I REALLY need lotion in the winter.
Dry skin runs rampant in this cold climate, even when I do put on lotion, but even worse when I don’t.
Yesterday, I slathered on this before church…
And I was immediately transported back to the hospital.
Say what?!
When I was pregnant with Big J, our birthing class instructor suggested we bring items that comforted us – especially sounds and smells – to the hospital.
Country Apple lotion from Bath and Body Works {not a paid endorsement!} was my favorite scent, so it went in the hospital bag right away. It was also packed and used when Little J came along. It made me feel at home, at ease.
And now just a whiff of that smell – now called Winter Candy Apple – takes me back to that place and the feeling of comfort it brought me during that uncertain, but very exciting, time.
What a blessing…
What smells bring back good memories for you?
*****
Those comforting scents and thoughts are a blessing – one that pregnant girls in Kenya don’t often – or ever – experience. But thanks to Kristen’s family, the Mercy House Kenya is doing what they can to remedy to their bleak circumstances. It is amazing to watch this ministry build from a dream into a reality.
Today would be a great day for you to get involved!
All day today is Mercy House Benefit Day – an online silent auction with tons of great items – and every penny goes directly to the Mercy House Kenya! You can find more info about bidding, etc. in the intro post here, then browse through the items already posted and watch for new ones to be posted all day!
My heart just breaks at the thought of young rape victims giving birth in alleys…and even worse…but my heart SOARS at the thought of what the Mercy House will do for girls like this. Please consider joining this ministry!
*****
Among my other blessings this week…
121. Cozy snow days at home.
122. Home-baked goodness.
123. Grace. Over and over again.
124. Working in my son’s Sunday school classroom.
125. My son wanting to sit on my lap while I worked in his Sunday school classroom.
126. Unexpected sweet encouragement from friends.
127. A halfway deep-cleaned bedroom! (Surfaces and floors deep-cleaned, closets and drawers next!)
128. Dimples.
129. Free crochet patterns on the Internet!
130. A reminder to live in joy in everything. (James 1:2)
131. Fun chats about jeggings with her and her and her and her and her!
132. A “date” with the littlest man at Target.
133. Trader Joe’s Dried Pineapple Rings.
134. A desire to live healthier. (And hopefully the FOLLOW-THROUGH!)
135. A hubby who puts up with my crazy ideas 🙂
136. A hubby who encourages and challenges me to be the best me.
137. Craft projects that turn out even when they don’t go as planned!
138. A fabulous new bra. (I’m sorry, it had to be said. I just love it.)
139. The best blanket in the world to snuggle under.
140. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (Our Seeds Family Worship verse of the week!)
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
I went through our scented candles yesterday that we never light anymore for fear our children will somehow burn down the house. I opened a jar candle from a long time ago and was transported back to our first house and a time before children.
Funny about the hospital. They said to bring soothing music, but not your favorite because your favorite would then bring you back to the pain. So I bought a bunch of $1 CD’s with relaxing music on them. Haven’t used them since. lol Cool that the scent brings you back to the positives of that day and not the negitives.
Lavendar. It reminds me of my grandmother. Sweet, sweet memories.
Vanilla reminds me of my Mom who now lives a good distance away. I spray on something vanilla and it’s like she is sitting right beside me.