A New Year- Looking Ahead

I have not blogged for awhile. Life has come at me hard and I have not had time to share my thoughts online. I am looking forward to a new year and I have decided to pick a word to focus on - JOY. I feel that I need more joy in my life and I hope to bring joy to others. As Psalm 23:4 says, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness.

I hope that you find joy in your life as well.

You Are A Winner!

I follow alot of craft blogs and spend hours looking for projects. Occassionally, I enter giveaways online, but since I am NOT a lucky person, I never expect to hear from anyone. To my surprise I saw my name listed in a post of Chica and Jo. Their craft blog can be found at www.chicaandjo.com. Since I was out of state, I had to wait until I was back in town to see the surprise package that I won. All I can say is Wow! There is a wonderful assortment of craft items. There was cardstock, embellishments, glitter, material, a journal,decorative bowls, a ruler, and a silver bling bangle. I can't wait to begin some projects and of course there are lots of Christmas gift ideas online. Thank you Chica and Jo for the great selection of craft items and for your tutorials and ideas. I am inspired often by your projects and have many bookmarked for future gifts.

There is a Season

To everything, turn, turn, turn. There is a season, turn, turn, turn. And a time for every purpose under heaven. So I begin a new season. A move back to Texas and my journey begins As time rolls on I will tell you about this new adventure. Remember me as my first steps begin!

Lenten Ashes

Ash Wednesday ushered in the beginning of Lent. A time to remind us that we came from dust and to dust we will return. Pastor Rob spoke today about how we are to live with the attention, joy and purpose that God has given us. Even though we are going through uncertain times, God meets us with hope if we keep our faith in Him. Am I living the purpose that God has for me? Do I live each day with intention as well as attention? I try to live with joy in the simple things. I laughed out loud the day that it snowed. Huge flakes drifted down and all I could do was laugh. The beauty of nature, the sighting of a cardinal, the blooming of the daffodils bring joy into my life.
Am I just passing through life or am I making the most of life? I saw the movie, The Bucket List last night. It is a story about two men who find that they have a limited number of days to live and they make a list of things to do before they die. They decide to live their last days intentionally, to experience things and live their last days to their fullest. We are given opportunities each day to live life to its fullest and to make a difference in the life of others. One line in the movie especially spoke to me. The character, Carter Chambers says, "Even now I cannot understand the measure of a life, but I can tell you this. I know that when he died, his eyes were closed and his heart was open. And I'm pretty sure he was happy with his final resting place, because he was buried on the mountain. And that was against the law." Do we live with our hearts open, making a difference in other's lives? What joy do we bring to the lives of others? I pray that during the 40 days of Lent that I live my life to show that I made some difference to others before I return to dust and that the Lord will find me a faithful servant.

The Blessing

For months I have struggled over completing a prayer shawl that was started in January. It was not that I had stopped praying for my friend, but more that I felt that my small gesture would not be enough for her. I did not want to think about what she was suffering through and unable to help in a tangible way since I live so far away. The shawl would call to me from my knitting bag, but all I would do is pray a short prayer for my friend and choose to follow other paths.
In the last two months, conversations began about an interest in a prayer shawl ministry at the church. It kept coming up and I knew that it was a reminder that I had a wealth of prayers sitting in the corner that were not being used as God intended them to be used. I picked up the shawl and began knitting on it last week. The stitches flew off the needles and it felt good to be back in that rhythm of prayer and motion. Before long I had finished the shawl and was adding the fringe.
A small group of ladies met on Thursday to learn to knit and to find out about the prayer shawl ministry. I brought my shawl and told them about the recipient and we took turns praying over it. This shawl has been blessed by a sweet, loving bunch of ladies and I am ready to send it on it's way. Listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying has been a blessing as well.

Remembrances

We Will Not Forget. The anniversary remembrance. A dark day in history of a nation. A day after we lost my father in law. We were grieving his loss and preparing for his funeral when we saw the events unfold on the tv screen. Our minds numb from grief, it was difficult to comprehend what was happening that day. Loss, pain, hurt, peace, love, many emotions came forth. Overwhelming love. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" Chuck we will miss you. We love you.

Grace

I found this jewel today and what an awsome video! A prayer for today!
Credit goes to: http://coreymann.blogspot.com/ Innovative Corey Mann