What I did this morning

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Took a little break this morning to take photo's. I'll be posting my new trade item soon. Stay tuned.

Tuesday Trade Day

I have a new trade for today but will have to post later. The grandbaby starts pre-school today and I am recruited to take photo's. I'll add the new trade soon.
I am still offering this.


Still tryin' to trade this Pottery Barn tray. You can go here to see my first Tuesday Trade Day
post. I am willing to trade it. What do you have? Leave me a comment if you want to trade.

Book Review

I just finished reading a great book from Thomas Nelson publishers.

Voices of the Faithful is a collection of inspiring stories from missionaries all over the world.
The group of stories was compiled by The International Mission Board.

There are many wonderful stories of faith and God's mercy, grace and His Faithfulness.
The stories are set up in a devotional format with 366 devotionals. You could easily take a few minutes everyday and come away both lifted up and encouraged.

This would be a great gift book for someone in the ministry. Or a great book for the family. The stories are short and would be great to use to complement a home school missions study or reading book. And the stories are very easy to read.

Each story begins with a verse and ends with a short sentence prayer. Each of the stories are written in first person by the missionary. Reading the story makes you feel like your reading a letter from the person.

Here's an example of one of the stories:

The writer shares about God's provision. They were worried about the economic condition they were facing and wondering how they would stretch thier last $100.00 to feed thier family of 8.

Vicky writes...' One day he (speaking of her husband) came home very anxious about the immediate future of our family budget. On the same day, God had something to teach us. We heard a knock on the back door; and upon answering it we found our unemployed neighbor . . . That day our neighbor was standing there with a huge bag in arms filled with potatoes, vegtables and even some cookies. '

This is just one example of the many stories that share God's faithfulness and provision.

This book is available at Amazon you can go here and purchase. Or you can purchase at your local Life Way or online here's thier link and my review there.

Thanks for visiting.

Day Book Entry

FOR TODAY January 18th ... from Sherry's Daybook
Outside my window... the sun is up and it offers a beautiful day today
I am thinking... I am excited I am about to finish my mothers lap quilt
I am thankful for... God allows me to serve him!
I am wearing... light blue sweat pants with a pocket and a henley with socks I found under my bed slippers and my robe because it is cold. About the socks I have a habit of wearing them to bed then pushing them off when I get to hot. LOL.
I am remembering... Fun times when the kids were growing up
I am going... to stay home as much as I can this week. Baby will only be here today.
I am currently reading... nothing waiting on my next book to review. BTW I have two just finished and will be posting reviews and offer give a ways.
I am hoping... that we get the cable paid today. Cowboy has to go sell our bicycles today to pay it .
On my mind... Moving furniture and praying Cowboy goes along with my plan and My Home Sanctuary (my other blog) and making my home a sanctuary
Noticing that... I am feeling old and tired and my body hurts. I hope it is only the cold.
Pondering these words... "Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary ...never the less we lay them at your feet. " lyrics from Emanuel God with Us by Mercy Me.
From the kitchen... for tonight last of the left over ham and boxed potatoes
Around the house...cleaning and organizing to prepare to switch the family room to my sewing room my sewing room to Cowboys room and combining Cowboys room into family room. Which I am tired to think of doing this anyway which will make the living room a really formal room instead of the t.v. room. If you didn't get all that I'll post photo's.
One of my favorite things....being able to sew. Which hopefully I'll still be able to do during the moving.
From my picture journal...



A quilt on my design wall that I hope to finish soon. I only have a couple of trees left to applique and then add borders. It probably won't get quilted for a few more months because I want to practise on some other things but hopefully by fall it will be hanging.

Thanks for visiting this morning and go over to Peggy's for more Day Book posts.

Simple Sunday

What does worship look like to you? When I think of church this is what I think of. Although I have never actually been to a church like this it is what I envision.
And, it isn't where I worship now. I worship inside a prison facility every Sunday morning.
My job is the powerpoint and believe it or not I am the Worship leader. In the old days Music Minister. I laugh as I think of that because I can imagine what Tommy Lyons the music minister/youth minister when I was teenager would think.
Our music doesn't consist of hymns. Although we have been singing The Old Rugged Cross. We try each week to incorporate hymns along with the contemporary worship songs. And Christian hip hop and rap. And to tell you the truth I am amazed. I have lots of new material to post on Saturdays for Then Sings My Soul.
Today my Cowboy ended the service with prayer. He asked God the Father to be with all of us that were there. He asked for specific prayers to be heard. He asked that the families of the kids would feel God's precense that they would receive a hug from God today.
Today we talked about Philipians 4:13 and today I am trusting in God and giving him the Glory and I am asking him to help me to trust that he will give me the strength, wisdom and knowledge I need to do as he asks.

I pray that your day is simple, Blessed and that God gives you the strength you need for whatever your tackling. And that you get a hug from God today.

I am spending the rest of the day simply. Although the sun is shinning and it is beautiful outside I need to be inside today. I didn't spend anytime yesterday in the sewing room and I am trying to stick to my goal of getting some quilting done today. I found a new blog and group of quilters this morning and they have inspired me.

May you day be Simply Blessed

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to Thankful Thursday hosted by Sonya. Her challenge is to list 5 things you are thankful for today, or this week.

Here's my list for this week:

1)Copying Sonya on this one. . . I am thankful that my Sunday (Sabbath) was peaceful and relaxing. I got to spend most of the afternoon in my sewing. And, we ran out of chairs again at our chapel service. We had the most boys ever. They stood on thier and sang and Praised God.

2) I am thankful that it is warmer here. I keep whinning about the cold but darn it has been frigid for us.

3) I am thankful that I live in this century. Almost a week without water made me so grateful for the modern conveniences!

4) I am thankful God is patient with us when we're frustrated about timing. And that he gives us patience when we need it while we wait.

5) I am thankful I have the grandbaby today for the last Thursday. Next week he starts preschool and will only be here on Mondays. This is bittersweet but I think good for all of us.

And so with that said I'll be busy the rest of the day.

I hope your day is Blessed.

Wordfilled Wednesday

John 4:32-35 But he said to them. "I have food to eat that you know nothing about.

Then his disciples said to each other. "Could someone have brought him food?"

My foood is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do not say,
'Four months more and then the harvest?' I tell you, open your eyes and look at
the fields" They are ripe to harvest..."

For more WFW entries visit Amy's hostess this week Lori at All I Have To Give.

Tuesday Trade Day and a Random Post

I am offering to trade this. It is a plate from Pottery Barn. My post below tells more.
I am adding this post because I have been having a problem with spam comments. Every few days I get annonymous comments that are trying to sell me something. I deleted one earlier or tried but it left a message that said it was deleted by the administrator. I thought that sounded tacky. So I wanted to let everyone know what was going.
I don't want this to affect the trade. I am leaving this up through tonight then I'll put it on the sidebar. It's available till someone wants it. I have something new to offer next week. So if you came by today and this didn't interest you come back.
Come by tomorrow for Wordfilled Wednesday

This Is IT . . .

This is it . . . What you've been waiting for . . .
Drum roll please . . .
Here's what I want to trade
And yes it is Pottery Barn see below

And yes it is perfect. And yes I did get it at a garage sale. For pennies. The price sticker
say's $29.00 but it had a mark down to $19.99. It is mirowave and dishwasher safe. Sorry about the glare but the sun shinning in my window caused the glare. Yes I said sun.

So who wants this?

What do you have to trade.

I would really like 4 white or off white salad plates. Anyway have any? I'll trade this for anything that I take a fancy to so.

Take your pictures get your post up and come here and tell me. Leave comments today if you have something you want to trade with me or anyone else. I didn't put up Mr. Linky because if this goes well I want to move this to my other blog. But I have more readers here.

Let's see how fast this goes!

Simple Woman's Day Book

FOR TODAY January 11th...
from Sherry's DaybookOutside my window...(kitchen window) I always seem to use the kitchen because it is the first window I look out in the morning. Today there is a donkey standing outside my window. In the bright sunshine.

I am thinking... How much I love waking up to the bright sun. I always pray every morning and thank God for the sun.

I am thankful for... Grace and that God knows it all. And that he gave us the Holy Spirit because when I can't put into words what I am feeling he does.

I am wearing... Not enough clothes. Still cold. I need to add another layer.

I am remembering...I was praying last night and I remembered when my kids 15 and 17 we were living in Boulder. It was cold and we were snowed in. We cuddled up together on under blankets on the couch and I read to them the Horse Whisperer. Sounds funny reading to kids that old but they soaked it up. I miss that time.

I am going... nowhere today. I will babysit the grandbaby and play on the computer till the pipes thaw and water starts to run. Then I will be busy.

I am hoping... and praying the pipes thaw and there is no breakage. And that I get to wash clothes and dishes and take a shower at home.

On my mind... what will happen. Our ministry needs a permanent home a building. I see some amazing things developing and coming together and I am just a little afraid to hope.

From the kitchen... nothing planned yet. I am thinking of baking but not today maybe tomorrow. I have yeast and flour and cinnamon. Hmmm what should I bake.

From my picture journal... above mentioned Donkey outside my window.

I finished my post and then went to the kitchen for a Dr. Pepper. This is what I saw . . .
Simple things make me smile. They are all laying in the sun. God always seems to know what will make my day.
Thanks for visiting today. The Simple Women's Daybook is hosted by Peggy you can visit her and join the group.

I hope your day is Simple and Blessed.

A Random Post . . . Not Really

It might seemed random but it really isn't. I have decided to add a label to my list. It is Random.
I am a woman of structure. I don't really write schedules but I am a schedule person. You might have noticed that in my posting.
When my children were young and I was a sahm I stayed at home. Cowboy learned quickly once he started to travel not to ask me every other day to take a shirt to the cleaners. I would fuss and fuss. You see I guess in my own way I was frugal as well because I figured that going to the cleaners every other day was silly and a wast of time. So we went once a week unless it was an emergency. I got much more done at home if I wasn't running to the store or the cleaners everyday. Now the quilt shop was a different story. LOL. No I am kidding I would always do my errands all on the same days trying to group things together to save time.

So you see I am really random because this is getting loooong. Bear with me.

The reason that I decided to add Random is because I like structure and order so much. It helps me to be more organized. And so I wanted to let you know how I'll be writing posts this year. Here's my list of meme's (I guess thier called) or themes.

Sunday my own Simple Sunday in the morning if you come by early you should see a short sweet Blessing for your day.
Sunday afternoon a post here about our chapel service. I originally intended to do this on Monday following Peggy's Mission 4 Monday but lately our services have been such a Blessing that I usually can't wait till Monday. (You can go over to the ministry blog for todays post.)
Monday Simple Woman's Daybook here
Mosaic Monday here and over at my other blog My Home Sanctuary
Metamorphis Monday over at my other blog My Home Sanctuary
Tuesday Trade Day Tuesday my new meme please come and join me here
2nd Time Around Tuesday at my other blog My Home Sanctuary
Wednesday Wordfilled Wednesday here
White Wednesday over at my other blog My Home Sanctuary
Thursday Sonya's Thankful Thursday here
Tablescape Thursday over at my other blog My Home Sanctuary
Friday Dream Date Friday beginning here in February
Saturday Then Sings My Soul here

And everyday over at My Home Sanctuary I'll be joining Rachel Anne for Simple Things.

So this is my planned day. Everyday I'll be writing these posts usually in the morning and then maybe a Random post in the afternoon or evening. I do get Wild Hares...oh that reminds me I'll be doing Wild Hare Wednesday too over at My Home Sanctuary or here just depends on the Wild Hare.

I hope you'll join me any day or everyday if you have the time. Hopefully I will be writing something that will interest and Bless you.

And so now I end with a hug and Blessing and I hope that your week is fabulous.

Simple Sunday

May your day be simple Blessed. May God's word speak to you. I love the words to the song. . .
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to seeYour majesty
To be still and know That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest In Your holiness Word of God speak

May you be wrapped in His love today.

Then Sings My Soul

Welcome to a frigid, cold Saturday at my house. Today I am in the sewing room. But I wanted to share something today for Then Sings My Soul. I was taking a break and looking for a video to use tomorrow at our chapel service. You can read about our ministry here. I remembered this video and the post. I got to thinking that maybe today your going through a rough time. Maybe your asking questions. Maybe your just in need of being reminder that God cares about you.
Please visit my post here I hope your encouraged to know that he understands.
And, go over and visit Amy for more Then Sings My Soul posts.

Under a layer of . . .& Thankful Thursday (late)

Actually not. But it is frigid here. At least snow would be pretty. When I go out to feed it does feel like it should look like this.

I have not spent as much time posting this week as I would like.

I live in a wonderful old farm house. But old farmhouses don't hold in heat real well and are drafty. I finally gave up last night and nailed a quilt to the side door and shut it off. Looks tacky but it is a little warmer. The door is really pretty when it isn't cold though. It's actually half door half window so that is partly why it is so cold.

I meant to post about my thankfulness yesterday and didn't get to so here are 5 things that I am thankful for.

#1 God continues to provide sometimes in strange ways. I mentioned on New Years that our landlord gave us $600.00 off our rent. Well two days ago he hired Cowboy to work on his son's truck. We got another $500.00 off and $100.00 cash to boot. We needed gas money and the money to pay the phone and cable. So paying bills today.

#2 I am thankful that my friend Denise's husband is home from the hospital and that she managed to post yesterday to update.

#3 I am thankful for propane heat

#4 I am thankful that God gives me a heart that is somewhat patient with the circumstances. Actually I have had fun dealing with the inconvenience of no water. I am learning the dependability of paper plates. Do you know how much dish soap is? Go to paper and you won't spend so much on soap. LOL.

#5 Lastly I am thankful for hot showers. Even though are pipes are frozen and we have no running water in our house we can go next door to our landlords business. He has showers that have very hot water.

Praising God in the winter storm. I am thankful that he brought us here to this house.

And, this year I am going to keep photo's of the house on the blog. You'll always be able to tell it's me even if I change the background.

Tomorrow I'll be accomplishing one of my goals and dreams and spending the day in my sewing room. I'll post some photo's.

Hope your weekend is Blessed.

Wordfilled Wednesday

Behold I stand at the door and knock anyone who hears My voice and answers I will come in and dine with him and he with me.
Revalation 3:20
Here's my late WFW post. If you haven't already been visiting today go by Penny's todays hostess.
Hope your day is Blessed. BTW check out yesterdays post. I want to invite you to join me on Trade Day Tuesday. Got something you want to trade? Or something you wish for? Check it out and join me.

A Hare Brain Idea . . .

O.K. I have this crazy idea. And I hope you guys think it is super cool because I need your help.
I am actually going to post this for Wild Hare Wednesday because it is a Hare Brain idea.

O.K. here's my idea. Next Tuesday I will start what I call Trade Days Tuesday.
Here's how I think it will work. I will post a photo of something that I really like but I don't use anymore along with a request for something I want. If you have what I want then leave a comment for me and a photo on your blog.

If you have something you want to put out to trade then write a post and come here and link up.

Does this make sense? I think it will be fun. What do you think? Give me your ideas. Let me know if anyone else is interested. Or if you have a better idea of how to set this up.

Here's a hint about my first trade. Pottery Barn. That is all I am saying. No leave me a comment and let me know if you are interested in joining.

Oh one more thing....here's a photo from my friend Michelle's blog. She is a desinger of wonderful stitcheries and she is offering a year long free pattern event. Go over and check it out.

Lingering on Simple Things

Today I am joining Peggy at Simple Woman again. I did this a couple of times in '09. And well it seemed right to do it today. So sit down grab a cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee. Or in my case a Dr. Pepper and join me as I plan my week and ponder my day.


FOR TODAY the first real post of 2010


Outside my window ... Deception. Yes you read right. The sun is beautiful and shinning brightly. But it is really cold for Texas. So yes it is deceiving


I am thinking... I enjoyed the weekend. Which was spent in my sewing room.


I am thankful for... God's provision and that bills are paid again. Including cable which includes internet.


I am wearing... Really old stirups pants from Lerner's NY (are they still around?), silk long johns and a worn out long sleeve knit top with socks of course. I told it is cold here!


I am remembering... To be patient and that through trials that I am growing. At least trying to remember this.


I am currently reading... Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris. My next book review. Watch for the review on this one.


I am hoping... My dreams and goals match up with God's. (See my post yesterday) I am really hoping that our ministry gets to start doing sewing again with the halfway house girls this year.


On my mind... I am thinking and praying about totally rearranging the house. Moving our big t.v. to my sewing room, moving Cowboy's room (which is the gameroom) to the sewing room too. Moving my sewing room to Cowboy's room. Why? Combining the t.v. and gameroom to one room so that the living room is more formal. Or as formal as Cowboy Chic can be. Stay tuned. Gotta convince the Cowboy.


Noticing that... How God really is in control.


Pondering these words... Grace



From the kitchen... Yummy taco's tonight. Ham and beans tomorrow. I cooked a ham yesterday I love making beans with the leftovers.


Around the house... Christmas decorations waiting to come down and snowy decorations for January. Table waiting to be set.


One of my favorite things...Quilting





From my picture journal...
A dream photo. I would love to do this.

New Years Goals and Dreams in photo's

Making my house a home. Lea's last comment got me to thinking. I had mentioned the footprints in the snow and wishing tht they weren't there. But you know I am glad that they are because they remind me why there is one set of prints. Now I will remember each time I walk in that Jesus is with me. Thank you Lea. Living in Faith



This year one goal I have is to spend more time with God. I love to journal my prayers. This photo represents my prayer journal.
Another goal spending time at least every Saturday in my sewing. I guess I could include this on my dream list.


This is a ministry goal that I am including in my dream list. This was a photo taken a couple of years ago. The girls were in my program at Mission Makeover. The ladies are volunteers from a local church. The girls were being the teachers that night. Each group completed a baby quilt top. I dream doing this events. I trust God's timing. I live on faith. Please visit me here each Monday for a post about the Ministry. Or go here for regular updates, photo's and more info.

Last year (that sounds long ago) I began doing Small Things with Rachel Anne. This year following her suggestions my goal to making my Home a Sanctuary will be easier.

This photo represents how I want my home office not to look. Another dream. Yes it does look like this most of the time. You can only imagine what the desk looks like.

And lastly another dream. LOL that my floors will look like this without my help. Alas I add this to my goal list.

And I have another goal which relates to my blog. My goal is to be encouraging and to share my faith with you this year. And, to write less posts with the label dummies at blogging. I added that because did you notice I stopped writing in italic's? I went to click on it and did something wrong and it disappeared! Maybe when I refresh it will come back!

And now dear ones I am off to spend the rest of this Sunday simply. Which by the will be the Sunday label. Come by each day and each Sunday for a Blessing.

The New Blog for the New Year . . .

Welcome to My Journey Back . . . I hope you enjoy the new look. I changed my background a few days ago because I loved the snowy look. And then when it snowed here on Christmas day I knew I needed to add the photo of the house.

Sorry it isn't prettier. If I had planned I would have moved the stuff off the porch and walked out the back door so there wouldn't be any footprints but that is the way it is around here.

You'll find this year as you visit here that I'll be spending more time sharing with you about my faith and what God is doing with me.

And you'll find through the year I'll change the backgrounds because I love all the fun themes. But you'll know your here because you'll be seeing photo's of my house. And maybe some of them will be prettier.

My goal this year is to make my Home a Sanctuary. And to make my blog a Sanctuary. If your tired or hurting. If you need a few minutes to relax and unwind and just need an encouraging word I hope you'll come by and visit.

If you need decorating ideas or ideas to become more organzied at home then visit me here. My Home Sanctuary is my other blog dedicated to making my home a sanctuary. When you visit there you'll see where my inspiration for My Home Sanctuary blog comes from. And you'll see lots of photo's of the inside of my house.

I am looking forward to this year. Are you? I am looking forward to reaching my goals. And I am looking forward to meeting new friends. So come back often and join me on the Journey.

Happy New Years

Wishing you a Blessed New Year filled with God's love and grace.

So many things going on I am in awe and wonder. Here are a few:
. . . So many amazing things have happened in our ministry.
First chapel service on Wed. at the girls halfway house. 2 girls accepted Christ .

Began a "I wanna 'be a daddy' program" at the boys facility yesterday.
4 boys wrote letters to thier child/children and wrapped a package with a bear donated
(by Family Christian bookstores) to give to thier child or children.

. . . Some bizarre things are going on with family members. They need prayer. I need prayer.

. . . We had the greatest time last night. A friend called and asked us out to dinner (thier
treat) then we went to thier house for a movie. Got home by 9:30 and watched the news. It
was so much for to go out. And so sweet that they would offer.

. . . Our landlord called. One of those on the list that you dread to hear from when you behind on
the rent. He called to wish us a Happy New Year and to tell us they were giving us a gift.
We were only able to pay half of Novembers rent and they gifted us the other half!

So many things are going on they makes me think God has great plans for 2010.

As I was thinking about the service Wednesday night and the girls accepting Christ I remembered back to New Years Eve 2004 one of the girls we were ministering at the time accepted Christ. She was the first girl that had been assigned to our program to accept Christ. She struggled for months. She was 14 and deeply involved in a gang and I mean deep. She was so young and so sweet. But she tried to be so tough. One of my staff began mentoring her and on New Years Eve she prayed to receive Christ. (That was the beginning of the phone calls I began to receive at all hours of the night. Being woke by the telephone used to be one of those things that startle or alarm you. It is normal to me now. I am always getting texts or calls from kids that are up late hanging out and decide they want to chat. )

2005 turned out to be the most succesful year in our ministry.

And I as look toward the next few months and the programs and projects that are being planned and developed I pray that 2010 turns out to be just a little bit as great as 2005 was.

My prayer for you today is that you will be filled with God's love and grace. That through the joys and the trials of this year that you will grow closer to God and believe and trust him.