What Am I Learning Friday

Wow this week just seems to have dragged on and flew by all in the same moment. I have been so out of it. Been out of it with my Blog, just not even wanting to write, that is unusual for me. I have been drained- so tired not just physically but emotionally and spiritually too. I missed church being out of town his past weekend and boy can I tell. I love music worship time, it just energizes my soul. I have had so much to do- dishes, wash, normal kids stuff like homework. Even babysat my friends child for her on Thursday- that was an all day event and worked Mon and Wed mornings caring for Anne. I just did not find the strength to write. I wanted to just stay in bed and hibernate. I have tried praying and searching for this hole in my being to just be filled back up.

I am not quite sure what is bothering me, I think I have learned this week that I just need to be able to allow myself to grief. How funny does that sound? You would think being an adult I would realize that. What I realized was I am fighting it. I want to think I should be able to get back into the swing of things. I flew back into Texas on Sunday. Completely drained from all the events of my trip. Got to bed late that Sunday night, got up on time Monday to go to work and was so exhausted I came home and took a nap. I even slept in late, nearly until noon Tue, went to work Wed and came home and wanted to do nothing again. Then watched a little toddler all Thur and was down again today. Just amazing! I have gotten little things done so I don't want to say I am depressed just not my normal self just yet.

Partially stress over all the unsettled work- wash that is done and not put away, dishes that even though I clean seem to reappear to be washed again so quickly and kids that are learning division in school and are completely lost. Of course they started last week and I was not here so I missed their important week and now we are onto harder aspects. I learned that things take time. It reminded me of a very important scripture, also a book I have, that maybe I should re-read.

As for the bible part- you probably could guess what I will share since I mentioned the word Time, and it is one of the most famous chapters in the bible, songs even written after it, books written about it, sermons, debates, lectures in college...

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil?

10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."
18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.

20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.

21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

So I thought that maybe it is my time to grief this week, maybe I shouldn't fret and be too hard on myself that I have four quilt orders that are not done, yet the deadline approaches. Maybe just maybe the heart is just as important as our physical self. I have a secret pal who just suggested that I do something for me, maybe a small project etc and maybe that will help me feel a little better, while I had the same thought, it seemed like Godly wisdom coming from this secret person I do not know yet. So as this weekend approaches I want to take Time to spend with my family. My son turned 11 this today and we are celebrating him all weekend. We have some odd traditions in my family, but I figure we will cook, play games and celebrate life and each other, letting my grief lay aside and turning the time for something new. All I know is it is wonderful that we all still have more Time. For that I give much Praise and Thanksgiving to God!

Praise and Thanksgiving

I typically see Thursdays as a day people post Thanksgiving blogs, however today I have one that just can't wait. I take care of a lady three mornings a week, her name is Anne. Yesterday was my day off and boy did I need it to sleep from my trip which left me overwhelmingly tired. When I got here to work this morning I Found out that my dear Anne had rolled off her hospital style bed. Her husband had turned her to change her as she is bedridden, and she just rolled off. I can't even imagine how he still feels. It was just one of those freak things. He has been caring for her like this for over a year now, so it is not that he doesn't know what he is doing, it just happened. It took him hours to try and get her back into the bed. He finally had to call the Sheriffs Department and seek help as all his ways of doing it himself were not working. He said he couldn't believe he didn't think to call me. I am only about 30 min away so compared to his three hour struggle that would have worked too.
I am just super thankful she is okay. A Home nurse came out and looked at her. She has a soft bruise on the base of her neck, a couple of bruises on her arm but for the most part she seems like her normal Happy Self. When I greeted her this morning, she was bubbly and just so happy to see me. God protected her for sure, and gave him peace to not freak out. I know just from bathing her and washing her hair, how hard it is to take on her weight. I can't imagine trying to take on her entire body weight by yourself. Nor the guilt that you could feel for the accident.
I will forgo washing her hair today, as it is a stressful time and I want to let her head sit a little bit, by Friday I think it will be better. I am praying for her as she is reacting to the Ensure now, she is throwing up and has had problems for a couple months with everything being to watery.
We all must go at some point. She is still so very happy and tries to talk when she can. Sometimes she amazes me at what she can still come up with sentence wise, esp when it is things like Thank you, that was great- her response to me bathing her Monday- I had not seen her in a week, she sure seemed extra cheerful to see me.
I think of the Lord when caring for her, being that vessel he can use to touch her while I am here, remind her He is there for her, that He loves her, that she is His Precious Daughter. See her husband does not believe in God so I think my being here grants her that Light and Comfort of God as it seems like Sunshine to her when i walk in the room. Her response to me is AMAZING. She has been such a faithful daughter to the Lord and it is wonderful to think that God chose me to be the one that will walk her through her ending days. What an honor, something so simple yet so important.
So I ask you today, is there anyone in your life that you can show a little Love to and be the clay for our Potters Hand? Sometimes I feel there are opportunities all around, it is just a matter of not being so busy so that we take notice. Like holding a door for someone, granting a smile to a stranger or just saying hello. We never know what someone else is facing in life, we could be that vessel the Lord wants to use for another one of his children.
The verses on my heart for today
Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father, We are the Clay, You are the Potter, we are all the work of your Hand.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

What I Learned This Week - Friday

This week has come with such a flood of emotions for me. As you may know I lost a very important man in my life this past weekend. My grandfather Kale Veloy Smith. I am ever so THANKFUL to my Dad in Utah for paying to fly me here to Utah. It has been wonderful to spend time my grandmother. Simple things that I know are so important like holding her hand, sitting next to her in a rocker- cuddling, kisses and words like "I Love You." This week I have learned a true feeling of love. I am not saying I have never known it before, or that I have never experienced it. That would be foolish. What I am saying is that there is a Love that I had never imagined personally feeling, that I felt this whole week.

I met family I have never met before, they just graciously accepted me, which I knew in my heart would be the case. I think the most amazing experience was being invited to sing with my two sisters- who are from my biological dad and his wife. We sang Amazing Grace at the funeral today. Thankfully we were up first after the Bishops opening. So emotionally we all three made it through the song without crying. Try singing at a funeral sometime and you will understand that comment to the fullest. Listening to everyone speak between the viewing, the funeral, the luncheon after at the church and then back at my grandma's house- wow just unbelievable.

The thing I was taught today was that God intended us to LOVE everyone no matter what we go through in life with them. Most importantly outside of family- like your children, grandchildren, siblings is the relationship with your spouse. My grandparents loved each other more than I have ever seen any other couple love one another. A love that was just unconditional. They may have had a few arguments, the normal couple stuff but you always saw them hugging and kissing, holding hands, sitting close, saying I love you. They never went to bed angry at one another and were married 67 years. I would love to have the closeness like that in my own marriage, something that one really does have to work at. We look at Love as this easy thing- which it is so easy to give away but super hard to keep if we don't try. If there was anything anyone would say about me upon my ending days I would hope it would be how much I love just like was said about my Grandfather Kale. I can completely see so many of his qualities and lessons in myself and I am ever so lucky to have had him in my life. What is so wonderful is that one day I will see him again- how could you ever ask for more than that.

So I ask you, when is the last time you TRULY told/showed someone important in your life that you loved them? As my Grandma said tonight- make sure you live today as it was your last, because you just never know...

Thankful Thursday- Clean Slate

I am so thankful for God's Grace

You know often we forget about God's Grace and what it truly means for our lives. He says "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Heb 8:12) Also he says, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1).

God not only forgives you He forgets. He wants us to stop reliving and let go, accepting his forgiveness for yourself. He paid the price for us when Christ came to earth as a child and then died on the cross for us. Barriers sometimes cause us from accepting Gods Amazing Grace. Barriers can be some of the following: lies, anger, selfishness, greed and lust. These merely are just sin. We feel bad thus we have regret, which if we live with regrets it keeps us from moving forward. He grants forgiveness which is FREE. It is a matter of understanding Grace. Something we don't deserve yet he gives forgiveness, peace, a clean slate, a chance and opportunity for ETERNAL LIFE for all those that believe.

Christ was condemned for us, thus God does not condemn us. If you are a believer confess those sins that are weighing you down, so that he can wipe your slate clean. There is nothing you can do that will be unforgiven. There is no sin that is worse than another, and also there is nothing that someone could do to you in which you will ever have to forgive more for than what Christ has already forgiven you for. He took on all your sins at one time, the sins of your whole life in one moment and when HE died it was WIPED CLEAN.

So here are some thoughts to consider, maybe write down the answers to these two questions. Then pray and give it to God. Then tear it up and throw it away. Thank God for his forgiveness and really let go. You don't ever need to say, " God remember when.... as he FORGETS when we confess whatever it is that is on your heart.

What Past failure are you having a hard time forgetting?

What is your greatest fear about the future?

Here are some verses to pray/think about

Psalm 34:4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Romans 5:2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Matthew 26:28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

Ephesians 1:7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Colossians 1:14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Wednesday Song

I have an entire weeks worth of writing to do. I will work on it later tonight I imagine, then I can begin posting. Since I only have a few moments- because I am in Utah with family awaiting tonight's viewing service of my Grandfather Kale. I wanted to share the lyrics to the song he loved. One that I know my two sisters will sing, they have requested I join them and I have not quite made up my mind yet. Of course I need to today as the funeral itself is Thursday.

It is a song that has stood the test of time, it does not involve race or religion, it is just simply sung by just about everyone. Nearly everyone almost always knows the lyrics to the first stanza. Nearly every popular recording artist at some point sings it, esp those in country or christian- like Michael W Smith, Twila Paris, Lee Greenwood, Willie Nelson and even THE KING- Elvis did his own version. The song is

Amazing Grace- perfect title as it truly is just AMAZING the GRACE that GOD has for us.

That we get to join Him in his Perfect Kingdom after he leave this earthly body of ours.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be...

as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise...

then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

This new Act could hurt millions of Americans in an economy that already is in trouble. It can affect which items can be sold in Thrift/Consignment stores. It can also hurt the mother who tries to sell a few items from home to supplement income, the small time business owner, etc....Please go to http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vY29vbG1vbXBpY2tzLmNvbS9zYXZlaGFuZG1hZGUv for more information, vote to change the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act that will pass on Feb 10th.I personally feel this is too much government in our daily lives. They should not be able to dictate what a person sells like this, or what a person buys. We should be able to use our own common sense- esp on items handmade with love.
According to the new law I would not be able to sell my Tag A Longs anymore. So this does personally affect me. I just sold two online at Etsy yesterday. This is just one of the stupidest things I have ever heard of! While it may have some great intentions like helping to avoid lead in products, it hinders our lives in way to many other ways.
Government going overboard!
Why should a consumer not be able to buy one of these items from me, if they wanted to. If this is something that you would like to take a moment of time on, please check out the link.
Thank you,
Jenn- Sunshine of Autumn Quilts

Thank You

I want to say thank you to everyone that has posted, to everyone that has lifted my family and I in prayer. This is the first loss parent wise for this side of my family. I am thankful that nearly all believe we will see him again, soon.
I appreciate all the comments that have been left by email. I apologize if there are any I have not gotten back to.
I will be back and running tomorrow. I took today to process, and remember Your Grace is Enough... a song that we sung tonight that filled my heart and allowed me to cry quietly inside while at church, and then feel much comfort once the song ended.
Words that are so true, even in times like now where even though I am happy I am terribly sad at the same time.
Love To All
Jenn

My Grandpa Kale

I tried to upload photos tonight, but I only have them in PDF format and Blogger doesn't accept that so....here is all I can do- write Life can be unexpected even when we know a possibility exists. I was at the school tonight for Movie Night, preparing everything for the guests to arrive when my cell phone rings. I immediately said, "those kids better not already be fighting." That was my thought. Then I looked at the phone it had my dad in Utah's name on it, my stomach dropped. You know when you know you need to take a call but you feel like if you don't then you can avoid what will happen. Well that is how I felt. He said hello then started pretty quick in that Grandpa Kale was slipping away, he was resting quietly and that he could put me on speakerphone if I would like to say anything before he died. I was not given the opportunity with two other grandfathers that have passed in the last couple of years, but even with the opportunity in hand all I could say was that I knew he knew he loved me, and I loved him. I could not do it. Maybe I knew I didn't have to. Oddly enough I have not seen him since my other grandfather in Utah passed away in 2007. We had just moved into this house- had not finished yet when I got that call. Then last year I lost my grandfather in California, a huge shock as he was fine, went for a walk and fell and then my family got the call, who then called me. At first we talked about flight arrangements. I knew we didn't have the money for it. My dad immediately assured me if I wanted to go that he would take care of it. I declined because I felt guilty for having him pay for that. After thinking a couple of hours I decided that I really did want to be there, and that is what family is for, to help in time of need. I also thought of what he was going through to, and how I would like to be there for him and his loss. What made me think even more is the only time I see family lately is at funerals. How is it that life comes to that. It made me appreciate that I still have my kids at home, I still get to love on them and spend time with them. I thought I would feel great loss, yet I feel great comfort. It makes me so thankful to know that I just started my new Blog this week. I think of all the verses I have read, the verses I have Blogged about, I had no idea God was preparing me for today all week long. The tears do come, the pain is there, it is natural and I know that. Yet I could not help but think of scripture after scripture in my mind. How wonderful to have that. To know that Kale is with God, that he is no longer in pain. He was so ready to go last time I saw him. He felt he had lived a good life. He felt that he had the best woman on earth that he fell in love with and got to spend his whole life with. He was thankful to have such good kids, grand kids and great grand kids. He felt that his life could not be any better. He had no regrets. I would say that the only thing left was to see our Heavenly Father and start his life there. He of course did not want to leave his beloved June, the woman that is everything in his world. Their love just astounds me. I have never ever seen love like theirs, never. They are like dove, there is no doubt in my mind. I would have loved to have seen them just both go in their sleep together, so that they did not have to spend any time apart. IF that makes any sense at all. Anyway I wanted to pay tribute to my grandfather tonight, wanted to share my story and hope that you remember to tell the person you love that you love them, how much they mean to you, all that jazz. You never know what tomorrow brings. Also that you should live life to your fullest, so that you like my Grandpa Kale, have no regrets. This is my Favorite Verse of all verses- one not often told Romans 14:8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. My husbands favorite verse
Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25).
Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,. . .
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

We are Chosen to Be in Christ

Starting with this weeks verse again
Isaiah 43:18-19 " Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Today's Readings come from Genesis 5, Proverbs 24, and Ephesians 1
To start I will say that Genesis is primarily Genealogy today. You may click here to read the whole passage. http://tinyurl.com/88y8on
The main aspect I took from reading Genesis today is
"When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man. "
I cannot imagine a greater honor that we have then to be made in God's image. I mean what can be greater then that. Of course being saved is, but you know what I mean. Just an honor to know that we meant so much to Him that He would want us to be Like Him. The bible talks of many ways in which we can be "Like Him" other than by our image. We can be like him in our hearts by doing unto others as we would want done unto us. We can be humble in spirit, we can serve others, we can love others as he loved the church.... the list continues. What is the best part of the promise is that He blesses us, and it says male and female- not one or the other. It is all of us that He blesses.
Many are listed in the Line of Adam from his son Seth, through Noah, talking about them, how long they lived, those that continued their line, how long they lived etc...
An important notation of Genesis 5 is an act of Lamech in verse 28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."
We know that Noah would do great things for God who would bless us through him.

Reading of Proverbs 24
http://tinyurl.com/8vn7r8
Proverbs is a book of great ADVICE. It tells a lot of the things we should not do, such as envying people, esp those who do not Follow God's Ways, although we should not envy anyone or anything either.

I thought the following verses of Proverbs 24 were interesting
3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;
We all know that we cannot gain wisdom of God and His Ways without daily reading, meditation and application of His Word. I know I want my house to be built upon the Word of God and that we would Follow Him First, Put Him First in Our Lives. Marriage, Children, Finances etc.

The Lord Speaks of Wisdom again in this chapter
14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
To me this speaks again of being in God's Word, how else can we gain wisdom. I suppose we could gain that of the world, or maybe going to church and listening to the lesson preached, or buying a bible study in which we read, or fill out certain things. However, I feel that what He is speaking of Directly is being in His word. Reading the Words He spoke etc to others so that we may have them to lean on, to learn from, to give us comfort and guidance.

the Lord even says We WILL FALL but He PROMISES we WILL RISE AGAIN.
16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

Other important verses

26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive.
29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Ephesians 1

http://tinyurl.com/7ctlu5

I could bold entire sections of this passage/chapter of Ephesians. Instead I will post in its entirety. It has so many promises for us, so many Blessings most of all that we were CHOSEN by God....

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In closing I want to say a prayer for all the families and loved ones involved in the New York Hudson airplane crash. What a miracle that truly was. Just amazing and something in which you can see God worked to make a way where the pilot probably saw none. I am sure this even though having positive results can be very traumatic for those who personally experienced it, and also for families of those involved. Even those who just fear to fly etc. I ask that we all pray for them and their families that God grant peace, security and comfort. That he move in all our lives so that we remember that HE IS IN CONTROL. We are merely the clay in the Potters Hands. I pray for you as you approach the weekend. I pray that you find time to spend with your loved ones. Have a family meal together, play a game, watch a movie, whatever it is that you do to have quality time. Live today as it were your last, live this weekend as it were your last and remember to share your love with those around you. Also do not forget to pray for President Bush and His family as they leave office and say a prayer for Wisdom and Peace for the Upcoming President and His family, as they enter waters that seem very hopeless to many.

Many Blessings

Sunshine.

What Are You Learning Friday?

I read a Blog from Chats with an Old Lady. Since I have just started this Blog this week I wanted to start this Friday with something she does called What Are You Learning Friday? Here is the link to her site, if you would like to see where this oriented from. I have a feeling you may see this on many Blogger sites soon, as it will spread and people will want to participate for themselves. http://chatswithanoldlady.blogspot.com/

This week my goal has been to share how important it is to remember to live in today. Not yesterday where we can have regrets over what has not been finished, what we did, what, what...., or the future where we can live in fear over whatever, or anxiety etc... But today. Today is the day that God wants us to be with Him. To read His Word, To Pray to Him, to walk with Him daily in order for Him to speak to us, teach us, love us and strengthen us. He also wants to bestow many Blessings on us. To help us through our daily troubles and continue to guide us so that we are walking in His ways. I also tried to point out a few of the 7000 promises God gives us in his Word, the Bible. I also started writing to remind us of a few things.
That the Light we receive from God, his Inspiration is gained through these acts by us
Daily Reading in His Word- not just a bible study but even a single chapter of the bible, or study on something from the bible- digging deeper into a verse etc.
Daily Writing- journaling. For example from what spoke to you while you read about His Word, or a promise of God that you want to claim for yourself. Even writing about things you are grateful for, that you want to Pray Thanksgiving for, or things you want to and need to lay at His Feet.
Daily Meditation - example memorizing something of God's Word. This week I chose a verse that I had personally heard in church. It was from Isaiah 43: 18-19
"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See,I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands."
Lastly Daily Application- how you will apply His word and your learning to your life.
So this Friday I have learned much as I continue to read personally and share with you each day. I will continue our reading and writing together in the next post with today's Reading and Message. I appreciate you giving me a few minutes of your time and I pray that God blesses your life and you find your time with Him speaking to your heart.