Anything New Photo Challenge

My boys went out on Thanksgiving afternoon and bought me some new Christmas lights and two new wreaths. They even climbed up on the roof to put them up for me! They looked so beautiful and really gave me a headstart getting ready for Christmas. Now I'll have new lights and wreaths to enjoy next Christmas season.

These are my new shower curtain and towels that my girls got me for Christmas! I love them!

Aren't they gorgeous? (see the bird?)

Some fun new birthday presents!

This is the school entrance for my new (three week) job beginning on Monday! The school does have alot of Hispanic children, but I didn't realize I took a picture of the Spanish side of the sign. I met with the teacher I will be substituting for this morning. I'll be in a resource classroom with 2nd and 4th grade kids helping them with reading and math. I'm really excited.

Anything New

It's such a glorious new year and so recently after Christmas it should be easy to find something new to photograph. Hmmmm. . . let me put my thinking cap on. I'll be back with a few photos!
Brenda's Photo Challenge this time is Anything New and is hosted by Laura Belle at Laura's - I Spy Weekly Photos . You can check out everyone else's photos while I go find some new things!

Contentment

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have, for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,"
so that we confidently say,

"THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

I heard this verse about a week before Christmas in a sermon. I marked it in my bible and began reading it over and over at home, before going to sleep at night or during the day, just to be reminded of its' truth. For some reason, I had never connected the different thoughts expressed in these verses together.

If I am not to love money, which I didn't think I did, however, I carried an awful lot of concern around in my heart for something I didn't love. What is money, after all? It is various pieces of paper, with numbers and designs on them. It is round pieces of metal, minerals imprinted with numbers and designs. Placing this fact in front of me, looking at it as simply a thing, gives me a healthier perspective. It can just be numbers on a page. It doesn't give value to me, or to my life.

Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:2-4

Living my life in gratitude daily for what I have been given, learning contentment, has been one of the most rewarding journeys I have taken. To connect the words of Christ with this, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you", gives me a reason for being content. It's not based on denial of the facts of my situation, but based on something much greater.

What a gift, to read the words, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can (mere) man do to me?" We all face many different struggles and worries, but the same truth can calm each of our hearts.

I awoke in the night many times during the week of Christmas, and I leaned heavily on these verses, letting them dwell in my heart and mind. This past week, the concerns I had then are no longer. The things I was worrying about never came to pass. The arrival of two different checks, two days earlier than expected, and of course God's grace, has carried me through to a place today of no worries! Maybe I should whisper those words, but I woke up this morning with the realization that there is nothing hanging over me, no darkness threatening to cast a shadow over my day. I was so surprised by this that I started searching my memory for anything that I might have forgotten about!

I'm writing this because I felt I needed to share the GOODNESS OF GOD and HIS FAITHFULNESS in my life. Whether it's impossible financial situations we are facing or health concerns for loved ones, or impossible people in our lives, the Lord's words ring true and will sustain us through this new year, 2009.

God bless you richly!

Happy New Year!

"We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day."

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I found this quote last year on New Year's Day 2008. I included it in my first blog post, written on January 7, 2008. Writing and sharing with all of you has been lifechanging and has given me a creative outlet I needed. Reading your thoughts and insights, sharing in your lives has been a gift.

I'm realizing new places of healing taking place in my heart these days, making room for more beauty, for more openness to life. I'm beginning to love birds! I see them everywhere, in art and fabric, on plates and even on my new shower curtain! I see them differently somehow. Could they represent my heart's flight to freedom? May be. . .

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” C.S. Lewis

“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickinson

My prayer for us all, is a new year full of opportunities to fly!

Looking Forward to New Beginnings

"There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning."

Louis L'Amour

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance

therefore, I will hope in him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24

After celebrating two Christmases, and two birthdays this past week, I'm enjoying the freshness and freedom we feel when we look to the new year. This morning as I've been contemplating the close of the year 2008, I've enjoyed reading your posts and have been inspired by your words. I'm ready for new beginnings. . . new hope. . . new accomplishments. . . new ways of looking at the same things. . .new strength to face each day. . . new friends. . .new opportunities. . .new joy. . .

This is what I wish for you!

Merry Christmas!

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house. . .
Watching "It's a Wonderful Life"
Lighting candles
Reading the Christmas Story

And wishing all of you a wonderful, peaceful Christmas!

Christmastime Thoughts

Ice Day! Woohoo! The schools were closed here on Tuesday because of icy roads so we had an unexpected day at home together! It was so warm and cozy inside and freeeeeeeeezing outside. Yep, ice is kind of a big deal here in Texas and I'll take any version of "white" I can get at this time of the year!

Beautiful surprises in the mail from friends bring joy and remind me of the gift of thoughtfulness and time that make a difference.

I feel really behind on getting ready for Christmas this year as far as shopping goes, even knowing what I need to be shopping for, but I've been blessed with the small gifts of Christmas. I'm reminded that it's the small things and the simple moments that I enjoy most about the Christmas season. Somehow the rest will happen and Christmas Day will arrive as it does every year, full of presents, food, and family, and a feeling of awe as I realize what the day means. How the whole world is changed for a day. . . as ours is changed for eternity, because of the birth of Christ.

Baking and decorating Christmas cookies. . .with the same cookie cutters we used when I was a little girl! This was a yearly event in my childhood and it brings back lots of memories. I'll admit I've skipped a few years in carrying out this tradition, but it's never too late to begin again!

Morning Praise

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Psalm 9:2

O my strength, I will sing praises to You;For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.

Psalm 59:17

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 104:33

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; His love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Beautiful Words

It seems when I'm busiest, my blog posts become reflections of random ideas or words that have reached me through the busyness, not always having the time to explain my reasons. Every moment of my days are filled with prayers for my friend and his family. Lifting them up to God for His healing and strength. In the midst of these days, I'm aware of a loving Presence with me.

Sometimes beautiful words catch our attention unexpectedly whether through movies or books, reaching that part of us that needs to hear and believe them. While watching the movie "Prancer" the other night, I heard the quote "there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding." For some reason, those words broke through and gave me encouragement to BELIEVE. That truth lies underneath and over and beyond everything we see in this world.

I just finished reading my second book by Harold Bell Wright, called "The Calling of Dan Matthews". The book was full of gentle words and strong truths. I need these moments of quiet reflection, of being wrapped in another world, drawing some of the beauty into my own world. One of the quotes that was a gift to me is this, " ...do you think that anyone could ever replace the mountains, the ocean or the stars, or any of these wonderful things in the great universe, if they were to be destroyed? ...And do you think that anything in all this beautiful world is of greater importance- of more value to the world-than a human life, with all its marvelous power to think and feel and love and hate and so leave its mark on all life, for all time? ...Then don't you see how impossible it is that anyone should ever take your place? Don't you see that you have a place in the world-a place that is yours because God put you in it, just as truly as he put the mountains, the seas, the stars in their places? And don't you see why you must feel that you have a right to your own life-place, and that you must hold it, no matter what others say, or do, or think, because of its great value to God and to the world? And...do you think that anything in all the universe is dearer to the Father than a human life, that is so wonderful and so eternal in its power? So life should be the dearest thing in all the world to us. Not just the life of each to himself, but every life-any life, the dearest thing to all. I think this was true of Christ; I think it should be true of all Christians. I believe this with all my heart."

And so, I pray this could be my gift to you today, these words to take with you. I guess it's time to get on with my day, of sweeping the floor, washing dishes, shopping for and preparing some food, hearing about my kids' day at at school, having a new crown put on my tooth, and heading off to work this evening. Through it all, I'll remember these things I have pondered and carry them with me.

Love to all

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Dear Editor, I am 8 years old."Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus."Papa says, 'If you see it in The Sun, it's so.'"Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus?

Virginia O'Hanlon
115 West Ninety-fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no child-like faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Calvin Coolidge

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth "

Prayer Request

A very dear friend of mine is having heart bypass surgery tomorrow morning. Please pray for God's healing through the doctor's hands and peace for him and his wife, (Karen M at LovedandEngraved. )

They are both very special, giving people and invest so much encouraging others. I pray that they would be encouraged and comforted at this time by our love and prayers and God's presence and healing.

Finances . . . The Final Frontier

I discovered a new website this morning http://www.ourprayer.org/. I couldn't resist clicking on the title Financial Worries! My ends lack a long way to meet these days, and just this morning I was reminded when I checked my bank statement online. Don't you just hate the way banks switch the order of our purchases and deposits, depending on the amount? I know we don't usually discuss our finances openly, but after reading Suze Orman's story, A Matter of Perspective,I decided maybe I should. It really is one of the last frontiers in my life that needs to be explored, tamed and settled.

If you are challenged in this area, like I am, I encourage you to read these stories. I hope this can be an encouragement to you and me, especially as we begin this season of giving.

A Matter of Perspective Read Suze Orman's 7 steps to financial health.

A Spiritual Approach to Financial Worries
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale's tips to find strength over financial problems.

How to Find Yourself After Losing a Job Getting laid-off was a blessing in disguise.

The Truth About Money How we all invest a little of ourselves in our finances.

One thing I believe God has given me the idea to do, is to be open with my kids about money. Maybe even to the extent of working up a budget, letting them see what we spend money on and when the bills are due, and what and when my paychecks are. It would give me accountability as well as give them a clear picture of just how this thing called "money" works.

My son just called me to brainstorm about how I could get my photography business going. Talk about timing! He's driving back to Houston after spending Thanksgiving at home. We came up with some great ideas and I'm excited about getting started!

My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Whole

Hope to the hurting heart,

"run to ME,

I'll hold you close

curing your heart's ache

with My tender

knowing touch

I'll sew up every break

memories. . .

scars, they fade

like the end of day

when My love

is planted there

the pain is washed away

I AM your

Prince of Peace

the Lover of your soul

Let ME in

I'll mend your heart

My love will make

you Whole"

Luke 4:18

I was in Jefferson, Texas one day a couple of weeks ago during a camping trip to Caddo Lake. We stopped in a gift shop called "Blessings". While there I bought a bookmark with this poem on it. I wanted to share it with you.

He is Alive

Awake this morning at 2:30, I listened to the wind. . . the thunder. . . the rain, I saw the lightning flash. There's a channel in my area that plays Creation Scapes and Worship Videos around this time in the morning. It's so peaceful sitting in my dark house, listening to peaceful music and reading scripture. This happens quite often, and this morning, for the first time, I realized maybe God wants my company! There are no distractions, no demands, other than sleep, what a gift to spend this time with my Lord.




. . . this song blessed me tonight, this morning, as I sit here in the quiet darkness. We talked about Christ's resurrection on Sunday, about how He is alive today. He is alive with our Father and He is alive on this earth through His Holy Spirit. He is with us, through it all, every moment. He is alive. He is my. . . our. . . precious Jesus. And because of this, we can be truly alive.

I came across a new blog, A Woman's Worth and she speaks of "Trash to Treasure Because of Christ".

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

Psalms 42:1

Cottage Garden

    At the Cottage Door

In the Garden

Cottage Garden at Sunset

t

When I was in Europe, I bought postcards of my favorite paintings from the many museums we visited. One of my very favorites, I framed, and is still sitting on my dresser. It's by David Woodlock, 1842-1929, and is called "Upper Bushey Village". I couldn't find it to share on my blog, but I found similar watercolors by the same artist. They're so pretty and peaceful. I still dream of living in a cottage in England, well, maybe just a little visit.

Lamentations 3:22-23

I substituted in a 5th grade classroom today, and found these verses from Lamentations on the wall next to the teacher's desk. Over the past week I've taught 3rd grade, 4th grade, elementary Art, Resource, and today 5th grade. Tomorrow I'm in an elementary special education room, then Wed. I'll be in a 9th grade special education class, and Friday a middle school special education class. I'm always a little worried before I get to the school for the day, but then I remember why I'm doing this. God is always so good and He reassures me each day.

I feel so privileged to be in each classroom. It's so much fun to see the light come on in a child's eyes when he understands something new!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Don't Worry, Be Happy

One of my favorite things about substitute teaching is discovering the uniqueness of each classroom. I can see the personality of the teacher reflected in the small things placed around the room and on the walls. We should surround ourselves in our homes with as many inspirational words as I find in classrooms! Here are a few I enjoyed recently:

It's all in the attitude!

DON'T WORRY - BE HAPPY!

If you expect respect, be the first to show it

I'm so busy I don't know whether I just found a rope or lost my horse

Doing what is right isn't always easy, but it's always right

There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs

Setting: (A Garfield poster, with Garfield hanging upside down from a branch, a woodpecker is almost to peck all the way through the branch, beneath Garfield are mean, barking dogs)

Twenty years from now I'll look back at this and laugh!

I'll share more another day.

To my friends who posted their encouraging comments, I think tiredness contributed to my lack of inspiration recently. Sometimes I think we try to squeeze every second out of the day and it's still not enough. Only with God can anything ever be enough. Thank you so much for your prayers. My time writing yesterday morning was inspiring to me because it was time spent with God and focusing on Him. I had such a wonderful day yesterday teaching 5th grade. It was like a magic spell had been cast over the day. Actually, I think God gave me the strength of His presence which made me a different person. Today I have the privilege of teaching 3'rd grade. I'll keep you posted on my adventures!

Outside Looking In

Have you ever felt that you had stepped out of your faith? You find yourself on the outside looking in. . . in at your trust in God. All of a sudden you realize you are capable of thinking like a doubter and feeling cynical like a scoffer. I know I haven't lost my faith. I'm reading God's word every day, praying, and reading books such as It's Not About Me by Max Lucado to build my understanding and faith. Searching. . .

Maybe this is brought on by unanswered prayer. Maybe I've challenged God to provide and answer my prayers on my own time table not His. I walk through my days wanting to be in His will. . .looking for where He could work in my life and those around me. Am I where I should be? Just to do what I want to do to make a living-is it worth losing ground financially and missing out on time with my kids? I find myself becoming apathetic and cynical. But then, have I really done all I can do to accomplish the most that I can during this time? What are my priorities? Time with my kids, career goals, insurance, security, or following my heart? How can they all tie in together somehow?

Found on the walls of the classroom I was in today, these words gradually drew my attention. . . There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. I would love to step onto a elevator, push the up button and step out into my first teaching job. But I find myself taking each stair, one day at a time, not knowing how many stairs I will have to climb.

"Why do people struggle? Trust me in your times of trouble and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. Psalm 50:15

Is there any chance, any possibility, that you have been selected to struggle for God's glory? ...Here's a clue. Do your prayers seem to be unanswered? What you request and what you receive aren't matching up? Don't think God isn't listening. Indeed He is. He may have higher plans.

When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God Himself, we cross a threshold. "

It's Not About Me
Max Lucado

Oh, Lord, I'm back. As I seek you, I find peace. I've been reading these verses and memorizing them each night.

Blessed is the man(woman)who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his(her) delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he(she) meditates day and night.
He(she) is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he(she) does prospers.

Psalm 1:1

I'm ready for more, something deeper. God doesn't abandon me in my search. He leads me to Him.

Friendship Award

I love the picture for this award. It's a reminder of what I've been missing for the past several days while my computer was out of whack. Just yesterday I read something about this saying. (What's a whack?)

I'll post later with the questions and the recipients I want to pass this on to, but for now I want to say Thanks! to Karen M at Loved and Engraved for her thoughts and her friendship.

Ask and It Will Be Given to You

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Luke 11:9-10

Beautiful Fall Day

Good morning everyone. I've been feeling the need for some change. I tried dark blue for my blog for a few days but it wasn't very fall like. So in trying to capture a little bit of fall around here, I snapped a few photos of the fall wreath my daughter and I made in brownies when she was around 5 years old. Could it really be 12 years ago? It needs a little sprucing up I guess. Maybe I could add a few new leaves or berries. I could have straightened out the leaves before the took the picture, but it hangs on my front door as is, and I love it. The little speck to the left of the wreath is actually a tiny caterpillar that I didn't think would show up in the final photo but there he is! The weather is so nice and cool this morning. Boy am I ready for fall. Next . . .to put a pumpkin on my porch! Blessings to all!

Yellow

Our new Brenda Photo Challenge is Yellow

The hostess this time is Tabitha of Twinkle Twinkle

This photo was taken in Presidio, on the border of Texas and Mexico.

Cactus flowers in southwest Texas at Fort Davis State Park.

Sunflowers on my dining table.( not real, but I love them)

Cactus blooms in the gardens at the Alamo, taken on our last visit to San Antonio.

Friday Funnies

Ok, guys, I'm going to join the Friday Funnies for today, Kim at Homesteader's Heart hosts this weekly chance to start our day off right! Visit her blog to see more Friday Funnies! This video makes me laugh out loud everytime I see it. If anyone is familiar with the different personality types, they will probably laugh louder, but anyone can see themselves and those they love depicted in these reactions to sitting on a tack!




If you're interested in learning more about personalities visit /www.gkseminars.com/ or read Personality Plus by Florence Littauer. It's alot of fun recognizing yourself and others. As for me, I am definitely phlegmatic! Have a great Friday!