Life-Changing Friendships & a Book Give-Away!

Has a friend ever spoken words that reshaped your perspective of yourself, for good? Have you ever been blessed to meet someone who saw something in you that you couldn't see in yourself?

When another woman speaks encouragement into our hearts, the course of our lives can be changed forever. And when we believe in someone else, God uses us to build confidence and security in a heart that may have otherwise been paralyzed by doubt and insecurity forever.

I'll never forget my friend Janet thanking me for words I’d penned from my heart to hers in a note. To me it was only a thank you note, but it was more than that to her. God used her to encourage me to write more than notes. Her prayers and confidence in me inspired this insecure young mom to write a Bible study.

God used that tiny Bible study, written over 10 years ago to birth my writing ministry. Then I taught the Bible study at church. Months later, my WM director, Mary Ann Ruff, sent me to a writer's training class and secretly signed me up for a speaking/writing development group because she believed in me. She encouraged and helped equip me to walk towards what I’d been running from for 10 years.

Then my friend Lysa asked me to speak in her place at a MOPs group. I'd never spoken outside the small Bible study at my church, and had no plans to do so. But God did, and He used a woman who believed in me more than I believed in myself to help me take the first step.

Each of these women did more than influence my ministry; they shared their lives and mentored me in every area of mine – as a woman, wife and mom.

The same thing happened between Jill and Leann. I learned about their story when I spoke at their Rise & Shine women's conference in Iowa a year ago this weekend. Saturday they’re holding their 2nd annual conference. Today I’m praying for them and giving away a copy of a book they wrote together.

Jill Beren met Leanne Anderson when she was coaching Jr. High basketball team. Leanne's 13-year-old daughter, Shelby, was on her team. When Shelby was in high school she got injured, and Jill reached out to her with encouragement, prayers and notes just when Shelby needed them.

One day Leanne sent a letter thanking Jill for the difference she was making in her daughter's life. She described the qualities of a great coach she saw in Jill and called her “bright light” that shined in many lives, including theirs.

Leanne didn't know that months later Jill would go home one night to an empty apartment plagued with doubt about her purpose in life. Battling clinical depression and living under the weight of feeling worthless, she contemplated suicide. As Jill pondered her fate, she opened her journal and a note fell to the floor. When Jill opened it, she read Leanne’s words again.

God used Leann's words to show Jill she did have a purpose and that life was worth living. Now, that’s just the beginning of their story. You can read the rest in their book Letters from Leanne: The Beauty of a Spiritual Mother-Daughter Relationship. Today, I want to give them a chance to share more with us about the book.

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Tell us a little about the book: Letters from Leanne helps women see what a Titus 2 relationship looks like today. The book is the story of our friendship over the last ten years and how God has worked through it in wonderful ways. We share the joys and trials we have encountered on our walk of faith, but ultimately how we saw God’s hand in every situation.

Jill, why did you write this book? My initial intent was to thank Leanne. I’d been blessed by her perspective as a mom, her acceptance as a friend, her guidance as an older woman and especially the love she poured out as a Christian. But it isn’t just a thank you to Leanne; it’s a thank you to God. Spiritual mentoring has been and still is a gift in my life. I pray by reading the story of our friendship, readers will be encouraged to build similar relationships in their lives.

What do you hope readers will gain? We pray women will be encouraged in their faith and inspired to find or be a mentor. We share how mentoring is not about having all the answers, but simply sharing your life with someone following in your steps. It’s about spiritual mentoring, but ultimately about our relationship with Christ. We want readers to see the power God offers when we surrender to His plans and follow His ways.

What unique elements are part of your book? Our book is unique in that we give you a look at a specific spiritual mother-daughter relationship and take you on the journey of how our friendship grew. The other unique factor is that for the most part, the story is told from the younger women’s viewpoint, which is beneficial for all women to understand.

We have also included questions at the end of each chapter to help women apply what we share to their personal lives. Rather than simply reading a story of two friends, you will be encouraged to slow down and take a look at your own life and find lessons in the letters.

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Thank you Jill and Leann for sharing with us! If you’d like to know more about Letters from Leanne, it can be purchased on Amazon. And if you'd like to connect with Jill you can visit her blog.

But before you go, I'm giving a copy away, To enter to win, tell me about the role spiritual friendships and mentoring have or haven't played in shaping your life. If you've never had one, I'd love to pray for you. Just leave a comment (by clicking the word "comments" below), and be entered to win your own copy of Letters from Leanne. Please include an email address so I can reach you if you win. Winner will be announced next Friday! ~ Happy weekend friends!

Beauty Words or Wounds?

"Wow, she's got great hair!" she told me.

We were strangers, but the color of this beautiful African American woman's skin matched that of my daughter's so that made us kin. Standing at the finish line of our sons' cross country race, we waited while our little girls giggled together.

I was thrilled that I'd passed the "white momma with an African baby" test. I'd been prepared by African American friends and others who've adopted African children that I might get stopped by a well-meaning sister. And she might give me a talking-to if I'm toting Aster around with hair that looks like her momma doesn't know what she's doing.

I've taken my assignment as hairdresser seriously. You should see me chasing my girl down to spritz her hair with water and smooth out her curls with lotion before we go ANY where.

The woman who had just complimented Aster then looked down at her 4-year old daughter and said, "I wish you had hair like that instead of that nappy mess."

I nearly died. I wanted to tell her not to say those words. But I knew better. So I just bent down and looked into that precious little girl's eyes and said, "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!! Wow, you are so pretty! And I LOVE your dress!"

I so want to help my girl see the beauty God gave her. I know I'll mess up. I'm sure we'll all make a big deal out of something that makes our girl feel like she isn't pretty enough. But oh with God's help, I pray we'll remember that our daughters see their beauty through our eyes and our words.

I have no doubt that mom loves her child. She probably wasn't thinking, or maybe she was repeating something someone had said to her. Hurt people hurt people, right? Makes me wonder what I risk repeating.

This made me pray for all us momma's, that we'll bestow beauty words and not inflict what my friend Shari calls "beauty wounds." And if we do, let's ask Jesus to cover our offense with His love and give us words to affirm our girls' beauty-seeking hearts.

I've learned that it's a cultural thing for African and African Americans to emphasize a woman's beauty by the length and softness of her hair. As a momma of an African girl who may one day wish her's was straight like mine, I'm going to do all I can to make sure she knows that I love her hair!!

Pretty

Poofy

Curly

or.... Crazy!

I might even write a song about it... (you've got to see this precious video!)

Is that not the cutest thing? Aster loves it! It was written by Joey Mazzarino, Sesame Street's head writer and Muppeteer, for his 5-year-old daughter Segi. His family adopted Segi from Ethiopia when she was one. Mazzarino, who is Italian, wrote it after noticing Segi playing with dolls and acting like she wanted hair like theirs. He wanted her to know HE loves her hair! He also said he's happy to report his daughter loves the song — and her hair.

I wonder if it's because her daddy sang words of love, laughter and affirmation over her. What a beautiful thing!

You know sweet friend, your Father thinks you're beautiful! He loves your hair, eyes, nose, freckles, wrinkles, legs, feet, fluffy tummy, hips...everything! In fact. He's so crazy about you He makes up and sings songs about you, too.

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Oh, that we would dance to our Father's songs of deliverance from our insecurities. Letting Him speak beauty words into our beauty wounds. Then let's sing songs of confidence over our daughters and friends. For our hearts will hear and so will theirs' as we listen and look to our Father who thinks we're beautiful!

Parenting Gift Pak Winner & Last Chance for BIG SALE!

The winner of Glynnis Whitwer's book, "When Your Child is Hurting" is
Debbie F. who commented at 12:04pm.

Debbie, Glynnis will send you an autographed copy along with a weekly reminder pad that includes a scripture verse on each page.And I'll be sending you a copy of my new parenting message on CD entitled "The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom."

If you didn't win, you've still got time to order Glynnis' book and all of our P31 resources for 31% off through Sunday, Oct. 24th at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Click here and order now!

Another Great Friday Give-Away!

Have your kids or someone else you love been hurt by others? It's so hard, isn't it?. The worst is when they are teased, rejected, bullied or ignored. This momma bear has a hard time when someone threatens her bear cubs.

My first instinct is to rescue them. Now that they're teenagers, I can't. My second instinct is to remove them. With teenagers, I can't usually do that either. I'm also tempted to let what is happening to them tap into a wound of my own. That's when I need to recognize how my past experiences have equipped me to coach my child through it and pray with sensitivity. But I have to be careful not to project my emotions and fears on them.

My friend Glynnis Whitwer has written a great book, "When Your Child is Hurting" to help us with this aspect of parenting that so few of us were prepared for. And she's giving away 2 copies to 2 of you. I asked Glynnis to share with us why she wrote this book and how it can help us help our kids when they are hurting:

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What was your motivation to write this book?
My first son, Joshua, wore glasses at 11 months old. And for the next six years, my little boy wore a patch over one eye to strengthen his weak eye. As a result, I was very protective, even to the point of being over protective. I wanted to save Josh from anything that might hurt him, especially the teasing I imagined he would face. If he had any problem, I wanted him to come to me, and I would take care of it.

However, the day Joshua entered kindergarten, I came to an abrupt realization of our new reality: Joshua had moved beyond my ability to protect him. As this truth wound its way around my heart, I realized I had to find another way to help Joshua. I really wanted to hide my little boy under my wings so no one would ever touch him, but knew that wasn’t an option.

As I wrestled with this desire to protect at all costs, God started speaking gently to me about two very specific issues. The first was trust. God asked me a question He continues to ask me today: Do you just say you trust Me, or do you really trust Me? Really, this has been a defining question for my life; one that I had to settle in my heart. Do I trust Him with the life of my children, or do I just say I do.

Through this question, God revealed that my self-sufficiency was in fact pride. I assumed a role God never meant for me, and through that role, took God’s place in the life of my child. The truth is, I am a woefully imperfect and inadequate substitute for such a holy, perfect, and powerful Savior. When I assumed responsibility for my child’s complete protection, I was in fact training my son to look to me for answers and not God.

The second issue God dealt with me about was preparing my child to effectively deal with life and all its inevitable problems. I realized I had to teach my own children to be problem solvers. By trying to protect them from any problems, I was in fact thwarting their ability to become independent. God showed me I needed instead to prepare my kids to deal with problems, because trouble will arrive on our doorsteps our entire lives.

This book is really my story about how I addressed these two issues in my parenting.

You say allowing some pain to enter a child’s life is actually good. Why is that?
There are two reasons I think some pain is good for a child. The first is that pain, or suffering, or trials – whatever you want to call it – actually make us stronger. This is a biblical principle. Here’s what Romans 5:3-4 says, “…we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (NIV)

Learning to persevere through hard times develops character, and without a challenge, we can raise children with weak moral fiber. We want to build adults who won’t give up at the first sign of trouble, who will push through to achieve a goal. And it’s great for children to learn that under the protection and guidance of a loving parent.

Second, allowing some pain to enter our children's lives also teaches them to turn to God. If a child’s life is free from all pain, she can easily miss her need for God. Although this seems paradoxical, I have experienced this in my own life. It is in times of deep pain and suffering I seek God’s peace, and God responds by settling in close. God teaches me things about Himself that I would never learn in the easy time.

How will parents benefit from your book?
It’s my prayer that parents will be helped as much as their children. As I struggled to help my children deal with life’s challenges, I’ve realized that my own emotions and patterns of thinking can hinder that help. I’ve had to work through my own fears, failures and disappointments. I want to help parents do that.

Second, parents will find very practical help in this book. I’ve filled it with examples from my own life, and the lives of others. Plus in every chapter there are very specific steps to take to help your child deal with some hurt.

Finally, I include some extras in each chapter to add value. I’ve included some great motivational quotes, Bible verse and discussion questions. It would be a good resource for a moms group or even for personal study.

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Thank you so much Glynnis for your wisdom and generosity in giving away 2 copies of your wonderful book along with 2 weekly reminder pads with scriptures to encourage and help busy moms.

I'm also adding 2 copies of my new message on CD entitled "The Power of a Purpose Driven Mom." We'll draw one winner from my blog comments and one from hers. Just tell us why you'd like to win today's gift pack by clicking on the word "comments" below. Please include your email or blog address so we can reach the winners.

Then click here to visit Glynnis blog to enter for another chance to win! I'll announce my winner Saturday so anyone who doesn't win can buy Glynnis' book for 31% off at P31 since - our amazing sale ends Sunday.

Still Rocking, a winner and a BIG sale!

We're back from the Girl's Get-Away cruise, but it doesn't quite feel like it. Well, except for the fact that I need to cook food for my family to eat now.

Did you know your body keeps rocking after being on a cruise? I still feel like I'm on the high seas. Maybe it's because I wish I was. I miss everything about it - the sweet friends I made, worshiping with Nicole C Mullen, Mark Harris, Rebbecca St. James; laughing til I cried with comedian Kenn Kington; and hearing life-changing messages by a few of my favorite speakers every day. Oh, and the food, family time, fun and great memories.

Some of my favorites memories are...

Nicole C. Mullen singing to Aster.

Horseback riding on the beach in Cozumel with Hope TerKeurst and Esther, my friend and literary agent.

Meeting these angels in disguise (Christine, Connie, Debbie and Debbie) on the airport shuttle bus and finding out they were part of the cruise. They blessed me and my family so much with their smiles, hugs, prayers and words of encouragement every time we saw them.

Eating dinner and hanging out with Mark Harris (song writer and voice of "Find Your Wings" and so many other amazing songs), along with his parents, road manager Luke and Luke's really cool wife Julie. I wish I could have met Mark's wife and kids, but they couldn't make it this time. We had so much fun every night with them!!

I've posted all of my cruise photos on my facebook page and would love to share them with you! How I wish every one of you could have been there with us. I did get to meet a few of you like Joyce, Wendy, Fabian, and several others whose names I have blanked out on but whose photos I have on my facebook page. Please let me know if you are one of them so I can tag you, too!

I've been on 3 cruises and this was by far the best one EVER!!! I don't know if I'll be invited to speak again on it (although I hope so!), but I do know Lysa is co-hosting the January 2012 GGA cruise with Karen Kingsbury. P31 is going to offer some great GGA group incentives so I'll let you know when I find out more. If you start saving now, it would just be a little each month to set aside. If you become a group leader and get enough people to go with you, you could even sail for free!! Who doesn't love free?

Speaking of free, the winner of a free copy of Angela Thoman's book, "Do You Know Who I am?" is Wanda from Queenies Little Kingdom. Congratulations. I've got your email so I'll be in touch.

Also, this week only at Proverbs 31 ministries, we are offering a P31% discount on all of our resources! That is 31% off EVERYTHING which is the BIGGEST DISCOUNT we've ever offered, and it's just in time for Christmas shopping or buying that resource you've been waiting to win.

But before you go, tell me this...if you could win a free cruise for 2, who would you take with you? And who would you love to hear speaking or leading worship?? Inquiring minds want to know.

Friday's Give-Away!

Last year I was given a copy of Angela Thomas' "My Single Mom Life" to give away on my blog. I read it first and, although I'm not a single mom, couldn't put it down. Her girl-friendy style, humor and deep love for Jesus captivated my heart and fueled my desire to live an amazing life and be an amazing mom.

I've gotten to meet and hear Angela a few times since then, and she's as inspiring in real life as she is on the pages of her books. Today, I'm excited to share with you about her newest book "Do You Know Who I am?" I've been given one copy to read and another to give away. Each chapter answers a different question that lies within a woman's heart when we're feeling vulnerable and unsure anyone knows who we really are.

With each question, Angela reveals God's heart and response. He alone answers our uncertainties with a resounding "yes."

Yes, He knows who you are, who you really are. He sees you as you are and loves you still. He knows your deepest needs, insecurities, hurts and desires. And He wants to show you that He alone is the answer you are longing to find. When we ask, "Do you know who I am?" He says, "Yes, but what matters most is that you know Who I AM my child."

I'd love to share something that's touched my heart from each chapter I've read so far, but this would become a book-sized post! So, instead I'll share with you the title of each chapter and God's response to us in asking:

Do you know I am trembling inside? He is my comfort.
Do you know I am worn out? He does not grow weary.
Do you know I am suffering with a thorn? He is my sufficiency.
Do you know I am a sinner? He is my Savior.
Do you know I am lonely? He is here.
Do you know I am undisciplined? He is my strength.
Do you know I am hesitant? He is generous.
Do you know I am ordinary? He is my King and my Father.
Do you know I am broken? He is my Redeemer.
Do you know I am disappointed? He is my Hope.

To enter to win a copy of Angela's book, "Do You Know Who I am?", click on the word "comments" below, and let me know which of these questions you've asked before or perhaps another that isn't listed. I'll announce the winner next Tuesday week when we get back from the girlfriend get-away cruise!

A Year of Happily Ever Aster!

This month we celebrate a year with our princess!

These first two photos were taken at the orphanage during the first few minutes of our first time with her.

October 2009

November 2009

December 2009

December 2009

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

September 2010

Aster gives us so much to celebrate! I have the cutest photo of her for October with braids in her hair for the first time. Bummer I don't have my transfer cord with me on our trip. I can't wait to show it to you when we get back from the cruise! And I'll announce the winner of last week's Friday give-away this Friday!

Extended

Tuesday's Update: The post I planned for today has lots of photos so it takes extra time which I'm short on today cause I'm running around getting everything ready for our whole family to leave tomorrow for the Girls Get-Away cruise! I know, what crazy woman would choose to bring a 2yr old and the stress of traveling with her whole troop over a girl's get-away with her girlfriends?? The kind that wants to thank her family for all they sacrificed while I was writing a book. It's my surprise gift to them! And they are so excited. I promise to have fun and relax when we get there, and I promise to announce my 2 winners before I leave!

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I've extended my Friday give-away through tonight! Be sure to click on the green link in Friday's post that goes to my resource page at P31. Then come back and click on "comments" below that post to let me know which of my messages on CD, DVD or parenting resources you would choose if you won, and why.

Today I'm filming a promotional video for my book, A Confident Heart, at 4pm. It's going to be shown at my publishers large sales and marketing conference at the end of the month. So, in 2 minutes I need to share who I am, what the book is about, why I wrote it and how women will benefit from it! And we're choosing my book cover today, too!

Would treasure your prayers. I'll be back tomorrow (Wednesday) to let you know how it all goes!

Renee's Resources

The 7-day Doubt Diet
Are ready to lose the weight of discouragement and self-doubt? Be sure to sign up for "The 7-Day Doubt Diet" in my sidebar. It will be available beginning June 27th. Here's what it's all about:

The 7-Day Doubt Diet
A free Devotional Companion
for A Confident Heart

Filled with daily insights, powerful promises, and daily scripture-based prayers, Renee's written a week’s worth of FREE Confident Heart devotions! Do the 7-day Doubt Diet on your own or, even better, invite a few friends, co-workers, neighbors or family to join you in your journey of learning to live without doubt and find the assurance of a confident heart.

To make it easy to invite a friend, here's a little note you can send them via email or post on your blog or FB page:

Do you want to join me in losing the weight of discouragement and self-doubt? Beginning June 27th, Renee Swope, from Proverbs 31 Ministries is offering a FREE "7-day Doubt Diet". Just click here to enter your information in her sidebar, and you'll receive a week's worth of devotions from her upcoming book, A Confident Heart. Let me know so we encourage one another the week they come out.

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Are you tired of doubting yourself?

Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or gifted enough? Do the critical words you say to yourself, or hear from others, make you question your worth as a woman, wife or mom? Renee Swope understands. Even while having a great family, a successful career, and thriving ministry, she found herself stuck in a cycle of self-doubt. Through A Confident Heart she offers the voice of a friend who candidly, and sometimes humorously, share her struggles with self-doubt so that women can see and embrace the powerful truths God used to transform her life- and others! Based on her survey of 1200 women, Renee identifies common triggers of insecurity and shows us how to replace our lack of self-confidence with lasting God-confidence. In this book, she will help you

• Exchange “against me” thoughts with scripture-based God is “for me” thoughts
• Break free from people-pleasing and performance-based living
• Discover and develop your God-given purpose, passion and personality
• Learn how to fail forward even when life or sin sets you back
• See beyond who you are to who you are becoming - in Christ

Powerful scriptures prayers are at the end of each chapter, along with Bible study questions for individual reflection or group discussion. A chart with 31 different promises to replace the most common self-doubts we believe is included in Chapter 12.

A Confident Heart, is being released August 1st. You can pre-order your copy of today here or wherever you love to buy books!

For a complete list of Renee's resources, click here.

Fridays Give-Aways!

I'm heading to Princeton, West Virginia today to speak at Fairview Christian Community Church's women's conference tonight and tomorrow, and I can't wait. They raise all of the money for this event so they can offer free admission to 300+ women. I'd love to meet you there if you are in that area. I cannot wait to see the leaves changing and spend the day driving through the blue ridge mountains with my sweet friend and assistant Leah.

Also, I wanted to let you know the winner of last week's Friday give-away is LeeBird. And today we've got a few more great give-aways!

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Friday's Give-Aways

I am giving away the choice of 1 of my resources to 2 of you! Two winners will get to choose 1 of my CDs, or DVDs, Shaped with Purpose Workbook or Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child character chart. They're all listed on my resource page at Proverbs 31 Ministries. Click on the green link to see them, then click on the word "comments" below this post to let me know which one you'd want and why.

Karen Ehman is giving away a a family fun basket. It includes: A signed copy of her book A Life That Says Welcome, an Old-fashioned stove top “Jiffy Pop” popcorn, a bag of caramels to make caramel apples together, a $10 Target gift card to buy a family board or card game, and a set of cute notecards for you to write encouraging notes to your family and tuck them in their lunch pails, under their pillow or in their backpacks. Click here to enter to win this great give-away!

Shari Braendel is giving away a copy of Rachel Olsen's book, "It's No Secret." Be sure to click here to find out more.

Amy Carroll is giving away a new book she just read that she loves. It's called, "The Same Kind of Different as Me." You can enter to win it by clicking here.

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Be sure tell 'em you heard about their give-aways here today. They don't know I'm linking to them so I'd love to surprise them :-> But don't forget to tell me which of my resources you'd like to win and why before you go. And have a wonderful weekend!

Finding Confidence by Conqering Clutter

Cleaning out the clutter in my kitchen and behind those closed bathroom cabinet doors has been like an energy drink for my soul! Accomplishing what seemed impossible gave me me confidence to take on more!

I took Glynnis' great advice for the area under my bathroom sink and look at the difference it made:

[BEFORE]

[DURING]

[AFTER]

I had almost all of these containers in there already. I just couldn't see them because they were overstuffed with useless stuff! All I had to buy was a large white basket and I still plan to get a little shelf to go over the baskets on the left. Then I'll put the large basket on top of them.

Here are some steps I took and lessons I learned:

De-cluttering our cabinets.
I took everything out and categorized them in piles. Then I disposed of expired medicines and toss bottles of lotion, shampoo and nail polish that were old or almost empty. I only kept products I like and use. I gave or threw the rest away.

Clearing our counters.
It makes it so much easier to get ready in the morning and reduces stress when our bathroom counters are clear. This is also a time save because cleaning is a breeze. The only thing I keep on my counter are things I use every day: my toothbrush, hand soap, ring holder and hairspray. Well the hairspray is just convenient.

Cleaning out stuffed drawers.
I also went through each drawer, took everything out and asked myself, "Do I need this?" "Do I love this?" "Why am I keeping this?" The answer to these questions tell us what we need to do. Either keep it, donate it or toss it. By cleaning out your drawers you will reduce stress and be able to find things you need faster and easier.

Use your wall space.
As Glynnis mention, if you need more storage solutions look to your walls. This is a great way to create storage and reduce clutter on counter tops. Ask yourself is there anywhere I can add a shelf or shelves? Maybe a wall soap dish or toothbrush holder. I read that you can look on eBAY for hotel towel holders. They hold 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths each.

Make personal bath totes.
If you have limited cabinet space, consider keeping a container to store and transport each member of the families' personal bath items. These personal bath totes can be a small plastic crates, a wicker basket or other small container to hold items neatly. Placing each family members items in their own container makes it easy to store these things under the bathroom sink or in the linen closet until needed.

Create a peaceful retreat setting.
My bathroom tubs and showers used to overflow with bottles of shampoo, conditioner, bath toys and body washes. Do yours? If so, consider getting a shower caddy or basket/bag for the kid's toys. Create a peaceful retreat setting by removing all items you don't use on a daily basis. Then create a spa basket with candles, bath salts or special soaps and a waterproof neck pillow. Schedule one night a week or month to treat yourself to a bubble bath.

So my friend, is there an area in your home that's intimating you? Has your confidence as a woman dwindled under the defeat of clutter?

Don't stay there. You can do this. Let's get determined to let go of excess stuff, rather than finding a place to stuff it. Looking at clutter, walking around clutter or finding another corner to keep our clutter does not make for a confident heart or a peaceful home. And isn't that just what we long for?