Sometimes I come across something that makes a positive difference in my life and makes me think repeatedly feeling very thankful for it and glad that I have it. Today I thought it would be fun to share a handful of such things from the past month in a blog post.
Without further ado, here are A Few of My Favorite Things: April 2019 Edition
I asked for and received this backpack diaper bag for my birthday in March and have been so pleased with it! We don’t have any babies in the house anymore and I’m not pregnant but I was intrigued by the idea of a diaper bag backpack for outings with the kids. I was tired of packing everything in a big bag with one compartment that I had to repeatedly dig through to find anything in (anyone else notice how the one thing you’re looking for is always the last thing you pull out?) and realized diaper bags have lots of neat pockets. I put water bottles, bars, essential oils, and other small items in the bottle pockets, non-toxic cleaning wipes in the wipes pocket, and larger items in the main section. It has a flat bottom so it stands up really well when I’m packing or unpacking it – a feature I have discovered is really nice! I love the look of this one and am happy to say that after two months of constant use, it is holding up great.
I have wanted a letter board for a long time but have been waiting until we have a house (ie, space to put it in) to actually get one. I finally decided that life is short and even though we don’t have the house yet, I could still enjoy the letter board – what’s one more thing to find space for? This was another birthday gift that I received and has brought me lots of joy. It is perfect for leaving reminders for myself where I will see them throughout the day. I am all for sticky notes and writing on the mirror but let’s face it – a letter board is way prettier to look at as you walk by! I love the look of this one and that it comes with different size letters and symbols.
To be honest, I thought a Facebook video might be the easiest way to share these things but this one right here is the reason I decided not to, simply because I knew I would cry. It is hard to put into words what this book has meant to me. It has been a healing balm to my soul the last couple of months and I am grateful beyond words that I read it before Dad moved to Heaven. I cannot count the number of times I have been glad that I read it before he left. It is a description of Heaven based on one woman’s experience, written around the time of the Civil War. At the time, many people were reeling from the loss of war and it gained popularity because of the hope it shared. Up until I read this book, my view of Heaven was based mainly on what I had been told, what I’d seen in movies, and maybe one or two verses in the Bible. There were times I was terrified to go to Heaven because I could not fathom living forever singing worship songs – like, forever, forever, doing the same thing! This book opened my eyes to see how small I had been thinking. It got me excited about what Heaven may be like. Whether her account is 1000% theologically correct, I do not know (I did not find anything that contradicts what I know of Scripture), but I do know that it helps ignite the imagination and Heaven will be even better than anything we could think or imagine. If someone you love moved to Heaven or you want to broaden your imagination of how amazing Heaven will be, read this book. It is a short book that will have you thinking deeply long after you’ve finished it.
This is a book that someone recommended to me after Dad moved to Heaven and I am still savoring making my way through it. I had NO IDEA the Bible says SO MUCH about Heaven! Like, God really wants us to know what it is like – not in full but at least in some very specific ways – and to live with it in mind. If we are living for something, we ought to know as much as we can about it. There are references to Heaven all throughout the Bible but this book has them all in one place and answers so many questions we are all bound to have, using Scripture as its source. It is very different from the first book I mentioned in that this is not a personal account of Heaven but a compilation of background and questions and answers, all based on the Bible – and it’s long (almost 500 pages – I had no idea there was that much content specifically about Heaven in the Bible until I started reading this book).
I have always loved the way bouquets of peonies look in home décor pictures but I priced some individual stems recently at Hobby Lobby and even if I bought them on a 50% off day, it would cost a pretty penny to get enough to fill a small vase. I have looked online for ready-made bouquets of peonies and have found nice ones are around $40-$50. All that is to say, for quite a while I just admired beautiful pictures of peonies from afar – until one day when I was looking for poppies on Amazon and came across this bouquet of peonies on Amazon for a fraction of the price I’d seen before, accompanied by lots of great reviews. I was a little skeptical about how good they would look for the price that they were but I am so happy with them! They are BEAUTIFUL! The little spring of fern-type foliage sticking out in a couple places are the only part I think does not look very realistic, but you only notice it up close (they could easily be snipped off and not affect the look of the bouquet but I don’t mind them). I put this vase of peonies on my dresser next to this picture of my dad – the one that reminds me of what God’s expression must be when He looks at us – and this little display just brings a smile of gratitude every time I look at it!
. Rael Organic Cotton Menstrual Pads
You’ve probably already guessed by the title but if you’re a guy and reading this, now is your chance to bow out before I share why I love these.
I have kind of sort of been looking at non-toxic menstrual care options for several years but never tried anything until a couple months ago. I had, in the course of researching, seen some pretty amazing testimonies from women who said that when they stopped using conventional pads and tampons and switched to one of the safer alternatives, they stopped clotting, had no more cramps, no more odor, etc. There are chemicals in conventional pads and apparently that isn’t a great thing to have in constant contact with that area and it can make a big difference to eliminate them.
When it comes to safe menstrual products, I came across a few options.
1. Diva Cup or similar product
I know all about those little cups you stick all up there during your period but I am a no thank-you for those. I do not want to have to take something out, clean it, and put it back in (HOW would you do that in a public restroom?). It just is not for me – because I don’t want it to be.
2. Organic Cloth (reusable) Pads
I appreciate the concept but I just don’t want to have to wash pads. I already washed cloth diapers for a season and it would feel like a repeat of my own diapers if I had to wash my own pads – not to mention making sure I have one clean and dry when I need it. I will say they have come a long way, though! There are some pretty cute ones on Etsy.
3. Disposable Organic Cotton Pads or Tampons
I don’t use tampons but a couple months ago I finally bit the bullet, hopped on Amazon, read a bunch of reviews for organic cotton pads, and ordered these. They have been great! No pad makes you feel super snazzy when you are wearing it but these are comfortable, absorb well, and I’ve noticed a decrease in some of the symptoms I used to get with my period – basically everything I could want in a pad. I’ve used them for two cycles now and am very pleased with them! If you’re in the market for safer period accessories (I’m drawing a blank for another term for them), you should give these a shot!
On that note, that’s all I’ve got for April!
Did you read something, watch something, or try something this month that you loved? I’d love to hear about it!
FTC Disclaimer:
This post may contain affiliate links to products I use and love. Any earnings I receive from affiliate links make it possible for me to put more time into this blog – thank you for the support!
Such an interesting blog — thank you for writing it! The peony bouquet (with your dad’s picture) is lovely! Somehow I don’t see peonies here in CA, but remember them fondly from growing up in Indiana. I love the book about HEAVEN by Randy Alcorn, and will look for the other one you talked about. I think my daughter (3 kids, youngest 4) could use a diaper bag as backpack too! Just read a wonderful book, SILENCE IN HEAVEN (about Revelation and all the Bible prophecy together) and at the end he had 7 pages, each with his concept (different theme) of what Heaven will be like. Maybe I could e-mail you those pages. I continue to pray for God’s peace and comfort to surround you and all your family.
Thank you, Peggy! I will look that book up. I just learned that Randy also has a Heaven book for kids that I want to check out. The backpack diaper bag is still serving me very well!