{ Friday Foto Friends #60 }

It's our last link-up of 2016!

That's kind of hard to believe, isn't it?

2016 was somewhat of a stressful year and it's gonna continue into 2017 for us, at least for a while. 

But, as my Momma always told my brother and me when we were growing up.....

"Nothing ever stays the same."

Anyway.....

I took time recently to clean up some of the photos from my phone but e-mailed them to myself to share today.

Asbury United Methodist Church

Isn't this just the most beautiful church building?

And, y'all know how much I adore sky pics.....  

HOPE your New Year's weekend is safe!

{ A Prayer for 2017 }

Holy God of Heaven and Earth,

I know that a thousand years are as a day to You, 

but we humans are bound up in time. 

As a new year is beginning, please teach me to...

    * Care more about people and less about money

    * Enjoy my work but not let it enslave me

    * And laugh more easily than I did last year

As I get ready for 2017, help me to remember things that are easy to forget...

    * That it might well be my last year

    * That some people are counting on me

    * And that You have things for me to do

Lord, with the things I have accumulated over the years, please let me...

    * Shake off the monotony of life

    * Try some new things in this new year

    * And mend some broken fences

And, Father of Mercies, please teach me in this new and unspoiled year to...

    * Lighten up and enjoy children, sunsets, reading, and long walks

    * Avoid quarrels and work at being a peacemaker in this world

    * And start next year with fewer regrets than I bring to 2017

I cannot know what this year will bring, 

and I am grateful for that! 

But help me...

    * Eat less junk food

    * Exercise and take better care of my mind, body and soul

    * And learn to enjoy the simple pleasures of life

Above all other things, Father, I want to be Your instrument for...

    * Easing somebody's too-heavy load

    * Relieving some sad person's misery

    * And introducing some lost soul to Jesus

Come what may in the year about to begin, 

may we live it for Your glory, 

within Your will, 

and to Your delight.

We pray in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

~~~Tim's Inspiration~~~

{ Wednesday's Word - New }

We're just a few days away from a brand NEW year so I'm curious as to what you want to see happen for yourself, family, friends in 2017.

A new job, a baby, marriage, graduating, a new home.....

it could be a multitude of things that is the desire of each of our individual hearts!

One of my biggest HOPE's for 2017 is MORE of Him and less of me.....

that I will allow God to be MORE than ENOUGH!

( are you getting a hint of my focus word(s) for 2017?)

We're gonna have a great day because our four grand-kiddos will be entertaining Pappy and Nannie today!  

HOPE you have a Wonderful Wednesday, too!

{ Make time for what you love }

Make time for what who you love!

(it's just a 2-minute video that will warm your heart)

Maybe this is just the wake-up call that some of us need today. 

Let's make 2017 the best year yet!

{ My CHRISTmas Wish To You }

We received a CHRISTmas  card from Jack's Uncle and cousin and enclosed was the following poem.  Yes, I know that CHRISTmas is "over", but is it really?  Shouldn't that same joy be ours each and every day, not just during the time between THANKSgiving and CHRISTmas?  

I think so, too!

But, if you'll notice in this poem, that's just what the writer is asking for.....

wishes that would last all year long!

My CHRISTmas Wish To You

If I could wish a wish for you,

it would be for peace, faith and happiness not only at CHRISTmas, 

but for the whole year through!

I wish that there always be food on your table.

That you always give to those less fortunate.

May you always take time to share and thank those who have  blessed you.

I wish for time so you may reflect on the blessings that you have, 

and that you express your love to those who are dear to you.

May you never feel lonely, because there are those who care.

That you realize:

you are special,

you are unique,

you make a difference,

not only at CHRISTmas,

but all year!

I wish for your thoughts to be positive ones,

that you never quit,

that you never give up,

and that you continue to learn.

I wish for the love and peace of God to be yours.....

ALWAYS!!

~~~~Catherine Pulsifer ~~~~

HOPE everybody had an awesomely blessed CHRISTmas.

{ SONday Morning Song - HOPE Is Alive }

It's my sincere HOPE and desire that you know Jesus as your personal Savior.  If not, I can't think of any better time to accept Him into your heart than on the day we celebrate His birth.

May each of you have a blessed CHRISTmas!

{ The Cradle and the Cross }

 The following poem was written by a lady who along with her daughter and son lost their home in the fires that consumed Gatlinburg on November 28th.  Please click here to read their story and look at the photography by Christine Rich.  Here is just a little bit of what she had to say about the images and the Martin's story.....

The images used in this post are of  my dear friend Debbie sitting beside the fireplace and what is left of her family home of 40+ years on what has been affectionately named “Miracle Mountain” in Gatlinburg, TN.  Debbie, along with her 91 year old Mama, Ruth, and brother Mark Martin lost everything in the fires.  In a time when many would feel a great sense of hopelessness, this family is a beautiful example of HOPE in Jesus.  As I captured these images which I believe say much more than I can express into words, Debbie began to read such wonderful, comforting words from the old careworn bible.   When you’ve lost everything, but you have Jesus…you indeed have everything you need.  Thank you, Debbie, Ruth and Mark for letting me photograph your property and tell about your beautiful faith and hope in the Lord.   I hope the images and words will bring hope to others in Sevier County.

 The Cradle and the Cross

The greatest gain the world has known

Was Heaven’s greatest loss;

Her King was gone! 

His mission was

To die upon a cross.

To Earth He came, 

a Babe to be.

No pillow knew His head;

No royal cradle did He choose-

A manger was His bed.

No royal court to welcome Him,

Just Mary’s lullaby,

And humble shepherds from the hills-

(But angels sang on high!)

The heart of Mary pondered o’er

The measure of the cost,

As o’er the sleeping Infant fell

The shadow of a cross.

He’d be a man ‘fore she’d recall

The aged prophet’s word,

But when He hung on Calvary

Her heart would feel the sword.

She could not know that holy night

When star-fire lit the sky,

Her tiny Babe-the Son of God-

Was only born to die. 

By Ruth R. Martin

As we're celebrating the birth of Jesus tomorrow.....

 in the midst of way too much to eat and gifts and decorations and celebration.....

 may we take time to remember those less fortunate than us and may we say a special prayer for those who don't know Jesus as their personal Lord and  Savior.

Merry, Merry CHRISTmas, Friends!

{ Friday Foto Friends #59 }

I want to apologize for not visiting like I should lately.  I'd like to tell you that it has to do with the time of year and that's probably part of the reason.  Anyway, I'm very sorry that I don't stop by and read what you all write like I should.  HOPEfully, in the new year I'll do better.

This is our last FFF before CHRISTmas Day and the next to the last one for the year.  I wish I had some awesome pics to share, but sad to say, I don't so I'll re-post this pic of one of my favorite CHRISTmas decorations and also what I wrote on the little chalkboard that hangs on our pantry door.

HOPE each of you has a wonderfully blessed CHRISTmas Day.

{ If you look for Me at CHRISTmas }

HOPE each of you is having a wonderful CHRISTmas-time!

I'll see you tomorrow for our Friday Foto Friends link-up.

{ Life Hacks }

I haven't shared any life hacks lately.

Here are some interesting ones I've read lately on Instagram.

HOPE everybody has a Terrific Tuesday!

{ SONday Morning Song - A Strange Way to Save the World }

We had the privilege of getting to see 4Him about a year ago. This is one of my favorites of theirs!

HOPE you enjoy it, too!

Can you even believe that CHRISTmas Day is one week away?

Me, either!

Happy SONday, Everybody!

{ Friday Foto Friends #58 }

Only one more FFF before we celebrate CHRISTmas Day!

I still didn't get pics outside for today's link-up because we've had a rainy week and yesterday it was bitter cold.....

plus, I've had a hectic week.  

I'm hoping things will slow down a bit after CHRISTmas.....

well, HOPEfully after the first of the year!

 So instead for today's fotos I'll share some neat signs I saw on a recent visit to Hobby Lobby.

(do y'all love that place as much as I do?)

HOPE each of you is enjoying this CHRISTmas-time of year. 

Do you have all your shopping done?

How about the wrapping?

Been to any "parties" yet?

We're having my side of the family here tomorrow evening for our celebration.  I can't help but wonder how next CHRISTmas might be different.  Hug those you love and never hesitate to let them know just what they mean to you.

Happy Friday, Everybody!

{ Grin and Bear it }

One of my favorite quotes is about being kinder than necessary because everybody we meet is fighting some kind of battle and I don't think there has ever been a more truer statement.  Sometimes we just try our very best to grin and bear whatever we're struggling with and for the most part I think many of us are able to do that.  But what about when we're alone and nobody sees the hurt and pain we're going through.  The struggle might be different for each of us, but the pain still has to be pretty much the same.  I've seen people who on the outside seem to have it all together and their life is full and happy but I know for a fact that's just not the case.  My biggest "fault" is probably the high expectations that I have out of people.  Because of my pride (I'm kinda/pretty sure that has a lot to do with it), I want people to see the inside that I'm trying to hide and come to my rescue.  Whether you believe God speaks to you or not I recently felt in my Spirit (which He placed inside of me when He brought me into His family) that I wasn't going to get from any person on this earth (although at the time it was a particular person) what I want or need.  

Those things can come from God ONLY!

We know that fact in our hearts and minds but it's so difficult to not continue to expect more out of our friends and family. 

If you're struggling with something similar,

 PLEASE know that you're not going through this alone, although I KNOW that when the struggle is the greatest that's exactly how you feel.

Focus on the fact that God loves you.

He accepts you.

He knows your heart and your needs much better than anybody ever could.

He's there.

He will NEVER leave you or forsake you.

It seems that often the pain is even worse during this CHRISTmas season.

So if nothing else.....

smile at everybody you meet.

That truly is sometimes the ultimate kindness for somebody who is feeling blue.

Love each of you who take the time to read the things God places on my heart and leave me comments here or on Facebook.  That is often just the "smile" that I need!

😍

{ Wednesday's Word - Nativity or Crèche }

Nativity - another word for Crèche

a model representing the scene of Jesus Christ's birth, 
displayed in homes or public places at Christmas

I adore nativity scenes, don't you?

I have a collection in a curio cabinet in our living room, hence the poor picture quality.  But, I thought I'd share them anyway because many of them were gifts from friends or ones we've had for MANY years and I just adore them all!

I actually bought this one for myself a few years ago at Hobby Lobby.....

A little "tea set".

The heads come off the people to make little pitchers.....

which is somewhat disturbing to me.

😕

I'm pretty sure Pappy and I got the one in the front our first CHRISTmas together 40 years ago.  Does that make it "vintage"? 
😄

I ♥ this one.

Our kiddos brought this one back to me from Uganda after spending 5 weeks there, along with our two oldest grandsons to bring our granddaughter home.  It's hand carved.

This little church opens up to show a nativity scene at the altar.

This is a very special one to me.

Years ago, Pappy and I would go to Gatlinburg to celebrate our anniversaries and there was a little CHRISTmas shop that we always went to and would buy an ornament each year.  That's where this one came from.  I wish I had dated the bottom of it.

 A little ceramic church that lights up and has two children singing inside.

This one was a yard sale find and our two youngest grands love it.

This is another one that has a special meaning.
It's a card and also came from Uganda.
The characters are made out of bamboo so there's a raised texture on the card.
Isn't it unique?

   My mother-in-law brought this brass one back to me from a vacation trip she took to Mexico with one of Pappy's brothers and his family many years ago because she knew how much I love nativities. 
♥

So, that's it.
A collection of most of my nativities.
And, I won't even charge extra for the dust!
(I'm so not a Martha....LOL)

HOPE everybody is enjoying this CHRISTmas-time.
It's very different for us this year with Pappy not working.  I'm enjoying him being home, yet......
prayers for whatever the future holds for us are much appreciated.