So many answered prayers.....

(I had shared this beautiful picture I bought at Cracker Barrel with y'all before, but couldn't resist sharing it again)

As this year draws to a close, I have been thinking a lot about how many prayers God has answered for me personally this year.... and how many things He has brought me and my family through.... Oh He has been so Faithful! He has been our Provider, our Comfort, our Friend, our Joy, our Savior, our Strong Tower and Refuge........ and so much more......

As for some of the answered prayers:

As many of you know, we lost our beloved black Labrador retriever in May, and it was such terrible time..... I wept for days, and just didn't know how I was going to get through it..... we had lost him on a Tuesday, and on that Friday night, I went to Wal -Mart with my parents.... just needing to get out of the house..... as I walked around the store, I remember praying in my mind: "Lord, I don't know what I'm going to do.... my heart is broken, Lord.... please help me!" I specifically told Him that my heart was broken...... and when I got home later, what did I find waiting on the table for me? My sister and our friend Kerri and gotten me a book, and notepad..... and on the top of every page of the note pad was Psalm 147:3: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"

and then back in September, I had another bought of Pnuemonia.... and was not supposed to be out of the bed, but needed some things from Wal - Mart, and so thought I would just go there and then come home...... I started having trouble breathing...... and, by the time I got home, I was starting to panic, needed a breathing treatment, and felt very bad...... I know that God hears and answers prayer..... and I wanted my Pastor to pray for me...... so tried to call him.... but He was having a wedding at the Church that day... so didn't get him right then..... (he called me back a short time later though) and then I tried another minister in our Church.... and couldn't get him either...... so I was in tears standing by the phone.... and I said aloud "God I need a minster to pray for me.... what am I gonna do?" right after I said those words..... the phone rang...... and it was a precious friend from another city, whom I haven't heard from in a long time..... she is married to a minister..... and she heard the distress in my voice and said: "Are you ok?" and I told her what was going on..... and she said, "would you like my husband to pray for you?" and she handed him the phone and he said: "Well, let's pray right now!" and as he prayed, the power and strength and peace of the Lord just went all over me.....

Isn't God good? He never ceases to amaze me! and there is no way to share with you all of the prayers He has answered for me and my family this year..... but I have to tell you these recent ones:

A few weeks ago, an evangelist (my Pastor's nephew) was preaching at our church, and He kept saying : "I just feel like God wants me to tell someone that everything is going to be allright! No matter what the situation, God is already present in that situation...... He is there before you... and everything is going to be allright....." (that's not word for word, but you get the meaning) and I remember standing up in front of the altar, and thinking "Lord, everything is going well for me and my family..... are you giving us these promises to store up for the future? That we can be reassured and draw strength and peace from them in future days?" Well, little did I know, that a few days later, my Dad would find that the contract to his job would not be renewed..... and that my Mom would have a scare with a possible malignancy on her ovary.......

Do you know how comforted I was to think back on the message that minister had delivered???? I repeated it over and over and over again..... Mom and dad and my sister and I would repeat it over to one another, too, and it was such a comfort...... and the Friday before Christmas, Mom had another sonogram, and the doctor says that she doesn't think the tumor is malignant at all, just to make sure it is watched regularly for any growth......... but that she has seen many of these type and they are almost always benign.............

and today, the last day of his contract, my Dad got some phone calls about good job prospects..... one in particular that looks very promising....... he could go to work there as soon as next week, they said.......

Praise the Lord! Oh my soul rejoices in Him! And my eyes fill with happy tears of thanksgiving as I type this...... My God is able to supply my every need! (and not just for me and my family, dear friends! He can do the same for you and your family)

I have been ill this week, and was feeling rather low last night, but opened up my Bible and somehow found myself reading Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities......." and I got to thinking about how that God understood what I was going through, and how He cared for me, and took care of me, and could heal me...... today, as I was getting ready for Church this evening..... I prayed "Lord I need some encouragement from You at Church tonight, please let something be said that will let me know You are with me in this sickness and pain....." and do you know what one of the scriptures was that was mentioned at Church this evening? That's right! Hebrews 4:15!!! And the message Bro. Wesley Jackson preached from the book of Revelation was so annointed and powerful I just sat there and wiped away tears.......

God is so good! I could never, ever thank Him enough for all of the wonderful, amazing, Miraculous things He has done! Praise His Name!

Gone but not forgotten

These are pictures of Jazz from Christmas Eve. of 2010. How he always loved tearing into his presents on Christmas! And he would always pose patiently for us, when we wanted his picture among the holiday decorations.... How we missed him this year..... but we have our pictures and our memories... and I am thankful tot he Lord for the eleven years he was ours..... a blessing from above! Some people would think we were silly to take on so after a dog..... but I am thankful that so many of my friends understand.....

we had a wonderful Christmas, and I hope each of you, did too...

To My Savior on Christmas Day......

(my Mom bought this picture at Kirkland's. There is no artist signature, and no markings indicating who the artist is.... isn't it beautiful, though?)

Dear Savior, how my heart rejoices in the advent of Your Birth..... to me, Your Name is more beautiful than the loveliest music that could ever be composed..... there are no words to express the love that overflows my heart today....or describe the wellspring of Joy that flows from my soul at the very thought of You..... Thank You for what You have done..... You are my heart beat..... my reason for living, my everything.....

I Praise You Oh God, for the Marvelous things You have done......

All through the house.....

Mom and I had a gift wrapping marathon last night! Ever had one of those? Whew! We finally finished around 2:00 a.m. and then, after she and dad went to bed, everything was so quiet, and looked so peaceful, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures..... we always open gifts on Christmas Eve, so it won't stay that way for long, hehe. My sister and brother-in-law (who live across the street) will be coming over with their big ol dog Camo, and things will be pretty noisy, especially when Camo tears into his gift, a new squeaky toy!

Do you see Frosty the Snowman's hat, resting on the chair in the top photo? I left it there so he could get it.... (Mom found the hat at Kirkland's, isn't it cute?)

Isn't today fun..... don't you just love Christmas? And of course... I am rejoicing today in the wonderous, miraculous birth of the One Whom I love more than anything else.....

Merry Christmas!

Handmade Victorian Christmas Cards

Just sharing some Cards I made for friends using some beautiful victorian lady stickers I bought off ebay.... I added glitter to the their hats and muffs, and some pretty snowflake stickers among other things.... I hope they made the ones receiving them smile......

Well, I have finally finished all my Christmas shopping, and have got most of my gifts wrapped..... still have a few to finish up, though.....

I have been a very busy girl... but I am enjoying this season so much! I hope that each of you are too!

Hugs,

Jenni

Christmas Gift Bag, and Joyful Thoughts......

(These are photos of the gift bag and hand made card I crafted today for someone very special to me... thought I'd go for the girly - girl pink, green, white and cream look, rather than the traditional colors.... I hope she likes it!)

Wow! Today I learned the meaning of the words "Christmas Rush"!! LOL! I got a lot done, though, so it's all good..... I am still up in the wee hours, though, washing some clothes.....

But it was a good day! I sneaked over and played santa for someone..... left a card and gift bag full of goodies where she will find it tomorrow.... what fun! And, as I drove home, I had the radio on, and was listening to Christmas Carols, when the wonder of what God did for mankind so long ago, just swept over me, and I wept..... to think that He, the Awesome God of the Universe would come to this earth and put on a robe of this old, human flesh, so that He could die for our sins...... oh my! I got to thinking: "Lord, You know what it's like to be flesh and blood.... You have felt what it's like to walk around in fallible flesh, You understand how that we humans can start out with good intentions and then make mistakes"..... for, although He knew no sin, my friends.... it says that He was: "tempted in all points like as we...." go read Hebrews 4:15.... isn't that amazing????? He is so very good.......His Mercy endureth for ever! I am rejoicing in Him this morning!

Snowy Angel Christmas Card

Hi precious friends of my heart! Just thought I'd share a photo of the newest Angel Card I made using Jolee stickers and some pretty sparkly card stock....

I love this card because it looks so peaceful..... and isn't Peace a beautiful and rare experience in this hectic world in which we live? Oh, I owe all of the Peace that fills my heart this morning to my Beloved Prince of Peace..... Just speaking His Lovely Name covers me with that Peace........A scripture that is dear to my heart is Isaiah Chapter 9 and verse 6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." He is everything we need Him to be; and more! Sadly, Peace is in such short supply these days; But Jesus knew how badly we would need it, and so He Himself became our Peace..... Oh my Goodness! I love Him so! What would I do without Him?

If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed today by the cares of life, and in need of rest for your soul.... talk to Him about it, ok? I know He will listen with love and care to you.... and He can give you that beautiful Peace that is like nothing else in this world! Matthew chapter 11: 28 - 30 says:

28: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29:"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30: "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Hand - made Angel Christmas Card

Hello, dear friends! Things have been pretty busy around here, but I managed to find the time to craft this Angel Card, using many of the same supplies I listed for the first one I did......

Don't the colors Red, Green, and Gold just say "Christmas"?? They are so bright and timeless and cheery.....

I am enjoying this Christmas Season of 2011...... but, my heart is aching, too. This is the first Christmas without my beloved Black Labrador Retriever Jazz.... We lost him in May, and we knew it would be difficult when the Holidays rolled around.... Pets add so much happiness to our lives, don't they?? They seem to make our happy moments even more full... and are so comforting during the trying times that come, too. So, if you have a beloved pet with you today.... give him or her an extra hug and a treat from us, ok??

I am so thankful that the Lord Jesus is helping us through this...... He is our Constant, Always Present Joy and Strength......

Just enjoying the season....

(This is a photo of our table - top tree in the living room)

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas Season so far.... I'll bet you are all realllly busy! I have been, too. One of the things I am really enjoying is hearing my piano students playing Christmas Carols.... don't you just love Christmas music? It is so timeless, and brings back so many happy memories of fun with family and friends.... it's the musical background for our childhood excitement as the month of December drew closer and closer to the "day" we waited for so anxiously.....
And the words to my favorite Christmas songs, "O Come O Come Emanuel" "What Child is This" and "Joy to the World" tell of the longing of a lost world for a Savior, and of the joy that reigned; even filling the Heavens with Angel's songs, when He finally arrived......

I also like some of the other Christmas tunes, too.... like: Harry Connick Jr. singing "Santa Claus Santa Claus, must have been old Santa Claus" ( I just love Harry Connick Jr.'s music in general, though!)...... do y'all know that one?? or what about: Elvis Presley singing: "It's Christmas time pretty baby.... and the snow is on the ground..." and of COURSE "I wanta hippopotumus for Christmas, only a hippopotumus will do"..... ever heard those??? And who could leave out "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!"
What are some of your personal favorites????

Hugs!
Jenni

My Nativity - Topped Piano

(Click on any of the photos if you'd like a closer look)

I had such a wonderful time the other evening, decorating the top of my antique Piano! For several years I have wanted a Nativity Scene. but could never find one within my budget that looked just "Right". So I was so excited and touched last month when my Mom and Sister announced that they had found the perfect one at Kirkland's, and bought it for me..... they are so dear to my heart! I just couldn't wait to put it up..... and I knew the perfect spot.... on my Piano top...

With this in mind, I kept my eye out at the Houston Nutcracker Market for a nautral looking swag that had a slightly shaggy or wispy look..... (I just had a picture in my mind of what I wanted, LOL, and nothing else would do) so I was happy to find these swags with apples and berries and long needled pine.... with touches of gold here and there......

The Nativity didn't come with a stable backdrop, so I thought, Hmmm..... maybe I just get a couple of tiny pine trees and add lights to sort of illuminate it more and frame it????? I was happy with the result! Thank so much for taking the time to look at my photos! I hope you all have a joyful weekend!
Hugs,

Jenni