You Are Loved~ Don't You Forget It

Posted by Unknown | Labels:



 

My daughter posted this on Facebook this morning and I thought it was so powerful that I just had to share it. How many times do we as girls~ I say girls because it starts when we are just little girls~ feel like we have to earn love?

 God loves us with an unconditional love and until we get that we will always seek love in the wrong places. It is my prayer that each of you reading today~ young and old realize this truth!

I quote Elizabeth Elliott~ "Remember, you are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are the everlasting arms."

No matter what your circumstances~ no matter what is right or wrong in your life~ no matter what others may say about you~ GOD LOVES YOU!

That just makes for a Fabulous Friday!


Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
 “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
 Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

It's A Bacon and Egg Kind Of Morning~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:



This morning I was in the kitchen doing my morning mad dash run to get breakfast cooked  for my Brian.  We are trying to take care of our health so many mornings it is not real exciting~ for neither of us like the perfect breakfast food~ oatmeal. Eeewie ~grocie as my grandson would say.  We choke it down none -the- less. But once a week I cook bacon and eggs.

 Most mornings I skip the taboo piece of bacon but not this morning. This morning I fixed bacon and eggs and I SLOWLY enjoyed my little piece of bacon. Our family loves us some bacon~ I know it is bad so we don't have it often. Today just seemed like a bacon and egg kind of morning.

 As I was cooking breakfast I listened to a devotion about not forgetting where God has brought us from and what He has done for us. 

Oh my stars~ I am so thankful! I was a little bus kid that He picked up and placed in a wonderful church with a Pastor that showed me how to not only love God but how to trust Him with my entire life. The rest has been history. He saved my entire family and set our feet on a sturdy rock.

 He has sought and found the hearts of all my children and and they are walking with Him too. Has it always been a piece of cake?~ Not always! ~ But He has sure made life sweeter. He has carried me through the storms and loved me when I have been unlovable. Always working all things for my good. I feel like His pet-child. I love Him so much and I am so thankful.

Life only becomes a burden when I forget to remember all that He has done for me or where He brought me from.  Sometimes I take for granted all the grinding and polishing He has done in my life. I was a diamond in the rough~ an ugly lump of coal but He has been chiseling away at the rough edges in my life for a long time. 

I know He has much more to do in my life but once in awhile I see the reflection of Him shine through my life and it is beautiful. The problem comes when I see the glittering beauty and I want to steal His glory. As she said in my devotion this morning~ Watch out! God won't let us steal His glory. When His light shines through in us~ it is to point others to God not for us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. 

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.



Matthew 5:16

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

As I kissed my love goodbye and started my morning chores I couldn't help but feel that my cup runneth over. God has been so good to me! Now see what I mean? It is a bacon and egg kind of morning. 

Now I am going to go walk off that bacon. Have a blessed day!






  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Well Hello Fall~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:



 Goodbye Summer~ Hello Fall
          Everyone must take the time to sit 
and watch the leaves turn.
-Elizabeth Lawrence



I Love Fall~ I am so ready for some cool days~ apple cider and pumpkins. I also tend to think about organizing life this time of year but most importantly I work on recommitting to my devotion time with God. I so need it~ don't you?






F~Fellowship with Christ

The most important thing we can do in life is to have a strong relationship with God. Life is hard ~ I need God. Without Him I would be pushing through doors I should never go through and chasing my own foolish whims. I need His wisdom~ guidance and direction each and every day.


Romans 6:12-13 

 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.


Psalm 119:11 


 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.



Colossians 3:16 


 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

A~Abiding in Christ

In order to abide in Christ I need not only be in the Word constantly but I need to be in obedience with what He wants from my life.  Life is more peaceful when I am in harmony with my Creator.

"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1 John 3:24


L~Leaning on Christ

We do not have to walk through this world alone. We don't have to survive in our own strength. We can lean on Christ. We can let Him fight our battles so to speak. And~it sure seems like life is full of battles. 

Life is much sweeter when I'm following my leader. (I just love that song.)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."    Psalm 46:1

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust."    Psalm 91:1,2

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."   2 Corinthians 12:10


L~Loving and Living For Christ

We should love Christ because He first loved us. He loved us so much that He gave His life in order for us to have fellowship with Him. He died to take away my sin and give me eternal life. It is only right that I should give Him my life and live according to His will and plan ~not according to my own agenda. 


"Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Romans 12:11

"Serve the LORD with gladness..."  Psalm 100:2


Fall  is such a wonderful time to refresh our relationship with God. As it brings us cool invigorating weather it can also bring us a close relationship with the Lord. It truly will revive our souls and bring us joy for our journey. 

Now don't we all need His crisp and invigorating power breezing through our lives. 




Happy first day of Fall!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Fabulous Friday~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:






Good Morning Blog Friends~
It is Friday~woo hoo! We are settled but are still changing ~ rearranging  and splashing some paint around to make our new home us. 

I so enjoyed my visit with my kids in Washington last week. We have been lucky that both girl's husbands have been stationed in the same place for the past year. That will be changing the first of the year~ so we will be traveling back out to spend Thanksgiving while they are all in one location.

 This momma's heart would like to fret but instead I am just trusting that God has it all under control~ sure He does.



 I had so much fun with these two~ they are growing so fast!







Ashley and Alex will be moving to Texas the first part of the year~ a little closer.


Hannah and Jacob will be staying in Washington~still so far away.





Caleb and I are finishing his senior year ~just a couple months left.


I am trying to get back into the groove of blogging but life seems to have gotten away from me again. Dog-gone-it ~ I just hate it when that happens. 

From these pictures it looks like all is wonderful and peaceful maybe even perfect.  Now don't get me wrong~ I am so blessed~life is great. 
BUT~ We all have struggles, troubles and trials ~ now don't we?  In fact I have a couple that are weighing on my heart as I peg away at these keys. One that keeps me awake at night and has made a knot in the pit of my stomach. I know you know what I am talking about.

I woke up this morning and opened the Word of God and read this~

Psalm 23:1-3

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.



Sometimes we educate ourselves into forgetting the simple truths of God's Word.  When our inner being is full of knots we can run to the lap of our Heavenly Father and lie down in pastures of peace. I needed to remember the power of quietness this morning. I needed to take time with the One who can restore my soul. As I sipped a cute little mug of hazelnut coffee this morning~ I allowed the presence of God to enter into my soul and the burdens begin to drift away. Direction came ~ peace returned and joy filled my soul.  I just needed to power down and take some time turning the cares of the day over to Him.

It is so amazing to me that my Heavenly Father loves me so much that He will exchange my burdens for peace and my knots for joy.

Now that is something to celebrate on this Fabulous Friday. 

*****************************************************




  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Do We Have Something More To Give?

Posted by Unknown | Labels:




One night John Wesley was returning home after preaching a service and found himself being robbed. The robber found his victim to have very little money and a hand full of Christian literature.

As the thief was leaving ~ Wesley cried out, "Stop! I have something more you give you." The robber paused as Wesley said, "My friend, you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all
 sin!' "  The robber ran away and Wesley prayed that his words may lead the young man to Christ.

Years later after preaching a Sunday service John Wesley was approached by a stranger.
 The man was a successful business man and now a believer in Christ. He preceded to tell John Wesley that he was the young man that had robbed him many years ago. He said, " I owe it to you." Wesley exclaimed, "Oh no, my friend, not to me but to the precious blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin."

 John Wesley really did have something more to give to the thief that night~ the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

As I read this story I couldn't help but realize I too have something more to give. Yet~ how many people crossed my path this week and I just just didn't take the time to share some Gospel literature or invite someone to church or maybe even just shared what God has done in my life. 

I needed to be reminded today to share the love of Christ because I too have something more to give.


1 John 1:9

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Introducing ~ My Gypsy Girl

Posted by Unknown |





This is our youngest daughter~ our Gypsy Girl~ Hannah. She has opened an Etsy Store with her paintings and artwork. I am one proud momma of her talent. To celebrate I am going to be giving away one of her paintings. She is painting me a special one right now so stay tuned.








You can visit her Esty Shop here~
MissGypsyCreations.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MissGypsyCreations?ref=l2-shopheader-name


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

I Just Didn't Know What I Was Missing~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:





Photo Source


When we moved into our new house it came with a Beam central vacuum system. Oh my stars~ I love... love... love it. I can plug that super sucker up in any room and clean up any and all messes. It is like having the power of a car wash vacuum to clean my floors.  It is the greatest for wood floors and picking up after our little Corgi~who just happens to shed a new fur coat each and every day. It makes cleaning so easy and fast. I just didn't know what I was missing. I can assure I never want to be without one again.

It sort of reminds me of my early days as a young wife and mother. I was so busy trying to keep all the plates spinning that I neglected my time with the Lord often. Oh~ I would pray all day as I rushed through my day but was just too busy much of the time to really spend time connecting with the super power.

I just didn't know what I was missing. As I begin to start spending the time I needed with God each morning searching for His wisdom and help something began to happen.  God begin to help me control my temper and give me peace when all the plates were spinning and even when they were not. He begin to change an angry person into a happy person. He begin to give me some of those fruits of the spirit that I so needed. ( And those around me knew I needed!) A sure sign we need to spend more time connecting to our power source is when we just can't seem to get along with anyone and we are just never happy~ ouch! We all get there~ don't we? 

 Don't get me wrong~ I still have a long way to go but praise God I have come a long way. He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be! As I reflect back ~I am praying that I can be a better Grandmother than I was as a Mother. 

I am in Washington visiting and as I watch my daughter with her two small children it reminds me of all the hard work a momma does. It is not an easy job for sure.  Life is hard work but God will help us carry our load. 

She is a great mom and doing a wonderful job. I am so proud of her. 

Psalms 5:3 - My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up.

Psalms 90:14 - O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Be back soon~ I have playing and smooching to do today!


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Famous Last Words~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:





Just before Gandhi died these were his famous last words, "All about me is darkness; I am praying for light."  D.L. Moody's last words were recorded too, "This is my triumph; this my coronation day! It is glorious!" They were both expressing their perspectives on life~ death and all of the time in between.

None of us like to think about it but our time here is really short. I always wanted to be special and do great big things for the Lord. But I am just an ordinary person who loves God and adores my family. So I am pretty sure my words will not be recorded anywhere as "famous last words." 

When I was young I was quick to spout off at the mouth. As I have watched a few days pass by~ I have learned to bridle my tongue much better. (Still working on it!) But it is my heart's desire that not just my last words but all the words in between will be used to glorify God, to build up the man I love, to point my children and grandchildren to One who can make life as D.L. Moody said~ Glorious! 

Life is glorious! God is good! One day Heaven awaits us on that final Coronation day.

So ~why not practice speaking words oozing with honey. It will make life much sweeter from birth to death and all the in between.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Life is very glorious for sure. I am packing today headed to see my Washington kids. I will be taking a little blogging break.

Have a blessed day.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Amish~Pickled Beets

Posted by Unknown | Labels: , ,





One of my favorite things to do is visit my Amish neighbors. I love to eat at the Mennonite Buffet in Jamesport, Missouri. It has the most yummy food.  I so love their pickled beets.

 I searched my Grandmother's recipe box I found this recipe. I felt like I struck gold.( I was paying $8.oo for a quart.) I love this recipe. I just know you will too!

2 cups sugar
3-1/2 c. white vinegar
1-1/2 c. water
1 t. salt
1 T. cinnamon
1 T. all spice
4 16 oz. cans small whole beets, drained
4 1-pint canning jars and lids

Combine sugar, vinegar, water, salt, and spices in a large kettle; bring to a boil over medium heat. Add beets. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes; cool. Pack into hot jars; cover with liquid. Store in the refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Smiles and Happy Hearts~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:




Sometimes I wish I had a magic wand and make life all smiles and happy hearts. But it is just not the case~ even for the child of God. Life sometimes brings troubles and trials and difficult people. Wouldn't it be great if we could recite some spiritually charged words and make problems go away~ but that is just never going to happen.

There is a thorn in my flesh that God has allowed to stay in my life. No matter what I do or how hard I try~ I just can't fix it. I am not alone. I know each of us have a heartache or two that causes us to have a knee constantly on the floor begging God to work it out for His glory.

Yet~ in the dark of the night when the hot rocks cause us to have a knot in our inner being there is help and peace in the midst of the storm. 


Psalm 119

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

The despair of the psalmist that is recorded in Psalm 119, gives me comfort and mercy. Out of tribulation can come strength.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Do you have something that causes great heaviness in your life? I sure do this morning. This is when I  go to the Word and get strength for day.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

The Bible says to do right until the stars fall~ we need to just keep running to God's commandments and He will enlarge our heart. When our heart is heavy and breaking in two~ He can mend our broken heart and maybe just make it larger to bear the burden. 

We can express our despair to the Lord~ but we don't have to stop there. We can ask for mercy and strength~ commit to obeying the Lord and cling to His promises. He will be faithful to carry us through any trial and fill our hearts with peace.

That promise alone can make the day full of smiles and  happy hearts.


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Autumn Cake Mix Sugar Cookies

Posted by Unknown | Labels: , , , ,

Want something sweet in a hurry? These are so fast and easy~and they taste oh so good!


Yummy~ Cake Mix Cookies

1 White Cake Mix
1 egg
1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of water

I placed the Autumn sprinkles on before I baked them. They are wonderful frosted too!

Combine cake mix, egg, oil, and water. Mix well. 
Bake 350 degrees until done, about 10 minutes. Don't over bake!


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Well Hello September~

Posted by Unknown | Labels:


How was your weekend?

 This past four days my Brian and I took a leave from all our responsibilities to work on getting all the way settled into our new home. Our Labor Day was spent laboring. We have been painting and changing out a few things. He bought me a beautiful new granite sink and faucet for my kitchen. It sure is beautiful. It is beginning to feel like home. 

Sometimes responsibilities crash in on our lives leaving us feeling stretched so thin. In the middle of selling our home and finding our new home~ I was so weary.

 These past four days my husband cleared his schedule and just worked on doing our to-do list and even spoiled me with so much more. 


Early this morning as I walked our little Corgi out I was greeted with a cool breeze.  I looked out over our beautiful yard and it was as if God himself whispered ~ Peace, be still. A year ago we laid to rest our sweet little Spaniel ~ Emma ~and I knew a big move and life change was on the horizon. Just a year later we have a new little dog~whom we have just fallen in love with. We are moved and getting settled and life has once again returned to a "new peaceful normal." 

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

God reminded me to praise Him while I watched the sun come up. Cold air rushed about me but warmth filled me as His presence comforted me and assured me that He has it all under control. He is so good. 

Thank God for the seasons! 


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown

Homemade Peach Tea and The Worlds Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted by Unknown |




Well Hello September~
Celebrate the Autumn season with these yummy recipes. 



Homemade Peach Tea
Ingredients~
8 tea bags 
1 fresh peach
1 cup of sugar 
water and ice

First, you have to bring a pot of water to a boil and then put in your 8  tea bags ~ just like you would when your making a regular pitcher of delicious tea. Pour tea into a gallon container.

 Cut a fresh peach into slices then put the slices in your pot on the stove. Add 1 cup of sugar and cook on medium heat. You need to stir constantly to keep from burning. Cook until you have a syrup consistency. Add the syrup to the tea and finish filling the  gallon container with water. Add ice and oh this is so yummy!






World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies





INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
 Cream: Butter Flavor Crisco, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Blend until creamy. Blend in egg. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture, gradually. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop rounded measuring tablespoonfuls of dough 3" apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies (will appear light and moist - DO NOT OVER BAKE)


  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments0
Posted by Unknown
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)