Thoughts

I read this a while back but, just read it again. It really sums up what my family has been going through the past few months. Please read it for yourself. Although, you might not be going through a cancer journey with your family member but, it might help you with another trial. :)

A breakthrough requires a trial to break through.

It would be nice to simply wake up one day and suddenly be a mature Christian, but in order to grow up in God, we will have to go through trials. There is no other way to grow strong spiritually than to go through trials.

1 Peter 5:10 says, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. You may not like trials, but this verse says that when you are going through trials after you have suffered a little while, you will grow to be firmly rooted and grounded (strong, firm and steadfast) in God.

Similarly, James 1:12 says, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Here again, you don't get the rewards (the crown of life) until you have persevered under trial and stood the test.

So, learn to be thankful in your trials, because in order to get your breakthrough, you need a trial to break through.

Therefore, don't be discouraged during times of suffering. Know that after you have suffered a little while, God himself will make you strong firm and steadfast.

(Written by Emily)

My family is having to learn to be thankful through this trial with mom and her cancer. Please continue to pray for her. She is doing fine now, but my whole family could use some prayer. It's really been hard this summer as we have had to go through this ontop of this long journey. I remember Daddy saying something to this effect at the first part of this journey "We have to be a team and stick together, we have to go around the field and make it to to all of the bases. Then, at the end of the journey we will have made a homerun." Oh, wanna hear some good news? Mom and Daddy were informed that the radiation bill has been PAID IN FULL!!!!! This bill was definitely the largest bill they've received. Radiation is not cheap. And this is an amazing answer to our prayers! The Lord has truly been good to us. :) Thank you to each of you who have prayed about this with us. Mom posted this verse the other day and it pretty much sums up what's gone on in our lives the past few months: "Now to him who is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

Anyway, I better get working on some things around the house now. Hopefully, I can write a few more posts again soon. We have now started back to school and so I don't have as much time to write. I'll talk to you all later! :)

Many Blessings,

The Girly Girl Boutique Aprons Part 2

Sooooooo, what do ya think about our aprons? Would you buy one? We would appreciate any comments or advice on running a buisness as well. :)

Many Blessings,

The Girly Girl Boutique Aprons Part 1

Sarah-Anne came over last Friday and while she was here we took pictures of the aprons we made for our moms. The pictures of my mom's apron are below. I'll post Sarah-Anne's mom's apron tomorrow. What do you think of this one, though? :)

My Mom's Apron

Most of the pictures are by Sarah-Anne. She did a splendid job, do you not agree? :)

Many Blessings,

My Cousin's New Baby- Dylan Alexander

Yesterday, we went to see my cousin, his wife, their new baby Dylan, my aunt Debbie, and Uncle Greg. He was born on August 14th. He slept really hard while we were there too. His mommy was happy about that because he hadn't slept much the night before we came. :) He is simply adorable! Brian and Denise~ congratulations on becoming parents to such a wonderful blessing!

Much Love,

Now Open for Business!

Our Etsy Shop is finally up and running! We still have quite a few items to list and make, but I wanted to let you know our exciting news. I also didn't know if you have seen my Etsy button on the sidebar. Anyway, we are finally open for business!! We are very pleased to announce this piece of information to all of you and hope you will find something to your satisfaction in our shop. Sarah-Anne and I have been working on our products to sell most of the summer. Yes, that is what has been keeping me behind Practically Pink so much. Hehe! We have been sewing aprons for our wonderful mothers and hope to get working on some aprons to actually sell to our customers in the next week or so. We have lots of jewelry that I've made on there at the moment, though. Please feel free to check it out and tell your friends and family about it as well! And please let us know what you think!

Thank you!

We Started the 2009-2010 School Year Today...

The Promised Before and After Pics- My Bedroom

Here are the before and after pictures (finally, right?)! Please let me know what you think!

Before

After I have been trying to post these pictures for a couple of weeks but, as you can see it has not happened until now. Katie and I love sharing a room and have been since I was to big for my crib. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time together! We have had many memories...and sharing sister secrets is one of the many. :D I am so blessed to have such an amazing big sister. I do believe that we would not have been "so" close if we had not had this opportunity. :D Anyway, I am so happy to finally be posting the "after" pictures of our new (well, a month old) bedroom. We painted it July 4th weekend. It was our first painting job without mom and dad's instruction and I am happy to say that it went very smoothly! *woot* Andrew wanted to help us paint around the windows and doors and he did a terrific job at it! We may have a future painter in our family. :D Also, my wonderful Daddy painted the walls. Katie and I worked on painting everything else in between...twice! Yeppers, it was a blast! At first we were not sure if we liked the shade of pink, but it has grown on us and we now can say that we like it! We hope you enjoyed taking a peek at our bedroom! :D

Have a wonderful week everyone!

The Happy-Scrappy Quilt Giveaway!

I absolutely LOVE this quilt, don't you?

It measures 66 3/4" x 90". This happy-scrappy (the official title for the pattern they invented!) was made with new fabrics and freshly laundered when they brought it home from their quilting lady. The fabrics featured in the giveaway quilt are from ModGirls, Bellbottom, Basics, Flower Power, Dance With Me, and Pretty Please! It's so cute! :D

So, would you all like a chance to win this beautiful quilt? I know I do! All you have to do is go to marie-madeline studio for your chance to win this Happy-Scrappy Quilt! You have one more day to enter so hurry over there! :D Oh, while you are there, visit the shop and look at purchasing one of their wonderful patterns. Oh, and please don't forget to browse their beautiful fabrics. I love them as well.

Goodnight all!

P.S. I just got back from a weekend road trip to visit family but, I will try to post some more tomorrow! I also wanted to tell you "thank you" for continuing to follow Practically Pink although I haven't really been posting much. You are the best! <3