Monday, December 31, 2018

Rockin' It New Year's Eve Party Bash!



WELCOME TO THE PARTY!!!!!


Gonna Party Like It's 1999! 

We are ready to welcome 2019 in with a bang!


We've got party hats.


We've got KAZOOS!!!!


We've got champagne and mimosas and chocolates and pastries and FOUR DIFFERENT SHRIMP DISHES....


Very "Forrest Gump" friendly!!!!


We've got prizes....



And several authors are offering "books of choice" for the winner! We'll keep you posted throughout the day.

And we're asking questions of you. Our friends. Our neighbors. Our villagers. Writers AND readers.

What are some of your favorite quotes or Scripture verses? Here's our 2019 Bible Verse to guide us through the coming year:




Don't let our hearts be troubled and Do Not Be Afraid!


We want your quotes. Your thoughts...

They can be Biblical or Ben Franklin friendly... or Yoda or Churchill or Zig Ziglar or whomever you like, but what quotes do you keep on hand mentally or physically to move you along the path you've chosen? Because we know how tough life can be... we know that jobs can test our mettle, that life can wring us out and that bends in the road can be sudden and unexpected. Whether you're a writer or a reader or both, one thing we all know: Life can change in a heartbeat and we need to be ready to face its challenges

(Prizes help. Not to mess with the seriousness of the situation, but golly gee willikers, PRIZES HELP!!!) 


Which include four Amazon gift cards of $20.19 each, drawn randomly throughout the day...


And some really nice gifts:








And did I mention the end of the day Kindle????





Ruth Logan Herne shares her love of Ecclesiastes 3: "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under the heaven"... she says that one has gotten her through the best of times and the not-so-best of times.


But her snark-side likes this one, too... "Just Do It." Because she's never found comfort in talking a thing to death when just getting the job done and moving on works so well! :)

From Audra Harders:




Fear limits us. Conquering fear frees us.

We would be remiss not to seek God's help in this and every endeavor. The original Seekers formed their Yahoo group and this blog to reflect that faith, hope and love in a very competitive business!


From Audra Harders:




I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not be afraid. Those words bear repeating.

Fear is self-limiting and we want you to live 2019 without limits. Fearless. Bold. And filled with peace for if God is with us, then who can be against us?

Missy Tippens likes this quote from Arthur C. Clarke: The limits of the possible can only be defined by going beyond them into the impossible.


And this from Mindy Obenhaus:




Erica Vetsch sent this Winston Churchill quote along, and it's one that every writer could embrace:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”


And we see the spirit of continuity in another Scripture quote from Mindy... 




And from Glynna Kaye: The Lord himself will lead you and be with you.  He will not fail you or abandon you, so do not lose courage or be afraid.  (Deuteronomy 31:8)

From Winnie Griggs comes this thought:



Again, no fear.... Avoid fear. It's too easy to get caught in the snare!




We'd love for you to share your thoughts, those trials and those triumphs... share the goals and how we can tame fear and believe that we can do anything.

We know we can some days, but we want you to believe in yourself, your goals and your achievements on a day-by-day basis. Not just some days but most days.

God wants his people happy and so do we!

Okay, Debby's got party hats in the back corner by the karaoke machine!

Mary's mixing mimosas for everyone.

Ruthy's got the coffee corner up and running, and she's making FANCY COFFEE AND TEA drinks for anyone who steps up to the counter....

Breakfast spread is along the sun-drenched patio and those guys with the palm branches??? 

They're here to fan you as you relax along the wide beach expanse overlooking the Gulf waters.

And as we motor into our second year of being "Seekerville: The Journey Continues" and our eleventh year of being Seekerville, we want to celebrate our new birthday with old and new friends....

So to start the Birthday/New Year celebration, we're going to have our first Amazon card drawing at 10:00 AM EST...

Stop in, leave a comment and join the party!



WINNERS AS DRAWN: (please refer to our legal page above to see how easy it is to claim your prize and then allow us time enough to get it to you... and still write/promote books!)

4 Amazon $20.19 Gift Cards:

Barb Beachy
Vince 
Cynthia Herron
Laurie Wood

Debby Giusti's Prize Pack:  Strgth4yu

Read past bedtime pin: Deana Smallwood

Loving the Texas Lawman:  Debbie

At Home in Wishing Bridge: Sharon Collins

Winnie Griggs gift pack:  CathyAnn40

Becoming Mrs. Lewis:   Julia Buzard

Her Colorado Cowboy:   Susan P

Kindle winner: Sally Shupe

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EVERYONE HERE ON SEEKERVILLE


491 comments:

  1. I love the idea to share quotes! One of my favorites is "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

    Happy New Year Seekers!

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    1. Heidi, Happy New Year! I have never heard that quote, but I love it! That's marvelous!!!!!

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    2. Ooh, I love that Heidi! Thanks for sharing!

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    3. Heidi, I haven't heard that quote before, but it's a keeper. Thanks!

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  2. Happy New Year! Let the party begin!

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    1. I've got fresh chocolate-filled croissants ready and breakfast sandwiches are coming right up. Gotta start the day right!

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    2. I brought sweet rolls and a huge Panettone!

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    3. I'm in the kitchen preparing French toast using this absurdly delicious Italian fruit cake we received for Christmas. Calories don't count on New Years' Eve, right??

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    4. Debby, I love Panettone! I brought an ooey, gooey caramel pecan pull apart bread.

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    5. Don't tempt me Ruth. I could be at your house in a couple hours.

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  3. Happy New Year! It's a great day to party!

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    1. Agreed, we're so glad you guys came over! Happy New Years! And... what's the plan for 2019?

      Anything special?

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    2. So glad we can all get together and send out the old year. That's what friends are for...

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  4. Ruthy, I also like "To everything there is a season." It lets me know that sorrow and pain WILL pass. But it also lets me know that sometimes it's time to let go, and hold even the memories lightly.
    I'll be in and out today, going to Boston with my husband to look at the ice sculptures on the Common, but expect to be back by early evening.
    KB

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    1. Sounds like a fun day, KB. I didn't know they did ice sculptures on the Common. Fun!

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    2. Debby, it does sound fun, doesn't it? But it's not that cold... how do they keep them frozen, I wonder????

      Happy New Year, Kathy... and thank you for your words of wisdom!

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    3. Enjoy your day, Kathy! Come back later and tell us all about it!

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  5. Replies
    1. Kim, happiness back to you! What have you got planned or hoped for in 2019?? Anything special?

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    2. I hope for a clean bill of health come Friday.

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    3. Thank you, Kim! Will be praying for your clean bill of health!

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    4. Praying that for you as well, Kim.

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  6. I also like Mindy's Romans 8:@8, which has gotten ME through a lot of stuff. Things I understand now, things I probably won't understand until I stand on the other side of the veil.

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    1. That was supposed to be Romans 8:28, but you guys probably figured that out.

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    2. A favorite verse of mine, as well, KB!

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    3. Yeah, but you at least know how to spell it.
      Debby, I am reading one of YOUR books right now and enjoying it, the "Amish Christmas Secrets."

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    4. Kathy, that's my cling-to verse. Like you, it's brought me through a lot. Especially when I can look back and see how things have worked together for good in the past.

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  7. I don't believe in resolutions, but I have several goals for 2019.
    For my home: get it in order already, get rid of the clutter.
    For my physical being: eat better and walk more. I didn't go off the diabetic wagon over the holidays, but I hung over the edge. A lot.
    For my family: Help them to be the best they can be.
    Spiritually: Spend more time in Bible STUDY, not just my daily reading.
    FOR MY WRITING: See what the Lord has next for me and do it. I'm playing catch-up right now because of the computer failure and my seasonal depression. I don't have a clear vision for 2019 beyond submitting to my two agent requests from Nashville. (WHICH I reacquired thanks to Dropbox.) I'm not sure whether to start a new project or rework an older story with the benefits of what I know now. My critique partner and I went off the rails in December due to my mental state and busyness, but we have made a date to reconnoiter in 2019, so that's something. I submitted my second novel to Pelican, so that's something too.
    2018 was a krappy year for a lot of people, including my extended family where we suffered four deaths, but it was good to me professionally: sold first book to Pelican, submitted second book in series to Pelican, won a Genesis, got to go to ACFW and met a ton of Seekers, Villagers and Alley Cats face to face! That was one of the high points of my year. I so appreciate my writer friends and their encouragement.

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    1. You've set great goals for 2019, KB! I'm with you on more exercise!

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    2. I truly believe that exercise and a firm "away from my family" schedule helps me deal with winter and work. Kathy, those are good goals and when it comes to the seasonal depression, my Aunt Isabelle's take was "And This Too Shall Pass." It has helped me keep things in perspective.... Kristina Kuzmic has a great video that addresses this: "It's Not Permanent" https://www.facebook.com/KristinaKuzmic/videos/571995889922485/

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    3. Kathy, I hope your 2019 goals will keep you busy and help you slog through some of the seasonal depression. I'll look forward to hearing about your 2019 successes!

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    4. Kathy, you had an awesome year! Praises are ringing to the heavens. And on the flip side of that, death always leaves a hole in our lives, but it's only temporary. God has plans to make all of use shiny and new at the end of our journey. And Kathy, you're journey now has confetti raining all over it.

      You go, girlfriend. The seasonal stuff will pass. Be patient. And I'm with you, I need to STUDY my Bible beyond just reading it.

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  8. YAY...time to party with Seeker friends! My scripture is Isaiah 43:19, See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
    2018 was tough for us in illness, deaths, etc.
    Happy New Year to all!

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    1. Sorry about the pain of 2018 for you, Jackie! Love all the new beginnings with a New Year!

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    2. Jackie, I hear you. We had FOUR deaths in our extended family. Four faces no longer at the holiday table. It's never easy, is it?
      I love Isaiah! One of my favorite books.

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    3. Oh, I love that verse!!!! And death finds its way to doors or creeps through windows, doesn't it? And as natural as birth, though not as welcome. Hoping for a blessed and lovely 2019 for you both, and for all of us... and if it's not that way, then earnestly praying for our strength and tenacity. We're daughters of the King. We've got this!

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    4. Jackie, I love that one! I've shared it on FB before.

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    5. Hey Jackie, my book buddy pen pal, I love your verse! I do love when God does a new thing! That goes right along with the verse from Revelation 21, "Behold I make all things new", and don't we need that renewing right along with all those mercies that are new every morning!

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    6. Beautiful verse, Jackie. I love all the hopeful verses being shared today. It fills my well to overflowing into the new year.

      Stay strong.

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    7. Jackie, I like that verse, too. Especially the "Do you not perceive it?" part. It's like someone grabbing ahold of you and shaking you, going, "Don't you get it?"

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  9. Happy New Year's Eve! Such a fun day on Seekerville with lots of prizes. Good luck to all!

    Ruthy mentioned I have the pat hats! And, yes, I'm in the corner by the karaoke machine. Who wants to sing first?

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    1. I do a great rendition of the theme song to "Phineas & Ferb"!!!! Anyone want to join in? "There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation til school comes along just to end it... and the annual problem for our generation is finding a good way to speeeeeend it... Like maybe...." :)

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    2. I'll join you for some karaoke fun!

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    3. Oooo, karaoke fun! I have a character in my new series who hides his beautiful voice behind a karaoke smokescreen. Let's rock the day away!

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    4. I'll be dancing, Debby, but no one wants to hear me sing.

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    5. My go-to Karaoke song is "Happy Together" by the Turtles - an oldie but goodie!

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  10. Hi gang! I chose a verse a few years ago from Romans : 8:38 & 39.
    For I am persuaded that neither life nor death, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, things present or to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ our Lord.
    God is able and bigger than any of our faults or troubles!
    See you later as the party gets into full swing!

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    1. Amen, Paula! That is an empowering promise and God always keeps his promises!

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    2. Although I have questioned his timeline at times.... SIGH.... I tend toward impatience or thinking I know better than the entire universe. My bad!

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    3. Paula, I love that one! I once cross-stitched it for my wall!

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    4. Missy, you are such a creative, talented little elf! I do not have the patience for cross-stitch!

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  11. I am ready to join the party. This sounds like so much fun..

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  12. My verse I love everyday is Psalm 5:3
    O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice: in the morning I lay my request before you and wait expectantly.

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    1. What comfort in knowing that the Creator of the universe hears each of our prayers and knows us individually and intimately. Welcome to the party, Barb!

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    2. How wonderful to read that daily!

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    3. A beautiful reminder that God does hear us, but only when we talk to Him!!

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    4. That would be a great verse to keep on my bedside stand, Barb.

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  13. I am so ready to ring in 2019! Seems like this past year has been one huge struggle. One thing that keeps coming back to me is as long as you are making forward progress, whether it's big or small steps, you are still moving. If I can only write a paragraph or two a day, that's a paragraph or two I didn't have before. If I can only save a dollar or two out of this paycheck, that's a dollar or two I didn't have before.

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    1. Like my dear friend Dory says, "Just keep swimming!" Sounds to me like you have the right attitude, Sally and I couldn't agree more. Slow and steady finishes the race after all and more importantly, God works all things for our good. Keep on keeping on, friend!

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    2. Sally, I love that attitude! And I pray 2019 will be a better year for you.

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    3. I thought of Dory, too, Beth! Sally, even if it's slow steps, it's forward progress and that's what counts.

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    4. Amen, Sally! Moving forward, one step at a time!!

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    5. Sally, you're so right in your outlook and attitude! And at the end of NEXT year, you can look back and see how faithful you've been and rejoice!

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  14. Let's party, Seekerville! I brought a batch of my famous chocolate chip cookies to share and y'all are in luck, the virtual variety is completely fat free and has zero calories!
    I am inspired by 1 Thes. 5:11 which tells us to encourage and edify one another and I'm loving John 14:27. His peace surpasses our understanding but oh it soothes my soul and calms the raging seas of insecurity and doubt that threaten to overwhelm me. I want to rest in God's promises and slow down to seek His will rather than rushing around doing my own thing (which is both silly and exhausting).

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    1. Beth, I love the encouraging part, which is what we get here. And always pointing us back to the Savior.

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    2. Kathy, being part of this edifying endeavor with these wonderful ladies blesses my heart more than I can say. What joy to love and be loved! Hugs to you, my friend!

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    3. You said edifying endeavor.... Whoa. I love it! :)

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    4. Beth, I love zero-WW-point cookies! :)

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    5. Beth, right on! No tail chasing this year! And zero point CC cookies. Life can't get much better :)

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    6. Beth Erin AND zero point cookies? 2019 is going to ROCK! :)

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  15. One thing that keeps me going when I get stressed, I just look up.to heaven and say, THANK YOU GOD..I know He has me in His care.. Let Go and Let God..

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    1. Look up! That's great advice! He is able and worthy to be praised!

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    2. I love this so much because there are so many life smackdowns when we really want to wallow in the pits, but there is so much more to be grateful for when we look up!

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    3. Ruthy wallow?? Wow, 'nuf of that!

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  16. Happy New Year, Seekers!

    Here are two of my favorite Bible verses. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

    "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

    And a few of my favorite quotes. “I hate writing, I love having written.”
    ― Dorothy Parker

    And two (slightly modified) from A League of Their Own: “If it were easy everyone would do it” and “There’s no crying in writing.”

    Thanks for all the inspiration, advice and encouragement over the past few years. Truly grateful to have found Seekerville when I needed it most. Prayers for a truly wonderful 2019 for you all.

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    1. I love love love God's promise to renew our strength! I'm giggling over A League of Her Own, I might need some coaching from Mr. Hanks as well! Praying that 2019 is a big year for all our Villagers!

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    2. We love that movie! Laughing!!!!! And the "If it were easy, everyone would do it" applies universally to so many things... so we tackle the hard, the tough, the rigid, the closed doors... and we're not afraid to scope out a window!

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    3. But Laura, there's a lot of crying in writing. Sometimes from the story, sometimes from banging your head against the wall a little too hard.

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    4. Thank you, ladies! LOL, Mindy, so true.

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  17. Good morning and Happy New Year's Eve Seekers and Villagers!

    My life verse is Zephaniah 3:17~"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
    To know Love like that makes everything alright!

    Last year my verse was Ephesians 4:32~"Be KIND and compassionate to one another. forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
    Kindness and forgiveness the goal for the year, and believe me God provided plenty of opportunities to apply both.

    In late August I had a knee replacement so "patient endurance" seem to be my current focus and will continue to be as increase my level of activity as I head into 2019. All those Christmas goodies and Ruthy offering one my favorites, chocolate-filled croissants, yum. I only made it to a few of my Y water exercise classes in Dec, being so busy, but back I go this week!

    I'm sure glad the coffee bar is set up, I'll have a caramel macchiato, I really need it. Glad all my singing will only be heard virtually, it sounds best that way Debbie :)

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    1. I EXCELL at making Caramel Macchiatos because that's my go-to drink as well! You've got it, sweet thing! Hot or cold?

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    2. Tracey, these are wonderfully encouraging and empowering verses! I'm jotting down Zeph. 3:17, thank you! I need to be a better steward of physical health and strength this year, for sure! I'm ready to pick up a hot cuppa!

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    3. Well it's 42 degrees in Virginia, so I'm going with hot all the way!

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    4. Hey Beth~After celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Light of the world, I found this verse.
      "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." That's in Isaiah 60:1.
      I usually do a one word/verse every year. I'm thinking this is mine, what's not to like about the Glory of the Lord making us shine?! And yes, to being a better steward of health and strength :)

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    5. Tracey, I love that verse as a yearly theme verse!

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    6. Hey Missy, I love it too, even though I misquoted a word, "for the glory of the Lord rises". Lately I'm just feeling God's love wrapped around me like a warm hug and this verse just reinforces that. Happy new year to you and your family!

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    7. Tracey, I also love the idea of the yearly verse. Boy, do I hear you on the patient endurance. I had rotator cuff surgery two years ago come February. It's tough to be so limited when we're used to going and doing, being caretakers and doing it all. Prayers for a full recovery.

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    8. Tracey, you are my hero! I need knee-something, but am too ostrich to go check it out. Stuck in the Christmas ads, I saw a commercial for a stand-up-straight walker. Hmmm, that might be a sign of things to come if I don't have my knees worked on, LOL!!

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    9. Hey Audra! Believe me when I say I avoided it for 2 long painful years until I had no other options, I didn't want to do it..at all! But Dec 27th is 4 months and I'm doing fine. You just have to take one step at a time, literally and figuratively :)

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    10. Hey Mindy, I think that was the hardest part, having others do things for me that I wanted to do myself but just cold not. Thanks for your prayers, I am doing good, just trying to increase my daily energy level after being sedentary for so long :)

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    11. Tracey, I love the verse you brought! What's wrong with shining??? Not a thing! :) Absolutely wonderful! And here's the macchiato, extra hot!

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  18. I'm here to say hello to so many wonderful people who have blessed my life, encouraged me and entertained me. While I used to do the every day visit to Seekerville thing, now it's more like a special visit for me but it wouldn't be New Year's Eve without stopping in.
    The quote I'll throw in the mix is from an author, the late Gabriel Garcia Marquez (one I have on a pinterest board--because who doesn't love to collect good quotes?!)
    He said this: The biggest communication problem we have is that we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.

    I think as writers and readers, we tend to be even more in tuned with 'dialogue'. Those nuances we feel in those fictional conversations are so important to being 'in the story'.

    I hope you all have a wonderful 2019 and we all learn to listen more. Show more love. We've lost so many wonderful friends or seen difficult losses this past year. I know they are all reminders to hold your loved ones dear!

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    1. Oh, you are wise as well as beautiful. How to answer... I am so guilty of that.

      And your reminders of 2018... and 2019 are spot on. Kindness and love are wonderful things, especially in a competitive business like this. We go forward together, we go strong.

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    2. Debra, thank you for your wise words about communication. I need to take it to heart.

      We're so glad you're celebrating with us again this year!

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    3. Ouch, Debra. Great quote, but I think it may have stepped on my toes a bit.

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    4. Great quote, Debra, way too true at times. Well, more often than not. I'm with Mindy -- ouch to the toes!

      Glad you're joining us today!!!

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  19. Happy new year! My favorite verse is Eph 3:20 :)

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    1. Denise, welcome to Seekerville! You're an avid reader, and we love you THIS MUCH!!!!!

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    2. Denise, we're glad you stopped by the party! I love your verses!

      Eph. 20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

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    3. Welcome, Denise, and happy new year!

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    4. Glad you made it to the party, Denise. And whether reading or writing, I'd love to see 100 pages an hour!!

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  20. Happy New year!

    Here's a quote I just came across this week: "Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.” Suzy Kassem

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    1. Leslie, we're so glad you stopped by! Thanks for sharing that wonderful quote. SO TRUE!

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    2. I hope to stop by throughout the day.

      So many wonderful quotes have been shared. I have a number of them on sticky notes around my desk.

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    3. Ooo... that's a great one, Leslie!

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    4. Leslie, I can sure relate to that quote! I don't believe so much in writer's block as in writer's doubt!

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    5. Oh, those doubts... doubts and fear, they are the devil's own workshop!

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  21. Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! So many great quotes, where to begin?!

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    1. Annie, I know! I should keep a note pad today!

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    2. I think I could cover an entire wall or two in my office with all of these quotes/verses.

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    3. Mornin' Annie! Missy, I have a notepad by my side, LOL!

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  22. Happy New Year everyone. I am looking forward to seeing 2018 end. It has been rough at times. Hoping 2019 is a great year.

    I can never just come up with quotes off the top of my head. Maybe something will come up later.

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    1. Sandy, I pray you have a wonderful 2019!

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    2. Sandy, wishing you a wonderful 2019!

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    3. Praying 2019 will be a great year for all of us.

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    4. Sandy, let's just close the door on 2018 and look forward to 2019 (I always did like odd numbered years, LOL!)

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    5. Good morning, Wilani! My prayers are mingling with yours!!

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    6. Hey, the new year awaits! Filled with turns and twists, my friends!

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  23. Good morning, Seekerville! It's cold here along the Front Range of Colorado. Brrr. The dog has decided she does NOT want to go for her morning constitution yet. Keeping a close eye on that situation, LOL!

    What a lovely, encouraging post this morning. Limitless. Fearless. Go forth and conquer! Ruthy, thanks for leading the charge this morning!! Let's blow out the old year, throw open the door and welcome in the new!

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    1. Audra, it's been so warm here that I forget people are in the cold! We hit the high 60's this week! Especially when we were down in south Georgia.

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    2. Audra they were threatening SLEET here. It hasn't come yet.

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    3. Missy, it's frigid here, but no humidity. I think your 60s might feel colder than my teens!!

      Mary, are the cows all bundled up?? Sleet is nasty stuff. You've had more than your share of bad weather this year!!

      Mornin', Mindy! I'm thinking your lovely characters in Ouray, Colorado are dealing with chattering teeth this morning, LOL!

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    4. We're cold up here in the Black Hills, too, Audra! Blizzard conditions, snow, temp at 9° and falling.

      I'm staying inside with a warm fire!

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    5. Jan, is this your first major snow? We've had a little but our only major ones came in November with leaves still on trees... and that left a mess. But we're flirting upper thirties.... so mud. Lots of mud. Blizzard conditions and bitter cold equals BEST WRITING WEATHER!!!!!

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  24. Sharon, I love that you have that hanging since your wedding! What a great life verse.

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  25. A favorite verse - Micah 6:8. Happy New Year everyone!

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    1. Susanne, I love this verse. Thank you for sharing it! Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

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  26. My favorite quote is “my Faith is stronger then my fears”. I’ve told myself this many times throughout my life. Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Years!

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    1. That's a tough one to put into action sometimes, Fay, but it's great nonetheless.

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  27. I'm mixing MIMOSAS??? Sure but who said I'd SHARE!!!

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    1. I brought some cranberry juice so we can have a round of Poinsettias, too.

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  28. Love these quotes/verses!!! I do love Billy Graham's quote "My home is in heaven. I'm just traveling through this world". And I try to remember verses from the Bible that talk about "fear not".

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    1. We need those verses, Debbie, because fear is so prevalent and can debilitate even the strongest Christian, if we let it.

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  29. Sharon, wow, this reminds me I once wrote a book called "The Delight Blessing". And I used this verse. I'm sorting through my head and … yes, okay, I remember the book. Wow, long lost though. But such a sweet story about how God will bless us for delighting in Him

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  30. And the winner of the FIRST $20.19 AMAZON GIFT CARD IS BARB BEACHY!!!! Congratulations, Barb and everyone's name will stay in the party box for all of today's drawings.... And huge thank yous to the Seekers for donating prizes and taking the time to host this shindig. You ladies ROCK!!!!!

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  31. The scripture that has gotten me through the last two years is Deuteronomy 33:27 "The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms." This verse has brought me through the death of both parents. Next Monday on the 7th with be the second anniversary of Mom's homegoing. the next day will be my 64th birthday. The Lord has been there for me through the good days and bad.

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    1. Wilani, praise God that He will never leave us or forsake us. Hugs.

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    2. Whenever I read that verse, I hear Elisabeth Elliott's voice saying it. She quoted it every day at the beginning of her radio program. :-)

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  32. Good morning everyone and Happy New Year's Eve! It has been "raining cats and dogs' her in Kentucky and I think it's supposed to last all day. One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This assures me that no matter what comes my way, there is always God's Prescence and His Plan to see me through.
    Another saying that makes me laugh and also motivates me certainly isn't bibl"cal but it it motivational. Many years ago I started working with someone from the "big city" of Louisville, KY after she had moved to our small rural community. She and I began our jobs at our public library within a few weeks of each other but at first we were both part-time so we never worked together the first year. When our schedules finally meshed, she one day commented to several to us "Just put on your big girl panties and deal with it". I've laughted about it and I've never forgotten it. She and I worked together for 22 1/2 years and there were many times when we both had to put those big girl panties on!

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    1. Connie, it is important to keep a box of big girl panties on hand for those times when we are forced to simply "deal with it." ;)

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    2. "Just put on your big girl panties and deal with it." I love that quote! I have to quote that to myself WAY too often!

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  33. Happy New Year everyone. I’m a little late to the party, but i have a sick baby. Ok, she just tuned 18, but she’s my baby! Ruthy, I’ll take a cup of that tea! We’re still eating Christmas cookies here, but i love a good cup of tea! I don’t know if I can pick a favorite verse, but I do have a special fondness for 1 Cor 4:13. “We are all fools for Christ’s sake.” When I was in collegeI was in a Christian clowning troupe called the Holy Fools. This verse was our reminder that it’s ok to look a little foolish when serving the Lord.

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  34. Good morning, Seekerville!!! And Happy New Year!

    We're in the middle of a blizzard here in the Black Hills - my favorite kind of weather!!!

    My favorite quote (I'm sure someone has shared it already, but I haven't gone back to read all the comments yet) is Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

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    1. A blizzard in the Black Hills usually means we catch some of it here in Minnesota tomorrow!

      I love your verse. I remember learning it as a child and wondering if I would ever be as brave as Joshua...

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  35. What an amazing, inspiring thing it is to read through this post. Happy New Year's Eve, Seekerville.

    I'd like to share two quotes, both of which guide me:

    I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

    “Be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden.”

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    1. Cate, what an encouraging verse. How comforting to know that God is holding our hand, and He never looks at our problems and challenges and says, 'No, I'm sitting this one out.'

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  36. Glad to join several of my favorite authors. Y'all have inspired me to start writing a book during NANOWRIMO!

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    1. Congrats on taking the NANOWRIMO plunge! Woohoo!

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  37. I love that verse, Sharon. My notebook of goodness is growing thicker the more verses and quotes I read today!

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  38. What is everyone reading as their last book of 2018? Mine is Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano.
    Later.... gotta finish today!

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    1. Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

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    2. Hi Paula:

      I'm reading:

      "Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (The Midwife Trilogy Book 1)" by Jennifer Worth.

      The books really enhances the tv series as it is nonfiction.

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    3. I'm starting an early copy of Denise Hunter's book today, Summer of the Tides.

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    4. Verses of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child just dropped on my kindle at midnight...so I am going to dive into that!

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    5. I've got three books going, lol!

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    6. I'm reading "True to You" by Becky Wade. I'm not sure I'll finish it today with a deadline on Wednesday, but I'll be sure to get a chapter or two...or three in!

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  39. "The problem with being fearless is that you are not likely to live very long."

    Favorite Bible Quote
    From Ruth 1:16

    "…for whither thou goest, I will go…"


    Happy New Year!

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    1. Happy New Year, Vince! That first quote made me laugh...and think about my son when he was little...no fear and no common sense...leap first, oops after...

      His guardian angel needed backup constantly. :)

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  40. Bookish quotes from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery that work for the New Year,
    "I don't know what lies around the bend, But I'm going to believe the best does."

    "Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them."

    "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet."

    "Nobody's ever to old to dream, and dreams never grow old."

    "It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?"

    "It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will."

    "True friends are always together in spirit."


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    1. Ah, isn't L. M. Montgomery so inspiring through Anne? I remember the first time I read Anne of Green Gables...it truly was a life-changing experience!

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  41. I'm looking forward to what the Lord has for us in 2019.

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  42. My last book for 2018 is The Lives of Campus Custodians by Peter Magolda.

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  43. I love "Be still, and know that I am God" and to lean not on my own understanding.... how many times do we need to be reminded that God is in control? Apparently a LOT! Lol

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  44. One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 41:10. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

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    1. I love that verse, too. I've often thought that I should do a study on all of the "fear not" verses in the Bible. How encouraging would that be?

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    2. Marcia, this is my favorite and most-quoted verse!

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  45. Happy New Year's Eve. My morning scripture was Hebrews 11. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. As I read this chapter, I saw faith in action time after time. I thought about my writing life. I need to believe God's calling on my life and step out in faith. I love all the quotes you've shared today. Thanks for the encouragement.

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    1. Jackie, you are a fabulous writer with God's fingerprints all over you! This is your year!!!

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  46. Oh boy! Oh boy! I love the end of a year and the beginning of a new one, and Seekerville knows how to start it off right! My life verse is Galatians 5:1: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. We are not to be bound by anything-sin, fear, comparison, etc. I truly want to live in freedom.

    My word for 2019 is WHISPER. I want to focus on hearing God's whisper to me, as well as whisper Him to others in everything I say or do or write.

    Love you all!

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  47. What a precious verse. Delight.... now there's a good 2019 One Word. Delight has music running through it by its very nature.

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  48. Praising the Lord that He has given me the desire to read and write again. For the last six weeks, I've struggled. I knew it was the grief affecting me and trusted the Lord it would come back in time.

    I find the more I write the less time I have for reading. I am praying about lowering my Goodreads goal to 75 books for this year but hoping I will be able to surpass that goal

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