Thursday, December 31, 2009

Thought Provoking Thursday

Stockxpertcom_id859159_size1“God never place us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress.” 

~ Elizabeth Prentiss

                                                                                

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas with my brother Chris & family


Josh

 Amanda & Joanna


Amanda & Alexis

 

Christmas Day 2009

This has been a rather eventful Christmas this year. Both of my sister-in-laws announced they are expecting and my dearest friend Charity became engaged Christmas Eve! Looks like July and August are going to be busy months with new babies and lots of wedding plans (and an empty pocket book :).

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Day:

 Joanna opening her Elsie Dinsmore doll


My niece Annie

  Johnny IV



I didn't really get any good pictures of the adults. I am afraid I may get in trouble if I post the ones I did get. At least the kids were cute... :)

Free Knitting and Crocheting Patterns

Lion Brand website has numerous free patterns available. Check it out by clicking here

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!!!

The
Christmas
tree reminds
us of the Christ;
its top pointing to
heaven, its lights denoting
the Light of the World, and all
the presents beneath it reminding us
that every good gift comes from above.
Thanks
be to
God!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Thought Provoking Thursday


"Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him."
~ Hudson Taylor



Christmas Presents

giveaways

I have made all of these for Christmas presents. I am still hoping to get a couple more finished at least before Christmas. The small pink one is for my 3 year old niece, hence the small size.

The Girl Creative

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Where is Your Mission Field?


Read this really great post by my dear friend Anna by clicking here

Saturday, December 19, 2009

One Small Act of Kindness

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.' I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.


As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him...

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.

' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before..

He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.  I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends. He said yes..

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my  friends thought the same of him.  
Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!' He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends...

When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football
scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. ' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began, 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostlyyour friends.....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved...My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions...With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse....

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

Please note: I receive this as a forward. I am not sure the author of this story although I have heard it on several occasions. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thought Provoking Thursday


When you look around and can't see a way out, look up and praise God for being good to you.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Living to the Hilt

The Lord has taught me some things this fall which have really changed my thinking and outlook on life.

I have a burden and a desire to serve the Lord in full-time service. Right now though, I am in a transitional phase, waiting for the next "big" step. I have a desire, if it is the Lord's will, to serve Him on the mission field.

While in this waiting stage, my initial thinking was, "I could serve Him so much better right now if I was on the mission field or serving Him full-time." I also have other friends who are waiting for God's will in different areas. Some are waiting for visas to get to the field, others are waiting to meet "Mr. Right" and still others are waiting for the Lord to open up some area of service. In each of these cases, as well as my own, I have thought the same thing. "Wouldn't we be serving God so much better if our circumstances were different, the way we think they should be?"

God has taught me though, that the best place I can serve Him, is right where He has placed me. I know that I am in His will living at home, working the jobs I have and helping in my home church. It is not God's will for me to "Go" yet. Therefore, the best place I can serve God today, is right here. Who even knows what tomorrow will bring? We are so caught up in how we are going to serve God that we forget to serve Him today, this very hour or minute. 

Recently, in a message, our pastor made the statement that the will of God begins with the vacuum cleaner. The VACUUM CLEANER?!!! I always had the mindset that cleaning and other such tasks had little or no eternal value when in reality they do. God has commanded that we do all things decently and in order. Maybe all God's will for me today is to improve on doing things decently and in order by cleaning and organizing. The little things in life matter much more than we comprehend. They do add up!

Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt ever situation you believe to be the will of God." If you know you are in the center of God's will, then give it all you've got! Who knows if you'll even have another day to serve the Lord?

Colossians 10:31 

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."


"The will of God is like a rose, unfolding one petal at a time."

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Today's Fun Project...

giveaways
The Girl Creative

Creamy Potato Soup

8 med. potatoes, peeled & cubed
2 celery stalks, diced
1 med. onion
3 tsp. chicken bouillon
1 qt. water
5 T. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 tsp. pepper
1 qt. milk (may substitute rice or soy milk, if using rice milk add some extra flour)


Instructions:

In a large soup kettle, combine potatoes, onion, celery, water and bouillon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Let simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Place half of the potato mixture in a blender and puree, then set aside. Add butter to soup kettle, then stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk and bring to a boil. Boil and stir for 2 minutes. Return pureed potatoes back to the kettle and heat thoroughly. Garnish top of soup with bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Thought Provoking Thursday


Humility is seen through selfless acts of service for others.

~P. Chappell

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Birthday Tea





Thought Provoking Thursday


"Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and die a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to have done nothing and succeeded at it."
- Erwin Lutzer

Pin Cushion Link


Check out this cute pin cushion project at "Blessed Femina"
It looks super easier and a great way to use scraps.

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