...Off to Who Knows Where!

Just thought I'd let you know that I shall be absent for a few days on our

belated spring break vacation.

And, yes, I know where we are going...;o) But, just in case of internet saftey hazards, I will only say that it is a somewhere. A very nice somewhere, with trees and bike trails and lakes and a cabin kindly lent to us by a friend.

I will be back with giveaways and more, come Thursday.

Blessings to you, sweet friends!

Until my return...

Insecurities: Leave them on the Cross!

{via}

Girls are full of insecurities. That's just the way we are. We're self-consious about our looks, our bodies, our performances...the list could go on. We think we're overweight, so we starve ourselves and end up as an unhealthy bag of bones, depressed and confused. We think we're not beautiful, so we pile on the make-up and straighten our hair and get plastic surgeries until we {think} we look acceptable.

This isn't at all how God intended for we, His beloved daughters, to be.

...Do you remember, way back in Genesis, when Adam was lonely? God, in His loving kindness, provided Eve to be the perfect partner Adam was in need of. With great awe and wonder, the Man exclaimed,

"This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

 {Genesis 2:23}

..Or, in other words: :)

"Oh. My. Goodness. She's...gorgeous! I can't believe it..."

What do you think Eve looked like? She may have been very beautiful. In fact, I am certain she was very beautiful, because she was God's perfect creation. But, she may have not been considered "gorgeous" by today's standards. Who knows? Nevertheless, Adam thought she was wonderful, and so did her Maker. And if God thinks something is "very good," then you better believe it is! ;)

What does that say about us? Well, we, too, are made in the image of God. Of course, sin entering the world has made it possible for us to become unhealthy and sick, so it is our job to take care of the "Temple" the LORD has entrusted us with as best we can. Still, through Christ's work on the cross, we are seen as flawless beings. Straight hair, curly hair, large nose, small nose...we are equal beauties in His sight. And through Christ's work on the cross, our insecurities don't have to be a burden anymore.

What are your insecurities? Your face? Your hair? Your voice? Stop fretting about them and leave the thing that plagues you, because it's not perfect, on the cross. Chances are it's flawless in God's sight! :)

Announcing Our {Spring Fling} Giveaway! CLOSED

ALL GIVEAWAYS ARE NOW CLOSED.
THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY.

Friends, I must say that you really have been blessed with giveaways these past month at "From Under My Little Umbrella." I mean, one lovely thing after another popping up for you to win! And guess what? We're going to make it a habit around here...because who says habits are always bad? ;) 

~~

I have some exciting news. As always. Now, you know how much I loooove spring..yes, yes indeed. I love it to bits and pieces. Thusly {hey, I have the freedom to make up my own words!}, it is my great pleasure to announce that we have now reached 250+ followers here at my little "home sweet blog," and as a way of saying "I looves yooou" to my sweet follower-friends, I and ten loverly Etsy shop owners are hosting:

There will be ten days of giveaways, starting on April the 15th, and ending on the 20th.
Here are the giveaways that are up so far:

Day One:

{The "Cordelia" necklace giveaway}
::hosted by::





MeredithGrace Day Two:{The "Floral Ruffle" necklace giveaway}::hosted by::BonnieLu Day Three:{The "Pink Sugar" Ruffled Scarf Giveaway}::hosted by::JANNYSGIRL Day Four:{The "Ducky-Duck" Cake Pops Giveaway}::hosted by::MomsKillerCakes Day Five:{Blush and Grey Cloche Hat} & {Tam Beret hat in white}::hosted by::XeniaHome Day Six:{The Rose Ring Giveaway}::hosted by::Innocinch Day Seven:{The White Flower Studs Giveaway}::hosted by::CherryCompote Day Eight:{The "Blue and Yellow Cabochon" Necklace Giveaway}::hosted by::LiliWCoutere Day Nine:{The "Chennai Filigree" Earrings Giveaway}::hosted by::lovestori Day Ten:{The "Baby Pink Flower" Hairpin Giveaway}::hosted by::CherryCompote Day Eleven:{The Rose Earrings Giveaway} ::PLUS:: {The "Mum" Necklace Giveaway}::hosted by::Innocinch All giveaways end at noon on April 28th, 2011.