Thanks for sure this thanksgiving time. We had so much fun. We were blessed to be all together. We found ourselves at the Gaylord Texan this year for Thanksgiving. We had fun throwing snowballs, riding tubes down the ice slide, ice skating, watching Cirque, enjoying the carousel, laughing, seeing Rudolph Ice, shopping, playing cards, seeing Wicked, and enjoying incredible food. 

One of my favorite songs is Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant. It is often called Mary's Song because we naturally think about her carrying Jesus in the Christmas Story. 

I find that we could name the song Anyone's Song. I challenge you to turn off your lights, (or leave on your Christmas tree lights), be still, and play this song. Listen to the words carefully. As followers of Christ, we have the babe inside us, the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ.

I pray you have a renewed Spirit of Hope that we are filled with heaven's breath. Being born again is a holy gift. 

(I do not own the rights to the music or lyrics of this song)

Clinton's mother kept his achievements in a scrapbook. Here is one of the baseball stories!

We want to wish these two a wonderful birthday week. Chrissa, our daughter, and her husband Brandon celebrate the 25th and 28th, along with Thanksgiving. We are blessed!

From the moment I sit down until the closing prayer, I listen to what the Holy Spirit wants me to learn. I write it down when I can. I'm listening when I read, work, play, walk, and talk. And when I lay my head down, I am thankful that my life has been blessed with the goodness of God.

There is so much spiritual value in these thoughts; even though they may seem random, they are woven beautifully.

Lord, you make me glad. You allow your Light to always shine in the darkness.

We are called to freedom in Christ, not for self but for serving others in his name.

The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

To live in Christ is to crucify the flesh, to lay it down, and to stay in step with the Holy Spirit.

Let my amen adore you!

God, I have nothing fit for you. I have no talents, only the gifts you have given me. I'm not a drummer boy, either. The only thing I have to give you is my heart, which longs for you throughout my day.

Calm my soul for your presence. Allow me to be still and be filled by you.

I throw up my hands in praise and open my heart to hear your message.

All day long, interject your story into mine and make it clear.

Holy Forever, we bear YOUR name.

I crave your presence, Lord. I desire, beg, long for, yearn for, thirst for, dream of, set my heart on, aim for, you are my goal/my bucket list, seek, want, hope for, hanker after, wish for, sigh for, pine for, eagerly wait on, and suspire for.

Why go out on a fruit tree limb?  To gather fruit. We must be sure our tree is healthy enough to go out on limbs safely! What do we hunger for? This determines the seeds we plant.

Do we recognize good fruit? Are we willing to put in the work to share with others? This is freedom!!!

Fruits are different. They look different. They taste different. They are all good. They benefit our body in different ways.

Why do we care what others do? What matters is what we do for others.

People walk around being Holy and never smile. We must understand that our thanks lead to giving—and the heart will smile!

We must have the tools for the plan and intentionally know what we will do in every circumstance should we face it. Care for the root, trim the branches, know the steps, hang on and have a strong basket.

If God will use me for one.

An act of God's love is never wasted.

We may never see our prayer come to fruition but pray anyway.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:8

Listening and praying ...

This photo is one of my favorites. I love all the neutral shades. It is of three of my aunts, labeled Irene, Mary, and Verna. Although Irene, Verna and Mary were their age order so, this must be R to L.

Enjoy the Creamery Coffee Barn's finished murals for your photo ops! They are lovely!!!

I know that God watches over me. I have been in a bit of a darker place. I do have highs and lows, and my prayer is always a thankful one that I can trust Him to get me through to brighter days. He is faithful. He is faithful and touches me through uncommon situations and people. I love to watch the Holy Spirit work in my life, but I really LOVE seeing him bless others. When someone does something kind for me, he blesses them. He blesses those who give without expectation—selflessness vs selfishness.

I was at Walmart picking up some gift bags and ran into a sweet friend, a young woman who would give all she had to help someone in need. Today, she was my "God touch." We visited for some time, and she hugged me, and I could feel the darkness shift. As I moved through the day, it was better. I'm working through it, and God is in the mix. 

Later this afternoon, I met a forever friend at one of my favorite places, The Creamery Coffee Barn, for our monthly affogato treat. You don't know what an affogato is? It is a scoop of ice cream with coffee poured over it...like a Coke float but a coffee float. Anyway, we always have a sweet visit. She brings a "God touch" of encouragement every time we get together. 

While we were visiting, the server brought the sweetest note to us that our treat was gifted by, guess who! The giving young woman who lifted my spirits at Walmart earlier in the day.

You'll, God. God is in everything in my life. He delivers encouragement and warms my heart through beautiful souls. I'm a blessed Ushka!

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38

Alvah Curtis Roebuck was a watchmaker who partnered with Richard Sears to start the mail-order business that eventually became Sears, Roebuck and Company.

My father worked for Sears for nearly forty years. Santa was always at Sears during Christmas. I was four years old here. I grew up with the Sears Catalog and I loved getting a first copy of the Christmas Wish Book each season.

Sears was really a pretty big deal. The store and the catalogs.

'Tis the season to give back! Western Bank is having an open house on December 3, 2024, in partnership with the Plainview Chamber of Commerce, from 5-7 p.m. All the fun planned is wonderful, but the blessing of giving back to help another is greater fun!!! Look at the invite for the items our local F.I.S.H. will share from our giving! Drop these items by the bank any time. Be sure all items are on date. Everyone can give something!!!

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. — Hebrews 11:13

We do not receive the complete fulfillment of God's promises on earth. We are simply pilgrims on a journey. I am so deeply humbled that I have been allowed to walk and talk with God since I was a young girl. It is a choice I made and has proven to be a wise one.

As we celebrate the Season of Thanksgiving, remember all that God has done for you and others, miracle upon miracle.

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

We must find ourselves thankful!