Mary's Heart Garden

Dawning of Day

2010-01-01T23:19:00.002-06:00

I'm Learning the Penny Whistle!

2009-12-29T15:26:00.002-06:00

2009-12-21T23:38:00.001-06:00

2009-12-21T15:36:00.001-06:00

Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals from Charles Spurgeon, Christian Bible Devotions

2009-12-15T06:51:00.000-06:00

Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals from Charles Spurgeon, Christian Bible Devotions

Pozole

2009-12-14T18:43:00.002-06:00

My friend at work makes me pozole. I love it! Pozole is a traditional soup from Mexico.

Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals from Charles Spurgeon, Christian Bible Devotions

2009-12-14T18:42:00.000-06:00

Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals from Charles Spurgeon, Christian Bible Devotions

2009-12-14T06:48:00.000-06:00

Morning and Evening Daily Devotionals from Charles Spurgeon, Christian Bible Devotions

Reindeer

2009-12-13T00:55:00.008-06:00

Today, as part of a city-wide Christmas celebration, there were reindeers in my town! Today was the first day I've ever seen a reindeer. They are adorable!

2009-08-10T12:14:00.002-05:00

I am posting about progress on two of my goals from this summer: 1) Visiting family and friends, 2) Being creative.

I made trips to Michigan and Missouri in July and August. A few of the photos will be included in this blog entry. I also made 3 prayer shawls for friends!

How I Want to Spend My Summer Vacation

2009-07-13T11:15:00.002-05:00

Here are five ways I want to spend my summer vacation:

1) Decluttering - I want to cut the number of my possessions by a third - even better would be by a half.

2) Visiting Friends and Family - I want to visit some friends and family in IL and some neighboring states.

3) Create - I am working on a crocheted prayer shawl. I would also like to make some more crocheted projects and do some scrapbooking.

4) Quiet Time - I'd like to spend a couple of days on a personal retreat.

5) Exercise - I want to do some walking with my sister.

My Life Verse

2009-07-12T02:02:00.002-05:00

Luke 10:42 "but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I chose this as my life verse because I want my life to be about slowing down enough to hear Jesus's whispers.

Finding a Life Verse

2009-05-31T11:18:00.003-05:00

I am working on finding a life verse. I am going to use this space to keep verses that are special to me. Later I can narrow it down to the verse that I want to be my life verse.

"There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her." (Luke 10:42)

My Simplicity Challenge

2009-05-31T10:51:00.002-05:00

I have been trying to simplify my life for several years now. I have kind of been spinning my wheels. I want to blog about it and set goals, hoping that it will help me make progress.

I've seen one website called the 100 things challenge, in which you work toward eliminating everything from your life except for 100 items. I don't think I am prepared for that challenge, but I want to use it as inspiration. I need to set my own goal. I am working it out in my mind.

Here are some websites I am following to give me inspiration:

http://zenhabits.net/
http://www.guynameddave.com/100-thing-challenge.html
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1812185,00.html?iid=redirect-declutter

This Is My Father's World

2009-04-16T22:04:00.001-05:00

My Personal Retreat

2009-04-04T23:57:00.005-05:00

I went on a personal retreat during my spring break. Here is a video I recorded from the trip:

Company

2008-09-22T21:55:00.002-05:00

I am going to have company, this weekend, from Missouri! My friends from college are coming up for our college homecoming reunion! That's always a fun time.

Neighborhood Group Gathering

2008-09-14T20:26:00.004-05:00

Tonight, I went to my neighborhood group gathering that is sponsored by my church. I've been going to it for 2 years. We meet once a month for a Sunday evening meal. That is our hub meeting. We have other smaller meetings for various purposes - service and ministry, bible study, recreation, etc. Our group has gone from about 18 to around 50 members in two years.

Tonight was fun. Tonight's host lives a block from me so I walked to the meeting. We had a "pilgrim dinner" with turkey, dressing, and lots of dishes to pass.

Soon, a new bible study will be started from this group. I want to attend that.

About Me and This Online Journal

2008-09-13T18:35:00.001-05:00

I decided to start a general journal where I would record things I think about, value, feel, believe, and experience. I just enjoy writing, expressing, and creating.

At this point in my life, I am learning to be single again. I was divorced in 2005, and my ex-husband passed away this past summer. I teach ESL (English as a Second Language) in a public elementary school. This is my second year back into teaching. I am finding it a rewarding career.

I enjoy reading. Mostly, I read non-fiction self-help books. I got into that genre when my dad passed away in 1999, and I went through my divorce. This summer, I started back reading some fiction, too.

I love genealogy. As I learn about past generations, I find myself being transported back in time, in my mind. It is also like completing puzzle.

I find scrapbooking to be a good companion hobby to go along with my genealogy. Scrapbooking is one of my creative outlets.

I participate in small groups through my church. You will find a link, in my profile, to one of my small groups (Southwest Community blog).

That's a little about me! More later.