Favorite Verses

   It's harder than people think to pick your favorite verses... I have a ton that have spoken to me at different times over the years and I would have a hard time choosing just one. However, I did narrow it down to three that I wanted to share briefly here.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28

   How often are we burdened down by the things of this world? It is so easy to get discouraged when we see what is happening both around us and within our own lives; but when we put all of that aside and come to Jesus... what a blessed rest we can then find. 

"Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10

   It is so hard to be still, but what incredible things follow when we are still before the Lord. Peace follows and we can be sure that He is still God. 

"But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

   All-time favorite right here! My parents gave me this verse on my thirteenth birthday and it's been given to me again and again by people over the last 9 years. Coincidentally, Isaiah is one of my favorite books. I always loved the imagery of the Lord giving me the strength to fly like an eagle... how amazing would it be to soar above our troubles with the strength from Jesus? When we wait on Him, we can receive that strength and peace to keep going and push past the trials in our lives. 

   Share one of your favorite verses, I'd love to here some!

Blessings!

Abby

Friday's Blessing

Hiya!

This week at work has been a bit more crazy than last. The phones were a bit busier and there was more to do and learn. I’m enjoying myself though!

It’s Friday! Weekend plans! I’m hoping to hit the library tomorrow morning with my sister before going out with grandma and grandpa to lunch. Then home to straighten up the house because dad comes home from camp!!! Then, I’m going to change into my bathing suit, set up a towel outside and sit in the backyard, work on my tan and get some writing done!

That’s Saturday. I will let Sunday remain a secret... nope! Sunday, time for church!!!

Here’s a verse and song for you that have blessed me lately:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

“Verse 1: Sweet is the promise “I will not forget thee,”
Nothing can molest or turn my soul away;
E’en though the night be dark within the valley,
Just beyond is shining an eternal day.

Refrain:
I will not forget thee or leave thee,
In My hands I’ll hold thee,
In My arms I’ll fold thee,
I will not forget thee or leave thee;
I am thy Redeemer, I will care for thee.

Verse 2: Trusting the promise “I will not forget thee,”
Onward I will go with songs of joy and love,
Though earth despise me,
Though my friends forsake me,
I shall be remembered in my home above.

Verse 3: When at the golden portals I am standing,
All my tribulations, all my sorrows past;
How sweet to hear the blessèd proclamation,
“Enter, faithful servant, welcome home at last.””

Blessings in Jesus!
Abby

Christmas Time is Here...

It's the most wonderful time of the year!
There'll be much mistltoeing,
And hearts will be glowing,
When love ones are near!
It's the most wonderful time of the year!

~Andy Williams

Not only is it the most wonderful time like the songs says, it's also my favorite time of the WHOLE year! I love the sounds, the cold weather, the music, the lights, the trees, the business, the overall excitement! It's just a happy time. At least for me. I still get a little perturbed over the traffic and nastiness of people who don't enjoy the season, but I know that there is a good reason to celebrate!

I had a conversation with someone at my workplace last week. This person is not a Christian, dislikes anything to do with family, friendships, and holidays, especially Christmas. She was commenting on how when I "grow up"and "go through bad situations" I will understand why she hates Christmas and I won't love it as much as I do now. I said that I would never not love Christmas or this season. But I bit my tongue because I didn't want to "preach" at her. (She knows I am a Christian.) This little interlude made me realize even more how lost this world is. I love Christmas for the reasons I stated above, but I also love it because it tells us the beginning of the story of our Saviour. Jesus Christ came down from Heaven where He was sitting next to His Father to save us and this sinful world! What a pitiful sight we must have been! Yet, He came down here because He loved us!

I never want to lose the real reason behind Christmas. I never want to lose my joy and happiness throughout the craziness of this season. It's a time to be blessed and to bless other people!

Well, my Christmas Eve was quiet and rather uneventful. I am suffering with a slight cold, but it hasn't prevented me from the celebration! Last night we had our candlelight service at church. (Picture at left, sorry it's edited but it's the only one I have!) We had a video going on the screen of a yule log! The tree and Nativity scene on the piano was looking spectacular with all the other lights dimmed in the church! We had had dinner before service at Grandma's then returned there after the service for dessert and presents. But the biggest surprise was when my cousin and my aunt showed up at my grandparents' front door! They flew in all the way from Arizona to spend Christmas in Jersey! It was a great surprise and it was wonderful to spend some time with them!

Christmas Morning! Because of this cold, I was up at 4 am, but I didn't get anyone else up until 7:30am. We dressed and went downstairs, all sitting on the couches to listen as dad read the Christmas story from Matthew. Then, the presents. Books, calendars, slippers, sweatshirts, a wafflemaker, bobbleheads, giftcards and more were all in the mix! It was so fun to spend time with family! Then the extended family came at 10. (My dad's parents and sister.) We had brunch! So yummy!

 We had muffins, fancy coffee cake, a German breakfast dish (far right) that I can't pronounce, lol, and quiche: spinach & swiss, and three cheese!


We also had blueberry bread and a bowl of fruit! Delicious!

 



Here's Opa and Oma after eating talking to Mom (not pictured.)

                              Aunt Linda and Dad chatting in the kitchen.

Elizabeth working on her guitar. It's all tuned and ready for her to start teaching herself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want to wish you all a Happy Christmas, as they say in Great Britain, and a Blessed New Year!

~Abby

 

Elizabeth (right) and I
 

Christmas Time is Here

Previous postings to deleted blog :P

My blog somehow got a gadget added to it that I couldn't remove so my previous four or five posts are below. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Merry Christmas!




12/24/11 at 10:14 pm.

It's 10 o'clock on Christmas Eve. My sister is staying in my room for the night, and we're listening to Christmas songs :) I really can't stop listening to Christmas music!

We had our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service tonight at 6. We sang a lot of songs, read from Isaiah 40 and Luke 2. My favorite verse from tonight was this- "The glory of the LORD shall be revealed. And all flesh shall see it together..." What a wonderful promise! God's glory will be revealed to all! What a glorious hope that He gives to us! Thank you, Lord for all the wonderful promises You give us! Sometimes we forget that He is coming back to fulfill all of His promises. He has already given us so much- His Son, Jesus Christ, love, joy, peace, food, clothing, family, friends, and the Holy Spirit! 

Well, I shall say G'night! 
A Merry Christmas to all!

12/24/11 at 8:10 am.

It's Christmas Eve! I can't wait!

I've been up for a while tossing and turning for some reason, but now I'm up and getting ready for breakfast at my Oma's!! (That's German for grandma) I'm thinking red sweater with my black jeans. Anyway....

MY Christmas song for the day is...Andrea Bocelli- The Lord's Prayer

Beautiful song for the Day!

In Him,

Abby

12/23/11 sometimes in the evening.

So it's the day before the day before Christmas!

I love this time of year! The music, the lights, the joy, and so much more! People seem to be a little different around the holidays. Sure, most people are grouchy some are in a rush, and some are just plain unhappy. But people forget to easily what Christmas is really about. It's not just the presents, and the food, and the movies, the pictures, seeing friends and family. There was a little Baby who came to earth over 2,000 years ago. Most people even then didn't know He was here. Most thought it was another ordinary day. But what they didn't realize was that day would change the course of EVERYTHING on earth. Nothing would ever be the same again. And why? All because of a little baby, born in a stable, in Bethlehem. "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown!" So this Christmas season, let's remember who it was that came to this poor, lost world, all to save such wretches as us. The presents, lights, music, food, games and everything else is nice. But HE is the real reason for Christmas! 

In Him, 

Abby

12/22/11 sometime in the morning.

Today... 

I am coming to realize that I am not strong enough to handle everything on my own. God only can do that. He creates a plan for your life and then acts on it. That's when it's hard to follow Him. It's in these times that we learn to lean on Him more.

The song below is really how I have been able to go through this last day and a half. God's plans don't always make sens or seem right. But He knows BEST.

Strong Enough

I have a busy day, but hopefully I'll be able to post again :)

Love in Him,

Abby

12/21/11 late that night.

..............hmmmmm........ a new beginning........ 

I had another blog on here but my life has been changing a lot and I didn't post for months at a time. :/ ill be posting more on here though. Ill give a more detailed posting later but below is my song for the day :)

Our God

In  Him, Abby