"The King's Blooming Rose" magazine

Have you ever heard of "The King's Blooming Rose" magazine? You will definitely want to know [more] about it! You can just go to their website by clicking on the image above.

I've received two of their magazines as a gift from my bosom friend and have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. They are filled with encouraging articles, fun recipes and you'll find yourself laughing and crying till the very last page.

It is published quarterly (4 times a year) and is free, unless you feel led to make a donation (which I know they would appreciate!). Read more about it on their website.

Blessings,

I've been awarded! :)

I have been awarded by Abigail at A Light To Follow.

Thank you, Abigail! That was very sweet of you and I am honored to receive this cute award. :)

The rules are:

~Thank the person who gave you the award (did so, above:)

~Copy the award

~Post it on your blog

~Tell 7 things your readers probably don't know

~Link 7 new bloggers as recipiants

~Notify the winners of their award with a comment on their blog

~Keep on sharing the light of Christ with others!

Let's see...7 things my readers don't know about me...

1. I used to use Sampa for my blog, before Blogger. But I switched to Blogger just a few weeks before Sampa shut down.
2. I've been blogging for over a year.
3. I've only won one blog giveaway. :( Yeah, pretty sad. And I've entered tons!! But I love the won that I did win. :) At Andrea's, God is Writing My Love Story.
4. I plan to have a giveaway fairly soon. Keep an eye for it!!! :)
5. The first blog that I ever started following was my dear friend, Miss Jen's, Blessed Femina. :)
6. This is my 4th award!! :) I feel so privileged.
7. Okay, last "did you know about me"...hm...did you know that...I've lived on a farm for 5 years? :) Goingon 6, next January. Okay, this last one was kind of lame. :) Sorry! :)

Okay, I award:

1. Andrea at God is Writing My Love Story
2. Jennifer at Child of the King
3. Jessica.Mae at Faith For Girls
4. Lucia at A Princess in God's Kingdom
5. Hahner Sisters at Living at Home
6. Emily (Hahner) at Emily's Ponderings
7. and...c'mon, Raquel - one more!! Okay, here's a new twist! :) I'll award the first person who comments (who I didn't already award)! So hurry and comment!!

Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving!

The past couple of weeks, all the bloggers, whose blogs I follow, have been writing posts about the things they are thankful for. So, I wanted to write a post about all the things that I am thankful for too. But while I was making up my list, God revealed something to me. It was almost as if He was telling me, "Raquel, you are thanking Me for all the good things I have given you. What about the trials I have sent your way? Don't I tell you, in My Word, to 'rejoice in trials' and 'be thankful for tribulations'? Haven't you seen the 'good' that I have worked out of all the bad - like I say in Romans 8:28?" Yes, LORD. I have.

Unfortunately, I can't go into detail about the hardships that He has sent our way, but let's all try to remember to thank Him for the trials and hard times, because if you *really* think about it, you will see that something good has *always* come out of it. I have been blessed with new friends, stronger relationships, wonderful times to remember, stronger faith in God and more trust in Him, because of the 'bad' that has been in my life.

But, in this post, I will post at least ten things I am thankful for. Believe me, the list can go on and on, but I'm short of time here, so... :)

I am thankful for...

1. ~My Savior and my God

2. ~My life

3. ~My family

4. ~My friends (especially my bosom friend :)

5. ~My Home

6. ~All our farm animals

7. ~The money that we have - enough to make a huge Thanksgiving meal! :)

8. ~My blog that I am able to have

9. ~Music (my songs, instruments, my voice, etc.)

10. ~Books (that have encouraged me, inspired me, helped me in my spiritual walk. And ones just for pleasure too :)

and just two extra ones, for good measure :)

11.~All the home-making skills that my dear Mother has taught me

12. ~How much God has blessed my efforts on The Homeschool Society and how many Christian homeschoolers are finding it.

Like I said...the list can go on and on!! :)

So what are some things (list at least three) that you are thankful for this year?

Blessings,

P.S. All these photos getting you hungry for all the good food tomorrow? :)

~HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!~

Song For the Day Tuesday

For this week's Tuesday, I'd like to tell you a little about a group and their song that have really encouraged me, especially lately. I'm honored to say that these fellows are from my home town and state (Portland, Oregon)! :)

The group is: Kutless.

Some quick facts about Kutless:

They've been singing since 1999.

Kutless chose their name because of a specific Bible verse. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NRSV). Because of this, the group says, "He took our cuts for us... leaving us 'Kutless'."

Group Members:

Jon Micah Sumrall... Lead Vocals

James Mead... Guitar

Nick Departee... Guitar

Dave Luetkenhoelter... Bass

Jefferey Gilbert... Drums

I know quite a few of their songs that are all favorites of mine, but their latest, "What Faith Can Do" has just really blessed me lately, because of all the hardships that my family and I have been going through. It's been hard, but faith in God is the best thing you can have!!

"What Faith Can Do"

"Everybody falls sometimes

You gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you’re stronger, stronger than you know

And don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

(CHORUS)

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

You may decide to take that step

Out on the water

But it’ll be all right

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

(repeat CHORUS)

Overcome the odds

When you don’t have a chance

That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It will tell you that it can

(Repeat CHORUS)"

I hope this song encourages you. Try listening for it on the radio...they've been playing it quite often. And of course, the music always makes a difference. :)

Blessings,

Pictures are taken from JFH.

Behind the Teen Scene giveaway

Maggie, at Behind the Teen Scene, is having a giveaway! Click on her link to view the beautiful Twinstatic Creations tote bag!

Grosgrain: The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

The engagement of a couple who courted...

For awhile now, I have been following the blog of Tara and Kelly Riddell. Tara has been courted by Stephen Craig for some time now, and I was SO blessed and excited to go to her blog recently and find this picture awaiting me:

God is SO good!! Please visit Tara's blog and wish her a congratulations on her engagement! Daughters of Vision

Blessings,

I've been awarded!

I've been awarded by a sweet friend of mine, Lucia, at "A Princess in God's Kingdom". Thanks so much, Lu! That meant a lot to me.



So, the rule of this award is, after you've been awarded, to pass it on and award four of your favorite bloggers/friends' blogs. You must write a little something about each of them (i.e.: why they're special to you, how long you've known them, etc.) Since I only have one bosom friend, I shall award her, but the others...please take this award as a way of saying "you are a sweet, dear friend"! :)

Danielle K. Hahner at "Living At Home": My dear, bosom friend!! We've been through so much together, but we've always stood side by side. I love you for who you are, what you mean to me, and the wonderful, Godly example to all those around you. I love you, dearie!!

Paulina Prieto at "A Set Apart Life": Paulina, you have encouraged me more than you can ever imagine! I admire your loyalty and love for our God. The articles you write are inspiring and, yes, challenging. Thank you for being my friend! I pray that the LORD will use me to encourage you as well.

Andrea at "God is writing my love story!": Andrea, you have encouraged me tremendously by your testimony to remain pure! I am SO excited about you and Billy - I truly hope and pray that the LORD blesses your lives together. He already has, so I don't know why He would stop now. :) Blessings to you, dear!

and

Lauren and Mikaela (twins) at "One Bright Corner": I know these twin girls personally, and they've always been a great encouragement to me. We need to get together soon, girls!! :) Keep up your lovely blog!

Blessings!

Song For the Day Tuesday

I totally forgot to put up a song this Tuesday. I am so sorry! And it's funny too, because all this last week, I knew which group I was going to be putting up for this Tuesday - I'm so surprised that I forgot, because I'm really excited to present to you...

NEEDTOBREATHE

Some quick facts about NEEDTOBREATHE:

They have been singing since 2001

Group Members:

Bear Rinehart... Vocals, Guitar, Piano

Bo Rinehart... Guitar, BGVs

Seth Bolt... Bass, BGVs

Joe Stillwell... Drums

David Leonard... Keys, BGVs (touring only)

They're based out of South Carolina.

The song that I've chosen by them for this week is probably the one that they're most well-known for:

Washed By the Water

"Even when the rain falls

Even when the flood starts rising

Even when the storm comes

I am washed by the water

First Verse:
Daddy was a preacher

She was his wife

Just tryin' to make the world a little better

You know, shine a light

Second Verse:

People started talking

Trying to hear their own voice

Those people tried to accuse my father

Said he made the wrong choice

(CHORUS)

Even when the rain falls

Even when the flood starts rising

Even when the storm comes

I am washed by the water.

Third Verse:

Though it might be painful

You know that time will always tell

Those people have long since gone

My father never failed

(repeat CHORUS)

Even if the Earth crumbles under my feet

Even if the ones I love turn around and crucify me

I won’t never ever let you down

I won’t fall

I won’t fall

I won’t fall as long as You’re around me."

All songs written by Bear Rinehart and Bo Rinehart Walter Ego Music (ASCAP) / Needtobreathe Music (BMI)

Behind the Song:

" 'Bear wrote this song about his dad. Anyone who has a parent involved in the ministry knows the struggles involved with being a spiritual leader. People aren’t always going to agree with you and sometimes it can get ugly. This song is about working through those hardships and holding on to your calling, no matter what happens. We really wanted a gospel choir on this song. After searching all over we finally found the right choir at Set Free Christian Fellowship in Powdersville, SC. We packed up Seth’s studio one night and took a field trip to Powdersville to record the choir ourselves. It worked out great and gave just the right lift to the end of the song.' - Needtobreathe"

- Taken from JFH

I'm sure you can find the music video on YouTube. It's really worth watching!

I heard this song, for the first time, quite a while ago. At the time, I didn't know just how much it would comfort me a few months later. At the moment, my family and I are going through a situation that it almost seems as if Bear wrote this song about/for us! God has amazing ways of letting us know that He is still there for us. Whenever I hear this song, I remember that we are not alone in the trials that we are going through. God is always there - right beside us...and we are washed by the water.

Blessings,

"God is Writing My Love Story" giveaway!!

One of my dear friends (whom I met through blogging, and who allowed me to redesign her blog :) is having a giveaway are her blog: "God is Writing My Love Story"!! What a wonderful giveaway! Click on her link to find out the book is! :)