tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70174087140362669172012-01-30T14:26:23.366-06:00Getting Real. Being Refreshed.Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.comBlogger4421100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-196189531440455682012-01-29T13:51:00.000-06:002012-01-29T13:51:17.168-06:00

Anyone thinking about Valentine’s Day yet? With February almost upon us, allow me to start the Valentine’s Day fun with a little giveaway designed to get you out of the house with your special guy or gal. Could any of you use some cool cash (though not a stack of it like above!) for a hot date about now? I thought so :)Because I'm in the mood to play Cupid this year, I will give $25 cash (or

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-75181418605580570552012-01-25T17:04:00.002-06:002012-01-25T17:06:49.228-06:00

Living in small-town Mid-America, we don’t usually have to worry about air traffic control. Shoot, we don’t have to worry about ground traffic control :) However, one morning not long ago when I looked out my front door, I couldn’t believe the activity overhead.My upturned gaze spotted the jet stream of no less than five planes as they criss-crossed the cloudless blue sky. All of a sudden,

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-42235052557160964032012-01-22T16:09:00.002-06:002012-01-22T16:11:36.103-06:00

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." Psalm 126:5-6What does it mean to sow in tears? I'm sure there's more than one way to interpret these verses, but one thing I think of as I read them is prayer.We sow seed as we pray for those who have never come to faith in Christ. We sow

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-12080873500728476862012-01-18T16:50:00.001-06:002012-01-19T23:18:09.794-06:00

*Update: A change of plans. Found out late Thursday I would be unable to go due to an unexpected family situation. Will be praying for the team and would appreciate your prayers for them as well!Even though my feet are pretty darn cute (if I do say so myself!), this post is not about my tootsies. Some of you may be disappointed with that news while others of you are, I’m sure, extremely relieved

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-8869379810370513632012-01-15T14:20:00.003-06:002012-01-17T13:06:39.460-06:00

Remember in December when I suggested we carol our way to worship by singing all the verses to well-loved Christmas carols? Well, as January unfolds, I’ve discovered that Christmas carols aren't the only way to experience fresh worship. Old-fashioned hymns work just as well.In a New Year's post, fellow writer and blogger, Julie Gillies, challenged readers to ask God to show them one thing they

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-14430162391449919112012-01-11T15:43:00.000-06:002012-01-11T15:43:57.610-06:00

I made Christmas shopping easy for my husband this past Christmas season. Since my Bible of fifteen years was sporting loose pages in the front and back, I knew it was time to part with it and break in a new one before I started leaving the Word of God as a trail behind me—though that’s not such a bad idea, is it?!I searched the internet, found the exact Bible I wanted, ordered it, and then

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-65613619651141702162012-01-08T15:09:00.000-06:002012-01-08T15:09:57.903-06:00

For the past two or three weeks I’ve been hearing talk in various places about choosing a word for the new year—a theme word that sums up a quality, an attitude, or action we feel led to concentrate on in 2012. I may be a week late joining the conversation, but it’s never too late to share a good idea, right?The word that popped into my mind when I first heard mention of selecting a word for 2012

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-52202329682406373012012-01-04T16:55:00.000-06:002012-01-04T16:55:30.229-06:00

As we begin this new year, are any of you still waiting for a blessing you hoped would come in 2011—or even earlier? Are you waiting for an answer to prayer you felt certain would have unfolded by now? If so, don’t feel alone. I’m waiting, too.It’s hard when God’s answers to our desires and dreams are “no” or “wait”. As we wait for the blessing to come, questions can niggle at our minds. Does God

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-28390635440686002612012-01-01T12:23:00.000-06:002012-01-01T12:24:05.928-06:00

Happy New Year, everyone!! I hope you soaked up every last ounce of Christmas joy over the past couple of weeks and are ready to start the adventure of a new year.If you’re like me, you probably feel the need to take a deep breath after the holidays and regroup a day or two before heading full-steam into the opportunities and challenges that a new year holds. So to that end, I thought we might

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-18281385724205813982011-12-28T19:06:00.000-06:002011-12-28T19:07:07.208-06:00

My big little girls are still at it. Still trying to capture the magic under the Christmas tree. As you can see, this year Kristin and Kelli sported elf hats while the Peanut M&M man even got in on the fun :)These sweet girls of mine will probably still be taking this shot when they're my age because when it comes right down to it, they'll always be little girls at heart. Little girls that I love

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-50928119451904941912011-12-23T22:10:00.000-06:002011-12-23T22:10:00.631-06:00

Just popping in long enough to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to share one of our annual timed photos. Christmas just ain't Christmas at the Barker house without some timed photo fun. As you can see, a family from the North Pole dropped by this year :)Enjoy the days of Christmas! May God bless you in amazing ways!"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us."

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-6129391250165233672011-12-18T16:11:00.002-06:002011-12-18T16:37:01.813-06:00

As we head into this final week leading up to Christmas, I’d like to share my annual Christmas poem with you. Just a little gift from me to you to help you celebrate the birth of our Lord. Believe it or not, this year marks thirty years that I've been including an original Christmas poem in my Christmas cards. I think that might make me old! :)I’ll be taking a break from my normal blogging

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-82617391211882565822011-12-14T16:25:00.000-06:002011-12-14T16:26:09.902-06:00

"The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:20This final verse in Luke’s famous account of the birth of Jesus struck me differently than it ever had before when I read it last December. I’d always thought the phrase “The shepherds returned” meant they returned to their flock, but now I see an

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-20521499040967016882011-12-11T12:33:00.001-06:002011-12-11T12:36:45.895-06:00

The holiday season can be a difficult time for many. Heartaches hurt more, burdens feel heavier, and changes can be more challenging to accept. Loneliness looms larger and disappointment runs deeper as well. At times, Christmas joy can be hard to find.Where do you find your Christmas joy? If you search for it in people—family and friends—those can change or disappoint. If in new possessions or

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-53855859566731809712011-12-07T16:43:00.000-06:002011-12-07T16:43:04.800-06:00

Let’s have some Christmas fun today! Announcing a winner is always fun so let’s start with that. The winner of The Spirit of Christmas (a Christmas book with one of my stories in it!) is Kristin! Congratulations, Kristin!! This sweet girl of mine started entering my blog giveaways back when I started blogging in 2007 and never had any luck winning one until this year. And now she has won two.

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-69592949320219188852011-12-04T13:17:00.000-06:002011-12-04T13:17:33.378-06:00

Before we get any deeper into the Christmas season, I'd like to share the poem I wrote for Christmas last year (I write an annual poem to include in my Christmas cards). Many of you are up to your little elf-like ears in Christmas shopping right now, and this prayer-turned-poem may be just what you need to sustain you in the coming days. Enjoy and be blessed!A Christmas Shopper’s PrayerLord, I’m

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-74026644074757877372011-11-30T17:07:00.000-06:002011-11-30T17:07:00.139-06:00

Have you ever caroled your way to worship? One thing I hope for you this holiday season is many sweet moments of personal worship, and one of the best ways I know to enter into such meaningful times with the Lord is through singing the carols of Christmas.As the season gets started, I urge you to find a hymnal or songbook of old-time Christmas carols and choose one to sing each day in your quiet

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-86728479621494140372011-11-27T12:10:00.001-06:002011-11-27T12:10:31.098-06:00

You know me -- I love giveaways. Love entering them and love hosting them—especially holiday giveaways. I wanted to offer this one early in the season since the prize will help make the winner’s days before Christmas a little brighter, a little more meaningful.I’m giving away a copy of The Spirit of Christmas—a recent release that has a story of mine it. (Yay, huh?!) This book is definitely

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-59001435152357099272011-11-20T14:20:00.000-06:002011-11-20T14:20:00.141-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, we enjoyed a wonderful family weekend at my parents' home, and Thanksgiving week seems like the perfect time to share photos of that special time. As you can see from the shot above, I'm never happier than when my girls are by my side.We were blessed to have many other family members join us, and we packed a little bit of everything into a couple of days. I hope you enjoy a

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-28908807450303396952011-11-16T17:05:00.000-06:002011-11-16T17:05:33.433-06:00

Be on the lookout for them in the next couple of weeks. The last hold-outs of autumn.These stubborn fall leaves will not “go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas). They will cling tightly to life and refuse—as long as possible—to fulfill their God-given destinies to fall to the ground with the rest of their comrades. You might say if they had fingernails, they’d be hanging on by them.As we

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-50741448321557001212011-11-13T14:14:00.001-06:002011-11-13T14:15:26.240-06:00

After giving new folks ample time to sign up for my newsletter and get in on the drawing, today’s the day to announce the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway winner. I used RANDOM.ORG to select the winner, and that lucky Life Notes subscriber is Sharon G.! Congratulations, Sharon, and thanks for being a subscriber! I’ll send the $25 Barnes & Noble gift card to you as soon as you send me

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-41408399322380945702011-11-09T17:46:00.000-06:002011-11-09T17:46:44.266-06:00

The deadline is fast approaching (Sunday at noon) to get in on this year’s Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway. Remember one lucky subscriber—either a new one or one already on the list—will receive a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Yay, right?! The biggest dilemma for the winner will be whether to spend it on herself or to use it as a Christmas gift for a loved one. I’m glad I won’t be

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-72782752900413858062011-11-06T18:41:00.000-06:002011-11-06T18:42:53.020-06:00

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!” Psalm 84:1One morning when a full, out-of-town day stretched before me, I wanted a taste of God’s Word to begin my day. I decided to open my Bible to a random Psalm and read wherever my eyes landed. I don’t do this often but am so glad I did that day.I opened to Psalm 84, and as I read the first verse, the taste I desired exploded into a feast

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-35907136560394163572011-11-02T17:09:00.000-05:002011-11-02T17:10:03.112-05:00

Who knew shopping for a sofa and matching chairs would turn out to be the most difficult shopping chore of my life? No, I’m not exaggerating. Just ask my husband Don. I dragged him along each step of the way.We hadn’t shopped for a sofa for over twenty years, and boy, have things ever changed. Judging by the depth of the seat cushions, you’d think we live in a land of giants. In order to sit in

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-59701402914611348382011-10-30T16:00:00.000-05:002011-10-30T16:01:11.135-05:00

“And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.” Philemon 1:22Radical faith. The apostle Paul demonstrated it on numerous occasions, didn’t he? When he wrote the words above to fellow believer Philemon, he wrote them from prison—a place he frequented because of his bold displays of faith.Being imprisoned didn’t dampen Paul’s faith,

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-5149970723924749002011-10-26T16:55:00.000-05:002011-10-26T16:56:56.457-05:00

After 50+ years of speaking the English language (I’ll leave the plus part to your imagination!), I’m still looking up words in the dictionary. Since, as a writer, I need to be a reader as well, I run across new-to-me words on a fairly regular basis. It’s not that I have a poor vocabulary, there are just a lot of unfamiliar words out there, especially when I get into areas outside my realm of

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-74798870491814604452011-10-23T12:52:00.001-05:002011-10-23T12:55:09.203-05:00

I don’t know what fall sounds like in your corner of the world, but fall means music in the air to me. And I mean that literally.Since we live just a few blocks from our local high school, the marching band sometimes jazzes up my fall mornings with its lively, high-stepping melodies. They're carried to me loud and clear by the autumn breezes.The staccato beat of drumsticks readies the band for

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-92210339873840581332011-10-19T16:23:00.002-05:002011-10-20T08:29:16.267-05:00

The Spirit of Christmas is here—in more ways than one! Our letter carrier played Santa the other day, and she didn’t even know it. She delivered pure holiday excitement in the form of a book. This particular book, The Spirit of Christmas, is the newest Christmas compilation by Cec Murphey and Marley Gibson. Why so exciting? I have a story in it! Merry Christmas, right?! :)I swear I heard jingle

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-59484490614747084922011-10-16T16:15:00.000-05:002011-10-16T16:17:47.251-05:00

It's time once again for the annual Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway! You've gotta love a giveaway tradition, right? Always fun!The first week in November will mark my third-year anniversary of publishing Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter. So to say "thank you" to all of my current subscribers and to encourage new folks to subscribe as well, one lucky Life Notes

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-10095708481560083802011-10-12T17:10:00.000-05:002011-10-12T17:12:01.097-05:00

Remember when I confessed to being a choir junkie? Well, after forty years of singing in one choir or another, this old choir junkie has a challenge ahead. Our director at church has given us new marching orders: “Memorize the Christmas musical.”Yes, an entire musical—and most of the songs are new to us. Yikes, right?So why is she putting us Wednesday night warblers through such tough new paces?

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-1898757004941208152011-10-09T14:05:00.000-05:002011-10-09T14:06:42.852-05:00

In a recent blog post, writer and blogger Jeff Goins encouraged fellow writers to really take in our surroundings and relish moments, to let them inspire us and shape our writing. But even for those who aren't writers, that's still pretty good advice, huh? Be in the moment, be inspired, and let that refreshed perspective fuel whatever it is you might be doing.Jeff finished his post by suggesting

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-82377684637219988152011-10-05T17:33:00.000-05:002011-10-05T17:34:26.499-05:00

I caught myself doing it again not long ago. You know, going through the motions. I hate it when I realize I’m doing it—when I see that I’ve let something special slip into another hurried check on my to-do list.Going through the motions isn’t always a bad thing, though. Making the bed, sorting laundry, doing dishes, etc. don’t require a lot of thought or emotional involvement. Going through the

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-6505491413629789812011-10-02T15:48:00.001-05:002011-10-02T15:50:14.012-05:00

Pain. Grief. Weakness. Limitations. None of us welcome these unwanted visitors—especially when they take up long-term residence in our lives. Each one causes distress in its own way. And let’s be honest. We all do our best to avoid distress whenever possible.We don’t like to hurt. We don’t like to fail or find ourselves unable to do certain things. But as we live in these places of pain, we grow

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-51765684790233755202011-09-28T16:30:00.001-05:002011-09-28T16:36:36.012-05:00

Are you on the lookout for a certain item at all times? Some of us are always quick to notice a good recipe while others gravitate toward a great coupon, a super bargain, or maybe a giveaway or an e-book temporarily offered for free.Some of us also stay alert for less tangible things like a recommendation for an amazing book or tips on a particular area of interest. Since I’ve started blogging, I

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-57370112699553373532011-09-25T16:00:00.000-05:002011-09-25T16:01:47.508-05:00

“Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful. . .” Acts 3:2aCertain words or phrases from the Word of God can really resonate with our spirits, can’t they? That’s how I feel when I read the phrase “the temple gate called Beautiful.” As I read it, my spirit says yes.This scripture, of course, refers to the temple in Jerusalem not long after Jesus’s

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-78806478091770268052011-09-21T17:05:00.001-05:002011-09-21T17:06:13.467-05:00

Have you noticed how almost every situation or circumstance in life contains both pros and cons? Sometimes when we’re battling with the cons, it can be difficult to see the pros, but it’s always possible if we try. If nothing else, we can see how the negative situation can help us grow in some way—patience, perseverance, forgiveness, trust in God, etc.I’ve had to put this principle to work lately

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-15995411494749504192011-09-18T16:13:00.001-05:002011-09-18T17:54:02.382-05:00

Don't you just love getting gifts when you least expect them? With my birthday being in mid-August, I thought all my birthday surprises were well behind me, but I was wrong. One of my dearest friends dropped by this past week and gave me the gorgeous quilted table runner pictured above. A late birthday gift. A beautiful gift of love.The colors and quality of this handcrafted gift make it

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-90128567843249873532011-09-14T17:17:00.000-05:002011-09-14T17:18:33.020-05:00

"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength . . . " 2 Timothy 4:17aThe apostle Paul knew what it was like to need someone by his side. He suffered for the sake of the gospel -- for the sake of Christ -- unlike anything we've ever known.In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, he lists some of the trials he experienced. He spent much time in prison and also faced beatings and floggings and was even

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-4860618810456376072011-09-11T08:00:00.001-05:002011-09-11T08:04:02.247-05:00

This past week as the tenth anniversary of 9/11 drew near, we’ve heard, seen, and read many reminders of that horrific time. I came across one that I think bears repeating here. I hope you will agree.Woman’s Day Editor-In-Chief Elizabeth Mayhew introduced their September issue with a quote from an essay former First Lady Laura Bush wrote for their magazine on the first anniversary of the attacks.

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-29788479468374031942011-09-07T17:21:00.001-05:002011-09-07T18:12:56.479-05:00

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27aA friend’s quick status update on Facebook not long ago reminded me of her family’s need for prayer that morning. They were dealing with some folks who have not only waged a legal war against them but are lying about them as well. As I began praying for my friends, the Lord brought the above verse

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-6805847831334872572011-09-04T14:01:00.002-05:002011-09-04T14:08:10.960-05:00

Since we are busy visiting with Kristin and Shawn and since it's Labor Day weekend, how about a quick post sharing a little fruit of my labor with you? I ran across the exciting "fruit" above while we were in Estes Park in July. My poem "For My Amazing Mother" is the featured piece for the month of October in this 2012 Blue Mountain Arts calendar. The title piece! Cool, huh? :) Many of you

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-54778585163286413902011-08-31T15:04:00.000-05:002011-08-31T15:05:16.280-05:00

It’s not too uncommon to see rays of light shining from behind a dark cloud on overcast days, reminding us that indeed the sun is still there and will eventually break through. Such a sight offers us the extra encouragement we need to hang on until the dreary weather—or current unhappy life circumstance—passes. Those rays of light impart hope, don’t they? The more unusual sight happens when hope

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-4058071736684374352011-08-28T13:58:00.000-05:002011-08-28T13:59:38.751-05:00

That’s right. Today’s the day to announce the winner of the "Back At It" Giveaway 2 so let’s get down to business. This time the lucky winner of a $15 gift card to Barnes & Noble is . . . Kristin! Congratulations, Kristin! Hope you enjoy! (Kristin has been following my blog since my first post and has entered every giveaway. So fun to see her finally win one!) Now on to part two of this post: As

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-57305840260772742512011-08-24T17:57:00.001-05:002011-08-29T10:52:18.814-05:00

Fulfilling a goal many times requires taking small, gradual steps. Other times, however, it demands a giant leap. I took such a leap two weeks ago. Since my former critique partner decided she could no longer critique for me, one of my writing goals (and ongoing prayers) for the past couple of years has been to find a new critique partner or group. Even though I’ve known having other writers

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-79130255194331377692011-08-21T16:28:00.001-05:002011-08-21T16:33:09.007-05:00

Have you ever had church in a condo? We enjoyed just such a time a few weeks ago during our family vacation to beautiful Colorado. (Sorry to keep referring to our vacation, but lots of life happened during those days that I’d like to share with you! :) ) That Sunday started off extra sweet as Kelli and Jake made cinnamon roll pancakes for us for breakfast. (And yes, they tasted every bit as good

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-65994985828857700242011-08-17T17:35:00.000-05:002011-08-17T17:37:11.148-05:00

High hopes and firm expectations of a marvelous week fueled our packing and quick-as-possible exit from home a few weeks ago. As we escaped the confines of our small community in our rather ordinary region of the country and headed towards the mountains—towards the promise of beauty and wonder and grandeur galore—God surprised us with an early taste of the refreshment we sought. Not more than a

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-80874642816596969472011-08-14T15:55:00.000-05:002011-08-14T15:56:18.121-05:00

Can anyone guess what mid-August means here on the blog? It means it’s time to say good-bye to Summer Photo Fun and for me to get busy concentrating once more on “refreshing spirits and nourishing souls”—though I’m guessing the photo fun helped refresh your spirits occasionally, too :) Even so, it’s time for me to get back to more focused writing now that Don’s vacation weeks are behind us, and

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-68523514853816004372011-08-10T17:43:00.000-05:002011-08-10T17:45:02.208-05:00

It's time to bring Summer Photo Fun to an end so let's do it giving God glory, huh? While on our family vacation to Estes Park, Colorado/Rocky Mountain National Park in July, God blessed us with the magnificent beauty of His creation, and I'd love to share some of it with you. The pictures don't do it justice, but you can click on each photo to see a larger version where the beauty can be better

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-56704293287883233032011-08-07T13:54:00.000-05:002011-08-07T13:55:47.895-05:00

How about one last week of Summer Photo Fun here on the blog? Maybe a peek into some of the Barker family's vacation shenanigans? I thought you might be interested :)We had major fun making classic memories together in Estes Park, Colorado and Rocky Mountain National Park. Three couples equals three cameras and lots of great photos (many of these are Kristin and Shawn's or Kelli and Jake's) so

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-9370635891513428942011-08-03T17:28:00.001-05:002011-08-03T17:30:19.153-05:00

Are you up for one last Kristin and Shawn wedding related post as we continue Summer Photo Fun? I thought you might be :) There's something about wedding pictures we never get tired of seeing, huh?Sit back and enjoy a peek at our joy as we partied down after our little girl's wedding on May 27, 2006. So much work went into the celebration, but it was so worth it. One of the best days of my life!

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-89448264829407259082011-07-31T13:38:00.000-05:002011-07-31T13:38:40.929-05:00

We're back from an amazing week of vacation with our kids, and of course, I didn't want it to end :) I'll probably share pictures in a post next week, but for now we'll jump back into Summer Photo Fun with photos from Kristin and Shawn's wedding in 2006. Remember, those were my pre-blogging days so I'm allowed to share pics now :) I'll share some shots from the reception in Wednesday's post so

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-36135349646271947762011-07-20T16:44:00.000-05:002011-07-20T16:44:14.477-05:00

Hope you’ve been enjoying Summer Photo Fun here on my blog. Even though it’s provided me with a bit of break from writing more focused blog posts, I need to take a real break from blogging for the next 10 days or so. Don and I will be spending an entire glorious week with our kids, and I want to concentrate completely on them during that time. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it :)I’ll be

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-29406892101293527772011-07-17T16:15:00.000-05:002011-07-17T16:15:59.219-05:00

*If you missed seeing Kristin's bridal portraits, be sure to check out the previous post. Don't want you to miss it!The past few posts of Summer Photo Fun have taken a look back in time. This time I thought I'd share some of the family fun that's been taking place this month. About 10 days ago, my sisters and I gathered at Mom and Dad's along with my husband, Don, niece Joanna, and nephew Gavin.

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-11197719975705296152011-07-13T16:05:00.001-05:002011-07-13T17:02:21.846-05:00

Don't you just love Summer Photo Fun? I certainly do. I'm thrilled to have an excuse to share some of Kristin's bridal portraits with you. Since they were taken before my blogging days, you've not had the chance to see them, but allow me to fix that today :)Seeing my first-born as a bride for the very first time was one of the happiest moments of my life. She was so in love and so excited she

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-89597245911863274502011-07-10T20:42:00.000-05:002011-07-10T20:43:05.620-05:00

As we continue with Summer Photo Fun here on the blog, I'm excited to share some special photos from the life of our oldest daughter Kristin and her husband Shawn. Last year I got to share Kelli and Jake's engagement and wedding events as they happened, but now I'll take you back to a year or two before I became a blogger and share the love story of our first little girl. And yes, I guess I'll

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-44580536193974041442011-07-06T17:38:00.000-05:002011-07-06T17:38:36.407-05:00

Since I kicked off Summer Photo Fun on Sunday with some special Grandpa/Granddaughter photos of my Dad and my niece Joanna, I thought I would share a few photos of my own grandpas this time. The photos are old and not great quality, but it's the Grandpa/Granddaughter dynamic that makes them special, right?The shot above shows my Grandpa Hoy (my dad's father) swinging me when I was just around

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-18271487459729010272011-07-03T16:17:00.000-05:002011-07-03T16:17:52.567-05:00

Since July is here and Don is now on his summer break, all semblance of normalcy and routine have flown out the window here at the Barker house. Wish I could take credit for the cute photo above, but things haven't gotten quite that crazy around here yet :) That shot is actually a Flickr photo by familymwr.Last year during our crazy month of July (we even had a wedding thrown into the mix!), I

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-77542493418212241702011-06-29T17:10:00.000-05:002011-06-29T17:11:04.339-05:00

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b“Us.” One tiny word, two little letters, with giant impact.Who is to throw off everything that hinders? Us. Who is to run with perseverance? Us. Who is the race marked out for? Us. Not me. Not you. Us. We don’t have to run the race alone.Just

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-9809994845674301412011-06-26T15:36:00.000-05:002011-06-26T15:36:24.637-05:00

This generation calls them besties or BFFs. I call them Teri and Jeneal. The tried and true. My best friends for nearly 28 and 23 years respectively (Teri on the left, Jeneal on the right).Lucky for us, we got to spend a day together this past week. That’s no small feat, given the fact that Jeneal moved away over fifteen years ago and currently lives around seven hours away. Since she was going

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-77608615325894192752011-06-22T16:49:00.000-05:002011-06-22T16:59:47.371-05:00

During a visit last year to Mom and Dad's, I woke early one morning and looked out the bedroom window. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I took a few moments and basked in the beauty of their backyard -- the lush woodland hills of Missouri. The photo above shows part of what I saw, but my camera and photography skills don't do it justice. They have a gorgeous view that is not only a treat for the

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-88326987015042290212011-06-19T15:13:00.000-05:002011-06-19T15:13:16.320-05:00

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.” Ecclesiastes 7:14aNothing like a little gem from God’s Word to put things in perspective, huh?Why is it, I wonder, we are so quick to thank God and acknowledge His presence and hand in the awesome blessings that come our way, but when something bad happens, we say, “Where were you, God?

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-13453560353082098502011-06-15T16:03:00.001-05:002011-06-15T16:03:38.580-05:00

Every now and then we talk books here on the blog, and no better time to do it than while many of us are thinking about what we'd like to read this summer. So instead of shouting out our favorite latest read, let's talk about what's on our want-to-read list right now.I'll go first -- as usual :) Here are the books I'd love to read as soon as I can get my hands on them. (Lucky for me, I snagged #4

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-44831716232153376112011-06-12T14:20:00.000-05:002011-06-12T14:20:18.517-05:00

We looked for the key high and low. Okay, I take that back. We looked high.Last Sunday, my Sunday School co-worker Mary and I couldn't find the key to our closet. Since I'm the keeper of the key and had been out of town the prior Sunday, Lisa (another co-worker then) had placed it in the cabinet above the sink so it would be there for me when I returned.The problem? Lisa was not there last Sunday

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-43471154904776143482011-06-08T16:33:00.000-05:002011-06-08T16:33:16.585-05:00

I’ve been experiencing a dry spell recently in my writing life, and no, I don’t mean writer’s block. I’m talking rejection and lots of it. The last acceptance I received came in October of last year—and then the editor chose not to run the piece after all.Oh, I had pieces appear in various publications in October, November, and December and even had my work used on a 2011 Blue Mountain Arts

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-54385717510735854502011-06-05T16:29:00.000-05:002011-06-05T16:29:26.931-05:00

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another..." Romans 8:13aSometimes as I'm reading the Word of God, a verse will capture my attention, leaving a deep impression on me and a desire to share it with you. This is one such verse.Loving others -- loving you -- is a debt I'm never to fully pay. I'm always to be about the business of love, continually making

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-38021916312488893172011-06-01T14:53:00.000-05:002011-06-01T14:54:00.233-05:00

Believe it or not, it's time to flip our calendars to June and forge ahead once more into a new month. As I say goodbye to one month and hello to another, I always like to take a quick survey of the days to come and see what the new month will hold for me, work-wise as well as personally.Anyone else try to get a handle on the new month that way? If you haven't looked over your June yet, take a

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-88946986340079818352011-05-29T07:42:00.001-05:002011-05-29T07:51:12.606-05:00

Memorial Weekend has me remembering. I'm thinking of Don's mom as we lost her earlier this year, but I'm also remembering my Grandpa and Grandma Hoy. They are pictured above with my sister Debbie, me (with my back to camera), and also my dad's bird dog, Cindy.So many great memories of them and their farm. Kittens, like Debbie and Grandpa are holding, always seemed to be in ready supply, along

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-85420530065340391252011-05-25T09:25:00.000-05:002011-05-25T09:26:29.683-05:00

Joplin holds a special place in the hearts of our family. Less than a year ago, our entire clan descended upon it for Kelli and Jake's wedding weekend. In fact, my sister Debbie took the photo above at that time. Little did we know that a massive tornado would devastate a third of the city within the year. The horror and heartache that has taken place there this week truly goes beyond words.We

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-14382192074535254922011-05-22T16:23:00.000-05:002011-05-22T16:23:39.492-05:00

"...Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:34Can you believe it? The One who conquered death is right next to the Father interceding for us. That's a pretty incredible thought, isn't it? As incredible as it is, sometimes we forget that Jesus is praying for us. Think about it a moment. Picture it in

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-81868042068738370802011-05-15T18:32:00.001-05:002011-05-15T18:35:13.722-05:00

Like many of you, we've got lots of family gatherings going on this month. Rather than a regular post, thought I'd give you a peek at some of our family fun from this weekend (Don's birthday weekend). And since we'll continue to be on the run with family graduations this next week, I'll forgo a midweek post and see you again next week.Hope you enjoy the pics -- we certainly enjoyed our time

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-73224877343378016732011-05-11T16:55:00.000-05:002011-05-13T11:47:16.998-05:00

Yay! Our strawberry patch has continued its comeback! Last spring, after a year of almost being completely wiped out, we had a few strawberry plants push through the sod and proudly produce a few berries for us (there would have been more if it hadn’t been for neighborhood thieves. And now I’m happy to report that this spring the patch is back—and even stronger than last year. I think we’ve got a

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-35204391883582348952011-05-08T16:20:00.001-05:002011-05-09T09:52:33.338-05:00

Somebody’s nest just got a little boost. That’s right—we’ve got a winner for the “Feather Your Nest” Giveaway! The Pier 1 gift card goes to Nanette (Mom Never Stops)!! Congratulations, Nanette! Have fun feathering your nest with a little something from Pier 1!I could tell from the comments left on the giveaway post that many of you have some sort of home improvement on your minds. I can’t make

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-74050874106692025362011-05-04T17:55:00.000-05:002011-05-04T17:56:00.825-05:00

Keeping an eye on levels is important business. Checking fluid levels in our vehicles is especially important. Just try not doing it and see what happens. Sooner or later we’ll pay for our negligence.Because my hubby has always taken care of car maintenance issues, I have to admit the only fluid level I keep an eye on is the gas. I don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road and have to go

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-81619195542432795662011-05-01T16:39:00.000-05:002011-05-01T16:39:56.730-05:00

Ready or not, May is here, and it’s time to get your celebrate on. Just think about it. For most people, May packs quite a punch with all its opportunities—and obligations—to celebrate one thing or another.Right out of the gate comes May Day, but does anyone still observe it? I hope so. It would be a shame for that sweet tradition to fall by the wayside altogether. What fun to find a basket or

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-60143470315815865082011-04-27T17:45:00.000-05:002011-04-27T17:46:12.587-05:00

"...all the people hung on his words." Luke 19:48bLast week, in remembrance of what Jesus did for us through His death and resurrection, I read through several chapters of Luke's account of those holy events, starting with Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Luke tells us that every day Jesus taught at the temple and then concludes that particular paragraph with "all the people hung on his

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-1787731029789441522011-04-24T16:15:00.001-05:002011-04-24T16:17:34.415-05:00

In honor of all things spring and beautiful, how about a "Feather Your Nest" Giveaway to help spruce up your home? One lucky person will -- get ready for this -- win a $20 gift card to Pier 1! Fun stuff, huh? :)Everyone who leaves a comment on this post by noon (CST) May 8 will be included in the drawing. If I don't know you personally or can't contact you via your own blog, you must include your

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-25783834196365266012011-04-20T16:47:00.002-05:002011-04-20T17:39:42.303-05:00

As we meditate on our beautiful Savior for the next few days and on all that He did for us through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, let's consider some prayers He prayed during the last hours before His crucifixion. While you read these prayers of Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to help you apply them to your own personal life. "After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-31388035847810352652011-04-17T16:40:00.000-05:002011-04-17T16:42:27.462-05:00

My voice went AWOL on me this past week. Blame it on seasonal allergies (which I usually don't have) or just a nasty spring cold, but I spent the better part of the week trying to communicate with anything from a hoarse whisper to a croaking, cough-infused version of my former speaking voice. And forget the singing voice. It's still AWOL. What a difference one little part of our bodies can make.

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-61105021084331109682011-04-13T16:53:00.000-05:002011-04-13T16:54:14.996-05:00

This piece first appeared in a special humor issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter/ezine. The next issue will come out the first week in May. If you're not already receiving Life Notes, sign-up is free and to the right! I might as well be honest about it. I’ve loved chocolate longer than I’ve loved my husband. And that’s a pretty long time now, given the fact that we’ve been

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-18559886888275380702011-04-10T16:15:00.000-05:002011-04-10T17:02:50.622-05:00

It's happened to all of us. We've lost touch with a friend at one time or another. We grew up. We moved away. We changed jobs. We changed churches. Or we may have just drifted away. Unhappily, we might have even had a falling out.Also, life is busy. And let's face it, friendships take work -- work that quite often we can't find the time for. Effort that sometimes isn't returned with equal

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-84540797900470674132011-04-06T16:40:00.001-05:002011-04-06T16:41:46.276-05:00

A potential health crisis threatened our family a few weeks ago. A cancer scare. Like storm clouds hovering overhead, thoughts of "what if" cast their shadow for days. We deliberately tried to shove them aside, but they were still there, hiding just beyond the surface. I won't go into specifics of who and what, but the scare did not involve an extended family member, but one within our immediate

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-64656971115901720582011-04-03T08:14:00.003-05:002011-04-04T09:17:15.129-05:00

Some people call it quiet time. Others call it devotions. Whatever you call it, I hope you're spending time with God each day, reading His Word and drawing near to Him through prayer. I pray the following acrostic piece will encourage you to commune with the Father daily through personal quiet time with Him. It will change your life. He will change your life!Quench your thirst for God—spend some

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-72865023776110011562011-03-30T17:47:00.002-05:002011-04-02T11:02:54.035-05:00

How many times have you experienced the blessing of a truly warm welcome? Don and I got to watch one as we helped Kristin and Shawn move into their new neighborhood during spring break, and I must tell you, we were amazed. Neighbors from up and down their street popped over one after the other to introduce themselves and extend a hand of friendship to our kids. The warm welcome and spirit of

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-73080874449624357762011-03-27T16:03:00.000-05:002011-03-27T16:03:22.777-05:00

So what do empty-nesters do on spring break? Go see their kids, of course! :) The twist this year? Not only did we travel to see our oldest and her beloved, we helped them move from the rental in their new city to a more permanent spot -- a house they purchased earlier this month! They found a wonderful home in a great neighborhood, and we couldn't be happier for them. We've been on hand for each

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-89237767341557368052011-03-20T09:37:00.000-05:002011-03-20T09:38:36.378-05:00

It's break time around our house -- Spring Break, that is. So in the spirit of Spring Break fun, I thought you might enjoy a look at me and my sister Debbie taking a break from some serious playing back in the day. Not sure what happened to my clothes, but at least I had little pink curlers on top of my head. A girl's gotta set her priorities :) And this week my priorities are family and fun so

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-15945959894380927272011-03-16T14:42:00.000-05:002011-03-16T14:43:32.553-05:00

If you've followed my blog for very long, you know that we talk books every now and then. It's fun to share what we're currently reading and what our favorites are and at the same time pick up some great recommendations for future reads. Today I'd like to talk books again, but this time let's talk about the Book of all books -- the Bible, also known as the Word of God.As I tell the little ones in

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-17411456297381142752011-03-13T16:10:00.000-05:002011-03-13T16:10:54.330-05:00

Poetry, like music, can minister to weary or hurting hearts, and every now and then the Lord puts it on my heart to write a poem for someone going through a heartbreaking or agonizing time. I'm always thankful to be able to offer a bit of comfort in this way.I wrote the first variation of the poem below for some friends many years ago. It flowed from my own experience of a dark and difficult time

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-8681959255399353682011-03-09T17:38:00.000-06:002011-03-09T17:39:37.803-06:00

I've written before about NY Times bestselling author Cecil Murphey, and I was thrilled when he recently sent me a complimentary copy of one of his latest books, Knowing God, Knowing Myself. It's my pleasure today to share my review of the book and recommend it to you. Hope you enjoy!Book Review: Knowing God, Knowing Myself by Cecil Murphey“For most of my adult life, I’ve yearned to experience an

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-5109373350265189342011-03-06T16:06:00.000-06:002011-03-06T16:07:44.294-06:00

March on, my soul; be strong!" Judges 5:21bI saw this verse this past week in one of Beth Moore's blog posts. She was sharing scriptures about marching since it's the month of March, and I fell in love with these simple yet powerful words instantly: "March on, my soul; be strong!" Just reading or saying those precious words from the Word of God seems to infuse my soul with His encouragement and

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-13559914219422737172011-03-02T16:47:00.000-06:002011-03-02T16:47:55.203-06:00

I first noticed them last week. Budding trees. They whisper promises of things to come, slip us reminders of spring's unfailing relief from winter's frigid toll. One day they nudge us and say, "Look at us. New growth! There's hope after all...", while on another they call out, "Look at us! We're budding! What will you become?!"I love how the seasons speak to us on deeper levels and give us

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-39424384402652825742011-02-27T16:06:00.001-06:002011-04-30T15:19:56.431-05:00

Anyone due for a time of celebration? Has it been awhile since you've jumped for joy? Well, I give you permission, my friend. Go ahead and kick up your heels. You don't have to wait for some major event to happen. Celebrate what you're happy about right now!Our daughter Kelli and her husband Jake did that very thing this past week. They celebrated the completion of a huge mid-term paper Jake had

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-620702858186851542011-02-23T16:40:00.001-06:002011-02-23T16:42:24.716-06:00

"The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2bAre you hurting? Can't feel a song within your heart? During a recent time of sadness and hurt feelings, God brought the verse above to my attention and reminded me that He is all I need. My joy, my reason to sing, does not depend on others. He is my song.If you're hurting today, I pray that you will turn to

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-86369676796682613002011-02-20T15:08:00.000-06:002011-02-20T15:09:06.445-06:00

Chime! Chime! Chime! During the weekdays, not more than a dozen blocks from our house, children arrive and begin their day at the local Catholic church and school. And when I'm lucky, I happen to open my door or step out on my back steps and hear the church bells ringing in a new school day, signaling the time to begin.I don't know their schedule, but I like to think they are starting with

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-40988180771944150292011-02-16T14:27:00.000-06:002011-02-16T14:28:09.126-06:00

You've heard it said that prayer changes things. Well, sometimes.Sometimes we see God answer our prayers through changed circumstances or hearts, but other times things don't change. The house goes into foreclosure. The divorce is finalized. The cancer rages on and finally wins the battle. For whatever reason, God, in His infinite -- and loving -- wisdom has not seen fit to change the thing we've

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-79713870873118407722011-02-13T15:34:00.000-06:002011-02-13T15:34:46.424-06:00

A happy Valentine's Day week to all! And a yummy Godiva week to the winner of the "I Love Chocolate" Giveaway! That would be you, Liz! Congrats! I'll get the gift card to you right away so you can enjoy your sweet treat in the days ahead. Think of me while you savor a dark chocolate truffle -- or something equally as good :)I have a sweet treat for the rest of you as well. Some sweetness for the

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-4785779206193476782011-02-09T17:12:00.006-06:002011-02-09T17:13:10.276-06:00

I have a little secret for you. If you want to keep a plant alive, you might not want to give it to me. That's right. Not only am I craft-challenged (as I've admitted before), I'm plant-challenged as well. Mrs. Greenthumbs I am not.Since I know my limitations, I knew it was time to call in the experts after we received two beautiful plants during the recent loss of Don's mother. I posted the

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-49094967655111415742011-02-06T15:43:00.000-06:002011-02-06T15:44:07.832-06:00

Anyone else find yourself snowed under this past week? This was the sight that greeted me when I opened our front door the day after the blizzard of 2011 buried us in its immobilizing winter white. And with temperatures below freezing until yesterday and the promise of more snow on the way, I have a feeling it will be awhile before our bushes and lawn fully see the light of day.I also have a

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-76571436191272329372011-02-02T17:06:00.000-06:002011-02-02T17:07:43.569-06:00

Hope you're ready for some of my silliness :) In spite of recent sad times and the massive blizzard that blasted our area on Monday, I'm continuing this week's spirit of fun with another light-hearted post today. Get ready to giggle :)A couple of years ago, I shared some random tidbits of info about myself so you could get to know me a little better. I thought this might be a good time to see if

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-62790141333456954232011-01-30T17:08:00.000-06:002011-01-30T17:08:57.146-06:00

If you've visited my blog within the last week or so, you know we've had some sad times at our house. I'd say it's time for something fun to balance things out. How about an "I Love Chocolate" Valentine's Day Giveaway??You know me. I love chocolate, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Well, maybe a little ashamed, given the depth of my affection for it :) You can learn more about my chocolate

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017408714036266917.post-72391789765607615982011-01-25T15:13:00.000-06:002011-01-25T15:14:22.228-06:00

Our Energizer Bunny, the little lady who defied the odds time after time, passed away shortly before noon on Monday, January 24th. Don's mother will forever live in our hearts and memories and shine as an example of perseverance, determination, spunk, strength, and pure grit. In fact, her life was the "True Grit" movie we will remember.Live on in heaven, Energizer Bunny! We miss you now but look

Cheryl Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15700429665500763372noreply@blogger.com11