Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

I know I have mentioned this before but I am not a morning person.  I prefer the night.  Maybe that's why I love vampire stories, I get the being awake in the dark.  However saying all this it's much harder to stay up later since having kids.  I am often struggling to stay up to watch some of my favourite shows because I've been busy throughout the day.  I like the night because it's quiet.  There is no whining, no yelling, no grabbing, and no messes.  It's quiet and serene.  I know it doesn't sound very motherly, but sometimes it's just nice to soak in the peace.  

However, I have now discovered a new time that is quiet and peaceful and uninterrupted for at least 1 hour and it's dark.  It's 6 am.  Sometimes I miss it because my bed is so warm and comfy and cozy and I stayed up way too late the night before.  I never really knew this time.  I was introduced to this time of peace through Hellomornings last year.  I participated early last year.  It was actually easier than I thought for the first bit.  I found that I got my study work done and had time with God alone.  I was able to watch the sunrise over the prairies from my favourite chair, that was until the kids figured out my plan and then I hid in my old laundry/craft room.  The door closed and locked.  

After our move it was hard to get back into the routine.  I was sporadic in my Hellomornings, but I did finish.  In the fall I decided to go gung ho and try to lead a group.  I ended up bombing out.  I struggled, not just with getting up but with personal issues.  I think I also tried to take on too much, as I was involved in Good Morning Girls.  I certainly struggled.  I decided this January not to do Hellomornings, but just keep going with my Good Morning Girls group, whom I have grown to love and depend on.  We have been through a lot together and bonded even though we barely know each other.  

I try to wake up at 6 am.  I go to the kitchen and I make my coffee. I sit at my desk in the kitchen and pull out my bible and notebook.  Turn on my lap top and then log into YouVersion.  I do my study.  Make another cup of coffee.  Pray.  Read a bit.  Sometimes I pin.  Sometimes I make the kids a special breakfast or fold some laundry.  I have found now that if I don't do my study at this time, that it won't get done during the day, even if I try to make time for it.  I still get to see the sunrise.  Sometimes I see amazing sunrises that look like a tunnel of light.  Sometimes I just sit and hug my mug.  

As the title of this blog states, mornings are peaceful, not beautiful.  There are some beautiful things about them that I have come to appreciate.  However, I'm not beautiful at that time.  I'm a little scary. Here's the proof (WARNING:  The following picture may scare and invoke nightmares in small children and bloggers)

The only thing beautiful at 6 am is my coffee mug.  Isn't it pretty with it's pink mug cover.  It even has a lid so I don't spill anything. 

So now I'm going to challenge you and do my first giveaway.  I have a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to giveaway to one lucky person.  If you post a picture of yourself at 6 am and comment and link it up then you will get 5 entries. For random links, you get 3 entries.  For commenting, you get only 1 entry.  I will randomly choose a winner based on the entries (the old fashioned way via the names in a hat).  Your chances of getting the gift card increase for being brave enough to share your "morning beautiful"  I can't wait to see everyone.  This giveaway is open until Sunday, February 26 at 11:59 PM.  And I will post the name of the winner on Monday, February 27.  Good luck!

Come and join the fun no matter what!