I love Monday Holidays!!

I headed to NH after Church on Sunday to spend some time with my friend Cathy!!  I love the pace when I stay with her.  Laid back, just relaxing fun!!  Even though I was there for only 24 hours, we had a great time and did soo much!! 

On my way up, I took a quick detour to see my Covered Bridge (The Smith Bridge) and photograph the Wind Sock at the cute little Airport (if you were at FBC/LifeSong Sunday, you know why... =).

Once I arrived, and the hugging was finished, we spent some time making a few cards.  I had brought some Frozen Cape Cod pizzas, so we had those for supper and then watched the movie Courageous with Larry - Awesome movie by the way!! 

After what seemed like a very short sleep (maybe we were up a little late talking and "gaming") we had some pancakes got ourselves "together" and headed out to enjoy the beautiful morning and visit a few local COFFEE SHOPS!!!  We started off in Plymouth at Cafe Monte Alto.  I LOVED this place!!  Check out my Coffee Shop tab to hear more... to be posted soon...

Once we finished up in beautiful downtown Plymouth, we headed to The Mad River Cafe.  Driving along side a Mad River...      

We took a detour and drove up Larry's DOT Route, up, up, up!!  The views were incredible.

How majestic - Good job God!!

 Amazing!!  After taking in the mountain views, we headed back down, down, down and found our way to the Mad River Cafe where we enjoyed Peppermint Patty Lattes - yum!!

On our way back, Larry was skating - awesome on skates!!

Soon it was time for me to head home...  Love our times together Cathy!!

Saturday Morning...

I love Saturday mornings!  The one morning I can "sleep in"!!  Not that I ever do.  BUT, I don't have to get up and get going, and I LOVE that!!  This morning I was laying in bed and thinking of what I would do with my morning.  For those of you who have checked out my "other" Blog, you know I am hooked on Card Making.  Of course, thoughts of the cards I would be creating today were swimming around in my head...  let's see, six Birthday cards, how many Challenges can I work on while creating the cards...  what papers and stamps will I use today...  Oh yeah, I also need to clean the house...  hmmm...

So, I started the day with my devotional book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young and coffee.

God is so cool!!  This morning's devotional was all about how Jesus is with me (and you), through the ups and downs of my every day...  My life has been a bit of a roller coaster of late and I have gotten off track trying to handle things on my own.  But yes---Jesus has been right here, holding my hand through it all.  I have seen His provision and I am thankful.  He is so faithful!

Psalm 73:23-26 (NIV)

 ²³ Yet I am always with you;
   you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
   and afterward you will take me into glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart
   and my portion forever.

I love that God is so personal.  He cares and knows about every aspect of my life (and yours).  As I was looking up the scripture referenced in the devotion for today, one of them is a stamp I purchased and got in the mail JUST YESTERDAY...  Zephaniah 3:17 =)  So, once my coffee was gone, the first Birthday Card I made was with the stamp God wanted me to use!!  Here it is my friends.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend filled with His presence, His blessings and His love.

Pooh...

It's Friday...

The word challenge has come to mind a lot this past week.  Life is full of challenges.  Sometimes there are several challenges in one work day...  Sometimes our relationships face unexpected challenges...  One minute all is well and the next we are just not sure.  We can suddenly feel so insecure.  "Will I be able to complete that project on time?", "How does that person really feel about me?", "How am I ever going to be able to pay all the bills?", "What if the results to that test are not what I hope to hear?", "What if, what if, what if...?".  "What if I am not strong enough...?"!

Last year a friend gave me the Devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  It is written as if Jesus were speaking directly to me.  It always amazes me how many days I need to hear exactly what is written.  Today was one of those days.  "When you feel anxious, know that you are focusing on the visible world and leaving ME out of the picture." 

I know I tend to be a "fixer".  I take it all on and try to "fix" it all...  Often times I forget to talk to God first, to seek His direction, to wait on His guidance.  Then, I wonder why I am overwhelmed, why the challenge seems bigger than I can handle...  Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious for anything, but in EVERY situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  How cool is that?  He cares about EVERYTHING to do with us!! 

He is there... waiting... to hear from us!!!

More Pooh...

How sweet...

Life is Short...

Yesterday my dear friend Juanita's Mom passed away.  She had suffered for so long and was separated from her husband of 67 years when she was confined to live in a Nursing Home some months back.  She never complained.  She was joyful!!  She knew Jesus!! 

Hearing the news of her passing brought back memories of my Mom's passing.  Though Juanita and my Mom never knew each other, they are both now rejoicing in Heaven.  No more pain, no more sorrow...

I remember when my Mom passed almost 7 years ago (and a little over a year later my Dad), thinking, what do people who don't have faith in God, who don't know the promise of eternal life in Heaven, how do they get through the grief?  What do they do without the HOPE of tomorrow... 

Both Juanita and I had the priviledge of being raised in Christian homes.  Our lives followed many similar paths, yet also very different paths.  There was a common thread, Jesus.  The thread that holds everything together.  John 3:16 For God so loved the World, that He gave His one and only Son (JESUS), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life!  A Bible verse so many of us learn in Sunday School, so many of us have memorized this verse, but do we really get it?   Read it again, and again, and again...  WOW!!!  If you haven't done so already, claim that verse - believe - ask Jesus into your heart.  Confess your sins, and follow Him!  Heaven is real...  I look forward to the day that I join my parents and so many others who have gone on before me...  Today the Victory is Bonnie's - she has earned her reward and is resting in the comfort of the arms of her Lord and Savior!

So today I pray for comfort and strength for my friend Juanita, her Dad and the rest of the family as they celebrate the life of her Mom, as they deal with the grief that separation brings, and I am so thankful and praising God that one day there will be a Heavenly Reunion, in His time...

Another Faith Filled Friday...

Have you ever thought... "my life is so dull...", "is this all there is...", "...there has to be more than this...", you think to yourself... "I was made for more...".

I'm reading the book Fresh-brewed Life by Nicole Johnson.  In this book, she uses coffee (one of my favorite things) and compares it to life.  She addresses the questions above that I think all of us ask ourselves at one time or another.  We become dissatisfied with our daily routine, our home never feels as "homey" as the neighbors down the street, our job is never as fulfilling as we think it should be, our relationships are flat and we wonder what has changed...  Life can wear us down, life becomes stale, like those coffee grounds that have been sitting too long...  We find ourselves longing for more.

Ever go to a favorite coffee shop and wonder why the coffee is just so wonderful?  It's those freshly ground beans, that feshly brewed coffee - so delicious, so satisfying.  The aroma is so rich, so satsfying.

I know I want my life to be that delicious, that satisfying...  I believe God uses those times of longing, of walking through the valleys of life, of facing dissappointments, of dealing with the pain of loss to draw us closer to Him.  Those times are times that make us realize that life is too big, too hard to face without the love of a MIGHTY GOD!! 

• Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)  Do you believe it? 
• Matthew 6:33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)  Do you trust Him?
• Exodus 33:14 The LORD replied, "I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest--everything will be fine for you." (NLT)  Do you have faith?

All too often, when I think to myself, "there has to be more than this", I have drifted... drifted away from God, let other things in life take priority, and those things never satisfy!  Let God be God!!  Staying connected with Him through His Word, through prayer, fasting, meditation.  He can and will make all things new, He will breathe fresh breath into your life, only He can deliver that fresh-brewed life that we are all yearning for!  I challenge you (and me) to share that first cup of coffee each day with the one who makes all things new!

Faith Filled Fridays...

Sometimes It Hurts...

Because Jesus died for me...  WOW!!!  Can any of us really take in what it would feel like to send one of our own children (or other family member or close friend for those of us who don't have children), to suffer tremendous pain and then die a horrendous death?  For what?  For others, so that they may benefit??

Talk about hurt...

I have been involved in a church plant of sorts called LifeSong New England.  What an incredible blessing the experience has been!!  There has been a lot of work involved.  A lot of time involved.  A lot of sacrifice involved...  And tremendous blessings!!

In this process I have grown in my own Christian walk.  I have met many people.  I have been blessed to hear people's stories.  I have been blessed to wrap my arms around someone who is hurting.  I have been blessed to hear of someone's personal victory and rejoice with them.  I have been blessed to see God move.  I have been blessed to hold a new life...  With each of these blessings, a little piece of my heart is taken, invested in that person...  Relationships are formed, hopes are shared, love is given, and received...

People come, and sometimes they go, and that hurts...  What keeps me going when I am weakened by disappointment...?  His Grace...  But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9  Will I continue to love...?  Yes!!  We love becuase He first loved us. 1 John 4:19  What do I do when misunderstandings cause heartache...?  Forgive!!  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  Colossians 3:13

Jesus suffered and died on the Cross so that I may have life, eternal life.  Jesus died on the Cross so that you may have life, eternal life.  Embrace that.  Take it in...  Claim it.  Own it.  If you haven't done so already, accept it, accept Him as your own personal Savior.  For God so loved the World that He gave His ONLY Son, that whoever believesin Him may have eternal life.  John 3:16  WOW!! 

Does that mean there will be no more disappointment?  No.  Will life become easy?  No.  Will there be no more heartache?  No...  BUT we will be covered by His Grace, His Love, His Forgiveness.  He will carry you through life's disappointments, life's trials, life's heartaches...  He will give you strength.

Lord I thank you this Friday morning for your Grace, for your Love, for your Forgiveness, for your strength that carries me through.  May I be a Blessing to someone who is hurting today.  May I shine your Love to all I encounter this day...  In Jesus' precious and holy name, Amen.

Faith Filled Fridays...

From Januray 6, 2012 - Just Imagine...

This is an excerpt from a Devotional I read earlier this week posted by Patsy Cairmont:

Yesterday can’t be altered, tomorrow can’t be predicted, and today can’t be controlled any more than I can adjust the sun’s path. While that could make us feel helpless, I find a deep comfort in the knowledge that the one who placed the sun on its course has lit a distinct path for us. The path is filled with purpose and with the potential for interior prosperity: “You will show me the path of life” (Psalm 16:11).

WOW - Just imagine - the God of the Universe has it all under control!!  He knows the details of our every minute!!  We have been taught that.  We who are Christians know that.  Yet, we often find ourselves fretting about the day ahead, the week ahead, what will we accomplish this new year...  Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to have a plan, to set goals (this comes from a planner, a Controller...).  BUT, we need to remember that God is in control.  He is the one driving the bus!!  We can't change the past, we can't know what tomorrow will bring, and we can have a plan for today, but we can not control all that today will bring...

I heard yesterday of a death in my extended family.  This man was a father of 6+ (yes, a baby is due soon).  He was living a full life and as far as I know, did not have any threatening health issues, yet, his time came on a day that I'm sure he had plans... Just imagine... today he might be walking in Heaven.  I did not know him well, but I hope and pray that he knew Jesus.  Are you ready?  Do you know the one who saves?

I used to listen to a song by Audio Adrenaline "This Day" every morning on my way to work.  It was a reminder to give each and every day to God... to seek Him in all that I do... 

So, don't fret about today and all that lies ahead, put your trust in God, honor Him in all that you do, listen for His still small voice, and be in awe as He directs your paths...

Faith Filled Fridays...

From December 30, 2012 - Are you Restless??

When I was young, and very often restless (hmmm..., me??), my mother would quote a certain verse from the Bible to me...  Phil 4:11(b) "... I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.".  I would get so irritated!!  didn't she know I was bored!! 

Looking back from this vantage point in my life (probably the age she was when she would say this) I can so appreciate her words of wisdom!  When I think of her, I never think of a discontented person.  She was always content.  She lived that scripture!!  And because she lived that scripture, she was joyful.  I wish I could say I have lived that scripture.  I will say I am striving to live that scripture.  I seek peace, I seek comfort, I seek stillness...  It is time to embrace that verse and claim it as my own...  Is it time for you to do the same??

Why Windows...

So, I have had this fascination with windows for quite some time.  Not quite sure why...

 Some time ago, when my son was a toddler (oh my goodness, 22 years ago, is that possible?) I ran a Day Care in my home.  Somehow, even though it was such busy work, I found time for quilting.  I designed and made some pillows that were windows with flower boxes.  I had this grand plan that I would create this line of "art" and sell them on consignment.  My label name was "Sally's Windows".

Well, all I have to show for that venture, are these two pictures of the pillows I made...  After selling them in a little shop on Nantucket, I ended up making $25 per pillow and realized I would much rather have the actual pillows back than the money made.  These pillows were worth so much more to me...  I still think about them today...

Windows are like photographs.  I often look at a photo taken.  It is a glimpse of the world as the photographer sees it.  What he or she saw through the "shutter" that day...  Whether it be a couple enjoying each other's company, children playing on a beach, a still shot of the early morning sunrise....  There is something special, personal, about a photograph.

Windows give safety.  From the safety of your home, you can look through the windows at what is going on in the world around you.  That window creates a safety net per say.  You can choose whether to just observe, or go out there and join in on the activity. 

Windows bring imagination.  Looking through a window, you often see glimpses of life, in a home or a business, and imagine what is going on inside.   

Ahhh, windows...  I now know why!

Sunday - my favorite day

I woke up early this morning.  Had some prayer time, had oh so many people and situations racing thru my mind...  tried to get back to sleep, but it wasn't meant to be this morning...

So, I grabbed my iPhone (my iPhone??, why didn't I grab my Bible...), checked for any "current" activity (since maybe 4 hours prior) and then went to my Note Pad (thankfully!).  When I attended Women of Faith this past November in Hartford,  CT, my iPhone was fairly new to me.  I used "My Notes" during the Conference which was so awesome.  I love looking back and remembering the many blessed moments of wisdom, encouragement and simple reminders of how our God loves us!! 

Sheila Walsh has become a favorite speaker of mine since I first heard her at a WoF Conference a few years back.  She shared this verse...:

Psalm 143:8  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

...and then this simple prayer:  "Good Morning Lord, wherever you are going, I am going too!" 

That is my prayer this Sunday morning.  May I follow Him not only this day but each and every day.  May each day be a day of constant dialogue with my Lord and Savior. 

He loves to spend time with us!  How cool is that?

Welcome Friday!!!

New post on Faith Filled Fridays... Check it out!!

Ah... Monday...

It's Monday and it's a HOLIDAY!!!!  Feeling the joy and relaxation of a day off...  NOT!!!  Stress is building as Bethany and Siri have an argument!!!  Will Siri serve me in the future??? 

Really, just kidding... Not feeling any stress...  Slept late, had Pumpkin Coffee, went to Plain Jane's for breakfast and hanging at the house for a bit.  However, Beth and Siri are having an argument - oh dear!!!  Lots of laughs!!  Siri just told Beth she does not want to argue...

Weir's Beach in a bit then heading home...

Welcome 2012!!

Overnight..

Spending the end of this New Year's weekend in New Hampshire. Love spending time with Cathy and Larry. Beth is here too =). Had a great time seeing photos from her semester in Austria. She had some really cool "tickets" from her travels throughout Europe that we "artfully" organized (I Love her). What an amazing time she had!!! So relaxing just hanging with good friends. Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I do know there will be lots of laughs, lots of fun and... PANCAKES!!! Must I go to work on Tuesday...?