Thursday, March 4, 2010

2 Years Ago Today...

...I ventured into a whole new world...blog world!  It's been quite an adventure to say the very least.  Life-changing is more like it.  To this day, it staggers my imagination the paths I've been privileged to cross since that time.  While I believe God gave me the nudge to start "my cup runneth over" as a means for sharing joy and encouragement with others, He constantly turns that around and blesses me, too!     

Beyond countless things practical, there are other things I've learned through the course of my blog journey thus far:       

*  Friends I've never met face-to-face can occupy a huge place in my heart!

Some of the sweetest encouragers and most faithful prayer warriors I've ever known can be found here.

When something wonderful happens in my life, be it big or small, blog friends find great joy in celebrating with me.

I am privileged to know some extraordinarily gifted writers.

My walk with Christ is much stronger and deeper than it was two years ago, due in part to journeying alongside some amazing women of faith here.  

*  My life is unbelievably, unquestionably, undeservedly blessed.


Among the blogs I regularly read, 

some are devotional and reflective and challenge my faith;

some give ideas for showing kindness & encouraging others;

some celebrate and savor life's everyday blessings;

some demonstrate how to create a more loving & welcoming home;

some flow with creative ideas for crafting;

some pass along hints for cutting costs and saving money; 

some serve up tried and true recipes;

some share their glimpses of life thorugh a camera lens;

There are also a few that seem to cover many, if not all these areas, which is where I like to think of mine.  On any given day, you could see a post on any number of these topics.  Yet whether I'm sharing my favorite new recipe, a thrifty idea or a something I've learned studying the Word, it truly remains my hope that the joy of the Lord is demonsrated in everything I share. 
      
Now...let's celebrate!  I have put together a number of giveaways for the next week.  I'm so excited because I think (humbly, of course) they are really good!  They also cover of variety of different interests, so if one doesn't strike your fancy, perhaps another will!

First up...  
100 Days of Grace - a beautiful devotional book for women and a compact sized, ESV Bible embellished with a beautiful Celtic cross.  It's the perfect size for carrying in your purse! 

To enter, leave a comment sharing with me your favorite scripture.  I'll take comments through midnight (Eastern time) tomorrow, Friday (3/05).  Winner will be announced on Saturday morning with the posting of the next giveaway!  Here's hoping you win!  = ) 

13 comments:

Yolanda said...

Tracy,

What a beautiful give-a-way! I'm so glad that you hopped on board with us and I feel like my blog-friends are so close to my heart. Near and dear.

Am so thankful for you!

With love,
Yolanda

Yolanda said...

1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe on him and receive eternal life. **My life verses!

Just a little something from Judy said...

This is so exciting! The privilege of helping you to celebrate your blogging anniversary with such an extra special giveaway. What a generous and beautiful gift!

I do not have one specific verse that is my favorite because so many of them are. It depends what I am going through. But I do love Zephaniah 3: 16 and 17..."Do not fear...The Lord your God is with you...He will quiet you with His love."

My life has been and continues to be greatly blessed by you and your blog. So thankful that God lead you to blog, and that I met you.

BARBIE said...

Happy Anniversary! I love giveaways and these are both exciting. I have many favorite scriptures, but my favorite today has got to be Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Diana Ferguson said...

First, congrats Tracy!

Next, this is a lovely giveaway.

And this is very easy--Proverbs 3: 5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct thy paths."

Jennifer said...

Congratulations! I have to agree...I had no idea what this blogging thing would lead to (even felt a bit pressure to join in) but have reaped so many blessings! I always look forward to your posts - so glad you keep the blog going.

Beautiful giveaway - what fun!! I'm crossing my fingers (but seriously not a threat to your other readers...:) )

Have a great weekend!

Heidi said...

No. No way. There's just no way I could only pick ONE Verse! LOL But, instead I'll tell you the verse I wrote in my date-book this week, for my birthday week verse: Proverbs 3`:25
"Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come." The verse I wrote to go with this is Proverbs 31:25b, "...she always facces tomorrow with a smile."

Heidi

Amydeanne said...

oh well, it's easy! my fav. is 1 Thess. 5:11.. probably b/c it was one of the first ones i've memorized lol

Congrats on the anniversary! that's fantastic! I have loved getting to know so many women in our little bloggy corner of the world that it's been such a blessing to me.

Kristin said...

Aw, yay! Congrats on two years! I know when I first got involved online (when I was 12 or 13!) I met so many amazing people. I'm still meeting amazing people online and love that God blesses us with others via the web. I'm glad you've gotten to experience that, too. :)

Barely made it for your giveaway, but these verses are kind of my life passage. I love the encouragement in it, the hope that comes with a promise of His mercies anew each morning. :)

Lamentations 3:21-23. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Happy Bloggie Anniversary my friend.

I truly count it a joy...to have you in my life...you truly BLESS my heart.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm so happy I stopped by tonight to catch up on your world and see that you've now crossed the 2 year threshold! Congratulations, friend. One of the best things I love about having blogged for 2 years now is that I can trace back through my posts and see the faithfulness of God working in my life over time. I know you feel the same. So much has come and gone and changed over two years, has it not?

I love that we're connected here and will have always shared this season in our lives together. No matter where time leads us, my life is forever better for having had it intersect with yours.

Love you, and as always...

peace~elaine

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