Merry Christmas!

(click on above picture to enjoy it more!)

HUH??

Well, this is the first week of winter here,

it's the 25th day of the month,

 the weather is getting colder, foggier and drearier (is that a word?),

which often makes my husband build a fire

in our fireplace...

AND the poinsettias (mine) are in full bloom!

This all makes me come to the conclusion

that this could be Christmas.

At least I can pretend it is.

And why not? Christ's birth is worth celebrating all year long!

Merry Christmas to all!

(I might even play some Christmas music

 and make cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate...)

A Love Affair With Statistics

Oh yes, I do love statistics, not sure why....I just know that they make me feel happy and blessed. At least some do, such as are on here that show my visitors. I have not kept a record but, currently, they are from 62 cities in 23 countries. That doesn't  mean much to you but it does to me as I realize the potential I have to be a blessing to others. And especially to "go into all the world" and spread the Gospel! The potential is incredible as I see visitors from some countries where missionaries aren't even allowed to enter.

Anyway, so I decided to put a more interesting and colorful statistic thingie here (besides just numbers) to show my visitors from around the world. So, go ahead, scroll down, down, way down, to the last thing that shows up on the right side of the page, underneath the list of books that I'm reading this year. There you will find the number of visitors and the countries that they're from. But that's just since 3 or 4 days ago so I'm looking forward to watching it grow. But I must say that there's a difference between these stats and the ones that show up in my blogspot account. For example, it shows that the United States is at the bottom of the list, believe it or not. Ok, so maybe that's not accurate either...Why would I have more visitors from China than from the USA?? I'm still thinking about that one. Ha, like I said, I find it interesting and it makes me happy.

And, no, these photos don't illustrate what I'm talking about, they are purely for decoration, just some that I like for different reasons. I don't like to read blogs that have zero photos so I figured that maybe you don't either...

Well, if you're still reading this, you're an amazing friend and visitor. Thanks so much for the visit, you're the best! 

As A Father

Thank you, Lord, for my father,

for the excellence of his godly example,

 the strength of his love,

 the inspiration of his life.

I love him and can't wait to see him again!

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,

 as a father doth his children.

(I Thessalonians 2:11)

Perfect Peace

It seems there is so much going on these days,

difficult and painful experiences

for family and friends, near and far, young and old.

This is the verse the Lord gave me today.

And for you who need it,

I also offer it to you.

Perfect peace,

from Him to you,

no matter what is happening in your life.

I Shall Not Pass This Way Again

I have been consumed with memories these days as I sort through old slides, look through photo albums, and just...remember. There are memories of when our kids were little (we were a bit smaller, too!), memories of good times and bad, memories of interesting people and rough places and perfect days and...pink roses, lots of them. Yes, blessings and gifts from the Lord.

However, I know that I can't dwell in the past forever, I must concentrate on the present for there is a future to consider. Whatever was said and done in the past must be left there, nothing can be undone, nothing can be changed. "There are places to go and things to do" as someone has said.

I CAN decide what to do with my present! The Lord helping me, "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." (Philippians 3: 13,14)

I reread this morning something that I had written in my Bible several years ago. It seems quite appropriate for my thoughts here...

I expect to pass through this world but once;

Any good thing therefore that I can do,

Or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,

Let me do it now, let me not defer or neglect it,

For I shall not pass this way again. 

                              -Stephen Grellet (1773-1855)

Eternity In Their Heart

I read a book by this title once and recently this phrase, found in some of the translations of Ecclesiastes 3:11, has been coming back to mind. It tells me that God has put into the heart of every human being a hunger for spiritual and eternal things-for Him, His Word, His love, His salvation...those things that only HE can provide.

Recently we have entered into some of the grief of people losing loved ones or going through some other painful life experince. I believe that the main purpose of many of these is so that people will turn their hearts toward Him. HE is the one who puts "eternity in their heart"! However, sometimes He speaks to us with a softer voice...such as when we see the crazy, little, intricate design of an orchid, such as this one that I saw this week. How can one look at it and not think, "Wow, what a Creator to make something like this!"

Why don't we listen when God turns our hearts to Him and speaks to us through these? What a blessing to have these prods from Him! They all cause us to "stop, look and listen" to Him. We need to do that...whether He speaks with a soft or a loud voice.

"He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart..." (Ecclesiastes 3:11)-NASB

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is." (Psalm 63:1)

 "...and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth." (I Samuel 3:9)

Favorite Foto Friday #8

Seen on a college campus...