I have been so encouraged by the relationships I’ve built, the lives that have been touched and the joy that’s been shared in this little corner of the web.
My path to blogging wasn’t as bright and shiny as you might think. Instead, it was during a difficult period in my life that I looked to God for comfort, hope and direction. The answer came in the form of this online space. A space to encourage women to shine for Christ in spite of life’s challenges.
The thing about having a blog called sunSPARKLEshine is that you might expect it to be sparkly all the time. Friends, it would have been nice but the truth is, I live in the real world. You too, right?
I don’t pretend to be cheery and bright all the time, and I don’t want to give that impression. I have my challenges like anyone else. And if you talk to my family, they’ll tell you that I also have my moods. Sigh…I am certainly a work in progress.
I really do try to shine but sometimes I stray from the light. But I am learning, almost on a daily basis, that God is enough.
And because God is enough, His light is able to shine through my darkness.
Tweet ThisThis past year has certainly demonstrated God’s faithfulness. He has continued to shine on and through me so that His light is shared with others.
I plan to continue sharing with you the hope that I am finding in Christ. My prayer is that everyone who comes here will be pointed back to the One True Light. And that together we might sparkle for Christ.
You Were Made to Sparkle
Speaking of sparkling for Christ, shortly after I started this blog, I created the Sparkle Event for Women. The theme for the very first Sparkle event was ‘You Were Made to Sparkle’. It’s as if God has been lighting a fire under me all this time, because that theme and those words have stayed on my heart.
Now, I’m happy to share another link in the Sparkle chain. My very first e-book, called…drum roll, please…‘You Were Made to Sparkle’. This is my blogiversary gift to you!
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‘You Were Made to Sparkle’ builds on the momentum from the initial Sparkle event and further encourages women to shine for Christ.
In the book, you will find three (3) core truths that are based on God’s Word. These truths are at the heart of it all. In addition, I’m sharing (7) tips on how to create a life that shines. And because we know that life has a way of sneaking up on us and dulling our glow, there’s also a chapter on how to avoid that.
I want to issue a word of caution here. If your goal is to shine just to draw attention to yourself, it won’t work. On our own, we might shine for a time, but our light will not last. It is only when we’re plugged into the true power source that our light will illuminate so fully that others will be drawn to it. God gets the glory when we’re able to spread the shine and point others to Christ.
Get your copy of You Were Made to Sparkle, free for a limited time.
Spread the Shine
As I celebrate, my first blogiversary, I’d also like to share with you a tangible reminder to shine for Christ. I’m giving away a set of four bracelets with motivational messages to one reader. (US, PR, and VI residents only.)
The idea is that the winner will keep one bracelet and gift the others to three friends. After all, when God puts His light in us, He expects us to spread the shine!
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For a chance to win, simply sign up for the You Were Made to Sparkle e-book during the blogiversary promotional period. You will be automatically entered to win and will also be added to my blog subscribers list. If you’re already a sunSPARKLEshine friend, you’re eligible as well.
The giveaway ends on Monday 4th July, just in time for more sparkles and fireworks! 🙂
In the meantime, continue to spread the shine!
Wishing you blessings and a whole lot of sparkle,Â
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Congratulations Marva on your 1 year anniversary! I just came upon your blog now and it is beautiful! I love the sparkle phrase, your ebook cover is lovely! I create scripture inspired jewelry and refer to it as “bling with heart” and “shine on for Jesus!” I’m in the way beginning stages of about to start blogging LOL. So praying a lot!
God bless you and may the Lord continue to sparkle through you as He clearly is in Jesus Name amen! Look forward to reading more! ~ Sybella
Marva, congratulations on your anniversary of blogging! I LOVE your ebook title and cover. So good. Will download, pin and tweet to get the word out.
Congrats!! You have a lovely blog.
Blessings,
Deborah
Thank you, Deborah. That’s very kind of you. You’re always welcome here!
Congratulations on one year! You are truly making the internet a more sparkling place sharing the light of Jesus. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends, For your blogiversary, I have chosen you to be the featured friend! I’ll see you there!
Oh, how very sweet of you, Jaime. I’d be honoured to be your special guest at Sitting Among Friends. I always enjoy visiting with you and basking in the bright light that you shine. Keep shining for Him, my friend!
Happy Bloggiversary. Love your new site.
Thanks, Debbie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. You’re always welcome here, my friend!
Congrats on your 1 year bloggiversary Marva! Way to hang in there and keep sharing the truths of God’s word. Everyone has a unique story to tell… I’m glad you are sharing yours! May God continue to bless you as you seek to glorify Him. I wish you much success with the eBook as well. Blessings to you and yours my friend!
Thank you so much, Horace. I’m grateful to have ‘met’ you, followed your story and be amazed by how God is using you. You are such a bright light in the online world and I encourage you to keep shining for Christ. Your story is so worth telling!
Blessings to you, my friend.
So excited to celebrate your 1 year bloggiversary with you. Looking forward to reading your e-book.
Thanks so much, Sarah. I’m super excited too! So glad to have connected with you this year.
Happy Anniversary! Blessings to you!
Thank you, Michele, I’m so happy to have met you along the way!
Hugs and blessings!
Congratulations friend. Always so exciting.
I always love when you stop by, Michelle. Thanks so much for the warm wishes. I loved the opportunity to guest post on your site recently. You really blew me away with how well you promoted the post and how encouraging you were. I’m so glad that I get to learn from you!
Hugs!
Happy Blog Anniversary Marva!
I am happy you had a wonderful journey so far. I m praying you have more grace for your next years.
Blessings to you
Ooohh…I could definitely use more grace, Ifeoma. Thank you for that prayer :-).
So glad that we connected!
Congratulations! You are a beautiful light for Christ in this world. So glad you linked up your anniversary post at The Loft this week!!
Thank you kindly, Leah. I especially love the potluck days at The Loft and I always enjoy the comraderie there. Plus, I just love what you’ve been doing with the Tasting Grace Ministry and how you’ve been sharing God’s love with so many women.
Let’s keep spreading the shine, my friend!
Congrats on your blogiversary! Sometimes we find comfort in strange places where we wouldn’t think to look! 🙂
Thanks for celebrating with me, Katie. I’m looking forward to another year to #spreadtheshine! 🙂
Congratulations , Marva! You truly do sparkle! I love the new e-book!
Hugs,
Lori
Hey Lori! I feel so privileged to have actually met you in person and deepen our connection as sisters in Christ. What a blessing to shine Christ’s love with you. Your kind, loving and gentle ways continue to inspire me!
Looking forward to celebrating another bright year with you!
Thank you, Marva! I feel the same about you! It was such a God designed appointment to align our paths that way! I pray He has another one set up in the near future!
Hugs, my friend!!!
Happy one year, Marva! What a beautiful sentiment that you’ve spread throughout the year. I don’t know about you, but you always seem to sparkle and shine in my book. Wishing you an even better journey with your blog this year! Thanks for joining us on #shinebloghop
Aww…thank you, Maria. That’s very sweet of you to say. I really enjoy the #shinebloghop and hanging out with you ladies. I can’t wait to see what exciting things will be ahead for all of us in the coming year.
Hugs!
I am so excited about this! I can’t wait to pour over your book – It promises to be delightful! 🙂 And a great big congrats! 1 year is definitely something to celebrate! And I’m so excited I’ve gotten to know you during that year. <3 here's to many more!
Getting connected with you has certainly been one of the highlights of my year, Stefani. You’ve been such an encouragement to my soul.
Thanks for the blogiversary wishes. Here’s to another amazing year to shine! 🙂
Congratulations Marva!!! It’s been one shiny year for you!!!
And I don’t care what you say! You are always sparkly when I see you. I’ve never seen you down.
Continue to shine. We are God’s creation and he doesn’t make dull.
Love you!!!
Of course, Keiyia, it’s hard not to be sparkly around you. You shine ALL the time!
I’m so happy you took the plunge into this blogging world too! Looking forward to the many ways you’ll continue to shine God’s message far and wide. Hugs and loads of love!
#madetosparkle #spreadtheshine
Congratulations on one year of blogging! Your writing, and this blog, is such an encouragement and blessing to me. I love the Made to Sparkle book, Marva. Well done!
Thank you so much, Dawn! It was after I read your book ‘Look to Jesus’ that I was inspired to publish my writing. And I’m grateful that I continue to learn from you. Thanks for being such a great inspiration!
Congratulations on your bloggiversary!!! Your site is so bright and cheerful. You definitely do inspire as you shine for Christ. I clicked on the link for the ebook, but it didn’t seem to work. I did sign up for your blog posts. 🙂 May God bless you as you continue to serve Him!
Thanks so much, Gayl. It’s definitely Christ that’s doing the shining. 🙂
I’m sorry that you didn’t get the link to work, I’ll have to look into that. I will try to send it to you separately. Hugs and sparkles!
Congratulations on your Blogiversary! Love the idea of sparkling! Thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome, Jerralea. I’d love to keep sharing God’s love in this space as long as He lets me. More shine coming your way! 🙂
Marva,
Congrats on your first year of blogging, your book, and your new site 🙂 Keep shining for God 🙂
Thank you, Dolly. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your sparkle with us. Wishing you a day that sparkles! 🙂
Marva,
Congrats on your first year of blogging and your book! Your site looks wonderful.
Thank you so much, Dolly! Let’s continue to #spreadtheshine of God’s love together!
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much after reading your post! Love all your graphics! (I’ve played enough with my camera and props to know they are sometimes hard to come by!) You’re enthusiasm shows and God is lighting your path girl! Congratulations on one year! Of course I will sign up! Blessings on you Marva!
You made me smile, Heather! Thanks for being so kind and supportive. You shine God’s love with such sweet encouragement. I hope you enjoy the ebook! Let’s shine for Christ!
By the way, I was lucky to find some of the images on #femininestock that fit perfectly with my theme, so be sure to check them out.
Hugs and blessings!
How exciting! Happy one year of blogging! Your book looks inviting and amazing! You are such a blessing to so many. I’m so glad God has crossed our paths in the blogging world! May God continue to bless your journey as you pour out sparkles! Love you!
I’m so glad we connected too, Valerie. God knows we need each other in order to shine for Him. We surely can’t do it on our own and I’m glad we get to sparkle together!
Congratulations on one year, Marva! Woohoo!
I found your post today on Sitting Among Friends.
I signed up for the free ebook. Can’t wait to read it!
I’m blessed by you~
Thank you, Melanie. I’m so blessed to have met and connected with you. You sure do make blogging lots of fun and you make me feel like I can move mountains — especially on Pinterest. lol 🙂
Thank you for being the queen of encouragement! Hugs.
Woohoo!!!
So exciting!! Congrats on 1 year. The giveaway looks soo good. Those braclets are pretty. Also very excited to get my hands on your free ebook.
I’m glad you like the giveaway, Stacey and I truly hope you enjoy the ebook. Thanks for the good wishes!
Hugs and sparkles!
Congratulations, Marv! I’m so proud of you. I love the e-book, and I’m so grateful to God for all that He is doing in and through your life. I just know that you will be a ‘crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord’ as you continue to seek Him more and more. Love you, lots!
Thanks, Carlie, I’m so grateful for your support. And I love that I get to enjoy this blogging journey with you. God is amazing that way, isn’t he? Hugs to you, my sister!
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary in blogging! May the Lord give you many more years of touching other hearts through your blogging journey!
Thank you so much, Lillian. I’m grateful to have kind and supportive friends like you that make blogging so enjoyable (and addictive). Plus I always admire your dedication and hard work — what an encouragement you are to me. Here’s to one more year. 🙂