Bulls Eye!

Lamentations 3: 12
" He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows. "


You don't want to be on the wrong side of the God's bow! Unless he's shooting arrows of blessings, quickly move away!! However, there is nothing wrong with being convicted by God's word. An arrow of truth, shot in your heart, is a good way to turn your life around. Conviction, confession and repentance are a part of walking with God. We fall short, we sin, we are convicted of sin, we confess, we repent. We are human. Thank you Lord for the lessons that we are to learn from your conviction. Help us everyday to confess our humanness and seek you.

My prayer of my children returning to school this week, was not answered the way I was hoping. School has been cancelled for the rest of the week. I'm sure it's exactly the outcome my children were praying for, though. Oh well, at least their faith has been boosted. We did, however, get out of the neighborhood for the first time.  Yay!! The children had gift certificates to Barnes & Noble from Christmas that we hadn't yet used, and we made it to our local Target for a quick grocery stop. It was a fun afternoon.

Here are a few things that we found in our travels.

My daughter and I are reading this series of mystery books together.
The latest installment will be out on February 23rd, and she used her gift card to preorder a signed copy of this book.
Joanne Fluke- Wedding Cake Murder 

For some reason, my toddler insists this is the Valentine Tee for her!
I think I may have to go back and pick one up.
Target- Girls Graphic Tee Red- Circo

What a great Valentine gift idea for the coffee lover in your life (hint, hint!). All of these mugs are under $5!

Target- Stoneware Coffee Mug- Evergreen

I pray you have a terrific day, today! 

Snow, snow, snow

Psalm 69: 33
" The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. "


Help! I'm being held captive by all of this snow!! I haven't been out of the house, except to shovel or play in the snow with the children, since Friday morning. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but I need to get out of here! I do need a few groceries and to return some library books, so today I'm going to break out. To make my captivity just a tad more prison like, I have inmates trapped here with me. My beautiful, stir crazy children, haven't had school since Friday. Talk about some powerful prayer time these last few mornings! Lord, I pray school opens again soon. Thank you, Lord, for not despising me in my captivity. Set me free, Lord, set me free!!

I have had some sweet times with my children the last couple of days (it hasn't been all prison like). Monday morning, the little girls and I got to snuggle in my bed and watch a couple of  movies. And later that day, we went sledding. When we were good and cold, we came in for some hot cocoa. We also got a nice family movie night in with some fresh popped popcorn and the movie "War Room". What a powerful movie. I was moved from beginning to end. I highly recommend you add it to your family movie library.

Here are a  couple of things I've enjoyed these last few days.

Snuggling with my babies!

Look how much higher the snow is than my little one!
Let me tell you how difficult it is to walk in, what a great cardio workout!!

What could be better than chocolate and marshmallows?
Well maybe not better, but these fun Kraft-"HeartMallows" were terrific in our hot cocoa.

War Room was a terrific movie. I was convicted, hopeful and renewed all at the same time.
Go buy a copy!

I pray you have a wonderful day today, "He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives..." Luke 4:18. 

Get out today, if you can, and proclaim His good news!!

Calm before the storm

Matthew 8: 26
" He replied, ' You of little faith, why are you so afraid? ' Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm. "


I certainly can identify with the disciples reaction to the storm. I often worry or am afraid of what might happen. I can almost hear Jesus saying the same thing to me, " Why are you so afraid? ".  I walk two little boys along with my daughter to the bus stop in the mornings. Our bus stop happens to be the first stop on the driver's (Mr. Craig's) route. The bus sits and waits at the top of the hill in our neighborhood until 8:15 when the driver heads down to our stop. You literally can set your watch to it. On rainy or cold mornings I wait until the last possible minute to make the walk to the bus stop. I have faith that Mr. Craig will come down the hill at 8:15. One of the boys gets very anxious about waiting in my house (he likes to be first in line at the bus stop). I often find myself reminding him that the absolute worst thing that can happen would be that we would miss the bus, and I'll have to drive everyone to school. We would probably even beat the bus to school if that happened. So really, the worst thing, isn't that bad at all. I need to remind myself that even if things aren't going the way I would like them to, or the way that I would plan, or even if they go badly, I need to have faith. The one who calms the wind and the waves is in control. I will not be afraid.  Amen.

We are about to get a major snowstorm, here. A blizzard! Yuck. Am I afraid, am I worried? Um, no. I don't want to run out of food, and I don't want to lose power (we're supposed to get some nasty wind). But, I'm looking forward to not having to go anywhere this weekend. I'm looking forward to reading some books with my girls and watching some football playoff games with my boys. I'm hoping to get some organizing done. I'm hoping to relax and catch up on some sleep. I'm as prepared as I can be, my refrigerator is full (at least until my son gets home from school!), and we bought an extra snow shovel. Let it snow!

Here are a few things I'd like to do this snowy weekend...

I'm all over this!!

6-8 cups of snow
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 to 1 tsp of vanilla
1 tablespoon Chocolate syrup
1/4 cup of coffee

I signed up for this...I'm going to read!!!
http://www.hcplonline.org/

And, certainly,I could do this!

Love these Jamberry's, and what a great cause!
(shop here)

I pray if you are in an area that is forecasted to be affected by this snowstorm, that you are prepared and that you actually find some joy and calm in this blizzard. Even though I'm sure I haven't prepared for everything that could happen this weekend, I am confident that God is in control. I have faith that He will see me through this storm. Amen.

Let the shovelling commence!!

It's all about that base

1 Corinthians 3 :10
" By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. "


Paul is referring to giving the people of Corinth the foundation of Jesus Christ, and that God is sending others to help build on that foundation. But...each one should build with care. He wants the Corinthians to see, that even though it was him (Paul), and other good people bringing the word, that they are just people and that the real foundation is God Himself. It would be like me today, identifying my foundation as a Protestant or an Evangelical (just examples, there's nothing necessarily wrong with identifying your faith). It's when we are only those things, without Christ, that there is a problem. Having good, godly people help you build your faith in Christ is important. Thank you, Lord for putting so many of those people in my life. The real focus has to be on you, Lord. Help me to build my faith wisely in You. Amen.

Wow, not sure where that is came from today. Let me leap off of my pulpit now and tell you my motivation. I really wanted to write about the foundation for my foundation (as in makeup). Lol. Thank you Lord, for the lesson. I really don't wear a lot of foundation in my day to day. I usually just do eyes and lips and maybe a little blush, and save my foundation for special occasions. But, now that I'm a getting just a tad older, I find that I use foundation more and more and that just foundation isn't quite enough. I've been using these 2 products regularly lately. My daughter, the teacher, recommended this first product.

Smashbox Photo Finish Shadow Primer.

I've been using this everyday I put on eye makeup (which is most days).
It really helps to prolong my shadow. Love it! 

Smashbox also makes this great  award winning Foundation Primer.
Definitely on my "must try" list.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

The other product I've been using is this.

  Figs and Rouge Mattifying Emulsion Primer.

I received a sample of this in my Ipsy glam bag a couple of months ago, and I'm hooked.
It helps diminish pores, fine lines, and shine. Good stuff!

My prayer for you today is that your life's foundation is in Christ. He made you a beautiful creation. You are His child. You are a daughter of the King!

Love letter

Ephesians 5: 25
" Husbands, love your wives. just as Christ loved his church and gave himself up for her, "


One of  the greatest responsibilities in the Bible is the one God gives to our husbands. So today, I'm going to write my husband a love letter...of sorts.

This was our last morning in Disney, last January.
  We were so tired and happy !

My Dearest Husband,

How do I love thee, let me count the ways!
Well, one thing that I don't care for is your constant nitpicking!  I mean seriously, who cares if everything isn't absolutely perfect when you walk in the door? I mean really. You're lucky I'm still here and sober most days!
And as for being the perfect wife and mother during the day and your sex kitten at night...not with four hours of sleep, buddy! What I am most desirous of is a full eight hours of sleep someday in this lifetime. I would also like to sneeze without peeing myself, but we know I might not get to do that either after giving life to our beautiful children. But, I digress...
How do I love thee? And quite frankly, why do I even still love thee??
I love you because you saw in me the angel I never was and hoped to be. I love you because you were so painfully honest the first time you asked me out. I mean, seriously, who asks a woman with three children out to dinner on their first date, and then the very next question is, " Do you want any more children? " ?  You did, Love, you did. And I went out with you anyway!
I love it that you always want what is the very best for our family. You always strive for the best in all of your projects. You have a great vision for how things should be done well. Nothing in my house is duct taped together, that's for sure. Of course, not a lot in my house is finished either, but I'm trying to be nice now.  I know that one day, we will have a beautiful home.
I love that you have a heart for others in need, and that you are as sensitive as I am when you hear a sweet song on the radio, or even when you see the sad commercial with the starving puppies on the television.
I love that I feel safe with you. I always have. You have protected me physically and emotionally, you are always my advocate (except when we are having an argument), and I know I can always count on you.
I love that through the darkest hours in my life, you have been there to hold my hand and pray with me, never leaving my side. You've also shared some of my greatest joys. You have been my strength and my hope.
I love your faith. I know your heart is in the Lord and that you want that same thing for our children and for me, and that you are by my side at church and at Bible study, learning and growing with me.
I love that you want to grow old with me, and that you have hopes and plans for our future together.
I just love you, in spite of you sometimes (as I'm sure you could say the same for me), but I  love you with all of my heart.

Love,
Your Favorite Wife!

My Dearest Husband and our beautiful children at our favorite place in Maryland, St. Michael's , last summer.

I pray you have a wonderful weekend. 

Spend it with someone you love and truly love them for being who God created them to be.

Love!

1 John 3: 18
" Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth "


I'm already thinking ahead to Valentine's Day. One month from today, I will hopefully be opening up a beautiful card and unwrapping a delicious piece of dark chocolate (subliminal message for husband!)! I love me some chocolate!! We celebrate Valentine's Day, because we love. Plain and simple. There's nothing wrong with taking a day to show someone (whether it' your spouse, your children, your friends) that we love and appreciate them. God created us in His image, God is love, we are created to love. Amen.

The perfect jewelry gift for Valentine's Day is Brighton jewelry. They have so many pieces with their iconic heart signature logo. I am fortunate enough to already own a few. Coincidentally (or is it?), I am wearing some today.

I've had this necklace for years and it's still one of my favorite (thanks, Mom!).

This watch is really great!
The band actually swivels around from black leather with silver to  brown leather with gold accents, so versatile. 

This watch is very similar.
Cody 2 Tone Reversible Watch - Brighton  

Here's some more great accessories and jewelry from the Brighton website.

This tote!! Oh my!
Cerise Double Zip Medium Tote- Brighton

How perfect for Valentine's Day, Cupid and hearts!
Devotion Cupid's Dream French Wire Earrings - Brighton

Another beautiful heart necklace, this one comes in 2 different colors.
St Michel Heart Necklace - Brighton

There are so many beautiful things on the Brighton site, I hope you take a look. I'm also fortunate enough to live near a local shop, The Pink Silhouette, that sells Brighton and not too far away there is an entire Brighton store!! Somebody get me some smelling salts! 

I pray you have a day full of love and beauty! 

Hello, it's me

1 Samuel 3: 4
" Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, 'Here I am. "


I love this story in Samuel. God is calling Samuel and Samuel doesn't know it's God, he thinks it is Eli calling him. Not just once, but three times this happens. Eli finally tells him to go lay back down, it's God, next time He calls answer Him! Isn't that just like us to hear God calling us to do something and then thinking, "it can't be God", it's... indigestion, nature, a full moon, gas, satan (you get the idea, right?). Let's make a point to listen for God in our lives. That requires quiet time with God, to listen for his voice. Maybe your quiet time is first thing in the morning, or driving to work, or right before bedtime. Whenever it is, remember prayer is a conversation with God. Conversation requires two things: speaking and listening. Let's not forget to listen and obey. Here I am, Lord.

I finally got my NEW PHONE!!! Yay! Hello! I went the Samsung Galaxy S6 route. So far, so good. I just activated it last night. Not only did I get a new phone, my favorite husband bought me the perfect cell phone case. Yay, husband!

My new phone!!
(see it here)

My new phone case. Laaah! (the sound of angels singing)
You can find it here.

And, here's my first, daughter initiated, selfie...

Cookin' dinner, takin' a selfie!

I pray you have a terrific Tuesday!

The weigh in

Hebrews 12: 1

" Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sins which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, " (NKJV)

I know I've quoted this verse before. It applies so nicely to a lot of life's trials. We all get ensnared by sin from time to time. For most of us, we don't normally think our sin is a big deal; we meant well...but. But sin is sin, and daily we need to go before the Father and seek his forgiveness, "we confess that we have sinned against you in thought word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone..." (BCP).  This is part of a prayer of confession that is said before communion in a church I attended. It's good stuff. Sometimes we sin when we don't do anything! It doesn't really seem fair, but that's sin for you, it's so easy to fall into. I pray today that you don't let sin weigh you down. Practice every day laying your sin out before God and asking for forgiveness. With this daily exercise you'll be able to run through life much easier. It's the best weight loss program you'll ever start. 

Speaking of weight...ugh. I need a new scale. I generally don't like to weigh myself. For me personally, I get obsessed by the number and I don't need that daily stress (of course it would be great if everyday the number was one that I liked).  However, we do need to be conscious of  how much we weigh for our health, so every now and then I step on the scale; very cautiously. Usually it's in the morning, after I've relieved myself and of course stripped down, naked! Try to clear your mind of that very graphic image, I apologize. This morning my weight didn't seem to change since I weighed myself Saturday afternoon, and when I got back on (because of course that couldn't be right!), it was almost 5 pounds less. I'm going with the second weight. lol! But seriously, I need a new scale! 

Here are few scales I'm considering.

This is probably what I'm going to go with. This scale is a bare bones digital readout scale, and it's affordable.
My last scale was very high tech and I never used any of the features.
(Taylor Lithium Digital Scale-Black - Target)

I love the look of this bamboo scale.
One day when I don't share a bathroom with the masses, I would consider getting this more attractive scale.
(American Weigh Scale Digital Bathroom Scale-330ECO - Target)

This is truly an impressive looking scale.
It says it can accurately weigh up to 400lbs...I hope I won't need that anytime soon.
(Salter Academy Professional Scale- Target)

For you high tech fitness gurus, this is an awesome scale.
It tracks weight, % body fat, and BMI, and you can link it through your wireless network and sync your information.
Pretty cool!
( Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale-Black - Target)

So many choices! I love the idea of the Fitbit scale, but I probably wouldn't use all of the great features. So, for now, it's just the basics for this girl. 

I pray you have a magnificent Monday, and that your morning weigh in with God, keeps you running with endurance the race before you today!

Casual Friday

1 Corinthians 16 : 2
" On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. "


Don't worry, this post is not about tithing or saving (although maybe a future post could be about financial responsibility...), I was looking for a day of the week or just the word week in the Bible. Our calendars just aren't compatible (apparently we didn't start using our "Western" calendar for about 1500 years after Jesus).  Today, is Friday!!! I love Friday, and if you're in the workforce out and about, your place of business just might let you dress casually on a Friday. Well, I'm a domestic goddess, so I can have casual Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,...you get the point. Dressing casually, in either situation doesn't mean sloppy, or looking like you're about to clean out your crawl space. You can still look good, and casual. Truth!

Since my birthday and Christmas are both in December, I get more clothes this time of the year than any other (yay!).  I got 4 beautiful new dresses, 2 pair of  great new shoes, some super comfy fleece jackets, and, the reason for my post, 2 adorable legging outfits. Leggings??? Yup, they've been back for a couple of years now, and I'm all for it. For my day to day wardrobe, I need easy, comfortable, active, washable, fun, cute clothes.  These 2 outfits fit the bill.

Outfit #1:

 I got a half-zip/ legging set from Victoria Secret for my birthday. Love,. Love.
Sporty, casual, love the color!!
(Ultimate Half Zip & Ultimate Legging Set- Victoria Secret)

Outfit #2:

My top actually says "But First Coffee" (another truth!) and it's white with black leggings.
I got this outfit at Kohl's after Christmas.
(click above link for details)

I imagine myself curled up on the sofa with a cup of hot cocoa, or a bowl of homemade chicken soup reading a good book or watching a great movie, in either one of these cute outfits this winter. The reality is, I walk the dog, crawl around on the floor with my toddler and scrub the toilets. But, more importantly, I look good doing it!!

I pray you have a blessed weekend,

 and that you get to do good, casual things with your family and friends!

Orange you glad I didn't say...

Proverbs 25: 11
" Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. "


Orange you glad I didn't say banana again! That was one of my best knock-knock joke punchlines. "Orange you glad... ", makes me think of things that I have done, or didn't do, have gotten, or didn't get. It's the opposite of regret. Looking back at something and thinking of how blessed you are because of what you did or didn't. One way we can be sure not to regret is to always seek the will of God. In all things. Do I always do this? Heck no!! I should. My prayer for you today, is that in all things you seek His will, His direction. His word, His way. Amen.

OK, so I couldn't find the word orange in the Bible. Some translations substitute "apricots" for "apples". Close enough. I'm thinking about oranges because I made that cake (click this link- A Mystery to Me) last night. Oh my!!! So delicious. You have to try it.  Orange also happens to be one of my favorite colors for spring and summer. My Baltimore Orioles sport that color.  Since my Ravens are done for the year, I'm now looking forward to baseball season. Come on Monday April, 4th!! (Opening Day at Oriole Park).

Here are a few pics of my fave things about baseball season!!

My favorite all time Oriole!!
He inspired me to be a catcher in my Rec/High School softball days.
GO #24!
(pic found on Rick Dempsey Official Website)

It'll be a few months until I change my flag, but this garden flag is a must for O's fans!
(The Party Animal Baltimore Orioles Garden/Window Flag only $9.99- Dicks)

And, of course, you have to dress the part. Ladies, please get at least one feminine fan T-shirt.
I love this one from Dicks. They have a lot of great ladies fan apparel. 

Why limit yourself to just spring and summer apparel?You can add some cold weather items to your fan gear.
This hat could be worn now, in anticipation for baseball season, or even for those chilly spring and hopefully late October games.
('47 Women's Baltimore Orioles Fiona Black Cuffed Knit $18.99- Dicks)

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday! 

NO RAGRETS!!(We're the Millers)

A Mystery to Me

Ephesians 3: 6
" This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. "


Where James was called to proclaim Christ to the Jews, Paul was sent to the Gentiles. Paul/Saul, whose life's mission was to find, punish and destroy followers of Jesus, became the writer of much of the New Testament and up until his death, never gave up sharing the love of Christ, the gospel, the good news to everyone. When someone tells you, "You/he/ she will never change", point them to the story in Acts 9 of Paul's (Saul's) conversion on the road to Damascus. With God all things are possible. Amen.

I've got mysteries on my mind today. While watching the Hallmark Channel this Christmas season, I was pleased to find that Allison Sweeney was starring as Hannah Swenson, in one of my favorite mystery writers made for TV movie series, "Murder She Baked". The author of the books, Joanne Fluke, has been writing this series of books for years. There are now 18 books in the Hannah Swenson mystery series, 3 of them have been adapted by Hallmark in the "Murder She Baked" movie series. So fun! My 9 year old and I just love them, not only is there a mystery to solve, there are recipes to make!! Warning: When you read these books, have a pot of coffee and some baked goods handy!

Here's a recipe I'm going to try today from "Key Lime Pie Murder" (the book we're currently reading)! I'll let you know how it turns out (the recipe, not the book).

Here's the book!  #9 in the series
(click here to see Joanne Fluke's website)

Kitty's Orange Cake 

1 box yellow cake mix

1- 3 oz. pkg orange Jell-O (not sugar-free)

1 cup of orange juice

1 tsp orange extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp orange zest

4 eggs

1 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chip morsels

Preheat oven 350*

Grease and flour Bundt pan. In mixing bowl with electric mixer combine cake mix, Jell-O, orange juice, orange extract, oil and orange zest. Mix all the ingredients until they are well blended.  Add the eggs one at a time. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed with electric mixer. Fold in mini chocolate morsels by hand. Pour batter into Bundt pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, until cake tester comes out dry. Cool on rack 20-25 minutes, loosen cake from side and center of the pan. tip cake out and let cool completely on rack.

Orange-Fudge Frosting:

2 Tbsp chilled butter

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 tsp orange extract

2 Tbsp refrigerated orange juice

Place the butter in bottom of 2-cup microwave-safe bowl. Add the chocolate chips. Heat on high at 15 second intervals, stirring to check after each interval.  Add the orange extract and stir it in. Add the orange juice Tbsp by Tbsp, stirring after each Tbsp.  Pour frosting over the ridge of the cake, letting it run partway down the sides. It will be thicker on top.  Refrigerate cake without covering it , for at least 20 minutes before serving. 

(image found here)

I hope you try this recipe, too. And if baking isn't your thing, at least tune in on Sunday, January 10th, to see all 3 Hannah Swenson, "Murder She Baked" mysteries starting at 5pm EST. (I know I am!).  Nothing better in these cold months than to cuddle up with a good mystery (or 2 or 3!). 

I pray you have a terrific Tuesday!

Happy Anniversary +3

Psalm 100: 5
" For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. "


Happy Anniversary!! 1 year and 3 days ago, I started "Lipstick on an Elephant"! What a blessing it has been for me. I pray it has also been a blessing for you (that was kinda the point).  Through the last year I've been able to write and live this verse from Psalms. The Lord is good! Even though my life has not been all joy and light, I choose to live in it and seek it, " his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. ". Amen.

Of course, it's the beginning of the year and everyone is making resolutions. I do like to look back and see where I can improve and I do like to look forward to see what I can accomplish. Let's look forward together!!

Here are some specific things in my life that I am praying about, and hope to accomplish if not in this year, then certainly in this lifetime. I'm sure some of you can relate to them, and I know that if we pray specifically for and with each other, there is nothing the Lord can't do.

1.  A new home for my family. We currently live in a townhouse. And while I'm certainly blessed to live where I do, we are just bursting at the seams. We have 6 people living in a 3 bedroom house. I want to stay in this area, but we need a home that doesn't need a lot of renovation and that can accommodate my big family, and oh yeah, we have to be able to afford it!

Love the layout of this Bob Ward home.
This model is The Betterton- Trulia

2.  A clean, finished, organized home! (a girl can dream, right??!!). There's always room for improvement here. Some of this is beyond my control, right Honey? (he knows who he is!), but what I can control; I need to. Plain and simple.

I love this Blog.
There are always some great tips, and it is so beautifully done.
How to Clean Your Home in 30 Minutes a Day!- StoneGable

3.  A joyful, soulful, bountiful family. What?? I pray that we are so full of Jesus, that we can't help but exude joy, and blessings to those around us. Jesus Freaks! I also want to be more of a Biblical scholar. There is some good stuff in there. I pray that my family seeks Christ together, and his light shines through us in all that we do.

I've heard great things about this translation.
 I think you should use any tool that you can to help you to understand God's Word.
(The Message Ministry Edition: The Bible in Contemporary Language- Amazon.com)

4.  A healthy body and mind.  I know I need to do better in keeping not only myself, but my family, healthy. That includes regular wellness checkups for my husband, me and the children. As well as healthy eating and exercise habits for us. While I know I'm not the queen of clean eating, I know how to prepare a healthy meal. I hope to bring more healthy choices to my blog this year. Although, there's nothing wrong with a nice piece of cake and a cup of coffee- in moderation!

I found this great article on Pinterest.
(click here to read it)

Let me know what you're striving for this year. Is it a new home?  A day at the spa?  A loving family? Getting to know Jesus better? Share you're prayer request in the comment section. I'd love to hear from you and pray for you. I hope you are praying for me. " For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. " (Matthew 18 :20).  We can go to Him alone, but together we are stronger. 

I pray you have a wonderful week, and a terrific 2016!