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Celebrating a year having Satilla Secrets in publication. From April 17-20, you can get the eBook FREE!! Don't miss this chance to get this eBook FREE!!

Satilla Secrets

Many secrets were kept during the years as our ancestors settled this land. Satilla Secrets tells of one kept by the Smith family as they settled in the southeast area of Georgia. Read how they
survive in the untamed land of outlaws and Indian attacks and help bring a longed-for town into a reality. Included in the back of the book is a timeline of that period of Pierce County history.

Making Our Words Sweeter

MEMORY VERSE CHALLENGE  # 2 -

1 Corinthians 2:5  "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

I have read this verse during the month and then read the verses around it. I haven’t focused on any one thought or received a touching devotion. Until today. And now two thoughts are bouncing around in my head.

# 1 - I am a no-nonsense person when it comes to talking to someone, especially on the phone.  I say what I want to say and the conversation is over! That is my tendency, anyway. I keep trying to change that and learn to use ‘small talk and pleasantries’ to …I guess to extend the conversation and get to know people better. Many times I fall short.

# 2 - I remember when preachers used to preach ‘hell fire and brimstone’ sermons, at least on Sunday mornings. They told people of their great sin and a Saviour who could forgive that sin. I also remember, almost to the moment, when the sermons changed to be more teaching than preaching.  I miss the hard preaching. I not only learned from it, but felt God leading me more. We also saw lots of people walking the aisles at church and getting saved, then living for God!

I wonder if Paul was being like that, preaching hard, expounding their sin, then decided he needed to use a sweeter tone to his approach. They say a little sweetness added to your words go along way. Just wondering here, for as I said, God didn’t give me a devotion from it this time.

So, back to the verse of the month. As we trust God to lead us in what to say to people, we can have the faith that the words that are used are not from our own wisdom, but the power of God will bless them to bring about His will.

 Belinda Jo

Memory Verse Challenge

This month I had a challenge to memorize and meditate on a Bible verse. My husband and I both learned it.

It is Psalm 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

To me, this is a special verse, because God is the light that leads me to my salvation through Him. He then leads me each day and gives me strength to take one step at a time throughout my life until I meet Him. With that guidance and assurance there is nothing I should fear!

Here it is with a photo I put it on.
The body of water is Banks Lake close to Valdosta, Georgia.

Memory Verse Challenge

I joined a special group of people and we have decided to memorize a new verse of the Bible each month. Click on the above link to join it!

Christian Ladies' Network

I am a member of a Christian Ladies' Network. Working together by praying for and encouraging each other in our daily walks for the Master.

This week we started a challenge for memorizing a verse each month. I needed that so I joined.

Here is a link to the site if you want to join it.
Christian Ladies Network Bible Memory Challenge

Christmas trims are gone

Well, the Christmas items are put away. Today is January 20. Only about a month past Christmas day! I started decorating for the holidays the day after Thanksgiving. But before I could get it done, I became sick. I was so sick, I could not enjoy the special time of year that I enjoy so much. Then, while I was still recuperating, I decided that maybe I'd just leave everything up until after next Christmas, then I would not have to worry about my sickness to interfere.

But, alas, I could not stand the clutter. Since I have felt so good the past week or so, I took advantage of this summer-like day to organize the items so maybe it will be a quicker job done next year. And, maybe I will do it earlier since I seem to get sick in November.  September or October would be nice!

And, of course, I hope we can all keep the Christmas spirit in our hearts all year long.

Christmas trims are gone

Carols still sing in my heart

Hope it lasts all year

By BJA December 2014

Everyday Is Christmas

 Everyday is Christmas

Because of Jesus’ birth.

Joy stirred many hearts

When He came to earth.

Everyday is Christmas

For salvation He brings.

The love He shares

Makes our hearts sing.

 Everyday is Christmas

If we really care

For others around us and

The good news share.

Everyday is Christmas

With Jesus in our heart.

Having sweet fellowship

Only He can impart.

Everyday is Christmas

Let the whole world know.

By living our lives

So He will show.

By Belinda Jo Adams 12/ 1993

I have not written a Christmas newsletter for several years. Thought I'd again give it a try.

I am sitting here enjoying a piece of pecan pie and a cup of coffee. Keep in mind, that I drink my coffee very weak. (I mean 1/10 coffee to 9/10 hot water) And the pie, I am only eating the filling because I am wheat free, so no crust. But, yes, I am enjoying it my way! Remember the song, "I did it my way!"

OK, This seemed to be the year of 30s. Now, see if I can remember them all. In January, I decided to come off Facebook for 31 days. I did it! Then Feb 21, I started a 30-day detox. My cousin wrote the book (The 30-Day Faith Detox by Laura Harris Smith) that I went by, so party it was to support her and Rachael had done it already, so for 2 reasons, I gave it a try. The short version, this is where I discovered I was allergic to wheat. I realized I was coughing less so told Steve that I would keep avoiding it and see. I do not cough as much. Yes, I do still cough (everyone does) but not near as much as I used to. Yea!
The next 30 was our vacation to Maine (to visit his Dad) and the New England area. It really did not last the 30 days because Steve got sick with a cold (yes, Steve this time!) and we had to cut it short and head home. But, we got to see several of the houses, etc that Steve's gggggggg grandfathers' families built and towns they lived in.

I know there were a couple more occasions that I thought 'another 30' but right now I can't remember them. So, for the last one. I closed out the year with bronchitis for a month (but coughing a whole lot less!), getting well just in time to enjoy the last week before Christmas.  I have had a very hard time getting in the spirit of Christmas this year, almost a ba-humbug attitude. Thus, the late Christmas letter. Don't worry, I still love Christmas and Jesus Christ!

Back in time to the spring, I worked on my Georgia book for about 9 months and had it published in the spring. Satilla Secrets is set in SE Georgia, starting with the Indian wars in the 1800s and ending when Blackshear became a town. The novel is about an imaginary family based on ones in this area at that time. Since I had researched my ancestors in this area, I gave them 'cameo' appearances throughout the book. It includes a timeline of this area at that time, also. I also put into publication 3 devotional books and re-did all my old novels with new covers and lower prices.

Well, I did it. Another newsletter. We do wish you a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Summer work

During the summer, I have been revising-redesigning my books, working on new ones and reviving my web page. I almost have it all done. THEN!, I plan to take a break and rest some.

Here is what my new business card looks like. There is more information on the real one, but for the web, I revised it to this. My web page is http://www.belindajo.com

I decided to take the challenge Feb 21. I had checked my calendar and saw that I had 4 weeks until my family reunion, so it would just fit and the reunion would be my celebration. But, after  week, I realized that I had looked at my computer-print off calendar wrong and I only had 3 weeks. I thought about condensing it, but I really was enjoying it, so went right on through the reunion!

My husband started it with me, but he was tired from other responsibilities and I let him off the hook after day 3, though he wanted to support me through it. However, being the eating style was mostly how we eat anyway, I could work it in with most of our meals.

http://lauraharrissmith.com/DetoxBook.html  =   The 30-Day Faith Detox: Renew Your Mind, Cleanse Your Body, Heal Your Spirit

My Reflections on the detox.

Day 31

I have finished with the 30 day detox. Well, I actually did the 30 days in 28 because of combining 3 days into 2, twice (long story)

I enjoyed reading the devotions and learning from them, helping me to see things in my life more clearly. I hope to use them in my own life and if the Lord leads, to share with others in need.

I can’t believe I have not had for 30 days:

Ranch dressing (though I had been using it mixed with olive oil.)

Bottled water (though I only use if for convenience when out and about)

No water from other sources (ie. Church, other homes, etc.) I remembered to use our filtered water out and about.

Sugar (though I hardly ever eat it, I realized I do consume it more than I thought)

No beef or pork (the doctor had told me to cut back, a couple weeks before I started the detox) Well, I must confess, I did have a bite of roasted pork at my family reunion, because Steve wanted me to see how good it tasted … and it did!)

We only had chicken and fish a few times as a treat. Mostly veggies and fruit.

 No chocolate for the first week.

Hardly any caffeine. I already had healthy green tea (lots of it) with a little caffeine and did not want to go spend more money for more tea.

No sour cream and cottage cheese (again, already doctor’s orders)

Wheat. I miss my bowl of Raisin Bran (my home made mix of cereals, not the Post or Kellogg’s that I ate for so many years) several times a week.

 Hardly any microwave use. I had stopped using it about 6 years ago and did not for 3 years. But, then I started using it now and then for convenience in re-heating my coffee. But, I do not use it to cook.

I did not indulge in the treats at a bridal shower or 2 family reunion events or 2 church meals or out with Mama.

 OK, now for what I did enjoy.

Several new smoothie recipes. I can’t believe all the various delicious smoothies in the book! Along with all the other recipes for vegetables! I had a hard time eating as much as Laura suggested. In fact, I did not eat that much, for I couldn’t.

I enjoyed socializing with the facebook group and learning from them.

I drink a lot of water anyway, but this time I counted the glasses, making sure I got 9 of them. I ended up placing 9 shiny pennies on my window sill, and moving them over to the other side one by one during the day.

I did stretch and walk, as normal.

I enjoyed the Epson salt baths and plan to continue them now and then. My skin feels so good.

I enjoyed trying to give God a tithe of my time.

How I feel: I do feel somewhat better, more relaxed. I am not coughing as much, even though it is tree-pollen season. Could it be the no-wheat?

 Before the detox, I was on medication for indigestion for 2 years. Just before the detox, I had read how the meds were not good for people. So, I decided to wean myself off them. Being I discovered ginger and mint tea, that helped.

I am off them for now and will try to take care of it naturally. (Which I was doing before, but did not work as to why I started taking the meds.) But, I will try again.

Also, I had a pain in my chest for which the doctor told me to do deep breathing exercises for 6 months and come back. (We had already checked my for heart, etc) But, then I read about the meds, that that was a side effect. So, another reason to stay off them.

 [Update about 2 weeks later: I had to go back on the meds for I hurt much, but will try again. I do not want to take them!]

 I did not lose any weight or inches, which disappointed me. I have been working on losing 20 pounds for about 20 years. I can lose the first 10, but the second will not go away, no matter what I do. I was excited about maybe being able to say I had lost it or at least 5 of it, but I now think this must be where God wants me and I plan to be content in it.

What my now goals are:

 Keep drinking filtered water as much as possible.

 Keep off wheat and most sugar as much as possible.

 Keep enjoying the smoothies as afternoon snacks and go back to my own smoothies for breakfast.

Keep walking and stretching as for my normal doing so.

 Go back to my 8 hours of sleep and not worry about getting 9, which is what we mostly did this month, anyway.

Thank Laura!!

http://lauraharrissmith.com/DetoxBook.html

Watch the shapes of Maine and the rest of the states evolve over 400 years

Watch the shapes of Maine and the rest of the states evolve over 400 years





This was an interesting watch for history buffs, homeschoolers.

My new Blackshear Times Piece

The Blackshear Times / page 4 / December 16, 2015

My Favorite Bible Chapter

John 17

Whenever I am reading through the Bible, and finish John chapter 16, I cannot go on until I read chapter 17! Then, the next day, I start with chapter 17! And in that chapter is my favorite verse! Verse 20!
This chapter, I have titled as 'The Real Lord's Prayer'. Why? Because the one we usually pray ... Our Father which art in Heaven ... (Matthew 6:9-13) is the one Jesus used to teach us how to pray. In John 17, Jesus IS praying to his Father in Heaven and praying for all the people who believe on his name. I am so glad Jesus included me!

Beauty Among Ashes

Isaiah 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

This area of our property is my husband's burn pile. It is where he burns all the tree trimmings we are continually coming up with being we have many trees and shrubs. Well, not as many as we could have being we do not have green thumbs and have about a 50% rate of success. Anyway, he had not had anything to burn for a couple months and the weeds grew. And the petunias grew. And it is pretty in itself. Then, one day on my walk, I saw this butterfly feasting.
It made me think about how sometimes in our lives we seem to be going through a rough place and it seems like we are not 'producing' anything for God, but then we look back and see where we did have growth and others even were blessed by one or the other of our actions as we kept ourselves close to Him and served in our own quiet way through whatever heartache or problem we were having.
It is nice to know that though we may not seem as close to God sometimes, He is always close to us!