Looking forward to this fun-filled family vacation!
Take Care
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
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By:
Anita
Thursday, February 23, 2017
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By:
Anita
the blahs
winter is always a struggle for me.
i tend to hibernate. not wanting to leave the comfort of my home.
but rather sit by the fireplace wrapped up in a blanket, with a good book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
winter is hard.
as the days get shorter and the temperature drops, the darkness starts to wear me down and it’s not uncommon for me to start feeling …
what’s worse than the cold of winter, is the darkness. even though the days are shorter they seem so much longer. does that even make sense?
in the dull days of winter, i find myself wanting to stay in more, eat more and definitely sleep more. i much prefer evenings sitting outside on the front porch.
i am not made for winter. from the middle of november until the early days in april i am cold… and no amount of layering can keep this girl warm.
okay… enough whining.
i’m going to pour myself a glass of wine, and while i can’t sit outside on the front porch i can choose to enjoy this time...
what do you do, to chase the blahs away?
take Care
i tend to hibernate. not wanting to leave the comfort of my home.
but rather sit by the fireplace wrapped up in a blanket, with a good book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
winter is hard.
as the days get shorter and the temperature drops, the darkness starts to wear me down and it’s not uncommon for me to start feeling …
what’s worse than the cold of winter, is the darkness. even though the days are shorter they seem so much longer. does that even make sense?
in the dull days of winter, i find myself wanting to stay in more, eat more and definitely sleep more. i much prefer evenings sitting outside on the front porch.
i am not made for winter. from the middle of november until the early days in april i am cold… and no amount of layering can keep this girl warm.
okay… enough whining.
i’m going to pour myself a glass of wine, and while i can’t sit outside on the front porch i can choose to enjoy this time...
what do you do, to chase the blahs away?
take Care
Monday, February 20, 2017
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By:
Anita
February's Fantastic Favourite Fiction Five
I've mentioned it a time or two, I'm sure. I love to read! Here are just a few of my faves...
Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo, is a suspense series set in Amish country has been a favourite of mine. I am never disappointed when I get my hands on a Kate Burkholder., and while this is her 8th book, it’s just as good as the first in the series! Definitely a page turner and the ending? I was stunned with such a great plot twist!
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, is an outstanding debut psychological thriller novel from author Shari Lapena, and one of the best reads I have read this year! This novel, a child-abduction case, races along at an amazing speed, full of twists and turns, totally gripping the reader for the suspense ride from beginning to end. I kept flipping the pages as I had to know what had happened. I loved it!
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens, was an intense book that kept me on the edge of my seat. It was well written and clever. Plus, I was instantly drawn into the gripping plot and the well crafted and compelling characters. If you like thriller/suspense books, you will enjoy this fantastic debut. Let me just say that this book is awesome! I mean 5 Star! I am very confident his second book will be remarkable.
Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra, is a fast paced paced, totally gripping psychological thriller. I went into this book slightly blind, and was pleasantly surprised as to where the plot took me. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns. The ending at first seems like what we might have expected but then turns out to be something else again – always fun! I couldn’t put it down.
Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner, is the 7th book in the “Quincy & Rainie” series. I’m a huge Lisa Gardner fan and I love all of her books. And this one? Ooohh, this one was so good! Much to my surprise, this wasn’t the dark and depraved story I was expecting. This story actually hit on the opposite end of the spectrum. Psychologically rich. Meticulously researched. Thought-provoking. Definitely an edge-of-your-seat thriller. Emotional. Gripping. Suspenseful. 5 Stars! Absolutely 5 Stars!
What are you reading these days?
Take Care
Friday, February 17, 2017
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By:
Anita
Note to Self
My journey over the past few years has been one of moving toward understanding and accepting that I am enough.
Whole. Complete. Nothing missing, nothing broken.
HE says I’m enough ~
even though I like to sleep in,
use pre-packaged cake mixes,
don’t really enjoy the gardens or flowerbeds,
love lazy Saturdays,
and have jiggly arms.
HE says I’m enough ~
even though I say stupid things,
fail at loving others well,
doubt, question, and swear,
don’t pray or read the Bible often enough,
and make mistakes {big and small}.
HE sees me and knows me and still declares me enough. Actually, HE declares me good.
So it’s time to let go of this grudge I’ve held against myself.
And so are you, my friend.
Take Care
Whole. Complete. Nothing missing, nothing broken.
HE says I’m enough ~
even though I like to sleep in,
use pre-packaged cake mixes,
don’t really enjoy the gardens or flowerbeds,
love lazy Saturdays,
and have jiggly arms.
HE says I’m enough ~
even though I say stupid things,
fail at loving others well,
doubt, question, and swear,
don’t pray or read the Bible often enough,
and make mistakes {big and small}.
HE sees me and knows me and still declares me enough. Actually, HE declares me good.
So it’s time to let go of this grudge I’ve held against myself.
And so are you, my friend.
Take Care
Thursday, February 16, 2017
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By:
Anita
#flawless
Because sometimes, I still struggle...
and this awesome video/song, is a valuable reminder that I desperately need!
Take Care
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
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By:
Anita
Friday, February 10, 2017
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By:
Anita
Daughter of the King
For a long time I looked at the girl in the mirror with contempt. I was so angry at her for all of her mistakes. I’ve made so many poor decisions and errors in judgment. I’d done too many things wrong and made some enormous mistakes.
Some things I couldn’t even pretend were mistakes...I’d knowingly made bad choices and am living with the consequences to this day.
Quite often, when I am in certain circles. I gloss over certain parts of my past, careful to omit things that I knew would raise eyebrows. I couldn’t be a credible Christian if they knew, I told myself.
Itwas is simply exhausting to live like that.
It took me several long years to come to terms with a simple reality: God loves me and forgave me the moment I asked. My past ~ as riddled with poor decisions and sin as it was ~didn’t doesn’t define me. It’s simply the past. God tells us that we are no longer who we once were. The moment we ask for His forgiveness, He offers it. Isn’t that a beautiful Truth?
How about you? Do you feel weighed down by your past? Do you feel like God can’t really use you because you’re too damaged? You’ve made too many bad decisions? You’ve sinned too much? You’re too far gone?
Let me remind you ~ You are not defined by your past... and just like me, you are a
Some things I couldn’t even pretend were mistakes...I’d knowingly made bad choices and am living with the consequences to this day.
Quite often, when I am in certain circles. I gloss over certain parts of my past, careful to omit things that I knew would raise eyebrows. I couldn’t be a credible Christian if they knew, I told myself.
It
It took me several long years to come to terms with a simple reality: God loves me and forgave me the moment I asked. My past ~ as riddled with poor decisions and sin as it was ~
How about you? Do you feel weighed down by your past? Do you feel like God can’t really use you because you’re too damaged? You’ve made too many bad decisions? You’ve sinned too much? You’re too far gone?
Let me remind you ~ You are not defined by your past... and just like me, you are a
That is how you are defined!
Take Care
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
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By:
Anita
His birthday
Wishing my Dad a very happy birthday today. May you have a wonderful year, full of great health, joyful moments and many, many blessings!
Looking forward to Sunday when the families can gather to celebrate.
Take Care
Monday, February 6, 2017
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By:
Anita
Journaling activity
I’ve found that writing out scripture when doing my devotions is very comforting to me. It makes me slow down. Helping me notice the words and the thoughts behind them.
When I write out the scriptures in my own words, it makes them not only more personal, but has a deeper impact.
If this is something new to you, start easy. Use a well known or familiar passage.
Like Psalm 23.
Read it in several translations.
Spend time pondering the words.
Look up words like shepherd, and what it means to be anointed.
Jot down your thoughts.
Those words can be a great encouragement.
I encourage you to find a journal if you don't have one already and give it a try. Use either a plain old composition book that you can find in the dollar store, or treat yourself to a special one from a bookstore. I love me a new journal.
Take Care
When I write out the scriptures in my own words, it makes them not only more personal, but has a deeper impact.
If this is something new to you, start easy. Use a well known or familiar passage.
Like Psalm 23.
Read it in several translations.
Spend time pondering the words.
Look up words like shepherd, and what it means to be anointed.
Jot down your thoughts.
Those words can be a great encouragement.
I encourage you to find a journal if you don't have one already and give it a try. Use either a plain old composition book that you can find in the dollar store, or treat yourself to a special one from a bookstore. I love me a new journal.
I like to journal. No, that’s not accurate. I need to journal. I need a place where I can write down all the thoughts, different ideas and the impact scripture has on me. I find it to be a place where I can reflect back on the times throughout my life. It’s a gentle reminder that even when things at the time might seem bad, it can help me realize that this too shall pass.
We need to be reminded of what’s important of the beautiful things that are in life, and my journals do that for me.
Take Care
Thursday, February 2, 2017
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By:
Anita
#choosejoy
At the end of each year, I would start thinking and praying about my word for the following year, but by December 31, nothing felt right.
I couldn’t come up with “the” word and finally just decided that 2017 wasn’t a year for finding just the right word.
And if you know me, I was starting to get anxious about my one word or lack thereof for 2017.
As I was reading, praying, and searching for my word, I started to take notice that when I was scrolling through the newsfeed on Facebook, Instagram, and even Pinterest a pattern slowly emerged. People that I follow on these sites {unknown to each other} were posting pics and reminders about JOY. And just the other sleepless night, I found myself re-reading through some of the 2016 posts on my blog and again the word JOY revealed itself and you know what, that word is really starting to resonate with me.
So here we are, already a month into the New Year and I’ve finally found my word for 2017.
I want to embrace life full even when I don’t think I have it in me. I want to pursue more joy in my life, and it’s about accepting joy right in the middle of my life.
When it doesn’t make sense.
When it seems impossible.
Making time for joy when everything else is pressing in.
The kind of joy I’m talking about is not dependent on the circumstances in my life.
I need to find more of it again in who I am, what I do, where I’m going and why I’m here.
And so, as I begin this journey I am seeking His direction on how to “consider it pure joy” in all areas of my life.
My goal is to be JOYful. Will you join me?
Take Care
I couldn’t come up with “the” word and finally just decided that 2017 wasn’t a year for finding just the right word.
And if you know me, I was starting to get anxious about my one word or lack thereof for 2017.
As I was reading, praying, and searching for my word, I started to take notice that when I was scrolling through the newsfeed on Facebook, Instagram, and even Pinterest a pattern slowly emerged. People that I follow on these sites {unknown to each other} were posting pics and reminders about JOY. And just the other sleepless night, I found myself re-reading through some of the 2016 posts on my blog and again the word JOY revealed itself and you know what, that word is really starting to resonate with me.
So here we are, already a month into the New Year and I’ve finally found my word for 2017.
It’s that simple.
It’s something I’ve always struggled with, and something I want to work on this year. I find it hard to relax and live in the moment and rarely am I content with things as they are. It’s so easy in this life to get distracted from the things that matter.
I want to embrace life full even when I don’t think I have it in me. I want to pursue more joy in my life, and it’s about accepting joy right in the middle of my life.
When it doesn’t make sense.
When it seems impossible.
Making time for joy when everything else is pressing in.
The kind of joy I’m talking about is not dependent on the circumstances in my life.
I need to find more of it again in who I am, what I do, where I’m going and why I’m here.
And so, as I begin this journey I am seeking His direction on how to “consider it pure joy” in all areas of my life.
My goal is to be JOYful. Will you join me?
Take Care
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