stuff does not create happiness

stuff does not create happiness

link...gratitude...

 Beautiful blog and give-a-way :)

A Holy Experience

linked post- stewardship

great post here I found by clicking the "next" button on my blog from blogger.  glad I did :)

enjoy!

Praying you have a had a blessed Christmas.

seasons with hope...

Don't you just love the fall?   The smell of burning leaves, the smoke rising from the chimney...
(I am in the northeast...maybe you have the smell of suntan lotion, in that case...well, no comment! )
....the radiant colors of the leaves, snuggly socks, rich hot coffee in the dark of the morning, pumpkin pies, hearty soups, soft homemade bread nestling the sweet butter, craft time, the warm, sweet embrace of the loved one and cozy little ones nestled in a lap while reading Snowy Day...blessings.

Seasons can be crazy.
Seasons can be loud.
Seasons can be quiet.
Seasons can be somber.

Fall brings the close of hot days, maddening schedules, loud days and long nights.  It brings with it routine, quieter days, rest and the richness of color.

Then comes winter.  Fall colors fade away, leaving the simple white of snow, the angular lines of bare branches, the fullness of evergreens and their crisp sweet scent, the swirl of hot chocolate steam and cozy days together.

Spring is greatly welcomed.  The peeking of daffodils, colors bursting forth in the grey days, welcoming of new life, the joyful chirp of returning winged friends, April showers.  Even the mud and pesky black flies bring a relief to the long winter days.

Summer, oh summer.  Hot days, cold ice cream, bare feet running through vibrant green blades of grass, sprinklers, waves, sand, seashells.  Loud laughter late into the evening with sunsets past the dinner hour and crazy schedules.

We are fortunate here in New England to experience the four seasons.  Before our move here, we didn't have such distinct differences in the seasons.  In the south it was hot and mild..mostly hot!  Sometimes, life can be like this.  At some point in time as a new Christian someone referred to life as seasons.  This stuck with me.  What a beautiful analogy.  The highs and lows.  The hot and the cold.  The new and the old.  With each season, though some seem longer than others, the next season will come.  With this, no matter what season you are in, there is hope.  Hope.  Isn't this one of the most beautiful words and gifts the Lord has given us.


"[ Hannah’s Prayer ] Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance."~ 1 Samuel 2:1




"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”~Job 2:10


"Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem."~Ezra 8:9-10




“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” ~John 6:35 

There is a verse for every season, but through each one there is Hope.  

And as believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we have hope because of this:

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

thankful...(77-100)

What a year this has been...I've been thinking this should be my post for the New Year but why wait...who knows what the LORD will be doing then ;)

I suppose I shall get to the point and make this a thankful post because despite the emotional and spiritual roller coaster this year has been, the LORD has been with me every step of the way...extending grace, endless mercies, heaping love, leading, carrying, being patient, comforting and blessing with HIS Word and peace.

Thanking HIM for...

77. making it through the summer
78. this precious hubby
79. the oldest's help this evening
80. the opportunity to meet this dear old man, all because a carpet needed to be cleaned
81. praying together as a family every night
82. the fact that daddy makes us sit and talk before prayer time, when if left to my own devices, I would miss this precious time
83. the pink ipod hubby bought me for work
84. the sermons I listen to on the little pink ipod
85. God's Word playing on the ipod
86. the homeschool conference speakers playing on the ipod...teaching me about parenting, myself, the Lord, my husband, my children, giftedness...oh, and homeschooling :)
89. HIS will and not mine, and slowly doing it first, rather than last
90. the Skirmish and the boys doing the best they ever have
91. even better about the Skirmish-their cheering for others :)
92. the new teachers and the Lord's hand
93. new place of worship
94. a Woman's Retreat, resting in the "sweet spot"-at the feet of Jesus
95. clean kitchen (not because of me)
96. clean laundry (not because of me)
97. a squeal from a 2 year old as a welcome home
98. text messages sent in love and to encourage from my honey
99. continued work
100. prayer first...and waiting...

this precious man has been a gift from the LORD to me...the LORD has truly used him this year to show me that I can make it just one more step when I think I can't...we're both fallen, broken people saved by grace, walking in joy and love...good stuff :) 

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 NIV

1000 Gifts...
A beautiful idea from Ann Voskamp at a Holy Experience.  Her beautiful website and link here-won't you join?

Autumn Snow Storm...

Thanking the Lord for His goodness...

"...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." ~Joshua 24:15

{this moment}

 sweet reminder of summer's final days...{this moment-a Friday ritual} joining with soulemama