Winters Here!

Bookmarks @ sewjamie.etsy.com

We finally got hit by winter yesterday.  It is now a winter wonderland outside, pretty to look at, but not fun to be out in!

My favorite thing to do on a cold winter day is to cuddle up with a good book and a good cup of coffee (very important!).  

I am currently reading three books, one on writing - "If You Want to Write" by Brenda Ueland.  I am absolutely loving this book so far.  It was originally written in 1938 and revised in 1987.  The author has a way of talking to the reader that makes me picture her as "granny" from The Beverly Hillbillies in my mind.  She says it like it is, but here perspective on writing is excellent.

Another is a novel I just started, "The Shack"  by William P. Young.  I have heard so much about this book in recent years and have finally gotten around to reading it.  So far, very good, but sad and tragic.  

Third, I am reading my Bible, but not for mass reading.  I am trying to focus more on smaller chunks of scripture and then meditating on it and writing about it.  Yesterday I read Job 40: 1-2 "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield?  Do you - God's critic - have the answers?"  That gives me a lot to think about.  I know I do not have all the answers, even though sometimes I think I do!

I am also working on building up my etsy store (www.sewjamie.etsy.com), come visit me there.

Joy for 2012

Meet Norman the Bookmark

 Happy New Year to everyone!  We had a wonderful Christmas and I am ready for a new beginning.  As I think about the new year, the word JOY comes to mind.  JOY means “a very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure, delight.”  I want to have a joyful, joy-filled year; not only as a follower of Christ, but in the work I do and especially with my family.   How do I do this?  Well,  I put together a few goals (I don’t like to call them “resolutions” because resolutions are hard to keep).  I know everyday won’t be easy, but I will earnestly work toward these goals.

Spiritually, I want to continue growing in love and joy towards God, others and myself.  The best way to do this is through reading the scriptures and through prayer, which I want to make a priority each day, not just something I do after I’ve gotten to everything else (the truth is, I never get to everything, even on the best days).  Also, I want to continue making and giving away my liluga’s.  I don’t think there will ever be a time when we don’t need to remind friends and family that they are loved and cared for.

 

“But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith.  And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.  Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as your wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.”  Jude 20-21 NLT

As for my career and business,  I want to focus more on my writing and to start submitting devotions and articles to different publications.  My goal is complete one piece of writing a day, however, I’ll be happy if I get three done a week!

 In addition to that, I am in the process of developing a line of journal and Bible covers.   As an avid journal writer, I am having fun creating and sewing these.  I suppose you could take notes in a plain spiral notebook, but it is much more joyful to journal in a pretty book.  Add a hot cup of coffee (in your favorite mug) and a comfy chair and it’s the perfect setting for a time of reading and journaling.  I have several items listed at my web-store at Etsy.com (you can visit me there at www.sewjamie.etsy.com – visit often, I’ll be adding more items weekly). 

“My heart is overflowing with a beautiful thought!  I will write a lovely poem to the King, for I am as full of words as the speediest writer pouring out his story”.  Psalm 45:1  The Living Bible

For my family, I want to be more joyful, loving and peaceful towards my husband and the children.   Sounds easy, but it’s a big challenge for me, something I will have pray for and work at daily.

"You haven't done this before.  Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy."  John 16:24 NLT

I pray each of you has a blessed and joyful 2012!