A few more questions as I consider the past year

Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Here are just a few more questions that have helped me in evaluating 2018.  As you will see, they are also helping as I plan goals for 2019.  I found the questions here: Four Questions to Evaluate Your Walk with God for the New Year.  I used these same questions in evaluating 2017 and planning for 2018.  If you're still trying to formulate your thinking and some simple goals for the New Year, you might find them helpful too.  As you will see, it's as simple as 1-2-3-4.

So here goes...

1.  What is one good thing that God did in your life last year?

There were many good things, but perhaps the most wonderful was allowing us to take our local daughter and her family out to Nevada where they could all spend quality time with our NV daughter and her family.  It was such a blessing to be a part of.  It had been three years since they had all seen one another.

2.  What are two things you did right to grow closer to God last year?

🌿 I continued to use and expand upon my prayer journal.
🌿  I spent quality time in God's Word, doing months of Scripture journaling and completing a study of Colossians.

3.  What are three things that got in the way of your walk with God last year?

* Procrastination
* Poor time management
* Instagram

4.  What are four things you will do this year to strengthen your walk with God?

🌿  Read through the Bible.
🌿  Read and actually study more helpful Christian books.
🌿  Stay off Instagram until afternoon.
🌿  Begin a more structured Scripture memory program.

Simple questions, aren't they?  Why not take a few minutes and give them some thought?

Reflecting on 2018

Every year I like to evaluate the year just past and there are various questions I have used to do so.  One list I've used a few times has 31 questions!  Another may have even more.  But this year, as last, I liked the idea of just ten questions to reflect upon the year, and I have finally found time to do so.  These questions from Holley Gerth, which I have used a couple of times before, were just what I needed. 

So here are the questions and my answers:

🌟What went well this year?
My quiet times and devotional life;  blogging; preparing and teaching my Sunday School lessons.  Our trip to Nevada went very well and was such a blessing.  I opened an Etsy shop in the early part of 2018 to sell vintage items as part of my responsibility for cleaning out my childhood home, and it's been going very well.  I was also excited to meet two fellow bloggers this year -- Vee and Denise!  These ladies are as lovely and gracious in person as they are on their blogs!

The last few months of 2018 included a number of long walks, which I am really thankful for.   We were able to reconnect a bit with several cousins and other extended family that we seldom see.  I also saw God give guidance, grace, and strength for dealing with estate issues and for trying to encourage my husband and our church family as we continue without a pastor.  We extended a lot of hospitality this year and have had some wonderful opportunities to mentor and disciple younger believers.

🌟What did not go well?
My physical life, especially the factors of eating right, exercise, and drinking enough water.  I didn't do all that well with my homemaking responsibilities.  I had very little creative time, but I did manage to do some crafting in November and December.

🌟What do I want to do the same next year?
All of the things that went well are things I want to continue with and perhaps even improve upon.  (There may not be a trip to Nevada, and I may not meet new bloggers, but you never know.  I think that Arlene and her hubby are headed to New England this fall!)

🌟What do I want to do differently?
 I want to eat more healthfully, walk more often, drink more water, get more sleep and fresh air, and I want to get a much better handle on my homemaking responsibilities.  I want to do something creative every day, no matter how small.  I want to structure my quiet time in such a way that I don't have to break it into segments.  I have begun reading through the Bible  again this year, after several years of not doing so.

🌟When did I feel most in my “sweet spot”?
Preparing for and teaching my Sunday School lessons; our informal times of discipleship study with new believers; blogging; learning and being refreshed at retreats; taking time for simple getaways with my hubby.  Working at my sewing machine or my little crafting desk.

🌟When did I feel the most exhausted and drained?
When working on estate paperwork.  Whenever I had to deal with difficult people.  Any day that I failed to get enough sleep the night before.

🌟What did I say “yes” to that I wish I had said “no” to?
My answer is the same as last year's.  I really can't think of anything in that category.  There were plenty of things I would rather not have been doing, but they weren't things I could have said No to.

🌟What did I say “no” to that I wish I had said “yes” to?
Time for crafting and other creative pursuits.  Drinking enough water and making other healthy choices.

🌟What helped me stay close to God this year?
Making sure I had my quiet time, even on the busiest days, even if I had to split it up into several segments.  Continued use of prayer journal and consistent prayer life.  Scripture journaling on a regular basis.  Good time in God's Word every day.  The opportunity to be blessed by time at retreats for women and couples.

🌟What did He teach me that I want to live out next year?
That I can trust Him for every detail of a very complicated and busy life.  That I can be strong and courageous in the face of many unknowns because He will be with me wherever I go.

Maybe these questions are just what you need, too, to get a handle on 2019?   It's not too late!

Courage: my word for 2019

Beautiful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Sometimes it takes me awhile to come up with a word for the year -- and I should be quick to add that I don't always choose one.  I don't think that choosing a word to focus on for the year ahead necessarily makes anyone more spiritual.  I do know that for me, this practice has been helpful in recent years. 

Sometimes I've even made Pinterest boards for my word of the year, for I find that invariably I run across blog posts or other information that relates to the word.  A Pinterest board gives me a place to put these so I don't lose them and can easily return to them.  Below you see a screenshot showing part of 2018's board.  Here's a link if you'd like to visit the board: Settled — My Word for 2018.

This year  I have chosen the word "courage".  Below you see a dictionary definition for courage.


I thought it would be a good idea to also look this up in a Bible dictionary, since I would be approaching this word from somewhat of a spiritual perspective.

Here is the definition from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary: "the strength of purpose that enables one to withstand fear or difficulty.  Physical courage is based on moral courage -- a reliance on the presence and power of God and a commitment to His commandments."

I like that definition quite a bit better,  don't you?  The standard dictionary definition leaves out God, His presence, and His power!

The Bible dictionary references two verses: Joshua 23:6 and 2 Chronicles 19:11.

Joshua 23:6 reads, "Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right and or to the left."

And the last part of 2 Chronicles 19:11 reads, "Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good."

I will add the verse I am using to encourage myself with courage at the end of the post.

A bit about the "why" of choosing this word:  I know that we all need courage from God to face the unknowns of any given new year.  But to me, this year holds some "known unknowns".  That is, I know there are things that are scheduled to happen in the coming year, but I have no idea at all how they are necessarily going to look.

For example: My trust and estate responsibilities will continue, but the time frame and details could be variable.  My hubby plans at least a partial retirement from his current job in late fall 2019, but how that is going to play out is very much up in the air.  At church, we continue to work at our pastoral search and certainly pray that 2019 will be the year God provides a pastor for us.  There will be innumerable unknowns between this point and that.  Dental or health needs need to be addressed for both of us, along with all of the unknowns that decisions like that can hold.  There are concerns about my hubby's aging mother.  We will probably spend time with our Nevada family, but whether they come here or we go there is still being thought and prayed about.  I could go on and on and on; those are just the bigger things.  I will need courage from God for every one of them.

Joshua 1:9 is the verse I am holding in my heart as I trust God for courage in 2019:  "Have I not commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

A couple of years ago, I studied this verse using the simple SOAP method of Bible study, and thought I would just share those very simple insights here.  The "S", of course, is for "Scripture", and I have written that out above, so we will just go on with the rest of the acronym and see what I found.

O= After Moses' death, God spoke to Joshua, who would be the new leader of the children of Israel.  How amazing it must have been to be encouraged by God Himself!  He assured Joshua that every inch of the promised land was theirs (v. 2-4); that He would be with him and not fail or forsake him; that no man would be able to stand before them (v. 5).  He encouraged and commanded Joshua to keep His Word in the forefront of his thinking, to meditate on it and obey it (v. 7-8).

Here in v. 9, God reminds Joshua to be strong and courageous: "Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of good courage."  This is the third time God has told him this: verses 6 and 7 record the same command.  He expands on it here:

* Be not afraid
* Be not dismayed

And then He tells him why: "for the LORD thy God is with thee wherever thou goest."  What possible need could there be for fear?

A= This is the perfect day for me to be meditating upon this verse.  Things are changing in my life.  There are many things I could be fearful about, from family concerns to legal matters.  Literally,  things will never be the same as they were before.  And yet ...

* I can be strong
* I can be courageous
* I need not be afraid
* I need not be dismayed

BECAUSE

* The Lord my God is with me wherever I go and whatever I face.

P=  Lord, how I thank and praise You for Your Word!  I thank You today in particular for this powerful verse.  What a great reminder!  Because You, the all-powerful, all-knowing God, are with me, I can be strong and very courageous.  There is no need for fear or dismay.  I pray that you will help me to keep this verse firmly in my mind as I face the unknown, and thank You for all You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Those things are every bit as true as they were in 2017 when I studied that verse.  So thankful that I can face the unknowns of this new year with strength and courage from God Himself!

Friday five for January 4

Gorgeous collage by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

Here it is Friday again ... so I will share my first Friday five for this new year of 2019.  Here goes!

1.  A good group of friends and some family to help long-time friends of ours move into their new home here in New Hampshire, last Saturday.  It was good to see folks come together to help!

This delightful graphic is also by Little Birdie Blessings

2.  The opportunity to get together at my daughter's home with out-of-state extended family that we seldom see.  It was such an enjoyable time as we shared cocoa, clementines and Christmas cookies!

Playing "ride away to Boston" in tandem at the girls' request

3.  Opening our gifts from the Nevada family via Skype on Monday night.  My, my, what a creative group they are!  It was fun for them to be able to see our reactions!  The evergreen tree to the left of the Cat loader is made of grandchildren's hand prints.  The snow on the ground is fingerprints, and the snowman is a print of a 3-year-old's foot!

A photo is not going to do my apron justice, as it is decorated with dozens of tiny people, animals, and other creative figures all made from fingerprints with Sharpie details.  I think I am going to have to scan parts of it to really show how amazing it is.  It even has a title: "Grammy's Funprint Gallery".

4.  Two free offers from Shutterfly enabled me to make two photo calendars this week.  The new year found me with no new calendars!  (Well, there was that Caterpillar one, but ... actually, I did hang it in the kitchen for reference until the others arrive.)

5.  Two very long walks this week!  So thankful for roads that had mostly melted down to tar and for the stamina to climb hills.  We went a greater distance than we ever dreamed we could!

Image from CrossCards.com</a>

And that's it --  my Friday five for this week!

Wednesday Medley for January 2

 

 Yes, it's Wednesday again, which means it's time for the Wednesday Medley hosted by Terri at Your Friend from Florida!   Terri asks the questions and bloggers come up with their own answers. 

 Wouldn't you like to join in also?  Just head over to Terri's blog, get the questions, then copy, paste, and answer them on your own blog.  Then you can go back to Terri's and link up.   Here we go with the questions:

1.  Will you observe National Science Fiction Day as recommended above?  Do you even like science fiction?

 No, I'm not likely to observe Science Fiction Day.  It's not a preferred genre of mine.

 

2.  Have you chosen a "word" for 2019?  Many people do. THIS QUIZ might help you find your word!!

 Yes, I have chosen the word Courage for 2019 and hope to blog about it later in the week.

3.  Did you stay up to see the new year in?  Are you happy or sad to see 2018 go?

I did not stay up to see the new year in, and thankfully our neighbors didn't either.  2018 has gone regardless of what I think about it, but I think I'm more sad than happy to see it go.  It was not without its challenges, some of them quite difficult, but overall it was a good year with many blessings and wonderful memories to look back on.

4.  I really enjoy the Tournament of Roses parade on New Year's Day but rarely get to sit and enjoy the entire parade because I am cooking.  Did you watch the parade?  Did you cook/eat the traditional foods (pork, black-eyed peas, kraut, greens...) to begin the new year?

I've never watched that parade -- well, maybe once, decades ago.  Nope, no traditional new year foods.  Occasionally I have done that, but my hubby usually has to work and considers it "just another day", so ... there you go.

5.  I have to ask... Resolutions.  Did you make any or set some new goals for 2019?  Or do you even think about it?  

No resolutions, but I am in the process of formulating my goals for 2019.  I also will take a look back at 2018 and probably post about my reflections on the year.

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

 Let's see. It's another odd-feeling week, with a holiday on a Tuesday.  No mail, no newspaper, yet my hubby is at work.  Very strange.

And just like that, another Wednesday Medley is in the books!

January goals

It's a new month (and a new year -- I'll be posting my New Year goals soon!) so here are my goals for January:

* Do a January Scripture writing challenge (the names of God)
* Memorize at least 4 Bible verses and review some older ones

* Read the January chapters in the Daily Walk Bible

* Set goals for the coming year

* Blog about my word for the year

* Evaluate the year just past

* Continue our discipleship study with new believers
* Continue study for Sunday School -- A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus
* Get to bed by 9 pm each night  
* Limit sugar
* Drink enough water each day

 * Walk and/or exercise each day

* Take the Clutter Challenge with Clean Mama
* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Do something creative each day
* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items

* Do Etsy and trust bookkeeping
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able

* Continue to encourage and support my hubby as he works through a pastoral search for our church
* Clean church and set up for fellowship time
* Sort out and declutter my dad's house, hopefully taking many loads to the dump and thrift store and consolidating the remaining items yet to dispose of;  work on estate
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating

JANUARY'S HEALTHY HABITS:  Drink enough water/exercise/eat healthfully/get enough sleep
WORD FOR 2019: Courage

And here is how December went:

* Do a December Scripture writing challenge -- done!
* Memorize at least 4 Bible verses and review some older ones -- done!
* Continue study for Sunday School -- A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus -- done!
* Get to bed by 9 pm each night  -- not done
* Limit red meat -- done!  (though I do admit we ate both ham and roast beef on Christmas day)
* Drink enough water each day -- not done
* Walk and/or exercise each day -- I'm calling this done!  because we have done lengthy walks 3 or 4 days each week.
* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week -- not done
* Do something creative each day -- done!
* Bake dozens of Christmas cookies -- done!
* Post in this blog daily if possible -- done!
* Post in my Christmas blog daily -- done!
* Send Christmas cards -- done!
* Purchase and wrap Christmas gifts -- done!
* Mail gifts to faraway family -- done!
* Take 3 of our grandkids on a traditional shopping trip -- done!
* Attend ladies' Christmas fellowship at church -- done!
* Take part in church gift exchange and community Christmas caroling -- done!
* Attend a Christmas party for my hubby's work -- done!
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones -- done!
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items -- done!
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family -- done!
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able -- done! (but she has also helped and encouraged me!)
* Make Christmas plans -- done!

 * Celebrate Christmas -- done!
* Continue to encourage and support my hubby as he works through a pastoral search for our church -- done!
* Clean church and set up for fellowship time -- done!
* Sort out and declutter my dad's house; work on estate -- haven't done a lot there this month
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating -- done!

DECEMBER'S HEALTHY HABITS:  Drink enough water/exercise/eat healthfully/get enough sleep
WORD FOR 2018: Settled

So there you have it.  I'm very thankful for how December went.  Even though it seemed to speed by, I can truthfully say that I enjoyed nearly every moment and saw God's hand through it all.  I'm very much looking forward to seeing what He will do in 2019.

December 31 -- Hot Pizza Dip for New Year's Eve

Photo from Taste of Home

With New Year's Eve coming up tonight, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a recipe for an easy hot dip that uses basic ingredients and can be simply heated in the microwave.  I'd really be surprised if you don't have the ingredients for this appetizer in your pantry or fridge already!

We sometimes celebrate New Year's Eve at church or with friends with a simple time of fellowship, food and board games. I have often brought this dip, along with breadsticks, and a large tray of Christmas cookies from the freezer.  It doesn't get much easier!

HOT PIZZA DIP

One 8-ounce package cream cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup pizza sauce OR spaghetti sauce
2 Tblsp. chopped green and/or red pepper*
2 Tblsp. thinly sliced green onions*
Breadsticks or tortilla chips for dipping

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and Italian seasoning together. Spread the mixture in an ungreased microwave-safe 9-inch pie plate.

In a bowl, combine the mozzarella and the parmesan. Sprinkle half of this mixture over the cream cheese in the pie plate. Spread the sauce over the top and then sprinkle all of the remaining cheese mixture over the sauce. Top with the chopped peppers and the green onions.

Microwave the dip uncovered on High for 3 to 4 minutes, rotating the plate a half turn several times if your microwave does not have a turntable, until the cheese is almost melted. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes before serving with breadsticks or tortilla chips.

* You can top this dip with almost anything -- I have used finely chopped pepperoni, peppers or green onions only, a combination of the three -- or I have just simply topped it with a sprinkle of pizza spice. It doesn’t seem to matter what you use -- the dip is going to get gobbled up regardless. I very often bring this to potlucks because people enjoy it so much. I usually make two of these, and there is still never any left to bring home.