Twelve Days of Christmas

On the 1st day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on December 25, the first day of Christmas. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge that feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, recalling the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so . . . ." (Luke 13:34)

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Three French Hens
The Three Theological Virtues:  1) Faith, 2) Hope, and 3) Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four Calling Birds
The Four Gospels: 1) Matthew, 2) Mark, 3) Luke, and 4) John, which proclaim the Good News of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself in Jesus Christ.

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Five Gold Rings
The first Five Books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah or the Pentateuch:  1) Genesis, 2) Exodus, 3) Leviticus, 4) Numbers, and 5) Deuteronomy, which gives the history of humanity's sinful failure and God's response of grace in the creation of a people to be a light to the world.

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Six Geese A-laying
The six days of creation that confesses God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Seven Swans A-swimming
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: 1) prophecy, 2) ministry, 3) teaching, 4) exhortation, 5) giving, 6) leading, and 7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eight Maids A-milking
The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Nine Ladies Dancing
The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22)

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Ten Lords A-leaping
The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven Pipers Piping
The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James.  (Luke 6:14-16).  The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve Drummers Drumming
The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

Day of Revelation

The wonder of discovering new things amazes me. The first sight of a awe inspiring scene, the execution of an artist, the mastery of a chef, the beauty of words put together - all these makes me realize how God reveals Himself to us.

Today, I discovered how to upload photos to facebook. I learned how to upload my photos to picassa - in original size.

Today I realized that Paul is a minister to the gospel. He preaches and makes sure that the converts are walking right with God. We need to do such.

Four steps to preaching the gospel:
Outreach - they see God in us
Evangelism - they hear the gospel
Baptism - they have to proclaim their faith
Growth - they have to grow in their faith

He is a God of revelation - He reveals Himself to us each and everyday. May we wait and catch a glimpse of Him everyday.

Day of Blessing

We went to our favorite restaurant, Lion City where of course Singapore cuisine is served. We ordered 2 dishes and got an extra 4 on the house. We had a fish ball soup, chicken wings and 2 new dishes - cashew nut fried rice and pandan fish. My mouth is salivating just thinking of the food that is in the refrigerator!

A friend posted this on her Facebook which gave me the laughter I needed:

Try 　this--> 1. Go to Google Maps. 2. Go to "Get Directions". 3. Type Taiwan as the start location. 4. Type China as the end location. 5. Read STEP 24 of the directions. 6. IF YOU Laugh, then repost.

 Was I lucky? Of course not, we are blessed! God has blessed me today with food and laughter. What a God!

Day of Celebration

Went out to celebrate because a close friend found a job after a job search of 6 months. While praying, God impressed upon me that Ann will start work in November and she will be in this firm for quite a while. God is so good to provide a job for her with a pay packet that suits her qualification. Impossible? Don't think so. With God, the word impossible does not exist!

 Today, I am reminded that we need to realize how He answers our prayer and celebrate the answer no matter what the outcome is. In our celebration tonight, I experienced once again His sovereignty upon all our lives!

Encounter with God

This is a challenge. Let's see if we can do this for the next 10 days, if not more.

For many, spending time with God is that half hour daily devotions. Let's not limit it to just half-hour a day. We do encounter God in many instances during the day. Sometimes we have opportunities to show forth our faith and experience God. Let's meet God throughout the day, and record them as part of your spiritual journey.

The Challenge:
At the end of the day, reflect on how you encountered or experienced God. Write down your reflections.

Pet Peeves

I have a pet peeve. Well, I have an issue that troubles me.

Why do Christians say, "So lucky!" Or, "You're so lucky." Or "I have not been ill for the past 3 months" and they knock on a piece of wood. I know that knocking on the wood is to prevent their words turning on itself.

How I wish I can answer, "Well you believe in luck, I believe in God." Or "Luck. What has luck got to do with it?" Or "I prefer to think I am blessed by God."

A friend drove into a car park that at first glance was quite full. We found a space quite near the entrance. She remarked immediately a few times, "We're so lucky, we're so lucky" like a giddy teenager. Being the passenger, I smiled. But inwardly I said, "Thank you Father for blessing us." Why can't I say that out loud. I guess my friend is a Christian who believes in the luck of the coincidence more than our heavenly Father who knows our needs.

Isn't luck just like Doris Day's "que sera sera, whatever will be, will be" ?
Isn't luck like saying please, please to the universe and hoping someone out there will answer?
Isn't luck like a needle in the haystack?

Well, blessings on the other hand is given by God. Blessings is guaranteed because we are God's children. Blessings is a shower of God's love. Blessings is a surprise, a gift that God gives to us to show that He is pleased with us.

Ah...the blessing of blessings!

The challenge is - Emphasis Blessings instead of Luck

Cold...Need to Perk myself up!

What can I do to perk myself up....

1. Write a happy letter to a friend, recalling all the laughter we shared!
2. Shop for charms on Ebay
3. Listen to Christmas music - not just the hymns but those mischievous songs like Santa Claus is coming to town, All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...
4. Watching Shrek, Mama Mia, The Terminal, You've got Mail,
5. Drink Hot Cocoa with a heartwarming book - mine is always the Mitford Series
6. Listening to Dearest Dorothy
7. Listening to cheerful classical music like Seasons by Vivaldi

Need to have a basket of Happy Things!

Accomodation around Dallas

This one is gorgeous! Not too expensive. Two in a room - probably about $60 each. So cool for a ladies nite-out! Check out their website:
Wildwood Inn Bed and Breakfast in Denton

The Personality of this Blog

Of course, the personality of this blog will take on my personality or what I am engrossed in....which is

1. Children. What the Bible teaches us about children.
2. Crafts. So far, it's crochet and tatting
3. Contemplating. Contemplating God's Heart, Spiritual Growth, Intimacy with God
4. Christian books. Mitford Series. Dearest Dorothy. Henri Nouwen. Dallas Willard. John Ortberg

And whatever makes life fun!

Who am I in Christ?

Who are we in Jesus Christ?

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we have a new citizenship, a new status, a new purpose in life. Let's start with the letter A. Meditate on each characteristic that you are now endowed with. It's not what you have done, but who you are. Claim it as a promise and a truth and let God work in your life.

Say to yourself.

I am...

Able - Philippians 4:13

Abounding in grace - 2 Corinthians 9:8

Abounding in hope - Romans 15:4, 13

Adequate - 2 Corinthians 3:5

 

I have...

Abundant life - John 10:10

Access - Ephesians 2:18

Spiritual Keys - Critical Spirit

Spiritual Keys - Confrontation

Spiritual Keys - Communication

Spiritual Keys - Codependency

Spiritual Keys - Childhood Sexual Abuse

Spiritual Keys - Caregiving

Spiritual Keys - Anger

Spiritual Keys - Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Spiritual Keys - Adultery

For more of this, go to hopefortheheart.com

Become Beloved

In Henri Nouwen's book - Life of the Beloved, he implores us to recognize that we are the Beloved. When we realize that we are the Beloved, he encourages us to take the great spiritual journey of becoming the Beloved. We become the Beloved in our daily existence, in everything that we do.

The first step in becoming a Beloved is to acknowledge that we are Chosen. Nouwen recommends three guidelines in this spiritual journey. First, we have to keep unmasking the world for what it really is. The world is manipulative, controlling, power-hungry, and destructive. All of us face the world and call it different names. We have to unmask the world, realize the lies it is telling us about ourselves, refute the lies and repeat truths to yourself. If the world is telling you, buy that new TV. You need it. You can always charge it on your card and pay for it monthly. The truth of the matter is you don't need a new TV. Paying for it monthly means you cannot afford it. You am the Chosen one, and that is not the way God wants you to live. Unmask the world - unmask the psychology it teaches, and seek the truth.

Second guideline is to look for people and places where God's truth is spoken and where your identity as the Chosen one is affirmed.

Third, celebrate your Chosenness. A simple thank you to those who affirm you as the Chosen one and to God who has chosen you. Gratitude begets gratitude.

Get in touch with your Chosenness with these three guidelines.

As I go on my special seat in my room to reflect on my Chosenness, I learn another guideline. Do not talk about myself but speak in a way to reflect that I am the Chosen one. All my words and action should reflect to others of my Chosenness.

Spiritual Keys from Hope for the Heart

This is a wonderful resource for Biblical counseling. It gives Biblical verses and principles how to handle different kinds of problems. 

Go to the following website
http://www.hopefortheheart.org/site/PageServer

Look for Help Topics / PDF Downloads

Select your topic.

Look for Free Download

Sign in or register to become a member.
It's that easy.

Chopped Salad

This is my latest food craze as my friends can tell you.

I first had chopped salad at Hyatt Hotel in Richardson. The rationale in the chopped salad is so that you taste different ingredients instead of just the greens. So I got hooked on to it.

My chopped salad has about 10 ingredients to it. I don't chop it that fine, but a little smaller than bite size. There's always fruit, vegetable, meat, nuts, hard boiled eggs and cheese.

Pick and choose
Strawberry
Pears
Apples
Raisins
Dried Cranberry
Banana
Brocoli
Bell Pepper
Mushroom
Cucumber
Sweet Onion
Celery
Toasted Pecan
Toasted Walnut
Cheese
Turkey Ham
Roasted Chicken
Hard boiled eggs


Try it. Healthy. Delicious. No regrets.

Events in October 2010

Cottonwood Park Festival

It's fun and you can bring your dog!

October 2-3

Cottonwood Park

Beltline (nearest junction Beltline and Coit), Richardson

Free admission

http://www.cottonwoodartfestival.com/

A Storytelling Festival

October 8 - 9

Frisco Public Library, Frisco Square

http://www.lonestarstories.org/

Discount Coupons for the Arboretum

Visit the Arboretum

 I mean go smell the roses - not just visit the website!
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/

Discount coupons valid till end of this year. Go smell the flowers! Now you can afford it, and you cannot afford not to.

Discount Coupons for Dallas Arboretum

September Events

Garland's Wild West Cowboy Round-up

September 18, 2010

10am - 7pm

Downtown Garland

Free Admission

http://www.garlandcowboyroundup.com/event.htm

Aspasians Fall Arts & Crafts Fair

September 18, 2010

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Historic Downtown Rockwall Square

Free Admission

http://aspasians.com/aspasians.htm 

Grapevine's GrapeFest

Always wanted to go for this one...hopefully we get to go this year!

September 16 - 19, 2010 (Thur - Sun)

Admission is free on Thursday and Friday

https://www.grapevinetexasusa.com/festivalsandevents/grapefest/tabid/228/default.aspx

Oktoberfest in McKinney

September 24 - 25

4 to 11 p.m on Sept. 24 and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m on Sept. 25
Historic Downtown Square
Free Admission  

http://www3.mckinneytexas.org/www/mainstreet.aspx?id=3720

Uptown Festival

September 25, 2010

11am - 10pm

On Fairmount St. between McKinney Ave. and Cedar Springs 

Free admission

Parking space is limited

http://www.allaboutuptown.com/

Western Day at Lewsiville 

You have to print out the ticket or pay at the entrance.

September 24 - 25, 2010

Lewisville, Texas

http://www.lewisvillewesterndays.com/

Western Day at Lewisville - Free Ticket

Japanese Fall Festival

September 26, 2010

Dallas Japanese Association

South Side Parking Lot

4100 Alpha Road

Dallas, TX 75244

Japanese Festival

How to Use Greenshot

Greenshots is a cool program to capture your computer screen. I use it to give instructions on how to use the computer or website.

Short Tutorial
1. Open the program. There will be an icon at the corner of your monitor or where you place your icons.

2. Find the key on your keyboard that says Print Screen or Print. Press it and you will see lines on your monitor with a cross in the center.
3. Move the cross to the top left hand corner of your image and click and hold the left button of your mouse. Move it to the bottom right hand corner of your image and let go your mouse.
4. Your image is captured and a window will appear with the image.

5. You can now save the image using the icons or click File. Remember to change save as to the format that you want. The most common usable form is JPG.
6. Press Esc (escape) if you do not want to continue capturing the image.
7. To exit the program, go to the icon, click the right button of your mouse and choose Exit.

Tip: Move your mouse arrow away from your image when you hit the Print or Print Screen Key. That way you will not capture your arrow. But if you want your arrow there, then place it in the right place before you hit the Print or Print Screen Key.

Where you can get Greenshot
http://getgreenshot.org/

As you can see, I used Greenshot to generate the images on this tutorial. Have fun!

Open Source Software

As you can see, I am on the quest to find open source software.

Scribus - Desktop publishing (Have to download Ghostscript first)
http://www.scribus.net/ 

Inkscape - Vector drawing
http://inkscape.org/ 

Avast (Not exactly open source - just free) - Virus scan

http://www.avast.com

Primopdf (Not exactly open source - just free) - PDF converter
www.primopdf.com 

Musescore - Write music
musescore.org 

Greenshot - Capture Screen
getgreenshot.org

Ghostscript

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ghostscript/files/GPL%20Ghostscript/8.71/

 

For more software go to
http://www.gnu.org/software/for-windows.html
http://directory.fsf.org/

You can choose your platform in sourceforge or just go to this link
http://sourceforge.net/search/?&platform[]=Windows

Rock Barrel

We seem to drive and drive along Sherman Street which is not very long. This is not a place that I want to be at night. When we finally found the store, it didn't look very impressive. But when we went in, it was a hidden treasure. When I say treasure, it's really treasure. Not diamonds but rocks. We went on Thursday but couldn't get enough and went again on Saturday. You get so engrossed, you wouldn't even know who else was at the store. Beads, rocks, and pearls all over the store. Young and old are fascinated with the rocks. It's all so sensual. You hold them in your hands and feel the smoothness and coldness. Then you look at them and see the beauty and uniqueness of each rock. If you have nowhere to go, just pop into the store and look at what God has created.

Their location and contact

13650 TI Blvd, Suite 104

Dallas, TX 75243

Tel:972-231-4809
http://www.rockbarrell.com/ 

June Hunt's Seminar on Conflict Resolution

June Hunt has a radio program where callers call in with their problems. This caller told June about his problem with abuse. He told June that he and his wife were sitting on the bed. He pulled his wife towards him and she fell off the bed.

June immediately asked how is that possible when he pulled his wife towards him and she fell off the bed. He confessed that he flung her off the bed.

June really listens with her heart and her mind.

Attend her seminar this Saturday - Sep 11, 2010

For more information

http://www.hopefortheheart.org/site/Calendar?view=Detail&id=101746

Music Notation Software

Have you all tried MuseScore?

http://musescore.org/

Easy to install and use.
Tutorial is on the website.

Have fun composing. For me, it's transposing some scores for the recorder.

Vector Drawing Program

I needed a program to draw tatting designs and crochet designs and found this freeware - Inkscape. Very new in vector drawing and learning how to use the Bezier tool to draw curves. Watch out for my own tutorial in this blog.

Easy to download
http://inkscape.org/

Tutorial
http://inkscape.org/doc/basic/tutorial-basic.html
http://inkscape.org/doc/advanced/tutorial-advanced.html
http://learningame.org/tutorials/pages/Inkscape/3.htm

Lots of other tutorials out there some where.

Granny Squares Crochet

I love Granny Squares. Make as many Granny Squares you want. Place it out to form the size that you want. Join with single crochet but with the joining on the outside.

Most Granny Squares use the double crochet stitch (dc) but I use the single crochet (sc). It is stiffer with less gaps. Ideal for bags!

The pattern for Single Crochet Granny Square

Abbreviation
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
ss - slip stitch

Start        4 ch. Join with ss. It forms a ring.
1st row   8 sc into the ring. Join to the first sc with ss.

2nd row  1 ch, 3 sc into next stitch, 1 sc, 3 sc, 1 sc, 3 sc, 1 sc, 3 sc, 1 sc. Join to first sc (first sc of the first group of 3sc) with ss.

3rd row  1 ch, 3sc into the next stitch, 1 sc into next 3 sc (that is, 1 sc, 1 sc, 1sc), *3 sc, 1 sc into next 3 sc, **. Repeat * to ** twice.  Join with ss to the first sc.

4th row   1 ch, 3sc into the next stitch, 1 sc into next 5 sc. *3 sc, 1 sc into next 5 sc**. Repeat * to ** twice. Join with ss to the first sc.

5th row  1 ch, 3sc into the next stitch, 1 sc into next 7 sc.  *3 sc, 1 sc into next 7 sc**. Repeat * to ** twice. Join with ss to the first sc.

6th row 1 ch, 3sc into the next stitch, 1 sc into next 9 sc. *3 sc, 1 sc into next 9 sc**. Repeat * to ** twice. Join with ss to the first sc.

The group of 3sc forms the corners of the squares, and the individual 1 sc forms the sides. Each row will increase by 2sc for each sides. Continue until desired size.

Last row
Use 4 sc for the corners of the squares. This will help when you need to join the Granny squares.

Variations
Use both loops of the sc or just the front loop.
Change colors

Uses
Coasters
Bags/Backpacks/Drawstring bags
Throws
Placemats
Scarfs
Shawls
Baby blankets

Anti Virus Protection

Try this free anti-virus protection for your computer. I've used it for almost a year, but I do not download freeware very much or play virtual games.

To download go to:
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

You have to register and they will e-mail you a license key. With the license key, go to
http://www.avast.com/registration-free-antivirus.php


That's it, you are good to go!

Free Audio Books

Words are great - written and spoken. I love to read but listening to audio books has been a great find for me. After a day of reading books and papers, and staring into the computer screen, I really need to rest my eyes. Listening to audio books allows me to tat, and crochet. Try it.

Christian audio gives away free audio book each month. https://christianaudio.com/
This month is Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders.
Check out as per normal. If you do not have a membership, just start one. At check out, type in the code, SEP2010. When you check out, you get to the page to download the book.
I've downloaded A.W. Tozer's Pursuit of God and enjoyed listening to it. It was an impetus for me to draw near to God.
When you've downloaded the book, you can keep the book for life.

Try it. You'll love it. You have nothing to lose.

If you've missed A.W. Tozer's book and would like to have it, post me a comment.

Beloved

Henri Nouwen wrote that God calls us beloved. But in this society it is difficult to hear that. People around us do not affirm us as beloved. And if people do affirm us, we doubt it. So the problem is within and without. We listen to others before we listen to God. The voices of others are louder than God's. We seem to believe in others more than God.

How can we quieten ourselves to hear God first?
How can we learn to trust in God more than others?
If God were to call you by a loving name, what would that be?

For me, God calls me His child. Often I go my own way in my impetous self and regret it. I can see God shaking His loving head and sigh. I often ask, God why do you still love me even I err so much. And His answer is, I know your heart.

In the morning, I will awake and greet God with Good morning, Father. And I can see Him smiling at me and blessing me with a good day.

When I get frustrated with my studies and my writing, I would say, Now what, Father. And He will say, relax, don't fret, I am here with you. Everything will be alright because I am with you.

When I am ill and in pain, I ask God How long? And He will say, I will give you strength to go through it all. I will heal you and you will remember me.

God is my Father, my loving, heavenly Father.

What would my Heavenly Father call you?

What area in your life do you want to grow in?

If there is an area in your life that you want to grow in, what would that be?

I have asked a few people this question, and these are the answers I have received:

Prayer life
Know the Bible
Improve my Thought life
Live a more spirit-filled life
Hear God

What would your answer be?

Texas State Fair

Texas State Fair 2010 is almost here!
Friday, Sept. 24th - Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010
Fair Park in Dallas

Tickets Prices
General Admission: $15
Kids under 48” tall: $11
Seniors 60 and over: $11
Children 2 and under: Free
Seniors 60 and over: Free every Thursday (Sept. 30, Oct. 7 & Oct. 14)

The usual discounts for the past few years:
For Tuesdays,
Bring a Dr. Pepper product and pay $3 for the admission ticket if it's before 5pm.
$5 after 5pm.

For Wednesdays,
Bring 3 cans of food for the local food bank, and pay $1.

For Thursdays,
Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product for a discounted admission fee.

Other discounts given by:
McDonalds, Dickies, Cinemark, “Save Me Steve”, and radio station KISS-FM

Pray for your children and other children

Mention the children by name as you pray for them.
Use photos of the children as you pray for each of them.
Tell them that you have been praying for them.

31 Days to Pray for Your Children

Storytelling Festival in Frisco

I always love a festival...a storytelling festival! October 8 - 9 at Frisco Public Library, Frisco Square
http://www.lonestarstories.org/ 

And storytelling is one of my passion.
Use storytelling to keep the children quiet. When I was a working as a Children's Minister in Singapore, the Sunday School teachers would implore me, "Tell a story quickly. The children are getting restless."
Use storytelling to make your sermons, or presentations more alive, real, interesting, and stimulating. Look at the good preachers, they are also good storytellers.
Use storytelling to waken a child's imagination.
The art of storytelling entails 3 different components: the storyteller, the story and the listener. The components are the corners of a triangle. Each corner must be well-balanced. The storyteller has to take on the story and watch the listeners to know how to engage them. Different parts of the story need explanation, drama and movement, change of voice and facial expressions, and response from the listeners.

Don't miss the festival!

Reason for this blog

Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23.

This has been my theme verse for the last 10 years. I had a major setback in my life. During that time, I learned how to moan and cry to the Lord. I experienced what it means to recognize my emotions and recover from sadness. I recognized the touch of the Lord on my life. Time does soften the emotions but only when I released the anger to the Lord that I can lift my head, forgive, and move on. God put that verse in my heart at the beginning of the trial. It is so easy to hate those people and take revenge. But that verse has been set in my mind and my heart. I chose to obey, and guarded my heart against all my own plans - whether right or wrong. I made space and time for myself to converse intimately with God, confess my selfishness, and continue on in life.

Ten years down the road, I have matured and learned that God wants us to have an abundant life. He wants us to have a fulfilling life. He wants us to live a life that in on earth but yet focusing heavenward. He wants us to live a life that is joyful. A life that is joyful do come with trials and tribulations. It is how we handle trials and tribulations that makes our life worth living.

This blog is to help others live a life that is fulfilling. The funny pictures is to bring a little smile to your lips. The craft projects are to inspire you to make something nice for yourself or for a friend. The new things I do each week are to encourage you to spice up your life. The practical life ideas is to make life a little easier for those who need it. The travel is to give you ideas on where to go to. The spiritual insights are to bring you closer to God.

My prayer is that God will use this blog to touch someone in a very special way.

What people do with their pencils!

An art! How many can actually do this...

You can laugh at everyday objects

Some fun photos from

thehumorous.com