February’s Focus has me linking up with Jennifer for “Share 4 Somethings. The prompts for 2023 are: Something I Loved, Something I Read, Something I Learned & Something I Ate.
February’s Focus – Something I Loved
February had us focusing on the garden. We converted a section of our backyard lawn into a garden area. We scalped the grass, laid down heavy-duty weed barrier, purchased a pickup load of soil from a landscape company in the DFW Metroplex area, and began preparing the garden beds for March planting.
Though February brought freezing temperature accompanied by ice and sleet, my heart is full of Spring! So, every task moving our yard forward towards the new life of Spring, makes my heart happy.
February’s Focus – Something I Read
Evidence Not Seen: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II is the triumphal story of Darlene Deibler Rose’s four years in a Japanese prison camp deep in the jungles of New Guinea.
Darlene’s heart of surrender to the Lord, the purity of her love, and the depth of her willingness to serve Him – no matter what the cost – is inspiring.
My walk away from listening to the audiobook, Evidence Not Seen, is to examine my heart to see ‘to what extent’ my love for the Lord and willingness to surrender my rights actually extend. I join with the father in the Bible who cried out to Jesus, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” I find myself kneeling in prayer, requesting the Father to purify my heart so that my love reflects HIS LOVE as Darlene’s love reflected His love to the world around her.
February’s Focus – Something I Learned
February’s Focus had me finishing a project from 2022. I finished writing Paul’s Prayers the first week of December; however, the book compiler was off for Christmas break, so the book wasn’t compiled until the first week of January.
The graphic designer took all of January to complete the book cover, so the finished project wasn’t published on Amazon until the first week of February. The eBook was published immediately, but the print edition seems to be hung in cyber-ville in a perpetual state of review.
What did I learn through all of this? I learned that the publishing process can be painfully slow.
Writing and publishing a book is like giving birth, one is elated and exhausted at the same time. ~Lisa Blair
I am reminded that there are some things I cannot do by myself which means I am dependent on others. It takes a team to publish a book which means that publishing takes time! In the midst of the process, I am reminded to rejoice always!
Even now, I choose to give thanks to the Lord for the grace to walk through the publishing process for Paul’s Prayers – 30 Powerful Prayers to Ignite Your Prayer Life to come forth into the world in all the desired formats.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
February’s Focus – Something I Ate
Visiting Apollonia’s Italian Kitchen in Richardson, Texas was a true highlight this past week. The wood accents throughout made it feel like we were visiting the “Old World” and was quite charming!
The wait staff was professional and courteous. The menu, table cloths, wait staff and atmosphere reminded me of Europe. The only sound in the room was quiet conversation. No blaring music which was quite refreshing! Apollonia’s allows one to focus on relationships. We had a great visit with family!
I had their Chicken Parmesan which included: chicken parmesan with a spaghetti sauce on a bed of noodles. My husband had their Italian Wedding Soup which included: mini meatballs, shredded chicken, escarole, carrots, onions, tomatoes, novo, and orzo pasta.
The food was delicious! The portions were generous! And the atmosphere was absolutely charming!
The Lord Bless You with Grace
The Lord is faithful to give us grace upon grace in every situation we happen to find ourselves.
“For out of [Jesus] fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]. For the Law was given through Moses, but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God] and truth came through Jesus Christ.” ~John 1:16-17 AMP
Recommendations:
January’s Journey – Strength with Dignity
December Reflections 2022 – Strength with Dignity
References:
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
*linking up with Jennifer for “Share 4 Somethings”#sharefoursomethings
16 thoughts on “February’s Focus”
That book sounds wonderful! Sounds like you found a real gem with that restaurant too.
The book is inspiring and the restaurant was amazing, Joanne.
My husband mowed the grass last week and it has me getting excited for spring. But I know winter isn’t over yet. I read Darlene Rose’s a few years back and was inspired by her story and faith. Congratulations on your book!!!
Darlene Rose’s book is very inspiring, Lisa! I’m thankful Spring is around the corner, there is hope! Thanks!
Sounds like a good month, thanks for sharing!
February was a good month, Cindy, thanks for stopping by!
Oh, your dinner sounds delicious. And I really don’t eat chicken:) What a sweet looking restaurant! All the best with the new garden project!!
It was a fun little place to eat, Jennifer! Oh thanks, I’m hoping our little garden will be successful.
Congratultions Lisa! Yes, I agree publishing a book is like giving birth!
Blessings, Jennifer
Oh, my goodness, Jennifer, it really is! Joy and exhaustion going hand-in-hand!
Lisa, this is an excellent post! I love reading about your blogs and I really enjoyed this one.
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Sarah!
You’re putting me in the mood for spring, Lisa! Congratulations on the completion of your book. The restaurant sounds wonderful! 🙂
I’m really excited that Spring is around the corner, Lois! Thank you for rejoicing with me! It was a great restaurant!
Congratulations on your book baby! What a wonderful accomplishment ❤️. I’m starting to feel the itch to garden—this year I think I’ll try a straw bale garden!
Thanks, Anita! We’ve done a straw bale garden in the past and we really liked it!