{ SONday Morning Song - Dwell }

Just a little "sneak peek" of my Word for 2018!

HOPE you have a happy and safe New Year's Eve!

{ Friday Foto Friends #111 ]

HOPE everybody had a wonderful CHRISTmas!  

I just wanted to share a few fotos of the beach trip we were blessed to take with our kiddos the week before CHRISTmas!

HOPE you have a happy, safe weekend celebrating bringing in a brand new year!

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{ Restoration }

Have you ever prayed desperately for something and you just didn't see any movement on God's part in answering your prayers? That's the situation I felt I was in for close to a year beginning in November of 2016. Our lives kinda took a "turn for the worse" after Pappy lost his job.  He was depressed and upset and I wasn't the understanding wife that I should have been because I tried to see it as God's will for us, not a curse and we were in complete disagreement as to how to handle the situation. I can distinctly remember laying in bed last December crying out to God and I felt that still, small voice speaking to me.....

"Let Me be enough."

I can't say but I'm thinking that was probably when my word for 2017 was revealed to me.....

MORE!

MORE of Jesus and less.....

much, much less of Deb!

As I think back on the past year I can see in my mind's eye things that happened, or even those that didn't quite go the way I'd have preferred, but each  of those setbacks helped to strengthen my faith in the Lord and ask Him to be enough and to fill me with MORE and MORE of His grace and love and mercy and kindness. Does that mean I've turned into this super nice, always forgiving, never having a bad thought, encouraging Proverbs 31 woman?

Uh, no!

You'll in no way get a vision of me when you think about the virtuous woman that's for sure!

What has happened is that God has done a work in my heart and in those who I've been praying for. I've seen restoration beyond what I could have ever imagined, but that's exactly how our precious Lord works. He wants to WOW us and that's what He's done in the work He's done in our lives. 

Just because we're Christians doesn't mean we don't have trying times. I've pictured my faith in the Lord like a door. I like to think that the door is completely shut and locked and there's no way that Satan can get through. Then something happens and I get weak and the door opens up just a small little crack and Satan gets a toehold and if I'm not careful he'll bust that door wide open and convince me of things that are in no way God's truth. It's taken close to a year full of personal prayer and Bible study and asking a few close friends whom I trust to pray to see God work only what I could describe as a miracle in our lives. 

Are things perfect?

Certainly not because life isn't perfect and we are and always will be imperfect human beings. But God has restored my HOPE!

Dear Friend, if you're going through something even remotely similar to what I've described PLEASE know there's HOPE for you, too. If you think the situation you're in is beyond repair I want to encourage you to seek out Christian counsel, confide in someone you trust and know that your prayer request will be prayed over and kept private.

And, one last thing.

I've learned that when I'm praying and asking God to fix a problem or to change another person's heart and attitude.....

well, the one that often needs the repair is ME.

Let us never be so prideful that we think we're above being the one in the wrong!

{ Merry CHRISTmas }

Prayers for a wonderfully blessed CHRISTmas Day!

{ SONday Morning Song - O Holy Night }

This is my most favorite CHRIST-mas carol.

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name, all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name

Merry CHRIST-mas Eve, sweet Friends!

{ Friday Foto Friends #110 }

Sending "JOY" from my porch to yours!

Happy Friday before CHRIST-mas, Y'all!

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{ Wednesday's Word - Invitation }

Have you ever felt left out?

Abandoned?

Alone?

Rejected?

It's sad to say, but sometimes all those feelings seem to come flooding over us, 

especially at CHRIST-mas-time.....

a time that is full of celebration and happiness but can often conjure up almost a feeling of depression because of unmet expectations or just simply missing those who have left a hole in our hearts with their absence.

I'm starting a new Bible study, Lysa Terkeurst's "Uninvited", and it is all about those feelings I mentioned in the beginning.

As I thought about the word "invitation" these verses of scripture came to mind.

Aren't you glad that God didn't leave out those who had problems and difficulties?  He seemed to think about them the most because.....

in my humble opinion.....

He knew that some of us would have weaknesses and struggles and need a little extra help!

HOPE each of you has a wonderful Wednesday!

I'll be celebrating with our family the birth 10 years ago of Sawyer, our precious second grand-boy.

God is so good, Y'all and I HOPE each of you can say that you know Him personally!

{ Drop the blanket }

Who doesn't love Charlie Brown?

Click on the foto below to read this precious story about Linus and his blanket.

.

"The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears."

{ SONday Morning Song - This is Christmas }

HOPE your SONday is awesomely blessed!

{ It's the most busiest time of the year }

Did you sing that title to the tune of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"?

Y'all, the time just gets away from me, especially during the Christmas season.  Added to my stress level is my Mom's medical procedure and our plans to do something a little special the week before Christmas (I'll tell y'all about it after Christmas). I know I apologize a lot for not visiting those who link up with Friday Foto Friends, and I'm truly sorry because a part of my psyche thinks I have to reciprocate a visit for a visit and then I get all frustrated because I can't and I'm trying to fit about 100 other things into the day and then I'll use a term I heard someone else use, there's a "plot twist" and my plans get shot all to smithereens and I wind up exhausted and frustrated and I came across this prayer and I'm positive it was meant just for me.....

and quite possibly you, too?!?

Praying that each of us takes the time to slow down and just BREATHE (in His grace).

HOPE your Saturday is happy and fun and peaceful!

{ Friday Foto Friends #109 }

I only have a couple of fotos to share today.

This church always has a great message on its sign.....

One afternoon as the sun was going down it was shining just across the tops of the trees and the sky was so pretty.....

HOPE everybody has a great Friday and weekend!

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{ Wednesday's Word (on a Thursday) - Fierce }

fierce

having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness;  showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity

Jeremiah 20:11

But GOD, a most fierce warrior, is at my side. 

Those who are after me will be sent sprawling.

"A mighty warrior"

I can just imagine God fully dressed out in all His armor coming to my defense.....
or whatever attire it might take depending on the situation.   I do know at times He sends others to come to our rescue and all the time He's behind the scenes orchestrating every single move.

I've seen His power just this week through the prayers of His sweet people. I'm usually not one to ask for prayer for myself but one day this week I was getting a bit overwhelmed because life was coming at me from all sides. Y'all, I KNOW I'm not in this boat alone, but when we're going through those stressful times we sometimes feel like we're all alone in a boat full of holes and more keep popping up and we're fixing to go under. So I reached out to Pappy's brothers and sisters and sisters in love and asked for prayer for my Mom.....
and myself.

I'm here to tell you that within just a few minutes I felt the fog start to lift and God was renewing my Spirit and the prayers of our precious family were starting to plug up those holes and I knew I was gonna be able to stay afloat!

The first definition above, "having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness".....
that reminds me of the verse in James that tells us that "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man (woman) availeth much". 
Simply put.....

PRAYER WORKS!!!

And, the second definition.....
"showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity".....

that's not only God's love for us but should also describe our.....my.....love for HIM and others!

FIERCE

That could very well be my word for 2018!

Happy Thursday, sweet Friends (and family)!

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

Happy SONday!

{ Read and pray the CHRISTmas story }

I just came across something I want to share with Y'all.  I think I found it on Pinterest but since I hop around all over the Internet sometimes, it's hard for me to remember.....

well, that plus my memory these days!

👵

I went to the site where I found the PDF to download and print and I thought some of you might be interested, too.  I know we're a bit behind, but the readings aren't lengthy so it won't take long to get caught up.   Just click the image below to go to the website, Free Indeed, or just right click on the image to print.

 Dani, the young mother who authors Free Indeed offers lots of other free downloads.   

We've got a dusting of snow here in East Tennessee and it's beautiful on the trees.....

plus, the birds are going crazy at the feeders, which is one of my favorite things to enjoy in the wintertime!

Happy Saturday!

{ Friday Foto Friends #108 }

I thought I'd share a few of our CHRISTmas decorations with Y'all and tell you some of the stories behind them.  

I bought this nativity set from a lady I worked with the first year Pappy and I was married and this is our 42nd CHRISTmas together. The stable is what has such a precious meaning. Pappy and my sweet Daddy built it together. Many times I've thought about buying a smaller one but I just can't make myself not use this one.

(since I took this picture I've moved the star to the top because I couldn't see the angel)

My owl tree.

I told Pappy that might not be very "religious" but God made owls, right?  I enjoy it most in the night and early mornings when I can't sleep and I have it all to myself.

Owls and burlap and snowflakes, oh my!

This, Y'all, is one of my favorites.

Pappy and our girl made these little nativities one CHRISTmas and gave them as gifts.....

and, Momma (me) didn't get one.  When my mother-in-law passed away and her things were divided among her children I was given this because Jess and Pappy had made it. I think it's just the sweetest! The Jesus ornament came from Dollar General several years ago.

A little bit of happy over the kitchen table.

An angel of HOPE from my girl.

Stockings I made for our grand-kiddos a few years ago.

Our front door lit up at night.

This is probably more wintery than Christmasy!

I made the pillow several years ago out of a placemat.....

easy-peasy!

HOPE everybody is enjoying this very special CHRISTmas season when we celebrate the birth of JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR!!!

Happy Friday, Everybody.....

HOPE you have a wonderful weekend!

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{ Can we talk? }

Not the greatest fan of Katherine Hepburn, but I did hear her say in an interview once that sometimes she'd look at herself in the mirror and wonder who that old woman was. She went on to say that in her mind she was still the same as she'd always been, but it was that image in the mirror that puzzled her!

So, that's the gist of what I'm thinking about today?

I'm gonna ask a few questions and would love for you to chime in with a comment answering some of these burning questions!

How are you handling aging?

(for those of you who are getting old(er) like me)

Do you have a certain "beauty regimen"?

Are there certain skin products that you just can't live without, like moisturizers, cleansers, etc.?

What brand/type make-up do you use?

Do you wear makeup?

What about sunscreen?

Do you exercise?

Go to the gym?

Walk for exercise?

Do you follow a certain diet?

Or eating plan?

Are you a low-carb follower, or low-fat?

What about all those plans out there like Paleo, Keto, etc.? 

(Y'all there's too many to list)

Do you hurt?

Are you finding each day there's another ache or pain?

And, if so, what do you do about that?

Are you on a prescription med for arthritis?

Do you use over-the-counter remedies?

Creams, lotions, ointments, essential oils?

Or, are you just letting nature take its course and doing absolutely nothing and accepting that we're gonna change and those lumps and bumps are just a part of aging?

Do you color your hair?

Or, like me, have you embraced the gray?

I certainly have an inquiring mind today, huh?

Whoever said getting old ain't for sisses must have already experienced some of the things I'm going through!

Have a terrific Tuesday.....

(if you can since I've gotten our minds on some not so pleasant thoughts!)

And, just so you know, this was all for fun.....

well, except I do have a nosey inquiring mind!

{ SONday Morning Song - Our Lullaby ]

Happy SONday!

{ Friday Foto Friends #107 }

Y'all, life seems to keep getting busier and busier so my foto taking has been kinda slack.  I did manage to take these three pics to share today.  

Last Friday I took a stroll over to the woods while Pappy worked on Mom's lawn mower.   Am I the only person who likes the look of lichen and moss growing on old logs?

I found these beautiful leaves in Mom's yard but I think they must have come from a tree in the neighbor's yard. They were really thick and looked like they'd been gold and silver leafed.

The sun started to set before Pappy finished up and this was the view to the west.....

HOPE everybody has a great weekend.

We'll be celebrating Pappy's birthday!

💕

And hopefully decorating for CHRIST-mas!

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

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{ Wednesday's Words - Purposed Praise }

"Purposed Praise"

♥ that term!

credit

Dear Heavenly Father,

may I praise You on purpose, 

focusing on the things in my life that I need to be grateful for, 

not grumble about!

AMEN

HOPE everybody has a wonderful Wednesday!

{ Friday Foto Friends #106 }

HOPE everybody had a wonderful THANKSgiving!

Since it's been kind of a mixed-up week because of the holiday I only have three fotos to share.  

The first ones are the sky as I drove home from Jess' house one evening.

Not a very clear foto, but I like what this little sign says that we saw at a restaurant we ate at last Saturday.

Have a happy and safe THANKSgiving weekend, especially if you're traveling!

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