Tuesday, February 28, 2017

NOW: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life by Mrs. Sarah Coller





Have you ever had the experience of finding the right book at just the right time?

This happened when Sarah Coller's book NOW: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life came into my hands. 

I've always been very goal driven. . .until the last year or so.  Ever since my mother's passing, I've been dwelling in a valley of grief.  I'd put aside my artistic, and writing goals and spent months in reading, writing in my journal, and watching birds while sitting on my back porch.  It was a quiet time of reflection and needed for my healing.

Over the last month, as I read Sarah's book, I began to get itchy. . .tired of staying on the porch.  I began to want something more.

Sarah's book reminded me of my dreams and goals and gave me just the jump start I needed to get back on track.  I was inspired by her journey as a young wife and mother with nine children.  If she could reach her goal of writing a book, then I could, too.  Her book encouraged me to dream again and helped me walk out of the valley of grief.  

Here are a few of the chapter headings of her book:

  • Right now
  • Purging Procrastination
  • Jesus, Be the Center
  • The Heart Check
  • Looking for Change? Change Your Mindset
  • It All Begins With a Step
  • Know Your Purpose and Beat Discouragement
  • Allow for Speed Bumps, Potholes and Head-On Collisions
  • Obedience: Our Primary Motivation

As a believer, her Bible-centered focus reminded me of the One who birthed the goals still on my heart.  She also pinned me down to think through each of her points by providing space in each chapter to pray and write answers to her questions.  

The book is short, as are the chapters.  It could easily be read in one sitting, but it's best when savored slowly while taking the time to pray and write one's responses.  I think the book would make a great group study, too. 

I promise you'll be encouraged, inspired, and will take those dusty dreams off the shelf.  Since reading the book, here's how I've followed through on my long neglected dreams and goals:


  • purchased a mountain dulcimer and arranged to attend a workshop this week
  • set up an appointment with a mentor to help me work toward publishing a book about how G-d brought my husband and me together after forty years
  • set up weekly meetings with a writing accountability partner
  • wrote several poems
  • worked on a compilation of poems for my first book of poetry to be published on Create Space

I'm grateful to Sarah for this timely book, and for her obedience to G-d in following through on the dreams and goals He's given her.  She's blessed me, and I pray her book will bless others.  
 
You can purchase the book from Amazon at this link:  NOW: Purposeful Steps Toward a More Abundant Life.

I'll be sure to let you know when my book is published, Gail-Friends.  I know you'll want to read it, too!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
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Friday, February 24, 2017

Sabbath Music - Celtic Hymns


Do you ever sit still?  For five minutes...an hour...two hours?  Being still is a discipline, especially in our busy world.  Hashem invites us to enter His Sabbath rest in order to have our souls and bodies refreshed.  Here's some music for you to help you rest tomorrow:  Celtic Hymns

For most of my life, I remember going to church on Sundays.  It was one of the busiest days of the week.  We had Sunday School and church, then Sunday dinner, and then back to church for the Sunday night training union and church service.  I loved it, but it was not restful, especially during the years of  having to get two girls ready to go and load them in the car.  Occasionally I took a short nap, but for the most part, there was not much rest involved in Sunday "worship".

It's different now.  The Sabbath is a day of rest for us.  Easy.  No stress.  No running here and there, and I look forward to it.  Since the Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday evening, we have our synagogue service then. That leaves us with the whole day to rest, refresh and renew on Saturday. 

Have a good Shabbos, Gail-Friends

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 
This Sabbath, we're going to start a new tradition.  We're going to take walks in the late afternoon and then go out to dinner.  We'll choose a different walk and dinner destination every week.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a good Shabbos, Gail-Friends.

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Thursday, February 23, 2017

Thankful Thursday - Loving Life



This week, I'm thankful for my son-in-law love, William.  We had a birthday party for him, and I made his favorite lasagna.  Instead of a birthday cake, he wanted tiramisu.  Publix made that, and it was so good.


William is a wonderful husband and father.  When I prayed for my daughters to be given good husbands, I didn't even know what that meant.  Hashem knew, though, and he sent his very best.  William has a servant's heart and is always on the lookout for someone who may need a helping hand.  He's kind, gentle, talented, and hard working.  Our grandson has a perfect role model to learn how to be a good man.
World Read Aloud Day
 I'm so thankful for books and love my Kindle, too.  I've even converted my husband to reading e-books occasionally.  Our grandson loves reading, too.  About a week ago, we celebrated World Read Aloud Day by reading Treasure Island.  Even the dog joined in.  Well, she didn't read, but she did listen...

Here she is decked out in her sweater on one of the very few days we've had of winter.  I'm always thankful for life in paradise because I love warm weather.  I think she does, too, because she doesn't like to do out when it's cold. I don't either. Our temps have only been down to the mid-forties a couple of times over the past two months.  For that, I'm very thankful.

This week, I was sitting on my back porch listening to the birds singing, and my heart just overflowed with joy.  I thought I'd share it with you, Gail-Friends.  I'm so thankful for my back yard and for my Golden Pond and Garden.



This graphic pretty much describes me.  Add in some writing, drawing, painting, and photography, and it would be perfect.  I'm thankful to be retired and able to enjoy them.

source unknown


What are you thankful for this week, Gail-Friends?

Thankful Thursday is my day of the week to focus on and be thankful for all the good things in my life. 

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things 

Friday, February 17, 2017

Sabbath Music - Child of the King





 The "Happy Hour" approaches as I write this post.  Soon, the sun will set and the Sabbath will begin.  G-d loves us so much that He gave us a special day of the week for rest.  We can turn away from the world and its troubles, and focus on Him.

Tonight, we will praise and worship Him with song and dance.  We'll read His Holy Word and be encouraged by the life-giving message He's preserved for us over thousands of years.  We'll pray for each other and fellowship together.

Tomorrow, we'll have a full day to rest, reflect, and restore our strength and our soul.  It's a special time, and if you've not experienced it, you're missing a blessing, Gail-Friends.


I ran across this graphic and it is something I want to meditate on this Sabbath.  How blessed I am to be His child.





It reminded me of my grandmother's favorite song:  I'm a Child of the King. This version is sung by Skeeter Davis and she does both parts of the harmony. I hope you enjoy it.


Here's a piece I saw this week, and I pray it for each of you, Gail-Friends. 

May Light always surround you..
Hope kindles and rebounds you.
May your hurts turn to healing..
Your heart embrace feeling.
May wounds become wisdom..
Every kindness a prism.
May laughter infect you..
Your passion resurrect you.
May goodness inspire..
your deepest desires..
Through all that you reach for,
May your arms never tire...
-D. Simone






"There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither." – Alan Cohen


 Have a blessed and peace-filled Sabbath, Gail-Friends.

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I sometimes share my posts with these friends:

Spiritual Sundays      THE SUNDAY COMMUNITY – #GIVE ME GRACE @SEE SPEAK HEAR MAMA Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life     GRAND Social       The Beauty in His Grip Link-Up   


MOTIVATION MONDAYS – @EMBRACINGHISWILL      SHARING HIS BEAUTY – @THEBEAUTYINHISGRIP
Classical Homemaking Link-Up    Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday     Raising Homemakers Wednesday     A Wise Woman Builds       Wake Up Wednesday     A Little R & R Wednesday     Wednesday's Prayer Girls & Link-Up Party Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life     Thursday  Favorite Things