Chapter 1, Page 31, Book 10

My final thoughts on beating the Winter Blahs…

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

The word which God has written on the brow of every person, wrote Victor Hugo, is Hope. As long as we have hope no situation is hopeless

Hope is so important because it's the proverbial light at the end of any dark tunnel . Hope is the promise inside of you, deep in your heart, perhaps hidden under your fears and doubts, but it's there, waiting to be expressed. Keeping your hopes alive is what gives your faith the power to keep going.

Hope is an inside job. You trust that the sun will shine tomorrow. Trust is a form of releasing faith so that it can do what it needs to do without your interruption

Keep hope and faith alive your heart and know that things will get better. This too shall pass. Tell yourself this over and over as much as you need to until you finally get it. Nothing stays the same forever.

A smile is nature's best antidote for discouragement.
It brings rest to the weary,
Sunshine to those who are frowning,
And hope to those who are hopeless and defeated.
A smile is so valuable that it can't be bought,
Begged, borrowed, or taken away against your will.
You have to be willing to give a smile away
Before it can do anyone else any good.
So if someone is too tired or grumpy to flash you a smile,
Let him have one of yours anyway.
Nobody needs a smile as much
As the person who has none to give.

Dale Carnegie

I do have hope that tomorrow will be better than yesterday, this winter too shall pass and with the HOPE that Spring is just around the corner we’ll have the faith to carry us through the remaining days of winter.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers today…Hang in there!

the PROMISE of Spring helps me hold on for just a few more weeks or maybe only days. Anticipation rises; the promise awaits

THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 1, Page 30, Book 10

More on banishing the winter blues…

Being indoors a great deal more during the winter, it is important to make our surroundings as cheerful as possible. Some simple additions and changes in decor may be just what your home needs to help you survive the winter blues.

Add Brightly Colored Throw Pillows and Scented Candles

Think the colors of Spring and Summer when you are looking for ways to brighten up the interior of your home during winter and you will create an illusion of a warmer and brighter season, Don’t overlook the power of simply draping warm-colored throw blankets over a chair or loveseat. Not only will this add to the coziness of your room, but it also makes the space feel more inviting to friends and family

What we eat also plays an important part in banishing winter blues. One easy way to add extra nutrition and a little bit of summer into meals is to grow your own herbs. Many herbs produce pretty flowers and growing them indoors will add a nice fragrance to your home

Just because there is not as much natural light during the winter months doesn`t mean that you have to go without. Replace regular light bulbs with bulbs that produce simulated natural light. They help to reduce eye fatigue and promote a better sense of well being

I am really going to put some effort in to THINKING SPRING today. I think I’ll banish some of my Saturday House Blessing and go to my storage boxes and find those Spring decorations that I usually don’t bring out til the middle of March.

It should be a Super Saturday here at my house,

I hope yours is a Super one too!

‘On Ya’-m

Chapter 1, Page 29, Book 10

As I sit here listening to my furnace run and wondering just what my gas bill will be for this month I am thinking I have a big case of the Winter Blahs.

I’ve been fighting lack of sunlight since November and now the lack of any warmth what so ever is making it seem worse than ever.

I dream a lot about the BEACH and warm summer days hoping that it might help to alleviate some of my BLAHs . I’d love to afford a trip to the BEACH for real right now, but somehow that is just not in the budget.

So I said to myself before you go stir crazy for spring, think about a few blah-busting tips. What frugal activities can I do. Here is the list I came up with

Plan a special meal once a week. It will give me something to look forward to. It's the perfect time to expand your food repertoire, too. Try new nutritious recipes, and be sure to get plenty of rest to help you feel good.

Finish any unfinished craft projects—I’ve got some cute little signs I started for last Easter, maybe it would be could to finish those up so I can put them in Easter baskets for my family this year.

Be sure to let the sun shine in. Open up curtains and blinds. Add a colorful fruit bowl, scented candles or a decorative accent, such as placemats, to add enough color to cheer you. This is one I’ve done already…I’ve got Valentines stuff all over my house.

Get a jumpstart on gardening by watching gardening show and ordering seeds

Set up a birdfeeder and birdwatch. Grab your camera and take some scenic pictures

It’s not that I haven’t already done a few of these, but it’s that I need to do more of them. Shaking off the blahs right now is challenge.

It is in the low teens here at my house this morning, I’m layered up to keep warm and I’m going to go off to work soon.

I hope it is a FABULOUS FRIDAY for you all!

I’m trying…that’s all I can do.

‘On Ya’-ma

Chapter 1, Page 28, Book 10

Yesterday I was asked which online devotional do I read…well if the truth be known I usually read 6 to 8 a day. Each one is so different and each has a message. I got in the habit of doing this years ago when I really needed some extra spiritual inspiration and as it is one of my better habits, I try to keep it up.

One of my favorite devotionals is http://www.d365.org they do a great job and during Lent and Advent have special devotions too. Another that I really like is http://www.todayismygifttoyou.ie/ This one is written by an Irish priest that always has some great photography to share each day. A few others are

http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/, http://www.maxlucado.com/, and http://www.rbc.org.

These are just a few. There are many more out there and I enjoy them all. I hope some of them appeal to you.

Why do I read devotionals and not just read the Bible? Many times we read God's Word and do not pay attention to what it says. Although different people often have different interpretations it does make me think more about what I am reading.

Today is THANKFUL THURSDAY!

And I’m thankful for the online devotions we have.

‘On Ya’-ma