It took grit and determination to understand and overcome

• One more valley.
• Decision after decision
• Struggling to learn who and what to trust over the horizon.  

I was that woman. Lacking understanding that for every barren, gray sky and roadway there is also an opposite. Beautiful endings to our day may also be possible. I did not need to remain a victim. 

These brilliant sunsets followed hard rain. I could see color. No filter was applied. Yet the photographs on my phone were more vibrant than I could see with my naked eye. That's true for a lot of opportunities in my life, too. Maybe yours as well. 

I pray we will open our hearts to the fullness the Lord has for us this year. Letting Jesus open doors to opportunity, allowing the Master Painter of the universe to apply His pallette to our new beginnings with FLOWINGS (TM) to help us be our best.

• Not perfect.
• Not all alike.
• Each skyline even in these three pictures is different.
• The clouds, and we, are at different stages. 

Help my reader please as she makes choices, for our decisions determine our path, just as one foot in front of the other eventually delivers us to a destination.  ​

Lord bless this dear reader, she is Your daughter first, The daughter I always wanted. (TM)
Give her the desires of her heart as she draws near, for You have promised if we choose You, You will come near us. Help her intentionally Prepare Love Praise ® into 2026. knowing You, Jesus, have the answers for everything we cannot comprehend, and our worship invites Your Presence. 

Echo for her please the excitement in my voice for I truly believe we are on the verge of the greatest signs, wonders, and miracles the world has ever known. A great awakening -- an exciting time. 

In Jesus's Name. 

With much love, 
​Donna

Standing upright, even with the support of my arms, it was difficult to remain still.

In the darkened room. I tilted my neck and held my breath. As the machines whirred, I gasped. 
It was a cross! 

When my tech team released my arms, I clapped and said, "Did you know? 
On the ceiling, the laser beams intersect, and it makes a cross!"

They looked at each other, then me, and said, "We've never noticed. We just look at the machines."
I couldn't wait to get back to the ladies' sub-waiting room to share. 

Yet, just outside, I heard one of the new arrival's cries. As I joined the group of women, Dawn had her hand on the young girl's shoulder. She looked me in the eye and said, "She needs encouragement."

The fear within this young woman gripped me. She kept her eyes on the floor. 
I can talk faith or allow them to speak fear. 
Some might not believe me or even want to hear my discovery. 
There are still many weeks for my treatment plan. 
Would this frightened lady feel more uncomfortable if I tell them?

Dawn, the comforting member of our loosely acquainted team, said, "Donna, do you have something to share with us now?" Her eyes pleaded. 

I smiled and said, "Yes, I do. If you look when you get your treatment, you may find a cross. Jesus is with us."

Over the next week, reports came in as our little subgroup found their cross. For Dawn, laid on her side, the intersected beams formed a huge cross on the wall. 

It was a moment of hope received and transferred, multiplied in a dozen faces. 

Note: some names and details have been changed to protect identities. 

We loved the farm and every part of country living.
Creek walks, hiking in the timber, following deer trails. There was joy meeting with God in a variety of settings like sitting on the pond dam in the wee hours in fog as the new day arrived, while walking the pastures, or reading the Bible out loud to feed God at the creek.

In contrast, we are also very much enjoying our time in the metro.
God has given us a perfect place and we are so grateful. Here there are wonderful, unique ways to experience different cultures. I can shop any day easily for ingredients to make ethnic dishes for dinner. There are terrific worship and learning opportunities nearby. The people and the weather have been warm. I am excitedly awaiting the burst of spring and summer flora and fauna to be seen at home and on excursions exploring the region.

It occurred to me that others, too, might be longing to see this grand display from God’s big paint brush. A quick web search yielded a listing of the very best places to see sunsets and sunrises in the region. These are going on my list of future road trip destinations — or at least considerations for detours if we are traveling nearby.

Embracing change is often fueled by our willingness to shift perspective. 

WE EACH HAVE SEASONS OF LIFE

What I am learning is we each have seasons of life. To most fully grow it is important to appreciate all the little treasures and relationships God gives us on that path.

I know the sunsets and sunrises still exist. Even though I cannot view them easily right now at some point in the future I will once again embrace the sky with my eyes. I will delight even more in what has been restored to my view because of that absence.

These are some of the takeaways I am gleaning from this life lesson:

1. Each season has its own sweetness. Find that and focus on these things. (Ecclesiastes 3; Philippians 4:6-9). 
2. Treasure the memories and what God has done in the past. (Psalm 9:1; Psalm 77:11-14; Psalm 143:5-16)
3. Take lots of pictures to help remember. This is a practical step that yields great benefits.
   Like the sunsets and sunrises, I can refer to pictures now to help me remember and praise the Lord again for His goodness. Today the ability to capture memories of people, places, and special times is as close as our cell phones. These generally prompt me to offer grateful praise as well as prayers for those connected to the memories. (Philippians 1:3-6; Ephesians 1:16-18; Ephesians 3:14-21)
4. Release what has passed to be able to fully embrace the NOW with joyful anticipation. (Philippians 3:12; John 10:10; Jeremiah 29:11-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 8:36)
   
   

The cycle of changing seasons, with both gains and losses for each, will continue all the days of our life.

As God grows us, we can more quickly adjust. He will help us see through His eyes if we ask Him.

Releasing what was, while embracing with the fullness of our hearts, can help speed up our awareness of new, hidden gems prepared in advance.

Gratefulness and praise of the One who created and provided it all also can accelerate our growth and relationships.

KEEP LOOKING UP TO JESUS

Will there be hard times? Of course — this is life on earth. How much we focus on those things, however, determines the impact they have on our joy. 

Keep looking up — Jesus has the answers and the Holy Spirit is our ever-present comforter. If we welcome Him, He will guide us to new perspectives and vistas.

As we focus on the goodness of our Heavenly Father, we can increase our Jesus gratefulness perspective as we:

• Speak to the plenty, not to the lack.
• Speak life and more abundantly.
• Speak thanksgiving.
• Speak fullness, blessing and appreciation.
• Speak expectation of all that encompasses the fruit of the Spirit.
• Speak to the mountains trusting Jesus for answers
  ​
  

Our greatest sunrise, in the context of our personal lives (relationships, job, healing, financial breakthrough, etc.), very well may follow the dark of night. And the night (hard times) often follows a gorgeous sunset (a time of personal fulfillment). Looking at life with an eternal perspective our greatest and best to look forward is Heaven.

It is important to remember to look up to Jesus constantly. We must set our sights on things in the heavenly realm. Even in the midnight hour (hardship) if we raise our heads and hands in praise and position ourselves to be able to view God is there. He is as close as the next breath we take. He, and the stars and moon He created, are there waiting for us. His Presence can be invited and welcomed all times and seasons. 

GET IN POSITION TO LOOK FOR THE SUNRISE OUT OF THE DARK

Remember, we see the awakening dawn more vividly because it arises from the darkness. To receive that beautiful gift of light by being up and in position, looking for it. The sunrise comes and goes. 

Whether we see it or not depends on us. What direction are we looking? And when? It requires effort to get up early to embrace the day breaking. We also have to know which direction to look. Keeping our eyes turned toward Jesus gives us the ability to shift our gaze to where He leads.

Likewise, it is easier to deal with issues in this present world by looking beyond the temporal challenges. There is comfort in embracing circumstances with an eternal perspective. We can be assured God does, indeed, have for each of us a future and a hope.  

Hearing come as a command required more action on my part.

It is possible to call while sitting, standing still, lying down or even turning our back on the person being spoken to. However, to come requires forward motion with intention. Moving toward, advancing and approaching are actions. Each of these responses also involve submitting to God’s request. This is a choice.

As humans we can obey or not. However, the promise to learn great and mighty things we know not of from the King of the Universe are for those who say yes to His call.

Intrigued by the subtle shift in my personal message I quickly sought the dictionary for the definition of come. Merriam-Webster 2 included a fascinating list including but not limited to:

1. : to move toward something
2. : to move or journey to a vicinity with a specified purpose
3. : to reach a particular station in a series
4. : to arrive in due course
5. : to advance in a particular manner
6. : to advance, rise, or improve in rank or condition
7. : to arrive at a particular place, end, result, or conclusion

The complete definition of the word come includes many more verbs.

The list above was especially meaningful to me as we are in a season of transition. There are many great promises we have already received but they are not without cost.

Life is full of choices as was stated earlier. We always have a choice. Will we come or go? Stay and implement a course of action or wait for instruction? Listen, obey and follow the leading of Holy Spirit? Seek Jesus for His preference for us or blaze our own trail without His direction, consent or wise counsel?

I ended that morning on my knees saying “Yes, Lord, Your servant is listening. What would you have me to know? I have come to wait before You to receive instruction. Help me understand what You want me to know.

“And after I have come, waited, listened and learned please help me carry out every step to be in Your good and perfect will. In Your mighty name Jesus — help me be effective and to step out quickly. Help me be like the servants at the wedding I Cana when Your mother said “whatever He tells you to do, do it.”

Donna Turpin

Copyright © 2019 Prepare Love Praise ® Ministries NFP, PLP Ministries NFP

1 (The Zondervan Corporation, 1995-2017)
2 (Merriam-Webster, © 2019 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated)

​Great care must be taken in handling the pressure‐filled container once the cooking is done. 3 The built‐up steam could hurt people or destroy the home as well as the long awaited dinner if steps were not followed. Both the jiggly weight and the lid must stay sealed and in place throughout the cooling to evade a blast of boiling liquid.

This can be safely done through three pressure‐release methods: 3

1. Cooling the container with the weight still intact with water,
2. Very carefully releasing steam by bumping the weight while all sealed in short, multiple pushes aside by the finger. This is very dangerous for possible accidental removal of the weight could elicit an eruption of scalding food and steam.
3. Allowing the pressure cooker to naturally sit to cool off for pressure to dissipate. Then remove the weight when no steam escapes from gently touching, open the lid at proper time and serve. This method takes the longest but has the least danger.

Likewise, relationships sometimes build to a pressure point. If we do not release the boiling within our emotions to Jesus an eruption of angry words may proceed. Unfortunately, harsh words can be forgiven but not taken back from being heard. To avoid damage in our relationships with family and close friends we must be aware of the need to keep love in our hearts. We need Jesus’ help to keep the extra pressure covered and contained until the heat can recede before reopening conversation on the difficult topic.

1. Sometimes we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and place gentle words 4 (Proverbs 15:1) in our mouth to talk through the issue calmly, listening between speaking 5, 6. (James 1:19-20, Proverbs 29:11)
   
   Praying as we do this, and praising quietly for Jesus to be victorious as He loves them through us, can be like running the cold water over the pressure cooker. We keep the weight on and hold our tongue with a few ideas offered calmly as we listen.
   
   
2. Taking breaks in processing an issue can be like releasing the “jiggly” weight steam a little at a time.  Calmly discussing and allowing each person to release their thoughts shared in love a little at a time​ could bring a heated topic into an unruffled discussion. 7, 8, 9 (Colossians 4:6, Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:29-32)
   
   
3. Setting the issue aside for a while as both parties cool off over a stretch of time is also helpful. Being aware of those times when we’re overly tired, stressed, or disappointed can also help us invite Jesus to love the other person through us. Walking away for a period of time to allow for reasonable expression in a quieter approach later can be good. We just need to be sure to resolve the dissension before we go to bed, 10 (Ephesians 4:26-27)even if it is hearing each other out and agreeing to disagree in love.
   
   

Times of travel and increased demands, like the holidays, can create pressure cookers in our homes and families. Jesus is ready to help us cool tensions and walk in great love. 11 (John 13:34)

God wants us to avoid an explosion of words that could injure those nearby. He is an ever present help in the time of trouble. 12 (Psalm 46:1)

We are encouraged to count it all joy when we are in difficult situations 13 (James 1:2-4) because Jesus can turn them into miracles in ways we never imagined. The Bible tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good 14 (Romans 8:28) for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.

​Rest in Jesus and let Him release the pressure as you transfer your concerns into His hands.

He is able.

From the heart with all praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Donna Turpin
In Christ Alone

Copyright © 2016 Prepare Ye the Way with Love and Praise Ministries NFP or Prepare Love Praise TM Ministries NFP. All rights reserved.


1 Pressure cooking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_cooking 

     Pressure cooking is the process of cooking food, using water or other cooking liquid, in a sealed
     vessel, known as a pressure cooker. Pressure cookers are used for cooking food faster than
​     conventional cooking methods, which also saves energy.  Pressure is created initially by boiling a
     liquid such as water or broth inside the closed pressure cooker.  The trapped steam increases the      internal pressure and temperature. After use, the pressure is slowly released so that the vessel    
     can be safely opened.  Pressure cooking can be used for quick simulation of the effects of long
     braising. Almost any food which can be cooked in steam or water‐based liquids can be cooked in
     a pressure cooker.
​
2 Weight‐modified or “jiggly” valve in First Generation Pressure Cookers,
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_cooking#First_generation
     Also known as “old type” pressure cookers, these operate with a weight‐modified or “jiggly” valve,
     which releases pressure during operation. Some people might consider them loud or very loud
     because the weight‐modified valve operates similarly to the piston in a steam engine. They
     typically offer only one pressure level – with the exception of some newer “old style” pressure
​     cookers that allow the operator to change the weight of the weight‐modified valve.

3 The pressure can be safely released to allow opening of the cooker through: Pressure Release Methods,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pressure_cooking#Pressure_release_methods
     Pressure release methods
     After cooking, there are three ways of releasing the pressure, either quickly or slowly, before the
     lid can be opened. Recipes for pressure cookers state which release method is required at the end      of the cooking time for proper results. Failure to follow the recommendation may result in food    
     that is under-cooked or over‐cooked. Only one of these release methods is used after timing, as
     recommended in the recipe.

     To avoid opening the pressure cooker too often while cooking different vegetables with varying
     cooking times, the vegetables that take longer to cook can be cut into smaller pieces and
     vegetables that cook faster can be cut into thicker pieces.

     Cold water quick release
     This method is the fastest way of releasing pressure with portable pressure cookers; it is
     recommended to read the manufacturer’s instruction book, as some may advise against
     the cold water release or require it to be performed differently.
     The cold water release method involves using slow running cold tap water, over the
     edge of the pressure cooker lid, being careful to avoid the steam vent or any other
     valves or outlets and never immersing the pressure cooker under water. It is most
     suitable for foods with short cooking times. It takes about 20 seconds for the cooker to
     cool down enough to lower the pressure so that it can be safely opened. This method is
     not suitable for electric pressure cookers, as they are not “immersible.”

     Manual, normal, regular or automatic release
     This method is sometimes called a quick release, not to be confused with the cold water
     release. It involves the quick release of vapor by lifting (or removing) the valve, pushing
     a button, or turning a dial. It is most suitable to interrupt cooking to add food that cooks
     faster than what is already in the cooker. For example, since meat takes longer to cook
     than vegetables, it is necessary to add vegetables to stew later so that it will cook only
     for the last few minutes. Unlike the cold water release method, this release method
     does not cool down the pressure cooker. The user must release the steam with caution
     to avoid being scalded. This release method is not suitable for foods that foam and froth
     while cooking; the hot contents might spray outwards due to the pressure released
     from the steam vent. This release method takes about two minutes to release the
     pressure before the lid can be opened.

     Natural release
     The natural release method allows the pressure to drop slowly; this is achieved by
     removing the pressure cooker from the heat source and allowing the pressure to lower
     without action. It takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes (possibly longer) for the
     pressure to disappear before the lid can be opened. On many pressure cookers, a
     coloured indicator pin will drop when the pressure has gone. This natural release
     method is recommended for foods that foam and froth during cooking, such as rice,
     legumes, or recipes with raising agents such as steamed puddings. The texture and
     tenderness of meat cooked in a pressure cooker can be improved by using the natural
     release method…[that] finishes cooking foods or recipes that have longer cooking times
     because the inside of the pressure cooker stays hot. This method is not recommended
     for foods that require very short cooking times, otherwise the food overcooks.
​
4 Gentle words, Holy Bible, Proverbs 15, v. 1, King James Version (KJV), www.BibleGateway.com, Scripture taken from the King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1ZvScU5 

     1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

5 Listening between speaking, Ibid, James 1, v. 19-20, http://bit.ly/1TUWp1U

     19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
     20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

6 Listening between speaking, Ibid, Proverbs 29, v. 11, http://bit.ly/24hQ0QY

     11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

7 could bring a heated topic into an unruffled discussion, Ibid, Colossians 4, v. 6, http://bit.ly/1XcEOGU

     6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to    
     answer every man.

8 could bring a heated topic into an unruffled discussion, Ibid, Colossians 3, v. 8, http://bit.ly/1TP1coD

     8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of
     your mouth.

9 could bring a heated topic into an unruffled discussion, Ibid, Ephesians 4, v. 29-32, http://bit.ly/1PgIMLu

     29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of      edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
     30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
     31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you,  
     with all malice:
     32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s
     sake hath forgiven you.

10 resolve the dissension before we go to bed, Ibid, Ephesians 4, v. 26-27, http://bit.ly/1sJ99PO

​     26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
     27 Neither give place to the devil.

11 walk in great love, Ibid, John 13, v. 34, http://bit.ly/1sZoL2q  

     34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also
     love one another.

12 ever present help in the time of trouble, Ibid, Psalm 46, v. 1, http://bit.ly/25xLtML

     1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

13 count it all joy when we are in very difficult situations, Ibid, James 1, v. 2-4, http://bit.ly/1sJlCD3

     2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
     3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
     4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

14 all things work together for good, Ibid, Romans 8:28, http://bit.ly/1UDCtDm

     28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
     called according to His purpose. 

My loving heavenly Father provides the details. My job is to walk in great love as I praise Him in all situations. Jesus embraces my efforts and gently teaches me to listen and yield to His leading. In this atmosphere the Lord guides me to learn to turn my failures and partial successes into future victories. Holy Spirit encourages me to try new ways and follow the ancient paths of truth from the Word of God applied in modern steps.

It is a gradual reshaping of my time, talents and treasures applied with ever increasing love. Praise and love I have learned must be at the center of my mindset, filling my heart, mouth and eyes. For whatever is inside me spills over in to my relationships with my family, friends, acquaintances and with God Himself.

Like the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible, there are good things we have always felt we needed to do to take care of our homes, families and to measure up to the priorities of the world. This is especially true for women when we have a house full of people to care for. The pressure to provide quality, ample, interesting meals can be a challenge for our budgets and time.

Little by little the Lord impresses upon me changes to make for the future. For great meals that require so much of my time and energy that I have scant moments to listen or rest come at too high a cost. It is imperative that new ways be found to accomplish the end goals to allow me to be the greatest possible ambassador for Him.

​This past Christmas and New Year I realized how much was being lost in precious time with my family. I was still rising to keep my very early time in the morning with the Lord – but because I was the first up and last to bed with no nap for many days my body was reaching exhaustion. As I cooked and cleaned I seemed to move from one meal to the next to the next in continuous service…but the others were gaining the relationships.

When the house was once again quiet I had to ask myself “where did the time go?” and “how can we do this better?”

When we only get to see the ones we love infrequently the need to invest in relationship in the moment is even more important. Months pass before a “do‐over” opportunity comes along. We can stay in touch through texting, phone calls, email and many electronic methods but there is nothing like the real deal of in person visits.

Chats over coffee and tea, adventures, resting, going, doing, all have their place to build memories.
But when the “doing” is not “engaging” the relationship connections suffer.

The wonderful thing about walking in yielded, submitted love with Jesus is that He is faithful to teach us.When we ask for His help He is eager to give us wisdom, direction, peace and love. Great creativity flows from time spent with Him and in His Word. When I bring the problem or issue and lay it down at His feet – then listen closely – the answers start to come. Now I am working with my Master Consultant who has a bird’s eye view. He can see everything so clearly along the continuum of my life and knows what I need to lay down, pick up, start and stop along the way.

Twelve changes I plan to implement for the future include:

1. Making out my menu(s) earlier to allow shopping for majority of the items to be completed two weeks out. This, in addition to having many supplies on hand for unexpected hosting, should reduce stress greatly. Then last minute shopping for produce, bread, dairy and any additions necessary should be easier.
   
   
2. Beware overspending. Plan your budget and menu accordingly. Shop with a calculator and streamling your shopping list even further if necessary. Watch the ads and clip coupons. I keep a running grocery list on my notes on my I‐phone and try to divide it by groups of purchases by store, department, etc.
   
   
3. Pre‐make as many entrees as possible to put in to the freezer. I found the “Joyful Momma 100 Day Challenge”2 on Pinterest. Her website offers many tips like pre‐making enchiladas, lasagna, etc., in small disposable metal pans. Cover with double layers of foil and mark both what it is and how to bake then stow in the freezer till needed. Thaw just ahead of the time to bake in staging the meal prep to keep all flowing. Freezing in smaller pans allows more flexibility to adjust to the number of servings needed.
   
   
4. A long‐time fan of crock pot cooking I am learning more new recipes to prepare this way, too. Pinterest has many suggestions for slow cooker soups, side dishes, entrees and desserts.
   
   
5. Prepare vegetables, cheese, etc., as much as possible in advance of guests arriving to allow staging of​ ingredients. For example, vegetables can be washed and soaked in a solution of water with a little peroxide to kill bacteria. Rinsed, the drained vegetables can be stored in containers in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Cheese can be grated or sliced and stored in zip lock bags or sealed in containers.
   
   
6. Crock pots, or a 170 ⁰ oven can be used to hold food that has been cooked or baked in advance. We used this concept in taking food to a pot luck dinner recently. Potatoes wrapped in foil were baked at a 400 ⁰ oven for an hour. At the same time, water heated in my biggest crock pot on high. When the potatoes were finished baking in the oven the water was dumped out of the crock pot and the potatoes were placed inside. Only a small layer of water was left to cover the bottom of the slow cooker. The food stayed hot even after transported and the small amount of water kept the potatoes from drying out too much.
   
   
7. If you have extra refrigerator(s) and freezer space utilize them to prepare portions of your menu ahead of time. For New Year’s our refrigerator space was at a premium so we utilized a Coleman 5‐day cooler inside our garage. The temperatures were very low so the food stayed cold. However, for summer, larger frozen containers of ice could be added to help the food stay the proper temperature inside the coolers. Produce like lettuce, carrots, celery, etc., stored in zip lock bags, cartons of eggs, cheese plates, etc., did very well.
   
   
8. Multiply the baking. If I have to take dessert to more than one function, plus have on hand for guests in​ our home, I bake two or three cakes at the same time. I also plan to pre‐bake their favorite cookies and store in the freezer a few weeks out.
   
   
9. Give yourself permission to slip away and take a 20 minute nap…longer if possible.
   
   
10. No matter how tired my body might be my time with God must be first. Coffee can be brewing and breakfast rolls can be ready to bake in a preheated oven – but nothing must come in the way of my appointed, quiet time with the Lord.
    
    
11. Simplify one to two meals a day if possible and make one really nice. We had several breakfasts of cereal, milk and assorted individual yogurt flavors this year to simplify. One morning was French toast, bacon and scrambled eggs. One breakfast included waffles and bacon. But the cereal, milk and yogurt were served each day. In the past I had felt I must make a full, hot breakfast for each meal. When rest, time with God and time with the people are the priority then some of the traditions had to be adjusted.
    
    
12. Wash less – visit more. The next time we are hosting a house full of people I plan to invest in a huge stack of heavy duty disposable plates so we can spend less time cleaning up and more time building relationship.
    
    

God wants us to draw near to Him and then be love to those around us.
Making showing love the priority changes the perspective on everything that is required of us by traditions.

Breaking old expectations to allow us to build better memories is crucial. Being rested and having had time with Him we can be ambassadors for Jesus to touch hearts through us.

     “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was,
     the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different
     because I was important in the life of a child.” 3

Rested, we are best able to listen, laugh and share the love of Jesus. It’s difficult to overcome exhaustion when trying to give our very best to our families…but a night of pizza out can be a great investment all around. Hearing joy on our lips as we settle in for a nice chat or an excursion they will be learning to make choices for their future hosting, too.

If the guests remember that they were deeply loved and cared for as we give praise to God for all His blessings we will have made a mark for generations as Christian wives and mothers.

     “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
     but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV) 4
     [newer translations showing charity as love]

From the heart with all praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Donna Turpin
In Christ Alone

Copyright © 2016 Prepare Ye the Way with Love and Praise Ministries NFP or Prepare Love Praise TM Ministries NFP. All rights reserved.
​


1 Holy Bible KJV, BibleGateway.com, Luke 10, v. 38-42, King James Version (KJV), www.BibleGateway.com, Scripture taken from the King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1WXruFE

2 Joyful Momma Website, Alexis, Joyful Momma 100 Day Challenge, http://joyfulmommaskitchen.com/category/100-day-challenge/

3 Forest E. Witcraft, Teacher, Scholar, Pass It On Website, A Hundred Years from Now Quote, http://www.values.com/inspirational-quotes/4244-a-hundred-years-from-now-it-will-not-matter

4 And the greatest of these is love, Holy Bible, BibleGateway.com, 1 Corinthians 13, v. 13, King James Version (KJV), www.BibleGateway.com, Scripture taken from the King James Version (KJV) by Public Domain, http://bit.ly/1NCHPg3