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2014 is upon us. I never have had a new year resolution. I just know me and I rarely follow the norm so, why would I want to create a new habit or break one on the same day as everyone else! LOL

I'm a creature of habit. I don't enjoy change in my life unless it is awesome and I have time to wrap my mind around said change. I do like to create change to see goals accomplished on projects though.

When I saw this bottle & took the picture it appears to have little pieces of paper inside it. I thought, wouldn't it be fun to place little messages to God inside of it each week just saying, "I love you" or "Thank-you"!

Now, there's you a resolution :O)

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Fresh Find: I love this Etsy site with lighted letters & words. I especially love the FAITH set!!!

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

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Something that God showed me in a vision many years ago is that I can only take up MY cross and follow. I cannot control what others do, how they respond, how they live, their walk in this world. I can and should only take my cross and follow! The Holy Spirit whispered that he is in ALL things and through prayer I would find him faithul. 

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Fresh Find: I'm a fan of fingerless gloves. Could not work without them!

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It isn't by accident that our Christmas card this year was about the Star and this morning's Bible study & worship time at FBC-PLV was on The Value of the Star (Matthew 2:1-12).

To me the part of the birth of Christ story that tells us about the Star is about being drawn to and guided by God through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

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Value of one soul is a video we watched in worship. What is the value of one soul? God reminded me of this thought. Believers are all on the giving spectrum. We all play a part in the telling ministry as God sees fit to use us. We might be a financial giver, a person who prays, we might be the feet of ministry, or we might be one who tells.  No matter how God uses us in each ministry opportunity we can be assured that we will be used if we are willing to let the Holy Spirit lead us.  The love and heart of Christ will prove that every soul is one of value!

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Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place ... Proverbs 16:3

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Fresh Find: Purl Soho learn to knit! I wish I could!

I drove by our grandparents home place this week. I've been by there a few times through the years since they passed away. Each time I see things a little differently and different things, too.

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The door to the "barracks." It actually is an old military barrack. There were many an area alcoholic that spent a night in the front room as our grandparents sobered them up and shared the AA steps and love.

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This old, old, OLD tree was the center of lots of family fun!

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This window is on the back side of the barracks. Mostly I remember it was covered with plastic to keep the cold and heat at bay.

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Our grandfather was an Evenrude dealer. Here is the remnant of a sign.

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The back window of the "shop." The shop is where all of the action was. The electric business, the boat building, the bird raising, the egg laying, the rafter climbing, and the rafter fire. Oh, and the artificaial limb cemetery hanging. Yes, my grandfather's artificial limbs hung up there after he retired them for a newer model.

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The hen house ...

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Well, just fun to reminisce.

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Fresh Find: I believe these seed bombs look like a great find! I know I'm ready for spring!!!

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There have been many days in my life that I feel that I am just existing. Exist is defined as living under adverse (preventing joy) conditions. Don't get me wrong. I KNOW how very blessed we are. My existing times are found in the level of my life before I am reminded once again of God's existance in our world; my life. God NEVER fails to show me something glorious when I seek him in these times.

Sometimes I wonder how people can not believe in God. I see him in everything created, everything dead, everything troubled, everything fed. Then, he reminds me that all he is asking of me is to just focus on my relationship with him, the promises, the future, the beauty of his "face" and I say, lead me.

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They were happy drivers!

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Fresh Find: Wow, I want this whole set but, specifically Texas! Love these skillets!

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In the mood for a little creating. I'm so blessed to have learned how to channel my emotions into creative moments. I have also discovered that it doesn't matter whether anyone else loves what I create because it is a moment in time for me to release and enjoy. Sometimes what I create is awesome, like this hat is but, when I create, I create with imperfect expectations. If I feel it has to be perfect then I can't find the fun...so, everything I ever create will have the imperfect touch because I am a sinner saved by the love of God through Jesus Christ...grace, he covers imperfection freely.

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Fresh Find: Love this monocle speaker/handset. Fun! (find by clicking on Fresh Find)

In the Bleak Midwinter ...

Have you listened to this Christmas carol?  As I was reading the words to it today I first thought it odd that a Christmas carol would be titled something that would not be festive and bring great cheer to the day of Christ's birth.

So many do not feel festive and full of cheer at Christmas time. Many have lost loved ones. Many have lost their jobs. Some have uncertain days ahead and some are very ill. There are those who are alone and those who are depressed. There are those who long for children and those who want someone to love them.

They are in a bleak midwinter of their lives. It is in these low times that a lowly manger held our Savior.  

Christmas is a time to celebrate our Savior's birth but, it is a time where we can understand that he comes to us in the bleak midwinter moments. He calls to us his love, from a manger to a cross; from a cross to our hearts.

What can we give him? We can give him our hearts!

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Listen to this carol...

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Here are the lyrics...

In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim
Worship night and day,
A breastful of milk
And a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels
Fall down before,
The ox and ass and camel
Which adore.

Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air,
But only His mother
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.

What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.

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Fresh Find: What a wonderful child's chair!!!

We had a wonderful little family Christmas on Friday evening. Unkie Aaron, Grandpa Clinton, Chrissa, Miss A, Miss D, and Ushka had a fun time opening packages.

Of course, I always start out saying that we are not sending them home to have to redecorate the house just to find room for all of the things but...it is just impossible to not get them some things that you know the will enjoy.

Both girls tore into the paper packaging pretty easily. Dylan was a little slower but Unkie Aaron helped her get caught up.

I can say that the magnetic paper dolls were a pretty big hit! Even though the Wizard of Oz Dorothy doll set in a can was not a gift (it belonged to Adelyn's mother) it did get a lot of play time. Dylan pushed the lawn mower (which stays at Ushka's house) that she calls the vacuum cleaner. There were lots of art supply books and learning books, too. Arts and crafts times are so fun because their creativity allows emotions to be shared. Fun! Fun!

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We got to eat at the Fieldhouse and Leal's which is how Christmas food should be!!! I would be so very happy!!!

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Fresh Find: In all of our years that we have been married...39 in May of 2014, my special and kind husband has given me 2, maybe 3 gifts that were all about him doing the shopping and selecting all by himself. This ring is one of my Eyes To See blog Fresh Finds. He decided to purchse it with the date I was baptised on it. Very special.

I was saved at the age of seven, 1962, but I was not baptised until 06.20.65 according to the certificate). I'm not sure why the 3 years until my baptism. I can imagine that my sporadic attendance might have done this.Maybe the ones helping me thought I needed more time for training and learning.

Anyway, this stamped brass ring is lovely! I am such a blessed person. Thank you Santa!!!

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I got a purple for Pancreatic Cancer Le Creuset mug in memory of my mom...and am loving using it. There was a Southwest Airlines gift certificate, too. Included in the gifts were some new house shoe socks and a wonderful warm scarf! Just a very specioal time together!!!

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I got the sweetest sign, too.

It is hard to believe it is already Christmas. This year has just sped by. I work really hard at celebrating Christmas all year long so, even though this is the time that Christians stop and honor the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it is but one day in 365 that I want to give thanks to him.

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Such a sweet picture of the grand-sisters!

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Fresh Find: I like these classic book covers for the Kindle.

The grand-sisters got to see their great-grandparents. 

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Grandma Wall ...

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Grandpa Wall ...

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This morning as we were getting Miss A and Miss D out of the car to go into Sunday School it was snowing. I loved that we got to see it snow together. The joy and excitement on their little faces is gift enough for me. A BIG great. Merry Christmas!!!

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Fresh Find: I like this opera bag. Love the available colors!