What's on my Calendar?

 Aw, it's finally February! 

For me, it's not about the last month being a big bully but rather the promise of spring. We're enjoying mild 70-degree weather, though February and March can still surprise us with cold snaps or snowstorms. We're still in our winter rainy season, so anything goes. 

The East Coast has Punxsutawney Phil, who predicts spring like a celebrity, while California has Mojave Maxine, the laid-back desert tortoise. Instead of a crowd, she relaxes at The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert, soaking up the sun. 

Maxine's annual "brumation," which sounds fancy but just means she's hibernating until it warms up. She typically goes into hiding around Thanksgiving, choosing comfort over turkey and family. When she finally re-emerges, it could be late January or early February, which might be her version of being fashionably late.

So on the calendar this month are two wedding anniversaries, and a particular favorite of mine -  Chinese New Year. We're planning to visit one of the Chinese temples near us - weather permitting! And with that, I like to indulge in some good Chinese Food. 

Do you like Chinese food, and how often do you eat it? 

Other than that, we have no plans. 

I'm a spur-of-the-moment kinda person, so who knows?? I sure don't. I just know it when the time comes -  always flying by the seat of my pants. 

 Martin's Spurge bloomed in the backyard. 

A walk by the Sacramento River on Friday. There was a definite chill down by the river. 

Source: FORE

And this month, we're all watching and waiting for our favorite love birds, Liberty and Guardian. 

We're hoping for some eggs very soon. 

On my walk by the river - 

The rest of the day, I'm doing laundry - and we might go out and do something later in the afternoon. Maybe grab some dinner, or then again, maybe not. 

For February

Dear Lord, as I turn the calendar page to February, I am comforted by Your supreme reign and authority over all creation. You hold the universe in Your hands, and nothing is beyond Your knowledge or control. 

You are the Alpha and Omega. 

Thank You for Your faithfulness in all seasons of our lives. This February, help me to rest in Your sovereignty, in this topsy-turvy world. When uncertainties arise, remind me that our times are in Your Hands (Psalm 31:15). Guide me to lean not on my own understanding but to trust in Your Wisdom and Timing.  May Your Grace continually fill my heart with assurance, and HOPE as we live each day of this month to the fullest.

April - What Happened to all my Blank spaces?

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27.9

I'm finally getting around to sharing my April Calendar from my handy dandy Dollar Tree Calendar! 

What do you have planned for April?

Wow, I’ve got a lot on my plate—maybe even more than I can handle! I’ll definitely be leaning on God for strength to tackle it all with grace and a positive attitude. 

NO GRUMBLING ALLOWED! 

Tomorrow is our last class fellowship of the year (not the study—we still have three weeks left). This is a time of fellowship and sharing. To make it special, my husband and I baked some apricot Hamantaschen. I felt bad for not bringing them last month for Purim. He took charge of making the dough while I whipped up the apricot filling from dried apricots. They’re all bagged up and ready to share with everyone! 

Friday Teen Challenge is coming by to help us out with some weed pulling, especially the pesky Vinca. I'll be busy grocery shopping in the morning, but later in the day, I'm taking a lunch break to walk with a friend of mine at Clover Creek. We'll find a bench to eat our bagged lunch. 

I'm so excited for Saturday (and a bit overwhelmed) because it's the first evening of Passover, and the whole family is coming together! 💗💕💘💓

Then, on Sunday, we have our church potluck, and the theme is family favorites. My husband is planning to bring his mom's delicious carrot pineapple side dish, which everyone loves! 

 

- On Monday, we’re excited to have our garage door installed!

- Then on Tuesday, we’ll be getting a free estimate for the leaf gutters—

- Can't forget about the Good Friday service coming up!

- And next Saturday is the Temple Passover Seder! I’ll give you more details on that later. 

I used to love having a packed calendar back in the day! I remember using different colored felt pens for each family member, creating a beautiful rainbow of events and activities. But these days, I find I prefer having more blank spaces on my calendar. Still, there are always a few things I really look forward to, and April just happened to be the month when all activities and events collide.

I've been reading some of you who are feeling troubled about world events and our economy. I empathize with your suffering, and the most meaningful gift I can offer is my heartfelt prayer.

Heavenly Father, 

You are sovereign over all nations, and nothing is beyond Your control. I ask for Your peace to calm the hearts of those worried about our country and world events. Remind them that You are our refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1).

Strengthen all of us to be beacons of hope and love in our communities, reflecting Your light in times of uncertainty. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness and love. I trust in Your perfect plan and know You are always with us. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen

Keep your eyes on Jesus

Debby

February 2025

The calendar I use is simple and cheap from the Dollar Tree. It gets the job done! My husband prefers a calendar he can look at - so it serves as a shared tool so we can coordinate our schedules effectively. 

While my husband prefers a physical calendar to avoid overbooking, I personally rely on my phone for scheduling, complete with reminders and timers, which helps me manage my time more efficiently.

This calendar is in our office - 

This month in the Jewish Calendar is called Shevat. 

Sundown on Feb. 13, 2025, marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. This special day signifies the awakening of the earliest blooming trees in the Land of Israel, emerging from their winter slumber to embark on a new cycle of fruit-bearing—a New Year for the Trees! It is considered a minor Jewish holiday. 

Here's what's on my calendar for this month:

Wedding Anniversaries!

The highlight of the month is our wedding anniversary. My son, Navy and his wife will also celebrate their 5th anniversary on February 28 this year, having married on Leap Year Day, February 29, 2020.

Calendars often fill up quickly, serving as a constant reminder of our busy lives and commitments. Many people view a packed calendar as a positive sign, indicating that they are active and engaged. However, for myself, I like to prioritize downtime and the ability to simply "be." 

Striving for balance is important, especially when personal preferences differ within a household. For instance, while my husband enjoys a busy, hectic life, I prefer a quieter home environment. I'm an introvert! That's how I recharge! Understanding and respecting these differing needs helps maintain harmony while ensuring that both of us feel comfortable in our living space. We've managed well in our married life, and I appreciate how he understands my need for solitude. 

So, who knows what potential opportunities and experiences February may hold? 

Hearts and Hugs,

Debby

I'm not just February

by Annette Wynne

I'm not just February

With winds that blow

All day, and piled-up snow;

I'm Washington and Lincoln, too,

Who kept our country's flag for you!

 

I'm Valentine of airy grace—

With golden hearts and hearts of lace

And pretty cards that people send,

Quite as a secret, to a friend.

 

Though I am short of days and small,

I'm quite a big month, after all!

Count it all Joy

Today is the first of twelve months, a moment when I eagerly turn the page to embrace the promise that a new month always brings. 

I picked up this calendar at Dollar Tree. My husband ordered his calendar, but it still hasn’t arrived. We need one in our kitchen to keep track of appointments and upcoming events. I use a calendar app on my phone with alerts, but I still find it nice to have a physical calendar to view the entire month. Although I have another calendar, this one really stood out to me and will be the one I will focus on this month.

So here goes...

James 1:2-4:

 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

When I became a new believer, the idea of accepting life's trials was difficult for me to understand. Someone told me that once I accepted Christ, I wouldn't face any problems and that God would keep me safe from harm. Then the unthinkable happened: from divorce to financial problems—and then the worst of the worst, when my son unexpectedly died at the age of 25. Every year after that, there was another monumental death after another: my father, my mother's suicide, my youngest sister, my two best friends, my niece succumbing to a fentanyl overdose, and my brother.  One could quickly lose their faith if they believe that God does not allow suffering in this life.

Feeling joy while in pain can be difficult. James  instruction to "count it all joy" doesn't mean we should ignore our pain, force a fake smile, and claim that "everything is fine." Instead, it emphasizes that God is still at work in our lives, even during difficult times.

God is with us in our suffering, providing comfort and strength. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We can bring our pain to Him, as He cares deeply for us (1 Peter 5:7).

I know. I have experienced perpetual grief for years. 

Trials can foster growth and maturity. While the process is painful, God uses these experiences to strengthen faith and develop perseverance (James 1:3-4). This doesn’t mean the pain is good, but rather that God can bring good from difficult situations (Romans 8:28). Who knows? One day, God may use that pain to help someone through what we just came through. He's already used my pain of divorce in helping other Christian women navigate that hurdle, as well as single mothers and those who grieve their adult children's untimely death. 

When we focus on an eternal perspective, our present sufferings pale in comparison to the glory ahead (Romans 8:18). By keeping our eyes on Jesus and the hope of eternity, we can find the strength to endure (Hebrews 12:2). It's normal to feel hurt and grieve; joy comes from a deep trust in God’s goodness, even in tough times. It's also important to "share one another's burdens." God helps us by using other people to help carry our burdens. 

James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth. Testing our faith through challenges builds perseverance, fostering spiritual maturity and completeness. This passage highlights how God uses our tough circumstances to strengthen our faith and shape our character.

A wise pastor once told me during a counseling session, "Your life is not about you; it's about God." That really puts everything into that eternal perspective, doesn't it?

One never knows what a new year will bring. I'm excited about what lessons God will teach me, but I don't walk this path, expecting nothing but lollipops and candy canes. I expect trials and tribulations because I am a follower of Christ. In John 15:18-20, Jesus says, 

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also."

This January, let’s commit to walking in biblical truths -  embracing an eternal perspective in our hearts every day. Together, we can inspire each other to stay focused on what truly matters.

Until Next Time,

Debby