The Next Step...

  Today in church we had a really good interactive service.  Which is usually our normal.  Today's topic was on the plan God has for your life.   Normally at this time of year people are thinking of New Year's Resolutions.  So today when Rick posed the "homework" for next week's service it just fits rather nicely.  Rick asked each of us to spend some pray time asking God what His plan is for our 2014. A little different twist than thinking of what we personally see we need to accomplish as the new year rings in.
   So I am looking forward to my prayer time this week even more than normal to see what I hear back !
   Taking the Next Step...

Heartfelt Christmas

  So Christmas was 3 days ago.  WOW.... already it is soon to be 2014!

This Christmas was the most heartfelt Christmas I have had for quite awhile.  The main focus was not on how pretty the gift was wrapped or how much it cost.  The main focus was on special time spent with special people... Heartfelt Time.  Rick and I were very blessed to be able to spend time with family and friends. 
  Plus time to spend with ourselves !  We went to see The Hobbitt ! at the movie theater!   Really good movie and I really do enjoy eating theater popcorn !
  Now taking a few days break from the normal routine to savor all those moments ~~ plus relax from the working on getting things done on time!
  So my prayer for all is that they also had a Heartfelt Christmas and savored their time with family and friends.

Blessings...
 

WOW... Look at the Time Go By

  I just looked at the last time I posted something and was amazed at the time that had gone by.  I have been busy with many things.  Just the normal busy at Christmas time.  Finishing up gifts, wrapping them, getting cards ready to mail, mailing them : ).  
   There was the Homeless Memorial for the ones who had passed and Taylor graduated from College !!  Taylor's parents came into town (of course) and so we were blessed to spend time with them.  Also was blessed to see Justin and Mandi Kelso... Simply special times.
    As I write this I am waiting for Rick to finish his phone conversation so that we can have dinner.  Yea !!  I have all my cores done for this day !  
   So after dinner I am going to R E L A X !!!!!!!!

A Day Spent at Home...

Today I stayed home and this is what got accomplished~~
  I took out 5 loads of recycle stuff and 4 loads of trash from Joe going through the stuff in the closet.  Next came the 4 sinks of dishes as I had not done them for 3 days! Took care of the chickens ( really do that every day). Managed to get 1/2 of the grad gift done!  I made my hair appointment and ordered some protein bars.
  OOPS... almost forgot to say I managed to super clean the bathroom!  From the ceiling to the floor and all the in between!
  Also took about 45 minutes off to play my game~~Rift.
  So now it is time to take a shower as we have a meeting tonight.
What do you do when you spend the day at home??
 

Busy... Busy

 Just taking a few minutes before getting started on finishing up several projects for this week.
 So far this week I have finished my Christmas card mailings and getting the hand-out ones all ready.  I am also making cookies and popcorn balls to share with folks!  ( that includes me too!)
  Need to finish up the grad gift for the lovely Taylor.  She graduates from college this next Friday !!  Yea !
  The other projects are making 2 more Christmas gifts ready for the pot faith at church on the 22nd!
   I think I am forgetting something..... Oh.. yes... I am going to pick up a roast that has been sliced so that I can make rouladen for dinner this evening.  Yummy in the tummy... Joe and Taylor are due over : ) .
  Well, gotta get going!
Busy... Busy..... 
    (All done in Joy !)

Yesterday and Boxes !

  Yesterday I worked on many things. I started out by moving a bunch of boxes from point a to point b. A couple reasons for moving all these boxes of stuff.  One is to create the room needed for my son to go through his boxes. ( lots of boxes in my house!)  Another reason  to move boxes was to find the items I wanted to decorate my house for Christmas.  
  A couple years ago when a friend of mine moved I ended up with about 10 boxes of Christmas stuff!  I had attempted to organize these over the past couple years and other things were more important.  So yesterday... I went through about 6 of the boxes not once but twice!  In between the going through part I moved them back to their original location.  So I ended up getting some exercise moving those boxes...twice!
  Then I moved the boxes of things that my husband had filled when he put together his new computer desk.  Life being what it is there has been no time to actually go back through those boxes.  So I moved them again to make room for when my son goes through his boxes!!  These boxes ended up going down stairs on some shelves I had managed to clean off ( and yes .. the shelves had boxes on them also!) 
  The end result of moving All those boxes.... room to open the boxes in the closet that belong to my son.  The items to decorate the house are waiting for me to do that today.
  At the end of the day while watching a tv show that I like I managed to address almost all the Christmas cards I am either mailing or handing out!  So the ones being mailed simply wait for the stamps to come from the USPS...in the mail !
  Actually I feel good about what I managed to get done yesterday afternoon.  
Moving boxes... : )

Cold

 Yes, winter is definitely here in Boise.  It is below zero!  My chickens are all huddled together in the coop!  Good thing they have feathers for a coat.
Just spoke with a friend of mine who said something about it being different to say "heat wave" when the temperature goes up to 30 degrees!
  I am sooo blessed to have a place to get warm and stay dry!  I am blessed to have food and clothes.  I am blessed that I have a car that runs well.  But also  this winter brrrrr morning... I am blessed to have a really good cup of Hot coffee!
  

Getting Ready

 This week I am working on finishing Christmas gifts that I am making.  Almost done with one.  YEA !!  Next I will work on a graduation gift.  That one should be fun !!
 Today I am trying a new recipe for an easy breakfast ~~  Pumpkin Breakfast Bars.  Smells rather good.  You make a crust and line the pan, cook it a bit and then top it off with the pumpkin mixture.  Somewhat similar to a pie except the crust is made out of different things.  Will post how they turned out.
 I made a list of things that need done so that I have the lovely task of crossing it off !!  So far I have 2 things out of 14 done !!  Progress : )

Catching Up !

 Well I realized that I had not written anything for a bit.  Must be because I have been busy enjoying life !  
  So to catch up....Monday consisted of a variety of things ~~ taking Rick to the doctor for a blood test. (Yes he still has blood ! ) A few things out of balance but that is why he had a test.  Ended up being an awakening to get back to the gym and change a few things that we have been eating.
  Monday was the day I called the Idaho Foodbank to see if they could assist with Mosaic Street Ministry's feeding the homeless in the park.  I spoke with someone on Sunday who had worked with a rather large church and she told me that the church received assistance from that agency.  So this week I will do a followup and see where that goes.
  Also on Monday I went to my dentist for another visit following up on my dental work.  It is getting there.  Yea!  is all I can say on that one.
   Monday evening was a JOY !  Rick and I assisted a friend in celebrating her birthday!  We joined Cressa and Jed at Tucano's for dinner.  Really good time.
  Tuesday was the last meeting of the Heart to Heart Ladies Bible study for this year.  The group celebrated with a really good study followed by a potluck.  With the added celebration of a baby shower for Cressa !!  She is having a little girl in January 2014!  Fun Times !
  Tuesday evening was another celebration.  Z turned 5 !   Z is Cressa and Jed's oldest boy. Dinner was french toast and cake !  Yummy in the tummy and just what Z wanted.  Followed by the frantic opening of gifts!!  There were several other little ones present which made for a Very Fun celebration!   A little on the loud side but the type of loud that is okay!
  Thursday was Thanksgiving.  It is probably one of the best I have had for quite awhile.  Rick and I started out at Laura's place for good breakfast and good conversation.  Followed by yummy turkey dinner at Mom Dorey's in Nampa.  There we had good times with Rick's Mom and his 2 brothers.  It was very nice to be there as it had been about 3 years since we had such an enjoyable gathering.  The last stop of the day was at Kelso's Place.  Joe and Taylor had spent the day there with the Kelso Klan. It was the absolute perfect ending of an Awesome Thankful Day.
   Then last night we went to the Friday Gathering for Bible talk and Prayer.  So much there I doubt I could give it justice in this message.  Just simply state that there was much prayer and shared wisdom.
   So that is it on Catchin' Up !   Time to get some breakfast to get Saturday going in the correct direction.
 
 

Figured out

  Well I have been working on learning my sewing machine for about a month now.  Been doing it in my "spare" time.  Guess what ??  I finally figured it out!  Come to find out the machine likes the thread threaded a certain way along with the bobbin being put in "just" right.  My learning curve seems to be a bit longer on this one!!  
  The result of me finally figuring out the machine is that I have been able to finish the worship flags that I started about 3 months ago !! Yea....  : )
   Now onto that other project that will be a gift for a friend.  I figure that project after that will be to make myself some dresses!  
   So glad I went thru that learning curve and kept having the patience to continue figuring it out!
 

 

Answered prayers

  I go to a Friday prayer group that focuses on discussing the Bible and doing prayer. The leader of the group is the Lord. The makeup of the group varies from week to week.  But the Spirit of the Lord always is there.  Last night really good discussion was going on in 3 different circles of people.  
  After that there was concentrated prayer. As a result of that prayer a woman's back pain was gone completely along with some other internal problems that had begun to bother her. Also a gentlemen was completely released from the lingering hold that some drugs had on his body.  Thank you, Lord.
   I see answers to prayers now on a daily basis.  Perhaps because firstly I am paying more attention to what I pray about and secondly because I am looking for the results.  So it enforces my resolve to do both of those.  There is power in prayer!

Does God Hear Me?

That was a question at the Bible study last night. We ask God for many things and have you wondered if He heard you.
 Here is my answer ... what might yours be?
God always hears.  He hears things spoken and simply thought about.  I have confidence that God will honor and nurture my requests.  Believing that God knows the path my life is to take and my requests fall in alignment with God's plan my requests will be fulfilled.  
I know that God answers prayers as I have seen the results. So why would we assume He does not hear us at other times?

Just my ponderings from last night.

Sad and Happy

 I just learned that a good man has gone on to heaven to be with God. He will be missed greatly by those of us still walking on the Earth.  I am sure that he will be told what a good and faithful servant he was.  So I am sad that he is no longer physically present and happy he is in the hands of God.

Errands

Today was a day to drive around Boise to stop at the various Dollartree Stores.  A friend of mine travels out of the country and teachers women to dance for the Lord.  She likes to give them a gift and has found a way to give them each a ribbon flag.  She asked me to assist in putting things together as she will take 500 of them on her next mission trip.  The ribbon she uses she gets at Dollartree as it is a good way to make them less expensive.  So today I was able to get about 2/3rds of the ribbon needed to make flags that match the countries colors! On Friday I will make the circuit again of the dollar stores as the supplies will be replenished.

This evening I will rip the organza material that goes with it.  It gets measured 1" wide.  Good thing it rips!!  So later tonight I get to have Fun with Fabric !  : )

Lessons

Well yesterday was my reminder to take a breath and believe in the Lord.  Nothing major or earth shattering... But an awareness on my part on what some "things" mean to me.  I know that people are Much more Important than things but when someone I love gives me a gift I want to treasure it.  Keep it safe. So I created habits when I handle my special things.  I am pretty sure I am not the only one to do this.
   So... yesterday I was taking my charm bracelet I received to the jewelry store to get a  stopper so the charms would not fall off one of the ends.  The night before I had placed it in my purse so I would not forget it.  Instead I accidentally had it fall out of my purse while I stopped at a store to do an errand.  When I arrived at the jewelry store it was gone!  The employee there was very good with me and mentioned he had seen that look before.  You know, the look that says "I know I had it... WHERE is IT?" Next I needed to get my husband home for lunch.   My husband was Wonderful... calmed me down and had me drive back to where I feel that I had lost it.  On the way there the loud voice that always brings negative thoughts was telling me how I had assisted someone else to have a wonderful gift !  When I arrived at the store I was Extremely Blessed to see that it had been turned into the clerk !  YEA !!  Thank you, Lord, for caring for my special bracelet.

So my lesson on this is to do what I tell other ~~ Stay calm, Breath in the Lord and Breath out your trouble.  It will all be okay...

Coupons

Saving money on something I am buying is a good thing.  So today when I went to Fred Meyer I got a blessing.  There were several things on my list that the store had on sale Plus the store had coupons that made their sale price lower !  On top of that I had coupons for the items!!!  So instead of spending $77.00 for groceries I spent $42.00 ! That is how I like to shop : ).

Bible Study Questions ...

Today I wanted to pass on some thoughts that I pondered while doing the Bible study homework.  My husband who is a pastor is creating a study for our church's Bible study on Wednesday evenings.  While working on the homework for this evening the question of "How does listening to and obeying the Holy Spirit affect your obedience to God through faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ?"  WOW....This is what I came up with ~~~

These work together to keep us from the effects the enemy ( the negative voice) would have us feel.  Self-control keeps the negative "I told you's" down.  I have a tendency to really mentally beat myself up when I do not use self-control or gentleness.  When I remember to listen to the small voice that whispers in my ear the good things and follow that path my life is smoother.  I believe it increases the shield that I have to keep the attacks at bay.

So that is what I came up with.  I will see this evening what others think. I do know that I have a much more peaceful walk on this earth now.

Monday

Normally Mondays end with Rick and I simply having a normal dinner together and watching some TV to relax.  Last night we were blessed to have dinner with 2 good friends of ours!  Good conversation and yummy taco salad : ).  Followed by a special treat of warm brownies with ice cream on the side.

We have not seen our friends for about a month and the conversation flowed.  An excellent way to end a Monday! 

Then we come home to a message that someone we know who has been looking for a job found one.  YEA!!!  Just a wonderful topping on a good evening.  Thank you, Lord.

Ponderings while Working Out

Today while I was working out I started thinking on the verse in the Bible where Jesus says, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do."  Putting that sentence in what I see go on around me today I saw that in a new light.  Jesus wants us to come from peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Yet I look at the world around me and see many opposites of this.  People coming from anger, hate, jealousy and impatience.  
Could we not stop our thinking processes long enough to come from a different place? 

Special Moments

Yesterday held special moments.  A couple weeks ago as I spent time with a good friend of mine her oldest son, Z, who is almost 5 came over to me.  Z said " Miss April, you need to watch a movie with me!"  So I set a "date" to watch a movie with Z and share some popcorn.  Yesterday was our "date" and we watched a Chip and Dale movie!  Very fun!  
The other special moment was spending time with my good friend, Z's Mom.  : )
We have been friends for many years.
So a good time was had by all present!

A Quiet Day

Today is a quiet day.  I have the garlic bread ready to put in the oven tomorrow to take to the park.  While Rick went to Men's Bible Study this morning I made 2 pans of dump cake. ( For those who do not know what dump cake is it is fruit with a yellow cake mix dumped on top and then butter is sliced on top of that!  and then baked : ) ).

Today I am taking it easy as to not completely "catch" the cold that would like to stay !  
So today is a quiet day.

First Class

Today was the first time I lead the Bible study class!  The group I am is in the process of doing a study that calls for rotating leaders.  So today was the day I lead.  I felt rather nervous.  The result was that it was a good class with a lot of sharing about what being a servant is about.  So very nice of all those ladies that shared their thoughts and life moments.
 

Simply Today

Today is a day to get a few things done so tomorrow the tasks flow.  Tomorrow I am teaching a class at the Ladies Bible Study.  First time for me to teach.  This study has had rotating teachers and it is fun to hear others.  So this afternoon I plan on studying and seeing what God has for me to share tomorrow.

Also today my husband goes to a meeting concerning his job and the circumstances that have arisen there. It is interesting to hear what is no longer okay to speak about at work.  He was on a phone call and talked about the miracles that we have seen thru prayer.  Someone was offended.  I have no doubt that God has a plan and will answer accordingly.

So I have several things to pray about this afternoon when I do some dedicated prayer.  But now I have a friend that has asked for my assistance to getting groceries so it is time for me to leave.

My husband's Writing.

Today I just wanted to copy something that my husband wrote.  He says things so beautifully:

Today was one of those God days. You know one where He shows you all the miracles that He is doing in your life. A day of blessing and miracles. It started with two phone calls, one saying God had me me on her heart and she wanted to come and dance for our church body, and one to pray with a women who needed to be lifted up because she wasn't going to make it to church today and might not be back until after surgery.

All of a sudden this last week of betrayal and lies were gone from my thoughts as I prayed for someone that needed to be lifted up and reminded that all the pain and struggle was being taken care of by prayer and answer to prayer. Reminding her how strong she has been and the it would all be over soon.

Then on to church, attendance was up, people loved the dance and during it much was broken off in the spirit. We were all blessed and the woman who wasn't going to make came just long enough to be deeply blessed, loved and then went back home to rest. I even believe in the middle of all of it God worked in me to deliver yet another message of strength and hope.

And normally that would be all that was needed for a full day. And yet God was not done yet. We took the guitar down to the park to give to our friend. His eyes filled with tears as I explained to him the story behind the guitar and looks at me and says you didn't have to do this for me. I looked at him and said yes I did because I had given him my word and I kept my word.

He played and the troubles and the burdens of many slipped away into old songs and gospel tunes. In my ear I hear something I thought was only reserved for eternity and that was "Well done!" I saw peoples eyes light up and smiles break out on faces whose struggles would break many of the hearts of good and faithful people if they only knew the truth. There was joy and peace, and my heart exploded with the peace beyond all understanding.. Don't worry He whispered I have this all in my hands.

Then Denie Tackett pulled out a cake to thank us all in celebration of her 6 years of feeding the homeless in the park. Tears welling up in all our eyes and I am reminded the changes that have taken place in me over the last couple of years learning the meaning of unconditional love. Today as I watch each one of the homeless walk through I think how many of them would trade their problems for mine. I have so much it was all put into perspective so very quickly.

Be blessed and be a blessing to someone today!

Catchin' Up

  It has been a busy week  and it is only Wednesday!  My husband and I are actively working on getting in shape.  We have started working out Monday thru Friday mornings at a new gym that opened up not far from our house.  So it meant a change in routine especially for me!  I normally do not get up before 7 am.  Now I get up at 5:30!! Yikes : )...  The results will be worth it!
    One of the other things on my to-do list for the week is cleaning and winterizing my vegetable garden.  I have processed the carrots that my husband harvested.  I came across a recipe for spicy pickled carrot sticks.  Sounded like a good gift to me!  So I finished processing those last night and will label them today!  
  Next comes processing the brussel sprouts for freezing.  I have already sized them according to directions ~ small, medium, and large.  So next I will blanch them and then put them in the freezer bags.  Then they will already for cooking when I want them!
  Other projects on my list are making worship flags, re-vamping my son's baby book, making a couple Christmas gifts and the normal household stuff!
   Well, that's it for now.  Time to get busy on the normal household stuff!
Be Blessed and have an Awesome Day!

Yes, the desk is Gone

 Well tonight I put up another Craigslist ad to find a new home for the computer desk.  It has been gracing my living room for about 5 weeks.  So about 15 minutes after I posted it I ended up with 10 replies.  The one I responded to was a God nudge.  The man who picked up the desk works really hard in a wrecking yard.  He spent just enough time after work to grab a bite to eat and then head to my house.  Very nice man.  So the desk will be used by his daughter, whom is home schooled. 

A most beautiful God nudge on which person to respond to.  Thank you , Lord.

Desk still here

Well, the desk I have had in my living room for 5 weeks now is still here.  I thought that I had it gone but the lady I spoke with has not returned with a pick up time.  I left a message yesterday to please let me know.  So.... this afternoon I will contact the next one who responded.  Perhaps they still would like it.  Time will tell.

Desk go By BY

Well I have had a computer desk in my living room for a month and a half.  A friend of mine originally wanted it and, then when she moved, it ended up not fitting.  So... first I put it on Facebook because that was easier for me to do.  Then today I figured out how to set it up on Craigslist for free.  About 15 minutes after I posted it the emails started coming in !!  Yea !   After the first 7 responses I took the desk off Facebook.  So this evening the desk will be gracing someone else's home.  And I will have more space in my living room.

Good Day !

Today was the second workout day for my husband and I!!  Yea !   We signed up at a gym that opened not far from our house.  Our goal is... like others... to get in good physical shape.  So we are watching what we eat and now we are working out.  Day 2 of a new habit!  Rick set up a workout program on a phone app for me.  So glad that it has pictures plus description of how to do each set. It is a free app called Jefit.  So I will be learning a new app while I learn new exercises!  So off to the shower with me!
Enjoy your day!  Be Blessed. 

First Day

  Well, this is the beginning of a new journey for me...blogging. This is a new experience to me.  I grew up writing in a diary...now it is called journaling.
  Yesterday I was blessed to have time to sit with a friend of mine, Karrol, who is in the hospital.  She had a new hip put in and is recovering nicely.  Karrol is like quite a few others I know that really do not like being in a hospital.  Another one of Karrol's friends had put together a list of people  who could visit with her for awhile.  How Awesome to have a friend do something like that!  I met Gloria, a new friend for me, who is a friend to Karrol.  I was also blessed to spend time with Judy.  While I was sitting with Karrol we watched a movie called Space Chimp!  Made us both laugh. So the reason I say I was blessed to visit in a hospital was because I shared some laughs and assisted someone else to feel better. Also I watched Karrol go through one of her walks with the physical therapist and she how determined she was to get better.  Karrol wants to go back to her environment which she knows and is willing to do what it takes.