First Sunday of Lent

The Season of Advent is here today! The first purple candle is lit today and is the candle of HOPE. It is also called the candle of Prophesy. It was the prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah.
I love the custom of the Advent wreath and the readings during each week. As a Christian. this helps me to keep my focus during the Christmas season.

4th Sunday of Advent...the LOVE candle.

And here we are...almost at the end of Advent! This season has gone by so quickly. Today we light the 4th candle of Advent which is the love candle. Ah...that word  that we long for everyday.
We have a deep desire to be loved and cherished. We give our love to those around us with a happy heart.
This has been a very special Advent season for me. I think I am more thankful and appreciate everything more now since I have been sick. I have treasured my friends and family and the time I have been given. I have taken the time to just enjoy whatever comes my way....including all the snow! I feel like we have had winter already and it's not officially winter.
I hope you have had a nice Advent. I had hoped to blog more and get around to more blogs, but you know, it just didn't happen and that's ok.
So this week before things get way too busy or crazy, think about how you can show the love of God to others as He has shown to you. Just some extra help or kindness or comfort when you are given the opportunity. Show others that God is living in you and you want to pass that love on to others. Don't miss those chances God gives to you to show love.
Have a great week as we prepare for the birth of the baby Jesus on Christmas Day...for unto YOU a Savior was born!

Sunday Thoughts...JOY

This Sunday we light the pink candle...for JOY! We move away from the purple and look forward to the coming of the Lord with joy.

We often think of joy as happiness, but there is quite a difference.We can do things that make us happy...we can seek happiness. Joy is a gift, it is something that comes to us often when we least expect it. As Christians, we are given the gift of Joy through Jesus...that gift that is offered to us if we choose to believe.

My very sweet friend Lynda gave this little plaque to me this week for my birthday. I just love it. She got one for me, one for her friend and one for her.

After thinking about the gift of JOY, I think this is a great reminder to choose our gift of JOY. Hold on it, be thankful for it, rejoice in it.

Sunday Thoughts.....Hope and Anticipation

It's the first Sunday of Advent! I love the custom of the Advent wreath and although we didn't have one when I was growing up, I have always enjoyed having one  in our home since our children were little. It helps me focus on my Lord during all the business of the Christmas season. I like to sit in my tea room in the mornings and have that quiet time before the day begins. I love soft candlelight and find it calming.

I also try to find devotionals or prayers for the season. It's good to have new readings to ponder over each year.  Of course, I love the HOPE candle and oh, don't we all need hope? I was doing some reading this morning about waiting and anticipation.

The Jewish people were longing for the Messiah. They were filled with hope as they waited for His coming. As a Christian, I believe that hope was fulfilled with the birth of that little baby in that humble manger. God kept his promise. So as we prepare our hearts for Christmas, we are thankful for that first coming.

So, where does the anticipation come into the picture? As Christians, we know the second coming of Christ will happen someday. Are we ready for that promise too? Do we think about that? When you wait for something, there is an anticipation about it all! During that time, you are actually preparing for something. It hit me this morning. Waiting with anticipation! It means we are also full of hope and waiting with excitement.

As Christ hasn't returned yet, He has given us this time to prepare. So think about that today. How can you use this beautiful season of Advent to prepare and anticipate your Lord? Prepare you heart for Christmas and remember His first coming, but go beyond that. God keeps His promises. 

Sunday Thoughts...the Christ Candle

Sitting here this Sunday morning in the quiet of a new day. I have been reflecting on this Christmas and Advent season that was so different than I had imagined. I didn't even finish the 4 weeks of Advent posts and just wasn't able to keep up my blogging.

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I am filled with gratitude this morning when I realize God's hand in my life. He has asked me to do things that were difficult, yet He gave me the strength to go forward and helped me solve problems. He has repaired relationships during this season and grown my love for others. He has encouraged me to GIVE of myself and to COMFORT those around me.
He has given me a PEACE in my heart this morning.

I am thankful for GOD'S GIFT OF LIGHT... I am thankful for my Lord and my Savior.

I cherish this day in the dark of winter as I light the white candle of my wreath....the Christ candle.

Sunday Thoughts-Third Week of Advent

Today we light the 3rd candle of the Advent wreath....the JOY candle. We are filled with JOY knowing the birth of our Lord will soon be here. Joy to the world.

Life continues to be challenging this Christmas season with my dad. He is stable now with his extra help, but we will continue until the end of the month. My sisters and I were able to meet on Friday and had a chance to talk over the situation. I is nice that I do not have to make all the decisions on my own.

Thank you all for your kind support and prayers.

Sunday Thoughts....Second Sunday of Advent

Good morning my friends. Today we mark the second Sunday of Advent by lighting the PEACE candle. There are other names for this week's candle, but i decided to focus on PEACE.

It has been a difficult week with my dad, but we are all thankful for his improvement and  the very kind man from Senior Helpers, Norm, who came to help our family set up some extra care for my dad. I am so thankful for my husband. Talk about a Godly man with a wonderful attitude. I know he is doing this for my dad, but also for me. I am glad that the extra help is arriving tomorrow, as my Jimmy is getting tired. We have seen a great deal of progress with dad. We are hopeful that with extra care, wrapping his foot, more physical therapy and a visit from occupational therapy, we might be able to keep him in his apartment longer. We continue to pray for him and will see where things go.

PEACE seems to be missing in our world today. We live in a difficult time, but we are reminded that Christ is the PRINCE OF PEACE. How we need Him and His teachings.

The other thing that really hit me this week was INNER PEACE....where do you find your inner PEACE, you inner strength to  handle living in this world? I know I would be lost without my Lord, without the prayers of friends. I know my friend's thoughts and prayers have held me up and gotten me through the week.

I am asking my Lord to grand me peace of mind  and acceptance as things progress and unfold.

Blessings to you this week as you we all prepare for Christmas. Many thanks for those who are praying for dad and our family. 

Advent

 Today we celebrate the first week of Advent....a time to prepare your heart for Christmas. I have always loved the tradition of the Advent wreath since I was a little girl. Every year I buy my new purple and pink candles and prepare for the Advent season. This year I am going to add the white candle-the Christ candle. We didn't do that when I was young, but I think it's a lovely addition.

One of the reasons I really like this tradition, is that it gives me a quiet time, every day, to go in my tea room, have a cup of tea, light the candle or candles, do my bible reading, pray for my loved ones and friends and just be quiet!

 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of my favorite songs that I associate with this season. I have memories of sitting in a cold church singing this song. I think it has a haunting sound.
Lighting the candles on the wreath helps me to focus on the coming of our Savior.

The first candle is the HOPE or the PROPHECY candle. How wonderful and humbling that God kept His promise to send a redeemer.

I've posted this little helpful information to follow if you'd like to start this tradition.
Pinterest also has many examples of non traditional Advent ideas that are quite lovely.

Wishing you a lovely season of Advent filled with HOPE, PEACE, JOY, LOVE and CHRIST. 

December 22

Today we light the last candle of the Advent wreath...the PEACE candle. The wait is almost over and Christmas will soon be here.

Jim and I were able to go to church this morning. It was such a nice service and pastor gave a great sermon. He spoke of how we just take Christmas for granted as we know the story and have heard it so many times. He challenged us to really think about the birth of that tiny baby. I loved the reminder that the lowly shepherds were the first to know that the Messiah had arrived. He also went into a lot of detail about the heavenly host of angels coming down from heaven to announce the arrival of the Savior. A multitude of angles...that's a ton of angels! Can you imagine what that must have been like?

He talked about peace too. Christ made peace for us with God. Quite amazing.

So whatever your beliefs may be, I wish you PEACE this week as we approach the holiday.

It's been a busy but very nice Advent season this year. Enjoy the peace of the season.

December 15th

Good Sunday morning from Poulsbo WA. It's the 3rd Sunday of Advent. This week I will be lighting the PINK advent candle and the word to focus on this week is JOY!  I love that word and the reason it brings happiness to my heart.That was my special word for the year a couple years ago. With only 10 days left until Christmas, don't let the business of the season rob you from your JOY!

I am blessed with much JOY today. Coffee this morning and time to chat a bit more with my friend Angie, a little more Christmas shopping in this cute town, and then dinner with my other special friend Clarice and her family!

Don't forget your JOY this week. 

December 8th~Second Sunday of Advent

Happy Sunday Morning. It's the second Sunday of Advent so this week, we will be focusing on LOVE. This is an easy one for me this year! My whole year has been overflowing with LOVE.
I am thankful for all the blessings and love that have been showered on me by God. Such a sweet and gentle year.

It's my birthday today too. I have been having fun, so will post tomorrow about my weekend.

The weather has been so cold but I think we will be warming up this week and our good old NW rain will return. I hope you are staying warm.

December 1 and Advent

Welcome December! Oh you are a very special month. We have waited all year for you to arrive and now you are here in all your glory as you wrap up the year! 2013 has been a glorious year.

I LOVE December with all it's business and excitement. It's my birthday month and my daughter's birthday month too. Lots of activities are planned and of course the to do list is long. Take time to enjoy the journey.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. I do have an advent wreath and I love the tradition. It's a nice way to have a quiet time in the morning and keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

The first candle is the HOPE candle. So I ask you to spend a bit of time thinking about HOPE as we begin a new month, a new week and soon a new year. I know you don't all share my Christian beliefs, but we all need hope. Grab a coffee or a cuppa and just be quiet for awhile.

Happy December!

December 25th

For unto us a Child was born! Merry Christmas to all my dear friends and family. I am praying for you all. May you be showered with God's many blessings and good times today and through out the remainder of this Christmas season.  Peace~Love~Joy!

December 22nd

Jim and I went to visit Bev and Roy today. Roy did some restoration on a painting for Jim and I finally gave Bev the quilt I made for her in the summer! She wasn't feeling very well as she has had pneumonia
We took them an Oregon land grant as a Christmas present and had a nice visit. Bev had this doll wrapped up for me...a beautiful china head. Oh, how I love china heads. She made the dress for this dolly years ago. We had such a nice visit and she loved the quilt.
I think I'm going to christen her.....Miss Martha Elizabeth. Martha was one of the most popular girl's names during the Civil War and it was one of Mary Todd Lincoln's sister's name. Bev said she is a child and it was acceptable for her petty coat to show under her dress. Her china boots are fantastic.
Of course I wanted to cry given such a amazing gift, but she told me...."Don't you cry now!", so I tried very hard to keep the tears back. She has graced me with so many dollies. I have never had anyone give me such wonderful gifts....I feel so blessed and happy.
Thank you dear Bev. I will cherish Miss Martha Elizabeth forever.

December 21st~Winter Solstice

December 20th

December 17th

Our recent visit with the happily engaged couple-Eric and Gina- in Seattle. The city suits them well and they are so happy. Thanks for dinner you guys! We had a great time. Miss you lots.

December 16th

This is for you LaVonne, my nuthead friend. I made this little ornament from a walnut shell the first year Jim and I were married. It's been hanging on our tree for 38 years and still looking good!

December 15th

December 14th