Please Remember.....

our recovering American Soldiers when you are making out your Christmas cards this year. Wouldn't it be nice to make up a few extra to make a soldier feel appreciated? I just did. There are soldiers recovering who deserve our thank you's and well wishes. I'll bet they would love to be remembered this CHRIST-mas season, and just think how one little card will brighten their day. If you are interested, address your cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heros
PO Box 5456
Capital Heights, MD 20791-5456

For more information, click on this link:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp

God bless you!

Michelle

Sew, What Does One Do....

....with thrift store pillow shams? You sew them up both sides, sew across the corner points, and make a sewing machine cover! (The following picture was 'borrowed' from the internet for illustration)The stand size shams work perfectly! The machine hiding under this cover is my Sears Kenmore mechanical machine. This one is my electronic Sears Kenmore. This sham must be a queen size , as it is a bigger sham....just perfect for my Juki TL-98E! Oh, I just love making something new out of something used! Thank you letting me share my crazy ideas!

Michelle

A Little Snow In IOWA

As soon as it was light out this morning, I realized that it was snowing. There wasn't much accumulation, and it didn't last, as the temperature got above freezing. This is only the second or third time it has snowed this season, and it has not stayed. I'm not sad though, as it is still early, and I KNOW, there will be MORE! The house you see is across the street from us. These pictures were taken standing just inside my front door.

Do do do, lookin' out my back door!

Michelle

Goodwill Hunting Treasures

Oh, I had me some fun yesterday 'junkin'! I found some good deals. I found a Block Head game to give to my sister for someone very special in her life for $3.49, a NEW pair of jeans for $5.97, a cross for the wall for 99cents, some stick up hooks for 99cents.
I found this jar, which I put my coffee filters in. I would not have thought to put coffee filters in it, but there were already coffee filters in it when I saw it, and thought, 'What a good idea!' I did throw away the old filters, washed the jar, and replaced the filters with new ones....50cents. The doily underneath it, ...99cents.Two more new (old) doilies. This one cost $1.49This one....99cents
Snowman, Santa and Angel figurine...$3.88Crocheted angel...88cents...Christmas fabric....88cents...probably 2 1/2 yards worth.

I bought this Christmas stocking panel for 88cents. I'm not going to make stockings, though. I have another project in mind. When I do it, I'll show you.
...and two standard pillow size shams. $1.38 each. What am I going to do with them? Stay tuned!

Michelle

Come To Jesus, and LIVE!

Remember to turn off my music player before you view this wonderful video by the cutest little singer from Texas!

Come To Jesus!

Weak and wounded sinner,

Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted

And carried far away

And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus

Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby,
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely

And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cryto Jesus Cry to Jesus

Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night

And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus Dance for Jesus

Dance for Jesus and live! And with your final heartbeat

Kiss the world goodbye

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and

Fly to Jesus Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!

Michelle

Let The Season Begin!

I am so excited! I LOVE Christmas! Many of us are digging out our supplies to decorate our homes, and for some of us, our cars and workplace too! I love the music. I love the lights. I love the cheery smiles on the faces of most everyone you meet (ok, there are a few who just don't 'get it', or are regular Scrooges' all year long). I love the Christmas programs. I love the homemade candy and pastries. I love the extra days off work with pay! I love all the outdoor decorations, and the gatherings of friends and loved ones. I also love the gifts, but that is not what is important to me.

This is also a time when we need to THANK our loving God for giving us His Son, Jesus. He sent Jesus for a purpose. He sent Jesus for ALL of us, so that we could be saved and forgiven of our sins. Christmas day is to celebrate His birth! Christmas day should be a birthday party for Jesus! Christmas is not about us! Christmas is NOT about us getting gifts. Jesus IS OUR GIFT, anytime we choose to receive HIM. When we receive Him, he will pay OUR debt for all of OUR sins. From that point on, we need to live For Jesus, and mold our lives by His example. Praise God!

So, can I tell you a little secret about myself? I love the season SO MUCH, I don't want it to end. I usually actually feel very sad on Christmas morning, and have been know to cry. I'm pathetic that way. When the gifts are on my lap, I feel a sadness. It's not that I don't want the gifts. It's the idea that once the gifts are opened, that is it. There is no more ANTICIPATION of Christmas, because that day is HERE. Soon after Christmas day is over, everyone will put away their Christmas music, take down their trees, and start the New Year with new promises to do better, and new resolutions which never follow through. Sad, bare, lonely looking trees will line the curb, waiting to be hauled away. All the happy faces and cheery attitudes will return to normal, and it won't return again until this time next year. (I told you I was pathetic).

The holiday hustle and bustle has officially begun, and I am happy and excited! I have already started to enjoy it. I pray that you, too, will enjoy the Season, but let's not forget the Reason FOR the Season. Let's not forget to put CHRIST in CHRIST-mas.

"I will sing for joy in God, explode in praise from deep in my soul! He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo and a bride in a jeweled tiara." Isaiah 61:10





Michelle

May God Bless You This Thanksgiving Day!

Remember to click pause on my music player before you view this video. Thank you!


1Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name, 5For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100

Finish The Feast FREE COOKBOOK!

Victoria, over at Auction Girl Vintage has a free cookbook for leftover turkey over on her typepad blog she is so graciously sharing. Click HERE to read about it, and download if you would like. Make sure you stop and say hello while you are there!

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; he chastens and hastens his will to make known. The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing. Sing praises to his name, he forgets not his own.

Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine; so from the beginning the fight we were winning; thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be thine!

We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant, and pray that thou still our defender wilt be. Let thy congregation escape tribulation; thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
(We Gather Together Hymn Lyrics)

A New Blog to Bless You!

Say Hello to Julie!

Welcome, Julie! It's good to have you back!

FREE HOLIDAY HITS 2008 CD

If you would like some free Christmas Music, click HERE but hurry! The album is only there for free download for a short time.

FREE LOWE'S COUPON CARDS

UPDATE! WE HAVE A WINNER!
CONGRATULATIONS JANERA!

I have two Lowe's coupon cards that I am not going to be using. If you are interested in them, be the first to comment and tell me you would like them, then email me with your snail mail, and I will send them to you as soon as I get your address. One is for $10 off your next $50 purchase, and one is for $15 off your next $150 purchase. These cards expire on 11/30/08

Everyday Miracles and Blessings

Suzan and I visited a little bit this morning about everyday miracles and blessings. We all have them, but because they aren't 'bigger', we sometimes fail to see or appreciate them. As I sat here this morning, I decided I would jot down some of the many things I am thankful for. Here are just a few.

JESUS~SALVATION~WAKING each morning~my HUSBAND who loves me MORE (that's what he keeps telling me, anyway)~FREEDOM, and all who are serving my country to preserve our rights and keep us safe~EMPLOYMENT~my comfortable HOME~NOURISHMENT for my body~TRANSPORTATION so we can travel anywhere we like whenever we like~FRIENDS and FAMILY who love and encourage me~my COMPUTER so I can communicate with special people in my life and LEARN new things~MEDICATIONS to keep me healthy~DOCTORS to monitor my health~LAUGHTER..medicine for the soul~TEARS to cleanse my soul~ PRAYER~CELLPHONES...instant communication for HELP and convenience~HEARING my sweet LOUIE tell me HE LOVES ME, every other sentence~the BIBLE for inspiration and learning how we are to LIVE our lives~MUSIC~ALL THE SENSES (SIGHT-HEARING-TASTE TOUCH)~FRIENDS I've never met in person, and FRIENDS I HAVE MET~SHARING with others~GOD'S BLESSINGS~FREEDOM TO WORSHIP in any way I choose.... These are just a few. I couldn't possibly list them all. There are just too many. I feel so blessed.

SAYING "THANK YOU"
Thank the Lord because He is good, His love continues forever. Psalm 106:1

Worship is when you're aware that what you've been given is far greater than what you can give. Worship is the awareness that were it not for His touch, you'd still be hobbling and hurting, bitter and broken. Worship is the half-glazed expression on the parched face of a desert pilgrim as he discovers that the oasis is not a mirage.

Worship is the "thank you" that refuses to be silenced.

We have tried to make a science out of worship. We can't do that. We can't do that any more than we can 'sell love', or 'negotiate peace'.

Worship is a voluntary act of gratitude offered by the saved to the Savior, by the healed to the Healer, and by the delivered to the Deliverer.

(Saying 'Thank You' from 'Grace For The Moment' by Max Lucado)

Thank you Jesus.
Love,

I Think I Won....

a small lottery...from God. Today Louie and I were out 'junkin'. We went to Dubuque, because there really aren't that many places to shop 'junk'. We didn't want to be gone long, and we didn't want to spend a lot of money. There were only three places we went, and we really scored, (I won't be taking a photo of Louie's Sand Wedge (golf)), but the first place we went, I could hardly contain myself! I bought 14 1/2# of quilting/machine embroidery/silk ribbon embroidery/crochet/machine quilting/and paper piecing books, magazines, and pattern booklets. The first 6 books here are thicker books. Twenty cents for each book! Below are Bernina Machine Quilting Secrets, Embroidery in Sulky, YoYos and Doily embellishing booklets, a paper piecing magazine, and a couple more quilt magazines. Lap Quilts & Totes (pattern booklet), Birds of a Feather Quilt booklet, We Adore Him quilt pattern booklet, Foundation Piecing Quilt Labels booklet.But the deal of the day? A new in the (torn) package, 'Square in A Square Ruler' and instructions, and Advancing On II with the Square In A Square Ruler(thick) booklet. How much for everything in the picture (not each---everything!) below? Twenty cents!The checkout girls were very young, and probably just thought these were 'old lady' books, and who would want them anyway? Ha ha! I felt like I should have been wearing a mask and holding a 'stick up' weapon. I couldn't get to the car fast enough. (I didn't take all the books. There were more crocheting books, but I really wasn't interesting in them, and quite frankly, with 14 1/2# of books, I didn't know how much I would be spending. I couldn't believe it when the total came to................$1.90. I'm serious!

The next place we went, I bought a cute snowman gift box, and 'Billy Bass' (don't ask me why...the batteries in it were worth more than what I paid for the whole thing WITH batteries.) If anyone needs a Billy Bass (without batteries), let me know. I think I could part with him! In the meantime, Louie and I have been making him sing, 'Take Me To The Water', and 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'. He's kind of fun. Also, a Daily Blessings book, for me to use when searching for bible verses and inspirational quotes for my blog, and.................Woo Hoo!...a Casting Crowns CD! I paid a whole dollar ($1) for the cd. It's a great cd. The song 'Slow Burn', from the movie 'Fireproof' is on this album. (Another Woo Hoo!....I just found out while getting the url for Fireproof, that the movie is coming out on dvd on January 27, 2009!) I will definately get one!

I have to tell you that I truly believe this was a gift today. God was POURING blessings down on us. Yesterday, Louie and I made a decision to extend love to someone very special in our life by helping this person have something very special done to their car to make life much easier for them. Since then, blessings have been falling all over.

Last night was the third night that our internet was not working, and our television reception was very bad. Wednesday night, I had no internet, and tv was bad. It still was out Thursday morning. I called Thursday morning, and the voice recording told me there was an outage in our area and they were working on the problem. Thursday night, it was out again. Louie called, and we were told crews were out working on it, and inspecting 50 miles of cable, one foot at a time. Friday morning, about 7am, it came back. Last night, I got back from Davenport, and it was out again, and tv reception was bad. Louie called and talked to them again, and they tried to diagnose our problem. Louie told them we had had this problem a few years back, in the winter, and as soon as it got dark and cold, our internet quit, and tv reception went bad, and as soon as the sun came up and it got warmer, the internet was back. A few years ago, Mediacom ended up coming over and laying a new cable, (the old one was above, in the air, from the post to the house). What they do now, is bury the cable. Part of the problem before, was the connection at the pole. Louie told the tech that we use our computers alot, (email, blogs, eBay, entering pool league stats into an online program, etc) so we need the internet, and our service just seems to keep getting interruptions. The lady tech told Louie she was going to credit our account for ONE MONTH of free cable and internet! That is huge! We were not looking for this kind of compensation, we just wanted to get our internet fixed.

After the phone call, I suggested to Louie that he go out and wiggle the cable at the back of the house, and at the pole. When he wiggled the cable at the back of the house, (we couldn't get to the connection, as it is locked inside a box on the outside of the house) the reception jumped around, but when he went to the pole, and started messing with the connection, our tv reception was DRASTICALLY improved. He took the connection apart, put it back together, and tightened it with two pliars. INSTANT INTERNET! Praise the Lord!

You can't outgive God, so don't even try!

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38