SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .sunsets

Sunsets. . .every sunset is special. . .every sunset is different from the one before. . .

sunsets. . .a part of God's creation to be so thankful for. . . every sunset is beautiful. The same statements can be said of people, too!

A sunset means the end of one day, the hope of another sunrise!

My parents enjoyed many sunsets (and sunrises) together.

My simple pleasure for this week. . .getting to see

a beautiful sunset with my husband,

on the drive home from my son's baseball game tonight.

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure.

Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think every day about my "simple pleasures".

What is your simple pleasure this week? I'd love to read about it!

SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS. . .the complete Serenity Prayer

I know that you are probably very familiar with the short version of the SERENITY PRAYER, and may even know this complete version. Just wanted to share it with all of you this weekend.

Prayer for Serenity

God, grant me the serenity

to aceept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;

taking, as Jesus did,

this sinful world as it is,

not as I would have it;

trusting that You will make all things right

if I surrender to Your will;

so that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

and supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

by Reinhold Niebuhr

Click HERE to go to the Spiritual Sundays blog to share and be blessed.
Thank you so much Charlotte and Ginger!
I pray you all have a blessed weekend!
Sandy

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .the simple pleasure of blogging!

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure. Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think every day about my "simple pleasures". So, I usually have a long list of simple pleasures, and can't get it to just one to share. I have had simple pleasures every day, and did take some pictures that I might share next week.
Today, is my "2 year Blogiversary", so today my simple pleasure is. . .You!. . .
I have always wanted to write and been encouraged to, but my blog is not really creative writing. It is SIMPLE. It started out as prayers and memory verses. Now, in addition to that, it is "Counting it All JOY", "Simple Pleasures", "A Little Happy Blog Hop", "Spiritual Sundays" and a little more. I would like to be able to benefit/bless others more with my blog. I will work on that. I don't have any give aways right now, but THANK YOU very much for taking the time to read my blog. I am blessed by so many wonderful blogs!
What is your simple pleasure this week?

FRIDAY "A LITTLE HAPPY BLOG HOP". . .handprint cross. . .

I have been blessed the past few weeks by Kristin's Living Graciously blog. Today, she is hosting A Little Happy Blog Hop, for us to share ONE picture that we took that makes us smile.


Here's one I found. . .

It was taken in the youth room of my brother's church at which he is the youth minister. It makes me smile to remember that Jesus paid the debt for my sins. It makes me smile to remember that He is alive. It makes me smile to think of the teenagers represented by these handprints and the people who are investing in their lives. It makes me smile to think about the youth in my life.
Share with us a picture that makes you smile! :-)

Join us as we spread small glimpses of joy around blogland! Link up a photo of something that makes you smile deep down...and tell us the story behind it if you want!

1.	Rainboots and Raindrops	4.	Sandy
2.	The Flowers of Spring!	5.	Happy Home Blog
3.	i've got rhythm	6.	Picnic at the Park

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. . .just a few of my simple pleasures from the past couple weeks. . .

I missed blogging about my Simple Pleasures last week, because I was waiting for what I knew would be a simple pleasure on Thursday, but then I didn't have time to get it posted. Last Thursday, I got to watch our students perform for the Area Special Olympics Art and Music Festival. We had been practicing with them for a couple months, singing "Gee Ma, I wanna go home!" It all came together so good, and they really did great! I wish you could see those precious children, but. . .can't do that.

On Friday, roses were delivered to school, from the teacher who hasn't been able to be with us, because of her fall. It wasn't necessary for her to send us roses, but it was a simple pleasure to get that show of gratitude. This picture was taken today, when the rose is 6 days old!


Last Thursday, my husband went to a Literacy Coucil fundraiser lunch. There was a silent auction, so he bought me a cheery orange, square plastic bowl filled with a bottle of olive oil, a few great spices, a healthy cookbook and 3 bright kitchen towels. I am enjoying all of those things very much. I love the addition of the bright towels to our kitchen. I should have taken a picture of it all together, but I didn't.

This is Spring Break, so of course, there are many simple pleasures every day.

Today, was a day to just stay home and rest. I got lots of hugs from my son, and

I enjoyed listening to him read to me! It is a simple pleasure to just be with family.

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure. Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think every day about my "simple pleasures".

What is your simple pleasure?

Enjoy your Thursday! I will be getting up early to spend the morning getting my hair done, and then spending the afternoon sitting outside, watching our son play baseball, letting the wind blow my hair! simple pleasure!

Again, enjoy your day, taking time for simple pleasures!

Sandy

COUNTING IT ALL JOY WEDNESDAY. . .The JOYS of Blogging and Happy Birthday, Angel!. . .and Rejoicing in Hope!

Blogging. . .I created my Blog almost 2 years ago, because I was blessed by the LPM blog and I wanted to record my scripture memory. I do truly strive not to let blogging or Facebook take time away from time with God, time with my family or time that I need to spend doing "homehold"chores.

I have been blessed by hundreds of blogs.

I can't remember how I found Loren's blog, The Magoos News, but I remember that I found Angel's blog through Loren's.

Angel's blog is home to Count it All JOY Wednesday. I know that Angel is having a difficult time expressing her joy these days, while her son is preparing to go to Afghanistan, but I know she still has a grateful heart.

Today is Angel's birthday, so go here to share in the JOY of wishing her a Happy Birthday!

Thank you, Angel. for creating Counting it All JOY Wednesday!

Happy Birthday, Angel!!!!

It fills me with JOY to pray for Angel's son Shane as he is deployed to serve our country, and also my friend/neighbor Jama's husband, John. I am praying for them and their families!

Jama. . .while she was at the hospital with one of her daughter's having ear surgery, her mother and other 3 children were in a wreck. Another daughter was thrown out of the car, but is fine, "Praise the Lord!". Her mom had to be air lifted to a far away hospital to have surgery on her broken leg.

This is my scripture that I am claiming today, as I count it all JOY.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perserverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5NIV

What is giving you JOY this week? Don't forget to go wish Angel a Happy Birthday!

Have a JOYFUL Wednesday!

Sandy :-)

March 15, 2011 SCRIPTURE MEMORY

And without faith,

it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to Him

must believe that He exists

and that He rewards

those who earnestly seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6NIV

I would love to read your scripture choice or just a comment from you.

Enjoy your day!

Sandy

COUNTING IT ALL JOY WEDNESDAY. . .Being alert for God's Plan!

I count my JOYS every day, and look forward to Count it ALL JOY Wednesday to share with you.

This week,

I am sad that the teacher that I work with had a bad fall a month ago, and hasn't been able to come back to work, yet.

I count it all JOY that maybe the fall has caused a medical problem that she already had to come to light, and given her time to get rested and healed.

I count it all JOY that I am now the "sub" for that class and able to help.

I am sad that I made mistakes as a teenager, but counting it all JOY that I am able to help with The Landing, the youth branch of Celebrate Recovery.

What's giving you JOY this week?


It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!!
Thank you, Angel!
Also go to http://stephtmomof3.blogspot.com to read Steph's great Joy list!
It fills me with JOY to pray for Angel's son Shane as he is deployed to serve our country, and also my friend/neighbor Jama's husband, John. I am praying for them and their families!

TO THINK ABOUT TUESDAY. . .I Timothy 5:4-8NIV. . .loving family. . .obeyng the Lord

I Timothy 5: 4, 8NIV

But if a widow has children or grandchildren,

these should learn first of all to put their religion

into practice by caring for their own family

and so repaying their parents and grandparents,

for this is pleasing to God.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives,

and especially for his immediate family,

he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

What are you thinking about today?

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Sandy

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY. ..all kinds of teamwork!

SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY is the place and time to slow down and think about the special, simple thing that is giving you pleasure. Since I have been joining Dayle's party at A Collection of This and That on Thursdays, it has made me think everyday about my "simple pleasures".

This week, that simple pleasure is participating and watching all kinds of teamwork!

At home, I am a part of teamwork.

At work, I am a part of teamwork.

At church, I am a part of teamwork.

And this week, I will have 4 days of slowing down to sit still and watch my son be a part of his baseball team.

(a much older son than the one in this picture above)


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;

If one falls down, his friend can help him up,

but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm,

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Join Dayle @ A Collection of This and That
to enjoy SIMPLE PLEASURES THURSDAY.

why i COUNT IT ALL JOY WEDNESDAY. . .Oh, the Places You'll Go!. . .Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!. . .missing someone. . .

I could never forget Why I Count It All JOY Wednesday, but last night and today were so busy, that I almost did forget.

Today was Dr. Seuss' birthday, so that's a special day at elementary schools. It was also the last day for a special kindergarten girl that I have worked with this year, to attend our school. So, we made Cat in the Hat hats, practiced for our Special Olympics Music Festival, read Dr. Seuss books, ate lunch together in the classroom, had a going away party for our friend and watched a Dr. Seuss video.

(and the students had reading, math and computer lessons, recess, p.e., etc.)

This week, I'm going to use a few good Dr. Seuss quotes to tell you why I'm counting it all JOY!

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."

What is filling you with JOY today?
It is a true JOY to read other joyful posts, so go here to share in the JOY!!!
Thank you, Angel!
It fills me with JOY to pray for Angel's son Shane as he is deployed to serve our country, and also my friend/neighbor Jama's husband, John. I am praying for them and their families!