Contest at a friend’s site!

Like earrings?  OK, let’s be real.  Who doesn’t?  (Besides my 21yo daughter who has twice had her ears pierced and twice let them close up.)  Even better than earrings…FREE EARRINGS!  Sarah over at Piece by Peace Designs is having a new contest and you could win this darling pair of blue earrings!  Stop on over and check out how.  The contest goes through next Saturday…and you can win extra entries.

I have 3 (or is it 4?) pairs of Piece by Peace earrings and get compliments on them every time I wear them.  Isn’t it time you treated yourself to some?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great week and good luck!!

Cheryl

Company Girl Coffee ~ 1/8/10

Welcome!  I have been out of the blogging habit.  I guess it’s easier to hang out on Facebook.  Has it been a great week at Home Sanctuary or WHAT?!  What hit home for each of you?  For me, the Minimum Maintenance was perfect.  It goes hand in hand with the Messy Perfectionism article that followed the next day.  I am a perfectionist.  I like things done right.  And often, if I don’t have time to do it “right”, I will just not do it.  Minimum Maintenance gives me the permission to spend 5 minutes in an area.  No more, no less.  Do you know how much I can accomplish in a 5 minute period?!  My master bedroom looked waaay better (OK, my ‘half’, anyway!) after 5 minutes.  It got me on board to continue making small changes, all as I head toward the perpetual goal of creating Sanctuary in my home.

As with many other Americans this first full week in January, I am DIETING.  It is time…and a new and different mindset about this…so I’m hopeful.  Next week I add exercise to the routine.  Basically I’ve cut out sugar and flour.  No big surprise that those are my two favorite food groups. :oP  As I do without those things, my tastebuds and cravings change and fruits and vegetables are getting more popular than cookies.  Well, almost.  ;o)

Have a blessed week – thanks for stopping by!

Cheryl

2010…bring it!

I have to say I’m not usually one to make a big deal about a new year.  I suppose years of failed resolutions have made me a little cynical about January 1.

For whatever reason, this year feels different.  I have goals I would like to strive toward in 2010.  Some are the same as years past.  Is this the year weight will really come off?  Will I read my Bible daily this year?  I can only go into the year hoping that I have more discipline than in years past.

2009 has been a year of blessings, mixed with some painful lessons.  Every rose bush has its thorns.  Or is it that every thorn bush has its roses?  Yes, I think that’s it.  It’s been a year of change (and I don’t mean Obama’s) and the sting that can accompany it.  Lessons learned, when the sting dies down, can be beautiful.

The greatest lesson I learned in 2009:  Be obedient.  His timing is always best.  Had I been obedient to Him, I could have avoided a sting.

Here’s to 2010…a year of obedience, a year of discipline.  May He grant me the wisdom to listen and act accordingly.

Blessings,

Cheryl

Company Girl Coffee ~ 12/4/09

Welcome, Company Girls!  Thanks for stopping by.  I am getting a late start today – and just had a bowl of oatmeal.  I’ll start some coffee in a minute!

I hope your week has been full of His never-failing blessings!

Cross Country had their State Meet last Saturday.  Kaylie (on the right) PR’d on the course and was thrilled!  

 

I celebrated my birthday this week with our family (plus 20yo’s boyfriend) going to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  What a wonderful way to welcome the Christmas season!

 

 

 

 

 

Please join me in praying for the following:  KM, JB, TG, SG, MW (all fighting cancer); SE (first week in the Navy!).

Have a blessed week!

Cheryl

Letter from Jesus about Christmas

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset because some folks are taking My name out of the season.  Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

However, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.  How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day.  If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on.  If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn.  If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree.  It was I who made all trees.  You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were.  If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list.  Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home.  They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year.  I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home.  You don't have to know them personally.  They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.  Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them.  Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless?  Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word.  Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.  Then stop shopping there on Sunday.  If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one.  There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive.  If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.  Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself.  Just love Me and do what I have told you to do.  I'll take care of all the rest.  Check out the list above and get to work; time is short.  I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember ...

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS