CHAPTER 4, PAGE 30

Something to say to children (If it comes from your heart.)

1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

3. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. When they feel. Big people cry too. I do.

4. You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

 5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

6. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

7. You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

10. I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise. 

 Excerpted from an article called "Advocacy: Being the Voices Children Need to Hear" written by China Deaton

Good Morning !

When I saw the list above I thought – This is a great list to say to anyone not just children. There is a lot of people in the world that don’t get any encouragement or praise.

It is our ‘Sunshine’ boy’s 3rd birthday today. As always he’s too far away to celebrate with , but he is in my thoughts and prayers on this very special day !

Lots to do today to get ready for a NEW work week. First on the list is Church of course. I do need my weekly R & R (Refreshed and renewed) so I can get up and greet the day with a ***BIG SMILE*** tomorrow morning !

Thought for today

If you only have one smile in you, give it to the people you love.

Don't be surly at home and then go out in the street

and start grinning "Good Morning" at total strangers.

Maya Angelou

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

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 29

Parable of the Pencil

Author Unknown

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart.

GOOD MORNING !

Today is the final day of my KITCHEN MAKEOVER.Hopefully by this afternoon we'll be finished !

It's been very chilly here at night and right now the furnace is running...the gas company is loving it !  Fuel bills are a very bad subject for me ! 

The thermostat is set way down and I've got my layers on.

***BIG SMILE***

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The more anger towards the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present.

Barbara De Angelis

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

MA

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 28

 

A Prayer for Today

Forgive me, most gracious Lord and Father,

if this day I have done or said anything

to increase the pain of the world.

Pardon the unkind word, the impatient gesture,

the hard and selfish deed, the failure

to show sympathy and kindly help

where I had the opportunity, but missed it.

And enable me so to live that

I may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow,

and add to the sum of human happiness.

 F. B. Meyer

GOOD MORNING !

WOW !! It’s Friday !

Another working weekend at home. This weekend we’ll be painting the kitchen. It’s going to be Robin’s Egg Blue! Tonight all the nails and screws come out and then the holes get filled in. Tomorrow we paint!

Sunday I’ll be putting it all back together again ! I love my ‘new to me’ kitchen !

 

Thought for Today

Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.

Mother Teresa

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

MA

 

 

graphics by: www.amretasgraphics.com

 

CHAPTER 4, PAGE 27

Some people might think that they are not an expert in gardening but read the following and you can see all the different jobs that can be done starting right now.

First look at the weeds.

Weed out gossip,

Weed out laziness,

Weed out indifference,

Weed out pride.

Plant five rows of peas,

Patience,

Peace,

Promptness,

Politeness,

Prayer

Then plant five rows of lettuce,

Let us be faithful,

Let us be loving,

Let us be useful,

Let us be trustful,

Let us be grateful.

Happy Gardening

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

Psalm 147:8

GOOD MORNING !

I used to garden…years ago when I was a stay at home mom. Fresh veggies just can’t be beat for flavor. Now the fresh veggies that I get come from the stands along the road on my way home from work. It won’t be long and they’ll be opening up again. I think the first thing that comes on the stands is strawberries ! Doesn’t that sound good !

Nowadays my gardening consists of flowers and I only plant a very few of those – we’ve planted things that come up every year and something is always in bloom from April til October when the frost comes again. All we have to do is keep the weeds out.

Work is getting really busy and today looks like one of those long days. One boss is off on vacation and the other will be at a job site most of the day. Maybe I’d better have an extra sip or two of my good coffee this morning.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

In sickness or health, in suffering or pain,

In storm laden skies, in sunshine and rain,

God always is there to lighten your way.

And lead you through darkness to a much brighter day.

Helen Steiner Rice

Whatever the weather or circumstances, know that darkness will end, dawn will break, and the sun will rise.

From Daily Guideposts

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

MA

 

CHAPTER 4. PAGE 26

A little story…

An aged, weary-looking woman with a heavy basket upon her arm, entered a train. Carrying her burden down the aisle, she found a seat and dropped into it, resting her heavy basket on her lap.

A friendly workingman sitting across from her watched her for a long time, and then finally leaned across and spoke. "Madam," he said, "if you will put your basket on the floor, the train will carry you and the basket, too."

How much truth there is in that kind remark. How often we do as the woman did, come to Christ for our soul's salvation, and yet steadfastly refuse to let him bear our burdens and look after our daily lives.

We are willing to get on the train, but refuse to lay down the burdens.

Farm and Fireside.Maps

Good Morning !

The little story above really hit home for me today.

BrrrChill ! It was down in the 30’s last night, but is supposed to warm up to the mid-60’s today. The scenery on the way to and from work has been heavenly. The grass is really green, flowers are blooming and trees are beginning to leaf.

One part of my ride takes me through a wooded area. The different colors of green interspersed with blooms from apple trees are just beautiful.

Even on a dark cloudy day as it was yesterday, the colors were magnificent.

Thought for today

Most smiles start with another smile.

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

MA

 

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 25

Letter from a friend.

I am writing to say how much I care for you and to say how much I want you to know me better.

When you awoke this morning I exploded a brilliant sunrise through your window hoping to get your attention, but you rushed off without even noticing.

Later, I noticed you were walking with some friends, so I bathed you in warm sunshine and perfumed the air with nature's sweet scent and still you didn't notice me.

I then shouted to you in a thunderstorm and painted a beautiful rainbow in the sky and you didn't even look.

In the evening, I spilled moonlight onto your face and sent a cool breeze to rest you. As you slept, I watched over you and shared your thoughts, but you were unaware that I was so near.

I have chosen you and hope you will talk to me soon. Until then I will remain near. I am your friend and love you very much.

Your friend, the Lord.

GOOD MORNING !

I find myself talking with the Lord more and more each day. Maybe it’s because I spend a lot of time by myself. Or maybe it’s become a habit??? Which ever, I think it’s a good thing.

I pray a lot for others needs and and my own and I try to remember to say ‘thank you Lord’ when prayers are answered too. The thing I don’t do very well is to pray about decisions I must make. Guess I’ll have to work on that one.

Today is supposed to be a rainy and chilly day here in northern Ohio. Which means I’ll be make my own sunshine for sure!

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

A smile is a light in the window of the soul indicating that the heart is home

SMILE, God loves you!

AND so do I

MA

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 24

12 ways to say " Well Done "

That's coming along nicely.

I knew you could do it.

Nice going.

Keep up the good work.

Keep it up.

Congratulations.

Couldn't have done it better myself.

Excellent.

That's the best ever.

Great.

Now you have it.

Wow.

P.S. There may be at least 12 ways of saying " Well Done "but the most important thing is that you DO actually say it to someone today

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

I can surely say “Well Done “ to my Make over kitchen crew. They did a super job!

It’s Monday and I’m off to work as usual. I hope you all have a great day!  It rained overnight and is a little chilly here this morning.

Thought for Today

What’s the use of worrying?

It never was worth while,

so pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag,

and smile, smile, smile.

George Asaf

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

 

MA

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 23

Do you know a heart that hungers

For a word of love and cheer?

There are many such about us;

It may be that one is near

Look around you.

If you find it

Speak the word that's needed so,

And your own heart may be strengthened

By the help that you bestow

Do you know a heart that hungers

For a word of love and cheer?

There are many such about us;

It may be that one is near.

Look around you.

If you find it

Speak the word that's needed so,

And your own heart may be strengthened

By the help that you bestow.

Never think kind words are wasted,

Bread on waters cast are they

And it may be we shall find them

Coming back to us, some day

Coming back when sorely needed,

In a time of sore distress,

So, my friend, let's give them freely;

Gift and giver God will bless.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It’s suddenly Sunday and I’m off to church soon. Afterwards I’ll have to come home and catch up on things that didn’t get done yesterday. I hope you all are able to renew and refresh your spirit in some way today. My one hour at church on Sunday is such a blessing ! The weather has been beautiful and things have really turned green and the flowers are blooming !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

Japanese Proberb

Don't Worry, Be Happy, and Keep Smiling!

MA

 

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CHAPTER 4, PAGE 22

The Lord always hears our prayers,

But He does not always say, "Yes!"

Sometimes He says, "Wait"

Sometimes He says, "No"

For He has something better for us.

God's delays are not denials,

He has heard your prayer;

He knows all about your trials,

Knows your every care.

God's delays are not denials,

Help is on the way,

He is watching o'er life's dials,

Bringing forth that day.

God's delays are not denials,

You will find Him true,

Working through the darkest trials,

What is best for you.

unknown

GOOD MORNING !

Today is the day of the EXTREME MAKEOVER of my kitchen cupboards. DS#5 and his wife and DS#6 will be working hard to modernize my kitchen today. My old house is so in need of updating in a lot of areas, but they all cost tooooo much. The cupboards were in DS#5’s house and when he got new ones last year, I asked if he’d keep them for me. He did and they are free. They are much better than my old ones were. Hopefully I’ll have lots of ‘after’ pictures for you all to see!

Thought for Today

The act of smiling is a gift that gives a little piece of joy and sunshine to brighten another's day.

May your day be blessed with lots of smiles and a little sunshine to warm your heart.

MA

 

 

 

 

GRAPHICS BY:

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 4, PAGE 21

LESSONS YOU LEARNED

For every petal you pluck from a daisy,

You're granted one measure of love.

For every rainbow you find with two ends,

I wish you two stars from above.

For every tear you brush from a cheek,

I promise you kindness will follow.

Wherever you walk, under rainbows or stars,

Over daisies, or down lonely hollows.

For every child you play with and talk to,

I grant you one heart full of laughter.

For every smile you place on a face,

I promise you peace ever after.

If you think "I" am giving you priceless gifts,

Look close at yourself and your deeds.

The gifts you earned were the lessons you learned

While answering other folks' needs.

By Marlene Gerba

GOOD MORNING !

It's the final day of this work week and the weekend ahead will be a busy one here.  Lots and lots to be done.

I'll be sipping this good cup of coffee and then I'm off and at 'em.  The good Lord knows I need His help today! I always do!

***BIG SMILE***

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Do not worry; eat three square meals a day; say your prayers; be courteous to your creditors; keep your digestion good; exercise; go slow and easy. Maybe there are other things your special case requires to make you happy, but my friend, these I reckon will give you a good lift.

Abraham Lincoln

SMILE, light the way and have a great day!

MA

 

 

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