HELLO STARS

If you have seen the movie War Room, you likely fell in love with the precious little girl Danielle. (And if you haven't seen it, for goodness sakes why not!?) Danielle is played by Alena Pitts, daughter of For Girls Like You founder Wynter Pitts. Alena never expected to be an actress and the part of Danielle was her first acting job. Alena quickly learned that making a movie wasn't all glamorous and she had to learn to balance this new career with her every day life.

Documenting her experience, Alena and her mom teamed up and wrote a fun new book called Hello Stars. The first book in the Lena in the Spotlight series, Hello Stars is all about young Lena Daniels as she gets her first job acting in a movie. Just like Alena, Lena Daniels has to learn how to balance it all.

Through this movie making adventure, Alena and Lena both learn that through it all, God has a plan and a purpose for your life.

Your daughter will love this fun story and so will you! To check out Hello Stars, click HERE. Also, check out For Girls Like You for more fun stuff and encouragement for tween girls and moms of tween girls.

Check out this fun Facebook live video with Wynter, Alena and Priscilla Shirer (Wynter's cousin)!

Weekly Praises

Continuing to count God's sweet blessings...

2210. My sweet daughter Grace who celebrated her Sweet Sixteen over the weekend.

2211. Birthday celebrations with family.

2212. Watching my daughter's best friend graduate high school.

2213. A Sunday nap in between church services.

2214. Dinner with my church family.

Share something you are praising God. I would love to rejoice with you.

MANDISA: OUT OF THE DARK {GIVEAWAY}

Mandisa's brand new cd, Out of the Dark, is now available! I am so excited! Since this cd arrived in my mailbox over a week ago, I haven't stopped listening to it.

When Mandisa's best friend, Kisha, was diagnosed with breast cancer, she had full faith that God was going to heal her friend. She even wrote the song You're An Overcomer in 2013 for her friend. When Kisha went home to be with the Lord, Mandisa slipped into a dark depression for 3 years, closing everyone out, including the Lord. The very first track on Out of the Dark hit me hard. Really hard. I was literally tearing up within 30 seconds of popping the cd in the cd player. Listen, then I'll explain...

The first thing that stood out to me about this voicemail intro is that Mandisa has done the right thing even before the depression hit, she surrounded herself with good, Godly people. People who were not going to let her slip away. People who stood by her side, even when she didn't want them there. People who lifted her to God even when she didn't see it. I had to ask myself, am I doing that? Am I surrounding myself with people who will be there no matter what? The second thing that stood out to me and drew me to tears was the question, am I that kind of friend? It is so easy to let people slip through the cracks. We know something is wrong. We might pray once or twice for them. We might send a Facebook message or text. But when they don't answer, we give up. I want to be that persistent friend. One that continues to pray daily, continues to call and even knocks on the door. I don't want to let those I love slip away when they are struggling.

After struggling with 3 years of dark depression, Mandisa is still here! She knows that God is not done with her and she still has a story to tell.

Prove Me Wrong is Mandisa's healing song. She wrote this song as a conversation with God over her friend's death. The song will bring you to tears as it brings healing to your soul.

And finally I want to share my favorite song, which is really hard to say because I truly love all of the songs on this cd! Shame Off struck me deep. Many of us tend to put ourselves down. I know I am bad about being a bully to myself. We tell ourselves over and over that we aren't good enough, that we fail, the list goes on and on. In Shame Off, Mandisa reminds us to take the shame off and put His grace on! (This song, along with 2 others, is only available on the deluxe edition.)

Out of the Dark is a favorite cd for my family. We all love it and we know you will too. Get your copy wherever music is sold!

Looking for a new devotional? Struggling with your own darkness or know someone who is? Mandisa wrote a 7 day devotional that is now live on YouVersion! Just click HERE to get the plan.

To enter to win a copy of Out of the Dark, complete each task in the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RISE UP {ILLUSTRATED FAITH}

It's Illustrated Faith time! I love this little colorful envelope delivered to my mailbox each month. I know that what awaits me is going to be something good. The Illustrated Faith kits are full of encouragement and inspiration. They help me to get into the Word in a fresh and creative way.

This month's kit, Rise Up, is just as exciting. This kit, inspired and written by Kristen Wolbach, encourages and challenges us to step out and do what God has called us to do. Kristen says, "Join me as I share with you ways God has asked me to step out in faith -with the heart of a warrior- all while learning more about who He really is...and, that above all, we learn how to RISE UP in the name of Jesus."

The Rise Up Kit includes:
1 plastic pouch
1 devotional booklet
1 clear stamp collection
1 roll of washi tape
1 sheet of cut-out paper pieces
2 cardstock sticker sheets
3 tip-ins
1 magnet
1 thank you card from Shanna

I am loving the stamps this month. You can do so much with the mountains, sunrise/sunset, and birds. Just think of the amazing Scriptures you can illustrate! And the washi has one of my favorite sayings, Speak Life. And alpha stickers are always a hit. Let your imagination run wild as you do what God created you to do: create.

The devotions include:
Uncontained
I Object
Speak Life
Battle-Scarred
Battle Cry
Untitled
To Thine Own Self
Drowned Rats & Bruised Egos
The Struggle Bus
Quietly Hope
Hold the Rope
Undignified
The Jesus Factory
Rise In The Word

Illustrated Faith offers other incredible products to help you in your Bible journaling adventure. Check out the Illustrated Faith Organization Bag is perfect for holding all of your Illustrated Faith supplies. It even holds your Bible! This makes it great to take your Bible and supplies to church or wherever. The I Was Created to Create Apron is great for keeping things clean while you Bible journal. And of course it's great for creating in the kitchen too! These are just two of my favorite products. To check out over 100 great Illustrated Faith products, click HERE. To pick up the new Rise Up Kit, click the banner below!

WE SAVED YOU A SEAT

Last month I shared with you the lovely Lisa-Jo Baker's new book Never Unfriended. Today I want to share with you a new companion resource to Never Unfriended. Dayspring and Lifeway have teamed up to bring us the We Saved You a Seat Bible Study. This 7 session study is all about finding and keeping lasting friendships. The Bible study is great to do on your own but even better to grab a few friends and do it together. As summer approaches, it is the perfect time to do a study with some friends or neighbors. Gather the kids to play in the sprinkler for an hour while you and your friends learn all about friendships.

In We Saved You a Seat, you will find that friendship takes...

showing up

vulnerability

encouragement

service

forgiveness

walking away wisely

action

See what Lisa-Jo has to say...

Friendship isn't always easy. And many aren't prepared for all that it takes. Lisa-Jo gives us wisdom and insight and she always points to Scripture.

Each week has the group session then 3 days of "homework." You will love the homework, and I promise, it won't really feel like homework! I love that there are only 3 days because it can be so easy to get behind. This allows for you to actually split it up into 6 days. Or strive for 3 days and use the other days to catch up if you are behind. Each day has a friendship challenge that help you dig deep. There are 7 video sessions to go with each week. In the video sessions you will find Lisa-Jo, Alia Joy, Deidra Riggs, Aliza Latta and Kristen Strong. They share real life experiences, humor and encouragement. You will feel like you are sitting at the table with them!

To pick up We Saved You a Seat, click HERE.

Here are some great products to go with We Saved You a Seat and Never Unfriended:

This We Saved You a Seat Bible Study Kit is great! I am all about mini bags and office supplies. The kit is perfect for the We Saved You a Seat Bible study and includes: 1 pouch, 20 inspiration cards, 2 sticky note flags, 1 sticker sheet, 2 mini-highlighters, and 1 washi tape.

This Conversation Start Jar is great! We've used this at home with our teens as well as I've used it with my ladies Bible study I lead. The questions really get everyone talking and sharing. Some questions are light and just for fun and some are deep and emotional. Pick up the Conversation Start Jar  for your home, ladies night out or Bible study group!

Whether friendship comes easy for you, you are shy and struggle to make friends, or you've been burned deep by an old friend, We Saved You a Seat and Never Unfriended are great tools. You will learn how to make lasting and true friendships and learn when it is healthy to walk away.