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Expressing True Love Every Day

Daisy Carpenter shares True Love every day!

Expressing true love every day is a good discipline.

Love is in the air! Everywhere! So they say with diamonds, roses, elaborate dining and romantic encounters. We enjoy giving and receiving gifts, but when the roses wilt and the chocolate box is trashed, will there still be love? True love?

Many dollars are spent on family and friends.

I’m all in; honestly. I’ll take some beautiful flowers and chocolates, or evening out. Yes, indeed! Sadly, expressions of love are often given and received without a foundation of true love behind them.

What gifts have meant the most to you?

Was it an expensive gift on Valentine’s Day or birthday, or a warm hug when you were at your lowest? Perhaps it was a phone call or text to encourage you and say “I love you.”

My husband’s greatest gifts don’t come wrapped– it’s “little things” he does for me. Clearly out of his realm in the kitchen, he makes coffee, clears the table when I’m busy, and puts food away. On a rare occasion, he will do dishes … this is a BIG gift! Lately, he has put his needs aside when he felt I needed space and time alone. He made calls for me he knew I didn’t want to make.

This past six weeks, he has literally lived out one of my favorite Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 13. Click here to read the entire chapter.

It isn’t the gift, but the heart attitude that matters.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.^” The verse goes on to say all my understanding and knowledge and faith that could move mountains without love, means nothing. Giving to the poor; and all our good works mean nothing without genuine love.

So, what does this real love look like?

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

What we need to share; what the world (and our families) need most is Love, True Love!

^“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Praying you will receive and give True Love, the unfailing love of Jesus! Looking forward to hearing from you; please leave a note about your favorite gifts.

Hugs,

Have you seen my new Kids’ Page; download free coloring page here

Easily Improve Muscle Strength by Spring

You really can easily Improve Muscle Strength by Spring.

Do you feel winter blahs? Spring is on its way! Here are three simple ways to easily improve muscle strength and mobility. Now is the time!

Can’t or won’t go to the gym or Y? That’s okay …

My excuses for not working out most likely sound like yours..

Excuse #1 – Time

I seriously don’t feel I can take time to go to a gym or even plop in a video for thirty minutes of muscle toning.

Excuse #2 – I am tired.

I wake up in the morning and jump right into the day’s work schedule. By nightfall, I am ready to hit the bed; muscle toning is the farthest thing from my mind. (Oh, but tomorrow … Been there?)

Can you relate?

The following three simple steps have helped me improve mobility and gain muscle strength. A personal heads up here: you will most likely scan through this article and decide there is no way those little tips are going to make a significant difference in your health and well-being. I will tell you emphatically, “you will see a change and you will feel it.”

Step #1 Seize the moments available to you now.

When you are warming something in the microwave, for instance, are you leaning against the cabinet or slipping into a nearby chair while waiting? Consider using that time for a few stretches or arm lifts. Keep weights or a couple of cans of food handy so you can grab them and do a one or two minute workout. At the very least, do a few squats and bends. For more ideas, click here.

Step #2 Develop an awareness of your body.

Have you formed a habit of slumping when you sit? Do you waddle from side to side when you walk, again from habit? Are you continually stepping over items that need picked up because you can’t or won’t stoop over to get them?

Take time to stop and observe your habits. Stand tall when you walk, you will actually feel more rested as your posture improves. Make it a habit to bend as much as you can to pick up items. Sit straight in a chair and breathe deeply. Even if this lasts only a few minutes, you will begin to build strength.

Step #3 Do not always take the easy, shorter way.

When shopping, do you seek parking close to the door? Of course, you rationalize you need to save time. Let’s be honest, how much time does it take to walk a few extra parking spaces, or even half the parking lot? In the beginning you may be able to walk only one or two extra spaces. Then a few more; perhaps eventually across the parking lot. Wow!

The more time “saved” by denying a little extra walk, or a few stretches, the more rest is needed as we become weaker. Whether living by yourself, caring for family, or a caregiver with full-time responsibilities, you know how important it is to keep your arms and legs strong so you can remain independent as much as possible.

What small changes can you make in your life today that will affect your future health and well-being? Of these three simple steps, I challenge you to choose one, just one, and focus on that for a week. As that change becomes routine, add another. Soon you’ll be moving mountains as you easily improve muscle strength each day.

Hugs,

Did you check out my new Kids’ Page? Free downloadable coloring page from Patches’ book!

The Truth about Our New Year Resolutions

The Truth about Our New Year Resolutions and why we can’t keep them looms clear for me this year. As I look at my list carefully, it is more of a wish list than resolutions.

What makes the difference?

By definition, resolution is a firm decision with clearly defined intentions. A true resolution is a commitment to make definite plans to accomplish the goals. Our wish lists are simply what we hope to do or to be in the coming year, and usually about our own personal self-improvement.

Our resolutions or goals need measurements and benchmarks.

Consider these questions as you look at your New Year Resolutions, your plans for 2018. Are they basically the same as last year? Are you hoping to do better this year? Do you have plans to measure your progress? What do you plan to do differently (beginning now) to achieve your goals?

Check your personal wish list vs. your resolutions/goals.

For me, I wish I would lose some weight; I wish I would exercise more; I’d like to cook healthier meals, keep the house better … Truth is I have no set goals or plans for those things … not any that are measurable.

Make a list of your resolutions (goals) for the year. Here are a few of mine.

I am resolved to care more this year; to pray more faithfully for others; and to regularly call or send notes to those who need encouragement; be more diligent in visiting those I love; to listen more earnestly.

I am taking a few positive steps to keep me on track.

I will set each Friday as my card day; keep address book, well-stocked card box, pens and postage in place! I will keep an up-to-date prayer calendar with my Bible and use it daily. I will keep a notepad by the phone to list those I need to call, and date when called.

Join me in scheduling time for those you “wish you could visit”.

For me it’s too late for long talks about childhood I meant to have with my brother; he is gone now. There are others I hunger to see; I am calendaring time for them. No, I can’t do it all, but I can respond the the Lord’s urging and put people ahead of “stuff”. I can learn to say “Sorry, I have a previous appointment on my calendar.” Then keep it!

Are their people in your life that have been a blessing to you?

Who do you know that could use a blessing about now? It’s near zero here today and will be tomorrow; I wonder how many people living alone could use a cheerful call from me to help shorten their day and give them some much-needed encouragement?

Today I put my note cards, pens, stamps, and address book on my desk and plan to use them every week. A ready pad and pen are by the phone; prayer list is by my Bible. How about you?

Hugs,

Have you met Patches the Awesome Turtle yet? He’s only been around thirty days and already wowing young and old! So thankful for a way to share God’s powerful word!