Friday, January 11, 2008

Just Because & Thank you!

***I wanted to make sure that more people get to see this contest,
now that the holidays are over****
I've been wanting to do this for quite a while.
I've decided it's High Time!
When I started blogging in September, I was making a commitment
to try to connect with other women,
who valued some of the things I do,
(faith, love, life, laughter in a few simple words).
My desire was to be an encourager and a safe place, in a sometimes crazy,
and often challenging world.
As a wife, and stay-at-home-mother,
sometimes I wish my reach into the world to make a difference
was longer, and wider.
I hold onto the fact that the job I do here at home, for this season,
is an investment towards that goal.
Equipping our son to go and make his mark,
and helping my husband make his, is a privilege and a joy.
And in other ways, I make my own mark.
Blogging has helped me with that desire
to go out into the world and make an impact.
That may sound loopy.
But, I live in Florida and I, lately have gotten to know women from all around the country (Ohio, Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania,Utah, New Zealand, Spain, Canada, Britain, right here in Florida, Texas) and even in other countries!
Live and in person, that may never happen in my lifetime,
but through this internet, viola!
But, while I came to blogging to give,
it has truly given back to me.
I have been encouraged, laughed my head off, sometimes choked-up, and learned;
all these things and more.
You ladies who visit, and write your own blogs, and share your inspiring and humorous thoughts are such a blessing and what you do, does makes a great difference!
Blogging, (as fun as it is) has helped me with that desire. It's like my little bit of chocolate stashed in the kitchen drawer - just enough to keep me from craving too much.
So, we are having a contest, Ya'll! My first to play hostess to!
Since it is almost time to "kick-off" "The Year of Romance" here at the Ponderosa,
I thought I would start with books that will tie into that.
So, there will be two winners, and you will each be able to choose between
these two books.



In case you are wondering why the teenage book, well, most of my friends out here do not have teens, but you will! And raising teens has been the single hardest thing I have ever done in my 42 years. I have several dear friends who have walked the walk with me, and I would do most anything to help other parents stay encouraged during these times, and to be healthy in their marriage during those times as well.

To enter the contest, just leave a comment saying you want to be entered.
I will let my son draw the names. The deadline is January 30th. Also, make sure I can contact you to get your address. And yes, absolutley you can enter if you are outside of the country.
It's all good!


And THANK YOU for all your fun and inspiring comments and posts!

12 comments:

Leann said...

Hello Maria! You asked about Company Girls. Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary has put together a group of Christian ladies online and has given us a way to identify and connect with them. You can check it out here and sign up if you like, too.

http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/rachelanne/2007/12/cmon-be-a-compa.html

Tiffany said...

Hey Maria!
I love the name for your challenge! Maybe because I'm a hopeless romantic! And I'm so excited about the contest. This is one book I'd like to have. I visited a bible study discussing this book, and it was interesting. I also want to thank you for being such a faithful encouragement, and a portrait of a true "Titus 2" woman. Blessings- Tiffany

Ally said...

Hey Maria,

I have read this book...but not the teenager one. That looks good. I have 2 teenage boys and like you it´s the hardest thing I have faced yet and often leads me to desperation.over the last couple of weeks this has been a big issue for me...hence the canary story.

She Rose Up said...

Hi, Leann! Thanks for the info! I will check it out!

Tiffany, you are so sweet & kind! I am so not a romantic, but I feel like for this year it is The Topic to work on for us. And I think we can all learn from and encourage each other. I am excited about it! I'm "practicing" already! :)

Ally, owie! I can feel that! 2 at one time, Yikes! He IS YOUR STRENGTH! & HE has created us for victory! Your sons as well! You remember that everytime it feels or looks otherwise!

I am so excited about this contest, that I am already thinking of the next one! Jan 30th can't come quickly enough!

Blessings to you all & thanks for signing up!
Maria

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Maria,

What a great idea! Thanks and please enter me in the drawing!

I will be joining you on the Year of Romance (shh! don't tell my dh)!

I too begand Blogging with the intent of encouraging and blessing and I have been blessed and encouraged more than I could ever know.

Thanks for all you do and for who you are!
Melissa in Mel's World

Joyful Days said...

Came in late--traveling and all has got me behind on my visiting and commenting. But how cool! Your first giveaway. I've had fun doing that.

Blessings, Maria!

She Rose Up said...

Melissa! You are such a peach! I am thrilled you are joining, and mum's the word here! ;)

I'm so glad you are entering the contest! I am really looking forward to that!

Yes, blogging has been such a blessing! Who knew?

Hey, Julie! Thanks! I will have to come visit & hear about your holiday travels! I hope it was all good!

Yes, I can't beleive I have to wait until the end of the month (for the drawing)!

What was I thinking?!

Happy New Years, Ya'll! It's 2008! How wild is that?

looking forward,
Maria

luvmy4sons said...

You are too sweet. Always such an encourager! Thank you! You are such a blessing! Count me in! Love and hugs to you and all the bloggers! God is good. Is He not?

She Rose Up said...

Leslie! You're in, Girlfriend! You are such a peach to say that. Thank you! And Thank you for always being a gracious and light-filled friend in Christ!

Looking forward to the drawing!
xoxo,
Maria

Xandra@Heart-of-Service said...

This is such a great giveaway! Thank you for your generous spirit and willingness to reach out into the vast unknown of the internet. I would love to enter the contest...

Xandra

Karen Hossink said...

Blogging is like chocolate, huh?
All the enjoyment, none of the calories. I like that!
Thanks for sharing yourself with us here!

Tyna said...

Oh I love romantic stuff! What a great idea! I have this book and buy it for all weddings I go to. I'd love to read the Teenage one as well.

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!