Susan Merrill's Blog, page 27
January 6, 2014
5 Reasons Why I Love My Husband
This post is part of the Happy Wives Club Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with hundreds of inspiring bloggers. To learn more and join us,CLICK HERE!
First I have to say that I am so excited about my friend Fawn’s new book. Truly, she is a dynamo and then some. So take it from me, her new book is just as power-packed as she is! And it launches tomorrow, January 7th!
Now, jumping on Fawn’s happy wife bandwagon, here are 5 reasons I love my husband (of course, there are dozens...
January 3, 2014
Top 10 Posts from 2013
2013 was a crazy year for me. I wrote a book, launched my 3rd child into college, took on new responsibilities at Family First, started working full time, lost my beloved right hand girl Madison to her new baby Bethany, gained a graphic genius named Reed (see above and all over iMOM.com), lost 2 friends to heaven, labored with an idea that wouldn’t leave me alone for three months until it morphed into the Love Well Project (more on that to come), made some amazing new friends/authors/gurus th...
December 31, 2013
December 25, 2013
Prepare Him Room (Merry Christmas!)
No room.
It’s a sad thought, really, but one that makes a lot of sense. In a busy time of census taking, inns were full and rooms were hard to come by. Still, no one knew that this woman they were ushering out was about to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, the One who would change the world and bring about hope for a better tomorrow.
Even today, it’s easy to get so busy over the holidays that we forget the One who is the reason for all of the festivities. We can choose to close our hearts to...
December 24, 2013
O Little Town of Bethlehem (Christmas Countdown Day 2)
Bethlehem, a small town a few miles southwest of Jerusalem, had seen busier times before the birth of Jesus occurred. Because history describes it as an ancient caravanning route, quite a mix of cultures could probably be found there at any given time.
In Old Testament times, it became the burial place for Jacob’s favored wife Rachel, and the living place for Naomi and Ruth, and later King David. Many years passed, and due to Caesar Augustus’ decree that everyone must return to their own count...
December 23, 2013
Joy to the World! (Christmas Countdown Day 3)
Joy… it comes naturally when hopes are fulfilled.
The wise men, who had seen the star and set out to find the reason for it – the Christ child baby – had fulfilled their purpose and had reason to rejoice. Their long journey ended in great joy.
But what about when it doesn’t?What about when hopes don’t seem to be fulfilled, and journeys don’t seem to end happily?After all, some Christmas seasons are just much harder than others. Finances are tight, loved ones are sick or grieved, and joy is hard...
December 22, 2013
The Gifts of the Magi…(Christmas Countdown Day 4)
On researching the wise men’s gift choices, it was discovered that all three gifts carried a special meaning.
Gold was a symbol of royalty. Frankincense was a rare commodity burned on the Altar of Incense, where God’s people offered up prayers to Heaven, and represented worship. Myrrh was a rare perfume used most commonly for burials, included as bodies were wrapped to prevent the smell of decay. This treasured gift seems to represent that Jesus was born to die.
The wise men were so intentional...
December 21, 2013
Those Good Ol’ Peppermint Sticks (Christmas Countdown Day 5)
Candy canes are a cute festive touch to decorating and gift packaging, but just like many other Christmas related items, they can also hold a special meaning. Legend states that many years ago, a candy maker in Indiana created the candy cane as a way to share the true meaning of Christmas. Here are some of the symbols that resulted:
Its shape… It is a “J” for Jesus or a shepherd’s staff, depending on which way the candy cane is turned. Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, watching over His...
My Recommended Brands
When I love something everyone usually knows it. I like to share stuff that works for me. Being a mom keeps us very busy, and every mom needs help from things that work well.
That’s why I’m excited to announce our new iMOM and All Pro Dad Recommends program. I want to share companies and products that our team has carefully vetted and that we know and trust.
We want to recommend these companies to you for a few reasons. First, these are companies whose leadership believe in the importance of th...
December 20, 2013
Mary Did You Know? (Christmas Countdown Day 6)
I wonder how much Mary did know as she looked down at her sleeping newborn baby.
Yes, the angel had come to her in private, making her aware of the miraculous story that would unfold through her womb, immediately encouraging her not to be afraid, and empowering her with strength and love for this unique boy child.
But actually raising this boy as his mother, parenting him through the different developmental stages until manhood, and being alone in a different undertaking than all of the other m...
