As usual, there's no time for a long post, but
I'm taking a few minutes to join Sandra for this link party over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
The Weather:::
23º with some clouds, some sun, 12 mph wind, so that it feels like 11º. Predicted to get as high as 31º later today, though the wind is not predicted to die down much.
As I look outside my window:::
I see a mostly cloudy winter sky with some blue beginning to appear. After yesterday's snowstorm, we have a foot of new snow, with all of the ground and trees being snow-covered. It's very pretty.
Right now I am:::
Working on a blog post. I have a lot to do and tend to feel guilty about blogging, but my blog friend Pam reminded me that I should not feel guilty. She commented on last week's post: "please don't feel guilty about taking the time to write...your writing
is a gift to those of us who read it, and God is using you to reach out
to others with His love and grace and hope and encouragement to live for
Him. That is never time wasted ... [a blog] is a tool to be used by God to share Him with the world. We
are so blessed to have this opportunity while there is yet time. Just my
thoughts on this subject...and why I continue to write as often as I
can. We are so blessed to be given this gift of writing for God's honor
and glory. Thank you for being faithful to your calling."
Okay, Pam! You have made your point. No more guilt!
Thinking and pondering:::
Continuing to think on the new year and just what my goals and priorities should look like. Still debating with myself on whether I will choose a word for the year. I'm considering either "persevere" or "continue". You can read about my past choices here: word for the year. Though I don't always choose one. Most years when I have chosen a word, I have made a Pinterest board for it. I find that really helpful, since it often seems that once I find my word, I continue to see blog posts and articles that will reinforce my thinking on it. This provides a good place to keep them for future reference. Below is an example. I have boards for courage, faithfulness, focus, diligence, renewal, settled, and stewardship in addition to this one.
On my bedside table:::
A lamp, four books, and a pen.
Listening to:::
On the Breakfast plate:::
On my to do list today::: I
do intermittent fasting so don't have breakfast. Lunch will be a
salad with cubes of ham and cheese in addition to leaf lettuce.
On the dinner plate:::
Hamburgers, baked squash, Italian green beans
On the menu for this week:::
A few meals on my menu plan:
Chicken divan
Cheeseburger cauliflower
Egg roll in a bowl
 |
| Not from today, but our back woods and stone wall currently look just like this. |
On my reading pile:::
Choosing Forgivemess by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor by Donna Otto
A Step Farther and Higher, by Gail MacDonald
High Call, High Privilege, also by Gail MacDonald
All Manner of Things, by Susie Finkbeiner -- which I am reading through for the second time, and loving it
All Manner of Things, by Susie Finkbeiner -- which I am reading through for the second time, and loving it
Work on several blog posts
Work on Sunday School lesson 18
Laundry√
Change dining room decor to winter
Declutter the closet where I keep my baking pans, etc.
 |
| A Christmas decoration I had nearly forgotten about, so got it out this year. It was an after-Christmas buy many years ago. |
Plans for this week:::
Plan menus and make grocery list
List some Christmas cards on Etsy
Ironing
Take a bag to the thrift store
Work on Sunday School lesson 18
BloggingTake a bag to the thrift store
Work on Sunday School lesson 18
Get started with an exercise regimen
Continue 40-day sugar fast
Continue 40-day sugar fast
Begin some serious decluttering
Start a pillow quilt
Eye doctor appointment on Thursday
Ladies Bible study on Saturday
What I am creating:::
Some "condensation catchers" out of old towels to place behind toilets that sweat in the humidity -- no, I still haven't finished started those! 😕 And I need to do so, because the old towels are just sitting around waiting to be used!
Some dishcloths in Christmasy colors
Need to start a pillow quilt
Crocheted hot mat for the gift stash (like those below, but those are older)
I pretty much always have one "on the
hook" because I have the pattern memorized and they do make great gifts,
especially hostess gifts.
And there's the Happy Homemaker Monday for this week!
Bible verse, Devotional, Quote:::
This quote from the simple study I'm currently using for my Sunday Scripture posts:
"True wisdom includes insights into life's real meaning and the ability to deal with life's problems in godly ways, relying on Jesus for forgiveness and salvation."
I love that truth that true wisdom includes so much. Insights into life's real meaning, and learning to deal with life's problems in godly ways, are so, so important. This quote by Jane L. Fryar comes from her devotional prayer journal Reflections: The Woman God Sees.
 |
| Beautiful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings |
On my prayer list:::
Friends & family
Church family
Missionaries
Our country
Church family
Missionaries
Our country
Smiling as I read where you shared my words of "exhortation" to you last week! I hoped that I had not overstepped my bounds, but it was what I felt God wanted me to say to you, and actually to myself and others when we feel like maybe we shouldn't spend so much time on our blogs. I know I try to schedule my time to write during times when I don't have a lot of other priorities waiting, like cooking a meal, spending time with hubby and taking a ride or a walk together, or doing something related to church, etc. Sometimes I have to squeeze this in while waiting for something to cook or laundry to finish washing or drying, or some other chore...but mostly I try to write/read at times when the majority of stuff is done for the day or early in the morning before we get started for the day. Writing and reading other's posts is a kind of devotional time to, especially as I allow God to speak to my heart about what needs to be written or said. I enjoy your posts and always learn something here. Also, that foot of new snow sounds exciting! I hope you are all safe and warm and cozy and that you don't have to go drive too far before the roads are properly plowed and salted/sanded. I remember those days. Sometimes we didn't have a choice and had to go out and pray that we could make it through. God was always with us. Oh, I like your idea of the Pinterest board for your One Word. That is a good idea, because, like you, I see memes or quotes or things pertaining to my word and I try to put them somewhere I can find them again. I totally forgot about using Pinterest! Great idea! What is Cheeseburger Cauliflower??Sounds interesting. Okay, time for me to get up and get a move on too. Have a blessed and beautiful week and stay safe and warm!
ReplyDeleteHow nice to read from you for a moment. I also take Pamela's words to heart, thank you for passing them on.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the Pinterest-idea.
Loved reading the encouraging words from your friend. I too enjoy reading your posts and have found them to be so encouraging over the years.
ReplyDeleteI rarely have silence as I usually have KLOVE or The Message playing in the background even when I am watching youtube videos but right now the silence before shutting down for the night is quite calming. I hope you have a restful night :)
ReplyDeleteColletta
It's wonderful when a friend encourages you like Pam did.
ReplyDeleteYour crocheted mats are so pretty. What a great idea to always have some on hand for gifts.
Have a great week.
What a beautiful winter photo! Glad you were encouraged about your blogging. Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI think Pam was right on! Loved reading your post. Have a great week
ReplyDeleteI'll admit it - I am jealous of your foot of snow! What a sweet thought from your friend Pam! And she is correct, don't feel guilty for blogging. It's important to your heart to feel whole, your mind to organize thoughts, and to your readers who get joy and ideas from reading it.
ReplyDeletePersevere was my word for 2023. I was hoping for something light and encouraging this year, but God gave me cultivate. I guess another year of work ahead! But that is ok, I'm following His plan!
Have a blessed week!