Ephesians Bible Study

Another great bible study from Wendy Blight... Unfortunately I am already a week behind because the notice that it had started ended up in the spam folder but I really want to get caught up and do it with her...

Things I need to do but am dreading today: Renew my CNA liscense, this means going to my former employer for a signature, It was painful leaving there, I don't want to go back, so that is why it is hard for me to go I suppose, but the sooner I get it over with, maybe the better...

This is such a cute scrapbook page I wanted to share the link of the patterns with you so you could make one too :D

I hope to use it with some of the kids photos when they get back from Alaska...

It is from Scrapbooks etc...

How to Forgive

1. Be a Screen Door

Like the wind blows through a screen door, let blustry comments, stormy blasts just blow right past. Incidents can only hit hard if you have your front door closed. But having a screen door policy allows all the pain to blow by....

2. Only Believe the Best

When you believe that everyone is always just doing their best, that we never war against flesh and blood but against the principalities, that in light of their own limitations, they truly are doing their best... this changes everything. Love bears all things, hopes all things, believes all things and whatever is good and pure and lovely, think on these things.

3. Tell the Thankful Truth

The truth is, there is always something, a lot, to give thanks for and that is the truth about every single parent. Consider offering a father, a mother, the gift of a jar full of slips of paper with your gratitude and thankful memories jotted down. This kind of grateful truth-telling heals the old wounds.

20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude

20 Little Attitudes
 of Gratitude

1. Mind your manners. Say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Smile when you see your family. Turn your frown upside down.
3. Pick up after yourself and for someone else too. Be happy you have someone to pick up after!
4. Notice when others do kind things for you, show gratitude by action or words.
5. Say I love you before you leave in the morning and before bed at night.
6. Give hugs daily.
7. Don't worry about tomorrow. Focus on what you are happy about today.
8. Create gratitude journals to keep track of daily blessings.
9. Show thankfulness for even the little things others do for you.
10. Leave love notes in unexpected places like lunch boxes and under pillows.
11. Encourage someone with a compliment.
12. Verbalize what you are grateful for when you feel like complaining about life.
13. Keep a basket of small slips of paper on the table. Write notes of thankfulness during the week and read them to each other during a family meal.
14. Remember to thank God for blessings each day.
15. Surprise your family (or friends) with little gifts or treats to show you thought of them.
16. No grumbling about minor annoyances around the house.
17. Do special things to cherish time with your family. You never know what tomorrow will bring.
18. Reflect on happy memories regularly. Make inspiration boards or photo walls of special times.
19. Help someone out without them having to ask you. Watch for someone in need.
20. When you are doing household chores, be grateful you have a home to clean.

Father's Day

Today on DAB, Brian, the host, played this beautiful song, thank you so much Father in Heaven...

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom

A challenge from Melissa Taylor

A challenge from Melissa Taylor

I am a follower of Jesus Christ

I wonder why Jesus chose me to believe in Him

I hear that voice that tells me I am not good enough.

I see the leaves on the trees blowing outside the window and a blue sky, we have had so much rain and I love the rain, but I feel happy that there is a blue sky today

I want to be the woman God wants me to be.

I am an optimist sometimes but I get depressed when people are so cruel at other times and when I am cruel to myself.

I pretend that I will finish the race someday, I want to race in an Iron man competition and I imagine crossing the finish line someday and running through the gate :D

I feel like I am not good enough.

I touch the keys on my computer and the quilt that my friend made for me.

I worry about the bills and our financial problems and that even if I was able to find another job I would not be able to keep it, I will fail... (I know the Bible verses but have trouble controlling the thoughts)

I cry a lot.

I am wishing that I could be strong

I understand that bad things happen and I hope that God will use it all for His good and then it will all be worth it!

I say "thank you" and "I love you" all the time... and I say "I'm sorry" when things are not my fault sometimes too.

I dream about being stronger physically, spiritually, emotionally...

I try very hard to make everyone happy.

I hope that I am enough, that I will hear "Well done, good and faithful servant"

I am wishing that I could write " I am a beautiful princess because I am the daughter of the king of kings"

I am Keri, Karen Lynn Minnick

wow! Two in one day!

To have deleted all of last year's sad posts and then not to write anything yet for the year, and to have two posts in one day... Wow!!!

I want to memorize the verses I just read on Lynn Cowell's Blog so I am writing them here too to be held accountable :D

1 Peter 3:8-12 (Contemporary English version)

"Finally, all of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble. Don't be hateful and insult people just because they are hateful and insult you. Instead, treat everyone with kindness. You are God's chosen ones, and he will bless you. The Scriptures say,"Do you really love life? Do you want to be happy? Then stop saying cruel things and quit telling lies.Give up your evil ways and do right,as you find and follow the road that leads to peace.The Lord watches over everyone who obeys him,and he listens to their prayers. But he opposes everyone who does evil."

Make It Count

I have been following Jen's amazing story of weight loss and body building. It is such a mental choice to make this moment, this very moment count. Thank you for the encouragement Jen. Today, I will choose to walk, I will choose to be thankful, I will choose to make it count :D