DOING AN EARLY ENTRY...FOR TOMORROW!

I received an alert this evening from the journals editor that there will be a journal outage in the morning between 4 and 6 a.m.  As that is when I usually do my entry-I decided to post it tonight. 

CHAPTER 3, PAGE 1

"... for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:19

GOOD MORNING

Today is Ash Wednesday and we begin the season of Lent. I’ve been trying to decide what I would give up for Lent this year and at church this past Sunday, we were told that we should give up something that would make us a better person .

So this is my list…

I will Give up complaining——focus on gratitude.

Give up pessimism——become an optimist.

Give up harsh judgments——think kindly thoughts.

Give up worry——trust Divine Providence.

Give up discouragement——be full of hope.

Give up bitterness——turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred——return good for evil.

Give up negativism——be positive.

Give up anger——be more patient.

Give up pettiness——become mature.

Give up gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.

Give up jealousy——pray for trust.

Give up gossiping——control your tongue.

Give up sin——turn to virtue.

Give up giving up——and hang in there!

We’ll see how good I can do with this list in the 40 days to come. I think it might just be harder than giving up candy, or soda.

***BIG SMILE***

March brings lots of good thoughts of Spring and we also have St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate. I’ll be searching for lots of new quotes and poems to share with you along these lines.

To me Spring equals HOPE so I’ll be including thoughts on Hope for you too!

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart

MA

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again

Sarah Ban Breathnach

 

  www.amretasgraphics.com  

MORE SNOW !

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 28

It is important to live each day

with a positive perspective.

It is not wise to pretend problems do not exist,

but it is wise to look beyond the problem

to the possibilities that are in it.

When Goliath came against the Israelites,

the soldiers all thought,

"He's so big, we can never kill him."

But David looked at the same giant and thought,

"He's so big, I can't miss him."

Dale Turner

GOOD MORNING !

The good Lord must have known I needed some exercise, because he sent some snow our way yesterday. Not much, 2-4 inches, but after work I did go sweep of the porch steps and sidewalk.

Tomorrow it’ll warm up and all melt away again. I do need to exercise more and am looking forward to warmer days and nicer weather so I can get out and enjoy walking.

***BIG SMILE***

The weatherman says the sun may peak out at us today The days are getting longer. It looks a little lighter out when I go to work and doesn’t get dark til about 6:30 here.

I hope your day is blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart !

 MA

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I always feel sorry for people who think

more about a rainy day ahead

than sunshine today

Rae Foley

Winter Friend Graphics by:

www.cutecolors.com  

Monday is here again !

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 27

Seven Days of the Week

Monday - Wash Day

Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve You with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday - Ironing Day

Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday - Mending Day

O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

 Thursday - Cleaning Day

Lord, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday - Shopping Day

O God, give me the Grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday - Cooking Day

Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday - The Lord's Day

O God, I have prepared my house for You. Please come into my heart as my Honored Guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in Your Presence.

Author Unknown

Good Morning !

Do you have a certain day of the week to do things? I used to and I know my mom always did. It seems that any more I just go with the flow.

At work there is always certain tasks done on a certain day, but at home I usually end up doing whatever has to be done no matter what the day. After having my plans for the day spoiled, over the years, I’ve learned to be very flexible.

***BIG SMILE***

It’s Monday and I’m off to work ! I hope you are blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.

Victor Hugo

 

 

  www.graphicgarden.com  provided the graphics today  

SUDDENLY SUNDAY

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 26

Do Whatever...

Do whatever you can to make them a reality

by the course you take...

The plans you make...and all the things you do.

Don't dwell on past mistakes...leave yesterday behind you...

Along with any of its problems, worries and doubts.

Do realize you can't change the past,

but just ahead is the future..

And you can do something about that.

Don't try to accomplish everything at once...

life can be difficult enough without adding

frustration to the list.

Do travel one step at a time...and reach for one goal at a time.

That's the way to find out what real accomplishment is.

Don't be afraid to do the impossible...

even if others don't think you'll succeed.

Do remember that history is filled

with incredible accomplishments..

Of those who were foolish enough to...believe.

Don't forget that there are so many things that are wonderful...

Rare and unique about you.

And... Do remember that if you can search within

and find a smile...

That smile will always be a reflection of the way people feel....

About you!

Author unknown to me

Good Morning !

A very cold Sunday morning here. I’m enjoying the good hot cup of coffee and then will be off to church to be refreshed and renewed for another week.

This week should be a pretty quiet one.  As far as I know, there are no extra curricular activities going on...just work each day.  That is sometimes a blessing in its self.

***BIG SMILE***

We didn't get any snow yesterday.  The sun was out most of the day and it's still very windy and cold.  

I hope you will be blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart today!

MA

Thought for Today

Have you ever seen a smiling face that was not beautiful ?

 

Windy morning here !

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 25

When We Share

When we share laughter,

There's twice the fun;

When we share success,

We surpass what we've done.

When we share problems,

There's half the pain;

When we share tears,

A rainbow follows rain.

When we share dreams,

They become more real;

When we share secrets,

It's our hearts we reveal.

If we share a smile,

Then our love shows;

If we share a hug,

Then our love grows.

If we share with someone

On whom we depend,

That person becomes

Family or friend.

And what draws us closer

And makes us all care,

Is not what we have,

But the things that we share.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Today I’m sharing my day with my parents. 83 years old and neither one feeling very well right now. I know that at 61 (62 in March) I have days that aren’t so great. My mom always says if your think you feel bad now-just wait til you’re my age.

So I hope to be a little help to them and brighten their day in some small way. Maybe when I’m 83 someone will do the same for me.

***BIG SMILE*** 

I hope you all are going to share some smiles today , a little sunshine will warm the heart !

MA

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.

Irish Proverb

 

Monkey's provided by:

 

  www.graphicgarden.com    

IT'S FRIDAY !

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 24

Everyone has his own little niche

Now matter how tiny or small,

For every life has a purpose

Or we wouldn’t be here at all.

Helen Steiner Rice

The Lord has made everything for its purpose. Proverbs 16:4

GOOD MORNING !

After working a week of 10 hour days, I’m really ready for the weekend. I got to bed early last night and probably will again tonite. ***BIG SMILE***

I’m blessed with a beautiful wind chime on the front porch and when I’m on the computer or in my bedroom, you can here it playing in the wind. When the wind blows it makes beautiful music to wake up to or to go to sleep to. DD and her hubby got it for me several years ago.

The cold winds of winter are supposed to return again this weekend! Again ! It seems our weather is stuck in a rut. We did had a few days of sunshine and above freezing this week.

I hope your day is filled with a fewsmiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart!

MA

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Antique smiles are valuable—so are newborn & middle aged ones.

 

    www.graphicgarden.com   provided the bears today !

THANKFULLY THURSDAY

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 23

Sometimes we feel uncertain

And unsure of everything,

Afraid to make decisions,

Dreading what the day will bring

We keep wishing it were possible

To dispel all fear and doubt

And to understand more readily

Just what life is all about

God has given us the answers

Which too often go unheeded,

But if we search his promises

We'll find everything that's needed

To lift our faltering spirits

And renew our courage, too

For there's absolutely nothing

Too much for God to do

For our Lord is our salvation

And our strength in every fight,

Our redeemer and protector,

Our eternal guiding light...

He has promised to substain us,

He's our refuge from all harms,

And underneath this refuge

Are the everlasting arms

So cast your burden on him,

Seek his council when distressed,

And go to him for comfort

When you're lonely and oppressed

For God is our encouragement

In trouble and in trials,

And in suffering and in sorrow

He will turn our tears to smiles

Helen Steiner Rice

Good Morning !

Yesterday was another quiet day at the office. I managed to get the vacuum sweeper out and now the place is spic and span. The last of files are cleaned out for now. That’s always an ongoing job.

I stopped on my way home for a few groceries for the folks and then home for about an hour and then went to my prayer group. Our topic last night was Choices. Do we pray about the choices we make and do we turn over our problems to God and leave them with Him.

We were reminded that one week from today begins Lent. We have choices to make about what we’ll give up for Lent or what we can add extra to what we already do. I haven’t made that choice yet, maybe I should pray about what God wants me to do.

After the prayer meeting I came home and had a big bowl of cornflakes and bananas (one of my favorite dinners) and then worked on my newsletters. I got to bed around 10 o’clock and here it is morning already!

Off to work to work I go !

May your day be blessed with a few ***BIG SMILES*** and a lithe sunshine to warm your heart.

MA

 

Thought for Today

The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.

 

  www.graphicgarden.com   provided the flowers today !

OVER THE HUMP DAY!

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 22

Take the Time

Why don't people stop and think

Why don't they ever see...

That one of life's most perfect gifts

Is theirs each day, for free?

Take the time to watch a sunset

Or walk through a summer shower

There's nothing so important

That it cannot wait an hour...

Take the time to say a prayer

Make love or make a friend,

Play with children, read a book

The learning shouldn't end.

Take time to say "I'm sorry"

And learn how to forgive.

Let justice, love and loyalty

Dictate the way you live.

Take the time and use it well

Or one day when you wake;

You'll find that when you need it most

There's no time left to take!!

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

I’m always taking the time to try and find poems quotes and little stories to add a little inspiration to each day and lately I’ve had a tough time finding new things, so if I repeat myself, please forgive me.

***BIG SMILE***

Mid week has arrived and today I’ll be continuing my Spring Cleaning at the office. It’s also payroll day, but since most of our men have been laid off since the 1st week in January, that is an easy job to do.

It’s supposed to warm up even more today – to 40 degree temps, but they are already predicting a cold weekend.

I hope your day is blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart

MA

Nobody needs a smile so much as the one who has none to give. So get used to smiling heart-warming smiles, and you will spread sunshine in a sometimes dreary world.

Lawrence G. Lovasik

 

Robin graphics by:

 

  www.graphicscupboard.com  

TUESDAY MORNING

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 21

Just say, Thank you, Lord

St. Peter was giving a newly arrived soul a tour of heaven. The two of them were walking side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels. St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions sent to God in prayer are received."

The soul saw that the section was a very busy one with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous sheets of paper from all the people of the world.

They resumed walking until they reached the second section. St. Peter told the soul, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings are packed and delivered to the petitioners down on earth."

The soul saw how busy it was. There were a great many angels working in that room because countless blessings were being packed and delivered to earth. Finally, at the farthest corner of the room, they stopped at the last section.

To the surprise of the soul, only one angel was there and he was idle. "This is the Acknowledging Section," St. Peter told the soul. "How is it that no work is being done here?"

"That's the sad thing," St. Peter answered. "After people on earth received the blessings they asked for, very few of them bother to send their acknowledgments."

"How does one acknowledge God's blessing?"

"Simple," St. Peter answered. "Just say, 'Thank you, Lord.'"

Author Unknown

Prov 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

 Prov 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths

GOOD MORNING !

I’ve got so many things to say ‘thank you’ for. The many blessings that come my way fill my cup to overflowing.

I’m thankful for the fact that my mom just broke 2 ribs and not a hip

I’m thankful for a darling daughter that will take time out of her busy day to help me out

I’m thankful for my sisters and the loving care they’ve shown to my mom and dad

I’m thankful for all my children that call or send me those warm rays of sunshine I need so much.

The list could go on and on. Thank You Lord !

***BIG SMILE***

Today it is going to warm up a little, but we may get a little more snow here. I did get some cleaning done at work yesterday. Maybe the place will be ‘sparkling’ by the time my boss returns at the end of the week. This ‘one gal’ office I’m in means that the gal does a little bit of everything ! I’ve got to keep busy and earn my paycheck!

So it’s off to work I go!

I hope your day is blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart !

MA

TODAY’S THOUGHT

A smile takes but a moment, but the memory of it lasts forever..

BACK TO WORK !

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 20

If I have brought a gleam of light

To cheer a darkened day,

If I held out a friendly hand

To help along the way.

Then in these acts of kindness done

It is not me you see,

But glimpses of that Loving One

Who chose to dwell in me.

Found in a Christian Newsletter

GOOD MORNING !

I’m sipping the good hot coffee and waking up to another cold morning in northern Ohio today. I’ll be off to work shortly and will put in another long 10 hour day. The banks and the post office are closed due to President’s Day so that will eliminate 2 jobs that I usually do at work.

I’ll have to think about cleaning out some more old files in the backroom to keep busy . I know that soon the good weather will come and our work will get busy again and then I’ll be paying for the quiet times. For now though, I just enjoy it!

I stayed up too late last night waiting for my sheets to dry so I could make my bed and go to bed. I thought I had turned the dryer on and when I went to take them out – I found out I didn’t! Opps!

DD and I did find our March purses when we went shopping yesterday and come March I’ll have a picture for you ! For now I’ll let you know – they are very green!

Well, I’m off for another glorious day on the Way ! I hope your day is blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart !

***BIG SMILE ***

MA

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Smiles are unbreakable—and mend broken hearts.

 

ONLY 5 DEGREES IN NORTHERN OHIO THIS MORNING

CHAPTER 2, PAGE 19

A prayer for you this Sunday morning…

THROUGH ME

Through me let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

Unknown

Good Morning !

DD and I are off to early church this morning and then on to the outlet mall . I hope we don’t freeze ! It’s very cold out! BRRRCHILL ! I don’t get very many chances to spend the day with DD so we’ll zip in and out of the stores and try not to catch a chill.

I’m sure we’ll have fun, no matter how many bargains we find.

May your day be blessed with a few smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart !

Ma

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Smile. Have you ever noticed how easily puppies make human friends? Yet all they do is wag their tails and fall over.

Walter Anderson