CHAPTER 8, PAGE 31

Don't start your day by supposin ‘

that trouble is just ahead,

It's better to stop supposin’

and start with a prayer instead.

And make it a prayer of Thanksgiving

for the wonderful things

God has wrought

Like the beautiful sunrise and sunset,

"God's gifts" that are free and not bought.

 For what is the use of supposin’

the dire things that could happen to you

And worry about some misfortune

that seldom if ever comes true

But instead of just idle supposin’

 step forward to meet each new day

Secure in the knowledge God's near you

to lead you each step of the way

For supposin’ the worst things will happen

only helps to make them come true

And you darken the bright,

happy moments that the dear Lord

has given to you

So if you desire to be happy

and get rid of the "misery of dread"

Just give up "supposin’ the worst things"

and look for "the best things" instead.

 By: Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

I received the picture of grand’babe’ # 11 when I got the back to school pics and I saved it for today because of the ‘smile’ he had on his face.  It deserved an entry all of it’s own. Babies have a way of letting you know their feelings, even though they can’t talk and I think his tells it all !

Pure and simple contentment I think!

 

Today is my last day of work then I'm off for a nice long 4 day weekend.  I've lots to do as usual and the next 4 days will be busy ones.

It has cooled down alot here and the rain finally ended.  We do have some 'chances' of rain predicted for the weekend, but hopefully not much.

Take good care all !

 

TODAY’S THOUGHT

 ... everyone who is human has something to express. Try not expressing yourself for twenty-four hours and see what happens. You will nearly burst. You will want to write a long letter, or draw a picture, or sing, or make a dress or a garden.

Brenda Ueland

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

CHAPTER 8 PAGE 30

Love is like magic

And it always will be,

For love still remains

Life’s sweet mystery.

Love works in ways

That are wondrous and strange

And there's nothing in life

That love cannot change.

Love can transform

The most commonplace

Into beauty and splendor

And sweetness and grace.

Love is unselfish,

Understanding and kind,

For it sees with its heart

And not with it's mind.

Love gives and forgives.

There is nothing too much

For Love to heal

With it's magic touch.

Love is the language

That every heart speaks

For Love is the one thing

That every heart seeks.

By: Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING !

Apparently AOL had a journals glitch this morning, because I was unable to make an entry this morning before leaving for work.  Now I am at work and AOL is operating again!  I feel so frustrated when things don't work right.  I hope it's not a sign of the way the day will go.

We’re on the down hill slide into the weekend. We’re half way through another work week. A little more than half for me because I have a vacation day on Friday. And the good news is that my NEW WASHING MACHINE will be delivered on Friday too !

I owe, I owe so it’s off to work I go….

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.

Mother Tesesa

May your day be Blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to brighten your day !

MA

 

 

 

www.creativeladiesministry.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 29

Psalm 5 : 3

Lord, every morning you hear my voice. Every morning, I tell you what I need, And I wait for your answer

From the Inspirational Bible

New Century Version

If you meet God in the Morning

He’ll go with you through the day

The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof

It speaks of his Greatness

It sings of His love

And each day at dawning

I lift my heart high

And raise up my eyes

To the infinite sky

I watch the night vanish

As a new day is born

And I hear the birds sing

On the wings of the morn

I see the dew glisten

In crystal like splendor

While God with a touch

That is gentle and tender

Wraps up the night

And softly tucks it away

And hangs out the sun

To herald a new day

And so I give thanks

And my heart kneels to pray

God keep me and guide me

And go with me today

Helen Steiner Rice

GOOD MORNING

Today is DS#1 ‘s birthday ! He is the father of Our Princess, Our Sweetheart, and Prince Charming !

Not soooo many years ago I was putting him on the school bus for the first time. Oh he used to cry every morning and didn’t want to go to school. The bus driver told me that the minute I was out of sight, he stopped crying though. Now he’s got little ones going to school.

The time does fly! When I think back to all those good times I had when the children were young, I feel so rich. I am Rich in memories, rich in relationships, rich in laughter..

I know there were some tough times too, but I can hardly remember those at all.

Life has been very good to me. I’ve been blessed in so many ways ! My family, my children, my friends and even my work.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

Dr. Suess

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 28

Give us reassurance

When everything goes wrong

So our faith remains unfaltering

And our hope and courage strong.

Helen Steiner Rice

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

Psalm 31:24

GOOD MORNING !

Back to work here !

Last night it was dark out a little after 8:00. By the time 8:30 rolled around I felt like I was ready for bed…YAWN! I am seriously affected by the number of daylight / sunlight hours we get. Of course my age might have something to do with it - - but then age is only a matter of how old you feel…

I was totally lazy yesterday. Did a little shopping after church, made BLT’s for my Sunday dinner and put one aside for lunch today too.

My neighbor gave me some of her tomatoes from the garden and they are delicious. DD and her hubby have been making fresh tomato juice from their tomatoes and DS#1 said they made tomato sauce and some bread and butter pickles from his garden.

We’ll hope they send some of that good stuff my way !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I know that love is the most powerful, indestructible force and substance in the universe. For this reason, I call love the brick from which all of life is constructed.

I also believe laughter is the mortar which holds the bricks together. If love weren't a part of the creative, intelligent energy that many refer to as God, we would never have developed our ability to heal.

Bernie Siegel, MD The Most Important Thing I Know About Love

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

MA

 

 

 

www.heartwarmingholidays.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 27

Lead me this day, Lord,

to live fully in the present moment

and enjoy all that is good around me.

May all that is life-giving remind me

of your life and love that surround me now.

I sat at the door at eventide,

My heart was full of fears:

And I saw the landscape before me lie

Through mists of burning tears-

I thought of myself, The world is dark,

No light or joy I see;

Nothing but toil or want is mine,

And no one cares for me.

A sparrow was twittering at my feet,

With its beautiful auburn head,

And looked at me with dark, mild eyes

As it picked up crumbs of bread;

And said to me in words as plain

As the words of a bird could be:

"I'm only a sparrow, a worthlessbird,

But the dear Lord cares for me."

A lily was growing beside the hedge,

Beautiful, tall and white,

And it shone through the glossy leaves of green

Like an angel clothed in light;

And it said to me as it waved its head,

On the breezes soft and free:

"I'm only a lily, a useless flower,

But the Master cares for me."

Then it seemed that the hand of the loving Lord

Over my head was laid, And He said to me:

"O faithless child, Why art thou dismayed?

I clothe the lilies, I feed the birds,

I see the sparrows fall;

Nothing escapes my watchful eye

My kindness is over all.

Author Unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It’s R& R day !

You know I always get refreshed and renewed every Sunday by going off to church, I hope that you too have found some special way to get that R & R for your soul – we all need it.

I’ll be praying for all of you and thanking our dear Lord for YOU !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Cheerful thoughts like sunbeams

Lighten up the darkest fears

For when the heart is happy

There’s just no time for tears.

Helen Steiner Rice

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

Ma

 

 

graphics by:  www.amretasgraphics.com

 

(I've given credit for the artist of these graphics

but I don't think the site is active any more)

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 26

I hope you woke up this morning

with a big smile on your face

I hope the sun is shining just for you

and the birds are singing their very best songs...

I hope your coffee is hot and tastes just right

and the cats are purring contentedly,

and the mailman waves a cheery hello

and there are no bills in the mailbox...

I hope just everything goes your way ...

I hope everything is well with your world,

a place for everything and everything in it's place...

I hope you can enjoy all you do

and you are complimented on the way you look

and you can laugh and talk

and share to your heart's content

I hope you have all you wish for yourself

and those dear to you,

and all your dreams come true...

At the end of the day

I wish you a perfect moon shining just for you,

a snug and cozy bed with the softest of pillows

and I hope you sleep like a lamb

with a smile on your face... 

I hope you have a perfect end to the perfect day

and I hope that every day

is just as wonderful in it's own way

I hope your day is ... filled with love!

Author Unknown but also expressed by me to YOU !

Good Morning !

I’m sitting here sipping the good coffee and enjoying my morning to the fullest. I do hope you are able to do the same !

I think I put in 6 ½ hours of overtime at work this week. It just seemed to go on and on forever. Thank the good Lord for the weekends.

Thought For Today

Doubt sees the obstacles

Faith sees the way

Doubt sees the darkest night

Faith sees the day

Doubt dreads to take a step

Faith soars on high.

Doubt questions 'who believes?'

Faith answers, 'I.'

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

 

 

graphics by: www.countrypatchcollections.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 25

JOYFUL THINGS

At times I'm so discouraged

with problems of the day

I fail to see the joyful things

that are along the way.

When troubles overwhelms me,

it's then my nerves may fray.

That's when I need to take the time

to simply sit and pray.

Reflecting on God's many gifts,

it makes me so aware...

Of all the joy in little things

around me everywhere!

I must try to remember...

though problems come my way,

Not to miss the joyful things

and the beauty of the day.

author unknown

GOOD MORNING !

It is finally FRIDAY !

I forgot to post the pictures of Our Princess going off to school earlier this week . She is a big 1st grader this year. It’s a little scary having to be in school a full day and eating lunch there too!

I also got a picture of the Sunshine Boys in their Grandma and Grandpa shirts so I put them up for you to see. They do have a Grampa because of DDIL#4’s parents. That is a blessing for them.

I’m sure by next week I’ll be having more back to school pictures as our Star will start 1st grade too and our Sweetheart and our Sunshine Boy will start preschool.

I’m so thankful for the internet – it keeps me in touch even when I can’t be there to celebrate their special days.

TODAY’S THOUGHT

Do what you do

With a will and a smile

And whatever you do

Will be twice as worthwhile.

Helen Steiner Rice

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

graphics by:  www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 24

Another day is dawning

Another day's begun

Another day to turn to God

And pray, "Thy will be done"

A day to slay doubt's dragon,

To know within your soul

That as you give yourself to Him

He'll bless and make you whole.

A day to live with purpose

A day to show you care

When others turn to you distraught

Confused or in despair.

A day to share God's blessings

In quiet countless ways

That touch the heart with hope and joy

And brighten cloudy days.

If we might have a second chance

To live the day once more,

And rectify mistakes we've made

To even up the score.

If we might have a second chance

To use the knowledge gained,

Perhaps we might become at last

As fine as God ordained.

But though we can't retrace our steps,

However stands the score,

Today brings another chance

For us to try once more.

A day for sweet rejoicing

For gratitude and praise

Because His love enfolds you

Both now, and all your days.

author unknown

GOOD MORNING!

It’s only THURSDAY!

Somehow this week seems it’s never going end. My get up and go—left ! This good cup of coffee just isn’t doing a thing for me and I am SURE it will take a few more for me to wake up today.

I was up way too late for me last night, tonight I'm going to bed early !

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

It’s okay not to accomplish a task the first time around…

sometimes patience or perseverance is the lesson of the day.

unknown

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lot of SUNSHINE to warm your heart ! MA

 

 

 

 

graphics by: www.graphicgarden.com

 

CHAPTER 8, PAGE 23

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

 Psalm 90:1, 2

35 WAYS TO RELIEVE STRESS

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say "No" to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation ... forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; anextra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.,

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Get enough exercise.

17. Eat right.

18. Get organized so everything has its place.

19. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

20. Write thoughts and inspirations down.

21. Every day, find time to be alone.

22. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

23. Make friends with Godly people.

24. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

25. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, God!"

26. Laugh.

27. Laugh some more!

28. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.

29. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

30. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

31. Sit on your ego.

32. Talk less; listen more.

33. Slow down.

34. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

35. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.

GOOD MORNING !

I ‘m essentially a stress free person. Most of the time that is. With a family the size of mine, though, there are busy times when they come home, or someone is sick, or I have to prepare for a holiday celebration, that I do tend to get stressed.

After I saw the list above, I thought it was just an all around good list to follow, so I put in my entry. When I see a list like this or read some self-help book there is usually one or two phrases that just JUMP out at me.

In this one -- LESS IS MORE jumped right out – I have way to much stuff. And K.M.S. also caught my eye. I do put my foot in my mouth way too often. Maybe you’ll find something that will help you too !

Today is payroll day and a busy one for me at work. We’ve hired a couple of new men, which is a good thing…our work load is increasing. Hopefully we’ll not have to lay them of in another month or so.

Over the Hump Day ! Ya Hoo ! (did you know that Yahoo stood for ‘you always have other options???)

THOUGHT FOR TODAY !

Faith is a mover of mountains,

And there’s nothing that God cannot do,

So start out today with faith in your heart

And climb till your dream comes true!

Helen Steiner Rice

May your day be blessed with a few SMILES and lots of SUNSHINE to warm your heart !

MA

 

 

 

graphics by: www.cutecolors.com