Thankful Reflections for the New Year

(This photo is of a card I created recently, using a pretty image and flowers that I cut out from Crafty Secrets)

So 2013 is officially here! I spent a quiet evening with my family.... we went and had dinner at Texas Roadhouse.... and then my sister and I made a Wal-Mart stop and headed over to my Grandmother's to check on her..... and amid all the pops and booming of firecrackers.... one thought has been constantly in my mind tonight..... God has been SO good to us this past year..... He has answered so many prayers, and we've had plenty to eat,  a place to live, and everything we needed...... 

Earlier, I kept thinking, well, I'm still here!  And by that, I mean that God has kept me by His Grace and Mercy..... and that I am still in Church, serving the Lord.... with His continued mercy, that's exactly where I want to be this time next year, too! Like the old song says: "I've got no reason to quit"!!!!  I am reminded of the words of Peter, in John chapter 6 and verse 68, who said: "....Lord, to whom shall we go?  thou hast the words of eternal life."

You know, this new year may be rather difficult..... I know there are many changes in store for our Country, and for the World as a whole..... but I don't have to fear..... it's all in God's Hands..... and He never forsakes or forgets His Children!!

So I will Trust in Him.....
Thank You, Lord Jesus.... for Your Faithfulness.... I love You above all else........

Happy New Year, my precious friends and Family!  I wish you all Peace and Joy in 2013 and always!
Jenni

Christmas Caroling 2012

I was inspired to gather some singers for Caroling this year!  In the beginning, it was simply to sing a few songs for a Christmas Banquet for the "over fifty" crowd at our Church.... but the Lord had more for us to do than just that.....and I am so thankful for the awesome and dedicated singers that God has blessed our church with..... not only are they talented, they also gave of their time so generously for practices, and the actual caroling itself......I am praying for God to really bless them for their kindess and unselfishness....We were asked to sing for the Christmas Program.... (which we enjoyed very much) and a minister in our church asked us to go to his neighbor's house and carol..... (the neighbor had been in a very bad motorcycle accident and was feeling really down this Christmas Season)  and we were thrilled to go!  The man's hospital bed was set up in his living room....... and with his wife and father - in - law and grown children looking on, we sang our hearts out!  We had, of course been in prayer before we went over there..... and we were surrounded by the sweet Prescence of the Lord as we sang...... at one point I glanced over in the middle of directing the group in "Silent Night", and saw the man's wife wiping tears away...... and, Oh! My!  I knew exactly in that moment why the Lord had laid Caroling on my heart so strongly this year........that family doesn't know it, but singing for them was the highlight of the Christmas Season for  me this year........ 

We sang for the Banquet, too, and had so much fun!!!!  I had envisioned what I wanted as a backdrop for the Carolers.... and the picture above is how it turned out...... I think it looked so pretty......

My heart is full of Joy this morning...... I am reflecting on the past months of this year.... and filled with much hope and many dreams for the new year to come..........and the uppermost thought that keeps reaccuring is this: "How can I better Serve Him this year? What could I accomplish if I put Him first and myself last?"  Oh!!!!  I so want to find out..........   

Photos of Christmas Eve 2012

Merry Christmas, precious friends!  I thought I'd share a few photos of Christmas Eve at our house....  As you can see.... Miss Lily Bug LOVED her squeeky squirrel toy.....
I hope your Christmas is wonderful in every way..... and that you are surrounded by the ones you love best... and that you feel the Savior's Prescence near...... 

Cute Snowman Christmas Card

Hello, everyone!  Goodness, it's getting closer and closer to the "Big" Day, isn't it?  Have you got most of your "To Do" list checked off?  I surely haven't!!!  Usually by this time every year I have most of my gifts bought and wrapped and under the tree..... and I definitely have all my Christmas Cards sent out..... NOT THIS YEAR, Though!  Whew...... I have been enjoying working with the Christmas Caroling group I got together, though......... Oh my!  It's such fun!!!  I thought I'd share a pic of one of the Christmas cards I crafted ...... isn't that snowman darling???? He's from Crafty Secrets..... 

One song that I am LOVING right now is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" by Steven Curtis Chapman..... if you haven't heard it, you need to give it a listen... it is especially meaningful in light of the tragedy in Connecticut......I have always loved Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poetry anyway.....and S. C. C.'s setting of this particular poem to music is so beautiful......I just listened to it again..... and it makes me want to bawl every time I hear it.... please listen, you'll see what I mean!

Oh and Y'all, last week I received the gorgeous things I won in Jennifer's giveaway..... her blog was called: A Little Pink and a Little Pretty...... OH MY!!!  You should have seen me opening that box.... it was like an early Christmas!!!  I will try to share some photos of the goodies she sent.... later, when I am FINALLY able to take some more pictures...... She was a Dearheart to have the giveaway....and I still can't believe I actually won!!!!

Thoughts about 2 Timothy chapter 3

This a photo of the Nativity on top of my old piano...... we need Jesus so very much, precious friends... I am so thankful He is not a baby in the manger any longer but is my Risen Savior!

It seems like forever since I have blogged or even been able to read my favorite blogs, dear friends..... I miss y'all so much..........

Hmmm..... well, what I am going to say today is not popular..... and people don't like to think about it... but I am so stirred up over this latest school massacre..... Oh!  God please help those parents and families that lost children and loved ones!!!!!!!!!!

Ever since I heard about it, my heart has been heavy with sadness..... as I am sure all of yours, have been, too......but I just kept thinking of 2 Timothy chapter 3..... couldn't get it out of my mind...... so I want to share a portion of it..... and some thoughts about it, with you........

2 Timothy chapter 3:

1: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2: "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3: "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,  fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4: "Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

I kept thinking of the word "Fierce"......... and so decided to look it up and check the definition......

Here are some of the definitions of the word "Fierce":

Having a savage and violent nature; ferocious.

Extremely severe or violent; terrible.

Ferocious, furious, savage.

Violent - acting with, or marked by, or resulting from, great force of energy or emotional intensity; "a violent attack"; "a violent person"; "violent feelings"; "a violent rage".......etc 

tearing, vehement, trigger-happy, violent

This is definitely a blue - print of the day and hour in which we live, my friends.......and it's no accident that this word "Fierce" appears in 2 Timothy cha. 3 and verse 3........... the Holy Bible has an answer for every question......and if people would just read it, and ask God to help them understand it.... they would KNOW what's going on in this old world today.........

I want to cling to it for dear life......... it is a life - preserver for the drowning one, going down for the last time..... it's a map for this journey called life...... it is sweet succour for the soul..... comfort for the weary, the wounded, and broken, and sorrowing......and it is always, ALWAYS accurate, perfectly on - target, and TRUE!!!!!!!!! If it's in the Bible you can "bank on it"!!!!!! no doubts about it..........

Remembering Pearl Harbor

They walked through that Forever Gate into Eternity, 71 years ago today..... but they are not forgotten.  I am holding the 2,400 that perished at Pearl Harbor close in my heart.... Though so many died on that infamous day.... our hearts are big enough to remember them all..........aren't they?

A Christmas Decoration

I got this Glittery Christmas sign/plaque at Walgreen's for three dollars.....  I thought it was so cute....I like the old- fashioned looking children.... as well as the snowy scene..... how I long for snow.... it has been 80 degrees today here..... so we are just dreaming of a white Christmas.......

Hugs,
Jenni

A Beautiful Christmas Wreath

These are pictures of a gorgeous mesh wreath that my friend Sandy made for me last year....Isn't it lovely????  She is so talented at Crafts and things..... She created it and added the sign in the center that says Peace on Earth...... and then told me to add the "extras" because she wasn't sure of what I wanted on there..... so I added the Bows and the ornaments and the gold poinsettias.... I just love this wreath.... it is even more special because it was made with love by a dear friend.......

I just had to share those pics with you all..... I hope you are having a happy day.... and that your Christmas Season is off to a great start!!!  Even if it's not off to a great start.... it can change at any moment, you know..... If you talk to Jesus about it, I promise it will get better..... He cares for you!!!

Hugs,
Jenni

Christmas Tree photos 2012

I have been smiling.... if you want to get in a good mood, just listen to Michael Buble' and Shania Twain singing "White Christmas"........ goodness!!! Actually, My fave version, though, is the older one by the Drifters..... it really makes me smile.... you can't listen to it and frown..... I'm serious!  Well,  I changed up our little tree a bit this year.... I found these  pretty, large -sized butterflies at Walgreen's.... they were 2 for a dollar.... aren't they great??? I'm all about pretty things that don't break the bank......they can't be cheesy looking, though, as I am picky!!!!!........I was surprised!!  Walgreen's had some pretty decorations this year..... will show the other thing I bought later.....Hmmm, let's see.... took all the purple out of our tree this year.....decided to go with red, green and gold and a little touch of blue... Isn't decorating for Christmas fun, dear friends????  I have been decorating in little bursts this year.... since Grannie has been in the hospital and we have been sooo busy..... I have finally almost got everything up. though.... whew!!!!!

 One thing I am really enjoying right now is working on lots and lots of Christmas Music!!!!!  I'm writing out the parts on Staff paper to an original Carol that the Lord inspired me to compose this year..... Oh I So LOVE writing songs..... I can only do it when I have been praying a lot..... or thinking on Him a lot.... so I give all the credit and glory to my Beloved, because He is my true Song of Joy.......my Song in the midnight hour..... my Heart's Song of Songs........

 I hope you are all having a happy Season!!!  Don't forget the Reason for it all.... Oh my!!!  He gets sweeter to me every day that I live.........

A Christmas Lily!!!!

These are photos that I took of our new baby girl angel - dog, Lily May..... She was enjoying an "after dinner rawhide bone" and was being so silly and playful.  Doesn't she look like a mischievious stinker in the top pic???  I happened to click just as she was reaching, open - mouthed, for the bone...... Y'all would crack up if you could see her..... she tosses the bone into the air, flips it and flops and lays on her back and peddles her feet in the air with it in her mouth.... she thoroughly enjoys her toys and treats, let me tell you!!!! She is such fun!  I have laughed and laughed at her silly antics.... my whole family has....and God sent her to us right when we needed the gift of laughter and joy.......Isn't He amazing????  Our hearts till grieved for the dog we lost last year.... but God sent this sweet girl along.....knowing she was going to make us smile and laugh and chuckle with delight.......I know I say this all the time..... but He is such a good God!!!!!!

Some good news:  Grannie is getting out of the hospital later today!!!!!  Praise the Lord!!!! She is doing so much better.....thanks for thinking of and praying for her.......

Decking the Halls...

Hello, dear ones... I have been having fun over the last week decorating for Christmas.... these are pictures of my bathroom... the one that my students and their parents use...... we don't get much snow here in this part of Texas, so I decided to go with a "snowy" theme...... I LOVE snow.... especially at Christmas!!!!!   You can click on them for a closer look if you'd like......

On a more sober note, my Grandmother has been admitted to the hospital again...... she is so ill with a bladder infection as well as a bacterial infection....... and we had quite a scare let me tell you!!!  I'll tell you more about it later......  we had to call 911 because she passed out at the table........and it was sooo scary...... be assured that God was with us, though!!!  He is such a good God...... and Grannie is already doing better, I am happy to report!!!!  She is still very weak, though..... so we are praying......

I'll share more later, precious friends.... I hope all is going well for you and your families......

Hugs,
Jenni

Some Photos from Thanksgiving

Just thought I'd share a few photos from our wonderful Thanksgiving with our friends the Delafields..... the bottom two are of my Dad and Jack "sharing a few stories", and then it's Jack and Brenda's son Clint and their daughter - in - law Missy..... oh my goodness!!  We had such a wonderful day!  God was so good to us to let us spend the holiday with these dear people.........

I took wayyyyyy too many photos...... but now we have lots to remember the day by..... I hope you all had a joyful and happy holiday.... too!

Hugs,
Jenni

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

I am thankful for so many things this year, dear ones...... God has been so good to me..... my life is rich in blessings.....to list them all would take eternity!!!!  He is such a good God, and the Love of my soul and the Joy of my life.......

I wish you and yours a happy thanksgiving!!!!  May you be blessed!

Hugs,
Jenni

Sharing a few more photos!!!!!

Hello dear ones!  Just thought I'd share a few more pictures of the Fall decorations from the Pastor Appreciation lunch we had for our Pastor and his wife......  these are just random, such as the tiered desert stand and some of the table decorations, etc......I am so thankful for the help of my talented friend Davina.... I couldn't have done any of it without her!!!!  Wow!  She is what we call here in this part of Texas: "A real go - getter"!!!!!!!!  Our Friends Tabitha and Yvette were so helpful, also.........

I Hope you are all doing well..... are you ready for Thanksgiving Day?  I surely am!
Thanks, also, for all the nice comments you all have been leaving here on the blog.... I sure appreciate y'all taking the time to read and comment!
Hugs,
Jenni

Jesus is Our Protector!!!!

Wow.  I have a rather unusual Praise Report today.... some of you may not believe it... but my heart Believes and I am strengthened because of what has happened.......

Let me start by going back a few weeks ago..... to when someone followed me home from Cracker Barrel...... I was oblivious.... but my parents were following a few car lengths behind me, and grew suspicious when a certain car kept making every turn that I made......so they grew very alarmed when I pulled into our driveway and that car stopped in the road,  in front of a nearby house, and just sat there....and when Mom pulled up behind it, they took off quickly, but paused at the end of our block..... and sat there until Mom and Dad drove up behind them..... then they rounded the corner and CIRCLED back to stop a few feet from our drive..... Mom by this time had called me to get inside the house and lock the door!!!!!!  She and Dad came up behind the strange car again, and they took off again..... and started on quite a chase through the neighborhood..........then finally gave up and left.....

Well, early this morning around dawn..... I was staying at my Grandmother's.... across town..... and I was suddenly awakened from a deep sleep......... I felt the most urgent need to pray for Mom and Dad's safety.... I felt as if someone was outside their house wanting to break in..... so I began to pray and seek the Lord for their protection and safety...... I prayed specific prayers, too!  as in:  " Lord Jesus, if anyone is thinking of breaking in .... make them terrified!  Send Holy Angels of God to chase them from the house!!!! put such fear on them that they tremble in fright!  Let the Angels of God chase them from the neighborhood.... and if they even think about returning to break in and rob and steal...... let terror from You, Lord, cover them!  Keep Mom and Dad and our home safe!  Wake Mom and Dad up and alert them to the danger!  Make them aware of the danger!  Move on them to Pray! In Jesus' Name!"

I felt a real release and peace in my Spirit after praying.... and read my Bible for a while and went back to sleep....... so later during the day, I called Mom and asked her what time she woke up..... and she answered:  "Well, I awoke around dawn..... I just couldn't sleep...... tossed and turned all night and kept waking up, then finally woke and dawn and couldn't go back to sleep...... why?"  So I shared my experience...... we talked a bit..... said goodbye and hung up....... she called back a few minutes later..... and said "You need to let Dad tell you something! You are gonna freak when he tells you what happened"  and then handed the phone to Daddy....... he said:

"Well,  I woke up around dawn this morning, from a bad dream........ in the dream I was lying in the bed next to Mom, and I saw something trying to come into our house...... in the dream, I felt such danger!!!!  I was holding a pistol..... and trying to shoot it!  I woke from the dream.... feeling a real sense of danger and that I needed to pray for our safety and that God would protect us and the house..... so I talked to the Lord for a while......"

As he spoke to me, precious friends....... I felt the power of the Holy Ghost go all over me..... and tears ran down my cheeks.......I thanked God for His goodness and mercy and for keeping them safe....... We have all rejoiced today in thankfulness to Him........ we are convinced that He stopped a break in............it very well could have been the same people that followed me home from Cracker Barrel, returning to carry out their dark intentions... only God knows for sure......... 

You know....... we hear of mighty things happening over on the mission fields of foreign lands..... but we are children of God also; so why can't these things happen in the good old USA??  If we will just stay prayerful and seek God and ask Him to make us sensitive to His dear voice..... He will speak to us!  He will protect us and lead us..........I love Him so much more every day that I live.....too often, (and I am speaking from experience) we allow the cares of this life to drown out His precious voice.......and we ignore the gentle nudging of His Spirit..........

God Help me to listen more to Your voice..... and help me to seek you consistently..............

Special decorations for a Special Dinner

fa

These are photos  from the Pastor's Appreciation dinner  that we had on Sunday, after Church (you can click on them for a closer look if you'd like...)  Our Church Family wanted to honor our Pastor and his dear wife for the wonderful love and care they have given us for so many years...... they have been God's Faithful servants, working tirelessly to see souls saved, delivered, and healed, and we are so blessed to have them! I was also blessed to get to decorate our large Gym area, witht the help of some very dear and talented friends!  It was fun......  The top photo is of the table we set up to honor our Pastor and his family, as well as the other ministers and their families that were able to attend.

 I did the large arrangement for the center piece...... and it turned out ok.... woo hoo! I decided to keep it as a permanent addition to my Fall decor......  The next photo is of the desert table..... and then theres' the flowered bow I made and placed on top of my ivy topiary.......that topiary has been present at so many weddings and parties and the like... I have two of them, actually.... and just change out the bows and flowers and leaves to match whatever the occasion........they cost me like $20 at Big Lots..... and I keep them lit up year round........ Thanks for taking the time to read this and look at the pictures... you are dears!

I may share more pictures later.....
Hugs,
Jenni
PS. Please don't forget to pray today, ok?  God is our only hope.....

Pumpkin Time

Hello, Precious Friends!  It has been wayyyyy too long since I visited with y'all!  I hope that all is well in your lives...... I was finally able to do a little more crafting recently, and so decorated a pumpkin for a friend.  These are the photos of it...... she liked it, so I was happy as could be!

I had a kind of bad experience the other evening, but, in the end, it turned out well....... I was at the gas station, pumping gas..... and  out of the corner of my eye saw some THING zooming towards me from above...... never did get a good look at it...... so, I don't know WHAT it was......... well, it landed with a loud "BZZZZTTT!!!" underneath my jaw, on the right side of my face...... and OUCH!!!!  oooh it stung me so badly!  It was burning like fire and swelling up pretty bad, and I have so many allergies...... so I called my pastor and asked him to pray for me...... and, instantly that swelling just went away and it stopped hurting!!!!!!  God is so Good!!!!  And He is not a "part - time" God!!!!  He is a "Full - Time", "All - the - time" Faithful  Friend..... and is as close as the mention of His Name!!

I hope that you are all well and happy, dear ones...... and please remember to keep those affected by hurricane Sandy in your thoughts and prayers....... as a life-long resident of the Texas Gulf Coast, I have been through tropical storms and hurricanes many times...... and they are NOT FUN at all....

Hugs,

Jenni

She has adopted us!!

Meet the new addition to our family, Miss Lily May!  Yesterday my sister was walking her dog, Camo, and  picked up a "shadow".  Inquiring about this sweet Lab mix lady revealed that she has been wandering the neighborhood for several weeks now, living on handouts from whoever took pity on her....... Well, her begging days are over!  She will be loved and spoiled within an inch of her life now......... I think she is soooo pretty and she is as sweet as can be..... she took her first visit to the vet this morning, and is settling in as a house dog quite nicely...... what a sweet heart she is!  And it is amazing how much she resembles my darling Jazz, whom we lost in May of 2011.............though she does have a white patch on her chest and three of her paws....... we already love her sooooo much!!!!!  God does send along the sweetest surprises, doesn't He?

It's Fall again!

                This is a photo of my  piano from a couple of years ago, decorated for Fall.

Don't you just love this time of year?  The cooler weather, the awesome, rich colors, the hustle and bustle as school resumes and Schedules are fine - tuned to fit our lives......... This time of year just makes me happy!  When the weather begins to cool I get a burst of energy...  It's been cooler here in our part of Texas, lately, but I heard on the radio that this weekend is going to get pretty warm, again.... sigh..... but I can look at all my pretty Fall decorations and pretend that it's chilly, right????  And, Soon, maybe it really will be!

It's been a while since I blogged, and I've been missing it!  I am still caring for my grandmother.... living with her to make sure she's ok......and there is no internet conection at her house...... but I've tried to regularly visit my favorite blogs from time to time over the past months.... it's such fun to see what all of you precious friends have been up to.......

I'm getting lots of Fall decorating done, and taking lots of pictures...... so I will try to share them in the coming week!  And I have a Praise report to share...... I was involved in a minor accident  this past week, but Jesus, my Lord, my Savior, and my best Friend...... took such good care of me!!!  It could have been so much worse than it was...... I am just bruised a bit from the seat belt and my neck and back have been hurting a bit.........but nothing too terrible. Praise the Lord!

That's why I  strongly believe that we should pray in the mornings for God's protection and nearness throughout the day..... you just never know what the day may bring, do you?  But it is so awesome to know that He is close to His children, and that He is there... no matter what the need may be.........

I hope each of y'all has the most wonderful weekend ever, and  here's a hug from me!

Blessings,
Jenni

Sweet refreshment for the soul.....

This is a photo of the beautiful koi in our friend Jack's pond.... Our family loves this dear man and his wife so much.... they are like precious family to us!!
The other evening I was in my room at my Grandmother's house.... and, I am ashamed to say, I was fretting and worrying about my finances among other things..... So I just began to talk softly to my best Friend... for He is with me all the time..... Oh I love Him so much.......Anyway, I was telling Him about my worries and fears..... and about my fear for the future.... and I said rather doubtfully: "But I know You will take care of me Lord...". and I sat down on the bed and opened His Word..... and, wouldn't you know it..... I opened my Bible up, and there was Luke chapter 8!!  And a portion of verse 25 just leaped off the page at my eyes......it was written in red.... "Where is your faith?" And I just froze for a moment and let it sink in...... And then I backed up and read from verse 22:
Luke 8:
22: "Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.  And they launched forth.
23: "But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
24: "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish.  Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
25: "And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him."

Tears began to flow, dear friends..... as I began to think about the kind of God He is.... He is Awesome and Mighty, and He can handle all of my problems and my struggles....Even the wind and the waves must obey His Command!  So I just sort of flipped the pages over, and wouldn't you know it!! My Beloved Friend had some more good thoughts for me to take to heart, to gain Strength from..... for I glanced down and it was Luke chapter 12, verses 22 - 32...... and as it registered in my mind.... my heart just leaped with Joy!!
Luke 12:
22: "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23: "The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
24: "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
25: "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
26: " If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
27: "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28: "If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
29: "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
30: "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
31: "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
32: "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

So I just wept and basked in His closeness and care and comfort..... why should I worry?  He is God and He has it all under His control!!  We can go to Him at any time with our concerns and burdens and fears and He is glad to lift them from our shoulders.......
And, wouldn't you know it?  a few days later, my Dad got a job after having been without one since March.......(and this was one of those little issues I had been fretting needlessly over)
My heart is filled with Praise for my Savior, Jesus Christ!  He is Jehovah God!  He is  so GOOD! 
I know this was a lengthy post, but I just HAD to share His Goodness with y'all!

Refreshing thoughts about my "Keeper"....

This week, Psalm 121 has been on my heart......

Psalm 121:
1: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2: My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3: He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4: Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5: The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 
6: The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7: The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8: The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth and even for evermore.

The Lord brought something to my attention this week, and I just wanted to share it with y'all.... Do you notice how many times the word: "keeper" or "keepeth" is used in this Psalm? Well, I was over at my grandmother's one day this week, and it occured to me, how that I was up all hours of the night, listening for her every call, and how that I would peek in on her while she slept just to make certain she was ok, and how that when she was awake I would make sure she had everything that she needed, and was watching over her so vigilantly..... I was in effect, "keeping" her..... and I thought how that a mother will "keep" her little baby...... she listens for it's every whimper.... her ears are attuned to the slightest cry from that child.... she makes sure the baby is fed and taken care of, and allows no danger or harm to come to it......and I thought about how that my Mom and I, and my Grandma's home health care provider are watching over her so diligently..... making certain Grannie doesn't fall.... Making sure she doesn't accidently harm herself by taking the wrong medication ..... we are "keeping" her......
This Psalm tells us over and over how that the Lord Jesus, who is Jehovah God, is our "Keeper".....isn't that beautiful?  I could imagine Him listening attentively all hours of the night or day to our every cry....keeping us from harm and danger..... watching over us while we sleep... (because He NEVER slumbers or sleeps) and also making sure that our needs are met every day......
How He loves His children......and how I love Him.... I am so thankful that He is not only my "keeper", He is my everything......

A little bit crafty...




This is the finished product

 


This is the shade before photo, cute, but you know me!

 

Hello dear friends!  As you know, I have been busy, working, and also sitting with my grandmother day and night, as she gets stronger after having been in the hospital.  So I haven't had much time to enjoy crafting.... but I was finally able to do a little bit the other night as she slept..... so I thought I'd share the before and after photos with y'all..... 

I wanted to add a night light to my bathroom, and knew what I had in mind, but couldn't find what I wanted, so decided to come up with my own style..... I ordered a plain green gingham checked shaded one from Ebay..... it was from a  great store called:  Handmade With Love by Cathy..... and was cute just as it was...I got awesome service and fast shipping, too...  I decided  to add my own touch to it, though, and so added some beading to the bottom with hot glue, and "gussied up" a red ribbon rose pin I had got from Meadowstreet.com...... and glued it to the shade..... I was happy with the results.... and it was fun to craft something again!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, and that the week ahead is rich with reminders that God loves you!

Hugs,

Jenni

Happy Fourth of July!!!

(This is a photo of my sweet Annalee patriotic mice, posing by a red white and blue bouquet)

I hope y'all have a wonderful July the Fourth!  Are you going to have a cookout, or maybe see some fireworks?  We are, and I am looking forward to it...... I sat in my car today and listened, REALLY listened to John Phillip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever..... I tried to pick out the different instruments as they joined in; paying special attention to the different melodic passages and the harmonies...... WOW!  When you hear those crashing cymbals, it really is thrilling!  I am so thankful for my beloved America.  As the song "America the Beautiful" says: "may God shed His Grace on  thee, and crown thy good, with brotherhood...... from sea to shining sea!"

Hugs,
Jenni

It's been a while!

Hello, precious friends of my heart!  It seems like forever since I have been able to blog..... I have been helping care for my grandmother, (who is making some progress and doing better) and my heart is full of Praise for my Jesus!  He has brought us through so many things in the last few months......
I have been teaching piano,  and working on lots of music for different people that need different songs for one reason or another....... and I have been attending  wonderful revival services at our church....... where many have been saved, delivered, and healed.........

Some news of a personal nature...... slept on my new, sealy posture pedic mattress for the first time yesterday, after staying up all night with my grandmother..... and it was awesome...... like sleeping on a cloud!  when I woke up, my poor old back didn't know what to do...... because it didn't have crick in it! LOL!

Whew!  It has been sooooo hot here in this part of Texas...... I just saw on the 'net that Texas has broken a record for the usage of power in the month of June....... thank God for air conditioning....... I stepped outside yesterday at one point and it literally felt like stepping into a blast of hot air from a heater set on high!

I hope things are going well for you and your loved ones..... are you having a good summer?  Sorry I haven't gotten to visit with y'all lately on my favorite blogs..... but I miss y'all and think of you and pray for you often...... will try to visit soon and see what's new with you.......

Hugs,
Jenni

He's so good, just gotta share it!

Well, dear ones, I have been fretting and worrying this week!  I had misplaced something that I use when teaching; it is really important to me!  I use it all the time...... so, this week I have looked and hunted and searched and wracked my brain trying to figure out where it was.........I asked my family if they had seen it.......and I thought and thought some more, and doubled back over all the places I had looked and searched....... and could NOT find it..............

It was bugging me!  And I needed it.........

Last night, I talked to the Lord about it..........I said "Lord, you can see it!  You know right where it is!  Please help me find it; please show me where it is! In Jesus' Name!"

I sat up all night with my Grandmother (who is still recovering from the last hospital stay) and then came home this morning to sleep....... After I lay down, I had a dream!  In the dream, I saw a bag, such as I carry my teaching supplies in........and I heard someone in the dream telling me "You transferred it to another bag.  It's in a different bag."

When I woke up, I remembered one place I had not looked, and sure enough, found a bag there that I had not looked in!  As I went to peek inside, I had the thought: "You transferred it to another bag, and it's in THIS bag..."

And there it was!

Now, to some people, this would sound silly! To some, it would even seem ridiculous to tell a little story such as this....... But, dear friends...... if you have been reading my blog very long..... you know I love bragging on Jesus!  He's my best friend! So I am thanking Him today for helping find this lost item..... Thank You Lord, You are Amazing!

Proverbs 15:30 says: "...a good report maketh the bones fat."

I believe that is indicating that when we hear good reports of what the Lord has done, it strengthens us and makes us Spiritually strong and healthy!  So I just had to share this with you all today!

Back to Bethel with all my heart......

       (This is a photo I took of a Magnolia Tree recently at Kemah)

As I reflect on a discussion I had with a dear student this week.....a song is on my heart.....

Draw me nearer,
Nearer blessed Lord
To the Cross
Where Thou hast died
Draw me nearer,
Nearer blessed Lord.....
To Thy Precious Bleeding side

My student and I were talking about  the story of Jacob's ladder, found in Genesis chapter 28.  And how that Jacob came to a special place as he was fleeing from the wrath of his brother Esau, after he had taken the blessing from Esau that was meant for the older son..... The Bible tells us in verse 11 of chapter 28,  that Jacob: "lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep."

 Then Jacob has a dream of a ladder reaching up to heaven, with God's angel's ascending and descending upon it...... and then, the Lord God speaks to Jacob and gives some very important and precious promises to him.......and Jacob wakes from his slumber and says in verse 16: "Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not." Verse 17 goes on: "And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." And then Jacob set up the stone he had used for his pillow as a pillar and poured oil upon it.... consecrating it as an altar.... and he named it "Beth'-el",  which means "the house of God".....

Jacob was dedicating and consecrating himself to God, there is no doubt about that...... but he wasn't truly and completely changed until  he came to another special place of consecration as he was returning to his homeland, many years later..... and  wrestled with the angel until the breaking of the day, desiring a blessing from God...... the angel touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh..... and it caused him to limp for the rest of his life...... and he recieved a new name..... he was called "Israel" , for the angel in verse 28 of Genesis chapter 32 says: "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:  for as a prince hast thou power with with God and with men, and hast prevailed." And Jacob named this place "Peniel" which means "the face of God"..... Verse 30 tells us: "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel : for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

I have been reflecting, dear friends, on times of consecration in my life.... times when I was completely and passionately dedicated to seeking God... doing my best to draw near to him.... what precious times of prayer and fasting they were! Oh how rich was the Glory of His dear presence.... how I would linger in prayer for hours......... and how He blessed me........what glorious memories I have of these times.... but I realize I cannot stop and rest on the experiences of the past....... I've got to return to those Beth-el and Peniel places in my life..... Oh I must consecrate again!  I must get beneath a surface relationship!  I must rediscover the passion! The Dedication! The seeking of God's face!  I cannot allow the things of life to side track me...... that is the enemy's dirty business, you know....  To let the cares of life overtake and choke the consecration, the prayer life, the fasting, the reading of God's Word, and the dedication out of the lives of God's children......

James 4:8 says: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you....."  I've got to go back to Beth'el and to Peniel with all my heart..... and I know without doubt Jesus is waiting for me there.... how about you, precious friend.  Will you go too? 

A sweet gift for a sweet Mom

Here are some pics of the gift bag and card I crafted for my Mother for Mother's Day......

Goodness!  Things have been so busy here in my part of the world..... The good news is that I am definitely on the mend from pnuemonia, and, though my grandmother had to go into skilled nursing for a while, she is doing better and getting stronger.  She was having such terrible pain in her lower back that the doctor decided to have an MRI and some X - rays done.  We haven't heard the results yet, but hope he will tell us something on Monday.....
Friday evening was a bit of fun in the midst of all the hectic pace.... my sister and brother - in - law, and I were able to go eat with a precious friend and her husband and two darling children..... they go to our church, and it was her birthday..... she wanted to eat at a Mexican resteraunt that we all enjoy....Her baby girl is a hoot - and a - half!  She is so entertaining,  I jokingly told our friends they should charge people for the entertainment Haven provides when they go out to eat....
Well, it is Mother's Day again, and, yet again, I am so very thankful to God for my dear Mother..... She is so precious to me....... He blessed me beyond measure by making her my own wonderful Mom.....
I wish all of you, my sweet blogging friends, a "Happy Mother's Day!"  I hope this day gives you a glimpse of how much you are loved.........
And a Big "Thank you" to all of you who left encouraging comments and prayed for me......
Hugs,
Jenni

Pnuemonia is back, but God is STILL Good All The Time

Today is my birthday. I am 39!!!!!  Oh my goodness!  I Never imagined myself being this age!  But I can say with all my heart that God has been faithful, every day of every year.......
This past week, as I sat up at the hospital with my Grandmother, I got that "funky" feeling in my chest that I always DREAD.......and, sure enough, by the next morning, I had the "Yuck" gurgling away in there....... went to the Dr. yesterday and the chest X-ray confirmed pnuemonia in the left lung...... ****Sigh**** so, had to get the steroid shot and the antibiotic shot again....... I was sitting in the pharmacy next door, a bit later, wating to get my prescriptions..... and thought "Why this, NOW, Lord?"  A lady was sitting right next to me.... and we got to talking....... and, Long story short....... I was able to really witness to her, and got to give her a church card, and invited her to our revival services....... and, I found out that she had been going to Church in Mississippi when she was a teen.  So, was it coincidental that I sat next to her in my time of sickness????  NO!  I think I got an answer to the questions I was asking Jesus; He showed me that good can come out of difficult situations.........

I wish all of y'all could visit the Revival at our Church..... I am not exaggerating when I say that it feels like Heaven on Earth around there!  We have had a lady healed completely from diabetes; the doctor told her she DID NOT NEED her insulin anymore....... Praise the Lord!  And so many have been filled with God's Spirit........ my own family recieved a MUCH NEEDED Financial blessing...... no human knew how badly we needed it, but God did!  And He provided as He ALWAYS does......He takes such wonderful care of His Children.........

Thank you all for letting me share my heart with you on this gorgeous Saturday morning......... Y'all are never far from my thoughts, and in my prayers........ I hope this is a wonderful weekend for you and your families!

Hugs,
Jenni

All I can Say is "Wow"!

Hello, precious friends!  So much has been happening, I am wondering where to begin?  First of all, my Grandmother passed out while eating breakfast on Sunday morning, and the paramedics were called, and she has been in the hospital ever since..... they have run all kinds of tests on her and found she was anemic and losing blood...... finally tracked down some ulcers caused by her arthritis medicine..... so the doctor has discontinued the arthritis med, and she has been getting some much needed blood transfusions......
She is doing much better now, thank the good Lord.......

On last Friday, my Mom had the contrast CT scan and some gall stones were found in her gall bladder....and today she underwent a colonoscopy....... some polyps were found among other things, but no cancer, Thank the Lord!

Now, for the "God" thing....... Oh my!  I just LOVE sharing with y'all how awesome He is and how good and kind and loving He is!   So, last night I was worn out and a bit worried and fretting and afraid..... just for my Mom and grandmother, etc...... so I talked to the Lord..... and went and looked outside of our sliding glass window in the dining room...... I gazed up at Heaven and said "Lord, I am worried and afraid about all of this........"  and then a scripture came to me and I began to quote:  "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."  I said it over and over....... and then I prayed some more and went back to bed......

I awoke this morning (the day of Mom's proceedure) and was feeling that old worried and fearful feeling....... so I began praying, and went and sat on my bed,  and said:  "Lord, I am worried...... would You let me open the Bible up to a scripture that will help my not be afraid?"  So, I picked up my Bible, and opened it, and, guess what?? I was looking straight at Psalms 56:3:  "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee".... my Loving Father was reminding me that I had said I would trust Him, during those dark night hours, and that I needed to keep doing so...... and He was letting me know He had heard my prayers and the scripture I had quoted to Him repeatedly......isn't that awesome? 

Oh I felt sooo much better!  It's no wonder that in the book of Isaiah, chapter 9, Jesus is described as:  the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace........... for He spoke sweet peace to my Soul through His Word........and I give Him Praise from a thankful heart for doing so............

I hope all is going well for you all.....
Hugs,
Jenni

Two wonderful trips

(These photos are of one of the places we went, Moody Gardens, on Galveston Island)

I was recently blessed to go to two different places..... one was a trip of several days, to a Music Conference in East Texas; the other, a day trip to lovely Galveston Island......and I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to go...... my health is not always good, so I am always afraid when I leave home, of getting sick...... but Jesus kept me! Even though I didn't get much sleep on the East Texas trip, my Lord was with me and gave me strength and health! And the day trip to Galveston was fun, too......

I've just got to share something the Lord did for me at the Music Conference..... first of all, I was priviledged to attend with my Pastor's wife ( a wonderful Musician in her own right, and very annointed by God through Music) as well as my Sister, and some other fabulous Musicians that are from our Church.....

Now. for the "God - thing"! I have a confession to make..... I am a perfectionist that is soooooo far from perfect...... I am SO hard on myself....... and, when I went to this music conference, I was feeling rather down...... worrying about some things...... . But Isn't it wonderful how Jesus cares so tenderly for His children? What an Amazing friend and Father He is........ I had taught some classes before at several Music Conferences..... but the last time I did was in 2003.......... Nine years ago! Well, I was just enjoying the Conference, going around learning and listening and soaking it in...... and a minister's wife came up to me, and said: "your name came up in one of the classes" and I said "IT DID?" she siad: "Yes, some people that had taken your classes before were discussing how good they were, and how much they learned when they took them..... and how they had saved all the handouts from your classes....." (now remember, dear friends, the last time I had taught at a conference was NINE years ago.......

Well, I kept my composure and thanked her for sharing that with me, and then later, just cried and thanked my Lord...... He knew just what I needed to lift my spirits and let me see that I had done some little bit of good in this world and helped SOMEONE.......He is so good! and it made me think of Proverbs 25:11, which says "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver....." because that minister's wife ministered to me with her words...... and it makes me want to use my words carefully..... so that they will uplift and encourage someone like she did for me........ Words are powerful, aren't they? So I think God taught me something through this little object lesson, too, along with encouraging me.................

May He strengthen you today! I hope you are all having a wonderful week!