Ever wonder . . .

how we do things in Texas?

As your preparing for Christmas I am sure many of you have cold weather and lots of snow but here we have none. And I am thankful. Don't get me wrong I think it is pretty to look at. And well God was really smart because someone had to live in Texas so he chose me.
Here's how we do Snow Angels . . .


I know the real ones are prettier.
And this was too cute so I had to share it...

It reminded me of this...

But the angel said to them "...I bring you good news

...Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. "

May your week be . . .

May your week be Blessed. This photo is a Blessing to me and so I share it with you tonight.
I pray that your week in all the holiday prep. is Blessed and Christ centered.

To you I send hugs and Love

Be still...

I was trying to decide what to post today and the thought came to my mind to write about preparing for Christmas. I suspect a lot of people are doing that this weekend.

As well as I . But I have no photo's ready so I thought I would share a photo of a table already prepared for a formal Christmas Dinner.


Although this is an archived photo from 2007 I got to thinking about the people that might be sitting at this table this year.

And, these verses came to mind.

Psalms 46:10-11 "Be still, and know I am God; I will be exhalted
among the nations, I will be exalted on the earth." The Lord Almight is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

As you consider the decorations of your home and the guests that will enter this season. Won't you take the time to pray that all who enter be reminded of the reason for this season.

May our God be exalted on the earth this holiday season and may we Be Still.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wordfilled Wednesday

Revelation 21:4&5 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

For more WFW visit Susan today.

More Thankfulness

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. Tomorrow will be a really busy day we are delivering turkeys and a box filled with staples to 6 families that our ministry helps through the kids backpack program.

Thursday I'll be doing this...

I love, love, love bread. We'll be eating at Cracker Barrell Thursday then Friday we are cooking. Yum I can't wait to be with everyone.

Praying you all have a wonderfully Blessed time with family. I will and I will be praying for those that are alone.

Are you ready?

I was going to make this a short post wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving but I found this post over at Rachel Anne's you'll love her blog. She was my inspiration for this blog. Here's her simple thing for today:

Are you ready for the holidays?
Me, neither. Not yet, anyway.
But with a little head start, we'll be on our way...with a festive spirit!
Even though Thanksgiving is only a few days away, there are things we can do now to insure that the day will be a peaceful celebration, instead of a frantic rush at the last minute.
Today's Small Thing do one thing ahead of time. Start by making a checklist of things to pack, things to purchase, and/or things to bake so you won't be running around like a headless chicken.
Ideas:
Check your pantry supply for baking items. I'm out of shortening and low on flour.
Purchase "extra" things like butter, eggs and milk for the extra pie or dessert you forgot to make.
Wash sheets and towels so they are ready to go before company arrives.
Wash sheets and towels so you have something clean to come home to from your trip.
Bake and store what you can, if you can keep from eating goodies ahead of time.
Clear out space in your freezer for leftovers.
Purchase storage containers so they are ready for duty after the Big Meal.
Assess tablecloth/centerpiece/serving dish situations: do you have what you need? Last year, I realized I didn't have enough glasses because I counted them up beforehand.
Polish silverware (or buy plastic ware)
Start a Christmas Planner
Ticking even one item off your list will help you relax and enjoy the next few weeks. I want to be joyful and grateful, in spite of our tight budget and time constraints, and being proactive will get me going in the right direction.

POINTS: 60 for giving yourself a head start by DOING one thing that you're tempted to procrastinate
Share your ideas! What can you do NOW that will make a difference later?

And while we're on the subject of getting ready. And thinking of things that will make a difference later. Let's think about those people and maybe family members that don't Jesus as thier personal savior. During this time of Thanksgiving wouldn't it be great to be able to be thankful for thier salvation. Pray with me today for those that are still in need of a savior.

Simple Sunday

Wishing you today the Joy that can be found in Jesus. Today we held chapel services at a prison unit for teen boys. After the service we were discussings plans for next week. And, as you would imagine we discussed the subject of Thanksgiving. We all agreed that these kids don't feel like they have a lot to be thankful for.

Sometimes all of us feel that way. Sometimes even during the preparation for a holiday feast in a few days we don't feel a lot of Joy.

But if we stop and remember that even though there might be financial hardships, family disfunction or many other reasons for less than thankful hearts; that we really can be Joyful.

We can be joyful because of what Christ did for us.

And so, I challenge you this Thanksgiving to think beyond Thankfulness and consider it pure joy that you can have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is . . .

. . . Date Night. . .
I am wondering what date night is to you?

Is it the weekly Friday night dinner out and a movie? I have a friend that has been married for close to thirty years and this has been thier tradition.

Do you have a date night with your hubby?

I want to hear about your special dates. Date night has never been a priority in our marriage and I need ideas to drag that Cowboy of mine off the couch.

Would you write a post about Date Night and then come back here and let me know.
You'll even get a chance to win a fun gift in the weekly drawing.
It's so simple:
Just write a post and come back here and leave me a comment. You don't even have to write about a real date night. Make one up. Maybe write about your dream date or fantasy date.

Who wouldn't want to be picked up by their hunk.. . . and be given an expeeeeeeeeeeensive necklace and whisked away in a limo to a private jet and flown away to another city to see the opera? I mean really even if it isn't Richard Gere. LOL. I guess you can guess one of my favorite movies is Pretty Woman. (Sorry I know we're not talking about movies here. Please no comments on that.)

Back to the subject at hand Date Night write your post! You can go over and visit the darling Denise at Shorty Bears Place (blogspot) for some fun date night ideas.

Thankfulness

Today I am joining two Thankful meme's. First continuing in the 30 Day's with Karla and posting one thing. I just couldn't leave it at one today.
So, I am joining Sonya again to post 5 more things I am thankful for.

The one thing I am thankful for is that I can hear. I was reminded of this yesterday when I visited Alicia and she was talking about worship. One of the ways that I worship is when I am in the house alone. I take that time no matter what time of day it is to turn on the c.d. package on our t.v. It plays continuous Praise and Worship music. While I listen I have a journal that I write prayers in. Most time my prayers contain the lyrics I am hearing. Opp's that leads me to my other 5!

#1 Today is being able to hear.

#2 I love Christian music. I am thankful that God gave so many people the words that I sometimes want to say but just can't articulate.

#3 I am thankful today that Cowboy was able to pay the electricity. We have heat and lights and the t.v. and the computer! I can listen to Praise music, I can visit my blogging friends and I can cook dinner. And I am thankful

#4 I am thankful that yesterday my Cowboy was surprised by a visit from our SIL (Son in Love) and our grandson.

#5...Which should have been #1. . . I am thankful that my Cowboy had a birthday yesterday. Which was the reason for the surprise visit.

Thank you for coming and visiting today. Please leave a comment and please hang around awhile. Hopefully I have written something that will encourage or inspire you.

And if you don't know I am still doing Friday Date Night. Post about a special date with your man or post about a dream date.

Word Filled Wednesday

Welcome to Wordfilled Wednesday created by Amy Deane and hosted today by Christy
over at Critty Joy.

When I first saw this photo I knew I would have to use it for these verses.
I hope you enjoy this lovely illustration of God's word.






These commands that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6&7

Thanksgiving plans . . .

I found this somewhere. This is the table I plan to set for Thanksgiving day.

I am looking forward to having at least part of my family together.

I am praying for all those that will attend.

Come over here for more details about my decorating, menu etc.

Wednesday Preview

preview of my Wordfilled Wednesday post and my White Wednesday post that will be here.

Come back tomorrow to see my WFW. And please visit my White Wednesday post too.

Thank you God for . . .

Today I am joining Karla again in sharing our thankful hearts.
Here's what I am thankful for today . . .


I found this somewhere on the net and it cracked me up. I was waiting for the perfect chance to use it. I love my animals and no these are not mine!
I am thankful that God gave us pets. They just bring so much happiness.
And well they are just like our heavenly Father. The exist for us to love.
Have you loved a pet today?

May your week be . . .

filled with Thankfulness

30 Days of Thanksgiving is still going on over at Karla's please join her in celebrating the many things we have to be thankful for.

Today my one thing is . . .

A day off from having to leave the house. I had an extremely busy week and weekend last week so I have tons to catch up on.

As I labor I pray you have a Blessed Day

30 Days Thankful for . . .

Today I thought I would something that I am thankful for every morning. Almost. I alway wake up in the morning to the sun shining through my window and my first thought is to pray and thank God for a beautiful sun shiney day.

I love the sun. I love it when it is just warmth on my face. When the weather is just pleasant. We have been having some pleasant days the last couple of weeks. And I guess I am also thankful for no rain. My tomato's are growing. I am planning home grown tomato's for Thanksgiving. They might be fried green but I'll have some for the table. Thanks to the sun.

I pray that your day is sunny and bright. And for more encouragement visit Karla the hostess of the 30 Days of Thanksgiving.

Thankful for. . .

Today I am Thankful for and amazing person that has encouraged many. . .

That person is the amazing Amy Deane. Thank you Amy for starting Wordfilled Wednesday and bringing us all together to share God's word. You have encouraged many. Above is one of Amy's wonderful WFW illustrations.

Your invited to join us for Friday Date Night write a post and link her to be entered in the weekly give away. Go here to learn more.

Today I am thankful for . . .

Today I am thankful for Jesus. It is because of Him that we can have real peace and joy. It is because of His love and the love of our Father that we can have eternal life. And it is because of thier love that we are able to love others.

My prayer for you today is that you have real peace and Joy and that you feel the abundant Love that is given you.

When I was looking for photo's for my mosaic the other day I found this. I wanted to share it with you today.

Can you just imagine walking alone down this road and knowing that as you are walking that your really not alone?

Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday. Today I am sharing two of my favorite things.

Horses and boots. I just love a comfy pair of boots.

Upper right are a pair of broke in sturdy boots.

In the center is my Cowboy no boots in this photo he had stopped by after work. This photo is probably 12 years old but I love it. The horse on the left is the same one in the bottom photo. We got him when he was 10. He was Cowboys horse for 3 years then our daughter inherited him. They are photo'd together on the bottom. We had him till he was 28.

The top boots I thought were fun. I would love to wear fun boots and skirts. Then bottom left are working boots. And lastly is a photo I found on the internet of a horse.

Thanks for visiting today and seeing two of my favorite things. For more mosaics go over to
Little Red House and you can go over to my other blog to see more of my favorite things.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Thank you for visiting me today for Then Sings My Soul hosted by Amy.

Today I am especially glad you visited because I am sharing a very special video; that makes my heart sing and brings tears to my eyes. It is a departure from the normal video you will see and hear. Not only here but on the other blogs that I hope you visit today.

But the message of Hope and God's love is the same.



Last night I went on a date with my Cowboy.
We went to the 2009 OneHeartBowl at Faith Christian School. The outpouring of God's love for the players of the game last night made my soul sing. A team roster for Gainesville was passed out and here's what it said....

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Simply put, last year's game resulted in changed lives. It is our hope that many more lives and
hearts will be touched by your participation in this expression of love. The average rate of juvenile offenders returning to prison is 80%. As of today, every player from last year's
Tornado team that has been released HAS REMAINED FREE. We can continue this positive
influence, and ask you to pray with us as we continue our relationship with Gainesville
State School.
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me" Matthew 25:45
Included on the roster was a request for mentors and pen pals. And a request for everyone to pray for the team.

And my Soul Sang. Today I pray that those present last night and those that hear this story; either here, through the media or see the movie that is coming out soon will take the challenge and pray for the kids. Not only those incarcerated in Texas but all over our nation. These throw away kids need to hear the message of the Gospel.

For more infomation on OneHeart visit OneHeartMovie.com

My post yesterday has a few photo's from last years game.

Friday Date Night

I have a date tonight. Guess where I am going?



















Yes. I am going to a high school football game.

To see Faith Christian play Gainesville State School. These photo's are from last years game. Which we did get to see. It was amazing. There were a ton of news stories about the game.

It was amazing last year to be apart of the evening. We had no idea what was going on when we sat down on the State School side. We are volunteers for Texas Youth Commission and this game happened to be close to our home so we went to support the boys. When we sat down there were some parents from Faith Christian on our side but we just thought it was overflow. It was Faith's homecoming.

But it wasn't over flow. They were sitting on our side to cheer our boys! Instead of doing a one of those tunnels for the home team to run through at the beginning of the game Faith's parents and kids did it for Gainesville State School.

So tonight I have a date! Kind of like old times. Goin' with my honey to a high school game.

Do you have a date night planned? Or an afternoon on Saturday?

Or are you like me you dream of date night?

Yep that's right I dream of date night. And I bet there are bunch of you girls out there that dream of a chance to run off with your sweetie for date. Even a few minutes of quiet alone without a toddler or teenager needing your attention.

Girls we all need a chance to re-kindle that flame that drew us to our sweet heart.

And maybe there are those like me that need encouragement and ideas to drag our honey off the couch or out of the garage or away from the computer.

So help us out and share your dates with us. Give us some ideas for date nights. Especially those cheap ideas because let's face it there are a bunch of us that are on a budget. Or have no budget at all. Write a post and grab the date night photo then come back here to my blog and leave me a comment to let me know you wrote a post. You can do it anytime during the week.

Each Monday I'll choose my favorite idea and send you a thank you present. If you don't get it posted before Monday that's o.k. it'll just go into the next week.

I cannot wait to see all the ideas. Have a great weekend and enjoy your Hubby.

Date Night

Is a date night a priority for you and your husband? It isn't with mine. When did that happen? When did we get to the point where life crashed in and took away the joy and the fun times we used to have together.

Maybe your not at that place right now. But I think and I suspect that there are many that would agree with me if your not careful that is where you will end up.

So girl friends I challenge you to work at finding time for you and your man.

Don't let the kids, or finances, time, or work or even ministry to take away from spending time alone with your man. Maybe your in a rut or just plan tired. And maybe finances enter into the equation.

Maybe your like me and all of the above are your problem.

I need creativity. I need some ideas so if your one that has a date night or afternoon or morning whatever. Or maybe your like and don't have date night but maybe you have a fabulous idea.

Will you write a post about it. Share with those of us that need some encouragement.

And, you don't even have to do it on Friday the official Date Night day. You can post any day.

Just come back here and leave me a comment. And the fun thing about it is I'll choose my favorite suggestion of the week and send you a gift. Just for writing a post. How simple is that.

So help me out here. Write a post and give me some ideas for Date Night

Thankfulness

(updated at 11:38 with links...filing this post in dummies at blogging!)

I found this fun idea over at Denise's . You can visit Karla and join us in being thankful.

Today I am simply thankful for my blogging friends. Old and new. Yesterday Karla's post was about the telephone and she feared that being thankful for it was a bit silly. But I say no. I am so grateful for it and for this wonderful medium of blogging, texting and email. Just imagine what it would have been like many years ago when we waited on snail mail. We would not have felt peace from God through wonderful encouragement from other woman nearly as often. And, we would not have had the chance to make so many friends.

So today I am thankful that God gives me this opportunity to meet many people. And I am thankful they you are all so sweet and kind to pray for me and encourage me.

Why is it sometimes your links work and sometimes they don't? Denise's link is on my sidebar. You can find Karla by visiting Denise. I will work on fixing those links once the grandbaby gets here and settled in to play today.
Oh...can I add one more thing I am thankful for? You guessed it my sweet grandbaby. When I come back I'll add a photo.

WordFilled Wednesday prayer request

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your step.
Proverbs 3:5&6

I chose these images this morning and this verse to illustrate the struggles that I am facing.

I have mentioned here before that it is my prayer that the desires of my heart come from God. That those desires are placed there by him. That my heart is not open to distraction from the evil one. That...
...Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.

It is my prayer that the decisions we make personally and for the ministry are plans that God has given us. That he will make our path straight and that he will show us where he wants us to step and where to go.

I included the photo of the sand because I pray that God is carrying us now. That the absence of two sets of footprints illustrates his holding us and carrying us through.

Dear one's I ask you to lift me and my Cowboy up. We have some big decisions to make.

Those decisions include where we will have "our" church membership and where will be able to be discipled, and encouraged.

These decisions include new doors that are opening for the chapel ministry that we do on Sunday at a youth prison facility.

Five years ago I felt God leading us to partner with a larger church in our area to plant a church for youth.

And now five years later it seems the doors are opening. A large church....no Huge church in our area is considering adopting our ministry. The amount of support that could be gained from a partnership is overwhelming and exciting.

The only thing is it is not the church that I feel God leading me. We have visited this church half a dozen times. And each time I walk away with the feeling I don't like it here.

And so there is my personal dilema. As a ministry this is a wonderful opportunity. Personally I question.

And so dear friends I ask you to please pray for me. Please pray for our ministry.

And please if you have words of wisdom or encouragement please, please leave them here.

Many Blessings and Happy WFW and Blessing to all the WFW participants today. Thanks Pennyhttp://pennyraine.com for hosting this week.

Friday Date Night update join us....

Update on Friday Date night. I need your help. Join me come up with some great ideas for date night with your hubby. You can write your post any day. And you can have your date any day or night. Let's face it girls some of us are loooooooooooong over due for a date night.

Like my friend Kim who got to go out the other night see below....

Oh the poor girl was so loooooooong over due. But they had a fabulous time and she even posted photo's you'll have to go to Kim's Date Night and read the rest of the post. And lucky girl that she is because her post was so cute she is getting a prize this week.

Last week because Denise wrote a post and then came over told me she won a great prize. And Hip Chick wrote a cool post too. It was hard to choose my favorite so I chose both of them.

So join us and helps out and write a post and then stop over here and tell me. I might choose yours as my favorite this week and you'll win a prize.

Here's the original post about Friday Date Night.

Here's the link to Denise's post. Here's the link to Hipchick's post.

Oh and before I wanted to tell you how I happened to meet Kim. She doesn't even know this but. It was because of her profile photo. Here's why....

I almost envy her. I wish I could be this cute in a hat! O.K. so you think I am weird. You can see how weird by going to my What's In A Name post. There I explain all about what blogs I visit and why.

Happy Date Night everyone!

Colors of Fall Mosaic Monday

Welcome to Mosaic Monday. I chose a few photo's that showed some Fall colors. I hope you enjoy these.
I use Picasa for my photo's and it wasn't cooperating this morning so took me a long time to get this done. And then when I tried to post. Below is what posted. So I thought it would be fun to leave it. And give each a caption.

This one was from Country Living. It reminded me of the house that my kids grew up in. We had a bunch of steps to the front door. Ours had a brick wall on either side made for great decorating!

This is another Country Living shot. I cropped this one to remove the Halloween part. I liked it because this look could stay through Thanksgiving.

This one I found on Frontporches.com. I cropped it too in order to remove the real Halloween look but I just loved the orange door!

I really don't know where I found this one. Hopefully I didn't steal it from someone's blog. LOL. If I did I give you credit whoever you are.

Thanks for posting it and giving me the idea for Fall theme dinnerparty.

For more fun mosaics visit Dear Little Red House.

Simple Sunday

Wherever your worshipping today whether in a traditional place of worship or a not so traditional place.
I am praying God will meet you where you are.

We will be Praising, worshipping and teaching in a non traditional place.

Not in a chapel.

Not in a specific place designated for worship.

But in the dayroom of a prison facility.

God is there making our Sunday simply His.