One of my favorite things around the web (at least since August) has been (in)courage. I am proud and honored to be one of their monthly writers, and let me tell you, I am in the company of some serious greatness. I feel so humbled.
So, two exciting things today:
1. Via (in)courage I am proud to be able to give away some of their beautiful handcrafted products today as part of My Favorite Things: Six Weeks of Free Stuff series. I’m giving away three pieces by the amazing Lindsey Cheney of the Pleated Poppy to one of my readers.
One of you will win a Crisp Posy Pin set, a Grow in Grace tea towel and a Trees of the Forest tea towel. They are so so cute, I promise!
2. Today, my December post for (in)courage is up. So, after you are done leaving your comment to win some of Lindsey’s great stuff, go on over and read.
Joy is a Symptom
The times in my life I’ve been the most joyful, it hasn’t really been a choice.
It has been against my will.
People say that love is a choice and I’m confident that’s true. And I guess that joy can be a choice in the same way. For example, I choose joy over self-pity, happiness over sullenness and delight over disdain.
Yes, sometimes joy is a choice.
But more often for me, joy has often been a symptom…
To read the rest, click here.
To be entered in the random giveaway, leave a comment HERE ON THIS BLOG before 9pm on Tuesday, December 15 telling me A BLOG OR WEBSITE that you’ve found lately that you think the rest of us might like.
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Tags: (in)courage, giveaway, lindsey cheney, my favorite things, pleated poppy
A friend of mine got involved with the ministry, World Orphans. Thought it might be of interest to other readers.
http://worldorphans.com/about/index.htm
I enjoy so many blogs that are part of (in)courage or that are popular with everyone already.
Here are a few that aren’t in the network:
http://www.soulemama.com makes me want to move to Maine and take up knitting.
Also http://www.shewearsmanyhats.com is a beautiful site.
And http://www.organizingyourway.net is a great tool to help with organization.
I’ll stop now, but I have so many more I enjoy.
Well, you are one of the most recent ones I have found, but I guess if others are posting, of course they found you too!
Just last night I found http://blog.dayspring.com/ Heart to Heart with Holley. She wrote the devotional book Rain on Me.
Pretty giveaway. I love the Pleated Poppy’s stuff!
~Lanie
Most probably already know about Girl talk, but I love it.
http://www.girltalkhome.com/blog
I love to cook and bake and My Kitchen Cafe is a fabulous blog with some of the yummiest recipes…she just finished a 12 day series called Sugar Rush and O to the M did she post some great cookie recipes!
http://mykitchencafe.blogspot.com
Pick me, pick me. Really, please pick me Random Integer.
Here’s a site: http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/
This site is alot of fun, especially for me, as I clean houses to make ends meet while staying home with the kids… Lots of good ideas for keeping your house in tip top shape!
http://www.flylady.com/
I never win anything so pick me Mr. Computer!!!!
I LOVE http://www.aholyexperience.com! She’s an incourage writer too and one of the most eloquent writers I’ve ever read.
I love this blog: http://vintagetackycute.blogspot.com/
She’s young and loves the Lord and has some amazing things to say!
I love my best friend’s blog http://www.springofjoy.org. You will love it too!
My friend Sandra introduced me to “Practical Theology for Women” and it is an amazing site! Well-written, insightful, and firmly grounded in the Word. I believe many of your readers would find this blog useful to them.
http://theologyforwomen.blogspot.com/
I found bout about
http://teasinglydiverse.blogspot.com/
not too long ago.
and I LOOOOVE this blog. seriously.
I also happen to stumble upon this one
http://www.dayzeroproject.com/
this is great for list-lovers and those who try to extend their possibilities and try new things.
the inspiration that comes from stephanie at:
http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com
can’t be measured….
do you know her story….how she was burned so badly in a plane wreck and almost died ?
how she fought to come back because being a mother is all she has ever lived for….
she is my inspiration day in and day out…especially when I think my days are hard or long…..
I find creative inspiration from http://www.nicholeheady.type.com. These girls are amazing.
I know this one’s been around awhile, but I just discovered it.
http://www.thepioneerwoman.com
Her writing is fun and casual and always cracks me up. There’s photography, cooking, homeshchooling, and the saga of a California girl’s everyday life on a cattle ranch in Texas.
I love Lysa Terkeurst’s blog: http://lysaterkeurst.blogspot.com/. Many of you probably already know about it, but Lysa is an amazing woman of God. She’s been discussing weight issues and eating healthy as worship, which has been so encouraging to me.
Lately I’ve been visiting http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home Awesome lady who has a huge heart.
I also visit http://www.mycharmingkids.net frequently. Dedicated momma, wife and photographer. Good stuff all around.
Another (in)courage poster, Angie Smith, has a Christian heart & love for fellow man that we don’t often see: http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com
I love to read Mommycoddle.com/, and I think many of your readers will to. Just the daily life of a christian mother with some great photos. Very encouraging to me. Hope the Christmas Season continues to be a blessing to you.
One of my all time favorite blogs is http://www.wearethatfamily.com. On a day when I need a chuckle, I can usually count on http://stuffchristianslike.net.
You could always stop by my blog too while you’re checking out new blogs…I’d love to meet you!
Lisa
http://www.simplifiedsaving.com
I love (in)courage. The posts are so amazing. One of my favorite blogs is Like a Warm Cup of Coffee. It’s a really encouraging blog. Thanks for the give aways. Love your blog!
http://www.tamragirl.com/ Is one of my favorites
I really enjoy Irritable Mother’s site, “Surviving Motherhood.”
Every Monday, she does a video post. This is great because it almost seems as if she is in your home with you having an initimate conversation. Her advice and love for God are just totally awesome! http://surviving-motherhood.blogspot.com/
I’ve recently gotten into reading blogs and have recently discovered some very good ones. Two I really enjoy a lot:
Anne Jackson: http://www.flowerdust.net
Serena Woods: http://www.graceisforsinners.com
I’ll be monitoring this post for more great blog suggestions!
I love Serena Woods at http://www.graceisforsinners.com/. She is so full of no-nonsense truth about God.
Also love Sandy at http://www.godspeakstoday.net/. Sweet and funny lady who loves to teach others about God.
Have a blessed day!
Lindsey
I love this mom in Australia…her story is one of deep sadness and triumph. She’s such a beautiful soulful person…and of course, she’s a photographer! http://www.sheyerosemeyer.com/blog/
Thanks! I love pioneer woman’s website, too! So much fun information. I also like mine
Not real deep these days, no time…but I will make your mouth water 
http://smileyssweetsandcreations.blogspot.com/
I recently found NieNie and have grown to love her: http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/.
This is one of my favorite blogs to read: http://65redroses.livejournal.com/123311.html It’s the story of EVA, a Cystic Fibrosis patient who has already had one lung transplant and made a documentary about it. Recently she went into lung failure and it waiting for a new set of lungs. Her spirit is amazing.
I haven’t stumbled upon any new sites lately but one that I LOVE and look at everyday, several times a day is mamabargains.com. They sell precious items for kids and babies that are usually 50% off or more. I have bought several things for my daughter Sophie and my friends who are expecting. If you haven’t seen it, check it out!
There are many blogs that I read on a daily basis (including this one). I think the one I would recommend is http://www.annieblogs.com. I relate to her posts because I am a single woman but she has a great heart too.
love cindybeall.com… her story is amazing and her faithfulness to God no matter what has been so encouraging to me.
Also really love babycheapskate.com helps balance our life with a budget.
Love the towels– so cute!
thanks!
I love Lindsey’s stuff for (in)courage- I always forget about it! I recently found The Bright Side Project and I love it! Their philosophy is to spread a little sunshine everyday by hosting a giveaway. The prizes are always super cute and the questions to answer are always fun and sweet. I even won something
The site is: http://www.thebrightsideproject.com
Oh, I just LOVE those tea towels!
Here are some blogs I enjoy:
http://storybookwoods.typepad.com/
http://prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com/
http://afieldjournal.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Sarah!
I am enthralled by this tranquil, simple, profound, and holy nakedness at
http://www.aholyexperience.com.
Raechel at Finding My Feet – http://raechelmyers.blogspot.com – is so inspriational. I also love YOUR blog, Sarah, and I’d love to win the pin set and towels. So darling!
Hi Sarah! Oh my goodness! I am such a fan of Lindsey’s poppies! The very hardest part of ordering is trying to pick which set to buy. . .or maybe 2 sets. . . ok, maybe 3 sets and I can give one poppy to my mom. . .
See my dilema? Anyway, a blog that I love is http://www.lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com. It’s a wonderful crafty blog and the lady who writes, Melissa Phillips, is so cheery, optimistic and in love with her daughter and family. It’s always wonderful!
I have just recently found incourage.me, you and the other contributors blogs… and I have included you all in my daily readings. I am truly becoming more Christ focused because of you wonderful women.
I just found Lauren and she’s hilarious! Love it! Also, due to another giveaway I found DownEast Basics , which is a great clothing company!
I was tring to go through all the comments to make sure I didn’t leave a duplicate- but to many…. here is a site that I love to go to for inspiration of my inner artist http://www.danielleflanders.blogspot.com
Thanks for the chance to win a “poppy” they are beautiful.
I mean there are SO many blogs I love – I dont even know where to start!
I go through phases of what I love to look at for inspiration, and right now I’m LOVING this photography http://ginakolsrud.typepad.com/gina-kolsrud-photography/
and you can read about our inner-city ministry on our ministry blog: http://visionatlantamentoring.blogspot.com or on our personal blog http://thestanleyclan.blogspot.com
http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com is the blog of a young, single woman named Katie. While her blog is not updated daily, each post is poignant (yet humorous) and inspires me to think about faith, justice, love, and humanity through the eyes of Jesus. Oh, and did I mention that she is living in Africa, has adopted 13 young girls, and is feeding hundreds of orphans? It’s amazing – check it out.
I learned to knit this past spring and recently found http://www.ravelry.com. It has tons of free patterns and tips and has inspired me to handmake some xmas gifts this year!
My husband has a blog called “If You Can Stomach It” in which he posts about various meals and foods he eats. I get a kick out of it, but I suppose that may be because I’m his wife.
http://vespermans.blogspot.com/
Oh, I love Lindsey’s work!
I don’t think a lot of people know about this blog: mamahooper.blogspot.com. I have never met Elise, but she is such a precious, kindred spirit that I waste no time when she pops up in my Google Reader. I personally think she should be an {in}courage contributor.
Just discovered your blog today. I’ll be back!
http://fourgirlsonegod.blogspot.com/
Emily is a mom of 4 little girls, 3 who are living. God-lover, great mom, beautiful words.
I sat last week and read pages upon pages of Stephanie’s story and am so moved by her courage after surviving a plane crash with her husband last year. A beautiful woman and mother and her heart is so clearly displayed in her writing here:
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous!
I’m a faithful reader of http://www.kellyskornerblog.com.
She writes about her daily life, her faith and her biggest joy her daughter. It is refreshing!!
My hubby and I working to minimalize our lives and getting rid of the excess stuff we have. Although that may seem like this giveaway would be counter-intuitive to that change, it’s actually a perfect example of getting something that meets a need in a valuable/special way rather than having a bunch of stuff that really serves no purpose or does so without much meaning or beauty.
Anyway. One of the blogs we’ve been enjoying is Miss Minimalist – http://www.missminimalist.com/