If I could and caramel popcorn..

When I asked "If you could"..I actually had to think for a few days before I could really answer that question myself..I still don't know if I have an answer! There are so many things that I would want to give them and when I think about it.. I would give them each something different.. mainly, I would give them discernment...the world is a scary place and it can be really hard to live above the influence of the world surrounding them ..I know it is a battlefield for me at times and I am a young, healthy 30 something! lol Thank you for sharing your "if I could's" I love each of the answers as they spoke to me too..what a mom wouldn't give to their children..and we can!! Being Mom..it's the best gift you can give! Caramel popcorn recipe

for the weekend!!

Ingredients
3 (3.5 ounce) packages microwave popcorn, popped
2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup butter
1 (5 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions
Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Shake and toss the bowl to make the unpopped kernels go to the bottom; discard.

In a sauce pan over medium-high heat, cook the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter, stirring constantly. Heat to 270 to 290 degrees F (132 to 143 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms hard but pliable threads. Remove from the heat, and carefully pour in the can of condensed milk; stir until smooth.

Pour 1/4 of the caramel at a time over the popcorn, stirring until all of the popcorn is covered. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving..

Have a great weekend everyone!!! love ya mean it! Stephanie

If you could....

If you could give your child one thing nonmaterial what would it be?

image southern living

It's all about the B..

Today is all about "b" for break..

chicken soup on the stove

all my chicks at home

poor sick hubby who needs t.l.c

did my bible studies

snuggled in bed

loving the day off...

Thanks for stopping by! love ya mean it! Stephanie

image bell note

wise words.. to good to tuck away..

I wanted to share a comment that I received from Julie.. Stephanie,Just checking in to say a BIG thank you for all of the work and effort and time you have taken to post EVERY day for us to participate in this wonderful exercise on Love and Marriage and Commitment. Sure can make a girl think...and I for one am grateful. It was hard sometimes because of my current circumstances, but hubby is flying back in for a whole week, so all the ones I could not do because he wasn't here...well...they will be accomplished this week. Looking forward to it. I shall continue to do this Dare for my marriage. I told Dianna that I was going to make my own personalized LOVE DARE booklet/journal to match my marriage specifically, and try to just keep the effort going. Selfishness to Selflessness..sounds like the formula for a Happily Ever After...And of course Releasing Expectations of any returns back to me...doing it simply because I know it is a GOOD thing. It is GOD thing. God will take care of me where any gaps occur on my husband's part unintentionally. After all, he's a man....different...NOT wrong.**The one thing that has left a large impression in my heart is that whatever little things my man does that rub me the wrong way...are rubbing on me for a reason..to CHANGE me. God wants me to change from the RUB. When I change, I think I will see a change in my man. God always works upside down from the way we do. :-) And I can certainly motivate, inspire, encourage, model and "helpmeet" him along the way. Whatever is CAUGHT by my example of love, will be extremely more profitable than what is poorly or wrongfully TAUGHT by my words or verbal pressure or nagging... yes?! Thanks so much again Stephanie. (had comp. technical problems lately and haven't left comments.) Hugs to you!! Joy and Happiness on your Marriage Journey.

Is this not the reason for sharing out loud? The blessings keep coming every day as I read comments and see friends that have "dared to be dared" in their marriages..I love that Julie was inspired to be a the "help meet" her husband deserves and I quote "Whatever is caught by my example of love, will be extremely more profitable than what is poorly or wrongfully taught by my words or verbal pressure or nagging"..WOW..good stuff! Thanks Julie for sharing and I hope your not embarrassed by my sharing your comment..but I felt it was to good to be tucked away in the comment section! Hugs to each and everyone of you and thanks for stopping by! love ya mean it! Stephanie

A huge thank you to Lisa, Dianna and Karen and Connie Lou who were consistent commenter's ..you ladies are the best!!

Visit my friends blogs that are highlighted in blue! enjoy!

love dare. day 40. love is a covenant..

It is finally here..the very last dare..looking back I can really see the benefits of being brave, willing and teachable..I have learned things about myself and Danny that I may not have gotten to for years..giving from a place of love can be so rewarding..we have enjoyed each other at a different level and it is soooo good!! A big thanks to all of you for following along even if you didn't comment, I appreciate that you came and visited my blog..it means alot..so, take a deep breath and be glad.. I hope you have been as blessed as I have.. Day 40

Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. -Ruth 1:16

Love is a covenant

Today's dare

Write out a renewal of your vows and

place the in your home. Perhaps, if appropriate, you could make arrangements to formally renew your wedding vows before a minister and with family present. Make it a living testament to the value of marriage in God's eyes and the high honor of being one with your mate.

Questions for you:

• What has God revealed to you during this Love Dare?
• How have your views of your marriage changed?
• How committed are you to God and to your spouse?
• Who can you share this with as a testimony?

I hope you will share all that you have recieved from doing the love dare..and thanks for stopping by! Love ya! Mean it! Stephanie

image stephanie fay photography/ book excerpts from the "love dare" by Alex and Stephen Kendrick

love dare. day 39..love endures...

Day 39

love never fails.-1 Corinthians 13:8

Love endures

Today's dare

Spend time in personal prayer, then write a letter of commitment and resolve to your spouse. Include why you are committing to this marriage until death, and that you have purposed to love them no matter what. Leave it in a place that your mate will find it.

Questions for you:

• What were some of the hesitations you had in writing this letter?
• How do you expect you spouse to respond to it?
• How did God help you in writing it, and what did the process teach you about yourself?

Tomorrow is the last day of our love dare..hard to believe, but true..the last two dares are so beautiful..I think you will enjoy this and will feel very happy that you stuck it out..I know at times it became very challenging..it is worth it..thanks for stopping by! love ya mean it Stephanie

image southern living/ book excerpts from the "love dare" by Alex and Stephen Kendrick

love dare. day 38. love fulfills dreams..

Two posts in one day..whew! can you handle it? I think so!!! Day 38

Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.-Psalms 37:4

Love fulfills dreams

Today's dare

Ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some(if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

Questions for you:

• What has made you resistant to fulfilling your mate's desires in the past?
• How would it change your relationship if they knew their dreams were a priority to you?
• What desires are you attempting to meet?

2 days left!!!! I cant believe it!!! thanks for stopping by! love ya mean it! Stephanie

image unknown/book excerpts from the "love dare" by Alex and Stephen Kendrick