Wordfilled Wednesday redo

Today I thought it would be fun to repost a previous WFW with a change . . .

The first time I posted this photo and verse I didn't know how to put the words on the photo! 

Yea!  

I hope you like the 2012 revision.

It is perfect for my goal this year . . .

My goal in case your a new visitor.  (Thanks for stopping in) is to Read the Bible this year!

Read On

Wanna join me and Read On?  Just leave a comment.

Check out my other Bible posts!

Reading along the Journey . . .

Read The Bible --Titus Tuesday

I was still thinking about how I wanted to write my Read On post this morning.  And while I was thinking I thought I would visit Darlene at Time Warped Woman and check out her post for Titus Tuesday.

Funny thing she was kind of thinking the same thing today. 


I/we are thinking about those goals or resolutions or plans made for  . . .

My biggest goal this year is to Read the Bible.  You'll be seeing Read On a lot around here this year and on my comments on your posts too!  It started with my desire to Read The Bible.  The whole Bible this year.  And, I knew I needed help and encouragement so I asked some bloggy friends to join me.  BTW this is your invitation! 
Then as I began to write posts and listen to what some other sweet sista's were saying I realized that maybe just managing to read everyday is a huge challenge.  And actually it is for me too.   And so the idea of reading the Whole Bible may be more than some of us can wrap our minds around!

After realizing that I was actually even more challenged and excited . . .

It actually was a little liberating.  Because it didn't seem like such a huge task. 

I know there are some of us that find it difficult to find a minute or two for ourselves. 

And so, dear sweet sista's I give you permission to just read what you can.  LOL.  But just do it!
I would love for you to join us.  Whether your challenge is reading everyday a little or a lot. 
Join us!   I am here to encourage you. 

Please leave a comment on any Bible post or send me an email.  I will pray for you everyday.  I will send you emails and visit your blog just to encourage you.  

So if your considering 'throwing in the towel' on your goals for the year, don't do it!  go over to Darlene's for her great and encouraging Titus Tuesday post .  Click here.

And don't forget my invite to join us!
Read On . . .

Blue Monday Gone to the dogs

Daisy asked to hostess Blue Monday today.  Here's a few photo's she chose. 
Enjoy!

Read on Week One re-cap

Well I finished my first week.  Well actually the first five days.  I hadn't really decided this for sure but in the back of my head I was thinking of only Reading On during the weekdays.  My weekends are usualy a little chaotic.  I don't want to 'expect' to read on Saturday and Sunday and then not make it it.  

I ended the week reading Lamentations.  I only got through I think 4 chapters.  But I did finish reading Chronicles.  It actually took me a day longer than I wanted.  On Thursday I ended up so tired that I only read 2 chapters.  I hate to say it but it did put me to sleep.  Well actually I am sure it wasn't God's word that put me to sleep.  Just the sitting still for a few minutes.  But as I was reading I couldn't keep my eyes open.  It was frustrating because I had planned to finish on Thursday. 

Last night when I was reading I was tired again that is why I only got through two chapters.  I hope that I will find sometime this weekend to finish the book. 

It is kind of a funny feeling but I am really wanting to do this.  It has only been a few days and I actually put off doing other things that I really want to do in order to read.  Read On!  Whoop! Whoop!  It is a good feeling for me. 

I was kind of thinking in my mind...I hadn't actually verbalized it that if I can do this for 21 days that it will become habit.  At least that is what I hear.  But I am kind of thinking that I am not going to have to 'depend' on the 'habit'.  At least I hope that is how it turns out! 

I hope that you are getting to read everyday.  Whether it is a couple of chapters like I did on my tired days.  Or more.  It doesn't matter how many.  What matters is your doing it. 

I hope that my emails and comments are encouraging you.  It is my desire to help you do this. 

I pray that you all have a great weekend.  And btw if you haven't read my Saturday Sleepover post check it.  I had a great time writing it. 

See you on Monday.   Read On! and Pass it On get some sista's to join!

Saturday Sleepover at Sweet Cottage Dreams

 I have been dreamin' of visitin' my sweet blogging friend Becky and so I decided to get Daisy and just pop on over to Northern California and visit at Sweet Cottage Dreams.
In only took a nano second to arrive and here's what was waiting for us . . .

 Daisy was so happy to finally meet Mr. Dughall and Miss Fiona.  They were so happy for us to arrive!  They had been waiting hours and hours. 

 and of course sweet Miss Becky baked.  I told her not to but ever the perfect hostess she had to have something sweet waiting at the Sweet Cottage.  Yummy and btw here's the link to her post with the recipe. 

 And when she heard we were coming she decided to stop putting away the Christmas decoations so we could see them.    

 And of course I had to see some of the crafty things she has made.  Do you see a red theme here?  Yep she is a 'red' girl.  And very creative. 

 I love all the collections around her house.  Just like me she loves aprons.  And then finally we made it to the sweet guest room that is what actually lured me here in the first place. 

 And then we stayed up till the wee hours in the morning talking and talking and talking.  About this and that.  About sewing, about the dogs, about decorating,  about cooking and about shopping.  And then we finally decided to call it a night.  Partly because Daisy was so tired and she was asleep and snoring.  And partly because I talked Becky into taking me shopping.  So we went to bed to rest up.

After breakfast click here for her recipe.  We hit the streets.  And what a fun time we had.  I had been wanting to see all the neat places she has found.  We shopped till we dropped! 

And then sadly we had to go.  Because we really needed to get back to the real world.  But it was fun pretending to actually visit Becky.  And, you can visit too.  Just click here and be transported in a nano-second to Sweet Cottage Dreams.  And you know Becky if you let her know your coming she'll bake something!



And so we left our sweet friends behind and in a nano-second we were home.  And we found this photo waiting for us.

Dughall and Fi already miss Daisy! 

We had such a fun time on our sleepover.  Which btw was actually Friday night but Saturday Sleepover sounded better. LOL.  Anyway we had so much fun that we decided to make this a weekly thing.  And so next Friday we will be visiting another sweet friend.  It's a secret but we are going to Missouri!  And, maybe I'll get to stop at my kids too!   

Thanks for stopping in.  Have a great day.  And see you next Saturday!

Saturday Sleepover

 I had this idea.  I have all these sweet bloggy friends.  And I just love visiting them.  I thought that you might like to also. 

So I decided to pack up a few things . . .

And take a drive along the coast.  And maybe stop over for a night or two.  Wanna come along? 

Since this is a virtual sleepover.  You don't really have to pack.  You don't really have to even change clothes.  Just come along and meet some of my favorite friends.   

Starting tomorrow I'll be visiting a Sweet Cottage in Northern California. Oh but btw since this is a sleepover we will be staying up really, really late.  And sleeping in.  So don't expect my post before noon.  Or later; depending on how good breakfast is and how much shopping we do!

Gotta run and get Daisy all packed and ready to go and visit her friends!

See ya on the Journey  . . .

Daily Bible Reading . . . Do you?

Last week I began  Read On . . .the Read through the Bible in 2012 challenge.  I invited you to join me in Reading through the Bible in 2012.  

Today I am writing to those of you out there that just can't commit.  Those of you that struggle even to find time to read a novel.  Or maybe even go to the bathroom alone.  

I really do remember those days with toddlers.  How you just 'live' for nap time so you can have some 'Me' time.  And, then the pre-school days and early elementary when your running kids to soccer or ballet or church activities.  

I remember the days when I picked up my Bible on Sunday morning.  Never to pick it up again until the next Sunday.  And, honestly I have to admit those days aren't only long ago.  There were more days in 2011 that I didn't pick up my Bible than I care to admit.  

It happens to all of us.  We all go through times when we're just too busy.   At least we 'feel' too busy.   Because I would venture to guess that if we just opened our heart to God and sat down and took a minute or two and just opened His Word that in that few minutes of time the stress and challenge of the day would seem to not be so big. 

And so, dear sweet friends.  I am asking you.  I am inviting you to a party.  A party of like minded friends.  Join us in Reading your Bible everyday in 2012.  I am not asking or challenging you to read the entire Bible.  (Although that is what I am trying to do.)

  But I am challenging you to just read it.  And honestly this might be an easier challenge for me. 

  If you struggle with 'finding time' I ask you to join us.  Please email, or send a text or leave a comment on any one of my Bible posts.  Also, sign up to get my posts by email.  I will pray for you everyday.  I will encourage you to  Read On everyday. 

To get you started here's a couple of suggestions . . .

Find a quiet place . . . or not . . .

No quiet time in your life.  This is something I have wanted to do with my 3 year old grandson.  To spend time with your toddler reading God's word will build a foundation.  He/she won't understand but their little hearts will be filled.  They will love just hearing your voice.  And, they will love just snuggling with you for a few minutes. 

Or how about . . .

Phones, Ipods and Kindles wow.  You can read anywhere.  Just think of the possibilities.  Even while the kids are at practise, or waiting in line to pick them up at school.  Or even at work.  But only on break! LOL.    Or here's one of my favorite places  . . .

Beside the water.  Is there a lovely fountain near your office?  Or in my case a walk down the road to the lake.  I love living by the water.  It is quiet and peaceful. 

So here's the challenge, the invite . . . just read what you can today.  Just read what you can tomorrow.  Don't set yourself up for failure.  Just read a little.  Maybe today it is one verse, maybe two.  Maybe tomorrow it is three.  Maybe the next day it is only one verse again.  Just whatever you can manage just work it in. 

I am praying for you.  And, please pray for me.  Because I need encouragement too.  Let's encourage each other to Read On . . . Reading along the Journey, 

Reading The Bible #4

I am so happy to be getting emails, messages and comments from wonderful sisters who are joining me in the Read On challenge. 

Your comments are amazing and encouraging to me.  I know this is something that many of us struggle with. 

I want to ask again for your sweet prayers.  I need encouragement.  But more than that I need guidance.  I feel the Lord leading me to really do something with this challenge.  I have already been talking about it on facebook.  And, I am talking to close friends and encouraging them. 

I really feel like this can be bigger than this little blog.  And so, I am seriously thinking about starting a blog dedicated only to Read On.  Would you guys pray with me about this. 

There are a couple of reasons I am thinking about this . . .

#1 There are days that I am not able to post.  And, I think it would actually be fun to have some of you write a post to encourage us.  I want to have an encouraging post up everyday.  And, I want us to share with each other what we are reading.  And, what we are learning.  And maybe how we are putting into action God's commands.

#2  I want to encourage more ladies to join us.  And, I want to put links to everyone's blogs.  I think with a dedicated blog it will be much easier and we can actually make it private up to 100 readers if we decide to. 

So, if you think this might be a good idea please let me know.  If you don't think so please tell me and tell me why.  I will not have my feelings hurt. 

But, I don't want this to be what I want.  I want it to be what God wants.  Please pray for me as I seek his will and his guidance.

And, to remind you I am praying for you every day.  I have a prayer that I wrote that is inside my Bible.  Everyday when I pick it up and open to where I am reading I pray for each of you and what you are reading. 

Especially for the time being since I can't always post everyday I hope you are signed up to receive my posts via email.  Be patient with me because on the days that I do get to post sometimes I'll write 2 or 3 posts. 

I am trying to get ahead and write Bible posts ahead so I can publish from my phone.  Pray about that for me too; please.

Praying you all have a wonderful weekend.  Enjoy worshiping our Lord this weekend.   If you don't have a place of worship I encourage you to seek out a fellowship of Believers.  There is nothing like it.  

          Reading On . . . . On The Journey,  

Thankful Thursday

Today I am simply Thankful I am writing a post!

No inter-net at home is doing me in.  I am trying to smile about it and continue with a positive attitude

I am also Thankful that God has a plan for this year I look forward to what is in store.

I am thankful that God has challenged me to read my Bible this year.  And that I listened!

 Is he challenging you?  Join me and let's Read the Bible through in 2012. 

Thank you Laurie  for hosting Thankful Thursday.  Click here to follow the links.

Read On . . .

Read On 2012

I have to say I am truly, truly sorry I have not posted in a few days.  And, I have to ask you for prayer.   I was disappointed and frustrated when I wasn't able to post.  And when I found out there is something wrong with my blog.    I don't have the inter-net at home and so I have to go to a friends house or go to a wifi spot.  

I feel attacked.  Circumstances over the last few days have kept me from posting.  And it makes me actually angry.  But I am trying to stifle the anger and trust in God's timing and provision. 

I pray someday soon I will be able to have the inter-net again. 

But until then.  I will still be visiting everyone's blogs on my phone and occasionally leaving comments.  Please forgive me in advance.  I can't seem to figure out how to spell check on my phone!   I have figured out how to publish already written posts.  So hopefully I'll get some time to pre-write some posts and publish from my phone.  

With all that said let's get to the real purpose of this post.  Reading On.  I like that little catchy title.   

Today I wanted to share what I have been doing.  I have not actually adopted a 'reading plan'.  I have tried plans in the past and as I have mentioned failed.  And so this year I have decided to use my own plan.  And so far 4 days in (LOL) it is working!

I think really it is more about my heart working than an actual plan.  But, here's what I have been doing. I decided that 10 Chapters was a good amount to read in a setting so then I began reading Chronicles.   Why you wonder?  Because I don't think I have ever read it before.  If I did I got bored and quit.  But this time I only have a few chapters left.  I have been totally engrossed in it. So much that I have wanted to read more.   As I have been reading I remembered a book I have. 

This is a great devotional book.  It takes specific Women of the Bible and tells their story as a story.  Each story refers to the scripture. There is also a topical lesson about living in Bible times.  It is short only a few pages.  But it makes the story seem to 'come alive."  And, it is written to be studied over 5 days.  I don't know how committed I'll actually be to the 5 days part but they are short lessons and only have a few questions.  Each one I have done in one setting.  Because that works for me right now. 

 If your looking for a devotional this one is great.  And, there is a Men of the Bible book too!

Right now this is working for me.  So what is working for you?  Do you have a reading plan?

 Or are you just challenging yourself to actually reading everyday.  I like that plan.  It is actually my primary goal! 

I have been praying for all of you.  I know there are lots of sisters out there that are challenging themselves to Reading the Bible this year. 

I would love to have you join our little group. 

Please email me or leave me a comment and let me know your . . .

Reading On

test post

Bible 2012 part Two

First . . . Thank you to all of you who have already commented or emailed about my challenge. Your sweet comments and emails honesty Blessed me.  

So with that said it brings me to a couple more comments and confessions. Mine; about the subject of reading the Bible through in 2012. 

As I said yesterday I have made the attempt many times.  But as I think about it now I realize a couple of reasons why I failed so miserably. 

Here's a couple of reasons I tried before . . .

1. A legalistic attitude . . . sounds kind of strange dosen't it?  But; as I thought about it.  I realized that some of those times I was trying to be able to check of a mark in my Sunday School quarterly.  (anyone remember those?) 

I am wondering how many of us have tried and tried because they heard a pastor or a teacher.  Or even a friend talk about or encourage you to Read the Bible this year! 

             And how many of us me included tried for this reason.  And, failed miserably. 

  #2. It's good for 'me'. It'll help 'me' get closer to God.
'Me' yep.  What a good reason for 'me'.  To help 'me'

Yes just like beause someone else suggested it.  Doing it for 'me' is actually a very good and valuable reason but let's face it if it worked for 'ME'  I probably wouldn't be writing this post. 

And so this year I want to do it Just Because.  Yep no other reason.  Not because someone told me to.  Not because I want to check of a box in a quarterly.  Not because I want to learn more about the Bible.  And all the other 'good' reasons. 

Just Because . . . God said to. Yep. That's right. 
Obediance.  For me I think that the big key at least for me right now is obediance.  I want to please my father. 

But, your thinking in away all those other reasons are being obediant.  And actually they are. And I think you'll agree that it's our mind set that will spur us on and keep us going.  We have to determine to do this. For all those reasons and many more.  And Just Because.

But,we are human and we fail.  And so that is why we need each other.  We need each other for . . .

I need your help.  I  need you sweet sister to pray me through this challenge.  And, I want to lift you up and pray for you and with you daily as we go through this Journey together. 

I want to begin today praying for you.  Some of you I don't even know yet.  But I know that there are sweet sisters out there feeling a longing to Obediently following the Father.  And are ready to jump in and join me and take this challenge. 

And there are some sweet friends that I am praying will decide to join.  In fact I'll be emailing and commenting on your posts and walls ane inviting you!

Those of you that have already joined me I began praying for you as soon as I received your email. 

And, I am praying for your weekend.  I pray that you have a peaceful and stressless next few days.  I pray that you and your family are safe throughout this weekend. 

And I look forward to starting fresh on Monday and begin our Journey through the . . .

Thanks again for joining me.  It is my plan to actually begin reading together with you on Monday.
Tomorrow I hope to write another post to encourage you and others to join us.  If you haven't already please sign up to receive my posts via email.  And, when you do either email me or write a comment on any post and let me know your joining us!    See you tomorrow!

Reading The Bible in 2012

Have you ever wanted to read the Bible through in a year and never quite made it?

 Have you felt the desire to grow closer to God; but things get in the way?  

Do you pray 'when you think about it'? 

I am going to be real and honest and say . . . Yes.  (Embarrasing as it is). . . 

This year I am challenging myself to follow through and Grow Closer to God, Pray more like everyday,  and . . .
Read the Bible through this year.  Yes, yep, Uh hu,  Si the whole thing! 

And, because you are my dear sweet friend, my dear sweet sister I am asking you to join me in accepting this challenge. 

I am not sure how this will work,  I am thinking that . . .

No matter what version you want to read.  Or what type of plan you want to use  . . .

It doesn't matter.  Whether your Bible is brand new.  Or worn with age . . .

I am Praying that you will join me and Read The Bible in . . .

I would love to do this together.  So, leave me a comment, send an email, message me on facebook or heck call me if you want and let's chat about how to do this together.  We have a few days to work out the details.  So let's pray together and lift each other up,  challenge and encourage each other this year! 


On my Journey through the Bible this year . . .