Much Ado About You Pre-Sale

I'm going on two years as a Much Ado About You fan. They sent me my first planner in 2011 so that I could review it. 

I fell in love.

Last year I purchased my 2012 planner. No freebies this time. Money from my pocket. Because I love my planner so much!

Starting today, Much Ado About Your will hold a 5-day Pre-Sale for the August 2012 & January 2013 line! All planners will be $5 off. All customers ordering during the Pre-Sale will get to pre-select their cover design before the line is introduced to the public. PLUS, there will be a special surprise FREE GIFT for all Pre-Sale orders.

So that means my absolute favorite planner is on-sale for only $29.00. Spread that over the whole year (because I rely on my planner every single day) and you're looking at a little less than 8 cents per day! 

To visit the Much Ado About You collection, click here. To get all the latest information, like Much Ado About You on Facebook.

Featured Sponsor: Walk In Joy

I'm so excited to introduce you to my new featured sponsor: Sarah from Walk In Joy!

Hello, Along for the Ride readers! I’m so excited to be here today in this perfect, cheerful little corner Laura has created! Here’s a little bit about me:

Who I am:

A new stay-at-home mommy. We’re currently in the 6-12 month phase, and I love it!

A wife to a man who makes me ridiculously happy. I’m crazy about him!

A bookworm. Sometimes I bore my readers by blogging about the books I read, because I get so excited about them. I hope that won’t drive you away!

A Star Trek: TNG nerd. I am in love with Jean-Luc Picard, and I wish Data was my best friend.

A Mormon. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

Things I love:

Chocolate chip cookies

Jeans fresh out of the dryer

Sunshine

My husband’s talent of making me laugh when I’m upset

Pinterest (this is a dangerous one!)

Going barefoot in the summer

Disneyland

Shakespeare

The way my baby smiles at me in the morning

Why I blog:

I started blogging to help me remember the good things, the small and simple things that make life worth living. I believe that life is mostly about having joy, and the time to start having morejoy is always now! I love how Camilla Eyring Kimball (a smart and wise woman!) said it: “You do not find the happy life. You make it.” Walk in Joy is a blog about my efforts to make the happy life, whether that’s through cooking, crafting, reading, or cherishing the little moments with my husband and baby. I hope you’ll walk with me!

Psalm 139

For my 1000th post, I wanted to share some scripture that's been on my heart lately. It has been popping up in various places in my life, and I believe it really speaks to the things God has been whispering to me lately. He knows us so deeply and loves us so fully. He shows inconcevable amounts of favor on our lives, pours out endless amounts of grace, and only asks that we simply receive His gifts. 

[I've added emphasis to verses that really stand out to me.]

You have searched me, LORD, 

   and you know me. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; 

   you perceive my thoughts from afar. 

You discern my going out and my lying down; 

   you are familiar with all my ways. 

Before a word is on my tongue 

   you, LORD, know it completely. 

You hem me in behind and before, 

   and you lay your hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, 

   too lofty for me to attain.

 Where can I go from your Spirit? 

   Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there your hand will guide me, 

   your right hand will hold me fast. 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me 

   and the light become night around me,” 

even the darkness will not be dark to you; 

   the night will shine like the day, 

   for darkness is as light to you.

 For you created my inmost being; 

   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

   your works are wonderful, 

   I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you 

   when I was made in the secret place, 

   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

   all the days ordained for me were written in your book 

   before one of them came to be. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! 

   How vast is the sum of them! 

Were I to count them, 

   they would outnumber the grains of sand— 

   when I awake, I am still with you.

 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! 

   Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 

They speak of you with evil intent; 

   your adversaries misuse your name. 

Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD, 

   and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 

I have nothing but hatred for them; 

   I count them my enemies. 

Search me, God, and know my heart; 

   test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

   and lead me in the way everlasting.

"Emmoylou" by First Aid Kit

I love so much about this song. It's on repeat this evening.

These Feet

"And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'"

Romans 10:15

Saturday is Crafty Day #62

Boy these weeks just fly by. Don't they?

Did you have a nice week? Productive? Relaxing? Wild and crazy? Super busy?

Mine was lots of the last two, not so much the first two.

But oh well, it's the weekend!

Lots of  fabulous things were linked up last week and I can't wait to share some of my favorites.

blue bench from Rustic Living

t-shirt spheres from My Covered Bridge

fabric letters from Little Things Bring Smiles

yo-yo necklace from Que Linda

ruffle clutch from Flamingo Toes

bright bathroom redo from Pinwheels and Peonies

formula can storage from I Can Find the Time

headband embellishments from The Latest Find

felt hair clips from Craftionary

free printables from Millie Morgan Media

heart bow tie from The Incomplete Works of Anselm

[If you're going to pin any of these ideas to your own Pinterest boards, please do not pin them from here. Make sure you go back to the original source and pin from there. These are not my ideas so I do not deserve credit for them.]

Now you!

On Journaling: Prayer Journal

from Goodknits

I've been journaling now for a while, and in those many years the way I use my journals has changed and shifted. 

In high school I wrote so much about the people in my life and the day-to-day activities.

In college I focused a lot on releasing my stress and getting organized.

In graduate school I wrote about the future that Kyle and I were planning.

And although I still write about those things (my struggles and strengths, current events, and our life and plans), so much of my journal is filled with prayers now.

Prayers of pain. Prayers that sound more like deep sighs. Prayers that look like heavy shoulders.

Prayers of hope and trust. Of remembering my life verse. 

Prayers of praise. Prayers of worship.

In between church notes and favorite scripture versus, my journal has become a dialogue with the Lord. A way that I can begin to incorporate prayer into my daily routine. It has helped me strengthen my friendship with Jesus and learn to come to Him with my thoughts and desires.

I love reading back through and seeing how the Lord has answered my prayers and has used scripture to speak to my heart.

Overflow Living has a great list of items to consider including in your prayer journal:

- Things that God has taught you
- Versus that apply to the situations in your life
- Bible study notes
- Definitions
- Sermon notes
- Confessions
- Goals, dreams, desires that God has placed in your heart
- Prayer requests
- Answered prayers

Do you keep a prayer journal?

A Bushel of Fabric

I walked into the Salvation Army Friday afternoon and went right to this beautiful basket of fabric. A whole bushel basket.

I started to pick out a few pieces, but knowing that I could never decide, I grabbed the whole thing and took it to the counter.

"How much?"

"For the whole thing?" he asked.

"Yup, all of it."

This is not the first request like this I've made. I've previously purchased large amounts of yarn, buttons, and embroidery floss, too.

"Do you want the basket?" he asked.

"Yes. I'm not sure how else I'd get all of this home."

It did come home with me. For $10.

We found a 1936 newspaper clipping buried deep in the fabric. I love thinking about what the fabric was going to be used for. And what I'm going to use it for!

I see button jewelry, rosettes, and maybe a hexagon quilt in its future.

Breath Prayers

I first heard the idea of "breath prayers" in Paul Miller's book A Praying Life. 

He says that the Greek Orthodox Church still uses a simple little prayer they call the Prayer of Jesus.

"Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Millers says that they call these types of prayers "breath prayers."

According to a really neat resource found on a site women of the United Methodist Church, breath prayers are "short, one sentence prayers that may be said in one breath as we breathe in and out."

HealthySpirituality.org says that "breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer to take on the shape of one's breathing so that the words accompany every breath."

Do you have a breath prayer?

During this season in your life, wherever you may find yourself, what piece of the Lord's promise do you need to breath deeply//in and out//all day long?

Lord, I put my trust in you.

Lord, you are all I need.

When I am weak, then I am strong in you.

You sustain me.

You give all things life.

You renew.

Father, you are my hope.

Lord, give me peace.

Lord, give me comfort.

Lord, give me strength.

That last one is mine. And it has been for a while. In my job, things come at me fast and very difficult situations and decisions tend to hit me from all angles. I find myself asking for strength many times throughout the day.

Like breathing, it's life giving. 

It isn't me asking Him to muster up strength that I already possess. It isn't Him reaching inside me and pulling some magical strength from my depths. Instead, I'm asking Him to give me the strength that can only come from Him. The power in knowing He is stronger than anything I'm battling. The assurance that He knows what is to come and will never leave my side. The comfort in knowing I serve a strong and mighty God. That He is my warrior. That He fights for me.

All of that in a simple four-word filling-of-my-lungs prayer.

Grow Your Blog "Blog Hop!"

Thanks so much for joining us this week! Wasn't it fun!

As a recap:

Desiree @ The 36th Avenue // Party Time is Show Time!

Amanda @ Oh Amanda // Groups & Tribes {Finding Support in the Blogosphere}

Carolyn @ Homework // Grow Your Blog: Pinterest

Lish @ Imprintalish // Grow You Blog: Giveaways and Advertising

Laura @ I Am Along for the Ride // Engaging readers & Building Community

Nichelle @ Vintage Wanna Bee // Grow Your Blog: Social Media

Kelly @ Live.Laugh.Rowe // Blog Series Conclusion and Par-tay with a Blog Hop

Are you ready to network??

Are you prepared to make some new bloggy friends??
Well, here's your chance! 

RULES:
Link up to the homepage of your blog.
....then network.

If you 'd like to post this linky on your blog, grab the code below.
The more, the merrier!  Wouldn't you agree?  {yay!}
If you aren't following all of our blogs {the contributors/hosts},
we think it would be awfully {sweet} if you did.   

Link your blog up below!

LINKY PARTY CODE:

LINKY PARTY CODE:

Saturday is Crafty Day #61

Hello again weekend! I'm so glad you're here!

I'm sorry that my Crafty Saturday posts have been a bit inconsistent lately. Things have been pretty busy around these parts lately, so please know it's me, not you. You're projects are always great, and when I'm able to post a party, I sure love seeing them all!

A few of my favorites from last time.
[feel free to take my "featured" button found here]

heart basket from Adventures of D and V

Valentine's wreath from My Covered Bridge

mittens from eef etc.

Valentine's charms from Pickup Some Creativity

earring tutorial from My Girlish Whims

popcorn cupcakes from live, laugh, rowe

[If you're going to pin any of these ideas to your own Pinterest boards, please do not pin them from here. Make sure you go back to the original source and pin from there. These are not my ideas so I do not deserve credit for them.]

Growing Your Blog: Engaging Readers and Building Community

I'm so excited to join some amazing women for a "grow your blog" blog hop series! The wonderful Kelly from live.laugh.rowe pulled the whole thing together! You can learn more and see the other posts in the series here.

Other folks have covered some really awesome topics this week including pinterest, linky parties, advertising, giveaways, and social media.

I wanted to talk about something today that makes all of those things possible, worth it, and rewarding.

My most favorite thing about blogging.

My ultimate goal for Along for the Ride.

COMMUNITY

Think back all those many moons ago when you started your blog (maybe it was years, maybe weeks, and maybe you're considering starting one right now!)

Why did you do it?

To give stuff away?//To advertise businesses?//To gets comments?//To have your pictures pinned?

Those are all awesome by-products of blogging (and can lead to some really great exposure for your site), but I suspect that's not the real reason you started.

I think you started a blog to keep connected with family, to share your loves and passions, maybe even to inspire others.

You know why you started a blog?

Because you have an amazing story to tell! 

And, at the end of the day, I bet your favorite part about this whole bloggy business is the people.

Am I right?

We all want people to follow our blog. We all love seeing those numbers increase. And that's absolutely ok. I know I do!

But more than numbers, I want to build a community on my blog. A place where readers interact and share, just as much as I do. I want folks to feel welcome because of who I am, not just what I'm giving away.

Want to build community? I do, I do! Here are a few ideas I've been pondering. Hopefully we can try these together and reap the fruits of great friendship and encouragement together!

1. Community is sharing your story.

found on Marta Writes, source unknown

You have experienced hardship. You have been victorious. You are an expert in a few areas. You are a student in many others.

Whatever your story, know it, believe it, live it, and write it. No one can tell your story better than you can, and trust me, the world deserves to hear it!

2. Community is genuine

Gosh I love this picture! 

Amazing photography from Kara Welter. 

I couldn't find a website, but her other photos can be found on her pinterest board here.

Your readers want to hear from you, the real you. They want to be friends with the real you. And they want to come back to the real you.

Make sure that when you hit that "publish" button, that every word is yours and that your voice shines through. Some bloggers are funny. Some are serious. Some are wordy. Some cut right to the chase.  However you choose to share, work to find your voice and then stick to it!

3. Community is asking

question mark button ring from Emma Lou Vintage

I love including questions in my posts. Whether they have been readers since the beginning or just stumbling on my blog for the first time, I love to hear what other have to say. Questions are a great way to begin a dialogue with your readers!

4. Community is answering and responding

from Design Sponge

Community is about putting ourselves out there. Making ourselves a bit vulnerable. And when a question is asked, it's about answering it. 

Respond to emails (as timely as you can). Reply to comments (loving bloggers new comment threads!). Use your twitter to follow up with readers and to engage with your favorite bloggers!

Community is a two-sided conversation.

***

I would encourage you to consider ways you can engage your readers in a more meaningful way and encourage conversations on your blog. Some ways I try do to this is by

- responding to as many emails as I can (as quickly as I can)

- asking for prayer requests and praying on them throughout the week

- being intentional to promote others through my blog and social media just because I love them

- ad swapping with blogs/shops that I enjoy

- replying to comments when I can

- hosting a weekend craft party

- asking for shop/blog feedback/advice

What ways do you build community on your blog? Any ideas to share?

I hope you'll join my friend Nichelle at Vintage Wanna Bee tomorrow as she talks about social media!

[If you're going to pin any of these pictures to your own Pinterest boards, please do not pin them from here. Make sure you go back to the original source and pin from there. These are not my ideas so I do not deserve credit for them.]