Apron Strings & Blessings Weekly Newsletter Vol. 22
Thanks for joining me for this week’s, “Apron Strings & Blessings.” Let’s take a look at all things faith, family, and home!
We will also be doing a little reflecting of 2025 – Happy New Year!
2026 is almost here! Can you believe it?
I can literally remember having a writing prompt in 6th grade about what we thought the year 2,000 would be like. We all wrote about space travel and sci-fi things, and yet here we are in 2026, as semi-normal as can be.
I guess there is a little space travel, but it isn’t exactly what we thought it would be. I don’t think drones delivering our groceries ever crossed our minds though! 🙂
Well, I was wrong on just about every guess I had about Gizmo! No beagle – No Jack Russell Terrier – No Airedale!
Thank you Wisdom Panel for the DNA Results!
Drumroll for the DNA results for Gizmo!!!!!
He is such a mixture of so many breeds. He has more cattle dog in him than Ally, who came from a cattle dog rescue. LOL!
All I know is that this combination sure makes a cute little boy with a spunky and sweet personality!
Faith
A Message from Church
Jay was on vacation this week, so we went to one of our former churches. It is less than a mile from our house filled with people we love!
This message came to me from one of the songs in the song service – “The Goodness of God,” by CeCe Winans. This is one of those songs that you may sing along with on the radio, but when you sing it and really look at the words, you get even more meaning out of it.
As we sang this song, we reflected on 2025 and what the Lord had done for us and the things He brought us through. The lyrics really made me think – not just about this past year but about my entire life.
Look at some of these lyrics:
- For Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands - You have led me through the fire
In darkest night You are close like no other - I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, - Cause all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
I challenge you to think back on your life. In the good times and the hard times, the Lord has been there all along. He holds us close, carries us, comforts us, and rejoices with us. How could we ever make it through life without Him?
After Christmas Devotional (From a Christmas Song)
Saturday’s Post – “We Three Kings of Orient Are” – A Christmas Devotional through Song
January’s Scripture
I got ahead of myself on this, so January’s scripture is a week early.
I thought this was a great success scripture to start out the new year. May this be the year that we are where the Lord wants us with Him by our side – True Success!
YouTube Scriptures
I have started to post a video clips on YouTube. You can follow me here. For now, all of the clips (8-10 seconds) are of nature or animals (which are nature) 🙂 based with a scripture to go along with it.
Home & Family
Featured Post
Granny’s Black-Eyed Pea Casserole – Just in time for New Year’s Day!
January’s Monthly Menu
Quick and Easy Meal Ideas for January
Let’s start the year off by having our meals planned. Things tend to run much smoother that way.
This Week’s Menu – Easy Week!
- Monday – Baked Salmon
- Tuesday – Chili Dogs
- Wednesday – New Year’s Eve
- Thursday – Baked Ham, Cabbage, Black-Eyed Pea Casserole or Black-Eyed Peas & Cornbread
- Friday – Fiesta Chicken Noodle Soup
Candy Recipe for the Month – Homemade Chocolate Toffee
These are easy and delicious!
Wal-mart+
If you tested out a Walmart+ account, during the Christmas season, now is the time to evaluate if you want to keep it.
The first time we tried it, we joined in November and cancelled it in January. It was great for Christmas planning and shopping. Now we love it so much that we keep it year round.
The Top Links People Ask For
I feel like I share these links all of the time. However, when people have asked me for them, I have had a hard time finding them in a post or newsletter.
I am going to keep these links on every post for the convenience of it. I may change them out on occasion, but at least we will all know where to look to find them.
- She Reads Bible (This is the one I get the most questions about.)
- Travel Outfit
- Gravity Induced Cup Warmer
Upcoming Posts and Events
Posts
- Legacy Tours
- A New Bible Reading Plan for 2026
- A great Christmas tree storage hack!
- How to Pick a Bible for your Bible Study or for an Eternal Gift like the ones below.
Events
So many people ask me about the Bibles I am making for my grandchildren for their graduation, so I thought I would pull together a little webinar to show how to do them. This would be a free online event, either by Zoom or social media.
Be looking for more information to come.
I would love to see how many people are interested in joining me for this. If you would be interested, please let me know either by commenting below or emailing me at susan@homewithgraceandjoy.com.
I hope you will grab a Bible and join me.
Let’s Connect
I would love to stay connected. Subscribe below to receive posts and updates sent directly to your inbox.
We can also connect on social media. Click the icons below to connect with me. You will find pictures and ideas along with scriptures on these platforms each day.
I am planning to start a video Bible Study series that will be on these social media channels. I would love it if you would follow along. Just click on the icon for the social media platform you like best and follow.
Related Posts
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 23
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 21
Apron Strings & Blessings – Vol. 20
I have enjoyed sharing this week!
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“How sweet Your Word is to my taste – sweeter than honey in my mouth.”
Psalm 119:103
