Love Reminder

When I got to work this morning, I turned over my calendar on my desk to January 31. The verse for today is Ephesians 3:17-19. What a wonderful reminder of all the beautiful things I learned this weekend at the retreat! And I should not leave what I learned and how I felt at the retreat - it's meant to change the way I live, even if in the smallest way. Thanks, Lord, for giving me that little bit of encouragement I needed to start off this week in love!

{photo taken by LB at Canyon of the Eagles Resort 1/28/11}

Blessings and Conviction

I attended a retreat this weekend put on by the women's ministry of Terranova (my church!). Besides the fact that I was not feeling 100% (I had no voice, in fact! which made for lovely worship singing!) the weekend could not have gone better! The weather was gorgeous, the location was breathtaking, and the women were absolutely amazing! We really shared our hearts and got to know one another on a genuine level - something many people can be scared of doing. It can be messy. But it's real. It's beautiful.

God has been really reminding me lately of two things, which He pointed out again to me specifically this weekend.

First of all, He has been showing me what a wonderful thing community is in my life. I'm not talking about just being a part of a community (geographically, culturally, spiritually). I'm talking about having people in my life that really KNOW me for me. Who are brave enough to share their real selves with me. Who I can lean on, encourage, hold accountable, and really do life with. I have been unbelievably blessed with people with whom I do just that. And God has shown me that is something that I need - that all believers need, for that matter.

The second thing is more of a conviction that I feel I need to share. God has really been calling me out on my relationship with Him. Do I put Him first? Do I love Him first? I am an extremely relational person. And so I need community in my life. But sometimes I lean too much on that community and too little on God. Do you know what I mean? When I'm going through something difficult and could really use prayer and encouragement, who is the first one I turn to? Is it God? It should be. Yet it's not always, especially lately. I yearn for love and approval from those who know me best. And that's not necessarily wrong. It's natural for me to want affirmation from my close friends and family. Affirmation is one of my love languages, after all. But is that where I'm getting my sense of worth? I feel I need to spend some time really letting my Father love me. Do I deserve His love? Absolutely not - that's a whole nother story for a whole nother blog post :) But I need to accept His love and His approval of me before anyone else's. He is the only One who can fully know me and fully love me. I am undeserving, yet He, the Creator of the universe, has chosen to call me His child! Why isn't He the one I run to when something exciting is going on and I just can't wait to tell someone? He, after all, is my biggest fan. He made me me :)

Sanctity of Life

Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday. What an amazing gift God has given each of us - the gift of life. Today's message at church was so moving. I have always been against abortion, but I wouldn't say I've been great at voicing that or that I have ever been that passionate about it. But why shouldn't I be? It is such a core Biblical issue and central to my beliefs as a Christian. I'd like to share a couple of verses related to God's creation of us, even before conception. And then there are 2 video clips (one long one split in two) that are unbelievably moving. Take the time to watch them if you can.

Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations."
- Jeremiah 1:4-5 (ESV)

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
   and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
   Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
   as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
   Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
   before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
   They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them;
   they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
   you are still with me!
-Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT)

Scentsy!

I am hosting a Scentsy Basket Party through January 10th! There will not be an official "party" date and time, but I will have catalogs and some products (including samples of all the scents) with me through the 10th! If you already have a warmer (or recently received one as a gift), this is the perfect time to order some new scents to go in it! Just get in touch with me and I can get your order set up!

Never heard of Scentsy? Well... Scentsy is a company that sells wickless candles and home fragrance systems. They are safe and easy to use. I am absolutely in LOVE with this product! If I had more time, I would sell it myself! They have all kinds of products, including warmers, plug-ins, travel tins, room spray and much more. They just started selling Scentsy Buddy, a fragrant stuffed animal, which is adorable if you have kids (or if you're like me and just love to revert to your childhood every now and then! I have my eye on Lenny the Lamb since my college sorority mascot was a lamb)

Here are a couple things you should take a look at:

- 2010 Fall/Winter Catalog (click here!): this has everything you need to know inside it - including explanations of all the products.

- Alternatively, you can browse online at my consultant's website: shannonsparks.scentsy.us Just don't put your order in online - I can get you free shipping if you order directly through me!

- Bring Back My Bar (click here!): For January only, Scentsy is bringing back 20 popular scents that have been discontinued! I personally am going to get the Lavendar Vanilla!

- Monthly Specials (click here!): This shows the discounted warmer and scent of the month... very cute!

- Hugs and Kisses (click here!): This is another special deal just for January - just in time for Valentine's Day!

If you have any questions or would like to get together to check stuff out let me know!