<h2 ><span >Welcome To My blog!</span></h2>
I am thrilled that you are here!  I have anticipated this day for weeks now and as I type, I have butterflies in my stomach.  You know how you feel the days leading up to Thanksgiving or Christmas as you prepare to receive family and friends into your home?  There is much time and emotion spent preparing but the anticipation of the visits and fellowship brings such delight.  That describes my feelings leading up to the launch of my blog.  I would like to introduce myself to you.

I am a follower of Christ.  I know what I am capable of apart from Him and I am keenly aware of what He will do if I yield myself to Him and allow Him to change and mold me.  He has used all of my mistakes and the schemes of the enemy, and in only the way He can, used them for His glory.  He is a God of grace, second chances, adventure and peace.  I love Him with all that I am.  There will be days that the focus of my blog posts will be on Him alone and the value of intimacy in our relationship with Him.

<img title=”Brian and Candy” src=”https://candygibbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Gibbs_045-300×200.jpg” alt=”Candy Gibbs, Pearls, Chosen, Purity Curriculum, parenting, parents, parenthood, parenting resources, positive parenting, raising children, help for parents, parent help, teenagers, how to parent a teenager, how to parent, parents of teenagers, purity, mentoring, mentor, mentors, mentor programs, mentoring programs” width=”300″ height=”200″ />

I am a wife to a wonderful man, Brian.  We have been married for 15 years and the Father could not have found a more perfect journey partner for me.  Brian is a godly leader of our family.  He is patient, strong, wise and discerning.  He is my best friend.  Brian is a father who is involved and connected with our children.  You will hear from him periodically on the blog.  You dads won’t want to miss that!

I am a mother to 3 incredible children; Tanner, Jake and Madison.  My oldest son, Tanner has a beautiful wife, Whitney.  They are the parents of my first g-boy (grandson), Bracen.  The most fulfilling joy of my life is being a mom.  I have learned so much about our God and myself through the eyes of these.  I look forward to sharing our lessons; some victories and some failures with you.  Many of the posts will be about being a mother and building strong relationships with our children.

I love kids!!  I have been privileged to work with teens and preteens for over a decade.  They are so full of life and hope.  I love being with them and seeing their eyes light up as they understand truths of His power and His Word.  Many of the posts will share information and ideas for raising teens who are influencers and who live righteous lives.  Our young people are capable of having an impact on their peers and changing their world.  Let’s expect big things from them and trust His Spirit in them to bring it to pass.

I think that covers it!  I am excited to begin this journey with you!  I would love for this to begin a dialog.  Please give me your feedback using the comment section.  Your thoughts and ideas will influence the post going forward and will serve as encouragement for others reading the post.  I hope you will take time to read through the entire site as well.

In honor of my Blog’s “open house” I will be giving away 5 different life changing books each day this week.  They are:
<ul>
<li>Feasts of Faith by Dr. Carl &amp; Dallas Paetzold</li>
<li>Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr Meg Meeker</li>
<li>Wild At Heart by John Eldridge</li>
<li>Every Young Man’s Battle by Steven Arteburn</li>
<li>Every Young Woman’s Battle by Steven Arteburn</li>
</ul>
All you need to do is follow the instructions below.

<a id=”rc-235e720″ href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235e720/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src=”//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js”></script>
<h3>“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.  I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.” Psalm 116:12-14</h3>
Again, thanks for stopping by.  I look forward to getting to know you and walk this journey of life together!

With much anticipation and tenderness,

Candy