Oh goodness, I love the word FREE. For so many reasons.

Anyway. I have an odd little give-away on this fine Saturday. The folks at UPrinting.com have offered to give one lucky reader the following prize package:

500 pcs. Letterheads
–5.5” x 8.5″
–70lb Offset
–Front Only Printing
–4 Business Days Print Turnaround Time
–Free Shipping
–Restriction: Limited to US residents 18 years old and above only.

You might be thinking, “What on earth would I do with 500 letterheads?” Or, “What in the blazes is a letterhead?” Or maybe you’re thinking, “Suh-WEET!! A hundred and sixty-nine dollars’ worth of personalized paper for FREE?!?! Gimme, gimme!!”

I, paper lover that I am, would be in the latter category. Gabe and I buy our business cards from UPrinting.com, and I LOVE them. Part of that is due to their great quality and cute little square shape, and part of it is due to my brilliant designer husband.

You can check out ideas for letterhead design here and envelope printing here.

To be entered to win, leave a comment telling me what on earth you would do with 500 letterheads. (I’ll announce the winner Monday, August 15.)

Disclaimer (thanks, FTC):This giveaway is sponsored by UPrinting, no monetary compensation was given and I will receive letterhead printing service by hosting.

And while we’re talking FREE, I had a wonderful time at my 31 Gifts party with my friend Shalla (and nine other delightful gals). And thanks to them and some sweet, darling Facebook friends, I earned $150 (ONE HUNDRED FIFTY) dollars in free stuff!!

Wanna know what I got??

Personalized cinch sacks for Livi, Ava, and Nina. A thermal zebra-striped tote (next best thing since they don’t have giraffe) with Taviano in turquoise. Some personalized “Marla” notecards, a sweet little gift for a special little girl (I hope to share her story at some point). And a cupcake thermal tote to give away.

Seriously?? Awesome. If you love free stuff and live anywhere near Columbus, OH, host a party for Shalla, and all this bounty could be yours!! Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll hook you up. If you know me, you know this is TOTALLY not my thing, but Shalla is an absolute doll and the whole affair was painless (except for Nina’s staples in her head) and FUN even!

No Disclaimer Necessary!

And last, but not least, but FREE, I’ll have some book give-aways in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! Have a great weekend!

If you’re here today from the amazing, fabulous Rachelle’s blog in hopes of winning a set of sweetly scandalous books, welcome! I had a charming and witty post planned in hopes of convincing you all of my writing prowess, but my heart’s just not in it today.

My dear friend, Joanne, suffered a major stroke Tuesday morning, and after much brain swelling and surgery where they removed part of her skull, she’s in a fight for her very life. Today was a hard day with lots of tears. We love you so much, girl, and we’re praying without ceasing for you!!

The latest update from her hubby Toben via our friend Holly Smith (9:00pm Wed.): Praying for Joanne’s brain to rest and heal over next 48-72 hours. Praying for low stimulation, waking on her own. She’s under sedation and pain meds, unlikely she’ll wake up tomorrow. That is good–allows for healing to occur. Pray for no damage to the brain stem, for her to wake up, for her to be able to communicate and read, to physically regain mobility.

Joanne (a published author) and I first met because of a mutual love for books and writing. My hope and prayer is that the story of her stroke–and full, God-glorifying recovery–will be a best-selling book (or at least a heck of a lot of blog posts) someday. Please keep Joanne and her sweet family in your prayers!

Speaking of BOOKS, to win a copy of Is That All He Thinks About? AND The Husband Project by the fabulous Kathi Lipp (upon whose head I wished a pox), just leave a comment below answering ONE of the following questions:

1. What do you love most about your spouse?

OR

2. What’s your favorite color?

I’ll choose one winner at random Friday at noon (EST). U.S. addresses only please! Have a great day, and please pray for Joanne!

Scripture memorization. I think it’s one of those things you have to get in the groove of or else you’re toast. Back in the day, I could rattle off verses like nobody’s business. Then I turned 8 and it all went downhill from there.

In 2009, on the Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore) Blog, there was a Scripture Memory Challenge. Memorize 2 verses a month for a year. I started off strong, faded in the middle and scrambled to catch up at the end.

Having verses tucked in your head that you can pull out whenever you need them? Awesome. Getting to go to Houston to meet a bunch of amazing women I’d only ever known online? Icing on the cake.

Here’s my account of the Weekend. Part 1. Part 2. God did some pretty cool stuff and I don’t imagine I’ll ever forget it.

They’re doing the Scripture Memory Team again in 2011, and I’m determined to go hard all the way this time. And unless God changes the plan, I’m going to choose 24 verses that talk about his love for the poor and oppressed.

So, I was reading the LPM blog this evening, and Beth is doing something really cool. She’s offering a little spiral notebook to write your verses in for just $3 + shipping.

I bought 2. One for me and one for you. For a chance to win, just tell me a verse that is special to you. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow and get your spiral to you as soon as I get it. (U.S. addresses only please)

And how cool would it be to meet you in Houston in January 2012??

First, the CONGRATS!

YOUR SECRET NAME winners: Kandi W, Erin R, Nina R, Sharon M, and Britt D. (Thanks for getting me your addresses so quickly, girls!)

The rest of you can buy the book + audio book for $10 with FREE shipping! And don’t forget to sign up for the Read-Along. Your enthusiasm invigorates me!

RADICAL CELEBRATION winners: (e-mail me your addresses!)

Radical = Ashley Renee, Shannon G, Jenn F, and Joel M.

Soul Healing Combo = Sandee

Hubby Combo = Cory

Mama Combo = Kelly S.

Stuff Christians Like = Jen Hanson

Forgotten God = alittlebitograce

Million Miles = Jordan W.

Diapers 4-pack = Nancy

Blushing 4-pack = Kathleen

And then the ALL THATS:

~~ The long-awaited “Love Our Neighbors” Project is this Sunday. I feel so ill-prepared and a wee bit nervous, and I want to trust God completely to work everything out according to his perfect plan. Would you pray with me?

~~Speaking of prayer, please pray for a sweet gal named Marissa who was recently diagnosed with breast angiosarcoma (a rare form of cancer in the blood vessels). Many of you received a sponsored copy of Radical for our last Read-Along, and Marissa was the one who donated a bulk of the books and shipped them all out to you. She was diagnosed just weeks later. She and her family would love your prayers!

~~Thank you for your sweet 10th Birthday Wishes for Livi. I’m not going to print them out quite yet, so if you’d like to give her a holler, by all means.

~~Next week I’ll have a couple of my sister Bethany’s famous Birthday Banners (and an apron) to sell to raise money for missions. First come, first served. If you’re interested, I’ll try to give you a little advance notice.

~~Also coming next week: pictures of Panha’s dad’s new tuk-tuk! The girls and I skyped with Panha today (oh my word, he’s a riot!) and in addition to giving us the lowdown on the fabulousness of the new tuk-tuk, he attempted to teach us a few phrases in Khmer. Fun times.

~~Any news or fun stuff to share?

Have yourselves a Merry Little Weekend!

Here are your random numbers:

56

Timestamp: 2010-03-31 03:04:28 UTC

And the winner is… Gail!

The Dark before Dawn, please, says Miss Gail.

Your wish is my command, sweet friend. I already have your address, so I’ll pass it on to Jen ASAP in hopes that your cross will make it from Arizona to Kentucky by Saturday. If not, it will be just as special whenever it does arrive.

Thanks SO much for playing, friends! I know Jen is thrilled by all the comment love. Now, go order some crosses! She only has about 1 of each in stock but will be furiously making more, so first come first served! (expect 2-3 weeks for delivery if you request one she’s out of).

Thank you so much, Jen! Thank you, friends, for all for your sweet encouragement. Thank you, Jesus, for giving the cross all its meaning!