10 Encouragements for the New Year!

     Here are ten encouragements to inspire you to get a good grip on making improvements in your life this year. You already know these, but if you do them, all your other resolutions should fall into place.

1) Gather up all the negative events of the year now closing: its sins, weaknesses, and failures; its heartaches and griefs. All that filled your year.

2) Lay them at the foot of the Throne. Turn your back on them and leave them all there.

3) Stand bravely at the threshold of this New Year and expect to see it filled with amazing surprises and God’s promises.

4) Walk through the portal of the New Year unburdened, forgiven, and free.

5) Walk arm in arm with your Beloved Lord into the unknown of each new day.

6) Walk wherever the light of His love and protection guide you.

7) Spend time each day leaning upon the breast of your Beloved.

8) Share with Him all your heart’s desires and disappointments, all your joys and hurts, and He will share with you all His love, guidance, comfort, and peace.

9) “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Prov. 4:23 NLT) Guard against any influence that threatens to come between you and the Lord.

10) “Be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:19 NIV)

*And one extra: Crave the Lord’s will and to be obedient to it.

**And most importantly: Praise the Lord no matter what!

For more of this article and more good advice follow this link http://www.themominitiative.com

Simple Womans Daybook for December 2018

For Today

Looking out my window... it is a beautiful winter day outside and very quiet

I am thinking... how can my son be 31 today?

I am thankful... that God listens and answers prayers and loves me even when I am not always where I need to be with Him

One of my favorite things...my new Garmin fitbit my hubby got me for Christmas

I am wearing...sweats and Children's Miracle Hospital Tshirt

I am creating...plans to get my house and life in order for the New Year

I am watching...still watching Hallmark Christmas movies with Billy

I am reading... nothing other than my bible at the moment, going to be starting reading in Psalms in January with a group online

I am listening to... nothing at the moment

I am hoping... for God to answer prayers I am boldly praying right now for big needs

I am learning... how we have to make time for what is truly important and for me in the new year it will be God,me,Billy,kids, grandkids and then others

In the kitchen... new copper pots and pans and dishes and soon a new microwave alcove

Board Room
I am working on a board to work on me for 2018

Working on Me 2018

Shared Quote

Billy had this put on a Tshirt for me for Christmas 

A moment from my day...

Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.

One Word 2018

 Change is the word I feel the Lord is leading me to in 2018.  Change can be bad, change can be good but change will happen.

There are changes I need to make in 2018 and I am looking to the Lord to see what and how this goes.  I appreciate prayers that I will make the ones I need to make.  Prayers that I will accept the things I can not change.  Prayers I will look to and lean on God in these changes.

 This is my word and my prayer for 2018!

What changes will you be making?  

What one word will you choose or accept for 2018?

Making Blogging More Personal Again

     I was reading on one of the blogs I read and she said that blogging has gotten really impersonal over the years and she wanted to bring it back to its roots.  She will be starting a new monthly feature where she will share what she is reading, watching on tv, what the kids are doing and just life as it happens.  This reminded me of why I began blogging.  I want to get back to this more personal side of blogging too. 

{Google Pic}

     Starting in December I will be doing at least one or more of these posts of just life in general.  It will be what happens at the Loves's from the front porch looking in. I hope you will join me for these and other posts as we get ready to go into a new year of life.  Feel free to comment and share what is going on in your world too. 
     I am excited to take my blog back and enjoy my time with it and hope that some of you will join me on this journey of life.

God bless,
Pat

Drinking From The Saucer!

     Sometimes it is just a matter of perspective.  Sometimes we need to stop complaining about what we don't have to see the blessings of what we do have.  Just something I have been thinking on and sharing with ya'll today. God has blessed me so much more than I could ever deserve!

     Drinking From The Saucer

by John Paul Moore

I've never made a fortune,
And I'll never make one now
But it really doesn't matter
'Cause I'm happy anyhow

As I go along my journey
I'm reaping better than I've sowed
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed

I don't have a lot of riches,
And sometimes the going's tough
But with kin and friends to love me
I think I'm rich enough

I thank God for the blessings
That His mercy has bestowed
I'm drinking from the saucer
'Cause my cup has overflowed

He gives me strength and courage
When the way grows steep and rough
I'll not ask for other blessings for
I'm already blessed enough

May we never be too busy
To help bear another's load
Then we'll all be drinking from the saucer
When our cups have overflowed

Drinking From My Saucer

Take a listen and start naming your blessing one by one!

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head 
with oil; My cup runs over. – Psalm 23:5

5 Things About Me-If I SLOW DOWN To Notice!

     Sometimes we get so busy in life and we rush from one thing to another.  We go from one place to the next, one task and on to the next.  We mark off out to do list.  But do we even notice, pay attention, learn or care?  Or do we just do it to mark it off?
     I am trying to learn to slow down and notice? SO sharing 5 things about me if I slow down.
     One, I see a grand trying so hard to do anything to get my attention. I am so busy. Will they get it in the right or wrong, but they will get it. Two, I rushed through my bible reading this morning.  I had my quiet time but was it quiet, did I even slow down to know what I read? Three, I rush from laundry to the dishes to school but did I think to thank the Lord for clothes to wash or food to eat or grands I get to teach? Four, I miss my daughter but when she calls, I rush her off the phone cause I got to get something done.  Five, I sent my son a text saying I prayed for him, but how long did I pray, was I specific, was it a quick I pray for my son Lord and expect Him to fill in the rest?  I was in a hurry, I had to get my husband up for work.
     I see 5 things about me but yet they are all the same, I am busy.  I see them all the same, I am in a hurry.  I wish to SEE them different.  I need to slow down and MAKE them different.
     What 5 things do you see about you?  DO you like what you see or like me do you need to slow down?

Leave Sparkle Everywhere You Go!

   Just sharing to encourage someone!

November Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today
Looking out my window... it is sunny and cool but this is my favorite time of year and one thing I love is the changing colors of the leaves

I am thinking... of how blessed I am in my life to have friends who care enough to support me but tell me when I am wrong too

I am thankful... for my husband,we have been married for over 31 years

One of my favorite things...is anything with this word on it

I am wearing... work out pants and a tshirt

I am creating... some gifts for Christmas

I am watching... Hallmark Christmas movies every night

I am reading...still reading these books though my son bought me a couple of new ones I will share next time

I am listening to... Joey and Rory, especially sad since the unexpected death of my cousin last week

When I'm Gone

In the garden... it has been put to bed and not really sure if we will be having one next year, we may let the soil rest and try again the next year

I am hoping...to get more organized before the new year comes

I am learning... about white space and how important it is to my health mentally and physically

In the kitchen... chili in the crockpot and cornbread in the oven

Board Room
a board I am working on more now for me is this one

for me mentally, physically and spiritually
Shared Quote

A moment from my day... one of the most important parts of my day is bible and hot tea time

Post Script...
If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.

Always Be Thankful!

Always be humble and kind

Heart Gifts, Can You Share One Today?

                                                          

     Have you ever heard of heart gifts? Heart gifts are gifts that would cost nothing or next to nothing. The only thing is that the gift has to be thoughtful and from your heart!       
     Think about what your talents are and how you can bless others with them. Can you sew, can you cook? Use the talents God has given you. For example, are you cooking supper right now, could you add just a little extra and make a plate for your elderly neighbor down the street? What about the young woman with 3 kids and a constant run to games etc for them? What would it mean to her to have you bring a simple crock pot dinner and dessert to her door? Maybe you have flowers in your yard-pick some and take them to the lady who just lost her husband or someone who has been sick.  Pick up a drink from Sonic for you and the friend who has been seeming down, stop by for a quick visit and give her the drink and you both will be a little happier thanks to happy hour.  Send a card to someone you have been missing at church.
                                                          

      What a wonderful little heart gift any of these would be! These are just some ideas, there are millions more. How do you know who to give a gift to? Listen with your heart. What kind of heart gift can you give today?
           I challenge you to share a heart gift with someone today!

Simple Woman's Daybook for October 12th

For Today
Looking out my window... and thinking of all the tests I have had done  for my heart and praying they come out all right

I am thinking...I am not sure if I will ever get caught up on all my housework.  Am I just dreaming and expecting something to be that can't and probably doesn't have to be?

I am thankful... for the Word of God.

One of my favorite things...

My sweet daughter in law designed and made this in her boutique for me

I am wearing... pajama pants and old church tshirt, feeling kind of bummy today

I am creating... a couple of canvases for Christmas and an order (can't share because they are for gifts)

I am watching... the 7 Little Johnstons

I am reading...

Some of these I was on launch team but am now re-reading them because they are so full of knowledge that my life needs right now

I am listening to... my new Selah CD, I was blessed to be given a ticket to see them in concert here in my town last weekend

Broken Ladders

In the garden... it has been put to bed and not really sure if we will be having one next year, we may let the soil rest and try again the next year

I am hoping...to get healthier spiritually and physically in the near future. It is hard to face heart issues of both kinds but it is worse if I don't do anything to correct them.

I am learning... every day how important caring for me is.  I matter too and I am worth it! 

In the kitchen... White bean, chicken chili in the crockpot and cornbread muffins in the oven.

Board Room
Better Health-Spiritual and Physical
I started this challenge today and will let ya'll know next time how it went
21 Day Mental Health Challenge

Shared Quote

A moment from my day... 

Post Script...
If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.

Simple Womans Daybook September 2017

For Today.....

Looking out my window... enjoying this almost last day of September, it is finally my favorite time of year, I love fall!

I am thinking... about my Childrens's church class on Sunday

I am thankful... for the life that the Lord has given me

One of my favorite things...spending time on my front porch

I am wearing... jeans and a tshirt, my usual homeschool outfit of choice

I am creating... some canvases but can't share just yet as they are Christmas presents

I am watching...

I am reading...I have a stack of books I have read and am reading and will be sharing more about these in Octobers DayBook and will be possibly be having a giveaway for one of them so keep checking back

I am listening to...music about faith especially this song by Kutless

https://youtu.be/u1JBSQMkQEo

In the garden...dreams of what might be next year

I am hoping...that I can get the rest of my Christmas program for church wrapped up in the next week or two, so excited for this years programs

I am learning...

In the kitchen... Trying to come up with healthier recipes, 80 pounds gone and 80 more to go to be a healthier me

Shared Quote....

A moment from my day... praying for my boys in a world they give their life to protect in a world that would take that life from them

Post Script....
If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.

See you in October for another Simple Woman's Dabook