Rachel's Photo Shoot

Rachel is a class mate of mine and a few days ago we went out dodged some raindrops and took a few pictures. She's about to graduate from the missionary training and asked me to help her get a picture for her prayer card. I was so touched that she asked me! We had a lot of  fun. She's a natural in front of the camera.

Thankful for the Sunshine

Elijah and his pal C. playing in the creek.

We had a five day break for Easter this past week and it rained the ENTIRE time! Not the gentle falling rain that is fun to go outside and play in. No, we had lightning, thunder, severe weather (tornado) alerts and flood warnings!

We hadn't seen the sun in a week so when the sun finally popped through the clouds yesterday afternoon I was over joyed! So despite the fact that I had a pile of reading and homework to do I decided to take the boys to play at the creek. Elijah had been asking all weekend to go to the creek to look for crayfish but we weren't able to go because of the weather.

By the time we got to the play ground our little group of three had turned into eight! We took along two of Elijah's friends and picked up my friend Joy and two of her kids.

Ethan looks like a man on a mission.

 

This is Joy on the rope swing over the creek.

This sweet little girl enjoyed picking flowers.

This is Joy's precious little boy.



Ethan

Elijah and C.

You have a couple more days to enter the candle giveaway! Don't forget the 20% off code if you place an order this week.

Wordless Wednesday {Ethan's 1st Egg Hunt}





{Good Neighbors Candle Co. Giveaway}

One of my good blog friends recently opened up an Etsy shop! I know many of you are Etsy lovers like I am so I wanted to share her creativity with you all. Keep reading to find out how YOU can be entered to win a gift certificate to Good Neighbors Candle Company.

About Good Neighbors Candle Company

Becky shares how Good Neighbors Candle Co. began:

"My next door neighbor, at the time, had recently retired. Her name is Beverly and she is a very energetic and enthusiastic lady. I used to visit her and observed that she enjoyed making candles.

Before long Beverly was talking of getting a part time job. I suggested that she might want to begin to sell her candles instead. I, being a financial analyst, was confident that I could keep her books and advise her in the business end of things.

However... it took us just a matter of days to realize that I would be joining in the creative process.

It was just too much fun!

That was in 2005!

We focused our efforts on learning about Soy Wax and Penreco Gel. The first year was a lot of trial and error. We learned so much. In truth, I don't think the learning ever ends. There are new techniques and new products available all of the time. But, we now have our core candles which we have made over and over again. These are the ones you will find on our Product Page. Over the years we have made quite a variety but these are the best sellers and ones we get consistent reorders for.

In 2005 soy candles were just finding their way into Lancaster County. It was fun to educate customers at the many craft shows we participated in. Better yet, were the years to follow as customers would return to get more. They had only good things to say about how clean these candles burned. Now that we are five years down the proverbial road, Soy candles have earned their place in the line-up on many store shelves and have come to be most desired. It is cool to think we had a very small part to play in that.

We have spent our time at craft shows, placing our candles in retail outlets and hosting open houses. All of these were fun for a time. However, nothing gives the satisfaction of helping others make much needed money for a mission trip or other worthy goal. The primary focus of Good Neighbors Candles at this point is the Fundraiser and Direct Retail Sales to those who discover us by way of the Internet.

I will do just a few craft shows during the Holiday Season but I no longer offer these candles to traditional retail stores.

It is my goal to provide each and every customer with a fresh candle every time.

No shelf time.

It just can't get any better than that!

Beverly has since moved into a

retirement community and has become

very involved in things there.

I am now on my own with Good Neighbors Candles.

While I miss her, I am very happy for her.
I hope that you will come to love

our candles as much as we do!"

Becky K.

Take a look at some of the candles offered in Becky's shop.

This candle makes me think of Spring with it's cheerful color and citrus scent...

I just love how this little tea cup glows softly with a tea light inside...

Petite Teacup and Saucer with Soy Tea lights

My sister would like this one. It's her favorite color! 

8oz French Lavender Soy Candle in "Sunburst" jar with daisy cut lid.

I've enjoyed Good Neighbors Candles in my own home and gave some as Christmas gifts this past year. The candles arrive very well packaged and every one really liked them.

Some benefits of soy candles is they burn longer than petroleum-based candles, have an incredible scent throw with virtually no black soot.

From Satisfied Customers...

"Hi Becky, MY CANDLES ARE HERE AND I LOVE THEM! What a wonderful bunch of sweet smelling candles! I ordered a couple for myself but the rest are gifts:) Hugs!"

Theresa R.

Diane from the Tomato Soup Cake Blog said this in an email....

" I have to tell you that your pumpkin pie spice candle is THE BEST SMELLING CANDLE i have ever had... and I am very persnickety about scented candles. I usually only buy (brand name), but yours are just soooo much better♥ And the second best smelling candle ever is your lavender candle. ah bliss!

You've spoiled me for lesser things, girl;-}"

PJ said....
"I have got nothing but RAVE reviews from the neighbors who received your candles for Christmas, and I am still enjoying the extras I received with my order. I've been hoarding them so as not to use them all at once."

From Vee....
"I love the smell of my new pumpkin pie candle...it's amazing!"

Sally of The Smiling Sally Blog:
"I just got my order, and I am so impressed with the care you took in packaging. Everything arrived in perfect condition and smelling oh so good! What a nice bargain.
Thank you for the tea candles; I'm going to love that orange spice!"

Becky is offering a $25 gift certificate to one of YOU! 

For your 1st entry visit Becky's Etsy shop Good Neighbors Candle Company and leave a comment here letting us know your favorite item.

For two extra entries post about this giveaway and link to Good Neighbors Candle's. Or put a link to the Candle Blog or Etsy store on your sidebar. Links are below.

The Candle Blog
The Etsy Shop

Leave a separate comment for each eligible entry.

And that's not all! I always knew Becky was generous and she's proving it again by offering each and every one of you a 20% off discount code to her shop! The code is  MELISSA20.

We'll draw a winner Monday, May 2nd.

Thank You Jesus

Matthew 28:1-10

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

How to Make a Diaper Cake

Diaper cakes are a huge hit at baby showers these days. They are fun, unique and useful! The parents to be take the cake home take it apart and use the diapers for their little bundle of joy.

You can find sites online that make diaper cakes for you but they seem expensive to me. If you are willing to spend a little time and effort you can make one yourself and really it's not that hard.

You'll Need:
Size 1 Diapers (I had newborn size and used 81 diapers. Though I would recommend using a larger size so the parents can enjoy the cake for a while and not worry about their baby growing out of the newborn size.)
Rubber bands
Ribbon, Flowers, Little Baby Trinkets for decoration. You can use google images for "diaper cakes" to get lots of great ideas for your cake. I've seen little wooden letters with the baby's initials used. Super cute!

First step is to roll the diapers starting with the folded end and tie with a rubber band. I used ribbon since i didn't have enough rubber bands and didn't want to go to the store but rubber bands would have been a lot faster and easier.


rolled diapers

Next you'll make your tiers.
The top tier used 7 diapers. Just group them in a circle and wrap them with a rubber band or tie them to secure them together.

top tier

Second tier used 19 diapers.

The 3rd tier used 55 diapers. This could use an extra set of hands. Elijah's came in handy at this point. =)

bottom tier

My side kick helped me trip the ribbon. He was a big help!


Wrap wide ribbon around each tier and stack like so...

You'll want to secure them together with tape. Some people build the cake around an empty paper towel roll to secure together. Or just build the cake at the event (but make sure it doesn't get knocked over).

Next you'll decorate the cake with your items. I had some Burt's Bees products so I used yellow and brown ribbon and flowers and it ended up with a jungle theme.

You'll want to have a larger item on the top as sort of a "cake topper".

our stuffed giraffe cake topper



Elijah also helped to product test the cake topper.
He had to make sure it was good enough for his little cousin.



Finally decorate your heart out with your flowers, ribbon, wooden letters, baby items.

Done! But some thing was missing...

We added brown ribbon behind the yellow and that was just what it needed!

Here's the final product!

Let me know if you make one and be sure to send me a picture and you'll be featured here on The Missionary Mama!

Stay tuned...

... we have a super special giveaway in the works for ya!

Wordless Wednesday {Just like Daddy}

Ethan

B. Family Photo Shoot!

What a great family the B's were to photograph! They are so much fun! They asked me to take their family photos a couple weeks ago and God gave us the perfect afternoon weather on Saturday to go out and take these. It was cool and sunny and just SO beautiful!

The dogwoods are blooming...

The kiddos were amazing.

Check out these amazing blue eyes on this handsome little man...



hugs for daddy