HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Well, here we are again. :) We've been together on this blog for a whole year. Last year, we started out setting goals - and while we might have done ok, we didn't do too well at all on the whole.

SO! Who's up to setting new goals this year? :) I'll start, and you can post in the comments section - and I'll ask once a month how we're doing. Be honest, OK? :D

I will read at least one verse FROM MY BIBLE daily, not online, not trying to find a verse for our devotional, but FROM MY BIBLE.

I will post at least once a week to this blog.

I will send at least one card to someone a month.

I have a couple of others I MIGHT do, but those three for sure are ones I want to commit to. Your turn!!

Dear friend, as we go into 2009, may you know with all your heart that God loves you, that He cherishes you and longs for you to intimately know Him. Seek Him, know Him, and be IN Him in '09!!!! BE BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas, Christmastime is HERE!

Hello, dear friends! How are you this beautiful day? It's SUNNY here - I know Kenn will be THRILLED about that. he's been bemoaning the fact he hasn't seen the sun in days. It makes him even crankier. LOL!

It's the 19th of December. Only a few more days until we celebrate the birthday of our King! Our church held its birthday celebration on Wednesday - it was a HUGE party. :) There was dancing everywhere, and so many carols - so much jubilation! Many, many different ways of giving thanks for the amazing grace that came from Heaven were shown Wednesday night. It was amazing.

Have you been too caught up in the hustle and bustle of this season? Have you been able to just SIT, and dwell on His amazing love for you? Or to celebrate the gratitude in your heart towards Him? I would encourage you to do so! :D

The picture above is one of our newest acquisitions for our decorating in the kitchen (I'll try to get a few pictures from the open house up soon....). He was originally made to be a paper towel holder, but I LOVE this little snowman's attitude: HUG ME! BE HAPPY!!!!!! :D

I encourage you, dear friend, to bring someone to your house this season. A close friend you want to enjoy, a friend who's having a difficult time this year due to stress or loss, someone you want to get to know better. Welcome them. Treat them to an hour of your time. Share a season of peace and hope with them. Bless them - and you will be absolutely AMAZED at how blessed you are in return.

YOU ARE LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And the winner is....

SUSAN! :) Congratulations, Susan! I'll wait for your email to pooh0612@aol.com to confirm and send!!

I generated the winner with random.org; it was difficult to make myself do it that way. Those of you who are my close friends, know I would have picked each one of you if it was fair! LOL!!!!!!!!!

BE BLESSED, dear friends. Tomorrow's the open house, so I need to fly! I hope you're stopping by if you're local!!!!

There's still time to enter!

It's not too late to enter the blog drawing - GO HERE to read details and enter!

As Christmas draws nearer, I hope you're taking the time to focus on what we celebrate: the birth of the Messiah, the Long-Awaited One. Our email devotionals are about the Advent this season, and it's been very interesting to dwell on the different viewpoints of the characters involved.

My heart particularly hurts for Israel itself: they'd been away from hearing God for so many years, hungering for their Messiah to come. Still, many of them didn't recognize Him when He did come. Have you ever wondered if you would have?

We live under God's grace now, because our Messiah came to fulfill the law. Be sure and thank Him for willingly giving up the comforts of Heaven to be born in a stable in Bethlehem, and live on this fallen world for 33 years to fulfill the demands of the law for EACH and EVERY one of us!

Be blessed, dear one. YOU ARE LOVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's BLOG CANDY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And not just on MY blogs, either! If you hit the button below, you'll find lots of people who have things to give away! We're all drawing a winner by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12!

For this blog candy, please leave a message - a nice one! :D - about anything on my blog. If you have someone you want this shipped TO, when you win just tell me the address - and I'll put in a gift card for you, too. :)

Shipping only in the U.S. Sorry, everyone, but I just can't afford it this year!

Have FUN playing, and if you're a crafter be sure to check out my other blog, too!

Peace on earth, good will toward men....

Happy December, my friends! Thank you for those of you who have checked in; things have been rough for me the last few weeks - but I KNOW my God is in control, so I continue to struggle back to rest in Him. :) I KNOW you know how it goes. What's that saying? :Life is what happens to you while you're making plans"? :D

ANYWAY. This picture is my little tree in the stamping area. I love this tree; it's silver, but it's a 4-footer. Maybe that makes it easier to love? :D The stamping area is done in blue, white, and sliver; it's VERY peaceful. I can sit in here and work just by Christmas lights. RUDOLPH is on the TV behind me, Kenn's upstairs working, and I am sitting here counting my blessings again. I'm HOME. I have some of my loved ones here with me during this special time of the year. God send His only Son to live a humble life - to live and be tempted by things we're all tempted by, to know pain and joy. I am so blessed. I live in a beautiful home. I am loved.

So are you. :) I hope you find a quiet moment to sit and count your blessings this week, too. It helps keeping Christ the middle of your season! :)

TOMORROW WILL BE A BLOG CANDY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're interested in reading our Christmas newsletter this year, you can find it HERE.

Be blessed, my dear friend!