Happy Birthday to Me!
Hey Friends!
I woke up this morning with such a full heart! Last night’s Video Premiere for “He Loves Me” was such a blessing. I loved seeing many treasured friends and sharing God’s goodness with them! A friend took lots of pics, so I’ll be sure to share them soon. (You can view a few on Day of Discovery’s FB site here)
And then to think today is my birthday too! Wow! My mouth hurts from smiling from the abundant joy I am feeling. Woo Hoo!
In honor of my birthday, my new website, and the premiere of “He Loves Me” this week ~ it’s time to celebrate! I want to share gifts with you all, my dear friends! And since this is my 42nd birthday, how about 42 gifts?! Yippee!!
But first, given all of the new friends visiting for the first time, I thought it’d only be proper if I introduce myself once again to you!
My name is Cindy and I’m so glad you are here! 🙂
You may be wondering, how did I come up with the title, *She Sparkles*?
Many years ago, my friend Shauna Niequist shared if she had to describe me in one word it would be “*sparkling*” (I thought to myself..”hmmm…sparkling ~ I like it!”).
Years later, when I came across Zechariah 9:16…
The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of His people. They will *sparkle* in His land like jewels in a crown…..
….my creative wheels starting turning ~ and *She Sparkles* was born!
(And trust me ~ after many, many years of rebellious, sinful, defeated living ~ I now count it a huge privilege and honor to *Sparkle* for Him!)
My hope is that *She Sparkles* is a joy-filled place to talk about faith, family fun, marriage, parenting within our personality, prayer, and even finding hope in the midst of great tragedy.
I’ve been very honest with my life long weight struggle, and my desire to live Fat Talk Free. 
My husband, John, is a controller for a local country club. He is handsome, hard working, loyal, an amazing dad, and enjoys doing laundry (a rare gift, I realize!).
We have been married almost 12 years!
John and I are blessed to have 4 great kids ~ ages 8, 9, 10, and 17. Trust me, there is never a dull moment at our house! 
Last fall I stepped out of my comfort zone BIG TIME when I was asked to film my testimony for the Day of Discovery television show. Yikes!! 
It’s amazing to see how God is using this story (now known as “He Loves Me“) for His Kingdom purposes. This Mother’s Day is the official air date, or starting May 11, you can watch it here. Only God!
I also filmed my first Bible study (based on the Lukewarm Church) in ancient Laodicea in March. Although getting there was not without challenges, God is faithful!
Look for the video driven Bible study “Red Hot Faith” in 2013.
After the amazing transformation God has done in my life, I just LOVE sharing about Him! If you live in West Michigan, you can see my speaking schedule here. I’d love to meet you!!
Mostly, I hope any time you visit *She Sparkles*, you will leave you feeling joy-filled, encouraged, ready to have a party & celebrate, and pointed to Truth!
(And, if you’re ever feeling stuck or defeated, feel free to shoot me a quick note. Just ask my friends, I love to give little pep talks filled with Truth and hope!)
Now for the giveaway! In honor of my 42nd birthday, I want to share 42 copies of the DVD “He Loves Me”!
To Win my birthday Giveaway: Leave a comment in the comment section answering this question:
Why would you like to win??
Extra Entries:
• Follow me on my new Facebook page (here)
• Share this giveaway on FB (including a link to this post)
• Tweet about this giveaway (including a link to this post)
Please be sure to leave me a comment to let me know your extra entries.
RULES: Starts today, Wednesday, May 9th and ends Sunday, May 13that 9 PM. Winner will be posted on my new website during the week of May 14th.
If your email address is not connected to your ID, please leave your email address with your comment or email it to me at cindy.bultema@gmail.com with the subject “Giveaway”.
Thank you so much for stopping by *She Sparkles* ! I hope to see more of you!
I’d love if you’d leave a quick comment and introduce yourself to me. Please feel free to leave your address so I can come visit your lovely blog too!
God’s richest blessings to you~
P.S. A huge THANK YOU to RBC Ministries for their generosity donating DVD’s to make my birthday giveaway possible!
I’ve loved seeing the little ‘sneak peeks’ and would love to win a copy to watch in its entirety. Then, I’d pass it along to a friend and hope it would continue to be passed on so other women (and men) can hear about how God can take anything and use it for His glory. 🙂
I also posted it to my FB wall. 🙂
And when I tried to post this comment, I got a message saying, “You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down”. 🙂
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have been reading your blog (and LOVE it) for a long time now and have never had the privilege of reading one of your books….
BTW, Happy Birthday!!!
Cindy, I love to win your “He Loves Me” DVD. I would give it to my daughter. She lives out of town and has not been able to hear you speak. Happy Birthday and may God richly bless you!!!!
Hi Cindy, you really do seem to sparkle!
I would love a chance to win your DVD because I am interested in hearing your message!
Congratulations on all your success and Happy Birthday!!!
Cindy, I shared your link on Facebook. We both win! I may win the DVD and you may win more followers for Jesus.
Amen, Beth, Amen!
Miss you my MM sister!
Love CIndy 🙂
Happy Birthday Cindy. You’re so sweet to celebrate it with us in such a fun way. I would like to win because:
#1 – I’ve been following your blog for a while now and enjoy your post so much.
#2 – Because I was so moved by your testimony.
#3 – Because we I could always use a reminder of how miraculous his grace is and how nothing is hopeless with him.
#4 – And probably most important I have some family members I want to share this with. I have a feeling that it could be a game changer in their lives.
Thanks again. Hugs…Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute
I’m already a fb follower!
I just tweeted here:https://twitter.com/#!/tracysuz/status/200236423826255872
I would love to win a copy of “She Sparkles” because to make it through the next year here in Egypt (rather difficult since the revolution 1 1/2 years ago) I need constant reminders to “Sparkle”. Feeling anything but sparkly presently. That leaves me with the choice of either bringing back a video for me (and to share with others), or bringing you with me! Either one is OK by me, but John and the fam may not like the second option too much! (although, they can come too! Anybody up for another trip to Egypt?)
Oops! Forgot, I am following you on FB, and shared this page on FB with the link for others to find you! 🙂
Yes, Wendy – another trip to Egypt sounds great! Let’s start praying John feels the same way. Miss you, my friend!
I shared on fb here:
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/tracysuzanned/posts/226118440835631
I would like to win a copy of Cindy’s testimony to share with family and friends! I can think of no better way than through her DVD with Day of Discovery! Thank you, Cindy, for being willing to share this important message;-)
Happy birthday, Cindy! Forty-second birthday, huh? You are in the prime of life! I’ll be turning 60 in a month, and overall, I still feel like I’m in my prime–just getting a little more aged, like a good steak!
This is so generous of you to give away your DVD. I would love to win because I’m the Women’s Ministry Director of a small church in western Oregon. I have a fantastic group of women who love each other and love the Lord. My ministry budget is limited, but I want to bring them the best. I know I could use your DVD to expose the women to the truth that you’re sharing in it.
So pick me, pick me!!
May God continue to pour His blessings out on you, your family, and your ministry. Enjoy your special day!
I have been so encouraged by your blog posts, Cindy. You are genuine in your quest to honor God in reaching out to others who may be hurting, who are searching for the Truth. I so appreciate your being honest and not afraid to open up about your past life – that before you knew Jesus and what His promises mean for you! I, too, am a Christian who loves God, is seeking Him with all my heart, and learning how to reach out to others for Jesus and His Kingdom (that’s always an ongoing process, isn’t it?!?) I’m in the Titus 2 “stage of life”, if you will (I’d like to think the early stage!) but want to impact those in the next generation to have a heart receptive to God’s Word, to be the woman that God wants them to be! And so, I would use the “He Loves Me” video in reaching out to others. Bless you, Cindy, for living for Him and sharing with others!
I would love to watch this video. We don’t have Day of Discovery on our television here, but I’ve followed you on FB and have seen your posts about filming it, and I would love to watch it.
I just found your blog today and heard your story and am so blessed by the transforming power of God in your life. I am a recovering alcoholic – sober 5 years – and it is all through the power of the Lord and the strength He gives me every day. Happy Birthday to you. You share a birthday with my mother in law who passed away a little over a year ago due to breast cancer. She was an amazing woman. It is only fitting you share her birthday. Finding your blog has lifted my spirits today in what has been a difficult day emotionally. Blessings to you and yours.
I would love to win your DVD, because I’m bummed I wasn’t able to make it to your party last night premiering it! I loved hearing your testimony when you spoke at our ladies retreat and really seeing your heart–as “sparkly” as your smile and personality is, your heart shines even brighter. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know why; God’s love just spills out everywhere when you speak. I know Day of Discovery does good work, so I am anxious to see how they unfolded your story on tape. So happy to see how God is blessing your life, Cindy. <3
I would like to have a copy of this because I can use any bit of encouragement I can get while finishing my Summer semester of my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Liberty University Online. I attended the retreat with Chapel Pointe last fall and was so inspired and enriched by your testimony and lessons. The Saturday night session, where we threw away the ‘old’ names and got to pick a new name was especially important in my life. I had carried around guilt, shame, disappointment, and many other ‘names’ through my life. Since the retreat, I have fully embraced my new name of “Forgiven” (with a capital F) every day. I follow your FB posts and am encouraged regularly through your posts and blogs. Thank you SO much for your testimony and teaching!
I would like to win because last night, as I was drifting to sleep, I thought, UG! Why did I not buy a video to have as a giveaway on my blog? So, if I win one of the 42, that is exactly what I will do. Have a giveaway of your video.
So good to see you (and the DOD movie) last night!!!
Two facebook posts and one twitter post. Hope it helps!
I want to win because I LOVE you!
And I LOVE you! Happy Birthday, my friend!
And also already follow you on FB and am heading off to share!
Well first and foremost, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am new to your blog. I have been watching some of your retreat footage, and I just love your enthusiasm. I would love to win, just to hear you speak from God’s word more.
I would love to win because i was not able to go to
the viewing. And i want to see it. And i want my own copy as an answer to prayers! Dreamed about it through the night even though i didn’t get to go to the viewing!
(1) Because I missed the showing to attend Preschool graduation, I would share it with others (including my new neighbors and friends), I know it’s Red Hot, it’s on my 42nd Birthday Wish List already (in 38 more days) ~ so that would mean winning the giveaway would also be a Birthday Present 🙂 WOO-HOO!
(2) Also, following your new FB page, (3) posting on my FB page, (4) posting to Blessings Unlimited West Michigan, (5) posting to Blessings Unlimited Consultants, and (6) posting to West Michigan Craft & Vendor Shows
Love, Hugs & Prayers!
Cindy ,happy Birthday have a great day with your family ,you are such a inspiration to me ,I follow you on faceBook all the time and love it .I would love to get a DVD if you have an extra one God bless you.
Happy Birthday.
I would like to win … because I would enjoy the dvd.
Hi Cindy. I am so excited for you and all that God has in store for you. He uses you to touch so many lives! I would love to win because I have so enjoyed hearing you speak over my years at MOPS at Sunshine. As I venture into a new opportunity myself next year, I would love to share your testimony and message with others that I will be leading in a brand new MOPS group at my own church. I did share on FB and I, “liked,” your page. I don’t tweet 🙂
Wanted to go to your movie night last night, but live to far away. Would love to hear your story and then share your story of what Jesus has done to others. Happy Birthday to a beautiful lady.
This is my first visit to your site! Happy Birthday! I would love to receive a DVD. Thank you for sharing your life and faith journey with us!
Happy Birthday to you Cindy. I would love to win your package as we share the same birth month. My birthday is May 4th. I love your faith and inspiration. Your faith is so strong. I am the mother of two special needs boys and there are days when I wish I could have such strong faith. There are those days that are very hard to make it through, but with a time out for mom, and a little prayer we make it threw. May God continue to Bless You and keep giving us your great inspiration.
Cindy, I love how you share challenges in life and always find the silver lining in every experience. Your passionate faith is an inspiration! Thank you!
Thanks, Leslie! You are such an encourager! Thanks for your kind words! 🙂
Happy Birthday Cyndi! I would love to see your video. Love learning more about you and God’s amazing grace and mercy in your life 🙂
I want to win because it would grow my faith.
I love you name lol…………I tweeted and shared on Facebook yay I am excited to be following your blog and pray to win 🙂
your* name not you
Cindy,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I came via Karen Ehman’s blog and I like what I see. (You do sparkle!) Looking forward to getting to know more about how God transformed – and continues to transform – your life.
Please enter me in the giveaway. May I say it was mighty generous of RBC Ministries to do that (shout out to Our Daily Bread). I have been a Christian for 7 years going on 8 yet there are days when I still forget that God loves me and cares for me. The worries of this world tend to be overwhelming at times. I also look forward to your new bible study. I just finished a study in Revelation so this would be a great follow-up. Thank you! Have a wonderful birthday!
HI! We are neighbors! I live in West Michigan too………Marshall! I “liked” you and shared on facebook and I tweeted you. I am going to enjoy getting to know you better. I love RBC ministries, too. Thanks for the change to win!
I would love to have a copy so that I can show others the amazing tapestry God is weaving through Cindy and her story!
I would love to win a DVD because I am thrilled by your honesty and how you don’t wear a veil to cover the real you. I know that will “sparkle” through on the DVD. Thanks for the opportunity. ;>) Mary Sue
I am recently new to Proverbs31 ministries and am enjoying all they offer immensely. It gave me joy to meet you through your posting. I would love to have your new cd. I learn so much from those willing to share. Thank you so much.
I would love to win your DVD to give to my adult daughter. She needs a miracle and a a transformation in her life. We need to claim hope and God’s redemption so that she may sparkle with God’s glory and grace.
I would love to win your dvd of your testimony. I volunteer at a Christian women’s addiction recovery center and it would be great to share with the ladies there. Just discovered you through a link from a blog email and looking forward to keeping up with your encouraging site.
Happy Birthday Cindy!! I too will be turning 42 this year and I would be extremely honored and blessed to win a copy of your DVD. Thank you for testimony and for sharing it in honor of your birthday. May God continue to bless you and your family with abundant blessings today and always.
WOW! What a whirlwind you are on. Thankful for your upbeat website. We enjoy reading it. We are still memorizing A to Z – love it! Thanks for keeping us accountable. Happy Birthday to you! Would love to see the whole DVD!
Sue, thanks for journeying with us on the A to Z journey! Keep up the good work! Let’s cross the finish line together this December. We can do ALL things! 🙂
Happy Birthday!!!Would love to see the whole DVD! Thanks for the change to win!.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.
I would love to win a copy of your “He Loves Me” DVD because I heard you speak last fall and your story truly resonated with me and many of my current circumstances. I would love to hear more of what you have to share.
I also became a fan of your facebook page.
Having known you at Mars Hill and knowing part of your story, I would love to see it all. I am so glad to see you continuing to share your story and minister to others and glad to be a part of it through this blog.
Liked your new Facebook page.
I am a new reader. What an amazing person you are! God is using you to further his Kingdom.
Hope your birthday was happy, happy, happy.
Thanks, Denise! I am blessed, blessed, blessed 🙂
I am so intrigued by your triumphant every challenging, ever changing story of hope and change. I would be blessed by this DVD, take care, Mary
Just joined your blog. Just discovered you. I was drawn to you because you like to sparkle and you do and that’s what people say about me as well. But I mostly sparkle from the outside, lots of hurt inside. Struggling in my marriage, struggle with loneliness. I am just trying to keep my eyes on Jesus and anything I can read or view to keep me focused would be welcomed. So that is why I would like to win a DVD. I “liked” you on FB and also shared your video on my page. Happy Birthday and Happy Mother’s Day. Blessings!
Valerie, thanks for your encouragement and support. I pray Jesus would bind up every broken, lonely place and fill you to overflowing with His love and joy and peace. You are not alone!
In Him, CIndy
Oh My! Can I still enter here in the last 10 minutes! Meant to do this earlier this week, but have had sick kids!
Why would I love this video, let me count they ways…
1. Because when I’m feeling discouraged I’d pop it in to see your smiling face!
2. Because though I’ve only known you for a short time you are one of the most compassionate and encouraging people I’ve ever met!
3. Because I’d LOVE to show the women at my church and have them drag you to Buffalo to do some women’s ministry events for us!!! Wouldn’t that be fun?!!!
Hugs and Happy Birthday!!!
You made it! Congratulations on being the 42nd winner! Please message me your address and I’ll drop one in the mail to you today! 🙂
For what its worth, even though my comment time says 5/14…12 a.m….It’s actually 8:53 here in Buffalo on the 13th!! (: