I used to think greeting cards were a scam.  How could an overpriced piece of paper with a picture on the front really make a difference?  While I always appreciated a nice card given to me by a loved one (especially when it contained cash), I questioned why I would spend money on a card that would most likely end up in the recycling bin.  Plus, back then, I was in college, so I usually didn’t have money for what I deemed non-essentials anyway.

During the spring semester of my junior year of college, I was hospitalized twice in the span of a month for 17 days (whole story).  It was the scariest time of my life.  At night, when all the visitors left and the halls of the hospital wing grew silent, I would read my cards over and over again.  Many of these cards were from friends at church so they contained Bible verses that encouraged me.  One morning, a nurse woke me up to find cards scattered all around my bed.  She smiled at the mass of paper as she gave me my morning pills.

“You’ve got a lot of caring friends,” she said as she piled the cards onto my bedside table.

I nodded as I swallowed my pill.  Of course, I received cards from people I didn’t even know, who wanted to reach out to tel me they were praying for me.  These cards were like little paper hugs from far and wide.  To this day, I treasure those cards.  Encouragement truly is a powerful thing.

Now I try to send cards all the time and whenever I find a cute card, I add it to my stockpile.  I’ve come to think of myself as sort of a card connoisseur.  I am one of *those* people who will clog up the card aisle until I find the “right” card.  But buying cards can be expensive, so I tried making my own cards, which proved to be more difficult than I imagined.

Therefore, I was thrilled to receive the Sassy & Sophisticated card pack from DaySpring to review.  Not only will these cards be a wonderful addition to my arsenal of paper encouragement, but DaySpring has convinced me that their product is one of the best (and more affordable) available.   My Sassy &  Sophisticated pack features cards that are geared towards women and includes four birthday cards, two encouragement cards, two “praying for you” cards, and two friendship cards (perfect for women’s Bible studies and and gal pals alike!)

Here’s a picture of my favorite card (and I don’t just like it because it features three of my favorite things—a tree, a girl writing, and the color green.)  It reads, “In hard times she had learned three things—she was stronger than she ever imagined, Jesus was closer than she ever realized, and she was loved more than she ever knew.”  On the inside the card simply says, “Praying for you,” and includes the verse Philemon 1:4 (NIV): “I remember you in my prayers.”  There is plenty of space for a personal message, but not so much that a long message is necessary if you’re a person of few words.

As I thought about who to send this card to, I realized I need this card, so I’m going to frame it and put it on my desk because I am stronger than I imagine.  Jesus is closer than I realize.  And I am loved more than I ever know

I am so impressed with DaySpring cards, that I signed up for their Heart Connection Club, which means every month I can receive a packet of 10 of DaySpring’s bestselling cards for only $12.99 (plus $3 shipping for U.S. orders).  It’s free to sign up, I can skip a month if I’m low on funds or have too many cards, and if I don’t like the set of cards offered, I can swap ‘em out for a set I prefer.  Right now, there’s a great offer to receive a FREE set of cards and along with a card organizer.

You might want to check out the cards and other the great deals awaiting you at  DaySpring’s Online Store or to get some ideas on how to spend that $35 gift card I’m giving away.

What?!?!  A giveaway!?

That’s right!  A GIVEAWAY!!!  All you have to do is fill out the form below to enter to win a $35 gift code to DaySpring’s Online Store. (The code will be sent via email to the confirmed winner.) This code must be used by July 31, 2011 and cannot be used to pay for shipping (but if you spend $50 or more, you get free shipping!) If DaySpring ships to you, then you can enter!

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE FORM.

Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM (EST) on July 1.  The winner will be notified by email and announced via Twitter, Facebook, and on this blog post once he or she is confirmed.

Congrats to our winner, Tammie!!!

 

*My Dearest FTC, I was provided with the Sassy & Sophisticated card pack from DaySpring  for review.  My opinions on this awesome product are my own.  In fact, no one even told me I had to use the word “awesome” in this disclaimer, but I did anyway.  Love, Amy*

Comments won’t get you any extra entries into this giveaway, but they sure do make me happy.  So, let’s hear it, how have you been encouraged by a greeting card?  How is encouragement a power thing?