May God bless you all with a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
God will do great things. Sometimes, His great things do not line up with our ideas.
Praying for healing for an old friend...strength for her husband and daughters (and families)...hope, peace, joy.
Praying for those in my families...and my friends.
God has good things in store, now we just need to be obedient and open to receive them.
Happy, happy new year...or should I say JOYous new year. Joy is so much more lasting than happiness. Happiness is dependent on circumstances; joy is an attitude you choose.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas Challenge
Pati challenged me to use a coaster and my Cricut to create something. Here it is.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Okay, going to try again!
Just joined the Y again. I'm determined to work out and lose weight. I've got to. I'm tired of lugging this extra weight around. So...keep me accountable if you will. I'm hoping to have some work-out buddies - you know who you are :)
If you have a Y membership and can work out around 4:30-5:30 in the afternoon (not Wednesdays), let me know.
Here is my favorite ornaments on the tree. The red bell is just like the one I had as a child. We each had a special ornament that we put on the tree each year and the red bell was mine. I found this one at a garage sale and was thrilled! The glass ball is one I bought in Germany a lifetime ago (okay, about 30 years but sure feels like forever ago).
If you have a Y membership and can work out around 4:30-5:30 in the afternoon (not Wednesdays), let me know.
Here is my favorite ornaments on the tree. The red bell is just like the one I had as a child. We each had a special ornament that we put on the tree each year and the red bell was mine. I found this one at a garage sale and was thrilled! The glass ball is one I bought in Germany a lifetime ago (okay, about 30 years but sure feels like forever ago).
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Cheated
Sitting in church today I wondered why I was cheated so much in life. Cheated out of a normal childhood (but then, what is normal?), cheated out of a dad to take care of me, cheated out of having my parents around me when I needed them, cheated out of having a relationship with my younger sister who died too early. Cheated out of so many things ... where was God?
He was right there. From the very beginning, He was right there. He promised never to leave me or forsake me - and He didn't. Any distance between me and Him was caused by me. Any lost hope, any loneliness, any consequences..He can fill.
We live in a fallen world. We live with consequences of our own making or as a result of someone's choices. But God is always there. God is always ready to reconcile. God is always ready to forgive. God wants reconciliation. God wants relationship with us. God is love and wants us to be filled with Him, with love.
O Holy night...Jesus was born with one purpose...to die in my place so I could be reconciled to the Father.
He was right there. From the very beginning, He was right there. He promised never to leave me or forsake me - and He didn't. Any distance between me and Him was caused by me. Any lost hope, any loneliness, any consequences..He can fill.
We live in a fallen world. We live with consequences of our own making or as a result of someone's choices. But God is always there. God is always ready to reconcile. God is always ready to forgive. God wants reconciliation. God wants relationship with us. God is love and wants us to be filled with Him, with love.
O Holy night...Jesus was born with one purpose...to die in my place so I could be reconciled to the Father.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
getting merrier every day!
Brad asked me to make some cards for him to give to co-workers. I started to copy the design I originally did but finally broke out in some creativity! So...if you didn't pick your card yet, here are some more designs.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I like this letter!
Letter from Jesus about Christmas -
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU, JESUS
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember : I LOVE YOU, JESUS
Monday, December 7, 2009
Life is good
As I get ready to go to bed, I'm taking a few minutes to reflect on how wonderful life really is. God has blessed us ... Brad, me and David ... so much. I'm thankful for all He has given us and all He has allowed us to gain.
Being happy, understanding joy, being full, knowing that what I have is enough and anything more is not necessary (but additional icing on the cake) ... this is being truly content. And I'm there.
Is there something different I want - some days, yes. But I don't need it for fulfillment. I want it to experience something else. One day...God will allow it (or not, and that's okay too). I just want each day, each experience, each new path to be shared with those I love - my husband, my son, my sisters, my friends.
God is so good. I am so blessed. I am content.
Being happy, understanding joy, being full, knowing that what I have is enough and anything more is not necessary (but additional icing on the cake) ... this is being truly content. And I'm there.
Is there something different I want - some days, yes. But I don't need it for fulfillment. I want it to experience something else. One day...God will allow it (or not, and that's okay too). I just want each day, each experience, each new path to be shared with those I love - my husband, my son, my sisters, my friends.
God is so good. I am so blessed. I am content.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Merry Christmas - cards
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