Afternoon Walk

Today Hosanna, Helayna and I headed out for a walk along our back roads. I was thinking we'd be gone for maybe an hour and then back home but it was so nice out with this warm weather we've been having! The sun was shining nicely and it was so peaceful.

Of course, there's always time for a few pictures :)

25 MPH wasn't quite her speed ;) However I was very proud of this little girl because she walked a total of 8 miles today!!!! We walk all the way to the main road (the Glenn) which is 4 miles from our house and all the way back....don't ask how long it took! We made it there in an hour and half but the way home was a little slower. We stopped frequently both directions for Helayna who's 7-year-old legs couldn't quite keep up with our's and spent a lot of our way home carrying her!

We had a little company on the way home :) Some of the neighbors dogs came out to the road to "greet" us and so did some moose....

Not sure if you can see but in the picture on the right the moose are in the middle there close to the road. Just glad we didn't have a moose charging us or those dogs!

And here we are celebrating our goal of making it to the hwy!!! YAY! 

A TOTAL OF 8 MILES ALTOGETHER!! ;)

So proud of us!! Then we just had to make it home...yeah, not as many exciting photos, we were pretty tired!

It felt so good though and I am so glad we went for it, feel a little bad we pushed Helayna a little too far I think but she'll sleep good tonight from it ;)

I'm going to try and convince my siblings to do it again Sunday evening for evening service and walk as far as we can to the Church! {Already looking forward to it}

Hope you are all able to get out and enjoy this "spring" weather we're having, cause it won't be long and we'll be under snow again I'm sure! And as for everyone in the south...sorry our cold decided to pay you a visit, I hope you're able to stay warm and snuggle indoors!

Bible Book for January...

I decide to read through Isaiah this month! I've started it but haven't ever actually finished the whole book through. Im excited to do it this time!

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." 

Isaiah 1:18 KJV

Spiritual Challenges

My hearts desire this year is to grow in my walk with Christ...to know Him more and to allow Him to work through me. I decided that as I focus this new year on Him, I should have purposeful ways of putting Him first in my daily life. First things first, I decided that besides my usual night time devotions with Him, I wanted to start each day off being in His presence. I love my time with the Lord each night and wouldn't trade it for anything so in addition to that, I'll be beginning my days a half hour earlier to read a chapter of the Bible and dedicate my day to Him. Maybe have a verse or two to carry with me through my day. 

My other commitment for the new year (which is what this post is really for;)), is to challenge myself spiritually each month. I was really thinking about this the other day and made a list of monthly challenges...each one is different and some may be easier then others but they are still there to move my life to becoming less of me and more of Him. 

Here's a breakdown of my list....

January- Read through one book of the Bible. 

February- Pray for someone daily--starting with a new person each week. 

March- Cut out influences, each week being something different--things that don't set my focus on Christ. 

April- Reach out to someone new each week with a blessing of encouragement. 

May- Read and write reports (blog post!) on one of the Gospels--pretty sure it'll be John! 

June- Memorize a new passage (2-4 verses long) each week. 

July- Do a random act of kindness for a stranger once a week!

August- Read through Proverbs that month and do a daily post on each chapter.

September- Spend an extra hour in devotion every other day.

October- Study 4 women in the Bible and write something on their characters and actions. 

November- Witness to someone each week. 

December- Mystery Month!! --Can be whatever I feel led to do during that time. 

Im excited and anxious to see how the Lord will change me and hopefully those touched by some of these challenges. I hope to challenge myself more each day, but wanted a guideline to something each month to help me stay focused in the pursuit. You are welcome to come along and join me in these challenges!

I'll share in the next couple days which Bible book I decide to read this January as my first challenge! 

Blessings!

Welcome 2014

Philippians 3:13-14 KJV~

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do , forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

I wish you all a wonderful year of 2014. May you always strive to please our God and Maker. I pray the Lord's blessings and peace be on all those that walk with Him this year! Blessings!

Looking To A New Tomorrow

When we come to the closing of a year and the beginning of a new one, its the time we can reflect, remember and gain new hope for things ahead. I like to do end-of-the-year posts, but 2013 was not the greatest of years in many respects. I wish I could go back to the beginning of it and change its course but I cannot, so I've decided I just won't reflect over it. There's really nothing I'd like to share of it, just that I have had a difficult time in many areas of my life personally and the lives closest to me.
To be honest, I've never looked so forward to the beginning of a new year as I have this time around, with 2014 around the corner of just a few days, it brings new hope and new goals.
My ultimate prayer for this coming year is to grow daily in my walk with the Lord and to trust in Him. Listening and watching always for His direction in my life. To be His hands, feet and voice in a world that shuts Him out. To shine His light and grace. I want to bless others, to speak His truth, to be in a prayerful spirit always, and to worship Him and Glorify His name!
I do not know what the Lord has planned for my life this year, no doubt it will change as it does with each new day we live, but my desire is that it would change to the glorification of my Lord. I want my desires, dreams, and inspiration to be completely in line with His heart and plan for my life.
I've grown greatly in my walk with Christ since June this year! I am very grateful for His patience and direction in my heart and the love He shows me every day.

So as I sit here and think on how in just a few days we'll celebrate a new year, I look forward to the new tomorrow it brings.

1 Corinthians 13--Love at Christmas!

 

1 Corinthians 13---Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime: but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity; but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angelsand crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of love will endure.

---Sharon Jaynes, Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas

 

From the blog A Wise Women Builds Her Home

Merry Christmas~

Wishing each of my faithful and dear blog followers a very 

Merry Christmas! 

Have a safe, warm and blessed Christmas of 2013!