Seasons of Opportunities

Probably needless to say, this week I am knee deep in finishing up my Christmas "stuff". I am sewing, crocheting, and wrapping gifts. I have also been finishing up last minute jobs for customers and baking. I had Christmas with some friends on Monday and look at this cute skirt I got! I love it!  I have been reading some great books lately. Not as many as I would like to be getting through, but the ones I have been reading have been really good. I hope you caught my review of Newton and Polly, and also my review of Where Only God Could Lead, The Life Story of Don Sisk. Although one is fiction based on a true story and one is a biography they are both inspirational books. Now for the winner of the Joey and Rory DVD - To Joey with LOVE !

My One WORD for 2016 is INTENTIONAL For a while now, God has been speaking to me about how I am living my life. Kind of like the waters of my creek. Just flowing along, bouncing off of this and that, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, but moving without much purpose, rhyme or reason, just at whatever speed the current conditions make it flow.

This past week has been a hustle and bustle of activity and I have hardly had a chance to blog. So I am trying to catch up on my reviews the over the next few days. If you receive my posts by email, then you may get more than one review per email, and the order they show up in may be a little out of sync. My apologies. How are your Christmas preparations going? I am almost finished up with mine, Thankfully!! I am so excited for that. Most years, I feel like I am shopping on Christmas Eve. I still do have a few gifts I want to make, so am hoping to get those finished this coming week. The kids an I have really been enjoying our Advent reading of Ishtar's Odyssey . I love that they are practically begging me to read it every evening. I went wedding dress shopping with my daughter this week too. It was so much fun!! The Aha! moment when she knew that was the dress, and couldn't stop smiling was exciting. The look on her face - priceless!! Ironically, it was the first dress s...

Well, I am running a little late on Monday's post, but thought I would at least share this picture of the raging creek waters in our back yard. It has been raining "cats and dogs" here for a couple of days. And our creek is really rolling. The following Psalm is an awesome expression of what I think of when I go out and watch it roar.

So.... how many of you are ready for Thanksgiving? And do you have and exciting plans? What do you love most about thanksgiving? I love the gathering of friends or family to give thanks, enjoying good food and fellowship together. Is every thanksgiving perfect? No, sometimes family can't come, sometimes we may not feel well, but no matter what the circumstances, if we choose gratitude... our hearts can still find JOY. Because true JOY is a by product of knowing God and choosing thankfulness, not the circumstances that surround us. I hope that is what you are choosing this week, because odds are, the holidays will not be perfect. I would love to hear about your Thanksgiving plans and traditions. Don't forget to enter the giveaway that ends this Friday! Details Here.

I have missed my blog. I haven't had an opportunity to blog in over a week.  But at the same time, this past week has been a blast! We spent some amazing time with family laughing, reminiscing, and making memories. It was such a special time together. I had wonderful intentions on getting a lot of books read, but really couldn't pass up the fellowship in exchange for reading, so am running a bit behind schedule. I am sure you can relate. So bear with me, I will get back on track, soon.

This week I am looking forward to spending some precious time with family. My parents who are missionaries are in for a visit, and I am so excited to get to be with them. I am looking forward to an enjoyable time of fun and fellowship with lots of laughter as well as some thought provoking conversations. This past week was all hustle and bustle of preparing, but it will be so worth it! Just like when we get to heaven, everything we may have gone through here on earth will be worth it - when we see Jesus!! I can't wait!! Can you? God is sooo good!!! I am thankful he has given me God-fearing parents, who are willing to give Him their all by serving full time on the mission field. They have been there for 38 years. That, my friends, is faithfulness. I am thankful that I was brought up in a Christian home, and taught to love God and love His Word. What are you thankful for today?? Don't forget about our  FUN FALL GIVEAWAY this month.T o be entered, just leave a comment of ...

First off, the WINNER of Suzanne Fisher's book, The Imposter is  Melissa H. C ongratualtions!! And thank you to all who participated. Don't forget to enter this month's giveaway. All you have to do is comment on any or all blog posts, mentioning something you are thankful for to be entered. The more you comment the more chances you have of winning. I haven't yet decided on the prize pack, but I am thinking something nice... Maybe several prizes - so we can have several winners. I will try to announce what the prize will be mid-month. How about that? You will have to enter by faith! (smile) I wanted to share two of my favorite books about giving thanks: 1. Choosing Gratitude  by Nancy Leigh DeMoss This book is worth reading!!! It will totally change your outlook. I thought I was a grateful person, til I read this one. Hmmmmm..... Lots of food for thought. Almost every year around thanksgiving, I get out Nancy s book. Trust me, no matter how hard I...

Well, here it is Monday again. This past week just flew by. The kids were on fall break, so it was hustle and bustle all week. I fluctuated back and forth between two, four, and six kids all week. I was hoping to get my review of the faithgirlz Bible up along with the others but the week got away from me. So I will do my best to get it up within the next day or so. Also, I have a winner to announce for the Apologetics Bible. Drum Roll..... and the  winner   is Dawn Smith Congratulations!!!

The reason I labeled these Monday posts that, is because that is what Monday feels like to me. I begin recovering from the weekend, which usually includes a houseful of extra kids, and lots of chaos, my madhouse! Monday's are my cleaning, catching up, laundry doing, etc days. I have a love/hate relationship with them. (smile) I hope you had a refreshing weekend. I did! I enjoyed a houseful of six children, a trip to the big city, beautiful sunny, breezy fall days, outdoor time, lots of laughter (and bickering - how can six kids not have a few of those moments). As of Friday, I am now the proud mother of a licensed barber/beautician. My daughter took her final state board exam and passed!!! YAY! She also got engaged this week. So I am a bundle of mixed emotions and excitement. Coming up for review this week:

How was your past week? Seems like life just keeps getting busier. With Christmas fast approaching... YIKES... Did I just say Christmas? YES!! It is only 74 days away... I have been hard at it trying to finish up this quilt I am making for someone to give as a gift. Last week, I did not get all my reviews done or books read I had in mind to read. But I did enjoy some beautiful fall days, a trip to the circus with my children, some time sewing, and time reconnecting with friends. I am still working on The Imposter. Although, I am enjoying the story, I just didn't have much time to read this past week. I am hoping to finish this up and maybe read another one.  I have also decided to giveaway my book when I am through reading, so get ready to enter another giveaway!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I spent most of my weekend sewing. Not only do I enjoy reading and blogging, but I am also a seamstress. I mostly handle alterations , but occasionally, I also custom make things for people. Right now my custom job happens to be a t-shirt quilt. I love the way it's turning out. I also had a my grandkids over, did some reading and enjoyed some rest and church on the Lord's day.

Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart's desires. Psalm 37:4 I hope you have been having a wonderful Lord's Day! Take time to rest and worship today. Three of our drawings ended this week and the winners chosen were the following: Fervent  -  Becky Burns Battle Plan for Prayer  -  Rachel Dodson Dancing Through Life  - Melissa Henderson I am also extremely excited about the newest giveaway the  Apologetics Study Bible

Today was our homecoming Sunday. We enjoyed some great singing, food and fellowship. Since, our evening service was canceled due to the late hour we finish up the morning service I decided to give you a heads up on what I hope to be blogging about this week. I am looking forward to seeing who will be chosen the winner in this week's drawings. We currently have four, three of which will be chosen Tuesday, Sept 22st. You still have time to enter!! This is an interesting book about Candace Cameron Bure's adventure on Dancing With the Stars.

PLEASE, BEAR WITH ME ...    It seems like since the end of last year things have been quite topsy-turvy in my life.  First, various members of the family were sick, then as of about a month ago, we have had company in and out for extended periods of time. Needless to say all this has kept me a bit out of sinc and a little off schedule.  In spite of my enjoyment for blogging, my "spare" time seems to be spent catching up with daily chores, and other responsibilities that are of higher priority. As you can probably tell, I am getting a little behind on my posting my reviews. Here are some books I am either reading or have finished and will hopefully SOON be able to post my reviews: Elizabeth Avery is a stunningly beautiful woman. But her perfectly managed exterior hides the ice cold heart of a killer. She ingeniously manipulates everyone who crosses her path to do exactly as she wishes--from crime reporter Cassidy Shaw...