Prayer Request ~ Update

Update on Paul ~ Surgery went really well and they were back home earlier than expected.  Last night was rough... his leg was swollen and he was in pain but we elevated it more and he took some more pain medication and he was more comfortable.  It's been 24 hours since his surgery now and he seems to be getting better and better each hour that passes.  Later tonight he has to start raising his leg up and down and doing some other exercises so I am sure that will be hard and very painful.

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Please keep Paul and Kathy in your prayers today.  Paul goes in for knee surgery to replace his a torn ACL.  Pray for wisdom and steady hands for the doctors, a calming peace for Paul and Kathy, and quick healing for Paul.

Another prayer request is for the James family. They had their house broken into and ransacked over the weekend.  Lots of stuff taken but they are praising the Lord that everyone is safe.  They are now having to deal with cleaning everything up, replacing passports and other important documents, and trying to catch up on months and months of work that was stored on the computers and back up systems.  And then there is all the emotions that come with losing the sentimental things.  Please lift this dear family up in prayer today.

P365 ~ Week 17

When Kathy and I got home from the retreat last week Paul had pulled out several different bags of specialty flours.  There were two bags of semolina so I made some pasta for dinner.  I have never made pasta but it's wasn't that hard.  I rolled this out with a rolling pin but it did end up being a little thick so I would probably get out the pasta making machine next time to get a thinner pasta.

 It's been amazing how busy I have been with dog and cat sitting.  God has blessed me so much and I am so thankful.

Paul was so tired he sat like this at the restaurant while Kathy and I finished eating.

 Aren't these flowers beautiful?  Kathy parked next to it so I could get a picture.

 Went walking in a totally different area of town than I am use to and I found this house that I would love to live in.  Well to be honest, it's my second favorite house... and its all about location.  There are no others homes around it and its right up against a mountain.  I love it... I would love to have that view and the privacy.  There is another home closer to our house that would be my #1 choice.... I'll try and get a picture of it some day.

Okay... now back to reality and being thankful for all God has blessed me with.  I have a roof over my head, plenty of food, lots of clothes, good health, loving family and friends...and many more things to be thankful for.

Time to go check out Sara's blog.

TSMSS ~ Plenty of Time

Last Sunday we had 2 families come and bless us with their musical talent.  One of the men sang this song.  I never heard it before but I loved it.  James 4:14 ~ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

I got up on Sunday morning went to the church at ten

I listened to the words I'd heard time and time again
The preacher spoke of simple lives it seems he spoke of mine
But I was young I have plenty of time

I walked on down life's pathway living as I wished to live
How to beat the other fellow how to get what life could give
Making money isn't sinful having fun is not a crime
So I'll just wait I've got plenty of time

Plenty of time to decide where I'm bound to eternal darkness or to heaven's grounds
I'm just a young girl not yet in my prime so I'll just wait I've got plenty of time.

Before I knew what happened life seems had passed away
And millions stood before God's throne for it was judgement day
Now eternal darkness beckons and the name it calls is mine
But I thought that I had plenty of time

Eternity waits I've got plenty of time
To think of all the days that Christ could have been mine
Now my chance is over earth's days have left behind
You and I have plenty of time now I've got nothing but plenty of time

P365 ~ Week 16

What an awesome week this was, mainly because of a ladies retreat that I had the privilege of attending.  I hope to blog more in a later post about what I learned and what convicted me.

I finally snapped a picture of my rearranged room.  I think it's working well for me... at least so far.

On our way to the retreat we were running ahead of schedule so we decided to stop at the outlet mall.  Do you see how happy Kathy is with her new Coach purse?

This was the cabin we stayed in... Kathy and I shared the queen size bed and everyone else slept on bunk beds.  I am so glad Kathy was able to attend this year!

This was the entire group from our church.  There were probably 15 to 20 other church groups there.

During the free time on Friday afternoon they offer lots of different types of activities... one was making crafts...this year they had these cool stone necklaces to make.

That sums up my week... how was yours?  Heading over to Sara's to find out.

Missions Contributions

Some of you have asked about contributing money to help with my expenses for my missions trip. I tried to create a widget from Chip In to help make it easier to contribute but for some reason I just can't get it to show up on my blog. I see it on my computer but no one else seems to be able to see it.

 If you still feel led by the Lord to help with my missions trip cost, we may have to do it the old fashioned way and just mail a check. Sorry about the inconvenience.

If anyone has any ideas why the Chip In widget isn't working on my blog I am open to any help I can get.  Also - if you can see it, let me know.

Thanks and God Bless!

 

P365 ~ Week 15

What a blessed week this has been.  Starting with Easter Sunday and ending with me signing up for a missions trip.

The children recited several verses and sang a lovely song reminding us that He Arose!

 We were invited over to some dear friends home for dinner.  Kathy made these cute little chicks

and I made these Easter basket cupcakes.

Paul had to go to physical therapy.  The doctor that is doing his knee surgery told him he needed to go to therapy now to work his knee so he could lay his leg flat.

Went to one of my favorite burger places ~ Red Robin.  We had a coupon and a gift card so we couldn't resist.  It was yummy!

 Kathy helped me clean up the craft room.  After the last big project that I worked on I left it a mess and every time I went into the room all I could see was the mess but I never knew where to start with fixing it up.  One item at a time we cleaned off the table and got things put in order.  Now we can work on cards again. (Thank you Kathy for all the help!)  I took this picture of Kathy because I thought it was funny that she was all bundled up and still stamping.  We got a cold snap here and the house was really cold... we were both freezing but having a good time stamping!

 Here is an up close picture of Kathy's beautiful card creation!

 

 To end a cold week we made this delicious kale soup.  It was so easy to make and so delicious and even healthy.

I hope your week as a blessed one...I'm heading over to Sara's to see.

Missions Trip

I have been praying about going on a missions trip and I am happy to announce that I finally signed up.

July 8th I will be heading to New Mexico with a group from Good Goers.  I am truly excited to be able to go and show God's love and share God's free gift of salvation.

Please pray for me as I prepare to go and pray for those who we'll be ministering to.  Pray that they may be ready to hear the gospel and turn their lives over to the Lord.

Update: I just received an email regarding the trip and it sounds like our main projects will be helping widows.  Pray that I may be able to share from my heart how God has comforted me since Mike passed away.

James 1:27 ~ Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

TSMSS ~ Wait on the Lord/Be Still and Know

P365 ~ Week 14

I am finally getting back into the swing of taking pictures each day, well at least for this week.  Of course I didn't do to well at posting them on time.  Oh well, maybe next time.

My last day dog sitting and therefore my last day enjoying this lovely walking park.

On to cat sitting and cleaning house.

 I got the spring cleaning itch and had the brilliant idea to change things up in my room.  I went to move the dresser and one of my favorite frames fell over and broke.  Sad!  Very sad!

 Kathy got an early birthday gift from Paul... the new iPad!

 After dog sitting and cat sitting and spring cleaning I am finally back to walking my normal route at home and since we have had such a warm winter all the bushes are in full bloom.... beautiful pink flowers everywhere...it brightens my walk.

 Melissa hosted our Ladies Bible study this week... and along her her fabulous home made bread, she also made up this scrumptious dessert.  Yummy!

Hope everyone's week went well!

TSMSS ~ He Arose!!

A Woman After God's Own Heart ~ Chapter 21

A Heart That Seeks First Things First

Psalm 63:1 ~ O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is

• God makes His will known as we read His Word, pray and seek counsel.
• God's grace is always sufficient to the task (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)!
• In fact, He has already given you everything you need to live your life in full godliness (2 Peter 1:3)
• And you can do all things --you can be a woman after His heart--through the strength of Jesus (Philippians 4:13)

A Word About Priorities

1. Loving God and following after Him with a whole heart
2. Loving, helping and serving my husband
3. Loving and teaching my children
4. Loving and caring for my home in order to provide a quality life for my family
5. Developing myself so that I have something to give to others
6. Loving and serving God's people

Knowing what your priorities are -- and choosing to wear the right hat at the right time-- keeps you fully focused on the most important thing at hand at any given minute.

These priorities are offered to you not as a rigid guideline but to help you gain greater control over your life through knowledge, skills, and motivation as you follow after God.

A Word About Choices

• The choices we make are key to the priorities we practice.
• What you are today (based on the choices you're making) is what you are becoming.
• You are today what you have been becoming (based on the choices you've already made).
• Our choices, which reflect our priorities, will help us fulfill God's design for our lives.
• Whether you are dealing with the next five minutes, the next hour, tomorrow, or forever, the choices you make make all the difference in the world!

A Word About Others

• What about parents, brothers, sisters, extended family, jobs, friends, neighbors, hobbies, pastimes, social life, etc.
• Simply add those "other" categories to the end of the list of the six priorities you've just looked at because those six don't change.
• Our life situation may change, but God's Word never changes.
• Pray, search scripture and seek wise counsel and God will reveal to you how to prioritize "others"
• He will show you how to be a woman after His heart in every detail of your life! 

A Word About Waiting

• As a general principle for practicing your priorities, know that it is safer to wait and do nothing than to rush in and do the wrong thing.
• Proverbs 19:2 ~ Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
• Wisdom Waits - Choosing to wait rather than acting impulsively is one way to gain or stay in control.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

Open my eyes that I may see what my priorities should be right now during this season of my life.  May I be a blessing to others and may all I do be glorifying to You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

A Woman After God's Own Heart ~ Chapter 20

A Heart That Encourages

"With every encounter, make it your aim that people are better off for having been in your presence.  Try in every encounter to give something to the other person."

Everyone needs edification and encouragement, and we are free to offer that when we have hearts filled by God.

• Take Time to Be Filled
• If you take time to sit at Jesus' feet and be filled by God's Spirit as you study the written Word, if you focus on overcoming internal obstacles to doing God's work, you will never lack for ministry.
• God's fullness in you will naturally overflow into the lives of others.
• Luke 10:27 ~ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
• You ahem more to give to your neighbor if you regularly place yourself before God and let Him grow you, strengthen you, transform you!
• Memorize Scripture of Encouragement
• If you "let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6), you will never fail to better the lives of those you encounter.
• Your life and lips will offer refreshing encouragement to all who cross your path.
• Like our Messiah, you will be able to "speak a word in season to him who is weary" (Isaiah 50:4).
• But we can't give away what we do not possess.  So it's good to memorize some pertinent words of encouragement from the Bible to share with people in need.
• Whatever the need (in your own life as well as in the lives of those you talk with), every verse you know by heart is available, sharp, and ready for God to use to encourage a weary soul.
• If you are faithful to commit to memory selected gems from God's Word, you'll suddenly find them adding real substance to your conversations.
• Sharing God's Word will take your talks with others to deeper levels.
• Make Phone Calls to Encourage
• An easy way to encourage and make a heart glad is to reach out and touch someone by phone.  A simple, quick call can do much to gladden the heart of the recipient.
• build them up...compliment them...remind them of their strengths...ask if this is a good time to talk...and if they don't answer the phone, leave a cheerful message that I'm thinking about them and will call again soon
• the telephone offers us a very effective way to encourage others, and it takes very little effort
• most important to that ministry is a heart that cares!
• use the internet too-24/7-as a tool for encouragement
• How easy it is to sit down for a few seconds and dash off a few sentences to bolster a missionary on the other side of the world, a friend who has moved away, those in ministry at my church, a hurting woman... and of course, family.
• Write Notes of Encouragement
• Writing notes-again, by mail or email-to those who need encouragement is another way to share a good word that makes the heart glad (Proverbs 12:25).
• It's as simple as three sentences
• Sentence #1 conveys I miss you, I appreciate you, or I'm thinking of you
• Sentence #2 lets readers know they are special to me and why
• Sentence #3 says I'm praying for them and includes the verse I'm praying for them
• As you sit in bed or on the couch with your feet propped up, you can give this kind of encouragement to others out of your heart filled by God's love--and the recipients will be very blessed!
• Encourage Others Through Three Spiritual Gifts
• three more ministries that you and I--and all Christians--can have
• Balancing the Christian Life by Dr Ryrie describes them as "three of the [spiritual] gifts...probably all Christians could have and use if they would.  hey are ministering, giving, and showing mercy (Romans 12:7-8)."
• Serving is sometimes called help or ministries.  It is the basic ability to help other people, and there is no reason why every Christian cannot have and use this gift.
• Mercy is next.  Showing mercy is akin to the gift of ministering and involves succoring those who are sick or afflicted.
• James 1:27 ~ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
• Giving is another ministry you and I could--and should--be involved in.  Giving is the ability to distribute one's own money to others, and it is to be done with simplicity which means with no thought of return or gain for oneself in any way.
• Serving, mercy, and giving--each is a specific spiritual gift, but each is also commanded for us as Christians.  And each was carried out and modeled for us by our dear Savior, in whose steps we are to follow.
• So commit now to kindle your efforts to serve, show mercy, and give--and this fulfill the law of God and encourage His people.
• Live Your Priorities
• By living our your priorities you will teach and disciple many woman--without saying a word.
• Simply concentrate on being who God wants you to be and doing what He wants you to do.
• Every Christian woman needs models and examples
• observing how they behaved in church and even what they wore
• did they speak up in mixed groups?
• did they pray out loud?
• how they treated their husbands, how they showed respect, how they behaved as a couple in public
• watching moms with their children, noticing how they disciplined, the tone of voice they used when they spoke to their children, and even the expressions on their face as they looked at their little ones.
• Everything you do and don't do teaches.
• Being what God wants you to be--being a woman after God's own heart--is a powerful ministry.  Others can simply watch you and be encouraged in their own quest to allow God.

Ministry is always a matter of the heart.  If you heart is filled with a watchful concern for God's people, you will be privileged to refresh many souls in need of encouragement.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

Give me a heart that yearns to bless others.  Give me eyes that see who needs encouragement this week.  May you use me and my life as a tool to further your word and bring glory to your name.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

P365 ~ Week 13

I've gotten out of the habit of taking pictures each day and this would have been a great week to take pictures.  I was able to get together with two great friends and both times I totally forgot to get a picture. 

This week I am dog sitting "Mr B".  At first he was a little sad but...

he warmed up real fast and we have had a wonderful week.

Our week ended with dinner at our friend's house and what a fabulous way to end the week.

Here Paul is reading a Thomas the Train book to "T" 

I hope to do better with taking pictures next week.  Until then, have a blessed week and I'll see you over at Sara's.