I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
(Psalm 9:1-2 ESV)

Honestly I could not come up with just one thing to write about this week for Thankful Thursday. There are just so many things on a daily basis I am thankful for .

In no particular order, here is my ‘random’ list from my thankful heart…

• God’s protection – not only for me, but for my family and friends. I had used the van pool for almost a year, but I had to switch back driving myself to work. I work often later than the hours of the van pool. God has been protecting me on the crazy roads of Arizona (you have no idea how wild these people drive).
• God providing our ‘daily bread’. We have a roof over our head, food to eat, money to pay the bills and help out others when needed.
• My husband’s love for me. You have to understand, I am a little ‘wild’ sometimes – I start dancing or start cracking jokes out of the blue.
• Our son’s independence. Sometimes I can’t believe that he will be 27 this June. He has done well for himself. And he is very smart with money. I just hope he changes his mind moving back to Europe this year. But then again, I just had him as a ‘loan’; God will guide his steps.
• My friends far and near, who don’t mind if I ask for prayers. I try to be a good friend as well as they are. I hope I am.

So, what are you thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Thankful

This week’s Marriage Monday, we are to share about how we get rid of boredom and apathy in our marriage. I totally love her idea about making a list of things to do. I need to incorporate that in our marriage …

My hubby and I have been married for some time (29 years in May). It has not been always smooth sailing, but for the most part, it has been a very happy marriage. For me the hardest part was leaving my family in Germany 21 years ago to follow my husband to the United States.

I still do not like living here, far away from my family, but I am committed to the marriage. I was a little afraid when our son moved out in 2007, but we soon found something that we both enjoy greatly; photography.

Although we both have very different styles and what to photograph, we still make it work. We take turns on where to go to take photographs. You see, my husband loves architecture, lines, etc – I am more a nature girl …

We also like to go out to eat once in a while; trying new restaurants is a great thing. I also like to try out new recipes at home. There is nothing better for me when I can put a smile on husband’s face with some great food that is home-cooked …

I think that if we love someone (more than just the physical part), we find new and exiting ways to keep our marriages fresh.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: making a marriage work takes 3 (God, your spouse and you).

Love & peace,
Iris

Congratulations, Tara!!! I will email you so that I can get your mailing address.

On Monday, February 13th, I will host another giveaway. The price? Wonderful dinnerware by “Fiestaware”, made in the United States of America …

Thank you all for stopping by last week and supporting American made products.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Happy

“And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””
(Luke 22:41-42 ESV ~ emphasis mine)

Many times I pray short prayers; prayers for family or friends. I pray throughout the day; I really do not have a specific time for prayer. However, if there is something really on my heart, and I need to let go of a certain situation, I pull out my little prayer book.

What I have noticed that when I write down my prayers, my focus changes. It is not so much that I want to change God’s mind over a situation, but He changes mine. Read again what Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane…”not my will, but yours”…

Isn’t that what prayer really is? To align with God’s will? I know that I need to sometimes spell it out (thus my prayer book). I need to be reminded that He is in control. I am thankful for those times when things become a little clearer to me through prayer. So, this week I am thankful for the power of prayer.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

What are your thankful for this week? Please do share with us by leaving your link to your Thankful Thursday post below.

Thank you for stopping by today; remember: through prayer your vision becomes clearer.

Love & peace,
Iris

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Current Mood: Thankful

You see, before Christmas I was looking for a new camera strap. Although the camera came with a strap, I was tired of ‘sporting’ the make and model. I wanted something comfortable and fashionable. That the product is made here in the United States is a bonus; I found that out after the fact …

Capturing Couture is not only making camera straps, wristlets, and camera bags here in the US; Erika and Lisa are exporting their products to Germany, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Australia. Erika and Lisa brought fashion and functionality together.

I currently own three of their products and I am very happy with them. My hubby gifted me a beautiful camera bag and the matching camera strap for Christmas:

Last week I received my wristlet for my point-and-shoot camera:
I am telling you; I totally adore their products and I would like for you to check out Capturing Couture.

To make it easier, I am giving away a camera strap for your DSLR (from any of their gorgeous collections) or 2 Wristlets for your point-and-shoot.

All you have to do to win is to let me know which one you would like. You have until next Sunday, February 5th to post in the comment section. To have an extra entry, “Like” Capturing Couture on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Thank you for stopping by today and for your support of American made products.

Love & peace,

Iris

Current Mood: Playful

Thank you for stopping by today; have a blessed Sunday afternoon.

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Blessed †

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
(Isaiah 55:11 ESV)

In the month of January we meet up at my friend Laurie’s blog, “Women Taking a Stand“. Please visit her blog to link up for Thankful Thursday.

I know that I have had many Thankful Thursday posts about His Word; it is just a powerful source of comfort for me personally. When I am down or getting stressed out, I like to ‘dig’ into the Psalms. Most of them are penned by King David and he knew where to find comfort. David Psalms are just as relevant today as they were in his time.

This year I will try (once again) to read through the Bible. But this year I have accountability partners. My friend, Kathy Howard, started a FB group to read through the Bible together. It is wonderful; especially when Kathy is posting some insights on passages that are not easy to digest.

By the way, there is still time to join Kathy’s online Bible study of Ephesians. Maybe you have time to check it out this week …

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: time spent in His Word is time well spent.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Thankful

Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
(Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV)

For years I wanted to approach this subject, but every year I ‘chickened out’. You know why? Because I don’t want to come of as harsh or as Miss-Know-It-All on this subject. Believe me, a lot of prayers went into this project.

My series is not political motivated; nor do I write out of patriotism (I am just as passionate about German made merchandise). Why is “Made in America” so important to a German gal living in America? Two words: Child Hunger.

You see, for me “Made in America” and eradicating child hunger go hand in hand. If people living in America do not have work, how can they supply food for their families/children? If you read the statistics (unfortunately only 2010 numbers are available that this time), it is very disheartening to see 20% of children are hungry in this rich country. And that is not counting children that live in insecure food-environments. I am thankful for local and national food banks that assist families, but I don’t think that will solve the issue at hand.

At the end of 2004, our then 19-year-old son pointed us to a documentary. I believe that the company highlighted in this documentary is highly responsible for the vanishing manufacturing jobs in the United States. I haven’t set food in their stores since I watched the documentary.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand that many have to shop there, because of the budget they have for the basic necessities like food. I am blessed that I live in a large city that has different options to shop for groceries (like our Arizona based grocery chain – Bashas and AJ’s). Actually Target started to have bigger grocery sections in our area. Like I said, I have more options in a big city than people living in rural areas.

But I digress. The biggest issue is that America imports more than it exports. The most current foreign trade data is from November of 2011. The gap between exports and imports is scary to me. Trade is good, but it needs to be more balanced.

So, what can I (personally) do to turn things around in America? Maybe it is just a drop of water in a large bucket?!? But if we all look at what we buy (one product at a time), we maybe can do this together and help Americans put food on their family’s table. I want to support American families and not necessarily American companies (not the same in all cases which I will show you).

Over the next several months, I will link to products that are made in America. Not only will I link to the products, but will also purchase them (some are already in my possession ). And you, my dear readers, will be able to ‘cash-in’ as well on some of the products that are made in America (sorry, can’t give away a Viking kitchen appliance).

Thank you so much for reading my blog today and hopefully you will join me on a journey to buy more American made products to lower the child hunger in this country.

She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
(Proverbs 31:20 ESV)

Love & peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Okay

I am very excited about the study. After all, my blog “Grace Alone…” is based on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians . I am double excited, because Kathy is leading the study. It would be great to have the study face-to-face with Kathy and other women, but the on-line study is the next best thing. I hope you will join us.

Love and peace,
Iris

Current Mood: Forgiven †

For Marriage Monday, Chrysalis is inviting us to complete the below prompts to help us to get to know each other as a unique daughter of God. For detailed instruction, please visit E-Mom’s weblog.

I am… fearfully and wonderfully made.
I want… to encourage others.
I have… hunger for God’s Word.
I wish… I would be more creative.
I hate… dishonesty.
I miss… my family in Germany.
I fear… loneliness.
I feel… loved.
I hear… the birds in the backyard.
I smell… bacon that my hubby cooked this morning.
I crave… acceptance for who I am in Him.
I search… for things made the U.S.A. (and found some very cool stuff)
I wonder… if it will rain today.
I regret… my wander years without God.
I love… my family and friends (and try to love my enemies).
I ache… in my lower back.
I care… about child hunger (and it should be eradicated in first world nations)
I always… hope for a better tomorrow.
I am not… not a fan, but follower of Christ.
I believe… Jesus Christ died for my sins.
I dance… all the time.
I sing… in my head all day long.
I cry… when I am mistreated
I don’t always… speak the truth in love.
I fight… for the underprivileged.
I write… to bring hope into the dark world.
I never… say ‘never’.
I listen… to music that lifts my heart.
I need… my hair cut.
I am happy… when I can spend time with my hubby and son.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:14 ESV)

Thank you for stopping by to get to know me a little .

Love and peace,
Iris