Aussie Jingle Bells - Colin Buchanan

fell in love with this pic and i knew it wasn't Padre Island i've longed for...

 

then i saw this one and i loved it, too...

 

okay, now i know it was Australia that was calling me :)

It's snowing outside but I've been thinking of Australia alot this year and thought I'd share my vision of Christmas down under... ya never know what the future brings :)

click on picture to hear this cute Australian classic...
 

Now off to enjoy some movie watching time with the hubby and wait for the snow to pile up outside

and...

 

 to remember "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season"... Amen!

blessings and graces

God works in mysterious ways...

Remembering a blog post of mine from way back.  This is a picture of the Guadalupe River in Texas... many fond memories of tubing and how, in parts, it was slow and boring and at other times fast, furious and so much fun!  Life is just like that... God works in mysterious ways!

If you ever have the time for me to go "on and on and on" about the unique and crazy things God has done in our lives... I am more than happy to open up and sure hope that you, too, will share your miracles and inspire :)

Blessed in many ways... it's still amazes me how God can bring people into your life at just the perfect moment!   The anticipation of meeting someone for the first time, whether by phone or in person, can be an adrenaline high!  Getting to know someone and digging deeper to see what makes them "click"?  The best part is knowing that, somehow, you are kindred spirits... a divine purpose will be fullfilled and we may never really know the "big picture".  If you have faith and realize there are no coincidences... what a wonderful ride!

Had a terrific conversation with someone brand new!  Afterwards... felt energized and hopped on that lonely treadmill staring at me.  Hope this is the start of a new direction... ready to ride the rapids, hold on to my inner tube and "enjoy the time" (there is a wonderful mom out there who shared these wise words to my new friend ... I now share them with you!)

God bless all of you!
Belinda :)

Jesus is the reason for the season...

Take time to be ready and let Jesus into your heart!

Merry Christmas!

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."-- Matthew 5:8

The Blessing of Our Animals

The day started out cloudy, but by 1:30 pm the sun was in full glory for the annual "Blessing of Animals" service through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day. We have lived across the street from St. Francis of Paola church for over 9 years. This is a day that ranks up there in importance (if you know us, you understand).

We love our furred and feathered family and to have a priest hold a service just for them is very special!

I forgot to grab the camera as we rushed across the street, with Heathcliff & Mickey (our chinchillas), Monte & Max (our dogs) and the newest member of our family... Sabu (our bird). They all behaved so beautifully. We are so proud of our menagerie. It was nice to honor all of the animals. A large gathering of God's "angels" and their human companions!

We've complained about our apartment and eagerly await the new home God has prepared for us when our lease has ended... but I will surely miss this special service by St. Francis of Paola! We are blessed! Thanks Jesus!

bring on the rain...

Today we awaited Tropical Storm Hanna on the East coast. We are from South Texas and we've been thru a few hurricanes... but in New York??? At about 3pm, the rain came down hard... it's still dark outside. This song by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw just came to mind! Treat yourself for a few minutes and listen to the words... very inspiring!

"Bring on the Rain" has two meanings to me right now... literally, we love the sound of rain on a tin roof... so relaxing! Experiencing some rough times recently, we can testify first hand that "it is darkest before the dawn." With our faith in God and our savior, Jesus Christ, we know the dawn will come (we just have to remember this when it's so dark that you can't think straight.) So bring on the rain! :)

powerful prayer

Do you ever feel like the "negative forces" are taking over your life? Well, you don't have to take it anymore. Many years ago... God gave me this prayer to fight the evil forces of the devil... and it works! I am still not sure why I stop saying it from time to time, especially when I can testify to it's power over Satan?

It's 1:37am and I was just getting ready to go do my workout when I felt the urging to write on this blog... and God wants me to post this prayer! And what God wants... we really are trying to do... so here goes. This will be a task since it's only by memory that I say it. Know that the enemy will try to block my memory as I write, but I will forge on until it's complete so that you, too, can say this prayer to protect yourself and set yourself free! God bless all of you!

I testify to Satan personally as to what the word says the
blood does for me.

Through the blood of Jesus, I am redeemed out of the
hand of the devil.

Through the blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven.

The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, continually cleanses me from all sin.

Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just as if I'd never sinned.

Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God.

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, redeemed, cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Satan has no place in me, no power over me, through the blood of Jesus Christ! Amen!

her comments made our day...

Sent two pairs of earrings to California today! New customer who just happened upon our Etsy shop! It feels so good when the customer writes us a note describing her excitement! The validation received, knowing we made someone happy, is truly fulfilling!

And we don't stop there... the whole package is prepared with care so that when she opens it... she's excited all over again! Our presentation will continue to be a work in progress because we will always find another "thank you" card, ribbon, gift box or business card we can't live without! Just like the two of us... our business is evolving! Love it! Thank you... Jesus!