St. Patrick's Day is next Monday.

 Thanks Donna Keevers Driver for creating this for me:

Sunday Scripture

Jeremiah 29:10-11  For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Saturday Links

Gail Johnson takes us to Step 2 of her 5 Steps for Success in 2025:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2025/02/11/step-2-track/

Meeting Jesus with Donna Stearns shared A Writer's Heart: The Journey:

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/11/a-writers-heart-the-journey/

God bless.

 

Favorite Book Friday

From an Unknown Sender (Falcon Point series Book 2) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. Yes, I lost sleep because I couldn't put it down. 

Thankful Thursday

Beautiful weather

Church

Inspiring books 

Electric Fireplace during a cold snap

Dear Friends

God's grace

Country Roads - Lifein3D (John Denver cover) 

https://youtu.be/UehbU7xHU58?si=_AUPMqa01AuQBAt8

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

"Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."

~A Year with C. S. Lewis

 

Sunday Scripture

Colossians 2:6-8 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Saturday Links

The first starts the story and the second finishes, from Meeting Jesus With Donna Sterns:

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/06/when-our-faith-is-small/ 

https://believe4147.wordpress.com/2025/02/07/wheres-your-faith/ 

God bless.

Leap Day

 Alas, none this year, but celebrate with a story anyway.

Leap of Faith Day

The ninth 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.

Her life a mess, EMT Belle Carlisle wants a fresh start. She's lived in Holiday a few years and likes it well enough. She's happy, mostly. 'Be Bold' is her personal aphorism, but it was never intended to include asking a man on a date.

Born and raised in Holiday, Vince Timmons is certain the prettiest EMT on the planet could never be interested in a younger man. Besides, his life is a mess. Not to mention the woman he pursued for over a year humiliated him in public. The last thing he needs is to fall for another woman who doesn't want him.

Man looks on the outward appearance and judges accordingly. God looks on the heart...

http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Faith-Day-Holiday-Book-ebook/dp/B01EX4Y2IO

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

Church with family

Inspirational messages

Visiting with family

Lovely weather

Leaving the door open 

Dinner with friends

Fresh bread

God's grace

I WALK THE LINE | Low Bass Singer Version | Geoff Castellucci | JOHNNY CASH

https://youtu.be/MrPdBICrpcE?si=ImXTYGUO8zTO93C2 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

 Thank you, Donna Keevers Driver, for creating this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 31:14-16 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Saturday Links

Gail Johnson shares the value of Singing:

https://gailjohnsonauthor.com/2025/02/04/step-1-sing/ 

Simply beautiful, from Riverside Peace:

https://riversidepeace.com/2025/02/04/im-in-the-garden-2/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

The Danger with Diamonds (Falcon Point series Book 1) by Traci Hunter Abramson and Sian Ann Bessey suspense romance. A tie-in to Abramson's Guardian series. Page-turner! Tough to put down, even when desperate for sleep. 

Thankful Thursday

Blessed rain

Electric Fireplace - Cozy and warm

 Gospel study with friends

Warm enough to leave the door open in the afternoons

God's grace

How fun! Donny now in a duet with 14-year-old Donny:

https://youtu.be/tFTWBM4FbFg?si=OrHZPWyTB3wnrcMF 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

Not all tears are an evil. 

~ J. R. R. Tolkien 

Sunday Scripture

Psalm 22:1-4 ...My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

Saturday Links

Vicki Hinze shared a reminder I needed "The Privilege of Life":

https://christians-read.com/2025/01/31/the-privilege-of-life-by-vicki-hinze/ 

Loved Chateaux des Fleurs' FOTD:

https://chateauxdesfleurs.wordpress.com/2025/01/31/fotd-january-31-2025/ 

God bless.

Happy Valentine's Day

Celebrate with a story.

Valentine Delivery

The third novella in the series.

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

Lance Nelson delivers flowers every Valentine's Day. This year, he decides to show the woman he's secretly loved all his life exactly how he feels, creating a unique bouquet especially for her.

This Valentine's Day, Sharon Kelly decides to stop waiting for someone to send her what she wants and orders a bouquet of flowers for herself. She might as well arrange for her secret crush to deliver them.

God works in mysterious ways to provide the way to Happily Ever After, even when His children stand in their own way...

http://www.amazon.com/Valentine-Delivery-Holiday-Laurel-Hawkes-ebook/dp/B00IGVA8SY/ref=sr_1_3 

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Thankful Thursday

Gospel Study

New Books by Favorite Authors

Electric Fireplace - Cozy and Warm

Embracing Serving Others

God's grace

Michael W. Smith, for King and Country: Place in this World

https://youtu.be/SDmsRhWpsYw?si=vItCczIw8uW91Kw4

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Quote

 Thanks Donna Keevers Driver for creating this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Luke 1:78-79 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Saturday Links

The Godly Chic Diaries offered inspiration when I needed it: 

https://gcdiaries.wordpress.com/2025/01/20/the-wait-is-worth-it/ 

This touched my heart, from Coach Muller over at My Good Time Stories and in time for Valentine's Day:

https://mygoodtimestories.com/2025/01/22/a-story-of-real-love/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Heirs of Falcon Point (Falcon Point series Prologue) by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A. L. Sowards suspense. Happiness is the first book in a nail-biting series.

Thankful Thursday

Perfect weather for leaving the door open all afternoon

Cherry cobbler using lemon cake

Time with God in prayer and scripture study

New books by favorite authors

Visiting with friends

God's grace

Stay Here Longer - Original Song by Lifein3D

https://youtu.be/iPYlehCZ0Uo?si=iH-PWGa-nHX-Mu2b

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

 

Sunday Scripture

Malachi 2:5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name.

Saturday Links

Over at Christians Read, I always enjoy Vicki Hinze's posts:

https://christians-read.com/2025/01/17/because-you-can-v-because-you-should-by-vicki-hinze/ 

For His Purpose made good points in an adorable way:

https://forhispurpose.blog/2025/01/17/my-eyes-are-fixed-on-you/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

A Mustard Seed Life: What happens when ordinary people put their faith in an Extraordinary God? by Jill McIlreavy. Daily devotional. Inspirational.

 

Thankful Thursday

Heat during cold weather

Warm, soft blankets

Nourishing food

Fun treats

Supportive friends

New books by favorite authors

God's grace 

MercyMe's Oh Death

https://youtu.be/zptFkmnCLP8?si=gYqj7wxEYagQUMSS

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

Chocolate Cake Day! 

Thanks to Donna Keevers Driver for creating this for me.

Sunday Scripture

Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Saturday Links

Daryl Madden's poetry inspires me. I particularly liked "Changing My Prayer": 

https://darylmadden.wordpress.com/2025/01/15/changing-my-prayer/ 

Tales from a Mid-Life Mama is a blog I'm always pleased to see post, as it's always worth the read:

https://family5power.com/2025/01/15/is-wordpress-social-media/?jetpack_skip_subscription_popup 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Chocolate Cake Day is on Monday, the 27th. Celebrate with a story.

Chocolate Cake for Two

The second novella in the series.

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

Freed, after being wrongly imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit, Henry Weaver needs a fresh start. The "Help Wanted" sign in the cupcake shop window couldn't possibly be the answer to his prayer.

Holiday Sweets, a specialty cupcake shop, is Annie Sweet's heritage. Everything would be perfect if only she could find competent help. An ultimatum demands Annie make a painful decision.

Choosing God is rarely the easy way, and sometimes the way to Happily Ever After appears impossible...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1

 

If you prefer paperback books, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Thankful Thursday

Gospel study with friends

Being able to open the door for a whole afternoon 

Electric fireplace/heater for all the other cold days

Lunch with my older brother and SiL

Baking - heat and good food

God's grace

Music Travel Love ~ It Must Have Been Love

https://youtu.be/BpLnOCd8CNA?si=lSq6MFprvdhZexzx 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Quote

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." 

~ Viktor Frankl Man's Search for Meaning 

 

Sunday Scripture

Ephesians 1:11-12 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Saturday Links

Tales from a Mid-Life Mama shared "I wasn't much of a dog person until..." Adorable!

https://family5power.com/2024/12/09/i-wasnt-much-of-a-dog-person-until🐾🐾/

I love stories that make me smile; this one from Brilliant Viewpoint:

https://brilliantviewpoint.com/2024/12/10/a-clink-at-passport-control-in-germany/ 

God bless.

Favorite Book Friday

Refuse to Choose by Barbara Sher nonfiction. A fascinating read. I have some "Scanner" qualities, particularly the Jack of all Trades variety, but I don't think I'm really a scanner. I suspect my struggle is more with depression and ADHD.

Thankful Thursday

Electric fireplace/heater

Washing machine and dryer 

Gospel study with friends

Visiting with friends

New books by favorite authors

God's grace

Cozy Timez - Thunderstorm in the mountains

While I love the thunder and the fireplace, my favorite part is the German Shepherd sleeping near the fire.

https://youtu.be/FONfmWiBjJU?si=8st0QdT8kkNDzA8n