999th post - and how many followers?

According to Blogger, I have officially 18 followers...yet I know there are much more than that!!! So, to celebrate my blog-iversary today, I'd like to have a post asking y'all to do me a favor! I've been quite curious about this for a while, and today seemed like a good day to do it! 

If you've read my blog for any length of time, I'd love to get a comment from you! I know I have many people local from Church, etc., that read it, but then I also know I have many people from around the country who read it as well! That being said, leave me a comment!

• How did you find my blog?
• What do you enjoy to read about?
• State you're from? 
• How long have you read it?
• Etc!

Thank you for reading my blog for the past 4 years!! I can't wait to see what will happen this coming year!! 

And again, thank you!!

Shoveling!

(Posing next to the snowbank...I'm 5'8" for a comparison)

Heehee! We've got snow. We've got a lot of snow. In fact, I shoveled at least 320 cubic feet of snow yesterday. I must say, it was quite pleasant. Actually, to be perfectly honest, I love shoveling. It astounds a few of my friends, which I find quite funny. I chatted a bit with my neighbor while I shoveled and he shoveled. He asked if my Dad was out driving home from work at the time, and I said that he was. My neighbor reminded me how awful that stretch of road has been. In fact, my family and I drove on it the other day when we went to the Saranac Lake Ice Festival this past weekend. God was with us on the way home. The weather was icky and the roads were slick, but God kept us safe and we made it home! It continues to amaze me how God takes care of us in so many different ways. As I continued to shovel, I paused to watch the sparrows. We have quite a few that live in the ivy of our house. I will admit, I stood there whistling to them. It was so peaceful just listening to them chirp and chatter among themselves. My neighbor commented on the fact that they must stay warm from the insulation of the ivy. About 20 minutes later, Matthew 6:26 came to mind. Shoveling was tough as this snow was hard and heavy, but I persevered and did it! It was interesting to watch my neighbors interact. My one neighbor came home, and couldn't even get in his driveway. So my other neighbor who I had been talking to, let him park in his driveway until they could shovel and plow it. Shoveling is hard, it requires a lot of energy, but in the end, it's worth it. You get to clear away shovel-fulls of snowflakes, each unique, each are like a sparkling crystal, each imperfectly perfect, and each created by God. Watching the dusk fall, and the night arrive, was beautiful! It was cold to start off, but by the end, I was warm and toasty from working. Snow is so beautiful, and so enjoyable. I love winter and everything about it! Enjoy winter, for it is a beautiful time of year!

Observations of Titus 2 Women in Real-Life

If you've read enough blog posts by Christian women, there's a trending theme: Titus 2 Women. For those of you who don't know what that is, that's when older women reach out to younger women in the Church. It is based off a few verses of Titus 2, Titus 2:3-5 to be exact.

I've done a lot of thinking about this, and while in the land of bloggers, this is a fancy-schmancy thing, it's different in real-life. In the land of bloggers, they place them on pedestals, while in real-life they are humble women who are serving because God has called them to that place.

This past Tuesday, I was able to join a group of women for an evening of fellowship. I honestly felt out of place, as I was the only teen, and with knowing that, the youngest. The majority of the women were at least twice as old as I am. As I knew I'd be rather out of place, I wasn't sure how the evening was going to go. 

I was among the first to arrive, with my Mom. A couple of the ladies were already there, one of them had set out some snacks. Delicious fruit, granola and yogurt, cookies, and other tasty things! I placed my Bible on my chair, and stood there, not sure what to do.

As the other women began to arrive, I really felt out of place. As I stood there observing, I watched as I saw the Titus 2 Women come to life. I've never really seen "it" in real-life. It was just a "thing" from the land of bloggers. As I watched, and yes, eavesdropped, it opened my eyes!

To see women in my Church ask with genuine concern how they, (the other women) were doing, what they have been up to, seeing how their prayers may or may not have been answered, encouraging one another, and just taking the time to fellowship, was so encouraging to me!

It got me thinking, why do we make such a big fuss about Titus 2 Women? Why? Why do we? They are women just like us. Just serving where God has placed them to serve. Some women have this gift, and some do not. God has placed us all in different areas to serve in different ways.

Then I had another thought. When these women are unable to serve, or pass away, who is going to be here to continue to pray and encourage the women in the Church? Myself, and the other young women in my generation! We are truly the next generation. We young women need to start and/or continue to reach out, to pray and encourage, to shine God's love!

Many times it's easy to forget, many times we are unable to, but we need to start now, for someday we'll be the ladies who are setting out some delicious snacks; who are washing the spoons leftover from the fruit, yogurt, and granola; we'll be the ones who set up the chairs; and who will be there to find out how each other is doing.

Here comes the part where I don't want to be misunderstood, or thought to be bragging. I personally love to see where God places me. He always places me where he knows I'm needed, and I just do what he asks. If someone needs prayer, my heart breaks for them until I know the prayer has been answered some way. If someone is having a wonderful day, I rejoice with them for this is yet another day that God has made!

I know this isn't one of my usual posts, but I ask you to think about this. If you are a young woman, I encourage you to pray and ask God how he wants to you serve. If you are a young man, I encourage you to share this with the young women you know, and that you'll take some time to study Titus 2:6-8. 

 And if you ever need someone to pray for you, I'm here for you!

 Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

so that they may see your good works 

and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

People of Jordan: George and Melanie

George and Melanie have lived here in Jordan for 21 years. George is the Town Justice and has been in village politics for 17 or 18 years. They were on their way in the library as I was leaving. They love having a library, post office, grocery store and the bank in walking distance.They love having the small things, like safe sidewalks. They enjoy being in a small town with great neighbors with a sense of community. They both agree that the events like the Memorial day and the Fall Festival make our town unique.

People of Jordan: Cathy

Cathy has lived here for 42 years. She likes the fact that you know everybody. She enjoys that the community has a tendency of being able to work together well. For example all different aspects of the community come together for the Fall Festival. She also works at the library a couple times a week. There is quite a variety of people that come in. The phrase it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round is quite true. Many people come in to find out more about the canal history. She is very interested with the local history. Many of the house in town were converted into houses. Her's was a mule barn, then a while after that a school master lived there. She also has a sign from the malt shop that used to be where the dance studio is. History is rich and and exciting in our fair town!

People of Jordan: Patrick and Calvin

Patrick and his son Calvin have lived here for 12 years. They enjoy how quiet and peaceful it is. Patrick mentioned the small community is nice because you get to know everyone. Calvin told me that Mom works at Tops, so it's nice that it's close by. They are very intrigued with the historical aspect of our small town and the lovely history behind it. Calvin enjoys going to school here and they both agree that this is a lovely place to live.

People of Jordan: Danielle

Danielle grew up in this area, but moved away for a time. Eventually she decided to move back and she's been here for 16 years now. She enjoys living here with her family. She works with her lovely business associate, Linda, at Da Li Hodge Podge. She enjoys being here in the country with the beautiful green grassy areas. There isn't as much congestion either. She enjoys the State Parks, the Finger Lakes, Wine country, and of course the beautiful small towns like ours. Danielle loves the sense of community, with the fact you can carry on lovely conversations with people you meet on the sidewalk or in the store. It's very comfortable here and she is happy to be here.

People of Jordan: Karen, Bill, Mary and Kelly

(Karen, Bill, Mary and Kelly)

These lovely people donate 3 hours of their week for the weekly Clothing Ministry that is held in the old parsonage of the First Baptist Church of Jordan N.Y on Thursdays. They started last February, on February 14th to be precise. They giveaway clothes, household items, personal hygiene items and food. Everything is local. If you donate something it goes to the community. They raise money for the ministry quite often, in fact they are getting ready to have a "Bunny Breakfast" on the 19th of April. All the proceeds will be donated to the Clothing Ministry. They have a wonderful ministry to the community and they are glad to be blessing the community.

People of Jordan: Father DeLorenzo

Father DeLorenzo is the Pastor of our local Catholic Church. He's lived here for 9 years. He told me that he "loves the simple, less complicated, more peaceful life here." He also has noticed that "there is a spirit of friendliness in the community." and that "The local churches often work together collecting food for the food pantry." When I asked him what advice he'd give about life he gathered his thoughts for a moment and said, "Remember God and His love for your. Take God seriously and if you do that, you will be happy, truly happy."

26 days till X'mas

I love this time of year!

The snow here and there, bold people who put up their Christmas tree's earlier than anyone else, and Christmas lights! 

Something nice to do at Christmas is bake several dozen cookies!!!

Then give them out to people who work in your community. It will brighten their day!

A yummy cookie recipe! (pictured above)

1 box of cake mix

3 eggs

1/3 cup of veg. oil

Mix them all together and drop on a tablespoonful on cookie sheets 2 inches apart.

Bake at 350 for 10-13 min.

Makes 3 dozen approx. 

If you want to add sprinkles, dip the dough in sprinkles before you bake.