Notes from the Porch {eleven}: the letters

(The Pictures in this Post are pictures from a year or two years ago!)

Have you ever been the recipient of a gift so precious that it was hard to describe or talk about without getting choked up? I have and the gift that I am going to talk about today has taken me more than two weeks to want to share because it was simply so wonderful. 

I want to share a little background that I know I have said before but needs to be stated again. I miss teaching so much that sometimes my heart aches. I miss all of my former students and each one is in my daily prayers. I love y'all!

In my last "Notes from the Porch" post I explained that things with my health are at a very tenuous stable position. Two weeks ago I was having a particularly rough day all around: my health, a doctor who told me "this is never going to get better" (yes, we did fire that doctor!), lots of tears, an argument with my insurance company, a reaction to a new medication, extremely sick and in pain that day, and some personal news to our family that was difficult. All of these things combined had left me laying on the couch mostly in tears. I was reading in Proverbs and read the verse: 

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." - Proverbs 25: twenty-five

At that moment my dad brought in the mail and handed me an envelop from one of my former schools that I taught at. I curiously opened the letter up and found inside a BEAUTIFUL stack of letters from some of my former 10th grade students (who are now Seniors!!). (I have tears even now as I write this!) Honestly, as I read the letters the first time through I couldn't even read each letter because the words blurred on the page. The time that these ladies took to write these letters to write to me... a teacher from two years ago while they are in one of the most exciting times in their lives touched my heart beyond words. Each letter touched my heart and encouraged my life. And brought refreshment to this weary lady. 

While it has only been two weeks since I received these letters they are now growing more and more crinkled each day as I have read them again and again and again and again. Filled with love and encouragement the Lord has used them to truly encourage my heart. 

Ladies, you have truly touched my heart. I love y'all so much and my prayers continue with each of you each day. I pray that the Lord allows me the strength and health to visit you in the new year to thank you in person and to give you a BIG hug for your incredible kindness, your faithful prayers, and your life-changing gift of these precious letters. 

Thank you again! I love y'all so much!

Welcome December!

"But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart." - Luke 2: nineteen

copyright: Rebecca VanDeMark

I have always loved the month of December! *smiles* It is filled with the HOPE of Christmas and the birth of a baby who is everything. 

copyright: Rebecca VanDeMark

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And just as Mary pondered and treasured the words and time in her heart, we can find so many delightful treasures in this month.

copyright: Rebecca VanDeMark

There are so many beautiful things to ponder: such as days filled with family and friends, delightful sunsets (like the one that welcomed December on Saturday evening!!), precious quiet, laughter, and beautiful snow (for those not in the south! *smiles*). There is the opportunity to step back and remember once again the most precious gift of the season does not come wrapped in a gift but in God's great love. 

As we enter into this month of peace I am reminded of the Hope that we have each day. I came across this quote by the British evangelist Alan Redpath that seems so fitting as we enter this month- especially for those who are hurting:

"There is NO circumstance, NO trouble, NO testing, that can ever touch me until first of all, it has gone past Christ, right through to me. IF it has come that far, it has come with GREAT purpose!" 

copyright: Rebecca VanDeMark

At this season that can also be painful due to the loss of loved ones or the pain of present circumstances my prayer for each of you is that the Lord speaks His peace, love, and comfort to you in mighty ways. May He touch and comfort you in ways that only He can. I am praying that your Christmas season is filled with joy, rest, and peace!

Welcome December! 

Hopelifter {Book Review}

I mentioned in April that I was thrilled to discover the website Booksneeze! This website offers the opportunity to receive free books in exchange for honest reviews from bloggers. I was excited to find this site because as y'all know I do love reading and what a great opportunity! I received my last book from them several months ago and just haven't had a chance to post my review until now. I was thrilled to receive my newest book and have the opportunity to review such a high quality book. I appreciate the opportunity (as a writer) to examine someone else's amazing work! There are so many talented and inspiring writers in our society! *smiles* I was really interested in this book and chose it specifically because of the title. I am always looking for quality books written with a kind heart and understanding for those who are hurting. Because of my present circumstances I really feel that I could connect with the information written in this book. The book is very practical and gives lots of advice for those who are looking for a way to practically help those who are hurting. 

"Hopelifter" , written by Kathe Wunnenberg (who also has a ministry designed to touch and encourage those who are hurting) shows how people can lovingly and kindly touch those in their lives and in their world. Kathe Wunnenberg takes the time to show creative and compassionate steps to help those in our lives. As the description of the book stated this is "the perfect book for women who want to spread hope in their friendships, workplace, neighborhoods, and homes, and ideal for those in caring roles in churches and ministries". 

I definitely recommend this book. If you are interested in learning more about the book or about Kathe Wunnenberg check out her website HERE.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Merry & Bright Homegrown Christmas Album

I am really excited to share with you a new addition to my Etsy Shop! 

This is a sweet and unique mini scrapbook (size is approximately 7x4) with journal tags and embellishments that provides a lovely gift for Christmas or simply a stress free way for you to remember the joy of this holiday season. 

 Albums come embellished with ribbon, twine, tabs, pretty scrapbook paper, glitter and cuteness that you will quickly fall in love with. Simply insert your pictures and write your precious memories to remember the wonder and precious memories of the season for you to enjoy for years to come.

Click HERE to go directly to the shop to place your order! *smiles*

Joyful Handmade Christmas Giveaway

I am so excited to team up with Shannon from Smile and Write and Mariah from The Adventure Book today to host a handmade giveaway from our Etsy shops for this joyful holiday season! We are delighted to give one lucky winner several beautiful handmade items plus a lovely blogging book filled with creativity and beauty and a $5 Starbucks giftcard! And for EVERYONE we are excited to share some discount codes to our shops for your holiday shopping!  Y'all know that I LOVE creating things and so do these ladies! So without further delay go and enter because you will want to win these prizes! They could be perfect gifts or just simply treats for yourself!

AND here are the special codes to receive discounts for EVERYONE!

For The Paper Sonnet use: HANDMADE HOLIDAY to receive 10% off ALL orders! For Zoey & Dot use theadventurebook to receive %15 of ALL orders! 

The giveaway is only running for a couple of days so don't delay! Go and Enter today! Good Luck y'all and Happy December 1st!

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Small Business Saturday

The Paper Sonnet

The Petites: {November Edition}

TODAY is the 7th month of something that I am VERY excited about (and hope you will be too!)! I LOVE discovering friends in bloggy world and so many of my bloggy friends say the same thing! Today we are continuing a monthly link up {on the 24th of each month} for those of us that are known as small tiny the petites in bloggy world! If you are a blogger who has less then 400 followers via anything "blog related" then this is your opportunity to make some new friends, find new blogs, and discover others in the petite section of bloggy world! 

The only rule is that if you are linking up you are a blogger with less than 400 followers in the area that you link up (GFC, Bloglovin, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)! *smiles*

While it is not required it would be great if you shared the button with others so that everybody can get in on the fun! {You can find the code listed on the side and can adjust the size accordingly for your blog!}

You are not required to follow me but it sure would be nice! *smiles* IF you do become a new follower leave a comment so I can follow you back! 

You can follow me on pinterest by clicking HERE.

  This month I am delighted to have two lovely ladies and new friends co-hosting with me! 
Lisa from Ameliorer la Vie Blog and Mariah from The Adventure Book!
Please take a minute to check out their blogs! 
If you follow them please leave a comment so that she can follow you back! Stop on over and visit other blogs and make some new friends who are other petites in bloggy world!
P.S.- The December Edition of "the petites" will be held on the 14th of the month due to the holiday season! *smiles*

Would you like to co-host? I have openings for co-hosting in February 2014! 

Send me an email at: caravansonnet (at)gmail(dot)com.