Monday Manna - Help for times of adversity - Pt. 1

Jesus Said, "I have told you these things,

 so that in me you may have peace. In this world

 you will have trouble.
 But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

Good Monday Morning

Sweet Friends,

Hope you had a pleasant and restful weekend!

Ours was pleasant and restful, and we also had a

day out on Saturday grocery shopping and then

did dinner at Red Lobster,  so that was a very

nice treat,  and cost us Nada, Zip, Zero,

So thankful for gift cards from the family, 

 they are a very Good thing!! lol

As I told you last week, I felt like the Lord was leading

 me to do some posts on things that have helped us

 during this season of layoff that so far, we are almost

 8 months into. I awakened this morning (actually that

 was a week ago Saturday when I wrote this part) with my

 mind whirling with thoughts that I believe the Lord has

 generated, so I came and just started writing them down.

 As I have been writing it has occurred to me that these

 things are not just for this situation of a job loss, 

but they really can help for any adversity. 

 So hope you will read on..... even if you aren't without a

 job or know someone who is.

I tried to prioritize these in some way, but it was sort

 of difficult as they are all important things to know and

 take to heart.  So just started listing them,then moved

 them into priority as best as I could, so if they seem

 out of order to you, that is the reason... and bear with

me,  as something you might think should come next

might come later on in the series.

As I looked over what the Lord gave me, I think there 

is a pattern here,  and I feel the pattern is the Lord

wants us to deal with the way we look at things first.

So...........Here we go!!

#1

Realize that what has just happened to you may have 

taken you totally by surprise,but it did not take God by

 surprise, he knew it was going to happen before you 

were even born.

your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days

 ordained for me were written in your book before

 one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:16

#2

Realize that losing anything is usually traumatic,

 because it is a loss,  and losses are painful and cause us

 to grieve and we need to allow ourselves to grieve that loss.

With a job it is the loss of employment, and maybe the 

thing  you love to do most, loss of financial security, and 

Insurance provisions, and sometimes identity, loss of 

friendships and familiar relationships, also the loss of

your daily routine, and leaves you with a what am I

 gonna do now feeling, and sense of powerlessness.

  Know that you are gonna have times of grieving and

 that is normal, good, and it is okay,  but you don't want

 to let that grieving engulf you,  so if it goes on too long 

you might need to seek some Godly counsel, to help you

 get a new perspective because I believe if you are able to

 see it from God's perspective it will make a tremendous

 difference. That is why I felt the Lord led me to do these

 posts.  Cause knowing and employing the truth of God's 

word has made all the difference for us. This is our

5th time of going thru this in our 40 years of marriage.

The 3rd time since we have been walking with the

Lord,  each time has been for a longer period of

time,  and each time has been somewhat different

with different things the Lord wants to teach us

or do in our lives,  but there is no doubt that

God's word and prayer have pulled us thru in

good stead each time.

So after you have allowed yourself some grieving time

 a few days or weeks, then you need to determine in your

 own heart that you are not going to allow the enemy to help

  you feel sorry for yourself. ( I am talking about a job loss

here not a major loss of a family member or something

 like that) but even in those events I believe there might

 come a time when you have to decide this too!


We have to decide.........I remember Joyce Meyer
saying something that has really stuck with me.
She said she used to love having pity parties for
herself,  and one day the Lord told her Joyce, 
you can either be pitiful or powerful,  but you
can't be both,  so you are gonna have to decide!


and we can decide!!

Well,  Sweet Friends,

I am gonna leave it here for today....

Come back next week as I will continue

 with Part 2.   Next week...........We'll  talk about fear!  

Have a Great Evening Loving on your Family!

Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs N' Special Blessings to you!

Nellie

Welcome to Thankful Thursday - January 6, 2011

(Vignette from my computer room)

Welcome to Thankful Thursday

Sweetie Peeties,

How are you today???  Hope you

are having a good week thus far.

Mine has been good,  but busy! In case you didn't

 catch it at the end of yesterdays post (I should have

 thought and bolded it) that we brought my Sil Susan

hope from the hospital last night.  So that would be

my 

#1

I am thankful

that Susan is feeling fine physically and is in good

spirits,  she was told to take the rest of the week

off,  so she is resting comfortably at home.  All the

tests showed nothing, accept for a situation that

we already knew about.  So she just needs to 

follow up with her Doctors now.

Her furry friends where very happy to see her!!

#2

I am thankful

that I awakened this morning with all sorts

of thoughts running thru my head for my

upcoming Monday posts on things that have

helped us during this time of unemployment.

I definitely feel they were generated by the

Lord. I probably have enough info for 5 or 6

 posts already.  I have been praying about

what to get started with,  so don't have to

wonder anymore!!  lol

#3

I am thankful

that our beautiful kitty, Molly is feeling so

much better,  and that she is such a good

patient.  We are still giving her antiobiotics

and will continue for another week or so.

Have to say she has been sticking pretty

close to us for some reason.  Maybe it's

because she knows we are helping her.

(Our grandaughter dog Rosie,  the last time

she was here and it was so cold)

#4

I am thankful

that hubby has been inspired once again

by some new information and software

he found online that is an even better

help with his business he is working on.

#5

I am thankful

for good Nurses,  Doctors and hospitals that

can care for us,  if needed.  

#6

I am thankful

that the emergency room Dr. took Susan's

symptoms seriously since they were potential

 heart attack symptoms.  She was a lady Dr.,

but I had just been reading in prevention

magazine the end of last week about 5 ladies

who had symptoms and went to their male

Doctors and they pretty much ignored their

 symptoms and just told them it was stress, 

and sent them home and did not do any 

heart related tests and they all had heart  attacks 

that could have possibly been prevented, One

 almost died.  Almost as many women today are

 having heart attacks as men..........it used to be

 pretty much a man's disease,  but no longer.

So learn the symptoms and don't ignore them.

(This is where I finally decided to put my 

lil coffee filter tree, on the kitchen table)

#7

I am thankful

that a young lady named Heather that we

had stay with us awhile back, made it to

Costa Rico safe and sound.  She is going

there to be a missionary with orphaned

children.  She is quite a mature young

lady,  and very sweet and pretty too.

#8

I am thankful

for the physical ability to do aerobic 

exercise cause it makes me feel so good

and gives me energy.

#9

I am thankful

my son made it to Baltimore safe and

sound.  He flew there for an agriculture

show this morning.

( Lil squirrel in our backyard)

#10

I am thankful

I am finally getting to try a new recipe

I've been wanting to try.  It is for a

spinach casserole.  I will let you know

how it turns out.

#11

I am thankful

for the work I have gotten done in my

bedroom,  I am sort of spring cleaning ahead

 of time,  still more to go but making progress

so that is the most important thing!!

 This week I decided to make a goal of trying

 to clean out and tidy a drawer a day,  so far, 

 I have 2 done!!  So I am not too far behind.

#12

I am thankful

for how nicely Scott and Megans engagement

pics came out,  I saw them online today and

some of them are so adorable.  It is nice

that the photographer gives them a CD and

they can make any and all the pics they want.

So nice how things are today with photography.

Also his best friend/best man is gonna do

a video of best wishes from their guests.

What a nice idea.  Their wedding plans

are coming along well,  Sat.  they go for

a food tasting party to decide on what

they want to have to eat at the reception.

She is working hard to get it all done,

so all she has to do is enjoy the rest of

the time.  Smart Cookie!!

(Same Squirrel -  Doesn't our grass looks great??

Does yours looks like this too??)

Well,  guess that finishes me up for now.

Thanks for your visit,  always glad

you come by,

Love, Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie

So............

What are you thankful for today????

Tabletop Thursday - Winter Birthday Table

Winter Greetings Sweet Friends,

Are you staying warm???  

Have you taken down all your

Christmas decorations yet???

We are staying warm....it has been

in the 70's,  and No,  I don't have all

my Christmas decorations down yet.

I did take some stuff down on Monday

but you know how life happens when

we are making our plans????

That was our today.....

we spent the afternoon and evening in 

the emergency room with my sweet 

sister-in-law, Susan.  She was at work

and they called us because she was

having some chest pain and was pale

 and walking very slowly,and they

were very concerned about her so we 

told them evac her to the hospital

 and we met her there.

We don't know anything yet,  but

they did keep her overnight,  they

have done some tests but will do

more tomorrow to check out heart

issues, meanwhile they have her

on telemitry to keep watch over

her heart all night,  so we will

see what happens tomorrow, so

please if you feel lead.... pray for

her and that it want be anything

serious.

Well,  on with Tablescape Thursday

This Birthday Celebration was for my daughter's Sweetie.

His name is Jerry,  and he is a great guy.

I tried to do something that didn't look

too Christmasy but still matched with

all the Christmas decorations I had up.

 So thought the Winter Village Scene

would at least look Wintery since we are in January.

This was taken with the flash and made it an 

interesting amber!

This was taken in the daytime.

These lil houses are actually cardboard

 boxes that you can put gifts in.

These are the cute lil salt/pepper shakers that go

 with my Spode christmas dishes. Forgot to take a

 shot of them on my last tablescape so thought I would

 throw them in this time!!  lol

Love this lil bear,  he actually goes with a lil Merry Christmas

sign thing I have, he holds up half and then their is another one that

 holds the other half,  but he doesn't come apart from the sign,

  so I could only use this one,  too bad,  cause they are so cute! 

 And

Of Course, a view from above.

Without the flash!!

With the Flash!!

This is called a "Cut out" affect.

Thought it looked neat.

This was from the opposite side of the table.

This one has a posterized affect.

My favorite!!

Well,  that raps it up!!

Hope you enjoyed your visit and I will

see you tomorrow ..............


Be sure to go over and visit Susan
at between naps on the porch 
if you want to see more creative
tablescapes.  Click Here!

I'll keep you posted on my sister-in-law.

and thanks for praying!!


Update on Susan,  we just brought her
home and she is doing great,  just
has to follow up with her Doctors.

Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie

Heart Tips Tuesday - Recipe for Chicken and Black Bean nachos

Greetings Sweet Peas,

How is your day going??

Going well I hope.

I just got off the phone with the dear friend I told

 you about a few weeks ago,  that has been healed

 of the breast cancer.  It was great to get to have such

 a nice long conversation with her.  She is such a

 sweetie and so funny too.

  She still has to go thru radiation treatments soon.

They don't want to take any chances with her since

 she had a very aggressive form of breast cancer.

She is in good spirits,  and says they might take

a trip to Florida in the spring, so hopefully we

will get to see them,  and maybe they can stay

with us a few days.  That would be great to

look forward to..............

Well, Don't know about you but I love me some

nachos once in awhile,  used to get them from 

Taco Bell,  but on very rare occasion now!!

Don't want to tempt hubby.

Found a recipe online somewhere can't remember

 where but tweaked it to suit our taste, of course,

and we loved it!!

We had them for lunch one day last week, and they

 were heart healthy and quite delicious and filling.

  So thought you might like to give it a try yourself.

I actually liked them better than Taco Bells.

Wish I had thought to take a picture,

 but oh well!

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Ingredients

 Tortilla chips (blue or Yellow)

that are low in Sat. fat and have 0 trans fats.

(We use Archer Farms brand from Target,

Organic Blue corn with flaxseed tortilla chips,

and they are awesome I must say.  10 chips 

for 1 gram of Sat. fat and 0 trans fats)

1- 15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and 

drained.

1 1/2-2 cups lite cheese

 whatever cheese you like best

(I used colby and Jack with some sharp cheddar)

(which is usually 2% or skim milk cheese)

1 cup of shredded chicken

(I used Rotisserie Chicken)

1/2 onion diced

granulated garlic, sprinkle as much

as you like.

1/2 cup lite sour cream

1/2 cup Guacamole

(I used Wholly Guacamole)

Chopped Cilantro to your liking

I love it myself, so I put tons.

Fresh Salsa or a jarred one you prefer.

( I use my magic bullet, and dump in a

can of tomatoes, some onion, granulated

garlic,  and cilantro and just a 

lil squeeze of lime or lemon,  let her

rip and in minutes fresh salsa to die for!)

Jalepenos  (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees

Spread chips in a single layer on a  11 x 7

 cookie sheet.

Spoon black beans on the top along with

cheese and chicken, onion and cilantro. 

 Sprinkle with granulated garlic to your liking.

Put in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes

until cheese is fully melted.  Then remove

from oven.

You can pour the salsa on top if you like

or put it in a separate bowl so you can

dip when or if you want.

Add sour cream and guacamole on top.

  I put a heap of each right in the center, 

 then you can dip your chips, and it looks

more appetizing  like that!

Enjoy!!

Thanks for coming by,

love hearing from you!!

Hugs n' Blessings,

Nellie

Happy Monday!!

(Love this pic of Molly,  her eyes look like a hoot owl,

That's about how I feel...........wide eyed with wonder

as to where the Lord is taking us in this New Year!!

Happy Monday Morning

Sweet Friends,

So how are you??  Christmas is over,

New Years is here,  now what?? lol

I am trying to decide what to do about my Christmas

 decorations...........the tree is already down,  but I

am trying to decide what I want to take down and

what I want to leave up.  Since I use reds during the

 winter months I go thru this dilemma every January.

I actually like to leave my poinsettias and stuff up

sometimes and then I think about my snowmen

not that I have a ton, but I do have some and

 they are so cute and make me smile.....

 but then

 I don't think they mix real well with Roosters

and I usually move my Roosters to the family

room during my RED Period!!  lol

I will probably undecorate the bathroom and

pack away all my Christmas mugs today, so

I have time to decide about the family and

dining room area.  Good Idea!!  lol

Why not put off till tomorrow what you 

could do today.....right!!

Well, that works for me because I'm somehow

 not exactly ready to take it all down yet........

We had a birthday party for my daughter's

sweetie.  His birthday is the same date as my

late Mother-in-laws,  so I tried to set a table

that didn't look too Christmasy but more

Wintery I guess you'd say,  so come back

later this week cause will probably post

it on Wed. Evening.

This was suppose to be a Monday Manna

post but then I got chattering and guess I

will just tell you about it and start next 

Monday...............

I feel the Lord has been laying it on my

heart to share some of the things that have

helped us during this season of lay-off!

I know we certainly are not the only ones,

and if you aren't experiencing a loss of a

job,  give thanks today,  but I would be

willing to bet you know someone who is

or will be having job difficulties,  so....

you might learn something that will help

you help them or at least you can pass

on the information to them.

So stay tuned for next Monday.......

Thanks for stopping by,

Hope all is well in your world!!

Blessings Abundant in this New Year!!

2011............

Shocking sort of ....isn't it???

Nellie