Joy of my heart!

HOLY LAND HERE WE COME!

2010-11-09T21:00:00.000-08:00

Two weeks from today we will be in Israel! We are getting so excited as we are packing and anticipating our great travel across the world. We will be traveling for appoximately 22 hours before we arrive in Tel Aviv. The first thing we get to do is go and see Kayla in Jerusalem where she is doing her school. We will have Thanksgiving with the kids on campus, so we are really glad our tour guide was able to work out all the details for us to be together. Our first 5 nights will be in Jerusalem and then one night at the Dead Sea , then 3 nights near the Sea of Galilee and then one night in Tel Aviv the day before we fly back home. I hope to be able to blog our daily site seeing. We are going with some good friends whose daughter is friends with Kayla. Oh what joy to be where my KING walked on this earth! The Bible is already becoming so alive to me and I am not even there yet. This will be a once in a life time experience.

My upbringing Adventure Part 2

2010-10-18T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well...I should finish what I started ...it is good to have this documented because we lived in so many different places. I left off with Keokuk, Iowa, we then moved on to Butte, Montana where my Dad was convinced to move up and start a church. I remember meeting some very interesting people there, one family we met had a son named John the Baptist. Our family thought that was very funny...I also remember meeting a girl at the age of 13 who was engaged to a 20 year old man....it still gives me the creeps! We didn't stay long...so we moved on to Musula, Montana were a small church met in a Girl Scout building ...it was very difficult for my parents there...no one came to church...my dad ended up washing dishes at a restaurant..just to survive financially. So off we go again to Moline, Illinois were my Grandparents lived. My mom worked for a while and then off we went to Odessa, Texas to live with my other Grandma. I was in 5 th grade by this point. We soon got a call to candidate in a church in Long Beach, California.

This is where I have my most fondest of memories! We lived close to a public pool and went swimming all summer long. Our church was small but very loving to our family. We met in a couple of different YMCA's. The church grew and we were able to lease a huge building with a house attatched, in which we lived. My sister and I would climb out onto the roof and play. I don't think my parents really knew about that! I went to a huge high school , grades 7th-12th. It was very intimidating and scary!! The campus was huge and I literally had to run to some of my classes! The church had difficulty paying the lease...so my parents made a very difficult decision to leave and merge the church with another church start in the area. I never cried so hard...the first time I really didn't want to move! God moved us to Fosterburg, Illinois. This well established large church was quite wealthy and us kids were able to all go to a Christian school. This was also a highlight in my life...I made wonderful friends and loved my classes. This is when my mom found out she was pregnant at age 43! We were all very excited. We finished the school year and the church became difficult for my dad, it was ruled by the deacons and my dad could not lead...it was very frustrating. Now we are in Lynn, Missouri. A very small Catholic town. My parents made $50.00 a week and my dad worked full-time at Johnson and Johnson. Jeremy was born in October...I was 15 years old...many people thought he was mine...you can't imagine the horror I felt when people asked me if he was mine!

There was no progress with this church and no money...again we moved to Ely, Nevada. There was a very small church start that needed a pastor. I remember ...hating the school..I had no friends. We were there only less than a year. The next summer we relocated to Bartlett, Illinois. A small church that met in a YMCA called my dad to come and pastor. I went to a huge high school, and made some wonderful friends. I got my first job at a hot dog/pizza place, then worked at a Burger King my Senior year. I bought my first car, a Volkswagon Bug for $250. I drove it everywhere!! During the middle of my Senior year, the church decided to dissolve. We moved to Mesa, Arizona. So I finished my Senior year in a school where I knew no one. We got to know a really neat family there that had 11 kids...their dad was a pastor also and every Friday night we got together with some other teens and ate pizza , mini golf, go-carts, etc.. it was a blast and a good memory. God blessed me richly with the opportunity to go to college the next Fall. I enrolled at Christian Heritage College in El Cajon, California. This truly was the best year of my life!! I was surrounded by awesome Biblical teaching and wonderful friendships! I learned sooo much that year! Well, my dad's church start didn't prosper in Arizona and so we moved again to Grove, Oklahoma. My dad helped the church out with an evangelistic outreach ministry. I only stayed through the summer and went off to the college my parents went to in Springfield, Missouri. Baptist Bible College turned out to be a huge disappointment to me. I only stayed 3 weeks and went back home. After spending time in Texas , I moved to Orlando, Florida with my folks to help them with another church start and this is where I met Eddie...we only new each other for 6 months and then we got married!! Interestingly enough I married a Navy man...to continue my "adventurous" lifestyle. What a crazy unusual life I had...but it was not like I knew anything different. God in His providence knew exactly how He wanted my life to be orchestrated. We all have a life "story" and God is in control of it. I am so grateful for everything He is doing in and through my life and especially for giving me life abundant through His Son Jesus Christ!
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" Ephesians 1:6

More Summer 2010

2010-08-08T22:15:00.000-07:00

After I returned home from Tennessee we were surprised by our neighbor, who offered us his time share for a weeks stay in Lake Chelan!! It was beautiful!! We had to split our family up in order for it to work for all of us to go...so Kay and Kell and a friend went on the weekend and the rest of us went up during the week. Although we couldn't be together as a family...we were all glad to get away.

Summer 2010

2010-08-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

Wow, I have not been doing so well with my blog. It has been a busy summer. I started the

summer with a visit to my sisters in Tennessee in May! Kellory wanted to visit her cousin Grace..so we thought we would fly down together. We had so much fun! We ate out , watched movies, drank coffee , played with my new nephew and niece, and had a wonderful time!!

ICEBOX CAKE???

2010-05-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have been hearing about an old fashioned dessert called "Icebox cake"...made of graham crackers and pudding and I guess it tastes fantastic. So I thought I would hunt down a recipe and give it a try. To be honest it didn't sound like it would be that great...but was I wrong! I made this dessert on Sunday night ( recipe suggested to keep in fridge for 2-3 days) and on Tuesday we had it with everyone..they loved it and so did I!

THELMA'S CHOCOLATE ECLAIR

1/2 box (8 oz.) graham crackers

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) instant vanilla pudding

3 1/2 cups milk

1 (8oz.) cool whip

2 squares (1 oz. each) semisweet chocolate

2 T. butter

1 tsp. light corn syrup

3 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 -1/2 cups confections sugar

Cover bottom of 13x 9 baking pan with whole graham crackers, set aside. Combine pudding mixes and milk. fold in cool whip. Spread over graham crackers. Top with another layer of crackers. In a saucepan, melt chocolate and butter. Remove from the heat and add remaining ingredients. Spread over top graham cracker layer. Cover and refrigerate. Dessert is best made 2-3 days ahead of time. Yield: 12-15 servings.

My Upbringing.... quite the Adventure!! Part 1

2010-05-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I was visiting with my mom and we got on the subject of all the places we moved throughout my childhood. I grabbed a piece of paper and began to scribble down everything she and I could remember about where we started and little details of what we did there.
You see my dad and mom were called into the ministry shortly after I was born. My dad decided to go to Bible College in Springfield , Missouri for 3 years and then the Adventure began!
I thought it would be kind of fun to make a log of where I have lived . You would not believe how many times I moved as a child!! I have a most unique childhood. A lot of my memories are of being in the car traveling to another destination...in our brown paneled Station Wagon.

It all started when I was about five years old...we moved to Vancouver, Washington. My parents were supported by a missionary board to be church starters. We were there about 8 months moved to another small town close by to start another church but could not start one.
So we moved on to Everett, Washington to start a church in Richmond, Canada. We lived in a Big White house but were only there 3-4 months...the people were very non receptive to a new church. At that point my folks moved us to Sunnyside, Washington. It was a small established church and my parents really liked the area...the fresh fruit and vegetables. I have a funny memory of us three kids regularly walking down the block to a local restaurant and inside the lobby taking advantage of their "free" peppermint toothpicks! Apparently we did not have too many snacks at home! Did my mom know we did this??
Anyway, we lived in Sunnyside for about 3 years. The church could barely support us financially at this point so we moved on to Pueblo, Colorado and my dad and mom helped a large church with their childrens ministry along with the bus ministry. I am about 9 years old at this point and one important thing I remember here is I made my first profession of faith during a VBS my parents were leading. So we were here maybe one year and then back in the car we go to.....
Mobile, Alabama. My dad got a lead from a friend of a small church there that needed a Pastor, so we kind of just showed up...the way my mom described. I guess there was another man there also trying to take the church but my dad was able to take possession of the church.
We lived in the actual church building...it was very interesting. My sister and I slept in the nursery in bunk beds, my parents had a room across the auditorium to sleep in as the Master bedroom. Oh, but this is the funny part, we actually made a living room off of the church auditorium and they put a curtain around it to block it off..it consisted of a couch and television.
My parents meet a very dear woman here, Mrs. Bradford. She was very generous to us in the years after we left, God used this woman to meet our needs time and time again. She will receive a very big reward in heaven for her givingness! We only stayed a year. Once again financially could not stay.
On to Keokuk, Iowa. What I remember most about this church was watching the movie "The Burning Hell". Wow, it was scary! How come we don't show movies like that anymore??? They had many people saved on one Sunday. I also remember making another profession of faith...assuring myself that I was making the decision to follow Christ. Well, we were there only a year and then on to....? part 2 coming up!

2010-04-27T17:31:00.001-07:00

This was pretty tasty...it isn't too sweet ( so you could really pig out if you want)! Nothing tastes so good as peanut butter and chocolate. It reminded me of a granola bar.

PEANUT BUTTER BARS

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup quick oats
1 bag chocolate chips (2 cups)

Grease a 13X 9 pan. Combine butter, peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Add in brown sugar, flour, salt and baking soda. Mix in oats. Spread and press down in pan. Bake at 375* for 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and pour chocolate chips over the top. Put back in oven for just a minute to soften the chips. Spread the chocolate with spatula. Cool completely before cutting.

My dad...Ward Clemmons

2010-04-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

This was taken in Long Beach, California.

Last week was the 18th anniversary of my fathers death. I can't believe it has been that long.

I was pregnant with Kellory when he died from colon cancer. He was 51 years old. He got very sick December of 1991 and was taken to the hospital for internal pain. He was then diagnosed wtih colon cancer, that was so advanced, they gave him 6 months to live. He lived for 4 months after the diagnoses. He was a different man for the those 4 months, I remember him being very at peace with it all. He was so ready to go to heaven. He was a quiet sort of man, and I was so very young when it all happened. The only thing I regret is talking more with him during those last days. I look forward to seeing him again!

My dad was called into the ministry when I was just a baby. He was a pastor for 20 years to many small churches around the United States. I will post more on that later. I had a very interesting childhood!

My dad loved to sing and play his guitar(picture). I have good memories watching old movies or shows with him late at night and snacking on candy (his favorite thing to eat). I particularly remember watching the "Twilight Zone" with him and being scared silly! My dad taught me how to drive stick shift in my first car, a Volkswagon Bug. That was quite the adventure.

I miss my dad very much! I am so thankful for his example of faithfulness to the Lord. Looking back, he didn't have an easy life, but a sacrifical life given for the Lord.

GOODY GOODY GUM DROP!

2010-04-15T15:13:00.001-07:00

Have you ever heard that phrase?? Isn't it funny? My mom was one that would say that...when excited about something! It just makes me laugh hearing it. Anyway, I think this is what I will call my once a week dessert post. So here is an easy brownie dessert to dress up a box brownie mix.

Rocky Road Brownies

1 brownie mix (13 X9)

1 c. mini marshmallows ( I used more to cover the entire top)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven 350*. Prepare brownies as directed for fudge-like brownies. Bake 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle marshmallows enenly over surface. Let cool.

In small saucepan, melt chocolate chips over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk. Blend well. Stir in pecans. pour evenly over marshmallows. Let cool for several hours.

Sweet Tuesday!

2010-04-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Okay...this was yummy! but as you will see in the list of ingredients a little fattening. But hey,you only live once and a little indulgence won't hurt. Strawberries are getting cheaper and tastier...you won't be disappointed with this one. It is easy to make too!

Strawberry Cream Pie

Pastry:

1 c. flour

2 T. powdered sugar

1/2 c. butter, cut in pieces

pinch of salt

Filling:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. sugar

1 c. heavy cream, whipped until it holds soft peaks

1 T. fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350*. Mix all ingredients together and pat into a buttered 9 in. pie pan.

Prick crust in several places. Bake 12-15 minutes until light golden brown. cool.

whip together filling until thoroughly combined. Pour into cooled crust and chill 1 hour.

Topping:

1 qt. frsh stawberries, sliced

1/2 c. currant jelly, melted ( I found it at Yoke's)

Arrange berries on filling and carefully paint the berries with the jelly.

Chill 3 hours before serving.

THE INFLUENCE OF BOOKS

2010-04-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

Books , books, and more books! I have the horrible habit of starting a book and then I find interest in another book and start it! I am in about 5 different books right now! My favorite books are practical learning books..."How to"... I want to know how to be a better woman for God, and I want to be able to help others. My learning is slow because I do not retain much from my reading. I have tried to right down things that mean much to me and that helps tremendously! Also telling others what I learn from a book can help me remember. I want to share a book that has been such a blessing to me. "Knowing God" by J.I. Packer. This is a book everyone should read. Each chapter focus's on an attribute of God. The first few chapters are just captivating...because he talks about why we should study God and the people who know their God. The difference of knowing about God and knowing of God is clearly stated in the book. Which is so challenging to me in my mind! He states some evidences of knowing God from the book of Daniel.
* Those who know God have great energy for God.
* Those who know God have great thoughts of God.
* Those who know God show great boldness for God.
* Those who know God have great contentment in God.
At the end of each chapter the author gives some wonderful questions to think about personally.
One last quote from the book... "We must learn to measure ourselves, not by our knowledge about God, not by our gifts and responsibilities in the church, but by how we pray and what goes on in our hearts."
What are you all reading lately?

Tuesday Treats!!

2010-03-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had the bloggin' blues...I don't have much to blog it seems..plus I have been very busy. I have 2 loves right now...reading and recipes. I will share on some of what I have been reading later. But for now I thought I would post a "goodie" each week. I make dessert every Tuesday night for our Bible Study group. It is an opportunity to try a "new" recipe!! Which I love to do! So today I made Brownie Bottom Cheesecake Bars. And yes they are yummy!

Here is the recipe:

1 chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup butter

3 eggs, divided

2 (8 oz) pkg. of cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 325*. In large bowl combine cake mix, butter and 1 egg; blend well. Press mixture into bottom of greased 9X13 baking pan.

In med. bowl., combine remaining eggs, cream cheese and sugar. Beat until mixture is smooth and well blended.

Pour mixture over cake mix, and bake for 40-45 minutes. (until edges are very lightly browned). Let cool and ice with Chocolate Frosting.

Chocolate Frosting:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (8oz) container sour cream

In small saucepan. combine chocolate chips and sour cream. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm to the touch.

Keira Nicole's 6th Birthday Surprise!

2010-03-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

Keira had a fun Birthday this year....we decided

to get her a big girl bike and was she surprised!

She loves it!!

What I love about Keira...because all my kids

are sooo unique.

She is....quiet

caring

has the sweetest smile

drawing is her favorite

very careful, not a risk taker

loves to dance and sing

She is a wonderful delight!

Thank you God for entrusting us with her!

Confessions Of A Competitor

2010-01-28T17:25:00.000-08:00

Eddie just celebrated his 42nd Birthday a couple of weeks ago and I was faced with the obligation to play his favorite game. Eddie LOVES games, especially strategic games. The kids thought it would be a nice "gift" to him to play a game together as a family on his birthday. They wanted to play a game called "Cities and Knights of Catan" and it is a very long game to play...and very detailed! Well, when I heard about this plan, I took a deep sigh and tried to prepare myself for this trial before me. I know myself all too well. I do not play games with a good attitude UNLESS I am winning and then it is a blast!! I had days to "prepare" my heart for ...well lets say this "trial". I prayed some and thought about what to expect. BUT...to my great disappointment I did not fare well.

Of course I was the big Loser in the game and after...playing for 6 hours...it definately was not fun for me any longer!

It is interesting when God puts us to a "Test". He gives us opportunities to make changes in our lives. I failed...and had to apologize to my kids (and confess to God) for my attitude. One of my kids reminded me of 1 Corinthians 13...Love is patient....Love is Kind.....Love does not seek its own (the next time I play I will have scripture cards in front of me as reminders).

God is good and growing me in this area. Everyone did enjoy it in spite of my moments of frustration. Next time I will definately play with a heart filled with the Spirit!

BLESSING BOOK

2009-12-31T11:19:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share with you my "Blessing Book". I got the idea from a gal who put together a list of ideas to help make Christmas memorable and special. I have all our family Chirstmas pictures from 2001 (the year we moved here).

The idea is to look back at the year and write down all of your many blessing that God has given. God not only has given us His precious Son.., but continues to pour His blessings on us.

Along with my Christmas picture, is my Christmas letter. Now that I blog I have stopped the letter. Today I have a written a list of some of this years blessings!
I will type them out and scrap them in my "Blessings Book"

Here are a few...Kayla finished school and was given a wonderful job at Batelle which will pave the way...possibly to attend Masters for a year. Praise to the Lord!

Kellory will be finishing her Senior year very soon and working as a Nanny in January. Praise to the Lord!

My generous husband who gives and gives. Praise to the Lord!

My God-given relationships that are molding me and making me into the image of Christ. Praise to the Lord!

I will end with this quote from Charles Spurgeon.

"Doth not all nature around me praise God?
If I were silent, I should be an exception to the universe.
Doth not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies?
Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adorations?
Does not the lightening write His name in letters of fire?
Hath not the whole earth a voice?
And shall I, can I, be silent?"

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-20T13:25:00.001-08:00

I have to get this posted before Christmas...ugh it has been busy! I wanted to share a few pics of our Thanksgiving. It was very special to have my sister and her family come for a visit, as some of you know they got back from Kazachstan in October with their 2 beautiful adopted children. Alyosha is 9 and Zhyena is 5. They don't know a lot of English but they are learning quickly. It was so great to meet them and welcome them into the family. They are very sweet children and seem to be adapting pretty easily. We hope my sisters family will move closer this way in the near future!! We had a wonderful time together and Thank the Lord for his provision for their family in adopting them.

The MESS Monster!

2009-11-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to share what an interesting daughter I have... The only way I can describe Karis is ....a "messer".
She is always into something and usually in the nature of creams , lotions, or any sticky, gooey substance.
Today I returned home from music lessons to find she had been into the honey. She got it all over the stairs, and various pieces of furniture in the house. It is truly not a fun thing to clean up! We are still finding sticky in places. I can not tell you how many "messes" she has made on my walls and doors and floors. She has been into make-up, bag balm, lotions, and just recently toothpaste. I took this picture below, one of the many messy memories she has made. I need to keep a scrapbook of this, because I have never had a child like this before. They certainly are each one unique. Perhaps she is an aspiring artist? I wish I could interpret this behavior?? Anyone else have a child like this?

PORTLAND TRIP!

2009-11-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics from our Portland trip we took a few weeks ago. We went with my brother Brian and my sister-in-law Candy. We stayed a nice hotel in Vancouver...close to IKEA..oh yeah! We spent a whole day in downtown Portland and shopped around town....walked EVERYWHERE! It was a beautiful day...although I did a taboo...and bought some new shoes for the trip...I wore them that day...and yes...my feet were killing me!! Later that day we ended up looking for shoes for me...I finally found some slippers at Ross. OHHH! What relief! The last day of our trip we decided to visit the "Little People, Big World" family pumpkin patch. I don't have cable...but my brother and his wife do, and they enjoy the show and knew that the family lived close to Portland and had a Pumpkin Patch. We headed out in dry weather..but as soon as we got there it just poured. We took a tour on a tractor ride and got soaked...so unfortunatly we decided to head on out to somewhere dry. So we ended our trip with IKEA!! Too fun! I love that store! (Ladies...we need to get a group of us together sometime and make a day of it!) We all had a great time together and made some fun memories.

Family members of the "Little People"...one of the twins is on the right...he drove the tractor for the tour.

My "Cool" hubby trying to keep dry!

Candy and I getting soaked by the rain while on our little tour at the "Little People Pumpkin Patch".

Downtown Portland...beautiful fall trees at every corner!

ABC's and 1-2-3's

2009-09-27T16:05:00.001-07:00

Well, we are back to school! I have been wanting to post but with school starting and we have had a lot of sickness it has been hard for me to sit down and think! After 8 years....I am back to teaching Kindergarten once again. Keira loves it...she seems to be catching on quickly. Homeschooling has its challenges but we have learned a lot through the years. What ultimately brought us to homeschool was ...the fact when Kayla was headed for high school...we felt the kids were growing up way too fast and I wanted to be with them more and watch them grow up! I can't believe I have a 20 year old ...! Our passion for homeschool has changed over the years...it is not about the academics ...it is about discipling our children for the Lord and you have a lot of time to disciple when you are together 24-7! We have lots of opportunity to deal with not only our childrens hearts ...but my own heart. As we have started off the new year of school I am really passionate about building my kids up...encouraging them in their daily tasks, just loving them through words. God is good and gives us wisdom in this great task of homeschooling.

Nathan has a full load this year...with Chemistry, Geometry and Guitar to name a few. Kellory is just about finished with her graduation requirements...she is taking a writing class on-line..which has been great for her. She will be done with school by December! Cassia is working on task with all of her subjects...her favorite subject is science.

Some asked for recipes!

2009-07-25T13:27:00.001-07:00

Creamy Cilantro Chicken (havent' had this yet, but it is on my menu this week)

4 lbs. boneless, chicken breast
1 T. oil
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. heavy cream
3/4 c. cilantro
juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper

Season chicken with salt & pepper then brown chken in skillet with oil. Remove chicken and add cream cheese, cream, lime juice and 1/2 c. cilantro (reserve 1/4 c. ofr garnish). Stir all ingredients over medium heat til melted and smooth. Add chicken, cover and cook on low for 10-15 minutes. Serve with brown rice... ( sounds yummy)

Watermelon Salsa

8-10 lbs. watermelon
3-4 bell peppers
1 sweet onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2-3 jalapenos
3-6 chili peppers
1 cup lemon or lime juice
1 T. garlic

chill before serving
For best results chop, do not use blender
Add salt to help sweeten melon.
Yummy!

MY SURPRISE BIRTHDAY TRIP TO LEAVENWORTH!

2009-07-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

I know I am posting this a little late...but life is busy.

I wanted to share some pictures of my surprise birthday trip with Eddie. He took me to "Run of the River" Bed and Breakfast in Leavenworth. It was the nicest Bed and Breakfast in which we have ever stayed. It was really cool. I loved the porch swing and the view was beautiful and serene. Just what I needed after finishing up school with the kids . I loved the relaxing atmosphere.

My hubby is the best!!!

"LORD, I PRAISE THEE"

2009-05-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

To my sisters in Christ....Do you ever feel downharted or discouraged? Frequently in facing difficult situations, our whole being seems paralyzed. We are perplexed as to what we should do. May I suggest that this is the time to PRAISE. If you praise at this moment, the Spirit of god will begin to work to bring you to the place where all the doors open and every chain falls off. He who sings is free; we can transcend every situation; nothing-no person or thing- can cause us to be downhearted.

In offering the sacrifice of PRAISE, one puts herself into a triumphant position.
PRAISE is never defeated!
We shoul lift our head in the most difficult situation and say..."LORD I PRAISE YOU"
It is foolish to murmur...the more you murmur the deeper you are buried in your trouble.
The more you fret the greater the pressure builds up within. The problems almost overcome you. When you offer the sacrifice of PRAISE---you will quickly transcend everything.
Nothing can bury you!
Psalm 55: 17 says..."Evening and morning and noon will I pray"
Psalm 119: 164 says..."Seven times a day do I PRAISE thee..."
The Psalms are filled with praise. Praise is victory!
Psalm 67: 3,5 says..."Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee."

Begin today to literally PRAISE HIM seven times this day!! Count the times!
Seven times a day say "LORD, I PRAISE THEE"

Praise Him for: wounded feelings...losses...trouble...when you are misunderstood...
and of course all the many (specific) blessings He bestows on us!

This came from a letter my mom sent me years ago...I found it the other day and thought this would be a blessing to share! We were made to PRAISE HIM!!

What can YOU PRAISE God for TODAY?

2009-05-13T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest yard project. I had so much fun working on this. I put some really fun flowers in the garden...lavendar, black-eyed susans, some ground cover to grow over the rocks..so it will be fun to see what it will look like at the end of summer! Gardening is one of my passions! I love flowers and I have flower gardens on both sides of my house just for picking pleasure!

I have been reading a book with Cassia called " The Basket of Flowers". It is a wonderful, beautiful book written a very long time ago...but I would like to take a quote from that book I thought would inspire you... (a Father is talking to his daughter as they are walking through their garden ). " He spoke to her of the first garden where man was placed, and of his sad expulsion from it,--of the garden as the emblem of her own soul, given her to cultivate, and to bring forth fruit to God--and of the glorious garden above, to which, in his own good time, God transplants his people, through which flows the pure river of water of life, where the tree of life bears twelve manner of fruits, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations."
It makes me ponder my own hearts garden and what fruit I am cultivating and producing?
Just a thought for you to think about.

My latest garden project!

2009-05-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Where is the warm weather??? It was in the 80's just a couple of weeks ago. Here is a picture of the girls laying in the sunshine that day!

2009-05-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

2009-04-22T16:15:00.000-07:00

Give Away! Check this out!

A cute Journal!!

http://thebestnesst.blogspot.com/

Keira's 5 th Birthday Tea Party! It was a fun party...the girls loved drinking their "tea" and eating their sandwiches and goodies. It was a fun day!

2009-04-21T22:54:00.000-07:00

Something to impress upon you children!

2009-03-05T15:38:00.000-08:00

I found a quote from Suzanna Wesley...an awesome example of a mother who poured God's Word into her 10 children.

"Get as deep an impression on your mind as is possible of the constant presence of the great and holy God. He is about our beds and about our paths and spies out all our ways. When ever you are tempted to the commission of any sin, or the omission of any duty, pause and say to yourself, "What am I about to do? God sees me."

How to show love?

2009-02-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

It is Valentine's week...which I love..because I get to show love to my family with love notes and goodies!
I wanted to share another passion of mine and that it Hospitality!! One of my favorite books on this subject is "The Hospitality Commands"...here is a quote from the book.
"Hospitality fleshes out love in a uniquely personal and sacrificial way...through the ministry of hospitality, we provide friendship, acceptance, fellowship, refreshment, comfort, and love in one of the richest and deepest ways possible for humans to understand.
Read Romans 12..and you will be blesses and exhorted...vs. 9-13 could be themed "Love in action" Love and hospitality always go together!
Just a week ago or so we had 2 familes over for dinner...we had such a good time of fellowship around our dining room table!
I wanted to share with you what I made that night for dinner..maybe it will spur you to have someone over soon and share some love from your kitchen and your heart!

Hot Chicken and Cheese sandwiches

6 Chicken breasts ( cooked and cut in cubes)
1/2 C. mayo
1/4-1/2 C. sour cream
1 T. lemon juice
2 C. shredded cheese ( or more if you like)
salt and pepper to taste
9 hoagie buns

Combine all ingredients. Spread on buttered buns and wrap individually in foil. Refrigerate until ready to heat and serve. Bake in 375 oven for 15-20 minutes.

Apple-pecan Salad

1 pkg Good Seasons Ceasar salad dressing
1 head lettus
1 med. red pepper, diced
1 large Granny Smith apple, diced
2/3 C. pecans, toasted (350* for 10 minutes)
2/3 C. crumbled blue cheese

Creamy Fruit Salad

1 (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
1 can sliced peaches, drained
1 can of pineapple chunks, drained
1 C. miniture marshmallows
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 C. vanilla yogurt
1/4 C. sugar
Drain the fruit really well, Beat cream cheese, yogurt and sugar together until smooth; pour over fruit and stir to coat. Chill in refrigerator. ( I double this recipe..leftovers are good)

Steamed Carrots and peas ( yummy combination with sandwiches or choose your own vegie)

Dessert: Super Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake

1 Devils food cake mix
1 sm. pkg. chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1 C. sour cream
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 C. vegetable oil
1 1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients , except chocolate chips, in a large bowl and beat for 3 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into greased Bundt pan. Bake 50-55 minutes. Cool 20 minutes and invert on serving platter.

Frosting:
1/2 C. butter
4 T. cocoa
1/3 C. evaporated milk ( I used 1% milk)
4 C. powdered sugar
Melt butter in sauce pan over low heat. Whisk in cocoa and milk. Brnig mixture to boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and beat in powdered sugar with electric mixer til smooth. Pour over warm cake ...makes lots of frosting...yummy!!

Happy Hospitality to You!

ABC's of Worship

2009-02-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

This morning for our devotions the kids and I read Psalm 145 ..which is a Psalm of praise based on the Hebrew alphabet. We were challenged with the idea to make a list ..using our alphabet...of reasons to praise the Lord!! It was fun and worht the effort...I have already used my list to help me worship in my time of prayer! What a blessing!!
Here are a few of mine..
A..Adore
B...Beautiful
C...Counselor
D...Deliverer
E. Excellent
F...Faithful
G..Great
H...Holy
I...Infinite
J...Just
K..Kind
L...Life

Homeade Playdough

2009-01-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

Today Keira and I made playdough....I wanted to share the recipe ...it is sooo easy and makes GREAT playdough that lasts a long time!! The recipe is edible but not tasty!

Mix in a medium saucepan:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 T. cream of tartar
Combine and add to above:
1 cup water
2 tsp. food coloring
1 T. vegetable oil

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for @ 5 minutes. When it forms a ball in the center of the pan, turn it out and knead on a lightly floured surface. Store in airtight container or ziplock. Now it time for some fun for the kids!!!

Book Report

2009-01-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to share a book I just finished and also share some resources I have discovered and am excited about. "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges is the book I recently finished and it was very good! It is about the acceptable sins we as Christians we tolerate in our lives or we just don't recognize them as "serious" sins. What a wake up call to read this book... it deals with sins like anxiety, critical attitudes, our unkind speech about others, our impatience and anger. Some chapters that really spoke to me were about impatience and irritability...wow ...love covers a multitude of sins ...even the unitentional things people do to irritate us and cause us to respond in a sinful way. The chapter on anger was excellent and really helped me define and understand some of the "weeds of anger"....resentment and bitterness. The book also gives hope and resolve to help you with these sins.

I also discovered some really neat resources for parenting. In the back of recipe book I have it listed some really cool helps . Since then I have had the opportunity to look at some of these resources from a friend and wow..they are really neat. I wish I would have had some of these helps when I first started training my kids. Here is a list of books worth checking out.

"Shepherding a Child's heart."..my favorite parenting book!

"The Heart of Anger"...do you have an angry child or an angry parent?

"For instruction in Righteousness"...a topical guide to use each time you discipline your children
(this is awesome and such a help..gives you scripture verses and biblical examples and ideas for disciplining..a MUST have!)

"Polished Cornerstones" and "Plants Grown Up" ..These are a really neat resource to use for your boy or girl their whole life ..using reading , writing, Bible study, and activites

Here is the website..check it out! http://teachmagazine.com

Cookin' Keira

2009-01-07T21:03:00.001-08:00

I just bought a sewing machine last week.....(my other machine broke last Christmas) so it has been fun to sew again...I made this apron for Keira...she loves to bake with me! I can't wait to work on some more projects!

This past Sunday was cancelled due to the snow...but we didn't find out until we were all dressed up...the girls love their Christmas dresses.

2008-12-23T11:19:00.001-08:00

Family Pictures 2008

2008-12-23T10:55:00.000-08:00

2008-12-11T16:47:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the past years happenings. We took several trips this summer. One of which Kayla and I went to Palm Springs for the Resolved Conference with John MacArthur and many other wonderful speakers. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. We learned so much ...the theme was Heaven and Hell..which was very sombering and humbling. We went to Family camp in the Blue Mountains this summer...which is always fun with our church family. Another big event in my family is my mom and brother moved up here from Texas so they could live closer to family. What a busy, eventful year!

2008-12-11T16:45:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Are you sick with a cold or Flu?

2008-12-05T22:48:00.000-08:00

I was reading in this "recipe/health" book last week about some home remedies for certain things and this one stood out! It made me chuckle...so I thought I would share it. Who knows it may help you this winter if you get sick or just give you a chuckle too!

*stop eating immediately
*start a fast or cleanse
*Drink a lot of pure water and lemon-honey tea
* Daily Echinacea
*Do a daily enema ( okay who is going to give me one?)
*Daily vitamin C
* Have thoughts with peace and harmony( reality..6 kids?)
*Avoid negative and grouchy people (how do I avoid myself?)
*Eliminate drugs. Your body knows what to do ( but how do I fall asleep with my nose plugged?)
*Remove stress. Include joy, happiness, peace which BOOSTS the immune system and then your body cures itself. ( basicaly go on a vacation..without kids?)

2008-11-19T16:27:00.000-08:00

Praise the Lord! My sister called yesterday and their adoption has finally gone through! They have been going through the adoption process now for over 2 years. We are all so excited for them!!
They have 4 children of their own...two of which are still at home. They are adopting
siblings from Kazakhstan. They will be traveling over there as soon as they get their letter of invitation and then choosing the children from profiles they will be given. They have much to do to get ready and as it is very, very cold there my sister has been shopping for winter coats and such... cause they don't really have winter in Tennessee!
Keep them in your prayers! This has been a long journey for them...but God has now shown them the right time for them to receive the children He has chosen for them.
Here is a picture of my sis and her family...this was last November ...they came to visit our family at Thanksgiving.

2008-11-19T16:16:00.000-08:00

2008-11-10T21:38:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

They loved dressing up like animals..they were roaring and mooing all night!

2008-11-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

Running the Race!!

2008-11-03T12:12:00.000-08:00

I have been doing a study called "Loving God with all your mind" by Elizabeth George. It has been really good and very practical. I wanted to share from the book what has been an encouragement to my walk with the Lord. We as believers are running a race...
Phillipians 3:13-14 says... "Brethern, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but ONE thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching for those things which are ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." First...we need to forget what lies behind....that means forget the past, forgive those who have caused us pain, look for the hidden blessing..maybe a lesson learned, deeper knowledge of God, greater understanding for further service to Him and His people...find the good and move on! Now reach for those things which are ahead...what does that mean? In order to be a foward moving, focused Christian...I have to understand the purpose of my life and focus on God and God-given goals (say 'no' to what is trivial) What is your focus? Are you focusing your efforts toward the prize....are you "training" regularly and "working out" in the daily disciplines of the Christian life? One thing I have really noticed as of late...is how busy everyone is...sooo many things to do ... but is all this busyness keeping us from running our "spiritual race"! Hebrews 12:1,2 talks about laying aside every encumbrance and sin that easily entangles us and to fix our
eyes on Jesus! What is keeping you from running a BETTER race? Are you giving your utmost for HIS Highest? Focus is key...we can lose our focus so easily each day with all the distractions...it will be a battle. I was challenged with setting some goals..lifetime goals for my life. What can I do to serve and follow Him more passionately and intently? I heard someone say if you give some time to God in the morning and the evening of each day, it keeps us focused on the eternal and not this world....and that would keep us running the race! God will enable us to run this race and one day we will receive our prize .... eternal life with Him! So Keep on running!!!

2008-11-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

IVE BEEN TAGGED!!!
7 random or weird facts about me--that you may or may not know.

1. I love gardening!

2. If I had to go out in the work force I would open a Tea room/gift shop!

3. I love High School Musical 1,2,3 !

4. I am a coconut freak!

5. When I was in high school I worked at Burger King and Dairy Queen.

6. I own over 60 cook books....just a little obsessed with recipes !

7. My favorite color to wear is baby blue.

2008-10-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

What are you all doing on Friday...? We are having a few friends over for a little "Harvest Party" ! So I will make my annual homeade carmel apples...yummy! I thought I would share the recipe along with another recipe I made last night for Bible study...Twix bars...yummy!
Carmel apples:
1 cup butter
2 1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 14 oz. Eagle brand milk
1 cup light corn syrup

Mix together in pan on stove, bring to Hard boil stage, stirring occationally. Be sure it reaches
240* ( it takes around 20 minutes) Once you reach this temp. remove from stove and stir in
1 tsp. Vanilla!! Now dip those apples ....yummy!

Twix bars

club crackers
1/2 C. butter
3/4 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. white sugar
1/3 C. milk
1 C. graham cracker crumbs
3/4 C. peanut butter
1 C. chocolate chips

Line a 9x13 pan with crackers. Boil butter, sugars, milk and crumbs together for 5 minutes. Pour over creackers. Add another layer of crackers. Melt peanut butter and chocolate chips. Spread over crackers and cool.
ENJOY!

Happy Harvest! God is so good!

2008-10-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

nice sheepy!

new found friends at the zoo!

2008-10-27T22:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from our vacation ....just a few weeks ago. We went to the zoo for a day and then headed to the Oregon Coast! We rented a house with our good friends the Millermons.
We had a wonderful time together.

Starting a blog!

2008-10-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am hoping this will be fun and I will have time to do it! It took me a while to figure out what to call it. I thought of joy... the joy of life.....first of all My Savior Jesus Christ...my loving husband Eddie....and of course my 6 beautiful children! There is so much to enjoy and endure through a lifetime. If only we can have joy in the hard times and good! That is the key. I am learning much about the Providence of God. He is in control of EVERYTHING! It is all about how we will respond.... JOY? So in this blog ...I am excited to share my life and the JOY it brings.