One of those days...

Every once in awhile, we all reach our breaking points. 

I know you know, that point where you get SO frustrated, or feel SO hopeless, that you finally just SNAP on some one, or just break down in tears.

That was me yesterday. 

I was in tears.

My back and neck have been giving me problems daily for about 2 weeks. This is due to the spondylolisthesis. You see, I am used to experiencing pain and stiffness, however, I prefer to have one or the other bothering me. I don't deal well when it's both at once, continually. And that's what it's been like the last few weeks. And it got worse as of Friday. I've visited the chiropractor a few times, as well as got a massage, and I still haven't found the relief I am looking for.

So, yesterday was just one of those days. I was down and out and decided to let it get the best of me.

Sometimes I think about the future and if I will ever be able to carry a child, and how that will effect my back. And then my mind wanders to if I am able to carry a child, then how sad it will be to not be able to lift my child once he/she becomes a certain weight as I can't carry much extra weight due to the lack of stability in my back. Sigh.

Yesterday I was in "why me?" mode. I even called a friend to ask her to pray for me. I don't like those days. I don't like feeling sorry for myself because I know there are so many people out there fighting bigger issues than mine. Thankfully she reminded me it's OKAY to have those days. That this is MY trial. And it is sucky, and it is hard. And that she wished she could take the pain away. Talking to her made me feel better immediately. Thanks J <3

After my talk with her I took a quick one mile walk to enjoy the cooler weather, and take a moment to reflect and get myself together. I talked to God and reminded him how much I loved him, even when I sometimes question 'why me'. I know why me, because somehow, through spondylolisthesis, I am bringing glory to His name. And that's what it is all about.

I also know that miracles happen every day. And that if it was God's will to heal my back, I could wake up tomorrow completely healed. And if not, one day, in eternity, I will be healed regardless.

"O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone." Jeremiah 17:14

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

Linking up this week again for whatever Wednesday.

Today is a new day, and for that I am so thankful, and blessed.

Black Friday + Shine

How many of you decided to venture out on Black Friday?

 

.photo credit.

It's a SCARY place out there.

But, my best friend and I ventured out. We do every year. It's a fun tradition we have. Sometimes my room mate goes with us, and sometimes she meets up with us. Sadly, we all forgot to snap a picture this year. Sigh. Sometimes I fail horribly at blogging as there is SO much I want to share, but forget to take photo's (which make it THAT much better) for.

My friend and I were not loving all the open even earlier thing; in some places they were even opening ON Thanksgiving Day, Black Thursday anyone? Ugh, no thank you. While my roomie went out around 8pm and stayed out until we all got in at 9am, my bestie and I didn't venture out until our usual time of 3:30am. This year was so strange as the crowds just weren't there. I guess they were all out earlier! We even ventured to Walmart around 7:30am and there was NO crowd. We parked up front AND checked out when no one was there. REALLY?! We NEVER venture to Walmart as it's usually too scary. Not this year.

I had to use extreme will power to pass up on buying an entire new wardrobe for super cheap at JCP. BUT, I knew that I had a mission and family/friends to buy for, plus I am sponsoring a family + 2 other kids for Christmas this year. I focused on that, and it was a good shopping day. YAY!

NOW, have you heard some of the horror stories from Black Friday? Ugh. They make me sick.

.photo credit.

NOTHING is worth shooting, pepper spraying, or fighting your way to. Really people? COME ON.  If you want to read about some of the Black Friday madness, click here.

'Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.' Luke 6:31 NIV

'Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.' Mark 12:31 NIV

'But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.' Luke 6:35 NIV

Hopefully next year will be better, but unfortunately the violence seems to continue yearly. In 2008 someone was killed at a Walmart on Black Friday. SO TRAGIC.

On a brighter note, when I texted my friend and said "ugh, 3am, I want to go back to sleep" she told me I should be like the Target Black Friday lady to which I told my husband (because I never watch commercials and didn't know what she was talking about). HE DID. He almost spit out the cinnamon roll he was eating because he started laughing, ran down the hall to grab his droid, and brought it back so he could show me the Target lady.

 

.photo credit.

OH MY GOODNESS. LAUGHED SO HARD. If you want to see more, search Crazy Target Lady Black Friday. HAHA.

OH!! If you are still looking to shop, head on over to The Shine Project as Ashley just released her new Shine shirts yesterday. I WILL BE GETTING ONE SOON! Just got to budget it in :) I am swooning though. My favorite quote on a beautiful yellow shirt?! HELLO! Size L here I come!!! And the best part of all? It's $20 that goes to an amazing cause.

Did any of you find any amazing sales between Black Friday & Cyber Monday? Do share.

Catching up on a Monday morning

HELLO FRIENDS! <3

As you can see, I am back! I hope you enjoyed last week's guest posts! Thank you to DaisyJo, Noelani, Erin, Sara, Ashley, Jen, & Kaelah for sharing some things they are thankful for. If you missed it (hey, I understand just how busy life can get) feel free to scroll back through last weeks posts, they ran from Sunday November 20th - Saturday the 26th. These ladies truly are beautiful souls, and I know if you take a minute to visit any of their blogs, you will walk away with inspiration. 

As for me you ask? Let me give you a quick update on the weeks events. I was off from Tuesday-Saturday! WOW! I know. Thankfully I've worked in the field long enough to know we get slow during Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I am able to prepare. My husband was also off from Tuesday-today so we were very blessed to have all that time off together. I have some exciting things happening in my life right now that I am not 100% ready to share, but hope to be able to by the end of this week (and no, i am NOT pregnant!)

The stuff I can share?

Tuesday - my husband and I took an impromptu trip to the Apple store which is about a 30-40 minute drive to another city. We don't have any in our city. By impromptu I mean I checked the apple site for a genius bar appointment at 6:30pm, saw they had one available for 8:10pm, and booked it. You see, my Ipod Touch has been giving me issues for a few months now (sigh) I really think it's something wrong with our laptop moreso than the Ipod itself, but nonetheless, we ventured out this time with laptop in hand as well. We visited the Apple store a few months ago with the same problem but without our laptop in hand. At that time, they were able to restore my Touch and send us on our way. Get home, plug it in to our laptop, started having the same issues (sigh). SO, we went back (a few months later, I am slow!) My Touch is almost a year old so I figured I better get back quick while it's still under warranty. Sure enough, they had issues as well, and were seeing errors they'd never seen before (just my luck, LOL!) so they just gave me a brand new Ipod. YAY! While it should be working properly, instead of creating a whole new account, I tried to resync it with my old stuff, and now it's quirky again (hence why I believe it's moreso an issue with our non mac laptop). 

Wednesday - For the first time ever, I volunteered with VISTE. I also recruited two friends of mine who'd never volunteered with VISTE before either. We were told to show up at a certain location at 3:30pm to receive turkey dinners to take to the elderly across our city. There were 1300 being served. They had an AMAZING turnout and actually had more than enough volunteers (what a blessing!) and most bags were already grabbed up by 4pm. My friends and I received one of the last few bags. We had all intentions of taking on two families so we could each head our separately since we had two vehicles but they were so low on bags, we all took on one family of three so we could allow others the opportunity to serve as well. We are supposed to stay and visit with the family for awhile, however, our family, while very grateful, did not want to invite us in to socialize, and we didn't want to badger them, so we left after handing over the bags of food and confirming that they didn't want us to hang out for awhile.

tons of bags

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day! YAY! Always a fun day with many loved ones I don't get to see on a daily basis. Usually my husband and I have about three stops to make (his family, my family, and our EA (emotionally adopted) family. This year due to timing conflicts we were only able to attend his family and mine's dinner. This saddened us a bit, but we are so grateful for the time we got with each family we visited. We started the day off early (which meant getting up earlier than usual to cook!) at Medard Park. This was something totally new to us. His family decided instead of meeting at Granny's house, we'd meet at a park. This meant no TV's for football, no couches to nap in, and no microwave or stove/oven to reheat food. BUT, it also meant more time to spend with nature and it WAS a beautiful day out! I was sure to take a blanket so we could eat picnic style. It was so different, but still fun. The most important part was just being with family and friends. After that we swooped up a friend of mine and headed to  my families house for our second stop that day. I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate with this family as they are new to us. My Nanny was 100% puerto rican, making my dad 50%, and me a quarter. My Nanny never taught my dad Spanish, so when she passed, it was very hard for my dad to find a way to communicate with her family. He attempted many calls that always failed as they didn't speak English, and he didn't speak Spanish. Finally, one day, by the grace of God, he called and a cousin who spoke English happened to be there!!! And coincidentally, the cousin lived within a short 45 minute drive from us!!! We found out the cousin had also been looking for my dad for years, he'd even went to my dad's hometown looking for him, and found that the former address had long been torn down. How amazing to know that while my dad was looking for him, he was also being looked for. That was about 5 years ago. We've been so blessed to be a part of each others lives now. :) Another cool thing this Thanksgiving was it was the first year I ever heard my Dad pray before we ate. As I've mentioned before, I didn't grow up in a religious home, so it's so cool to see my Dad growing in faith right along with me.

Friday - Black Friday Shopping. Need I say more?! Seriously, it's a tradition with my best friend and I. We are not too fond of the BF sales starting earlier and earlier though. We still stuck to our old routine of getting up around 3, being out the door by 330 to hit the stores that usually open at 4am. This year was so different. Because of so many stores opening way earlier, when we were out from 4-9am, we didn't have any issues with traffic, parking, lines, etc. IT WAS SO WEIRD! We even ventured to Walmart, which we never brave and were the only people at the register we checked out at! I do know that as the day went on, the stores became more crowded because when I went out at lunch time, it was crazy!

Saturday - The husband, roomie and I enjoyed a breakfast buffet and some shopping in another city before coming home to host a little get together for the Florida rivalry game, Florida VS Florida State. Good stuff. Our team lost, but that's okay. Boy oh boy do we miss Tim Tebow.

Sunday - consisted of my usual, church followed by work. And Walking Dead with the hubby :) <3

Side note: I tried to counteract all the extra calories I was eating with some walking. I didn't hit the gym as my back and neck have been bothering me this week. :( BUT, I did walk almost every day, and for that I am happy because it is 100% better than doing nothing at all.

So there you have it! That's what was happening in my life this week. I hope you enjoyed any additional days off you may have had, and that you got to spend the holiday with loved ones.

Don't forget about my GIVEAWAY You have until Wednesday December 7th to enter. If you haven't read the poem/message the doll comes with, it's a must to understand the doll. This is an adorable gift for a little girl this season, or ANYONE in need of a bit of inspiration, or a daily reminder of how we are each wonderfully made.

Week of Thankfulness: Little Chief Honeybee

I have Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee here wrapping up my week of Thankfulness. And I have to say, I couldn't be happier. I was ecstatic when she agreed to guest post this week as I was fully expecting a no (and that would have been fine) because I know she is such a busy woman! She's working on making her honeybean dream come true, as well as she just published her first ever ebook last week. Oh, and did I mention she is also planning a wedding? I don't know where she finds enough time to do it all. But she does. And she does it all well. Kaelah is such a doll! I simply adore her. She may be a 'mainstream' blogger, but she's never left a question via twitter, or email unanswered. She makes time for every single one of her followers(all 5000+), and that is admirable. If you've never seen Kaelah's blog before, I highly recommend you take a second today to stop by and say hello! It's full of awesome giveaways (she's giving away a Ukelele this month), fashion, DIY, wedding stuff, and tons of inspiration for those seeking to be a small business owner. Rock on Kaelah!


Side note: The Thankful Thursday  link up is still open through Wednesday night. I'd love to hear what YOU are thankful for :)

Another note: I posted an interesting giveaway a few days ago. I hope you will take a minute to check it out.

And now, the last guest blogger of the week of Thankfulness: Say hi to Kaelah! :)

*****

Hello Belle readers! Kaelah Bee here from Little Chief Honeybee! I was tickled when Heather asked me if I'd like to partake in her Thanksgiving guest series as it's such a wonderful time of year to reflect back on everything we each have to be so very grateful for. Heather has been such a gem in the blogging world and I'm so thankful to know her. She's been a true friend and it wouldn't be the same without her! I won't lie, I often take for granted many of the blessings I have simply without realizing it. I shouldn't wait until this time of year to pause and reflect on all of them but it's something I'm striving to remedy!

This year has been such a blessed year in my life. To actually take the time to look back on all of it, I'm in absolute awe. I've taken roadtrips with my favorite people, gotten engaged, moved into our new home, spent every day cuddling my sweet pups, dreamt up and opened my mobile boutique store, wrote and launched an ebook, met a million (so it seems!) awesome people via blogging, started planning a wedding, and taken a substantial step toward a completely self-employed life. All of this has happened in a matter of months.

got engaged

sweet puppies

Honeybean Dream

There have been bad times, too, but it's because of those less-than-stellar days I am able to truly relish in the wonderful. We're happy, we're healthy, and we're surrounded by so many people who brighten our days. I'm so very thankful for all of my blog readers and friends. Without them I wouldn't have the confidence I do about building my dream!

Week of Thankfulness: Jennifer March

Hi Friends! I really hope you are enjoying this week of Thankfulness, via guest bloggers. I am loving reading various things some of my favorite ladies are thankful for. There are currently two days left, today, and tomorrow. Today I have Jennifer March here for you. I found her blog a few months back and her about me section quickly reeled me in. Here's the blurb that got me:

Lately I have spent a lot of time wondering what I could do to make a difference in the world. I've decided to start exploring my options and taking action.  I believe that everyone can make a difference if they are willing. And if we add up all the "small," individual differences we all make, we can create a HUGE change for the better.
You can see my inspiration and support tabs for more on exactly what it is I am doing.


Just like that, I was hooked. The blogging community has brought me closer to so many woman who share my exact passions, and for that I am so thankful. I am honored to have Jen guest post today, so, here we go! I got teary reading this, and I know you will too.

Before we get started, I am participating in a followers fest this weekend, you should check it out! maybe you will find a new blog that interests you :)

 

And now, here's Jen!

*****

Three months ago, a doctor sat me and my sister down in my dad's hospital room, and explained to us how bad things were. Which we already knew. He explained all of the possible outcomes, none of which were good. We heard things like "late stages of cancer, possible permanent brain damage," a "long road ahead," and there were so many unanswered questions too.

This summer my dad got sick, and twice was turned away from the local hospital. They told him it was just headaches and gave him extra strength tylenol. One day I came home and he looked like he was about to die. I knew this wasn't 'just headaches.' I had my brother take him to the hospital in Boston, and they almost sent him home at 3:00 that morning with the same diagnosis. But then a different doctor happened to take a second look at the brain scan and noticed some fluid around his brain. By the time they diagnosed him with cryptococcal meningitis days later, he was barely hanging on.

I remember the first day he was in the hospital, he was able to call and talk to me. He was still okay. Then just days later he couldn't speak anymore. He didn't know who anyone was. His whole body was shaking violently including even his jaw. He couldn't eat and was withering away in the hospital bed. They had found it too late. They didn't know why he had gotten it. To get this type of fungal meningitis, you have to have something serious wrong with you already, which is why they were doing full body scans every day to check for cancer.

Just a week before this, my dad and I had been in New Hampshire together. On the jetski, and at a craft fair. Just me and him enjoying ourselves and having good conversation and being out on lake. Talk about my world being rocked. 

shortly before it all happened

I spent lots of time on my bedroom floor crying so hard I'd make myself sick. I begged and pleaded with God not to take my dad. Especially not this fast. How could this happen ?
I thought about everything I would miss. I thought about how much I love him. I thought about how many things I wouldn't know how to do- 2 houses to take care of, our dogs, all his cars, all his possessions, what would I do with everything? How would I even function after losing the best dad in the world, this man I love so much?

So what am I especially thankful for this Thanksgiving and Holiday season?

That my dad is alive. He's home now, and he's walking and talking and back to work. I'm thankful for miracles. I'm thankful that God lifted me up as he watched me crying on the floor. I'm glad he gave me blessings during it that got me through it. I'm thankful for all the people who sent prayers. I'm thankful that my dad's doctors looked like they were seeing a ghost the fist time he walked in for a checkup. The same doctors who had to tell us that he wasn't going to come out alive, or at least without brain damage and other effects. I'm thankful he's getting a second chance at life.

I'm thankful we can go skiing together again this winter.

I'm thankful every time a text message from him pops up on my phone. Because when I was sitting in that hospital I was thinking about how the last time those things had occurred I hadn't realized they'd never happen again. Luckily that wasn't the case but now I know not to take anything for granted.

This holiday season, and every day, be thankful for your loved ones. Give them extra hugs, tell them you love them.. take some time out of your day to call them. Because we don't always think about how it can happen to us, but I am here to tell you that we really can lose them in the blink of an eye. In this instance I was very lucky, but it doesn't always work out like that.

Week of Thankfulness: The Shine Project

I am so thrilled that Ashley from The Shine Project agreed to guest post on my blog for my week of Thankfulness project. When I stumbled upon Ashley's blog a few weeks back, I felt like I had met a soul sister! I even emailed her shortly after to tell her how inspired I was by her! We share so many of the same passions. Her heart is SO big and beautiful (as is she!). Even her header has my favorite quote, 'you must be the change you wish to see.' She gets that. And she is changing the world! I'm excited she is here today to share her project with you! Be sure to swing by her blog and say hello when you are done reading!

Side note: I posted my Thankful Thursday Link Up at midnight. Be sure to scroll down and read and link up if you'd like! I love reading your entries.

Another note: I posted an interesting giveaway a few days ago. I hope you will take a minute to check it out.

And now, enjoy Ashley's post!

*****

My name Ashley, and I blog over at The Shine Project.

I'm grateful that Heather asked me to write about what I'm thankful for today...

I work with inner city high school students, and put together fundraisers to raise money to send them to college. I'm going through the process of turning The Shine Project into a non-profit,

and its' HARD, and emotional, and tiring. But I know that I need to do it to change the lives of thousands of people who need some extra love.

As I've worked with these students, I've learned a lot about love, life, and gratitude.

Most of them have nothing.

Most of them have parents in jail, work to support their families, and live in poverty.

Most of them will be the first people in their family to graduate high school,

and go to college.

They are grateful for the little things, because they know what it's like to not have a lot.

Last week, a student that I taught died in a car accident.

It's been devastating.

I can't put the pain into words. And the kids are heartbroken.

It puts life in perspective, and makes you realize that you have so much.

I'm grateful for my life.

For my faith.

For my husband Mike who gives me more love than I even knew existed.

For my readers who help me raise thousands of dollars,

and sacrifice to do so.

I'm grateful for a God who knows each of us, and never leaves us alone.

I'm grateful for miracles;

the ones I've seen this year, and the ones I know are coming.

And I'm grateful for these kids:

Who have added more meaning and perspective into my life than I have ever had before.

Give thanks today, and always.

I'd love to meet you over HERE on my side of the web.

xoxoxo,

Ashley

Thankful Thursday V3.4

♥ Happy Thanksgiving, Friends ♥

If you've never linked up with my Thankful Thursday posts, what better week to link up than the week OF Thanksgiving? And how perfect that Thanksgiving is a Thursday anyways. Feel free to grab a button (or not) and link up. I can't wait to read all the things you have to be thankful for now, and everyday.

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Usually when I do my weekly link up, I give things that I am thankful for that particular week, or whatever is going on at the time. This week, I am sticking to basics (which are very, very important to me).

I am thankful for:

♥ the comfort I have in Christ. Through him, ALL things ARE possible. He will always be there for me. And he is always just a prayer away.

♥ My Parents.

Daddy <3

Mommy <3 When I look to the sky, I know you are there.

♥ My Amazing Family. Every single one of them. I wish I could post a picture of ALL of them, but, obviously I can't, SO, I'll post a picture of my cousin and sister whom I am closest with.

Sisterly Love <3

Cousin Kristy, Kidney for Kristy <3

♥ The best friends a gal could ask for.

♥ My sweet doggies who love to cuddle up to me, 24/7 if I'd allow it.

♥ My thankful for this week specific? That I was able to volunteer with Viste and deliver some turkey dinner(s) to an elderly family in need. I'd never done it before this year.

TONS of bags. 1200 elderly in need in our community

My friend David & I

My friend Melissa decided to get her daughter involved at a young age :)

♥ also very thankful for this blog, and all the beautiful souls I've met through it!

Truly, I am thankful to just be alive. I am thankful for each day that the good Lord gives me. I truly, truly am blessed. And I do my best to give thanks daily for that.

NOTE: Please check back later today as I have another guest post scheduled. Ashley from The Shine Project will be sharing some of the stuff she is thankful for, as I continue my week of Thankfulness from guest bloggers.

Week of Thankfulness: The Traveling PhoBlogWriPher

Sara over at The Traveling PhoBlogWriPher (is that not the coolest blog name?) and I first started bonding over the fact that we are both married to guitar playing men who happen to share the same first and last name. How random, yet cool is that? Sara has an amazing heart and picks one charity a month to donate a part of her proceeds from  photography to, and in October she chose to help me raise money for my cousin's kidney transplant and donated her proceeds to Kidney for Kristy (THANK YOU!). I can't wait for you to hear her plans for the next year, so exciting! Be sure to swing on over to her blog and say hello. After hearing her plans for the next year, you may just want to start following her on this journey! <3


Note: I posted a giveaway late last night/early this morning. Be sure to check it out, it packs a powerful message for kids and adults a like.

Another Note: Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow is Thursday, and being it will be Thanksgiving Day, what better day to participate in my weekly link up, Thankful Thursdays? I can't wait to hear what you all are thankful about.

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Now, without further distractions, let's give a warm welcome to Sara :)

*****

I am thankful for so many things- my husband, my family, my job, the very breath I breathe- but one thing I think about every day is how blessed I am with the travel opportunity I've been given. 

Last year I sheepishly told my husband about a dream I'd had for a few years. I wanted to travel all over the U.S. in an RV, writing novels in various cities and towns. Not only did he not laugh at me, he embraced the idea himself and fell in love with it. 

We talked about it and researched it and eventually decided we needed to buy it and move into it now so we could be saving our money and have a good emergency savings backed up for when we left. 

A few days later we pulled $500 out of savings and bought ourselves a 1973 Winnebago Brave. 

We sold or gave away over 90% of our belongings and moved into it just over a month later. It cut our rent and utilities bills in half each month and we've been settling our debts and building our savings since then. 

I have never considered myself to be an overly materialistic person, but I guess at the end of the day we all are, just a little. Even still, the prospect of traveling all over the U.S. with my sweet husband at my side made it all feel just fine.

Getting rid of my material items was no big deal. Moving into something about 1/16th the size I lived in at the time was no big deal. Looking like a crazy white trash loon was also (basically) no big deal.

My only real concern was telling our families. 

Our families were miraculously incredibly supportive. The two people we were most concerned about were quite possibly the most supportive. (I'm super thankful for that too)

We have also saved so much money on rent that we can easily afford to do things we never thought we'd be able to. Just since moving into the Winne in June, we've visited Nevada, Utah and New Mexico... and we also have a Texas and Minnesota trip in the works before we hit the road full-time next summer.

I am thankful for the support of my husband and family, for the awesome new blog-friends I've met this past year, and also for the opportunities we've already been presented with and will continue to be presented with... but most of all, I'm thankful for how happy my life is right now. 

I have changed my perspective on life so much along the way. I don't care about the little things any more. I don't care about material things or inconvenience versus luxuries. 

I care about living out my dreams. I care about being a good person (we plan to help people in every state we visit) and about placing my focus in life on the things that matter most. I feel pride in myself and my actions now instead of feeling pride for my home (although there might be something wrong with me if I were incredibly prideful of the Winne) or my car. 

I choose life, love and happiness every single day. 

I have so, so much to be thankful for this year and I praise God for that. 

Thank you for reading my story! I hope it brightened your day a little and reminded you that you have a lot to be thankful for too.

=]

Backwards Doll Giveaway

*Giveaway has ended*

I am excited to bring to you a giveaway of one Backwards Doll. What exactly is that, you ask? A doll that packs a powerful message that I want to share with one lucky reader of Brown Eyed Bell(e). This could be a unique gift for a little girl, or someone that just needs an every day reminder than none of us are made perfect. I am going to share the poem that comes with each doll, however please keep in mind I had to get permission to republish this poem. Please do not copy it. The story behind this doll is actually that it was being made as a fundraiser to help raise funds at a local church. Upon making a few, it was discovered that in the process the feet were accidentally sewn on backwards (oops) but they decided they liked it since none of us are perfect either, so it stuck. And everyone seemed to like as many were ordered to help raise funds.

The Backward Doll

It was a grand and glorious day

And all the rag dolls in fine array

Stood side by side upon the shelves

And began to inspect and admire themselves.

That's when it started - giggles here - and laughter there.

Then they all broke down and stared

And pointed to a little doll

Who didn't understand it at all.

She stood in the corner all by herself

While the other dolls along the shelf

Laughed and pointed and said "Hey, don't you know?

That you can't look down and see your toes?"

"Oh, no," she said, with great surprise -

As the tears dropped from her big round eyes -

"How, did this ever come to be?

And why oh why did it happen to me?"

"No one will ever want me", she sighed.

"No child would love you!" the others replied.

"Why, your feet are on backward - they're on the wrong way.

No one will ever take  you out to play."

"You will have to sit here on the shelf.

You'll have to play all by yourself. 

You can not come when we go for a walk."

Then the others turned and began to walk.

"You are not perfect! You must stay here!"

"Please let  me come", she said in her tears.

"I'll be good and I'll be kind -

Please, oh please, don't leave me behind."

Her pleadings ignored - the others left.

And the little backward doll was so bereft.

She sat on her shelf, sad and alone.

Then she heard someone say in a gentle tone.

"The baby is crying - let's give her this doll.

I don't think she will mind at all.

The dolls feet are backward - they point the wrong way!

But maybe she will play with it today."

The child took the doll and held it tight

And loved and caressed it with all her might. 

Then someone said, "she thinks it's sweet.

I guess she doesn't mind about the dolls feet."

The story of the backward doll

Reminds us how we had no hope at all.

Till Jesus took us off our shelves
Where we were sitting by ourselves.

And we were all backward, flawed by our sin

But that's when the love of our Savior came in.

We may not understand his love so pure and free!

We still are not perfect - just forgiven, you see.

Written By: Sandra Catlin

Plant City, Florida

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR REPRINTED WITHOUT AUTHORS PERMISSION

Doll Handmade By:

Sue Morris

Amherst, Virgina

Please email me if you'd like ordering info. browneyedbellblog at yahoo dot com

WAYS TO ENTER

You can enter now (Wednesday November 23rd) through Wednesday Decemeber 7th. Winner will be announced Thursday December 8th)

As for the (many) ways to enter:
1. Become a follower of Brown Eyed Bell(e) with Google Friend Connect. To do so, you can click JOIN THIS SITE on the left hand side of the screen and follow it with your google/blogger, twitter, yahoo, or AIM login info) and then leave a comment below letting me know you are following me. NOTE: If you are already a follower, just leave a comment letting me know. That is your entry. You MUST do this entry first in order to be eligible for other entries.

You can also earn other entries by doing the following:
2. become a follower of my pet blog http://www.4paws4love.com
3. update your status on facebook with the link sending people here to this contest
4. LIKE Brown Eyed Bell(e) on facebook
5. LIKE 4Paws4Love on facebook
6. LIKE Kidney for Kristy on facebook
7. blog about this contest, with a link sending people here
8. tweet about this contest, with a link sending people here. If you do so please use the following tweet: @heatherlc02 from Brown Eyed Bell(e) is giving away one backwards doll. Check it out!
http://browneyedbell.blogspot.com/2011/11/backwards-doll-giveaway.html


In order to qualify PLEASE remember to leave a separate comment for each entry that you do.


That's EIGHT ways you can enter!! :)

GOOD LUCK FRIENDS :)

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when you enter, please use a name because if I have 10 anonymous entries, and 1 wins, it will be hard to narrow the winner down if no email was provided.

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Week of Thankfulness: Captivated by Grace

One of the 1st bloggers that came to mind when I decided to have guest bloggers for my week of Thankfulness was Erin over at Captivated by Grace. I came across her blog within the last few months (I don't even remember how I made it there, God surely led me) and it was quickly a favorite. Her bubbly personality really shines through on her pages, especially in those quirky singing in the car videos she posts every so often. :) I absolutely adore Erin, and her inspirational writing. I've told her many times she needs to write a women's devotional book, and I mean it. I'd totally buy it. I am so happy she agreed to guest post this week, and I hope you all will take time to visit her blog, and say hello!

I'm linking up today as well

*****

[Captivated by Grace]     

Hello beautiful readers of Brown Eyed Bell(e)! 

I was over the moon when a woman as inspiring and beautiful as Heather, 

asked me to guest post on her amazing blog today!

The topic of this week: Thankfulness.

This is what I am thankful for today...

Grace.

[undeserved love from God]

     There is nothing more amazing and powerful than the grace of God.  

I have been a sinner from the moment I was born into this world. 

And guess what? 

God has loved me. 

Throughout my life, I continue to sin.

 It is part of my make up. It is a part of who we are.

But God loves us anyways. 

I have not done anything to deserve a love so beautiful and so life-changing.

But God has sought me out, sought you out, and He has loved us. 

He does love us. 

He will always love us. 

I am thankful for the peace that comes with grace. 

I know that no matter what happens in life, 

and no matter how many times we may let Him down,

God is always going to love us. He will never leave us or forsake us.

There is nothing too big, too terrible, for God's grace.

He will love us no matter what.

This gift from God encourages me to share grace with others.

It is through God's example, that I know what it means to love.

I want to love people deeply. 

I want to show them mercy and compassion.

I want to show them grace.

I want to live out grace.

Today I am thankful for the gift of grace.

God has blessed us with the greatest peace and love that we could ever know.

I know that His love for us will stand the test of time.

He will love us now and for all of time.

With that, I am thankful.

I am at peace.

I am captivated by His grace.