I have to say that taking part of the Secret Sister program through TRAINING HEARTS was more than a blessing to me this summer. It has definatly strengthened my belief in the fact that God answers our prayers. There were so many times this summer where life could have sent my world into a tailspin - but instead, something positive came from all of our trials!! There were also many times where I felt worry and negative whispers start to get the best of me, but my heart would lighten and my vision was made clear through the Lord and with the help of prayer.

In the early summer I went on vacation and got a very bad steam burn (my fingers were almost purple from the burn and blistered) on our first morning there. With prayer though, the Lord healed my fingers almost overnight - still blistered, but there was no pain anymore by the next morning. This was truely a miracle!!

Seth's job hunting was also a trial that we faced through the summer.... ALL SUMMER! BUT, I believe that with the help of my Secret Sister's prayers, and the prayers of others along the way, Seth received the job that he most desired.

I also faced a lot of depression throughout the summer that I tried to keep inside, out of view from everyone else. Whispers from evil things never do good to one's heart... but through prayer - I have experienced less depression over the last couple of weeks. This is very interesting because earlier in the month I had received a card from my Secret Sister, Bobbie, who had said that she was worried that I hadn't posted in a while. She just seemed to know that my soul was getting bogged down, and said that she had been praying for this to be lifted. These of course are not the exact words, but she KNEW that I was down.... and had been praying for my heart..... I thank you so much for that Bobbie, because NO ONE else knew about this... but God put it in your heart to pray, and I have been able to focus on God, more than the worry, over the past couple of weeks!

So many times I could have falled on the floor and given up this summer, but my heart was lifted and I was able to refocus on The One that can do all things. I thank you, Secret Sister Bobbie, for the prayer that you offered through my journey. You are etched into the story of my life and will forever have a place in my heart.

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It is very late here - but I have a very restless heart... I have come to realize that I have not said "Thank you" to my Secret Sister, Bobbie for her wonderful cards and gifts through the month of September. I know that, no matter how busy things get, saying Thank You should never be something left out!! I'm so sorry my wonderful Secret Sister - I hope you can fogive and forget my laziness over the past month. I will visit your blog tomorrow and post all of the wonderful pix of cards and such on my website when I get home from work. I just couldn't let another hour go by without apologizing and thanking you for your thoughtful gifts and prayers!!!

MY HEART IS FILLED WITH SUCH JOY FROM YOU, SECRET SISTER!!!!!

Hugs!

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A wonderful package arrived for me on Thursday (a particularly hard day for me) from my Secret Sister! What an amazing blessing it was to come home to that - it made me smile so much! Enclosed was the book Home Educating with Confidence, by Rick and Marilyn Boyer, a beautiful flowered journal, and a huge world map entitiled Global Status of Evangelical Christianity! I am looking forward to sitting down to the book today and finding a place to hang the world map tomorrow. My daughter was amazed to see the map and she spent a lot of time yesterday examining it. I explained what it meant to her and she became sad for the people that didn't have anyone around them telling them about God and Jesus - and she decided that she would like to go to these countries some day to tell them about the Lord. That made my heart happy !

On Friday I also came home to a beautiful card that Psalm 17:6 "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer". What a perfect thing to put, because the Lord did hear our prayers and answered them with Seth's new job placement! What a wonderful verse!! Thank you so much Secret Sister for your prayers and encouragment through this time! You are truly a blessing to us!

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Yesterday, on my front porch, the mailman left me a package from my Secret Sister! Enclosed was a huge treat for my daughter and myself! I received a beautiful mug with different teas to try inside. I took the Spiced Chai to work with me today and, I must say, it made my afternoon so pleasant. I have never tried these teas before - like the Spiced Chai, Pomegranate White Tea, and Green Tea... I LOVE tea, but I normally enjoy a cup of brown tea, with sugar, and a orange slice (or two). I am excited to experiment with the different types and flavors that were sent to me though, and am looking forward to having a cup of tea with my Secret Sister in the mornings - evenings too .

Enclosed in the box were also a bag of Hot Tamales, which are one of my very favorite candies. Also, my Secret Sister sent Lizzie some pencils, which look like little ice cream cones and a little doll that "grows" in water. Lizzie was so excited that she just jumped up and down squealing like only an excited little girl can get away with! She loves things like that, so you absolutely made her day with them.

I came home today and found that another card awaited for me in my mailbox! Enclosed was a beautifully handmade card, Testamints (mints marked with a cross with scripture written on the wrapping), a cute pin with a reminder to count my blessings, and a handmade bookmark with a message about friendship. It warms my heart so much knowing that you are praying for me and my family - I consider you one of my fondest blessings.

Secret Sister, please know that I pray for you and your family through my day too - and I hope that God shines as much light on you, as He is leading you to shine on me!

Thank you so much for brightening our days Secret Sister!!

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I was so blessed to recieve this card on a day that I REALLY needed a pick-me-up!! Thank you so much for the sweet note inside, it did wonders for my spirit!

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1) My favorite author is Sophie Kinsella, who writes the Shopaholic series along with a few others titles. I have read: Shopaholic, ...Takes Manhattan,...Ties the Knot. There are more in that series and a few others that she has written that I would love to get my hands on! They are such light, easy, and fun books.

2) I have two favorite Bible Verses:
Matthew 6:34 
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jeremiah 29:11-12
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen.

3) I am a veggie person, but I do love Dark Chocolate when I get my hands on some !

4) My daughter loves the old Looney Toons cartoon characters and anything Disney Character related.

5) Extra info on me:

I love to cook and bake. I would love recipes that you can share - even printed on regular index cards (what my favorites are all transcribed on - kept in a plastic index card holder). I also love local cookbooks... Ones made from recipe collections in small towns by Churches, Firehouses, PTAs, etc...

I love Dunkin Donuts coffee.

My daughter is a mini-artist... She loves anything having to do with crafting, painting, coloring, drawing.... pretty much anything having to do with art, she loves!

I like to crochet, cross-stitch, and am starting to make dresses and skirts for my daughter and myself. Buying fabric and such at WalMart is usually cheaper than paying for store bought items.

My daughter loves reading chapter books.

I like notebooks... as simple as it seems. I write everything down, so I go through notebooks and index cards like crazy.

I hope that I didn't provide too much useless information. Just trying to give a general idea of who I am and what my daughter and I enjoy... Honestly, I'm simply thrilled with a pretty card through snail-mail!!

Hugs!

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I am signed up for the Homeschool Moms Secret Sister Session #2!

If you are interested in joining, please click on the link to visit the Training Hearts website for information!

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