I heart you!

 1 Corinthians 13: 4
" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. "


This is the first verse of one of the most famous passages in the Bible about love. It is one of my favorite verses. I have some very personal reasons why I love it. I'm certainly not alone, though, because I'm sure it's one of the most read passages at wedding services around the globe. Let's stop and think about this verse in a different way today. A few years ago, I attended a women's conference at my church and one of the speakers used these verses in her talk. It really was profound what she said about them. Basically, she told us to substitute our name (ie. Michelle) for the word love; like this, " Michelle is patient, Michelle is kind. Michelle does not envy, Michelle does not boast, Michelle is not proud. "  Uh oh...I might be in a bit of trouble here!!! Lord, forgive me when I don't reflect you in my life. If I reflect you, then I am truly reflecting love. You, Lord, are love. Help me to be more like you, Lord, in all things, everyday. Amen.

I have love on the brain today. I'm just coming down from my last weekend high. I was high on love. I was pampered on Saturday morning, got to see my daughter perform in a chorale festival in the afternoon, and then after dropping the children at my parents house (thank you Mom and Dad!!), my husband and I zoomed off to the eastern shore to attend the charity event for my BIL, and then off to a wonderful hotel on the beach for the night (and of course there was delicious food, I LOVE me some food!!). Such a nice weekend, so full of love! Well, now I'm home unpacking again (yuck!). But that's ok, because Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air!

Here are some things I'm thinking about for a fun Valentine's Day...

- Brownies! You can't go wrong with chocolate. I've made 2 pans of brownies in the past 2 weeks (and I've eaten most of them myself). Here's a great recipe I've been using.

Tori's Brownies

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter                   1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cups shortening           1 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup cocoa                   1/2 tsp salt

2 cups sugar                      

4 eggs beaten

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350*

Cream butter, shortening, cocoa, and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla beat in until blended. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Carefully add dry ingredients to wet and mix until blended. Spread onto greased jelly roll pan. Bake 30-35 minutes.

Icing

1/4 cup butter

5 tbsp cocoa

1/4 cup milk 

2 cups powdered sugar 

1 tsp vanilla

 Melt butter add cocoa. Stir in milk and sugar (alternating). Remove from heat, add vanilla. Pour over warm brownies. Let set, and EAT! Yummy!!

-Hearts on doors. I saw this cute idea on FB yesterday. I heart it!! What a fun way to decorate and build up your kiddos (or get romantic with your hubby!). Every day, starting February 1st, put a heart note on the door of your kids rooms with some of the many things you love about them. So cute!

Image is from this website (and idea for that matter!)
Skip To My Lou

I'm still on the lookout for more fun Valentine's Day ideas. I hope you heart these!! Let me know if you have a fun Valentine tradition at your house. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to share them with you. 

I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Fight, fight, fight!!!

Ephesians 6: 12
" For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. "


This weekend I, again, had the privilege of watching my brother-in-law take on ALS, head first. Almost literally this time because his charity, Ten Mile Miracle, held it's 3rd annual fundraiser, a Pro Wrestling event, Body Slamming ALS; and Tim, who has now been diagnosed with ALS for over 3 years, participated in the "Battle Royale" and was victorious!! Tim had a bit of an unfair advantage, though, he was victorious before he even got into the ring. His battle was already won, when our Lord and Savior died for him on the cross. Tim is a believing Christian. It is with this faith and assurance in victory, that Tim is beating the odds and able to raise awareness and money for his local ALS charity, Ten Mile Miracle. Tim's battle was won 2000 years ago, as was mine, and anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. It so simple, pray right now. Know that God loves you. Confess your sins, ask for forgiveness. Believe that through Christ we are saved, and receive Him into your heart. I pray that today, you can claim victory through Christ.  

Here are some pics from last weekends, " Body Slamming ALS" event.

Here's a link to a great article by,Delaware Online.
(Photo by Steve Bernard)

Did I mention the famous WWE/WWF Hall of Famer, Tito Santana, was there!!
Here's Tito and Tim!
(Photo by Steve Bernard)

...and this was Saturday!!!

My SIL's and me. This was 1995...

It was also a chance for my handsome husband and me to take have a little overnight trip. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, but who needs sunshine when you have good food??

Brunch at our hotel
We stayed at the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, it was wonderful!

This was mine...

Eggs Benedict, but served on a fillet of fish!!
Yum!!

If you'd like to make a donation to help those who are fighting their own battle with ALS, I encourage you to click on this link here, Ten Mile Miracle . ALL (100%) of the proceeds from these fundraisers go directly to helping provide for the immediate care of people in the Delmarva region suffering with this disease. Thank you for your support!

Have a blessed Tuesday!!

The skin I'm in

Psalm 104: 15
"wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine and bread, that sustains their hearts."


Psalm 104 begins and ends with these words, " Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord. "  The verses in between, lists blessings and things that we are to praise and thank Him for. Some of these blessings I take for granted, for instance: " He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. ", I hadn't recently thanked God that Earth hasn't broken free from it's gravitational pull and started floating around in outer space. Have you?? There are so many blessings that we are surrounded with every day. Take a few minutes today to try to think of a few that you maybe even haven't thought of before. Like, "Thank you, Lord, that I only have to go to my neighborhood grocery store to get the food that I need for my family". Or, "Thank you, Lord, that my husband put gas in my van, so I can run the kids to school."  We are completely surrounded by blessings!! Look around you, and then do this: "Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord"!!!

A friend of mine started selling Rodan + Fields products in August. She is quite the sales person. She also is one of those people that is brutally honest, and doesn't have a filter. She wears her heart on her sleeve for sure, and she certainly has NO filter for her mouth! Because of this, though, when she believes in something, you have to believe her. Not only that, I have noticed changes in her complexion and, most recently, her eyelashes. I know it's because of these products. So, I took the plunge. I am now using Rodan + Fields products for myself (read "Ask her Grandma..." and you'll understand why!). I am using the Redefine regimen, and I love it! I feel it's purposeful skin care. Rodan + Fields was developed by 2 well renowned female doctors,  Doctors Rodan and Fields, of course! These same 2 doctors developed Proactiv. If you watch television, you've probably seen the commercials thousands of times. However, they wanted to develop an even better line of skincare for women (and men), like me. And they have. Originally sold in upscale department stores, they decided that women were hearing about these products more by word of mouth. So, Rodan + Fields hit the direct sales market, and women like me are not only becoming more confident and beautiful in their own skin, but they are becoming successful businesswomen as well.

My first time using Refine!!

Please join me in using these terrific products. Click on this link, https://shelleg.myrandf.com , and use the "Solution Tool" to find out what regimen will work best for you. All of these products offer a 60 day money back guarantee, so there is absolutely no risk. More importantly you are only risking delaying your best skin ever, by not trying these products. Just as a disclaimer, you know I don't usually write about things that I am selling. Quite honestly, I have never profited from writing this blog, so you know I must believe that what I'm telling you, I truly believe myself.

I pray you have a beautiful Thursday. And remember, "Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord" , in everything, today and tomorrow, too. 

My jeans shrunk!

Hebrews 10: 39
" But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed , but to those who have faith and are saved. "


Perseverance is what this chapter in Hebrews is all about. You certainly don't want to be shrinking back in your faith, falling back into sin. Being destroyed doesn't sound like fun at all!! And so, we are to persevere! Paul also tells us "spur one another on in love and good deeds" (vs. 24). Paying it forward in faith and love, so to speak. I think that is something we should persevere in, loving and serving one another. Our promise is sure, we are saved by faith. Amen!!

I wish I could be more perseverant in my diet and exercise regimen, that's for sure. The only thing that has been shrinking around here, unfortunately, are my jeans!! At least I hope they are shrinking, otherwise I'm expanding!! I still don't have a scale, so I truly don't know for sure if I've gained a few pounds (or more!). But, I'm pretty sure by the way my pants are fitting that I probably have...wah, wah, waaahhh. Now that I'm 50, I really need to start putting my health and well-being nearer to the top of my very loonnnggg list. So, today's the day. I think we're pretty much done with the seasonal parties; I'm getting back on track. The simple thing that I started to do today, was to drink more water. I find that in these winter months, while I'm stuck inside, I tend to snack a lot. So, while I'm tempted to put those last few Christmas cookies in my mouth, I've decided to opt for my straw instead. And...I also decided to look good doing it, lol! I thought I'd be a lot more motivated, if my cup matched my outfit (I'm just weird that way, but hey, whatever helps you to persevere!!).

Here's my fabulous cup and my matching sweater!!!

I picked up that great anchor tumbler at my favorite local retailer, The Pink Silhouette, a couple of summers ago. You can pick up a terrific tumbler practically anywhere: the grocery store, the card shop, TJ Maxx, Target,Walmart, etc...  And, my "whaley" cute sweater, my hubby bought for me for my birthday from Talbots., they are currently having a "Extra"50% off sweater sale, through Sunday. I may need another cute sweater!!

Today, I pray you persevere in your walk, in your faith and in this life, for the promise is ours in Jesus!

 Have a wonderful Thursday.

My plans

Isaiah 55: 8
"  'For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, ' declares the Lord. "


Ain't that the truth!!! I think back to a project I made in elementary school where the teacher had us make a timeline of our lives. The good news is that in the last square of my timeline I'm an angel in heaven (whew!). The bad news for any of my children after my 2nd....not there, wasn't in my plan. In my highschool yearbook, I wrote in my senior write up that I was going to go to college and then I was going to be rich. I did go to college, but rich...not so much.  That was a good plan, wasn't it?? Oh Lord, I have had some pretty good plans in my 50 years of living. Why aren't my plans your plans? In my favorite Christian song, one of the lines is, " Sometimes I gotta stop, remember that you're God, and I am not". It's just that simple. I know I try to make sense of all the twists and turns that my life has taken. Most of the bad decisions have been through my impatience with God. If I stop trying to fix things and let God be God, somehow his plans will work for good. "God is good all the time; and all the time, God is good" ! Thank you, Lord, that even when I get in the way, your ways are meant for good. Today, tomorrow, and always let your ways be my ways. Help me to be submissive to you, even when I think I know a better way. You are the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

I have had a bad cold since Saturday. It started off as just a little sniffle on Friday, but by Saturday morning I was full of congestion, and runny everything. Yuck! I have been trying to pull myself together, because believe me, moving waits for no man (or woman with a bad cold). We are trying to make this time of transition a time of organization for our family. During our renovating and selling process we packed up a lot of stuff and put it in storage. Our goal now is to go through said "stuff" and purge the heck out of it. Double yuck! My beautiful, big new townhouse, looks like a storage unit...with a really nice kitchen and a walk-in closet (lovin' me some walk-in closet!!). So, I ask for your prayers while we go through this process. Some of it's easy, but a lot of it's just so overwhelming. I can't wait to share some pics once we get things pulled together.

Here's a pic of me Friday morning...I haven't worn make-up in days and this was the beginning of the yucky stuff, but I'm keeping it real. And, you can sort of see my great kitchen in the background!!

Happy January 2nd!!

Away in a Manger

Luke 2: 12
" This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. "


Well, here we are on the 5th day of Christmas and I've only written a blog one other time this entire month. Sheesh! We've got a lot of catching up to do. Just a few things going on at the "LOAE" (Lipstick on an Elephant), residence...

 Let's start here. A few Sundays ago, my family and I went to a "drive-through nativity" at a local church. What a wonderful experience it was for the whole family. My toddler sat on my lap as we looped around to see all of the actors and live animals out and about, bringing to life the Christmas story. Everyone enjoyed it. My 10 year old even admitted she thought it was great. Being the sap that I am, I immediately started to tear up the moment the actors that played Mary and the angel Gabriel began their scene. What a wonderful reminder of the reason for this Christmas season.

The next Friday, we...MOVED!!!! Yup, that's the big news I was going to share with you, we moved! One week before Christmas, we moved to a beautiful, temporary, townhouse. The week before Thanksgiving, we put our house on the market and within 2 days had 2 offers. We quickly found a big beautiful townhouse to rent because settlement was scheduled within the month; and here we are. It has been such a whirlwind. And I've seen God's hand orchestrating it all. The timing for my family of every last detail, God had it covered! Now, I did use the word "temporary", here. We are hoping to start building our dream home soon. Please pray for this process for us and with us. I know that God has the perfect place for our family to finally settle in.

The week after we moved...Christmas came. "Somehow or other it came just the same! " (Dr. Suess). We managed to get settled enough in that week to purchase a Christmas tree, decorate it, bake cookies, shop and wrap gifts for the whole crew! On Christmas Eve, we met my family at our local church and experienced a wonderful family service full of lessons and carols. My mother pointed out it was the first time in many years that my brother, my parents and me had Communion together. So special!  What a whirlwind it has been; stressful, but also a time full of hope and happiness, too.

Christmas Eve, sprinkling Magic Reindeer Dust .
Someone is so excited!!

Christmas morning, after opening gifts.

This week we are still unpacking and trying to get temporarily settled in. We are so blessed to have been led to this house (go to this link to see the beautiful homes that Ten Oaks Homes builds). I pray that this season has brought you, and continues to bring you, much comfort and joy. Hope was born that starry Christmas night, in a humble way, for all people. The most innocent precious lamb, born in a manger, that was God himself incarnate, born as a sacrifice for us so that we may live eternally. "The hopes and  fears of all the years, are met in thee tonight".

Here's our tree Christmas morning before the children opened their presents.
I just love our new living room. The wood beams on the ceiling are very "Fixer Upper"-esque, and I have a gas fireplace!!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Not Chip or Joanna

Proverbs 21: 9
" Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. "


What a verse, LOL! My poor hubby. Although, I have to say in my defense, sometimes it could go either way. Last Thursday, my hubby and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary!! Let me tell you, it has been a wild ride! I married a man that knew the instant he met me, I was "the one". He also knew that I had 3 children and that I was going through a divorce, and that my divorce was...shall we say, "less than pretty??" We dated for 3 years before we got married and then, 9 months and 3 days later had our first baby boy. Then less than 2 years later we had our first baby girl, then the year we turned 40 our next baby girl was born, and finally 4 years ago we had our last baby. It's been a crazy, busy life with lots of ups and downs, but a good life grounded in our faith and our hope, and most importantly, our love. Thank you for loving me and being my biggest advocate all of these years, my Love. I can't wait to spend the rest of my years with you.

Here we are about a week before our anniversary in Annapolis.
We were married in Annapolis and lived there for many years. What a beautiful city!

Last Tuesday, November 29th, the first episode of season 4 of Fixer Upper came on. I was looking forward to it for weeks. I missed it.  I really like the farmhouse chic style of Joanna Gaines, and love to see the houses completely decorated and beautiful for it's new owners. That would be a dream of mine, to move into a new home completely furnished and decorated from top to bottom. Of course, a fully stocked refrigerator and pantry would  make that dream even better!! But, what makes the show even better is the great rapport and candor between Chip and Joanna Gaines. It would be just another decorating show without the antics of Chip and the eye rolling of Joanna. My husband and I like to watch it together. I'd like to think that we could be the next Chip and Joanna, but probably not. We have renovated and built our share of houses over the years, however, it would take us years to finish a house, we've been renovating our current home for 6 years!! I think the network probably needs a quicker turnaround time than that. Also, my husband would die before he ate a bug or put an old toothbrush in his mouth. He would be great at telling you how to do things properly and perfectly, though.  I, too, could not do what Joanna does because I wouldn't be able to make a decision about the design or decor of the house. I would be a nervous wreck second guessing myself. Our lucky customers would be walking into a house that had hardly anything done, but what was done, would be perfect. And, they would have a bunch of mismatched furniture because I couldn't make up my mind what style I was going for. So, Chip and Joanna we are not. What I do think we have in common with the Gaines' is our faith and I look forward to reading their new book, "The Magnolia Story".  This would make a lovely Christmas gift for the Chip or Joanna in your life (hint, hint!!).

I can't wait to share some more things with you in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned. And...if you are missing my blog (I hope, I hope). I hope to be able to write more regularly after the busy holiday season.

I pray the start of your December is making all things merry and bright for you and your family!!