ChristmasIsComing Simple Woman’s Daybook

(Jumping in with Cindy)

My own version of the Simple Woman's Daybook for today:

Outside my window...
Cool day…highs in 48-50* range…clouds rolling in and rain is supposed to start tonight.

I’m thinking...
these cooler temperatures are awesome for me in my ‘eternal’ hot-flash state.  Everyone else is complaining it’s cold.

I am thankful for...
My husband handling the food lineup for Christmas week with his sister…they’re splitting the cooking/food responsibilities.

From the kitchen...
turkey cutlets wrapped in bacon, seared in balsamic vinegar; broccoli, cauliflower, carrots in cheese sauce, French rolls, tomato slices

I am reading...
Disciple 1, Week 15…Hope

I am creating...
table decorations for our Christmas dinner table … pics later

Around the house...
There are signs of Christmas: An un-decorated tree, a wreath on the door and a stocking on the garage door entrance and a blooming Christmas cactus.

On my MP3 player this week...
nothing

One of my favorite things...
Arizona Peach Tea … instant packets with Splenda included.  I don’t have to make a gallon at a time.

One of my least favorite things...
Mommies continuing to shop, ignoring or being impatient with their ‘obviously-tired, screaming’ children riding in shopping carts

A Simple Grace Note...
Look Ma, NO cavities…yeah!

My Simple Devotion:  Day 46 Daily Affirmations (grieving a recent loss of a friend lost much too soon)  Today’s word: BLISS  The dictionary notes BLISS as:   state of extreme happiness, ecstasy, or spiritual joy

It can be hard for to imagine your loved one in a state of such happiness. But, why not try it for today?   After all, it’s a comforting thought, isn’t it?   Of all the things you could consider as their experience after death, this is a nice one. 

If “bliss” is too strong, try “quiet contentment.” Rest assured, it’s not likely they are suffering the sorrows of grief you are.  Wouldn’t they have joy in knowing you’ve found some measure of comfort for yourself in thinking they are blissful?

So, just for today, try that thought on for size. If it “fits,” wear it – from this day forward; like a warm jacket on a windy day.

Quotation for the Day
"I can assure you those who have already passed have not only made it to the Other Side, but are in a state of bliss." ~ Sylvia Browne, Journal of Love & Healing

I read the above quote; but I needed something from God’s Word to give me a better confirmation.

Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.  Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (now THAT sounds like bliss)!

A Picture to Share:

Our prayer shawl ministry had a Christmas brunch this past Tuesday morning, so Zena and I had a chance to get a new picture

SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

My own version of the Simple Woman's Daybook for today:

Outside my window...it's dark, 'cause I'm so late getting my post done today.

I am thinking...JUNE starts tomorrow...JUNE!  Where did May go so quickly, and why was she in such a hurry to scurry away from me?

I am thankful for...my sister getting a good report from some tests she had earlier this week due to pain in her legs.  Now, on to the test round of testing.

From the kitchen...there were leftovers served tonight since I was busy babysitting this afternoon...thank goodness I had some 'easy to thaw' entrees in the freezer and several side dishes already prepared.

I am creating...a crocheted newborn outfit for a friend who is expecting in July...a little girl, to be exact.  So eager to see and meet her.

I am reading...nothing...having a hard time getting my reading mojo going these days.

Around the house...are bags of yarn I need to consolidate into the containers I purchased to go under the guest bed.

On my MP3 player this week...GOD IS IN CONTROL...don't remember the singer.

One of my favorite things:  Peach tea...so refreshing during these hot May/soon-to-be-June days.

One of my least favorite things...is waking in the middle of the night to go potty, returning to bed and realizing my legs are hurting and now I can't go back to sleep, uuuuuuuggggghhhh!

A Simple Grace Note: a fan blowing the air conditioning into my direction 

My simple devotion:  

As much as David was a sinner, God was a forgiver, so David threw himself on God’s mercy. And that’s what God gave him—not begrudging forgiveness, but lavish cleansing. If you think you’re beyond forgiveness, or if you’re trying to earn your way back to God, take a lesson from David. Throw yourself on God’s grace. He will forgive. Psalm 51     (Women's Daily Devotional, NIV, Bible Gateway)

A Picture to Share:  Babysat my great niece and nephew today...did we have any fun??  You decide..

Blessings,

FIRST 2012 SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK

JOINING PEGGY AND THE OTHER DAYBOOK PARTICIPANTS…CLICK HER ABOVE  WIDGET TO JOIN IN WITH US
FOR TODAY
Outside my window...squirrels and cardinals are fighting over the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder hanging from the lip of my back deck…it’s getting dangerous out there.

I am thinking...I need to be exercising, or beginning yet again, to adopt a better ‘moving’ lifestyle.

I am thankful...my baby girl-college-2nd year has safely returned to her college town; and she’s spending this weekend at a weekend leadership retreat for her 'on-campus’ faith community.

In the kitchen...is some fresh potato salad and barbecue pork we will be enjoying for supper tonight, yum!

I am wearing...less now than when I got out of bed…my sweat pants were warm in the cooler night but I can’t stand having their ‘heat holding’ properties wrapped around me as I do small housekeeping.

I am creating...a new Red Heart ‘corner-to-corner throw’ which will be turned in to our prayer shawl ministry later next week…it has diagonal stripes as I crochet doubles, singles and slip stitches.

I am going...to early Sunday School and worship (where we are study 'witness')

I am wondering...where my girl is on her retreat, she didn’t tell me where they were having their weekend meeting...is she cold?

I am reading...an Ann Rivers Siddons book right now, but I can’t recall the name of it (as it is on the breakfast table and I’m not getting up at the moment to go check its title…sorry)

I am hoping...the weather stays colder for more days rather than bouncing in and out of the 60’s; my flashes increase with the warmer weather.

I am looking forward to…hearing about baby girl's weekend retreat…who she met, what they did, what she learned, what it was like (where ever she is)...can you tell she's on my mind a lot today!

I am learning…how to use double-pointed knitting needles as I work on more complicated hats/socks…it’s tricky to hold four knitting needles in place and working the stitches, but I’m getting there slowly.

Around the house...hubs has been working on computer updates and some hardware changes.  I’m eager for his getting completed, because it is going to be soooooo much better dealing with printing and editing issues.

I am pondering...when to have my car emissions inspection done…and praying it will go uneventfully.
A favorite quote for today:  “Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty.”― Corrie ten Boom

One of my favorite things...is finding a deal at my local thrift store; I’ll be posting pics of my latest find later this week.

A few plans for the rest of the week: bible study, prayer shawl ministry work, and checking out a newly-discovered thrift store north of here.

A peek into my day...includes an early-morning coconut latte and fiber-plus oat cereal for breakfast then leftover teriyaki chicken for lunch (while I washed a load of darks while watching the war out my back window...)

SIMPLE PLEASURES - making prayer cloths

Joining DAYLE for SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY

IT'S A SIMPLE PLEASURE for me to be able to 'crochet' or 'knit' prayer shawls and prayer cloths for people we encounter needing some prayers, reaching out, or a little gift of comfort.  We love making them, praying over them and especially giving them as the Spirit moves our hearts.

Jer. 33:3

"Call to me and I will answer you

and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." 

Blessings,

SIMPLE PLEASURES: HE'S OUR TREE

ENJOYING 'SIMPLE PLEASURES'

Thank you to our hostess, Dayle: A Collection of This and That...thinking of people, things, times making us SMILE in big ways.

A past Disciple class honored me (at the end of the year) for facilitating their class. They planted trees for me in Israel...in this Yasir Forest; which is helping rebuild Israel's land ecology...Come....look at His forest:

It makes me smile to think of 'my' trees being on land where Jesus grew, taught, and promised to return there.

Did you smile?

MY FIRST 'SIMPLE PLEASURES'

JOINING A NEW GROUP TODAY...DAYLE @ A COLLECTION OF THIS AND THAT she created the Simple Pleasures series, to remind us all to stop, look, listen, and pay closer attention to the small things in life

MY SIMPLE PLEASURE this week: 'listening to our pastor'

our pastor was also being called to simpleness...he reminded the congregation this past Sunday to 'be still and KNOW' in other words...stop/look/listen.

being at our pastor's feet...hearing God's imprint on his heart...hearing God's voice through the pastor's eyes, seeing God's work during our pastor's resting in Him, God providing him a podium of selflessness. our pastor is always reaching out to God's community as His servant.

i am blessed, we ARE blessed, BLESSED indeed.

Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Blessings,