AUGUST 2020

Today, August 1st, is my baby sister, Debbie's, birthday. Happy Birthday dear Deb!  The above pic is of her at the beach on a trip she and I had together. Wish we were there again today. 

My thoughts were about her today, so I thought I would share some thoughts about sisters with you, my readers and friends.

You may have been blessed with a sister, or you may be an only child or have brothers. We may not have blood sisters, but sisters in friendship. Family, whether blood or by God's grace, is a special gift of joy to us. 

Sister Quotes:

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."

-Amy Li

"Sisters make the best friends in the world."

- Marilyn Monroe

"Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world, simply by being there for each other."

-Carol Saline

"Is solace anywhere more comforting than that in the arms of a sister."

-Alice Walker

"Our roots say we're sisters, our hearts say we're friends."

-Unknown

"Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears."

- unknown

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."

-Marion C.Garretty

"A sister is God's way of proving He doesn't want us to walk alone."

- unknown

Today, if you have a sister or brother call, text or write them and let  them know they are loved. Our world is made better by family or friends who are adopted into our family. In this crazy world right now those we love bring us joy and help us in times of uncertainty. Stay in touch and stay close. 

We have the ability, with our thoughts, to make our day good if we choose to do so. Let us commit today to make it the best day possible.

With the pandemic going on all around us and being fed bad news most of the time, it is up to us to decide what our minds and attitudes will be.  Let us "think joy!" I know this is a difficult task on some days, but we can do it if we really want joy in our lives. 

"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

-Romans 12: 2

In a new book I am writing, hopefully to be published this year, I chose some verses I call "Faith Vitamins" and want to share some of these with you:

1. "Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee."

-Josua 1:9

2. "If ye have faith . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you."

-Matthew 17:20

3.  "No good thing will I withhold from them that walk uprightly."

- Psalm 84: 11

4.  "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

- John 10: 10

5.  "Fear thou not; for I am with thee."

-Isaiah 41: 10

6.  "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makes me dwell in safety."

-Psalm 4: 8

7.  "For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

- Isaiah 41: 13

8.  Be still, and know that I am God."

-Psalm 46: 10

If we will memorize these "faith vitamins" and take one every morning our day will be brighter and our minds in a better place to face the day ahead.

I love "old" things. Vintage is a more positive word than old I suppose.  Possibly it is because as I grow older I become more nostalgic, but I have loved antiques, vintage things, from my younger days, so  it's just what I like.

The picture above is of  a collection of white and cream colored buttons from my mother's and my mother-in-law's button jars.  Did your mother have a button jar?  In years past people were very frugal and didn't throw away things quite as easily as we do today.  I remember my Mother cutting buttons from shirts before throwing the shirts out; saving those buttons. 

I am going to share some pictures of vintage things in this blog issue and just some things I enjoy. In August and September I find myself cleaning out closets and thinking about the upcoming season of Fall.  I chose the picture of the sunflowers and barn and the saying about appreciation for my August blog because this is something we all need to remind ourselves of - appreciating all the good in our lives!

What do we appreciate? When we count our blessings rather than focus on our troubles, we live a happier life. You might want to take a look around your home today and find things which cause you appreciation. This little bowl of vintage buttons make me stop and think today of how blessed I was to have a sweet Mother and a good mother-in-law. Remember and appreciate what we have had and what we now have and always be thankful!

"We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction."

-H. A. Ironside

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

-Marcel Proust

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more."

-Melody Beattie