The Year 2014...

If it's the Lords will, tomorrow will be the year 2014, and as I reflect back. I'm actually surprised at how fast 2013 came and went, but my family and I was blessed to get a lot accomplished this year,

that we felt was right on time and in the will of God. I am excited, and looking forward to an even greater year ahead, for all of us that are still alive, and expecting great things to happen, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ!
~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Pom Pom Flower Vase...

Earlier this weekend I was in the crafting mood, and decided to recycle one of my empty coffee, creamer, containers. As you can see in my picture. I made a flower vase using colorful, premade, pom poms, glue, and the empty creamer container that I mentioned above.

It took about thirty minutes or so to assemble and complete the whole project. I think it turned out to be pretty cute, and can also be used as a pencil holder as well,

if you unscrew the lid off, but for this particular craft I kept mines on, to help hold my flowers in place!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Yield To God's Will...

Many times in our lives we can find ourselves forcing situations, and ideas to go the way that we thought would have been best. That's when things will began to fall apart or not work, but as we yield to doing it God's way completely.

We will then find that we are able to reach his goal, purpose, and destiny for our lives, which is more greater than any plan that we could have come up with. God always knows what is best for us. He created us and this life that we live. We did not create him, or the world around us!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Rubber Band Bracelets...

Our oldest daughter now has a new interest in making the well known rubber band bracelet.

She has gotten really good at it, and has been making these bracelets off and on for the past month with friends at school, and then for family members since she received her own kits.

I wonder what kind of new, rubber band fun, will they come up with next. It was not long ago that it was silly bands that were popular!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Earache Home Remedy...

My household has had our share of painful earaches, especially around three or four o'clock in the morning. When the pain seems to have gotten worse, and the doctor's office is closed.

I then make what I call a homemade "heat compress". Which has been effective, for soothing and stopping our earaches. This is how to make one.

Take a clean, damp, washcloth filled with uncooked rice ( the rice will help "hold" heat longer)tie the rice up in the washcloth the best that you can, and place it in the microwave for about a minute or more as needed, until the cloth becomes "steamy".

Carefully lay the cloth over your ear comfortably without burning yourself, allowing the heat and steam from the washcloth to flow down into your ear, soothing any inflammation and pain.

Once the cloth has become warm, continue to reheat and place it over your ear,until you feel the pain starting to subside.This is what I have found to work for the earaches in my house!

*Note If you don't have rice on hand, you can still go through the same steps using just a folded, dampened, washcloth...

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Merry Christmas 2013...

Today has been a fun filled day spent with family. Remembering our Savior Jesus Christ, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Eating good food, unwrapping gifts, and creating memories, Merry Christmas everybody !

~ The Wilson Family @BlessedDirection.Com

Thankfulness Love Joy...

While wrapping gifts, singing songs, and preparing to bake some brownies,those feelings of thankfulness, love, and joy seems to fill the air, as we anticipate celebrating the birthday of our Lord and Savior. Christmas day is almost here!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Comfort Joy Peace...

Sitting and thinking about all of us who have our family, and friends to enjoy the holidays with, and how truly blessed we really are.

Also Keeping in mind to pray for the comfort, Joy, and Peace, of those whose loved ones may have recently passed away, or they don't have family to enjoy this time of year with.

In our household they will not be forgotten, and will be in our hearts and prayers!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Stay Encouraged...

In these times of great uncertainty, one thing that I personally know to be true is. When we block out all outside noise (distractions) from our lives, and only focus on the Holy, Pure,and righteous word of God.

It is then that we will find great peace ... the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding,

that can only be found in God's Holy word, and that will always bring ultimate certainty into our lives. For those that can identify with this post. I say to you, stay encouraged my friend. Wherever you may be in the world.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


~Patrick~ @BlessedDirection.com

Pecan Cookie Recipe...

We were given a bag filled with pecans today, and I was looking for a simple, cookie dough recipe for them. I think I found it,

after a few, settle, changes of my own, I'll be on my way. I enjoy those cookie recipes that have very few ingredients, and a very short prep and cook time!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Beautiful Vocal Range...

We attended our oldest daughter's Gospel choir performance this week, and really enjoyed it.

The kids did a great job, and had very beautiful vocal range. It sounded like they actually did put in a lot of practice.Their voices blended very well!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Making Paper Snowflakes...

After finding a good video tutorial on Youtube. I was able to refresh my memory of how to fold, cut, and make paper snow flakes. My Children and I enjoyed decorating our walls with these last year, and have started making more today,to add to our Christmas Decor!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

An Effective Prayer Life...

Tonight's bible study was about having an effective prayer life. The importance of spending quiet time alone, with God during your prayers.

Praying for others, being specific about what you are praying for. The effects of having sin in your life, causing a divide between you and God,

and how critical it is to repent and get rid of sin from your life, before you expect God to hear your prayers and move on your behalf.

proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Saturday Was The Day...

Saturday was the day that Frankie came out of his cocoon! We all were just looking at his jar hours earlier while he was still inside, then a little later, our oldest son noticed that he had finally come out.

As you can see in the pictures below Frankie was a gray caterpillar,then changed into what appears to be an off white moth (part of the butterfly family) with small black spots. Then it was time to say goodbye, we let him back outside, so long Frankie!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Celebrating Thirteen Years...

Today is a very special day, our 13th wedding anniversary! It feels awesome, and is such a blessing in this day and age, to be able to say that we are still married, still happy, and looking forward to many, many more!

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

~Patrick & Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Dealing With Temptation...

This Sunday's bible study was about being tempted. How Satan will come to you, trying to get you to fall into temptation, and how you will be able to withstand it by rebuking him, just as our savior Jesus Christ did.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. ~KJV Bible~

~Patrick~ @BlessedDirection.com

Trees for Cars...

Earlier this week I came across an interesting article about a man named Leo Grand, who created a mobile app called "Trees for Cars".

The goal of using this app is to help save the environment, by allowing users to carpool to wherever they need to go!

"Trees for Cars" is now available on googleplay and iTunes for 99 cents, Congratulations Leo!

~Latresha~@BlessedDirection.com

In Twelve Days...

Today I was thinking, that in 12 days we will be celebrating Christmas. A time in history when unto us, Jesus Christ, our King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, was born!

Also staying mindful that even in the midst of all the celebrating and gift giving this year. We must not forget that the one TRUE gift has ALREADY come, has already been GIVEN, and DWELLS among us!

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

~Latresha~@BlessedDirection.com

I Have Learned...

The minute that you stop trying to improve yourself,is the moment you will start to die away. This is something that I have learned in life, and something that I refuse to let happen to me.

It's critical that we continue to improve in every area of our lives. Remembering to seek the wisdom of God, always letting him guide us along the way.


~Patrick~@BlessedDirection.com

Coffee Sugar Cream...

What is it about coffee that we enjoy so much? I drink it often myself, and enjoy having what I call those "perfect measurements" of coffee, sugar, and cream, added to every cup(smiles).

About 12 years ago I never really drank coffee though. I don't even remember asking my parents if I could taste it as a child... (and of course the answer would have been, "NO, you are too young!" (smiles), but now as an adult I enjoy coffee a lot. I guess over time my taste palate changed!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Gospel Choir Performance...

Our oldest daughter will be having her first Gospel choir performance of the year next week. We are so proud of her, after having those after school practices, now us parents will finally get to see,what our children have been up to!

I remember when I was in Gospel choir at school,that seems like only a few years ago... and now I will get to see my child doing the same thing. It's at moments like this, that I realize how old I am (smiles) and how fast time really does fly... WOW!

~Latresha~@BlessedDirection.com

Brotherhood Breakfast Gathering...

Last weekend I attended a brotherhood breakfast gathering. Where I really enjoyed myself in the Lord.

I received great encouragement from my christian brothers, and our topic for this year was about having "clean" hands, and we also were given the following list of things to keep in mind:

Before you speak...Listen
Before you write...Think
Before you spend...Earn
Before you Invest... Investigate
Before you criticize...Wait
Before you pray...Forgive
Before you quit...Try
Before you retire...Save

~Patrick~ @BlessedDirection.com

The Perfect Example...

This Sunday's Bible study teaching was about the Baptism of Christ. How Jesus provided a perfect example for our salvation,

and how the water Baptism in Jesus name, is an earthly physical reflection of the spiritual Baptism, that one experiences after being filled with the Holy Ghost.

Keeping in mind that in order to enter into the kingdom of God, we must be born of water and of the spirit!

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Screencast Software...

I have been looking for an easy to use screen capture software, and this week I think I found it. On screencast-o-matic.com, a free account there would give me 15 minutes max recording time,

record screen, the options to publish to YouTube In high definition, and also publish in the following formats MP4, AVI, and FLV movie. I have yet to try it out, but so far it sounds like it's just what I needed!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

A Simple Thank You...

Last week I had mentioned a website that I was glad to have found, and felt would be very helpful in getting more exposure as an Indie Gospel artist.

I am still enjoying the site so far (RadioAirplay.com), and wanted to say "Thank You" to those that took the time to listen to and support my music this week.

I thank God for another opportunity, to be a Blessing to others through music!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Truly Inspired ...

Something was spoken at church recently, that truly encouraged and inspired me. I don't remember exactly how it was worded, but I remember the example that was used.

It was said how "God has a decree over the oceans and the seas of this world. Though they toss to and fro, and though they "rush" towards the banks of the earth, these strong waters still can ONLY travel as far as God will ALLOW them to."

This example, was applied to daily living in the same way. Reminding us of how God will put no more on us than we can bear. When the weight of trials, and tribulations, "rush" into our lives, tossing us emotionally to and fro. We can still rest assure that this too shall pass. For God has the power to "Intervene" and burdens will have NO CHOICE but to cease. Giving us rest, and peace in our spirit! In Jesus Name, Amen!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Empty Cereal Boxes...

Having a cabinet overly filled with empty cereal boxes, tells me it's now time for a crafting project.

I have been planning to "make something" with my boxes for the longest, but after finding "my craft channel's" video on YouTube.

I now know just what I want to make. Very cute and simple writing pads,or note pads. With my kids in school and often having homework to do. I know they will enjoy having these on hand!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Harvest Of Blessing...

Today I listened to a message about "seeds" of faith, and how we should continue to plant them in every area of our lives.

Always believing God for what we need, no matter what may come. The thought of finding ourselves in great need, and having not kept our faith in God, would be a terrible situation.

So today I encourage us to keep on planting our seeds of faith, for in due season our harvest of Blessing WILL be great!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

Butterfly Transformation...

Yesterday our oldest two children found a caterpillar outside. They
named him Frankie, put him in a jar (with holes in the lid) leaves to eat, some water, and a tall stick to crawl on.

They are so excited about Frankie, and when they got up for school this morning, they saw that he had actually made a cocoon overnight.

Now all of us are curious and looking forward to a possible butterfly transformation!

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com

The Way Up Is Down...

The way "up" in this life is found "down" on a servant's level. Living our lives with a "servants" heart.

Walking in humility, helping, and pouring into someone else other than ourselves.

Expecting nothing in return... A Level where true blessing, growth, and happiness is found!

Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:4
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

~Latresha~ @BlessedDirection.com