Things to think about during this Lenten Season

It is just a few days into Lent for this year, and I have seen two very good post to help us to think about how we are to the people around us. A habit takes about 2 weeks to form and Lent lasts 40 days. What a great time to reassess the things we do in our lives and learn to restructure our purposeful charity to others and not just "give up" things in our lives to better ourselves, but maybe do things to honor others around us with our lives. So instead of making Lent a sacrificial time for ourselves, maybe we should learn to sacrafice part of ourselves for others and make things better for everyone....Some ideas to think about. 


Borrowed from a very wise lady......


Fasts have a tendency to be oriented towards giving up things like food, drinks, snacks, movies, or television. But there are other creative ways to fast. And they may change your life in a positive way, if in 40 days they become a new way of life for you. Here are suggestions you may want to consider:


1. Fast from anger ...and hatred.
Give your family an extra dose of love each day.

2. Fast from judging others.
Before making any judgment's remember to recall how Jesus overlooks our failures.

3. Fast from discouragement.
Hold on to Jesus' promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.

4. Fast from complaining.
When you are about to complain about anything, close your eyes and remember the moments that Jesus gave you that brought so much joy into your life.

5. Fast from resentment and bitterness.
Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.

6. Fast from spending too much money.
Try to reduce your spending by 10% and give the savings to help the poor.

7. Spend extra time for personal prayers.
Take the time to pray for everyone you know. Remember there is no such thing as too many prayers.

Things to consider trying to DO during Lent that will make a difference in your life and make an impact on the lives of other people; your loved ones, people you slightly know, people you work with and total strangers.
1. Random acts of kindness - pay for a strangers drink, pay the next cars toll on a toll road, pay part of the bill for the person behind you in a line.
2. Hold the door for someone entering a store when you are exiting or someone exiting as you are entering.
3. Take the time to call, e-mail, text someone just to ask how their day is going.
4. Send a card, note or letter to a friend who you have not been in touch with for some time and try to re-connect with them.
5. Remember just a simple smile or saying hello to someone may change their attitude for the day and they may even pass it on!

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Happiness during Lent.

New Website!

The website for Cypress Lake Soap is finally up and running. We would love to know what you think! The link is CypressLakeSoap.com Come on in and find all your old favorites. Look for our new features and products. 

Soap of the Month

One of our new purchasing options is a Soap of the Month. With this option we are offering a club subscription to try out a new soap. We are offering a 3, 6, or 12 month option. 

New Scent
Amaretto Latte

New Scent
Hotty Toddy

We also have several new scents available and are planning many more over the coming months. We are really excited about all of our new changes and we hope you will enjoy them too. 

Soap Rocks

A new addition for this season
Soap Rocks

We really like this new idea that some other hand made soap shops are doing. It is a great way to use up some of those extra pieces that are cut from the soap edges and ends. This means less waste for us and a savings for you. These little "gems" are great for guest soaps and kids soaps. They are each unique hand shaped little soaps.

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Today our oldest is twelve...where have the years gone. He has gone from a precocious little tot, to a rough, active, adventurous, little boy, then a stubborn, strong willed youth ready to conquer the world...and now he wants to be a man. Full of promise, and passion and ready to tackle anything, no plan in site, but sure of victory...he is and always was all boy.


Here is a pictorial history of life with Nathan. I had to okay the pictures first in order to reduce the embarrassment factor of a pre-teen and unfortunately the bare bottom photo was voted out, but I have to say it is definitely one of my favorite and oh so very cute.

One month

Three months and already knows
  how to be cool.

Eighteen months
Always liked being just like  his Daddy.

Two years old - Always the artist

Three and a half years - A man of
 intrigue and disguise

Four years -
Puddle jumping explorer
Granny's Fig Tree

 

Four and a half years
Very discriminating sense of  style
Uncle Philip's Wedding

Five years old
Big move to Oxford ,  Mississippi

Five and a half years
Noah arrives

Six years
First trip to a real beach
Mobile, Alabama

Seven years old
Trip to Fort Worth
Star Wars Exhibit

Seven and a half  years
Jacob arrives

Eight years old
Cub Scout Summer Camp

Nine years old
Fun with Brothers...Noah attacked
with a bucket of mud.

Ten years old
Crawfish Boil at the new house

Ten and a Half
Evelyn Arrives

Eleven
The biggest snow EVER!

Eleven and a half
Grilling Chicken

Twelve Years Old
...and yes he blew them all out

So here's to the first twelve years of the Saga of Nathan. There have been ups and downs, smiles and frowns. Lots of laughter and some tears. We have weathered all the storms and are still here. My birthday wish for you is countless blessings, lots of love and joy, the best of everything that life has to offer and many, many more years to come. May your journey in life take you far and the adventure always be exciting...