500 (and a Giveaway!)

Today is a day to celebrate...

The 500th post on Claire's Corner!!

I guess you could say a lot has changed since the first time I posted on my blog.

I love all the memories that were captured that I wouldn't have remembered as well if it hadn't been for my blog. Memories like...

- The time it looked like it was flooding in our backyard HERE

- When I made my first apple pie HERE

- When Mom got "stuck" in the States because of Eyjafjallajokull erupting HERE

- Tyler leaving his precious books in my care when he cleaned out his room for good HERE

- When Bapa brought me buttercups when I wasn't feeling good HERE

- When God answered prayers HERE and HERE and so many other times

- The silliness of internet issues HERE

- Being so tired after my 3rd year of high-school, but finishing HERE

- Dad-daughter dates like learning how to drive HERE or horseback riding in the mountains HERE

- Figuring out how to actually cook meals at home for a week HERE

- The feelings I had when I left home for college HERE

And this list could go on and on. Since 2007, this has been like one big scrapbook/journal/storybook. 

I'm thankful for this outlet to express and capture the joyful times and the hard times. It reminds me of God's faithfulness and His blessings as well. I don't regret any minute spent taking pictures or writing stories (or even posting recipes that worked!). I'm partly an internal processor, so seeing words in front of me, and having a motivation to keep writing, helps me understand the world and myself better. Mostly, I feel like I know and see the Lord more as I recognize stories of his goodness. 

To celebrate, I'm hosting a very special giveaway on Claire's Corner. Anybody and everybody can enter through the form below! You even have three possible ways to enter. It's open to friends, family, those who are near or far, or anyone who just happened to stumble upon my blog. 

What's included in the goodies package? A few of my favorite things to use or to make! Oh, you know...

- Some European chocolate (hand-carried from Czech!), 

- Your choice of an original art piece (pictured below),

- Tea,

- Gluten-free treats (the delicious ones!), 

... and possibly a few other little things, which will remain a surprise. :) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and care about all the little things. It means a lot to me that you connect even in this small way. Most of all, I have learned a lot through Claire's Corner, but I hope it has been encouraging to you too.

Here's to many more stories and memories! May I keep journeying with my eyes fixed on Christ until the day I'm finally with Him forever.

P.S. Disclaimer: If you live in Europe and win, you may get the package in July, since my parents will be back then and it'll be easier to mail from there.