Pictures worth a thousand words...or at least several words!

Here are some pictures from our trip to Williamsburg Dec 28-30, 2009

Ringing out the old and Bringing in the New

The new picture on my blog is from the Yuletide tour, which we took this past weekend while mom and dad were down for Christmas. 

 Jim and I just returned from a few days in old Colonial Williamsburg.  We have been there two times before and each time we enjoy something new and absorb the feeling of living in the 17th and 18th centry. This particular time we stayed right on one of the colonial properties, which enabled us to walk to all the streets.  We also selected several performances to attend, including a brass quartet, a glass armonica and a hammer dulcimer concert.  We participated in illumination of the streets as well as local food establishments and a little shopping.  We heard a dramatic speech by Thomas Jefferson and saw how individuals of certains times celebrated Christmas and New Year.  We toured several homes and enjoyed how they decorated with only natural and fresh ingredients.   I will post are a few pictures of our lastest adventures at my next posting.  We have been blessed to go on weekend trips this entire year and pray to be able to continue doing this when our schedule allows. 

We are truly blessed.  I want to take this time to wish you all a very Blessed New Year.  I want to ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin the New Year, as we will you and yours.  I know that God has great things planned for those that love Him.  I look forward to His riches and pray that I learn how to be more like Him from His refining.  As we leave 2009 and venture into 2010 may you find contentment, peace and purpose in your daily lives.

~Happy New Year!

This One Is For You

I said a Prayer for you Today

"I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard! I felt the answer in my heart Although

He spoke no word. I didn’t ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn’t mind, I asked Him to send

treasures of a far more lasting kind. I asked that He’d be near you at the start of each new day to grant you

health and blessings and friends to share your way.I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small

But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all."

Author Unknown

I Love you and do pray for you daily!  May you always feel God's presence in your daily lives!!  Know with confidence that He is always there...You just need to call on Him.  I will continue to take you to Him in prayer.  I know you will do the same for me and mine.   "Love is what binds us together." Col 3:14  ~ Tina

Do you really stop or does something make you stop...

...It's amazing to me that it takes 18" of snow to slow us down.  I'd much rather slow down while enjoying the sunshine hitting my shoulders sitting on a chair with the sand at my feet, a warm breeze blowing, and water "teasing" my toes!!  That only happens when we schedule a time to go to the gulf, or the coast, or a local state park/pond.  Again, it's a scheduled event! 
Okay, back to reality!!  The weatherman got it right this time. We definitely stopped!!!  The snow was a nice one (if you can say that about wintry weather...if you know me....I'm not a wintry-weather-kind-of-girl).  It started in the wee of the morning on Saturday December 19th and continued with blizzard-like conditions at times throughout the entire day into the early morning hours of Sunday December 20th.  The untouched white blanket was a pretty site.  It definitely "set the tone" for the upcoming Christmas eve and Day celebration.  
For me the best part of snow storms, is knowing that my family members are in their respected homes safe and warm and then Jim & I being together in our warm home.  It is a time to participate in those "simple things" of life.  Things that we work so hard to possibly obtain, but never have the time to enjoy them:  a good book, a longer personal quiet times, a favorite hobby, a musical instrument, a good movie, a game, a new exercise activity, a conversation with a special person, a nap. 
It's a time when I can do those things without feeling guilty about not doing "the important things".  It may not be like that for you, but it definitely is for me.  I'm thankful for these times of so-called forced hibernation to enjoy those things that give me more pleasure than the 9-5 routine.  It is an extra-special time because it isn't scheduled it is "forced", bot a good thing. It also puts the 9-5 routine things in a more proper order.  I'm able to do all things with a better attitude and more grateful attitude.
Jesus had to have times of rest and regeneration!  If is mentioned throughout the Bible several incidents where He went off to be alone; or he and the disciples went to a place to rest; to commune with God; to refresh.
Though I prefer spring/summer/fall type weather.  Wintery times like this weekend are welcomed.  May you enjoy the beauty of every day that God gives.  There is always something good to gain, we just need to slow down to see it.  God is always looking out for what is best for us! 
Stay warm and enjoy the season of winter!!  Oh, baby it's cold outside!!!!!

Christ's Bell

I received this in an email this morning.  Again, I don't know who created this bell, but I'm thankful for time and effort it took to create.  May we continually ring this message not just at Christmas time, but throughout the year.  Do you know how special you are?  Let this be a reminder that you are soooo loved!!  Share it with others.

~Tina

THE BELL

I KNOW WHO I AM

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)

I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)

I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil 3 :20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor 5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom 8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor 1:21-22 )

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28 )

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph.. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13 )

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor.. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).. I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven ( Col 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God

Do you know

Who you are?

The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you

And be gracious to you;

The LORD turn His face toward you

And give you peace...

Numbers 6:24-26

Where's the Line to see Jesus

The song will speak for itself!  Have a Blessed Christmas Season.   Remember what line is the important line.

~Tina

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPViKJRHyZo

Help in praying

The ultimate example of prayer was given to us by Jesus in Matthew 6.  Below are 5-points that may increase your prayerlife or it must may make you look at your prayer time a bit different.  Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have as Christians.  At times, it is taken for granted and only used in times of crisis.  This example below may be a gentle reminder to "pray without ceasing".  Have a blessed day!

~Tina

5 Fingers of Prayer

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."



2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.


3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.


4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.


5. And lastly comes our little finger the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Simple things which can make a profound statement

I received this story from a dear friend via email this morning. I do not have the author to give them the credit. It is rather lenghty, but worth the read.  The many things it teaches will be evident, but one thing in particular that struck my heart, was how this particular mother was so "in-tune" with the Lord, that the simple things in life could develop into such a great teaching skill.  I pray that all Christian, daughter, mothers, aunts, sister, grandmothers see the importance of God in all aspects of our daily lives.  What a profound impact something so small can do. Have a wonderful week!   ~Tina

Carrot-Egg-Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.


A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up; she was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.


Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.


In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.


Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see.'


'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.


Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard- boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'


Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.


'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?


Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.


When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.


The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.


When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.


You might want to send this message to those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched your life in one way or another; to those who make you smile when you really need it; to those who make you see the brighter side of things when you are really down; to those whose friendship you appreciate; to those who are so meaningful in your life.

If you don’t send it, you will just miss out on the opportunity to brighten someone's day with this message!


May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!