Southern Porch and Pen

12/29/2023

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed spending every Sunday afternoon going through the two-inch thick newspaper.

12/23/2023

12/20/2023

Hopefully, as the clock counts down to Christmas, you are ready. Being “ready for Christmas” to some can mean the shopping list is complete, decorations are done and fresh bed sheets have been prepared for the family and friends coming to visit.

12/18/2023

❤️

12/16/2023

Attention Alabama Last Minute Shoppers: If you are still looking for an excellent Christmas gift that the person will love I am offering a drive-thru pick up at my home Monday, Dec 18 and Friday, Dec 22, 3-6 p.m. each day. If you send me a message, I will bring a devotional out to your car. They are $20. They are also available for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotional-Southerners/dp/B0CK3ZZ6DT/ref=asc_df_B0CK3ZZ6DT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=675594686800&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=629968596283888652&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1012932&hvtargid=pla-2438285871072&psc=1&mcid=08739a681b2538bf9500bbb8294bb8e4

12/09/2023

Weather is great in Wetumpka! SOOOO many Christmas gifts here. Come see me! Come see the historic bridge! It’s gorgeous and merry here! Here till this evening!

12/07/2023

Alabama Friends: I will be at Wetumpka Christmas on the Coosa Saturday, December 9, 12-7 for another book signing before Christmas. There will be vendors, activities, food, and merriment lining the beautiful, scenic river!!! The weather is supposed to be excellent throughout the afternoon! 🎄

11/24/2023

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Time for our Black Friday Giveaway results!!! Congratulations to Tanya Caudle on winning a free copy of the Christian devotional “Bless Your Heart: A Devotional for Southerners with Old-Timey Sayings” 👏

If you did not win but would like information on purchasing the book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotional-Southerners/dp/B0CK3ZZ6DT/ref=asc_df_B0CK3ZZ6DT/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=675594686800&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17085545526623259837&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012491&hvtargid=pla-2438285871072&psc=1&mcid=b246bf572eda3df0baf15ac59f65ee1b

11/22/2023

Last day to share!!

Black Friday Giveaway!!! Thank you to everyone for the support y’all have shown purchasing my book, “Bless Your Heart: A Devotional for Southerners with Daily Old-Timey Sayings.” In appreciation, I would like to give a signed copy away. Many have shared they have purchased the devotional as a Christmas gift, so this will be a Black Friday giveaway to you.

To enter:
1. LIKE the page Southern Porch and Pen
2. LIKE the original post
3. SHARE the original post PUBLICLY

Winner will be drawn Thursday, November 23 and may pickup locally in Chilton Co, Alabama. Otherwise, I will be happy to mail the book at no cost to you.

For more information about purchasing, “Bless Your Heart” visit https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotional-Southerners/dp/B0CK3ZZ6DT

11/15/2023

Black Friday Giveaway!!! Thank you to everyone for the support y’all have shown purchasing my book, “Bless Your Heart: A Devotional for Southerners with Daily Old-Timey Sayings.” In appreciation, I would like to give a signed copy away. Many have shared they have purchased the devotional as a Christmas gift, so this will be a Black Friday giveaway to you.

To enter:
1. LIKE the page Southern Porch and Pen
2. LIKE the original post
3. SHARE the original post PUBLICLY

Winner will be drawn Thursday, November 23 and may pickup locally in Chilton Co, Alabama. Otherwise, I will be happy to mail the book at no cost to you.

For more information about purchasing, “Bless Your Heart” visit https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotional-Southerners/dp/B0CK3ZZ6DT

11/14/2023

“Bad news travels fast.”

“The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8

On our beloved family farm, growing up for the most part was a great adventure. However, like all things, it had its burdens and setbacks. From time to time, my father would set fire to the fields to help give nutrients back to the soil. It was sixty acres of rolling pasture, so putting together a hosepipe longer than the length of a football field seemed unmanageable. We would spread out and work together to rake burned areas to help control the fire.
One year when I was about thirteen, I realized that I was standing in the direct wind of the fire, making it hard to breath. When I looked around to find the grassy path to exit, it seemed there wasn’t one. I felt afraid and panicked trying to figure out how I would exit the burning area unscathed. I yelled to the area my dad was in and he came to my rescue, beating out a path and smothering parts of the fire with his rake.
“Why didn’t you beat out some of the fire with your rake?” he asked. I was not sure how to answer. In the moment of my despair, I was not reasoning. I felt panicked and overwhelmed.
Later in life, I have found that bad situations feel eerily similar. When something happens and I am under attack, (verbally or non-verbally), a dramatic situation feels like being trapped in fire. Even when rumors and gossip spread about our personal lives, whether it is true or untrue, it feels like wildfire spreading. It is uncomfortable and smothering. I don’t want to be part of it and want to walk away, yet there I am in the middle of an undesirable situation.
In the middle of life’s fires we do not have to endure it alone. God gives us the freedom to respond to bad situations with control and grace. Since God is the Alpha, Omega, The Great I Am, and Creator−decision making is up to Him. He always has the last word, even when we think the situation is hopeless and at its end.
If you are feeling despair, sickened and afraid by the lack of control in your own life, remember that God is with you−always. If you are desperately looking for resources to beat out your own fire, look for help and guidance in the Bible, praying with friends, and visiting a church. God’s power is much greater than an earthly rake.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for never abandoning me. You are the keeper of the sheep, love us, and keep me well. Save me from the wrath of earthly fires. Help me navigate safely, that I might be a testimony to the goodness of Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Excerpt taken from "Bless Your Heart: A Devotional for Southerners with Daily Old-Timey Sayings"
https://www.amazon.com/Bless-Your-Heart-Devotional-Southerners/dp/B0CK3ZZ6DT #:~:text=Book%20overview-,Bless%20Your%20Heart%3A%20A%20Devotional%20for%20Southerners%20with%20Daily%20Old,personal%20Southern%20stories%20and%20heritage.

11/06/2023

Did you know? Did you notice?

Many times God answers our prayers when we aren’t looking or paying attention. Writing your prayer requests down is an excellent way to look back and see how God has answered your prayer. That’s why I included several prayer request pages in the back of my book, “Bless Your Heart: A Devotional for Southerners with Old-Timey Sayings.”

In time, may you look back and see the evidence of how God has blessed you.