Cookn w/ Brandy - Super Sweet and Goey Cake

 

 

What you need...
For the cake...

1 Box of Confetti or White Cake Mix

1 Egg

1/4 Cup of Oil

1/2 Cup of Milk

1/2 Cup of Marshmallows

1/2 Cup of White Chocolate Chips

Icing:

1/2 Cup of Butter, Softened

1 Cup of Fluff

2 Cups of Powder Sugar

3T of Milk

1/2t of Vanilla

What you do...

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking pan. Mix cake mix, egg, oil, and milk until well blended. Gently stir in marshmallows and white chocolate chips. Spread in 9x13 pan (the mixture is semi thick and gooey). Bake approximately 25 minutes or until the middle of the mixture is set.

Icing:

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pour on cake while warm.

This is a super sweet cake. My children love it, but it only takes a small piece! - Brandy

Christmas Present Deals

Soooooooooooooooooooooo many presents to buy; so little $$$$. Here are some ideas and tips.

Tips:
1. ALWAYS look for a coupon for your products
Online - retailmenot.com - just search your store
Online - ALSO ( you can google "__store name__ coupon code)
Newspaper and in the stores individually

2. Look for "$5 off $25" or 10% off.... coupons.
(newspapers and the store flyers)

3. Shop year around for deals.
It is a little late in the game this year, but, if you buy things when they are a great price, you can store them and go shopping in "your store" when you need a present.

4. MAKE IT
Search Pinterest.  It has pictures of almost anything you would want to make. Click on the picture and it will take you to the tutorial of how to make "it"


Inexpensive Ideas:

1 Photo Gifts - - Great for that Grandma that has everything.
$4.99 Photo Calendar
Snapfish Calendar Deal
Free Photo Book

2. Bath and Body - Can't go wrong with smelly stuff :)

3. Clothes - You always need these :-)
Macy's Clothes Deal
Timberland 40% off
 Target 10 off 50

4. AMAZON - also a good option.


As you can tell Southern Savers is a favorite of mine. I hope these tips help you a little bit. I will be doing a few Christmas gift tutorials over the next couple weeks as well. - rejoicing in the present.

That's MY KING

Take the time to watch this. Listen and read.

 

Who is HE to you? - Rejoicing in the Present

Soapy Suggestion

While I am cooking I'm always trying to keep Avery busy while making sure I'm not burning the food. I read a suggestion in Emilie's Creative Home Organizer. It was alot of fun for Avery but I think he may need to be a little older before we do it again.

Emilie suggested that you place the child in a high chair and put a mound of shaving cream on the tray to play with.

Avers LOVED it. The only down side was that he kept sticking his soapy thumb in his mouth. Now Emilie did say they would only "taste" it once since it was soap and they wouldn't like the taste. However, my son is  little different and apparently doesn't mind soap. So until he is a little older, and doesn't like the soap taste, I probably won't do it. However, he had a BLAST and if your child sucks a pacifer or doesn't like the taste of soap. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Avery would have sat and played in that ALL DAY if I let him. Enjoy the clip...

Working As A Body

Many times, when it comes to the church body, there are many designations. The pastoral staff, the choir, the janitorial team, the food staff, the givers, the evangelists and more. However, instead of sticking in your group, I want to show you what the Bible says about the physical body as well as the spiritual body.  

I Corinthians 12: 12-26  "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

 For the body is not one member, but many.   If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.

I love this example. What if the hand started complaining that, since it did not have eyeballs, it wasn't going to work anymore. What if the eyeballs were upset that they had no voice and so decided to quit. Friends, we are like this many times. We complain because we do not have the gifts that others have. We need to use the gifts that God has given us.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Also, we tend to look down on others that don't have our talents. "You can't sing? well you should at least give a joyful noise." OR "What? you don't want to visit door to door because you're shy?, you must not be spiritual" They might not have a voice, they might not be able to go door to door, but they may be able to encourage someone at church or help clean up after a special event. They might be the ones who can give a lot financially or just stay at home and pray for those others who have the boldness.

Now I'm not saying that you shouldn't push yourself, develop your talents and try to do more then you feel you can. You should push yourself. However, find out what talents God has given you and give it all back to God. Give as much as you can, encourage as much as you can, witness as much as you can, love as much as you can. I'm sure you probably have more then one gift, so take that gift and use it to it's fullest capacity for God .

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

When one member is suffering, we should encourage them. When the ear has an earache we should give it medicine and nuture. When the throat is sore, let it have a rest, with some warm tea and cough syrup. Encourage the members that are down, help them get back to their fullest capacity

And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles. Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."

So what is the more excellent way? We go on to I Corinthians 13, The chapter on LOVE...
God has given us all different gifts and talents but one thing He enables in all-- whether you have the gift of prophecy, of preaching, of giving, of singing, of caring. He commands us to do it with LOVE.  

The most excellent way of working together while using your gifts is love. This is not just love, but the most excellent and fullest love that grows out of a sincere, devotion to God. So let us develop our talents, give them fully to God while learning to give these talents in LOVE.

Proverbs 10:12 says that "love covereth all sins."

When you have that divine love, you learn patience and respect for each other's talents. You understand how to work together to move the body and to not just function but to purposeful be working to bring glory, honor and souls to Christ.  - rejoicing in the present

Turkey Nap

A Health Fact...Did you know that turkey makes you sleepy? Thanks to "TLC Cooking", here is some very interesting information...

Turkey does have the makings of a natural sedative in i­t, an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning that the body can't manufacture it. The body has to get tryptophan and other essential amino acids from food. Tryptophan helps the body produce the B-vitamin niacin, which, ­in turn, helps the body produce serotonin, a remarkable chemical that acts as a calming agent in the brain and plays a key role in sleep. So you might think that if you eat a lot of turkey, your body would produce more serotonin and you would feel calm and want a nap.

­
­That was the conclusion that led many people to­ begin taking a dietary supplement of tryptophan in the 1980s as a way to treat insomnia, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned tryptophan supplements in 1990 because of an outbreak of eosinophilia-myalgia, a syndrome that causes muscle pain and even death. The FDA said contaminated tryptophan sup­plements caused the outbreak [source: FDA].

­But nutritionists and other experts say that the tryptophan in turkey probably won't trigger the body to produce more seroton­in because tryptophan works best on an empty stomach. The tryptophan in a Thanksgiving turkey has to vie with all the other amino acids that the body is trying to use. So only part of the tryptophan makes it to the brain to help produce serotonin.

Most likely, it's the whole traditional Thanksgiving meal that can produce that after-dinner lethargy. The meal is quite often heavy and high in carbohydrates -- from mashed potatoes, to bread, stuffing and pie -- and your body is working hard to digest that food. After all, the average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat [source: Meeks]. Also, if you drink alcohol with your dinner, you'll likely feel its sedative effect, too.

But there is a way to take advantage of the tryptophan in turkey. If you have trouble getting to sleep one night while there's still leftover turkey in the refrigerator, you could have a late snack of turkey and that, nutritionists say, might be the right amount of tryptophan on an empty stomach to help produce some serotonin.

So if you always get sleepy on Thanksgiving Day, it's not due to eating to much, IT'S THE TURKEY! :-) - Rejoicing in the present.

Cooking W/ Brandy - Black Friday Stew

After a long day of shopping :-), you will want something easy and relaxing to eat for dinner. Something you can eat while curled up in that blanket you got for $3 in those slippers you grabbed after waiting in line for an hour. :-) ENJOY

Sausage Stew

Ingredients:
1 Smoked Sausage (cut in small pieces)
1 can Hunt's Garlic and Herb Sauce
1 cup of frozen veggie blend ( I use a peas, carrots, corn, beans mix)
1 cup elbow noodles
1 can of dark red kidney beans, drained
2 cups of water
salt and pepper to taste
*parmesan cheese (optional)
*cornbread or crackers (optional)

Bring above ingredients (excluding cheese and cornbread or crackers) to a boil in a large pot. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes stirring occassionally. Top with parmesan cheese and cornbread or crackers.

- Rejoicing in the present

Giving Thanks

It's Thankgiving Day, a day that we are taught to be thankful, but this is a man-made day. The Bible teachs us to be thankful to God every day for everything and ein very situation. It's not hard to be thankful for a loving spouse, sweet children, a warm meal, great prices and a roof over your head. However, do we thank him for the trials in our life, the days our children are a mess and our husband is not sweet, the weeks without a job and the months that we don't even have money for the things that are on sale. Do we thank him for EVERYTHING? Do we thank GOD? Do we thank HIM every day? Take the time to meditate on these verses...

Lev_22:29And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.

Psa_50:14Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:

Psa_69:30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Psa_95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psa_100:4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Psa_107:22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

Psa_116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.

Psa_147:7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:


Jer_30:19  And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Jon_2:9 But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.

2Co_4:15For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2Co_9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

Php_4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Col_2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Col_4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;


Rev_7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! - May it be a lifetime instead of a day! - Rejoicing in the present :-)

Orphan Sunday

^{Psalms 27:10 "}When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

Look at your children, look at your nieces and nephews. What if you were not in the picture? Who would take care of them? Now look across the street. Look across the nation. Look across the ocean. There are 1000s of children who do not have a home. What can you do about this? Would the Lord use you to take these children up? - Orphan Sunday

-rejoicing in the present

Re-Creating Crayons

Here is a great craft to do while the kids are on Thanksgiving break...

Our church preschool class had a bunch of crayons and many of them broken. So I decided to take the broken ones and re-melt them into new fun crayons. Unfortunately I did not have any cute cupcake pans, just the normal kind, but they turned out fine.

What you need...

1. Broken crayons

2. METAL muffin  pans

3. Oven
 

What do you do...

1. Peeling and organizing can take A LOT of time. So this would be a fun job to give your children to do. Especially if you need some quiet time.

2. Peel all the wrappers off

3. Organize them into colors or don't :-)

4. Place in your muffin pan

5. Heat in your oven at 350 for 10 mins

6. I did some by color groups (blues, greens, reds) and then I did mulicolored ones. Both turned out adorable.

- Rejoicing in the present

IT IS GOOD to give thanks!

Psa 92:1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

We should thank Him for his amazing characteristics

Psa 92:2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Thanking Him with songs...

Psa 92:3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

Thanking Him for his goodness and greatness

Psa 92:4-9 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. v. 7...But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered. ...

Thanking Him for His blessings...

Psa 92:12-14 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

Thankful that we serve such an amazing God...

Ps. 92:15 To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

What other thing can you give thanks to God about? Family? Children? Friends? Jesus' Birth, Death and Resurrection? Thus Salvation? Your House? Car? Job? Trials in life? His Strength?...There is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much to be thankful for.

I pray this will not be just a moment of thanksgiving, or even a day or week, but lifetime of rejoicing in the goodness and greatness of our Almighty, powerful and loving God. - rejoicing in the present.

Pro-Active Care Against Colds

About this time, many people are getting runny noses, colds, and flu-like symptoms. I want to encourage you to be pro-active in your health. Here is something you can take every morning to keep those bugs away.

I try to drink a cup of this tea, first thing every morning. Here is some information from CNCA Health

What Is Echinacea?

There are three types of echinacea: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia. All are used to boost the immune system and fight infections, but only the purpurea and pallida varieties have been definitively proven effective. Echinacea purpurea is the most commonly used, and is believed to be the most potent. In the purpurea plant, the leaves appear to be the most effective part.

Why Take Echinacea?

Echinacea is thought to support the immune system by activating white blood cells. Three major groups of constituents may work together to increase the production and activity of white blood cells (lymphocytes and macrophages), including alkylamides/polyacetylenes, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharides. More studies are needed to determine if and how echinacea stimulates the immune system in humans.
Echinacea may also increase production of interferon, (natural proteins produced by immune system cells) an important part of the body’s response to viral infections. Several double-blind studies have confirmed the benefit of echinacea for treating colds and flu. Recent studies have suggested that it may not be effective for the prevention of colds and flu and should be reserved for use at the onset of these conditions.

Recommended Dosage

At the onset of a cold or flu, 3–4 ml of echinacea in a liquid preparation or 300 mg of a powdered form in capsule or tablet, can be taken every two hours for the first day of illness, then three times per day for a total of 7 to 10 days.
Side Effects/Precautions/Adverse Reactions

• Echinacea is rarely associated with side effects when taken orally at customary dosage levels.
• Supplementation should not continue longer than eight (8) continuous weeks.
• Tell your healthcare providers about any complementary and alternative products you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Side Effects

According to the German Commission E monograph, people should not take echinacea if they have an autoimmune illness, such as lupus, or other progressive diseases, such as tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, or HIV infection. (The concern about its use for those with autoimmune illness is not based on clinical research and some herbalists question the potential connection.) Those who are allergic to flowers of the daisy family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies) should not take echinacea.
Also, people with asthma or atopy (a genetic tendency toward allergic reactions) may be more likely to have an allergic reaction when taking echinacea. 20 cases of allergic responses (e.g., wheezing, skin rash, diarrhea) have been reported in medical literature.

Avoid Echinacea If …

Because of its effects on the immune system, you should not take this herb if you have multiple sclerosis, AIDS, tuberculosis, leukemia, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Do not take echinacea injections if you have an allergy to the plant. Avoid them, too, if you have diabetes; they can upset the balance of the metabolism.

Hope this helps - rejoicing in the present

Cookn W/ Brandy - Coca Cola Ham

For those of us who prefer ham over turkey for Thanksgiving, this is a really delicious ham recipe.

Coca Cola Ham
Ingredients:
Large Bone-In Ham
XL Baking Bag
1 Cup of Brown Sugar
1 Liter of Coca Cola
1 Can of Pineapple Slices
Cherries (Optional)

What to do...
1. Stab slits in the ham with a knife. 
2. Slowly mix the brown sugar and coca cola until dissolved. 
3. Place the ham in the baking bag and slowly pour the mixture on the ham. 
4. Toothpick pineapple slices on the ham with a cherry in the middle. 
5.Cook all night on 250...by morning it will have fallen off the bone! 
6. I usually put mine in around 10pm and it is done around 8-9am the following morning.

Card Making - Napkins

You may have a lot of cute napkins left over from the holidays-- DON'T throw them out. With a few other supplies and some time, you can make ADORABLE napkins. A dear lady in our church offers card-making classes.  When my mom was down her visiting us, she and I went to a class. My mom has fallen in love with this idea and now she makes all of her cards out of napkins. They are super cute and super easy to make.

What do you need...
1. Saran Wrap
2. Iron
3. Newspaper.
4. Stickles glitter glue (A variety of colors)
5. Card Stock
6. Napkins










What you do:
1. First you want to fold over a piece of card stock and cut it to fit your envelope (usually 5x7)
2. Then you want to peel away any extra tissue layers.  Napkins can be 2 or 3-ply.  You only want the top piece.
Then you make the "sandwich"--
3. Place your newspaper down
4. Then your car, right side up
5. Then a piece of Saran wrap (Julie uses Wal-Mart brand)
6. Next your 1-ply napkin, right side up
7. Place a piece of newpaper on top of that and Iron
8. Iron WITHOUT steam on a high setting. After you have ironed for about 30 seconds lift up the iron.
9. Let it cool and peel off the extra plastic wrap.  If it hasn't completely melted on, continue to iron it for a little longer.
10 Cut the extra off (be very careful on the folded side, use scissors to trim)
11. You can now embellish with the Stickles or stickers or what ever you come up with.

In Christ Alone

Our trust...is it in a Bank Account? a Leader? A Law? A Standard? A Job? A Church? A Friend? A Family Member? My friends, you know the answer. It should be in CHRIST ALONE.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
 

AMEN - rejoicing in the present

Napkin Candles

 About this time of year, they sell the most gorgeous napkins. Now you can use these napkins to add a bit of season to your candle.

What you need:

1. Solid color candles

2. Napkins

3. Mod Podge

4. Scissors

5. Brush

6 (optional) Iron

What you do...

1. (Optional) Open Napkin and gently iron out the creases in the napkin

2. Measure the height and width of the candle and cut the napkin to fit

3. Peel the napkin down to 1 ply.

4. Brush some Mod Podge on the candle

5. Gentle place the napkin on the candle while smoothing out the air bubbles

6. Trim the napkin on top and bottom

7. (Optional) Apply a coat of mod podge over the napkin surface

VOILA - Rejoicing in the Present

Without Love

If you know me personally, you would know that I (as my dad put it) have the personality of a bulldozer. I love to get things done, and I'm a little fireball when it comes to the ministry, but, with that, sometimes, I tend to roll over people so that I get my agenda done. I also want people to do "it" the "right" way and so sometimes things don't come off in a loving manner.
So I am, personally, studying and memorizing I Corinthians 13. This chapter has so many goodies in it. Today we are going to just look at "without love"

1Co 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Without love ...

1. I am an empty, annoying sound - kinda like nagging :). I may have the right message but not the right spirit. I can be "telling" a friend what he or she should/shouldn't be doing, but if I am not filled with love and the Spirit and I might as well keep my lips closed.
Ladies, think about when you are talking to your husband. Are you filled with love when you talk to him? If not, you are just nagging him; you are like that empty "gong" sound.
If my hubby were to get up and preach the most truthful and seemingly "powerful" message and was not full of love, it would be fruitless.

2. I am nothing: I may "know" I am right, I may have a Doctorate or Degree for that matter, but without love, I am nothing. It doesn't matter who I am or what I know, I am NOTHING without God.

3. There is no profit. I could be living on the street in rags because I "gave it up," but if it was not because of love, there is NO profit.

I want you to think about the ministries you do, the service you give to the Lord. Is there love? If not your work is in vain.  LOVE today, in all you say, and do .
-- rejoicing in the present.

Healthy Window Cleaner

This recipe was given to me by my dad and work like a charm. Thanks dad!!!

What do you need...

1. 2 cups water
2. 1/2 teaspoon dish liquid soap (like Dawn or Joy),
3. 1/4 cup vinegar.

What do  you do...

1. Mix together
2. Shake once and away you go.
3. DO NOT PUT IN MORE THAN 1/2 TEASPOON OF DISH LIQUID SOAP OR YOU WILL BE FIGHTING STREAKS.
4. You can, of course, double the recipe if you have a larger spray bottle. 

- Enjoy - Rejoicing in the present

Stationery card Deal

 

Faith And Love Religious Christmas Card

Create personalized Christmas photo cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.


 

Introducing: Cooking with Brandy

Cooking with Brandy

I have SUPER exciting news. Brandy, a good friend of mine and also a contributor to the blog, is coming on board with us officially. Brandy is from Texas originally and knows a thing or two about cooking. Though, I've heard through the grape line that it was her hubby who taught her all the tricks. Anyway, I have tasted and witnessed her talent and NOW I get to share it with you!!!!
Every Friday, Brandy will be sharing one of her yummy creations! So Friday Fav's have ended and starting next week, we will be having Cooking with Brandy. :-) 
-- rejoicing in the present

Thankful Tree

  Being thankful can not be taught in a day. I find it sad that many people wait until Thanksgiving to verbalize their thankfulness. Here is a GREAT IDEA, thanks to Bargain Bound, to teach your children and be reminded of how much we have to be thankful for.

What do you do?

1. Every day starting in the fall or during November, place a leaf with something you are thankful for on the tree. By Thanksgiving Day, you will have a very full tree and very full heart full of thanksgiving.

What do you need?

1 A big tree cut out or a big piece of brown paper or poster board

2. Paper leaves 

3. Tape

4. Writing Utensil

How do you make it?

1. Either buy a huge tree cutout or make a tree out of brown paper.

2. Tape it up on the wall

3. Cut out leaves from colorful paper or buy leaf die cuts at the dollar store or teachers store.

4. Tape those leaves to the bottom and then when you write on them, you can transfer them onto the tree.

^{Ephesians 5 :20} Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

-Rejoicing in the present

I Will Heal - Alicia Reagan

I had a different video to post this morning, but after I read this article I had to post it. This is so convicting... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, take the time to read this...  

I will Heal - By Alicia Reagan

The election is over. Our nation has chosen a President and anyone who knows me, knows it is not the one that I voted for. There are many emotions raging through our nation tonight that range from jubilation todepression and anxiety. I fall in neither category yet I do have emotions about tonight.

When we talk about what our nation needs – no matter what your political preference – I think we could all agree that our land needs healing. Whether it is our economy, our social security, our morals, our foreign relations, or more bi-partisanship – we need some healing in much of these areas. For all those who did not vote for the victorious President, you will personally feel like you need some healing. As Christians, especially, we see America as a place that we are thankful for but we feel that it is a dark place and that she is turning her back on God. I will not argue that as I believe it is true. However, as Christians, we also place the responsibility for this squarely in the laps of Presidents, abortionists, homosexuals, liberal politicians, bad economists, and even on God. God must somehow be judging this nation for all of her evil living. I am not God and have learned long ago to quit reading His mind. I just stick to His Word and since I do not find America in His Word, I don’t know if He is judging us or not. I do know that He will judge sin and as America digresses more and more into sin, she will judge herself. Much like my life would be a judgement against myself if I decide to start cheating on my husband, killing innocent people, living irresponsibly and selfishly. I think God’s greatest judgement is not what He does TO us, but what He allows us to do to ourselves. Free will you know.

I am a Christian. As I look around and take in all the healing that needs to be done, I lift my arm to point my fingers of blame and I can’t. You see, I cannot get past II Chronicles 7:14 which says, “If my people, which are called by my name,shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” As I lift my arm to point, I am horrified to realize I must point to myself. You see, in this verse, God promises us healing!! He did not say, “I will consider…”, or “I will pray aboutit….”, He said, “I WILL!” That is a promise!

As He promises us this healing, He is only talking to one category of people: His people. “If my people, which are called by my name….shall humble themselves, and pray…” – why is it that we read the “my people” part and then jump right to “prayer?” We completely ignore the “humble themselves” part. We are such prideful lot! Pride got Lucifer kicked out of Heaven- remember He decided he was equal with God? Pride got Eve in the Garden of Eden- remember Satan said she could be like the gods if she ate the forbidden fruit? Pride has taken down many great spiritual leaders who thought they were somehow the ones to get away with something and never get caught.

God calls for His people to turn from their wicked ways. What is the wicked way? I am not a scholar but it looks pretty plain to me. Probably the thing we are being wicked about is the thing he told us to take care of – our pride! You mean, not all of these wicked sins? Sins are a problem but I am pretty sure they are all rooted in pride. Wow. That just shoves all the responsibility right back in our faces doesn’t it? You want to help dispel darkness? Then humble yourself and be a light! Be what Jesus has called all of us to be! Don’t be a Christian in words. Be a Christian in action. Humble yourself to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Being a true follower of Jesus is not about us at all. It is all about Him! He says we must lose it all to find Him! He says to be lifted up, we must humble ourselves.

I LOVE it that Jesus is the One who first brought in the rights of women to be equal. I LOVE it that Jesus was always on the side of the mistreated. I LOVE it that Jesus was reaching out, literally, to the poor and disabled. I LOVE it that Jesus loved children and had their interests in His heart. I LOVE it that Jesus did not play the politics of the day  - including religious politics. Jesus was here to do the will of His Father, which He did – even at the cost of His life. I, for one, am thankful that He was not distracted by playing the blame game for all the national turmoil of His day, but was serious doing what He knew to do. He changed the face of history in 33 short years.

God is just as capable of healing our land as He has ever been for any land. The answer is in being a true and humble follower of Jesus Christ. The answer to darkness is more light. Christians, light up! God will heal and so will we.

read more of her blogs -  Alicia Reagan