2023 and I am mentoring a new Christian

 Happy 2023 Friends.

What a ride of ups and downs and in betweens these past few years have been. I hope 2023 will be filled with blessings and an increase in our freedoms worldwide. I am praying for big things because there is no prayer that is too big for our God.

I like to do new things and hope it keeps me young(ish). In November I began mentoring a lady who is 72 and a new Christian and member of our church. We are both learning so much and having fun at the same time. 

 

I bought a book "The New Believer's Friend Handbook" for me and for her "The New Believer's Handbook". This book has 8 lessons for 8 weeks and we both love it. We meet at my house and I serve a light lunch, food for the body and food for the soul.

Below is a photo that makes me smile. I do love lions, they remind me of the noble Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia.

Christmas 2022, Mr. Bounce wearing his Santa hat and Treats for delivery drivers

 

Bounce in a pensive mood this week, wearing his Santa hat.

Below is our nativity set we have had for 40 years. This is the way I arranged it in 2021.

Above is water and snack chips I put out at my front door for the delivery drivers who work so hard. I am impressed that last year they did not take the sweet treats or soda, just the water, unsweetened teas and chips I put out. So this year I skipped the sweet treats. They are a healthy bunch of drivers.

Above is the new arrangement of my nativity scene in 2022, each year is a bit different.

Christmas is a happy and holy day to celebrate God sending us his son in the form of a new born baby. All those who believe in him have his gift of eternal life. We don't deserve it, none are perfect. What a life saving gift. He is the light of the world. My sons and I will attend the Christmas Eve service at church Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., a lovely time to worship. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all.

Funny yard sign I saw and red Autumn leaves in December

 In these preChristmas days let me share some photos of pretty red leaves. It seems autumn leaves have arrived here in coastal California in December.

The above photos were all taken in our church parking lot in December.

Here is a sign I thought was humorous in a dark way. See if you think it is funny too, or can you guess why I thought it funny or ironic. I saw this whilst walking Bounce. The sign says "Please keep your dog off our LAWN."

 

I thought the sign was ironic because I do not see a lawn and there is not one blade of grass growing there. It is all dirt and weeds. Keep your dog off of our yard or Keep your dog off of our dirt might be more accurate. That would show the home owners have a sense of humor to laugh at themselves. Well, that's me and my sometimes dark sense of humor. And yes, I did keep Bounce off of their dirt.

The Ocean and Spectacular Clouds Near My Home and My Hubby and I

 I have had my terragarden blog since 2007 and that is a lot of posts. 873 is what Blogger tells me. What in the world is new to post about? Here are some photos of the ocean taken near my home. 

 The above photo shows the beginnings of sunset. There is a new annoyingly huge home built right on the point which is much taller than nearby homes and seems out of place to me. Can you see it?

Above is a happy moment with my husband Will on vacation in Palm Springs, California in 2004. Time just zips right along, doesn't it. We had Thai food at Thai Smile restaurant. I have a favorite Thai restaurant near my house. I enjoy silver noodles, Pad Thai and all their curries there and their delicious coconut soup.

Spectacular clouds over the ocean in photos I took a couple days ago. Can you see the small blue dot in the second photo? Is that perhaps the moon rising? The dot appears in 3 photos I took, in a different location in each photo so I don't think it is my iPhone camera. Possibly a UFO, well, possibly not. I am going with the moon rising unless any of you have a better idea.

Happy Thanksgiving to All in the USA and Around the World

 

For my friends here at home in the USA and all around the world in many countries, may November 24 be a day of joy and peace for you. Here in the USA we set aside a day for thanks giving, which is a great idea.

Here is Scripture I find appropriate today and every day: "Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from Him." James 1:17 Written about 2000 years ago and it still rings true to me today.

This is the seventh Thanksgiving without my dear husband, and a few days ago would have been / was our 51st wedding anniversary. My sons and I celebrate Thanksgiving together each year, though there is an important person missing. Every day I thank God for gifts big and small, and recently I have been thankful for the beautiful blue sky and fluffy white clouds. I hope each one of you dear readers has a day of peace and joy.

Arcade games in church lobby, Walking and Dementia

 

I took this photo of the arcade games in our church lobby. The games were borrowed for six weeks and relate to the sermon series our minister gave titled Press Start. Kids and adults played the games before and after church and they were quite popular. One boy age 9 insisted his family arrive a half hour early for the six Sundays so he could play the games. I like the colors in my photo.

 

Above is Bounce, my exercise coach. Hey friends. I just read that walking 10,000 steps per day can help cut our risk of dementia in half. This was in an article by Sarah Cownley in the Epoch Times this month. When I finally got a smart phone four years ago I found a fun app that I got that counts my steps. I do not walk 10,000 steps but I do walk x thousand. I don't think we need to compete against other people, I like to compete against me! Set slightly higher goals when inspired.

Above are my kitty Fluffy and Bounce on a walk, Fluffy often chooses to walk with us. People in the neighborhood love to see this. My exercise and walking coach is my dear dog Bounce, and I tell him I am his exercise coach in return. Cownley reports that walking 3,800 steps per day reduces dementia risk by 25 percent. She has a diploma in nutritional therapy from Health Sciences Academy in London. I wonder if the benefit is enhanced by walking outdoors where we can see the beauty of the sky, breathe in fresh air, and be encouraged to think peaceful thoughts. Or is the benefit the same when walking indoors? Just pondering.

I got 3 of these jackets for Mr. B, this one says Security and another says FBI. I read that neighborhoods where lots of people walk their dogs have less crime which makes sense. Enjoy your walks and your day.

Agatha Christie's Marple TV series, Will Mellor, Benedict Cumberbatch

 

I am watching the TV series that began filming in 2007 and that stars Geraldine McEwan. In season two I enjoyed seeing Benedict Cumberbatch as he was 15 years ago, very young and a dish, but I think he is more handsome now. 

 

Below shows Cumberbatch in the Marple show back in 2007.

In season 3 I watched an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple with Will Mellor in it, I love that actor, star of White Van Man TV series. Photo of Will Mellor below.

 

I just watched Season 3 Episode 4 and each time I watch the next episode I check to see how many episodes are left for me to watch. There are 6 seasons available to me and that makes me happy.

Do you like to know there are many episodes of favorite TV shows that you have not watched yet? Having episodes ahead to watch makes me feel like my pantry is full. Sometimes I hold off on watching the final episode in a series as I don't want it to end.

I only have a few episodes left of Lie to Me and of Professor T and don't want to watch the last episodes, but will one day. Do you have TV shows you feel that way about?

This morning I will be in Women's Bible Study at church, about 7 of us meet and study the book Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer. She has videos offering further insights for each chapter, and her father is the well known preacher Tony Evans. I am enjoy the study and learning.