It's Done, Over, Kaput . . .

Absolutely through with The Count Down . . .
It's here my last post of 2012 . . .
And I am kind of Happy to end it with Blue Monday one of my favorite days. 
Countining with my repost Count Down here are my fav Blue's of  the year . . .


From a few weeks ago this one made me Sigh . . .



From one of my January posts.  Adorable.  The post was titled Don't Fence Me In.  Click here to see all the cute Blues.  (I loved doing this one!)





And a post filled with hmmm.  Click Here Beware. LOL!


And I think one of the most fun to put together was the Blue Picnic.  Click here. 

So which was your Favorite.  Not sure?  Well you could go over and visit Sally for a few more Blues.

Happy New Year

I began  2012 feelin' lonely . . .

I used this photo on my header to remind myself that I am not alone.  That even though you can only see one set of footprints that, I am not alone . . .

There is someone I can talk to.  Someone willing to listen.  But it is hard,

Even though in my head I know that I am not alone.  Even though I know that My God is with me in my human spirit I need more.  I need someone to say "Hi." "How are you?" I need someone to spend a few minutes and just ask me How I am.....
Tonight I read a few comments/posts on facebook that made me stop and think.   I have a lot of friends 'out there' that are lonely.  I have a lot of friends that would just love for someone to say . . .
"Hi.  How are you doing?" 

Is there someone in your circle of friends or family that needs some encouragement? 

Maybe they just need someone to say. . . "I care." 

There is someone I know that needs a little extra special attention right now. 

There is someone I know that needs just an extra hug.  Even though it is sent through the world wide web....she knows I care. 

There is someone I know that needs to be reminded that God is there.  He may seem distant.  He may seem silent today.  But someday soon she will see His plan....because His plan is to give her a future.  A future that is filled with Hope because he says he will.  

Are you facing frustrations and pain tonight?

Are you asking yourself will I always be alone? 

Dear friend I want you to know you are not alone.  There are times I feel alone.  But I just have to stop and realize that I have sweet, sweet friends that God has put in my life that help me remember that I am not alone.  God is with me.  He may seem far away.  He may seem distant.   

But if I open my heart and I allow he'll provide.  I may not realize it until much later but when I stop and think about I always realize God was with me even when I didn't think so.

Tonight if you need a word of encouragement or a reminder of God's love please let me know.  I would love to pray with you. 

I would love to show you just how much God love's you. 

You can have two sets of footprints too....just ask God to join you!

Wishing You Love and Blessings on the Journey . . .

Count Down and Songs of My Heart

Today I am continuing my Count Day to New Years with sharing my favorite posts from 2012.
Since it's Saturday I wanted to share a Then Sings My Soul post. But . . .


I found a new linky and I loved the challenge they posed. To share a song about Beginnings.

This wonderful old song was the first song I posted for Then Sings My Soul back in 2010.
A new beginning for me. Sharing songs each week.

As I think of the words and as it plays in a seperate window it brings back many, many memories for me.

This song became popular way back in the day when I was in high school. I sang it in church choir.

Although I loved the song the beat and melody at the time and the words I don't think I really allowed the beauty of these words penetrate my sould. (At least I don't remember)


Till by faith I met him face to face
And I felt the wonder of his grace
The I knew that
he was more than just a God that didn't care . . .
Now he walks beside me day by day
Ever watching over me lest I stray
Helping me to find that narrow way

He's Everything to Me

So as 2013 Begins I want to remember these words and I want Him to be . . .

Everything to My Journey

Linking with Amy for Then Sings My Soul. Click Here.

Linking with Saturdays Song
Click Here

Count Down When Dreams Die

 

 

Today as part of my Count Down to the New Year I am sharing a post I wrote back in

July.  It began as a hard post to write but as I wrote it became easier and easier.

 

 My daughters heart was broken when she realized that she would have to seperate from her husband and that she would ultimately file for divorce and fight for sole custody. My daughters dream was broken because she did not want to fail 'her' God. My daughter was devestated. My daughter was heart broken. But, she realized that God was giving her an amazing testimony.

The pain she has suffered, the brokeness is replaced by God's unfailing love. And, it is her hearts desire to help someone else through their pain. It is her hearts desire to use her pain and brokeness to help someone else through her testimony.

 

The part I want to share with you today is about coping with Broken Dreams.  If your interested in reading my entire post click here.   If not here's the important part . . .

 

When a dream dies or when a heart is broken it is not uncommon to go through a form of grief not unlike the loss of a loved one.

 

Girl, if you are there today I want to encourage you. You are not alone! The pain you are feeling is not uncommon. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about or to feel guilt over.



If you’re suffering from the death of a dream or the loss of a relationship I’d like to share with you 4 tips for coping with this type of loss:


1.) Speak Truth to Yourself


Feelings are real but they aren’t always true. Focus on what you know is truth in the situation and dig down deep into the ultimate source of truth, God’s Word.


2.) Don’t Weather the Storm Alone



If you let him God will send you someone to share your burden . . .
Don’t keep your pain locked up inside. Find a strong girl friend or mentor who you can share your heart with as someone who you can trust to encourage you and remind you of
the Truth
 
3.) Choose Joy  and Hope

Though we can’t always control our emotions we can control our response to the emotions. Choosing to respond with joy doesn’t mean we always feel happy inside but rather that we do not allow our heart to grow bitter, instead we set our hope on the Sure Foundation that will not move.   Look for the sunshine . . .


4.) Don’t Waste Your Pain

There is a purpose for even the greatest of pain. Look for the good that came out of your hurt. Allow yourself to learn from the pain and take each lesson to heart and use it as a growth point not a growth stopper.


 
  Photos and scripture not included in original posts. . . Written by: Ashley

Ashley is a stay-at-home daughter preparing for her future dream of being a wife and mother. She blogs at www.stayathomedaughter.com where she shares her passion for Christ, Biblical femininity and preparation for the future. She enjoys ministering in song, being a wedding cake decorator, long time babysitter, and new author of “Keeping House…While Keeping Sane”.
Click here to visit Ashley's blog.

It was through another bloggers post that I was reminded of God's love and provision. 

I pray that today if your reading this post that you are Blessed and encouraged on your Journey . . .

 

The Best of 2012 Count Down

Do you count down to New Years? What about thinking about Resolutions and Goals and Plans?

For many this time of year many think about the negative of the last year.  Making resolutions to do this or that.  To not do this or that. 

That isn't my mind set.  I want to look at the beauty of what God did this last year. 

I had a goal this year that I didn't tell anyone about.  I wanted to reach 100 followers.  And thanks to you all #117 joined me yesterday! 

So today for my last Thankful Thursday  I want to say I am Thankful for you!  All you sweet new friends. 

And to celebrate you and . . .

 
The New Year. . . I am going to do something a little different the next few days. 

I enjoyed my Christmas Countdown and I hope that you did too because I am going to count down to New Years.  

Over the next few days I am going to share with you my Fav's.  And I hope they are yours to or at least you 'like' them or get some encouragement. 

While many are planning parties . . .


for a few close friends . . .

Or maybe a Family get together . . .

I am planning a party for you.  I hope that everyday of 2013 there will be a party going on here
at My Journey.  I hope our Journey together is Blessed and filled with fun and happiness and things that makes us Smile. 

One of my favorite posts this year was titled Do you have enough?

. . . Christmas Lights.  I really enjoyed putting this one together.  Click here to view my collection of Christmas light photo's.   This was a fun one and meant to make you . . .

My next favorite was just a short post with an adorable snap . . .


Click here to read my post about 'Making time for God'

I love snapping pics of my grandson.  He is 4 1/2 now and has decided he doesn't like his picture taken.  Sometimes.  Just depends on his mood.  The other day we were at In and Out Burger.  I tried bribes and that didn't work so I had to get really creative.  I told him I didn't want to take a picture of him.  I wanted to take a picture of his shirt.  It worked! 

I am sure at some point this one will be back with a caption and more of the story. 

May your day be filled with Smiles and many Blessings. 

Please pray for my friend Denise of Shorty Bear's Place.  I am sure you know here if not you are missing out.  Denise is a wonderful woman of God and a Huge Blessing to me and many others.  She is having some medical problems.  Please pray God will give the doctors wisdom.   We Love You Shorty Bear!

Enjoy Your Journey!

Wordfilled Wednesday Filled With Words

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
² Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
³ Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalm 33:1,2,3



O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!



My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.




Thank you Father for your love.  Thank you for lighting up my world. 

Oh for a thousand tongues to sing to give you glory and Praise! 

Praying your day is filled with smiles and God's love . . .

 

Linking with Wordfilled Wednesday

Click here

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

May your day be filled with Happiness and Cheer

and Smiles . . .

The Last Tip . . . Make It

Merry . . .


Is your day filled with hussle and bustle getting ready for tonight or tomorrw?  I know many of us have wonderful evenings planned with family.  And, there are those of us with last minute shopping but even though we may be getting a little frazzled  my last tip is to   take it easy, slow down and Be Merry . . .




Even if things in your home seem like this right about now . . .

(I love this pic I am going to wear it out. LOL)  even if your loved ones have faces like this right now remember it is because of those little faces that you are doing what your doing.  Even if they are 16,20 or 30 years old! 



I am praying right now that your Christmas is Merry and filed with love.  


Merry Christmas

Merry Chirstmas Blue Monday

A little Merry . . .




And some Blue.  Make that adorable Blue. 


And a little Chirstmas Blue Skies . . .




And some almost Blue. 





Merry Christmas

linking with Sally for Blue Monday.  Click Here
May your Journey be filled with Smiles . . .

.

Count Down Traditions and a Recipe Secret

Counting Down 2 Days to Christmas  and sharing Family Traditions and a Recipe Secret . . .
It  took a lot for me to share 'this secret' but since we're all sisters in faith I decided I needed to open my heart and give you a Gift. 

But first the tradition that lead to the 'Secret'.  I am sharing it today because this Tradition began on a Sunday.


The Sunday night Smorgasbord . . .

            Source
When our kids were young (late elementary and jr. high) we began a Sunday night tradition of cooking and eating party type food.  I love appitzers and making them for parties.  Our Sunday night tradition was one where I tested a lot of food . . .

                 Source

We had these at a resturant and so I tried them at home.  Way back in the day (this was in the 80's) this was a new thing.  An Irish nacho.   Basically a simple potato slice with cheese, bacon,  and chives. 
This one was a keeper!
                    
                                 Source

We tried all kinds of ideas.  Stuffed mushrooms were a keeper with the men but our daughter didn't go for them. 

Another none keeper were those tortilla's filled with different things and rolled up.  They didn't go over with any of them!

One thing they really seemed to enjoy was stuffing won ton wrappers with diffrent things and frying them. 

This was a night we threw caution to the wind and tried new and different things.  We didn't worry too much about nutrition or healthy eating.  I did try during the week to cook as healthy as possible.

One of our favorites . . .


Home made chili.  Which I  now serve in these bowls.  (This imagine was found on Ebay.)    When my kids were growing up I only had one of these bowls.   The one bowl was my fathers chili bowl when I was growing up.  He ate canned Wolf Brand Chili in it.  It brings back sweet memories for me.  I began collecting the bowls.  I only have 4 but they are special to me. 

On cold wintery evenings I would take a break from the Smorgasbord and make a pot of chili.  Usually those were the afternoons I was involved in working on a quilting project and didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen.  Throwing together a pot of chili is simple.  Brown some meat, add some spices and set it on the stove to simmer. 

We're Texas and our chili doesn't have beens.  It is thick and gravy like.  Personally I don't like tomatoes in my chili but I like the flavor and so I have adapted recipes till I had my own version. 

Here are my secret and tips . . . I use either 1 small can V8 or a Knorr tomato boillion cube in my chili.  Gives the perfect flavor without hunks of tomato.  And now the Big Secret and My Christmas gift to you.  I add a hershey kiss to the pot.  Yep.  It add's something I am not sure but it just flavors the chili just right.    

If your interested in a Texas version of Chili try my secrets! 

Tip 2

Traditions . . . I love traditions.  When I think of traditions I have mixed feelings.  My mother is a very traditional person.  Her world revolves around tradition.  But not in a good way.  I work at making tradition fun . . .


We began a new tradition a couple of years ago.  Our kids are grown and have families of their own.  This new tradition is one I share with my daughter.  We get together and decide on the family gatherings and plan the menus.   Alot of the recipes I used on our Sunday Smorgasbord nights came from the Goose Berry Patch books.  I love them.

The above photo is from one of our planning lunches.  Click here to read the post. 

I love our new tradition of the Christmas brunch we get up early and go to the rehab facility where we minister for do nuts and Christmas carols.  And then we make our way over to our daughters.  It is fun being with our grandson and watching him open gifts.  I take a million pictures! 

Tomorrow I'll be spending the day cooking.   I'll bake a ham.  Stir up some brunch potatoes.  I found a new recipe for muffin tin omelets.  And a new recipe for Sausage/Ham puffs makes 24!  I might get tired fillin' those tiny tins! 

I am lookin' forward to continuing our New Tradition.  And, when I stumble onto an old favorite recipe I smile as old memories are brought to mind.  

Traditions old and new.  So,  do you have traditions that bring a smile to your face? 

Thank you for joining me on the Journey today . . .

Merry Christmas