As written on January 1, 2006—my sentiments remain the same:

This first day of this new year I am not so much resolving as I am remembering…recounting my Lord’s faithfulness to me as I have entrusted my life unto His keeping …and that is why I have placed this picture here.

Edwin Blair-Leighton’s bride pictured in Signing the Register has been a dear companion to me for many years.

She reminds me that He pursued me. She reminds me that I willingly said, “Yes.”

She reminds me that I am no longer my own; that I have chosen to identify myself with Him.

She reminds me that He stands as my protector to guard me physically, materially, emotionally, spiritually…and woe to him who would ever try to harm me in any way.

She reminds me that submitting to His perfect plan for my life is always a sure and safe choice.

She reminds me that His banner over me is love…and that He will never ever leave or forsake me.

She reminds me that He has taken the responsibility of making me all glorious within in order to present me to His Father.

She reminds me that He will be ever faithful to keep all that He has promised to be and to do.

This New Year’s day I am remembering the day I chose to “sign the register” and  begin the walk down the Covenant aisle toward Christ, my trustworthy Bridegroom, who has, amazingly, chosen me to be His bride.

As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
–Isaiah 62:5–

I haven’t posted anything here in weeks, because I’ve been working feverishly on building and designing a website that is due to go live on Monday!  As you can see, I did manage to make a trip to the pumpkin patch, where I got a little carried away and ended up bringing home 10 [yes, I said TEN] pumpkins of various shapes and sizes!  As you may know, I like simplicity, and that applies to my choice of seasonal decor as well. So my pumpkins are simply set in various pieces of white stoneware.  I have always been enamored with the use of white space, so I am, especially, enjoying the two little pumpkins that are sitting in a bowl on my dining room table, pictured above.

Leah organized a bake-off on Sunday evening, so Jenna, armed with a spring form pan, showed up at the door ready to bake with us.  We made several fall recipes, including Aunt Cindy’s FABULOUS sugar cookies and cut them out with the beautiful copper leaf cookie cutters that my sister, Becky, gifted me with years ago.  Those cookie cutters coupled with that recipe are one of the delights of fall in our home!  If you read my old blog,  you have seen cookies made with this recipe decorated here  and  here   …it is a timeless classic. And in case you didn’t read my old blog, I’ll share the recipe with you:

 We also made a yummy Paula Deen Pumpkin Cheesecake, that would be great to take to a Thanksgiving dinner, because if you keep it at home  you might be tempted to eat the whole thing all by yourself   That’s why on Monday night Jenna’s whole family came over to cut the cake.

Can you tell that Autumn is one of two of my favorite seasons?  You might think that strange coming from a Florida gal, who never gets to see leaves change or feel the chill in the air like you northerners do.  I notice little subtleties like the slant of the light and slight drop in humidity and the wind picking up.

I was reminded of the spiritual type that fall represents in creation as I spent time this morning quietly reading the Word asking the Author to speak His truth to me in a way I could understand.  This is what He showed me today.  Principles I’ve known that he reminded me of again today.  I sat and sketched a diagram of these truths and then made one on the computer to share with you.

Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered  [Hebrews 5:8]
He became a great leader through suffering  [Hebrews 5: 9]
We, too, learn obedience through suffering
For obedience to be tested and manifested there must always be a cross…His will crossing my own
The cross always implies suffering and death….either death to self leading to true LIFE or natural life leading to spiritual death
Mature Christians are those who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between what is right and wrong and then do what is right.  [Hebrews 5:14]

click on to print 

I like to think of myself as “dying to live”….how about you?

I reminded myself that Grace is the current that moves me to my destination and that He will always give me just the right size and shape paddle to maneuver the rapids.

Hebrews 4:16  (MSG)
Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.   

2 Corinthians 12:9 (MSG)
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. 

Titus 2:11 (AMP)
For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.  

192.  My sister, Cindy, whose birthday is today!
193.  Leah and all of the love and encouragement she brings to my life.
194.  Yesterday’s sermon about “hope”
195.  The opportunity to build a website and earn money
196.  The time to seek a relationship with the Lord each morning
197.  Someone approaching me and talking on more than a casual level
198.  Spending time at Jenna’s the other day cooking and eating together
199.  The opportunity to blog using my photography skills combined with Scripture….it’s helping me to focus
200.  A peaceful week
201.  Knowing the Lord is at work in my heart and being encouraged by Truth
202.  That God chose me and thatHe will perfect that which concerns me
203.  Getting to the gym to excercise
204.  Harmony in my marriage
205.  Pam’s word on Tuesday about abstaining when temptation comes
206.  The beautiful ladies in my Bible study
207.  The opportunity to shoot pictures
208.  The Word of God at my fingertips
209.  Finding a great pizza recipe that my family loves
210.  The rainy, balmy weather we have been having
211.  The chance to spend time with my grandchildren
212.  My new New Living Bible…perfect size…feels just right in my hand
213.  A good experience at the hospital last week
214.  A nice visit with John’s parents when we took the kids over to visit
215.  The change I see taking place in what I am grateful for…more eternal….less temporal
216.  Jackie taking time to burn CD’s of our Bible study
217.  The Lord directing Jackie to invite me to Bible study
218.  These words that God spoke to me through His word last month:  “You are honored, and I love you.  I will not forget to help you.”  …words that keep returning to me over and over again.
219.  The opportunity to hear from God as I spend time with Him
220.  That God made me just the way He wanted me and that it is GOOD…I can just be…how freeing that is for me…for I am not the satus quo
221.  His plan to place me here living a different life than many of my friends…..living modestly by many others’ standards…because He wants to do a beautiful work in my soul
222.  Pam’s message on September 27, 2011…AWESOME…and just for me.  And even though I was out of town I received the CD
223.  The new nature Christ has placed within me…eternal seed of righteousness
224.  The desire He’s given me for relationship with Him over worldly wisdom, might, or riches
225.  His Word that feeds and sustains my soul
226.  The opportunity to minister with Him
227.  His PERFECT plan for my life
228.  Pam, my Bible study teacher
229.  My friend, Jackie, for taking the time to love me
230. The greatest gift I have ever received…His very life for mine
231.  A phone visit with my sister
232.  Second chances
233.  The opportunity to go to Colorado Springs for Sigrid’s wedding
234.  The blessing of living in a free country
235.  My generous husband, who let me buy new clothes
236.  Pen and paper to write these thoughts on
237.  A rich Christian heritage
238.  Dr. Singh and his office staff
239.  How you, Lord, keep helping me learn about web design
240.  Sunshine and a breeze
241.  All 3 of my girls…wonderful women they have become
242.  My sister-in-laws’ care and concern for their mother
243.  Quiet days to reflect on Your Word
244.  Pumpkin cookies
245.  My lovely little home
246.  The grace you’ve given me to take an interest in domestic things today
247.  God helping me to figure out how to design A’s website
248.  My conversation with Katy on the phone
249.  The revelation that you gave me on Friday regarding the fact that my awful misery has been stemming from the fact that I have been making happiness my end goal rather than holiness
250.  Old journals written to encourage my heart 8 years later
251.  Good friends like Bonnie
252.  The money you give me to manage each week
253.  That you chose me to be a part of your body
254.  The ability to read so I can “hear” your Word
255.  The ability to write so I can write down what the You say to me, Lord
256.  Jackie’s homemade bread

I kept trying to fill the fame with what I thought my life should look like, but He had other plans. He wanted to fill it with His own.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].