Focus ~

I don’t really make specific New Year resolutions.  Most people make a resolution and can’t keep it until the evening of January 1st.  Most things that I would resolve to change are things that I should be doing anyway.  I was thinking a lot about focus.  Where is your focus? Focus often is what prioritizes things in our life.  If we have the focus where it should be, things more easily fall into place. 

It made me think about a kaleidoscope. I’ve always loved them! I have marveled at the beauty that a little tube with tiny pieces of glass can create. The word kaleidoscope comes from the Greek words “kalos”, which means beautiful, “eidos” which means shape, and the Greek verb “Skopein” which means to look.   Hold it up to the light and look through it.  Inside are beautiful pieces of brokenness.  It contains shards of glass or small beads that may be beautiful, but are often pieces of something broken.  You must hold it up to the light and turn it to focus it, and then the light shines through all of the broken pieces and the pieces come back together and it becomes something that is beautiful.

It is much like our lives.  They are ever changing, and when we take them out of the light, the images are blurred and out of focus.   We can have many areas of brokenness.  Beautiful and not so beautiful shards from this daily walk.  There is only one thing that can mend the brokenness of our lives and put things back together in a beautiful way.  Looking to Christ, the Light of the World, turning your focus on Him and what He has done for us, can bring our lives back into order and mend the areas that are broken.  And the only constant we have, is Christ. When the focus is skewed, or the light dims, the pieces fall apart again. 

Many of us may make resolutions, but I choose to continue with my focus.  Focus on Christ and HIs Word, and place things in the order He has intended.  He leads and guides us by His word, shows us the importance of our relationship with Him.  It is then, that  our marriages are strengthened, our families become stronger, we seek to follow Him more urgently and with greater care, tend our temples, and share what He has done for us. 

In the coming year, I pray we can all look to Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.  Let us seek Him in every aspect, let us put our focus on Him first of all and let His light shine in us and through us. 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

"And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Kitchen Changes

I've been wanting to change up my kitchen a little bit for a couple of years now, but I'm a bit too scared to paint my cabinets.  Last week I did a mini makeover and I love it! I don't know if I will ever dare to paint the cabinets or not, but until then, this is a nice change for me.  

I saw a blog last week where the woman featured her sisters gorgeous kitchen.  She said it's not the coveted "white cabinet" kitchen that everyone seem to want these days, but it is a gorgeous kitchen. That's how I feel about mine.  I am blessed with a beautiful kitchen, and a space that I love working in.  I spend a lot of time in my kitchen.  It may not be the "in" kitchen, but it is still a great kitchen and I feel so blessed to have it!

The yellow in the before pictures seems brighter than it really is, but nonetheless, it is a gold color.  I had very beautiful, but dark and heavy drapes on my sliding glass door and double windows, that I had custom made for the space many years ago.  

Most of the rooms in my house are painted grey. I so wanted a grey color in the kitchen too, but most grey seemed to wash everything out.  I found this color, that has undertones of grey depending on the lighting.  I really like it and feel like it brightens up the room nicely!

Still working on finding the perfect accents for the space now that I've re-painted it.  But it feels so fresh and clean and bright, that I am really enjoying it! 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Little Red Sled Bazaar ~

Another year in the books for The Little Red Sled Bazaar.  We had a successful day of sales, sold out fairly quickly (had a few marshmallows left), and now we are focusing on Christmas with our family. 

Quick I-phone picture the night before the bazaar, of my booth.  I didn't have my cinnamon rolls in the case till the next morning, but the pictures from the morning aren't as clear.   Many hours of work in a little space!

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Gulf Coast Getaway ~

I had the pleasure and privilege of a nice getaway with my hubby, that was so needed and appreciated.  Here are just a few shots from the trip ~ never a disappointment at the beauty God has placed all around us. Thankful indeed for this blessed time we had. Always a time to reconnect, relax, and just enjoy spending time together. 

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Supermoon 2016

"Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” Selah

I'm just learning a little bit about night time photography, so I am not very good at it yet, but here are a few shots that I got.  I love that the reflection on the ocean looks like liquid gold  So beautiful.

I love the birds flying around in the second picture and the third is the moon as it rose over the fishing pier.

My hubby and I were able to get away for awhile and are spending our time in Florida.  I'm so blessed to have watched the moon rising about the ocean the last few nights. Thankful for time away after a very busy year, and time alone with my hubby.  Most of all thankful that the Word of God still stands and always will.

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

Get Out and Vote ~

I've been earnestly praying for our country and the direction it will go. Don't give up your right to vote ~ it is your voice!  It is a right, but to me it is a privilege. 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup" 

He Will Make a Way ~

My neighbor snapped this picture the other morning.  The sky was so bright it was waking people and drawing them to the windows to see ~ the sunrise was glowing like never before, and when they turned, this was the sight they saw opposite of the sun.  What a glorious way to wake up. 

Reminded me of the sermon series we've been hearing at church.  Pastor has been speaking on the topic of worship.  Worship is the call of the Christian.  We were made to give thanks to a mighty God.  

"Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks, for that they name is near thy wondrous works declare."

If you are struggling today, remember your purpose ~ that we should worship our King.  When you struggle with the thoughts in your mind, look around you and remember the works of His hands. Remember His grace and his mercy that endures forever.  Remember that he will never steer you in the wrong direction.  Trust in Him.

Have you experienced the power of His word? His word is a living word.  Remember what He has done for you in your life and think on those things and have faith. No matter what we are going through, He is still on the throne and He is still opening doors and making ways where there seems to be no way.  Start with a heart of worship.

In His Love ~ Kim

"With Jesus in Her Heart, and Coffee in Her Cup"