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.........