It's been a long, long time

I haven't written in so very long. I guess that's what happens when life happens.

I have just survived my first week back to work, and more importantly, my first week without having my kids home. My daughter's all moved into her apartment in the town where she's attending college, and my son has been living on campus where he's attending trade school. Weird ... the only time I've ever been completely alone for any length of time is when they've been away at church camp.

I can't say that I'm enjoying it, but I don't hate it. Takes some getting used to, that's for sure.

The blessings, albeit shallow -- I don't have any one else's mess to deal with. I have very few dishes to wash. I don't have a mess to vacuum. Not that I totally minded those chores, but it's nice not to HAVE to do them.

Blessings to you!

Laura

I met a woman named Laura the other day. Laura is bald. She's even lost her eyebrows. She has been through months of chemotherapy in order to keep her breast cancer from growing. The chemo has worked and now she'll have a double mastectomy. Please keep her in your prayers. Here's the thing I wanted to point out about Laura - SHE'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE HAPPIEST, MOST OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE I'VE EVER MET!! The spirit in that woman is one that you almost never see, especially in people who are not fighting cancer and possibly staring death right in the face. She acknowledges the Lord in everything, and I think that has made all the difference. I'm blessed for having met her! Be a blessing!

Don't Stop at 5

The recommended daily servings for fruits and vegetables is 5. As I was pondering this just this morning, I was reminded of Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

9 fruits - OF THE SPIRIT! That's a lot. But it's a good lot.

We are embarking on a new year. While I don't make typical resolutions, I do look for something in His word to stand upon to welcome the new year. This scripture will be mine.

I think I'll also include: “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance…” 2 Peter 1:5a-6a. I am reminded to “add” some things to my faith.

I shall start measuring victories by the smaller choices I make each day because-

Big things are built one brick at a time.

Victories are achieved one choice at a time.

A life well lived is chosen one day at a time.

It's not just a 'New Year' thing. These choices happen each moment, each hour, each day. Thank the Lord for his Goodness, Grace and Mercy!

Blessings to you!

Thanksgiving. i.e., the Giving of Thanks

I have so many things to be thankful for. While life is not a bed of roses, not even close, I count my blessings. I count them daily, hourly, even by the minute - sometimes. Yes, the blessings are there. I'm thankful!!

Be blessed - Happy Thanksgiving.

K.I.S.S.

I have a few items in my Amazon shopping cart. They are waiting anxiously to be purchased. I have already purchased a few Christmas gifts ... just a few items, though! I'm also going to try to limit my purchases to American made products, and items purchased at local small businesses.

My motto: Keep It Simple Sis! In doing so, I will also keep my focus on the many blessings of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. I purpose to relax and enjoy. I hope you do, too!

Love!!!

Joy

It comes in the most surprising ways, sometimes. There's the obvious answer to prayer; seeing something that makes you happy (in my case it's usually something in nature); time spent with those you love, etc.

Today, I experienced joy in a multitude of ages. Let me explain. I have been testing students at school to determine their reading levels or abilities. I worked with kindergarten, 2nd grade and 6th grade. I had 5 year old's tell me that they couldn't "do it" when talking about the sounds that letters make. Yet when we did rhyming activities, they excelled and I told them they were "rhyming experts". I think that was the best thing they'd heard all day!! Two of my second graders were apprehensive. One little boy was in tears. Yet when we began working, he beamed, saying, "This is a piece of cake for me". No more tears after that!!! One of my sixth graders started at a level 5, and had little difficulty through level 7. By the time he got to level 8, he struggled, but I haven't seen such perseverance in a 12 year old in ages!!! I continued to encourage him and it was such a delight to see his face beaming with pride.

Today these things brought me joy!!

Empty

I ... have ... nothing ... left.

That is all.