What's New?

It's a new year and for some it holds the hope of new things. What's new in your life? Have you quit smoking? Quit drinking? Quit lying? Started dieting? Started reading your Bible? Left bad influences behind? Forgiven old grudges? Started up new relationships?

This is the time when people try to instantly change things in their lives, but change isn't instant. It's a process. What's new for me? New mercies that come every morning for another chance to please God. Didn't make any resolutions, but did decide that this year I'd be more dedicated to the local nursing home to help the elderly with supplying things they often lack who don't have family.

It's good to improve you, but why not make this year about someone else? What's new for you? Will you learn to be selfless?

Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe

Recently, I was introduced to the work of Lena Nelson Dooley and am blown away that none of the ladies in the book club had ever mentioned her. She's a fabulous romance author with Christian themes throughout.

I have a copy of Christmas Love at Lake Tahoe and plan to dig in as soon as I finish quilting.

Yuletide Season

I get such a joy from seeing my grandchildren open their gifts on Christmas. My tree is fuller than usual because I have one extra grand-daughter this year. I am so grateful for that. All of them are normal, healthy and well-adjusted. My children are great too.

This year, I decided to show God how much I appreciate the gift of his son and started knitting Jesus quilts last month which is why I didn't blog much. I have two completed so far and plan to finish one more before Christmas for the residents of our nursing home. Everytime I look at them, my heart is joyful that I can give to someone else. What are you doing for others this year?

Another Awesome Story

My friendship with Lacresha Hayes has been well established. She's such an inspiration to others and does so much to enrich lives around her. I don't know how she juggles it all.

Last week, she sent me a copy of her book, Raw Redemption. I didn't even know it had been really released yet, so I was shocked to get a copy. I read the book and was blown away. I love her nonfiction, but I think she has a gift as a fiction writer. And often, fiction is less invasive and so people can get what they want from the story. I could really understand the heroine in this story and I got the point. Wish it had been longer and hopefully, she'll let Cheyenne become a regular in her stories. Good work.

Comfort in Correction

The Bible is hard for some to get into because they don't like to feel corrected. They only want to hear what they want to hear.

As a girl, we were spanked regularly for disobeying or disrespecting our elders. I learned that correction is a form of showing love and concern. A person who corrects you loves you enough to see you be a better person. Same as it goes with God.

I am reading through Job right now and plan to read through it three straight times until I understand the fullness of God's correction of Job. There's a lot of correction is Hebrews too, which will be my next book to tackle.

Scriptures to Meditate Upon

Erica gave me a list of scriptures she'd been meditating upon for the past few weeks. I've been using them lately too. Maybe they'll help you too. Pass them on.

Psalm 1

Proverbs 3

1 Corinthians 13

Colossians 2

1 Peter 3

Going Green

The children of this generation are much more intelligent than we used to be. My seven year old granddaughter is now "going green" and has started recycling anything and everything that can be recycled. I'm very proud. She asked me to do a series of blog posts about how important it is to recycle paper and medals, and to preserve water usage.

I hope that some of you reading this will be encouraged by her journey and begin your own green journey. Lord knows we are responsible for this planet and how we use its resources.