Y'all are just so encouraging to me. I tell ya, I had been really hesitant about writing so personally because I do not want to offend or scare anyone. However, y'all have responded well to the overflow of my heart and I thank you! No one has been critical or threatening. Thank you for allowing me to strive to encourage other Christians to speak out about their "perfeck" lives, testifying to God's prescence in their lives and also to end the sterotypes about us being exempt from depression, chronic illnesses, hurt feelings, sorrow, crying and the many other things there are.

I've said all that as thanks to Loren at "The Magoos News" for selecting "My Heart Speaks..." as a recipient of this award:



Thanks, Loren, I really appreciate this award and it has encouraged me.

Now, I was told that there are rules:

1. You can only use one word!
2. Pass along to 6 other bloggers. (However, Larie says that she wants everyone who reads this post to award it to a blogger of their choice, *cheesy smile*)
3. Alert them that you have given them an award.
4. Have fun!

So here it goes:

1. Where is your cellphone? bag
2. Your hair? covered
3. Your mother? mommy
4. Your father? daddy
5. Your favorite food? mexican
6. Your dream last night? forgot
7. Your favorite drink? root beer
8. Your dream/goal? unhypocritical
9. What room are you in? bedroom
10. Your hobby? entertaining
11. Your fear? FLYING
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? sane
13. Where were you last night? Mt. Olive
14. Something that you aren't? private
15. Muffins? homemade
16. Wish list item? sanity
17. Where did you grow up? Portsmouth
18. Last thing you did? Portsmouth
19. What are you wearing? jammies
20. Your t.v.? kids
21. Your Pets? none
22. Friends? tolerant
23. Your life? transparent
24. Your mood? writing
25. Missing someone? myself
26. Vehicle? suburban
27. Something you're not wearing? earrings
28. Your favorite store? Micheals
29. Your favorite color? colorblind
30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday
31. Last time you cried? forgot
32. Your best friend? unchanging
33. One place that I go over and over? crazy
34. One person who e-mails me regularly? spam
35. Favorite place to eat? Granny's

...of an award update

I forgot to post the description and "rules" for this award! Sorry!

"For those receiving this award it is bestowed on to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to six bloggers who must choose six more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."




Thanks a bunch of bunches to Kathy at "Blessed Beyond Imagination" for passing this award on to "My Heart Speaks..." it's nice to know that the overflow of my heart has not scared her away. She sends encouraging comments and e-mails as well. Kathy is sweet and awesome! I told her that if I ever get around to coming to Florida, I want to hang out with her and Kim. They seem to have A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!

Thank you again Kathy, smooches!

I'm passing it on to:

A Word to Take Away
Audience of One
MomsWeb
Arise to Write
It's By Grace
QueenBee and Company

...of appreciation & awards

Thank you all a bunch of bunches for the comments and e-mails regarding the "Reversed Ignorance" post. I am no longer as frustrated, but as in the past, it seems to go with a pattern. It starts with the thought of the incident, then my frustration comes and I sit in that state for a very long time. After I'm "over" it, I go on.

This time, after writing partially about it, I felt better than I ever have! Perhaps I just needed an outlet that was beyond what my personal jouurnaling was providing.

Now, on Monday, this blog received two awards! WHOA! The lovely blog award is from Ms. Loren over at The Magoos News. We "met" by way of frequenting two or three of the same blogs. Thank you so much Ms. Loren, your choosing this blog provided some awesome validation for me. Thank you-thank you-thank you!

Lastly, the second award comes from Beautiful Days. They decided to pass it along to all who follow their blog. This one, too, offered some validation for me. I'm touched, thank you as well!

...of a "hidden" lesson in an award

This Lemonade Award was thoughtfully given to this blog by Deb @ One Single Minute! This award is given to a blog that shows great attitude or gratitude. I guess Deb knows that I'm gonna make lemonade with the "lemons" in my life instead of letting them rot! :)

Thank you, Deb.

...of Premio Dardos Award

Premio Dardos means “prize darts” in Spanish. It is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.

Thanks a bunch of bunches to "Mommy" Vonnie @ My Back Door for surprising this blog with this award. This one really is a shocker to me, but in an encouraging way. Thanks, alot, seriously.

...of awards & gift #9

Hey!!! I know I haven't posted on Saturday in a while, but I needed to do so today because I received two awards from Beautiful Days earlier in the week, but because I was participating in writing my own Psalm with Karen, I didn't post them.

So, here they are, and I thank you so very much. Oh, by the way, they made these awards themselves!!! Great job!

And, since I'm up here, I will give my friend this gift,

and the recipient is...

...MISS JANICE @ Etiquette with Miss Janice! I was drawn to Miss Janice's site because I am interested in etiquette. I just loved the tea party series that she did. Thank you Miss Janice for your instruction in an area that seems to not exist anymore. I love you!

smooches,

Larie

...of playing catch up

I have some catching up to do.

A couple of days ago, my friends at Beautiful Days passed along two awards to me. Thank you so much. I hope that my delay in posting it did not convey a lack of appreciation. I do apologize and ask you to forgive me please.

Also, a friend of ours has produced her first CD! It's called, "From The Ashes." It's great! As soon as I figure out how to add my favorite pick from the CD, I will be adding it to my play list. Go over to Willow Layne's site and check out that voice that I miss so much! We met while in Japan. She and her family came there as missionaries.

Lastly, Anton will be testing in March for the rank of Master Sergeant. There are some distractions in our lives right now and I've noticed that he is not studying as often as he had for his last two promotions. I am soliciting prayers for his mind to be clear of these distractions so that he may study more efficiently and pass the test and board. One distraction in particular in your prayers is for me; I am not being his helper right now as I should be.

...of awards

Thanks a bunch to Tracy Berta at Thirsty for HIM for thoughtfully considering this blog for the Emblem of the Helping Hand award. This award was created by Sojourner's Place as a symbol of help, support, and encouragement to up, and coming bloggers and appreciation, for those who mentor those new to the blogosphere. Again, thank you so much my sweet Sister in Christ, Tracy, for selecting 'My Heart Speaks... as a recipient of this award.

Here are the rules: Select 10 bloggers: 5 you consider your blogging Helping Hand, then "Pay it Forward" by extending your "Helping Hand" to 5 additional bloggers, in support and encouragement for their efforts.

In passing on the Emblem, each recipient must provide the name of blog, or blog author with a link for others to visit. Each recipient must show the Emblem, and put the name and link to the blog that has given it to her or him. Link the Emblem to this post: Helping Hand: Much Obliged and Paying it Forward so that others will know it origin and impetus.

If you have not already done so, show your recipients some love by adding them to your blog roll or in any other way to further let them know that their blog voice is important to you and being heard.

Add your name to The Helping Hand meme at my new blog entitled The Emblem of the Helping Hand and don't forget to leave a comment as a permanent record of all Helping Hand recipients.

I have chosen to pay it forward to Serendipity, Surviving Motherhood, My Back Door, Becoming Me, and Just Another Clay Pot for giving me a big helping hand of encouragement.

Now, a "Helping Hand" to 5 additional blogs in support and encouragement for their efforts: Beautiful Days, Grace Unbound, Homemaking...More Than Dishes, Mom's Piece Bites, and God first. He will handle the rest.