Thursday 15 April 2010

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

And the winner of the naming of the newsletter contest is....Molly! The newsletter's name is Transformations! I'm throwing an honorable mention at Miz Becky. I'm using her "The Girl Across the Room (never envy her again, advice on being her)" for the advice column! She gets a $50 gift certificate! Congrats girls. And I promise, you'll get the newsletter soon. I worked really hard on it, made it beautiful, and the file is too big to email. I may have to make it less beautiful so I can get it to ya'll :( Congrats girls, and thanks to everyone for the creative names. It was a tough decision!

Monday 5 April 2010

Win $100 Gift Certificate

Ok people, I'm giving away $100 Bella Bucks (that's a gift certificate towards my services)! But I need your help! I'm in the process of creating my very first newsletter, and I'm very excited about it. But I want some input as to what I should name it. It's going to have articles, tips, a Q&A section, and of course a client section with before and afters.


So put on your thinking caps! I want to get the newsletter out by week's end, so contest ends on Thursday. Oh, and if you are out of town (too far for me to travel) and you win, no worries. We can do a partial consultation online!
To enter, just leave a comment with what you think I should name my blog. And if you want to receive the newsletter via email, leave your email address in comments section or email me at holly@ciaobellaimages.com. Let all of your blog buddies know so I have lots of ideas to choose from!

Good Luck!

Saturday 3 April 2010

You Were on the Cross

Yesterday, all I wanted to do was spend time praying, meditating and reflecting on the death of our Lord. Tall order for a mom of 3. Satan did everything in his power to make this not happen, and most of the day it worked. I had a really hard "mommy day." I found myself praying, "Lord, I just want to spend time with you!!!" And the truth is, spending time with my kids (even at their worst) IS spending time with HIM! So as my 3 year old was throwing fit after fit, and literally throwing her sippy cup at me while I was driving down the road, I "offered it up." I knew that I was going to have a little time with Him at the Good Friday service at church, where I could utilize the nursery. WRONG! No nursery. More offering it up. As I prayed last night, the Lord put this song on my heart. Even at my worst (which really isn't that bad) and I wonder where he is, he's there, on the cross.


Lost.
Everything is lost
And everything I’ve loved before is gone
Alone, like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart

Where were You when all that I’ve hoped for
Where were You when all that I’ve dreamed
Came crashing down in shambles around me?
You were on the cross

Pain.
Could You take away the pain
If I find someone to blame
Would it make my life seem easier
Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me

And where were You when sin stole my innocence
Where were You when I was ashamed
Hiding in a life I wish I’d never made?

You were on the cross
My God, my God All along, all along
You were on the cross You died for us
All along, all along
You were on the cross
Victorious
All along, all along

You were there in all my suffering
You were there in doubt and fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear
By: Matt Maher
CD: Alive Again