Monday, June 11, 2012

Five Love Languages

My ladies Bible study group is reading the book, "The Five Love Languages,' by Gary Chapman. This book has been around awhile, but I hadn't heard of it till a friend recently told me about it. So far, I'd give it two thumbs up. It's a great book not just for married couples, but for all relationships; from family members, to co-workers, to couples dating. Our pastor at church has also been talking about relationships and marriage, so we have been studying this subject a lot, lately.  I'm so thankful for a loving, caring, faithful husband. He takes care of me and my son, spends time with me, and shares my faith. We have been married for over 25 years, through good times and not so good times, but I wouldn't trade them for anything! They have made me and us together who we are today. They have strengthened our relationship and our walk with God. 


 From the book:

The 5 Love Languages®

What if you could say or do just the right thing guaranteed to make that special someone feel loved? The secret is learning the right love language! Millions of couples have learned the simple way to express their feelings and bring joy back into marriage: The 5 Love Languages, Dr. Gary Chapman’s New York Times bestseller!
  • Words of Affirmation
    Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.
  • Quality Time
    In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.
  • Receiving Gifts
    Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.
  • Acts of Service
    Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.
  • Physical Touch
    This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.
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Sharing the blessings God has bestowed upon me as I take part in the Joy Dare.
3 gifts in what you are reading.
  "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman
776. Learning that my greatest love language and my hubby's are the same
777. Suggesting trying different love languages for my son/girlfriend's relationship and seeing improved communication.
778. Being reminded how we compliment each other and have learned to accept all of each others traits.
3 gifts empty
779. Thinking about being an 'empty-nester' in the near future...time goes by so quickly!!
780. "The man who knows his own emptiness can receive abundance of knowledge, and wisdom, and grace, from Christ; but he who glories in himself is not in a fit condition to receive anything from God." Source
781. The empty tomb!!
3 gifts that made you really smile.
782. Spending a day at the beach with my hubby!
783. Watching children playing in a water park.
784. Getting a kiss from my hubby!

A gift at 8, at 12, at 2
785. Quiet morning, walking through my garden.
786. My son, who just walked in the door, saying, 'hi, mom' ! :)
787. Going to a graduation open house...being reminded how our kids grow up SO fast.
3 gifts painted.
788. On terracotta pots: my first time using chalkboard paint.
789. Painted on 2 new teacups to match my teapot.
790. Son's girlfriend went with me to Pottery Bayou and also painted a coffee mug.
3 gifts full.
791. A weekend, full of activities and fun!
792. In spite of physical hardships, my heart is full, knowing God is my great Healer!!
793. Paul's prayer for the Ephesians, though they participated in "the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:23), was that they might "be filled up to all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:19), "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). Such is the basis of our consideration of the fullness of God in man. (source)

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Friday, June 8, 2012

Ready or Not, Here I Go Blogging Again!

Happy weekend, blogger-land fans! How was everyone's week?  Mine definitely has been a roller-coaster ride and sometimes I think I am so nauseated by ups and downs that I would like to get off, please!! Ever feel like this?
                                                                                          Source: Uploaded by user via Ann on Pinterest


But, I'm still hanging in there!
If you are new to this blog, you may want to read my story in the section above this post, named "More About My Poll."
I had been waiting till we had confirmed that our current house situation would go through to make a decision, but alas, it is not meant to be at this time. There have been more surprises in this house sale than what's under the tree at Christmastime! Currently, we are back to square one in waiting for a buyer.  Before this had happened, I got so excited at the thought of creating my new blog, because it will be mostly written with the lake cottage life in mind. And even though we aren't there yet, our current place of residence still has quite a 'cottage' feel to it. Also, being just a few short miles away from several lakes makes taking photos and writing about where I hope someday we will be, so I have decided to go ahead and start writing in my new blog. But first, the name...

Well, the votes were counted and it looks like we have a winner, not by far, though.  There was a wide variety of votes, with every name option, except 2, having at least 1 vote. First and second choices were close, though.

Do you want to know the name of my new blog?

Well, just hop on over to this link HERE.

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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Learn to Love These Days

I have been listening to a lot of Mandisa lately. I really love her album, "What if we were real" (I am excited to hopefully be seeing her in concert at the end of June.) This song "These Days" reminds me that I need to appreciate even "in the middle of the crazy, God is so amazing."  This song reminds me that I can "learn to love these days."



Sharing the blessings God has bestowed upon me as I take part in the Joy Dare.
(For this post, I found so much to share in pictures and music, so I hope you will take/have the time to enjoy them all.)

3 gifts you gave today.
755. Words of encouragement for my son, who wasn't feeling good.
756. A smile for people I came in contact with.
757. Time to be in communion with God; in worship and praise, prayer, and reading His Word.
3 gifts orange
758. Beautiful sunsets


                                                           Source:

759. One of the colors in a new lily, blooming in my garden.
760. Drinking Orange Crush soda from a bottle.

 3 gifts funny
761. Watching a funny sitcom T.V. show.
762. Reading the comic strip, "Zits". Makes me laugh every time.
763. (not funny haha, but funny coincidence-or really just God's timing) My friend and I were in town and came upon an art festival going on and had time to stop and enjoy the artwork of many creative people. It's funny how God puts certain events in our paths.

3 gifts from today’s conversations
764. Talking to my son's girlfriend about relationships.
765. Went with my mom to her doctor's appt. and had a very pleasant and informative conversation with the lady doctor.
766.Talking with friends, hearing and sharing prayer requests, and praying for each other.

3 gifts found in Christ
767."Firm, through the fiercest drought and storm."
768. "This gift of love and righteousness."
769."No guilt of life; no fear in death."
(lyrics to "In Christ Alone.")
 

A gift of peace, of hope, of love
770.Peace - Feeling that our house and moving situation is in God's hands and that we have to rest in that alone!
771.Hope - Hopeful that my son and his girlfriend are learning a lot about relationships through our pastor's sermons at church.
772.Love - The awesome love I have for my hubby (I set this monkey near his sink in the bathroom and he's kept it there ever since, so he gets to remember my love every day.)

3 gifts “ugly-beautiful”
773. Having digestive issues...I think I'm gluten intolerant and every once in a while, I'll get flair-ups.(Beautiful because I LOVE bread, but ugly because eating too much makes my stomach hurt!)
774. I was watching the evening news and there are so many teens that have died in car accidents(some seniors, about to graduate). I am so thankful that God spared my son during those turbulent years and that He still protects him now.
775. Spending time with my extended family. It's not been the smoothest of relationships, but I am still thankful for them.
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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Trust. . .With All Your Heart!

Hello everyone! I'm a little behind schedule this week. Been quite a busy one, so far! Next week may also be a little hectic. Our home inspection is set. Then we will have the house appraisal. So keep us in your prayers. Little by little, we're getting there! :)


Hope you are all enjoying your day! Came across this photo/verse and it just really stuck with me, so I kinda made it my verse for the week.
Source: redbubble.com via Ann on Pinterest

"Trust  in the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART."
What does that really mean to you?
  • Giving every situation over to Him
  • Taking our hands totally off
  • Do not rely on our own strength
  • Giving both physically and mentally to the will of the Spirit
  • Confident expectation of something= having hope.
  •  Confidence in the certainty of God's control of the future
  • Not holding onto one specific situation or taking back the control you've given to God.
 "Lean not on your own understanding."
How do we do this?
  • Not seeking to figure the problem out logically
  • It doesn't mean that you don't use the brain that God gave you to make good decisions.
  •   If you know that God has given directions for how to act and your brain tells you that it would be easier or safer to do things a different way, then you trust in God and do things His way instead of what your natural mind is urging you to do.

“In all your ways acknowledge him,”
  •   This is to fear GOD (acknowledge His power, but not fear his judgement), in all we do. 
  • When you get your eyes off God and on the problem, it will get bigger and bigger.
If you do all the above. . . .
"HE shall direct your paths."
  • When you feel lost or don't know which way to go, He will guide you.
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I never want to stop writing down the many blessings God has bestowed upon me! So, I'm continuing in the Joy Dare.
3 gifts that made you laugh
734. My dogs, being silly and running around the yard.
735. A fun couple of days with my friend, Malorie (we were trying to include the ducks in the background)
736. My couples Bible study group; especially Wes and Julie, Rick and Lynn!! They are a hoot!!

3 gifts found in community
737. An evening out for dinner with our couples Bible study group.
738. Time spent with my mentor, Marg.
739. Ladies Bible study (I love those ladies)

A gift in a plate, a pot, a package
740. Plate - Eating out and trying new kinds of food (Japanese) - sushi and pickled ginger.
741. Pot - Cream of Potato soup; after getting dental work done, it's the only thing that tastes good.
742. Package - New package of peppermint gum.

3 gifts hard giving thanks for
743. Extra work needed to be done on my teeth.
744. Break-ups (for son and his girlfriend.)
745. Surprising news from our realtor (not the good kind, either).

3 gifts found in church
746. Funny skit put on by the drama team.
747. Great sermon
748. Family, sitting beside me.

3 gifts in today’s work
749. Packing boxes and listening to Christian music.
750. Clean closets
751. Clean bathroom (Ughhh!!)

A gift at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 8 PM
752. Writing in my blog.
753. Relaxing at my favorite coffee shop.
754. Watching a movie with my hubby, son, and his girlfriend.(yes, they're back together)

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Friday, May 25, 2012

My Garden, God's Handiwork

Just another quick stop in, as I continue to get ready for our move to the lakehouse. I will definitely miss my flower gardens here at our current home. I'm hoping to take as many starts as possible with me for the new house and I hope the new owners love flowers and can enjoy them as much as I have. I am so amazed and enamored by the variety and beauty of God's creation!!!
 "Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)
 "A sensitive plant in a garden grew,
And the young winds fed it with silver dew,
And it opened its fan-like leaves to the light,
and closed them beneath the kisses of night."
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant," 1820
"Good heavens, of what uncostly material is our earthly happiness composed... if we only knew it.  What incomes have we not had from a flower, and how unfailing are the dividends of the seasons."  ~James Russell Lowell
 "God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars."  ~Author unknown, commonly attributed to Martin Luther
 
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."  ~John Muir
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)


To see all my pictures go to my facebook page: HERE


 Have a Blessed Weekend!!
 
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Blue Delft Windmills

Just stopping in to share what's happening around here...I've been doing a lot of wrapping and packing, to get ready to move to our lakehouse.  As you may have heard, I will be cutting back on the number of posts for a while, as we prepare for this move.


As I was wrapping some of my teaware, I was admiring some Delft blue-ware I had received from my mother as a gift and was thinking about the history of some of this beautiful artistry.

The story of the Delft Blue, or Delft Blauw, began in China hundreds of years ago. In the 1600’s the beautiful white and blue porcelain came to Europe, and the Netherlands, with the Dutch East India Company. It soon gained major popularity and Dutch potters started to imitate the technique. Germany, England, and France potters also produced Delft, which can be distinguished not only by the difference in shape and design, but the fineness of the porcelain.

In the first half of the 17th century there were several factories in the Netherlands, especially in Rotterdam and Delft.  The earliest tiles were used for flooring , often in churches, wealthy homes or institutional buildings. When some floor tiles turned out to be too delicate for heavy usage, the tiles moved to the walls. Single tiles and whole pictures of tiles were used in kitchens, around fireplaces and as baseboards where floors met walls. The tiles were also used as insulation and protection against water seeping into houses. (Source)

Source: ebay.com via Ann on Pinterest

Why windmills? The Dutch have become very innovative when it comes to keeping out the water. They have built dykes, fortifications and last but not least wind and watermills to create new land. The oldest mill is a watermill that dates back to the eighth century. These techniques were used to pump dry hundreds of lakes and swamps and to prevent land from flooding. Today, windmills are characteristic of the Dutch landscape and a symbol of the Dutch struggle with water. With over a thousand windmills throughout the Netherlands, no wonder that they are the focus of most paintings and artwork.

I couldn't resist adding this tile set, with two teacups. This would be so pretty as a backsplash on my kitchen wall.

Source: ebay.com via Ann on Pinterest

I was noticing that I have a few teapots and plates, but no teacups with the delft blue designs. I would love to find a set of teacups and saucers like the one below!
Source: ebay.com via Ann on Pinterest


Here, also are some pretty delft blue items that I would love to find and make a part of my collection.
Source: ebay.com via Ann on Pinterest

This throw has delft blue tile designs on it.....how cozy and decorative, at the same time. I could definitely sit here and sip on a cup of tea. Couldn't you?
Source: ebay.com via Ann on Pinterest

I saw this stitched piece and thought it was cute...and so true. These days, my schedule is very busy, but never too busy for a cup of tea.
Source: etsy.com via Ann on Pinterest

I never want to stop writing down the many blessings God has bestowed upon me! So, I'm continuing in the Joy Dare.
3 gifts blue
713. My Delft blue-ware (so pretty)
714. The color of the lake.
715. So many pretty shades of blue (my favorite is colbalt blue).

3 gifts found In His Word
716. Hope -
Titus 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
717. Joy -
     Psalm 19:8
     The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
718. Confidence -  
     Proverbs 3:26 (NKJV)
      "For the LORD will be your confidence,
       And will keep your foot from being caught."

A gift in a box, a bag, a book
719. All that God has provided - in many boxes, as I pack.
720. Bag of tasty tortilla chips...love the salty flavor!!
721. 2 books: "A Case for Faith" and "A Case for Christ" (Always good to review apologetics)
3 gifts unexpected
722. Water pump going out, causing us to not have water for 2 days.
723. Getting into the dentist so soon to get a crown worked on.
724. The neighbor, putting gravel in his back yard...very noisy day!

3 gifts from your childhood
725. Great memories of family vacations, holiday gatherings, etc.
726. The protection of God throughout my young life.
727. Growing up in a loving, Christian home.

A gift sweet, salty, sticky
 The perfect analogy for a good friendship: a little sweet, a little nutty & it sticks together.(source)
728. sweet - strawberry jelly
729. salty - peanuts (peanut butter)
730. sticky - good friends :)

3 gifts found in little people
731. Their innocence 
732. Child like faith is good. (Matthew 18:2-4)
733. They have a way of cheering us up/making us laugh.
 
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