The Friday Five

Howard Hendricks once said "After the Bible, the two things that will change your life the most are the people you meet and the books you read" (paraphrased). I have found this to be very true in my life. I thought it would be great to have a regular blog post featuring 5 questions and 5 minutes with a godly woman of influence. To kick off the series I'm going to introduce the 5 questions and answer them for you.


1. Where are you from?

Have you heard the song by John (used to be Cougar) Mellencamp, "I was born in a small town, my parents live in the same small town..." ? Well, I was born and raised in a small town right next to the town that song was written about in Southern Indiana. In fact, the name for my blog came from a house I lived in when I was a little girl. It was the kind of place where everyone knew you or your family. Life moved a bit slower. Often, I think of how differently my children are growing up. I am grateful for the abundant opportunities living in a larger city gives them, but there are times I miss the simplicity of life in a small town.

2. What are you looking forward to?

Let me start with telling you what looking forward actually means to me. I have been signing my name with this for about 9 years or so (it is also how I usually sign my blog). It began during an amazing study on the book of Hebrews with Kay Arthur. This study picked me up out of a pit and set me back on solid ground. I began to see my life in light of the bigger picture of eternity and Hebrews 12: 1 & 2. By saying looking forward I am reminding myself of what really matters. For me, it is to be faithful with what God has called me to today, and trust Him with what is going to happen tomorrow.

Looking forward also is about dreaming. Lately, my days are super packed with the business of daily life and there seems little time to dream. Still I do have a few! All of them involve teaching, encouraging, and a little bit of music. Right now, I am dreaming about sleeping all night because I have a four month old. I have a picture of a dream home that I would love to live in soon, before my kids are too big. I am also looking forward to where the Lord is going to take 29lincolnavenue as well. Some of these dreams are small, but isn't it neat to know that God cares about our dreams, no matter the size of them? I know that His plan is bigger than I can imagine. When I fix my eyes on Him then I can see more clearly the path He has laid before me.


3. What is your favorite Bible verse or passage?

I have just mentioned Hebrews...the book that changed my life! It is truly the one book of the Bible I would take with me to a deserted island. It is rich with Old Testament lessons as well as New Testament revelations. But, my life verse is actually in Colossians chapter 3 verse 16:

Let the word of God richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

This verse is truly my heart and also who God made me to be. I am passionate about studying His word and letting it richly dwell in my life. Out of that comes wisdom and encouragement that God has called me to overflow to others. And singing is something that I love to do as well. That really is the sweet part of the verse. A promise that God gave me in a difficult time. I love when a verse like this intersects your life. It is like God takes this big heavenly flashlight and shines it on something that you have read a million times before. And then you see it and say, "Oh, is that for me? Wow, that is awesome." His Word is truly living and active and sharp!

4. What is one book you have read other than the Bible that has impacted you the most?

Picking one book is really hard! So let me give you three very different reads:

1. Hind's Feet In High Places - Hurnard - allegory about our journey with the Good Sheppard. I am so like the main character Much Afraid.
   
2. Pursuing God - Tozer - This will stretch you and you will never be the same.
3. Keep A Quiet Heart - Elliot - a collection of short reads from the best of her writings. I call it my pit book. When I am discouraged I read it. After about a week in it, I am set right again. I also give this book out to friends or anyone the Lord leads me to!
   

5. Who inspires you?

Well, I hope to have some of these women interviewed here, so stay tuned! I can't wait to introduce you to our first Friday Five Woman next week! Her love and passion for Jesus literally brings tears to my eyes. I am honored to know her. I am inspired by those people who know their God, hear His calling, and hold fast to Him! That is who I am striving to be in my own life. Knowing someone like that energizes me and encourages me to be all God created me to be!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

P.S. One lucky person will win one of my favorite books, Keep A quiet Heart. Just leave a comment and answer the question, "Who inspires you?" Winner will be chosen at random by Randomizer.org.

Chair Time

"Quiet Time. The term is vital, descriptive of the very manner in which we receive an in-flooding of the Lord's life..."
"We must have a fresh in-flooding of life for soul and body too, or we will dry up and be like deserts in a desert."
"The real question, however is this: Where are we to find our fresh springs of life?"
(from You Are My Hiding Place by Amy Carmichael)

I long for a quiet place in my life. A place to sit and just be given life for soul and body too. I feel by the end of my very long days, like that desert in a desert. Yet when the horrible sound of the alarm pierces my sleep deprived body I am tempted to ignore it time and time again. Until I realize that if I am to truly make it today with any life left in me, I have to meet Him in our place. The place where I receive the great exchange. I give Him my tired, weary sin sick soul and He breathes fresh life from His ever flowing spring of joy and goodness into me.

"Jesus...cried in a loud voice, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me-who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on me-as the Scripture has said, 'Out from his innermost being springs of living water shall continuously flow.'"
John 7:37-38 Amplified

Coming Thirsty,
Stacey

*Photo credit goes to my husband who found this beautiful mountain spot in the early hours of quiet this past July in Rocky Mountain National Park.

**I'm participating in Prayer and Share with Holley and Tuesday Unwrapped at Chatting At the Sky.

Multitude Monday

Counting 1,000 gifts....

#81 Pretty dresses and a father who loves to dance with his daughters.

Thankful,
Stacey

Looking Forward

I have a new regular blog post that I will begin next Friday called The Friday Five! Be sure to check it out!

Here is a great quote a friend of mine posted on Facebook by John Piper:

Service to children is a great litmus paper test of whether you are in the quest of true greatness or addicted to the praise of men. (Cf Mark 9:33-37)

Today, I will be serving my children by taking them to get new dresses for their first Father Daughter Dance. I have a very romantic picture of how this sweet affair should go...but I am preparing for the possibility of tears. (the shopping trip I mean!) Hoping for the best, preparing for the not so much!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

P.S. Vintage number five courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.

Winner Of Valentine Giveaway

What a super fun week and Valentine Giveaway! I hope you enjoyed stopping by Tahra's shop and admiring her amazing handiwork. I just love supporting moms who are using their creativity to bless their family. Tahra you do beautiful work!

But now on to the good stuff! The winner of these cute earrings is:

Julia!!!
She Blogs @ http://godspromisetocaleb.blogspot.com
And has an amazing story of love to share!

Congratulations girl! Be sure to email me with your mailing address. I will forward that to Tahra and she will ship these lovelies to you ASAP!

Looking Forward,
Stacey

P.S. Remember to mention my blog when shopping at Designs By Tahra and she will give you 10% off!

Blogs I Love

Have you ever read words that inspire you to do something? That move you to tears, hug your children more or just slow down and be refreshed? I have been making it a daily assignment to read such words penned by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience. Her words truly speak to my heart! Today she is writing for (In) Courage on When You've Been Framed: Life as Art.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from Ann:

Where two or three are gathered, there He is also. What I love most about the homeschooling lifestyle is that we are all together, in all our glorious mess, day in and day out. We are not time-torn or fragmented. We are gathered. There is no dichotomy between God and secular: we are making a one-piece life. We are real, transparent, and growing –sometimes painfully– with each other, season upon season, and God is in the center, bathing us sin-scraped ones with His Grace. That’s rich.

I live in a glorious mess, day in and day out. Although, I tend to see the mess more than the glorious. But, I'm trying to see more. What a beautiful picture put so eloquently into words!

Looking forward,
Stacey

Multitude Monday

My Valentines Day Giveaway is open until Tuesday at noon! Click here to enter!

#61 Dinner. Friends. Phantom. And my Valentine of 18 years.

Thankful,
Stacey

Valentine Giveaway

Happy Valentines Day! I hope that you spend today with the ones you love! To celebrate this day I am having my first giveaway!


My friend Tahra has opened a Etsy shop called Designs by Tahra featuring her unique handmade jewelry designs. Tahra is a hardworking home schooling mom with a great eye for detail. Here are a few of her pieces that I like:

I think this watch is fabulous!

Or how about this beauty with a cute pair of jeans?


My daughters would love some cupcake earrings!

How fun! I love the fact that Tahra is using creative strengths to start this new business and bless her family. So here is how the contest will work. First, visit Tahra's Etsy shop and look at her beautiful jewelry. Come back here and leave a comment and tell me what is your favorite piece. You can receive an entry for becoming a follower of 29lincolnave, posting the link to this post to your Facebook or Twitter page, or blogging about this contest. You may also sign up for an Etsy shopping account and click on the heart to "heart Tahra's store". For each thing you do simply leave an extra comment below. Contest is open through noon on Tuesday. I will pick a winner through randomizer.org and post it on Wednesday February 17! Oh! And for those of you who see something you like ( I know you will!) Tahra has generously offered to give 10% off to anyone who mentions my blog and this contest*! Isn't she sweet?! And here is the awesome prize that is up for grabs:

Perfect for Valentines Day!!!
(a $25 value)

Good luck!
Stacey

*the 10% off will be a refund given after your purchase through Paypal.

How Are You Strong & Giveaway is Coming!!!

Did you hear about my first giveaway? Check back on Valentines Day for a sweet treat and a chance to win! Here is an awesome post from Heart to Heart with Holley!

"The Rest of Your Story 22: What are your strengths?

Strength: a personal characteristic that can be used on behalf of God in service to others.

Then put them through the S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. Test...

Service - Does it help me serve God and others?

Time - Has it been present throughout much of my life?

Relationships - Do others see this?

Energy - Do I feel energized when I'm living this way?

Natural - Does this come naturally to me most of the time? OR do I know God has intentionally developed this in me even though it doesn't?

Glory - Does God ultimately get the glory from it?

Trials - Even in hard times, does it usually come through somehow?

Heart - Does this really feel like a core part of who I am?

Question: What are some of your strengths?

My Answer: I spent the better part of last year discovering how God has made me. Strength Finder 2.0 listed my top themes as: Relator, Belief, Communication,Responsibility and Empathy . This translates most in my life through teaching and encouraging. I know I am called and fashioned to lead a small group of women. Also, I sing and love to worship Him through music. For the first time in my life I understand how God has made me. The STRENGTH test above is very helpful. I can honestly say that even in difficult times these strengths come through and they really speak to the core of who I am!"


So, does this post get you thinking? How has God made you? What energizes you and speaks to the very core of who you are?

Have a great weekend,
Stacey

I'm So Excited!!

I set a goal that when I had 25 followers I would host a giveaway. I hit that number right around the time my baby was born and have not had the time to put that plan into motion! Well, today I contacted a friend of mine who is going to donate the prize for the giveaway! So here is what I can tell you:

1. You will love the sweet prize!
2. You will want to check back here on Valentines Day!
3. It will be the first of many giveaways at 29lincolnavenue!

Looking forward,
Stacey

Chair Time

Psalm 90: 12, 14

So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom...O satisfy us in the morning with your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Last year for Christmas my husband bought me an amazing chair and a half with a matching ottoman. I have always wanted one. This is the place I meet with the Lord in the early morning hours when the house is silent and my little ones have not yet discovered that I am awake. I love to sneak downstairs (do you do that too?) and curl up with my cup of Komodo Dragon Starbucks Coffee,my Bible, a journal, and some Kari Jobe on my Ipod.

He is always there, waiting for me. Many times lately, I have not made our appointment. But patiently He waits for me. He has so much He wants to teach me and pour into my heart. I was most struck this week by Psalm 90: 12 & 14 and I know that I need it to be written on my heart! My cry to the Lord is that each morning I would find my satisfaction in Him.. and sing for joy and be glad all day long...not looking for a person to satisfy me, not looking for circumstances, but just satisfied by Him. Every single morning.

Most mornings I am discovered by a 3 foot tall messy haired girl who is dragging a blanket and a large stuffed bumble bee. She snuggles up close to me and I am reminded why I am in the chair in the first place.

Looking Forward,
Stacey

I am linking up to Chatting at the Sky for "Tuesday Unwrapped". This is truly a lovely blog that has encouraged my heart!

Multitude Monday

Counting 1,000 gifts...
#37 Words of value from my daughter shared during a show and tell at school. Her teacher posted this in our weekly update:

E. shared what she learned about birds, following the drama lesson on the Nightingale of Wittenburg. As she discovered various qualities of birds, she was able to see members of her family who possessed some of those same qualities. For instance, in her Mom she saw the protecting, self-sacrificing qualities of a partridge, who is willing to lay down its life for its young. And these were HER words. WOW! What mom wouldn't be blessed by that!

I am.

Thankful,
Stacey

Loving Your Family

I am looking forward to this coming week as we count down the days to Valentine's Day! Here are a couple of ideas I have used in the past that were big hits with our family.

1. I purchased heart shaped post it notes and gave everyone permission to leave love notes all around the house! The fun part was finding them in the most unexpected places!

2. I found small metal mailboxes at the $1 spot at Target last year. I put them on the breakfast table and each morning there was a treat, sticker, or small present for my girls to receive. This was super easy and they were giddy with excitement to get their mail each morning! This year I am going to start on February 7th for 7 days of You've Got Mail.

3. I researched each name in our family and the meaning of it. For our Valentine's Day dinner I made heart shaped place mats for each person with their name and the meaning of it. I laminated them so we can use them year after year!

4. We had desert as our dinner on February 14. Last year it was strawberry shortcake, but this year I think we are going to some type of fondue dinner!


How about you? Do you have any great Valentine traditions to pass on? Join the Link Party and let us know! Remember to copy the url to your actual post not just your blog!

Love,
Stacey

How Do You Compare?

It is party day over at Heart to Heart With Holley! This was a great week of thought provoking questions. I chose my favorite entry and my comment to share with you today! I hope you have super weekend!

It's a junior high lunch table. We eavesdrop on giggly girls...
"My boyfriend is captain of the football team."
"I found THE COOLEST JEANS last weekend!"
"I got an A on the Science test."
Is anyone else's heart racing just thinking about being back there. Good grief.
Okay, I've regained my composure. The point is that as women we compare. A lot...
(To read the rest of the entry click here).

Question: What is God doing in your story right now?

My Answer:
Henry Blackaby says, "God is always at work around you. It is your job to find out where He is at work and join Him in it!" So, clearly God is at work, and right now He is working on my heart. He is saying, "Follow me one step at a time. Do not anxiously look around and wish you could be doing other things. Just do the next thing I tell you to do." Seriously, yesterday I followed this plan throughout the day and my heart was more at ease. I was not sitting and wishing I was off doing something else. And I was not overwhelmed as much by all I had to yet to finish. Doing the next thing - like feeding the kids or praying with my husband is really okay. The next thing is God's thing for me right now.

Looking Forward,
Stacey

Multitude Monday

#28 All I need to take is one step at a time....He reminded me of this three times in the past 24 hours.

First, here, "If only the next step is clear, then the one thing to do is take it! Don't pledge your Lord or yourself to any steps beyond what you know. You don't see them yet." (Amy Carmichael)

Next here, "Follow me one step at a time. That is all I require of you." (Sarah Young).

And finally, here:



Thankfully listening Lord,
Stacey