Blessings, Suzanne

Don't you think Pansies have happy faces?2018 A treasured friend of mine once said to me "one thing I want you to focus on is your "dream team" of friends God has put in your life." I have carried that statement for years. She was certainly speaking the truth! I am blessed beyond what I deserve with friends and I don't mean acquaintances I mean friends. The ones that are there no matter what, good or bad or both. The ones that pray. The ones that are happy for you when something good happens to or for you. The ones that follow up with you once they learn of a situation going on in your life( this one is huge ). The ones that send you a text or call just because. The ones that love your kids as your own unconditionally. The ones that take care of you when you are sick (sniff, sniff, even a whole year, boy do I have a team). The ones that call you to make you laugh with a funny story. The ones that invite you to come over just to catch up. The ones that st...

February 2018 The daffodils are already up and blooming but after the storm mine were all drooping and had fallen over. It was the perfect time to pick my "fresh flowers"  out of my own yard, even the broken ones. They were as vibrant as the ones still standing tall they just not as visible because they were now on the ground. Those were the ones I wanted. The chosen ones. Not discarded, but chosen.  I knew they still had beauty to behold and would be better enjoyed inside, in a vase, on my table...smile. To be knocked down by the storms of life is certainly a given for all of us in this fallen world. But thank the Lord our God we don't have to stay on the ground, defeated, unable to get back up...we as children of God are chosen. Chosen by the One and only, Jesus, to be placed inside the body of believers and serve. Wilted stems and all. Beauty from Ashes. The beauty is from Him anyway. Our stems are able to dip into the Living Water, which never runs dry. We are ...

100 Days of Real Food Cookbook Whoa! Let me catch my breath, it's been a busy couple of weeks! I was cruising on through my plan to "a simplified life" when boom...life happened! lol. But tonight I was able to make dinner (which I planned, yay) and even tried a new recipe from a book Emily Ley recommended called "100 Days of Real Food" by Lisa Leake. Another potato recipe of course..Potato Hash! Delish side dish to go with fried/baked chicken,  and greens beans. Laundry is going. Got a walk in... and enjoyed the fresh air, as it feels like spring in Alabama right now. This girl is really getting spring fever and wanting to continue decluttering  so I can spring clean this house! I am working on decluttering one room at a time right now.  I think I counted nine kitchen size garbage bags full so far ready to give away. My next action step is calling a charity to pick it up. And continue to fill the bags, put things in place and get this house in order! I st...

Spring 2008 "Children are not a distraction from more important work, They are the most important work."                                                            -C.S. Lewis "Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."                                                            -Charles Swindoll Day 73 Today's verse...  "Cling to what is good." Romans 12:9 Blessings, Suzanne

Peace like a River....the peace of God which transcends all understanding! Day 72 Today's Verse... "No weapon formed against you will prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," says the Lord. " Isaiah 54:17 Blessings, Suzanne P.S. Are you memorizing the forty-five verses with me??

Enjoying the "spring-like" weather in Alabama... and weekend ready to rest and relax! Hope yours is bright and full of joy! Live. Laugh. Love.  In Christ we have it all.  Day 72 ""Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's scheme's." Ephesians 6:11 Blessings, Suzanne

"Be strong and courageous" Joshua 1:9 "Courage is like a muscle, we strengthen it by use." -Ruth Gordon Do the thing you think you cannot do ,,,,God specializes in the impossible! Let Him do what is impossible without Him. We all have assignments with due dates. It's time to start working on them! Put some action to the plan. Take the first step. Be strong and courageous. He made you brave! Brave is beautiful...here's your chance for a brand new start. Go after those dreams and make them a reality!Turn your fear into faith and your doubt into discipline! Day 71 "As for God his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30 Blessings, Suzanne

Celebrating 80.. May 20, 2017 I have heard my Dad talk about Billy Graham my whole life. He has read me many excerpts from books he was reading and told stories of watching him on TV. A legacy. Billy Graham was a household name that gave hope to the lost and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ to people all over the world. God used him greatly for many years and so many souls were saved at his crusades and even in homes as they received Christ through his invitation on the TV screen .Billy Graham was ninety-nine, what a long life, prosperous life in the Lord!  I am thankful for his impact and also for my Dad who has so faithfully shared the good news to thousands over the years. He turned eighty last May and we threw him a party that over seventy-five guests came to celebrate him with food and fellowship! If you know my Dad at all you love him. He's the most gentle, caring, God loving man I know! And he also loves to visit with people. So instead of a big show for his birthday...

" And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:8 Day 69 "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9 Blessings, Suzanne

You could have never told me years ago that my life would involve so much adventure when I decided to follow Jesus. Truly follow Him, that is. And it is way different than "following" is these days on facebook and instagram..lol. Although if we spent that much time with Him instead of on social media we would probably know Him alot better! But to truly follow Jesus.  To daily walk and talk and pray and learn and trust and serve others and see His hand on every inch of my life..that is my greatest joy and my greatest adventure. Even on the hard days, there is light because He has overcome the darkness that tries to block it and it shines on through. Especially on the good days, there is an excitement of how He brings together all the details of something miraculous(and for me that is usually a daily occurence). I choose to see the good, I look for it, do you?  Are you seeking out the adventures of God, the every day happenings that most of the time require some type of obedi...

Day 67 Today's Verse... "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 3:15. Blessings, Suzanne

Over the years, this blog has become somewhat of my scrapbook for special events as well as daily happenings in the life of my family! Last night Luke went to his first Sadie Hawkins Dance with his sweet friend, Macy. We met up for pictures outside of the restuarant where they ate with friends.... Sadie Hawkins Dance 2018 And the night she asked him..Sadie 2018 He kindly gave me a picture! The boys in their blazers After we left them to enjoy their dinner and dance, Jeff and I finally had a night out to dinner to celebrate his birthday and Valentine's Day! What a fun Friday night! Day 66 Today's Verse... "I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security." Jeremiah 33:6 Blessings, Suzanne

I saw the best quote today on Instagram "Stop scrolling through everybody else's lives and run the race set before you." -Christine Caine So, yes I was scrolling while I read the quote about not scrolling but wow..think about it..so true! Those words "run the race before you" just kinda sink in, way in, to the depths of my being. Not walk, casually stroll or hem haw my way but....RUN! Run the race before you. And get off that phone, talk, write, read, watch, be, organize, craft, laugh, listen, let God lay out the path and Run! Sometimes desperation will lead us to our destination. If we are hungry for more of Christ, not more of the world, we will be full of what will fuel us to run the race! Let those words sink in and run with it!Run to the very One who will fill and complete what He has started. He began a good work in you and He will complete it. And don't give up in the last part of the race...keep running! In the middle we see that we are not where...

Repost   "For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36 Luke's sunflower he planted from seeds in 2013 A very wise woman, I know and love, shared this saying that had been passed down to her... "Be thankful that you did, not regretful that you didn't." I have carried that with me day after day. To try and live without regrets. When I feel I need to make that call, text or email a scripture, stop and talk or visit someone, I try my best to do it right then. And every time that I follow through, whether I really know the reason or not, I am thankful to God I did.  Life is but a vapor  " Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes," James 4:14 (NIV) Who can you be a blessing to today? When we take the focus off ourselves, it's amazing how life seems to have so much m...

Happy Valentine's Day to you! Lots of love sent your way today! May your heart be full and your soul at peace because you have the love of Christ in you... Day 63 Today's Verse.. "I will not die but live, and will tell what the Lord has done." Psalm 118:17 Blessings, Suzanne

I was waiting at the Library tonight to pick up Luke when I looked right in front of me and saw this wall. It reminded me of Nehemiah... I have always loved and been inspired by that book of the Bible. It's the one tucked in between Ezra and Esther in the Old Testament. Nehemiah was called to rebuild the walls  of Jerusalem. Just as with any assignment God calls us to, Nehemiah faced challenges with enemies. Using their best tactics of discouragement, discord and depletion these enemies, Sanballet, Tobiah, Geshem and others tried to get them to stop work on the wall. And they were persistent, trying every trick in the book to get them off of that wall, off their assignment, off track, and off to calling it quits. Nehemiah was not having it, he stood his ground and that wall was built in fifty-two days! "The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Ehul. It had taken fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies to...

Repost from December 15, 2015... "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,  do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  2 Timothy 4:5 Young Breast Cancer Survivorship Network Video Shoot 2015 "I am at a great place!"  are the words that ended my interview about Cancer Survivorship today! Almost seven years later, what a relief to be sitting there. Restored. This video shoot was set up like a "where you are now" after treatment, surgery, etc. I was one of seven participants and number seven, I must add. For me that was very appropriate going into my seventh year of remission from breast cancer.  The answers to questions came pretty smoothly, as this whole process still seems fresh at times.  I remembered that there is truly always a purpose in any pain. That as I walked through the diagnosis and treatment with other women, I saw and felt the emotions through the eyes of a caregiver and realized just how hard it...

Day 59 Today's verse... "May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 Blessings, Suzanne

'Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus (lyrics) "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. Just to take him at His word Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!" Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh for grace to trust Him more! I'm so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend And I know that He is with me, Will be with me to the end. Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood And in simple faith to plunge me 'Neath the healing, cleansing flood! Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace. I have always loved this song. I remember singing it in our little church congregation growing up. However, the lyrics didn't  run as deep and wide like they  do  now, as a grown up. "Just to take Him at His word." I take...

When I started writing forty-five verses I had no idea that I would be writing most of the posts after eight pm. Have I told you how early I get up in the morning? Yes, I thought so. Or that I turn into a pumpkin (my favorite saying) at eight-thirty? Because truth be known I like to go to bed early and it is rare for me to steer from that. But, God. Have you noticed that assignments require sacrifice, strength and shift? God has guided these posts. He has given strength to my sleepy eyes but willing heart. And graciously, He has shifted everything about my normal routine to look and feel different, yet fitting. I really just wanted to get back to the self discipline of writing every day again. Writing and chronicling my daily walk with Jesus. I asked, He answered. So if you are praying and asking for clarity, you  may already have your answer. It just may not look the way you thought it would. His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. Trust Him. Set your eye...

Truly man's best friend, Boston 2017 A very happy birthday to you, Jeff!  Grand Cayman Vacation 2017 Thank you for all you do for us.....for the jokes, keeping me up to date on electronics (lol), the fun trips you plan,  for loving us all like you do! Celebrating you today...smile! Roll Tide Heading into our twentieth year of marriage....I pray it's our best year yet! God has been so good to us! And as today's verse says "he has lavished His love on us." How blessed we are to be children of God. To look to Him first to be all we need so we can then be who we need to be to each other. That is the love of the Father. And that love is great! Here's to your forty-sixth year....love, joy and peace. Amen. Day 56 Today's verse... "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." 1 John 3:1 Blessings, Suzanne

"Assurance is the fruit that grows out of the root of faith." - Stephen Charnock Day 55 Today's verse... "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” Psalm 48:1 Blessings, Suzanne

Hearts. Angels. Red. Pink. Flowers. It's looking like Valentine's at our house. It's a holiday that I don't have a ton of decor for but it sure was fun using what I had to add a little "love" to the rooms we use most! There is really no mistaking that Valentine's Day is being celebrated this year! What about you, have you added any valentine's decor this year?  It's an ALL OUT year for me! I want my outside to match my inside. My joy from Jesus to be an outward expression of the internal peace He gives me every day. My laughter to be contagious. My words to lift up and not tear down, to be few enough to listen and more than enough to give understanding. To pray more than I share. To fully give myself to celebrating life, every day of life, as a gift. A gift that is meant to serve other people. A life that looks just like our rooms of hearts, angels and flowers and undeniable that it's valentine's day...only it's a life that is ...

For the most part, we spend much of our day either thinking about what we are going to eat or actually eating. It does take up three meals plus snacks and that right there is a huge portion of the day! We eat to fill our basic need of hunger and to celebrate or if we are bored, you get the drift. I made a decision this year to do a twenty-one day fast. I have done fasts quite often over the years, praying through situations, but never for this many consecutive days. And as it goes, I did not say much about it unless someone asked me to lunch. I fasted from food until three o'clock each day. Can I just tell you that it was one of the most precious experiences in my forty-five years...and most days I felt completely full! I was filled, I did hunger, I was changed...all by the presence of God. I prayed more than let my thoughts be so focused on the next meal. I read and studied my Bible more and pressed in to see what His word said about my daily happenings. And I enjoyed the meals...

Day 52 Today's verse... "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 Blessings, Suzanne

"It is time to seek the Lord until He comes.." Day 51 Today’s Verse:  “Sow righteousness for yourselves; and reap faithful love. B reak up your unplowed ground.  It is time to seek the Lord until He comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain."  Hosea 10:12 Blessings, Suzanne

2009 For some reason I woke up at 3:00 am this morning, wide awake, and thinking about, actually praising and being so thankful that life looks so different than it did nine years ago. I normally don't think much about the day of surgery. But memories started flooding in...the last shower with my body in tact as God made me (and before those awful drains..lol), giving stuffed animals to the kids to have while I was in the hospital, my parents and their friends beating us to the hospital and praying for me in the waiting room, waking up from the five hour surgery and seeing my family and friends, and one memory stuck with me a while (at 3am...)...... Gets me every time. The picture of myself lying on that operating table with my arms extended on each side. As if in Full Surrender. Removing the cancer. And being sewn back up to heal. Just as the cross, arms extended, sin removed, healed. Jesus. I just kept thinking of Jesus. And what He did for me, what He did for you. On that ...

Welcome February! Let me begin with "I love all who love me. Those who search for me shall surely find me." Proverbs 8:17 He loves me, He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not. Do you remember that fun little game as a child? As I am typing this I am slowly thinking how mixed up it is to rip each petal off a flower, basically snatching it bald and praying it ends on "He loves me." LOL. I was a sucker for it though, I loved flowers and I loved taking the chance to see how it would turn out. Thankfully  the petal is not the true answer in our life. And how blessed are we that our First Love is Jesus, who promises never to leave or forsake us.  He loves us unconditionally. It has taken me a long time to wrap my mind and heart around that but listen....and say this with me.... HE LOVES ME! In a world that is conditional and says we need to meet this criteria to be accepted and loved, and wear this and that to fit in, and be careful not to offend here or th...