Nordic Fox Give-Away

If you've been following me for half a minute on either my blog or IG, you'll notice that I talk A LOT about my Swedish family. My dad is 100% Swedish, and through the years we've had our Swedish family come and visit, as evidenced here,  (and some of my cousins have even lived with us), and we've filed through their quaint yellow and red homes in Sweden. I've always had a love affair with all things Swedish, because let's face it…Sweden, and it's people, are so stylish! Think IKEA and H&M {and I also just learned that Swedes invented both Skype and Spotify! Now go hug a Swede!!}

So needless to say, a few months ago I was perusing through a flea market in my home town, when I stumbled across the most adorable pop-up shop I ever laid eyes on. My Swedish roots could spot the Scandinavian designs from a mile away! That morning I met Heidi, an American-Norwegian, who told me about her shop called The Nordic Fox. I was smitten:)

YOU GUYS…it's seriously adorable. Knowing that many of you readers would be all over the creative and affordable items in her shop, I asked if she'd be willing to do a give-away! And you can thank your lucky stars she agreed!!

Today, i'm giving away a Nordic Spruce Soy Candle, and the Nordic Fox Rosemaling Print.

Let's start with this candle…first of all, i'm all into burning natural candles, and soy is a great choice! {No toxins being emitted into your air!} Secondly, the scent will literally make you think you are in a gorgeous grove of Spruce trees in Norway. {who knows, you may even run into Anna and Elsa! Ok…bad joke, I know, but i'm pretty sure Frozen takes place in Norway!}

Secondly, let's talk about the Rosemaling fox print. Oh my, my heart just melted a little. The perfect accent picture for your home, especially during Christmas!!

Here's what you need to do to win this dynamic duo:
1. Follow The Nordic Fox on IG @nordicfoxshop
2. Go to the Nordic Fox's online shop here, and then leave a comment below with your favorite item!
3. Follow Hope Engaged on IG, FB, and Bloglovin 
{If you don't have one of these social media outlets, don't let that stop you from entering! Follow what you can, and make sure to check out the Nordic Fox shop and leave a comment below!}

That's it! I can't wait for one of you lovely ladies to light this spruce candle and display the sweet little fox in your room! And even if you don't win, the Nordic fox is a great place to buy unique and adorable last minute Christmas gifts! I hope you have a lovely Wednesday!! I will be writing a paper all the live-long day, but once it is done, I'm DONE WITH MY SEMESTER!! On to 5 weeks vacation, hooray!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Monday Give-Away!! {and a fun way to DO GOOD}

Friends, I hope your weekend was relaxing! Mine was a mix of being a busy little Christmas elf {packing and mailing out calendars, working on my DIY tree stump coffee table, and tons of photo shoots!} and also being lazy and relaxed {watching my first Lifetime Christmas movie of the season, drinking tea, and having meals with friends!!} I'm ready to tackle this last week of school, and then be OFF FOR 5 WEEKS!! 'Tis the season:)

In honor of it almost being Christmas break for me, I'm having a whole week of awesome give-aways!! You won't want to miss it!! The give-away today is very near and dear to my heart.

This Fall, I have been absolutely smitten with a particular organization who is doing incredible work in Pakistan…Shining Light International. I know i've said this before, but the work they are doing is unprecedented in this region of Northern Pakistan. Pakistan has the 2nd highest rate of girls out of school, and SL is getting them INTO SCHOOL! Amazing!! SL is working with a nomadic people group called the Gujars and setting up remote tent schools for the children to attend, most of them for the first time in their lives! For years young girls were sold off as child brides at a young age, but now thanks to SL they are in school, breaking this cycle.

Shining Light has launched a project called LifeStitch. By connecting shops in developed nations with the unique products created at the LifeStitch Manufacturing center, women now have a much greater opportunity to support their families with extra income.

The scarf I am giving away today was hand-made by a woman in Pakistan working at the LifeStitch center. To see more of their products, click here. {it looks like most of their beautiful scares are sold-out right now, but they should be getting more in!} They also have these gorgeous kimonos that i'm loving here. 

What's even MORE amazing is that today I want to give you all the opportunity to host a house party filled with products made by the women at the LifeStitch center. Shining Light will send you all the items you need to host a fun, interactive party in the comfort of your own home! Don't just say you want to see "peace in the middle east", tangibly host a LifeStitch party and be a part of the empowerment process for these women!! To see how to host a LifeStitch party, click here. 

To enter the give-away: 

1. Follow Shining Light on IG {here} and FB {here}

2. Leave a comment below!! 

3. Follow Hope Engaged on IG {here} 

{If you don't have IG or FB, just leave a comment and you'll still be entered!}

So so easy!! If you win, you will receive this absolutely gorgeous fall-colored scarf that I am wearing below! Fall is finally hitting Southern California, so I am now legit because I have a leaf picture (like the rest of the world's been posting for ages, hahah! #i'mfinallyjoiningtheclub) 

Happy Monday!!

An Advent reflection

Oh friends, this time of year is pure bliss for me. I LOVE decorating, Christmas traditions, baking, scented candles, finding the perfect gift for others...and stilling my heart in preparation for the birth of our glorious Savior. Isn't He wonderful?

The last few days i've been reading the Christmas story in the morning, meditating on all the glorious events surrounding His birth. This story is not new to me. I grew up doing Advent devotions every night with my family, reading the beautifully illustrated and giant Christmas book my mom had. Every night all four of us kids would cozy up on the couch surrounding my mom, and listen to the events unfold. What is such a sacred mystery to me is how the story can bring forth such newness every year. Like the Lord has a treasure just for me enfolded into HIS story, that meets my weary heart right where I am at.

This year is no different. A few days ago I was reading from Luke 1:46-56, a portion entitled "Mary's Song". Mary's jubulent voice can be heard right after she is visited by an angel, learning of the precious life inside of her. I've read this passage many times, where she praises and glorifies the Lord for the opportunity to be a part of the ancient story of God.

But what struck me this year was very different.

In the second half of verse 51, Mary cries
"He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts"

and a few lines later says, "He has lifted up the humble"

It's the age old juxtaposition between the Proud heart and the Humble heart. And boy, was that convicting. Christmas ushers in a time to become right with the living God. Over and over in scripture we see God's pure hatred of pride. And over and over again, my heart can be overcome by this deadly sin. I hate it.

So this season, I was to be so mindful that Jesus came
HUMBLY into the world

to live a life characterized by
HUMILITY

and to die a
HUMBLE DEATH

for me.

May we take a moment (or a LONG time) this season, to humbly come before the Lord and wash away our pride. To bring us to the place where we can see the Christmas story with SUCH JOY and utter ANTICIPATION because the remedy to our pride IS COMING. HE IS COMING.

May it bring us to our knees in absolute awe and wonder, because we know with utter desperation that there is nothing else like HIM.

Jesus.

sweet, sweet Jesus.

So on my knees, I glorify and praise Him. Like Mary, like Elizabeth and Zachariah, like the Shepherds, and like Joseph.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest"

Amen!

Happy weekend sweet friends!