saturday spotlight: blood:water mission

I think I first heard about Blood:Water Mission through Relevant magazine. I knew their goal was to provide clean water for those in Africa but that was the extent of my knowledge. But then I looked at their website and watched a video from the founder and oh my gosh, I could feel myself filling with the same hope they provide through clean water. The original goal was to give 1000 communities clean water. They said 1000 because they knew it would be all God's doing when they reached that number. And they have. It's been seven years since they first started and it's amazing what they've accomplished! They're giving hope and that's something we all need.

saturday spotlight: reject apathy

Relevant is one of my favorite magazines. And it's from Relevant that Reject Apathy came to be. "At RELEVANT, we’ve recognized the movement of a generation restless to change the world. A generation anxious to use the abundance God has blessed them with to be a blessing to others. RejectApathy.com was borne out of that desire—a desire to live out true compassion and to embrace justice the right way. Reject Apathy is a voice for the movement—a place where like-minded world-changers can connect, dialogue and challenge one another as we work to affect change locally and globally" (source).

I'm not super familiar with the site but there's all kinds of resources and links. You can also look at the current magazine issue of Reject Apathy.

saturday spotlight: mocha club

Mocha Club is a fabulous way to help others simply by paying what you'd pay for 2-3 coffees, frappuccinos, mochas (or whatever your preferred coffee-based drink might be) a month. $7 a month goes to help those in Africa through providing clean water, healthcare, care for orphans as well as a few other areas. I first heard about this great cause at a concert. I'm not a member yet but am excited at what they're doing! 

saturday spotlight: ny dream center

This month I'm talking about missions and today's spotlight is the organization I worked with on the missions trip I returned from earlier this week. I went with a handful of people from my church to partner with the New York Dream Center. I'm amazed at how much they do! Every day they're out in the city, showing God's love. This video is just a small glimpse into what they do. Matthew Barnett and his wife started the NY Dream Center but are the pastors of Angelus Temple and run the L.A. Dream Center. The Dream Center's mission is to live life and live love. Matthew and Caroline Barnett have such a heart for helping others. It inspires me and I'm excited to have had the opportunity to take part in their vision by going to the L.A. Dream Center a few years ago and then this recent trip to New York. 

saturday spotlight: books

Since this was a week of reviews, I thought it fitting for today's Saturday Spotlight to reflect that. Here are a few of the bookish blogs I follow. This isn't a complete list but a handful from me glancing through my Google Reader subscriptions:

Interviews & Reviews

A Few More Pages

The Barn Door Book Loft

Bluerose's Heart

Blogful of Books

Christian Bookshelf Reviews

Reviews by Jane

The Parchment Girl

That's What I'm Here For

Reviews from the Heart

Heavenward Reviews

Reading Teen

saturday spotlight: alissa with "rags to stitches"

Alissa has a super cute blog. She posts about everything from fashion to diy to everyday-ness. She also has a fabulous store where you can find these:

laptop snuggie

bow clutch

Go take a look and see for yourself how great Rags to Stitches is!

saturday spotlight: kimmie with "sugar and dots"

It took me seeing this on Pinterest to know I was going to like Sugar and Dots:

It's a mustache theme baby shower and absolutely adorable! And then I read her disclaimer and liked her even more:

She has lots of great ideas and link-ups at her blog! Go see for yourself!

saturday spotlight: kristanlynn with "adelynSTONE"

I just discovered KristanLynn's blog and am very excited about it! Allow me to show you why:

fancy up your jar lids!

cake batter bites

mud scrub

She has tons of great stuff at her blog! All kinds of diy projects and recipes. So much amazing-ness! Take a look at KristanLynn's blog and see for yourself!

saturday spotlight: christie with "a lemon squeezy home"

Christie has some fabulous stuff going on at her blog! I was looking at her different tutorials and am very excited to be able to try these for myself! Go take a look for yourself - she has some great stuff to make for small kids as well! Here are three that grabbed my attention:

turning a jacket into a purse

make a wetbag 

 ruffle vase - this is my favorite!

saturday spotlight: christi with "love from the oven"

I found Christi's blog through Pinterest and she has some great recipes! I went looking through her archive and oh my, I found lots of chocolate and am very excited about that! Head over to Love From the Oven and see for yourself! 

1. oreo truffle stuffed cupcakes w/ cookies & cream frosting

2. peanut butter ball chocolate cupcakes w/ peanut butter buttercream

3. baby bundt cakes

4. caramel & chocolate chip brownies w/ pretzel crust

saturday spotlight: jamie with "my baking addiction"

I don't remember how I came upon Jamie's blog but I'm sooo glad I did! She has won me over with her great recipes and though I've yet to try any, they look pretty awesome! See for yourself:

1. peanut butter cup cupcakes

2. s'more brownie bars

3. pumpkin tiramisu

4. vanilla bean cupcakes

saturday spotlight: mallory with "purplest pelican"

I found Mallory's blog through Mel at The Crafty Scientist, where she was featured as a guest blogger. I'm been looking at some of her projects and am super impressed. Here's what I mean:

this awesome wallet

cinnamon roll pancakes

super cool coasters

baked chicken cheese filled rolls

Do you believe me now? Head over to Purplest Pelican and see for yourself what yummy and crafty stuff she has going on!

saturday spotlight: rebecca with "the crafted sparrow"

I found Rebecca's blog through another blog and this recent post on felt flowers made me immediately sign up for her updates! I have every intention of making a whole bunch of each of these different flowers! Head over to her blog and get inspired by all the great stuff she has going on!

saturday spotlight: sierra with "blue robin cottage"

I'm keeping this spotlight simple by showing you a huge reason why you should visit Sierra's blog. This amazing tote right here:

This was in her recent post and I got very excited when I saw it! I'm thinking of making this in a bigger version because I like my purse/bag to be wider as opposed to taller. Either way, I love this idea!

saturday spotlight: amy with "mod podge rocks!"

Jen has some fabulous things on her site! I haven't ever tried Mod Podge but Jen has inspired me to give it a go! She has her blog super organized - seasonal projects, home decor, fashion and other awesome ideas! Head over to her blog and see what great projects she has!

scrap fabric clipboard

binder clips with maps

scrappy suitcases

saturday spotlight: kristyn with "lil luna"

I found Kristyn's blog through Todays Creative Blog (my usual source of finding new blogs) and had to immediately subscribe via email! She has some amazing ideas! Here's just a few:

Punched Accordions

Snicker Doodle Bread

Vintage Window

I LOVE this window! Kristyn does a little bit of everything - recipes, diy ideas and lots of printables to help with diy inspiration! I'm excited about trying some of her ideas. Take a look at her blog and find something amazing too!

saturday spotlight: jeff with "goins, writer"

I found Jeff's blog at some point last year but didn't subscribe until this week. Somehow I re-found his blog and had a "Oh!" moment when I remembered coming across his blog once before. Just for subscribing to his posts you get a free e-book, The Writer's Manifesto! He's has lots of great advice for writers as well as resources to help you on your writing journey. You can also take a free course he offers to become a better blogger.

saturday spotlight: courtney with "pizzazzerie"

I found out about Courtney's blog from another blog I follow, Today's Creative Blog. This picture is what got my attention:

Aren't they just amazing?

Plus these gorgeous party trays! So. cool.

Head over to Pizzazzerie and see the awesome stuff Courtney has going on!

saturday spotlight: jen with "tatertots and jello"

Jen has a fantastic blog! I love her ideas - they're super cute! She has lots of tutorials, craft ideas, holiday ideas and she features different guest bloggers. Just look at some of her projects!

covered button project

geometric pillow tutorial

a spring printable

saturday spotlight: brook with "being brook"

I've just recently discovered Brook's blog but I am very impressed! She has some great ideas. For example, her Valentine Wreath:

Or this lamp she re-vamped. How cool does that look?!

Head over to Being Brook and take a look at her amazing ideas! She also has sewing projects, furniture makeovers and organizing ideas. Find something you like and create your own awesome (her slogan is "create awesome" and I love that!)!