What a pretty wreath!

Giving God Glory

Everyday tasks done with excellence ...working...cooking... cleaning... teaching... painting...making baskets...whatever

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Creating a beautiful handmade basket in Charleston, South Carolina
December 2011

Once a year treats

Once a year my husband bakes a German Chocolate Cake for our Christmas dinner.  As usual, the cake was delicious. The cake is worth the wait.

A visit to the Pie Kitchen in Louisville is a very special bakery.   Check out the kitchen @ this link: Pie Kitchen

So many choices...

Arrivals and Departures

Daughter and son in law @ airport preparing to go home to Nebraska

“Visits always give pleasure – 
if not the arrival, the departure.”

Portuguese Proverb

Is it possible to have an entire visit with family to be filled with joy?  Yes! From arrival to departure, we had a lovely visit with our children.  Departures are sweet, they are returning to their careers, studies, and friends.

Is there one of a kind place in your community? Plan to experience it together...

Share your time with loved ones not in your immediate family

Keeping Christ the center of my life ... joy now and for eternity

Remember.. time with family is precious

Savoring the Christmas Season

I am savoring a few minutes of solitude. No music, no television, no conversation,  no errands to run, no invitations to send, no meetings to attend… Rest is a beautiful thing. Create space in your life to enjoy complete silence.   This Christmas season is perfect to relax and spend time with family.

I thank God for a full life. This month has been evident of that… Travel to South Carolina, Holiday Open House, Holiday Party for ESL students, Book Club Party, Christmas Concert, Christmas Pageants, Church, shopping, wrapping gifts, travel to airport for pick up and departures …

 Sometimes when I am real busy, I need more time in  prayer.  Waking up before our family start stirring around is the best time…

Too wonderful for words

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift." 

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Thank God for his gift too wonderful for words!

2 Corinthians 9:15 (NLT)

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

The gift... Salvation

Merry Christmas

Waiting at the airport

Waiting in Lexington

Bluegrass Airport
... now another day... another airport... Today @ Louisville's airport..

Free Christmas Gifts!

Gifts that will fit your budget... free... no returns... perfect size
I discovered  this quote today. The words vary from place to place, the truth  remains the same.

"Christmas gift suggestions:
To your friend, loyalty
To your enemy, forgiveness
To an opponent, tolerance
To your boss, service
To your parents, gratitude and devotion
To your mate, love and faithfulness
To all, charity
To every child, a good example
To yourself, respect."

Oren Arnold

Home to home

"From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other." Emily Matthews

I enjoy reading Christmas cards!

Quiet Anticipation

“What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual Christmas?  The cause is our disregard for Advent.   The church set aside this four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming.  It is a time of quiet anticipation.  If Christ is going to come again into our hearts, there must be repentance.  Without repentance, our hearts will be so full of worldly things that there will be “no room in the inn” for Christ to be born again…We have not the joy of celebration. Which is the joy, but joy of anticipation.”  John Brokhoff

Post Office and Politics

In August of 2011, I launched an online book business.  Since the launch of this resale site, I have sold nearly 80 books online. In the early days, I would ship a few books via UPS. As I examined the price of books verses the cost of shipping, I quickly went to the post office.  UPS is way too expensive.  I was not making any profit!

As a regular customer at the Post Office, my face has become familiar to many of the clerks. After several conversations, clerks informed me of the various mailing requirements.   Today, I clearly understand the rules.  United States Postal Service is critical to my small business. 

Do I understand the politics and the budget issues of the post office? Not totally, but I am better informed than I was in July. Cost cutting measures and postage increases have not been able to make the USPS profitable.  The deficit at the USPS cannot entirely attributed to the increase of emails, text messages, and on line bill paying. 

One brief commercial on MSNBC illustrated one reason for the deficit.  In this particular commercial there are two buildings  on the screen.   Money from one building is being channeled to another building.  It appeared to illustrate the point of  “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” My explanation may be lacking. Who created this commercial?  Where can we go to get answers?

I suggest you call your congressional representative’s office to gain a better understanding of the issue.  In May of 2012 the US Congress will be grapple issues of closures and potential layoffs. How will the issues be resolved?  Who knows?

Whatever the issue, informed citizens are able to make informed decisions when addressing their elected officials. In addition, Christians are called to pray for those in elected offices. See 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Today I am better informed because of this helpful clerk. 

shopping small vs. mall shopping

Shopping at small independently owned stores is a pleasure for me.  At small stores, I receive caring attention and specialized assistance. I have the opportunity  to give a unique one of a kind gifts.

I have compiled a short list of my favorite small businesses.  Some of the stores have web sites where you can purchase products 24/7. Don't live in the area?  No problem, visit their website! 

• Crushed Violet ~ Fragrance Boutique  ~ Crushed Violet ~ Lexington, KY  
• Mulberry and Lime ~ "We make living beautiful"  ~ Mulberryandlime.com ~ Lexington, KY (love)
• Sweetgrass Baskets~ Sweetgrass ~ Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion, South Carolina 
• Pottery ~  Tater Knob ~ TaterKnob ~ Berea, Kentucky
• Charlotte ~ Creates custom window treatments ( Lexington)
• Doris ~ Professional Seamstress in Tennessee 
• Jennifer ~ My cousin ~ She creates amazing handcrafted items... SewKnitChet
• Wanda ~ My friend ~ One of a kind jewelry
• My online store... MK
• Music  ~Roadmaster ( my brother!) Central Indiana

Consignment Shopping

 My Aunt Mary has a gift for discovering treasures at rummage sales or consignment stores.   I think she has a special radar. She is amazing!

Last week I took my first adventure in consignment shopping.  While we were in South Carolina, I took an afternoon and went to two stores.  Shopping List?  No, I have a list in my head.   My first stop was My Sister's Closet. Next on my list, I followed a recommendation from Robin to check out Scarlett Consignment Boutique.  I was not disappointed.  Designer clothes, purses, jewelery, shoes, jeans, and furniture were jammed packed in the stores I visited.

At the end of the day, I made one purchase.  

"A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need."  Sidney Carroll

Home is...

“Mid pleasures and palaces through we roam,

Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home;"

Charleston

Charleston ~ This city is rich in history. It is one of my favorite places to visit.  Today, I was with a group for a tour of the city.  It was a full day from morning until evening. As part of the tour, we were able to visit the Summeral Chapel on the campus of The Citadel.

“The outstanding glory of the building is its stained glass, which was designed and produced in the ateliers of the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios.”* In the chapel are “Class Windows”, they represent  thirty events in Christ life.

Source: The Citadel The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston

Creating Christmas Ornaments

One talented guest sharing her creation...

Comments, "You are so lucky your husband is attending this workshop with you."

Look at the vibrant colors he selected.

Excitement

Excitement!  It is wonderful to wake up before the alarm goes off!  I was pumped and excited about studying the Bible this morning. What a blessing.  Last evening, I was a visitor at the Savannah Evening’s Bible Study Fellowship Class.  This group is a part of an  BSF International where women and men from all over the world are studying the same portion of scripture each week.  Each week we have the opportunity to dig deep in God’s word for personal Bible Study.  While I am away from home, I don’t even think about taking a vacation from praying and studying in God’s word.

Today I was visiting with other ladies at the resort.  One of the ladies told me, when family visit me, they go to church with me.  We don’t take vacations from church attendance.   We had a lovely visit. It was interesting to learn about their regular hours of prayer. 

Today was full… Bible Study…Aqua Fitness…breakfast…visit with new friends… hanging out with my husband… making ornaments…walking... shopping...dinner… 

Serious fun

Regular exercise no matter our physical condition offers so many benefits.  Daily exercise can boost our energy, improve our mood, promote better sleep, and help with weight control.    This morning, Aqua Fitness was serious fun.

Accountability

What does accountability look like to you? What questions prompt you to examine your  actions and motives? Do you have a regular quiet time? One friend shared, when we intentionally seek accountability partners, we are seeking a deeper level of maturity. Earlier this fall, I was actively seeking friends to keep me accountable regarding my weight. 
Here is one on line definition of accountability, according to discipleship tools.org, "Accountability is sharing in confidence, our heartfelt Christian sojourn in an atmosphere of trust so we can give an answer for what we do,  see where we need help, understand our struggles and when we are weak, and be encouraged to stay on track, seek prayer, care and support when we fail and model guideposts for one another to keep us going."
I need to email a friend... my accountability partner.   

Sunset in South Carolina

How wonderful...

"How wonderful, how beautiful, when  brothers and sisters get along." Psalm 133:1 ( The Message)

Diana offers her gift of hospitality with such grace.  On Wednesday,  we were able to hear about Maureen's recent trip to Niger.   Visit the CURE site to learn more about this important work in Africa and other places.  Here is the link: CURE
Left to right: Amy, Diana, Betty, Maureen, Ruth, and Patty. ( me.. taking the picture)

Easy to love...

"Some people are just easy to love." Pastor K.D. Simmons.

 Be honest, some people are just easy to love.  It has been years since Pastor Simmons shared this truth in a teaching.   His solid Biblical teaching set me on a firm foundation as a new Christian.  As a member of a small congregation in a church outside Detroit, Michigan, I discovered how living in community with other believers can be a challenge.

Most of my friends as easy to love... we share  common interests... we share a common faith... and care about issues that have eternal significance...

What are some common interests?... Most of us love animals...  More importantly, we are students in Bible Study Fellowship.  I met my neighbor and friend Jill as she was walking her dog.  Now six years later, she is a treasured friend. We visited at my Open House on Tuesday. In a couple of weeks, I will visit her home.  I think I will take pictures of her studio.  What are your God given talents?  Whatever your gifts...  Please use them for the Glory of God.

She is an amazing artist... visit her site  click here Fine Art
Take a moment and browse some of her work. She is so gifted.
In the past she has studied with Aaron Shikler.
This week she is studying in Arizona.