New "Christmas" Bible Study...

I'm doing "The Marvel and Miracle of Advent" bible study online along with doing the Advent Journal. Focusing on Christ's birth during the Christmas season has always been important to our family. I've been looking forward to doing this bible study since I first heard about it and day 2 into it and I'm loving it. #themarvelandmiracleofadvent

Adoption Day is Approaching...

As adoption day approaches for our kitty we are getting more excited and continuing to prepare the house for her homecoming as we think of more things to do.  She is going to be so incredibly spoiled.  The preparation has been non-stop since we were approved to adopt her.  I want the house to be a safe environment for her.  Tim will love on her like crazy.  He's the most excited about this adoption.  He's wanted a kitty for such a long time.  With the three of us she will be well taken care of.  Her life is going to be so good.  They have named her Indira but we are still trying to think of another name for her.  None of has been really keen on the name she currently has.  We'll see though.  It may be what we stay with if we can't come up with something that we like better.

My "Mentor" Mom....

 

She is pictured here with her dad in the background.  She spent Thanksgiving at her dads with all her kids and her kids kids.  When I think of her this is how I picture her though.  She loves with an unconditional love so deep that it's felt by all that know and love her.  Her name is Anne.  She's been a part of my life in some way, shape, or form since I was 8 years old.  She's influenced my life for the better in more ways than I could ever mention here.  God blessed me with her at a time in my life when I needed someone that would be a good influence in my life.  She has been for me what my parents were not capable of being for me.  They just didn't know how to be the kind of parent for me that Anne was for me.  God has such a special way of bringing the people into our lives that we really need just when we need them.  All these years later I still stay in contact with her.  My life is what it is today, in huge part, because of her influence in my life.  The love I know that she has for me and I have for her is the best of a mother/daughter type relationship.  I can only imagine how much more so her physical kids feel what I've felt in small part.  My life is so enriched and blessed.  Thank you Jesus for this special gift in my life that has remained all these years later.  You give the best gifts ever!!!  

How Do People Start Attending Church?

The answer is a simple one:

We have to invite them if we want them to learn about Jesus.  It's that simple.  No magic formula.  Just ASK!  That's all!  

How can we expect people to learn about Jesus if we don't invite them to church?  It's where I first learned about Jesus.  An elderly lady, Mrs. Chappell, asked my mom if she could take us kids to church on Sunday mornings.  Back in those days you could trust people like her to do what's best for your kids.  That's where my journey to Jesus began.  One kind, sweet, old lady, with such a wonderful heart for Jesus that she shared it with everyone that she ever came into contact with.  She was the most amazing woman I ever knew.  She loved Jesus and people so much that it just overflowed in her life.  It spilled over in huge quantities.  I know she's in heaven today with an enormous crown of jewels on her head.  Mine will not even come close to comparing to hers (not that we'll be comparing when we get to heaven anyways).  She was one of a kind.  There's not many like her that walk this earth today.  But if you have one like her in your life treasure them.  They don't come any better.  Believe me because I'm speaking from experience.  

Favorite Ornaments...

Our Christmas tree isn't a theme one.  It's a hodge podge of ornaments Tim's made or we have collected through the years.  I love being able to sit in my living room and enjoy looking at my Christmas tree every year.  I sit and think about Christmas's past with all of it's joy that Scot and I had as we watched Tim's face light up as he opened his gifts.  These days with his being 16 years old there's not as much excitement because it's hard to surprise a teenager with gifts when what they want is parts for a gaming computer...LOL! Stuff like that has to be thought through and carefully picked out with the advice of a computer gaming geek like our son who builds gaming computers for a living.  We always want to make sure that Tim is making the best decision and getting more bang for our buck...LOL! So suffice it to say that my joy comes from looking at the ornaments on the tree, especially the ones Tim made, and remembering Christmas past and all the fun memories we've had over the years.  Enjoying Christmas has a different meaning now and that's ok because there's always joy in sharing in the birth of our Savior Jesus and celebrating Him!  He is the real reason for the season and we have never forgotten that!  I pray you find lots of joy in this season as I do every year at this time.  God Bless You All!

No One Would Even Suspect...

No one would even suspect that Tim was ripped like this seeing how he dresses normally...LOL! His coach calls how he dresses his pump cover...LOL! It's a very true statement.  

I know which one I am. Do you?

 

Christmas Tree Is Up!

We finally got our Christmas tree up for the season.  We don't do a theme tree.  Ours is a hodge podge of ornaments either Tim has made or we have collected over the years.  It is the definition of a family tree and I so enjoy looking at every year once it's up.  This year though we will be having to keep a kitty out of it.  That should be tons of fun...LOL!   We have the kids Christmas done.  The little ones will have gifts but the big ones will get $$$.  It's easier that way because the older kids usually want things that cost a lot of money so if they collect money from everyone for Christmas then they can usually buy what it is that they really want.  

Thanksgiving...

 

I hope that everyone has had a fantastic Thanksgiving Day today!  Tim went to train earlier this morning and we've spent the rest of our day just relaxing at home.  We decided to do a different kind of Thanksgiving this year since it was just the 3 of us so we are having taco's for our meal this year.  Nothing traditional seeing as how cooking that much food is just a waste when it's just us.  

This year and every year I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus, my family, my friends, my home, running water, electricity, clothes on back, food to eat, a car to drive, a bed to sleep, for our health and for God's Angels who are always keeping watch over us.  I'm thankful for God's hand on our lives guiding us to the future that He has for us.  Thank you Lord for another Thanksgiving and Thank you Lord for all that you do for us and for so many others.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

Wednesday Blessings...

 

It's the day before Thanksgiving.  I hope that everyone has a very blessed day tomorrow with their family and friends giving thanks to God for his many blessings in your lives.  My heart is always so very thankful for all that God has done in my life.  He's my all in all, my everything!  God Bless you all!