Friday, February 14, 2014

Friday Randomness (Vol. 15)



Scripture speaking to my heart

"Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story." ~ Psalm 107: 2
**Shared by my friend Becky**

"What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!" ~ Mathew 10:27
**Shared by my friend Katie**

Notice a theme? I love the encouragement for us to tell our stories, which are all part of His story!

JOY-filled quote

Joy isn't a function of what happens, but of what I think. Joy is a function of how I thank. ~ Ann Voskamp

Storyline, by Donald Miller

"The life-theme of every major character in Scripture, every leader who follows God is the same: They are participating with God to save many lives."

Three Word Wednesday Featured Writer

Remind me not to make promises I'm unable to keep. I do plan to feature another Three Word Wednesday writer soon. I'm asking for grace as life has been a little overwhelming the past few weeks.

I do encourage you to read one, two, three or more of the posts linked up for Three Word Wednesday. You can find this week's post here. It's too hard for me to suggest only one. I always enjoy every single one. Have I mentioned how much I love this community? Come join us if you have not already. All you need to do is let three words be the focus of your post.

A few of my favorite blog reads

It's Valentine's Day so we will start with a lovely post by Emily Simmons of The Ministry Wife: What Love Really Is {a Valentine's Day post}. Thank you for sharing on your Facebook page, Kristin.

Seriously, don't miss what heaven will be like by Duane Scott written for Outside the City Gate this week. Leave a comment and share his post to be entered to win a copy of the book Streams in the Desert by L.B Cowman. You can link up a post too!

You all know my friend Karin of Sunrise With A Six Pack, right? If you've been following me for a while now you should know her. She's one of my faves and she blesses me again with her post When We Can’t See Through The Fog.

Karin introduced me to Jana of Jana's Three Dresses and I'm so grateful to now call her my friend too. Jana so kindly shared Duane Scott and Outside the City Gate with her readers this week but you should also be sure to read her post Grief Amnesia. I hear she has a giveaway coming up soon too!

God works in amazing ways! I love how he led me over to Kendal Privette's place to read the caloric thorn. I know my thorn will eventually be "a tiny, itty-bitty splinter that I have mostly forgotten."

Amy Sullivan is another writer I adore. She is talking about how waiting undoes her and I can totally relate.

Video of the week

I joined an (in)Courage group for Professional Women and one of the leaders shared a video I may need to watch for inspiration every morning before leaving for work: Work as Worship by RightNow Ministries. Good stuff!

Thankfulness

It was super wonderful to come home and discover I had received a package in the mail from Kristin of The Riches of His Love containing Holley Gerth's new book, You're Going to Be Okay. ~~happy dance~~ Would you help me show Kristin some love by taking a moment to go visit her and leave some comment love?

Fabulous encouragers

My friends Shelly and Joan are truly AWESOME. I mentioned them last week in my Friday Randomness (Vol. 14) post but they needed to be mentioned again. If you do not know these lovely ladies you really should go over and meet them. They will surely bless you.

Favorite moment

A SKYPE date with four writing friends! I really do love how God connects us in this beautiful blogging world.

I'm finding JOY in a deployment #JoyDare #1000 gifts

#90 ~ Dinner at the airport with a #milspouse friend to begin our weekend getaway for a military conference (Yellow Ribbon).

#91 ~ Praise God everyone made the flight; it was close.

#92 ~ A beautiful view of the city of Minneapolis from my hotel room... sparkling lights.

#93 ~ People who care enough to have an event for military families in different phases of a deployment.

#94 ~ The speakers who sat with us during the conference. I loved and appreciated their genuine hearts.

#95 ~ The many valuable resources available to our service members and their families.

#96 ~ Two wonderful days spent with my #milspouse friends.

#97 ~ Open hearts and the willingness to be vulnerable.

#98 ~ An evening together at Mall of America.

#99 ~ Friends who join along in the adventures of your "flat" husband.

#100 ~ Bubba Gump Shrimp employees who are willing to sing Happy Birthday to your "flat" husband. LOL

#101 ~ Returning back to our hotel safely because getting a taxi proved to be an adventure.

#102 ~ Chapel Service -- "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” ~ Matthew 18:20

#103 ~ A refreshing message during the Chapel service.

#104 ~ Friends who want to help...we only need to let them know how.

#105 ~ A much needed nap on the plane ride home.

#106 ~ The gentlemen who sat next to me on the plane. We had a brief but enjoyable conversation.

#107 ~ Responding "yes" when asked if I was a writer.''

#108 ~ A new small group campaign at my church.

#109 ~ A text from my daughter-in-law to let me know my son has returned home from his time at sea.

#110 ~ The beautiful smiles on both my DIL and my sons face in the picture they sent me of them together again.

#111 ~ A text from a #milspouse friend to say she loves me and enjoys spending time with me.

#112 ~ Finding JOY in my job. I'm really trying to!

#113 ~ A private message from a friend that came with perfect timing.

#114 ~ God creating my husband. It was his birthday this week.

#115 ~ A church friend who comes to my rescue when one of our cars will not start.

#116 ~ My son calling because he doesn't feel well and wants my opinion.

#117 ~ Everything my younger son does for me. He ROCKS!

#118 ~ A friend who calls simply to say hello.

26 comments :

  1. You've given us once again a lovely bushelful of cool links, dear Beth. Thank you for the good reads that will take us through this very snowy day!

    An extra hug to you this weekend, my friend ... please KNOW that you are loved and appreciated.

    ;-}

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda. Sending hugs your way as well. I'm so grateful for the kindness and love you always extend to me.
      Much love,
      Beth

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  2. I agree with Linda - a busheful! Thank you for the share. You are dearly loved. jana

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  3. Thanks for the "shout out", Beth! You may not realize it, but you are a huge encouragement to me, too! Thank you for always sharing from the heart! Have a wonderful weekend, Beth!

    Friends in Christ, Joan

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    1. Love you, my friend. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend with you son.
      Much love,
      Beth

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  4. I just love you, Beth. You are a gift to all of us. Happy Valentine's Day, dear friend! So grateful to know you!

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    1. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day, Karin. I'm grateful for your friendship.
      Love,
      Beth

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  5. Beth, this is the first time Ive had a second to read your blog. Youre so full of sunshine and Im so blessed that God has brought us together. cant wait to see you tonight at small group!

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    1. It was so wonderful to see you here, Alyssa. And even more wonderful to see you last night. :))
      Love you,
      Beth

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  6. What a treasure your friendship is to me.... you just cannot know. Love you! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

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  7. What a great collection of scripture and inspiration from everywhere! Thanks. Visiting from The Weekend Brew this morning.

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    1. Thank you, Natalie. I love how these linkups take us to new places. It's so wonderful to have you here today. Blessings to you.

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  8. Hi Beth! I am a new visitor from Beauty Observed. I got a chuckle out of your reference to your "flat husband." Is this a traveling cardboard cut-out? Or simply a picture? I'm picturing a life-size cardboard cut-out with legs that bend to be able to sit comfortably in a chair. Either way it sounds like a great way to celebrate your husband even when he can't be with you!

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    1. Your comment has me smiling. My "flat" husband is not a life-size cut-out but what fund that would be. Having him around does bring me comfort during this time we are apart.
      Blessings to you.

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  9. Hi Beth,
    Following you from Recommendation Saturday. What a great list. I am putting this in my reading list and will drop back. Blessings and prayer for encouragement for you.
    Janis www.janiscox.com

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    1. It's nice to see you here, Janis. I hope you enjoy the linkups. Thanks for stopping in. Blessings to you.

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  10. I'm so happy to read these, Beth! The past few weeks have been draining and I haven't taken the time to visit like I should have. So blessed by you and your blog post today. Can't wait to catch up on what I've missed!

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  11. Your list is beautiful, friend!!

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  12. I love Friday randomness and the sweet story-telling Scriptures you shared! :)

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  13. This is so wonderful! I am doing the #joydare #1000gifts too although I am a little behind, but none the less I am trying to keep up! Thank you for sharing the video about work. I often times forget that although I am in a place of public education I get to share the love of god with everyone I meet. He has placed me in certain classes with certain students for a reason. I do not know why, but I trust in His plan <3
    you are such a beautiful soul I am so glad I have found your page!

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  14. Randomly blessed, Beth...as always.

    I loved this - JOY is a function of how I thank. Ah yes, another reminder that JOY must be an intentional choice.

    Been struggling the last week or so with a *funk* - and my heart has not soared, to say the least. The Lord was so present in the days of my dad's hospitalization and his death. But, just a week ago we finally had the service to bury him. Since then, my heart has been heavy. I know this is natural, but still wondering how God is going to work JOY into my life at this time.

    I do know this - He is with me - and in that, I find JOY in Jesus, Only You.

    GOD BLESS!

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  15. You're always pointing to others... you're a blessing to me!

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  16. Hi Beth,
    I'm laughing because you were my stop right after Karin's Fog post! Your thankful list made me smile. I hope your hubs is doing well and had a happy birthday. I will continue to pray for him and for you :) Barrett returned from his Kuwaiti deployment, safe and sound. He was able to go to Mom's funeral, so that was a blessing, especially for my Sarah. Thank you for praying.

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  17. I read this earlier and thought I had commented. I'm sorry I must have gotten called away from the computer. lol

    I love all of your randomness. A wealth of wonderful links!

    Thank you for linking up last week at Beauty Observed! I love when you visit <3

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Much love to you.