Lost but found...

I have a pretty bracelet that is very meaningful to me.  It isn't a bracelet that could be easily replaced.  Each charm was lovingly picked out for me by a family member or a friend.  Each charm has meaning to me and when I wear it I remember who gave me which charm, what the charm represents, and feel loved. One day I went to put it on and could not find it. I knew the time frame of when I last saw it. I did not want my family to know that I had been careless with this precious bracelet. I prayed asking God to show me where it was. I began looking in all the places I might have put it.  When it was not in these places I began to think maybe it was lost for good.  This week while Jim was in Kenya I decided to start going through drawers and any place I could think that it might be. All week I looked for the bracelet, always praying as I was looking, asking God to show me where it was.In the process I cleaned out desk drawers and even a cabinet.  I looked in pockets of coats and pants. There was no where else I could think to look.  It was gone and I felt so sad.  
I had been walking for exercise but had not walked since winter, except for short little walks with our dog.  I decided now was the time to get back into walking.  I got my shoes from my closet and sat down on the steps to put them on. I put the first one on and when I started to put my second one on I could not put my foot in. Wondering what was wrong I put my hand in and there was ... my bracelet along with a necklace and a pair of earrings.(we live in a two story house and I often put things together to carry it all upstairs!)

I was so excited and began to shout out loudly, "Thank you Jesus!  I found my bracelet!" I was so happy.  I immediately called a friend that I had asked to pray that I would find it. I wanted her to rejoice with me! I found my bracelet!

Today as I was thinking about how thankful to the Lord I was
 to have found this precious bracelet, I thought of a couple parables from the Bible.

 Luke 15:3-10 

 Then Jesus told them this parable:  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Bible tells us God pursues that one that is lost and when a sinner repents, great rejoicing takes place in heaven. Wow! Just as I didn't give up looking for my bracelet He does not give up on us. Think about it...God loves us individually!!! When we repent of our sins, we receive forgiveness and God rejoices!!! I like that. 

You are precious to God!

Sweet moments....



with a friend and her children at a park...

with two of my favorite dogs...

being given a bouqet of flowers from my yard...

celebrating family birthdays...

receiving a craft that made me smile...

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens

Friends coming for lunch

This sweet plaque was given to me by a dear friend some years ago and hangs where all can see  when they come to our front door. We have had many people from all walks of life come to our home over the years and our prayer is that they feel loved and welcomed.  Tomorrow the ladies from my Bible study will be coming for lunch.  I have been working to make everything nice for their arrival.  But most of all I hope they feel the peace of God when they enter my home.  
I look forward to a fun time of visiting while we eat the salads and desserts they are bringing.


Here is my salad:

Fruity Spring Mix Salad
   ~Southern Living

1 head Bibb lettuce, torn
*10 ounce gourmet mixed salad greens
2 C. fresh chopped pineapple (1-in cubes)
2 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained and chilled
16 green or red seedless grapes, cut in half lengthwise
Sweet-Hot Vinaigrette
Sugared Almonds

Toss first 6 ingredients together in a large glass bowl. Drizzle evenly with Sweet-Hot Vinaigrette and sprinkle with Sugared Almonds.
*10 cups, loosely packed and torn, of your favorite salad greens may be substituted.

Sweet-Hot Vinaigrette

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

Whisk together all ingredients. Cover;chill 30 min.

Sugared Almonds

1 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sugar

Stir together all ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, 10 minutes or until golden. Spread mixture in an even layer on lightly greased wax paper, and let cool 20 minutes. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Always in our hearts

1977-1998

Our precious daughter

Amy Elizabeth

was born 34 yrs. ago today!

While looking through old pictures today I found this one.  It was taken shortly before we moved from Hawaii.  Amy was 10 weeks old.  Stacy was 4 yr. old. 

I love this photo of our little family!



Bloom

Yesterday our Ladies Ministry had a fun event called  Bloom 2011.  Some of the younger ladies of our church did all the planning and decorating.  Everything was so pretty and it was evident much planning and time went into making this a special day for our ladies. I wish I had taken more pictures but only took two with my phone. 

We were welcomed and given pretty name tags which had the two classes we had chosen on the back of them.  We walked into the main room which was beautifully decorated.  Eveything was in green and blue and the yellow daisies were at all the tables.  Each place setting had a magnet that we could take home as a remembrance of this day. 

After lunch we had a time of worship, door prizes given out and a speaker, who was one of our own sweet ladies.

Some of you have visited my friend, Jennifer's blog, and / or read her devotions that I have posted here from time to time. For over a year now she has written a devotion called A Heart to Hear,  for the ladies of our church and it is emailed to us every Wednesday. At Christmas her mother in law told her she was having her devotions published.  A big surprise awaited Jennifer yesterday morning.  There were 50 copies of her book, A Heart to Hear, presented to her.  It was such fun to see the look on her face when the table full of books was brought out.  We were able to buy them and she very graciously autographed them for us!  I love my book. You can visit Jennifer's blog at:Heart to Hear

It was an awesome day and I came home refreshed!

Don't these look delicious? 

They are marshmallows and toasted coconut marshmallows. Some are  dipped in white chocolate and  some in chocolate. There are nuts on some of the chocolate dipped ones. 

Today my daughter, Stacy, called me and asked if I could come by as she had something for me.  What a fun surprise! 

The plate was fuller when she gave it to me. I just had to sample them before taking them home!

Thank you Stacy!

I won!

 I won a book!!!! 

I am the person that never seems to win anything,

BUT

I won the give away from an awesome blog I follow. 

 Michelle at She Looketh Well had a contest. 

 To enter the give-away we were asked to leave a comment naming ten (10) gifts the Lord has given us! The winner's name would be drawn on Friday morning, March 18, 2011

She contacted me today to tell me I won.  I will be watching my mail box for my book.  

I encourage you to visit Michelle's blog (if you are not a follower yet) as you will be so blessed by all she writes!  Recently through this book and her posts I have become excited to begin my own gratitude list.

THANK YOU Michelle

for your generosity in giving away this book!

Ready for spring

"The March wind roars

Like a lion in the sky,

And makes us shiver

As he passes by.

When winds are soft,

And the days are warm and clear,

Just like a gentle lamb,

Then spring is here."

        - Author Unknown

 

A cup of memories...

I opened my kitchen cabinet this morning and chose a cup for my tea. As I picked up this cup, memories of two friends came to my mind. They gave me this cup years ago when they were visiting me and we were all attending a conference at my church. At one time we all lived near each other but now all live in different states. The distance doesn't matter because in my heart the blessing they have been in my life is not forgotten.

Thank you Cheryl and Karen for your friendship!

Sweet blessing

I have had a couple fun days this week with my sweet
 3 1/2 yr. old granddaughter.  My life is fuller because of this precious girl.

Fixing "food" for our tea party!

New hair barrettes for her cute new hair cut!

Every girl needs a pair of fancy shoes!

Setting up her Little People neighborhood

Lunch time!