CHANGES

I am looking for some chairs to put in the bay window. Here is an option but I am am still looking.

They were very comfortable and a good size for in front of the bay window.

I am also looking for lamps for the living room. I need 2 on each side of the sofa one or two in the bay window and one or two on each side of the TV cabinet . This has been a difficult task. I want them to blend but not match exactly. Hope to find something soon.

This is one of the least expensive options. Most are around 200.00 dollars so making a decision could be costly . Where is a good place to look? I have been to every furniture store here in Saint Cloud . 

A WARMER DAY!!

The back yard snow keeps blowing around . 

It has gone away from the door a little but is still pretty deep to venture out there just yet.

The front screen storm door was still freezing up today 

It is pretty don't ya think?

When you travel done the street you have piles of snow and then a driveway. It did not show up well but it is kind of funny.

The wind has been blowing the snow up against the fence. We hope to paint or stain it white this summer

You can see the snow is almost up to the windows. Hope we don't get much more but it is possible.

We had to plow again today because of the blowing snow.

We might lose the stop sign soon if we continue with blizzards . Our last snow is in April then Spring will come .

BIRTHDAY MEMORY

Today my dad would have been 86. He passed away last January from a rare cancer...Malignant Angiosarcoma.  

I never knew how difficult it would be when both my parents where gone. It has been a whole new journey for me. I find myself not taking many things for granted . Trying to find forgiveness for those who have hurt or offended me. Most of all enjoy what I do have. Life goes on with or without us.

BITTER COLD

It has been a very cold winter. Many temperatures way below 0 with wind chills regularly between -25 to -35 

Our winters here are usually very cold but this year has been extremely cold. This means I spend a lot of time indoors. My poor hubby works outside and my son also. Today was -17 but warmed up to 13 above by the time they came home.4 more years before we retire. Each year we consider it but with the economy the way it is it makes for a hard decision . You don't want to find out too late you didn't save enough. Schools have been closed a few days this year because of cold. My granddaughter in Washington school was closed for a little snow... Yep... We smile but I remember how difficult it is to get around out there with just a little snow and no snow removal equipment. We have snow piled up against the back food by at least 4 feet. More snow is on the way. Spring is at least 6 weeks off and then summer with its high humidity and so the seasons come and go. Keeping warm today with the Olympic Games on T V. I baked  pumpkin pie bars to warm the kitchen  and bring those sweet smells indoors.

KEEP WARM this weekend. 

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

This has been heavy on my heart as of late. I look around my neighborhood and wonder... What does this mean to me. It starts in 

James 4:17

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is SIN.

I have been struggling with some issues one of which is forgiveness. It has been a slow journey with many set backs. I am determined to do the right thing. Our responsibility is to forgive those who have hurt us. We can't change the other person, only God can, we still must forgive in order to be free and move forward in our lives. I came upon a few verses that have helped in my quest for forgiveness. 

Romans 12:14

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Isn't the first thing we want to do in the flesh is curse them? We want to tell our side of the story and get all our friends and family on our side. But God says BLESS THEM. We must have the right attitude.

Luke 6:27

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who HATE you.

Kind of like rubbing salt into a wound don't you think? It is hard enough after someone has hurt us or people who hate us, but then God wants us to do good to them.

Matthew 5:44

But I say to you, Love your enemies and PRAY for those who persecute you.

Now we not only need to forgive and to do good and bless them but we must also pray for them. I started with this in order to change my heart so I could do the rest and glorify God not me. We need to take me out of the equation and focus totally on what God wants.

We must ACTIVELY love our enemies. This may require great forgiveness on our part. We may need to rely on GOD  for this. He alone will give us the grace we need to offer our forgiveness, no matter how wronged we may feel.

Pray good things for our enemies.

Our attitude must be love.

God loved us first so that we could share that love with others. He desires a complete righteousness of the heart, a total devotion to His purpose for us and in the world. God is the standard we go by not what anyone else is saying. If it goes against God's standard it is WRONG.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added into you.

When making choices in life it is good to seek Godly counsel but ultimately we have to live with the choices and we know what God wants for us. Listen to what God is saying.. Luke 6:27... You must have your ears open and take time to listen. Forgiveness will heal your heart. God can heal a life full of hurt and pain. I know it is happening with me.

A few other verse I liked are;;

Luke 6:27-36

ICorinthians 13:4-8

Psalms 27:1-14

If you are struggling with this I challenge you to give yourself over to God who can change you first and then forgiveness is possible and that will change your future.

May God Bless Your!!

DREAMS ...

This is why I am grateful to the Seahawks for having a core group of Godly men who walk the walk and talk the talk. My grandsons will be involved in Sports if they choose and enjoy it. It was interesting how this little guy was interested in Russell Wilson. I hope he sees his character as well as his accomplishments.

The party began on a positive note. The furniture was moved so everyone would have a good view.

He didn't last the whole game but I was impressed. His grandpa is a big fan. He said " grandpa I bet your glad you didn't have a Broncos party" he was able to see the score and know Seahawks were winning. He later came to me and wanted to show me something... We had a poster from the Seattle paper a friend sent, he wanted it to put in his room, it was Russell Wilson. He and his little cousin were running around with balloons and footballs pretending they were Russell throwing the ball. It really was priceless. So far it seems balanced.. We don't believe in hero worship but good role models are rare. We are glad there are some in the Seahawks Team.

The other cousins spent some time in the playroom reading stories. Miss E. was a good role model here keeping the little ones busy. Today I get to reorganize and clean up this room.... Oh well it was fun and some good memories. Going to look at bedroom furniture for this room tomorrow.

SUPERBOWL

Getting ready for the big party today!!

We still have lots more to do but it should be a great family day. Win or lose we

will be glad for the opportunity for the Seattle Seahawks