::~:: Cozy Sunday ::~::

::~:: Cozy Dinner ::~::
A family in church made us Sunday dinner. How kind and wonderful is that?!










::~:: Cozy Dinner Music ::~::
I love this C.D. It's one of my favorites. Although, I'm not sure where you can get it any more. I think we bought it at Wal-mart. And yes, we are listening to Christmas music. :)
::~:: Cozy Decorations ::~::
Leah put together a beautiful decoration just before dinner. String, lights and a crystal bowl ... what could be more cozy?






























::~:: Cozy Tea and Outdoors ::~::
Yes, it is snowing here. I'm so excited!! The wind is blowing really hard, making it colder, so it's time for tea, sweaters, long fuzzy socks, big fluffy blankets and projects!











::~:: Cozy Coziness ::~::
A blanket I'm crocheting for Mama and squares I'm crocheting for a blanket for a friend.

It's today...

...The funeral is today. Yesterday was the visitation. I cannot even begin to explain the love and comfort I felt as we grieved for Grandma, but we did not grieve without hope. We know Grandma is with our Lord and Savior and we could not even think of having her back from such glory!! The prayers and the hugs and the flowers from different people ... it was amazing how the Lord used such things to bring about His peace yesterday. So I ask you, again, to continue to keep us in your prayers. Yesterday was hard ... very hard, but today will be much harder, I think. But where we have pain, sorrow and misery, Christ has healing, peace, and mercy! What a joy to walk through this time with Christ in our hearts and minds! Please pray that Christ would be our focus today as we talk to many, many friends and family. That Christ would be made much of, that He would rise above all in our conversations, thoughts and hearts! Thank you, dear, dear bloggie friends.

Please pray

Some of you may remember when my Grandma came to stay with us a while back (and then went home) because she wasn't doing so well. God numbered her days before she was born and that number came. Grandma passed away Saturday night or Sunday morning. Please pray for my Father and his siblings as they try to work everything out for funeral and such, also pray that the peace and grace of our Father and Lord would completely surround them in this time of sorrow and pain. Also, please keep the rest of my family (aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, and such) in your prayers that this would be a time of showing the goodness and love of our Father to those around us. That His light would be what people see in this time of our grief. Thank you so much! Please, if you feel the need, stop over (here or here) and let my father know your praying for him.

My new favorite things!

I'm not really sure what these are "technically" called, but I'm now referring to them as my "spice bowls" because they are small enough to grind just a little bit of spices in them. They are the most wonderfully beautiful things!! I just love them!

Keys to help you wait

My Dad just bought me the book 'Before You Meet Prince Charming' by Sarah Mally of Bright Lights. It was recommended on a blog that has since been closed. I have only read the first five or six chapters (well, actually that makes me about half way through :)) but I LOVE it. I highly recommend this book to any one waiting for their "prince charming". Sarah Mally has a wonderful focus on Christ in this book and it is a wonderful encouragment. But as I was reading through I came across a list she gave of keys to help you wait and I was so encouraged that I had to share it with you, and this list can also be used not just for waiting for your furture mate but anything the Lord has called you to wait for.

Keys to Help You Wait

• Give up your dreams and expectations. Actually, you don't have to give them up; but rather, exchanged them. Exchange your dreams for something far better -- God's perfect plan. Choose to will what God wills (Mt. 10:39).
• Stop. Be still and know that He is God. Consider the awesome power of the God that you serve. What seems impossible to you is nothing for Him. Be still and watch Him work (Ps. 46:10).
• Get out a sheet of paper and begin to list the benefits that you are experiencing through this time of waiting. Don't just make a list in your head. It is helpful to actually write out the benefits. Don't stop until you have at least ten benefits on your list.
• Rejoice in this time of waiting. I know it is hard. It's hard for me too. As I mentionted, waiting is one of the most difficult things God asks us to do. Sometimes it feels like you just can't wait any longer. But struggles and trials are important parts of our lives. Scripture commands us to rejoice in these times of trials (Jas. 1:2, 1Pet. 4:12-13).
• Redirect your focus. Don't focus on the waiting; focus on the Lord.
• In the little events of daily life, learn to look to the Lord to supply your needs and carry your burdens. Have the attitude of David who prayed, "On Thee do I wait all the day ... My soul, wait thou upon God; for my expectation is from Him" (Ps. 25:5, 62:5).
  

Well whadaya know ... a post

Hello bloggie peeps!!! It's been quite a while ... a long while in fact. I haven't been up to much. How about you guys? Leave me a comment about how your life is. I haven't had much Internet connection time lately so I haven't been up-to-date on all of your blogs, so leave me a note, let me know you're still out there!

Although I haven't been blog hopping and blog posting I have been taking pictures, so sometime in the future, (I cannot say near nor far) there will be a post with pictures.

Check out Greta's cutness here and here since I have nothing interesting to say.

Until next time, so long fellow bloggie peeps!

My Jesus prays for me

My journal entry from Tuesday night:

"... I'm having great difficulty with surrendering to the Lord the things for which He asks.
So much so that all I do is cry. I cannot find the words or thoughts for prayer.
But as the tears and sobs came tonight I was reminded that when I don't know how to pray the Spirit and Jesus, my Jesus, pray for me. What a thought! What comfort to my breaking heart!
Also, on the way to work today I looked up in the sky to see a bald eagle flying in the sky (or at least from what I could tell it was a bald eagle).
I watched as I drove and came closer to it.
Soon it was flying right above my car, with me! I could see it glide with such grace and majesty.
As I watched I could feel God tugging at my heart, whispering to me to let go, to trust, to love Him and Him alone!
Tears formed in my eyes as my heart ached ... with pain at letting go and longing to love my Jesus and my Master as I ought!
The Lord has been so faithful, so gracious, so good, and I still fight and struggle. ..."

The country road I've come to love ...

*~:: Well, actually, these pictures are not of the road, it's a view from the road I drive everyday to work (I pulled over this morning to take some pictures). But I love the road (and the views), and where it leads. :) I love working for this family! God has blessed me greatly with this opportunity to work with them. ::~*

New blog!!

Please note, on the sidebar, that my friend Cloe has started a blog. :) She's so very excited and I'm sure it would tickle her to death if you would please pop over and welcome her into bloggie land. :) Please welcome Cloe, at Summer Hills.

Moving on ...

So ... yesterday was my birthday. It's official, I'm a year older (funny, I only feel a day older). Now ya'll can guess how old I am. :) Have fun with that ...

But seriously ...

God has been showing me that He is faithful, loving, caring, sufficient, etc.. To my shame doubts have arisen in my mind, questions, worries. Mostly about my future, marriage, life, ect.. When I start to question the things I have and the things I want, God reminds me that He has graciously provided all I need. Did you get that? All I need!! So, if I don't have it, I don't need it. Isn't it wonderful to know that you are never, ever, going to be in want of things you need. Now, that doesn't mean that you will have everything you want. I'm sure we can all think of things that we want that we don't have. But God is faithful, He is just, He is wise, He is right, He is loving, He is caring, He is wonderful!

So as I start a new year, it is my prayer that this blog would reflect Christ! It is my prayer for me (and you dear reader) that I would love Jesus as I ought, I would long for Him as I ought, that I would become more and more like Him, that He would be the only thing that fills my mind, heart and soul. As I start a new year, I want to leave past worries, sins, doubts, fears, longings and desires behind. I want to move on, I want to run the "good race" in a way so that God would be honored and glorified in all I do. I want to finish the race and hear the words "Well, done good and faithful servant." I want my Jesus, Christ, Lord, Savior and God to be pleased with how I've lived my life for Him and Him alone!

Since I have nothing of value to say ...

I will share with you my little niece, Greta. :) She's growing and growing, if you've been keeping up on Katie's blog then you already know that.

My life is busy, but good. I've been learning the hard way with some things. God has been gently pushing and pulling but I just hadn't been getting it ... until now, but as you know, you form habits and then when you learn what needs fixed it's much harder to break them then to form them. But on to happier things ... here's Greta.

Babies!!

*~Bonnet Girl~*

::Baby Boy and "Juice"::

Busy, busy, busy ...

Hello peeps!! I know it's been quite a while since I've last posted. But I have good cause for not writing. :) I've started up an old job again. I take care of a little boy every morning, every morning, that is, but Sunday (in fact, as I write this I'm getting ready to step out the back door to my car to drive to work). Since the family goes to our church sometimes I will hold him at church picnics, too. In a couple of weeks piano lessons will start up again. So my days will be pretty full. But I will try to keep up on posting at least once in a while. I miss posting and hearing from all you wonderful peeps!! Your comments and e-mails make blogging so much more enjoyable! So until next time peeps. Grace and peace to you, from God our Father, Creator, Lord, Master, King and Jesus!

Advice from the little brother

While walking home from church on Wednesday night I was talking to Dad about getting a different car for myself so Leah can use my old car. He said if I did get a new car my insurance would jump way up (for different reasons) so I asked him when it would go back down. He said the rates would go down when I turned 25 or when I got married. My little brother Ethan, who had been quiet until then, now spoke up.

Ethan~ "You should get married."
Me~ "I can't do anything about that."
Ethan~ "Yes you can."
Me~ Very interested how he figured this whole thing out before me. "How's that?"
Ethan~ "Go to public places. So they can see you."
Me~ Laughing silently. "Did you know God can make the perfect man for me show up on our door step?"
Ethan~ "Without the guy even seeing you?"
Me~ "Yes."
He didn't seem convinced but said no more.

So, all in all, what we singles have to do is go to public places ... how easy is that? :) Why didn't we think of that? Of course as soon as you go there, you see someone you find attractive, you're instantly going to get married, don't you know? No courtship, no getting to know each other. Just ... *poof* ;)

Although we know there is much more to waiting for the one God has for you, it still makes for good laughs. :)

Cute and Funny

Check out this video. This little girl is singing "The Lord's Prayer". Considering that she was only 2, almost 3, when she sang this she does fairly well.

The Lord's Prayer

Herbs in the Kitchen

*~Oregano, Lemon Thyme, Parsley, and Basil (and breadcrumbs) for the Parmesan chicken recipe~*

"Life Changing Moments" link

My friend Sarah has just started a blog. Check it out!!! Her most recent post brought tears to my eyes as I read and my heart went out to her, but I praise the Lord for His grace, mercy and love to us. Read her post ... Life Changing Moments.

Comfort in the night ... my Jesus

The last couple days have been very trying, peeps. Ya'll know I'm single and sometimes it doesn't bother me too much, and sometimes, it really gets to me. Especially when someone I used to like has announced his engagement. So, what do I do when I'm feeling down (or when I'm happy, or all the time really:) )? I journal. Yup, I love writing: stories, journals, life, blogs, posts. :) I just love to write. But keeping the train of thought, I was rereading my journal from yesterday and today and I was so comforted by my Jesus' love and care that I just had to share it with you all! I'll give you a couple entries so you can get the whole flow of thought. :)

7-26-08
[The] silky water of the bathtub is scented with White Tea and Jasmine - Balancing bath salts [from Wal-mart]. A little purple plaid bag floats around, the bright red (silky) ribbon keeping the bath cookie inside. Four candles burn comfortingly and happily, one on the counter, three on the side of the tub. The sheer green curtain, brown softy curtain and plastic curtain are all tied back, safely out of reach of the hungry flames by a silky yellow ribbon. Fernando Ortega plays softly and comfortingly in the background. A newly filled glass bottle of iced tea rests on the floor, ready to bring sweetness to my mouth at a moment's notice. After [my bath] I will [use] Bath and Body Works lotion ... Velvet Tuberose! It almost smells like men's cologne. It is almost my favorite! Then after I relish the wonderful scent I will pull on my ... P.J.'s ... .
I hope the water will soak up and wash away the troubles in my heart. ...
I ... found out JA is to be wed ______.
The Lord is taking all chances of men I used to like away. The horizon is empty. I strain to see [my future husband], yet [he doesn't] appear.
The tears come and cries catch in my throat. I don't want to be alone.
Fill me Lord Jesus, with only You. That all else may be forgotten!

7-27-08
I'm sitting on a little plastic picnic table in the church nursery. TM plays happily on the floor while I sit here at the almost awkwardly small picnic table, drinking coffee and writing ...
Last night was slightly hard. I cried myself to sleep. I cried so much my nose got stuffy and I had to breath through my mouth, who knows what kind of icky, creepy-crawlies I ate unbeknownst to me. :) I cringe at the thought of eating spiders.
But as I cried I kept thinking about the Wait poem. My heart cried out in pain and uncertainty and the lines kept running through my head ... "He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine ... And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign..." ... "I could give all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me." ... "The glow of My comfort late into the night."
I cried and prayed and could see His eyes meet with mine. As I laid my head on my pillow and cried, it was almost like resting on His chest, His arms holding me tight, His tender voice tilling me He has a plan. ...

My Jesus amazes me so. So, I share that to say, be encouraged, singles and married alike, God has a plan, He'll never forget you, He'll never ask too much of you! Also read one of my favorite posts by my cousin Ash.

Hellllloooooo?!

This little guy/gal was on our screen the other morning. I love his eyes, they are so big, like a little kid trying to see inside the house. Or a little kid peeking over the side of a counter to see some cookies. It almost looks like he's smiling, too. These pictures crack me up every time I see them. Click on the pictures for a better view of his face. :)

Beauty that brightens my day!

*~::Greta Rosie feet!!!::~*

*~::Finally, a clothes line!! Remember what we used before?::~*

*~::The most beautiful bowl in the world!! I got it at the secondhand store. Its ripples make me so happy. The color makes me smile. I put it in my hope chest and look longingly for the day when I can use it. Mama bought one exactly like it so I can pull hers out of the cupboard and smile at it. :) ::~*

Well written post

Please go and read A Summer Evening at Leah's blog. It is very fun and inspiring. Don't forget to leave her a comment!

Tin tub and cross stitch

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Fabric