{ THANK-full Thursday }

I'm so grateful for retirement so I can enjoy the early mornings with just me, 

coffee, 

the soft glow of the Christmas tree.....

 and JESUS!

HOPE your Thursday is blessed!

{ Every Knee Shall Bow |

This CHRISTmas season has touched my heart more than any other that I can think of in a long time.

My prayer is that I'll be able to carry these feelings and emotions and attitude with me for many months to come. 
Maybe it's my age.....could be "older and wiser".  For that I can HOPE, right? ;-)

If you have 5 extra minutes, please watch this.
 Although, it's not exactly true to scripture, 
I HOPE it touches you, too.  
It brought tears to my eyes, especially the end.

Philippians 2:10-11

....that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Each individual at the end.....

whether they realized it or not, were.....

breathing in His Grace!!!

{ Friday Fotos.....}

I love to create, whether it be through sewing, or crocheting.

If you've ever visited my page { Crochet-Sewing-Crafts }, 

you know that I chose this verse of scripture for my "Wise Old Owl Designs".....

Whatever talent I might have, 

I truly want HIM to have all the glory.....

because without HIM I could accomplish nothing.

Owl hats for our great nieces

(can you tell their parents and grandparents are Tennessee Vol fans?).....

Baby sister.....

Big sister.....

Another little owlie hat for a sweet new baby girl at church.....

I made this pillow cover some time ago, but just recently got around to getting the foam rubber insert and getting it finished up.

A couple of years ago, we re-did a little stove for our grand-kiddos.  We FINALLY finished the sink and still have the hutch to go.  Maybe they won't be grown before that gets accomplished.  The sink bowl is a stainless bowl we found at Big Lots and the faucet came from a fellow we know who deals in "junk" and I made the curtain for the bottom.

Just finished up this rag quilt last Saturday in time for our niece's baby shower on SONday afternoon.  She's doing her nursery in red, white and navy and airplanes!!!

Our baby grandson is all about horses.....

so what's a Nannie to do but crochet him one?

Can you ever have enough owlies?

I didn't think so!!!

One of our grand boys is really into sharks right now, so this goes to him!

 This is my latest creation.

Our oldest grand boy has wanted me to crochet him a beard for quite some time!  

It's so hard to tell our kiddos "no"!!!

(Did you think this was a picture of my brother?

Menopause has been really hard on me!!!

ha! ha!)

Happy Friday, Everybody!

HOPE you have a great weekend!

Have fun.....

stay safe.....

enjoy life!!!!

Breathing in Grace,

p.s. in case anybody thinks I left out our grand girl, I made her a skirt and failed to get a pic before I gave it to her....:(

{ Wednesday's Word - Suffering }

 A few weeks ago I shared a little book of scriptures that I compiled for somebody going thru a rough time on their job.  That someone is my husband.  You might recall that he was out of work for exactly a year, almost the entire year of 2012.  The job he is doing now is a type of ministry, something we prayed for, and he truly feels it is where God placed him.  With that being said, though, he is suffering persecution.....terribly.....to the point that it's affecting his health.  This isn't the first time that I've seen him go through a really hard time because of his convictions, and it's heart-breaking to see somebody you love suffer for doing good.....

for standing up for their beliefs, for what is right.....

even if it means standing alone.

I know God has a plan.....

and it's a good one.....

we just have to keep trusting and keeping our HOPE in HIM!!!

May I ask you to add my hubby to your prayer list.  

I know I have so many readers who are true prayer warriors.

Breathing in Grace,

Friday Funny.....

My sis-in-law sent this to me one day this week and I thought it was just too cute!

HOPE it made you smile!

Have an awesome weekend, everybody!

Have fun...

stay safe...

enjoy life!

Breathing in Grace,

Whatever your hand finds to do.....

I managed to sneak in a little crocheting this week while watching America's Got Talent.....

do y'all like that show as much as I do?

(well, except for the judges!!!)

I was checking out Pinterest one day this week.....

something I find myself doing each and every day.....

when I noticed I had a notification from Jess!

She had pinned something and left me a message asking if I could make it!!!

Well, you know me.....

I'm always up for a challenge.....

especially, when CROCHET is involved!!!

Here's what she wanted.....

When I did a search on Google I found it had been crocheted by Ms. Leslie Wind at Folly Cove Fiber Creek.  I want to give her the credit because I had never heard of a "soap hammock".  She didn't include a pattern, so I made Jess's by looking at the picture. 

And, here's what I came up with.....

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever your hands find to do, 

do with all your strength.....

Hope everybody's having an awesome weekend!!!

Breathing in Grace,

Deb

Fantastic Friday - Edition #29

 Look at all the precious little fall owls I found on Pinterest!!!

I ♥ owlies!!!

 Don't forget to link up below so we can all get to know each other a bit better!!!

Hope everybody has a "Fantastic Friday"!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Blessings,

Deb 

Desiderata!!!

Pappy and I went to a memorial service for a precious man last Saturday evening and it was one of the most memorable I've ever attended.  Mr. Fred had suffered from cancer for several years and had his service all planned out prior to his death.  It was very spiritual, with lots of scripture read by several family members, including one of his and Ms. Janet's grand-daughters.  There was lots of music, including Silent Night, simply because Mr. Fred loved CHRISTmas.....and had a HUGE sense of humor!!!  His daughter and son read "Desiderata", and I want to share it with y'all.  If you've never heard this before, please take the time to read it....I mean REALLY read it....and take to heart its message!!!

image credit

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Prayer and Fasting!!!

Our church has been setting aside Thursday as a day of prayer and fasting leading up to our   revival in  March....then, we meet on Thursday evening at the home of someone in our church for a cottage prayer meeting.

The fasting doesn't have to necessarily be from food....

....but can be from something else that we put way too much importance on.

I love all these shirts I found @ Peace Be With U concerning prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

Hope you have a great Thursday, Sweet Reader!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Prayer and Fasting!!!

Luke 2:37b

  She never left the temple but worshiped night and day,  

fasting and praying.

 In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

"Truth"ful Tuesday!!!

My "truth" for this week is quite simple.

God stepped on my toes about something in my life during SONday school....
....and then He went and did it again during the worship service.

I knew what I had to do....take it to the Lord and leave it there!!!
So....when the invitation was given....that's what I did!!!


I went back and read Psalm 37, because it spoke so strongly to my heart almost a year ago....and it did again this time....but with a whole new perspective!!!


Psalm 37


Psalm 37:4

Put your hope in the Lord.
Travel steadily along His path. 

Thanks so much, Sweet Reader, for stopping by to catch a glimpse of the "truth" God revealed to me this past week!!!

Hope you have a great Tuesday!!!

In HIS Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Thought Provoking Thursday

 image credit

This was found in the commentary in the front of our 

John MacArthur study Bible.

THE BIBLE

This book contains:  
the mind of God, 
the state of man, 
the way of salvation, 
the doom of sinners, 
and the happiness of believers. 

It's doctrine is holy, 
its precepts are binding,
its histories are true, 
and its decisions are immutable.

Read it to be wise, 
believe it to be saved, 
and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, 
food to support you, 
and comfort to cheer you.



It is the traveler's map, 
the pilgrim's staff, 
the pilot's compass, 
the soldier's sword, 
and the Christian's charter.


Here heaven is open, 
and the gates of hell are disclosed.

Chris is the grand subject, 
our good its design, 
and the glory of God its end. 


It should fill the memory, 
rule the heart, 
and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.  
It is a mine of wealth, 
health to the soul, 
and a river of pleasure. 


It is given to you here in this life, 
will be opened at the judgment, 
and is established forever.

It involves the highest responsibility, 
will reward the greatest labor, 
and condemn all who trifle with its contents.

Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. 
And this word continues to work in you who believe.

I Thessalonians 2:13

AMEN....and AMEN!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

I'm a good listener.....

.....or, am I?

 image credit

(not that I believe in fortune cookies!!!)

I often have people come to me for advice, or with a prayer request.  Sometimes all that people need is a listening ear.....a shoulder to cry on....to be prayed for.  I'm a good listener and I keep their confidence because I know how hurtful it can be when you share something in confidence and it be repeated....which is why I don't share much with others any more!!!

So....yes, I am a good listener.... 
....most of the time!!!

Isaiah 30:21

Your own ears will hear him
Right behind you a voice will say,
"This is the way you should go,"
whether to the right or to the left.

I heard a gentleman speak a few years ago and he shared with his audience that he ALWAYS knew when it was God speaking to him.  That statement is all I can remember of what the man said because I came away thinking what a terrible CHRISTian I must be....because I don't always know if it's God....or the devil....trying to convince me of something.  As I shared my concern with some close personal friends, they assured me that they, too, felt the same way as me....which, eased my troubled mind to know that I certainly wasn't the only one who didn't share the confidence that this man had.  

But....I am learning....that God gives us discernment about things.  It comes from studying His word....praying....and at times, seeking the counsel of trusted friends and allowing God to speak to us thru them.

So....am I a good listener?

Yes....when listening to others.

And, when it comes to listening to God....

....well, I'm getting better at it!!!

HOPE you have a great Monday,

Sweet Reader!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Fantastic Friday - Edition #23

 

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Welcome, Sweet Readers!! 

Happy Friday to y'all!!!
 HOPE each of you had a great week.

I shared last Friday that we have something big happening in our family.  
Our daughter, Jess....son-in-law, Brant....
....and our GRANDsons are beginning a very special journey.  I can't even begin to explain it like she does, so click here to read their amazing story.

Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to bring their child(ren)....
....our GRAND babies...."home"!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!! 

p.s....oh, yeah....don't forget to link up!!!
;-)

Sunday Morning Song - This is the Stuff

I dedicate this song to our precious daughter!!!

Love you, Jess!!!

;-)

(please don't forget to turn off my PlayList above before listening)

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!

Mishmash Monday

 It's been quite some time since I did a Mishmash Monday post....so here goes!!!

1.  On the front page of the newspaper I was looking at last week was a picture of a house that had been demolished from the tornado that had gone thru a nearby county.  Our 3 year old GRAND-son was sitting in the floor and asked what happened to the house.  I explained how a very strong wind had torn up the house and that precious little boy said, 

"We need to pray for them."

So.....I laid down the paper and we prayed!!!

2.  Speaking of GRAND-sons....when they're here we watch Daniel Boone.  The youngest one doesn't like snakes....thanks to his Momma....which was caused by me, the Nannie.  So, every time Daniel Boone first  comes on....little one asks if there will be any snakes on the show....and his older brother, who is 4.5 years old....assures him that if there are, we'll just turn the station until the snake is gone.  And, when the show ends....Little Bit claps and declares,

"Yay....no snakes were on there."

Is he sitting there the entire time worried he's gonna see a snake? 

:'(  

3.  Speaking of snakes....here is why I truly think our daughter is so petrified of snakes.  Do you think that you can "mark a baby"?  Well....I do!!!  When I was pregnant with her, we came home from church one Sunday and there was a snake on a stump in the yard.  Now....Pappy....who wasn't Pappy then, only hubby....hubby goes and gets a hoe to kill the snake....and he didn't want to just kill it....he decided he needed to demolish it.  So....he doesn't just cut it's head off, or cut it in half (is this considered animal cruelty....if so, please don't report me).....he chops and chops....and chops....and a small piece of the snake flies up and lands on my chest.  I can still visualize to this day....32 years later....the brown jumper I had on and that piece of bloody snake laying on the left side of my chest.

So....yes....I do believe that I marked my baby....because she is more afraid of snakes than anybody I've ever known!!!

4.  On a brighter and happier note....Pappy and I stayed in the baby nursery yesterday....something we hadn't done in quite some time.  God blessed us to get to take care of the most precious little 4 month old baby girl with lots of black hair and a sweet smile!!!   I only laid her down long enough to change her diaper!!!  It made us really want a GRAND-daughter!!!

Hint, hint to Jess if she's reading this!!!

;-)

5.  I have a sweet friend at church who has been helping to promote Wise Old Owl Designs by ordering some of my crocheted items to give as gifts!!!  Thank you, Ms. Mary!!! 

6.  And.....last but certainly not least....I'm gonna leave you with something I'm sure you've seen before....but it bears repeating and is something to ponder (oh, how I love that word)!!!

 3 Nails

+1 Cross

  4 Given

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.
   He was beaten so we could be whole.
      He was whipped so we could be healed.

AMEN....and AMEN!!! 

HOPE everybody has a wonderful week!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Sunday Morning Song - Blessings

(please turn my PlayList off above before viewing/listening)

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Saturday Sweet Treat

Since I seem to be best at making desserts.....when I post a recipe on Saturday, it's probably gonna be for a "sweet treat".....which is the term that Pappy uses when he gives our GRAND-sons an ice cream sandwich.

So....today's "sweet treat" recipe is for.....

Lemonade Cake

1 (3 ounce) package lemon flavored gelatin
3/4 cup boiling water
1  package lemon cake mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
3/4 cup white sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour one 10 inch tube pan,

or a 9 x 13 sheet cake pan  

(I make mine in the sheet cake pan)

Dissolve lemon gelatin the boiling water and set aside

 Combine cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs

Mix well and add gelatin mixture then beat for 5 minutes

Pour batter into the prepared pan

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

(or less, depending on your oven)

Mix together  the lemonade concentrate and the sugar thoroughly to make a glaze. While the cake is still warm and in the pan, puncture cake with the tines of a fork and pour the lemonade glaze over it.

This is best if you let it set and allow the cake to soak up the glaze!!!

 

This cake is very....very....tangy!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!

Fantastic Friday - Edition #12

 Happy Friday, Everybody!!!

So....how was your week?  

Did you do anything exciting? 

Do you have anything fantastic to share with us?

Well....I don't....at least not today!!!

This has been a somewhat strange week for me....full of lots of time to "soul search"....and to try to figure out where my priorities are....and to think about "stuff"!!!  I might share some of that with y'all at a later date....but not today!!!

Today....is meant....just for you all!!!

So....link up....leave me a comment....and make new friends with others who share their blogs with us!!!

HOPE each of you have a FANTASTIC WEEKEND!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!