Noonday Giveaway Winner!!!

 photo giveaway1.jpg

WINNER of the amazing giveaway is.......

Hannah!!!

(I used random.org to calculate the winner!, and could NOT be happier that my precious friend Hannah won!!)

Thanks so much again to Noonday Ambassador Abby Schill for doing this trunk show and giveaway, and to my precious friend Kelli for sharing her story!

THANKS also to you all who ordered, and who entered this giveaway!
...and y'all, go shop Noonday anytime.
just click here, and even though Kelli's trunk show is closed right now, it will still go to helping Abby, who is adopting from Ethiopia!

so so honored to be a part of such a beautiful thing...

Noonday: beautiful jewelry, beautiful hearts. (and a giveaway!)

 photo trunkshow16.jpg

Y'all. I just had my very first AMAZING experience with Noonday!
oh goodness, do y'all know Noonday?
If so, I am jealous you found it before I did...and if not, you need to!!
Well, I got to host a trunk show, with the help of our local Noonday Ambassador, Abby Schill,
to support and bless my friend Kelli in her adoption process.
I'm gonna tell you and show you more about Noonday Collection in a minute, but first...
Meet Kelli, one of my dearest friends now...and follow along her journey
as she blogs here about their process of adopting a sweet baby from China!

- - - - - - - - - -

We have always known that adoption would be a part if our family's story. I have felt God calling me to adopt one of His children since a young age and the when and where were not made clear to us until the last year. The bible verse we have formed our marriage around is from 1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." We have been given so much undeserved grace and love from God, we know it is our job to share His love with others that have never known Him. We pray for our son or daughter every day, that they are shown love in their current situation and that they can grow to know God's love through our family.

 photo noondaygive3-1.jpg

Isn't her sweet family precious? I can't WAIT to see a new addition to this picture someday!
And seriously, go get to know her, she has a precious heart.

- - - - - - - - - -

Our trunk show was so fun...a girls night filled with
beautiful jewelry and beautiful stories.

 photo trunkshow10.jpg
{me, Kelli, and Abby rockin some Noonday for ya.}

 photo trunkshow19.jpg
 photo trunkshow18.jpg

I kept the food simple and just did several different kinds of dips...
pimiento cheese with cracked pepper chips, carrots with spinach artichoke dip, strawberry wafer cookies with chocolate dip, strawberries with vanilla bean dip, chips with salsa, and graham crackers with cream cheese cookie dough dip.
(and yes, you read that last one right. I promise Ill share the recipe soon)
Oh, and wine.  :)

And Abby set up the GORGEOUS Noonday jewelry for us to all admire and try on.
It is so beautiful and well-made. I am so so impressed, and a huge Noonday fan now!
(get ready to see me where it like all the time now, y'all!)

 photo trunkshow15.jpg
 photo trunkshow20.jpg
 photo trunkshow22.jpg
 photo trunkshow21.jpg

{my camera did something funky taking pics in my awful kitchen light...so please know that this jewelry is SO bright and vibrant and even more beautiful than you see above! You can see that on the website!}

Abby got to share a bit about Noonday,
and about why it is important to her in her own adoption, (read more of her story here).
She had us each pick out a piece we were drawn to before we sat down.
Then we went around the room and she gave us the stories behind each piece...

Some were made with paper beads, by women rolling pieces of paper on toothpicks and putting lots of work and heart into each unique one.
Some scarves were woven by women sitting around a fire doing life together, and bettering their lives through this business.
Some jewelry was made with war-time artillery which has been melted down and made beautiful.

It's all just amazing.
You need to go learn more about Noonday...(watch this video here)

And then, Kelli got to share a little about their heart and their adoption process.
So neat to see friends and women coming around to support and bless this process for her.
And to all have fun trying on jewelry together!

 photo trunkshow13.jpg

Our trunk show will be open until Friday, so if you'd like anything and would like to support Kelli,
here's what you do...
-click here
-at checkout, make sure it says Abby Schill in the ambassador box
-and then in the trunk show box, put my name, Sarah Lowe

I meeeeaaan...look at all this beautiful stuff, y'all! Great for gifts (mother's day IS coming...maybe send this link to your hubbs?!),
or just to treat yourself.
And it's for an amazing cause.

 photo trunkshow1-1.jpg

 photo trunkshow3-1.jpg

swoon.

 photo trunkshow2-1.jpg

Stay tuned for Noonday's Spring Collection which launches on Feb 20th!!!
and guess what???

 photo trunkshow6-1.jpg

We have a giveaway for you! 
50$ voucher to use for the new Spring line!

y'all, thats AWESOME.

to enter,
-you must go visit Abby's Noonday page (click here)
then come back to this post and comment, telling me which current piece is your favorite and why.
-for TWO extra entries, you can purchase something through the trunk show!
Comment and let me know if you did!
-for another entry, share about this trunk show and giveaway, and tell me that you shared!
**giveaway ends Friday at noon (central time)!

 photo giveaway1.jpg

So here's to adoption, bettering the lives of women around the globe, beautiful jewelry, and precious friends...

y'all have a good day!


snowy porch swing

Y'all. Winter in Oklahoma is cray.

75 one day, 7 the next. seriously!
This last week we enjoyed lots of snow, including two official snow days.
(It's been a little too cold to even go play in it, so we've had to be pretty creative with indoor activities to beat the cabin fever.)
But we definitely have looooved waking up each morning to see the pretty snow all over!

Even though I am ready for Spring, and kind of tired of the whole cold-weather routine like starting the car long before you leave to get it warm, getting everyone all bundled up every. single. time we go outside (which seems to take FOREVER), and shivering just to go get the mail...
I will miss the beauty of this winter.
And I am telling myself to be patient, because I know in about 4 months when it is 358 degrees outside, I'll be missing this crazy cold.

so for now, I will enjoy it!
...and I will swoon over our yellow porch swing being covered in a layer of white...
(somehow, this is good for my soul! :) )

 photo snowy1.jpg

I hope that, wherever you are, you are staying warm and cozy and enjoying whatever season you are in right now...
Happy Sunday, friends.

Noonday trunk show and giveaway coming soon!


 photo noondaycollage2.jpg

yall. I am so excited that next week, I get to host a trunk show for the Noonday Collection....
to benefit one of my closest friends in raising funds as they bring a baby home from China soon!
And to do it through such an amazing company like Noonday is so neat!

Next Tuesday, the 11th, get ready to come shop through our trunk show,
AND be ready to enter for an awesome giveaway!
(the show and giveaway will be open for a few days starting on the 11th, 
and I will share more details about how to order, who it is benefitting, etc at that time!)

If you don't know anything about Noonday...you need to.
Not only is their stuff beautiful, but the story behind the pieces are incredible.
AND ordering through our trunk show is going to be a huge blessing to a good friend.



So come back Tuesday, y'all!

my testimony of deliverance from fear, and healing from Fibromyalgia


Feeling my heart lead me to share an old post right now, 
one that is really important to my life, to my story.
I have been impacted lately with several close friends and family members who are battling big battles in the spirit.
It has confronted my heart and reminded me of my own battles...and my own healing...
and my own continuing pursuit of FULL freedom.

So, I am going to re-post something I shared a few years back.
I just feel like someone needs to hear it and that God is going to speak...
so thanks for letting me share this again, y'all.

I am writing this to share my testimony.
I may not have all the "answers" here if you have questions about my story or about anything I say,
but please feel free to email me..I would seriously love to talk more about it all.
(ourhopereclaimedblog@gmail.com)

*This is a long one...But it's important. Please keep reading if you feel led.*

- - - - - - - - - -

here's part of my story.

Photobucket

I had been in pain for a while.
Not able to write a grocery list without pain in my fingers.
Not able to chop veggies for dinner without pain in my hands.
Unable to hold my arms up to wash my hair for too long.
Extremely tired all the time...but unable to sleep at all.
Unable to exercise like I always had.
Not able to stand for too long without feeling exhausted.
But I could not sit for too long bc my joints would hurt in my hips.
My memory and mind were fuzzy ALL the time.
Lots of "dizzy" spells.
Numbness in my hands, which always scared me when I would drive.
My hormones were completely messed up, and lots of female issues came along with it.

We had lots of testing done.
Lots of doctors.  Lots of blood work, cat scans, MRI's, etc.
We were told the possibilities were Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, or MS.
(these possibilities rocked our world, just thinking about them)
No one could figure it out.
Finally, they "diagnosed" me with Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is basically described as "chronic widespread pain", 
where the nerves are "overactively responsive",
so that a person dealing with this feels every little twinge or pain or nerve firing in their body.
Where a person without it might have a very normal twitch or cramp in a muscle, 
I would be in lots of pain from the same twitch. Does that make sense?
That's how I lived. NOT fun.
(you've probably seen the Fibromyalgia commercials...
there are million of them for different medications to help pain and sleep issues, 
none of which ever helped me)

We were desperate.
but we KNEW that God did not want me to live this way.
*if you know us well, you know that I have a petty crazy history of dealing with medical issues since we got married.* 
So this was not our first go around with medical stuff, but it was def the most serious.

- - - - - - - - - -

not to get all "we-believe-y" on y'all, but I feel like i should explain where I'm coming from in my faith.

We believe in the supernatural power of God to do the things today that He has done forever.
We believe that He heals, does miracles, does supernatural deliverances.
We believe that he loves to give His children gifts including dreams, visions, heavenly languages, prophecy and aposotlic callings. (among more)
We believe that there is a demonic realm that Satan operates from and through.
We believe that there are demonic spirits that lie and deceive.
We have SEEN it all. Not just heard about it. We have read it in His word, and seen it in our lives.
It's not just something that happens in the "charismatic"  or Pentecostal churches. It is real.
We have personally experienced it. Felt it. Known it.
It is the power of Jesus.

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Hebrews 13:8

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world 
and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6:12

All that to say, I had been prayed for many times for healing,
and this time with the Fibromyalgia was no different.
But we were honestly fed up and just worn down.
We were desperate.
Yet, we felt like He had said that this was not a forever-thing.

- - - - - - - - - - 

We had heard of this week-long conference that teaches about the spiritual roots of disease.
We knew several people who had been and had amazing experiences.
But we had no idea what to expect.
We thought we were going to a revival-like mass healing conference.

But it turned out that it was a week long of being taught about scripture and what the Lord says 
about disease, healing, and the roots of sin and lies from Satan.
We literally just soaked in it from 9-5 every day, and then again each night.
Only a few times were there times for "healing prayer" and "deliverance prayer".

During this week, I came to really understand that I had been living in fear for a long time.
This week allowed me to delve into the roots of it, to explore all the lies I had believed for so long.
(The main lie that led to my fear was that God was not my ultimate Protector.)

We knew that I had lived under the spirit of Fear for a while,
but had no idea what needed to happen to be free from it.
And I dont think I realized the major connection between fear and my health struggles.

then. 
(back-track a sec with me)

ON THE WAY to this conference, we crossed the Mississippi river.
Parker was driving. (fear of not being in control of the car)
We were going over a river (i feared drowning)
on an overpass (I hated overpasses)
We were coming up next to an 18 wheeler (another fear)
then the lane ended and Parker had to make a quick move next to the big truck (more fear)
With all those put together...
my body literally felt SHOCKS going though it.
Shocks of pain.
Shocks of FEAR.

that's when I knew it was all connected.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

When I say that I was bound up in fear, that would be a understatement.
It consumed my mind AND my body.
anxiety, fear, unrest...no peace.

But at the same time. I did not walk around outwardly thinking 
"oh my gosh I'm gonna be hit by a bus today!".
It had just become almost my mode of operation. A subconscious mindset.
I think that's why it started affecting me internally so badly.
And really no one besides Parker knew what a big struggle this was for me.

what did I fear?
anything. And I don't mean fear like I had phobias...I mean like i would always listen to thoughts that were the opposite of what was true and right and good.)
Like even when I was healthy, I would fear being sick.
Long before I ever thought about having kids, I feared I wouldn't be able to.
When I drove next to 18 wheelers, I feared them toppling over on my car.
I feared bridges. I would white-knuckle the handles in my car if someone else was driving.
I feared rejection...big time. and funny thing is...
I am a social person, but I always had walls up due to this fear.
I feared my husband leaving me.
I feared someone breaking in or attacking me.
the list goes on and on really.

These may sound like all "normal" fears to you, maybe you fear all these things.
But you know how I knew it was getting out of hand?

when I started FEARING FEAR.

stop and think about that. It does sound a little crazy I know.
But when I got to this point...
I KNEW I needed freedom.  Like more than just some good scripture memorization 
or a prayer for peace.

- - - - - - - - - - - 

One evening at this conference,
they said the Lord was leading them to do a prayer for deliverance from the demonic spirit of fear
for whoever needs it.

(deliverance basically means "freedom from a bondage or danger")
*deliverance is WHY Jesus came for us!!*
But he wants more than just our entrance to Heaven.
He desires for us to be free HERE and NOW.

"It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free."
Galatians 5:1

This is where it may all sound a little crazy to you, 
but I feel released to share it, and am hopeful it will bless.

I held out my hands to receive the prayer.
Next thing I knew I was on my knees, shaking, dry-heaving and crying.
I felt like it lasted forever.
(but I think it was just a minute or two)
and then.
PEACE.
complete peace.
chills, good chills.
An overwhelming feeling I have only experienced a handful of times in His Presence.
Like a wave washing over me.

Photobucket


*not all deliverances or healings are like mine. God can do it with a whisper if He wants to. But I believe He did it this way for ME because I needed to FEEL it all physically...like a representation that HE could give me the opposite of what I had been feeling in my body for so long*

- - - - - - - - - - -

Throughout the rest of the week,
I continued to learn, soak in, and believe, the freedom God had for me.
And so He started showing me that I indeed was free.

Remember how I said I couldn't write my grocery list without pain?
well, get this...
I took almost half a notebook of notes the rest of the conference.
That was a miracle.

The healing had already begin.
(AND IT CONTINUES TODAY.)

Over the course of several weeks following,
and DAILY surrendering my mind (literally taking every thought captive) 
and believing HIS LOVE for me rather than FEAR...

I started to be free from all my symptoms.
I started gaining back strength. I started sleeping again.
I was able to work out again.
My memory and mind started clearing.

AND.
Remember how I also told you that my hormones had been really messed up?
(Ill spare you all those details, but according to my OBGYN, it was going to be really hard to get pregnant
until we figured all my other health stuff out.)

We got pregnant with Abigail 3 weeks after I was delivered from fear.
And I had an amazingly healthy pregnancy.
The healthiest I have ever been in my life.

and it continues.
I no longer have the pain or exhaustion from the "disease".

I have been freed from this bondage to fear.

- - - - - - - - - -

So why do I share all this with you?
What are my hopes in opening up my personal testimonies to you?
What are you supposed to do with this?

Maybe you are living in fear.
Maybe you are living with disease or pain.
Maybe you have had questions about IF the Lord can still heal today.

I do not have all the answers.
I do not know why some people are healed and some aren't.

But I do know this.

God is good.
and He is capable.

He is capable and willing to love on you where you are,
whether that means bringing you to a place of freedom and healing.
or giving you supernatural peace in the midst of the suffering.

Also, I want you to know that these things are indeed possible.
I believe with all my heart that God DOES desire for each of us to know His goodness.
It IS possible to be free from fear and sickness...if that is HIS desire for you.

But I would definitely start asking Him if it is, if you haven't already.
And ask Him to show you what lie you might be believing, 
or if there is a deep wound that needs healing.

I cannot tell you how many people we now know (personally), and also testimonies we have heard,
who when they became free from certain lies in their minds...
their bodies were healed.

I think so many people put so much weight in what doctors say, or put so much hope in getting a diagnosis. I know I did.
When really,
it MAY be that all you need is to be free from a bondage that has such a hold on you 
that it has made you sick.

Just ask Him about it.

I want freedom for you.
And I can't imagine how He feels.
Because He loves you so much.

- - - - - - - - - -

...more to come...

Thanks for reading y'all.
It means the world to me
I feel so honored to share my story here, and am trusting God to use it.
I will definitely continue to post more about all these things,
but if you want to chat at all, please email me.
I'd love to hear your stories.
Love y'all.