keep your word

 “Don’t resolve to do something so easy it doesn’t require a resolution, nor something so hard no resolution could make it achievable. Resolutions are for raising the bar, not for laying the bar on the ground and hopping over it or for putting the bar too high for anyone to reach.

Make your resolutions in public. The fear of social pressure, whether it materializes or not, will help you keep your word, because you are pledging not just to yourself but to others."

Source: ... This quote is from an article in January's issue of the Wall Street Journal. The article  is a worthwhile read.  While I don't agree with much in the article, it provides some food for thought. I have misplaced the reporter's name. 😢 I apologize.  

So on this last day of January 2018,  I thought I would look back with others who may have made resolutions at the beginning of the year. While I no longer make resolutions, I select one word to help keep me focused the entire year.  So what is my one word? 

My one word in found in this scripture from 1 Corinthians 15: 58 "Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD...

My word is always abounding ... okay it is two words... Yet, these words resonates for me. My desire is to always abound in the work of the LORD. 

What about you? 

 Are you possibly thinking about  one word for the remaining part of 2018. I suggest you visit Margaret Feinberg's website. Here is the link: #oneword Once your arrive at the site... you will find so many helpful resources! 

Tasty Tuesday ... soup

"Do you have a kinder, more adaptable friend in the world than soup?  Who soothes you when you are ill? Who refuses to leave you when you are improvised and stretches its resources to give a hearty sustenance and cheer? Who warms you in the winter and cools you in the summer? Yet who is also capable of doing honor to your richest table impressing your most demanding guests? Soup does it loyal best, no matter what undignified conditions imposed upon it. You don't catch steak hanging around after your poor and sick,  do you?
Judith Martin

Monday Musing... Puzzles

Today is National Puzzle Day. Did you know that when you work on a jigsaw puzzle you use both sides of your brain. Do you want to improve your  problem solving skills, memory, and cognitive ability? Go buy a puzzle! Have fun! 

On my dining room table, I am working on a new puzzle. I hope to show you my progress next week. 
😃

believe

"If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the  dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believed and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and  are saved."

Romans 10: 9 - 10 ( NIV)

Pet of the week ... Pippin

Pippin is a Bichon and this week's pet. Pippin was named for the character in the book, Lord of the Rings. In the book, Pippin was one of the littlest Hobbits. In addition, Pippin sometimes got in trouble.

In the second picture, Pippin and Mr. Bingley are taking a moment to look outside. Mr. Bingley is a Westie.

These two dogs have been friends since they were puppies.  Special thanks to my friend Ann for sharing these two pictures.

Friendship Friday ... Ann

"I no longer have the energy for meaningless friendships, forced interactions, or unnecessary conversations."
Source: online

As I have grown older, I cherish the joy of having deep conversations. I appreciate friendships that challenge me to invest my time and energy into the meaningful relationships.

Ann is a treasured friend.

 ...  A few years ago, she was a Disaster Counselor who helped people who were impacted by the floods in West Virginia. Last November, she invited her Sunday School class to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. Most recently, she opened her open her home to parents who were visiting their son who was a patient at the local Veterans Hospital. Ann is a beautiful example of  how she is using her God given gifts to bless others.

Ann ... she is such a delight!
She is a great model for the joy of the Lord. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

Today is National Pie Day!

Advice from Martha Stewart

"So the pie isn't perfect? 

Cut into wedges. Stay in control, and never panic."

Hope this piece (not peace)🙁 of advice helps. 

🙂

Monday Musings

"May your walls

know joy;

May every room

hold laughter

and every 

window open to 

great possibility!"

source of quote : soulspacekc

Can anything good come from there?

"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Phillip, he said to him, "Follow me." Phillip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Phillip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one that Moses wrote about in the Law and about whom the Prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" asked Nathanael.

"Come and see." said Phillip

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit. "

"How do you know me?"  Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Phillip called you."

Then Nathanael declared, Rabbi, "You are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. "Then, he added, "Very truly you will see the heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

John 1: 43- 50

Pets of the week, Buddy and Livvie

"Animals have come to mean so much in our lives. We live in a fragmented and disconnected culture. Politics are ugly, religions is struggling, technology is stressful, and the economy is unfortunate. What's one thing that we can have in our live that we can depend on? A dog or cat loving unconditionally every day, very faithful."
Jon Katz

I agree with part of this quote. While pets are a lovely part of our lives, I find my peace and strength in God's Word. The Word is timeless in its wisdom and application for daily living.

While pets are a part of our lives, they are not the most important part of our life.

This picture  cannot capture the sweetness of these Labradors. In December, I met this two
pets at Ginny's home.  Trust me, they have so much energy. In this picture, they are resting.
I think Buddy is the first one. Livvie is resting on her Buddy.

Friendship Friday

"The great thing about

new friends is that

they bring new

energy to 

your soul." 

Shanna Rodriquez

Grateful for this friendship.  We share a love of family, friends, books, and music.

Winter Exercise

What is your favorite winter exercise? Do you ski or snowboard? What about ice skating?  Maybe you like walking in the winter. Or perhaps you enjoy  some of the new exercise trends like virtual boxing, floating yoga, hotpot yoga,  boutique rowing,  and water workouts. Yes, water workouts continue to remain popular. I love senior exercise. So many options! 

When the temperatures are in the single digits it would be easy to take a break from exercising.  It is difficult  to brave icy roads to  go to exercise class. After indulging over the holidays with lots of Christmas calories, I made the decision to return to my regular exercise routine. 

It would have been easy to stay in the warm house. Easy is not always a good thing. 

When classes are cancelled I have a built in excuse to stay at home. I decided to skip this excuse. 

Usually this locker room is full of activity and women. It is weird having the locker room this quiet. No conversations, no showers, no running water,  and the hair dryers remain silent. As the temperatures begin to climb, I know this room will soon be filled with conversations and activity.
Until then, I make my way to class every day. 

Wordless Wednesday

Tasty Tuesday

“Chocolate is the first luxury.

It has so many things wrapped up in it:

Deliciousness in the moment, childhood memories, and grin-inducing feeling of getting a reward for being good.”

Mariska Hargitay

I visit Chocolate Holler to treat myself to a little luxury. In the summer, I sipped cold chocolate milk. In the winter, I love to sample the different varieties of hot chocolate.

I have grown to appreciate this cozy place.

Last month it was quite a sight to see crowds of college students preparing for finals. At each table, students had papers, computers, books, pencils, and cups of hot beverages all lined up on smooth wooden tables.  More inviting than a cold campus library, this place was transformed into a cozy and inviting living room.

Whoever is behind the counter, they always ask, “What are you up to today?” They want to know each customer’s name. They are truly building community. Visit their website to learn more about this extraordinary place: Click here : CHOCOLATE HOLLER

Emma is a recent graduate of UK. I appreciate that they are intentional about knowing the names
of their customers. Sometimes they guide the conversations into deep waters.
I really like this place ... most importantly, I like the people. 

Monday Musing ... waiting

"When a dog is willing to sit for hours and stare out the window waiting for you to come home, it's safe to say he in bonded to you as if with Super Glue."
Peter Zheutlin author of Rescued

Franklin is a perfect illustration of waiting for his owner to return.  How long did he stay like this? I'm not for sure. I think it is safe to say it was for over an hour.

 Events in our lives are often lessons in unexpected places.

"We get impatient for 

the next step, the provision,

the destination to be revealed ...

and forget that so often, 

in the stillness of the waiting, 

He is revealed.

God is at work in ways,

you can't even imagine." 

MB Anderson 

Bagel

Tell me what you think. Isn't this pug adorable! When you look at his face, you simply have to smile. Pugs may be small, but they are big in personality and cuteness.

Bagel is a rescue pug who has been rescued by my friend Becky. Special thanks to Becky for sharing her pictures.

"Nobody's perfect ... But if your a Pug owner your pretty close."
Author unknown

Bagel and Clinton relaxing in their dog beds.
If I had a dollar for every time a Pug made me smile,
I would be a millionaire."
Author Unknown

Friendship Friday

"Friends make life a little sweeter" 

Author unknown 

While friends make life sweeter, they also lighten our burdens, share our grief, dry our tears,  share in our joy, and most importantly pray. May God bless you with friends who pray for you. 

Friends from BSF 

Monday Musings

"The high road is measured

by its nearness to the sky

not its distance from the gutter."

Karen Swallow Prior

let light shine out of darkness

"Therefore since though God's mercy we have this ministry we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways, we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. 
On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age had blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus's sake. For God said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledges of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."

2 Corinthians 4: 1 - 6 (NIV)