May

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST, MY SAVIOR - Kate B. Wilkinson

to hear the music : Hymn: May the Mind of Christ, My Savior

Grateful??

"A grateful child of God  

can't help

 but be a

joyful, peaceful, radiant

person."

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

 

Really makes me think.... am I grateful?? 

 

~~Praising Him today for what He has done. Seeking to radiate His Light...

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Penni on Pinterest

A Marriage Carol

  A Marriage Carol

 

WOW... what a great book! 

Well written with just enough twists to keep you hanging on until the end. Seriously, I didn't want to put it down till it was finished.

I appreciate how at the end of the book, the author shares a few personal words...they give a bit of hope, and sincerity to the story.

 

Now onto the story:

 It is Christmas Eve and a couple are headed to their attorney to get a no-fault divorce. There is a bad snowstorm, they take a "shortcut" and what happens changes their lives...   

I don't want to spoil any of the plot for you, so instead of rambling on with a lengthy review of the book, I invite you to watch the trailer:

 

   

(sidenote: I got this free in mid-December -it was one of Amazon's free kindle books of the day... it is good to keep a watch on those deals. It is a great way to get good books, free.)

Projects I hope... plan to make!

There are a couple of projects I hope to make this year... gifts for family, friends... and me :)

First up:

a dream of a bag

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Penni on Pinterest

light brown suede.... brown leather straps... 

Mmmmm ... love it!

The little note with it on Pinterest said it was made from a thrifted suede coat and belt.

 Oooo, my kind of project!

And:

This amazingly sweet little stand:

Source: curbly.com via Penni on Pinterest

So simple... with a little help, I should be able to make several of these.

Lastly:

Source: designsponge.com via Penni on Pinterest

Wow... beautiful... right? 

Ferns to be enjoyed all year round in my home.... 

lovely.

Getting It Together - book review

Getting It Together by Kayse Pratt

Kaysepratt

This book leads you step by step on how to set up a Home Manager's Notebook. It has lots of pictures and tips to lead you along the way and is loaded with printables! 

It would be a GREAT asset for anyone new to the idea of a home manager's notebook, homemaking journal, etc. 

There are charts for planning meals, keeping track of birthdays, an exercise log, budget and financial planning charts.  My favorite is the "Blogging Calendar". 
There are over 30 charts in all!

My favorite quote from the book:

"Being organized won't accomplish world peace. It won't make you love cleaning.... But it will bring a little more peace to your home."

This book is encouraging, practical, and straight to the point. Set-up like a tutorial with plenty of photos, if you are looking to start a home management notebook, this would be a great help.

Goals for 2013

I  

love,

oh yes, 

LOVE

the start of a new year.

The possibilities are endless.

What does God have in store for me this year? 

What new things will I learn?

What new people will I meet?

What exciting changes are just around the corner?

In 2013, there will be rejoicing and, as experience has taught me, there will be my fair share of trials and sorrow as well. What a wonderful, peaceful, calming thought to know that regardless of what is on my horizon, my Lord will be right here with me through it all.

So...

After much prayer and thought, here are

My Goals For 2013

Hmmm...before I begin, you may be wondering....

Why post these on my blog? 

I have two basic reasons.

• I enjoy reading posts of others sharing their goals, so why not join in the fun. 
• Posting them on my blog keeps me accountable (which is always a good thing.) 

Okay... without further ado...here they are.... drumroll please.... (~smile)



1. Daily Bible Study

Even if it is just 15 minutes before I go to sleep, I WILL study the Word each day. I know it is more profitable to study for a more extended time, but some days I do (sigh) put it off till the last thing. It always amazes me how God meets me in His Word when I am willing and that He can speak to me more powerfully in 15 minutes than in an hour...

pinterest.com

2. More time in prayer -  


serious prayer time,
  
crying out time (literally),  

lifting up & praising time,

in His presence time, 

pleading with Him time...







3. Memorize at least 20 Bible verses.

Hiding His Word in my heart.... His Word in my heart... The Living Word in ME... what an opportunity! What an awesome thought!

4. Exercise daily 

Elliptical, snowshoeing, kayaking, walking, hiking, SOMETHING every day!! Failing miserably at this already at day 4... time to GET ON TRACK! I lost 35 pounds in 2012 and Lord willing, hope to do the same (or more) in 2013.

5. Have friends/family here for dinner at least once a week. 

This life is all about people! Opening my home and sharing food together is part of making a community... I need to reach out to others more, and worry about my cooking ability (or lack there of) less.

6. Have a prayer time (and Bible study) in my home for women at least once every 2 weeks.

A casual time when we can really share our burdens and prayer needs with one another.

7. Find a purpose for my blog and use it effectively towards that purpose.

I have been doing a bit of research and study towards this goal and hope to share some exciting news soon....

Well, these are the ones I am willing to post for all to read. ~smile (There are always more needful things for me to work on.)

I pray that each one of you reading this will have a 

Happy New Year!! 

Grand Central Station - NYC- December 16, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books to Read 2013 part 2

The following are ebooks that I plan to read in 2013.

 

Note: I was able to "purchase" most of these for free through following blogs that post Amazon's free kindle reads of the day,(the only one I purchased was 21 Days, which I bought when first released for 99 cents) . The blogs I have found the most helpful for this purpose are: Ereader Girl, Money Saving Mom, Inspired Reads

Inspiration towards a more organized and disciplined lifestyle:

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine
Tell Your Time by Amy Andrews Getting It Together
Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System That Works by Kayse Pratt

To improve my practical knowledge:

Back to Basics, How to make it through hard times by Franz Sidney
The Everything Grow Your Own Vegetables Book by Catherine Abbott
Wilderness Medicine by Tod Shimelpfenig

Business ideas:

25 Money-Making Businesses You Can Start in Your Spare Time by Nevin M. Buconjic

To improve my writing:

How to Be a Writer by Barbara Baig
How to Make Money From Writing Online by Michael Ryan James
Online Writing Made Easy by Christine Mattice
Produce, Publish, Publicize by Sabrina Sumsion

To make me more thankful for what I have:

Infinitely More by Alex Krutov
Castaway Kid by RB Mitchell
The Secret Holocaust Diaries by Nonna Bannister
Wildflowers of Terezin by Robert Elmer (fiction)

For Growth in Christ:

Living a Virtuous Life by Lori Ramsey
True Community by Jerry Bridges

Growth in marriage:

A Marriage Carol by Chris Fabry & Gary Chapman
Feminine Appeal, Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney
The Good Wife’s Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet by Darlene Schacht

For my free time:

Informed Consent by Sandra Glahn
Vrin by John Michael Hileman
Mary, When Love Came to Town by Lianne Blanch
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Story Girl by LM Montgomery

~Just listing out all these books has me excited to get started on them!