That's right.....I'm headed to Nashville, TN. My cousins and aunt are driving in from Charlotte, NC and we are meeting in Music City. It's a girls weekend!
This will be one of my mini-vacations this summer. I'm hoping to do several, but don't really have anything big planned this year. My hubby and I usually plan a destination vacation. Our first vacation was October 2004. We leased a Lincoln Continental and drove to South Dakota. Because it was the off season for tourism, we didn't have any lines to stand in, had no trouble getting a hotel room anywhere along the route, and were seated for meals immediately.
The following year, we flew out to Las Vegas for the annual bike fest. We did a package deal that included airfare, hotel, and rental car. It was a true bargain. We also rented a Harley while there. We befriended two couples and rode/ate with them on the bike runs. It was an amazing trip that I would do again in a heartbeat.
In 2006 we had a trip to Branson, Missouri planned. Everything was already paid for and we were so looking forward to getting away for the week. But plans were changed and that trip never happened. Vacations were put on hold ......until this year. Even though we don't have a big trip planned cause we're saving our $$$ for the house we plan to buy, we'll still take some mini-vacations.
What are some of your favorite vacation spots? Do you have an annual get-a-way spot. Do you vacation with other couples or with extended family? If you could choose any place to visit today, This Day, where would it be?
Also, please be sure to check out my photo blog, Shutter Clicks. I'm up to date on my pictures. Depending on what time I get back from Nashville on Sunday, I'll upload pictures from my trip and the current week's pictures.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Exodus 33:14 (NIV) The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Y-A-Y! It's Thankful Thursday. The time each week I stop to shout to the world God's blessings in my life. They can be serious or silly, big or small....God honors them all.
1. I'm so thankful for the free gift of salvation thru my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With Christ, I have a future and hope. Thank You, Jesus for giving up Your life so I could live.
2. I'm thankful that this week I passed the three year mark since being diagnosed with breast cancer.
3. I'm thankful for a job that affords me flexibility in my work schedule so I can spend some much needed time with my wonderful husband. His day's off are Thursday and Friday and he works second shift.....so we don't spend much face time. This summer I'm permitted to work extended hours and take off every other Friday. Pretty sweet deal.
4. I'm thankful for food, clothing, shelter, transportation. I am so richly blessed.
5. I'm thankful for the upcoming weekend. I'm headed to Nashville to visit with family. A mini-vaca for us. It will be packed full in the short time allotted to us.
That's my five this week. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you're thankful for today, This Day. Be sure to stop over at TT's host, Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey and see what others are thankful for.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Acts 20:24 (NIV) However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
I and several of the Challengettes have been working together to get moving. Lidna over at 2nd Cup of Coffee started this as a two week challenge on March 26. We each pledged to get moving 30 minutes a day for 5 days each week for two weeks. Easy enough.
After that came a second challenge and Phase 2. We were still moving 30 minutes a day during the two weeks from April 14 - 28 with one major change. Cut out 100 calories a day. A little tougher, but still doable.
We took a brief break and then came Phase 3 onMay 12. The goal was to keep moving and drink enough ounces water that was to equal half your weight. Really? Really, Lidna? How can you not move and drink that much water? Seriously? I feel like the Energizer Bunny! Day and night, never stopping!
On Friday, May 15, my hubby and I took a two hour drive. This is my picture of him after the third time I needed to make a pit stop. He's telling me to stop drinking so much water so we could get there before the end of the day. lol
Now, Lidna has come up with Phase 4. That's right....the saga continues. This time it's the ole switcheroo. We're to switch up our routine, change our foods, do something different so our bodies won't be able to slack with the same ole same ole routine.
Now comes the hard part for me. What to do? What to do? My workout routine is different every time. So.....I'm going to starting riding my bicycle (as weather permits). I'm also going to change my eating pattern. I currently have an oat/nut snack in the morning. I'm going to have fruit/yogurt instead. The oat/nut snack will be after workout....with water of course.
Are you up for the challenge? Stop by Lidna's and sign up today, This Day! You'll be glad you did.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 85:11 (NIV) Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
This is the time each week that I pause to thank God for His many blessings. Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey sponsors this each week. Thank you, Sonya. The list is of five things you are thankful for. They can be silly or serious, big or small.....God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. Yep.....he made the top five again this week. He is an awesome man of God, honorable, and compassionate.
2. I'm thankful for my blogger friend, Jessica at Called to Serve. This young woman has a heart for God and her husband. She is so enthusiastic about her walk w/the Lord and being organized. She introduced me to this wonderful website: A Virtuous Woman, a Proverbs 31 Ministry. If you're not familiar with it.....go check it out. There is TONS of information there.
3. I'm thankful for free online Bible studies and seminars. The Hem of HIS Garment has free lessons and eBooks for just about any topic.
4. I'm thankful for spending last Saturday with my dear friend, Kelly. We live about 2 1/2 hours apart and don't see each other often. It was good to catch up and share hearts.
5. I'm thankful for This Day! The beautiful sunrise, the fragrance of honeysuckle in the air, and the roar of my Harley as I rode to work this morning. :)
It's so easy to get caught up in the day to day struggles of life that we sometimes overlook God's blessings. What are you thankful for today, This Day? Please leave me a comment and be sure to stop by Sonya's to see how God is blessing others.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 30:12 (NIV) that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Last week after the Storm of the Century, I celebrated my birthday, alone. Sadly, this was me....sitting in the dark that night.
Was I feeling sorry for myself? Yep, pretty much. No cards, no letters, no phone calls, no birthday dinner......*BIG SIGH*....just me trying to lift my spirits with a thankful heart that our family and friends were safe. Yet, it was a miserable six full days with no power! No internet, no TV, no news, no music......minimal contact with the outside world. Oh how I missed my blogging friends.
But my God worked through others to bless me and show me just how important I am to Him. It started with receiving this wonderful award from Laurie at Supernatural Living.
Then, the same day, Kym at bee creative honored me with this One Lovely Blog award.
Thank you, ladies for thinking my blog is interesting, uplifting, and a blessing. Thank you, also for your kind and encouraging words.
Two days later, I win a signed copy of Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote from Mocha with Linda in her Mother's Day Giveaway. It arrived yesterday and I can't wait to crack the cover. Thank you, Linda!
And then (nope....not finished yet!) my dear blogging friend, Robin at All Things Heart and Home, had a tutorial and give away of these lovely anklets.
She announced the winners of this fab gift which I won...on my birthday! How great is that??!!?!?! Thank you Robin! I can't wait to start wearing it. If you are crafty like Robin, these would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. That's right, it's never to early to start thinking about Christmas.
It would not be until two days after my birthday that I actually found out about all these wonderful gifts and awards. I was happy to have power restored, but I was ecstatic to have been selected, remembered, and thought fondly of by my blog peeps.
That's how God works. Behind the scenes. When we are in need, our heavenly Father is there supplying that need. Do you have a need? Take it to the throne of grace today, This Day and see what amazing and wonderful things God has for you.
Peace and Joy, Susan
James 3:17-18 (NIV) 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
This is the time each week that I pause to give thanks for five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small, because God honors them all.
1. I'm so thankful to Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for hosting TT. Each week I have the opportunity to reflect on my life and how God has blessed me. Then I visit the sites of the other participants. This gives me a peek into their lives and God's work in them. There are times when are lists are very similar. Other times, I'll look at their lists and think.....yep, I'm thankful for that too.
2. I'm also thankful for the book Sonya is giving away this week: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. My husband gave me a copy of it with a beautiful bookmark while we were dating and made it required reading. He was (and is) dedicated to the success of our relationship. This book taught me how to selflessly communicate love to him in ways that inspire confidence and lift his spirits.
3. I'm thankful that family and friends escaped the Storm of the Century unscathed and with minimal property damage.
4. I'm thankful for my friends. These gals are a ton of fun and we always have a great time together.
5. I'm thankful for my blog peeps. That's right......YOU! You brighten my day! I love reading your blogs and the comments you leave for me. You are teaching me, encouraging me, and praying for me. Your kindness and humor have brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face. You are truly a blessing.
That's my list for the week. How has God blessed you? What are you thankful for today, This Day? Leave your comment here or link up at Sonya's.
Peace and Joy, Susan
1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Be sure to stop by my blog peep Sara's spot GitzenGirl. It's her birthday today too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARA!
Peace and Joy, Susan
Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV) 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Greetings Blog Peeps! After some very stressful days, power is slowly being restored to our region. They are calling it an "in-land hurricane" which is an oxy moron but the best way to describe the storm that hit here Friday afternoon. I found this on YouTube and there are several other related clips you can view. Our family and friends are all doing fine and sustained no property damage. We're just a little war worn from having to live without power, not able to cook, and throwing away all the food from our fridge and freezer. We're hoping for power by tomorrow. Which would be a great birthday present for me.
After all that, you'd think I'd had my fill of water.....but no-o-o-o. Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee has put out Phase 3 of our 30 x 5 moving challenge and I'm ready to take up the gauntlet. We're to increase our water intake by half our weight. What???? Divide your weight in half and the quotient is the number of ounces of water you should drink every day. So.....if you weigh 150 lbs and divide that in half, you should drink 75 ounces of water every day. Seems like a lot? Yeah. It does to me too, and I drink water.
Honestly, it will be good to get back into a routine and start a new challenge to get past all this storm damage stuff.
Are you up for the challenge? Let's start moving today, This Day!
Peace and Joy, Susan
Proverbs 31:10, 27-28 (NIV) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her
This is the time each week where I list five things for which I am thankful. Silly or serious, big or small, God honors them all.
1. I'm thankful for my hubby. Yep, he's in the top five again this week. How can he not be? Seriously? He is so concerned about me and wanting me to be comfortable in the house we're renting. He spends hours on the internet searching the housing market to find us a house to buy. He's a blessing straight from God!
2. I'm thankful for being the BIG WINNER!!! What? You haven't heard??? Oh yes! Krystyn at Someday I'll Get There chose me for her first ever giveaway. Click HERE to read all about it and see all my goodies. Thank you, Krystyn.
3. I'm thankful for changing clothes trends. Wait.....what? Oh yes, remember a couple years ago or so when shorter/midriff length tops were the fashion. Thankfully, that trend has passed. Longer tops are in style. Y-A-Y!
4. I'm thankful to be back in church. With moving and my weekend class schedule, we missed a few Sundays. It's good to be fellowshipping and praising God in His house again.
5. I'm thankful that God's hand is on Josh and that he survived a horrific accident. No, I don't know Josh personally. He's related thru marriage to one of my dear blog peeps, Gigi. We've been praying for his complete and speedy recovery. Please join us.
That's my five. What are you thankful for today, This Day? How has God blessed your life? Your family? Your friends?
Peace and Joy, Susan
James 5:16 (NIV) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
How cool is that???!!!?!?! Krystyn at Someday I'll Get There had her first ever giveaway and I W.O.N. So what did I win? Why am I so excited? Just take a look. She made these fabulous cards. That's right.....made them. I am facinated by that fact because I have absolutely no creative talent whatsoever! And Krystyn made seven different cards for birthday, well wishes, encouragement, and of course....lovey cards. PLUS a journal (ok, she didn't make this journal but it's still awesome); which I plan to put to good use tracking my prayers. Aren't the beautiful???
Krystyn has an etsy shop where she sells her original creations. Click on the link HERE to see what's available. I'm sure she'd be happy to create something just for you!
It's wonderful how God has given each of us talents and gifts. Krystyn, Robin, Laurie, and Sara are each so blessed with artistic talent. Yet, their talents are uniquely different, just like each of them. Praise and thank God today, This Day for the unique person He made you, the talents and gifts He has blessed you with, and use them for His glory.
Peace and Joy, Susan
Romans 12:5-9 (NIV) 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Cinco de Mayo is clearly a favorite springtime celebration in parts of Mexico and here in the United States too. Naturally, food is part of this celebration. I mean really, what is a celebration with out food? lol -- This great looking buffet has traditional Mexican dishes: Jicama-Melon Salad, Chicken in Mole Pueblo Style, Tortilla Casserole with Turkey, Corn Pudding, and Almond Flan.
Put away the sour-cream-and-cheese-covered nachos and the margarita pre-mix. Instead, focus on authentic dishes that are as complex and rich as the Mexican holiday itself. The Tortilla Casserole with Turkey recipe looks and sounds delicious. Click here for the recipes to these fabulous looking dishes. Here's a close up of the finished product:
Why do we celebrate this holiday? Is it to celebrate Mexican independence? If yes, independence from what or from whom? Ok, I'll let you off the hook. It is not celebrated throughout Mexico. This celebration is generally confined to the state of Puebla where, in 1862, Mexican troops defeated an invading French army nearly double their strength. Quite an amazing feat. In short, it is a celebration of freedom and liberty.
We are in a battle of sorts for our freedom and liberty from sin. Thankfully, our Commander is the Lord Jesus Christ and He has already fought and won this battle for us. All we have to do is accept this fact. If you're a history buff, search out some of the history in the Bible. Battles, kings, and kingdoms are prophsied about and then fulfilled within these pages. The book of Daniel is an excellent example of these truths. Please, don't believe me.... examine the facts yourself today, This Day, learn how Jesus gave His life for you, and know true freedom and liberty.
Peace and Joy, Susan
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
