"an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives."

My internal alarm clock goes off every morning between 4 to 4:30... even on Sunday's...especially on Sunday,  because that is the day we can sleep in!
This morning was no different,  but yet it was a little different.  I woke up this morning at 3:59am. Usually in the morning, my mind starts running thru the days events... but not this morning.  This morning I literally woke up with a Gaither hymn stuck in my head...I mean really STUCK in my head.  I tried to erase the song by thinking about all the things I had to finish before church... cinnamon rolls for breakfast, ironing everyone's clothes, decorating my bunny cake for lunch, etc,etc.
But no.... the song wouldn't leave.

I tried to think about all the "current" Easter songs that I love. The songwriter/ singer Chris Tomlin has a couple of my favorites: "I Will Rise",  "The Wonderful Cross",  "At the Cross (Love Ran Red)."....but to no avail. That hymn was stuck! 

Even though Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote this song back in the early '70's (before I was born!), it still rings true today. It probably will be one of those "old- school hymns" for my generation... forever.  I am okay with that, everybody needs a good old hymn that gets stuck in your head from time to time, right?

As I layed in bed, I ran thru the lyrics in my head:

"God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus
He came to love, heal and forgive
He lived and died to buy my pardon
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby
And feel the pride and the joy he gives
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives.

And then one day, I’ll cross that river
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives

Because he lives
Because he lives!!

I guess God wanted me to "go back - old school style" this morning. He wanted me to really concentrate on those 3 words : Because He Lives.

Those 3 simple words really describe it all...our past, present, and future.  It IS "because He lives" that I have all the assurance I need to live my life here on earth. All my fear is gone because He has paid it all on my behalf. He holds my future....ACTUALLY, He IS my future! His death and resurrection was the perfect gift...the only gift that I need. Without Him, there is no Heaven! Without Him, I have no future.

There is no greater joy than knowing those 3 words...those 14 little letters strung together...BECAUSE HE LIVES! 

Happy Easter my friends, enjoy your day... Because He Lives!

~marcy

Crucify and be grateful?

This past Sunday we heard a wonderful sermon based on John 19:17-42.

The pastor explained that in this passage "Love suffers Death!" This text in John reveals the heart of God. No one could make this horrific story up, nobody would kill off their Savior...this is REAL, it really happened... for you and me!

You see the crucifixion really is about Thanksgiving! What?

Ok, let me explain...

Years ago in our family,  we started a tradition of going around the table and saying what we were thankful for.
Honestly,  it's usually this like... "my family, my warm house, friends, family, my clothes, my toy john deere tractor, chocolate milk".. (as you can tell the ages range from 14 months to 63!)
Our answers are always about the physical things in our lives, or maybe even each other...but no one has ever said "the crucifixion"!

Now don't get me wrong, we ARE all thankful that Jesus died on the cross for our sins... but that is usually associated with Easter lunch, not Thanksgiving dinner.

Hello People.....we are missing the boat when it comes to Thanksgiving!
It REALLY isn't about the turkey and mashed potatoes (we can still eat all day long!) or the weird family member at your table!

But, it IS about the crucifixion, about Jesus  giving it all up for us.
We will never know the burden or pain of what Jesus physically went thru on that hill of Golgotha!

We shouldn't feel guilty about His death,  we should look at the cross with gratitude! He has redeemed us!

Without His strength and determination,  I am nothing!
Without His selfish actions,  I would have no future!

I cannot live my Good life....my Best life without Him!

As I go to my table today,  I will be thanking Him for taking my place on that cross.  Thanking Him for His forgiveness and His unending grace.
And thanking Him most of all for His redeeming gift of salvation!

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Marcy

Romans 1:12- Each of us will be a blessing to the other!

10 years.... wow, time flies!

How can it be 10 years since mom and I started "Simple Blessings"?

Over the past 10 years we have had many changes in our personal lives! Some have been amazing... like adding 5 more grandbabies to the family; and some have been extremely difficult... like mom's battle with cancer. But with each of these mountains and valleys, one thing always remains: God's faithfulness!

God has been faithful each step of the way. Always loving us, providing for us, giving grace when we don't deserve it, and gently redirecting our paths when we start putting our desires in place of His plans.

When we started this we thought it would be a one time thing, a Christmas open house...but God had other plans!

Over the past 10 years, Simple Blessings has turned from a dream into a ministry!??..... wait,let me explain!

I use the term "ministry" lightly...we aren't a church,  we aren't a 501C3...we aren't even a "real" business. Instead, we are a couple gals who make and "find" a few things and then sell them (for a reasonable price 😉). We don't make much money,  but our mission is simple... just be a blessing! We want to bless shoppers with some kinda cool things at a decent price so everyone can enjoy... and then with the small amount of money we make,  we use it to bless others in our community and beyond! Last year we were able to build 2 homes in Guatemala!

We would have never been able to continue this without His faithfulness, and without our faithful friends that come and visit the farm each year. 

We are SO, SO thankful for each and every person that has come to visit us... whether your purchase is big or small, you have been a blessing to us and to others in your community!

This is our 11th sale, and we don't know what God has in His plans for us in the future,  so we want to CHALLENGE you this year:

At this year's christmas sale, we want you to think of someone special in your life and find something at the sale that you can bless them with! It doesn't have to be big or expensive, there will be many,  many inexpensive things you could give! You could surprise them and leave it on their doorstep (i love these kind of surprises!), or wrap it up for christmas.... whatever you want!

We want you to share in our mission,  to feel the joy when giving, and to really embrace the reason for HIS season!

So start thinking about who you want to bless,  and then come and join us NEXT WEEK! 

Thursday,  November 15th 6-8pm

Friday,  November 16th 9am-2pm

2059 40th Ave. Hudsonville, MI 49426

********Cash and Check ONLY*******

PS.... there will also be plenty of things for you to buy for yourselves 😉

4H kids are special!

Last week  I had a conversation with a sweet mother of 3. I was asking about her family and kids. I asked if her children participated in any fall sports, or after school activities?
Her response was, " no, not really - they just do 4H in the summer. They aren't really the sports kind of kids."
My response was swift, " That's awesome", I said.
Our conversation turned to something else and we moved on.
But later,  as I was pondering on our conversation,  I realized that I missed an opportunity to explain to her HOW awesome the 4H thing really was!

You see...4H is cool!!!!

As you know,  I grew up on a farm. When the time came us kids joined our local 4H club.  We had pigs and steers. I always thought the goats and horses looked like more fun,  but Dad always said,  " goats and horses won't make you any money.  The money is in the pigs and steers. This is your college savings!"... so pigs and steers it was!
We were outside all summer with our animals, we spent hours together as siblings, we made life long friends, we had fun, we made a ton of memories... good and bad ;)
We learned how to care for animals,  to help each other,  to be tough (gotta have grit!),  and most of all...how to work, I mean really work hard!
The work was dirty... there were flies, lots of flies. You had to pay for your animal and the feed, sometimes your animal would die.
We worked all spring and summer for the fair week... actually for 15 min of ring time on show night,  and 5 minutes on sale day. 
But the fun we had,  the friends we made,  and the things we learned last a lifetime.

So.....these kids that "just do 4H" are special. They might not have their team picture in the school yearbook, but they are working hard, learning alot of life lessons,  and finding life long friends!

Last week I made a few of these ornaments as gifts for my niece and nephews...to celebrate them and their passions! They deserve to have ornaments of their accomplishments on the family tree as well!

I have made a few extras and they will be at the sale if you have a special 4H kid in your life that you want to celebrate!

hello fall

hello fall....I think I love you?!

I l.o.v.e summer!
I love the laid back, no schedule, floating in the lake, grilling every night, ice cream cone, flip flop kind of summer days!!!

But the last few days in west michigan have been AMAZING!
No humidity!
T-shirt by day, sweatshirt by night kind of weather! If we could keep this weather, I would consider my love for fall equal to my love of summer!

But let's be honest... it's hard to love fall when you know what's coming after these beautiful fall days...... cold, dreary winter. Boo hoo! 😫.

The only thing I look forward to during the winter is Christmas. I enjoy the family time,  the food, the music, but most of all... the decorating!!!
My house is currently busting at the seams with fall decor, but I will gladly replace it with christmas lights, red buffalo check things and christmas trees...soon, very soon!
We are starting to get into the christmas groove. Mom and I have already been working on things for our Christmas on the Farm sale!

This year's dates are:
Thursday,  November 15 6-8pm
Friday,  November 16 9am-2pm

The farmhouse, blessing barn, and picker's place will be full again!

Hello February!

Wow...it's February already. I haven't posted in a while, we have been extremely busy with just, plain ole life!
But this morning, it really hit me...it's February and that means our misson trip to Guatemala is right around the corner!
We have a team of 15 incredible women...we are "His Faithful Dream Team". These women have different gifts and talents, but God pursued each one of them for His specific misson! We will be building 2 homes,  providing dental and medical care to 3 remote villages,  and helping out in the orphanage where need be.
The packing for our trip has begun...we will have around 45 suitcases and 15 backpacks FULL of supplies, care items, toys, and donations that we have collected.  GOD IS GOOD!
We are excited....but also very nervous. It is a 3rd world country with unrest...we are leaving our families. ..we are leaving all the "comforts of home". We are flying- not everyone is a fan of airplanes!  We are "germ a phoebes", we don't want to get sick! Some have never been on a mission trip,  some have never left the US! They say it's extremely hot and "buggy" there right now. ....okay, I could go on and on, but you get it...we ARE NERVOUS, and we NEED you!

We NEED and COVET your prayers!

Back in November,  we sold lanterns as part of our fundraiser...it's time to dust them off and start lighting them! We need your prayers as we pack and as we get our families ready for our absences. Pray that we will remain healthy even with all the sickness around us. Pray for us as we prepare our hearts and minds to serve. And we will need LOTS of prayers for our nerves!

These are all prayers for our needs. ...but we also need prayers for the Guatemalans that we will come in contact with.  Open their ears, hearts, and minds to our message... God's message. Pray that they may see God's love and NOT our shortcomings! 

I will post again right before we leave on the 19th. I will have more specific prayer requests and info on how you can follow us during our trip. 

Thank you in advance for all your prayers! 

Marcy,  Maddie,  and Ann Marie

This.is.US!

Here is the gang!  All of us... dad and mom, 4 kids and their spouses, and 10 grandkiddos ages 5 months to 17!

From our family to yours....we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Blessings in the New Year!

Love,
The Van Dyk Family!

Tears....

I really have no words....

As I type this, the tears are flowing and my heart is bursting! 

Our God is amazing! 

I have been sitting here reflecting over the past few days, and the only word to describe it is "overwhelmed"!

We were overwhelmed by the amount of people that came....

overwhelmed by the love and kind words...

and overwhelmed by the financial outpouring and your generosity!

Our mission is always to be a blessing to others by what we do....but W.O.W, these last few days the roles have been reversed. We feel so, so blessed by what you have all done for us!

There aren't enough words to say "Thank You"....or to describe the love we have been shown! 

Last night, Madison and I were talking about how it all went. I shared some of the incredible sweet texts I received from

some of you, and explained that my heart was full. We were telling each other fun stories about the laughs we had with you and we showed each other fun pictures of the selfies you guys took with Charlie....and even the outhouse;). 

And then my 15 year old "know it all" really did put my 41 year old butt in place....

She said,  "Mom, why didn't you have enough faith? "

"Why did you doubt God?"

I just sat there...trying to come up with the right words to defend myself. 

Madison said,  "I knew we were going to make our goal. We worked hard and God is good, all the time."

My head was spinning. I was tired and I didn't really feel like getting into a bigger discussion about "His plans, but not my plans" tonight...but her "child like" faith still struck me.....

She was right....it was always... lT IS ALWAYS, as simple as that:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

I didn't doubt God, I did have faith in God.... but I definitely needed to truly, fully TRUST him more...

I explained that God uses these things so we may grow...grow closer to Him.  

God has used each and every one of you that stepped foot into the farmhouse this week!

He has used you to bless us, so we in turn can bless others!  

You guys did it!

Two Guatemalan families will have a HOME because of your support! They will have a place to rest,  a place to be a family,  a shelter in the time of storm, and most importantly a place to worship God. We will be sharing the Gospel with them, praying over them and their home, and giving them  a Bible to read in their home.

This week you all have been the hands and feet of Jesus, and in February our team will be the hands and feet of Jesus in Guatemala! 

How can you continue to serve alongside us?

Please PRAY! We cherish your prayers, and if you purchased a lantern, please light that lantern!  Let your light shine! Be the Light! 

THANK YOU...from the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! 

This was a home that part of our team built last time.  The 2 homes we build this time will be a little different...and will even have Stucco!

We will be in a very remote village this time doing medical/dental work,  building 2 homes....and loving on the Guatemalan people, especially the kids! ( As you can see, Madison is really good at this! )

Myself (Marcy on left), my daughter Madison (center), and my sister in law, Ann Marie (Matt's wife on right) will be going along with 12 other wonderful women.

Many of them have never been to Guatemala or even on a mission trip at all,  but all have answered God's call to serve!

Please be in pray for us as we prepare for or trip and as we travel and serve Feb. 19-26th. 

IT'S HERE! Let the Sale begin!

WOW, I have butterflies!
Usually mom is the one all worked up and full of nerves on sale day...but not this year...its ME (the calm one! )

It started yesterday as I was driving into work, I started thinking (just like mom does every year), what if no one comes?!! What would we do with all this stuff? I was all stressed at work,  but my "bucket filling" friends at work assured me I was crazy...they were like my own personal cheerleaders in scrubs! Love 'em!

But this morning, my fears returned.... I literally thought I could puke...
What if we "invested" all this time and money into this sale and it's all left?  What a waste!?
I started asking myself, what changed? Why am I feeling this way?
And I think I finally figured it out!!!
In years past, mom and I would spend months "picking", refurbishing,  and working in the shop. We always were excited for sale,  because we wanted to keep the prices low, share the joy of christmas,  and with the profits bless others....it was as simple as that!
But not this year...this year it's more personal to me.  We have had all the fun doing the same things....until today.  Today it's personal! You see,  I am now "fully invested" in the outcome of this sale....before there was no monetary goal....but today, in my mind there is a huge goal, and TWO families are depending on it!

So this morning,  I laid in bed and reread Matthew 25: The Parable of the Talents...and my fear turned into peace.
God has blessed us with the talents (the physical gifts and the monetary gifts) to be able to put together this sale.  We have "pooled our talents" and invested them, just as God has asked of us....that's IT.
I only needed to do what God asked of me...He will take care of the rest!
God will give us what we stand in need....if He has other plans for our team to raise the money for those homes,  then that's OK!
I am not in control HE is!

So tonight or tomorrow if you come to the farm, we will greet you with smiles and laughs,  hearts filled with joy and PEACE, and we won't pressure you to buy a thing.... because we have been faithful servants and we know that God has a plan!

Hope to see you all soon!

~blessings

"Be the Light! "

Back in May, I had a woman ask a friend of mine if she could meet with me. My friend explained that this woman had told her that she had felt God urging her to meet with me and that she had been praying for me for months. 

I was a little skeptical,  but my friend had me with the words:"God's urging her to meet you! ".....can't say no to that right?!

This woman told me that God had been speaking to her about me and the need for me to go back to Guatemala. My mouth feel open, the tears started flowing....and so did my excuses for NOT going back at this point in my life. I explained to her that I had a long list of reasons, but after EVERY STINKING reason I gave her....she had an answer...she KNEW reasons I had NEVER shared with anyone, and yet she explained how God had and was going to take care of all these issues...MY issues! All I needed was a little faith...

This is a really long and unbelievable story of God's pursuit and I will share it with anyone....but for your sake now,  I will just tell you that I am indeed going back to Guatemala in February along with 14 wonderful women.  God has assembled a "Dream Team" with so many gifts and abilities....and yes, we are a little nervous! 

This morning,  we went to my mom and dad's church and the pastor preached on a text from Leviticus. To me the book of Leviticus has always been a "book about rules"...really weird, old rules! But, today he referenced Leviticus 27:28:

        "But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the Lord—whether a human being or an animal or family land—may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord."

The pastors point was that everything /everyone belongs to God. He alone gets to determine its value,  even though our culture tries to put monetary or worth on everything. But to God it's all worth more. We are all valuable in God's sight.... Everyone is "worth" being cared for!

And that got me to thinking about missions...I have a passion for missions.  I am not gonna lie,  one of my reasons for NOT going back to Guatemala,  was because I believe there are MANY, MANY wonderful and needy misson opportunities right here, and maybe I should be "investing" in them. But for some reason,  God is calling me back to Guatemala. 

We will be partnering with Paradise Bound Ministries in Zeeland and providing dental and medical care in remote villages, building 2 homes, and spreading God's love to all we encounter. We will be caring for people who our culture says are "worthless", but yet they have been made in God's image....they are worth it!

A couple months ago,  I met with my friend and this woman again.  She brought me two lanterns and explained that God wanted her to give me these lanterns. One was good,  but the other had broken glass.  She also referenced Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the talents. We talked about this passage,  and she said she didn't really understand what I could or should do with these lanterns,  but she knew I would figure out a way to use them. She also talked about Matthew 5:14-16 and letting our light shine. I kindly thanked her and I put the box with the lanterns in my trunk....and left them there. 

A couple weeks passed and everytime I opened my trunk, there they were....starring at me.  I wasn't exactly sure what to do with them...remember, one was broken. My first thought was to take out the broken glass and keep that lantern as a reminder of how "broken" I am, and sell the other one for $ for Guatemala. 

But, I didn't really find peace with that option. I shared with my mom what this woman had given me, and mom thought we should fix them both up and sell them. And then we went on a "lantern misson"! We started collecting lanterns to sell...and let me tell you we have alot of lanterns..all kinds of different lanterns!

I thought it would be cool to have 15 lanterns that represent each of us going to Guatemala, but when we counted them we realized we have more than than that...just like there might be just 15 of us physically going to Guatemala, but honestly it's going to take a much bigger "team". There are people that have been supporting us financially and people that are praying....with out all of these faithful people, we cannot accomplish the misson God has called us to do.

And after all this rambling....this is where you come in: 

At our sale on Thursday and Friday,  you will see lanterns, candles, and a few other things that have a "Let your Light Shine" tag and on the back of the tag are the dates of our trip. If you decide to purchase these items, we ask a few things of you...

#1 -during the week of our trip please light your candle.

#2 - Let your light shine  and BE THE LIGHT! May all those you come in contact with, even right here in west michigan...see God's light in your life! 

#3- Most importantly to us- PLEASE,  PLEASE be in prayer for our team, especially that week. We will share specifc things you can pray for as it gets closer! 

We have been SO blessed to be able to do this event every year and we are hoping and praying that with our profits from the sale this year we will be able to bless 2 Guatemalan families by being able to build them homes! It's a huge goal.... but we will WALK BY FAITH,  NOT BY BY SIGHT!

Hope to see you all soon! 

~Blessings 

This was the "broken" lantern. It's ready for a new home! 

Be the Light! 

Matthew 17:20

It's Saturday morning and 5am...my natural alarm clock goes off and my feet hit the floor...no since in staying in bed, I won't sleep anyway.

It's raining here, which kind of screws up my plans for the day,  so I head down stairs to my craft room (there is always something to work on this time of year!) and turn my computer on.

But...I just sit here...on my metal bar stool...(which is still blue,  because I am too "busy" to spray paint my garage sale find! ).....and enjoy the quiet. The kids are still sleeping, my hubby is in the pole barn...and my mind begins to wander.
I look around and see this beautiful craft room with white shiplap, wood floors,  an island, vintage cabinets, and industrial piping for shelves...my hubby couldn't have done a better job! 
This isn't just a craft room, its in some ways my "sanctuary". You see when I am in my craft room,  there are no TVs...or Netflix...its just me and a big 'ol mess of crafty crap!
But here in this craft room is where I have come to realize,  God is ALWAYS "with you"....even in your messes!
In fact,  I probably spend more time talking with God in my craft room,  than anywhere else (except maybe my car! )
And on this rainy Saturday morning, my eyes find this sign that I have hanging in my room:

"Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. " Matthew 17:20.

Over the last year, there have been some big changes in our lives..some of them have come with hurts,  but most have come with extreme blessings! All of these changes were things we couldn't see or predict....but they were from God...He was changing OUR plans.. and we need to have just a little bit of faith....a mustard seed of faith.
This year God has been using me and teaching me about some really big things...grace, forgiveness, peace, but most importantly about "blind" faith. I must be a VERY slow learner,  because God has given me a TON of examples! 

But, the biggest example is about Guatemala! I have this incredible, but long story about the how and the why, but to sum it up: Madison and I are going back with a team of 15 to Guatemala in February for 8 days. I will explain more in the future, but for now,  please start praying for our team!

Also, please save the dates for our Christmas sale on the Farm : November 16 6-8pm, Nov.17 9-2pm. We will be sharing how you will have the opportunity to help us "Let our light shine! " as it gets closer! 

~blessings 

Mountains and Mole Hills....turn into Tulips?!

This past week was a dousy...!

I have been sick for basically the last 2 + weeks with the "crud"...on and off fever,  sore throat, sinus infection,  terrible cough....you know, the same thing everyone else has right now!
Last week was also our 20th wedding anniversary,  sounds fun right....NOT this year!  Tuesday started off with a bang...literally! As I was heading into work,  I hit a huge deer. Yes...it was a big buck,  made my husband proud. ..me not so much!  My new car is now at the body shop with a minimum of $6500 in damage,  thank goodness for insurance! Finished the day with dinner a.k.a...watching him eat,  while i sat with a fever and wishing I was in bed!
Basically...that's how the rest of my week went....terrible!

Fast forward to this Monday:
I was still feeling under the weather,  but made it thru a very,  very long day of work and came home around 8:30pm. My husband greeted me at the door with a bouquet of beautiful tulips! He said," How was your day?  You got flowers! " He had a huge smile on his face and looked so proud! I was quite surprised,( he is not a flower guy...at all!)
I said,  " wow, you got me flowers....that was so sweet! " and leaned in to give him a kiss. To my surprise, he leaned away. ..and I noticed the color draining from his face.  He said,  " Um....no,  they aren't from me,  they were on the back step when I got home. "
Oops.... I think I chuckled a little too loud,  because he then looked like a sad puppy dog with his tail between his legs!
I grabbed the beautiful bouquet and read the sweet card from a friend, she knew just how to cheer me up!

The story gets even sweeter!
This friend and her sister,(another friend) were talking on Monday morning and decided they wanted to brighten a few peoples day by bringing fresh flowers around.  They gathered up some Ball jars ( and decided they weren't going to can anymore anyway! ) And picked up some fresh tulips and brought them around to a few people that were struggling with different things this week!

It was such a beautiful, sweet, simple, heart felt gesture! I felt so loved...it made my day,  actually it made my week! Everytime I look at those flowers in my kitchen,  I think of those 2 sisters.
To them it was a simple morning of fun, driving around and surprising friends.... and cleaning out their cupboards of all those unused jars! But...to me its a great reminder of LOVE...God's love, and God's blessings.  He has blessed me with their friendship and given them hearts of gold...and the desire to share His love with others!

My week might have been full of mountains and bumpy mole hills.... but because God has brought these two special gals into my life AND God has given them amazing hearts. ... my week turned beautiful!

God is Good!

It's Monday... and sunny!

After a cold and snowy weekend, I walked outside today and heard the birds singing and the sun shining...God is good!
We have had a busy week, so this week's post is just a little corner of the barn.

Old barn ladder: $20

Black/white throw: $30

Galvanized "flower" buckets:

Small: $22

Large: $25

Geranium bunch: $12

Cotton bunch: $8

"The most important..." sign:$30

Vintage wooden toolbox with red geraniums: $20

Corrugated metal tin with geranium: $15

Vintage white wooden cabinet:$150

"As for me. ..." sign: $20

Wooden crate:$15

Black box and ball jar geranium:$15

Vintage metal picinic basket: $30

As always...if there is something you would like you see some something here you would like to purchase,  please comment here, Facebook message or call 616-896-9864 and we will set aside for you in the barn. You can pick it up at your convenience!

Have a great week! 

Magnolia Monday #3...and beautiful weather

Um...can you believe this weather we are having in west michigan? 60° and sunny....in February?! We will take it...every second of it! This past weekend was gorgeous, and today the weatherman says it should be the same....it feels like Waco, TX...ok, ALMOST anyway!

Has spring really sprung????
Probably not, but a Michigander can dream!

This past week when we were planning for today's post,  it reminded me of one of the cutest things we got to see at Magnolia. It was Joanna's Seed and Supply store and her little wooden greenhouse!

While we were walking around the gardens and checking out the greenhouse, I met the lead gardener. She was a sweet lady, lived in Waco with her family,  and got her dream job because her best friend was a friend of Joanna's and she also worked at Magnolia....it sounds like that's how Chip and Jo like to hire people....friends of friends etc!

She was telling us how it was such a gift for her to be able to work there after raising her 4 kids and only having a high school diploma...but still getting her dream job after all these years!  I explained that I could feel something "different" here at Magnolia,  I could almost feel God's presence.

She looked at me....( I instantly thought she was going to walk away or call me crazy!)...and she looked around abit, and then she looked directly at me and said, " that's great,  He is here!" 

I kid you not, the hair stood up on my arms...she said it so matter of fact! 

She went on to explain that is what they as employees feel at Magnolia ...they spend time together as employees praying over Magnolia, asking for God's blessing and His presence....

I was blown away,  this is a retail store with a really great bakery....not a church. They aren't "preaching it" they are "living it"... 

In her little garden area, she is letting God's light shine by planting and nurturing one flower at a time....kind of like God does in our lives right?!

He plants us where he wants us...he feeds us, loves and cares for us...sometimes even uproots and transplants us... 

We come in all types...all shapes and sizes...but we are all beautiful in His eyes,  useful in His plan....and together we all make up His beautiful diverse garden! 

So.. this week we have been transforming the barn into spring....it has been fun to see all the bright colors and cute things and the barn is starting to come to life! 

Here is a few of the things we have added!

As always...if there is something you would like you see some something here you would like to purchase,  please comment here, Facebook message or call 616-896-9864 and we will set aside for you in the barn. You can pick it up at your convenience!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Copper boiler $45

Watering can $25

Large grapevine wreath $15

Garden tote with tools $45

Burlap bag with geraniums  $15

White wooden drawer $15

Small vintage wooden screen $10

Magnolia wooden bristle tree $28

Mini green with rustic Terra cotta $9

Galvanized with boxwood $15

Black metal bar stool  $35

Black/white cabinet $90

Galvanized window box $30

"Pray without ceasing" sign $15

Large galvanized bucket $20

White wooden step stool $10

Wooden Seed sign $25

Home Sweet Home sign $40

Wooden farmers market sign $ 20

You'll forever be mine pillow $18

Wooden tool box with geranium  $20

Magnolia twig wreath $18

Wooden geranium sign $20

Have a blessed week! 

Magnolia Monday....#2

Good Monday Morning peeps ....the sun is shining in West Michigan today, and it seems like spring is right around the corner!

Today is the 2nd of our Magnolia Monday's....and it's still all about the kitchen. 

If there is something you want to purchase,  please message, comment,  or call 616-896-9864...and you can stop by the barn to pick up your purchase!
Thanks!

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Joanna describes her kitchen as grand central station most days. Joanna's hobby is cooking and baking....and since the Gaines do not have a TV in there home....yes, you read that right....no TV! So, most nights you will find the kids are surrounding the kitchen table drawing/coloring or doing some kind of craft.
One of the things that we noticed was that Joanna likes to use things for multiple purposes. She has a few pieces in her kitchen that she uses for different situations, and a few "accent" things to give color and bring color to her kitchen.

Large wooden black with white letters Bakery sign: $35

Large White Glass mixing bowl:

$15

Adorable Gray and White Linen apron

$15

Gray and white striped oven mitt and hot pad set: $8

White pallet charger/trivet...you can use this for anything!

$5 each

Large vintage enamel coffee pot:

$25

Vintage Ball jar with white geranium:

$10

Small window with glass "Fresh Baked Pies" sign: $17

8.5 x11 folding white chalkboard: $15

Wooden crayon caddy with 2pks of Crayola:$15

Small white with black letter "Gather" sign:$20

9x13 black wire baskets:

$15 each

Small green bush:$6 each

Cotton Stems: $8 each

Large Pallet Table Runner: $25

White Pallet tray:$15

Happy Monday!

That's right....it's Monday! 
Today is the first of 4 "Magnolia Monday's" here at Simple Blessings.

Over the next 4 Mondays, we will be sharing things that we learned while visiting the Magnolia Silos. We came home with lots of new inspiration and have come up with a few things each week to offer!

If you see some something here you would like to purchase,  please comment here, Facebook message or call 616-896-9864 and we will set aside for you in the barn. You can pick it up at your convenience!

Happy Shopping!!!!
---------------------------------

The first thing we learned?

Joanna Gaines is all about her kitchen!
JoJo loves to cook, bake and entertain in her kitchen. 

Her kitchen is where she likes to "gather" all her family and friends. 

Here is our version of the gather sign!

It's stained wood with hand painted white letters.  It measures 12 in x 26 in and is $25.

This first week we will feature things to use when entertaining at your kitchen table...or just feeding your family! 

Jo used this type of " small farmhouse plank" under her dishes or as a small centerpiece on her table:

It's made out of thick plank wood and stained

It measures 11.5 in x 18.75 in.

$15

If your looking to do something more buffet style or just want something longer to use when decorating your table....we have two options:

The first option.....(Jo's favorite-she used them all over her house! )

"The large farmhouse plank"

It's stained butcher block measuring 1ft wide x 3ft long. 

$30.

She also loves to use Magnolias...everywhere! 

$15 for a wrapped bunch. 

The second option:

"The butcher block table runner."

It had stained butcher block with brushed metal handles. 

It measures 12" x 36"

$35.

Jo also loves cup racks! She had them everywhere.  She used them for mugs to jewelery and everything in between.

This is a more pettite version.

It is a brown metal with measurements of 13 in tall x 9in wide....it will fit anywhere! 

$18

This cup rack is a little larger.

It is black metal that measures 12in x15.5 in

$25

And then there are these mugs....we couldn't help but share these! Everyone hates Mondays, but these make it a little more fun!

They are white with black and gold lettering. 

$6 each

Another thing Jo used for her table, counter top....or really anywhere? 

A 3- tiered tray!  So simple, yet so many possibilities! 

This is a galvanized 3 tiered tray with measurements of 14" x 18.5"

$35

I think that one thing that we could see and feel when we were at Magnolia, was how "thankful" everyone was. From the gardener,  to the towns people, and even the celebrities...they all expressed how thankful they were, not to just Chip and Jo...but to God! They would all give the glory to Him for everything that was happening in that community! 

So...here is our "thankful" sign.  

It measures 11 in x 28 in

$25

And yes, we are thankful to each and everyone of you, whether you read our blog or visit our little barn, we are very thankful to Him...who makes ALL things possible! 

God Bless!

I am only asking for 2 more hours....

Seriously....just two more hours,  just 120 minutes,  just 7,200 seconds...that's all I need! Anyone with me???

I NEED my days to be longer, 24 hours in a day just isn't cutting it!
I get up early, and go to bed late...and I still don't feel like I can get everything accomplished!

I have been cleaning out our basement and last night I found a box of old, mismashed pictures! Needless to say, it was the end of my cleaning and organizing!
There were some old, really old pictures! They ranged from our wedding (20 years ago! ) to probably about 4 years ago....my more recent pictures are still trapped in my phone/camera!
I was completely alone in the corner of my basement, laughing hysterically at our "style", our hair (my husband had a mullet....and a perm...i need to say no more!!!!), and the fun memories we have had!

And then my laughter turned to tears!  We have been blessed with soooo many good times, but we have also endured some pretty tough times. We have lost people that we have loved and miss so much, but God has brought us new people to love and children to watch grow! It's amazing to see how life changes in 20 years!
It made me think of the saying:
"God is good all the time,  ALL the time God IS good!"
I may not understand His timing,  I might not understand His plans....but I know He loves us, He cares for us, and He has a great sense of humor (the pictures showed that!)

Sitting in the corner, I realized something else....(obviously I am not a fast learner...it took 40 years to learn).... God gives us the GIFT of time! It's truly a gift!
He has given us 24 hours... or 1440 minutes...or 86,400 seconds every day to do with what WE want!
It's called free will!

What will we do with our time?  Who will we fill our day with?
So many possibilities!

But as I sat selfishly thinking thru those possibilities, I started yearning for more time...I NEED more time! 24 hours just doesn't cut it...even if I take out the laundry and cleaning....and even the Netflix...I still want more, I want to do more!

And then the light bulb came on....God HAS given me the gift of time.  He gives me a blank slate of time each day...how will I use it? Will I use it for myself? my friends? my family, or Him and His kingdom????
That seems like a lot of pressure, doesn't it?
But honestly as I sit and think about it...it is ACTUALLY less pressure! Life isn't a race....its not about how much money you make,  how clean your house is, or where you take your kids on spring break (can you tell our dinner table discussion tonight! )...it's bigger, even better than that!

Everyday is a gift of time from God...use it, every second of it...clean, make dinner, get groceries, work 8-5, do laundry, laugh, cry, drive to soccer, create, paint, study, read,  write.......do whatever God is calling you to do....today. Do it for God's glory!
Do it with the best of your ability...even when your tired!

It's really about the little things....the minutes,  the seconds God gives you....those turn into the big things that matter in God's plan for your life! You might not see it today, but those minutes and second count!

My prayer for today:

Let's make the most of God's 86,400 seconds today!

Let's not just fit God in today, lets actually LET GOD DO TODAY!

It's finally Monday!?!

Yes, you read it correctly!

It's Monday!  Which in my little world,  it means picking up after the teenage tornados I have,  laundry...lots of laundry, and working late at the dental office.... and then finally collapsing on the couch and listening to my hubby snore while I waste my brain watching Netflix.

Now I know that doesn't seem exciting to anyone....and since your Monday's are probably just as exciting as mine...We thought it was time to make our Mondays more exciting, you know,  something to look forward to...that makes Monday sound so much better, right????

YES! So,for the month of February (the "love" month)...we are going to post things that we loved from our Magnolia trip. We have been busy back in the shop creating our Magnolia knockoffs and are ready to share with you!

We will post items every Monday morning for the month of February and you will be able to comment, message, or call to purchase the items and then at your convenience you can stop by the barn to pick it up!
Sounds pretty easy right?
If not, send us a message or give us a call and we will explain!

Gray skies.... again, and again...

I am starting to feel a little blah, actually a lot of blah!!! Am I the only one who is missing the sun????

It seems like the past month the weather has been extremely dreary and gross, actually...down right depressing!

Enough is enough! Time to find my "happy place! "

That's right, we headed to Lowe's and loaded up on some supplies. It was quite an adventure since we didn't take the big red truck....we took my malibu, but before you laugh out loud....it does fit 8 ft boards! We got a few funny looks, but it all fit (including our groceries)....and we could still drive safely home! 

After our time in at Magnolia, we came home with some new inspiration. 

So...back to the shop we go!

Watch the blog/Facebook page in the next few weeks for some new spring products!

~blessings  

Magnolia Market....nothing like I expected

Last week mom, maddie, and I traveled 1153 miles to Waco, Texas. We spent 5 full days exploring Waco and everything "Fixer Upper"!
Now that we have been home for a few days, everyone had been asking about our trip: How was it? Did you meet Chip and Jo? Did you love it all? What did you buy?

Let me start by saying. ....it wasn't anything like we expected it to be! I expected it to be a fun trip with my mom and daughter, shopping all day, eating great food at the food trucks, and sleeping in! I thought it would be all about "things"...and me, my vacation time! Boy, was I in for a surprise! It was most of that (minus the sleeping in part of course! ), but yet so much more!

We were sitting at the airport on Thursday morning and mom could hardly contain herself. She kept saying,  "pinch me" and "is this really happening?" We spent the morning talking and dreaming about what and who we were going to see! When we arrived in Dallas, we couldn't get our rental car fast enough....we didn't even stop for lunch....we went straight to Magnolia!

We spent thursday afternoon at the Silos. We ate outside and enjoyed the sunshine. We went into the market and enjoyed seeing all the beautiful displays. Everything is done to perfection there, the employees are wonderful, the food is incredible, and the atmosphere is like nothing we have ever experienced at a retail store!
But honestly....if you are traveling 1153 miles just to go shopping there....you might as well stay home and order it online! They have beautiful things (a little on the expensive side,  but beautiful) but inside its really just a store with really pretty bathrooms (yes, we even checked them out!)

But yet....there was something different about Magnolia than we expected...we just couldn't put our finger on it!

The next day was Friday. Someone that we met had recommended that we take the Waco Tour. It was marketed as a tour around town highlighting the history of Waco, Baylor University, Cameron Park, and some of the Fixer Upper homes....sounded good, but again we were dutch and a little skeptical about the price...but we decided to try it.
We spent the next 3 hours touring around Waco. We were in a beautiful,  spacious van with 3 other couples. We laughed, we ate ice cream, we took a ton of cool pictures.
But it wasn't really just a tour....
We spent time in prayer with complete strangers, heard some incredible testimonies, and even met David Ridley (the bachelor house season 3) from Fixer Upper.... check out his testimony on YouTube, it's worth it!They also took us past their church and invited us to attend on Sunday morning. They brought us to a non-profit grocery store that the community started for the underprivileged. We heard about the wonderful Christian business men and women that are pouring back money and time into their Waco....it's not just Chip and Jo! The locals say it started before the Gaines fame, but that Chip and Jo have "fueled the fire" and have brought Waco into the national spotlight because of the TV show.
We seen God at work in Waco....people (like Chip and Jo, but also other businessmen) had and have dreams for Waco, along with a mustard seed of faith.... and God has taken that and BLESSED it!

Don't get me wrong....Waco had some interesting pieces. I didn't expect to see all the other run down houses and delapdated buildings, or the large presence of homeless people, or the fact that the Silos were right off I-35 (I thought it would have been out in a small country town)!
I also didn't prepare myself for the crazy people at the Magnolia Warehouse sale on Saturday...it was chaos..., but soooo worth it!

Waco is really closer to the size of Grand Rapids (actually it has about 50,000 more people than GR, but very similar in makeup). It's a bustling, busy city.....but a city that has something special!
All week we couldn't put our finger on what it was, what was soooo different about this place...until Sunday afternoon.
We had gone to Antioch Community Church in the morning. Yes...we seen Chip and Jo and family, but we didn't approach them. They were there to worship and so were we. Church is probably the only place they feel "normal" and don't have to hide,  we wanted to respect that!
After that we drove out to see their farm. It's a beautiful place! Chip and his son were out in the pasture doing the "hammer flip challenge" with the goats and Texas long-horns watching. It seemed like we were watching a typical sunday afternoon thing at the Gaines home.
As we drove back looking for a place to eat (FYI...not much is open on Sunday's in Waco!!!), we started talking about our experiences of the day/week.
I think that's when we figured it all out....we could feel God's presence in Waco!
It was incredible! God was there blessing it, nurturing it, and watching it grow!  From the food truck owner and the Magnolia gardener to the tour guides and all the way to the little vintage shop ladies outside of town....you could hear and see God! They all showed it, shared it....and gave Him all the glory for what He has done in Waco. It is way bigger than Chip and Jo and the Magnolia Silos....God is using Waco to show the world a little glimpse of who he is!
There is a peace that you can't grasp when you sit outside the Silos, there is a sense of faith and forgiveness  that David Ridley explains during the "ministry on wheels", and there is a sense of love as you drive around town and see the grocery store and the "Highway Underpass"church for the homeless.

God is at work in Waco and it shows what authentic Christianity looks like by using ordinary people. I thought good-ole, Dutch, conservative west Mi had it figured out.....we DON'T HAVE A CLUE!
Jesus used ordinary people, actually mostly less than ordinary people in his ministry to further the Kingdom of God. Waco is a wonderful example of that....that's what I want to be part of!
I can't move to Waco, but I can bring a little of that back here! I want to be less than ordinary, I want to be part of Jesus' ministry...right here in West Mi! I don't exactly know what that looks like yet,  but I will use my little mustard seed of faith and trust Him with my big dreams! Will you join me?

If you are going to Waco, just to shop...stay home....but if you have the chance and desire to see what God's doing in Waco, GO....it was worth the time and money!

Ps: let me know if are going, I can give you all the places to see, and especially the address of the Fed Ex store for shipping!

~Blessings Y'all