Jesus Sisters

Yesterday I was reading one of my favorite blogs...the auther is Jennifer Dukes Lee (And, I would link to her blog here..if only I knew how??? I'm so not very technical savvy  :D) ..and in her post she was calling her sisters IN Christ...Jesus Sisters!  And, I just LOVED how that sounded....because although I have a sister that God blessed me with in my immediate family....so often I feel like others in my life (especially those in my Church family) are truly my sisters too.  So, when I read Jesus Sister...the words were just the ones I had been searching for...for SOOOOO LONG!

And, today I spent two hours with my Jesus Sisters!!!   

Maybe I should catch you up a bit.....this year I took on being the Women's Ministry Leader at our Church...a position that I was blessed to hold a few years ago....and one that God had been whispering for me to go back to for a few years  :)   

And, it always AMAZES me that when God calls you to something HE equips you with ALL you need to go forward for HIM!  Especially considering since I stepped down from the position it seemed I could never find time to make it to the monthly meetings or the special events that would happen???  It's funny how seasons of life come and go....uhhhhh ohhhhhh I think I've rambled on into another topic  ...OOPS!

Back to the story at hand....well today we had a Ladies Lunch Outing at a restuarant in town....just a couple hours to share a meal, some conversation and connect!   And, because I'm always a "Last Minute" type girl...it kind of all JUST came together  :)  As in, I found a place two weeks ago, handed out the invitations just last Sunday...and finished the devotion at 8:30 this morning  :)  And, you know what.....IT ALL CAME TOGETHER JUST RIGHT!  All Praise & Glory to GOD!!!   And, the amazing part....I had an idea for a bit about the devotion..it was on Rocks...and then I found the words...Jesus Sisters...and it completed my thoughts!

 

Here's some Jesus Sisters!!!

 

And here's the ROCKS....



Everyone got to choose a Rock....then, we each wrote a word that described the person to the left of us....and gave them our rock, as a reminder that they are special, unique, and that God is at work in each of us...filling in the crevices, dusting off the dirt, smoothing us out and polishing us until it is HIS image that shines back at us  :)    Some of the words written on those rocks....

Love
Faithfull
Encouraging
Sweet
Beautiful
Trustworty



My gifted Rock and word .......Patient.....and each day as I look at that rock, I will be reminded that my Jesus Sister sees Patience in me...and my hope is, it will encourage me to be just that...even on days when I seem to lack it  :)

Jesus Sisters.....BLESSINGS to the Heart!!!   And, this day...my heart is Full!!!!  Sweet blessings! 

LOVED !

Yesterday there was a message on my phone when I got home.....

from my Miss Susy  :)   

 

"Hey I hear you aren't feeling well...I'm bringing you some food"!  

I called her back and said..".I'm good, it's just some laryngitis and my head feels pressurized"

"Look for a care package on your front porch in a few minutes"

"NO, I'm okay, really!"

 

But, good friends NEVER take NO for an answer....

And, in a few minutes....she arrived with a tub of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup...and if you know my Miss Susy you know it was OUT OF THIS WORLD DElICIOUS!!!!



 

 

 

 

Just looking at it probably makes you want a bowl, right??  :) 

 

Well, not only did this bowl of soup make me feel so LOVED....but, I truly believe in the healing powers of Chicken Noodle Soup  (I think part of it is the era I grew up in....when you were sick you always got a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup  :D) 

 

Somehow after my bowl of homemade with love goodness...I actually lost the headache that had been claiming a place in my head for two days  :)   It truly was a very Sweet blessing!   And, it made me think about how blessed I am to have such great friends in my life...and that I hope I can return those gifts of friendship in many ways too.   I don't know if I've ever taken anyone homemade Chicken Noodle Soup...but, I want to  (if only I had Miss Susy's LOVE and GIFT of cooking  :D)  ....

Speaking of Soup....I think another bowl sounds just perfect right now....so from my little spot to yours...wishing each of you friends that LOVE you with homemade GOODNESS!   Sweet blessings!

 



Being Quiet

Most of the time life is going strong at a fast pace....and it's filled with lots of sounds....and one of them being my voice...talking, talking, talking  :)

Well, yesterday I developed laryngitis...and this morning I woke up with NO VOICE at all!   So I am being quiet...just not by choice  :)  Funny thing is...lots of times I wish I could just be quiet and not have to talk at all...and then, when it happens...I totally wish I could talk  :)  

And, somehow, having a voice is just something I always took for granted. 
It never occurred to me...that it is a gift!

Today in the quiet...here's what I discovered....

*It's hard directing three year olds without a voice  :) 
*There's no way to answer the phone when it rings or return phone messages....or even call to cancel an appointment....
*When you have to have a conversation with someone, it's frustrating for them to not be able to hear you...
*Even my animals stare at me...like.."why aren't you talking to us...you always say good morning when you feed us"  :)
*It's just NO FUN at all not being able to speak

So until my voice comes back...I'm going to spend more time listening and looking...more time being quiet and soaking in the world around me....and, when my voice reappears...I will be Praising GOD Loudly  :)

Sweet blessings!

Ahhhhhhh....finally a Saturday that is ALL mine!

You would think most Saturday's would qualify as that....but, somehow in the midst of this crazy life we are living...very few Saturdays earn this status  :)

So...when one does...I am ever so thankful and Praising God loudly!!!

I bet you are wondering what I do with a FREE Saturday?!?!?   Okay, here it is...my day in a random list ...and even though it just looks like words typed....it truly was a day lived!!!

~ Sleeping in until 6:45....felt SO GOOD!
~ Feeding the cows, horses, & cats in the daylight....YAY!
~A nice cup of Chai Tea and the Best Book Ever....also known as THE BIBLE = A PERFECT start to any morning..and especially this Saturday!
~ Staying in my cozies as LONG as I wanted...SWEET!
~Unlimited Prayer Time....a GIFT!
~A phone call or two to those I Love...
~A LONG Shower....time to really "do" my hair  :)
~Cleaning off the kitchen table....(it looks so much bigger free of piles :D)
~Forcing myself to clean the rest of the house too....I don't know why I always fight that...because I truly LOVE the feel of a house cleaned from top to bottom.
~Although I DID NOT want to leave my house at all today....I had to go to town...to the Post Office, to deliver a meal to a sick friend...get some post cards to create for an upcoming Women's luncheon...go to the BIG W store.....
~Stopped by where another set of heifers are...threw them some alfalfa....which totally made their windy day  :)
~Home to my favorite lunch of late....a bean & cheese filled tortilla....and then.....FINALLY...
a little time on the couch to take in my favorite season...COLLEGE BASKETBALL.  Okay, I might or might not of taken a little cat nap in the middle of one game.  I did wake up to watch a game go into 4 Overtimes....4....that was the first time I'd seen 4!!!!
~Due to those 4 Overtimes...I was a little late heading out to feed the cows, horses, & cats...they made sure to tell me about it...loudly!
~Next, I finally decided to test out my Pampered Chef Baker (which my husband made sure to ask me..."DO you really need that"?  Just wait until he gets home and tastes the incredible Potatoe Soup I made....)  I'm sure he'll be saying..WOW...so glad you got that Baking dish  :)
~Lesson Plans for the next two weeks of Preschool - DONE!
~Two loads of Laundry - DONE!
~ Post Cards for Women's Luncheon - DONE!
~ Devotion for luncheon...worked on  :)
.........
And, now...I'm going to end MY free Saturday spending a little more time reading......

Oh How I LOVED YOU free Saturday!!!  And, OH how I HOPE you come more often....I'm going to be praying about that.....

Thanks for readin' about my day...I hope each of you had a little "free" time this Saturday too!!!  And, YAY tomorrow is MY Favorite day of the week!    Sweet blessings!

The New Boy

 

Just thought I'd share a picture of the NEW Boy in town...at least that's how we like to look at him :)

 

 

He's right there in the middle of his girls....happy as can be!  And, you can't tell it from my lack of photography skills....but he's actually a Red Angus...from the Murdock Cattle Company!!!   His name is Magnum...and I absolutely LOVE him!  I wish I had a better picture...because he has the nicest head...and that's all I really care about in a Bull  :)  I just like them to have nice heads!  And, he is just plain sweet!!!     I think the girls are really IN LOVE with him too  :)    I can't wait to see his babies next Fall!!!   The part that makes me most excited is ....maybe, just maybe I'll get another color besides Black....(Shhhhhh.....now don't tell that to anyone....because you know every Rancher really works hard for their herd to be a solid color...and the general population only speak one color right now...Black Angus  :D)   And, maybe by the time our calves hit the ground again, I'll get a little better at capturing them :)

Thanks for letting me share our "boy"....Hoping everyone is finding just the right ways to spend this week!!!   Sweet blessings!

Decisions...???

Today I made a decision.
Well actually, God has been nudging me for quite some time....
Whispering to me.....is it really important? 

So this morning, first thing ....I signed OFF my facebook account for awhile!  (I know, I know...how will I ever know what is happening????)  I think that's just the point of it all....WHY do I need to know what is happening in everyone's lives???  WHY do I spend an hour a day just reading other people's business???  WHY is it so compelling????  Of course, I have rules about going to my facebook page...like NOT until I spend time in God's word and prayer....but, REALLY...do those rules matter when I still spend time there that I could spend elsewhere???

Most of all, I think lately my eyes have just been "seeing"....words that are posted that affect others, a constant lack of communication in person..because it's so easy to just update your life in a box, or send an I'm thinking of you instant note.....

SIMPLICITY
Family
Quietness
Time

All these words have over & over again come into my heart.....and over & over again I think I should of lived in the 60's.....  :)   I Love simply being in our home, cooking in the kitchen, spending time sharing a meal with family and friends.....the quiet early morning before life gets out of control, time to be IN HIS presence.........time to make this LIFE count  :)   

And, I really MISS coming here....hitting keys and sharing my heart, stories, life.....

I truly am LOOKING forward to seeing what God reveals to me during this time....to see how I USE my time, and hoping with all that I am it GROWS me in great ways!!!  

So, maybe, just maybe you'll find a written note in the mail from me now,  or a phone call, or maybe I'll even have you over to our home for dinner.  But, most of all.....I'll still be wishing everyone a New day filled with Sweet blessings!

January 2013

Whoa....it's January...it's a New Year....a new opportunity to grow...to see how God is working on my story!  And, I have to say...I'm excited about it! 

Maybe this year....I will actually spend more time here  :)
Maybe I'll venture out of my comfort, creature of habit zone...Maybe  :) (wink, wink)
Maybe this year I'll grow...new friendships, stronger as a women of God, closer in my relationship with my husband, family, friends...and most of all my Savior.

I do know I want to work hard to make 2013 truly be the BEST year yet  !!!

And, it's alreading starting out with many blessings....

* The very first day I got to wake up next to my Mr...and end the day falling asleep next to him :)
* All our cows are right where they need to be...fat, sassy, & happy!
* I had the BEST first day back to my preschoolers after Christmas break...ever!!!
* I'm heading back to teaching middle school/high school Sunday School after a 7 month break.
* Women's ministry is calling to me again...and I've agreed to lead us forward this year.
* There are books waiting to be read...but, the only one I really want to read Starts with a B and ends with an E !!!

So..WELCOME New Chapter in my book...new opportunities to share my Lord...to share the gifts He's given, to truly strive to Shine!!!   Wishing each of you a 2013 filled with the SWEETEST BLESSINGS too!