Winter Finally Arrived in Michigan!

Up until Thursday night, I would have to say we have had a pretty mild winter in Michigan thus far...not much snow, not super low digits...just lots of dreariness.  Things changed on Thursday, and it's been snowing off and on ever since.  I think we are at around 12-14" of snow...only measured by the height of our doggies.  The snow is as deep as our doggies are tall.  Hubby had to shovel out a path for them out back.  The snow has been pretty, and I love seeing all the pine trees covered in snow.  But there is ice under that snow, and I do not like driving or walking on it.  And this morning we woke up to a temperature of 5 degrees.  Brrr!!  I'm warming up with oatmeal and raspberries for breakfast.


I was delighted to finish my 2011 tax paperwork for the office this past week!  It's something I dread every year, but when it's done I realize it's not really that bad.  Now I'll be glad when we get our personal taxes completed!  I did spend quite a bit of time at the office keeping up to date and learning new systems.


I had a Girls' Night Out one night when hubby was gone to the district office for a meeting.  Four of us went out to a Mexican Restaurant and then did some shopping.  It was a fun evening.


Hubby and I have been playing Sequence almost every evening...the best two of three.  We end up having to play three games most of the time, but he's usually the victor, of course!  Yesterday we ran some shopping errands in Portage and had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant (couldn't get it enough of it earlier this week!!).  Last night we were invited to some friends house for supper and games.  So it's been a busy, full, and fun-filled week, and we are surviving in the snow.  As long as the sun shines, I can handle most anything weather-wise.  I just don't care for dreary days...and it seems that Michigan has more than her share in the winter.


Today we are going to church in Battle Creek and then meeting family for a birthday lunch for my father-in-law, who turns 83 today.  He has chosen to eat at, guess where, a Mexican Restaurant!!  I can handle that!!  


I'm still enjoying my new devotional book with the word studies.  Here's my highlights for this past week:


The Word for You Today
1.  "Overcoming the Fear of Loneliness (2)"

• Nothing can ever separate me from God's love.  (Rom 8:38)

2.  "Get Up and Go On with Your Life"

• you must first make things right with the ones you have offended and with God, then you can confidently move on
• deal with your emotions of grief and/or guilt through God's forgiveness to experience the joy that lies ahead
• move forward with your life and leave the past behind

3.  "When God Calls You"

• Follow Me, and I will make you.... (Mark 1:17); when God calls remember:
• there's a price to be paid for God's best
• there's a path to be walked in faith
• there are principles to be followed, for you must do God's will in His way
• there's a promise to remember - God will be with you always

4.  "Christ - There's No One Like Him!"

• Then Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to me."  (Matt. 28:18)

5.  "Dealing with Uncertainty (1)"

• We do not know what to do, but we are looking for you to help.  (2 Chron. 20:12)
• I will instruct you...in the way you should go; I will guide you.  (Ps. 32:8)

Sparkling Gems

Ephesians 1:16

New Living Translation (NLT)

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly,

• "thanking" - an overwhelmingly good feeling with love and grace flowing from the heart to someone you love
• when we think of our close relationships God has placed in our lives, we should have a deep sense of gratefulness and appreciation for these people

Romans 8:14

New Living Translation (NLT)

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

• "led" - to lead - we are to let the Holy Spirit be the leader of our lives
• our surrender to His leadership causes us to be obedient followers
• our human nature rebels against not being in control of our lives and choosing our own way
• the human nature must be crucified so that the Holy Spirit can lead and we can follow
• be sensitive to the nudge of the Holy Spirit in your heart so you can follow Him - His way is best for He is all-knowledgeable and loving, whereas our human nature is limited and selfish
• He has a plan for you - follow Him

James 1:21

New Living Translation (NLT)

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

• "filth and evil" - refers to bad attitudes, being negative, pessimistic, cynical, gloomy, uncooperative
• lay aside old habits and attitudes and never pick them up again
• do this in the power of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:10

New Living Translation (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

• "strong" - explosive power in some type of container
• God's divine power is deposited in us as we open our spirit, mind, and body to Him
• God gives us supernatural strength to overcome the attacks of the enemy
• we are created by God to be a container/vessel for the Holy Spirit to live in and give us dynamic power to live for God and against the enemy

Hebrews 10:25

New Living Translation (NLT)

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

• we need the fellowship of other Christians to encourage us
• we need to feel the presence of the Lord, and that should be found in fellowship with other believers in the church

James 1:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

• be creative to accomplish the tasks given us
• we must put into practice what we have read and heard from God's Word
• the Holy Spirit will guide us in opportunities that come our way