This week I'll be trading out many of our houseplants for Poinsettias. We will also look for other fresh greenery as well.
This year we intend to keep our Christmas decor and celebrations simpler than previous years.
Happy Monday, Sweet Friends! I hope all of you had a lovely and blessed Thanksgiving.
This week's focus is all about the sisterly dynamics of Mary and Martha. Appropriate timing, isn't it, as it's the first week of Advent and the beginning of the Christmas season.
Let's try not to be a distracted Martha this week!
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! This week we were challenged to take notes about those who annoy us, and then remember how God feels about them. Here is the prompt:
Over the course of twenty-four hours, each time you get annoyed by someone, think about that person as a unique child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. Record how this affected your day.
Friends, I took my little tiny notebook around with me for a day, and I truly lucked out because everyone was so kind, patient, and seemed to be excited about Thanksgiving!
I have nothing!
I should probably try this a little closer to Christmas!
This week's scripture:
Do y'all have any prayer requests for the weekend?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Praying that we all have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Thanksgiving, Friends! This week's focus is all about not sweating the small stuff. How appropriate with Thanksgiving as well as Christmas prep happening this week! We are challenged to overlook small things that people will definitely do this week to annoy us.
Are you up to the challenge? I hope I am, and I will pray that none of us will encounter too many annoyances (large or small) this week.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Friends! Prayer requests?
I want to thank all of you because you truly have made a difference in my life!
I love you all!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! This week's scripture is very convicting, isn't it! If everyone focused more on their own faults and not others' faults the world would be a much better place. Let's take a look at this week's guided journaling prompt:
List some idiosyncrasies or annoying behaviors that someone close to you might point out. Write about how it feels to be accepted by this person despite your flaws.
- I tend to run late. (Not horribly late, just maybe ten minutes or so...)
- I am a loud talker, and it always drove my grandmother crazy.
- I am very clumsy....so much so that my family (sarcastically) calls me Grace.
It feels very good to be so loved and accepted in spite of my faults. And I admit I have many, but the ones listed above are the most consistent.
What about you? Do you have anything to share, including prayer requests?
Be good to yourself this weekend because we have a big week with Thanksgiving on Thursday!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! I hope y'all had a super weekend. What did you do? Ours was laidback with Christmas shopping and church.
This week is all about self-reflection, and the verse above is a reminder of who we are based on how God created us. I'm holding this verse close to my heart this week!
Also, below is a reminder of the Fruits of the Spirit:
Be gentle with yourselves this week, friends, because we are to reflect on why those who know us, warts and all, still love us.
I know it's close to Christmas, but I'm going to treat myself this week to new socks because they are my favorite thing in the world.
I also like books and flowers, lol...but I love socks more! I know that this is very random, but I'm just keeping it real. I'll share them later this week.
Prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! What do you think about this week's prompt? Did you think it conflicted with the scripture? All I kept thinking about was the Seinfeld episode about "festivus" and the airing of grievances.
Here is the prompt:
Write about someone you love -- a family member, friend, spouse, or partner. Write about this person's annoying or odd behaviors as well as reasons you love him or her.
Personally, I'd rather not share anything negative about anyone I love, their "annoying or odd behaviors." I'd rather keep it positive. Today I'll share three things I love about both of my daughters. Shanley Belle is loyal, tenacious, and kind. Shelley is dedicated, friendly, and optimistic.
What about you? What do you think about this prompt?
Also, I am asking for your prayers. I have a series of medical tests I'm dreading, and I would appreciate your prayers. Also, I would like to remind you to set your alarms and pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 for our country. Do you have any prayer requests? Either email them to me or include them in your comments.
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890)
Arles, January 1889
oil on canvas, 95 cm x 73 cm
Credits (obliged to state): Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)
Happy Monday, Friends! How was your weekend? We went to a church service (at our church), and it was held outside in the sunshine! It was lovely. Fresh air, no masks, and communion: What's not to love about that?
Don't you love the sunflower painting above? The older I get the more I appreciate sunflowers and the color yellow, the color of happiness AND the color of our book!
This week's guided journaling reminds us that happiness isn't an emotion, it's a choice. My prayer for us is we choose happiness this week.
Do y'all have any prayer requests to share?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! It's interesting to me that we had this particular writing prompt this week, after: dealing with installing cabinets, scheduling workmen, irrigation problems (thank-you, God, for the rain!), and Christmas shopping. I just posted last night on my other blog about what an impatient shopper I am!
Here's the prompt:
Write about what type of person you are: patient or impatient. Do you like this about yourself? Why or why not?
Overall, I am a patient person. I tend to get impatient when people are needlessly inconsiderate with my time. I do like that I'm patient with the really important things, like when I homeschooled our youngest daughter, and the fact that I've read every single peer reviewed article our scientist daughter has ever written, and I do not like science. I suppose I like this about myself, but I've never really thought about it.
What about you?
Have y'all had a good week? Do you have any prayer requests?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! Did y'all have many trick-or-treaters last night? We waited to the last minute to purchase Halloween candy, and Target was completely out! We found plenty to purchase at another store, though.
This week's prompt is all about patience: I'm sure it will be very convicting for me. This is one of my favorite Bible verses about patience:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.1 Corinthians 13:4
Prayer requests? I think we need updates from some of y'all.
Have a great week!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
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