Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Wow! I know I have been busy-but I didn't realize at all how I have been neglecting my blog.

Here's how I've been SO busy...

Besides...
Homeschooling,
caring for my husband,
home,
5 children,
lots of pets,
etc. etc.etc.

My stay at home businesses are keeping me extra busy. :)

It's a great way to support my husband and help out our family's finances.

If you are looking for a great Christmas idea...keep me in mind.

For Lilla Rose hair jewelry-check out www.lillarose.biz/greateights

For Scripture Jewelry-check out www.itsablessing.etsy.com

For wonderful candles/warmers and melts visit: www.eclipsecandleco.com/GT395

And very soon I will be a designer with Origami Owl, where you can design a living locket for you or someone you love.

Why not shop from a stay at home Mom...instead of the malls this year?

It would be such a blessing to us!

Shannon

Friday, September 14, 2012

Festive Fun and Free!

You Could Be The Winner of This Lovely Festive Fallen Leaf Flexi!



This Weekend (9/15-9/16) I will be exhibiting at the Johnny Appleseed Festival
in Brunswick, Ohio
It's A Blessing and Lilla Rose items will be on display and for sale as well as paracord survival items my son makes and Teagan's recycled paper and paper clip treasures!

This give away is being posted specifically for the customers I meet at the event..
but..you, friends, are welcome to join in!

The contest will only be open from today until Tuesday, September 18th..so hurry and enter today!
The winning name, which I will choose using random.org, will win the fabulous festive fallen leaf flexi shown above.

Here's how to enter:
1. Mention in the comments that you saw me at the festival and
 what your favorite part of the festival was.
2. Like my Lilla Rose facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/LillaRoseShannon
and then come back here and comment that you did.
3. Sign up as a customer on my Lilla Rose site (no purchase necessary)
www.lillarose.biz/greateights
and then come back here and comment that you did. (this entry is for new Lilla Rose customers only. If you are already another consultants customer, you are welcome to enter the contest in the other ways-but not this one.)
4. Purchase something from my Lilla Rose site
www.lillarose.biz/greateights
and come back and comment...(again-this one for my current or new LR customers only).
5. Share this give away with your friends! You can share this post-write your own post-make a few phone calls...just be honest...and only come back and tell me you shared, if you really did. :)

So...5 great ways....5 great chances...and only 5 days to do it!!! 
You can enter using each option, for a total of 5 maxium entries per person.

Don't forget the part about coming back here and leaving comments for your entries..only the ones in the comments will be "added to the hat" for random. org when the winner is selected.

Happy Fall Y'all!!! Sure hope you win!


Monday, August 27, 2012

First Day Forgetfullness!

Today was our first day back at school and home school. It absolutely amazed me how many things I forgot (read: denied) over the summer and then am in shock of on the first day! 
(as I most likely was last year, and the year before that...and that...and that!)

Here's my top ten:

10.   I am lazy. I really, really like to sleep in until the baby wakes me up and I have to get out of bed. I am not a morning person and I forgot that getting up and moving early would not be a simple thing for me to do.

9.  I forgot that: not enough caffeine and I will be too sluggish to keep up with the four at home! "Mom...I have a question!" "Mom, can you come in here I need help!" "Mommy sit with me, play with me, read to me!" In between trying to clean up, get the next subjects ready, cooking, etc. etc.

8.  I forgot that: too much caffeine will give me energy but will also make me jittery and a bit edgy towards 4 children all needing frequent help at the same time! Gotta find the right balance!

7.   Eating breakfast is a good idea.I guess I forgot. Zoom! Before I knew it, it was 10:30 and the only thing I had consumed was the caffeine! Definitely not helping me find that balance on an empty stomach!

6.  Toddlers can make the biggest mess in record time when we are all busy schooling. Ok, so I didn't really forget how fast she can make a mess-but I was overly surprised by it when I walked from the school room into the others!




5.  I forgot that I need a plan for the toddler. She needs attention too-and if I don't actually schedule it in, she'll cry WAY too often, have several tantrums at key learning points, climb all over me to try to get me to pay attention to her, and make even more of a mess even faster than her record time!

4.  Speaking of schedules...and turning the corner to a bit more positive things I forgot....I forgot that schedules really HELP me! They do not hinder my day-they keep us on track! The chores get done, subjects completed, meals prepared, and all this with no whining (from the kids either! lol) when we know what's expected and it is easy to follow.

3.  Having a list of subjects to complete and assignments to do keeps us all productive. I forgot that when we are finished, play time would be so much nicer since they are excited to play instead of already bored with every thing they could possibly do!

2.  Playing with younger siblings can sometimes seem like a chore. I forgot that during any given school day I can convince any one of the older children that playing with their baby sister is a great idea! They will play with her happily (in exchange for a little break) any time I request! No questions asked! No whining! No arguing..just happy, happy sibling time! 

1.  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfullness." Lamentations 3:22-23
I forgot how wonderful it is to get a brand new fresh start! God's mercies are new every morning...and that certainly includes the morning of a brand new school year! No matter what mistakes I made last year, no matter what shortcomings I think I have, and no matter what I FORGOT, it's a brand new and fresh start! 


Don't do what I sometimes do and think, "What's the point, I've messed up so many times...I'll never be good at this.. I'll never get it right." Hang on to the promises of God! His mercies and compassions never fail and they are not just for your children-they are for you too!!! 

It is a blessing and an honor to have 4 of my 5 children at home with me. 
It is HARD WORK! That, I did not forget! But, it is worth it!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

Praying whether you started already, started today, or soon will...that you will not forget what matters most and that you'll have a blessed school year with your children-be them home or schooling out. 

It's A Blessing!


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

For Such a Time as This

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place,
 but you and your father's family will perish. 
And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." Esther 4:14
Whether it be a royal position or a lowly one, the place where God has you could be for 
"such a time as this."

If you have been given the talent to teach and doors have opened before you...then someone needs to hear what God is teaching through you and you are in that position for 
"such a time as this."
If you have been raised in an abusive home and after many years of suffering have forgiven those in your past and now God has led someone to you that needs to be ministered to then you are in that position for 
"such a time as this."

If  you and your husband have suffered the loss of a baby, or maybe more than one, and now you find yourself able to comfort those who are in mourning then you are in that position for 
"such a time as this."
Were you lost in depression? Have you suffered from panic attacks? Have you had an abortion? Did your husband leave you? Did you lose your home?

And now, God has put before you an opportunity to be His hands and His feet and show love and grace to someone who is wearing the shoes you once wore? 
Then, you my friend were in that position for 
"such a time as this."

Praise God that you are able to see how the position God had you in, or the one He has you in now, can be used for His kingdom! Praise Him for working all things together for good-for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

But...what if you are like me?

What if you have suffered a hurt like you never had before. What if your whole world seems turned upside down. What if you feel like you are the opposite of Midas and everything you touch is ruined instead of turned to gold? What if you are still in "that position" and you see no "such a time as this" opportunity. 
You can't see how God will use your pain, your loss, your suffering for any good to anyone. 

And you wait. 
And you hope. 

For a "such a time as this". Because it seems like it would hurt just a little bit less if you knew that at least you were brought to and through that position for "such a time as this." 

In the story of Esther she didn't see her "such a time as this"until it was pointed out to her. She even tried to say no to the opportunity because it seemed to be a very bad and personally dangerous idea! 
In the story of my life-and maybe yours too-I wonder if a "such a time a this' will ever come or if I will always just wonder "why" and "for what purpose" things happened as they have. I question: will I miss my
"such a time as this" moment because I am too focused on myself or too afraid to trust God?

Until I read this:
"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Esther was brought to her position for "such a time as this" and was able to be part of God's amazing plan to save her people. You were brought to where you are for a purpose. I was brought to my position for a reason too. God made what seemed to me to be a straight path, crooked. When times were good, I was happy. And now, that times have been bad, I need to consider that God made the one as well as the other. I cannot straighten what he has made crooked. Nor can I discover anything about my future-including if I will ever get to experience a "such a time as this". 

And so..I can not just wait for such a time. It may not happen that way for me-or for you, friend. Let's encourage one another to Praise Him in our storm, for He has made the one as well as the other.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Whole Intentions

I hope you will visit a sweet friend Paula over at Whole Intentions.

She has written a lovely review and is running a give away for It's A Blessing!

Use this link to go to Whole Intentions-read a bit more about It's A Blessing and enter to win!

http://wholeintentions.com/2012/08/its-a-blessing-giveaway/


Saturday, August 4, 2012

You are invited to a Mystery Hostess Lilla Rose party!!!
Shop starting today-for the next week-at :


www.lillarose.biz/parties/782

The hostess will be one of you!!!!!

The hostess will receive ALL the free rewards earned by the shoppers of this party!!!
The more people shop-the more the Mystery Hostess will win!!

This is your chance ladies!!! Want to earn a lot of free flexi's??? 
Then share this with your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc! Encourage them to shop using the above link. The more who shop-the more you will earn!
How will I choose the Mystery Hostess??? Simple...Each person who places an order will be entered to be the hostess...order one thing-be entered once. Order 5 items-be entered five times!!!! When the party ends-I will randomly choose the Mystery Hostess!!!

And, if that's not exciting enough...all orders of $20 or more will receive FREE SHIPPING!!!

This is going to be fun! Ready...set...go shopping!!!

www.lillarose.biz/parties/782

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Did you ever wonder..."I wonder what started It's A Blessing?"
It's been almost seven years since God started moving in my heart and ordaining my steps to lead me to where I am today and to where our family is with It's A Blessing. 
To explain to you how It's A Blessing began, I need to share two parts.  
 Part one: A dear friend and I were expecting at the same time, rejoicing with each other for the life within us, celebrating each milestone as we passed it, glowing and growing together as friends! And then, she miscarried. I was honored to sit by her bedside soon after the baby passed and was filled with such overwhelming compassion for her loss. 
 From that moment on I had a strong desire to minister to women who have suffered a miscarriage and sensed the need for some type of tangible way to help them mourn their very real loss in an encouraging and healing way. Our family honored the life/death of her baby with a memorial tree. While still expecting myself, she again conceived and miscarried. To honor that precious baby, I designed a beaded bracelet for her with each bead representing her children here on earth, those now in heaven, and some beads to represent comforting scripture verses. That was the first time I ever created and made a piece of jewelry. 
 Part two: When the baby I was carrying was born, God taught me an incredible lesson-through much heartache and many tears. The story is too long to tell here, and will have to be saved for another time. In the end, I approached the women's ministry at our church with an idea and "Baby Blessings" were born! For the next 3 years, each and every woman attending our church, who was pregnant, was blessed by a baby blessing. Whether in the "in crowd" or "lost in the crowd" we sought out the ladies who were expecting and invited them, all women in the congregation and any they would like to bring, to attend. Our focus was not on food and gifts, like a typical baby shower, (not that those things are bad ). The focus was on Christ and on encouraging that Mommy with the Word of God. Each guest brought a bead or picked one out of my selection. The bead would somehow represent a verse they wanted to share with that Mom. While I assembled the beads into a blessing bracelet, her gift, each woman shared out loud their encouragement and verse. In closing we put the bracelet on the Mommy and prayed for her.
 After a few years, the Lord led our family to move to another state and it was with a very sad heart that I had to leave those ladies I had grown to love so dearly. A few nights before we left, they asked me to gather with a few so they could pray with me. What a glorious suprise lay before my eyes. A candlelit path up to the doorway...a room decorated like a victorian parlor...the glow of the fireplace, the beautiful tea services at every table...and the most amazing, God honoring women I have ever known. All gathered together to bless me! No, I wasn't expecting a child. But they each came with a bead they had chosen and took turns encouraging me like I had never been encouraged before! They filled my heart and my mind with so much love and so much joy and then placed on my wrists two blessing bracelets-and we prayed. And we prayed And...IT WAS A BLESSING!!!
 Several years later, when others started requesting blessing bracelets for more and more occasions I was encouraged by friends to turn this ministry into a business. Hesitant at first-not wanting to make money off of something God intended to be given as gifts-I was encouraged that it was an opportunity for many more people to have the blessing of giving...and receiving! 
I hope It's A Blessing has been just that-a blessing for you-or someone you love!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Be Still

Please! Sit still! I'm trying to do your hair!
Stop! Turn around, stand still, and look at me while I'm speaking to you.
I can't hear you if you talk to me while you are walking away! Stand still!
For goodness sake! Can't you just sit still for a while?



 It seems to me that children naturally, do not want to be still.
They want to be on the move while they are eating, playing, talking, getting dressed, etc.
I find myself telling them to sit still various times throughout the day and for various reasons.
 


 If I remind them one day, they do not remember the next. I have to tell them all over again.


Please! Sit still! I'm trying to do your hair!
Stop! Turn around, stand still, and look at me while I'm speaking to you.
I can't hear you if you talk to me while you are walking away! Stand still!
For goodness sake! Can't you just sit still for a while?

Day, after day, after day. 
Why don't they understand that our relationship will be much nicer, 
we'll talk more often, about important things, and enjoy fun times together, 
if they would just be still!
 
What?
 Did you just hear something?
Like a still small voice?
Yeah.
Me too.

Every day God calls me to Him. 
Every day He reminds me to be still. And even though He tells me one day, I need to hear it every day.
Every day the Holy Spirit nudges me with the truth that if I would only listen and be still my relationship
with God would be much nicer, we'd talk more often, about important things, and enjoy fun times together-if I would just be still!

It's A Blessing's newest Blessing Bracelet is called 
"Be Still". 
I made it first, for myself.
I need a visual reminder to sit down-slow down-take time to read His word and pray and 
enjoy all who He is!

Then...I made some extras! For you-and your friend-and your neighbor-and your relative who would be so blessed by this beautiful reminder to be still and know that He is God!

There are only 5 available. Visit our Etsy shop at:
to get a closer look and place your order.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Mother's Love For Free!

I have to do it!
This is so beautiful and there is some Mommy out there that 
would really love this but just can't afford to buy it!
This lovely flexi has a Mommy intertwined with a child in the scrollwork of the heart! 
 So.....I'm going to give away 2 for free!!!! 

After the contest..I will draw 2 names-using random.org and each winner will receive a Mother's Love flexi clip for free!!! 
The winners can choose which size they would prefer.
Use the rafflecopter entry form below.
Mother's Love...there's nothing like it!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, April 26, 2012

No Greater Joy

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

This morning I am stuck in the middle of emotions.

I spent some time crying-with compassion-for a dear friend who is going to need to investigate some things and have a really tough talk with her son.

I spent some time rejoicing. Feeling so beyond blessed I don't know what to do with myself. 
 Unfortunately the reason I am stuck between the two is because the cause of my rejoicing is also the cause of 
my sweet friend's pain.

I can not boast that my 14 year old son always walks in the truth. 
I can not promise that he always will-not even tomorrow.
But today..this very day..
I have no greater joy than to hear him tell me, in his own words, that he is making choices to walk in the truth.

He had to make a really hard decision to come to me and reveal what this friend's son shared with him. 
He made a hard choice to admit he doesn't want to "hang out" with him anymore because he feels the pressure to be involved in bad things is getting worse and worse. He explained in his own words that a little yeast works through the whole dough. 
(Galatians 5:9)
He told me he is concerned that this boy is involved in things he shouldn't be and hiding it from his parents. 
He tried to tell this friend these things were wrong in a friendly (boy kinda love) way. 
He admitted that he knows I'm going to have to tell the Mom and that the friend will be really mad-but he took that step anyway and I could tell he was doing it for his friend's good.

Making the phone call to my friend was horrible. I didn't want to be the one to reveal the information but I knew if it were my son I would want to know. 
 And so today I am stuck between emotions.
I hurt for her, will pray for her and her son, and am so thankful she accepted the conversation gracefully.

And I will continue to rejoice! 
God is doing something amazing in my 14 year old son. Something I think is unusual and yet wonderful! The Holy Spirit is working in His maturing heart and helping him resist temptation. He is taking steps to shelter himself now-and protect his own ears and eyes from what he thinks he shouldn't be exposed to .

Praise be to God! 
I have found no greater joy!  
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I hope and pray that this post encourages you to
"not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9 
Linked up at:



Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Intertwined for Life!

Look closely at this flexi clip! It's more than just a gorgeous piece of hair jewerly!

On the left you'll see a Mommy....then the rose in the center...and on the right....her child!

Such a beautiful picture of our lives with our children. Flowing...connected...intertwined for life!!

This has to be my favorite flexi of all time-and that's saying a lot-I love them all!!!

Just released in time for Mother's Day and only available while supplies last.

To order yours-and receive FREE SHIPPING on all orders $20 or more, visit my web site at:


Forwarding this lovely to your husband with a little wink, wink, hint, hint 
would be completely acceptable!

PS...with your order you will also receive a free download of Justine Dorsey's new song.."Mama's Song" It is sweet and tender and goes so well with this new flexi!

Monday, April 23, 2012

Treasuring our Mothers

As a mother myself, there is no more tender a moment than when one of my 5 children expresses
their love for me!

When my 3 year old snuggles up in bed and still curls her body to fit with her toes against my belly.
When my 6 year old son tells me he's going to marry me when he's a grown up.
When my 8 year old daughter grabs my hand at night when I pray and won't let go!
When my 12 year old sits close on the couch and is too shy to say a word but I know she wants to spend time with me.
When my 14 year old son spends entire days with me at craft shows and helps me in every way he can.

Expressions of love come in all different ways. Our words...our actions...our body language.

Sometimes, like on special holidays, we try to find just the right gift to show someone how much we love them.

Mother's Day is fast approaching and I'd like to share some blessing bracelets with you! Perhaps one is just the right look-or has just the right verses to bless your Mom/Mother in Law/Grandmother and tell her in a special way how much you love and appreciate her!

To the one who loves me with all of her heart (hearts),
Who sticks by me through the good and the bad (light and dark beads),
and who showed me how to keep Jesus (the rock) the center of my life!
  
Mom's Are Forever Love!  

Fingerprint:There is no one like you! God created only one you-with only you having your own original ways and looks and fingerprints! I am so thankful he chose you to be my Mom! 


The fingerprint bead is just one of many on this bracelet with special meaning for your Mom!

A delicate, lovely, reminder that she has been a Proverbs 31 woman in your life!
Titus 2...your Mom...sharing with you..the younger woman..how to love your family!
These beautiful blessing bracelets are all available to purchase and ship to you in time to bless your Mom! 
Visit our etsy shop at:
www.itsablessing.etsy.com
to purchase a special, meaningful gift to show your Mom, this Mother's Day, how very much she means to you!
(cause, I'm just guessing..that she might find it a bit weird if you tried to snuggle up with your toes in her belly like my 3 year old!)

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Schedules: My Love/Hate Relationship

Schedules

Love: Scheduling meals (and writing them down so kids can see) means no one bugs me twenty times a day with "What is for lunch" "Mom-what's for dinner?" and the complaints that are bound to come from some when they receive my answer. It means dinner gets cooked every day.

Love: Scheduling school (and explaining those expectations to the kiddos) results in school actually getting started. Not always finished....but at least started!

Love: Scheduling cleaning leads to me getting up off this chair in front of the computer and making progress-even if little by little!

Love:  Scheduling time to work on the blog...facebook...It's A Blessing....Lilla Rose....means I am focusing on my kids when I should be and focusing on all the rest at an appropriate time. Priorities.

Love:  Scheduling chores for the children frees me up for all the other hats I wear each day and continues their learning how to care for a home and be an important part of the family.

Love: Scheduling time for my husband. Whether it is time to do an errand he needs me to run...care for something of his...or do something special for him. It reminds him that he is MY MAN!
 and..I care. 

Love:  Scheduling time for me. To be in the Word...to pray...to take a bath..paint my nails...read a book....even sleep enough! You know the rule-put the oxygen mask on yourself first-then the kids? Never been good at that one..but scheduling helps!

Hate: Schedules mean I have to get up on time. 
Hate: Schedules mean I have to follow rules-even though they are my own!
Hate: Schedules require me to be consistent-something I am not good at.
Hate: Schedules appear to take away my sense of spontaneity. Mind you-that spontaneity never helps anything-but I fool myself into thinking I like it.
Hate: Schedules mean I can not be lazy-nor allow my children to be. Sometimes I like being lazy.

I think I see a pattern here.....
Schedules work for me. Except that I wish they didn't.
Schedules help me. Except that I somehow resent them.
Schedules are good. But I hate them.

My sinful..selfish flesh would like to just do things when I want, how I want, or not at all if I want. 
But..today is the day.
Today is the day that I am ALL DONE with being ALL DONE!!!
(Did I just hear a great big cheer?????) 

Yes...it's been a long..long...7 months. I have been on the edge of the cliff..just about to fall into depression most every day. Hanging on some days with just my fingernails...but hanging on nevertheless. Resisting the depression but succumbing to the selfishness and the pity and the lack of taking care of things the way I should because of it. 
I felt ALL DONE. 
The pain is not gone. 
But I need to just make a choice. 

Reaching up....grabbing the oxygen mask...putting it on myself first. 
Deep breaths....deep breaths....

And for everyone else????

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

My Chat with God. Is it Enough?

Is it enough to just be a regular mom? 
(as opposed to adopting)
Is it enough to just be a wife? 
(and not a ministry leader, bible study teacher, writer, etc. etc.)
Is it enough to just be a homemaker?
 (and not be serving outside my own home?)
Is it enough to just be a "regular" christian?
(instead of the missionaries we thought You wanted us to be?) 
There was a time when my faith could not be held back. When I was humbled beyond measure that You might choose me...might use me...might call me. We were the last people anyone would have thought You would call to be missionaries-and yet we were so confident You were leading. 
We followed.

There was a time when my heart's desire to adopt seemed to be coming true. When I was bursting with joy at the idea of caring for orphans...pleasing You with what You say is true religion. We already had 5 of our own children and we were the last family others would have thought You would call to adopt. 
Yet, we were so confident You were leading. 
We followed.

There was a time when I was not afraid to put myself "out there". To jump in with both feet. To stay up late to get the job done. To sacrifice what might have been "me time". When I would offer to help before being asked and my plate was FULL. But it was SO GOOD!!!! I loved every minute of that fullness and business and felt my time with You was increasing despite it. Others commented that I was taking on too much. 
Yet, I was confident I was serving in love-with the right motives.  I thought You were leading. 
I followed.

I know....there is a time and a season for everything. 
 A season of great pain and disappointments came. 
A season of questions and doubts and fears visited..
A season of loneliness followed. 

And now...I wonder every day.
Was I really following You? Or was I just following me?
 Is it Enough?
I am no longer a missionary.
I am no longer an adopting Mommy.
I am no longer busy leading and serving.

Am I enough?

I'm just me.
Just one wife and one mommy in one house.
I still want to do more.
I keep getting ideas. Wondering. "Should I?" "Could I?" 
I still desire to please You and serve You.
I long to go where You want me to go and do what You want me to do. I read and hear stories of the amazing things other women are doing. Disabled children being adopted, encouraging books being written, the lost being saved.
And yet....here I am.

It's quiet in this place. 
Some days it's really lonely.
Most days I feel like I'm not doing enough for You. 
That I should find ways to do more. 
Get involved in something else-something bigger-something more important.

And then I hear you whisper......

"I am enough."
"I am all you need."
"Be still and know I am God."
 Be still?
I don't like being still. I would much rather be busy. 
I think I am much happier when I am doing lots of things. 

Then I hear you ask....
"For who's glory do you do these things...yours or Mine?"
"I will not share My glory with anyone."
"Until you learn to Be still and know Me....and believe that I am enough for you...you won't be able to do more and give Me the glory."
 And so...here I am. 
It's quiet in this place. 
Some days it's really lonely.
Hear my cry O Lord and fill me with Your presence. Help me to be still and really know You that I might serve You and give You all the glory and shine Your light into my home and maybe one day....
....I'll make it as far as the front porch!!!