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Renee Swope

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

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!

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Comments

  1. 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!

  2. 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]

  3. 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]

  4. 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]

  5. 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]

  7. 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!

  8. 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!

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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!

  12. 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

  13. 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]

  14. 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]

  15. 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]

  16. 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]

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

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

  20. 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!