Saturday, January 28, 2017

Tears of sorrow and of joy...

This is not going to be a long post today......for those that do not follow me on Face Book, I just wanted to share that my dad passed away this past week.   He passed away on  Monday, January 23rd.   I plan to share more of a tribute to him a little later.



My dad's funeral was Thursday morning and I must say, I have truly had an exhausting week both mentally and physically.   However, this was my view last evening before I went to bed and it made my heart rejoice.   I cried as I watched the sun set.   My tears were not only for the sorrow of watching my dad take his last breath, but there were also tears of JOY, because I know who is now holding his hand....

God is so awesome and I thank Him for His Amaing love, and for this beautiful canvas that HE placed in the sky for me to see.

Love to each of you.
shug.....

Saturday, January 14, 2017

January ....

Saturday morning...drizzling rain outside our front door.   I'm sitting here with my feet propped up, enjoying a nice cup of hot coffee (plain black coffee...NO cream or sugar for me)   also enjoying the company of my amazing husband.    I would say that it's a great morning.



It'a a new season for "little dribblers" which means that we will be heading to the gym in a couple hours, to watch Mylee Jo..... run up and down the gym floor, bouncing the ball and shooting goals.  

January!  One of those months when I usually have about three things that are always steadily on my mind.   One is CLEANING.
After taking down all the Christmas decorations, I always want to dive in and clean everything!  This is what I did yesterday.  Cleaned out kitchen cabinets and drawers.   Cleaned the utility and actually discarded a few things that I know longer needed.  

                                     


                                          My kitchen Lockers


Another thing ......TAXES!    Oh yes.   I like to dig in and get this done.   I like to go ahead and get everything cleaned out, in order to start the next year.  I know a lot of people who put this off until about the 10th of April, but for me....it's just better to get it DONE!

......And the 3rd thing is VACATION!!  January is a great month to start planning a vacation.   The only issue that I have is.... that I want to plan a vacation for every single month!!  The mountains are really calling my name.  We always love the beach.....  A cruise sounds GREAT and I love the Smoky mountains.    There are so many things to do right here in TEXAS.       AND OH.....a friends trip is always a must.

So what do you have going on for the month of January?

I would love to hear.

shug 






Monday, January 9, 2017

Dare I ask what your favorite season is, in life?  I'm guessing our answers would vary....Spring...Summer....Fall....Winter, and each for different reasons.   

I'm not sure that I have a particular favorite.  I love them all, because I find something so unique in each of them.   

But, what about the Seasons of our everyday life?  Would we all have various answers and reasons why???   I think that most of us prefer to be in the Season of "Life is Wonderful...Life is Fabulous...Life is GREAT" point of time.

For instance.....My family has seen many Blessings this past year and even though there were some things that I would like to have changed....for the most part, it was a fabulous year.   AND...2017 is just as good......(so far)

There are Seniors in High School or in College who are extremely excited to see the Season of Spring as it turns to near Summer.   They graduate and there will be new beginnings for them as they spread their wings and soar towards the future.

On the other hand....I have friends who are not well.  They are fighting for their lives.  Their world is turned upside down and they and their families have strongholds that are keeping them weighted down so heavily.  This season is devastating to them.  

I have a dear friend who is struggling each day because she is in a situation that seems hopeless!  Her church has always been her safe Haven, especially in times when things are so difficult and draining.   Not any more.......  The church is under new leadership, with many new faces in the congregation.  The church has become a "Strong Contemporary" place of worship, and is no longer the same.  Love and Compassion has been replaced by something that she does not understand.    She feels that she has no one to help her during her Season of anxiety and stress.  

There are other interval's that we go through in life.... People are tired of just working, paying bills, working and paying bills.  Thank goodness that they have a job and can pay their bills, but the same ol' same ol'  seems to drain them of their energy.   

When will things turn around financially, so we can go out and buy that one thing that we have been dreaming of? When will we ever win the lottery?  Have you ever ask that question or heard others ask it??  So much is put in to trying to figure out "what NUMBERS" are going to make us rich.    All of this robs us of the time that we could be spending with God and seeking HIS perfect WILL  and direction.

Well folks......  All of these situations are not anything that the Lord does not already know about.   HE knows where each of us are at in this life.   HE knows the season that we are going through.  HE sees our struggles.....HE is aware of our Blessings!  After all, HE is the giver of those Blessings.   

It is true that we live in a very chaotic and very uncertain world.....
This we all know!! 

 Jeremiah 29:11 tells us...................

"for I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" 

God Almighty, loves us!  Hold on to God's hand....hold on to your Faith.  Give thanks in All circumstances.   Whatever Season of life we are in, God stands in front of us, behind us and on each side of us.   Many times HE carries us.   Trust HIM.


Blessings,
shug..

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Season's......

I'm not sure about the rest of you....but I find this cold weather to be quite refreshing!  I really mean it!  We are not having to shovel snow or deal with icy weather....and for this, I am truly thankful.   

It is actually 44 degrees outside and I truly love it.  What am I wearing on my feet right now?  Nothing!  I'm barefooted.   As I told someone this past week, I think my feet are the queen's of hot flashes!  Just give me my flip flops and I am a VERY happy camper.

Speaking of Season's, don't you just love each new season?    Like, how great is the Season of Summer?


I find this particular season to be absolutely GREAT and refreshing!




There is Spring, when flowers are blooming and new life is all around us...






I love the fresh smells of the Spring Season...

How about Fall......the Season that I get excited about....   After a long, hot Summer here in East Texas, I'm always ready to welcome Fall.   Orange Pumpkins, Great tasting foods, hayrides and all kinds of enthusiasm fills the air.



and then there is Winter......   


The season that can bring the "Winter Blues"


We also have Seasons in our Spiritual life.........

To be continued..........

Shug





Tuesday, January 3, 2017

My words...

I kinda took a little tumble today and bruised my knee.  Well, maybe I did a little more than bruise my knee.  I landed on my wrist and it is very sore right now, and I also hit my elbow... pretty hard.   I am super thankful that nothing was broken or that this little mishap didn't cause any major issues for me.  

I've been sitting in my chair with an icepack on my knee....hoping that the swelling inside will go away real soon. However, while sitting here.....I had some time to THINK.

I was thinking about the MANY words that I speak each day!
Some days, I probably speak more than I should.  LOL.
My day usually begins around 6:00 to 6:30 and I'm usually settled in by around 9:00 to 9:30 each evening.     During the course of a day, there are no telling how many words that come out of my mouth.     I have a "Fitbit" and it measures the steps I take each day......but I suppose that no one has been interested enough in measuring words to event a device for that.

How many good, uplifting words did I use today?  How many people did I encourage with my words?   Did I use more words complaining than what I used in giving God Praise?

Did I say anything that could bring hurt or pain to anyone?  I wonder if I allowed my tongue to gossip or spread negative vibes?  

I try my very best to speak Blessings into the lives of others.  I enjoy seeing other people prosper and do good.   I simply want the Best for others.   

It is so very important for us to LOVE others.......it is important for us to guard our words and guard our thoughts.

I pray that  my words will be an encouragement to others.   I pray that what I say will be a reflection of the Holy Spirit that lives inside me.   

Blessings,

Shug

Sunday Thinking

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