Simple Woman's Daybook - January 4, 2016

Linking up with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

January 4, 2016

Outside My Window:  Breezy; the sun is shining...and it's in the 50's at 11:30 a.m.  I really do love this weather!!

I am Thankful for:  My online friends who encourage me at times when I need to be encouraged!  And uplift me when I need to be lifted up...they are there for me, whenever I need them!

And, guess what?  I am there for them as well!

In My Kitchen:  Dishes in the dishwasher; one load of clothes washed and dried - need to be folded and put away (that is hubby's job).

I am Wearing:  A pair of jeans and my black and white night shirt; and, of course, my crocs...and they didn't have any at CVS when I checked.  I'll be looking for a new pair soon.

I am Creating:  Added the glue to the puzzle I need for a project...for my friend as a Christmas gift!  We don't usually see each other over the holidays; so I knew I had time...it is now time!!

I am Thinking About:  What I need to do in order to "declutter" my life: my reading, writing, Facebook, e-mail time; my devotion and Bible reading time; my "stuff"...not to give any of it up necessarily; but to reduce how much of it all that has become overwhelming for me!

I am Praying for:  My youngest daughter's mother-in-law who has some health issues she is dealing with at this time. 

I am Going:  Out briefly with hubby to put gas in his car and, maybe, pick up a couple of items at the store?  Can't think what we need, but...he needs to go!

I am Wondering:  What's next?!

I am Reading:  "Aslan's Call - Finding Our Way to Narnia" by Mark Eddy Smith.

The information at the back of the book states:  "In 'Aslan's Call' Mark Eddy Smith shows us how - in this fanciful world - we discover the truest reality.  In the children who travel to Narnia we find ourselves.  In Aslan we find Christ.  And in the place of Narnia we find the very adventure for which God made us.  We begin with the journey, and it is the journey that shapes us."

It is quite interesting to compare the two, Aslan and Christ!  I'm nearly finished with the book, and am not sure what I'll be reading next...I am following a "2016 Reading Challenge" in addition to reading the many books I already have!

A couple of these book challenges require help:

• a book published this year (2016?);
• a book recommended by local librarian or bookseller;
• a book should have read in school (I don't remember what I read, much less a book I should have read!
• a book chosen by spouse, partner, sibling, child, or BFF;
• a book banned at some point (wasn't Wuthering Heights banned at one time? Or Uncle Tom's Cabin?  I'll have to research these!); and
• a book that "intimidates" you...(not sure what that would be?!

I am Excited for:  A new year; new journey; new adventures!  What does the new year have in store for me?

Found on Pinterest

I am Learning:  To realize more of how the disease is showing itself in my husband's behavior and actions/reactions!

I am Hearing:  Since I'm late in writing my post, it's almost noon; and I am hearing The Steve Harvey Show...it is his Christmas show; so, yeah, a repeat!!

A Quote for Today:  More from "Aslan's Call"...

"...from far away comes the sound of another voice singing.  There are no words - there's hardly a tune - and yet it seems a song of sowing and tending and reaping all at once.  All of a sudden there is an accompanying chorus and a thousand thousand stars appear in the sky."

Can't you just hear the chorus as "a thousand thousand stars appear in the sky"?

I am Pondering:  While driving home from our brief errand this afternoon, it crossed my mind to "make my 2014 'write31days' posts into a book", and call it "My Journey with Dementia's Demands".

Hmmmm!  A divine inspiration?  Or, what?  Perhaps this is what the "I am Wondering...what next?" will be??

I have no idea how to do this!  Should I even consider it???  Now that I really think about it...

It sounds sooooo overwhelming!

A Scripture Thought:  "Cast all your anxiety on {God} because he cares for you."  (1 Peter 5:7 NIV)

Can I really post this verse after what I wrote above about "Pondering..."??

Well, I will continue to ponder, and also to pray about it!  Perhaps I will receive a clear vision about this idea!


And, that concludes the Simple Woman's Daybook to begin the new year, 2016!

Gifts Found in October 2015 - Part 2

As I continue Part 2 of the "Gifts Found in October", be sure to read those found in the first week of the month in Part 1.  So the journey continues...

October 8th

3 Gifts Prayed For

1.  The Gift of Worship - For years the women of the Florida Region of Disciples Women in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) prayed for a gathering of the women of the church - African-American, Hispanic, Haitian, and the Caucasians - all in one place!

Now, I have no intentions of being disrespectful here to any of these groups, as they each meet separately;  but, it was a long time goal - dream - for us to all gather together...

Read more about this on my Day 13 post for the "write31days" challenge here.

But, suffice it to say...our prayers were answered in the coming together of all of these groups for an amazing gathering called, simply, "The Women"...

though it was not simple!  It took a lot of planning, work, more dreaming, a lot more prayers; but, thank God for an amazing, uplifting speaker, inspired leaders, singers, and the over 300 who attended!

2.  The Gift of a Sister - I am the oldest of three; my brothers are two and four years younger.  Most of my childhood, I was OK not having a sister...

I had friends; I had best friends!  But it wasn't the same as a sister, a family member, another sibling!?

At one point, my parents fostered a little girl - my sister!  But, it didn't work out to adopt her.  There was talk of maybe adopting, but nothing came of that...

But, today, I realize my prayers were answered - I have many sisters ... friends, church family, online friends, fellow bloggers, women whom I share so much with!  And, I have two amazing sisters-in-law!

Thank you, God, for my sisters!

3.  The Gift of Patience - I pray often asking for patience...and when I do pray for it, I do receive patience - for awhile!

But, I think God wants me to lean on Him more; and ask over and over again, if necessary, for the things I need.

Thank you, God, for giving me patience when I need it!

October 9th

3 Gifts Praised For

1.  The Gift of Encouragement - When our children do something good, we give them praise, and encourage the continued good behavior.  Each time Blaise or Bash play well together, it's a good thing, and they are praised!

Bash and Blaise

(Mommy, Daddy and the Little Ones ahead)

Though they may be three years apart, these cousins get along most of the time!

2.  The Gift of Affirmation - A few "new" women attending the scrapbooking retreat were unsure of what to do; how the "games" worked...being an attendee at an event where they knew few people; they were uncertain.  I tried to be there affirming their work, their attendance, their becoming a part of the whole group.

Thank you, God, for new and old friends.

3.  The Gift of Friends - Looking back on an awesome weekend with friends...and catching up on the "gifts" God blesses us with every day...I thank God for a group of awesome women who are loving, caring, sharing...affirming!

October 10th

3 Hard Eucharisteo

1.  The Gift of Grace - "For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

"Each time He said, My Grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

2.  The Gift of Thanksgiving - God blesses us with so many blessings - gifts - even has more ready for our future!

Found on Pinterest

Share by thethingswesay.com

Thank you, God!

3.  The Gift of Joy - 

"I've got the...

Joy! Joy! Joy!

Down in my heart -

Where?

Down in my heart -

Where?

Down in my heart...

To stay!"

Found on Pinterest

October 11th

3 Gifts of Change

1.  The Gift of Organ Music - What a difference the touch on the keys of an organ make!  The pounding, loud sound, played by our temporary music director, does not make it very appealing - to me, at least - and so hard to sing along with...

vs.

...the light beautiful touch of our former organist who played for the memorial service Sunday (both heard on the same day!).

Oh, the changes that are so hard to make, or get used to!

2.  The Gift of Ministry - Our Minister has retired, to focus his ministry in other short-term interim positions.  Our Minister of Music has retired to enjoy retirement with her husband; and to enjoy her family.

These types of changes are not easy.  And, I pray God gives wisdom, guidance and understanding to the Search Committees for each of these positions.

3.  The Gift of Memory - Day to day, it seems as if I am on a roller coaster...some things "he" remembers easily from one day to the next.  Some things are not remembered from one minute to the next.

These changes in one so close; I am at a loss most days as to how to act/react!

Please continue to guide my steps; increase my understanding; help me to be patient and know what is right to say or do.

October 12th

A Gift Small, Smaller, Smallest

The Gift of Life - Five beautiful little puppies were born today; their mommy, Annie, was bred to give birth to "future service dogs".

What a gift - a blessing - to have them born on Columbus Day and the last day of our "Puppy Crop" - a real puppy crop!

October 13th

3 Gifts Read

1.  The Gift of Choice - From Anne Voskamp, always having the right words at the right time!

"Hey Soul?   So here's the thing; you get multiple choice today:

Busy is a choice.

Stress is a choice.

*Joy is a choice.*

You get to choose.  Choose well.  Deciding first thing: 'My choice is You, God, first and only.' (Psalm 16:5 Msg)

Choosing joy!"

2.  The Gift of Blessings -  Each day, my bloggin' friend Helen shares a Morning Blessing, and an Evening Blessing by Susie Larson.  Many of them hit me just where I need them!

Thank you, God, for words to be read just when I need them!

3.  The Gift of His Word - "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3 NRSV).

The meditation for this passage (in the Upper Room daily devotion for October 13, 2015) brings out the word at the very beginning of these verses:

"When you pass through the waters..."; not if!  It goes on to say - "We can trust in God because God is faithful.  When we realize what God has done for us, we don't need to be afraid of whatever disasters happen in the world."

And, I added to the verses first few words to make it a bit more personal:

"When Barbara passes through the waters..."

Thank you, God!

October 14th

3 Gifts Said

1.  The Gift of Encouragement - In another day - the 15th - we will be halfway through the "write31days" challenge.  Thankfully, I wrote and scheduled posts through today, and will do the Five Minute Friday post that night...

So many have offered encouragement as we continue to write towards our goal - to write for 31 days - for the month of October!

Thank you, God, for all those encouragers, and what they've said as encouragement!

2.  The Gift of Blessings - {I know I used this yesterday...but, well, Susie Larson's blessings are just so "spot on"!)

Here is an Evening Blessing...read, said, whatever!  It works!

"May you choose to be grateful when you'd rather be grumpy.  May you choose to rejoice in God's goodness when you're tempted to rehearse man's badness.  May you sing into your empty well trusting that god will soon fill it.  And may you live with the expectancy that any day nowm, the Lord will bring the break-through.  Rest tonight in the knowledge that more rests on God's shoulders than yours.  He's got you.  Good night."

Amen!  And, thank you, God!

3.  The Gift of Love - My daughters are so sweet; so understanding, supportive, patient, encouraging...they know how things can get for me at times, and they always say things that lift my spirits!

I am so thankful for these two beautiful women!

And, so ends Part 2 of "Gifts Found in October 2015!

Gifts Found in October 2015 - Part 1

Although I continued to write out the "Gifts Found..." in my journal, I didn't share them on my blog!

So, now that a new year has come, I will be updating my blog to include "Gifts Found..." in October, November and December 2015, as well as adding January 2016.

October 1st

3 Gifts Orange

1.  The Gift of Bright - Shine bright!  Carried over from September 30th...

Fount on Pinterest

Shared by etsy.com

May your light shine bright!

2.  The Gift of Fall - The colors of fall - reds, yellows, oranges!  Beautifully bright.  The days with their breezes and the hope for cooler weather!

Not only the trees show their beautiful, bright colors, but the fall flowers; pumpkins - Orange! - and other fall promises...

Thank you, God, for all of these and more!

3.  The Gift of Youth - A beautiful young artist - a 15-year old autistic teen, shares her art with us - and I love the bright, colorful pieces she shares, expressing herself in the best way she can - through her art!

This bright orange painting, with touches of red, green and yello9w, makes me smile; makes me happy!

Found on Facebook Page

Candy Waters

Check out "Candy Waters Autism Artist" on Facebook...

October 2nd

3 Gifts Falling

1.  The Gift of Rest - I get so tired from not sleeping well at night, that I can't sit down during the day without falling asleep.

I thank God for rest - and if it comes from an afternoon nap, then I guess a nap it will be!

2.  The Gift of Love - I wonder why it is said that we are "falling in love"...does one slip and find love?  Do we sink to the bottom to find love?  Why do we "fall in love"?  Why not "rise to find" our loved one?  Stand tall as we seek and find?

Well, I'm not sure where this came from...but I thank God for the love I have: the love of a husband; parents who raised me in a Christian home; my children and their children - my grandchildren; grandparents; cousins, aunts and uncles; friends in many areas of my life!

Thank you, God, for all of them!  And, thank you for all you have done for me especially; but for all humanity!

3.  The Gift of Autumn - This time of year, as we leave the summer heat and move into a cooler, "re"fresher time of year, I thank God for Autumn - also known as Fall.

So, if we are coming into the season called "Fall", does that mean we are "Fall" - ing?

Whatever that may mean...the days are getting shorter; the weather cooler...and it's a beautiful time God has blessed us with.

October 3rd

A Gift Caught, Let-Go, Mid-Way

The Gift of Unity - Today, I attended an amazing event for the Region of Florida Disciples Women!  In a church, with over 300 women, I - we all - caught the Spirit that was present as we sang, worshipped, praised, listened...dwelled in the Spirit of God.

We were challenged to let-go of the burdens that hold us back from being the woman God wants us to be.  At times, I feel I have released those burdens; yet they are still burdening me...they are released only mid-way, still holding them back.

God, please help me to release the burdens I keep holding on to.  Help me to release them to you...for you alone can take them away!

October 4th

3 Gifts Reaped

1.  The Gift of Sowing Seeds - We plant seeds...and eventually they bloom.  They are ready for us to "reap" what we have sowed.

Our lives are that way, too; our witness to others.  We plant the "seed" of God's Word, our life witness, our faith...

We may never see those seeds again; we may never "reap that which we have sowed"; that is God's part in the task...

We plan the seeds, and He wors on the growing of those seeds in the life of another.

2.  The Gift of Love - If we do not sow the seeds, how will we reap that which the seeds become?

And...

Found on Pinterest

Lord, I look around and see HATE!  I listen to the news and hear HARE!  Are we no longer sowing love?  I pray for your love and peace among us all.

3.  The Gift of an Echo - What you sow...that is what you will reap.  Life is an Echo...

Found on Pinterest

So, make sure what is seen in you is what you want others (and God) to see!

P.S. From "A Daily Journey Through Psalms for Women", Day 281:

"Sow an act, and you reap a habit.

Sow a habit and you reap a character.

Sow a character and you reap a destiny."

(author unknown)

October 5th

3 Gifts Returned

1.  The Gift of Giggles - It isn't that I have to babysit my grandchildren; it is that I get to be with them!  And in return, I get / receive their kisses, and their smiles; their giggles, and just being with them!

Thank you, God, for my precious grandchildren - though 2 of them are teenagers rather than children!

2.  The Gift of a Smile - Have you heard the statement, "If you see somebody without a smile, give them one of yours"?

Remember yesterday's "gifts reaped"?  Well, if you give someone a smile, you will surely get one in return!  A gift sown, reaped, returned!

3.  The Gift of a Journey - We are on a journey - a life's journey.  Once we begin the journey, we will continue walking, yet never alone.  For God travels with us on our life's journey...

And when our life's journey has ended, we will be returned to our Heavenly Home, where we will be with our Heavenly Father forever.

October 6th

3 Gifts Redeemed

1.  The Gift of Writing - By sharing our life's journey with others - the good and the bad - we open our lives to others, hoping the words we share will somehow help them in their life's journey.  I pray my words reflect those that honor God; and may help even one person.

God gave the life of His Own Precious Son...to Redeem (or "pay off") my sins.  He uses my story and your story, and everybody's story, to help others...

Found on Pinterest

Shared by celebritiesquote.blogspot.com

And, perhaps it's your story that I need to hear!

2.  The Gift of God's Love - "Fear not, for I have Redeemed you; I have called you by name: You are Mine...You are Precious and Honored in my sight...because I LOVE YOU." (Isaiah 43:1b, 4)

3.  The Gift of Music - 

"I am redeemed.

You set me free;

So I'll shake off these heavy chains,

And wipe away every stain,

Now I'm not who I used to be.

I am redeemed.
I am redeemed."

Listen as Big Daddy Weave sings "Redeemed"

"I am redeemed!  Thank God, redeemed!"

October 7th

A Gift Baked, Stirred, Eaten

The Gift of Taste - Just smelling something cooking/baking in the oven starts my tastebuds to be prepared to tast something Yummy!

What sense does this make?  Smelling prepares for tasting...and, I am ready to eat it!

Thank you, God, for all things Yummy!

And so ends Part 1 of "Gifts Found in October 2015".  Be sure to check out the rest of the gifts in Parts 2, 3 and 4...

Random Journal Day - January 1, 2016

One of my favorite bloggers to follow is Dawn, who blogs at enthusiasticallydawn.com.  On the first Friday of each month, Dawn hosts Random Journal Day, where fellow journalers share an entry from one of their journals...

Whether we share an entry from yesterday, or last month, or even one from several years ago...we just share what's on our hearts or in our journals!

This year, Dawn is adding a few prompts to be used in place of an entry from our journals, if we prefer to respond to one of the prompts instead of sharing our journal entries.

So, to begin yet another new year - 2016 - I have gathered a few entries from the beginning of several different years; and look at the Resolutions - or lack of - for that particular year!

December 31, 2002

"New Year's Eve, and what do I find myself doing on this New Year's Eve?  Well, winding down and relaxing; the usual...

"But, I don't usually do New Year's Resolutions but thought I'd give it a try..."

And I proceeded to list out eight resolutions to attempt for 2003.


January 1, 2006

From the church bulletin today:  "The God of all times and yet beyond time, calls us into a new year.  God helps us travel with faith and expectation.  God guides us in a new adventure.  Let us give our time to God.  Let us boldly witness to God's presence in our future.  We are grateful for the present of God's presence.  We are confident of God's presence in the present."

I wrote:  "It is a new year - another year to start over, or begin anew...

"So...New Year's Resolutions!  Well, I don't do them.  Last year I did, but certainly didn't get very far with them!  I think they were more like 'goals'..."

And for 2006 I proceeded to list out about four resolutions, or goals!  {Check out the above entry...I had listed out eight!  Guess after a couple of years, I decided to reduce the list!}


January 1, 2008

"So, another year; another set of New Year's Resolutions.  I didn't do very well last year...

"But, it is another new year; and time for new resolutions.  If I were to put a 'theme' to what I resolve for 2008, it would be Family!"

And I listed out four resolutions once again!


December 2010

"It's that time of year when we think about our New Year's Resolutions - and I haven't!"

I did write out a few things that I wanted to try to accomplish in 2011...and shared this "My Wish for 2011" posted by a friend:

"May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.  May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.  May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!  May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.  May the problems you had forget your home address!  In simple words...

"May 2011 be the best year of your life!!!"


December 31, 2011

"Well, New Year's Eve - goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012!  No New Year's Resolutions, yet!

"So now that the first day of the new year is nearly gone, I need to think about resolutuions - or do I?!"

And, I listed out yet another five resolutions!


January 1, 2013

"My niece posted this on her status today:  '...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.' (Philippians 3:13-14 - NIV)."

I wrote:  "I never thought of this as a verse for the new year; but can see that leaving what is past behind us is a good thing.  Our past makes us - helps make us - who we are; but we don't have to dwell on the past!  As for the blank page...well, it is the beginning of a new year; 365 days to do good; be who we are meant to be; do what we are meant to do...and it starts today!"


December 2013

Found on Facebook:  "May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.  I hope you read some fine books, and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can.  And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."  (Neil Gaiman)

Well, I didn't actually list out any of the resolutions from these entries; it wouldn't have made much of a difference anyway...

I didn't make it past the first few weeks!

Isn't that what we do most of the time...make the resolutions we know we won't accomplish?

All I know is that I didn't really accomplish them; and I stopped making any type of resolution.  Perhaps if I called them "goals" instead; and divided them into a smaller time frame?

I'm not sure how that would work; but I "resolve" to do better in setting and achieving the goals I need to accomplish!

Hope you've done a better job of keeping those resolutions!!

Tuesday @ Ten - I RESOLVE TO...

It is a new year!  Although Tuesday was still 2015 when the prompt was posted, I am writing my post in 2016!

So, I am joining my friend, Karen Beth, for Tuesday @ Ten; I am excited to see what the new year 2016 will bring!

This week's prompt phrase is:  I resolve to...

So, as the old year 2015 drifts out to sea; and 2016 is left for us to test the waters and see how it feels to begin yet another new year...

Our thoughts may turn to New Year's Resolutions...what will we attempt to do in the new year?

I don't make New Year's Resolutions...

I break them!

Reading back over my journals from the past few years, I found that I did make a few resolutions at one time; things like:

• Lose weight - I failed horribly with that every single year I had it on my list!
• Spend more time with family - now, that is definitely a "do-able" one; and since retiring, I have been spending much more time with family and friends!
• Organize my craft room - well, the fact that I have resolved this year to declutter my apartment, actually shows that I failed on this one, too!
• Catch up on scrapbooking my photos - which means my photos would need to be organized; and they are not!
• Daily Bible reading and devotions - and this is one resolution that I have been able to keep, at least the past couple of years!

That's enough of what my resolutions looked like...when I was making - and breaking - them!

C. S. Lewis said: 

And, as we move into this new year, I'd like to think all those "failures" will be left in the past and I can look ahead to what lies in my future!

Paul also gave us good advice in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV): "...forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

So, I  will live each day to the fullest, knowing my true goal isn't to make or break or even consider resolutions; but, as Paul, "I press on toward the goal..."

And one of my goals will be to consider a "Word for the Year" - my word is JOY! - as I live out the plans that God has for me in 2016.  I plan a new weekly post - Word Wednesday - to share what I have learned, am learning about Joy!  {Check out my introduction post here.}

There are also a few things that I "resolve" to do; yet, I'm not really considering them resolutions because they are things that really need to be done...

Decluttering my "stuff".
Gathering important papers, etc.
Losing weight and getting healthier.
Continue my quiet time; but enhance it...

See, I guess I had the right idea back when I was making those resolutions; but this year?  Well, I want this year to be different!  I want to actually accomplish those goals or resolutions, or whatever they may be called!

What about you?  Have you made any New Year's Resolutions?  Or goals?  What are your plans for the new year 2016!!  Let me know in your comments!