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Kristen Anne Glover

Five in Tow

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Stephanie’s Thirty-One Adventure

Catch Beetles

When I was very young, I lived on a coffee plantation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  I ran barefooted with my brothers up and down the runway while my dad circled overhead, swimming his red and white airplane through an endless ocean of sky.

During the week, my older brother and I hopped on a yellow truck with bench seats in the back and bounced away to boarding school.  My dorm parents had been missionaries in one of the jungle tribes, so it was appropriate that they were put in charge of civilizing a pack of missionary kids who would have rather been outside collecting beetles and climbing mango trees.

Knee socks

I am not in this picture. That’s why I chose it.

My roommate in that weathered wooden dormitory was Stephanie, the oldest daughter of my dorm parents.  We weren’t much alike, and since she was several grades ahead of me (and far more mature); I must have made her crazy.

I did not know that one day, that curly-haired girl would become my sister.

We’re still not much alike, except we both have crazy hair and a slew of children and we both married men named Jeff.  Some of our kids share names, too.  Other than that, we’re totally different.  For one thing, Stephanie is far more caring.  When my husband was gone on Army business for months on end, Stephanie kept track of the days.  She sent care packages and notes and checked in on me at just the right time.

That’s just like a big sister for you. 

Dorm life

Okay, I’m in this one. Can you find me?

I don’t know how she has time to think of me at all.  Stephanie is the mother to seven children, and the wife of a man who is busy balancing work and ministry.  Jeff was a former missionary kid himself.  The two of them met in training for mission work and spent a total of ten years preparing for and ministering to the Semandang tribe—the same people group Jeff’s parents had served when he was growing up in Indonesia.

One of their children nearly died there.  They faced many challenges and hardships as missionaries.  There were joys too–but if you’ve never been on the mission field, you cannot imagine what it is like to raise your babies in the jungle.

Stephanie and Jeff are back in the States now, working with their home church as youth leaders.  Jeff is on the church board.  They both disciple small groups of people while they pray about where God is leading them.  They work, too, because it takes a lot of work to support a large family.  For a time, Stephanie worked the night shift and came home just in time to homeschool the kids.  Now, she is a caretaker for a few young children in her home while her own kids are in school.

It’s not easy managing a home, ministry, and work.  But I love how consistently Stephanie demonstrates a Proverbs 31 woman to me.  She is willing to work hard as a partner and helpmeet to her husband while being a loving mother to her children.  I’m sure some days are very hard.  But as far as I can tell, Stephanie does it with a servant’s heart.

Like I said, we’re not very much the same.

It seemed appropriate that Stephanie decided to become a consultant for Thirty-One, a company named after Proverbs 31.  Perhaps you’ve heard of them?  They sell amazing bags and organizational products.  I even did a fun review on them here which you totally have to read because it’s funny.  At least, I had fun writing it.

Large Utility Tote Beach Bag

Stephanie decided to join the company for several reasons.  For one thing, she wanted some of the bags.  It’s easy to see why–they are beautiful, functional, and made to outlast seven children (which is saying something).

family photo

This is Stephanie’s family, as they looked a few years ago. Those kids won’t stop growing!

But she has a bigger dream.  She wants to free her husband up to become even more involved in ministry.  That’s just like Steph.

I wanted to support that vision and my step-sister’s dedication to her family.  It’s a rare thing these days to witness a woman working beside her husband in ministry and in the precious calling of raising godly kids with such humility and grace.

I told Steph I would do an online party for her because I appreciate her so much.  If you love Thirty-One bags, or if you’ve never heard of them but want to check them out, please click on the link to browse around!   Your purchase will help Stephanie and Jeff in their desire to serve their church in a greater way.

Click here—->   Thirty-One Party!

To make things even more fun than shopping alone, I will be doing a giveaway!  That’s right!  Everyone who orders through Stephanie’s link above will be entered to win her choice of either this bag (in a print of choice):

Zip Top Utility Tote

The Zip-Top bag keeps everything organized. I’m getting one to take to piano lessons! Bonus: It’s the SPECIAL this month!!!

or this one (again, in your choice of print):

Large Utility Tote

The large utility tote is one of my favorite Thirty-One bags!

All you have to do to be entered to win one of those bags is shop through the party link.  Be sure you order before Friday, February 21 at 9 pm Pacific Time in order to be entered to win one of these bags.  You should see the Five in Tow party title at the top of the screen when you order.  That ensures that you’re ordering with this party so I can keep track of who is eligible to be entered.  Also, if you’re a follower of my Five in Tow Facebook page, you “might” (wink wink) get in on a few extra giveaways while we run this party this week.

Have fun shopping, and thank you for supporting Stephanie!

 

Reviews, Uncategorized 12 Comments

Giveaway: Win The Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle!

Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle

Update: This giveaway is now closed!  Congratulations to reader Beverly for the win!

You all are wonderful.  I just have to say it.

Because five of you purchased the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle through my links, I earned a free Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle for myself.  It’s a little thank-you gift from the folks who put this whole show together, and a bit of an incentive for us smaller bloggers to work hard during these sales because they know we can’t compete with the big bloggers.

It worked, too.  I might not make thousands of dollars in commissions like someone with a gazillion followers, but I’m pretty happy to get my bundle FREE!

It’s just too bad I can’t keep it.  

You see, most of our marriage, we have struggled financially.  We spent four years in seminary, then my husband began working toward his PhD.  He couldn’t finish because we couldn’t pay for it, so he worked two jobs to make ends meet.  But with five kids, his income was low enough that we’d get letters in the mail telling us we qualified for food stamps.

Then, he lost his main job, the job he’d had for five years.  For the next twelve months, we lived on savings (yes, we still managed to save!) and the income he got from extra military duties.

In the middle of that, when I was feeling particularly down, I got a card in the mail from a blogger I had never met.  The card included a check for $500.  This woman, who has five children of her own, stumbled upon my blog one day and the Lord told her, “Send Kristen some money.”  So she did.

Then her husband found out. 

She read him my story, How to Get Your Toddler to Eat Anything, and he said, “Yep, that was the right thing to do.”

I sobbed for two days.  I sobbed in the grocery store and I sobbed when I looked at my children and I sobbed whenever I talked to God because I was sorry for doubting.  “I own the cattle on a thousand hills, Kristen.  I can spare a hoof,” He said.

Thankfully, we’re out of the hallway now.  My husband was accepted into active duty as an Army chaplain.  It’s a big upgrade from his days as a young, enlisted Airman!

It is with great joy that we realize we can afford to purchase good and helpful things like this bundle.  Six months ago, I would not have been able to spend $30 on a bundle of books I did not need.  Six months ago, people needed new socks more than I needed another cookbook.

I know that’s the same for some of you.  I know some of you are feeling a little torn up every time I talk about the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle because you would buy it, if you could.  But $30 is $30, no matter how good a deal it is.

money

I didn’t have to think very long to know I do not want to keep this freebie for myself.  I am so ready to give.  I want to be the person who sends the $500 checks.  I want to bless one of you with a small gift because I have been given so much. 

Even if you don’t need it, I want one of you to have it because I am passionate about equipping you to live better, not just through stories and funny anecdotes from the children, but with real encouragement and help.  Perhaps winning this bundle (and all the goodies that come with it!) will be one small way I can equip you to live better.  It’s not $500 (sorry about that) but it’s my small way of saying I’m in your corner. 

Just enter the Rafflecopter below.  I will announce the winner by 5 pm on Saturday, November 9, 2013 so you have plenty of time to purchase a bundle on your own if you desire to do so.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviews 41 Comments

Win a $50 Noonday Gift Certificate

My friend Abbie and I have a lot in common. Together, we have ten kids, two sets of twins, a mess  of crazy big hair, and the corner on the market when it comes to blogs starting with the number five.

Some day, we’re going to rob a bank together.  I mean, write a book together.

In the mean time, we’re teaming up to bring you a great new giveaway sponsored by Brandi Mendenhall from The Fair Trade Fashionistas.  As her blog name suggests, Brandi’s passion is fair-trade fashion.

Honestly, that was not something I spent much time thinking about before I met Brandi.  I was pretty satisfied to find good deals and clothes that fit.  I didn’t really think about how my purchases were impacting the global economy and combating the problem of poverty…or not.

But I couldn’t help but be drawn to Brandi and her commitment to combine her love of fashion with her heart for the world.  That’s why Brandi became an independent ambassador for the Noonday Collection, a company that strives to break the bonds of poverty by training artisans all over the world and providing them with an opportunity to earn a fair and life-changing income.

Brandi sent me a piece of Noonday jewelry made by an artisan in India so I could see for the jewelry for myself.  She also sent something equally stunning to Abbie.Noonday bracelet

The cherry-red bangle I received is gorgeous.  I love the blue and gold details over the solid brass bracelet.  The colors on this piece make me happy, and I like to wear things that make me happy.  That means I’m wearing this bracelet almost every day.

Every time I wear it, I think of the young girl from India who made it.  Noonday includes a laminated picture and bio of the artisan who made each piece.  My cherry-red bracelet that makes me so happy was made by a young girl who is working to send her six younger siblings to school.

Now that gets at my heart.

I look at my bracelet and I think of that girl and I just want her world to be different and better, and if one bracelet can help her have that, I’m sold.

Now, I don’t have a lot of extra income to spend on jewelry and accessories.  But I do have gifts I purchase for others, for Christmas and birthdays and even Mother’s Day.  It seems to me that it’s better to purchase something for my loved ones that also spreads love to someone in need.

I could purchase something pretty at a mall or a big box store.  It might even be cheaper.  Or, I could purchase a gift that helps to change the world.  That is invaluable.

money as a vote

It makes the decision easy when I think of it that way.

Brandi would agree.  Listen to her words as she shares her heart:

“You can’t just sit in a comfortable chair one Sunday morning and hear that every DAY 5,760 more children become orphans, or that 60% of the orphaned girls are lured into prostitution, and 70% of the boys become hardened criminals, and not be compelled to do SOMETHING.”

Brandi’s “something” was to join forces with Noonday.  And it’s working.  Check out this video to see how Noonday is changing lives around the world.

Noonday: Kampala, Uganda. from Jessica Honegger on Vimeo.

Don’t you just love that?

As a means of getting the message of Noonday out to the world, Brandi has graciously offered one reader the chance to win a $50 Noonday gift certificate.

Oh. My. Goodness.

You will not know how to spend it!  You might want to buy a beautiful necklace like this:

Noonday Olivia necklace

The Olivia necklace is beautiful in mint.  I am in love with this piece!

or this…

Noonday necklace

The layers of this necklace make you look ten times more put-together in yoga pants and a hoodie.  I kid you not.

Maybe you’re the bracelet type.

Noonday bracelet

I love the color of this tagua seed bracelet in LAVA!  Oh!  But it comes in seagreen too!

Or the decorator type:

Noonday bowls

I’m a sucker for adorable bowls. Love these!

Of course, bowls won’t look as good on your ears as these beauties:

Chevron Dangle Earrings

I could post pictures all day, but it’s better if you check out Brandi’s Noonday site to see all the handmade items for yourself.  Which is your favorite?

Also, be sure to read Abbie’s review and her giveaway post! You’ll love how the jewelry looks on her because she’s so stinkin’ cute.

But for now–ENTER!  I’d hate to have to keep this prize for myself.  Worse, I’d hate to have to arm wrestle Abbie for it.  {I think she’d win,}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reviews 40 Comments

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I believe you can find grace for the mother you are and help to become the mother you long to be—a mom who has the freedom to choose the better things and enjoy her kids right now.

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