Christmas

Christmas!
We use so many words to describe the season.  But really, there is only one word to truly describe this time of year:  Jesus.  Jesus Christ is the reason to celebrate this season of Christmas.  His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection, His gift to us.  We can easily and quickly focus our attention on other things at Christmas (as well as any other day of the year).  Not all of these things we turn our attention to are bad.  However, if our attention is not on Christ first then we have a problem.  For example, we often like to focus on family, friends, parties, giving gifts, traveling, decorations, etc at Christmas time.  And these can be good things... as long as we keep Christ as our number one focus and remember that without Him there would be no reason to celebrate Christmas.

I hope that this Christmas is a wonderful time for you and your family.  Remember to keep Christ first.  He is the reason for the season.

For those of us hurting during this season (at the loss/memory of someone close), I pray that we will find our strength, comfort, and peace in Christ alone.

Merry Christmas!!

The Shepherds and the Angels [Luke 2:8-20 HCSB]

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.  Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:  Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!


When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

Persevere

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV

Oh, how I love encouragement!  I love to receive encouragement, and I love to give encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 is my SSMT memory verse for the first half of November.  (It should be verse 21 of the year, but unfortunately I missed the second verse in September and October.  But it's ok.  I will have 22 verses that I have meditated on throughout 2011 and most of which I have memorized... some are new verses to me and some I am using to refresh myself.) 

Encouragement is a necessity in this life.  Hard times come... a hectic schedule, a difficult job, losing someone you love (through death or just a broken relationship), sickness, etc.  The list could go on and on.  But, through faith, we know that a wonderful day is coming... "the Day".  We cannot lose sight of this fact.  This Day should impact how we live each day of our lives.  This Day should encourage us to work through whatever hardships must come because we know that the light to the darkness is coming.  This Day should also encourage us to encourage those around us, our fellow believers as well as others in our life.  We need the encouragement of each other to push us to excel and make the best of what we are given.  Otherwise, it is far too easy for us to fall and make decisions that hurt not only us but those we have come in contact with throughout our lives as well.  May each of us be an encouragement to everyone we come in contact with today.  The simplest form of encouragement:  a smile! 

On your part...

Hello October!  I love fall... great weather and fun holidays & events...


Today is the first which means it's time for a new verse.  It should be verse 19, but I missed/skipped verse 18 on September 15th.  But I'm getting back on board with this verse...
If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 (HCSB)


To me, this verse is a great reminder and encouragement of how we are supposed to live with and treat others... despite what they say/do.  I can only control me, and I am responsible for me!


Today was also a great day... I was blessed to watch my niece in a beauty pageant, enjoy a baby shower for a dear friend, eat lunch with family and friends, make a dress (with help from my mom, of course), eat dinner at my parents' house, and even be productive on school work.  It was a full day!


I'll try to post pictures soon.  But I'm sure y'all have noticed that it takes a little bit of time for me to post... let alone pictures.  Hope y'all enjoy fall!  I'll try to be back soon...  :)

Time

Time... such a precious thing... 
I don't seem to have enough of it.  But it keeps going and it's time for the next verse... 
Proverbs 16:24 (HCSB)
Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.
I just realized this encouraging verse the other day courtesy of a friend.  I hope it encourages you as well!

Truth

It's a new month which means it's time for a new verse.

Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV)

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Now, I learned this verse years ago in Bible Drill.  However, I was reminded of the importance and significance of this verse in our Life Group yesterday.  Let me share some of our discussion...
God is creating a new covenant with His people.  He's taking away the old one.  The new covenant is basically the story of Jesus.  The new covenant introduced a personal relationship with God which was made possible through Jesus' life and death.  And it's our responsibility to "maintain" this covenant.

Well, that's all I've got for now.  I promise pictures and more blogging are coming soon!

Until next time,
Enjoy each day you have!

Update

Here's an update on my summer list...
- spend time with family and friends... build relationships... (check :))
- go to niece & nephews ball games
- plan, decorate, and help with VBS
- go on trips (been on a few :), one more to go)
- work out and get in better shape 
(this has been put on pause, I will resume next week =D)
- swim and maybe get a tan 
(haven't been lately :( but I am a lil darker, courtesy of a burn...)
- organize the file cabinet... papers have been stacking up for months...
- make a painting for guest bath... "splish, splash, taking a bath"...
- create & complete wedding photo album
- plan for classes next year (in progress!)
- save pictures to computer/disk... create photo albums (?)
- make some new crafts and/or foods... gotta find some ideas...
(These past two weeks some of the eats I've made are a Flag Cake, Tye-Dye Cupcakes, Potato Skins, Shrimp Parmesan Pasta, homemade peach ice cream... Yum!  I'll post pics when I get them to my comp)
- read books (Radical, Crazy Love, Don't Waste Your Life, Remarkable Women of the Bible, Love and Respect, First Love, Christ Centered Life, My Utmost for His Highest, Mathematics for Every Student (started this one), Why Didn't I Learn This in College, and more may be added)


So as you can see, there is still much to do.  But you probably also realize (like I do) that I am running out of time.  But it's ok.  I'll get done what I can and I'll tackle these other items some other time.  They're not summer only items.  Well, most of them are not.  I just usually have more time in the summer.  


If you hadn't noticed yet, today is the 15th... 
which means it's time for my next memory verse and I think it is quite appropriate...


Matthew 6:34 (HCSB)
Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. 
Each day has enough trouble of its own.


Until next time,
Focus on today (each day), don't miss out on everything around you

Celebrate!

One of my sweet friends, Amber, is celebrating her Mama's birthday by doing a giveaway on her blog.  You should check it out.  :)


One of the "extra entries" for this giveaway is to ... "Leave me a comment about one treasured thing that your mom gave you (material or abstract)." 


Well, I got to thinking... we celebrate birthdays and have good times, but how often do we stop and really treasure that persons life... treasure what they have given to us.  


A few things my wonderful Mom has given to me over the years... 

• modesty in dress and understanding why to dress modestly
• stop and spend time with God... in His word and in prayer
• a love for puzzles and games
• some of her old clothes (I thought I was so cool wearing her old high school clothes =D)
• a love for spending time with family and knowing who's related to who
• the desire/love to collect things... charms for my bracelet, smashed pennies, etc
• easy recipes :)
• a love for scrapbooking... along with some scrapbooks...

I love my Mom!  :)  And I really love spending time with her (and the rest of the family) and doing fun stuff!!  God has blessed me with a great Mom.  I hope you're able to enjoy time with your Mom this week.

Until next time,

treasure those in your life & all that they've given

Realizations

This summer I decided to go on one of the youth trips (like last summer).  Our youth have three main trips in the summers:  Centrifuge, PowerPlant, and World Changers.  I signed up for PowerPlant because I love serving with church plants.  Unfortunately, we didn't have very many youth sign up for PowerPlant this year.  I was needed as a chaperone for the Centrifuge trip.  To be honest, I wasn't too excited at first.  Don't get me wrong - I like Fuge, but I wanted to go to PowerPlant.  Well, we went to Fuge and it was a good week.  I had fun and learned lots.  It was trying at times but also encouraging. 

Our World Changers team left today.  I must say that I miss going to WC every year.  I have been to seven WC projects in the past ten years.  My Mom called to tell me something yesterday.  The first thing she asked was "Do you want to go to World Changers?"  I was at a loss.  I said, "What?!"  She asked me again.  I paused and thought about it.  Yes!  Wait, I have stuff to do.  I have a meeting on Tuesday that I can't get out of.  I have another meeting Thursday, not required though.  I have to run the computer. etc.  I wanted to say "Yes.  I'll go home and pack and be ready to leave in the morning."  But I couldn't.  Needless to say, it kinda bothered me.  This opportunity arose, but I couldn't/didn't take it.

[On another note... hang with me... it'll all tie together...]

Last night, some feelings overflowed out of me.  Not good feelings either.  These feelings were insecurity and selfishness.  I had been feeling insecure and selfish for a little while, but last night it was time for them to come out.  Ready or not.  My husband knew something was on my mind.  So he inquired.  My stubborn self tried to hold back, but I couldn't.  I miss getting flowers.  I miss getting stuff for me.  I'm tired of cleaning and doing laundry.  I'm not good enough.  There are fifty million things going on in my head.  etc.  And he had words to share with me... words that were true even though they were hard for me to swallow.  He reminded me of one of our devotions we read recently - about being thankful instead of complaining.  I was thankful, really.  I have been blessed far more than I deserve.  But at the same time, I was listening to "these lies" as he called them.  He also pointed something out to me - I need to focus on one thing at a time... pick one thing to start and let that be my focus until I finish it... that way I wouldn't be overwhelmed (hopefully).  

Well, all of this to say that I have come to a few realizations...

• I'm not good enough.  I never will be.  I am who God has made me.  I have to trust that He knows what's best and He will be my strength.  Sure gifts are nice, but they're not a necessity.  Sure time would be nice, but really I have it... I just need to make the most of it.  
• I do need to focus on one thing at a time.  Get one task down and then tackle something else.  I will finish as much of my summer list as possible in these last few weeks.  
• We are put in certain situations for a reason.  Enjoy the time you have, where you have it, with you have it, and learn something new.
• I am blessed!!  Great family, good friends, nice home, clothes to wear, food to eat, able to travel...
• Insecurity and selfishness may return, but I don't have to listen to them.
• We don't always know how much time we have left to live.

I love music!  It often reminds us of truths we need to hear.  Here are a few that have brightened my day... Mirror, Mirror by Barlow Girl, Beautiful by Mercy Me - another gal (http://vinson-nicole.blogspot.com/) enjoyed this song recently as well...

I hope y'all have a wonderful Saturday!

Until next time,

Live life to the fullest!

Note:  When I get my pictures uploaded from my camera to my computer, I will share with you some good eats that I made recently.  :) 

#13

It's the second half of the year... Only 12 more verses for 2011. Here's verse 13:

Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 

I want to encourage you to "stop and chew" on this verse. Really think about what the Lord was saying to the Israelites.

Live, Laugh, LOVE

Life is wasted if you do not love the things that come your way.  We are often blessed ten times more than we realize and acknowledge.  So today I am going to share with you some things that I love...

I love weddings... a time of celebration of two individuals and two families joining because of their love for each other.  I have the honor and pleasure of attending/assisting at a wedding today.  And might I say, it has been a joy watching the wedding party have their pictures taken... and the bride is beautiful!

I love spending time with family.  This past week my family (Dad, Mom, Brother, Husband, and I) enjoyed a vacation in Branson.  It was a blast!  We went with very few plans for the week; however, we seemed to always be going and having fun.  If you go to Branson this year, I highly recommend that you go see the show Noah at the Sights & Sound Theater.  We also did the usual... putt-putt golf, tennis, shuffle board, swimming (pool & lake).  Unfortunately, the sun was not my friend while we were on the lake.  My poor body is burnt!  But it will heal... hopefully sooner rather than later.

I love summer... and all of its festivities.  We have a cookout & swim with the youth this weekend... so exciting!  I'm also looking forward to our family's fish fry to celebrate the 4th of July... fun times ahead!

I love quotes.  One addition to my classroom walls next year will be quotes... some printed on colored paper, some framed and bought, some painted by dear friends... quotes come in so many different designs and are often great reminders that we need...

I love learning new things.  Yes, I'm weird - I like to learn.  I spent an entire week at a workshop learning how to have more engaging lessons.  I hope that I will be able to efficiently/adequately apply what I learned.  I love to learn and that is part of the reason I also love to teach.

I love pictures... and capturing the memories we make throughout our lives.  Unfortunately, I often forget to bring my camera along.  But I am getting better.  Hopefully I'll be able to get the pictures saved so that I can share them with you.  And I also have a nifty phone that is pretty good at doubling as a camera.

I love to laugh and have fun!

I love sharing life with others... which is why I have chosen to blog this year.  I hope my posts don't bore you too much.  I hope to share with you more and more along the way.

Until next time,
enjoy the life you're getting to live

Halfway!

After this next verse, I will be halfway through the year for SSMT.  It’s hard to believe that twenty-eleven is going by so quickly.  Here’s my next verse:

Colossians 3:17 (HCSB)

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

When we posted our verse this time, we were also asked to complete the following statement. 

Memorizing scripture has helped me…
to keep my focus on what is important and not let the “little things” bog me down.

I really needed this reflection.  I have been down a little here lately.  Of course, I think part of the problem is that I have been busy… running ragged… and it’s summer!  I have yet to understand how my time disappears.  It doesn’t feel like I waste it on insignificant things, but it also doesn’t feel like I’m being as productive/useful as I should be.  I need to make sure I keep my focus on the things that truly matter and that I am working toward those goals especially.

On a positive note, I have accomplished a few things on my summer to do list…

-     - go to niece & nephews ball games

-     - VBS

-     - work out… Insanity… enough said…

-     - swim… went three days in a row last week  

-     - started reading one of my books:  Mathematics for Every Student

-     - cook new food:  Baked Potato Soup = yum!

Until next time, 

Enjoy your summer!!

Sweet Summertime

Well, summer has begun!  Not officially... there's about 20 more days until it's official... 


Nonetheless, summer is here.  And it is a great relief.  Plus it brings excitement.  Excitement to accomplish all of my summer goals.  And today, my friends, I'm going to share with you some of the things on my list: 
- spend time with family and friends... build relationships...
- go to niece & nephews ball games
- plan, decorate, and help with VBS
- go on trips 
- work out and get in better shape
- swim and maybe get a tan 
- organize the file cabinet... papers have been stacking up for months...
- make a painting for guest bath... "splish, splash, taking a bath"...
- create & complete wedding photo album
- plan for classes next year
- save pictures to computer/disk... create photo albums (?)
- make some new crafts and/or foods... gotta find some ideas...
- read books (Radical, Crazy Love, Don't Waste Your Life, Remarkable Women of the Bible, Love and Respect, First Love, Christ Centered Life, My Utmost for His Highest, Mathematics for Every Student, Why Didn't I Learn This in College, and more may be added)


So as you can see, I do not want to be lazy and waste my summer away.  And don't worry -- I will share the results of these lovely items.  I shall relax, but I shall also be productive.  Life is too short and too sweet to waste. 


As I begin this list, I have a new verse to be memorizing...
1 Kings 3:9a (NIV)
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. 


Until next time,
Live Your Life!! 

Insanity

Yesterday marked the beginning of Insanity- the workout video program that we will be doing for the next nine weeks.  So this means some changes... work out everyday, change how we eat, push our limits, etc.  But, I must say that I am excited.  I'm tired of not working out and staying in shape.  My hope for Insanity is that it will get me back in to shape and that I'll be consistent.  Now Insanity's goal is to push you past your limits to get your hardest body ever using MAX interval training.  But we have decided to start out slow since it's been a while that we've worked out.  So we will work out everyday following the workout plan the best we can.  If we aren't satisfied with the results at the end of the "60 days" then we will start again and keep working until we get to our goals.  And we have the "before" pictures and measurements so we can celebrate how far we go...

And our motivation verses...
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (HCSB)
Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

A few projects...

So life lately has still been busy.  But this time, it's busy with things other than the ordinary day-to-day activities which encourages me to post.  If I posted more often, I would be able to devote a post for each item (along with all the lovely details).

First of all, I decided to create Mini Oreo Pops.  I got this idea from some cool crafty ladies at www.thecraftingchicks.com.

                     

              

It's a pretty easy project.  However I failed at creating these cute tasty treats.  When I would dip the oreos in the red candy, they would fall apart.  Or I would succeed in dipping the oreo but then fail at sticking the "stem" and "leaf" on the "apple".  Luckily (and thankfully), my wonderful husband was patient and successful.  Eventually he convinced me to try again.  Unfortunately this craft project wasn't my cup of tea... which really bothered me.  After all, I like to succeed.  Maybe next time.



My second project from this week was a name painting.  One of the graduating seniors asked for a painting with her name to hang on her wall.  She requested the blue and light pink as well as the swirls, hearts, and stars.  Hopefully, she will like what I created.

Note: I still have to add the ribbon to hang the board. 

And now I'm going to end this post with today's festivities.  I woke up at 4:45 (EARLY) to meet a crew of about 16 to drive down to Amory, MS.  We were going to spend our Saturday helping clean up the debris from the tornados that destroyed homes and businesses in the Amory/Smithville/Wren area a couple of weeks ago.  Now, I had seen pictures and heard reports of the damage but seeing it in person gives a new perspective.  It was sad to see how so many had lost everything.  But it was encouraging to see all of the volunteers and supplies provided to help the families.  I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to help.  It was hard work, but it was good... I was spending my day being productive and helping others (two things I love).   Here are some pictures of the area where we worked today in Wren, MS.  Our group helped clear a pasture so that the cows would have room to graze and what not.  

The cars' windows were out and the inside was filled with debris. 

What's left of the house.

An uprooted tree.  And one of the chickens.

Well, until next time...
Live life to the fullest!

Busy, Busy...

Busy, busy... dreadfully busy...

When summer is here, I will enjoy it!  I must.  I am too tired/exhausted and have been for about the past month.  So I will try and enjoy this next month the best I can... but come summer then there will definitely be some changes so that I can live life "better"...

Now, today is May Day (May 1st) which means that it is time for SSMT verse 9.


Philippians 4:11b (HCSB)
... for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.

Oh how this verse needs to be true in my life.  Feel free to hold me accountable.  :)
And I do hope to become better with blogging as I make some changes...
Please don't give up on me just yet.

Spring has sprung!

Hello spring!  You have come with such attitude...
crazy temperatures - sometimes it feels like summer and others it feels like winter; storms and strong winds which make it ridiculous (and occasionally dangerous) to be outside sometimes; beautiful sunshine; sports- baseball, softball, tennis, golf, spring football games, basketball championships; excitement for summer and the end of school; and so much more...

I'm glad spring is here, but I am getting anxious for summer.
Hopefully I won't wish spring away and miss all of its goodness though.

Well, I must get back to being productive...

Here's verse eight for twenty-eleven:
May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from His glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience.
Colossians 1:11

One-fourth

SSMT update:
Six verses down and only eighteen to go.

This time I had trouble deciding on my next verse to memorize.  It was the end of Friday (April 1) by the time I finally decided.  It comes from a devotional that I had read the night before.  These words are quite interesting to me.  And I don't think that I had read them before the other night.  Now I'm going to share them with you.  Chew on this...

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 (HCSB)
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

The Grace Card

Last Saturday we had the pleasure of spending the evening out... going out to dinner at Olive Garden and then to the movies.  This was our first date night to the movies since we've been married.  The reason for dinner and a movie?  First of all, it was needed... and wanted.  Secondly, we have some great friends and family who had given us gift cards.

The movie we watched is called The Grace Card.  I'm not going to spoil the movie, but I do want to share a few things.  It takes place in Memphis... which is pretty cool since that's such a familiar city for us.

I want to share with you the challenge that was given throughout the movie...
When someone hurts you or offends you, respond with grace... the grace card...
"I promise to pray for you everyday, ask your forgiveness, grant you the same, and be your friend always."

It's a great movie... realistic and down to earth!  I encourage you to watch it!

Encouragement

I love encouragement!  

I love to give encouragement and I love to receive encouragement.  Encouragement is something we need and also something that I think we desire.

This past week I had the honor and joy of being encouraged in a very large city many miles away.  It's a city that many people love... I even love this city but not for the same reasons as many others.  We went on a mission trip to Las Vegas.  We were able to spend the week with some old friends who have recently moved and some new friends from the same southern state.  :)  These people were a great encouragement throughout the week... through their faith and their optimism.  People we met along the way through surveying neighborhoods, serving at a rescue mission, and sharing at a homeless ministry were also encouraging throughout the week.  It was a great week!  I'm so thankful that I had the opportunity to go... to learn... to share... to live...

This week I have even been encouraged by those around me here at home... the Word, my friends, my coworkers, my family, and even others in the community whom I didn't know until this week.  It is so refreshing and revitalizing to be encouraged.  

I hope that I can be an encouragement to those around me.  May my words and my actions be positive and productive/beneficial to those around me!

Spring Break!

Spring break is here!  And I can honestly say that I need it.

Lately I have been in an odd mood... more stressed, more uptight, more easily upset, more easily bothered/frustrated... It has not been good.  Honestly I'm not sure where this odd mood has come from.  But I am ready for it to go!  Hopefully spring break will be the cure... or at least the beginning of the cure.

I am looking forward to next week.  I will be on an adventure... outside of my comfort zone a little... but in a place that I love... if that makes any sense.  It will definitely be a change from the "regular" life which has kept me so busy and stressed that even when I have the chance to blog I feel that I have nothing good to add for y'all to read.  I'm sorry.  I will be working on my blogging skills throughout the year.

Spring is exciting to me.  Warmer weather.  Fresh grass and leaves.  Bright flowers.  Birds chirping.  March madness.  New sports - baseball, softball, etc.  Longer days.  More light.  Occasionally some rain and storms.

Hopefully it won't take me two weeks before I drop in again.
I hope y'all have a wonderful week!!

Music & Lyrics

I love music!

One thing that I love about music is how the lyrics can become so personal.

I have one song in particular in mind...
"Voices" by Chris Young

Things that people tell us stick with us... especially sayings from when we're growing up and from our loved ones who are so important to us.  It amazes me how I find myself in different situations and some saying comes to mind... a saying from someone, from a song, from a book or a movie, and even from the Bible.  The things that we put into ourselves (mind and body) will come out.  It is so important to guard our bodies, minds, and hearts.  When I hear those voices, I want them to be good voices... words that I need to hear at that time in order to do what is right...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
and find some good tunes to carry you through...  :)

Rejuvenated!

re-ju-ve-nate
to make (someone or something) look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively

I love when things are clean and organized.  It gives me a slight peace when everything "has a home".  Well, our second bedroom has been filled with boxes and all of the extra stuff since we moved.  It has been bothering me occasionally, to say the least.  So last weekend after the several snow days I decided it was time to tackle that room and all of that stuff.  Now I can finally say that it is cleaned up and mostly organized... only a few boxes remain in the closet.  It's so refreshing!

I also love the beautiful weather we've been having around here.  Now, it's definitely not our normal February weather, but it is quite nice after the snow and cold.  Of course, the cold will probably return before summer but I will enjoy the sun and warmth while it is here!

It's been a LONG week but I am thankful for the rejuvenation found in the different aspects of life...
Another good way to be rejuvenated- God's Word!  Here's my fourth scripture memory verse for 2011...

Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.  Philippians 2:14-15 (HCSB)

Thoughts for Thursday

Today, I am going to take my friend Amber's idea and write out my Thoughts for Thursday.

* I love snow!  It is so pretty to me.  It blankets everything in white.  Plus, it occasionally results in snow days... like yesterday afternoon
and today... which means there's time to relax and have fun (playing some-slightly-old-school N64 games) as well as time to clean up the apartment and do some teacher planning that is slightly needed.

* I love having ideas for a project, but I hate not being able to write/draw them out.  For example, I have a few different ideas of a t-shirt design for an upcoming event.  But my ideas can't seem to make it completely and clearly to the paper.  It's rather aggravating to be honest.  I just need to be patient and work them out... but patience and I aren't always friends.

* I have been struggling on two of my goals for this year.  (1) Reading the Bible through chronologically this year.  My priorities have been slightly out of whack as well.  (2) My third SSMT verse is more difficult for me to memorize.  I'm not sure why.  I probably just haven't spent enough time studying it.  I have the gist of it, but I will get it down word for word before the next verse (next Tuesday).  I WILL!  :)

* Well if I am going to be productive then I need to get off of here and get to work... to life...  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Finally...

Finally... I am writing a new post.  Unfortunately life has been consistently busy, and I seem to stay exhausted.  It's almost depressing.  I'm used to not sleeping a lot, but I am not used to feeling exhausted this much.  Besides there is too much to do in order to get enough sleep each night so I'm not exhausted.

Anyway, today is February 1st which means it is time for verse 3 in Siestaville...
2 Corinthians 5:15
"And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised."

The other day I was contemplating what my next verse to memorize would be.  And then we had small groups the other night.  A great group of young ladies and women were discussing what it means to be missional.  We were reading and discussing a passage from 2 Corinthians 5, and then... one of the wise girls said that verse 15 looked like a good verse for us to daily focus on and live by.  It caught me off guard, but I was so excited and thankful for that insight.  I then encouraged each of us to focus on this verse each day this week and apply what we've learned/discussed from the other night.

Something to catch you up on... our cooking adventure...
cooking up new recipes, of course we make a few adaptations along the way...

Last week, we made oven-fried fish and mac & cheese 101.  The fish was delicious!  The mac & cheese was good, but we should have edited an overlooked ingredient.  The recipe called for a little nutmeg.  Ok, mix it in; it'll be fine.  Well, a little nutmeg goes a long way.  Needless to say, that pan of mac & cheese was a waste because we did to eat our first helping.  And my man loves mac & cheese.

                  

           




Well, this week's new dish was much welcomed, to say the least... chicken and dumplins!  First of all, I love chicken and dumplins.  It turned out delicious.  Unfortunately we started off with a rather different/weird recipe.  So in the middle we had to do some calling around and grocery shopping but the end result was worth it!  :)

I hope February brings some new adventures your way... just make sure you take time to rest along the way.  (Don't worry, I'm speaking to me as well... probably even more than to you...)

Scrimptious

I don't know about you, but around here we get tired of eating the same thing.  So we've decided to enjoy (at least one) "new" recipe each week.  And tonight's dinner was scrumptious... I mean "scrimptious"... lol...

On the menu:  shrimp scampi and twice baked potatoes.  Yum!  Both recipes were quite easy.  The baked potatoes of course took a little while to cook, but the scampi was nice and quick (about 5-10 minutes).

And, unfortunately, in all of the excitement of cooking this delicious dinner I forgot to snap some pictures.  I'll try to do better with the next dish.

Verse 2

It's January 15th which means it's time to post the next verse I'm memorizing.  Here it is...


"If you do right, won't you be accepted? But if you do not do right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Genesis 4:7, HCSB


This verse comes from the story of Cain and Abel.  They had given offerings to God.  God looked on favor of Abel's offering but not Cain's.  Cain was upset.  God approached Cain asking why he was upset and then reminding him that he would be accepted if he did what was right.  


Evidently Cain's offering was not a true offering/sacrifice to God.  He gave God an offering, yes; but Cain did not give God his best.  Unfortunately, I am guilty of putting other things before God and not giving Him my best as well.  May I take the warning of needing to master sin seriously...


Cain did not master the sin crouching at his door.  He became jealous of his brother which led to anger and even the murder of Abel.


As I memorize this verse, I hope that I am also able to remember the lesson and truth from this passage...

"What I'm Loving..." Snow Day!

It's our first snow of the year... the ground, cars, rooftops, and everything else is covered with several inches of snow.  It's beautiful.  I love watching snow fall and cover the land.  One good thing about snow is that it can bring snow days... time off from work/school because it's too dangerous to travel.

This snow day is great because it gives me an extra day to rest, relax, and recuperate from all my sicknesses that I've had lately.  So the snow day starts my "what I'm loving" list...

What I'm Loving...

* snow days

* my health being restored; 

I haven't had major health issues but I have had several issues here lately; 

thankfully the issues are being healed and taken away

* my great family & friends who take care of me; 

even when I'm sick there are few people 

that I know I can call on and they will help me out 

-- such a blessing!

* celebrating my brother's birthday with the family... 

even though he doesn't care much for celebrating... 

but the cookie cake was delicious and it was some good family time  

* coming home to a clean apartment 

with laundry sorted and dinner cooking... 

I'm blessed with an amazing husband!

* watching the preacher's daughters dance to God's praises 

and then dance around just for fun

* listening to children play the piano; there's an 8-year-old boy 

whose skill & creativity amaze me

Well, this is my list for today.  I'm sure that I've left some things off but I can always add them to my next "What I'm Loving" list.  Life is too short to not count my blessings!!  :)

Hope y'all have a great day and are able to enjoy the snow!

24 in 2011

One of the things I plan to do this year through my blog is join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team... memorizing 24 Bible verses in 2011.  So on the 1st and 15th of each month I am going to post the verse that I will be memorizing throughout those two weeks.
Here's the first one...

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things will be provided for you."
Matthew 6:33, HCSB

I am excited about this upcoming year, and my goal is to keep God first and follow wherever/however He may lead.  I want to truly submit and surrender my life each day.
It will be trying at times, I'm sure, but it is what I am called to do.  :)