Kelly of Sufficient Grace is hosting a special giveaway and an opportunity to share memories of your loved ones who are in heaven. 

Christmas was a very special time for my Mom.  She loved to get all dressed up and have the family together.  Although my mom is now in heaven, I miss her so much.  It's been more than five years since she's been gone.
My mom loved to cook.  We loved to sit together and sift through cookbooks.  Some people read books.  Although my mom was an avid reader, she loved to spend hours reading cookbooks.  She would collect lots of recipes and actually try them. The family either gave the recipe a thumbs up or thumbs down.  I still have her recipe box of favorites that I treasure.
My mom also loved to have a pretty table setting.  I found notes that she had written for each dinner party she hosted.  It wasn't unusual for her to have fresh flowers and of course, a special tablecloth and napkins.

My mom loved my dad.  She was so loyal throughout the more than 50 years they were married.  She saw the best in him.

My mom wanted our family to carry on the Norwegian traditions of Christmas.  We always celebrated on Christmas Eve and now my sister continues that tradition. 

My friend Kathleen of Sassy Granny shared this video recently and I thought it was so appropriate to remember my mom in heaven.



Do you have a loved one who is in heaven?  Would you like to share some memories?  It's not too late to link up with Kelly at Sufficient Grace.

Blessings and love,

I'm so glad to be joining in with Then Sings My Soul Saturday today.  I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.    If you want to sing some wonderful Christmas carols, I'm sure you will find many on the link up today.

The song that's been in my  heart this past week is "Let There Be Peace on Earth".  We live in a world that is anything but peaceful.  There are wars, rebellion and lots of sin.  It's hard to insulate yourself and your family completely.  And even as Christians, we don't always respond peacefully or in a God honoring way to others or our circumstances.

I've learned so many lessons through one of the most challenging seasons of my life.  However, each day God shows me something else He wants me to learn. 

As I've begun working full time with little children, I can't help but look into their sweet faces and know that God loves each one of them.  They come in all shapes, colors and sizes and yet each one is unique.

As I step on the playground to greet them, I find that I cannot even take a step because I am swamped with little arms hugging my legs.  It warms my heart to be greeted with shouts of "Hi Miss Debbie" and "oh look, Miss Debbie is here". 

For a woman who longed for children, this is ...a gift from God. 

We may not have permanent peace on earth this side of heaven.  But each day I have to make a choice as to how to react and interact with others who may not share my faith.  As I have conversations with parents and teachers of various backgrounds, I can show respect, be kind and share the love of Christ even without words.  



Will you choose to let peace begin with you?

Blessings and love,

I will be hosting "In Other Words Tuesday" next week.

I chose the following quote for us to write about:

“Prayer invites us to rest in the fact that God is in control, and the world’s problems are ultimately God’s, not ours. If I spend enough time with God, I will inevitably begin to look at the world from the point of view that more resembles God’s own. What is faith, after all but believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.”


From: Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does it Make Any Difference?

I invite you to join in next Tuesday.  If you've never participated, this might be a great week to do so.  Simply write a blog post on this quote and then return on Tuesday morning to link up with us.  I love how each one of us has a unique way of writing on our quote.

I look forward to reading each one of your posts.

Blessings and love,

Anyone who reads Heart Choices knows that I love Bible Study Fellowship.  I've learned so much through my years of studying the Bible verse by verse.  Miss A. Weatherell Johnson's organized study notes and questions have helped me grow in my love for the Lord and His Word.

BSF is reaching out to young people.

I'm so pleased about this! So, if you live in the Phoenix area or have friends or relatives here, please send them a link to this post.  I hope to get the word out about this new class.  It is specifically for the 18 through 40 year old age range.

Wes and Vicki Turner will leading this young adult class beginning in January of 2011.  I recently had the opportunity to ask Vicki a few questions about the new BSF study.


Are there other Young Adult Classes in the US or is Phoenix the first one?

There are 11 Young Adult BSF classes in the US.  There are 9 Young Adult Classes in international countries.  BSF is opening "new" Young Adult Classes around the world.  The places are Madagascar, Ghana, Nairobi (Westlands), Nairobi (Eastlands), Zimbabwe, Toronto, Taipei and PHOENIX, AZ!  This is the first Young Adult Class ever to be AZ!

I understand the first pilot study is Philippians.  Will the verse by verse study of Scripture and then the question and answer format be the same as the BSF we know (and love)?