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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I am quite over due for some blogging and am hoping to catch up soon! But for now my dear friends, have a very happy Thanksgiving!

Random Fact

I was just crawling into bed tonight and added a third blanket to the mix!! I don't know what Im going to do when we get below 40*s ;) It seems a but early to be adding more blankets, I guess it's just catching me by surprise after the spoiled summer we had!

The cold will be here soon enough though...I have a bet going with my Dad that the trees will all be yellow by the 15th (not an actual bet as I wouldn't do that;), I have a feeling I'll be right though! Those trees are turning fast, and the snows been on the mountains a few times....oh, winter here we come!

Still wanting to get some nice fall posts up though! 

Happy September

Haylee picked Mom these beautiful flowers from her garden the other day and I had fun taking pictures with them. I used the warming effect when editing, but they really didnt need much help, they already looked so beautiful!

 I put the vase in the window and was able to capture the sun coming through on them!

 Can you believe these beautiful sunflowers came from Haylee's garden?! It seems like we were just helping plant them ;)

Loving my photo editing app that gave me the perfect lighting and these amazing frames. Having fun learning to use a new app that allows me to make photo slid shows...too much fun!