| HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we begin the New Year – 2013 I see it as a year of Freedom– Freedom from the old and Freedom to live in the New- the New thoughts, and new habits, Free to be all God has in store for each of us. Free to experience new things, share new ideas. Free to be open and accepting. Free to release the things that tie us up, the things that bind us, and hold us back.It is really quite exciting to take a look and really see how God is working and how He has great things in store. He has a plan.. Jer 29:11 “a hope and a future…”Here is a message from Joel Osteen that I think is great and want to share with you.
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Inspiration
Final Moving Thoughts- For now
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Final Moving thoughts… or at least for now.
A good friend of mine, Bill F., (not my husband Bill), said he wanted to know about the ‘unpacking’. So Bill this is for you =)
Let me go back to the packing for a moment and mention that while I was packing I marked the boxes with their appropriate number and what is inside each box. If you recall, each room, or section, in the new house had a number so all the boxes were marked with that number, so that the movers would know where to put each box when it came off the truck. Of course, there were many boxes that were designated to the garage. In the garage I had 2 sections, my numbers were 12 and 13. The 12 area was for things that I will need soon, and area 13 is for the ‘whenever”, meaning not sure when or if I will unpack them. (Umm, then do I really need them? That thought for later)
In the garage, as I marked off the sections, I had the movers put the boxes in the correct section, with an aisle in between so I can see every box, and they had to be turned so I could read what is in each box on the side. Each box was marked, i.e., ‘decorator items’, on both the top and the side. That way, when they are stacked up, I can still see what is in each box. As I mentioned before, it takes a little longer in the packing, but the unpacking is so much easier.
We were blessed to be in a position to move things into the house before the movers came. We moved all the kitchen boxes into the new house and got the kitchen unpacked and set up several days before actual ‘moving day’. We also moved all the clothes from the closets.
Moving day arrived, the boxes were delivered to their appropriate room or space, and now it is time to unpack.
I always start with kitchen, family room and master bedroom so that I can at least feel like I have some control over the situation. It’s nice to have a place where we can unwind, take a break, etc., and feel like we are actually living here. Since the kitchen was already finished, I was able to move pretty quickly to the family room. You may be like us, in that there is mostly furniture in that room, not a lot of other stuff, so it didn’t take long to get that room set and feel cozy.
From that point on, we just continued over the next few days to each of the rooms. As I was having a party within 2 weeks, I unpacked the boxes for the dining room right away, china, candles, etc.
It works well for us to do a room at a time as it gives a more settled feeling when you can check off each room. Now this doesn’t mean each room is beautiful, fully decorated, etc. but it means you can walk in the room, no boxes, beds are made. Decorating and fine tuning will come next, but initially, you can walk into each room and not feel overwhelmed.
So there you go. I hope you haven’t been too bored with the nuts and bolts. Of course, if you were too bored or uninterested, you probably didn’t make it this far.
Good luck on your move. My goal is to NOT move for 5 years. That might be a record.
Blessings-
MERRY CHRISTMAS! May the love and joy of Jesus surround you and fill your heart with His peace.
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This is beautiful – I want to share a poem with you that touched my heart. This was sent to me on a forward list by a friend. I don’t know the lady who wrote it, but she is gifted, and she believes in the love of Jesus and the Hope He offers.
In the tragic events of last week, she was inspired to write this poem. Blessings as you read it.
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“My wife wrote a poem this morning as she was thinking about the shootings in Connecticut. I would like to share the poem with all of you…I would also like to say–put down your cell phones and play with your kids today…..and every day. I see people (myself included) often placing so much time and emphasis on unimportant things. Re-focus your life where it needs to be. God and family. “William Smith
Here is Cameo‘s poem. If you like it, feel free to share:
untitled
Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38,
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say,
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
“Where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“This is Heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
When what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only Heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
And as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
he gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
Then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.
Then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
Then He and the children stood up without a sound,
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran,
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”
RELEASE IT!
RELEASE IT!
We are all moved in- Hallelujah! We’re almost decorated for Christmas, and nearly finished with the old house. We still have some cleaning to do over there, and getting all the ‘give-away’ things to new owners. Out of my hands into theirs. Things are clicking along.
So did you catch that… almost decorated for Christmas? Yes, I had a brain-storm (maybe you have already done this kind of thing, but it was new to me). When the movers came, I had them put all the Christmas decorations in the living room, not the garage. While I was packing, I packed all the decorator, non- Christmas items, in boxes and marked, so I can go to them after the first of the year. So as I unpacked, I decorated, and it looks great. I saved myself several extra steps by doing that.
We are having two parties this week. A ladies group from church, GIFTS, is coming for brunch on Friday. Then, on Sunday, the congregation is invited for dinner as part of our ’55 Alive’ ministry. It’ll be great fun, and I am almost ready-Yippee!
Moving is hard, tiring, fun, interesting… has ups and downs… makes us change. I believe change is good, most of the time. You notice I didn’t say easy. Most of the time it is hard, but it keeps us fresh. Change keeps us from becoming stagnant, stuck in the proverbial rut, and keeps us depending on God, and that is the most important.
Thanks for hanging in there with me through the move. Hopefully, the next time, when it is your turn, you will have a few new ideas and will use it as a time of releasing and freedom for yourself.
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Just another thought or two on ‘Releasing’. Have you ever thought about how freeing it can be to ‘Release’? As I’ve been in moving mode, and releasing ‘stuff’, so many thoughts have come to mind.
For instance,the more stuff you have, the more you have to worry about. I think we are owned by what we own. Often, it also means we are over committed financially, which is another way of feeling tied down and pressured. As we release the stuff, release some of the financial commitments, maybe consider getting out of debt, we begin to feel free.
When we have less pressure and less responsibility, we are free. Free to give of our resources when opportunities come up. We are free to volunteer our time, to be more available when God opens a door. Free to choose what we want to do, and not always feel that we are only doing what we have to do. Freedom to act upon the nudge God gives us to stop in and visit someone, or take a meal, or sponsor a child. When we are so weighted down, in so many areas, we are aren’t flexible. Does that make any sense to you? Freedom – something to think about.
UMMMMM, 2013 the year of freedom, let’s see what God has in store.
I love slogans (must be my Mary Kay years with a new slogan every year), so how about helping me with a New Year’s slogan, with the thought of freedom, but with a little more pizzazz than what I just wrote. Let me know your ideas.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
MOVING-4 All the STUFF
MOVING – 4 WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE ‘STUFF’
So here we are, just a few days before the actual move in. The boxes are packed, most are marked with their number (see my last blog for that info). The rooms will be marked when we get the keys. The garage is overflowing with all the ‘stuff’ that I am releasing into someone else’s hands. There are the old and outdated cassette tapes, old electronics, golf equipment, cell phones. Oh, my gosh, it is so much and our goal is to get it into the hands of others who need or can use it. It is going to take a little more time to take it around town, but it will get to those who can use it.
My husband, Bill, went on an email search and found some great info. Yes, of course, there is Goodwill, Salvation Army, but there are others as well, depending on what you have.
We have our church for donations, as well as our local Amazing Grace ministry, which is a ministry to the homeless who always need clothing and small toiletries.
I also sent over 100 items to ‘Sisters Consignment’, and plan to send a few things to Ebay to sale.
It takes a lot longer to pack this way, to separate the things out, but it will be worth it.
Release.. Release.. Release.. and SHARE!
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FYI – Here is a list of a few other places, here in Vegas, but you probably have similar places wherever you live. This is for your info only, no guarantees, etc., just sharing.
** CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS (MAIL IN PROGRAM) WWW.CELLPHONESFORSOLDIERS.COM
ACCEPTS: cell phones WE LOVE THIS– cells recycled to give phone cards with minutes for soldiers to call home!
** FIRST TEE – golf equipment used for junior golfers – check your local area
** HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, (702) 638-6477, 1573 N. DECATUR BLVD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
ACCEPTS: paint, pallets
NOVA WASTE PAPER INC, (702) 876-5960, 3100 SIRIUS AVENUE, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
ACCEPTS: aluminum cans, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, paper (office), telephone books
Disabled American Veterans – Donate
Donate glasses – Lion’s Certified Collection Center
donateglasses.org/
Donate your used eyeglasses and help someone somewhere to see the world in focus — and you get a tax write-off.
Others:
ANTIFREEZE RECYCLINGDROP OFF ONLYREPUBLIC SERVICES OF SO NEVADA, (702) 399-1112, 333 GOWAN ROAD, N. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
ROADRUNNER RECYCLING, (702) 293-5360, 1640 FOOTHILL DR #104, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA
THERMO FLUIDS INC, (702) 399-6220, 9 WEST DELHI AVE, N. LAS VEGAS, NEVADAAPPLIANCES RECYCLINGABBIES RECYCLING, (702) 457-8077, 6351 E VEGAS VALLEY DR., LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CHAMPION RECYCLING, (702) 648-4884, 3000 MEADE AVE., LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
SILVER DOLLAR RECYCLING, (702) 642-9485, 3870 LOSEE ROAD, N. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
SILVER DOLLAR RECYCLING, (702) 643-7711, 5000 RANGE ROAD, N. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
CLOTHES HANGERS (PLASTIC) RECYCLINGDROP OFF ONLY
COMPUTER RECYCLINGDROP OFF ONLYBEST BUY STORES
BLIND CENTER OF NEVADA, (702) 642-6000, 1001 N BRUCE ST, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
GOODWILL OF SOUTHERN NEVADA, (702) 214-2000, 1280 W CHEYENNE AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV
GREEN DISK RECYCLING MAIL IN PROGRAM, (800) 305-3475, GO TO WWW.GREENDISK.COM
INTERACT EXCHANGE, (702) 765-9893, 2832 E FLAMINGO ROAD, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
LAPTOP REPAIRS, (702) 699-5657, 1555 E. FLAMINGO, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
OFFICE DEPOT STORES
OFFICEMAX STORES
STAPLES, (702) 558-0319, 280 W. LAKE MEAD, HENDERSON, NEVADA
VEGAS MICRO, (702) 804-6610, 6285 S. MOJAVE RD. # 8, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
50 DOLLAR COMP. SERVICE, (702) 383-2913, 1650 E. SAHARA, LAS VEGAS, NEVADACOMPUTER DISKETTES/FLOPPY DISKS/ELECTRONIC MEDIA (VHS, GAME CARTRIDGES, AUDIO
TAPE) RECYCLINGGREEN DISK RECYCLING MAIL IN PROGRAM, (800) 305-3475, GO TO WWW.GREENDISK.COM
PLASTIC BAGS RECYCLINGFRESH & EASY STORES
LOWE’S STORES
TARGET STORES
WALMART STORES
BLIND CENTER OF NEVADA, (702) 642-6000, 1001 N BRUCE ST, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
ACCEPTS: cameras, computers, monitors, televisions and all types of electronics
Celebrate the Victories
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| TODAY’S SCRIPTURE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…” | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Isn’t it wonderful to know that God promises to always lead us into victory? That means no matter what is going on in your life today, no matter what’s happening in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God because victory is always on the way!
You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Praise is putting action behind your faith. In the middle of adversity or a tough time, start making a list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you lost some money when the stock market went down, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party. When things don’t look good in the natural, remember, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback, and you can plan for victory because He is leading and guiding you in Jesus’ name!
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| A PRAYER FOR TODAY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heavenly Father, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. Give me Your vision for the future so that I can move confidently into the abundant life You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| — Joel & Victoria Osteen |