Thankful Thursday

1. I am thankful that God is my redeemer and my Best Friend Forever.

2. I am thankful for a husband that loves God and loves me.

3. I am thankful for women that are hungry to know more of Jesus and to live for Him.

4. I am thankful for the beautiful dusting of snow that we awoke to this morning.

5. I am thankful for the covey of quail that I was able to enjoy out my kitchen window yesterday morning. God's creation is amazing, but He is the One to be praised and admired.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

Please join us at Sonya's and give God praise!

6. That I have been incredibly blessed with my very own set of China this week. I've never had any before, and my precious mother-in-law blessed me with her very first set. Thank YOU, thank you, thank you!!!

7. I also was blessed with her four tea cups and saucers, so I officially have 8 servings that are all misfits, and that is exactly what I desire, none that match. OH GLORY TO GOD! I'm so stinkin' excited about that, and look forward to a tea party in the near future with 8 ladies, don't know who they are, but God will reveal that to me, I'm sure of it!

Names of God

Christmas eve and what a perfect time to share with one another the name of God that means the most in this season of your life.

I desire to wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas!

Lovingly,
Yolanda

PS: The previous post describes what will be happening. I would love for you to join myself and the others learning the Names of God. This has been very much to the forefront of my thoughts the past several weeks for myself and others have shared that this has been on their hearts and minds as well. May God get the glory and be blessed for us having done so.

Bible study together on-line to learn the names of God

I will be hosting a study on "Lord, I want to know you" by Kay Arthur on Monday mornings beginning January 4th here at Joy Comes In The Morning.

Please know that I've never done anything like this as the facilitator IN blog land. But a few have mentioned that they have this book from my latest writing at Higher Grounds, you can see that here. I thought it would be a great thing to do together. Simply report in and share the insight you have been given from reading the chapter.

May the Lord God get all the glory from our participation.


**Please sign in if you plan on learning the Names of God with us**

I've had one or two comment that their book is not this deep purple. Mine isn't either, here is what my book actually looks like:

Thankful Thursday

I'm doing this 24 hours earlier as we are traveling over night. I'll be back to check in tomorrow afternoon.

1. Our children's Christmas play was just the cutest! What a sweet and fun way to share the Gospel.

2. I am so thankful for how cute my sugar cookies turned out for the fellowship after the Christmas play on Sunday evening. I have never been able to make sugar cookies and I shared that with an extra special friend. Look at the blessings of God friends....

3. Hubs called one day at lunch time asking if I would like to ride along with him to a neighboring town. I was thrilled to have that time with him and this particular town has a Starbucks in the Target. Other wise we drive 200 miles for a Starbucks. Perhaps that was tmi? There was a gentleman in front of Hubs that we know (small world) and he blessed us with our coffee. Thank You Mr. C and God.

4. I am so thankful that our trip today is built all around sharing Christmas this evening with family and our grandchildren. So cool that we can do this, instead of shipping packages and not seeing their faces as they open them. THANK YOU LORD for this opportunity.

5. I am thankful for those ladies that take time in today's world to actually hand write and mail a Christmas card. There is something that touches my heart deeply about receiving a card or letter that is hand written.

Until we meet again, may your hearts shine and soar for Jesus. May you be on the look-out for His presence in every thing and every where. He is THERE....are you looking? And I continue with one more challenge, if you aren't already, would you be WILLING to love Jesus today?

Thankful and lovingly,

Yolanda

2009 Scripture Memorization

Scripture Memorization for 2009

Beth Moore encouraged us to memorize 24 scriptures in 2009.


24) Proverbs 8:34 NAS Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my door.

23) Romans 3:23 NIV for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

22) Psalm 4:8 NIV I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

21) 1 Corinthians 15:10 Message But because God was so gracious, so very gracious, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste.

20) **Psalm 139:13-14 NIV For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

19) **John 11:40 NIV Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

18)* Exodus 33:18 NIV Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."

17) *Psalm 19:13 NIV Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

16) *Ephesians 4:26 NIV "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.


15) *Luke 10:27 NIV He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

14) *Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

13) *Jeremiah 31:3 MSG God told them, "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!

12) *Philippians 4:8-9 NIV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Extra Luke 1:45 NIV Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.

11) *1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

10) *2 Peter 3:9 NIV The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

9) *John 3:30 NIV He must become greater; I must become less.

8) *Jeremiah 31:25 NIV I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

7) *Psalm 18:20-24 Message God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, he gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.

6)*Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave your or forsake you.

5)*1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who might believe on him and receive eternal life. **My life verses!

4) *Psalm 130:3-4 NIV If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O LORD, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, therefore you are feared.

3) *Psalm 25:14 NIV The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

2) *Psalm 19:14 NIV May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Extra**Zephaniah 3:17 NIV The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

1) *Psalm 113:1-3 Message Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God. Just to speak His name is praise. Just to remember God is a blessing-now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!

I actually memorzied 26 scriptures this year, with two extra's: Zephania 3:17 NIV, and Luke 1:45 NIV. I praise GOD for the ability to have accomplished this, it is HUGE for me, and I would love to thank Beth Moore and the Siesta's for every bit of encouragement the past 12 months!

Thankful Thursday

• I am thankful for God's word and how He continues to place a hunger in me to know Him more and love Him more than I ever have before but not nearly like I will tomorrow.
• I am thankful for heat, for a home, for a car and for a coat. It is cold here!!! -7 this morning at 6:00 a.m. way before the sun ever came up.
• I am thankful for the opportunity to have met two bloggers over the weekend at a Deeper Still event in Oklahoma City. See here to get a better idea of the weekend.
• I am thankful for men and women that the Lord has allowed to be a part of His plan to lead us deeper into the truths of His word. TO DIG DEEPER!
• I am thankful for my own Man that is so loving towards me and patient. Yesterday late afternoon he was headed out the door and he lovingly said, would you like for me to light a fire in the basement? He spent 30 minutes getting our pellet stove lit due to the very cold temperatures, and I so appreciated the servant heart that he has for others and for me. That wasn't in his plans, but he was so loving and caring in giving of himself.

Care to join us? Hop on over to Sonya's and lets praise God together!

Thankful Thursday

This meme is such a blessing and what joy it must give back to Our Father as He is the one that has poured the thankfulness into our hearts. Please join us over at Sonya's each Thursday to give God praise!

1. I am thankful for the Prince of Peace as I've had some trials this week and He reminds me to rest in Him. He is the very air I breathe. May my actions show obedience to Him.

2. I am thankful for the joy that I received the past couple of days of making our own ornaments for our small pencil tree. They are the cinnamon/applesauce ornaments and after I allowed them to dry, I then painted them with my acrylic paints yesterday afternoon. **Note, I am NOT an artist** I told Hubs that I wanted an old-fashioned Christmas between he and I. Things home made and not expensive, it has been fun gathering things already.

3. I am thankful for my niece, Sydnee, who turns 8 today. Her parents have alienated themselves from us, so I am not able to celebrate with her. I love them just the same and pray that God would melt their hearts and continue working on mine. Happy Birthday Sydnee!!

4. I am thankful for the sweet new metal sign my hubs made me with my all time favorite word. I love love love this word. It is the foundation of my walk with my Savior. BELIEVE.

5. I am thankful for the Christmas Parade this evening and all the work that the men of our church have put into building a float at our shop. It is such a joy that my husband has jumped right in with something that he would never do on his own. I am thankful for these men that seek God and encourage my Man.

Lovingly,

Yolanda

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday and Thanksgiving all on the same day, wow, what a great opportunity to brag on God today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lord, I love YOU so much, thank You, thank You.

1. I am thankful for the sweet memories I have of my Mom and while I am thankful that she is healed and whole with Jesus, I still miss her so much!

2. I am thankful for friends that fill the void of family.

3. I am thankful for little one's. If you haven't read it yet, you might want to slip over to my original blog, Higher Grounds and read the latest blessing.

4. I am thankful for dressing and cold pumpkin pie.

5. I am thankful for all of my friends and family that went out of their way to bless me by acknowledging my birthday last Thursday, thank YOU so much!!!

6. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend some time with our grandchildren over the weekend.

I may come back later today and give more thanksgivings. Care to join us? If so, hop over to Sonya's and sign up, we'd love to have you!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERY ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ABC's Thanksgiving Style

Loren at The Maggos News spurred me on to participate in a Meme.

The rules are to think of a word for each letter of the alphabet for something that you are thankful for. Feel free to try it yourself.

A-applesauce
B-Bible
C-Church family
D-Daisy our basset hound
E-Everyday
F-Father God
G-grace
H-husband
I-inheritance
J-jam for my toast
K-Krispy Kreme cake donuts
L-LOVE
M-memorization of scripture
N-Nicole C. Mullen
O-oven as I love to bake
P-possibilities
Q-quiet
R-roads that lead to friends
S-Siesta's
T-ThanksLIVING
U-unity of Jesus
V-V-8 juice
W-weddings
X-xmas doesn't cut it, it is CHRISTmas
Y-Yahweh
Z-zealous living for God

Thankful Thursday

Sonya, once again, thank you so very much for beginning this meme that causes our eyes and hearts to turn to the One that deserves all the glory and praise, Jesus.

1. I am incredibly thankful for THIS very day! God chose to bring a tiny baby girl into the world 44 years ago. And that HE knew, KNEW, that I would need a savior, allowing His Son to die for me 2,000 plus years ago, simply amazing. My parents chose life and Jesus died to give me life.

2. I am thankful for the two girls He has chosen for me to mentor through our school system. One for three years and the other I'm just beginning to work with. Girl #1 is still close to my heart and we enjoy a "date" together from time to time. Girl #2 you will see here as we did a small stained glass art project this week. I would appreciate your prayers that this relationship would blossom and bring a healing to her tiny heart.

3. I am thankful for the Sisters in Christ that the Lord has richly blessed me with as I don't have any birth sisters. Thank you to each one of you that speak life into my heart on a very regular basis.

4. I am thankful for our church family and the delicious Thanksgiving dinner we will be enjoying together Sunday after our services.

5. I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the Seniors this week in our school system, as both my husband and I participated in a program called, "Sr. Interview Day".

6. I am so humbled by the love of my Man. He has such a servants heart towards me and is so very kind and giving of himself. Something so foreign to me from my past, and so often I seem to take that for granted. I love you Babe and am happy to be your "Band-aid". It is a joy!!!

Thankful Thursday

• I am incredibly thankful for this beautiful weather we are being blessed with, a very delightful fall.
• I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life through a program in our community, YouthFriends.
• I am thankful for our Pastor and his wife. They are delightful, they pray for my husband and I, and they follow hard after God.
• I am thankful for November as it holds many blessings to my heart.
• I am thankful for God, for my husband, and for our family.

Thank you Sonya as you are a very gracious host, week in and week out. Click here or the above picture if you desire to participate with us.

Thank you

Leslie was able to go home 24 hours after her last surgery. Lymphnodes removed in the morning and just after 12:30 she went in for a bilteral mastectomy all on Tuesday. Pathology report came back on Fridy and NO invasive cancer. She should have gotten the drains out yesterday as well and I'm pretty sure she did. Turning in a praise report, thank You Father. I also personally thank each one of you that lifted a dear precious friend to the throne for me. Lovingly, Yolanda

Thankful Thursday

Last week was a crazy Thursday and next thing I know, it's Thursday once again!!! So I'm going to give a little insight and may come up with more than 5, please bare with me.

1. I'm thankful for Jehovah Jireh, for He truly is my provider. In this season of life I find myself in, I'm enjoying lots of rest. Rest that I really wasn't aware of that I was so in need of. For over a year my health has been not normal, and all the things that I'm reading about what is going on in my body....rest. Jehovah Jireh, THANK YOU that I'm not having to be out in the work force and that You alone have provided us with our finances to be retired.

2. I'm thankful for my precious husband. So patient with me when I gently say, I don't have the stamina at the moment, perhaps in a little while we can do that. He is absolutely the best man for me and God knew that!

3. Two weeks ago on Saturday my husband was texting with his nephew about how cold it was back home. My husband said why don't you have your butt over here? Truly, that is what hubs text'd. In no time at all, our nephew booked his flight as his college was having fall break the following Wednesday. What a neat surprise, totally spur of the moment and what a blessing to have him with us for 4 days in the middle of our stay here on vacation. I am not home sick, Praise the Lord. And our nephew grew closer to us and enjoyed a beautiful place that he had never been before....Hawaii! :-)

4. I'm thankful for the Siesta Scripture Memory party that will be taking place soon and the opportunity that has given me along with 3,000 Sisters in Christ to write God's word on our hearts.

5. I'm extremely thankful for my precious friend, Leslie. I love her like a Sister and God brought us together about 5-7 years ago in a women's bible study right here on Maui. She is having a bi-lateral mastectomy this coming week in her home state of Colorado. I would so love all of your prayers for not only my own health issues, but especially for Leslie and her husband Bob. They have become like family to both my husband and I. She loves Jesus...loves loves loves Him. I'm thankful for her friendship but more importantly her walk with the Lord. Father, please watch over the surgeons, the care givers and providers in the days to come, all the men & women in the hospital staff that will be with Leslie in the next few days. I ask for a speedy and perfect healing and that Lez would be found CLINGING to You. It is in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that I ask these things. Amen.

6. I'm extremely grateful for each one of you that leaves comments, that stops in, or that leaves here pondering a deeper walk with my Lord and Savior.

Lovingly,

Yolanda

Thankful Thursday

1. Thankful to have been able to attend my first official book signing, happened to be in my own home town and with a local pastor that also happens to blog. YEAH GOD!

2. Thankful to have finished my local CBS study prior to our extended vacation. I would appreciate your prayers as we are traveling.

3. Thankful that we still have the freedom to read our bibles in public places. For example...the airplane.

4. Thankful for my Granddaughter's happiness over a beautiful cape I bought her out in Denver while attending Women of Faith.

5. Thankful for all of my Girlfriends, young as well as the elderly. They all bless my heart so!

I am using a different computer, so please accept my apology for not having the Thankful Thursday emblem, Sonya and friends.

Thankful Thursday

1. My Girlfriends that are holding me up in prayer as I wait for results from medical tests.

2. My husband that lavishly loves me and encourages me, as well as stands with me.

3. Tuesday evening while my hubs was gone to bible study, I met a friend at the School Gym for High school volleyball. The team we were playing had a precious gal that I hadn't seen for about 7 years. So after the game I walked up to her, calling her by name and she spoke my name because she recognized who I was. A PRECIOUS GOD MOMENT! We went to the same church many years ago and I hadn't seen her since she was in the 4th grade. We had a real connection during our church family time.

4. The little children that come to Cubbies for Awanna night, they are precious and eager to learn and participate.

5. My current scripture memory for 10/1/09 as I am in the waiting mode. Psalm 4:8 NIV: I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Thank you Sonya for continuing to be such a gracious host and that we can come sharing our praises of Jesus Christ.

Thankful Thursdays

Oh my, I've been looking forward to our listing for a full 7 days. Woo-hoo Thankful Thursday has arrived!!!!

1. I'm so thankful due to my husband having put together a fun little day trip to Picture Canyon in Southern Colorado last Friday. We journeyed as this area is well known for their ancient pictographs.

2. Am thankful for God's creation as we journeyed on to our cabin in the Cuchara Valley Friday evening arriving just as the sun was setting. The glory of seeing a bear and a heard of elk as well as hearing them bulging. AMAZING! And we got out of there before the snow hit! As well as the beauty of the changing of the leaves......GLORY!

3. I am incredibly grateful for the Lydia jar that I was blessed with in the mail on Saturday. INCREDIBLE! THANK YOU GIRLFRIEND!!! Then on Wednesday morning in my reading through the bible in a year, I came across Lydia in Acts!!

4. I'm thankful for each woman that is in my small group that I facilitate on Monday evening in our community bible study. Such warmth as well as no masks!

5. That many months ago I was asked to attend Women of Faith with three friends, and we leave today for Denver!! Look out Colorado, here comes 4 women hungry for God all the way from the plains of Kansas.

Thankful Thursdays

I missed last week as there was so much on my plate and I was out of town for a few days to a Women's Christian Retreat. But today.....I'm thankful.

1. Jesus is my LORD and my Savior. He redeemed me from a p.i.t.!

2. That He has blessed me with a husband that loves and serves Him.

3. Joy of being a Grandma and hearing my precious one's wanting to talk with me, sit with me, and love with me.

4. Studies that cause me to dig deeper in God's word than I would do on my own. (PRECEPTS!)

5. The flowers have just been gorgeous this summer in my yard, I have thoroughly enjoyed them!

6. Oh yeah, one more, ok? For the Retreat that I attended last weekend and the guest speaker was Kelly Minter. She taught three session from the book of Ruth and it ROCKED! I also loved the women that I am getting to know and appreciate. (My 4th year to attend)

Care to join me? Click here: Sonya/Thankful Thursday.

Lovingly,

Yolanda

Thankful Thursdays

Sonya, thank you so much for continuing with Thankful Thursdays. I love to BRAG ON MY GOD!

1. That Jesus is on the throne, not the enemy.

2. The opportunity to bless a friend on their anniversary by providing a safe home for their 2 year old. They celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary. We had a BLAST with that precious little one!

3. The opportunity that both my husband and I were able to help with the youth group in our church last night. What joy there is in this group of young men and women.

4. God's word continues to come alive more and more all the time for me and to me. So amazing!

5. The sensitivity of my Man and his tender ways with me and towards me.

6. A girlfriend ordered "Yolanda's" on the Mexican menu this week, and sent me the picture, God is so clever at how He gets our attention to pray for one another.

7. A class-mate called me this week, we've not talked for probably 8-10 years, just out of the blue. The cool thing is that I had been trying to locate her last week, she shared that I've been heavy on her heart. She used to go to church, and I'm not sure that she does now. So I'm thinking what a neat time of ministry, and how God orchestrated her phone call.



**If it comes to your mind please offer a prayer for my Mother-in-law as she is in the hospital. And also a dear precious close friend of mine that has been diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks ago. Just this week she and her husband were told she would need a double mastectomy. Thank you for praying for those close to my heart. YOU WILL NEVER WASTE A PRAYER ON ME!**





Lovingly,


Yolanda

Thankful Thursdays

I am thankful that when my precious Girlfriend asked me to be praying last week and again several times this week, she knew that she knew....God was and continues to be her life-line. She has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer...both breasts. I love this woman and she is one of my friends that fits inside my close circle. So please know, my heart is extremely heavy today.

I am thankful for my precious husband. His love absolutely overwhelms me.

I am thankful for the blessing to be baking yesterday while listening to a blog friend and her family singing Gospel music from my cassette player. THANK YOU MISS MARILYN! A fun surprise I had in the mail last week.

I am thankful for my Granddaughter. She really, is wanting Grandma to come eat lunch with her at school. She is in kindergarten, praise You Father, praise You.

I am thankful for creative ways the Holy Spirit keeps me on track as my heart hurts (I haven't lost my JOY, just a hurting heart) and He reminds me of how much my Father (ABBA) loves me and cares for me.

I am thankful for each one of you that stops in and shares each week. Love and blessings to you and thank you Miss Sonya for being such a gracious hostess.

Thanks to my Sisters in Christ

Brook over at Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog's Tails blessed me with an award earlier this week.

And Kat over at Heart2heart did as well a few weeks back.




Kat passed along the True Heart Award above. I am to pass this award along to:"Those who receive this award are of the sweetest nature. They are kind, friendly, funny, loving, eager to share their love for Jesus with others, and brave in their efforts to reflect Him to this darkened world. They are the kind of folks you're blessed to know, even if it's only in the bloggy-sphere."



As well as Andrea at Arise 2 Write:

Neno's award is given to those who love blogging, love to encourage friendships through blogging, and who help others seek the reasons why we all love blogging.

Thank ya Girls! I'm simply living out 1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV as well as 1 Corinthians 15:10 Message. Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to do so!!!

I'm passing these awards on to anyone that comes across this blog. Thank you for taking the time to come sit a bit, for leaving comments, and encouraging a heart that needs encouraging, just like everyone else.

Lovingly,
Yolanda

What my retirement has been looking like....

I've always enjoyed flowers, and so I decided I was going to bless us with flowers from time to time. I purchased these for 5.00 on Wednesday morning and they are still just as lovely!!

I've continued at the office for a couple of hours most days until this past week. It looks like I may be able to go in once a week from now on until we are completely closed. We also took a few days and went to our condo up in the mountains to refresh and relax.

I've been to the orthodontist, had my oil changed at the dealership, met friends for breakfast and/or lunch, and thoroughly enjoyed extra time to be in God's word!!! In the late afternoons I've been enjoying sitting right here under the carport in the shade. My precious Man put this together for me the first Saturday after announcing our retirement and closing our business' doors.

Been preparing for our new ladies community study that starts this Tuesday. We are meeting in the late afternoon instead of the evenings for the summer session.

I wished I would have started off taking pictures first thing but I didn't. So you'll have to imagine me heading out to my rhubarb plant to the first cutting of the season AFTER I put together a pizza dough in my bread machine. This is what my kitchen looked like as I pulled the rhubarb dessert out of the oven and tossed our pizza in.

I've enjoyed having the extra time to bake and prepare delicious meals for the two of us once again. I had been, but only once or twice a week, after being at the office I was exhausted to come home and prepare a meal. I love being in the kitchen so if you have any great recipes to share, I would be honored to try them out!

I will have these two recipes on my next post in a day or two, so check back if you are interested.

After lunch we moved our "burn barrel" out away from the house after filling it with tumble weeds this morning. My Man put the match to it and away it went! Thank goodness we'll not be picking up these again!

Then Bill decided he wanted to place a pathway of white rock around my little garden bed. This will aid in keeping the snakes away, they don't like hot things and these rocks will get HOT!

We haven't had a garden in over 12 years since our son went to the Marines. I know, this is small but I didn't realize we would go to this depth when I first planted. So up close to the house in my flower beds, I have rhubarb as well as a cherry tomato plant and a burp less cucumber plant. In this garden spot I have Zenia's, forget-me-nots, daisy's, jalapeno pepper plant, two salad cucumber plants and a zucchini.

I also placed manure and raked it in after I took this snap shot.

So, all of this in one day as far as the pictures and our lunch!!! Ok, I'm going to go find that rocking chair!!!

How about you, how did you spend your day?

Lovingly,

Yolanda

Where do you have your time with God?

Update as of 5/5/09 ***Congratulations TESSA!!!***

I wanted to thank each one of you for stopping in and sharing with me about your scripture cards! If you missed that post, click here to catch up.

Today I wanted to give you a glimpse into my world once more as to where I spend my early morning hours before work with God and coffee. As well as in the late afternoons when I arrive back home, or just any time because I love this little room. It once housed my step-daughter and now that she is grown and has a family of her own, it has become my special space.

This room is tiny, it was large enough for her twin bed and a night stand at that time, not even a dresser. I am thankful for this room.

I also wanted to show you what my hubs is making me thanks to Lea putting a desire in my heart because my eyes, EYES, saw something that she had and happened to be working great for her.

This goes along with my writing today because this will house my current bible study work book, pens & markers, along with my journal when it is finished.

I am having a give away from the comments that you either leave here or e-mail to me answering with where you spend time with God, when, etc. And what your all time favorite bible study happens to be. Both have to be answered in your comment. Aboslutely NO condemnation!!! Thanks ladies.

I happen to have two favorite studies at this season in my life: Believing God by Beth Moore A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.

Lovingly, Yolanda

PS: I'm choosing to bless one of you with:

Looking for your thoughts

I'm wondering about a statement that I just read and agree with:

"People are not influenced by your bumper sticker, but they are influenced by the way you live." Joyce Meyer



OK, so my question for ALL of us is, how have others influenced you by the way they live?

I am drawn to women that are hungry for God whether just starting their walk or even if they have been walking with God for some time now. But their hunger calls them to study and to share.

I am also drawn to women that are HONEST and TRANSPARENT. I am influenced by both of these to be more than I am today because of Christ dwelling in me.

Love to you,
Yolanda

Call me crazy, but call me crazy in love with Jesus!

This is my night stand, and I'm wondering, what does yours look like? Let's have some f-u-n Girlfriends/Siesta's...come on, how about a post of the very same stuff on your end? Oh please!!!

I've wanted to "see" into your world of Scripture Memorization ever since December 2008 when Beth Moore challenged the "Siesta's" to 24 scriptures for 2009. I'm a perfectionist that is married to a man that is not and so he often in fun calls me "Sleeping With The Enemy". Remember that movie some years back with Julia Roberts? She is married to a man that ends up stalking her. Well, my Man has been a god-send to get me out of that to a certain degree and while it wasn't fun in the beginning, today it is.

On with it, this is going to be long, and I'm sorry, but I've got to just get this out. I wanted to see what you all were doing with your scriptures. There is much talent in the Siesta world, and I for one really don't have it when it comes to being crafty. Give me a patten, and I'll get it done. But to think it up on my own, I lack in that department.

I ended up buying a few things and tinkering. But I tend to fall back upon the scripture holder that I made last August after going to the LPM Simulcast. I guess because I made it, and while it may lack to many, it brings me much joy.

I'm curious as to those that I've been blessed to blog with this past 18 months or so, how you all are doing on your memorization? Beth and I have our room booked for Houston. You may be asking, what's happening in Houston. The Siesta Memorization party in January and we've laughed because our scripture cards are not going to be as tattered and torn as some of the other Siesta's. Why you might ask? Well, because we have re-written them, we have more than one set, and you get the picture. We are both perfectionists! I'll have you know that the very center set that is the spiral bound opened to the pink section......I'm carrying in my purse, OH YES I AM, so that they can get tattered and torn! Beth, I sure hope you are laughing at me!!!

Now the true reason for this post today is that I'm out of air, my chest hurts, and my heart is SO HAPPY! I've been searching for my one and only original set of scripture cards that I started with back in the very beginning of my walk. I was doing a study on my own because I couldn't find anyone to help me study God's word titled, "A Woman's Walk With God" by Sheila Cragg written in 1996. I honestly don't know when I did this study as I ran to God in August of 1996 and then fell MADLY IN LOVE with Him as I no longer could do this journey of life on my own in November of 1999. So that gives you an idea of time. Well, anyway...for about 10 days I have been searching, often frantically, for this set of scripture cards. I wanted to go back over these scriptures and look at the quotes I had written. I can remember showing the cards to my hubs one morning as well as another time to my Girlfriend. That was the end of it, I couldn't find them anywhere. So last Saturday and Sunday I grabbed the notebook that you see in the far left of the above picture and started writing scriptures from this study I had done.

PERFECTIONIST....ee gads!

My Girlfriend said to me in a phone conversation when I told her I couldn't fine them. "Yolanda it's in the pretty little box on your night stand." Did you see that little box at the beginning of this post, well, they were NOT in there!

I had asked God to reveal to me where they were and have continued pretty much every day for the past 10 days. This morning, in the shower, where He often reveals things to me and even speaks to my heart, He SHOWED me where my scripture cards were.

And that is the reason why I'm feeling the way I am, because that is EXACTLY where they were, I have been doing a victory dance, I've been shouting, I've been praising Him Girlfriends!!! I've have my praise on!!! Look at what all I found with my original scripture cards!

And can you see the prayer I had written out and tucked in the box as well?

"Lord God, I ask that You reveal Yourself to me and fill me with a desire for You like never before! Amen."

Father, Oh Lord, thank YOU for my happy dance! ! Thank You for revealing to me where my scriptures were and for loving me so much that You just continue to increase my joy and my love. THANK YOU!

Good Friday

Litany For Forgiveness

For those who have betrayed us…for those who have let us down…for those who have been indifferent to us…for those who have crippled our lives…for those who have doubted us…for those who have accused us…for those who have preferred others to us…for family members who have hurt us…for those who have denied us…for those who have walked away from us…

Hear our prayer and grant us healing

O God Heal Us, Hear our Prayer

For my own self pity…for my lukewarm-ness…for my times of despair and distrust…for my refusals to be hugged…for my disbelief in your love…for my searching everywhere but in your heart…for apologies frozen on my lips…

Hear our prayer and grant us healing

O God Heal Us, Hear Our Prayer


For my words of love unspoken…for greetings and embraces un-given…for compliments never offered…for a heart closed in self-centeredness…for my own unforgiving postures…for not believing in your forgiveness…

Hear our prayer and grant us healing…

O God Heal Us, Hear Our Prayer

I received this from a friend and it so spoke to my heart.
Love,
Yolanda

Collecting Recipes Over Coffee

Kim, thank you for hosting this for us! Care to join, click here for all the information and more recipes...and God!

If your Man and or children are meat eaters like mine, I'm pretty sure this will become a household favorite.


Spicy and Different Chili

1 onion, chopped
1 lb of hamburger
4 oz tomato sauce
1 can kidney beans, drained (Or pinto beans)
8 ounce can of V-8 Juice
1/2 lb of polish sausage, sliced
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup picante sauce

Brown hamburger with onion, drain well. Add to crockpot or a roaster pan with all the other ingredients. Stir well. Simmer in crock pot for 2 hours or even all day on low. Or place roaster pan in 325 degree oven for an hour or so until flavor is throughout.


We also have a pan of corn bread to serve the chili over. Crowd pleaser. I've made this for our Men's church fellowship and the pan came home empty. I made 4 times this recipe and it fed 12 HUNGRY HEARTY men.

Memory Verse #4 Feb 15, 09

LPM BLOG and BETH MOORE are encouraging us to memorize 24 scriptures in 12 months for 2009. We are committing to memory verse #4 today. 1st and 15th are our sign up dates for each month...care to share your scripture for verse #4?

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV is what I'm committing:

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.


Now lets take a peak at it from The Message:

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you."

Love to you,
Yolanda

Are my motives pleasing to You, God?

This morning, this is what we were asked:
Ask yourself these questions:Do you go to church to fulfill an obligation?
Do you get involved to get a reaction from someone; possibly pity, recognition or even money?
Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom to analyze the new teacher or is it to help?
Do you share prayer requests for a chance to gossip or because you truly care and are praying?


I can honestly answer that there was a time, especially before Christ, but even in my beginning/early walk with Him that I know for a fact my motives were totally selfish. Because of my not knowing Christ personally and living for myself, all those wrong choices I made I then wanted corrected over night. And what better way to show the world OVER NIGHT that I was different than to be seen out in public doing "nice" things in the early stages of my new life.

Today my actions are driven more by my love for Christ Jesus. Simply that! When I truly grasped all He had done for me knowing, KNOWING, the choices I would make before I was ever formed in my Mother's womb, my motives became less and less about me and more and more about Him. I am not perfect, there are still times that my motives aren't pure, but I'm more consistent to think why am I doing this and walk in a clearer purer path.

Today, my hearts desire is that I want Him or I want nothing at all. Life is not worth living if I'm not living due to the love HE has poured into me. And by being a Titus 2 Woman, I can share my past and my future to perhaps cause one lovely woman to not travel for self, but to travel for Christ.

Father, I pray that my motives would be pleasing to You. That I would be found faithful in my heart, my words and my actions to please You and not man. I love You Lord like crazy! Amen.