Jewels that Adorn our Lives ~

 For a number of years now I have been collecting jewels,
well, jewels to me.
These jewels are brooches ~ pins that are quite unique in their own way. 
As I've collected these jewels my mind has been busy thinking of
a way to use them for God's glory. 
I've thought about using them in a Ladies Retreat
or a seniors program, with the youth or maybe during a Tea Party. 
It's all in God's timing but in the meantime
I will continue to gather up my jewels and wait upon the Lord. 
I thought a good devotion would be on the Fruits of the Spirit
using these beautiful brooches in representing the jewels
that adorn our life found in Galatians 5:22
on the Fruits of the Spirit. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is ~
 love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self- control
Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's
have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, 
envying one another. "
~ Galatians 5:22-26 ~

As the bride of Christ ~ He will know us by the jewelry we wear.
He will know us by what He has bestowed upon us. 
The " fruit" of the Holy Spirit refers to the godly attributes of those
who " walk in the Spirit."
The fruit of the Spirit should characterize the life of every believer. 
These godly virtues are evidence of salvation
and the genuine work of the Holy Spirit. 
Each of the fruit of the Spirit responds to the nature of Christ. 
He looks into our life, sees what He recognizes as coming
from Him and accepts it. 
I'm thinking the biggest jewel of all is that of worship.
The glorious jewel of worship in all its beauty as we
practice the presence of God, pursuing Him with all of our time and energy
with amazement of His love and grace. 
To have hearts aflame for God!
When God sees our worship, purified by the Spirit and the Blood, 
He responds and recognizes it as His. 

~ The Fruits of the Spirit ~

Love ~ the love of choice, respect, devotion and affection
that leads to willing, self-sacrificial service. 
Joy ~ it's a gift from God. Its the sense of wellbeing experienced by one 
who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. 
Joy can even occur in and through painful circumstances. 
Joy isn't just a happiness of heart. 
Peace ~ the inner calm that results from confidence in one's saving relationship
with Christ. A sense of having it all together, even in difficult circumstances. 
Longsuffering/Patience ~ the ability to endure injuries inflicted by others and the
willingness to accept painful situations.
Kindness ~ tender concern for others, willing to treat others gently.
Goodness ~ moral and spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness.
Believers are commanded to show forth goodness.
Faithfulness ~ loyalty and trustworthiness.
Gentleness ~ a humble and gentle attitude. Submission to the will of God,
teachable and considerate of others. 
Self-Control ~ restraining passions and appetites.
When a Christian walks in the Spirit and manifests his fruit, 
he doesn't need the law to produce the attitudes and behavior that please God. 
Our Lord Jesus Christ knows who we are by our jewelry
which He has given us
He is our Lord and He desires our beauty.
As women, are we adorned with the jewels God has given us
to show the world Who we belong to?

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold,
or of putting on of apparel.
But let it be of the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, 
which is in the sight of God of great price."
~ 1 Peter 3:3&4 ~

Always choose Joy!
Debbie
♡

Go West Young Man ~

Like the Pioneers, I decided to head west 

for a little warmer weather where I knew there would be 

less snow, new baby calves streams that have melted and rivers with little ice.

I can go 30 miles west from our snowed in home

and find the weather to be extremely warmer, it's crazy! 

Right now, our home at 8,000 feet is nearly buried in snow,

while it is beautiful in deed, outside enjoyment is limited.

I've been taking Donatella to the walking/bike paths in our area

where we are able to walk at a faster pace and get some proper exercise.
While we have been walking on the road near home
it's just not the same with the snow and ice,
I need to be careful of falling with my new knee.

She and I both need to shed some winter pounds!

Donatella has to visit the veterinarian every 6 weeks

for an on going issue she has and she is up in weight a few ounces

with every visit, not good!

Of course the veterinarian reassures me that it's okay 

during the winter months.

Well...when I see my Doctor this week for my yearly check-up

I will be sure and tell him that my extra weight is okay,

after all, it's the winter.😉

The two of us have enjoyed our extra long walks

on dry ground right beside the river.

We are blessed with wonderful walking paths throughout this valley.

Just the other day, I decided to take a drive after our walk,

the sun was shining and we had clear Colorado blue skies,

so off we headed towards the west, off the beaten path

enjoying every bit of God's created beauty.

The river sounded glorious as it rolled over the rocks.

The bridge is an old railroad bridge that is no longer in use.

The deer were out being lazy and enjoying new growth under the trees.

They really blend with nature around them, don't they?

You could see some cow elk grazing on the hay

 that a rancher had put out for his horses.

Everyone gets along.

To my surprise, there was a ranch with a number of bison.

I had no idea this particular area where I took a drive had bison.

Donatella was quite intrigued with them as well.

Look at the size of this nest! 

Of course nothing was making it their home as of yet,

but soon enough.

As I continued along with my pleasant drive 

the dry road became narrower and muddy.

Mmmm... should I continue on?

Having never been on this road I wasn't quite sure what might be ahead.

What to do?

Then strangely enough I came across this snowman

standing on the side of the road. 

Why would someone build a snowman there?

He was out in the middle of nowhere as if he was trying to tell me something.

Was he telling me to turn back?

Was he telling me up ahead was safe for travel?

I chose to drive on and see just what the end of this road had to offer.

Well, not much further I came to a small parking area which indicated I was at the end of the road, I was able to turn around and safely head for home.

Did you notice this snowman had an extra roll?
I think he should join Donatella and I on our daily walks.

⊙ ~ ⊙ ~ ⊙ ~ ⊙ ~ ⊙

Awe...there's nothing like a warm sunny day and a drive in the country.

With my instrumental music playing softly in the background 

and the windows open allowing the fresh air

to wrap itself around us, my mind found itself in thinking mode

as I turned my thoughts towards God.

All that I had seen belongs God, He owns it all.

"For every beast of the forest is mine 

and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 

I know all the fowls of the mountains:

and the wild beasts of the field are mine."

~ Psalm 50:10&11 ~

Always Choose Joy!

Debbie

Birthday Give-Away Winner ~

 Hello my sweet friends!

♡

Have I told you yet...

How thankful I am for you...

Have I told you yet...

About all the happiness and joy your visits here bring!

Have I told you yet...

What blogging has meant...

Just in case I haven't...

I want you all to know...

My heart is grateful for YOU!

Have I told you yet...

God's the reason we have met.  ♡

♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

When I was in High School one of my English classes was taught

on writing poetry and I fell in love with it!

Unfortunately, I allowed critics to end something I so enjoyed.

I threw out a number of notebooks that I had written my poetry in.

Sometimes we do crazy things that we may one day regret, don't we?

My brother, who was my encourager 

cheered me on, in fact, he went to bat for me

and saw that some of my poetry was published in the school paper. 

My brother is now with the Lord in Glory, 

and I've often thought how I need to pick it back up just for him. 

We shall see...

♡  ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

I'm now officially 60 years old!!

You know, I really am doing the HAPPY DANCE!

Growing older has never been an issue with me

and maybe it's because I belong to Christ 

and I know that one day I will be in Glory with my Savior?

Maybe it's because God wants us to grow old gracefully, 

not complain as each year goes by?

Maybe it's because I find the elderly beautiful in many ways

and I want to be lovely just like those who have touched my life

in some way or another?

Maybe it's because God's Word speaks to us on growing old?

As a Christian, I desire to grow Spiritually and press on

to the ultimate Christian experience.

But I'm not there yet ~ 

I long for my life to be totally committed to following after Christ Jesus. 

To be more like Him ~ To think like Him ~

To act like Him ~ To love like Him ~ To look like Him ~

Even as I grow older (I pray God grants me many more years) I do not want to miss

the glorious JOY of following after Christ. 

When God is ready, He will call me home, until then, 

my prayer is that I will strive to live out every day of my life

bringing glory to God, my Savior!

Walking with God is not always easy peasy, and I fail miserably

many times over, but the race that I'm in isn't finished yet
and by Gods grace I will run so as to finish well.
Don't we all desire to hear those words ~
"Well done thou good and faithful servant."

♡

"Wherefore seeing we also are composed about with so great a cloud

of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin 

which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race

that is set before us. 

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, 

despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand

of the throne of God. "

~ Hebrews 12:1&2 ~

♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

My birthday was amazing, something I least expected
and I'm still in awe walking in the clouds.
My husband gave me a three night stay at the Hotel Colorado
in Glenwood Springs, the historic 145 year old Hotel
that was enchanted!
My husband wanted me to enjoy some "Debbie Time"
surrounded by girlie stuff ~ a Spa day ~ facial ~ pedicure ~ 
and time spent in the Hot Springs Pool.
Chocolate covered strawberries awaited me in my beautiful suite
on the Penthouse floor, what a room!
I received 60 red roses from my husband!
60 gifts from my dear Stephanie and her family!
These gifts ranged from practical to fun and some were heart felt memorable treasures.
Each gift was individually wrapped with purple ribbon 
representing my birthstone, amethyst and each with a quote indicating 
what the gift was.
Oh the FUN of it all!
I enjoyed trying to guess what the gift was by the quote,
the "clue" was in italics.
I am still humbled and overwhelmed at the love that went into these delightful gifts.
For instance ~
The first gift I was told to open was ~
"You're 60! Let's get the party started"
The gift was a tube of confetti 
"Age is like a doily, its delicate and beautiful"
The gift was a gorgeous doily
"The pieces of your life have been put together in a 
precious and beautiful way"
The gift was a beautiful garden scenery puzzle
in pink tones no less!
"Look in the mirror and see how beautiful you are, inside and out"
The gift was a gorgeous mirror for my purse
"You outshine every pearl"
The gift was a darling jar that Stephanie designed with her embellishing creativity
filled with pearl buttons ~ she knows I collect buttons
"You are an extra special person"
The gift was a pack of Extra chewing gum
You're 60, shoot out the lights"
The gift was bullet casing magnets from Stephanie's husband
"At 60, you should have wisdom to impart...
Penny for your thoughts?"
The gift was a key chain with a number 60 charm and a penny with the year of my birth
"You are one hot 60 - year old"
The gift was a box of hot tamales ~ (candies)
"At 60 - you are as fresh as a daisy"
The gift was a purple flowering daisy plant
"You are radiant at 60"
The gift was a bottle of "Rose Glow" by Revlon. 
Oh ladies...I will be buying this awesome stuff by the case loads!
This delicate cream with tiny pearls gives your face a slight glow
and feels like satin on your skin.
I could go on and on with this fabulous, not to mention fun gift idea, but 
a couple of these 60 gifts were memorable in a very special way.
"You wear 60 beautifully. Here is to 6 decades of loveliness "
The gift was a beautiful silver necklace with 6 rings representing each year of my life
with my birthstone (Amethyst) in the middle.
After 60-years of life you have one awesome story to tell.
Share it with those you love.
The gift was a beautiful lifetime journal ~ 
A keepsake of personal memories that I will record 
and my name is engraved on the cover making it very personal.
Are you as overwhelmed as I was?!
♡
The day after my birthday was spent at the spa and
while I was enjoying my "chocolate cherry" body wrap 
I began to ponder over the lovely night before
 when my dear husband stood at my hotel room door arriving to take me out for dinner
 holding a HUGE vase with 60 red roses;
Then my dear Stephanie and my grandson 
 stood there with my husband, each holding a box filled with pretty little gifts,
and as I pondered these lovely thoughts in my heart
 tears of JOY began rolling down my cheeks 
but I could do nothing about it as I was wrapped like a mummy.
I felt like I was crying tears of chocolate.
It was a gentle cry, just slow flowing tears of joy... 
 My heart was and is full of gratitude for the love of family, friends and strangers
who helped in making my 60th birthday very special!
Thank you ALL for those lovely Birthday wishes, for your visits and
for your gifts, cards and love.
My cup runneth over and over again.

You made my special day all the more wonderful.  
Thank You!

♡
I so enjoyed each one of your memorable birthday comments,
so many different stories and all colored by God's grace and goodness.

Now for the winner of this beautiful devotional book & journal set ~
My husband was so kind to draw the winner ~

Connie who crafts over at Connie's Crafty Creations is the blessed winner.
Congratulations Connie!

Take Joy!

Debbie

Happy Birthday with a Give-away Blessing

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I'm loving it! 
This year, today, I am celebrating my 60th birthday

and I have to say that I have enjoyed reaching those mile stones over the years
and this one is no different.
 I truly believe we can choose to grow old gracefully.
We can look forward to our Birthday's and not dread them,
knowing and trusting God as He guides us through each day of our lives.

For me...I looked forward to all those BIG birthdays over these past 60 years,
except for my 13th birthday, I wasn't looking forward to those teen years.
~ I was 16 in this photo ~

 
But... 
there was no stopping it and onward life went.
Time doesn't wait for anyone.

My 20th was exciting because I was just beginning my life with my dear husband,
and it was in my twenties when I gave my life to Christ.
Life was fresh and new as I began my journey as a Christian woman.
Soon after my salvation, God placed a dear woman
who was totally bedridden with MS ~ Muscular Dystrophy in my life.
This dear woman would become my first spiritual mentor
and as I reflect back I can see clearly that God knew I needed her
in those beginning years of my walk with the Lord.
I may one day share that amazing story of how God perfectly brought us together.

My 30th was my favorite birthday, not sure why, but I couldn't wait to turn 30! 
Maybe it was because in my head I thought being thirty you were all grown up. Ha!
My thirties were lived mostly in Canada were I began
working with Home Health Care.
My heart was drawn to the palliative care and would soon lead me to
working mostly with Hospice patients.
Most certainly, my passion.

My 40th was exiting!
My mother out did herself with her decorations for my birthday party
of purple balloons, tons of balloons by the way in different shades of purple.
 The dinning room was filled with flowers balloons and confetti ~ OH it was gorgeous!
It was a perfect beginning to start off my forties.
Both of our daughters were married during my forties
and before reaching the age of 50 I was blessed with two precious grandsons.
I now have four awesome grandsons to love on.
I had always wanted a baby at the age of 40 ~ I came close, but God had other plans.

My 50th...
I enjoyed turning the "Big 50" but it arrived with some heartache,

though I must say the years during my fifties were glorious 

with much spiritual growth, for which I am very thankful.
Heartache covered by God's love and grace makes all things beautiful.
In my late fifties God gave me my precious Donatella,
and she has warmed her way right into my heart.
This dear girl has the happiest tail, and that, makes me happy!
I wasn't looking for a dog ~ but God certainly knows what is best for us.

And now I've reached 60!

Seems hard to believe actually ~ when I was a young child,
I always thought 60 was soooooo OLD,

but I don't feel old at all, I may look old, but I feel great!
I did notice a new little wrinkle near my lip just the other day!
I'm calling it my birthday wrinkle. 🎁
Oh I just have to tell something crazy about getting older!
So my dear daughter Stephanie had a Valentine Tea for me.
 We had talked and set the time and date over the phone,
which by the way, we chose the date specifically because it was free for the both of us.
Well...on the day of the Tea I was busy (in my cleaning clothes no less)
when I received a phone call from Stephanie a half an hour after I was to be 
at her home, she was wondering if I was coming.
"Coming I said"???
Oh dear friends, I gasped!!
How in the world did I let that happen?!
It was highlighted in my calendar ~ I had in my head what I was going to wear ~
I planned for a friend to watch Donatella ~ I made appointments around the date ~
but I had one thing wrong, in my head I planned everything for the wrong date.
I clean up well, and I did it in one BIG RUSH!!
I was thanking the Lord on my drive to Stephanie's
because I could have easily missed her absolutely gorgeous,
not to mention hard work, Valentine Tea
and I would have never forgiven myself.
So...I do not feel like I'm getting older,
but here's proof that I just may be getting older after all.

☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

What does the Lord have for me this year and in the years to follow

as I live out my 60's should that be God's will?

I enjoy looking with anticipation as to what God is going to do in and through my life

with each and every year that He grants me precious life.

I belong to Him, and as a child of the King my desire is to be used of Him,

and to bring glory and honor to his Holy and Righteous Name.
My ultimate goal in this life is to one day see Christ face to face,
but here on this earth I'm on a journey, a race in which I must strive for the finish line.
I know that if I run in my own strength I will fail miserably, however, 
there is strength in Jesus Christ that will make my journey successful,
and for that, I will praise the Lord all the days of my life!

☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆ ♡ ☆

For Christmas this year I received a beautiful devotional book and journal

from my dear Stephanie. 

I have never heard of this author before, she even lives in Colorado, 

but I have so enjoyed her beautiful writings and her 

simple approach to the seasons of our lives with Scripture. 

The author ~ Ruth Chou Simons is also an artist

and both art and text in the book are from her, its gorgeous!

 Gracelaced ~ 

Discovering Timeless Truths 

Through Seasons Of The Heart

is a beautiful book and journal set that I would love to gift someone 

with my Birthday Give-Away Blessing.

I do not usually have give-aways, in fact I've only had 2 since I've been blogging,
but this is a special occasion for me 
and what a good time to share JOY with someone else.

Not much is required of you to enter ~

I would love for you to share in a comment one of your special birthdays
then, if you wish to enter I will place your name in a crystal dish 
(of course it has to be a pretty crystal dish for us ladies)

and my dear husband will draw the name from the dish on the night of the 12th.
I will announce the winner on Wednesday the 13th of March.

I shall be singing with JOY in my heart throughout this day
as I praise God's Name for His abundant mercies
He has bestowed upon me over the years.

It's a glorious day!

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, 
to the which also ye are called in one body;
and be thankful. 
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed 
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God and the Father by him. "
~ Colossians 3:15-17 ~

Take Joy!
Debbie
♡

Meet my Valentine ♡

Happy Valentine's Day!

42 years ago just three weeks shy of Valentine's Day,

I met my Sweet Heart. 😎

While we had just met and were not "officially" dating, 

my husband asked if I would be his "Valentine" on Valentine's Day. 

What a disappointing reply when I had to decline as a good friend

whom I worked with at the time had asked first

and I thought it would be rude to be a "Valentine" to more than one,

even though he was just a friend whom I worked with.  

Till this day my husband has never forgotten that

and every Valentine's Day he is sure to ask the question, early by the way ~

"Will you be my Valentine?"

Of course my answer has always been yes since my mess up that very first

Valentine's Day shortly after we met. 

My husband is a tender hearted guy and those little meaningful things

matter to him, for which I am very thankful. ❤

I met my husband on the ski slopes where

I was working as a chair lift operator while my husband was enjoying being a tourist.
My husband and a friend saved their money and came to Colorado
just to ski for three months.
All the way from Canada he meets a girl born and raised in Colorado,
only God!
This photo is of Game Creek Bowl where I worked, gorgeous isn't it?!
My husband took this picture after a snow storm just weeks ago.
he said it was an "Epic Day" snow up to his knees.
Unlike the year when we met ~

 That particular year, 1977 was a bad year for snow

and so my husband spent most of his time on the slopes

where the chair I worked on was located, it was there he would strut his stuff

hamming it up for this operator on his ballet skis.
Ballet skiing was something all new to me,
so of course he caught my eye, though I never let on.
My husband has a style in his skiing like none other, I could pick him out

on a slope covered with hundreds of skiers,
whether he was on his ballet skis or down hill skis.

The first time I saw him coming towards my chair lift

I was smitten!

And the rest is history...

Meet my Valentine ❤

This video is of my Sweet Heart doing down hill skiing.
I do not have any videos of him on ballet skis, sure wished I did.
John Denver's song "Sunshine on my Shoulders"
goes perfectly with this video that was done here in Colorado.
Enjoy some Colorado beauty ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBQJAoCS7fo&t=23s

I thought it would be fun to share with you a couple of photos
that were taken for a Valentine's Banquet my husband and I went to
since it's Valentine's Day and all. 
Gone with the Wind ~
The theme was well known couples, we were Rhett Butler and Scarlett ~
I think my husband looks quite handsome with pitch black hair. 😉

Another year the theme was the 50's ~
The two of us had a great time playing it up as boyfriend and girlfriend ~
we were "going steady" and in love.😍

So happy you stopped in for a visit to say hello!
I've been in Arizona enjoying some time with my dear mother. 
Enjoy your day in all its glorious beauty
and spread some love today. 

Take Joy!
Debbie
❤