It's a New Year

Looking back at 2017 – it was a rough year for our family.  There was a diagnosis of dementia and the death of a loved one.  There were also family reunions and get togethers to celebrate life.

Looking ahead to 2018 – I am hoping for balance in my life and deeper relationship with the One who is full of grace and mercy.  God, family, friends – these are at the top of my list.

Life on this earth is fleeting; however, it is just the beginning of our lives as children of God.  While here we are to share the gospel with those in need.  I can’t say I’ve led anyone to Christ – my words are weak.  I pray my actions are Christ-like and that He continues to work in me and grow my ‘evangelistic’ skills.

Last year, I posted once.  This year, I hope to post numerous times.

An anonymous quote from my perpetual calendar:

                Joy is not happiness so much as gladness; it is the ecstasy of eternity

                in a soul that has made peace with God.

Being Intentional

I read this on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home blog [http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/] in October, printed it and read it again this morning.  A wonderful reminder for us to be intentional in our relationship with our Lord and Savior J

Calming the Storm Within You

I loved these wise words from Nancy Leigh DeMoss that I read early this morning after my Bible time so I wanted to share them with you:

"Devotions" Without "Devotion"

Some of us have had devotions, but we have not had devotion. There's a big difference. We may have gone through the motions of reading our Bibles and "saying our prayers" but we have not been cultivating a love relationship with our God. We know alot about Him, but we don't really know Him. 

We are active and busy in a multitude of spiritual activities, but we have lost perspective of who it is that we are serving and why.

The result of our "devotionless" religion is seen in the way we respond to pressure. So many of us as Christian women are chronically stressed out. Everywhere I go, I see it in the eyes of women; I hear it in their voices; and too often I see it when I look in my own mirror. I know what it is to have demands coming at me from every direction. I know what it is to respond of weariness, with an impatient, demanding spirit.

And I know what it is to contend with God Himself, even as my eyes fill up with tears of frustration with myself and my reactions.

I also know that there is only one place where that angry, reactive, overwhelmed self can be transformed---the same place that Mary chose--the feet of Jesus.  I must take a conscious, deliberate, daily choice to sit at His feet, to listen to His Word, to receive His love, to let Him change me, and to pour out my heart's devotion to Him.

When I get into His presence, the whole world looks different. When I draw close to His heart, I find mercy when I know I deserve judgment; I find forgiveness for all my petty, selfish ways;  I find grace for all my inadequacies; I find peace for my troubled heart; I find perspective for my distorted views.

In Him, I find an eye in the midst of the storm.  

Oh, the storm around me may not immediately subside;


but the storm within me is made calm. 

Life is Good

Our Women’s ministry at church is kicking off a 12 week Beth Moore study on the Book of Daniel this evening. My small group tackled the Book of Daniel last year; however, a few of us are going to partake of this study to get another perspective. I am looking forward to it.

I just have to share my new favorite shoes: Merrell-Barefoot. I got them on a recent trip down to visit my dad and his wife :~) They are extremely comfortable and I love the color!

This weekend is the MS Walk in our area. I thank all my sponsors ~ I met my goal; yay! I am praying for little or no wind on Sunday as it will be my first ‘official’ walk wearing a skirt. Of course, I walk all the time; this will just be a bit different.

Praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Aftermath

Whew, the whirl~wind has come to an end. I am officially a single empty-nester. My daughter is now a “Mrs.” It was an exciting ride and I don’t think I am ‘normal’ yet. I have a feeling that will set in over the weekend.

I am so thankful for all of the family and friends that joined my daughter and her husband for the ceremony and reception. A celebration of a journey being started – a blessing of family and friends to share it with.

In other news, I have planted some of my native, low-watering plants in the front yard. I have solar lights along the walkway, too. It is coming along nicely. I will be planting the groundcover in the spring. I am also hoping to build raised garden beds this fall in my side yard.

I am blessed with a wonderful network of family and friends to help me through this transition of being a mom with a child at home to a mom with a married child.

Thank you everyone!!

Living ~ is there more?

 

I am feeling dissatisfied and I do not know why. I have a job, a home, a daughter, parents, siblings, co-workers/friends, brothers, and sisters-in-Christ.

I do realize that feelings are of this world and do not mean much in the large scheme of things.

I am blessed with so much that even saying I am feeling dissatisfied seems wrong.

This is a rambling of sorts; however, sometimes rattling stuff off helps to discard the feelings whatever they may be.

Being proactive may be the answer. I am volunteering more at church and hope to join a Bible-study small group. I know these will strengthen my faith and enrich my life.

My daughter and I are also continuing to work on our front yard-landscaping project with thoughts of new projects all the time. Very exciting, yet daunting, as well.

Life is full of ups and downs and this moment appears to be on the lower end of the slide.

My faith is in the Lord and I know He is always with me, especially when I feel “down in the dumps.”

Life



A friend of mine just lost her husband due to a freak accident. He was only 47 and they had only been married since August, 2008.

I am mentioning this because it has great impact on me. Life is too short for nonsense. There are things I do without thinking of the effect it will have on others or me as time goes on. I do not want to live like that anymore.


I am not looking to have a “crazy, wild time” ~ actually,  just the opposite. I want to surround myself with the things that matter in the long run; family, faith, volunteering…

Hanging with friends is fun and gives a dose of laughter; however, I find that my focus has drifted from the important aspects of life.

I am not looking to be remembered for whom I am or what I did. I want to be remembered as one who shared the light of the Lord by who I was and what I did through Him.