Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to Everybody! Snow is everywhere here and all kinds of snowmen are popping up in our neighbourhood. Our holidays were filled with shopping, parties, warm visits with family and friends, and simple quiet times. I also enjoyed fun visits with our neighbours while delivering their annual holiday treats.

This year I put together gift bags with Christmas tins containing Puppy Chow (a delicious snack made with Shreddies/Chex cereal, chocolate and peanut butter) and decorated jars with Double Chocolate Cookie Mixes. I also slipped in special recipe cards for those treats and our Christmas photo of Gus, the Big White Dog. I've mentioned them before but we really do have great neighbours -- we all look out for one another while still minding our own business, a perfect combination.

So today I'd like to start off with a quote that came across my path the other day. It keeps coming to mind (which is probably a good thing) and has helped make a difference in my life. Perhaps it will in yours.

Be not angry that you cannot make others
as you wish them to be,
since you cannot make yourself
as you wish to be -
Thomas a Kempis

Blessings,
Jessica

Inspiration

More men fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent.

(Evangelist Billy Sunday)

Maybe you've noticed that many people today are caught up in a new fad of 'discovering their gift or talent.' And to a certain degree that pursuit is not in vain.

But the problem with focusing on a particular talent or gift is that it limits who gets to 'play' in the game. By that I mean it decreases who will actually participate in any given activity because it invariably gives way to the excuse, "I'm just not good at that."

Did you know that most 'talents' can be learned. Some years ago I had the desire to draw and paint. Of course, the first thought that came to mind was, "I'm not really good at that." I felt disappointment and failure. However, after giving the idea more thought, it came to me that, although I wasn't all that creative when it came to artwork, I could always take a class or two and learn the basics. Or if funds were tight I could head off to the public library and find a video or books about the type of art I wanted to learn. And that's exactly what I did.

Now even though artwork doesn't really come easy to me, I discovered that creating art with a purpose has allowed me to grow in areas of my life that I never thought possible. It has helped bridge the gap in my mind that was so quick to say, "I'm really not good at that," and given me the ability to try something new.

(My very first oil painting from a class)

I hope you haven't fallen into the trap of believing you're not able to achieve some purpose just because you're not talented. I encourage you to go ahead, take a few lessons and dip you're toe into the water. You might just be surprised at a hidden talent!

Cheers,
Jessica

More Valentine Virtues!

I'm sure we can all use a little inspiration when it comes to relationships, especially our marriages. Here's a few little quips that are sure to help you keep pressing on...

Try praising your husband, even if it does frighten him at first.
(adapted)

~~~~~~~

No matter how orderly a woman is by nature,
it is a mistake for her to always
be putting her husband in his place.

~~~~~~~

Marriage is a sexual relationship,
or you simply could have stayed good friends.

~~~~~~~

Philippians 4:8 applies to your mate as well.
Try to remind yourself constantly of his or her good qualities,
the good things, & try not to think about the bad things.

Valentine Virtues!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend! Our church is hosting a special Valentine Lover's Luncheon for couples and since the day it was announced I've enjoyed watching the excitement build. We're having a delicious meal including sour cream cheesecake and chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert, games and a movie especially for building your marriage.

So, in honour of the sweetheart's holiday coming up, here are a few supportive and encouraging comments that you might like to share with your husband....

"You're a blessing."

"I feel special (or safe, or happy) when I am with you."

"Because of you, my life is so good."

"I enjoy the time I spend with you."

Simple, kind words that will strengthen your marriage foundation. You might just be surprised at how he responds.

Have a happy day,
Jessica

Inspiration

Someone who loves our family and has prayed for us through the years sent an encouraging note this week. At the end was a simple quote. It was just a few words but it has had the effect of settling down in my heart and I can't seem to have a day go by when it doesn't cross my mind.

In fact, I have let it begin to shape my thoughts and dreams as I head into the Christmas holidays. I hope you will too.

"The true Christian ideal is NOT to be happy, but to be holy!

A. W. Tozer

Happy Holidays,
Jessica

Breaking Out of a Rut...

You know, most people enjoy having a routine. No matter your course of life, routines are what help us accomplish the everyday chores and activities that help this world keep goin' 'round. But if we're not careful we can get stuck in our routine and soon it becomes a muddied rut. And that rut can be a dangerous place. Complacency, boredom or even depression can result from being in a rut. We know we need to get out but we just can't see our way through.

So, if you're stuck in a rut and spinning your wheels, here are a few thoughts to help motivate yourself back out onto life's highway. Some will make you think and some will make you smile (laughter is a great medicine, didn't you know?), but either way, I hope you'll take away something that will keep you going.

A man's character may be learned from the adjectives
which he habitually uses in conversation.
Mark Twain

I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness
or misery depends on our dispositions and
not on our circumstances.
Martha Washington

Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts.
Author Unknown

Family: A social unit where the father is concerned
with parking space, the children with outer space,
and the mother with closet space.
Evan Esar

"My dad is the boss. . .until Grandma comes over.
Then he’s just one of us."
a child in Kid’s Say the Greatest Things about God

"The reward that outdoes all others is the peace
of knowing that you did right."
Dr. Jack Hyles

"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument
afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer,
and get first of all into harmony with Him."
Hudson Taylor

"Out of one hundred men, one will read the Bible,
the other ninety-nine will read the Christian."
D.L. Moody

A Garden Surprise

I headed out to the backyard this morning to check on things. When I came to the lilies I had to do a double-take! I thought my eyes were tricking me but after a closer look I realized that I still do have 20/20 vision. A new lily blossom opened overnight - but it's PINK! I never expected that. I had assumed that they would all be orange.

My vision may still be perfect but memory is not. I can't even remember where I purchased these beautiful lilies - and it was only last year! I'm so glad I did though. They have been a real joy to me this summer.

Hope your enjoying them too.

Matthew 6:28
And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin.

This is good advice! If we let Him, God has a way of helping us put our worries into perspective. What a great God. There is none like Him!

Blessings,
Jessica

Inspiration...

God is working on your potential, not your past.

(Pastor J. Jenkins)

Thought for the Week....

"The highest compliment a wife can receive

is that she is a compliment

to her husband."

Author Unknown

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband:

but she that maketh ashamed is as

rottenness in his bones."

Proverbs 12:4

Seasons of Beauty

Over the past few weeks we have been experiencing, as many others across the North, the bitterness of winter weather. School days have often been changed into snow and ice days.

However, today we were offered a brief reprieve as warmer temperatures made their way to our neighborhood. I took the opportunity to begin breaking up the ice at the bottom of our driveway. And because of the thick ice it was pretty slippery, but with a few "oops" and "wavers," I was able to make a way for the water to run off.

I am also happy to report that today, all of the snow is completely gone from our deck! And Gus, the big white dog no longer slides his way to the backyard.

One of the best things about where I live is that we have the blessing of experiencing all four seasons to their fullest! So while I was enjoying the spring-like temperatures today, I was reminded of a trip my husband and I once made with some friends to Prince Edward Island, the Anne of Green Gables homeland.

Here is a picture I took from the cliffs on the northside of the island. On this particular day the wind was gently blowing which made the waves come rolling in! It was so clear you could see for miles and miles. One of the things I like most about this park is that you are free to explore everywhere!

After enjoying a relaxing picnic at the shore, we headed over to the Anne of Green Gables Museum. Because we were there in May, it was still a little chilly and the flowers were not yet blooming. But it was still just as fun to take in the beautiful scenery like "Lover's Lane" and explore the home where the "Anne" stories were inspired.

Back home June is the month where the Lupin flowers blossom along side the highways and in the fields. My husband took these photos a couple of years ago and mailed them to me while I was away visiting my mom and dad, because he knows how much I love the Lupins.

Wouldn't you agree - we have a wonderful Creator? And with each amazing season he made, it reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1,

To every [thing there is] a season,

and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

May God bless you in your season of life as you seek to glorify Him.

Blessings,
Jessica

Valentine Virtues...(final)

The ideal of marriage is that every woman's heart should be open, that she should seek to have her husband share all of her thoughts and dreams and aspirations.

Likewise the husband should so love his wife and be so devoted to her that she may understand all his heart.

The intimacies of marriage ought to be blessed and sweet.

Dr. J. R. Rice

Valentine Virtues...(part 3)

Marriage requires unconditional love

of husband and wife,

one for the other.

You cannot have this kind of love

without being willing

to accept each other and

without a commitment

to make your marriage work.

Mrs. D. Patterson

Valentine Virtues...(part 2)

"Kind words of praise and admiration

will build respect and esteem

for your husband."

Mrs. Debbie Jenkins

Sweet Dreams In a Basket*

Everyone appreciates a random act of kindness. Why don't you encourage a friend by giving her a special gift basket full of the following items:

Scented bubble bath

Satin pillowcases

Slippers

Herbal teas or cappuccino mix

A hand-painted mug

A soothing CD of her favorite music

Blessings,

Jessica

*Taken from "Life's good, day by day."

Things That Really Matter

Since I mentioned in my Fresh Start post that I'd be using my Life's Good, Day by Day daily calendar, I thought I'd give you a glimpse into one of its sweet gems.

Today's topic is "Little Thoughts" and the title is Things That Really Matter.

* Always tell the truth.

* Be sure to have the facts before making a decision.

* Devote time to encourage others.

* Review and adjust personal priorities on a regular basis.

* Be financially responsible.

I wouldn't say that I never do any of these things but the truth is there is always room for improvement. And if I were perfectly honest, the times I "get in trouble" are the times when I let these things slip. I was encouraged by this little thought to remember to pay a bit more attention to detail. I am certain that attention will yield greater results for me and others in the new year.

Blessings,

Jessica

A Heartwarming Quote

I came across this quote this evening, unfortunately I do not know to whom I should give credit. If by chance anyone happens to be able to identify the author, I would appreciate you sharing it with me.

"To children who spend Christmas

in a warm and loving home,

heaven does not seem like such a faraway place."

Author Unknown