let me be ok with it...

/
Since our move to a new state and new town and new home...
I have experienced lots of stillness.
lots of quietness, a little bit of loneliness, some sadness.

Just adjustment at its finest I think.
adjustment to a new place,
a new home,
a new baby on the way,
new friends to be made.
toddlerhood, weaning, and pregnancy all at once.
just a whole new season for us as a family.

I've been letting it get to me and letting Satan have a foothold in the quietness.
Today I found myself in the echoey pit of it.
But tonight as my sweet little girl pointed at her "lalas"
(the little stereo in her playroom that she sings "la la" to)
I found some breakthrough in the quietness, as I turned on her worship music.

one song in particular, I know God put it there for me to hear tonight.


"Still"
by Watermark

The more I get alone

The more I see I need to get alone more, more
Cause just when I think that I'm alone
Your Spirit calls out to me
And even silence has a song
Cause that's when you come
Sing over me

Still, let me be still
Let me be OK
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to you
Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life,
Still

Oh this world, it falls around me
And flutters all it's beauty in my eyes
But let me choose the solitude
Simplicity has always simply changed my life
Cause even stillness makes me move
Cause that's when my heart
Learns to dance with you

Still, let me be still
Let me be OK
With the quiet in my heart
Still, I want to be still
I'm so quick to move
Instead of listening to you
I'm your child
Tame my heart
Obedience
To me impart
Still

La la la la la, Hold me
La la la la la, Cleanse me
La la la la la, Change me, Oh God
Change me while I am
Still, let me be still
And know that you are God
And you are always enough
Still, I want to be still
To take all that I am
And simply lift it up

Shut my mouth
Crush my pride
Give me the tears
Of a broken life,
Still.



I am realizing that the newness and stillness
I am feeling in this new season
is a good thing.
in my husband's wise words,
it is almost like a "detox",
from the hustle-bustle big city life
where there is always something to do or go to or get done.
always distractions from the heart issues.

But I am thankful for this season.
The quietness still rings loud in my ears right now,
but I know there is clarity, simplicity, and healing
that God has for me
in this stillness.

WINNER! happy Monday!

/
HAPPY MONDAY FRIENDS!!!


Winner (chosen by random.org) from last Friday's sweet little giveaway is.......

JAMI!
(love you girly!)

she gets shop credit to this precious shop...


make sure you check out Chelsea at name your{joy}
even if you didn't enter or win,
you will love her!
Thanks again girl!


I do have a lot on my heart and mind to share this week, and will get to that shortly...

my parents got to come visit us this weekend and we have been hanging out with them,
such a blessing!
We even got to celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary with them on Saturday!!
amazing, right?
they are such a a precious example to us of unconditional love,
and I am so thankful to be their daughter!


thats all for now folks.
Have a WONDERFUL Monday!!!

JOY on my heart....a Winner, another GIVEAWAY and Baby Deux!!

/
so much JOY to go around today!!!

first up, I have to share the winner of Wednesday's giveaway:
(chosen by random.org)

KELLY from over at Fly With Me...
email me!! yay!!
and thanks again April for doing the giveaway!


but guess what?
ANOTHER GIVEAWAY TODAY!!!!
I know you will l. o. v. e. this!



do you know this girl?
you should if you dont! and you should check out her precious shop too!
I want you to meet my new sweet bloggy friend, Chelsea!
I'll let her talk a little bit...


hi friends, i'm chelsea!

i'm so excited to be creating fun, handmade gifts for the favorite people in your lives...and of course, you too!

i specialize in creating personalized pieces of art, and i love taking the ordinary and making it unique.


each frame is handpicked by me and then refinished.

the background for each piece is a fabric that

i found to be inspiring.

and then, a mirror that i personally hand-engrave is attached in the center.



i also LOVE to create custom pieces.

i can engrave practically anything on the mirrors and

i love to hear what inspires others.


in the past few months, i have developed a love for blogging.

i launched my new blog just about a month ago,

and i would love it if you came to visit.

i not only include little insights into my business, but also feature my inspirations and joys.

come get to know me, i’d love to get to know you!


.xoxo. chelsea {joy}



nameyourjoybutton


She is giving away a
$15 SHOP CREDIT
which can be used for custom pieces too!


To ENTER this giveaway,
you MUST: (mandatory to enter)

* be a follower of my blog
(and leave a comment telling me that!)

* be a follower of Name Your Joy's blog
(and leave another comment!)

For additional entries:

* follow Race Towards Joy on Twitter {click here}
(and leave a comment that you did)
{I'm new to the little birdy and would love to connect with you there!}

*follow Name Your Joy on Twitter {click here}
(and leave a comment)

* "like" Name Your Joy's facebook page {click here}
(and leave a comment that you did)

*leave a comment saying what you would have Chelsea engrave on a custom piece,
she loves to hear YOUR inspirations!


LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!
(so total, you could have up to 6 entries!)

Giveaway will end on Sunday night and
winner, chosen randomly, will be announced Monday!!

ENTER!!!!!

oh, and I have to share my own little JOY on my heart today...
yesterday we had our first appointment with our midwife and
got to hear Baby Deux's heartbeat,
and it was LOUD AND STRONG!

we were disappointed we didn't get to do an ultrasound just yet
(stupid insurance rules),
but I will try and be patient for 4 more weeks!!

SO MUCH JOY OVER HERE!!!


sharing our hearts today over here:
Photobucket





{my very first} GIVEAWAY!!!!!

/
GET EXCITED!!
in celebration of this news I shared with you the other day,
I am hosting several giveaways this week and next!! yippee!

Today, I am hosting my very first GIVEAWAY!!!
you may know her as"gingerbread girl"
from her blog gingerbread.


Photobucket

I would love to introduce you to April,
unique, ever-so-vintagey-and-cute, sweet mama to two,
who loves to craft, cook, share great music and shop vintage!

She has graciously agreed to do a giveaway today and I am SO excited!

so, without further ado.....



hello! my name is april
and i share my daily crafts/recipes/life over at
i have two very rambunctious boys who keep me on my toes.
I enjoy all things vintage and crafty.
i am so excited to be invited to have a seriously
FUN giveaway
here at racing towards joy.
sarah is such a sweet friend and i feel so blessed that i found her is this big bloggy world!

Now, for the giveaway!
in April's words...

i found this vintage flower pin (see pic below!) from a local vintage store and i knew it would be perfect for one of your readers.
it is colorful, bright and a
perfect accessory to any summer outfit!
I chose to pin it on a fidora, but you could wear it on a jean jacket or tank top.
ENJOY!



such a fun vintagey summer accessory!!!
THANKS APRIL!!

To ENTER this giveaway,
you MUST:

* be a follower of my blog
(and leave a comment telling me that!)

* be a follower of gingerbread's blog
(and leave another comment!)

For additional entries:

* "like" gingerbread's facebook page {click here}
(and leave a comment that you did)

* follow Race Towards Joy on Twitter {click here}
(and leave a comment that you did)
(I'm new to the little birdy and would love to connect with you there!)


LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!
(so total, you could have up to 4 entries!)

Giveaway will end on Thursday at midnight and
winner (chosen randomly) will be announced Friday!!

BLESSINGS!!!!!