Versatile Blogger Award

Susan Reinhardt at Christian Writer/Reader Connection gave me this award about a week ago.  You can visit her at susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com.  She interviews writers, keeps us on our toes, does analogies and warm devotions.  Thank you, Susan.

I'd like to pass this award along to Brenda at beautifulwordfromhome.com.  Her blog, It's a Beautiful Life, is full of visual and emotional beauty, every time.
I'd also like to give the award to Rebecca at thriftystyleatsixty.blogspot.com.  She is the best treasure finder I have ever seen.  Visit her and see how she used her finds in her home.

The rules for this award are that the receiver should pass it along to 15 bloggers.  I chose two that I enjoy so much from my reading list.  Also, you may write 7 interesting things about you that readers might not know.


Here are my revelations:

1.  I love to sit on the register when the heat comes on.  It dries out my skin, but I get so cold and it is so comforting.
       2.  I enjoy reading craft books and directions and then not doing the projects. 
        3. I hate driving on the freeway and making left turns.  I will go to great lengths to make any turn into a right turn.
       4.  I have postcards from all the major places I have visited since the New York World's fair in l964.
       5.  I won't eat fat if I can see it.  I will even pull it off of bacon.
       6.  I love live theater.  It just gives me a thrill when a great song or emotional moment happens live.
       7.  I am very easy going and just absorb little things and yet get very frustrated when driving or losing a game, as I found out recently - oops.  Love you, family.


So there you are.  Did any of these surprise you?  Again, thanks Susan, this was fun.,

Yikes! A new format.

This is my 3 year blogoversary.  I wanted this day to be so special. I took the shortcut to my blog and saw a crazy screen. I guess that if anything was the hallmark of my blogging experience, it would be to expect the unexpected. I hope I have time to play around with it and see what I can learn. Then my next blog will be as complete as I want it to be. For now, I just want to say that I have enjoyed reading all of your blogs.  I have made some great friends that I hope are life-long.  I intend to go on with this for awhile.  I did find out that I have written 317 blogs on this title.  I sincerely hope that all of you are having a great day.

Sunny Day Shower

We had a shower for my daughter Dawn. As you can guess, she is expecting a baby girl. What a lot of fun going through all of the cute party things for babies and helping put the shower together.

My daughter-in-law, Rebekah, did the cute decorations, my other daughter-in-law, Sandra, designed the clever invitations, Dawn's mother in law and her sister helped with food and games and I designed the cookies. It was all a labor of love.

The Lord gave me the idea for the cookies as soon as I heard that we needed a favor. This is a variation of my "turkey cookies." After baking and designing them, I bagged them with ribbon and a charm.

The games were lots of fun. I found out that I knew less than I thought about nursery rhymes. Some guest got them all right. That is remarkable.

Dawn got lots of items she needed as well as some adorable ones like a pink body suit and tutu. I am blessed that Dawn is spending a couple of weeks with me. Then she is off to Tennessee and the long wait for the baby in early July. Well, it was quite the festive day. We had showers that turned to big sunshine for our special day.

Easter Greeting

On Palm Sunday, my husband and I had the opportunity to hear the Oakland Choral Society present their piece, The Passion Of St. John, by Bach. I enjoyed it because it helped me prepare for Good Friday. It was in English so we could follow along with the narrative. The crowds were angry and the chorale sang old hymns in praise of our Lord. All of the voices and instrumentals were excellent. What a thoughtful and enriching experience.

Tomorrow, I am visiting my son Ben's church and we are going to hear the second half of "From Triumph To Tragedy." Then we are all meeting at his house and getting to know L.J. who is my my new grandson. He joins us at the age of two. Tyrus, who is a few months older, has a new little brother. It will be so much fun as God helps this sweet boy to know how much he is welcomed into our family.

I would like to wish all of you a Happy Easter. Happy Resurrection Sunday! Love, Nancy

Putting Jesus First

I have been reading a book about grace and it includes journal pages. One page asked us to list our thoughts about putting Jesus first in whatever we do. I can usually think of things to write, but this time I was stumped. Putting Jesus first in whatever we do? What does that mean? Nice words, but do they mean anything? Once before, I was stumped and I just started writing. "I'll try that," I thought. Here's what I put down.:

(I'm not really sure what putting Jesus first in everything I do means. I can understand putting Him first in my day, in my mind, in my heart. But in all I do? How do I put Jesus first when I brush my teeth or eat my breakfast? All I can think of is to take extra good care of my teeth because they are a part of my body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. And breakfast, I guess it would be first finding foods that are good for my body, truly appreciating all of the variety of foods there are, and then thanking Him for it all. That would work.

What about cleaning? Doing it well, singing to Him, praying, meditating on His word, having a conversation with Him. Doing dishes - being happy to thank Him for any cute little dish or glass He gave me and being glad I can do this small job for my husband. And so through the day. O.K., now I see how.)

It amazes me that when I ask God a question, He always gives me the answer.

Meeting a Ray Of Sunshine

I was sitting in an office with a good friend recently, and I heard a very lovely lady speak to another patron. "You should be happy if you could get up today. If you don't hurt anywhere, be glad." She was cheerful, helpful, informed and her upbeat attitude was very touching. She was trying to help some people who came in to see that even with problems, you can have an upgrade in your perspective.

I know that people have serious problems: health issues, financial problems, serious troubles. You have a right to sympathy and prayers. This woman is just saying that if we can get out of bed or have all of our parts working, we can be happy to be alive and to have a thankful attitude. I have been trying to do this. I have heard this type of saying before and right now I am in the category where I am blessed with good health, enough finances, and people to love and who love me. So I want to wake up each day with a song in my heart and give thanks for how I am able to move freely and feel good. Do I have any problems? Yes, of course I do. You may hear about a few of them some time. But even with problems, I want to appreciate what I do have.

This lady in the office was just sharing her joy and hoping that others would catch it. I think that was a great thing to do. She really couldn't help it. Sunshine was just bursting out from all over her.

Looking To Spring

I have to say that I have enjoyed this "winter/spring thing" more than I can tell. I don't remember any winter ever in my life that was this good. I know we still have a month and a half of possible bad weather in Michigan, but that doesn't change the fact that we have had almost a year of great weather. I love it when the sun shines in my bedroom window. I feel as if The Lord were saying. "Good Morning, Nancy. Hope you have a lovely day." And I do and did. A lot of things that were covered over and dark were healed during this time and also with my "new way of looking at things." So that even on a dark or rainy day, I could still see God above the clouds, smiling at me.

Many years ago, I recall a spring day that was balmy and I went a little crazy with spring fever. I wanted to jump and run and be silly. It was that kind of thing. There were other days in Ohio that I remember that feeling. But for too many years in Michigan, I haven't had any of them. Then here comes The Lord with a host of sunny days and not just that, but balmy ones where I want to pinch myself for joy. Oh, it makes me feel young. It makes me feel that anything can happen.

I'm ready for pretty colors: pink and blue and purple and yellow. I'm ready for blossoms (like they had in Nashville when we were there.) I'm ready for green grass and going out in a T-shirt, jeans and light jacket. Are you four-season people ready for Spring?