Fall Bucket List

     I saw where a friend had made a bucket list for the fall.  A bucket list is just a list of fun things you would like to do.  I decided it looked like fun so I made one for me.  I am sharing mine in this post.  If you make one I would love to read it too so if you could leave a link to yours in the comments.  Have fun and lets get ready for fall 2013!

Pat's Fall 2013 Bucket List

1) Make homemade apple butter

2) Make fried apple pies

3) Make apple prints with the kids

4) Make leaf rubbings with the kids

5)Carve a pumpkin

6) Go on a nature walk

7) Go on a hayride

8) Make a thankfulness tree

9) Make a pumpkinpie

10) Pop popcorn and have family movie night

11) Make cookies and have family game night

12) Have a weenie roast and make smores with family

13) Have a bonfire

14) Collect canned food for a family in need

15) Drink hot apple cider on the porch with Billy

16) Make and take cookies to a friend

17) Collect mittens and gloves for needy

18) Rake and play in leaves with the kids

19) Have family pictures made

20) Go for a walk in the arboretum with Stephen

     This is what is on my list, what will be on yours?Don't forget to leave a link to yours in the comments.

God bless,

Pat

Letter Writing-a thing of the past or still a treasure?

     We live in an electronic age, people carry their phone, tablet, IPad, computer everywhere they go.  People send emails and texts around the world in a matter of seconds.  We can talk to a friend like they are on our front porch even though they are thousands of miles away.
     There is nothing wrong with any of that.  However, when is the last time you sent a real letter or received one in the mail?  I love opening the mailbox and seeing mail from a friend.  Even if it is only a few lines on a card, it means they took the time to think of me, write me and mail it to me.
     When I was in college and when we first moved away from home, Moma wrote me faithfully at least once a week.  My kids call me a packrat or a hoarder but I sure am glad I saved some of those letters that Moma wrote.  Moma has been gone for almost 6 years and it feels so good to be able to go back and read the words she wrote, where she told me she loved me and more.  They are a treasure to me.
     Emails and texts are nice but you might never know what a card or letter would do for someone.  Take that few minutes while you are waiting at the Dr or something and ask God who you can be a blessing to and write that card or letter. You might just open your mailbox one day and get a card or letter back from them also.  It might just make your day so get out those cards and paper and pen and start writing.

God bless,
Pat

How to get God's attention......Sermon Notes!

     We had a guest preacher, Bro Craig Bryan,  this weekend at church. I teach on Sunday mornings but I got to hear the sermon on Sunday night and it really spoke to me so I am sharing my notes here with ya'll.
     His topic was "How we can get God's attention".
     1} By coming to Him in faith----we say we believe in soul winning but if we don't participate, do we really?  We are not saved by works but we should add works or feet to our faith.
     2} By pressing on---when life hits you hard, just keep pushing towards God.  We need to keep on living for, serving and reaching for God.
     3}By falling at Gods feet and worshiping Him.  We need to get back to needing God, just like any parent needs to be needed, God does too. We have to worship God on the mountain top and in the valley.
     4}By touching people---love people, care about people, serve people.  People are out there just waiting to know someone cares.  People need to be touched. We have a whole world of people dying for someone to touch them, let them know someone cares but if we Christians think we are too good to touch them, how shall they come to know the saving touch of God?
     This really spoke to my heart and I am sharing it in case it might touch someone else's also. If it spoke to you and you would like to hear the sermon, let me know and I will get you a copy of the DVD.

God bless,
Pat 

He Restores My Soul!

Psalm 23:³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 

     Psalm 23 is some of the first memory verses I learned.  I have read them many, many times.  Yet, I had never had a verse leap out at me like the first part of verse 3 did this morning.  "He restoreth my soul", wow, it hit me. When we are in the midst of the chaos that we call life, God can and will restore our soul. He is waiting there to help us, waiting for us to pray, to ask and He will.  That is powerful!  

     How many times I have said, I am so overwhelmed and I don't know where to turn or what to do.  Yet Jesus is there waiting.  I am a wife, mother, Mamaw, teacher, leader, friend and more.  I have people from every area pulling at me.  I love what I do and I cannot imagine my life being any different.  At the end of the day sometimes I stop to pray, think, read my bible and just breathe, but do I ask God to restore my soul?  It says right there in the bible He will and He is waiting to do just that.

     When you feel life pulling at you and that your strength is almost gone, stop, whisper a prayer to God, ask Him to restore you, He is there waiting and He will.

God bless,

Pat

Tea, Owls and God's Wisdom!

    

      I wrote this for a meeting at church but though I would share it here too.  I hope it might be a blessing to someone.

     I love the evening hours when the sun has started to set and it is just getting dark especially in the fall.  When I lived in the country I loved listening to the crickets, the frogs and especially the owls. I can't hear those things living in the city so much.  I still love to set on my porch and drink some tea or read my bible.  I love this time for just me and God, for me to be quiet and listen for that still small voice.  Unfortunately this rarely happens so how do we get quiet time? 

     We have to make time.  I am a night owl and I function so much better at night so after everyone else goes to bed is the best time for me to try and have quiet time.  Maybe you are an early bird and you need to get up early before the day gets going and have your time.  It doesn’t matter when you meet with God cause He is always available, it is just important that we do.

     What can we do to make sure we have this time?

1) Set a time to have it-if you don’t make a set time, time will get away from you and it won’t get done.

2) Make it convenient-have a basket, bag, table or somewhere that you can keep your bible, a pen, a notebook and room for your tea, coffee or whatever you prefer to drink.

3) Have a place where you won’t be disturbed-I like to have my quiet time on my porch but yours might be your bedroom, a corner, outside or at the kitchen table.

     Most important is not when, where or how but just that you do!

Pat Love 8/13

Dirt Day In Children's Church!

 

     Every month we try to have a special Sunday.  Yesterday was July's and we had Dirt Sunday.  They say kids learn more and retain it easier when they use more of their senses so I set out to see how many we could use.

     First we had our lesson, we talked about when God created the world and divided the dry land from the seas.  We talked about how much we need dirt to survive.  We need dirt for the trees which help with the oxygen we breathe, the plants we grow to eat and to enjoy.  I never knew how much we need dirt til I started preparing for this lesson, God knew and provided for us.  I bet you will look at dirt differently now too.

     Then we did a coloring picture and on the picture was a flower pot and in the top instead of just coloring the dirt brown we actually spread glue and put real dirt on it.  We passed the dirt around and each one felt it and smelled to see what it smelled like.  Next, we planted some flower seeds in some potting soil and they felt the difference and smelled to see how this special dirt was different from the dirt I had dug up outside.  Last and certainly the favorite we ate dirt.  Now before you spazz out it was crushed oreo cookies, chocolate pudding and gummy worms. 

     The kids seemed to really enjoy their day.  My only regret for the day is that I was so busy enjoying the day with the children that I got no pictures.  Next month is Sweet Sunday and I will come back to share it and I promise I will get pictures then. What do you think about dirt now?

 

 God bless,

Pat



Bible Study----A review and link to download!

     Today I will share some key points from the bible study and a link to where you can print the study if you would like to.  Julia also has more points on her blog if you would like to go there and check it out. 

http://www.made2bcreative.com/blog/?p=5815

     The points that stuck out to me are these....

     1) She was nameless

     2) The lady had a health problem

     3) She had done all she could, seen the doctors, spent money, tried everything

     4) She heard of Jesus

     5) She knew if she got close to Jesus she would be healed, great faith

     6) She went out and did what she had to so she could get close to Jesus

     7) She placed her faith in Jesus

     8) She was healed right away

     9) Jesus wanted her story shared

    10) Jesus is there waiting for us if we will reach out to Him

    11) We should share what God has done for us with others

     If you would like to print this study follow this link....

     http://www.juliabettencourt.com/printables/ssheets/BibleStudyWithaTouch.pdf

     I hope you have enjoyed this study as much as I have and thanks for following along with me.

God bless,

Pat

   

     

Bible Study Review Points:

• The woman in our story is nameless.
• The woman had a health problem.  An “issue of blood”.
• The woman had seen lots of doctors.
• The woman had endured lots of treatments.
• She spent all her money on doctors and treatments.
• Nothing helped this woman.
• There was a crowd out that day the lady met Jesus.
• The woman “heard” of Jesus and finally had hope.
• Hearing of Jesus prompted this lady to action.
• She had faith that if she could touch just the clothes of Jesus she would be healed.
• She had complete faith.  She knew she would be made “whole”.
• She had to get close to Jesus to put her faith into action.
• She was healed right away.  It was immediate.
• Jesus asked for a response from the woman.  “Who touched me?”
• The woman shared before the people what Jesus had done for her.
• Jesus will accept our truth as He did that for this woman.
• Jesus called her “daughter”.  That’s personal.
• Jesus will accept those who reach out to Him.

- See more at: http://www.made2bcreative.com/blog/?p=5815#sthash.wBS5lkLt.dpuf