Craving Lightness and Brightness...

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." 
-   John Boswell

 
I'm trying to Embrace the Blessing of the Winter Season and sometimes that is hard for me to do.  We're in the middle of the Long Dark Winter Days now and I'm craving Light. 

These days I find myself pouring through magazines and decorating websites looking for a little inspiration to make my surroundings more cheerful.  It's about this time I start treating myself to Bargain Fresh Flowers each week as well.

The photos here are giving me some ideas about some of the projects I have in mind for these winter days.  Perfect way to spend the winter...planning projects and hopefully completing some too.
 

Worrying Doesn't Work...

Worrying about things doesn't do any good.  I know this.  I know this.  Yet, I am a silent worrier.  I even heard myself saying to my husband recently, "Pat, worrying doesn't work because you can worry and whatever is going to happen will happen whether you worried about it or not".  Good Advice.  I should practice what I preach.

I've learned a lesson about worrying in the last couple of months.  In the past, I've worried about our finances, jobs, when the kids were sick, finances, jobs, finances...finances...finances.  You get the picture.  I can honestly say that I've never worried about my dear cousin Denise getting cancer.  Of course, I don't want anyone who I love to get cancer, but I never worried about it because I didn't have a reason to worry.  I didn't worry...and...she got Cancer anyway!   So, what does that tell you (and me) about worrying?  It tells me that worrying doesn't change whatever God has in store for me...Denise...or any of us. 

Denise is my cousin, but more like my sister.  She is not quite 40 and got her Breast Cancer diagnosis in November 2010.  She had a double mastectomy on December 13, 2010.  She started her first round of Chemo yesterday.  She was really sick all last night.  She will lose her hair within 3 weeks.  She will be in treatments for months as they are taking an aggressive approach to the type of cancer she has.

I'm not worried. 

I'm not worried because I know God has something in mind for all of this pain and sickness that she has to endure.  I've already learned the first of many lessons from her and that lesson is: It Doesn't Pay To Worry.  Denise has handled this diagnosis with strength and courage from the very beginning.  I'm in awe of her Grace in this situation.


When I find myself worrying silently or losing sleep...that will be my reminder to Pray and let God handle it!

Will you also pray for Denise and everyone who is surrounding her during this time?  


Thanks for Stopping By,

Jackie

Matthew 6:34 (New Living Translation)

 ³⁴ “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

**photo courtesy of flickr.com

The Night Before Christmas...Jackie Style...

'Twas Five Days Before Christmas, When All Through The House

Lots of Creatures Were Stirring, But Hopefully No Mouse!

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care

In Hopes That St. Nicholas Would Soon Be There.

The Children Were Shuttled Off To Their Schools

And They Were Instructed To Please Not Break Any Rules.

Dad sped off To Work With a Clang And a Clatter

I Went To The Window To See What Was The Matter

A Flat Tire Was Had By The Dad Of The House

"Merry Christmas", Said I, "And At Least We Don't Have a Mouse!"

These Days Before Christmas, As I Check Things Off My List

I Wonder...Hmmm...What's The Point Of All This?

And Then I Remember...The Reason For All This Joy,

It's Because Of The Birth Of A Special Little Boy!

So, Five Days Before Christmas We Are As Busy As Little Bees,

Baking, Wrapping, Shopping And Things Such As These,

We Look Forward To St. Nicholas Stopping By,

And...
Celebrating The Birth of Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas and See You in 2011!