A little gratitude

Recently, I met this precious woman named Carol.  I met her on the side of the road outside Sedona at a scenic overlook.  I was running around taking pictures (for those that know me that's all I do)  and enjoying God's creation, when I noticed this beautiful woman with the most beautiful smile.  We struck up a conversation and I walked back with her to her table of jewelry.  

She is very talented and I was enjoying sharing in her gift of making jewelry.  Kenny walked over and joined in on the conversation about her journey.  She is a member of the Navajo people and she really is gifted.  We were enjoying the conversation, when I picked up this beautiful bracelet.

She shared that this bracelet represents her people's long walk.  We listened intently and ask a few questions throughout her story.  She began to share that her grandmother taught her not to be bitter about what happened to her people, but to let it make her better.  To use it to strive towards the future with the thought of being better not bitter.

She touched my heart.  Kenny bought this bracelet for me and it is truly a treasure, because of Carol.  Notice her smile in the photo, she smiled from the moment that I noticed her and we began to talk and share.  

I have thought a lot about her from the moment our life paths crossed.  She taught me a lesson in a short amount of time - "better not bitter" and about gratitude.  To be grateful and grow forward.

I am choosing the word gratitude for my focus word in the upcoming year.  I want to truly learn about gratitude and experiencing being grateful and giving thanks for everything!  God is good all the time even in the difficult moments, so I want to grow to always remember to let things make me better not bitter.  I want to allow God to use my life to help others always and to be in a state of gratitude for it all.

In our present times, would we not all be better, if we allowed the things that happen to make us better not bitter?  Our world could use a little bit or a whole lot of Carol's attitude about life.  I am in a state of gratitude that God allowed my path to cross Carol's!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

News about January 1

Well, beginning on January 1, I am once again going to begin the chronological Bible (NLT).  I am excited and wanted to invite/encourage you to join me.  I don't know, if this is my fifth time or sixth, but it is life-changing.  I know what it did for me, so I ask you to consider joining me on this journey.  

I promise you that God will use your taking the time to change your life - for the better.  I am only able to speak for myself, but I know what it did in my life.  So, I want this for you and yours.  Join along and see what God will do.

I will blog about it. (maybe not everyday, but some)  I will share on facebook and you can share or not share.  Totally up to you.  It is about you and however, you want to join along.

I did have to order a new Bible this go around.  My old one is worn and written all over.  Also, this time I ordered big print.  Yes, I am at that point and I don't care!

Pray about it and hopefully watch for a post on January 1.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Seeds? Journey of Sisters Friends update

Friends in this wonderful journey, I had to share an update that happened this week with all of you. If you were a part of  the journey of sisters ministry along with me, then read this with a full heart and celebrate. 

 I was in Bible study on Wednesday morning and we were sharing about seeds.  Did we know about seeds that were planted?  Did we want to share about any seeds and about planting seeds in our faith journey.  I listened and thoughtfully was processing offering a word here or there, but very much thinking of some of the ladies that crossed our paths during this special time in our journey.  I was pondering where they might be, what had happened to them and praying they were doing well. 

I returned to my car, turned my phone on and the text and messages began to come to my phone.  I pulled over to read a long message from one of the special ladies that served with JOS, but also we served.  God gave me a hug and He wanted me to share it with all of you that served along with me.  One of our ladies wanted to update that she was and is doing great.  She is about to graduate from college and was putting in resumes and is using me as a reference.  She went back to school, got her degree in the social service area and wanted to share her good news with us.  God is so good!  Talk about a special God hugging moment.  Thank you Lord for sharing these seeds that were planted in such a special way!

I love each of you and thank you for the gift of your friendship and for these special moments!  Let's go plant seeds today.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Outstanding Book! SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH BY CONNILYN COSSETTE

I love to read Christian Historical Fiction.  It makes me think deeper.  It makes me research deeper, so in turn my faith becomes stronger.  These books by authors who truly research the Bible and everything else they are able to get their hands on truly help to grow your faith stronger.  Who doesn't need that?  Connilyn Cossette is one of the best, if not the best.

Shelter of the Most High is truly a great follow up in the series of Cities of Refuge written by Connilyn Cossette.  It kept my attention, it provided mystery, it provided hope, and it made me think.  I love a book that makes me think about the plot and rewards me in the process by growth or making me think outside the box.

I don't give away plot lines, because being an avid reader (I DON'T LIKE THIS).  Suffice it to say that Sofea is a beautiful daughter of a pagan priest that is in trouble.  Her path crosses the path of Eitan, who resides in a city of refuge.  A city provided for those that need protection because of accidental killings, or very bad situations.  God provides and the two meet.  Sofea doesn't know the great I AM, but soon from Eitan's family grows to love Eitan and God.  Imagine, she must learn the language and everything else of these very different people to her.  

I will share one of my favorite lines from this book, because I believe it applies to each and everyone of us.  Eitan is having a conversation with Eleazar, the high priest and Eitan says these words. "But I do not deserve-"  "Deserve?"  His voice rose, echoing in the empty chamber.  "did we Hebrews deserve to be rescued from Egypt when most of us had turned to 

Egypt's gods there?  Did Cain deserve to be pardoned from death and preserved by the mark of Yahweh after he killed his brother?  Did Mosheh deserve to become the leader of our nation after he buried that murdered overseer in the sand?  No, none of us deserve such kindnesses, especially from the Holy One whose justice and righteousness are beyond all comprehension.  If you have freely been given mercy, who are you to question it?"  Is this not the truth?  I loved Connilyn's reminder through these words that none of us deserve mercy, but God gives it! 

5 stars seriously aren't enough.  I love this book and all of Connilyn Cossette's books and recommend you order them today off of Amazon or your local bookstore.  You will love the story and you will be filled with hope.  What more could one desire from a good book?

I was given this book for my honest review by the author and publisher.  It did not matter to them if it was favorable or unfavorable, they wanted my honest thoughts.  Honestly, it is fabulous.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

P.S.  Don't you love the cover?  Sofea is beautiful and loved.