SSMT Week 3

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV

This has long been something I’ve strived for – slow to become angry.  I’ll admit though that it can sometimes be one of the hardest things in the world to do, especially if you’re like me and you wear your heart on your sleeve.  Many times “angry” is a reaction to hurt feelings and we just cannot help our knee-jerk female response.  Which is one of the reasons I believe that God pointed me in the direction of this verse.  Maybe by having it memorized I’ll remember it at crucial times and hopefully be more “slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

This is my Verse #3 for Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memory Team.

Friday’s Fave Five #124

Even though the day is almost over, I do still have time to share some blessings from the past week.  Thank you to Suzanne for hosting the Friday’s Fave Five each week at Living to Tell the Story. 

1. I’ve gotten to spend some time with my daughter the last few weeks and of course I always enjoy that.  She lost her job right before Christmas, so she’s coming over to our house a few days a week to work on her job search.  It’s just so cozy with the two of us working away at our computers in the same room.  Praying she finds a new job soon!

2. Today the old bedroom furniture that was stored in the garage went to a friend’s home, which was really a win-win sort of deal.  We were thrilled to continue our quest to simplify by freeing up some space and he was happy to have bedroom furniture.  I love it when things work out that well.

3. I have gotten hooked on the HGTV show House Hunters International.  The domestic version is ok, but I *love* seeing homes in other countries and learning about other cultures.  I blame my daughter for this new addiction of mine. 

4. A silly, silly thing to be so happy about, but I’m going to say it anyway – I’m so tickled with the new toy we bought for Joe, our geriatric golden retriever.  It’s a stuffed mallard duck that we found at “the big box store” in the pet department for just under five dollars.  The coolest thing is that he barely has to bite down on it and it makes a hilarious quacking sound.  He gets going with that sound and I start laughing and can’t stop, which fuels him to chew it faster.  Laughter is good for the soul.

5. My son sent the link for this video to me today and I’ve watched it over and over.  Enjoy!

Valentine Subway Art

“Love is in the air” most definitely around here.  I never did much decorating for Valentine’s Day when the kids were young and I find myself wondering why not.  It’s fun and what’s not to love about LOVE?!?!

 

I found the free download at Eighteen 25 and fell in love with it.  I chose a solid black frame from Target to offset the white background and pink/red words.  LOVE IT!

 

The hearts tickle me – I found them in the dollar spot at Target.  They are called “Table Scatter” and I find that amusing. 

So for the amazing low price of $2 for “table scatter”, $5 for the frame and the negligible amount it cost to print I have a cute little Valentine display on top of the dresser in the guest room.

And it makes me smile.

 

* Linking to:  Valentine Party

Quilt Show With the Moms

 

Had a wonderful time on Saturday with my mom and mother-in-law – we went to a Quilt Expo in Oklahoma City.  Do we look ready to rumble or what?  

 

This was the quilt that won Best of Show.  Believe me when I say that my cell phone photo does not do this quilt justice.  It’s a whole cloth quilt and the quilting in places was probably a tenth of a centimeter or some other crazy small stitching. 

 

But personally this is my favorite kind of quilt and it won Best Traditional Quilt.  There are a couple of four patch blocks that are about an inch tall.  When we read about the quilt we were amazed to find that there are 4,667 pieces in this top!  Very inspiring.

This show was more vendor booths than quilts, but even that was wonderful.  Each of the booths had quilts hanging for inspiration and many had demos and make-and-takes.

I’ll give you just one guess which craft I worked on today after being at that show….  

SSMT Week 2

I posted yesterday that I was looking for a new Bible reading plan and you know what? God in His infinite wisdom has given me something to do in addition to reading.

I am a huge fan of Beth Moore. I think her Bible studies are so good and she speaks to a woman's heart. Every time I've done a Beth Moore Bible Study with a group of ladies I come out of it with a clearer understanding of the subject or book of the Bible. She speaks "real" during the videos and we end up having some heartfelt conversations around the table.

So when I saw that 2011 she'll be leading us in Bible memorization again I was so excited! I did it in 2009, but like so many of my plans I ended up not following through. But as I told Keith a bit ago - I am SO EXCITED about memorizing this year! And in my opinion once you're this excited about something it's the real deal and God Himself is speaking to you.

We are to post our verse on Beth's blog on the 1st and the 15th of each month, so starting with verse 2 I'm going to be posting here as well.

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"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21 NIV

The reason this verse speaks to me is that I am very much a list person - I truly love making lists! With this being the first of the year I've been making lists on every subject imaginable and plans are being made to improve on just about every area in my life. While that is NOT a bad thing at all, I want my number 1 thought to be "the Lord's purpose prevails" - sort of along the lines of "Thy will be done." His will, not mine.

I think this is a great thing to ponder at the beginning of the year. Meditating on this verse and keeping it in my heart will help me to remember that my plans are indeed secondary to the Lord's purpose.

AMEN!

Friday’s Fave Five #122

Let the Snoopy Dancing commence – it’s Friday!!!  Thank you to Suzanne for hosting the Friday’s Fave Five each week at Living to Tell the Story. 

1. LWML – This week was the first time I was able to attend the LWML meeting (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) at church and I had such a wonderful time!  These women are so much fun and have such beautiful spirits.  I’ve been wanting to attend for the longest time and my schedule has just been so busy that it didn’t happen.  Last fall I kept saying I would go “after the first of the year” and I actually did.  I so look forward to getting to know these ladies better.

2. Brooklyn – I know I posted about the RV show yesterday, but I want to say again how much joy she brings to the two of us.  She is so much fun to be with and makes us laugh constantly.  Her mama taught her the Smelly Cat song from Friends, so on the way home from the RV show the two of us sat in the backseat and sang – ah the memories.

Oh one more memory – at one point at the RV show I called her some pet name, can’t even remember what it was.  She turned to me and said “Nuh uh, I’m Buttercup!”  Took me a minute, but then I remembered that I always say to her when I first see her or enter a room “What’s Up Buttercup?” and she remembers that!  So of course my eyes fill with tears and I have to look away so I don’t look like a silly old fool.  But it meant so much to me that she remembered something that I didn’t give a thought to really.

3. Valentine’s Day – Yesterday I got started on the Valentine’s decorations around the house and I’m having so much fun with it! Had to make an “emergency” run to Target last night for a couple of things because of course I’ve gone to blogs looking for ideas and everybody is so creative, which means I just have to copy some of the ideas.  Will be a post early next week to share some easy, fast and cheap ideas.

4. Bible Reading – I haven’t started a new Bible reading plan yet this year and have been doing some searching.  Most years I use the One Year Bible Online plan and *really* like it.  Then you might remember I did the Bible in 90 Days last fall.  So I’m just trying to figure out what my reading plan for now will be.  Anybody have other resources I should look at?  If not I will probably go with the One Year Bible Online again.

5. Camera Class – Last weekend I went to a Camera Operations class and I’m here to tell you, even though you really *can* teach an old dog new tricks it does take the old dogs a bit longer!  LOL!  It was a fabulous class and I’m hoping this year will be about learning to use my camera better.  I’m currently at a stage in my life where I’m not at all interested in taking college level courses, but I am very excited about taking classes for things I WANT to learn.  Camera and photography classes would be one of the main things and taking the class last week just solidified my belief that yep, I’m going to really enjoy doing this.