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Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Read An Excerpt: Chapter 1 & 2

A Few of My Favorite Things Give-Away

Today is my birthday, and I have so much to celebrate!!!!

But I have had the hardest time figuring out how I’d like to spend this special day. For some reason, I don’t want to be pampered. I know, call me crazy. I’m sure it’s only temporary.

My family and co-workers can’t figure me out. They know I usually love the excuse to celebrate and enjoy a few of my favorite things like a manicure/pedicure, lunch with friends and a fun movie, maybe a little shopping and dinner out with my family.

This year I just want a simple day with Jesus. I’ll probably watch my next Beth Moore video download in her Esther series (that’s what I’ve been studying these days), and do some writing in my favorite spot. I’ll read and journal while I sip on my favorite coffee drink – sugar free vanilla iced coffee from McDonalds. I’ll end the day with dinner at home with my kids, JJ and mom (she’s doing the cooking). Sounds pretty wonderful to me!

I was telling JJ last night that I think I’m feeling the way I am because I have been surrounded by so much love, friendship, encouragement and prayers these past few weeks that I am all filled up!!! And I thank many of you for that!

So, instead of getting a few of my favorite things, I am going to give them away!!! You could be part of the celebration by sharing with me how you’d like to spend your birthday and….

YOU COULD WIN one of “My Favorite Things”

  • Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
  • $5 Gift card from McDonald’s
  • A manicure or pedicure gift certificate (worth $25) from a salon/spa in your area.

Please click on the word “comments” below and tell us how you like to spend your birthday. Be sure to leave your first name and your email so I can get in touch with you! I’ll be announcing the winner on Monday!

Comments

  2. I have followed you through your adoption of your little girl. I have learned to love you sight.
    Yes sometimes I feel like giving up.I have had so many health problems and anxiety problems I feel like I am going through refiners fire. I love the Lord, I am a Salvation Army Soldier and a Wesleyan and Free Methodist preacher's daughter.I have 2 boys,both married to christians and 5 grandkids who love the Lord. I am blessed. I have been married for 44 years to the same man.
    My husband is an artist and supports us through ministry presentations and secular ones, to supplement our low SS income. One of our son's is a Free Methodist pastor about 25 miles from us.He moved there this year. It has been a true blessing to have him close.
    I don't know how I would get through the tough anxiety times. Ad me to you prayer list. I prayed for you through the adoption and the loss of you friend to cancer. God bless.Dorothy Miller

  3. Well, my family jokes that I have "birthday week" every year. I milk it for all it's worth. We normally have a family lunch out on my actual birthday then most years a friends party to celebrate. In the last couple of years though, on top of the family lunch we have started going for a lake day with just my family. I love the lake as do the rest of my family…so it's a great time to bond & celebrate another year of life!

  4. My birthday has always been a huge celebration. I think the fact that I was born a twin at 25 weeks, and my parents were given no hope for our survival, each year is a miracle. Each day is a miracle!!! 🙂

    The day starts with all my family heading out somewhere for breakfast. Such fun!! My birthday is in August, but I never like to be away from home on my b'day as so many friends and family stop by. My husband always makes supper…and CLEANS UP…so that I don't have to do anything that day. It is the one day of the year that I don't cook any meals or do any work.

    It's a fun day…and double the fun being a twin!

    Hope you had a special day Renee.
    Hugs,
    Joy

  5. My birthday is around Thanksgiving so I am usually in the kitchen but I enjoy having my family with me…but I have to admit a little me time would be nice. A chance to have a pot of tea and a good book even for one hour.

    I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

    blessings

  6. Happy birthday!
    My Birthday is spent giving out candy, a little alone time on the porch, seeing lots of kids, the wonderful smell of the autunm air. Guessed it yet? Yes. I was born on halloween! I love to buy lots of candy and fill up treat bags which include a little saying like "the best treat is the love of Jesus Christ" I always get to give on my birthday! It feels great!

  7. The older I get the more I appreciate the simple things. I am a fan of McDonald's $1 Iced tea and their ice cream cone. Can't imagine a special day that didn't include a cone. I'd also love to just hang out with my kids and grand daughter. I am so blessed, how could I ask for more.

  8. Happy Birthday! I like to spend my birthday eating out with my four guys…husband and 3 sons. I LOVE to open presents from my boys because my husband lets them pick out ANYTHING they want at Wal-Mart. Some of my favorites have been a volleyball (I've never played volleyball) and a hockey stick (they had just watched Mighty Ducks).

  10. Happy Birthday Renee!!!

    I would like to spend my birthday w/ my family…going out to eat at my 'favourite' restaurant…and having a peaceful, relaxing day.

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

  11. I hope you got my messsages wishing you a happy day on Thursday. Now here's the deal… Holly and I are going to kidnap you to take you out and celebrate.

    Will Monday work???

    We love you girl~

  12. Hey! What a sweet idea! First of all I hope ur birthday was a very blessed one. I would love to spend the day with my husband. I know I will get to very soon when he comes home. He is currently serving time in prison for something. That's a long story right there. I just want to be able to sit on the couch and snuggle without a guard looking at us. That would be the best birthday ever if I could just have him home now. If you could throw in a prayer or two for us, he will be coming up for parole this year. Pray he gets a yes. We are just thankful that God is in his life now and that God gives us strength to get thru the rough days away from each other.
    Loretta
    [email protected]

  13. I know I'm late, but you are always on my mind and in my heart! My birthday is not until October 1st, but I would love to be closer to the goals I have set for myself. My first 2010 goal is to devote more time to pray and be thankful. God has given me the opportunity to be able to communicate with him anytime and anywhere all through prayer. All I have to do is take advantage of this gift.

    Second I want to be able to offer hope and encouragement to others. This can only be accomplished if I follow my first goal, devote more time to prayer and allow myself to meditate on the words I read and never take my focus off of God.

    And then my third goal is to find out "Where am I with God". It is easy to look around the world today and feel discouraged and lose hope due to these surroundings, but Romans 15:13 God assures us that we serve the God of hope and when hope runs low, we must remember that God will supply us the hope we need and this hope comes from a promise from above.

    This year I also have a lifetime goal and that is to one day speak to an audience and share the message of Jesus Christ. This would be the highest accomplishment I could ever achieve in a lifetime and one of the greatest responsibilities I could ever accept. It is a "lifetime" goal because I do not know when I will achieve it.

    It will be in "His" time and "His" time only. All I can do is work towards achieving the other three goals and continually prepare myself for this change of a lifetime. Happy Birthday Renee!

  14. Happy Blessing Day! As I turned forty last year I decided the day would best be spent memorizing scripture. While my kiddoes were doing their quiet time I walked up and down our lane until I had Ephesians 6:10-19 memorized. Along that same theme, my February birthday will be spent reviewing Psalm 1 and memorizing Psalm 78:1-8. May you see the Lord's many precious blessings throughout your 'new' year.
    Christine D., [email protected]

  15. First of all- Happy belated Birthday! Today is my birthday- and I would love to be able to spend the day with my husband relaxing, connecting and laughing!

  16. Happy Belated Birthday! My birthday is a few days before Christmas so needless to say there is a lot going on. I had one of the best birthdays this year.We picked up my very favorite Chinese takeout (with some birthday extras) and hung out at home. I felt so blessed to be enjoying my children and husband after such a rough year.
    Danielle
    [email protected]

  17. Last year was one of my favorite birthdays – I woke up in a hotel room with a new sweet friend as my roomate, went downstairs for worship and the message from an amazing sister encouraging us to open up God's gift of rest.
    After checking out of the hotel my husband and two children picked me up and we headed across the border to meet my dad's cousin and his precious wife for a good, all things southern, lunch in Spartanburg.
    You probably figured out that I was at She Speaks over my birthday. I could not have planned a more fulfilling day!

  18. Happy Birthday Girl!! I couldn't find the comment button on your email. Like you, the perfect birthday for me would be to spend a day with my Heavenly Father. I would sit with him a bit just praying for what he has and is doing in our life. Sometimes I don't take time to just sit and listen for Him to talk with me. After that, I would read in the Bible along with also read Beth Moore's David. Then, follow that with a long walk with my new mp3 player listening to some praise music!

    much love,
    Natalie
    [email protected]

  19. Happy Birthday Renee! I have been sooooo encouraged by you and every morning I look forward to reading whats in my inbox coming from your Devotions and Your Heart Journey.Everything I read seems to apply to what is going on in MY LIFE and I often wonder if this was all planned FROM GOD.

    Thanks for encouraging me and helping me. Its been such a pleasure and even though just through the web I feel you are a special sister in Christ and we are on this great journey together. I love hearing about your daughter and seeing the pics. You see, due to a drug addiction that Jesus Delivered me from almost 10 years ago, I lost a son. He was taken from me and a new family adopted Him. Your story gives me hope that this family LOVES the way you do.Your family is sooo amazing! God Bless you all!
    My Birthday is also this month and even though friends have my BEST Interest in mind, EVERYONE has a PLAN!!! I like yours Better! I am going to stay focused on this thought, as Jesus Is MY GIFT and spending time with HIM will be a great way to celebrate my BIRTHDAY!!!

    Happy Birthday Again, May God Bless you always!
    Jeannie
    [email protected]

  20. Happy Birthday I hope you have a Blessed day .My birhtday it's close to christmas Dec 23 . I like to enjoy it with people that are special to me my husband and my two kids and going out to dinner

    God bless you
    veronica
    [email protected]

  21. Happy Birthday I hope you have a Blessed day .My birhtday it's close to christmas Dec 23 . I like to enjoy it with people that are special to me my husband and my two kids and going out to dinner

    God bless you
    veronica
    [email protected]

  23. I enjoy a lot of the same things you enjoy! My favorite drink is from McDonald's, too…a large coke in a styrofoam cup! If I could spend my birthday ANYWHERE, I'd either spend it on a beach with my family or on a plane to China. Long story. But I do love a good pedicure, and it's been a while.

    Happy Birthday!

  24. Dearest little sister in the Lord, I pray that God will grant you this desire of your heart! And I know He will because He is the God of all Love, and YOU are the apple of His eye!

    My birthday is 20 days from now (but who's counting?) and I'm going to do something I've always wanted to do. I will ask my friends and family to contribute (however small) a gift to Children's Hope Chest in my name instead ob buying a gift for me. Secondly, I am hand-making a lot of resin heart key rings and giving them to everyone who says "happy birthday" to me!

  25. Happy Birthday! ( a day late!) I hope you had a GREAT day yesterday! My birthday is next Friday, and my mom is coming to stay with my 4yr old and my 87 yr old so I can have a day OFF. We have lived for 2 yrs with my hubby's grandmother, who is now under the care of hospice, and i have to find a sitter even to go to church on SUnday mornings– so getting a day out of the house is a real treat! I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, with my time, but I know it will be refreshing after the stress of having to ALWAYS stay home. Thanks for your willingness to give during a time when most people focus on getting. 🙂 In HIM, Jenn

  26. Either spend the day with my grandkids or by giving something away. Being a servant, giving to others. It truly is moe of a blessing to give than receive. We have already been given much. What a privilege to share-not just material stuff, but ourselves.
    linda l

  27. Happy Birthday, Renee! I hope you had a wonderfully satisfying day.

    On my birthday I like to avoid laundry and other mundane chores and then go out to dinner with my family. Last summer was one of my best birthdays ever – we were on vacation and I had lunch with some bloggy friends and then dinner on a riverboat!

  28. Hello
    My name is Emily and the past few birthdays have been wonderful…my birthday is in August and usually i just stay home and watch movies with my sisters and boyfriend and maybe well go out to eat, maybe go swimming as well. I loved it!! So simple and relaxing. This year i would love to go on a hiking trip or just camp out and have all my best friends in the whole world with me around a campfire laughing and telling stories of old times together, how i would love to have everyone i love gather in one place, know each other and love each other.
    -Em

  29. I enjoy spending my birthday with my family. My birthday is in June and one of my grandchildren lives in FL. I only get to see her once a year and usually I go pick her up right around my birthday. I am so thankful for my family and I know you are too! I am also studing Esther at my church. It is like a movie. I just cant put it down. I am continually going ahead. Have a blessed day. I love your blog.

    Shirley
    Lexington, KY
    [email protected]

  30. Hope you had a wonderful Birthday! My favorite way to spend my birthday is with my husband and my 3 wonderful children. Of course a manicure and pedicure is great too!
    erin

    [email protected]

  31. I like to spend it hanging out with people who are important to me and/or doing something for someone. This year I baked the night before and surprised people with treats. A couple years ago I had lunch with a friend. Later that night I took 8 kids (ages 5-13) ice skating. People said, "This was for your birthday?" Yep. It was fun to watch the older ones help the younger ones. And I included a couple kids who had never had the opportunity to skate.

    Amy [email protected]

  32. I like to spend my birthday going out to eat with my family and then snuggling with my hubby.

    PS – I really enjoy hearing about Aster and seeing the pictures. She looks so happy.

    Aysha
    [email protected]

  33. Happy Birthday! I like to spend my birthday with my family!!! I have two boys and a wonderful husband.

  35. Happy birthday!
    I want to spend my birthday with my new niece. I'll find any reason to take off and go see her 🙂

  36. I like my birthday simple. My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I will spend it with my husband and children and our closest friends. Unlike most women I do not mind telling my age, in fact I volunteer the information, As a cancer survivor, I appreciate every birthday and embrace every milestone. I want January 26th to be simple… and surrounded with the greatest gifts: people and time. People to love and the time I have to continue loving and be loved. On my birthday I will have had thirty-six years of a wonderful life. Twenty-one of those have been walking with my Savior. I GET to serve Him! so I am proud of one more year, one more candle on the cake, and one more birthday to remember that great is His faithfulness… and I have a full blown reason to party!

  37. Happy Birthday to you!

    I like to spend my birthday with my family. Typically we'll make home made pizzas and dessert always has to include two things – Strawberries and Chocolate! Oh, and a really girly movie to watch with my mom and sisters later on in the evening. 🙂
    ~Christine
    [email protected]

    PS – Thanks for praying for me!

  38. happy birthday and many more
    i'm a spring baby march 20th what i would like this year is a day with god so i can build a relationship with him like you have.

    thank you for all you do

    [email protected]

  39. Happy Birthday! That sounds like a completely wonderful day. I always take my birthday off and go and get a pedicure then if possible I have lunch with my husband. Just having quiet time is nice and helps to regroup and look at what blessings you have. Enjoy being with your mom and think about questions that you may want answers to and have never thought to ask. Ask her what her favorite birthday memory. My mom passed away 14 years ago and it is amazing the questions I wished I had asked. Have a great birthday. Pam B

  40. Happy Birthday, sweet lady! Like you, I spend my birthdays at home surrounded by family. It does feel like pampering to have a special hour to myself to journal and read the Bible. My daughter's b-day is 3 days before mine, and we always have a party for her — so I'm ready to settle down and get quiet by the time mine arrives. You've been on the go so much this year and have had some big health concerns — not to mention a new baby! so you are right where you belong. May God rain his abundant blessing down on you!

  41. Happy Birthday!
    That's easy to answer since we just celebrated my birthday last week. Being with my family! We stayed home since it was the night before returning to school after Christmas break. On Friday night we had dinner out with my in-laws and it was wonderful, especially since I got Key Lime pie!
    [email protected]

  42. Happy Birthday, Renee. It's late now, so I hope it was a special day and beyond what you expected.

    I think the thing I love about my birthday, is just feeling loved. It really doesn't matter how my family and friends show me, it just feels so good to be reminded of how rich with love my life is.

    Hope you felt that way today.

    Love,
    Becky

  43. Happy Happy Birthday! Mine is next Wednesday. January Babies are cool! 😉 I don't have to have anything big or special, the day itself makes me happy. My husband did surprise me a couple years ago (as did God)- there was snow within a few hours drive (we live in a snow free zone). He picked me up from work without telling me what we were doing or where we were going. We arrived after dark to a snow covered town, spent the night, played in the snow and came home the next day. It was wonderful!

    Happy Birthday again, I hope your day was filled with smiles from God, comfort and peace.

  44. Hi Renee!

    I was praying for you and totally related to your recent biopsy concern. My heart felt your cry as I read your words and my heart leaped for joy after receiving the great news! Praise Jesus – we serve a big God! He alone is the Divine Physician!

    In response to your e-mail, I am with you. I too enjoy 'giving' on my birthday. There is so much to be thankful for and I really enjoy getting both of my sons a gift on my birthday…because I love them, but also because I want to teach by example that it is more blessed to give than to receive.. That is something I've been doing now for a few years. Dinner out is always a treat too!

    Have a blessed birthday!!!
    Shannon Gentile
    [email protected]

  45. Happy Birthday Renee!!

    For my birthday-
    It depends on when it falls.
    If its on a weekday.. its with the kids til dad gets home… trying to relax. The we might go out or order in for dinner..
    If its a weekend.. I can sleep in a little.. spend the day with hubby and kids.. celebrate later in the day with cake and dinner.
    Being that its in the summmer.. my mom may come visit from MA and babysit:)

    Chrissy
    [email protected]