Happy New Year!

Faithful

Merry Christmas

What I Wore

I think this is my first jean skirt outfit :)

Red Shirt: Local Thrift Store~ $1

Brown Sweater: Goodwill~ ??

Tank Top: Walmart~ $3

Jean Skirt: Gifted~ Free

Brown Boots: Gifted~ Free

Necklace: Gifted~ Free

Earrings: Walmart~ $3

Merry Christmas!! 

Things I've Struggled With... || Moving Forward

Wow... Where to start on this post... 

If you remember near the end of my first post (The one on purity) I mentioned a post that I wanted to do connected with the verse: 

Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) 

I hope that this post makes sense, I'm having trouble pulling all my thoughts together... 

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.  When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.  For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.  Selah.  I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.         Psalms 32:1-5 

Many of us, myself definitely included, have made some bad decisions in our life.  These decisions might have led to some sins that might have left you 'scarred'... scarlet sins.  These sins are the ones that aren't easy to conquer, and when you have there are still consequences for them.
I was recently at a point where I had gained victory over a sinful period in my life.  But, I still felt 'dirty'.  I'm sure many of you can relate to this feeling.   I can't say that all of a sudden, I was revealed a great insight which helped me past this feeling.  For me, relief came after months and months and long months of praying and seeking God's comfort and peace.  But I have good news for you! A few months ago, my Pastor preached a message from the above text: Psalms 32:1-5.  Let me just draw your attention to the first two verses for a moment.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.  

Just stop and think on those words!  What a comfort.  Blessed is the man... the forgiven man!  Trust me, I'm not perfect, but Praise God, I am blessed.  I have been forgiven!!
But, wait!  What about the third and fourth verse.

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.  For day and night thy hand was heavy upon: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.  Selah

It sounds like a totally different thought to me.  David had been at the place I'm talking about.  That most of us have experienced.  Let's continue to verse five:

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid.  I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.  Selah

This is the moment that changed David's life.  If ya'll are still with me, I'd like to go in depth with this verse.  This is what can change your life!

We need to 1) acknowledge our sins.  To know and make known to others.  We need to 2) uncover our iniquities.  We need to 3) Confess the error of our sin.   We can get so wrapped up in knowing that we sinned and wshew, now it's past but we don't realize the root of that sin.  Even after we get past that sin, we need to examine what we did in our life to get to that point.  Finally, we need to 4) Cast it down.  So many times, we can acknowledge our wrong, and set it aside.  Even turn from it.  But, sometimes even unconsciously,  we keep it in arm's reach.  Then when the temptation arises it's right there for us.  This was made so real for me last October when I went with our group of teens to a Youth Rally.  The theme was "Cast thy Burdens" and they did a skit about the luggage that we can pick up through life.  Although it's a little different from the sin burden we are talking about right now, the same concept applies.  Instead of just setting it aside, we need to CAST IT DOWN!  Break it, abolish it's grip on your life.  Most importantly, cast your sins on Jesus.  He's already carried the burden on Calvary! Ladies, when you conquer those sins, don't just stop there.  Let me paint a picture for you...  A champion, he's just conquered his challenger! We can imagine that champion standing next to his 'conquered prize' as he is cheered on for his victory.  We need to be different than that!  When you defeat Satan and the sin in your life, don't stand around waiting for the applaud.  Get away from it!  Run... remember the victory isn't your's at all.  Let God stick around for the victory!  Just return to your safe place under His Wing!

Now, once you've done all that... comes that change in your life that you've been looking for.  Blessed is the forgiven man!!  All that was listed above wasn't meant as an encouragement to dwell on your sins for the rest of your life, but to thoroughly examine what has happened in your life, and then claim the victory through Christ!

I hope this post was an encouragement to you.  Most of all, I hope it made sense!

My Pinterest Inspired Christmas... The Beginning

I have gotten lots of ideas off of Pinterest this year for Christmas.  Often I sit and wonder what I would do without it... ;)  Here's a rundown of some of the ideas I've adapted from Pinterest.  I haven't included them all because some of them are gifts... I'll share those after Christmas.

This is actually a gift I did for the three little girls I teach piano to... I picked up some Dentyne gum at a bent and dent store and drew snowman faces with sharpies. 

I really like this idea... I took five Christmas bulbs (four small, one big) and tied it with yarn and a bow.  I think it would have been better with fishing wire, but I didn't have any on hand.  

This is a printable I found that is sitting on our front porch under a small tree.  

Once I realized (duh) that dry erase markers work on picture frames (and, goodness, a WHOLE lot of other things) I've since filled every empty picture frame I can find at put scrap paper in it with a verse or quote or whatever I feel like!  

I got this idea, and it came with printables for all of it, but instead of printing everything I just printed the letters and enough for a guide.  Then I cut it all out of scrapbook paper.  I had some trouble getting the 'pinwheels' to stay, but I finally managed it with a lot of tape, lol!! I then scavenged for Christmas-y ribbon and found some, going with the 'mixed pattern' theme :)  

What do ya'll think?  I'm excited to get all these ideas, and collaborate them over the years for when I can put them in my own home :)  

*Don't forget to fill out my survey here :)*

Blog Survey

I came across a blog that had done this to get some response from her readers.  I thought it would be fun to try it on mine...  It will be interesting to learn more about my wonderful readers, plus I can tailor my posts a little more when I know who's reading them, and what they want!
Anyway, all that to say... pretty pretty please take my survey! It will just take a few minutes to fill it out :)

Godly Music

Godly music is a His gift to you to facilitate your daily walk and spiritual growth in His grace -- and in a way that you will greatly enjoy!... When you listen to godly music, all of the following is being accomplished at one time in your life:

1. It honors God and His holiness

2. It magnifies His Son

3. It resists Satan 

4. It welcomes His Spirit

5. It encourages and strengthens our hearts

6. It facilitates our prayers

7. It places God's peace in our hearts 

8. It renews our minds

9. It teaches us God's Word

10. It edifies and encourages others

11. It transforms us into His image

12. It pleases God

13. It gives spiritual context to all of life

14. It gives routine tasks a spiritual element

15. It brings joy to the heart

16. It witnesses of Christ to lost men

17. It sets one apart from the world  

18. It sets our affections upon God

19. It brings rest to your spirit 

20. It establishes our hearts in the faith 

 Taken from Music Matters by Cary Schmidt 

Attitude of Gratitude || Day 30

Oh my! We're done!! I'm actually very proud of myself, I usually get going on a series and then forget about it! I do want to clarify, this list isn't in order! I.E. I'm more thankful for my salvation (#3) than I am for my pink chair (#2)... :) 
Also, I've enjoyed following the others that have joined the challenge: Dixie and Dottie and Particularly Hannah :) 

1) church

2) my pink chair :)

3)Salvation

4) God's blessings

5) my mom! 

6) my Christian heritage

7) Subway

8) Pepsi 

9) my pastor 

10) my pastor's wife 

11) Rainy days

12) Four piano students and

13) a new student in the works

14) my cleaning job

15) tutoring
16) good health
17) my IPhone
18) a new day, fresh, with no mistakes
19) Chick-Flicks with my mom
20) Contacts

21) sunshine 

22) Faith Radio

23) skipbo 

24) walks

25) blogging 

26) Luke 

27)Dakota

28)Hunter

29)Sean 

30) the godly heritage left by my grandma

31) church

32) my bus route

33) my baby grand @ church

34) my Sunday school class

35) my junior church class 

36) my freedom

37) veterans 

38) those serving now

39) my 'home training'

40) a God that supplies all my needs 

41) mail! 

42) free things

43) blogging

44) paychecks

45) little kids :)

46) pink and brown

47) scarves

48) music

49) my li'l KJV Bible

50) mellocreme pumpkins  

51) sharing with someone how God has changed my life

52) ladies' fellowship

53) singing

54) pumpkin rolls :)

55) my dog

56) boots

57) Bob Evans 

58) my grandparents

59) warm socks

60) shopping! 

61) Salvation Army thrift store

62) plaid skirts

63) belts

64) new jewelry 

65) special outings :)

66) birthdays!! 

67) 20 years of life (I'm old!! Lol) 

68) gifts

69) carrot cake

70) Taco Bell :) 

71) maxi skirts

72) packages

73) clean laundry

74) chunky necklaces

75) warm coats!! 

76) argyle

77) Arlie 

78)Bailey 

79)Kiley

80) baby Shuster on the way :)

81) that I'm over halfway done with this :) 

82) planning get togethers

83) my dog keeping me warm! 

84) new CD's

85) feeling loved :) 

86) cute outfits :)

87) comments!! 

88) church outings

89) flowers

90) health

91) Pinterest

92) good books

93) my friend Colleen 

94) " " Jesse

95) " " Sarah :) 

96) my online friends through blogger and Pinterest :) 

97) snow!

98) vacation

99) new piano music

100) warm blankets 

101) guest preachers :)

102) not messing up my offertory to bad

103) spending time with my little bubbie :)

104) naps

105) coffee

106) a job well done

107) a day off

108) hearing from friends (I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this in every way possible, but I love Love LOVE hearing from my friends whether through comments, emails, texts or whatever :))

109) cooking

110) having a clean house :) 

111) phone calls

112) chocolate

113) lotions

114) bath and body works 

115) hugs and kisses

116) safety 

117) crafts

118) visiting w/ long distance family 

119) prayers for the future

120) l<3ve :) 

121) my salvation (I've already listed some of these, but I'm doubly thankful for them :))

122) my friends Grace and Rachel. I don't know what I'd do without them! 

123) godly music

124) a Christian education

125) each new day :) 

126) double walled cups :)

127) fireplaces

128) shipshewana 

129) family

130) old movies 

131) steak and shake

132) girl's days

133) Christmas shopping

134) texts

135) earning money doing things I enjoy :)

136) church// EVERYTHING about it :)

137) a mom coming on my bus route

138) a child's testimony of salvation

139) prayer

140) breaks :D 

141) that Monday's over :)

142) eggnog

143) Christmas music

144) Christmas lights

145) having Pinterest to help me this Christmas with gifts and decoration :) 

146) having been taught how to run a household (so I can hold the fort when my moms gone)

147) that God's writing my love story :) (I really can't express this one fully!) 

148) warm drinks

149) playing games with my brothers

150) for all the many blessing I receive daily for my Heavenly Father :) 

Link up at: Dixie and Dottie 

Attitude of Gratitude || Day 29

1) church

2) my pink chair :)

3)Salvation

4) God's blessings

5) my mom! 

6) my Christian heritage

7) Subway

8) Pepsi 

9) my pastor 

10) my pastor's wife 

11) Rainy days

12) Four piano students and

13) a new student in the works

14) my cleaning job

15) tutoring
16) good health
17) my IPhone
18) a new day, fresh, with no mistakes
19) Chick-Flicks with my mom
20) Contacts

21) sunshine 

22) Faith Radio

23) skipbo 

24) walks

25) blogging 

26) Luke 

27)Dakota

28)Hunter

29)Sean 

30) the godly heritage left by my grandma

31) church

32) my bus route

33) my baby grand @ church

34) my Sunday school class

35) my junior church class 

36) my freedom

37) veterans 

38) those serving now

39) my 'home training'

40) a God that supplies all my needs 

41) mail! 

42) free things

43) blogging

44) paychecks

45) little kids :)

46) pink and brown

47) scarves

48) music

49) my li'l KJV Bible

50) mellocreme pumpkins  

51) sharing with someone how God has changed my life

52) ladies' fellowship

53) singing

54) pumpkin rolls :)

55) my dog

56) boots

57) Bob Evans 

58) my grandparents

59) warm socks

60) shopping! 

61) Salvation Army thrift store

62) plaid skirts

63) belts

64) new jewelry 

65) special outings :)

66) birthdays!! 

67) 20 years of life (I'm old!! Lol) 

68) gifts

69) carrot cake

70) Taco Bell :) 

71) maxi skirts

72) packages

73) clean laundry

74) chunky necklaces

75) warm coats!! 

76) argyle

77) Arlie 

78)Bailey 

79)Kiley

80) baby Shuster on the way :)

81) that I'm over halfway done with this :) 

82) planning get togethers

83) my dog keeping me warm! 

84) new CD's

85) feeling loved :) 

86) cute outfits :)

87) comments!! 

88) church outings

89) flowers

90) health

91) Pinterest

92) good books

93) my friend Colleen 

94) " " Jesse

95) " " Sarah :) 

96) my online friends through blogger and Pinterest :) 

97) snow!

98) vacation

99) new piano music

100) warm blankets 

101) guest preachers :)

102) not messing up my offertory to bad

103) spending time with my little bubbie :)

104) naps

105) coffee

106) a job well done

107) a day off

108) hearing from friends (I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this in every way possible, but I love Love LOVE hearing from my friends whether through comments, emails, texts or whatever :))

109) cooking

110) having a clean house :) 

111) phone calls

112) chocolate

113) lotions

114) bath and body works 

115) hugs and kisses

116) safety 

117) crafts

118) visiting w/ long distance family 

119) prayers for the future

120) l<3ve :) 

121) my salvation (I've already listed some of these, but I'm doubly thankful for them :))

122) my friends Grace and Rachel. I don't know what I'd do without them! 

123) godly music

124) a Christian education

125) each new day :) 

126) double walled cups :)

127) fireplaces

128) shipshewana 

129) family

130) old movies 

131) steak and shake

132) girl's days

133) Christmas shopping

134) texts

135) earning money doing things I enjoy :)

136) church// EVERYTHING about it :)

137) a mom coming on my bus route

138) a child's testimony of salvation

139) prayer

140) breaks :D 

141) that Monday's over :)

142) eggnog

143) Christmas music

144) Christmas lights

145) having Pinterest to help me this Christmas with gifts and decoration :) 

 

Link up at: Dixie and Dottie 

Attitude of Gratitude || Day 28

1) church

2) my pink chair :)

3)Salvation

4) God's blessings

5) my mom! 

6) my Christian heritage

7) Subway

8) Pepsi 

9) my pastor 

10) my pastor's wife 

11) Rainy days

12) Four piano students and

13) a new student in the works

14) my cleaning job

15) tutoring
16) good health
17) my IPhone
18) a new day, fresh, with no mistakes
19) Chick-Flicks with my mom
20) Contacts

21) sunshine 

22) Faith Radio

23) skipbo 

24) walks

25) blogging 

26) Luke 

27)Dakota

28)Hunter

29)Sean 

30) the godly heritage left by my grandma

31) church

32) my bus route

33) my baby grand @ church

34) my Sunday school class

35) my junior church class 

36) my freedom

37) veterans 

38) those serving now

39) my 'home training'

40) a God that supplies all my needs 

41) mail! 

42) free things

43) blogging

44) paychecks

45) little kids :)

46) pink and brown

47) scarves

48) music

49) my li'l KJV Bible

50) mellocreme pumpkins  

51) sharing with someone how God has changed my life

52) ladies' fellowship

53) singing

54) pumpkin rolls :)

55) my dog

56) boots

57) Bob Evans 

58) my grandparents

59) warm socks

60) shopping! 

61) Salvation Army thrift store

62) plaid skirts

63) belts

64) new jewelry 

65) special outings :)

66) birthdays!! 

67) 20 years of life (I'm old!! Lol) 

68) gifts

69) carrot cake

70) Taco Bell :) 

71) maxi skirts

72) packages

73) clean laundry

74) chunky necklaces

75) warm coats!! 

76) argyle

77) Arlie 

78)Bailey 

79)Kiley

80) baby Shuster on the way :)

81) that I'm over halfway done with this :) 

82) planning get togethers

83) my dog keeping me warm! 

84) new CD's

85) feeling loved :) 

86) cute outfits :)

87) comments!! 

88) church outings

89) flowers

90) health

91) Pinterest

92) good books

93) my friend Colleen 

94) " " Jesse

95) " " Sarah :) 

96) my online friends through blogger and Pinterest :) 

97) snow!

98) vacation

99) new piano music

100) warm blankets 

101) guest preachers :)

102) not messing up my offertory to bad

103) spending time with my little bubbie :)

104) naps

105) coffee

106) a job well done

107) a day off

108) hearing from friends (I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned this in every way possible, but I love Love LOVE hearing from my friends whether through comments, emails, texts or whatever :))

109) cooking

110) having a clean house :) 

111) phone calls

112) chocolate

113) lotions

114) bath and body works 

115) hugs and kisses

116) safety 

117) crafts

118) visiting w/ long distance family 

119) prayers for the future

120) l<3ve :) 

121) my salvation (I've already listed some of these, but I'm doubly thankful for them :))

122) my friends Grace and Rachel. I don't know what I'd do without them! 

123) godly music

124) a Christian education

125) each new day :) 

126) double walled cups :)

127) fireplaces

128) shipshewana 

129) family

130) old movies 

131) steak and shake

132) girl's days

133) Christmas shopping

134) texts

135) earning money doing things I enjoy :)

136) church// EVERYTHING about it :)

137) a mom coming on my bus route

138) a child's testimony of salvation

139) prayer

140) breaks :D 

 

Link up at: Dixie and Dottie