Thursday, February 28, 2013

3 Gifts from the Past that Help you Trust the Future

1} The Word...every word is true...seeing those words and what has already happens reminds me I am in very good hands...

2} The things God puts on my heart to capture and hold on to...I don't have to live in fear about certain things

3}The way God answers prayer...He lets me know it is all going to be alright...

Blessings,
C~


Wednesday, February 27, 2013

3 Ugly-Beautiful Gifts

Three Ugly things seen as beautiful...

1} Jesus on the cross...a very ugly thing provided a much needed salvation

2} My messy house...we cannot stay on top of it, but i see my children trying to please me...things they do without being asked...like a clean bathroom...lives that grieve, laugh, play and work together...and I know...one day, my house will be clean and I will long for these days with my children all around me again.

3} An empty wallet...God provides and takes care of His children

Blessings,
C~


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

3 Gifts Seen as Reflections

1} God's word reflects what condition my heart is in.

2} My Children-They are individuals, but they are also reflections of me...the good, the bad AND the ugly

3} Jesus in the sweet spirit of a precious friend.

C~

Monday, February 25, 2013

A Gift Worn Out, New, Made-Do

1} Worn Out: The Router...thankful it is working for now!

2} New: Hair color...a SLIGHTLY new look for me soon!

3} Made Do: DDs mattress...we had a dog who really enjoyed tearing it apart...I am thankful we can use it for now...he will need a new one soon though...but he wakes up and says, "I Slept AMAZING!"

C~



Sunday, February 24, 2013

3 Gifts before 11 am

1} A stop at Starbucks on our way to Church...my Lou won a gift card...

2} Well even though it STARTED at 11 am...I am still going to count it...WORSHIP in music...prepares my heart to hear the message.

3} a sweet saint whose tender words bring tears to my eyes



Sufficiency of Scripture

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

John 1:35-42


Saturday, February 23, 2013

A Gift in Tin, Glass, Wood

1} In Tin: A trio of snowmen on my desk. I have a LOVE of snowmen and so I have been collecting these decorations. Someone took the snowmen off the mantle after we took the Christmas decorations down and made a very cute little scene on the corner of my desk. I am not 100% sure who did that...but I love the look of it and that simple thought that beautifies my work space.

2} In Glass: A Snow globe from my little man...the bought it for me for Christmas. He was so cute about it...He KNEW he got me the best thing he could have found...his love for me and his enthusiasm are pictured by that snow globe.

3} In Wood: My headboard...an idea from Pinterest using doors...I LOVE IT!


Friday, February 22, 2013

The Ultimate Blogging Planner

Say Not Sweet Anne
The Ultimate Blogging Planner
Free Printable


As a member of the Mosaics Review team, we were given an "assignment" to review a Blogging Planner from a list of choices. I chose this one from Say Not Sweet Anne.

A treat for you bloggers...Say Not Sweet Anne has created a beautiful blogging planner to help us all stay on top of all of our information.



I was drawn to this planner because of the beautiful look of it...to me, it has the feel of a romantic fabric and is just lovely to look at. Kayla created it when she could not find anything to suit her needs and has provided it for all of us to use. I REALLY LOVE that!!!

I downloaded the teal option with the notes...because I ALWAYS need room for notes. Then I printed it two sided (I did just use regular copy paper and it looks fine) I had it bound at Office Depot with a clear spiral binding. I did have clear covers put on it as well and I think that cost about $3 total.



Coming home to use it...The first page you work with is a Important Information page. It has MANY spaces to put website addresses with user names and passwords. Each spot was a little small for me, so I just put the information I needed to keep there free form on the page...I would show you this, but there are private user names/passwords...so you can just take my word for this. This page actually became a vital page for me...I did not anticipate that...but I was having issues with 3 particular sites and now I have that information stored in this spot. I love that it is in one place instead of all my little slips of paper mashed into an old bank envelope. You may wish to look at this page and consider making a few copies of it before you have your planner copied and bound. My page is almost full in my free form style.

Next, there is a Contacts page and an Other page. I have not used these yet, but there are so many ways they could be used. The Contacts page has a heading that has columns for Name, URL, Email, Facebook, and Cell. The other page has five columns, but no headings...so you can use it however you like.

Then you have come to the monthly pages. I began using this at the very END of January, so I do not have much noted there...Skipping to February...you have the Month page with the beautiful background bordering the month page. The dates are printed on each month...no writing it all in. One thing I LOVE about THIS planner is that the holidays are noted...in this particular color, they are teal...I had a calendar once that did not have ANY holiday information on it...SO THANK YOU KAYLA for making that a very visible part of the calendar page. There is also a place on the side where you can write notes...I always need room for notes!

Turn the page and you come to the pages that are particular for blogging use. On the format I chose, you have two weeks of information on each two page spread. There is a box for each week to keep track of posts, comments, visits, subscribers, likes, and followers...I have not yet had a chance to keep track of these numbers, but I do like having a place to keep them stored that is easy to find.


(Don't you LOVE those Coffee Rings??? Those did not come with the planner...I had to add that embellishment myself!!)


Another set of boxes is a to-do list for each week and then you have a large area for notes and project ideas for each week. I ended up using both of these areas for the same thing on the weeks I have been using the planner, because I was scheduling some posts and needed more room for my thoughts, but I love having the space to keep track of those thoughts that come and go into your head and to keep track of regular posts and deadlines that are coming. One thing that I did not find helpful was that the Week Of boxes began with Monday's date...I think in Sunday through Saturday time frames and this kept throwing me off...it is a VERY MINOR thing though and the ONLY thing that I did not like about the planner.

I LOVE how portable this planner is. It is easy to throw in the car and grab in a hurry...rather than my wall calendar...which is BIG or my lesson planners, which are very BULKY...and really need to be at HOME...where we can FIND them...so schooling can actually happen!

The planner comes in 5 colors: Purple, Pink, Teal, Grey and Blue as well as a black and white option. It was very easy to download and she gives step by step instructions for putting it together if you need it. One thing I need to do is get the monthly tabs put on. I have not done that yet and it really is HELPFUL to be able to find a future month quickly.

Not a blogger, but you LOVE this planner too...Kayla has created a regular version of this planner just for you!

Try it...you have nothing to lose...I think you're really going to love it!




Please feel free to see what my Mosaic Reviews team mates had to say about this planner and the other ones we had to choose from here



3 Gifts that Changed Today

1} Some water turned into a delicious hot brew called coffee that helps me know it's time to get on with the day

2} My bank account is not as empty as it was yesterday...PAYDAY!

3}Mt. Washmore is just conquered...well for today at least,,,and that IS a blessing!

C~



Thursday, February 21, 2013

3 Gifts White

1} Laundry Baskets...they are getting filled up with CLEAN clothes that are getting put away...so these baskets are emptying, FINALLY, faster than they are filling!

2} My Helpers...Fridge, Dishwasher, Sink, Freezer, Washer, Dryer...I really take these helpers for granted and complain more than I should for the work involved with using them, rather than being ever so grateful for the work they save me from

3) Our Van...almost 13 years old, this vehicle is running pretty well and I am very thankful for that!

Blessings,
C~


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

3 Gifts at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

1}At Breakfast- Casi Cielo Coffee
2} At Lunch- A quiet conversation with the birthday boy
3} At Dinner- Getting to hold a new baby...such a beautiful treasure

Blessings


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

3 Gifts that were Plan B's


I have thought long and hard on this one...it is these times when you just can NEVER think of the things you KNOW are there...but then, I got to thinking about this verse:
The mind of man plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
and I really think that OUR plans are Plan B...God's plan is really the ONLY Plan...

I had a thing happen today that was VERY devastating...I am not going to mention it, because in a short time, I am sure, it will be nothing...but today...IT WAS HUGE...and I was just sitting in shock at the news...and then I realized...that this thing I had planned for....well it was a sure thing...so it seemed and I put quite a bit of confidence in it. When it was gone, I just could not believe it...Now, I am not sure if I had made that an idol or not...but I do know that God is working on my heart and Abraham is my example for today...and very quickly, I shared with Him my disappointment and my trust in Him...and the tears still fell...but I KNOW my Redeemer lives....and THIS is NOTHING to Him...and He is directing my steps...

1} Abraham
2} My Plans...the Plan B
3} His Plans...and THEY NEVER FAIL...



B:essings,

Monday, February 18, 2013

Catching up on the Joy Dare...

WEll, the flu has got me behind in MUCH...laundry, dishes, BSF, Co-op, and the Joy Dare...so I can at least catch up on one thing here...

February 17
3 Gifts found giving/serving
So many ways this could be interpreted today...so I will visit it from different angles

1} The blessing you get from giving a gift that the receiver finds so wonderful...I LOVE this feeling.
2} In giving offerings-Knowing God will take care of us no matter what when I choose to walk in faith and believe God's Word.
3} In Serving-The joy of giving a helping hand and encouraging others with your talents and gifts...or even in your weaknesses. Many hands make light work.


February 18
3 Gifts on Paper
1}Pictures posted throughout the house by my children
2} A Valentine's Card from a dear friend...It is beautiful!
3} A wedding invitation from a dear friend...this young man is remarkable and I feel blessed that our family was invited to share in his special day.


And, since I am feeling a bit better...I am more than thankful to be over the flu!

Blessings,
C~

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Sufficiency of Scripture

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

John 1:29-34

Saturday, February 16, 2013

3 Gifts in Shadows

When I think of gifts in shadows,I think of things you can't see the end of yet or don't know the purpose in it yet. So, for my three gifts today...
1} my children-they are all a precious gift,but I can't see much of what God is preparing them for.
2} the flu this weekend...oh the plans I had
3} this season of life...I wish things were different but I know there is a purpose in this

Blessings

Friday, February 15, 2013

A Gift in Losing, Finding, Making Something

Losing: My Mind...while I am really just joking, there is a wild freedom that comes from being just a little bit crazy!!!

Finding: a golden nugget in the word...I have been thinking about Genesis 24 all week!

Making: We made THE CUTEST Valentine cards a couple of days ago...something I found on Pinterest...Valentine iPods you make from those little boxes of cardstock and candy earbuds...those were supposed to be mini peanut butter cups, but I accidentally bought kisses...they were VERY CUTE though...




Thursday, February 14, 2013

3 Ways I Feel the Love of God

1} In His word...TO ME...you are all probably sick of me talking about this verse...but it was an anchor for me through the storm...and the reason for the anchor charm in my locket...
But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me,
the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
your walls are ever before me.

When I came across this verse, I had NO IDEA how I was going to need it since then...it truly was God's LOVE gift to ME...

2}An AMAZING phone call from a Dear Heart...Her words were such a blessing...sweet words I did not deserve, ways I have been such an encouragement to her ( I feel blessed to call her MY friend and SHE is the one who encourages me!), she counted me in a list of people that I do not feel worthy to be listed with...in all the ways I daily fail...she only had the sweetest words for me...VERY blessed the Lord put us in the same place together and that He has made us friends...

3} A time of prayer with a dear sister in the Lord where she is praying without knowledge for the very things I needed prayer for...God directs the hearts (and prayers) of His people.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

3 Gifts Behind a Door

Ok...so you all DO NOT want to see/know what is behind my doors...it is NOT pretty...so I will share three gifts of a different sort today...
So, at Bible Study, we are studying the Book of Genesis...and we were on Chapter 24...getting a bride for Isaac...we were talking about how that is an allegory of the Father sending the Holy Spirit to woo us, representing the Father...how Jesus is the groom and the Holy Spirit leads us to our Groom, protecting and preparing us to meet Him face to face...so I encourage you to re-read Genesis 24 through that lens...and today, my three gifts are:

1} The Father

2} The Son

3} The Holy Spirit

Blessings,
C~


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

3 Hard Eucharisteos

I am not going to NAME my Three Hard Eucharisteos today...there are AT LEAST three and I am thinking of specific things...but there are times when things are too hard and you cannot name them for just anyone to read, know, etc...I mean it IS our dirty laundry, so to speak...

First, in case you did not know...and I did not...Eucharisteos is to be thankful, grateful...and Hard eucharisteos is a choosing to be thankful in those hard things and to look for blessings...

And that is SO difficult when you are in those hard things...and you cannot see anything but pain and suffering...BUT GOD has purpose for me in this...He has a reason for allowing it...and I am choosing to believe that ALL OF THESE HARD THINGS will one day be worth it...every tear...WORTH IT, every heartache, WORTH IT...every struggle...SO VERY WORTH IT...and that is choosing to stand on God's Proven Character rather than to choose to look at my circumstances...which look one way right now. It is for God's Glory and my good...and so I trust (very imperfectly), and I HOLD on (but really He is holding on to me) and I pray (when I can find the words...they often seem so cold...or the words don't come) and I keep pressing on...

I LOVE this Post from Ann Voskamp...




Monday, February 11, 2013

3 Gifts in Working

1} At Home: Knowing that your work blesses and takes care of your family...Love this quote from Ann Voskamp:
"...service isn’t about being a doormat but about being a door for joy to walk through." I have a good friend who models this very well!

I am also very blessed with children who give a helping hand to this Momma who sometimes bites off more than she can chew. We were working on prepping some meals and got a considerable amount ready for the freezer...but it would be a very different story without their servant's hearts!

2} At Church: I love that I come alongside others and help them accomplish the things they need to do.

3) At Target: I love walking alongside my teammates as we accomplish our duties, working together on common goals

Blessings,
C~


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sufficiency of Scripture

Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John 1:24-28



3 Times I Heard Laughter Today

1} Well...this first time...it was ME...yes, I can be VERY immature and it is a sign that God still has a work to do in me...but this was funny...so I am making some freezer meals...and we are working on Taco Soup...getting the soup in the bags...and all that needs to happen is for the bags to be sealed and set on a tray for the freezer...so off to seal bag #1...check...and set it on the tray. I do not know if time slowed down and we were stuck in some kind of warp there...but it was good and then all of a sudden the dam broke loose and soup is spraying all over...all over my boy that is...and what can I do to help this handsome young man out??? Yep, laugh my head off...He's off to the shower right now...and all I can think is that we still have Minestrone and Spaghetti sauce to go! Thankful for those times when we can laugh...and for the joy that comes with it...There is a sort of clearing of the air, and of the mind and we have shared a moment...one I am sure my boy really wishes he was not a part of...but I will be more careful with the bags...my recommendation...Buy Ziploc bags...ONLY...store brand bags may be a little cheaper, but when you factor in laundry and shower costs...it is not worth it...
Hey Lou...thanks for your help...time for the next batch...oh...and I am NOT laughing AT you...but with you!

2) DD was LAUGHING his head off today...He would take a small drink, and then start laughing his head off...I really expected him to start choking or spit it out all over the place...and THEN we would see just WHO would be laughing...anyway...this took place for several minutes...and he gets all serious and then says...as if he is imparting some great secret...I have no idea why I am laughing...oh, that boy!

3}during a quick chit chat with a good friend...always a sweet blessing to laugh with a good friend!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

3 Surprise Gifts-Unexpected Grace

1} As I walk along in this life of faith, I walk...and then make a mistake...walk along some more, go through a trial that chisels away at my hard heart or works on a place in my character that needs to be more like Chirst...I walk some more...doubt or fear cause me to take my eyes off Christ and place them on the situation...maybe do something stupid...and I think...man...why did I do that...I have been in Christ for more than 20 years...you would think I would know better than that...BUT...then I read about Abraham...and I see...he did that too...and yet in the New Testament, it says he was God's friend...and I am greatly encouraged that God put THAT account into Scripture...and I am more than thankful...

2} I was getting ready to load three 5 gallon jugs of water into my car and a very nice man came and asked me if I would like him to load them in my car...you don't always see people going out of the way to help another person...it was a VERY unexpected grace!

3}Ok...a friend just posted this on her facebook wall...this is so sweet and lovely...I had to share it here as well...

Blessings,
C~


Friday, February 8, 2013

A Gift Broken, Fixed, Thrifted

1}A gift broken...my heart...
Psalm 51:16-17
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

2} a gift fixed: our van...thanks to the kindness and generosity of a godly man...if you need a mechanic...I have just the guy for you...he is honest and fair.

3} Thrifted: Our Malibu...it is hobbling along so far with just some minor things...like tranmission fluid to make it continue to run...we will have to replace it soon...but for now we are able to keep it going. We will be taking it to the mechanic soon for a good look over...

Blessings,
C~




Thursday, February 7, 2013

A Gift at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm

I am very tempted to say this:

photo

But I thought I would AT LEAST TRY to give this a little more effort than that...

11:30-a COMPLETED meal plan for the month...with Breakfast, Lunch AND Dinner

2:30-a completed grocery store trip

6:30- 7 sweet girls in my AWANA T & T group...LOVE these girls!

Blessings,
C~

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

3 Gifts Found Outside

All of these pictures are from my Louie boy...and he is a truly GREAT GIFT...

1}

This picture reminds me of all the games of Spud the boys played with a babysitter...it sits all alone now, but looks like it has 1,000 stories to tell


2}

This is our Wisteria...it is HUGE and beautiful in the summer...provides a wonderful cover of shade in the summer...in the winter, it is a mass of snarled looking branches and we have to hack it down to almost nothing so it will be lush and lovely again in the summer...which sounds a lot like the work the Lord does in me...

3}

This just reminds me of God's glory...almost like there is nothing that can contain it...it just pours out of every crack...every place it rests...

Blessings,
C~

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A Gift Stitched, hammered, Woven

1} Stitched-a beautiful cross stitch from a good friend.

2} Hammered-my boy was hammering at midnight last night...I was not appreciating it last night, but I am so thankful for that boy and his delicious brown eyes. I will have to see later today what all the fuss was about...

3} Woven-precious sisters in the Lord whose hearts are woven with mine...we stand with each other in love, in prayer, growing daily in friendship. I do not know what I would do without the wonderful gift of the saints...

Blessings,
C~


Monday, February 4, 2013

3 Gifts Found when Bent Down

1}A conversation with a little guy about courageous living

2}Fervent prayer availing much

3}A certain plunging activity in a certain room of the house is so much better than the alternatives...you can insert a particular cleaning activity in this sentence if your particular item is not needing plunging...there CAN be a heart attitude of joy and gratitude in everything...even if it is not your particularly favorite activity.

Be greatly blessed!
C~


Sunday, February 3, 2013

3 Gifts Found in Writing

1}THIS ...this is the blog of a precious friend and has MUCH that is helpful and valuable...

2}This

3}and this


Blessings,
C~

Sufficiency of Scripture

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

John 1:19-23


Saturday, February 2, 2013

3 gifts on Paper

1} A note from a friend

2}Pride and Prejudice

3} My BSF lesson


Friday, February 1, 2013

3 Gifts Red

1}Flannel Sheets...a gift from another dear friend...thank you SO MUCH Lora...I LOVE them!

2}

WEll, she isn't red...but she is wearing red...and it looks SO GOOD on her...just like her daddy and brother! But The Principessa is a gift indeed!

3}

Another precious friend...the one in red has been a gift for over 20 years now...the other two are gifts as well...but I am so grateful for my good friend Sue...she has been there through thick and thin and has taught me a lot God's sovereignty and about walking with Him through tough times.