A new years update of sorts

 Hello all! I know it has been awhile since I've posted anything and I thought now would be a good time to update.....
I had a wonderful Christmas & I tried desperately to do a nice long picture post about it but blogger wouldn't cooperate.  So if you feel the need to see pictures you can go here & here.

Happy New Years to you all! I really wonder what 2012 will hold...(that goes for all of us) 2011 was a really challenging year for me and sometimes I still try to see what all God was/is trying to teach me.  I am quite certain that I felt/noticed more God moments this past year then any other so far....  my prayer for all of us this year is that we would draw closer to God then ever before and that we would be ready and willing to do what ever He asks of us.

Speaking of a new year....  My aunt Wanda has started a new blog.  The Ordinary Homemaker. She has a wonderful way with words and I find what she has to say to be very inspiring! :) Go check it out!

My brother Jon & his lovely wife Mary, They plan to move here sometime this spring, It will be so nice to have here....(instead of CO:)

  I don't put much stock into new years resolutions simply because by the end of January most of them have been forgotten (that's how it works for me anyhow) but I do sorta have two of them this year: #1 is to read the Bible through this year  & #2 is to "hopefully" update more often.....posts with pictures.....(no promise of this:)

  This is one of my theme verses this year.....

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.     

Hebrews 12:1&2 

A Promise

I read this verse last night and then I came to work this morning and heard this song, it talked about prayer, and the difference it makes when we keep bringing our requests before God in faith. (part of the song is written below)  I love how God always seems to know just what we need at the right time.  I'm so thankful that He doesn't hold back on giving us His blessings & promises... He does it with pleasure... He does it with joy... He does it time and time again just to remind me of His love!

It Pays To Pray
It Pays to call upon His name
It Pays To Pray
To see a miracle displayed
You’ll forget the word, “impossible”
When you seek the Savior’s face
You’ll know He will make a way
It Pays To Pray

Prayer is just as big as God is. Prayer is just as strong as God is strong
Prayer can reach as far as God can reach. Don’t ever give up just pray.

 It pays to pray - Greater Vision

I announce the Winner!!

And so........ I went to random.org, 

entered all of your names, 

clicked on 'Randomize'.... 

and the winner is....

Ashley!

Congratulations, Ashley!  An email has been sent your way.

Thanks so much to all of you who entered. My greatest apologies that most of you did not win. Maybe you will win the next give-away!:)  I don't know when this will happen but I definitely want to do another one sometime!:)  Until then.... Thanks again for entering!

It's a GIVEAWAY!!!

And so.... I announce the first ever giveaway on this blog.

You could win: a $10 amazon gift-card, & some amazing Russell Stover chocolate!  (about the chocolate, it's the finest french vanilla creme covered with silky milk chocolate and finished with crisp white chocolate)

Here's how you win; leave a comment with your first name, and also tell how you discovered  my blog. Then if you want to enter the second time just post/link it on your blog, facebook etc. then leave another comment.
The deadline is December 10.     The winner will be asked to send me an e-mail with their mail address and then I will stick this in the mail and you will have it within days!    Have fun!

26 Blessings

                                                       Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks unto the Holy One

    Give thanks because He's give Jesus Christ His Son....

                                                                   
So often I don't view everything I have as a blessing from God. I become selfish & demanding that God gives me all the things He ever has because; that's what God does right? We always say how; "God likes to give gifts to His children", which yes, He does, but that does not give us the right to claim those things which He gives us as "all ours" forgetting the source from where these things came.  We all know how much more fun it is to give something away when the receiver acts grateful, don't you think God feels the same way?     Oh that I would learn to be more grateful!

   Here's "26 Blessings"...
1. A faithful God   2. Christian friends  3. The Bible   4. Music   5. Sunsets   6. Coffee shops   

7. The free things that can be gotten with swagbucks :)   8. Family   9.Warm houses   10. Sunshine   11. Free sheet music :)   12.Redeeming love   13. Running water   14. Trees & flowers   15. Good books   16. Opportunities to serve God   17. The ability to speak, see & hear   18. Food & clothes   19. Irons & ironing boards :)   20. Encouraging websites like this one   21. nieces   22. nephews   23. Forgiveness   24.Wisdom from people who are wiser then myself   25. Godly examples   26. The hard times in life, if it wasn't for these then we would never discover the depth of God's faithfulness & love.
         What are you thankful for?  

                             O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: 
                            for His mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1

Do you want to win something?

Ok. So this is not a give-away on this blog but there is a cousin of mine that is giving something wonderful away on her blog! Go check it out at daughterwithavision.blogspot.com  I promise you will like it!

(Check back in several days to enter a give-away on this blog.)

Peace (When I leave it in Your hands)

       

Peace (When I leave it in Your hands)

Time and time again I brought my burdens

I prayed and prayed that I could lay them down

But walked away still bearing on my shoulders

A heaviness and heartache You never meant for me to carry 'round

But there's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

I wouldn't say I've gained a lot of wisdom

Oh, but I have learned this much along the way

Lord, that You are always there to bear my burdens

At first I might not feel it but if I learn to trust You, come what may, I'll find...

Peace when I leave it in Your hands

Sweet peace when I leave it in Your hands

Just leave it there and never pick it up again

There's peace when I leave it in Your hands

When I'm temped to doubt and question You

Lord, just keep reminding me.....

....Just leave it there and never pick it up again

there's peace when I leave it in Your hands

Peace(When I leave it in Your hands) - Legacy Five   listen

My sisters....

...are such nice people to live with....

(I know, It probably seems as though I do alot of posts about my sisters/family etc. but you'll have to excuse me 'cause I rather like to post about them! not meaning to brag or anything ...:)

                      And even though I don't live with Sara anymore I still rather like to go visit her:)

I have been thankful many times over for my sisters, we have good discussions, they give good advice,(we are glad for good advice are we not?:) With them, you never have to go places all by yourself, they provide laughter.... and more good discussions:) They are always there for you and you know that they will pray for you. It's always amazing when I think about what an influence they have had on my life,  I know that how I view certain things in life is largely because of my older sisters influence & example, ( and those good discussions... *winks*)   My sisters are some of my best friends and for that I am extremely grateful. 

Follow You

Today I heard this song and I was inspired to post it, (along with my favorite quote right now..... )It made me wonder if I would really be willing to go to all extremes to follow my Lord, we say that we are Christians and that we would do anything for God but sometimes I wonder... if it actually came down to leaving "our life" (as we know it)would we really follow through with what we say we would? Would I be willing to leave all comfort behind just to tell others about God & perhaps risk my life?  So often I think; someone else can do it. but really, that command wasn't just given to a few people, it was given to all who bear the name of Christ!

You lived among the least of these,
The weary and the weak,
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs, you have supplied.                                                  
When I was dead, you gave me life.
How could I not give it away so freely?

And I'll follow you into the homes of the broken,
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy, God.
Follow you into the World.

Use my hands, use my feet,
To make your kingdom come,
To the corners of the earth,
Until your work is done.
Cause Faith without works is dead,
And on the cross your blood was shed.
So how could I not give it away so freely?

                                               He walks the streets where we refuse to go,
                                            passes among the last ones we have forgotten,
                                       weeps at the pain and the shame of the city, and wonders...
                                         Where is the Church for which He died?    ~Unknown
                                
                            "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature."
                                                                           Mark 16:15