Lots of Pix from Christmas Eve.

We Went to a Wonderful steakhouse Taste of Texas, on Christmas Eve., before going home to open gifts...the restaurant was decorated so beautifully...it really got us feeling "Christmas-y"! (Plus the food is delicious, too!)

Daddy and Momma, deciding what to order, amidst all the lights and nutcrackers....

My Sweet sister and her hubby, who was clearly being "himself" as you can see... LOL!

This santa and tree was part of the decorations at Taste of Texas



And here I am...really excited about opening those gifts.. even though I don't look it, hehehe!! I look like I ate too much, which I did! (But I truly was happy and just thrilled to be with my precious family... I thank God for them! He has been so good to me!)



Our own decorations... and all those gifts just waiting for us to open them!!

Lily, aka LilyBug... "helping" my sis open her gift.... of course Lily and Camo opened their own gifts...(and nearly drove us insane with the squeekers in those sqeeky toys LOL!) They are soooo much fun to watch, and they get soooo excited about their presents... almost like little hairy children, hehe!  As you can see, we had a wonderful, happy Christmas, and I hope you did too.... surrounded by those who love you most!

FINALLY put up our Christmas Tree....

WooHoo!  I finally got around to putting up our little Christmas Tree... and, I fixed that lopsided bottom you see in the pix...LOL!!!  (And yep... I just had to add the butterflies on there...)  Merry Christmas!   

Thoughts on REAL Christmas Joy

Yay!  I got my old piano decked in her Christmas Finery...And I think the old girl looks quite pretty!  Hmm.. I don't know why I'm a little bit later this year in putting up the decorations...I did get my grandmother's house done...I usually do the fall decorating and the Christmas decorating while she's asleep, so that when she wakes up the next morning, she's surprised!  I got our porch almost done... but have yet to put our Christmas tree up.  (I have had lots of fun shopping with my sister, though, and have been enjoying working with the Christmas Carolers at Church)  How about you?  Awww... I bet you already have got it ALL Done... right? **sMiLeS** Well, Whatever your doing, I Hope you're having fun...smiling a lot...and filled with the joy of the Season. (But even if you aren't, dear one... if, maybe this Christmas Season is difficult for you...for some reason... you may not feel all that joyful... or even a little sad....please remember, that, in the midst of all the hustle and bustle... amidst all the shopping and noise...there is SomeOne that loves you so very much.  His Name is Jesus, and He wants to give you Peace in the midst of your storm...and HE is the REAL reason for Christmas anyway....He came to earth so long ago, and gave His Life on Calvary, because He Loves YOU....and even if you had been the only person in the world, He still would have come....because that's the kind of God He is...So when you start feeling overwhelmed... when the sadness or dispair makes you feel like giving up... talk to Him about it... ok?  He wants to help you.  You are important to Him...and you will be in my prayers!)
Blessings,
Jenni    

It's That Time Of Year...

Yay!  The Christmas Season is finally here... Don't you just love it?  I hope each one of you had a Wonderful Thanksgiving filled with Love... surrounded by those nearest and dearest to you...I did!  And I felt like the most Blessed person on God's earth yesterday... enjoying a delicious meal with family and friends.... God is good, isn't He?  And even when I have eternity to offer Him Thanks.... it will NOT be long enough to adequately Praise Him for the Things He has done for me and my family....I hope you have a fabulous Christmas Season...filled with Blessings!  Best Wishes - Jenni

Thankful Thoughts



 Thanksgiving Day is so close, dear friends... So, I'm thinking Thankful Thoughts today!  When I stop to really muse and ponder the things for which I am thankful.... the list is overwhelming!  God has been so GOOD to this Girl....letting me be adopted into a family that would take me to Church from the time I was a year old... and into adulthood...

And they taught me about Jesus... and they loved me and fed and clothed me, and made sure I was educated...and they spoil me rotten to this day!  I am soooo thankful for my parents... I am quite generous with the hugs and telling them I love them.... I want them to know how much I appreciate and cherish them!

And I have a wonderful Sister and Brother in Law, whom I adore....and darling pets....Camo and Lily and Mr. Tom... on which to love and hug....

And I have the sweetest, kindest, Godliest, smartest and most wonderful friends anyone could ever have....

And I have a wise and loving Pastor and his wife... who really care about the condition of my soul.... and are doing their best to help me make it through this life and into Heaven.....

And, the list goes on and on and on.... (and I will be sharing more later this week)

Most of all, I am Thankful for my Beautiful, Wonderful, Amazing, Holy God.... Jesus Christ.... Who loves undconditionally, and gave His own life in order to save mine!  Lord, I thank You, with everything within me for all You have done for me....

and another thing, on a lighter note... this clutzy girl was feeling very un-lovely one day this past week.... (do you ever have one of those days?) and an adult student told me "Jenni, You are such a dainty, feminine lady! And you have such a beautiful life!"  Oh, dear friends.... that lifted my spirits so much... it was a comment that came at a much needed time...So, I am thankful for precious students and friends... that can see beauty in me, even on my "clutzy/absentminded/un-lovely" days....when I am so much more a caterpillar instead of a butterfly....

And I am thankful for my precious young student Talayna... who gave me a turkey she had made for me from a bottle of glitter... with tail feathers made from cutouts in the shape of her dear little hands..... (I will share a photo later this week)  this is, I would imagine, the sort of thing Moms receive all the time.... but not being a mom myself, it is DOUBLY precious to me when I get something like this.... made with love by a dear little person God has blessed me to know.....

And I am thankful for each of you that has taken the time to read my ramblings....you are kind, and I appreciate it!  Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenni

The Bitter with the Sweet

It's the early morning hours... I was asleep, but woke up a little hungry.  Now, I cannot sleep if I'm hungry! Don't know about you... but if my tummy isn't happy, I may as well forget it!  So I went to the fridge and found a snack I LOVE.... I can't resist Strawberries...I was in strawberry heaven this Summer... my sweet Mom knows her girl, and kept me supplied. LOL! Only, Strawberries in the Summer have a sweeter taste....Sometimes I just wash them and eat them... Mmmm....

It is now November, though.... and THESE strawberries needed some help....they were a bit too sour.... so I added some strawberry yogurt and that was pretty good.....and it reminds me that if we trust the Lord, he can bring Sweetness, Peace, Joy and Hope to every bitter disappointment or hurt that we face in our lives.....

This has all made me think, precious friends...do you have something from your past, an old hurt that you think is healed over, but every once in a while, it makes itself known to you all over again.....it's like a wound you thought had healed up, but then the scab gets knocked off and there is fresh blood to cause you pain.....

This happened to me recently.....and so I shared it with my Lord throughout yesterday... and in these morning hours, too...everytime that hurt feeling rises up in my heart... I tell Him all about it! His Shoulders are big enough, and strong enough to bear the weight of the entire world, after all....so I don't have to deal with this all alone....This reminds me of an old song called: "Bring All Your Needs To The Altar".... "Bring all your needs to the altar... bring all your needs to the Lord.... He is so willing, and able to help you... so bring all your needs to the Lord"

The Lord has also brought a Precious Scripture to my remembrance... Psalm 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart,and bindeth up their wounds."

I've found in my Lord a real Hiding place... so many times I've run to Him, when things get a little hard to deal with, and He NEVER disappoints me... He helps me cope, Comforts me, and lets His Beautiful Peace that passeth all understanding fill my Soul and Spirit....Here's another beautiful scripture: Psalm 61:2-3 "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

Is there something that's bothering you today, dear one? If the answer is "Yes", please think about what I've shared with you, ok? You are NOT alone in your painful situation... Jesus cares about you! You may wonder "Well, if He cares so much, why did this pain have to come into my life in the first place? Why didn't He just stop it from happening?" I Certainly don't have all the answers, (some days I don't feel all that bright, actually) but  I can only say that we live in a fallen, sinful world, and God gave mankind freewill to make choices...and those selfish sinful choices that are made affect those around them... inflict pain, hurt, and sadness...The Beautiful thing is, we don't have to deal with the aftermath or the consequences all by ourselves... Our loving Father is always waiting to help us pick up the broken pieces....He loves you and me SO MUCH! 

Tell Him about what you are dealing with, and ask Him to help you....and then, tell Him again whenever it bothers you....He loves you and wants to help you with it, I promise!

Wow... I had no idea I would say all of that....sharing this with you has actually helped me with my situation....and Jesus has brought Sweetness to this hurt...in the form of Scriptures, Song, and sharing with you, my precious friends....

I'll be praying for the Lord to strengthen and help everyone that reads this post... Hugs, Jenni

Nutcracker Market 2013 - Yay!

The Lovely Wells-Fargo Wagon is always Present in the Lobby...this pic was taken in 2011, and it looked much the same this year

Many of the Booths this year had these pretty flowered headbands...Here I am, Modeling the one I bought...LOL!

This smiling NutCracker was there to greet you as you entered the Market this year... Don't know why the photo turned out so RED!  Maybe it was all the red surroundings... carpet, booth curtains, etc....

My friend Sandy and I happened upon our friend Jan as we browsed...so we all stayed together, and had so much fun! I took this photo of the two Grandmothers occupied in a fave pastime.. shopping for Grandbabies!!  (Thanks Sandy dear for buying my ticket! And Jan for the tamales... yum!) These are some of the sweetest ladies ever... I am blessed to know them!

I fell in love with this gorgeous lace Jacket... Isn't it pretty? I also found a lacy black vest... and bought my sister a darling glittered snowman...(she didn't get to come with us this year and I wasn't about to leave without getting her SOMETHING! She's usually my ultimate shopping buddy)

Peace from His Promises



 Elections make me nervous!  I cringe in these uncertain times when the results are declared...and I must say the results of a certain Governor's Race gave me a sick tummy..... because I see the direction in which our Country is moving..... I am reminded constantly of the fall of ancient Rome.... and of a certain fiddler that played a merry tune among the flames as Rome, that great city, burned....but, you know what?? When I start feeling despondant over the way things are going, I remember precious Scriptures of Hope and Encouragement!  I'd like to share some with you.... these are the ones on my heart right now...

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Mark 4:39 "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Isaiah 9:6 "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."

Now I'm Smiling, Dear Friends- of- my- Heart.... Why Worry?  HE has it ALL in Control!  Aren't you thankful for the Bible?  It can Comfort and Strengthen with "exceeding great and precious promises" as 2 Peter 1:4 says....

Some Fun Fall Photos

Two Sleeping Beauties, Blakely and Bella



Miss Blakely Anne, arrived at the Fall Fest Sound Asleep



A Proud Grandmother getting a Cuddle

Still Snoozing away!!

Chas looks like shes holding a perfect little baby Doll! 

A Pretty Peacock and her "Starbuck" Mom...

Photos of Our Darling Pets

This is a pic of Miss Lily, a few weeks after we rescued her from the streets last year.



She was already so sweet and obedient... she let me pose her on my bed with a pumpkin, though she didn't like it very much, LOL!





My Sister and Brother-in-Law, last Christmas Eve. with the dogs, right before opening Gifts at our house...

 

Same evening, and my Brother-in-law was eating something, hehe! Notice the rapt attention he is getting from both dogs....

Last Dec. after I decorated the Tree.... Lilybug enjoyed a Chewy rawhide

Sharing some "Faith - Filled" Thoughts...

This is a delcious coconut tartlet my sister made some time ago... hmm... Think I'll ask her to make them again!

Hello, precious friends - of - my - heart....I was wondering... is it legal to be this happy? Tee hee! **SMiLeS** I just got home from Revival Services at Church...and the Minister was encouraging us to make Use of the Faith that God has given us...He brought out how that so often, we will ask God to encrease our Faith....while not utilizing the measure of Faith that is already at our disposal! God is so Awesome, dear friends...And when we make the connection with Him, reaching up to Him in Faith that He WILL answer us when we Pray.... He WILL be Faithful Concerning His Promises....Our Wonderful, Loving, Merciful, God will always respond, and strengthen us, touch us, and meet our needs!

I am Praying and Asking Him to help me do just what the minister preached...Exercise the Faith God has given me!

And this time of year just makes me so happy... I go around with a Song on my heart, and Joy in my Spirit...the cooler temps give me energy to accomplish more...and I love to spend time with family and friends...How about you? Is this your favorite Season? or do you prefer the other three? I think it might just depend on where you live, too...here in this part of the Texas Gulf Coast, a relief from the Summer heat cannot fail to bring a smile to our faces! (even though we are still being "bugged" by those pesky skeeters)

Be encouraged today!  Best Fall Wishes, Jenni 

A Joyful Fall Day...

Here's a Photo of my beloved old Piano, wearing her Fall decorations proudly... it's from a few years ago... I actually haven't gotten around to fixing her up this year, yet... but I'm hoping to, this weekend!  I like to try something new every year... so Im not sure how she'll turn out....

Oh! Precious Friends... I've been so Happy... it started when I was driving down the road by my house...as I spoke aloud some things to the Lord...and instantly, His Prescence filled my car...and my Spirit was refreshed...it makes me want to weep with Joy, now, as I share this with you......it also let me know Someone has been praying for me... so, if you're reading this, and you have been, Thank You from my heart!

Our God is so Wonderful!  His Love NEVER fails... even when we disappoint Him, when we make Promises we don't keep, when we aren't all we should be, He Loves and Loves and Loves......There is no Ocean as Deep, no Mountain as Tall, No Expanse as Wide... as the depth of His amazing, beautiful, love and mercy for us.....

So, if you're wondering today if God Really Loves and Cares about You, my friend.... wonder no more!!! His Love for you is written in His Word the Bible...just waiting for you to discover it!
Ask Him to hold your hand and lead you to Him.....He will, I promise! His hands are reaching for you, even now, and they have scars in them.... the prints of Nails.... He was nailed to a wooden Cross many years ago, to bear our sins.... yours, mine, and whomsoever will...John 15:13 says:"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

And,  that's just what He did for us.....He also loves to hear your voice....if you talk to Him, He will listen.... I promise you that, too....

So, I've been rejoicing in Him... and that's one of the reasons I've been so Happy...and of course, I just HAD to share it with you all.... as well as letting you know you are in my prayers!  Blessings, Jenni 

Some Hand Made Fall Decorations...

This is a Fall Basket I made for a friend that is a Minister's Wife, several years ago

This is another Fall - themed Basket I created for my Own Pastor's Wife...I was so excited that she liked it!

Just a different view of the same Basket...

I made this Fall Arrangement last year...for a Dinner at our Church...And I loved it so much, I now have it as part of my Fall Decor

This is a Card I hand - painted when I was going through my water color phase...hehe! Anything not nailed down got water - colored and glittered with Martha Stewart glitter....I'm not very good at painting, but I enjoy it!! I hope I didn't bore you with pix of these things I crafted....I do LOVE making things with my hands....It relaxes me and gives me joy...especially if it makes other people Smile....Blessings, Jenni 

Thoughts From a Thirsty Soul

Hello, dear Friends of my Heart... In these early morning hours, I've been thinking, praying, seeking...for my soul is thirsty... Oh so thirsty... for a drink from the well of God's Spirit that will never run dry...  I am reminded of David's profound, annointed words in the beautiful Psalm 63.  It's a Psalm that I have prayed aloud to my Beloved many times....

PSALM 63

V1: "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

V2: "To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.


And I have been thinking about Altars...Altars held such special meaning in Biblical times, to the early Patriarchs... and, they still have very deep meaning to us, today. Jacob built many Altars, and each led him to greater Fellowship with God; one of the first things Noah did after leaving the Ark, was to build an Altar to God...

There is a very beautiful song that has been on my heart for the last several days...and I'd like to share some of the lyrics with you.

"The Altar of God"  by Nancy Grandquist

I'm going back to the altar...where I started out;

Seems I've forsaken concecration... forgotten, Holy Vows;

Send down Your Fire, Lord...Cleanse me within, without;

At the altar... the altar of God...


Verse 1: My heart, was so deceived... to think, I wouldn't need;

The Power of Your love, to strengthen me....

I was, so far away.... I grew cold, I didn't Pray...

But now I've turned around, and I'm Going back,

To that Holy, Sacred Place......

My Soul is stirred this morning...Oh God! Help me to get back to my Altar of Personal consecration....Shut away from the World...in Your Holy Prescence.... in sweet Communion and Fellowship with You....I'm longing to go deeper...to get closer, to draw nearer...I've been there before... and there is no place like it...nothing in this world can compare to the Beauty and Value of having a Daily altar of Prayer...I'm going back to the Altar. Precious Friends...Won't you go back, too? 

It's Fall Again...

Hello, Dear Friends! It's been a while since I really had time to Blog, and I've missed it! (and missed visiting you all, at my favorite Blogs, too!) Well, the Calendar says it's October, and that means it's the Fall of the year again... though here in this part of Texas, I must say, Summer temps are overstaying their welcome!!! I, for one, will be so thrilled when the weather actually cooperates with the Calendar... you know, when you step outside your front door and the air is crisp and cool, and you feel a certain pep in your step because the heat and humidity aren't weighing you down..I used to LOVE this time of year when I was in college... walking across campus was more of an adventure... or so it seemed to me in those days.... I still love this time of year... I have been taking stock of my life, (as I do every year around this time, preparing for year's end, and the new year to come). What have I accomplished this year... have I seen any of my New Year's Dreams and Goals come to fruition? Oh my! I'm so happy to report that I have... I will be sharing more about that, later on...It's past time for me to be in bed, dearest friends...and I'm getting sleepy, so I will say goodbye for now... Please don't forget, though, that God loves you so much! And He is just a prayer away...Fall Best Wishes!! Jenni

My Heart is Thankful, dear Friends!  Some of you may remember that my Dad, wno is a contractor, finished a contract in May, and could not seem to find another one, unfortunately....but i posted on this Blog that I KNEW God would take care of our family.... I KNEW He would open a door and provide....and I stated that I would post on this blog, thanking Him, when my Dad began a new contract....and so, here it is!  Daddy's first day at his new job was on Monday!  Praise the Lord!  He NEVER, EVER lets His children down! He is Faithful, and every day I Love Him More......Thanks for reading this, and rejoicing with me....   

A Baby Shower for a Precious Friend

We Created a pretty back drop for the mommy to be opening gifts

And there she is! My Sweet Friend Chas...

I made a pretty pink wreath for the cake table lattice; mommy wants to use it as her hospital door wreath...

The Yummy Cake and cupcakes, too!  And a wish tree to leave good wishes for mommy and baby...

Ooh!  Lots of exciting gift bags for baby Blakely Anne!

It Is Well...

You can see more beautiful flowers such as these at Moody Gardens, in Galveston, Tx.



Hello, dear Friends....it's been quite a while since I posted anything, but so much has been going on!!!  My goodness! Do you ever feel as if your life is a wee bit out-of-control?? LOL!

I have been a bit under the weather, with that old congestion that is a frequent, though unwelcome guest in my life.... and I've got something wierd going on with my eyes.... they are so red!!  It seemed to start when I changed the type of contac solution I was using??? But we haven't been able to find the kind I've used for 20 yrs with no problem.....and someone told us the company that makes it discontinued it!!! So, I don't know what to do..... Meanwhile.... I look like I've been on a ten day crying jag....

You all know how much I love music.... and a song is on my heart today.... I've been having a rather difficult time lately.... and was starting to wonder "Why?"  Then I thought.... Hmm... what happens when a person simply REFUSES to get down or depressed?  What if they just dig their feet in, and won't go down that road....instead.... they simply CHOOSE to be thankful and Happy, and content and unruffled... going about with a song on their lips and a Praise in their heart as if everything was Wonderful???
And then, I thought, "I bet that makes the enemy of my soul angry and confused! Hehe!" You know, he throws things at me to upset me, but I refuse to remain upset.... instead, I praise the Lord that I love so much No matter what!!!! And those thoughts have led me to this song:

             "It Is Well With My Soul" By Horatio Spafford

When Peace, like a River, attendeth my way,
When Sorrows like Sea Billows Roll;
Whatever My Lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is Well,   It is well with my soul

It is Well, with my soul...
It is well, It is well.... With my soul

Thou satan should buffet, though trial should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
An shed His Own blood for my Soul.

My Sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought!
My Sin, not in part, but the whole
Is nailed to the Cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Oh my soul!

Christmas Memories in July!



These are random photos, taken at Christmas throughout the last several years

 Hello, dear Friends!  Every year around this time, it seems the hotter it gets outside, the more I think of Christmas... I just love that time of the year, don't you? It's so wonderful.... a month of closeness with family and friends.... sharing meals and trading laughs, and keeping secrets that will only be revealed when a loved - one opens that "perfect gift"... the one that you searched high and low for....

It seems the days around that time of year just have a certain joy, a hint of spice, an air of mystery, and of course, most importantly.... the Feeling of Amazing Love that ties it all together, as we remember and reflect upon the Greatest Gift of all.... Jesus Christ, God in Flesh, come down form Heaven, to save the world from sin and certain death.......

I hope you enjoyed this brief "time warp"... this moment of memories.... I certainly had fun taking a break from the Summer Heat even if just for a little while....

So, Merry Christmas in the Middle of July!