Of Gardens, Winners, and Second Chances

I absolutely loved hearing from so many of you in different parts of the country – and around the world – describing your seasons and what’s currently blooming (or not). Such an amazing, beautiful planet that God created for us, isn’t it? And what grace He gives us to enable us to experience and enjoy it, in all its varied forms. Spring, summer, fall, winter, and all the shades in between.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.

– Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

I was reminded of the sweet truth of that today. The sun was shining, a little breeze was blowing, and we enjoyed (nearly perfect) temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s. My eleven year old has been begging to plant a garden for months (well, actually ever since we inherited a little backyard planter box when we moved into our house over three years ago).

So today was the day. Planting a tiny garden day.

Even though I had eleventy-hundred other things that needed doing, I made the deliberate (and honestly, not so easy) choice to set my to-do list aside and enjoy the plants and the breeze and my girl.

Such a gift. Even if we don’t manage to keep everything alive in the hundred-plus temps that are right around the corner. We made memories today. And that’s all we really ever have. Today.

I’m so grateful that the Lord keeps giving me second chances to re-learn these lessons. And of course, when I say “second chances,” I mean fifty-thousand-and-counting chances.

Meanwhile, one of those things that had to be put on hold earlier today was announcing a winner for our spring de-cluttering Giveaway. But never fear, although a little late, I’m happy to report that I’ll be sending this pretty package of treats to …

Karen R.

(located in, as she describes it: “temperamental Indiana”)

Now, for the first surprise that I mentioned last week … I actually have TWO packages of art to give away. Which means, we get to pick a second winner!

Dale D.

Yay! I’ll be contacting you both via email to find out where to mail all your goodies.

I wish I could send a package to every one of you. Thank you so much for blessing me with snapshots of where you are in the world. I truly loved hearing from each of you.

As for the second surprise (and a second chance of sorts), I’ve been busily working for weeks nay, months on a virtual storehouse of fresh designs, along with a brand new mid-year calendar for June 2019-May 2020!

Now here’s the really fun part, most of what you see pictured above will be available as bonuses in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle launching in just a few days! What this means is that when you purchase your copy of the Bundle, you’ll also have the chance to get a huge amount of Hope Ink art (along with hundreds of other amazing resources) for a tiny fraction of their actual cost. It’s truly an incredible collection, and I can’t wait to share more details with you just as soon as I can –including an extra added gift exclusively for Hope Ink friends!

Until then, I pray that you are able to enjoy His gracious gift of today … and trust Him for tomorrow.

I would love to hear something good that you’re experiencing where you are today!