I Am Strong

          This display of angels in Damascus has always been one of my favorite Christmas displays!

I was reminded of a special strength while reading one of Charles Spurgeon's devotions, and it encouraged my heart. Here we are, ready to begin a new year, and some of us our tired.

2015 was very hard on Jerry and me, with many health concerns, some major, others secondary, and we still feel the affects from them. We're tired, and starting a new year, we have hope for a healthier season.

" . . . a Christian pilgrim continuously receives fresh supplies of grace and is as vigorous after many years of toilsome travel and difficulties as when he first began. He may not appear as zealous or as spontaneous in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in the things that constitute true power, and although he may travel more slowly, he travels far more steadily." Charles Spurgeon, Look Unto Me

True words to cheer your heart. Those of us who have walked many years with our Lord have access to great strength and power. And it is, indeed, there!

                                               Where's the snow? I can't go out and play!

"One of the beautiful aspects of the Christian life is that we never have to rely on our own strength." God will always give us the strength we need for the burden we must bear.

Yes, we're definitely slower, no doubt about that! but we are stronger and powerful because our faith through the years has taught us that we serve a God that is faithful and true.

"When a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful." Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899)

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

I enjoyed watching the story of Lettie Cowman, better known as Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, author of  the famous devotional book, Streams in the Desert. There are two DVD's about her experiences and heartbreak that inspired her to write her beloved devotional.

 I've spoke of this devotional book before on this blog. I received it as a new Christian from an older woman, and it was my go to book for many years.

It was good to learn about her life and the book she wrote that has encouraged many hearts through the years, since it was first published in 1925.

Below is the cover on my book, which still has her name as Mrs. Charles E. Cowman. There are now several volumes available, but my heart will always be glad for the first volume and how it's words spoke to me.

 

 

A new year is before us. Let's live for our Savior, Jesus, sharing our story of the day are life was changed.

A Different December

"In spring I delight you, In summer I cool you,

In autumn I feed you, In winter I warm you."

A Tree

The Festival of Trees at the Town Mall in Westminster were lovely this year. We enjoyed the different creations. They even had an Oriental Christmas Tree which Jerry said was a contradiction in terms. But we do have some Chinese Christian churches in our country.

I hope you enjoy my favorites:

Friends are my treasures!

 

"Ah! dearest Jesus, Holy Child, Make thee a bed, soft, undefiled

Within my heart, that it may be A quiet chamber kept for thee."

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

 

Like the royal blue on white.

 

"It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you . . .

yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand."

Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-

 

Lovely red on white with polar bears.

 

"God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;

the warmth of Christmas, which is love;

the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;

the righteousness of Christmas which is justice;

the belief in Christmas, which is truth;

the all of Christmas, which is Christ."

Wilda English

 

Brown is one of my favorite colors.

 

"Once in the year and only once, the whole world stands still to

celebrate the advent of a life. Only Jesus claims this

worldwide, undying remembrance."

Unknown

 

 

Lovely red and white combination.

 

"What can I give him, Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring him a lamb;

If I were a wise man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give him--Give my heart."

Christiana Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894)

 

Mom's favorite. She loves oriental décor.

 

This has been a different December for me. A much slower December. Many of you know I already try to live a simpler life, a slower life, a peaceful life. But this December, because of all the health concerns I'm still dealing with, I've found myself much slower than usual. Less shopping. Less decorating. Less baking. I thought it was going to be a disappointing month.

 

What a difference it has been! The month hasn't zoomed by, but, instead, has been very restful. I'm enjoying musing about this celebratory month and the reasons behind it. I have enough time to consider each day, and enjoy each moment. We've gotten out a few times this month, but, overall, I've been home.

 

How soothing! How pleasing to my spirit! How good it feels to relax and consider what this month really means.

 

Now, I don't want you to experience any of the health concerns I've dwelt with this year, but I hope you can find some time to be quiet and ponder Christmas in all of it's glory, rejoicing, knowing in your heart the real reason for Christmas.

 



Christmas is upon us. Let's make sure we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas . . . Jesus' gift to us! Believe. There is nothing wiser to believe in.

 

A Right Nice Bow

               Our friend, Keith, took this snap of Jerry and me for our 30th anniversary picture.

Monday we were on our way to the Shamrock restaurant outside of Thurmont for an anniversary lunch. When we got in the car I noticed that Jerry had cologne on and mentioned it. He said: "Remember when we were first dating. We were going to a concert one evening, so I went to your Mom's house from work and took a shower, then waited for you to get home. When you opened the door, the first thing you said was: "I smell a man!" I did remember that comment. Then Jerry said: "Well the cologne I have on today, and the cologne I used that evening 30 years ago, are from the same bottle. That jar of cologne must be 40 years old!" We had a good laugh.

Last Christmas I bought two bow tree toppers. I loved all the billows of ribbon used to make it a beautiful bow. I decided I wanted to learn how to make Christmas bows. I pulled up some videos on YouTube, picked the one I wanted to try and went to work.

It was such a delight to put them together! I truly felt Christmas residing in my writing room as I put together the different bows. Following is a display of my very own created Christmas bows!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was such a delight to give away these bows! It made me smile each time I gave one away! I think this may be a tradition that I'll enjoy carrying on each year!

I also picked up some ribbon for other uses. I could make them all year and take them to a cancer center to bring a smile on someone's face. That's something worth pondering! (The Hope pendant was the only thing I had available to see how the bow would look. I found the fabric hard to cut through while I was making the bow. Don't know if I'd be able to cut through one piece of fabric at a time. Will need to give some thought to this.)

Below is our wedding picture and then a picture of us at the Shamrock on Monday before we enjoyed a delicious meal.

 

"Though Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, If he's not born in thee thy soul is still forlorn." Angelus Silesius (1624-1677)

Time Marches On

Happy Birthday Abby and Jo! My little girls turned two on December 5th. They're just as happy, fun and excitable as they were the day we brought them home.

 

They each received a new toy to fill with peanut butter! They do love their peanut butter. Ohhh, reminds me of my kiss cookies!

                                                                 The eyes say it all!

                                            And a good night to all on a very happy day!

Happy Anniversary to Jerry and me! We celebrate 30 years on December 14th (yes, 14th again). It seems like such a big number, 30. How did we make it? We'll be celebrating lunch at the Shamrock, near Thurmont.

I created a memory book on Shutterfly for Jerry of pictures over the last 30 years. The cover I did myself (as you can tell . . . a little goofy).

 

Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas lunch with my school age friends, Linda and Paula.

 

 

The restaurant was cozy and festive and provided us a wonderful time to enjoy each other's company.

 

 

 

 

I liked this window scene!

And Christmas is only 16 days away. They say time goes by faster as you age, but I'm so much slower than I was that I don't understand how it goes by faster.

A Month of Miracles

We enjoyed a festive and delicious meal at the Old South Mountain Inn on Thanksgiving day. It was a lovely day here in Maryland, and a lovely drive to just just west of Middletown on top of South Mountain.

I use to drive by this Inn on my way to work retreats at Skycroft Conference Center when I was with the Baptist Convention. Jerry and I ate at the Inn five or so years ago for Thanksgiving one year, so when I began thinking about Thanksgiving for this year I suggested we go there again.

Mom couldn't get over the hanging Christmas Balls. Snowflakes were having in the next room, and the far room little wrapped boxes were hanging. I've always loved lamp posts and this window, below, is especially attractive to me.

Mom had her picture taken with Santa who was right next to our table.

And now begins the month of miracles. Everything will be decorated and festive. Food. Laughter. Fun. All the trimmings of Christmas. I've gone through many Christmases broken hearted and sad, but God has brought the joy of Christmas back to me.

My heart is right where it belongs. In Jesus' everlasting arms. Celebrate with me as I schedule a few dates with good friends, enjoy looking at the decorations, bake my specialties and give them away, and joyfully thank God for His great gift to us all!

Challenger, A Bald Eagle, and more . . .

Abby had to visit her veterinarian last week. Dr. Charlotte said "everything looked good and you're so beautiful!" (Did you hear that Dad?)

Have you ever seen Challenger fly at a football game? I saw it the first time from a Facebook post. I always cry when I hear our national anthem sung, and I choked up crying when I saw Challenger fly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&v=9HewUwjwBBM&x-yt-cl=84503534

There are still some things about America that you can be proud of. I am a proud American when I hear our national anthem sung. Most of us know when the song was created. The lyrics come from "Defense of Fort M'Henry, a poem written in 1814 by the 35 year old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort Henry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812.

We have the American flag in our front yard. Another indication that we are proud to be an American. In these times you must dwell on good things, and, yes, there are good things still happening in America. I see many of these good deeds posted on Facebook. Ah, a redeeming quality.

There's a lot of bad things happening in America, and always will be, until Jesus comes a second time. But there's still a lot of good in people. And there's a lot we can be thankful for.

The season of celebration is before us, with Thanksgiving tomorrow, and then the joy of Christmas. As I wrote about in last week's post, consider what you are thankful for. And maybe when you shed a tear hearing the national anthem play, or when you see Challenger fly, who represents the national bird for the United States, you will stand tall and proud and hope that the best of America shines!

. . . . . . . . .

I did it again. I bought another book that cost $40. I just couldn't turn it down. It's all those great pictures I see that come across Facebook and draw me in.

Grizzly: The Bears of Greater Yellowstone. Renowned wildlife photographer, Thomas D. Mangelsen, has an eye for great pictures. For the past few years he's been documenting a bear family with his pictures, and what phenomenon pictures they are!

Todd Wilkinson, environmental journalist, adds the story after much research, writing and collaboration with Mangelsen. You learn abut the history of grizzly bears and the success and failures that have occurred through the years. It's a very revealing and interesting story.

Grizzly 399 had 3 sets of triplets, 2 sets of twins and a single cub. I thought I got a great snap of fawns nursing. There's several snaps in the book of the cubs nursing. The book truly thrilled me as I learned about this wildlife creature.

Now, I just have to stop seeing more pictures on Facebook so I don't have to buy $40 books again!

. . . . . . .

Hair. I have hair!  (Piglet's laughing too!) It feels so good to run a comb through my hair!  My pony tail was all cut off last December when I started the cancer treatments. It's a little thinner on top, and a little curly, but it's hair! When I think about that time, it's like I was in a different world. I can't comprehend going through that. I've had two follow ups since then, and all looks good so far. I'm thankful! Maybe next December I'll have my pony tail back!

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I want to thank my friends for caring for me, and praying for me, and lifting me up during the physical trials I went through this year. The Body of Christ is alive and well! (And there goes another tear.)

 

Who Are You Thankful For?

      The last of the leaves were down last week, so here's a few snaps in honor of  the beauty of Fall!

My pastor's sermon last Sunday morning reminded me of an annual project I passionately participated in for well over 20 years. Pastor's title was: Who Are You Thankful For? He spoke from the first chapter of Philippians, verses 3-8 where Paul wrote that remarkable line, "I have you in my heart."

 

Each November I welcomed the beginning of November Joy. I've written about this project a number of times on this blog. I have not been faithful the last few years in doing this, but I present it to you, once again, to decide if you have time for November Joy this month.

Each year, when the calendar turned over to November, I began recalling those people who I had been most thankful for in that year. Then I would write each one a note, telling them what they meant to me. A very worthy project of thanksgiving that truly blessed my heart as I remembered each person.

In this modern day and age, it could be a text, email, call or visit, and a few other means I'm not familiar with yet, that you send to thank someone. I just shared a post from my Facebook site about the Thanksgiving and Christmas season my friend, Judi, shared. Not everyone is from a large, wonderful family. Many of us have sadness in our hearts and are broken. One word from you can change a person's outlook and carry them through Thanksgiving and Christmas, and perhaps, as I have learned, their future life!

We're only a week before the celebration of Thanksgiving with families and friends, but perhaps you have a little time to consider this suggestion. "I have you in my heart." A noteworthy deed!

A Fine Possession

"My most cherished possession I wish I could leave you is my faith in Jesus Christ, for with Him and nothing else you can be happy, but without Him you'll never be happy." Patrick Henry, 1736-1799

                                                                Tea time in the fall.

That's how my dictionary described it. A fine possession handed down from generations. And I have the best possession to hand down!

A recent reading in "Devotions from the Garden" with Miriam Drennan (see blog post July 7, 2015) talked about heirloom plants. "Some heirloom plants have been passed down for hundreds of years, and the reasons are as diverse as the plants themselves: better flavor, better texture, sentimental value, no genetic modifications, etc."

Drennan continues: "The prophet Joel spoke of another type of heirloom--a spiritual one. We don't have much information about this man of God, but we do have the message God spoke through him, urging the elders of Judah to pass down God's lesson to the younger generations."

                                 I love seeing and walking through leaves on the ground.

Yes, we are to hand down our spiritual legacy so that others can know the God we love. It is urgent as God's plan continues to unroll until the time of the rapture of the church. We've seen first hand that those who live for and serve Jesus Christ are now being persecuted in the United States. The need to pass down God's Word is of great importance to this generation.

God makes this clear in His Word in Psalm 145:4-7:

"One generation commends your works to another;
    they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b]
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
    and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
    and joyfully sing of your righteousness."

 

I went out riding one day to get some fall snaps, and came home to find this lovely scene from my kitchen window in my neighbor's back yard!

The prayer at the end of the devotion says " . . . I long to build a spiritual legacy that honors You by pointing to You. Enable me to boldly pass along my spiritual treasures to those who will journey behind me."  The posts I put on my blog each week is one small way I share my spiritual legacy.

You may have a few heirlooms that have been passed down to you from your parents or grandparents. But remember, your greatest heirloom is your faith. Pass it on.

Stand tall. Stand strong. Stand for the good news!

History on My Wrist

Between Hancock and Breezewood on Rt. 70.

 

My charm bracelet. It was found when we sold my mother's house in 2012. I hadn't seen it for many a year. Since then I've been keeping it in the writing room, laid out for me to see, but a new opportunity has arose!

Lady friends. Did you have a charm bracelet when you were growing up? They've been around a long, long time. I read two articles on the web and one placed it in the Neolithic era, the Roman Empire, Knights and Middle Ages, early 20th century through the Greatest Generation. (Don't ask me what the Neolithic era is.) By the 1950s, the charm bracelet was a must-have accessory for girls and women.
  In Jacki Lyden's book Charmed Bracelets she says: " . . . the most irresistible and alluring thing about a charm bracelet is it's ability to tell a story unique to its owner . . . Truly, to wear one is to wear your history upon your sleeve." Jacki also said: "Charm bracelets express who a woman is in a subtle way, simultaneously giving a whimsical little nod to her style while also serving as a record of remembrance of her life."

I don't remember when mine was started, somewhere in junior or senior high school. It was complete before I reached the age of 20. And then for me, it got lost through the ages until I found it again in 2012.

Forty years have now passed and some of the charms don't apply to my life anymore. Like those two fish on the top left. And the canoe in the middle. Sandy's father was a fisherman and those were purchased because of him. Fish are too smelly for me! And the "pin money" down the right side, with a real dollar bill. I think it's worth a lot less now than it was then.


The other charms are accurate for my life history: sewing, which took me into my 20s; playing the piano, many enjoyable visits to West Virginia, working as a typist, graduating from High School, working at the telephone company, and driving not one, but 4 Volkswagon bugs. Each depict a time period in my life that brought me much joy.


And now a new opportunity! Just last week Jerry asked me what I wanted for our 30th anniversary in December. (That 14 date again.) I've decided my charm bracelet is going to get an update from my 20s forward!


I want to add a charm for friends. I found out how
good it is to have friends and count them among my greatest blessings.






My charm bracelet wouldn't be complete without a charm about my faith. The Bible has sustained me throughout my life, after I was saved in 1978, and my faith continues to be a guiding light for me.







I want to add a charm for encouraging others through note
writing. This is the gift God gave to me, and I've been
exceedingly blessed because of it.








I want to add a charm for the HOPE I have through my
Savior, Jesus Christ. That HOPE is my driving force
that enables me to live each day knowing I serve a God
that has complete control of my life.







I want to add a charm for my marriage that has last
30 years, December 14, 1985 to December 14, 2015.








I think I'm going to hang the bracelet in a shadow box where I can see it often and remember special times in my life.

We all have enough bad memories. It's nice to be reminded of good times in your own life. As God 's Word says:

" . . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." I think my charm bracelet provides opportunities to dwell on good things in my life.