Merry Christmas, Friends!
Shelley came home sick from work on Christmas Eve, and I caught whatever it is (bad cold, probably) on Christmas Day. Needless to say...I am not at my best right now. Shelley is a little bit better today.
I have been thinking and praying about this blog, and I have decided that I want to only post on Fridays and do a better job writing my posts. Also, I wanted to find a 52-week devotional because I thought it would be easier for me. Starting next Friday, January 3rd, we will begin:
Soul Full has a 4.7 rating on Amazon and a 4.6 rating on Goodreads.
You can read an excerpt HERE, and I like that it comes with activities, not just prayers and scriptures. You can be as involved or as uninvolved as you like. You can do the suggested activities or not. It's up to you! I thought it would provide me with a little structure for blogging, and it might spark a little creativity, too.
We have a week to find a copy, but if you're late getting one it shouldn't take long to catch up.
I hope you enjoyed reading Jesus Listens For Advent & Christmas. Here is the last verse from the last lesson:
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- PRAISE: Eric found out that he was hired this week and will start work on January 6th.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Thank-you for praying for my surgeries. The final one will be on Monday, December 30. Please pray that I will feel well enough to have it. I need to get well quickly!
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- Carla also asks that we pray next week for her family. They will be traveling from all over the state of Wisconsin to meet at her parents farm for the weekend for an early Christmas celebration. Thank you for prayers for safe travels.
- Let's pray for safety for all of us and our families as we travel and drive in inclement weather during this Christmas Season.
- URGENT: There has been a shooting in a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. Please be in prayer for the victims, their families, and the school community. UPDATE: Carla's friend Elena's son attends the school that the shooting happened. They were reunited later that day.
Until next time...
Merry Christmas!
Ricki Jill
Merry Christmas, Friends! It's Christmas Eve Eve, and today's the day for the Greening of the Church. Of I can get my allergies under control this morning, I will go help. I'm concerned about being exposed to all the garland and wreaths. Maybe I can work on the bows away from the natural elements.
It is such a blessing to us to have Shanley Belle and Christopher home for Christmas. We are so grateful to be together during this holy season!
Do you have any special plans for Christmas? Our Christmas Pageant is tomorrow afternoon.
I hope you've enjoyed Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas. I am still deciding on what to do about our study for next year. I will have a definitive answer on Friday. Stay tuned! We will have a brief break from December 28 through at least the 4th or 5th of January.
Here is a Bible verse from our lessons this week. Obviously I made it during late summer, but it's okay to recycle the graphics from time to time!
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- PRAISE: Eric found out that he was hired this week and will start work on January 6th.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Thank-you for praying for my surgeries. The final one will be on Monday, December 30.
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- Carla also asks that we pray next week for her family. They will be traveling from all over the state of Wisconsin to meet at her parents farm for the weekend for an early Christmas celebration. Thank you for prayers for safe travels.
- Let's pray for safety for all of us and our families as we travel and drive in inclement weather during this Christmas Season.
- URGENT: There has been a shooting in a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. Please be in prayer for the victims, their families, and the school community. UPDATE: Carla's friend Elena's son attends the school that the shooting happened. They were reunited later that day.
I have a few errands (last minute grocery shopping) today after the Greening of the Church. What are your plans?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I hope you've had a great week. Since Tuesday, I have been working nonstop doing Christmas preparation. There's really not much left to do, so these last few days I will have moments of quiet to reflect and anticipate.
What have you been up to?
I'm recycling the scripture from last week and adding a new one. I don't have long to post today because I'm having another surgery this morning. What I liked most about the lessons is the reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World, and we are blessed to have the Light of this knowledge!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Kitty asks that we pray for Molly’s husband, Eric, to find a job. The start up company that he was working for closed Friday.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Thank-you for praying for my surgeries. I am doing well, and I have three down and two to go! I will have one today, and the final one on Monday, December 30.
- Shanley Belle and Christopher will be driving down from Ann Arbor today, so please pray travel mercies for them.
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- Carla also asks that we pray next week for her family. They will be traveling from all over the state of Wisconsin to meet at her parents farm for the weekend for an early Christmas celebration. Thank you for prayers for safe travels.
- Let's pray for safety for all of us and our families as we travel and drive in inclement weather during this Christmas Season.
- URGENT: There has been a shooting in a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. Please be in prayer for the victims, their families, and the school community. Please keep us updated, Carla.
.png)
Jesus is the Light of the World!
Have a safe and blessed weekend, friends!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
We enjoy having cyclamen in our home this time of year.
Hello, Friends! We had a rainy, busy weekend. Trip helped me run tons of errands on Saturday, and I'm very grateful for his help.
Do you have any big plans this week? I have two surgeries scheduled, one this afternoon and one Friday morning. I still have two outstanding gifts for the girls, and if they don't make it in time, then they can look forward to receiving late Christmas presents. In the big eternal scheme of things, it really isn't that important. I just sometimes get annoyed because both orders were placed either on or before November 11th.
Below are two Bible verses to get us started on our two lessons this week:
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Kitty asks that we pray for Molly’s husband, Eric, to find a job. The start up company that he was working for closed Friday.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Thank-you for praying for my surgeries. I am doing well, and I have two down and three to go! I will have one on today; Friday, December 20; and Monday, December 30. Shanley Belle and Christopher will be driving down from Ann Arbor on the twentieth, so please pray travel mercies for them.
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- Carla also asks that we pray next week for her family. They will be traveling from all over the state of Wisconsin to meet at her parents farm for the weekend for an early Christmas celebration. Thank you for prayers for safe travels.
- Let's pray for safety for all of us and our families as we travel and drive in inclement weather during this Christmas Season.
- URGENT: There has been a shooting in a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin. Please be in prayer for the victims, their families, and the school community. Please keep us updated, Carla.
.png)
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Hello, Friends! I apologize for posting so late in the day. Our daughter had car trouble, and Trip and I decided to go purchase a new one for her because she needs a reliable car. Shelley starts work very early in the morning when it's dark, and we don't want her breaking down.
We were at the dealership bright and early, and we were successful in our quest. I also ran a few errands before returning home.
The lessons this week remind us to keep Jesus at the forefront of our thoughts, and that he will energize us. Friends, I'm claiming this promise this morning! Below and above is a reminder of our scripture.
Please share your thoughts or experiences from the week in comments!
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Kitty asks that we pray for Molly’s husband, Eric, to find a job. The start up company that he was working for closed Friday.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Thank-you for praying for my surgeries. I am doing well, and I have two down and three to go! I will have one on Monday, December 16; Friday, December 20; and Monday, December 30. Shanley Belle and Christopher will be driving down from Ann Arbor on the twentieth, so please pray travel mercies for them.
- Carla asks that you pray for her Florida friends that lost so much during the hurricane and are still cleaning up and rebuilding... sadly they miscarried December 11th. They are devastated. They do have the blessing of family, friends and their sweet little girl who is 1 1/2 years old to help them during this time. I thank our prayer warriors to lift them up in prayer as well. Thank You!
- Carla also asks that we pray next week for her family. They will be traveling from all over the state of Wisconsin to meet at her parents farm for the weekend for an early Christmas celebration. Thank you for prayers for safe travels.
Please let me know if I forgot to update our prayer requests!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Monday, Friends! How was your weekend? We had the most wonderful Lessons and Carols service at church yesterday. One of my favorite songs performed was "Canticle of the Turning." Below you'll find a clip of the song from this morning's service at St. Stephen's.
Yesterday afternoon we had a DAR "Munch and Learn." It was a lot of fun, and I did learn quite about about DAR and some of our programs and committees. The next few weeks will be hectic for me as I squeeze in mini surgeries in between Christmas activities and celebrations. Please be patient if I don't have my posts live first thing in the morning!
Here are a few Bible verses from the Book of Psalms to get us started with our lessons this week.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Be in prayer for Carla's Florida friends still recovering from two hurricanes.
- Kitty asks that we pray for Molly’s husband, Eric, to find a job. The start up company that he was working for closed Friday.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Please be in prayer for me because I will be having five minor surgeries this afternoon, tomorrow, December 16, 20, and 30. I will be going under the "twilight" anesthesia for each surgery, so hopefully it won't be too bad.
Please let me know if I've left out any requests, and I'll update our list ASAP.
I hope y'all have a wonderful week!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Happy Friday, Friends! How is your first week of December going? I've had a great week, and I hope you have, too.
I am enjoying this devotional so much. I know I keep saying that, but it seems like each reading is just what I needed for that particular day. God's timing is truly perfect! The lesson that stood out to me this week was the one that encourages us to focus on Jesus' presence because then our troubles seem trivial and powerless.
Amen!
These are the three Bible verses from this lesson:
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Be in prayer for Carla's Florida friends still recovering from two hurricanes.
- Kitty asks if you could pray for Cissy’s emotional and mental well being, please. You may recall that she was in a car accident a few of weeks ago. She also requests that we pray for Eric also because he's miserable with his job. Pray that he can find something suitable for him with insurance.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Please be in prayer for me because I will be having five minor surgeries on December 9, 10, 16, 20, and 30. The first one will be Monday afternoon, so I will still be able to post in the morning.
Have a lovely weekend!
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Fun Christmas tree in Mignon Faget, New Orleans
Happy December, My Lovelies! Yesterday was the First Sunday of Advent, and I hope y'all had a lovely and blessed day!
You'll find the December schedule in the sidebar, and you'll notice that we won't be reading quite as many pages as we get closer to Christmas. I planned it intentionally so we can slow down and really reflect on the remaining lessons. I hope you will have the time to go back and reread your favorites!
Here are a few scriptures to get you started on this week's lessons.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for our military and military families, and the Wisconsin National Guard deployed in Iraq.
- Pray for Kitty's son Mike to get a job that uses his talents.
- Be in prayer for Carla's Florida friends still recovering from two hurricanes.
- Kitty asks if you could pray for Cissy’s emotional and mental well being, please. You may recall that she was in a car accident a few of weeks ago. She also requests that we pray for Eric also because he's miserable with his job. Pray that he can find something suitable for him with insurance.
- Pray for a peaceful and smooth transition of power between now and January 20, 2025.
- Pray that we can all find quiet time with God during the holiday hustle and bustle.
- Please pray that I can get some much needed rest this week
Question of the week:
When do you start your Christmas baking? Have you started yet?
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
