A Special Award to All My Bloggy Friends

"The Snowflake Award"

Good Morning and Blessings from me to you~

When I started my blog in October, I had no idea how many wonderful bloggy friends would come by to visit.

You have been so kind, and encouraged me in so many ways that I wanted to express my appreciation to each one of you.

I wanted something unique to share with you and so I created this award for this very special occasion~ my 99th post!

The "You're one-of-a-kind" Snowflake Award came about like this:

One time I was in a church group where we played a game and we were to give each other a gift that would speak of our feelings toward one another. My gift was from a long time friend.... It was a snowflake!

My friend went on to tell me why I was being given the snowflake, and I was so touched by the sentiment~

A snowflake is exquisite, and there is only one like it. It is one of God's most beautiful creations; just like you!

So, I thought a snowflake would symbolize how I feel about each one of you.

If you are one of my followers, or you are on my list of Favourite Bloggers, or if you have been by to visit and you really enjoyed my blog, please take this Snowflake Award and post it on your blog. All I ask is that you let me know you have received my gift.

Thank you for making me feel welcome and my blogging experience so enjoyable!

God bless each and every one of you!
Big Hugs~ Sandi

Spiritual Sundays~ Winter Blahs

Good morning and Happy Spiritual Sunday!
As some of you are aware, I have had my son, his wife, and their five month old baby here for the past two weeks. Life has been rather busy so I haven't been blogging much lately and I wondered what, if anything, I could share today.
While reading a devotion from "Our Daily Bread" the other day, I came across this wonderful reading and thought I would share it with you today.

Don't forget to click on the picture on my sidebar to go to other Spiritual Sundays testimonials and stories. The Lord bless you!

CREATE WINTER

I love living where there are four seasons. But even though I love settling down with a good book by a crackling fire when it's snowing, I must admit that my love for the seasons grows a little dim when the long gray days of winter drone on into February.

Yet regardless of the weather, there is always something special about winter: Christmas!

Thankfully, long after the decorations are down, the reality of Christmas still lifts my spirits no matter what's happening.

If it weren't for the reality of Christ's birth, not only would winter be dark and dreary, but our hearts would be bleak and have nothing to hope for. No hope for the freedom from guilt and judgment. No hope of His reassuring and strengthening Presence through dark and difficult times. No hope for a future secured in heaven.

In the winter of a troubled life, the psalmist asked, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?" The remedy was clear: "Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance"

{Ps. 42:5}. In C.S. Lewis' tales of Narnia, Mr. Tumnus complains that in Narnia it is "always winter and never Christmas." But for those of us who know the God who made the seasons, it is always Christmas in our hearts!- Joe Stowell

When our lives are heavy laden,

Cold and bleak as winter long,

Stir the embers in our hearts, Lord;

Make Your flame burn bright and strong.- Kieda

LET THE REALITY OF CHRISTMAS CHASE AWAY THE BLAHS OF WINTER.