any comment on any non-prize thread through our whole Weekend enters you for last Wednesday's "early-bird" prize from Gurrlie Girl Christin jewelry. :)
I will accept contest entries for about three more hours then I will be selecting and contacting prize winners over the next few days. All prize winners should be posted by about Wednesday and contest sponsors will work with you directly to get your prizes to you. If you know any young women who would enjoy similar tips designed especially for them, please pass along my Girlz and Teens Inner Beauty link at Mineralz.blogspot.com where I'm currently offering a teen beauty book give-away through this week. :)
I would like to leave you with the following thoughts from 2 Corinthians 5:14-20 in The Message:
Thank you so much for joining me, for all the great participation and comments (about 300 of them!), for helping spread the word and share the joy with friends, and for making this a memorable Weekend! Thank you also to our many amazing guest bloggers and to all the Weekend sponsors who have so generously donated gifts for our give-aways. Don't forget that any comment on any non-prize thread through our whole Weekend enters you for last Wednesday's "early-bird" prize from Gurrlie Girl Christin jewelry. :)
I will accept contest entries for about three more hours then I will be selecting and contacting prize winners over the next few days. All prize winners should be posted by about Wednesday and contest sponsors will work with you directly to get your prizes to you. If you know any young women who would enjoy similar tips designed especially for them, please pass along my Girlz and Teens Inner Beauty link at Mineralz.blogspot.com where I'm currently offering a teen beauty book give-away through this week. :)
I would like to leave you with the following thoughts from 2 Corinthians 5:14-20 in The Message:
Our firm decision is to work from this focused center: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.- Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you.
Perspective Beauty
A big thank you to Lisa Brewer Buffaloe for allowing me to repost a beautiful story from her blog at at LisaBuffaloe.blogspot.com as we start to wrap up Virtual Spa Weekend. For those feeling especially tender over infertility or loss, I do want to give a head's up that the following story includes an amazing encounter between a father and son, however I think it will be a blessing to most who wish to read it. It was a good reminder for me about seeing the beauty in this world through God's eyes. :)
When Lisa says, "Regardless of our current situations, life here on earth is temporary, and Christ followers are guaranteed a happy ending," I am reminded of another quote I recently read on Jason Mitchener's website, Forward Habit. Jason writes, "So often we treat this earth like our home. We focus on our life here like it's our eternal residence. We foolishly act like a traveler spending a week in a hotel room and using his time to put up new curtains, lay down carpeting, and pain the wall." That word picture really sticks with me and reminds me to enjoy the beauty of life while remembering that "every good and perfect gift is from above" and that true beauty and value can only be found in Jesus.
In the book Jesus Life Coach by Laurie Beth Jones, the author lays out some interesting points.
“Psychologists have documented the fact that it is not the actual events that harm us, so much as the perception of the events. In the stunning movie Life is Beautiful a father finds himself and his young son thrown into a concentration camp in Germany during World War Two. Trying to shield his son from the horror of their situation, he tells the boy that it is all a game, and the first one who gets scared, loses. Somehow he is able to continually convince the boy that none of the cruelty they are seeing is real, but only a play that is taking place. He even predicts the ending, saying at the end of the game a big tank with smiling men is going to come into the camp and declare the winner. When indeed the tank of the Americans pulls into camp, the little boy runs leaping and yelling in joy to greet it. ‘We won! We won!’ The father’s change of perception shielded the child from immense mental and emotional harm. Jesus does the same for us. When he says that ‘every tear shall be wiped away,’ he is teaching us that somehow we are in a play that is going to have a happy ending no matter what it looks like now.” Laurie Beth Jones *
Our temporary living arrangements are in an apartment on the third floor of a huge complex. If I open our blinds, it seems a thousand eyes will peer into the window. To the left of the kitchen table where I sit and type on my laptop is a patio that overlooks the parking lot. However, if you look further you can see a beautiful mountain range. No matter where I drive around town, I can see the mountains providing a visual of Psalm 121, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1-4 NIV).
Regardless of our current situations, life here on earth is temporary, and Christ followers are guaranteed a happy ending. Our Heavenly Father provides the constant and consistent love and help we need.
When you look through the window of life, what do you see? Do you focus on the parking lot or do you notice the beauty of the mountains?
With the proper perspective, life truly is beautiful.
Thank You, Father for this beautiful life.
* Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, TN, 2004, pp 111-112.
When Lisa says, "Regardless of our current situations, life here on earth is temporary, and Christ followers are guaranteed a happy ending," I am reminded of another quote I recently read on Jason Mitchener's website, Forward Habit. Jason writes, "So often we treat this earth like our home. We focus on our life here like it's our eternal residence. We foolishly act like a traveler spending a week in a hotel room and using his time to put up new curtains, lay down carpeting, and pain the wall." That word picture really sticks with me and reminds me to enjoy the beauty of life while remembering that "every good and perfect gift is from above" and that true beauty and value can only be found in Jesus.
Lia Sophia Bracelet
In celebration of Virtual Spa Weekend, Carissa of Lia Sophia Jewelry is offering this beautiful $48 bracelet (pictured as "D" above) to one reader of InnerBeautyGirlz. You have heard the instructions all weekend - entry is as easy as leaving a comment along with a working email address or some other valid way of contacting you and you can earn extra entries for helping spread the word and coming back and telling me how you did so. Contest entries close at midnight tonight and I'll be announcing winners by Wednesday. :)
Solomon's Beloved
One of my earliest blog posts here at InnerBeautyGirlz was this video of "Solomon's Beloved" as presented by Vond Skelton. I couldn't let Virtual Spa Weekend pass without pulling it out one more time. The script starts out a little slow, but stick with it and you will soon be laughing! If you can't view it here, watch it on uTube at Solomon’s Beloved at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEmhI8FL_ZI.
Of Solomon's Beloved Vonda writes, "She’s so much fun! (And people think we Christians can’t have fun! A lot they know!)"
(If you are reading this via email and can't view the video, be sure to drop by the Inner Beauty Blog to see this funny, can't miss skit for yourself.
Of Solomon's Beloved Vonda writes, "She’s so much fun! (And people think we Christians can’t have fun! A lot they know!)"
(If you are reading this via email and can't view the video, be sure to drop by the Inner Beauty Blog to see this funny, can't miss skit for yourself.
Natural Nails
A simple, quick tip for Virtual Spa Weekend. If you are looking for a natural nail polish, give Piggy Paint a try. This orderless, non-toxic nail polish is marketed as "kid friendly" but looks great on my nails too. Their slogan is "natural as mud" and the ingredients list is amazingly simple.
Laurie Marcolla, owner of Piggy Paint, has offered InnerBeautyGirlz readers an exclusive discount of 20% off your entire purchase from her website, including sale items, by using code THANKYOU20L from now until 6/1/2009. Spend $25 and shipping is FREE!
Laurie Marcolla, owner of Piggy Paint, has offered InnerBeautyGirlz readers an exclusive discount of 20% off your entire purchase from her website, including sale items, by using code THANKYOU20L from now until 6/1/2009. Spend $25 and shipping is FREE!
Infertility and New Life
Last night Melody of Hope of my Heart Designs gave you a chance to win her SpringTime Hope bracelet. If you missed that give-away, go back and look through yesterday's Virtual Spa Weekend posts because you can still enter to win unitl midnight tonight!
Now here's a bit more of Melody's story and God's working in her heart through the grief of infertility, adoption, pregnancy and miscarriage.
We got our PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) diagnosis 3 months after we were married, and started trying to conceive immediately. We tried Clomid after a few months, but it didn’t work. I was such a wreck while on that medicine that we decided that even if we tried with medical assistance later, we would NOT use the Clomid again. We lost our health insurance though, so we stopped trying to conceive for a while.
A year later, we pursued adoption. Nine months after we started the process, our son was born six weeks early. We were allowed to be in the delivery room with his birthmother, and after a week’s stay in NICU, he came home with us. We were thrilled.
Unfortunately, something was still missing. I didn’t know what it was, but I was miserable. Two months later, I finally admitted my problem – I was lost. I never dreamed that God would use infertility and adoption to bring me to Himself, but He did. On July 10, 2004, I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. Finally, that void in my life was filled!
When our oldest was two, he started praying every night, “Dear Jesus, baby please.” I’d never been pregnant and wasn’t really convinced I would ever be. After a year, we were shocked to discover that I was indeed pregnant for the first time!
After our surprise little guy was born, we wondered how God was going to continue to grow our family. Once again, our oldest son started praying for a sibling. It didn’t take as long as we thought it would, but almost as soon as I suspected I was pregnant, I realized that I would never hold that little one this side of Heaven.
Our son kept praying, and we kept hoping for another pregnancy. Two months later, we discovered that I was pregnant AGAIN! We were surprised again at God’s timing. I was much more cautious that time, trying to guard my heart. But now I’m almost 19 weeks pregnant, and so far, baby is doing quite well.
I never dreamed that God would use infertility in my life the way He did, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Welcome to the final morning of our Virtual Spa Weekend. All contest remain open until midnight to night, so please help keep spreading the word today.
Last month I posted a delightful interview with Marlo Schalesky on my "InfertilityMom" blog. Marlo is the author of seven books including the wonderful resource Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility and several fiction titles including her newest release If Tomorrow Never Comes.
For a chance to win an autographed copy of this new title, please post a comment here. You may earn additional entries by helping promote Marlo's book and linking to this blog entry from your own website or blog or telling all your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Shoutlife of other social networks to stop by as well. Each time you post about this give-away, come back here and leave another new message for an additional entry!
Last month I posted a delightful interview with Marlo Schalesky on my "InfertilityMom" blog. Marlo is the author of seven books including the wonderful resource Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility and several fiction titles including her newest release If Tomorrow Never Comes.
For a chance to win an autographed copy of this new title, please post a comment here. You may earn additional entries by helping promote Marlo's book and linking to this blog entry from your own website or blog or telling all your friends on Twitter, Facebook, Shoutlife of other social networks to stop by as well. Each time you post about this give-away, come back here and leave another new message for an additional entry!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Win Mineral Primer
Time for a late night give away for one reader and a discount code available to all as we round out today's Virtual Spa Weekend posts. :) Leave a comment to be entered to win a sifter jar of Defense Primer from Affordable Mineral Makeup™ along with a mini baby kabuki brush for mineral makeup application. Help me spread the word by linking to this post, then come back and leave a new comment for each social network or blog you post to before midnight, May 3, and receive and additional entry for each comment. :)
There is also a 10% Affordable Mineral Makeup™ (AMM) discount available to all InnerBeautyGirlz readers, valid through Sunday, May 10, at www.InnerBeautyGirls.com. Please be sure you are ordering through my personl consultant link rather than going to the main AMM page in order for me to receive credit for your purchase. Use discount code "mothersday09" at checkout. (For my readers dealing with heartache over this coming Mother's Day, please know that you are in my prayers. {{{hugs}}} I didn't want you to miss out on the discount just because it mentioned Mother's Day, but I understand that even these little reminders can hold a sting.)
See you back bright and early tomorrow mroning for a great book give-away! :)
Water
If you ask most beauty experts their number one piece of beauty advice, you will probably hear, "Drink lots of water!" Hydration is so important to ever cell in our bodies. There really is no substitue for water as caffinated, sugary or chemical-laden (such as diet) drinks really rob our body of many of the benefits of pure water.
Sometimes it is hard to drink enough because water doesn't "taste good" to us. Slices of citrus (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit or some combination of these) floating in your water might give it the kick you need to make it more inviting. Or for an unusual and refreshing alternative, try slicing a chilled cucumber into your water. (Don't forget to save a couple slices for a cooling puffy eye treat!)
Another common reason for not drinking enough is simple business or forgetfulness. Make a habit of drinking you 64+ daily ounces by setting a pitcher out on the counter, lining up 8 glasses as a visual reminder to count down through the day, or by setting a timer for hourly drinks.
As you hopefully have noticed by now, our Virtual Spa Weekend is as much about our souls as our bodies. Just as it is important to train ourselves to stay physically hydrated, it is equally important to make a habbit out of daily refreshing our spirits with Living Water too! What is your plan to make sure you nourish your spirt as well as your body? Please add a comment to share your ideas for getting enough water or Water, be it inviting ways to drink or "quiet time" suggestions or other tips or methods of nurturing your life, both physical and spiritual. I always love learning new ideas!
- John 7:37-39 (New International Version)
Sometimes it is hard to drink enough because water doesn't "taste good" to us. Slices of citrus (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit or some combination of these) floating in your water might give it the kick you need to make it more inviting. Or for an unusual and refreshing alternative, try slicing a chilled cucumber into your water. (Don't forget to save a couple slices for a cooling puffy eye treat!)
Another common reason for not drinking enough is simple business or forgetfulness. Make a habit of drinking you 64+ daily ounces by setting a pitcher out on the counter, lining up 8 glasses as a visual reminder to count down through the day, or by setting a timer for hourly drinks.
As you hopefully have noticed by now, our Virtual Spa Weekend is as much about our souls as our bodies. Just as it is important to train ourselves to stay physically hydrated, it is equally important to make a habbit out of daily refreshing our spirits with Living Water too! What is your plan to make sure you nourish your spirt as well as your body? Please add a comment to share your ideas for getting enough water or Water, be it inviting ways to drink or "quiet time" suggestions or other tips or methods of nurturing your life, both physical and spiritual. I always love learning new ideas!
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as[a] the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
- John 7:37-39 (New International Version)
Hope of My Heart bracelet
Melody of Hope of My Heart Designs has created a beautiful Springtime Hope bracelet for one Virtual Spa Weekend reader. It is made from solid sterling silver, Swarovski crystal, and Czech druk beads and measures 7.5 inches long. To enter this contest simply leave me a comment with some way to contact you, such as a working email address. For extra entries, promote Melody's give-away link on your own site or through social media, then come back and post a new reply with a link to each promotional outlet you have posted. :)
Melody says, "I named it Springtime Hope because the little butterfly beads remind me of the new hope we have each spring with all the new life that is beginning and growing. It is a symbol of the hope we can still have even when going through infertility."
Melody officially started Hope of My Heart Designs when their oldest was about a year old. "It really started when we were in the adoption process – I wanted a bracelet to wear while I waited. People wanted bracelets just like it, and shortly after that, my business was born. I started with infertility bracelets – my hope was that women going through infertility would have a piece of jewelry they could wear that would offer them some hope. Later, I added miscarriage bracelets, adoption bracelets, and mother’s bracelets. Now, I sell a variety of jewelry, but the vast majority of it is still infertility and miscarriage bracelets."
Check back tomorrow morning for more from Melody and the story of how God changed her life through her infertility joureny.
Melody says, "I named it Springtime Hope because the little butterfly beads remind me of the new hope we have each spring with all the new life that is beginning and growing. It is a symbol of the hope we can still have even when going through infertility."
Melody officially started Hope of My Heart Designs when their oldest was about a year old. "It really started when we were in the adoption process – I wanted a bracelet to wear while I waited. People wanted bracelets just like it, and shortly after that, my business was born. I started with infertility bracelets – my hope was that women going through infertility would have a piece of jewelry they could wear that would offer them some hope. Later, I added miscarriage bracelets, adoption bracelets, and mother’s bracelets. Now, I sell a variety of jewelry, but the vast majority of it is still infertility and miscarriage bracelets."
Check back tomorrow morning for more from Melody and the story of how God changed her life through her infertility joureny.
Something Beautiful
I am pleased to share with you, my wonderful Virtual Spa Weekenders, this guest blog reflection on beauty by Carissa, who is also generously sponsoing both a Tupperware and a Lia Sopia give-away this weekend. :)
Carissa is a 29-year-old member of Hannah's Prayer who was diagnosed with PCOS in February, 2004 after a year of trying to conceive unsuccessfully. With the help of medical professionals she was able to conceive her first child, but that pregnancy sadly ended in miscarriage on April 22, 2004. Since that loss the Lord has blessed their home with 4 living miracles, 2 of which are naturally-conceive twins! Though she has been blessed abundantly, Carissa's heart remains soft for women living through the heartache of infertility and she also has a passion for helping home business women find sucess working from home through her Work at Home Marketplace website.
Can you picture the most beautiful place you have ever seen? For me it would be the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. I remember the very first time I saw those grand mountains and still remember the awe I felt as I viewed the mountains from the road.
I can only imagine what heaven will look like. To say it will be 100 times grander and more magnificent just doesn't seem to be enough.
Do you think about heaven? Do you anticipate heaven? I think sometimes I forget I am just passing through earth, my home is waiting and it is beyond the most beautiful picture I have here on earth.
My earthly body will be beautifully transformed into my heavenly body and be free from any sadness, pain or hurt. What a glorious day that will be!
Carissa is a 29-year-old member of Hannah's Prayer who was diagnosed with PCOS in February, 2004 after a year of trying to conceive unsuccessfully. With the help of medical professionals she was able to conceive her first child, but that pregnancy sadly ended in miscarriage on April 22, 2004. Since that loss the Lord has blessed their home with 4 living miracles, 2 of which are naturally-conceive twins! Though she has been blessed abundantly, Carissa's heart remains soft for women living through the heartache of infertility and she also has a passion for helping home business women find sucess working from home through her Work at Home Marketplace website.
Fit Feet
I've found a lot of my beauty tips by reading books, exploring other websites, and experimenting on my own at home. One of the most fun foot care tips I've come across is from Skin Care Recipes And Remedies. I honestly haven't even tried this one yet (because I don't currently have dry, cracked feet), but there is a claim on their website that soaking your feet in pickle juice nightly will soften and repair dry cracked feet within a matter of days! Now, I don't know if they are talking dill pickles (that would be my first guess) or sweet pickles or some other kind, and I'm not sure my hubby would think pickle juice to be the best smell as we crawled into bed (LOL), but I'm eager to give this one a try this summer, if for no other reason than it means I get to eat all those pickles just to get to the juice! You can find a great selection of other natural foot care remedies from the Skin Care Recipes site here.
For a refreshing foot soak, my favorite treats are Tea Tree Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil mixed in warm water. (Start with boiling water, add a about 3 drops of each essential oil, then cool until a comfortable temperature.) Tea Tree oil has many healing properties and is great at fighting fungal infections such as athlete's foot, while peppermint is very refreshing. Salt soaks can help releave swelling. Some like to use chopped parsley in foot soakes for their antibacterial effect and to help with circulation, while others find Lavender to be a very relaxing addition to a foot soak.
Did you know that you can search my blog by topic? When you read an article at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com and like what you see or want to know more, notice the topic links at the end of the post. Click on a link of interest to pull up all the posts I have made on that topic through the entire history of my blogging here. :) For example, you have probably already seen my video devotional on feet that launched our Spa Weekend, but if you want to know if I've ever posted anything else about "feet" then click on the label for "feet" at the end of this post. :)
For a refreshing foot soak, my favorite treats are Tea Tree Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil mixed in warm water. (Start with boiling water, add a about 3 drops of each essential oil, then cool until a comfortable temperature.) Tea Tree oil has many healing properties and is great at fighting fungal infections such as athlete's foot, while peppermint is very refreshing. Salt soaks can help releave swelling. Some like to use chopped parsley in foot soakes for their antibacterial effect and to help with circulation, while others find Lavender to be a very relaxing addition to a foot soak.
Did you know that you can search my blog by topic? When you read an article at www.InnerBeautyGirlz.com and like what you see or want to know more, notice the topic links at the end of the post. Click on a link of interest to pull up all the posts I have made on that topic through the entire history of my blogging here. :) For example, you have probably already seen my video devotional on feet that launched our Spa Weekend, but if you want to know if I've ever posted anything else about "feet" then click on the label for "feet" at the end of this post. :)
Agape
Rachelle, a member of Hannah's Prayer, really wanted to participate in our Virtual Spa Weekend. But as she owns a landscaping compnay in Canada, she couldn't think of anyting related to her business to offer as a prize. So she generously decided to gift a copy of the book The Way of Agape, Understanding God's Love by Nancy Missler to one InnerBeautyGirlz reader. To be entered to win this book, please leave a comment on this thread, including a working email address or other means of getting in touch with you should you win. For additional entries, please post this link to your website, blog or through social media outlets such as Twitter or Facebook, then come back and leave me a new comment with a link to each place you have helped spread the word about Rachelle's give-away.
Of The Way of Agape Rachelle writes, "The information in this book has absolutely changed my life and i hope whoever wins it will be touched just as deeply as i have been. In it Nancy tells us what God revealed to her from the Bible about how we can be cleansed vessels, allowing God's love, which is already in every believer in Christ, to flow through us continually. How we can give our hurts and bitterness to God permanently, and be filled with his unconditional love for people. We've probably all heard somebody say, 'Just give it to God.' and still wonder how we are really supposed to do that in a practical way in our lives. This book explains it well. I can't recommend it enough. It's changed my walk with Jesus, my marriage and relationships forever. I pray that for whoever receives it, it blesses their socks off!"
Of The Way of Agape Rachelle writes, "The information in this book has absolutely changed my life and i hope whoever wins it will be touched just as deeply as i have been. In it Nancy tells us what God revealed to her from the Bible about how we can be cleansed vessels, allowing God's love, which is already in every believer in Christ, to flow through us continually. How we can give our hurts and bitterness to God permanently, and be filled with his unconditional love for people. We've probably all heard somebody say, 'Just give it to God.' and still wonder how we are really supposed to do that in a practical way in our lives. This book explains it well. I can't recommend it enough. It's changed my walk with Jesus, my marriage and relationships forever. I pray that for whoever receives it, it blesses their socks off!"
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