Tending My Spiritual Garden!

I love how God's word renews and refreshes the soul.  As I eagerly dig into spending time with my precious Jesus he faithfully meets with me, speaks to me, encourages me, rebukes those things that keep me from him.  

My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no long I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ~ Galatians 2:20

Strengths Dinner With a Twist!

So, what in the world is a Strengths dinner with a twist?  

Well, it was our last strength's dinner club of the series.  It only took us a whole year to complete it.  We began last August and went strong through December, but after my dad passed away and my new job training began we just could not fit the last one in...... UNTIL last night!

Oh how I love these precious friends.  

Lynn, my responsible achiever!

Christa, my consistently adaptable relator!

Amie, my learning intellectual input connector!

Tracie, my responsible believing connector!

Erika, my Harmonious relator!

We missed our Amy P, our consistently responsible friend who was on vacation!

These gals inspire me as they share how the Lord has put them together.  I am so thankful that we had five intimate dinners to dig and discover those gifts God has given us when we remember John 15:5.

Tracie's cute little toes;)

The TWIST?

We celebrated my Christa's birthday!  Oh how I love this precious friend of mine.  She is the Oak in my storm.  I love you, ladies!  Mwah!

My Earthly Treasures

Precious crazy boys of mine, I have not stopped praying for you since I first learned I carried you inside my womb.  My deepest prayer for each of you is that God would give you a complete knowledge of his will and that he would give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Let the way you live always honor and please the Lord, and then your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.  All the while you will continue to grow as you learn to know God better and better.

This prayer is based on Colossians 1:9-10

I am so proud of each of you.  I see your strengths and gifts and I thank the Lord for them.  I know he placed them in you before you were ever born so that you could serve him completely.  Don't ever forget whose you are!  

True Eternal Perspective!

This morning my heart is very tender for a friend who is preparing her heart to go home and see Jesus.  She is only 50 years old and she has a 10 year old little boy.  As I geared up to go see her this weekend, I prayed and asked the Lord to help me to have the perfect words of encouragement in a situation so difficult. 

Instead, she encouraged me by her transparent love for Jesus. 

There she sat, no hair, distended stomach from radiation, walker carefully sitting next to her as she's unable to ambulate on her own, and yet there was a holy glow, a radiant strength that literally poured from her very being.  She made my heart yearn for where she is going.  She knows her redeemer lives.  She trusts that he will take care of her little boy.  Her only regret is leaving him.  Oh Lord, my heart of pity was from the enemy.  Get behind me Satan!  Thank you, Jesus!  Thank you for your perfect plans.  Help me not to forget that this world is not our home.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12

Learning How To Endure

 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me."  God is NEVER tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  

These desires give birth to sinful actions.  And when sin is allowed to grow it gives birth to death. 

(Here comes the eternal hope)

So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.  Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.  HE NEVER CHANGES OR CASTS SHIFTING SHADOWS!  (Praise the Lord!)  

James 1:12-17

It's Here! My New 2012/13 Date Book!

 It's here!  It's here!  My newest datebook from MuchAdoAboutYou!

Last year I ordered the medium sized planner, and though I liked it immediately I knew that this year I was going to try the larger size.  I also added their pen loop!

Last years and this years (Front)

(Back)

 I love the bedazzled monthly tabs

It has a month at a glance with notes.

Here is last years planner that has been used.

The appointment side allows you to grid in time you are not available or even lesson plans.  I use the bottom boxes to record or plan my dinners.

I'm so glad I added the pen loop this year.  Now I hopefully won't have to hunt all over kingdom come to find one when I'm trying to quickly jot down an appointment.

I like that each block is broke down into 15 min segments.

 This is one of my favorite pages.  You can plan out your year so it's all in one place.  This helps when I am planning Strength Dinner clubs, CC Community events, doctor appointments, birthdays, celebrations, etc....

 Apparently, the precious kitty we are babysitting for friends wanted my attention and refused to get out of the shot.  (Love this cat!)

 The next few pictures are of pages in the back you can record on.  This one allows you to record memorable events.

 Boxes to plan for the next year.

 In the very back is a double sided thick pocket folder.  It's great for bills, cards, mail, etc...

For Fun you get to personalize the front of your planner!

This is the beautiful tissue paper it comes wrapped in.  This company has style!

I learned of Much Ado About You from Lysa Turkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

 

Catcing Up

First of all, I know that I've never been as remiss in blogging as I have been this year.  There has been a lot going on.  Thank you to those who sent emails asking how everything was going.  I literally have never had a year like this one and I'm so thankful that the Lord is finally sanctioning a time of rest and calm. 

There has been a lot of change.  Losing my dad was such a surprise.  Though I knew he had cancer I thought he was doing fine.  He had lived with it for five years.  None of us saw it coming except maybe my mom and even she just thought he wasn't doing as well.  I miss him.  It's that simple.  

In addition, my husband loss his 29 year old step-sister to what began as a cold, and I began a new job that has caused me to lean on my beloved Jesus more than I could have ever expected.  So I wait on the Lord.  As I wait, I cling to him like a crazy person.  He is my strong tower! 

Mary, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow!  For when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. ~ James 1:2-4