This year has been a whole lot of moving and purging. So buying each other a bunch of stuff only to have it sit around just didn't sound all that appealing. So we did grand gestures (on a budget) LOL. For me, I went on Pinterest and found a cute idea that was originally for individual Valentine Cards for kids. So I decided to design my own to fit what I needed them for. (I did not use any of her graphics for this download.) You are more then welcome to use the download for your own grand gesture as long as you don't sell it or reproduce them to sell. :)
COST: I bought the glow sticks at the dollar store. They came 4 to a pack. I bought 5 packs (20 glow sticks) for $5. Make sure to get the ones that have caps and string (see picture below) with them so you have an easy way to hang them.
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From the title, you are probably thinking I'm writing this during the wee hours of the morning or very late at night. Nope, but I am writing this from experience, this morning at 3:30AM to be exact. For some reason I wake up almost every morning between 3:30-3:45AM. Most of the time laying there, twitching my restless legs, trying with everything I have to go back to sleep. Most of the time the more I fight it the longer I am awake. But on the mornings that I realize that God has me awake for a reason, I use it to talk to Him. Most of the time I wake into a sea of worry. Yes, I admit it... I am a full-fledged, card carrying, stomach ache inducing, worry wart. Always have been, and I am not proud of it. So at 3:30 when my legs are twitching and my dog and husband are singing their songs of deep sleep, I think of all the things that might go wrong during the day. Yes, I said might, like I said - I am not proud of it. This morning was one of those restless mornings, but this morning was different. God quickly reminded me that He had me awake for a reason, and it was to talk to Him. This morning it was all about my husband, which is my favorite subject of prayer. So I started praying, and praying with all my heart. I quietly laid my hand on my husbands back and just started praying for him. Praying for his day, praying for God to give him peace, praying that God would give him Joy in his day. Praying that he would wake up feeling refreshed, feeling his importance in life, feeling loved unconditionally, feeling appreciated, and so forth. I prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. I prayed that I would be an encouragement to him, that I would be a safe place for him to come, talk to and listen. I prayed that I would be his teammate so he doesn't have to face his stresses alone. I prayed for his friendships, that He would have men in his life that he could have fun with, do "stupid guy stuff" with, have adventures with, and ones that he could talk to. Then came the prayers of Thankfulness. The room had become quieter, and all I could hear was the sweet purr of my kitty as she stretched and nestled in to the comforter over me. I thanked God for her, because she calms me. I thanked God for my husband, for being such a great provider. For being my rock when I need someone to lean on. For being there for me whenever I need him. For always watching out for me and making sure that I arrive to my destination safely. For still opening the doors for me, after 18 years of being together (14 as my husband). For his giant hugs that calm my fears. For wiping away my tears when I am hurting. And for letting me just ramble when I need to. Ok - he totally deserves a medal for that last one. During that silence of the morning and the joy of being thankful, I fell back asleep. So I pray, the next time I am awake at 3:30 - that God will immediately remind me that it's our time to talk, without any distractions, and that He hears my every word, fear, worry, and thankfulness. "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you." (Psalm 139:1-18 NIV) "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears The Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:10-31 NKJV |
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