Reading John chapter 17; Jesus is praying.   My Bible labels it the “Farewell prayer”.  Jesus had conversations with God His Father.

He spoke to Him with His everything.  These are what I want in prayer but also when talking to family and friends.  I don’t want wasted speech, wasted words, wasted time.  I do realize there's a balance in this.  We are supposed to laugh and enjoy our lives everything can't be super serious.

and I read this the other day:

Jesus Calling Jan 24^th

Adverse circumstances are normal in a fallen world.  Expect them each day.  Rejoice in the face of hardship, for I have overcome the world.

John 16:33:  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

This color is a little better.  Just can't seem to get the purple
to show up like it does in person.

One thing thankful for this day:  daughter with ponytail spending the night and driving me to the Dr.

Christmas present - Kohl's gift card

I never buy jewelry but a geode in a ring, couldn't resist.

I'll have to get a better photo.  These don't do the color justice.

Thanks Jesse!  And thanks Corey for taking me!

O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me,

Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up;

Thou dost understand my thought from afar.

Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And art intimately acquainted with all my ways.

Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all

Thou hast enclosed me behind and before,

And Laid Thy hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Psalm 139:1-6

Chuck found this shell occupied and also

covered on the outside with little crabs.

It was a beautiful beach day

I read in “Unstoppable” today:

If you believe your purpose is to share your artistic talents

with the world, then you will be judged on the works you produce, not on those you merely propose.  

Looks like I need to get to work and actually do something

You have to walk the talk; otherwise you have no credibility with others—or with yourself—because you, too, should demand that your actions match your words.  If they don’t, you will never live in harmony and fulfillment.

Amazing to read this when I’ve been thinking what is my purpose?

And, amazing to read the following when I’ve been thinking my word for the year should be “purpose”:

     But deeds are merely the fruit---the result of the depth of a true conviction of the truth.  Truth is what sets us free, not purpose.  I found my purpose because I was looking for truth.

     It is hard to find purpose or good in difficult circumstances, but that is the journey.  Why did it have to be a journey?  Why couldn’t a helicopter just pick you up and carry you to the finish line?  Because throughout the difficult times, you will learn more, grow more in faith, love God more, and love your neighbor more.  It is the journey of faith that begins in love and ends in love.

     Frederick Douglass, the American slave turned social activist, said, “If there is not struggle, there is no progress.”  Your character is formed by the challenges you face and overcome.  Your courage grows when you face you fears.  Your strength and your faith are built as they are tested in your life experiences.

Maybe my word for the year should be "truth" and maybe more than one word-maybe I should add "purpose and journey".   I don't think there are any rules that say I can't have more than one word especially since they work together.

I hope Nick Vujicic doesn’t mind me copying from his book, “Unstoppable”.

I just find it so amazing how what he says is so relevant to what I’m going through.  

Sanford with Chuck.  It was cold and rainy.

Perfect day for a walk by the lake.

They have a memorial for wars and soldiers who

served.  I didn't know it was there.

 The main street by the courthouse.

                                  
                                   

This looks like an old train station.  I hadn't

noticed this before either but I think a building 

had been torn down close to it making

it much more visible. 

Park Avenue with Corey and Minion.

 Barnies has changed. They've

put tables and menus outside and in

the courtyard.  It was very nice.

 Santa's White Christmas coffee

is still the same - my favorite.  

 Corey's at the top of the stairs taking pictures.

Corey told me about this area I hadn't

seen before with Koi.

and a French Bakery

she treated us to a dark chocolate raspberry square,  and a raspberry macaroon, yummy                                                            

Minion looks like a toy in this picture.

There were hearts hanging everywhere.
Made me want to make and decorate.

This morning I've read so much great stuff that I wanted to share:

From: Unstoppable

Nick Vujicic

As long as you are on this earth

there is a purpose and a plan for you.  God has a plan for you.

Where I am weak God is strong, and when we put faith into action, 

we are unstoppable.   

Will I always get what I want? No! But I will always get what God wants.  The same is true for you.  Whether you are a Christian or not, you must never think that simply believing in something is enough.  You can believe in your dreams, but you have to take action to make them happen.  You can believe in your talents and have faith in your abilities, but if you don’t develop them and put them to use, what good are they?  You can believe that you are a good and caring person, but if you don’t treat others with goodness and care, where is the proof?

You have a choice.  You can believe or not believe.  But if you believe—whatever you believe—you must act upon it.  Otherwise, why believe?  You may have had challenges in your career, your relationships, or your health.  Maybe you have been mistreated, abused, or discriminated against.  All those things that have happened to you do define you or your life if you fail to take action to define yourself.  You can believe in your talents.  You can believe that you have love to give.  You can believe that you can overcome your illness or disability.  But that belief on its own won’t bring positive change in your life.

You must put it into action.  Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them.

 I was going to share from other things I've read this morning but I think this is enough for today.

Interesting:  Guess who I am

My brother let me borrow his

tablet for drawing and he said after

installing it, "I'm never getting this

back am I?"  I said no but after a few minutes of

playing with it - he may be right.

I forgot to include this book that I read recently.

If you haven't read it I suggest you do.  It will

change your life. 

Two posts in one day, wow!   Not been a fan of Oprah's but watch this:  Oprah's life class

The last car-toon

The last car-toon's actually a can am spyder or 3 wheeled

motorcycle that Chuck's mom's fiance Frank has always wanted.

I did one with Frank driving for him and Patsy driving for her.

I can't find the photo of him driving.  I may have forgotten to 

download it.

 What I'm reading now:  One Thousand Gifts

came in the mail yesterday.  I got it for free so it

was a gift!  I've really been looking forward to

reading it.

 I'm also reading: Jesus Calling, Streams in the Desert,

Madeleine L'engle-A Circle of Quiet, In a Pit with a Lion

on a Snowy Day, and the Bible.  I want to re-read the Hobbit

because we went to see it the other day and I didn't remember

anything in the movie except for the riddle scene with Gollom (sp?).

I was reading; The Vintage Farmwife the other day

and could totally relate to "drowning in notebooks, journals

and for me - sketchbooks."  Although I can always use more

of the latter.  And where was I going with this?  

Yesterday's list was more than I could do so some of it is

moved to today.  Unfortunately, I got a late start today so

some of today's will get moved to tomorrow.  But that's ok

as long as eventually things get done.  Thankfully, Chuck

is very understanding.  He actually thinks I need to rest more

and so today I'm listening to him. 

I've been thinking about closing down this blog and starting a new one.  The main reason being I'm opening an Etsy Shop and the name is different from my blog.   Or, maybe I should just have another blog devoted to my work?  I don't know.

This virus I've had the past 2 weeks has made me so tired, confused, muddled in my thinking, and not wanting to do anything.  Today is the first, since getting sick, that I've felt like kicking things back in gear, cleaning, opening my Etsy Shop, putting some things on Craig's list, and a whole list of other things.  That leaves me feeling so overwhelmed because everything is so far behind I don't know where to start.  Sooooo.... I think I'll start with a list....

Chuck's finished

I have let this blog go for a while.  Some of the reasons:

Trip to Albuquerque to visit my brother and family (AWESOME!),

Chuck said, "this year you need to make the Christmas presents",

had Disney passes that had to be used before December 30th,

and been sick, sick, sick since Sunday before New Year's Eve.

The Dr. said, not the flu, worse a virus that's been going around

-that he had for 6 weeks.  He said it will last between 4 -6 weeks, yuck!

Hopefully the Dr. is incorrect.  

Below is what I worked on for Christmas gifts.

This is Chuck in his camaro.  I didn't take a finished photo yet so this

is just the sketch;

Mom in her cadillac; 

 Stuart in his Mitsubishi

 Trish in her cadillac

Dad in his cadillac

I have another one that I can't show yet 'cause I haven't given it.

Everybody seemed to like them.  I don't particularly like doing them

because I've never liked drawing cars or anything that required a ruler.

I'm glad they're finished.  My next art project is....hmmm haven't quite decided.

I want to do the Joy Dare this year:

Joy Dare Link

Happy January!
Dare you to make this year the year where you find Joy right where you are!
Each month's Joy Dare is like a God scavenger hunt -- 3 gifts to hunt for everyday... and by the end of the year, you've counted #1000gifts...and ...See More

         

I don't know that I'll list them here everyday, though it would be a good goal.  We'll see