Farewell...

8 years ago I started blogging to keep family and friends updated on our life 'far away' in Grand Rapids. And it's been fun!  

But here's the (very simplified version of the) thing: I have a million and one things that swirl around in my brain during the day. (and sometimes, unfortunately, at night!) Ideas. Pictures. Designs. Plans. Convictions. Hopes. Goals. 

And I think it's time to create a bit more brain space! 

When I take a break from writing here on the blog, it seems like I've cleared up some room in my mind. I rather like not thinking about life's moments in terms of how it might be in a blog post: Did I get a couple of pictures to include? How could I creatively write this? That was a big lesson, should I share it? Summary: When I'm not thinking about my blog, I'm enjoying the moments more. 

And I enjoy enjoying my moments! 

I'm finding myself more and more pulling away from 'blog-land' (writing and reading) and rather liking it. That's a big part of where this decision is coming from. 

That, and the strong realization that I am by no means someone who can do it all and do it all well. Right now? My husband and my girls, my family and my church family. They're the ones - the God given gifts - I want to focus on. And I focus best when I have less things on the go (taking up brain space)! 

And so this, my friends, is my last blog post. 

It's been a fun ride. To everyone who's checked out my blog, who's commented, who's regularly read it - thank you, so sincerely! I send out best wishes to you, and remind you of this:

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:37-39

<<< >>>

Good bye :)

Christ is Risen!

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! 

Oh, sing hallelujah.

Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed;
Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. 

This song keeps 'playing' in my mind. Love it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend as we ponder His sacrifice and celebrate His resurrection and all that it means for His children!

A Little Gift for you

Do you have a little room on your shelf yet? Or a little corner of your wall? Because I enjoyed a little snippet of my afternoon designing this 5x7 print and thought I would share it with you! 

A tiny gift from me to you. 

A little way of saying 'THANK YOU' for making the first year of SparrowJoy a great one. 

Just click on the picture and it will bring you to the file. You can print it from your home printer, and when you cut along the grey lines, you'll have yourself a nice little 5x7 print to lean, tape or frame. 

Have a blessed Christmas, my friends! The Lord is come. Joy to the world, indeed!

<<< This print is a gift to you! Print one for yourself, one for your neighbor, one for your sister-in-law, but please remember it is for PERSONAL USE ONLY. Thank you >>>

Winner!!

Tim Horton's dark roast coffee.

Am I allowed to say "yuck"? Probably not. That would probably be considered rude. Especially since I asked you what your favorite drink was. You were simply responding to my question! You don't deserve a "ew, yuck". 

Ew. Yuck.

;)

(sorry...never liked coffee much...at all, really...)

Congrats to Jannyne, the dark roast coffee lover!! You've won!! Contact me at jennifer[at]sparrowjoy[dot]com, let me know what color you'd prefer, and I'll send that right over. 

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I will be sticking with my Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (thank you, Bulk Barn, for supplying it cheaply for me...), but it's fun to see what you're sipping this winter. :) Have a fanTAStic weekend!

It's time for a Giveaway!!

Recently I had the fun of emailing over my "Great is your Faithfulness" print to the winner of a  SparrowJoy giveaway on Facebook. 

Now - it's your turn! That's right! It didn't seem fair that non-facebook users couldn't join in the fun. And so now is the time for a BLOG GIVEAWAY! (don't worry - I won't exclude facebook'ers...you can try too! :) 

'So!', you might ask, 'What's the prize?' Well, in keeping with the season, if you leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite winter-y beverage (What's that? You want to know mine? Ok, I'll tell you! - salted caramel hot chocolate!!! Mmmm), then you enter a draw for the "Glory to the Newborn King" print!

The winner will receive a digital file of the print - and they even get to pick their favorite color! There's 5 options...and options are good, right? 

So folks! Let's get this giveaway started! You have until Saturday, Dec. 13, at noon to comment with your favorite hot beverage, at which point the contest will be closed. Spread the word! 

(By the way, if you happen to be local to Chatham, I will easily be convinced to print it out for you...)

Update: Contest is now closed.