Sunday Scripture

Luke 2:1-5 

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Saturday Links

Fun, interesting, and heartwarming facts from Nuggets of Gold: 

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2024/11/24/geese-guards-little-charlie-from-the-chocolate-factory-grows-up-secret-santas-and-other-facts/

Inspiration from Beholding Him Ministries:

https://beholdinghimministries.org/2024/11/24/now-faith-6/

A bonus for the Season, from The Christian Fiction Girl:

https://christianfictiongirl.blog/2024/12/19/his-encouragement-297/ 

God bless.

Christmas Lost

Celebrate with a story.

Christmas Lost

The twelfth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Townie Karen Little is the resident quintessential spinster. She's lived in the same house her whole life, more than half a century. She knows she's stuck, but her plans for the future blow up in her face, on a regular basis. Why risk being wrong again?

After six years, Holiday Diner's owner, Alexander Hamilton, is still a newbie and Holiday's most eligible silver fox bachelor. Being the catch of the day for the single women of Holiday makes his vow to never marry again a challenge. Why test the three strikes you're out rule?

Sometimes, so much time passes, it feels like God has forgotten, but He is moving all the pieces into place for the right moment... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHC1CL9/ref=sr_1_1 

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt

 

Thankful Thursday

Visiting with friends

Breaking Bread with friends

Electric fireplace for beauty and warmth

Christmas stories

Christmas music

God's grace

for King and Country ~ Silent Night (Live) 

https://youtu.be/HFeltEvYfQM?si=7cCF4xmiOKGxWZoE

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

 

Christmas is coming.

 

 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for sharing her time and talent to create this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Saturday Links

Over at Choosing Hope, Hannah inspires me with her courage and tenacity. God bless her and her family.

https://choosinghope.live/2024/11/17/slipping-held/ 

Nuggets of Gold shared a delightful collection of Tuesday's Thoughts!:

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2024/11/19/tuesdays-thoughts-216/ 

God bless.

Christmas Present

Celebrate with a story:

Christmas Present

The eighth novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Terra Connor is looking forward to her first two-week vacation, even if it means working part of the time to ease her daughter's mind. Her daughter's wedding on Christmas Eve is her only priority, and she definitely doesn't have time for romance.

Carson McDonald is in Holiday for his younger brother's wedding. The friendly town is as good a place as any to rest and recover from the upheaval of losing his job due to an accident. He has enough on his plate for the foreseeable future.

God's ways are not man's ways...
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Present-Holiday-USA-Book-ebook/dp/B01ASDPDJQ/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2015

All four novellas published in 2015 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2015-2/dp/153018617X/ref=sr_1_22

 

Thankful Thursday

Fresh bread

Reliable electricity

Gingerbread

Christmas Hymns

God's grace

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Lost Christmas Eve

https://youtu.be/e1XZDDMvfVE?si=S4VVSV95noN5RDa1

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

One more read through to make sure all the changes haven't messed up the newest formatting. 

Monday Quote

Do not spoil the wonder with haste! 

~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Sunday Scripture

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Saturday Links

Song Dog Journal shared posts that were originally printed in Custer County Chronicles. I love this one about the cow dog. I remember my ranching uncle telling that a good cow dog was priceless.

https://songdogjournal.com/2024/11/08/ranch-wife-musings-shepherds-lantern/ 

This inspiring one is also a reprint from the Custer County Chronicles:

https://songdogjournal.com/2024/10/19/ranch-wife-musings-optimism-and-pumpkins/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Making a Texas Cowboy (Home at Last Texas Series Book 1 of 2) by Justine Davis contemporary romance. A return visit to Last Stand, Texas, an earlier series. Good to see old friends. Honor, courage, living life to the fullest, self-analyzing to become a better person, loved it. While it has a little premarital bedroom action, it is leading to marriage.

Musical Thursday

Music to start the Christmas Season, some of my favorite songs that I listen to all year long.

The first one is simply totally fun.

All I want for Christmas by The Piano Guys

https://youtu.be/c16dH9QezyE 

Little Drummer Boy for King and Country

https://youtu.be/NzEX3QMuVPM 

 

Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by Manheim Steamroller on their Christmas album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anv4FIQ4tbo 

Believe Again: O Come All Ye Faithful by David Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF__6qGtwSc 

Angels We Have Heard On High by The Piano Guys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg 

Baby, What You Goin' to Be by Trinity HS Alumni Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsoB7mmdmFg 

Mary, did you know? by Donny Osmond
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtLCCrEVqPA 

Believe by Josh Grobin on the Polar Express album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ19mW-TMRk 

Merry Christmas Darling by the Carpenters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR1ujXx2p-I 

Silent Night by David Osmond 
https://youtu.be/PkVATabHBqc 

The Gift by Aselin Debison
https://youtu.be/YeQt6S2O0Qk 

Gentri's O Holy Night
https://youtu.be/g4fvMgNfN0I

A Soldier's Silent Night
https://youtu.be/e29nKH4DCFQ 

A Christmas dedication to our men and women in uniform. A Soldier's Silent Night was originally titled 'Merry Christmas My Friend' and written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt in 1987.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

An update: Editing is mostly done. Formatting is mostly done.  Need to double check everything. Once's it's uploaded to Amazon, no more changes or corrections. A terrifying thought knowing I'm imperfect. God have mercy.

Monday Quote

It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life. 

~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Sunday Scripture

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me [Jesus].

Saturday Links

Bridget A. Thomas always shares inspiring posts:

https://bridgetathomas.com/2024/11/05/clear-the-clutter/ 

Song Dog Journal is always an inspiring read:

https://songdogjournal.com/2024/11/04/autumns-end/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

For Real (Real Series Book 3) by Staci Stallings audio romance on YouTube. This is a link to the epilogue: https://youtu.be/maJ_wALPbvw?si=OOUSzJ3tABB--qti 

Thanksgiving

Cozy Timez ambient sounds like rain and a fireplace. They often includes adorable sleeping pets.

https://youtu.be/MOTtu4pHmIs?si=HUZekHQd_XDrahqZ

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

 

Thanksgiving is coming.

 

 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for sharing her time and talent to create this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Saturday Links

Nuggets of Gold shares short stories, silly facts, and Tuesday's Thoughts, several I enjoyed: 

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/tuesdays-thoughts-211/ 

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2024/09/17/tuesdays-thoughts-495/

https://joyroses13.wordpress.com/2024/10/29/tuesdays-thoughts-212/ 

God bless.

Celebrate Thanksgiving...

...with a story:

Giving Thanks

The eleventh novella in the series.

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Eight years ago, Michelle Bronson ran away. Returning Thanksgiving Eve will allow her to settle before anyone knows she's home. Accepting Jesus made her new, but the past won't stay buried. She's strong enough to face it. She must, if she wants to embrace life. Maybe assistant baker at Holiday Sweets is the open door she's seeking.

Theodore Williams III lived his life as Mr. Straight as an Arrow. He remembers Michelle, along with his harsh judgment of her, but she's not what he expected. The choice is his to hold to what he knew or to embrace the new. Perhaps God is opening a door to the future.

Placing God first opens doors never imagined...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071W5C2T6/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

 

Thankful Thursday

Blue skies 

Warm blankets

Electric fireplace for beauty and warmth

Dear friends and family

God's grace

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Faith Noel

https://youtu.be/SVXVD_PGRuk?si=swU3tNLocBnDMcJ0

Wordless Wednesday

 

Tuesday Toss Up

 

Monday Quote

It is not joy that makes of grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.

~ Brother David Steindl-Rast

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Saturday Links

From 5 Minutes of Hope, a good reminder anytime:

https://5minutesofhope.com/2024/09/26/look-up-👀/ 

Tales from a Mid-Life Mama shared a bit of her adventure to Chatsworth House, Derbyshire Dales: 

https://family5power.com/2024/10/18/the-chatsworth-house-derbyshire-dales/

https://family5power.com/2024/10/21/peak-district-in-autumn-derbyshire/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Royal Duty (Royal Series Book 5) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. An excellent addition to the series. Well worth the wait. 

 

Musical Thursday

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Dreams

https://youtu.be/huraLql9mZQ?si=qUx2L268_7qMpv5y

Wordless Wednesday

 

Veterans Day

 

 

Thank you to all who served with honor.

Sunday Scripture

2 Peter 3:9-10

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Saturday Links

I appreciate those who share their adventures to places I'll never go, like Jason Frels:

https://jasonfrels.com/2024/09/19/81-43-29-north/ 

Author Gail Johnson shares inspiration and beauty:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2024/09/24/promises-2/

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Royal Heir (Royal Series Book 4) by Traci Hunter Abramson suspense romance. I'm ready to read the newest story in the series.

Musical Thursday

The Piano Guys - Glacier National Park 

https://youtu.be/5w_uQh9HcRQ?si=Dh5jOvtLYmheFAYM 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.
~ J. R. R. Tolkien