If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Five Minute Friday - Quiet



Click the button above if you'd like to find out more about Five Minute Friday.

This weeks prompt is: Quiet

I love the quiet when we've headed to bed and finished everything we do before bed. The dog has settled down and we are both reading. I love how peaceful it is now. After all the years of getting the girls in bed when they were little. And then as they were older and wanted to stay up longer with music playing. How I longed for quiet back then.

While I miss those days sometimes, I now am so thankful for the quiet times hubby and I can have together. We've learned to be silent together sometimes. We've learned that you don't always have to talk. Silence is good. Being quiet and still is good. 



Thursday, January 28, 2016

Thankful Thursday

http://www.knitbygodshand.com/2016/01/thankful-thursday-link-up-56-lots-of.html


Things I am thankful for this week:

-- apples and peanut butter:  hubby and I have been eating this a lot lately. Some fruit and protein each evening. Yummy!

-- bananas: because my doctor said my potassium is low. Hoping this will help. 

-- Duck Dynasty:  I do enjoy watching this show. It's corny and hokey, but it usually makes me laugh. And now Jep and Jess are doing a show of their own about the adoption of their new son and their family called Growing the Dynasty.  But mostly I appreciate the Robertson's because of their faith and the fact they are not afraid to share it.

-- Kindle:  I love reading and I especially love reading on my Kindle. I can take a whole library anywhere I go and that is so cool. I also love that I can get lots of free books for my Kindle from our local library. Love it. I just got Candace Cameron Bure's book "Dancing Through Life" to read. 

I'm thankful for the verses below. Hubby and I have been reading this lately to help us during some rough times. Praising God always makes thing better because praise glorifies God.



Here's another good one that was in a devotional I read this morning.


Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Wednesday Hodgepodge



If you'd like to play along, click the button above to get the questions, answer them on your blog and then link up on the page where you got the questions.  Of course, I'd prefer you leave a comment here first.  lol

1. Share a winter memory from your childhood.
I don't really have a particular story.  But I remember recess as a child and waiting in line to take a turn running and sliding on the ice.  Such fun things.  I don't think they let kids do that now for fear they will get hurt and someone will sue them.  I'm glad my childhood was in a time that they didn't worry about that so much and they let us just go have fun (within reason, of course)

2. What was on your blog this time last year? (Besides the Hodgepodge of course!) If you weren't blogging, what in the world were you doing with all that free time?
Looks to me like I was posting Lucy and sky pictures, which I still do all the time.


 
 3. Ellen Goodman is quoted as saying, 'We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.'

Do you see more flaws or more potential in your life at the start of a new year? Have you done anything specific this month to address either one? Does the new year truly begin for you on January 1, or is there some other month of the year that feels like a fresh start and new beginning?
I have a tendency to see more flaws.  I'm working on eating less and moving more.  Ordered a FITBIT to help me keep track of the moving part. Got it Sunday and used it yesterday.  It does kinda motivate me because I want to see those numbers go up.  We'll see how it goes.

4. Who's an athlete you admire or respect and why?
I really don't follow sports much.  But I've always admire Scott Hamilton.



5. Do you like cream in your coffee? Whipped cream on your pumpkin pie? Cream cheese on a bagel? Sour cream on a baked potato? Cream of wheat for breakfast? Have you ever had a scone with clotted cream? Of all the creamy foods mentioned, which one sounds most appealing to you right this very minute?
I don't drink coffee. Yes, I like whipped cream on my pumpkin pie (actually I like a little pumpkin pie with my whip cream).  I like cream cheese, but I rarely eat a bagel.  I think they are too chewy (at least the ones I've had).  Yes, I like sour cream on a baked potato.  I don't think I've ever had cream of wheat.  No, never had a scone with or without clotted cream (what in the world is clotted cream?).  A baked potato with sour cream sounds the best to me right now.

6. Where were you last kept waiting for 'hours on end'? Or for what felt like hours on end? How well did you cope?
When my sister's husband had hip replacement surgery last year.  I knitted and talked with my sister to help her pass the time.

7. Believe it or not, when next week's Hodgepodge rolls around it will be February. Huh?!? Bid adieu here to January in seven words or less.
Goodbye January, you have not been terrific.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Dad and my husband both are doing a little better.  Thank you Jesus.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Five Minute Friday - Present

 

Five Minute Friday is where you write about the prompt for five minutes and then stop. Today's prompt is Present. Click the button above to join in.

Our present is not what I would like it to be. My father is failing and if something doesn't change, he won't be here long. He's got dementia and although his labs all come back good, he is not thriving. I don't know if he's given up or if his mind can even think that way any more. We get very little communication from him and he barely eats. But if it's time, I'm okay with that because I trust God to know best. 

My husband is having some really bad back issues presently. I'm sitting in the waiting room as he is seeing the doctor. He's been seeing the chiropractor and we believe he is helping, but he believes there is a lot of inflammation. So we are hoping the doctor will give him something for that. Poor man had to do a funeral yesterday sitting in a chair because he can't stand that long. Even in a chair he did an awesome job in this wife's opinion. 

So that's our present. Not much fun. But I know God is here and will help us each step of the way.

 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Thankful Thursday


http://www.knitbygodshand.com/2016/01/thankful-thursday-link-up-55.html

I haven't written a post all week. But what better one to write than Thankful Thursday. If you'd like to participate, write your own thankful post and then link up with Knit by God's Hand. You can click the button at the top of this post to get there.

Things I am thankful for:  

-- that we have been safe driving in the snow thus far. 


--  that we are blessed with a home to keep us warm in this cold, snowy weather. 

--  First5 App Devotions. We are in Exodus right now.  Below pictures are from 2 of this weeks lessons. If you don't have this app, and are liking for a devotional, I recommend First5.  



--  I'm thankful for the chiropractor who is helping my husband with some back issues he is having right now and for how God is helping him each day to get a little better.

--   I'm so thankful for our church and each brother and sister there.  They are so encouraging and loving and giving and kind.  I just love God's people.

So what are you thankful for?



Thursday, January 14, 2016

Thankful Thursday

http://www.knitbygodshand.com/2016/01/thankful-thursday-link-up-54.html


It's Thursday and that means it's time to be thankful. If you're looking for something to post today, why not make a Thankful Thursday post and link up with Rebecca at Knit by God's Hand. She's got the linky thing set up every Thursday for us to join in with her in giving thanks to God.

Here are some things I am thankful for:

-- A husband who drives me to work and drops me off as close to the door as he can so I don't have to slip and slide walking in. Then he does the same thing after work.  He is also willing to pick me up for lunch or bring me something at work if I don't want to go out. He is so good to me. 

-- I'm thankful God is waking me up every morning before the alarm clock goes off so I can spend a few minutes with Him. Time to read the Word and to pray and to read the First5 devotion. I'm thankful too for all the devotions that are so readily available through apps and the Internet. 

--  I'm thankful for this little stinker too.




-- I'm thankful for the laughter that little puppy brings. And also how she shows me a little of what God living me is like. No matter what happens or how long I am gone, she is always thrilled to see me. Jumping all over the place until I pick her up and love on her. I believe Jesus is too. If I get too busy and forget to pray, He's always there waiting for me to come back and He's always glad to see me. 

-- And I guess above all, I am thankful for the love and mercy of God. I need Him every day. I'm so glad He is always there ready to forgive and love me. Thank you Jesus. 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Wednesday Hodgepodge



1. Share one thing that really makes your day.
Having a good laugh.  Finding something to laugh at just makes the day seem brighter.

2. Lots of these kinds of lists out there, but one found here says the fifteen most colorful places on earth are:

Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy~Burano, Italy~Havana, Cuba~Rio de Janiero, Brazil~Chefchaouen, Morocco~Balat, Istanbul, Turkey~Menton, France~Jodhpur, India~La Baca, Buenos Aires, Argentina~Guanajuato, Mexico~Capetown, South Africa~Valparaiso, Chile~Wroclaw, Poland~San Francisco, California~and Pelourhino, Salvador, Brazil.

Of those listed which would you most like to see up close and in person? Of all the places you've seen or traveled in your own life, what would you say was one of the most colorful?

If I were to chose one to visit, it would be San Franciso, mainly because I think I'd prefer to stay in the United States.  
Probably one of the most colorful places I've been would be Disney World.  I know that's not high-brow stuff, but it is my happy place.  Below are a few pictures that show some of the color.







3."Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Jack Canfield In general, would you agree or disagree with that statement? Why?
I don't think so.  

4. Imagine you're stranded on a desert island and dessert appears...what do you hope it is? Do you ever struggle to remember which spelling is desert and which is dessert?
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing and a big cold glass of milk.  I do have to stop and think before writing those two 

5. What song almost always makes you cry?
I'm really not much for crying so I can't think of anything.  But a song that can always make me a little emotional is "I Can Only Imagine.

 

6. January is National Soup Month. Everything from soup to nuts, in the soup, thick as pea soup, souped up...which saying most recently applies to your life in some way? Explain.
Maybe "from soup to nuts", because I have so many different things I want to get accomplished right now. 

7. Write a two word note to your younger self. What does it say?
Believe God!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I finished another hat to add to my Etsy Shop last night.  Now I need to take a picture and get it added, although I'm working on a scarf in the same yarn, so I might wait and sell them as a set.  I love to complete projects.

Monday, January 11, 2016

Snowy Sunday

We have now had our first snow for this winter.  

It was beautiful too

I don't want to be a whiner or complainer, but I am so over it and ready for spring now. Although because of the snow we were able to spend most of the day at home. We went to Sunday School and morning service and it was good. We then left there and went through a drive-thru and picked up some lunch. Then it was home for the rest of the day. It was getting colder and we didn't want people out risking a fall on the ice, so we had no evening service.. 

Hubby and I spent the afternoon reading and napping and listening to Lucy barking. I think the ice on the roads made so much noise when cars drove by that it must have made her nervous.  She barked at every little sound she heard. lol This morning she seems really tired and not real interested in getting up. I think she wore herself out yesterday. 

Then last night while we watched some TV, I did a little coloring and a little knitting. All in all, it was a great day. So, maybe it wouldn't be so bad if we had another snow or two, if we could enjoy another day like today. 

Friday, January 8, 2016

New Things I Have Started


Photo from Internet

I bought this book for myself just before Christmas. In fact, I bought one for both girls too.  It's called Q & A a day and it's a five year journal. Each paged is divided into 5 parts and at the top there is a question. You answer the question in the first section and then go to the next page the next day and so on. Then the next year you do the same in the second spot. Below is a photo of the inside. 

Photo from Internet


I'm really enjoying the questions so far and I think it will be really fun next year to see what I wrote this year and to see how things have changed in a year.  I don't know if the girls are using theirs or not, but I'm having fun. 

Another fun thing I'm having fun with is something Rebecca at Knit by God's Hand has been doing and has talked about on her blog.  It's called a Sentence a Day. Each night before I go to bed I write down one sentence about my day. I've always wanted to keep a diary or journal but could never stick with it because I couldn't think of anything to say. So far a sentence seems pretty easy. 

I really think this will help me remember my year better. I've never had a good memory and it seems it's getting even worse as I get older. Rebecca posts hers at the end of each month on her blog and I really enjoy reading about her life. I don't know if I'll post mine or not, but I know I'll enjoy reading it myself. And who knows maybe my husband or kids will want to read it someday. 

Is there anything new you are doing this year?  Do tell.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Thankful Thursday

http://www.knitbygodshand.com/2016/01/thankful-thursday-1-16-link-up-53.html


It's Thursday and time to be intentionally thankful. Here's what I'm thankful for this week:

-- Rebecca at Knit by God's Hand for hosting Thankful Thursday every week. 

-- I'm thankful that God is trying to teach me to pray more and to remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against satan and his evil forces. After battling a bit with God (because I didn't want to give up my anger because of pride) I finally gave in and a lot of my anger at certain people is starting to leave and I can have compassion on them because I know satan is blinding them to the truth. Now I ask God to open their eyes to see His truth. I'm starting to feel less frustrated and more encouraged. I'm praying I can keep with this and not fall back to old habits. 

-- the beautiful skies tonight after work. I took a couple pictures because it was so pretty.

It was so beautiful, I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

I loved the clouds here.

Even with all the electric lines, you can still see the beauty.

--  at church Sunday, hubby asked us to read these verses each day this week. They have been good to think about. When I read this and see how great God is...how can I not trust Him.


This is my list for this week. What are you thankful for? 

Monday, January 4, 2016

My Weekend

We had a nice 3 day weekend. Those are always my favorite kind (the 3 days, I mean).

Thursday after work, we picked my sister up and we all went to my brother's house for New Years Eve. There was family, good food, games, good conversations. It was just a really nice evening. We left around 10:30, to take my sister back home and then we were home by 11:50. I decided to sit up and watch the ball drop and he said he was going on to bed. But sweetie that he is, he came back in during the countdown so we could have a New Year's kiss. Love that man.  Here are 3 pictures from that evening.

The adults are playing some kind of word game and the kids are just playing.

There was even a jigsaw puzzle set up and some were working that.

This is where I spent most of my evening just sitting in the living room and enjoying conversations with different ones that came in and out.  We heard some really interesting and entertaining stories.

On New Year's Day, we relaxed around the house in the morning and then we went to Outback for lunch. We both had a really good salad, baked potato and rib eye steak. It'd been quite a while since I'd had a steak. Yummy!! After that we went to Walmart to pick up some necessities and then to visit my dad. He was not having a very good day. Some are good and some are not.

After that we went home and we watched "War Room" again. Such a good movie and a really good way to start out the new year. I'm all fired up to spend more time in God's Word and especially in prayer.

Saturday we relaxed again in the morning and in the late afternoon we went to Blaze Pizza and then I did some laundry and just spent the evening relaxing and knitting.

Sunday we had church and then went to lunch with hubby's parents and his brother and family. While we were there my cousin and his family came in and then my sister and her husband and my brother and his father-in-law. We ended up having almost a third of the restaurant. It was fun trying to talk and interact with everyone. Back to church that evening and now I'm back to work.

So that was my weekend in a nutshell. How was yours?