almost Christmas....

Taking a break from puttering around the house to say hello again! So much has been happening! Hubby and I are done with school now...finishing up on the last of our homework and getting ready to take the final..after the Christmas Holiday.

We have attended a few Christmas parties this season...the first, Hubby's company party! It was fun to go with our son and daughter-in-law...he works for the company too! Our dear friends were there also...so we had a great time. The second was this past Friday night...given by one of the ladies at our church, she wanted to bless everyone so she planned a party! I was one of the coordinators..planned the flower arrangements and decorations! It was such a lovely evening!! I am posting the photo of the two of us....

This Christmas season has been lean for many of us...including me. We are purchasing basics for our grown children and just buying needed items for our 4 year old grandson. We will have another addition to our family...Our son and daughter-in-law are expecting their second child...its a girl!!! We are are thrilled!!

I have seen how faithful the Lord is to us in these uncertain times. The media sends out such fear across the airwaves...causing so many to be just riddles with anxiety and panic....but with God...we can be certain ...He is the Surety...He is our Security and Provision!! We can be certain that He will and does take care of His people!! I know that this past year we wouldn't have made except the Lord provided!!!

While many of us are getting back to the basics...I truly believe that this is where God wants us to be....remembering and helping those in need..look beyond ourselves...find someone to bless. The basics of our faith in Him. Trusting in Him with our whole heart and not lean to our own understanding with the circumstances and situations we are facing....God is on the Throne and He is taking care of His people!! What a gift...God making a way where there doesn't seem to be a way!!

Times of quiet contemplation are awaiting us...He is calling to you, whispering to your heart, waiting to reveal to you His plan and purpose for the coming year. Take a break from the running and going...the hurriedness that pushes in on us so much this time of year....and Listen to the still small voice and God whispers to your heart.

Blessings to you and yours this most Joyous Christmas Season!!

a long time away...

I have been away for a long while. So much has been happening! It hasn't been bad things or circumstances, but a time of tremendous growth and stretching.

My husband and I are entering our last 10 weeks of ministry school! We have been ministering a lot and enjoying all that the Lord has been teaching us in this season! We are so blessed to have the mentors and teachers in our lives.

We have been on break for 2 weeks, and I have been diligently cleaning and organizing our home. Some things have had to be put aside as we have pursued the call that God has for the two of us.

I brought out my plastic bin of Autumn decor and started in last weekend. Just adding and deleting things from the tablescapes bring such a freshness to our home. Made a trip to the Dollar store for a few things and came home with such a creative spurt that I felt I needed to act upon it while I had the energy and also the time! The homestead looks lovely and quite cozy...reading for the cool evenings that are soon to come.

I am also thrilled to let you know that Our daughter Amie was married and Our on Ryan and our dear daughter in law are expecting their 2nd child!! What a blessing!!! God is so faithful and He continues to show Himself strong not only to us but our children as well!

What are you doing to fluff your nest for the Autumn season? Please share if you'd like!! I love sharing ideas with others and capturing ideas as well to use in my home.

I hope to share so pictures of my home welcoming the Autumn season. Till I see you again...blessings to you and yours always....

Let it rain!!

We have had so much rain here in Southern California!! It has been long over due. I welcome the rain, every bit of it!
I am typing this on my son's laptop as I have been sick in bed with a secondary infection and sinusitis, not fun whatsoever! I was at the E.R. Saturday night, came home and collapsed in bed to sleep. It is amazing what large doses of prayer and antibiotics does for a person!! Thank the Lord!
I look out my bedroom window which is open to air out the stuffiness of the room and I hear the sound of water rushing over the rocks in the creek behind our home. The wind is blowing the clouds so quickly, the sun is peeking in and out among the clouds. The birds are singing and flitting from tree to tree. I have a candle lit on my bedside table and felt this is the time to correspond with you.
Since my husband and I have started the School of Ministry, our lives have changed so much. We pray together...sounds strange....but we do. The growth that our individual lives have taken is just amazing to me, not to mention as a couple. Both of us know that we are called to full-time ministry. We do not know how the Lord will work this out, but we know He will!
With studying and also having a family...prioritizing is a must! So much needs to be caught up on around the home. I do a little here and there....making endless lists it seems.
I have a growing peace within me that I have not known before. That all is truly well. It doesn't matter what the news says, or the government....this is all subject to change suddenly too! I choose to focus on the eternal things.....for the things of this world are so temporary. Why use the energy to wring my hands and worry about this or that! Pray instead...pray without ceasing....for Prayer changes things, peoples, situations, government and nations!!!
I will be stopping by and giving you a hearty hello soon!! God's richest blessings to you my friends!!! XO

Enjoying the Christmas Season...

Grandson Nicholas visiting Santa

Realizing that I haven't posted since October ...I was thinking just how time has accelerated! WOW!!

I pray that this finds you all well and enjoy this wondrous time of year!

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday of all. It is the time that we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In spite of what may be happening with the economy, jobs, issues within our country and worldwide...He is STILL on HIS throne! God hasn't forgotten us, nor is He moved or worried in anyway about these things. Why should we be? Now more than ever Christians are called to unity and to prayer! Prayer changes things!!!I am speaking from my heart...enough of the division in the Body of Christ!! We must come to unity and agreement with one another...and we all meet as Christians at the foot of the Cross of Jesus!!

We have really simplified our gift giving this year...it is so freeing and liberating too!! No more going into debt for presents...this is wisdom! Just little things for our grown children...necessities and for our Grandson Nicholas...a few toys and clothes!

I have some clove and cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove, a hot cup of coffee with some eggnog creamer, lights are twinkling on the tree and candles are creating a soft glow in the family room.....life is good! Simple things...simple times. The kids are all helping out with the Christmas dinner. We have plenty of movies to watch and board games to play. The weather is calling for rain and cold temps...so it will be a day to cozy up and relax!!

I hope to post once again before Christmas...but if for some reason I am not able too....My prayer for you and your house is.. Joy overflowing, Peace that transcends all understanding and the Father's Love permeate your heart and the hearts of all your loved one's! God bless you!!

Merry Christmas~

Tis Autumn...

Autumn greetings to you! I am so enjoying this time of year! As you know this is my favorite season..of course next to winter! This time of year my heart turns towards home and all that brings. Nesting, creating and arranging to make a cozy place to come home to.

Life has really picked up speed for me here in my peaceful corner. I have had quite a few opportunities of ministry this past summer, as the Lord continues to open doors for me! I study alot of days, doing assignments for school, plus the keeping of the home! The Lord is showing me what needs to be streamed lined in my days, and how He gives me more time! It is truly amazing as I see Him redeem the time for me!

My daughter wants to have a yard sale this weekend to clear out all the extra stuff in the garage! I say Hallelujah!! She wants to help and I am thrilled of the possibility that we will have breathing room in that space!

I had a birthday on the 1st of October...46...came and went! It was a blessing to have the kids and loved ones call to wish me well!! I am a blessed woman indeed!

With the financial situation in our country and world...the Christmas season will be sparse!! Time to go back to basics and the true reason for the season...JESUS! Time to be good stewards of what He has entrusted each of us with individually and collectively. Going back to the basics is perhaps making something from your heart...creativity is the key! I know I cannot be the only one thinking this way, but I refuse to go into further debt by using credit for Christmas! Simplicity will be the theme this year!

What are you doing this Autumn season? How are you filling your days? What are some of your ideas for a Simple Christmas? I would love to hear them!!!
I pray that each one of you are enjoying the glorious season of Autumn as the winds of change are indeed blowing upon us! Be blessed in your coming and going and may the Lord give you wisdom over all you put your hand to! Abundant blessings to your home and hearth!!

Kreative blog award...

A lovely surprise awaited me as I opened my email and found that I was given this award! Thank you to my new friend over at " Thru Pink Curtains"!! What a blessing this is! So my friend...thank you!!

I am supposed to name 6 things that make me happy so here it goes.....

*Serving the Lord

*My Husband and our Children

*Autumn days with cool nights..

*The changing of the seasons.

* Hot coffee

*Chocolate!!!!

Just a few things in my life that brings me joy! I have had another opportunity to minister at the Women's Fellowship meeting at our church this past Thursday! It was a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord!!!

I am so looking foward to the next few weeks as I prepare oour home for the Autumn season. Planning on some deep cleaning....baseboards, carpets..etc. Nothing better than a clean, organized, de-cluttered, smelling of apples and cloves kinda home!!! That is what i'm working towards in the next few weeks. Need to get some new batteries for my camera so I can tkae pictures of the changes that will be made! I so enjoy sharing these with you all too!

We are enjoying our long Labor Day weekend. As it winds down...I look toward the Autumn season..my favorite time of year. Even though it is still 90 degrees here....I press on knowing it WILL change soon enough!!!

I have some spaghetti sauce in the crock pot with some Italian sausages...yum! I will fix a salad and have garlic bread too!! Easy enough dinner..but hearty for all of us.

Tonight I'll make a cup of hot tea, sit down with my calender and start filling it in for the month! Tis a busy month with birthdays and our anniversary on Sept 3rd! So I will light a candle next to my chair and settle in for a little productive planning time before settling in for the night. I pray you stay in the shelter of the Almighty God, many blessings to you and your house!! xo

I list these six blogs and their authors and bless them with this wonderful award:

Donna over at Lady of Blessings

Susan over at A Place called Home

Maggie Ann over at Knitting Cat

Brenda over at Coffee, tea, books and Me

These are amazing women who I admire so very much!! Stop by and say hello to them!

Back to the Basics

Woke to sunshine but looking to the east it seems as if clouds may make their way towards the west....at least that is what I am hoping for! We need some RAIN!

I have some wonderful instrumental worship music playing, the doors are all open airing out the house, washing is chugging along in the garage, and I'm taking a break and also taking a deep breath!

When I become so busy with stuff..you know...stuff: errands, chores, activities here and there, yardwork....etc..I become ill at ease. I realize I am doing too much! I have the tendency to keep going and going till I hit a wall so to speak. This morning I heard that still small voice of the Spirit of God say, "back to the basics Mindy", and those things...that drive me to keep going and moving..lifted and once again...I find freedom and liberty in Him!

I can only speak for myself, but I know that there are others who feel as I do. Home is very important to me, always has been. Keeping home is a joy to me...even when I was working full time, I so enjoyed my days off..puttering and the like. I may be old-fashioned....unconventional, stuck in another time...but this doesn't bother me one bit! I have to be true to myself and how God fashioned me! Even as a little girl..I moved furniture around quite often, puttered in my own little room I shared with my sister. These are things that make me who I am! No longer do I make excuses for nesting and puttering....for when I am doing this...I am at peace!

Time to get back to the basics. What are the basics? Having a routine that is done daily...with no excuses, meals planned, errands done on certain days, and desk time to sit and plan. These are just a few things for me to implement once again. With the cost of food, meal planning is truly a must. Gas prices have fallen just a little but I plan my errands in the middle of the week to avoid the increased traffic that the weekends bring.

I am being purposeful in clearing out clutter from our backyard. Working just 15-30 minutes a day has wonderful results! I hosed off the patio and the chairs..re-potted some plants, deadheaded some roses too. I will make an arrangement to put on the table with flowers cut from the yard. It is lovely to see flowers on the table as I look outside. These are some little ideas to help me create my own sanctuary of peace and rest. I challenge you to do the same thing! Pick a spot to call your own and have fun creating the place of rest for you! Blessings to you this sweet Summer morning!!!