With that as my starting point, I thought it might be fun to share fifteen random things I’m currently lovin’. If you decide to do something similar on your site, tag me so I can enjoy yours in return.
(Some are affiliate links which simply means I may receive a small compensation but it doesn’t add anything to your cost.)
Now, let’s get started!
1.
How We Love Study / Discover Your Love Style, Enhance Your Marriage by Milan & Kay Yerkovich. Brian and I are working through the book/workbook. We appreciate how the authors point out that marriages don’t actually begin at the altar but rather, in our childhood. It’s biblically-based and doesn’t bash parents (because what parent hasn’t made mistakes?). It does, however, open up communication and foster understanding.
2.
The Creative Pauses Facebook Group. As an extension of the Creative Pauses from The Tiny House on the Hill community, this group offers a place to converse, encourage, and inspire. It’s a space to pause, catch your breath, and be filled with biblical truth through fun and meaningful ways. We’d love for you to join us!
3.
Thymes Pine Needle Frasier Fir candle. This crisp scent of cedar drifts through our home year-round. Its fragrance so bright I can almost hear branches breaking every time I breathe in. Sweet mercy, where’s my flame lighter?
4.
The Tiny House on the Hill. The last time I wrote a similar post, the tiny house was but a dream. In 2019, it became a reality thanks to an awesome husband and one and a half year’s worth of weekends. Now, it’s used for writing, reading, Zoom meetings, and so much more. What a blessing!
5.
Travel with God Journal.I wrote about it here and mentioned it in a recent interview because God continues to awaken me to His work and ways through it.
Proverbs. The old adage may be, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” but I say, “A Proverb a day keeps poor choices at bay.”
10.
Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte. This green powder cranks up the brainpower without the jitters.
11.
Treadmill. Brian’s doctor recently reminded us that to move is to live so we set aside our space concerns and ordered an inexpensive but get-it-done treadmill. It sits as pretty as you please in our den but it can fold in half and be rolled into the hallway when needed.
12.
“Ooly” Color Write Fountain Pens. This pack of pens is pure delight! The colors are beautiful, vivid, and the ink flows across the page like glass. The best part? I purchased them at my favorite shop in Black Mountain, NC. See #13.
13.
Sassafrass on Sutton. This is my favorite gift/book shop, hands down. This hundred + year-old store sits in the downtown area and holds a floor of books, literary goodies, and items I’ve not seen elsewhere.
14.
Zinc gummies. The blackberry-ish flavor tastes almost like dessert. Yumilicious + strong immunity = score!
15.
Eucalyptus shower spray. This spray had me at the first spritz. Immediately, I transported back to the “eucalyptus room” in a ladies spa where my friends and I used to sit on tiny-sized ocean blue tiles inside a large glass room filled with billows of fragrant steam. Come to think of it, maybe it’s the mingling of eucalyptus and memories that make this shower spray such a delight.
Over the years, I’ve collected bright vintage Pyrex bowls, fountain pens, anything our grandkids created, books, and even galvanized houses. Since our most recent move, however, my desire to collect has decreased (except for the grandkids creations, of course.) Moving has a way of doing that to a person.
But when I attend conferences, I enjoy collecting business cards.
Not for collecting sake, though. I request cards to remember the people God brought across my path. This year, I prayed for “holy introductions”, as Torry Martin calls them. You know, those unexpected run-ins and sit-bys. Like, Cheryl Crofoot Knapp, who I sat by at dinner, patiently waiting for the faculty member to arrive. And then there was Catherine Finger, whom I sat across at the Clouds Cafe. I thought I was there to catch up on emails but God had something different in mind. He always does, thankfully.
So, what do we do with the business cards we collect?
5 Ways to Connect {and Bless} Those On the Business Cards We Collect
{1}
This is not my idea. Someone at our conference (whose name was not shared) suggested it. But it was too good not to mention: Put them in a bowl when you return home, choose one each day, and pray for that person and their ministry.
Send requests to be Facebook friends to begin cultivating relationships.
{4}
Lay out the cards and take a picture. This way, you can preserve the information (and the face!) while keeping your office space decluttered.
{5}
Promote their work. I know, I know. It’s impossible to keep up with everyone. But I encourage you to let the Lord lead you in who you could promote from your fresh stack of cards. You didn’t meet the ministries represented on the business cards by coincidence. Being Facebook friends is the first step but if you resonate with their work, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest too. When they have a victory, share it with others through your social media outlets.
One way I’m doing this today is by sharing the names of those I collected cards from this year at The Blue Ridge Mountains Writer’s Conference, along with a link to their site. Some I’ve known for a while. But who could blame a girl for wanting a new card? *smile*
I wish I’d approached more peeps for a card exchange but it’s hard to keep up with all of these creative people!
One bonus idea: Obviously, we can’t sign up for everyone’s blogs but the truth of the matter is, that’s one of the best ways to support another. Many of us see our writing as a ministry and we welcome the opportunity to love you back!
So, do you have another idea for business cards or would you like to share the name & Web address (no phone numbers or addresses, please) of someone you met at Blue Ridge this year?
Cathy Baker
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