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Shine

As a Mama of young children things often come to me through songs. Songs I know well and that have moved on my lips since before my girls were even born. Through song my girls have learned their letters, months of the year, days of the week and even how to add numbers. All worthy things to learn as a young child. Yet there is something even more precious, more valuable that they have learned through song. They have learned about God and his infinite love for us. They have learned how God spoke the world into being and brought forth light to shine against the darkness.

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Songs also encourage us to let our light shine. To shine forth the light of Jesus who lives with in us. Letting Jesus shine through us can be tough some days. It can be hard to remember to stand back and not step in front of him. While songs help us to learn and serve as great reminders tangible objects can help us keep focus on what is important to us. This is why I love this beautiful new collection of jewelry and home decor from (in)courage. The new collection is know as the Everlasting Light Collection. It is made up of beautiful home decor and stunning jewelry.

There are many great messages behind this unique line of products. Though they all point us back to our Heavenly Father who created not only the infinite number of stars in the sky but each and every one of us.

So let your own unique light shine with gentle reminders of God’s greatness in your home or as you navigate through your day.

Check out a few of my favorite products from the Everlasting Light Collection.

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This bracelet is by far my favorite piece and such a beautiful reminder to shine.

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A trio of stars would be wonderful worn together or as a gift split between sisters, cousins, or close friends. Each a unique reminder to shine. (These are on my Christmas list to split between the girls and I.)

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What a stunning print.

Take some time to check out the entire Everlasting Light Collection on (in)courage.

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Disclosure: I was invited to join the Everlasting Light launch team with (in)courage. I will receive a Dayspring discount coupon plus free shipping for participating in getting the word out about this collection.

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You are U-Neek

It’s summer vacation here and while we get to slow down a bit from a busy school year schedule there are still places to go and things to do.  This past week the girls  finished up a session of swim lessons at the local community pool.

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  One was excited to go each and everyday. The other said daily she was not going to lessons, though when her class was called she would get in the water.  For one the lessons at her level came easy, the other struggled with the ones in her class. Then came the last day of classes and the handing out of skill sheets and certificates indicating completion of the level. As I had observed their lessons over the past 2 weeks I knew only one of them would be receiving a passing certificate and the other would be upset.  I hadn’t been wrong that she was going to be upset at the need to repeat her swim class level again the next time, though nothing prepares a mama’s heart for those kinds of tears. 

This situation presented an opportunity to share with her that she is unique. We talked about her class and in what areas she struggled and then I mentioned the areas she had excelled .  The areas she had shown her true unique personality and spirit.  By the end of the conversation she was smiling and joyfully recited a verse we had been memorizing all year…

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Psalm 139:14 ESV

Later in the day I found that same child playing with her current favorite toy, this adorable little mouse named Jazzmine from Dayspring‘ s U-Neeks line. A small but mighty reminder of how God made us each unique.

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As a mama of young children I love this line of plush toys, cards, notebooks, encouragement notes, bracelets, cups, stickers, coloring sheets and more that Dayspring has put together. Each adorable and somewhat quirky U-Neeks character is truly unique. From the one-eyed mustached Mustachio to the blue haired Dweeber, each U-Neek has it’s own personality which shines through as a reminder that we are all unique, fearfully and wonderfully made by God.

“U-NEEKS are about, helping kids discover during those key years, who God made them to be.”

“U-NEEKS are here to point them back to God, back to their creator, to discover how God made them and for what purpose. Once they discover not just that they are different or U-NEEK, but even more importantly that God made them in an amazing and wonderful way!” ~Bob Perryman
{DaySpring’s Senior Product Marketing Director}

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I had the opportunity to check out first hand some of the U-Neek products by Dayspring. I selected a small plush for each of my girls which came with an attached tag that shared their best friend, Life Verse and the things that make them unique. Each girl also got an elastic bracelet sized just right for a child’s wrist that says I AM U-NEEK, has a bible verse reference and a word that goes with the verse. Dayspring even has you covered beyond plush toys and bracelets. They have a full line of cards just perfect for sending to the special children in your life and even for your children to share with their friends. Don’t forget to pick up stickers as well (some glow in the dark).

Of all the products we had the chance to check out my favorite has to be the Encouragement Notes. They come in a booklet of 32 full color notes that are easy to tear out. Each note features one or more U-Neeks Characters and has a blank space on the back for writing a note. These are perfect to tuck in a lunch box, backpack or leave in a special spot to remind a child how special they are. My girls have been known to carry these notes around all day and sleep with them under their pillows at night.

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If you would like to check out the U-Neek product line you can find them in stores at Walmart and Hobby Lobby from June 15 – July 14, 2014.

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You can also check out the U-Neeks app for Android and Apple phones and tablets in the Google Play Store and on iTunes. This let’s your child create their own personal U-Neek profile card, shares information about individual U-Neek Characters and has 3 fun games. You might just find yourself playing as well.

DaySpring-UNeeks-Gameplay: http://youtu.be/fBH4vYBtoXU

**Disclaimer – I recieved a selection of U-Neek products to learn about and use. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this post are completely my own **

Finding Community
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Finding Community

Sometimes finding community can be difficult. We find ourselves busy with life, we have trouble finding a place to start, we struggle with finding women who share similar beliefs or passions or even callings in our everyday lives. While nothing can take the place of real in the flesh women you can gather with, sometimes we can start by finding a place online. A place where women across the world can connect with other women who share the same heart and passion, the same calling or season of life. Where you can gather at midnight with a baby on your hip, the middle of the day in your most comfortable clothes, or amid the chaos of life at anytime.

Will you put aside your excuses and your busy schedule to connect with women walking the same path as you, whether it is well worn or newly forged. Take time to be encouraged and in turn encourage others.

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(In)courage just opened up registration today for their online (In)courager Community Groups. If your looking to connect with other Christian Women walking through similar life seasons and callings then check out the huge selection of groups. I cannot even express what a blessing belonging to one of these groups can be.

Find out more at (In)courage. Registration runs Monday May 19 – Friday May 23, 2014

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Never Once – Matt Redman

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

I almost selected another song by Matt Redman  for this weeks Music Monday.  As I was going to grab the url to post I saw “Never Once”  and decided to listen to it before posting.   Never Once.  Never Once have we ever walked alone.  What a powerful reminder that God is always with us.  This past week we shared with the Preschoolers at our church that “God is ALWAYS with us”.

“There will never be another woman who owns the look, the personality and experience that you do. Those ingredients make up the recipe that defines who you are, and it’s your gift from the Lord – own it.”

– Candace Cameron Bure
Reshaping it All

Praise you in this Storm by Casting Crowns

I find it wonderful that my children love so many Christian songs. They prefer listing to the same small selection of CD’s over anything on the local radio stations or our collection of children’s music. This is one of my older child’s favorite songs. It brings tears to my eyes when we are driving in the car and I can hear those still small voices singing it out with the occasional hands raised high. Enjoy today’s Music Monday selection.