How automatic it can be to try to fix our brokenness ourselves and then wonder why it's not working.

• Self-help books that promise great results if you look within 
• New year's resolutions that are all too often broken in the first month
• Motivational tapes and affirmations that say 'yes I can'

 Brokenness might just be the best thing for you!  

Does that surprise you?  But sometimes it takes us being in that place of brokenness to finally look to God; the ONLY ONE who can truly fix us.  

No matter what is going on in your life ...God knows.
No matter how huge the problem seems to you ...God has a solution.
No matter how far down you feel you've gone ... God offers hope.

So, what part do you play?

Today, make the right choice to trust God.

Psalm 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Circle of Friends is one of my favorite Point of Grace songs.  Where would I be without my circle of friends?

we laugh together, cry together, pray for each other and love one another.  Each one brings something unique to the friendship.  How thankful I am that God created each one of us differently.

I also love that this circle of friends can be continually enlarged.  

I've many wonderful friends I've known since childhood.  But I also have many new friends I've also grown to  love through the blogging community.



I'm linking up with Amy for Then Sings My Soul Saturday.




Blessings and love,

I love adventures!  Having written that word, I realize that I really enjoy watching others take adventures.  I'm on the sidelines cheering them on.

Photo Credit: CBS The Amazing Race

 One of my favorite TV shows is The Amazing Race.  Contestants have the opportunity to compete against other teams as they race around the world.  At each stop along the way, they participate in local customs as they tackle challenges that often cause them to step outside of their comfort zone.  They must be quick to follow directions to the letter. Each morning they are handed an envelope.  They quickly tear it open to discover their next destination.

My one word for 2011 was TRUST.

I have experienced God's faithfulness in 2011.  When I was fearful and uncertain about what was going to happen, He provided me with His strength, His comfort and His love in so many ways.  The Lord also used many people as instruments of His faithfulness to me.  How thankful I am and have been able to see so many everyday blessings.

My one word for 2012 is ...ADVENTURE!

So as I embark on my adventure called life I will remember this:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

 I'm linking up with Bonnie of Faith Barista for this Faith Barista Jam.



Blessings and love,

It's a new year; a new opportunity to look for those unexpected and everyday blessings in life.

I reviewed many of the photos I'd taken and found this one.  I was on a walk when I took this shot of a butterfly perched on a colorful flower.  I had a new found excitement looking at this photo.  I remember how the children in our Pre-K 3 class learn about caterpillars and about their transformation into butterflies.  Somehow the photo had more meaning for me at this time in my life.

Although I am across the country from my family, how thankful I am for Facebook.  I communicated with  many family and friends online during the past two weeks.  And on Twitter, I had fun tweeting new year's greetings to many.
Here's my dad on Christmas Day in Florida after receiving my gift to him.  I may not have been there in person but I was so grateful to see the smile on his face and of course, hear his voice on the phone.  That's a  photo I took of the Lone Cypress along 17 Mile Drive in Carmel, California.  I won a giveaway and UPrinting took my photo and put it on a canvas.  Dad loved it!

I've missed the children in our Pre-K class and my co-workers.  But it's been a nice two week rest.  We all seemed to keep in touch online and that was fun.  But I'll be happy to see the sweet smiles of the children as they return to school.
I recently joined a group of Brooklyn Norwegians on Facebook.  My parents were born and raised in Brooklyn, New York but moved to Long Island after they married.  I've had fun getting to know people with similar backgrounds and Norwegian customs.  Many of the familiar phrases like "takk for matten" and "vaer sa god" were revisited.  And yes, we continue to say those phrases in my family for "thank you for the food" and "come and get it".  LOL.

#293 Viewing old photos with a new perspective
#294 The beauty of nature
#295 Keeping up with relatives in all parts of the county and even the world through the internet
#296 Making new friends with a similar background and rediscovering old friends
#297 A clean car with new tires and brakes
#298 A new year and a new focus to live intentionally
#299 Choosing a new word for 2012 ~ Adventure
#300 Going to church on New Year's Day with my friend Helen
#301 A unique church service where we got to pray with one another and minister to each other
#302 The excitement of seeing what God has in store for me in 2012

I'm linking up with Ann Voscamp of A Holy Experience as I continue to count those everyday blessings.  Won't you begin to write them down too?




Blessings and love,

1. Passion
2. Purpose
3. Plan
4. Perspective
5. Priorities   

As I got into the specifics of this exercise, it helped me focus more easily on where the Lord was leading me.  Although my answers are very personal, I will share a few things with you.

Passion

There are two verses that God has placed on my heart:

Matthew 5:18  "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."

Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

Purpose

I desire to walk confidently with my God, trusting Him in ALL circumstances.  I want to point others to Him as the source of my confidence.

I am working through my plan, perspective and priorities as I pray for the Lord's guidance.  I find that writing it all down is so helpful.  I can also refer back to this worksheet throughout the year.

I love this graphic that I found on Facebook.

2011 is over.  I will not dwell on it except to learn from it.

2012 is now upon us.  I will move forward trusting that the Lord will lead and guide me.

Happy New Year!

Blessings and love,