And the winner is ....

The winner of this morning's Mary Kay Satin Hands drawing is "Crowthekidsmom." So be sure and contact me at rachel@proverbs31.org to receive your gift provided by Dawn Ward - go check her out.

By the way, these two giveaways were Dawn's idea, so thank you so much, Dawn, for providing these gift packs. Very gracious of you!

Sorry I'm late posting the winner today ... I spent the day on a commercial shoot with my kids. They are in the commercial, not me. Its for a local, Christian residential treatment center for kids ages 5-12 who are at-risk due to family situations like abuse. The Yahweh Center needed child-actors (my children are not professional actors, but we were invited to take part) to play the part of the kids, so as to protect their identities and families.

Of course this means now it appears MY kids live at the Yahweh Center, presumably because they are troubled or abused. Hum, what's wrong with this picture?

This is not the first time my family has appeared in a commercial, or made us look questionable doing it. About a year or so ago a local water quality/environmental organization filmed a public service commercial with my husband and son. The director had them in a pick-up truck near a river, about to go fishing. Rick had to appear to smoke a cigarette and throw the butt into the water, and my elementary age son had to appear to drink a soda and throw the can out the truck window. So, if you watch the commericals around here and you recongize us, it would appear we're abusive parents who trash the environment with out a care. Oh my!

We weren't paid for acting in these, they were both just really good causes to support. But I joked to the gals at Proverbs 31 Ministries today that I'm not exactly building a strong media image as a "Proverbs 31 woman." ;)

Truth is, I'm not an abusive parent, my kids are fine, and I don't trash the environment ... unless you figure my dependence on hair spray is the cause for global warming. No, I'm sure there are no CFCs in the brand I buy. (But I will admit there are plenty of days when I don't feel like the "Proverbs 31 woman." Like when the laundry piles up, or the kids act up, or my temper flares up. Those are the days I am reminded of just how much I need God's transformational love flowing through me in order to serve.)

Anway, last night I sent my former small group leader Lisa here to read yall's wonderful comments on the Hands that Serve post. I know she was as touched as I was to read your responses. I also told her that several hundred people had read that post making her, by her own lax standards, a "famous one" now.

Actually, Lisa and I both agree that there is only one truly FAMOUS ONE.

"Your name, O LORD, endures forever; Your fame, O LORD, is known to every generation."

~ Psalm 135:13 (NLT)