God Provides in bigger ways than we know possible

 If you have been around here long you have heard me share the truly truly amazing things that God has done in my life.  I don't ever take that for granted or forget it.

I asked you to pray for a friend recently.
I am pretty stubborn and know the amazing  and huge things that God can do. I KNOW the power of stirring people up and the generosity of the family of God. Frankly, there were just too many obstacles and issues and I didn't see how we could help or God would fix it all.

Over $10,000 was needed in a matter of weeks just to stay where they were. I thought about fundraisers and car washes and letting everyone know. It just seemed too big. I asked you all to pray. With a day to spare the money came to them. I knew that God was there. I knew He had a plan. He does not disappoint.

Would you head over to Maggies blog:  http://www.blessingsbythedozen.blogspot.com/ and let her know that your praising God for His provision for her family and that we will continue to pray for work for her husband.

Are you listening? (Four Tips to Improve Your Listening Skills)

Today I have a special treat for you! Karen Jordan is guest blogging with a message that we all need to hear (and be reminded of)
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A big welcome to Karen Jordan!

Karen Jordan

“Are you listening to me?” Has someone ever asked you that question? Or maybe that thought pierced your heart and mind, as you felt the sting of someone else ignoring or rejecting you?



Consider these four ways to improve your listening skills.

Resolve to be quick to listen. Many times, people who come to us for help, just need for us to listen. James 1:19 offers this advice, "Understand this … You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry" (NLT).

Decide to be available. Jesus gives us an example of a wise counselor who made Himself available to listen. “The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught” (Matt. 6:30).

Desire a discerning heart. Not only does Jesus listen, He discerned the needs of others. When His disciples came to Him after their ministry tour, Jesus observes their need for solitude and rest: “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile” (ibid.).

Choose to be quiet. Jesus also taught His disciples the importance of being quiet. In Matthew 11:15, Jesus asks his disciples, "Are you listening to me? Really listening? (MSG)

At times our failure to listen before responding can provoke a negative, emotional response from our loved ones or friends, who may need our help. In fact, Proverbs 18:13 warns us, "Answering before listening is both stupid and rude" (MSG).

What can we offer others with our response, after we listen to their needs?

Grace, not criticism or judgment. Romans 2:4 reminds us, "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" (NLT)

Companionship. We must encourage others to be dependent upon Jesus, not co-dependent upon us. Jesus promised His followers, "I'll be with you … day after day after day, right up to the end of this age" (Matt. 28:20 MSG).

So, the next time someone comes to you for help, I hope you ask yourself this question first: “Are you listening … Really listening?” (Matt. 11:15)



Karen Jordan is best known for telling the stories that matter most. She has multiple writing credits and trains other writers as well. Contact her for speaking events, writing assignments, and interviews at kj@karenjordan.net or visit http://www.karenjordan.net/.

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If you have something you'd like to share with the communtiy here at Having a Hallelujah Good Time, contact me about guest blogging!

Giveaway today at Sandy alamode!

Spring is here and to celebrate I am doing a giveaway with Sandy alamode!!

Head on over and you can win:

two small Fridgesmarts:

one medium long Fridgesmart(it is truly amazing how long these will keep produce fresh!)

AND an ice cream scoop (if you have never used a Tupperware ice cream scoop, you really need to! Amazing quality)

That is $80 worth of Tupperware!!

While you're here. Sign up for my new Tupperware mailing list and be the first to hear about Tupperware sales (and clearances) specials and giveaways. Just click on the envelope button under the Tupperware logo. You can also access my site to see the current catalog, make orders or start your own online party.

Giveaway!

 I am giving away a Tupperware Chip N Dip set ($45 value)
(more details here)  over at:

where she has some huge and awesome things to giveaway. All to one winner. Head over and say hello. I'd love for someone I know to win and would really like for it to be you:)

Meet my friend Maggie

 I have been meaning to introduce you to a dear friend. I want to show you how she organizes her large family. Share some of her amazing vision. Follow her around and start a whole tutorial series. But that's not going to be the tone today.



Maggie and I are real life friends. I dont just mean that in a "not on the Internet" way. We have lived side by side in the trenches. I can come to her in tears and we can cry together or hold each other up and find a way out. She is how I imagine extended family and having a sister to be.

She has been with me through so much and given he so much of herself. Her hard working husband, who has always worked at least two full time jobs and still managed to be an incredible father to their brood of ten, has lost his job. Actually, he worked for awhile while they didn't pay him. So he worked and worked and his days were taken up and money was spent driving an hour away and back for long long days but there was no money coming in.

You can meet him here: PoserDad.com 

Maggie has started a small blog and today shared her heart and the threat of losing their house very very soon. I know this scare and fear and am once again so impressed at how she handles it and has the strength and courage to share it with others. She writes not in a spirit of fear but knowing that God is in control, has a plan and they are safe in his hands. What a lesson to us all.

Their problems seem so huge right now and ones that only God can turn around...but could you stop over and say "hello" on her blog: Blessingsdythedozen.com? Maybe say a prayer today for these dear friends of mine? I wish I could do something to turn it all around but right now, I just want these dear family ot know that they are NOT alone and there is someone in their corner: routing and praying. That we can do.

Still here!

 I don't seem to be posting that much. Not sure why. I am doing other bloggy things:  like donating to giveaways and planning a HUGE birthday blog bash for April....and my laptop was out of commission for a while and I lost all my photos from the last two years.

My 11 year old daughter has been texting her friends from my phone. Without permission. I feel so violated. I just an email from ATT that I am over myt texting limit. I had no idea I had a limit.

My son has a cow heart in the refrigerator that he's excited to dissect and my husband just fell asleep.

I have been all over ebay and Pinterest looking at Irish Blessings. I'm not too into the "luck" thing but do want to celebrate my heritage..Here are a few favorites:

Irish Morning Blessing by MySerentyWay on Etsy

and from the same shop: May Love and Laughter Light Your Days

I have also pinned a bunch.

I made 16 dozen chicken meatballs to freeze. They didn't turn out well. I guess you should test a recipe first. Those things always make so much sense in retrospect.

We have gone on some great field trips and been really busy doing fun things.

My 5th grader is studying Ca history and we have been going to Missions and homes turned museums. Fun times.

OH! and my five year old swallowed a button battery and we spent the majority of the night in the ER.

We called the battery hotlline (a branch of poison control) right away who told us to walk don't run to the ER for an Xray. The Xray showed the battery right away and it was at a point where all we have to do is wait for it to pass. I got a Vizio tablet for Christmas and still haven't gotten a real chance to play with it but I brought it along and my 13 year old comforted my 5 year old and they played Angry Birds and watched Netflix. I kept reminding them that this was not fun.

He finally just fell asleep on the ER floor.  I had major major eeby jeebies at him touching everything and then sucking on his fingers. 

I told you that we were in a car accident. Our Suburban is all fixed. They came and picked it up and brought it back. SUCH a blessing because I couldn't wrap my mind around child care and car seats and finding someone to drive me and pick me up.

Not sure why I am not posting.

Anything you want me to talk about?

Anyone want to guest post?

Be watching for my Birthday Bash! It will NOT be like last year! This year no whining just lots and lots of fun giveaways (shoot me an email if you want in on the giving--I have a great lineup so far:)