My Sunday Snapshot #2

February 25, 2024 by GmasPhoto 3 Comments

My Sunday Snapshot #2

Hi, this week my Sunday Snapshot shot was provided after church services. I did not think of anything until I got into my car to leave. It was then that I caught sight of it and then laughed!!

The above image is the welcome sign to the church. This is not an uncommon sign for most businesses and churches to have, right?! Well, then when I left it was when I saw the backside.

back sign my Sunday snapshot #2 — Backside of sign as you are leaving the parking lot.

Have a wonderful week!

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -27.4lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Pictures can produce so many different emotions and feelings. As they say, an image is worth a thousand words! Share your fun and interesting image from the past week.

Coincidence or Divine Intervention?

January 14, 2024 by GmasPhoto Leave a comment

Is it coincidence or divine intervention?

Hi, on Sunday I made good on finding a good Bible based church and Bible study. This is my #50 of my 101 in 1001 goals. I personally do not believe in coincidences. Let me explain why.

During my cancer journey, so many coincidences happened at just the right time. Coincidence 1: Commercial construction had slowed down. Kevin had been laid off from work. He had just returned to work and three weeks later I was diagnosed with cancer.

Coincidence 2: With the lack of work prior, Kevin did not have his 700 hours in to qualify for his insurance premiums to be paid. We had to pay the premium out of pocket for 2 months, still less than the chemo I was getting each month. There was plenty of overtime work for Kevin to reach the 700 hours.

Our family went thru a dark time. It was during this time more coincidences happened. Our son was self medicating. The doctor said it was not a concern of being addicted to ‘drugs’ rather a mental issue.

Coincidence 3: Adam had the same therapist and case manager for 2 years (our darkest). Since then, he has had new therapists about every 6 months. Same with the case managers.

The featured image above was taken at the church I went to this past week. Part of my #50 of my 101 in 1001, attend Bible study. A new church for me. When I walked in, I actually knew several of the members. I felt immediately welcomed, like I was meant to be there.

These were the biggest coincidences with so many more that I have experienced. Too many to ‘not’ believe in God.

For this reason, I say I experienced divine intervention.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -27.2 lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Bible Study | #50 of 101 in 1001

January 1, 2024 by GmasPhoto 2 Comments

Bible Study | #50 of 101 in 1001

Hi, Happy New Year to you!! My New Year’s resolution is not the typical ‘need to loose some weight’, which I have done in previous years. This year I have chosen to strengthen my Faith. Number 50 on my 101 in 1001 is to go to church once a week.

I had created this 101 in 1001 list back in February 2023. Since doing so, I have decided to tweak my going to church once a week to going to Bible study once a week. Have you heard of Joel Osteen? Some people like him and other’s not so much. My father is one who is with the not so much group. That can be a different story! 🙂 Today is about how I decided to strengthen my Faith.

#50 goal of going to church every Sunday was really on my mind for the whole month of December. It was on one Sunday that Joel Osteen’s program came onto the TV I had been watching. Joel, in my opinion, is an excellent presenter. I enjoy his uplifting words. At the end of his program he says to get into a good Bible based church. What I heard, Bible study. That is when I decided to change the going to church to bible study (Sunday School).

As I was preparing for my ‘Bible study’ group, I realized the only Bible I had was this beautiful, huge Bible my husband’s brother and his wife gave to me and Kevin as a wedding gift. I was on a mission :), find a Bible!!

I just didn’t realize how many different Bibles there are. One recommendation I would like to share, go to a Christian book store when you are searching for your Bible. At the store, you can actually compare the verses in one book to another. Genesis 9:4,5 was the one I used for comparisons. I bought two of mine from Amazon. It took 5 purchases before I found the one for me. Consider the print size and the age group. One suggestion for the retail marketers, change the age 6-12 to beginner. One of my preferred Bible that I have, is the kids’ version and it would be nice if it said beginner. And, I had to literally go to the kids’ section to find it.

This Bible needed to be more of a personal size book. I had gone to the Christian store, Mardel. There, the sales lady, assisted me with selecting the version I was more comfortable reading and understanding. I had selected the NKJV, New King James. It was my second visit to the Christian store that I had gone over to the kids’ section for the right Bible for me 🙂

Later, I was in Wal-Mart and happened to check their book section. And guess what, they sell Bible’s too! They had a super sized Bible, the font was much bigger. All the better for me to see! So I bought it. Well, later I was speaking with a friend and she was telling me she had gotten her (now grown) boys a children Bible and that is what she takes to her Bible study group. As you may have already thought, yes- I bought a kids’ Bible too 🙂

For anyone who is just beginning to read the Bible, I recommend the kids’ version. In the below image it shows what resources the kids’ book provides. The super size Bible is good too. As I began reading the Bible, there have been so many words I need help with. Webster wasn’t cutting it for me. This is when I ordered the Student Bible Dictionary.

I must say, I am eager to begin my studies! 🙂

In summary, the Christian book store is a one stop shop. Plan on spending a long time in the store. Look at more than one Bible version. There are large print, comfort print, and the age level options to consider. A reference book should be included for studying. Bible book tabs are good too.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -28.6 lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Christmas Kindness

December 20, 2023 by GmasPhoto 2 Comments

Merry Christmas to All!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

The Empty Basket

December 11, 2023 by GmasPhoto 8 Comments

The Empty Basket

Hi, this weekend I began my Christmas shopping. Rather I needed to replace an earring I had lost and did not want the piercing to close. My earring go-to store is Claire’s. While in the store, Claire’s had an item that was on both of my grand-girls Christmas gift list. This post is a story of what happened prior to me walking to the store. I parked in front, just a few parking spots down from the front door. As I was taking the keys from the ignition, I saw this pink basket like piece.

Next, there was a man walking down the sidewalk. My imagination perceived this man to be ‘homeless‘. The basket caught his attention as well. He ventured over to it to see what was inside. It looked like he picked something up from the basket. I couldn’t tell what it was. The man then went on his way. By this time the pink basket had really intrigued me more. Getting out of my car, I walked up to the basket and it was empty.

After seeing the contents of the basket was empty, I made my way into Claire’s. Bought my earring and a gift for each of the girls. The empty basket never left my thoughts. I Google’d, ‘is there a meaning to an empty basket‘ and found this link, The Miracle of the Empty Baskets.

Take what you like and leave the rest. However, I do believe our Good Lord shows us the way, bring people into our lives, as well as place us into other’s lives for a reason. We do not know this reason, but a reason never-the-less. By the way, my favorite color is pink……..

My interpretation of this empty basket has made my 101 in 1001 goal #64, Go with my husband more when he helps feed the homeless, all the more important.

WW Update:
Since Start Date; -28.6 lbs

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra

Gma’sPhoto | ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #8

November 17, 2023 by GmasPhoto 11 Comments

Gma’sPhoto | ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #8

Hi, welcome to Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #8!

First, I would like to shine the spotlight on the featured links from the last party.

Gma’sPhoto SpotLight from the last ge•ner•ic Linkup Party is on:

Thanksgiving Activities To Do With Your Family & Friends | Grace Filled Moments

Rock Cakes | Treat & Trick

This Party’s Theme is Generic.

Each Friday a new ge•ner•ic Linkup Party will open and end the following Thursday. Link up any family friendly post, health, diy, recipes, home decor, parenting, wordless, crafts, sewing, you get the idea.

Important things to know:

-You may add up to three family friendly blog post links, linked to specific blog posts.
-Please say hi & add your link post number when commenting below.
-Those leaving post entry numbers are eligible to be featured at the next party!
-Be sure to visit other links and leave a kind comment for each link you post.
-Party opens Friday and ends Thursday.
-Thank you for participating. Have fun!

By linking to Gma’sPhoto Party LinkUp, you give permission to share your post and images on Gma’sPhoto blog and social media. Proper credit with a photo and link back will be provided.

Let’s begin the fun at Gma’sPhoto ge•ner•ic Linkup Party #8!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra