Kindle giveaway from Momvantage!

Wow!! I have been entering giveaways like crazy lately! I am trying SO hard to win a Kindle Fire!! And over at Momvantage there is another chance to enter to win one!! There are 21 days left to enter and there are 105 entries you can enter with!! and some of them you can enter every day!!!! Go head over and check it out!!!!



 http://momvantage.net/fiberon-amazon-kindle-fire-giveaway/

another giveaway!

I am entered in SEVERAL giveaways right now, and This is one of the giveaways that I REALLY want to win!!! 1st place gets an Ipad!!!! WHATTTT=] and 2nd place gets a Kindle Fire!! I have been saving for a Kindle for a few months now!! I want one VERY badly!! haha Go check it out and enter to win!!! 

Good Luck! 

http://bayareamommy.com/2012/03/april-ipad-mania-giveaway/

http://bayareamommy.com/2012/03/april-ipad-mania-giveaway/

giveaway =]

I would like to invite you to go check out the link below!! There are SO MANY giveaways that you can enter from this blog & links to other blogs!!!

I am entering in a giveaway today for $800 paypal cash!! I can only being to imagine the fun things that I could get for my mom, sister, boyfriend, dad and myself if I was to win that!! Go check it out for yourself and take a few minutes to enter!!!

http://bayareamommy.com/2012/03/hello-spring-800-cash-giveaway/#comment-11909

xoxo - whitney

Words mean something

I had an experience yesterday at Staples that absolutely blew my mind.

My mom and I were walking up to the check out counter and Three employees were standing there talking waiting to check someone out. One of the girls, around my age, starts talking (very loudly) about how she never wants to have children again... but she "could so be a foster parent because if she got a child that was ugly, mean or she just didn't like she could always send IT back." ( Did you notice she called the child an IT?)

I am standing around the back side of the check-out and its all I can do to keep my mouth from hanging open. One of her associates says, " well, would you consider adoption?" She laughed and said, "No, WAY!! Then If I don't like the kid, I can't send it back!"

Normally, I would just be offended, go on my way and not say anything. But as I am standing there I realize that my Mom can hear everything this person was saying.

-- What you need to know is that my mom grew up in foster homes. She lived in some good places and some not so good places. And unfortunately, not all foster homes are good, loving, safe and secure homes. We have a lot of children that are falling through the cracks of foster care.

(Before anyone gets offended,I am NOT saying that there are not good foster homes and foster parents. )

Mom and I walked out to car and the only words exchanged were, "I hope she never has the chance to be a foster parent." I could tell that this had bothered my mom, and it hurt my heart for her. I walked back to the store and returned the cart, she smiled then told me to have a wonderful day.

It took all of about 15 seconds for me to level my head and look her in the eye & say, " I hope you have a good day as well, but please know that what you say is heard by more people than you think. What you said while my mom and I were standing in here was very offensive." She looked at my like a deer in headlights saying that she didn't even remember saying anything. I then repeated verbatim what she said and her face turned bright red. I explained that My mom grew up in foster care and it offended her, I explained to her that It was not funny or something to joke about and that there are a lot of foster homes that are not a good place for children. She said, "Oh, I have friends in foster care- I stopped her and said , "Oh, so you KNOW that it's not funny. Nothing else was said and I walked away.

I explain all this to say, Words mean something.

"There’s an old children’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” If only that were true, but it’s a fable that needs to be laid to rest. Words can hurt a lot more than sticks and stones. They may not break bones, but they can surely break hearts. Words can devastate. Words can wound; words can kill. Words can ruin reputations and destroy relationships. There’s just no doubt about it-words hurt."

( http://sparkle333.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/words-that-hurt/ )

Remember the power of your words. They effect people, use them to uplift and speak good into your life & into others.

Proverbs 18:21a - The tongue has the power of life and death

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'Reminding' God of his promises

Life is full of up's & down's. It can almost feel like an being stuck on a moving elevator at times, never reaching the correct floor and being able to step off.

I understand this feeling.

I understand this feeling better than I would like to.

I know how it feels to watch as other step 'off' of the elevator and into their life. Sometimes I find myself start to question myself, my education and my worth. I just can't always grasp why I can feel so stuck.

Saying all that, I can also turn 180 degrees and see that my life is far from stuck in other areas. I have graduated with great grades, started my Masters work, I am currently licensed in two different states, I have the most amazing man in my life (who will one day be MY husband -eeekk), A fabulous family who is always there for me and the opportunity to stay at home while I continue to look for where the Lord is leading.

I am blessed far beyond I could ever imagine!

But there are days, and everyone has them, where we feel like no matter how much we 'call out' or 'beg' God for direction... it's like there is closed door between you.

Recently, I heard a sermon from a pastor that totally changed my perspective on praying for my life, or about my life. One of the most powerful ways to pray is to find a promise in scripture, and 'remind' God what he says about you!

God is faithful to his promises.

²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations3:22-23

Often, there are times where we can find ourselves begging God to change something in our lives or pleading with him. It is very clear in scripture that He already knows our problems. HE has also made promises to use in the scripture.. When you are faced with problems take a "God, you said..." and remind him of his promises He has for you.

"God, I know what you say is true. And I'm not going to be moved by what I see. I'm not going to be discouraged by what I don't see. I'm not going to give up because it's taking a long time. God I trust You. I know You will never fail. You will never let me down"

I must remember that no matter, how many times or how many ways I ask, God is not obligated to bring to pass what I say... but HE is obligated to being to pass what He says. So when you are faced with a problem, find that promise that applies to your situation and say "God you said..."

"God, You said You are my helper, and You will never fail me or let me down. " God is obligated to bring that promise to pass. That's His Word that is forever true. "God, I'm in this big problem. People are coming against me. But God, You said in Psalms the strength of the wicked is being cut off and the power of the godly is being increased. " "God you said the trap that the enemy set for me, they would fall in themselves. " God is obligated to bring that promise to pass.

Keep not silent, Keep reminding God of his promises to you.