Marriage: Little Acts of Kindness

Bill and Pam Farrell, authors of one of my favorite books Red Hot Monogomy, have a little advice for couples. There are two parts.  Enjoy - Rejoicing in the Present.

Valentine Idea #2 "Tie"d Together

This valentine is great for your businessman, tie-wearing hubby. Since my husband works in the ministry, he wears ties all the time, so this was perfect for him.








What you need:
1. The heart picture at the top
2.  Computer and Printer
3. Scrapbook Paper
4. Tie

What you do:
1.  Copy and paste the heart picture above onto a Word document
2.  Type the words or write them and print
3. Wrap the tie with scrapbooking paper or tissue paper
4. Place saying on top


 Here is also a great verse to add to your note :-) "  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." - Mark 10:9

<3 rejoicing in the present

Valentines Challenge #2

Don't foget about our Valentines Challenge from Women Living Well

Courtney says...

Week 2 Challenge – This week we will be a little more creative with our praise. Below are some fun ideas.

The “Pour on the Praise” List:

1. Write a love message on the mirror. Use lipstick or if that’s too messy – write little love notes on post-it notes and hang them around…by the coffee pot, on the mirror, on his steering wheel and on his pillow.

2. Pack a love message in his lunch

3. Use sidewalk chalk and write a love message on the driveway

4. Write a list of ten things you admire about him and give it to him in letter form.

or make this:

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Use a small notebook and write out the ABC’s of why you love him.

5. Make a toast to him at dinner with friends. Or raise your glass at dinner and list the things you admire about your husband for your children to hear!

6. Buy or make your husband a trophy and engrave it with the words “The Best Husband in the World.” (I found a cheap trophy at a party supplies store – the kids loved presenting it to daddy)

7. Write a poem – even if you can’t write – it can be goofy. Include in it references to your favorite movies, restaurants, places to go and memories. He will enjoy the trip down memory lane and the laugh!

8- Blow up balloons and put a loving message in each one. Fill your bedroom with balloons as a surprise.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Or one helium balloon for each year you’ve been married.

9- Take a roll of receipt tape and write a long message with the things you admire and respect about your husband – then roll it up and put it in a bottle for your husband to open and read. (I made many of these for my husband in college when we were dating long distance. I mailed them in packages.)

10. Frame the lyrics to your first dance

Photo Credit: Pinterest

“The wise woman builds her house,

but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
~Proverbs 14:1

Get creative this week. This list is just to inspire you – feel free to do your own thing. We can’t wait to hear about it!!!

Your husband’s are going to be SO blessed this week!

Last week I left a note on my hubby's FB wall and I didn't hear back, but he might not have seen it. This week I am going to start my daily valentines as well as praise notes. We will see how it goes. Thanks Courtney! - rejoicing in the present

Valentine Idea #1 Sending you a heart attack

This is a super cute valentine that you can send to friends and relatives that live far away.  
You can also put some other fun things in the card as well. I also slipped a "coupon" for a free foot massage on one of the hearts for my hubby.

What you need...
1. Construction or Scrapbook paper
2. Scissors
3. Tape
4. Markers
5. Glue


What you do...
1. Fold and cut your envelope/card so that it opens at the bottom
2. Glue on hearts and color/design your envelope
3. Cute a zillion :-) hearts to put in your envelope. The more the better
4. Place the hearts and extras (coupons) into the envelope, fold and tape shut
5. Mail and wait for the reply:-)

<3- Rejoicing in the present

Cooking W/ Brandy - Crockpot Roast

Here is a hearty recipe for your hubby and family after a busy cold day.

What you need...
1. 3 lbs chuck roast
2. 3 or 4 red potatoes (diced)
3. 1/2 bag of baby carrots
4. 1/2  small onion sliced
5. 1 pkg dry ranch mix
6. 1 pkg Italian seasoning
7. 1 pkg brown gravy mix
8. 1/2 cup of water

What you do...
1. Layer ingredients: veggies, roast, water, mixes and seasonings.
2. Cook on low for approximately 8 hours.

Enjoy!- Brandy O

Blessings in disguise

What is a blessing? A new car? A new house? A new baby? A husband? A promotion? ...A trial, a hard time in life? WAIT! WHAT? Yes on the first part, but a trial? A death? A struggle? How can that be a blessing?

Trials in our life can bring us closer to God. They show us our dependence on God. This blossoming relationship is one of the biggest blessings that we can ever have. There are also trials that do an 180 and become blessings in themselves.  At the time 9-11 occurred, we knew a young mother who worked at the Pentagon.  A few days earlier, her mother was sent to the hospital, so, on that scary morning, she was at the hospital visiting her mom, which made her late to work, thus saving her life. If she had been at work, she would have died, because she worked right where the plane hit. You hear story after story of how God's hand is on lives.

One of my favorite verses is found in Genesis 5:20. Joseph is talking to his brothers, the same ones who sold him into slavery He says "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."   Joseph was able to save the same ones who wanted him dead.  He because 2nd in command in one of the largest nations of it's time. 

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;" I Corinthians 1:27.  I love that we serve a God who make the small things, big, who can take our brokenness and make it into a beautiful story.

Here is a sweet song, written by someone who knows trials and pains and still sees God's blessings in them...

Here is the story behind Laura Story and her song BLESSINGS...

The album that I did three to four years ago happened right after my husband went through surgery for a brain tumor. So a lot of the ideas that I was writing about then were just very fresh, about how do we worship in the midst of trials. So fast forwarding a few years later, a lot of things have changed. A lot of things have gotten better with his health, and a lot of things have not. We pray for God to bless us, but what does it look like when I spend four or so years praying for healing for my husband that never comes? I feel like we’ve kind of gotten to a place of having to make a choice. Are we going to judge God based on our circumstances that we don’t understand, or are we going to choose to judge our circumstances based on what we know to be true about God? Not that I choose the right thing every day, but I’m learning that every morning when I wake up to choose to trust God.
And that’s what “Blessings” is about. It’s just considering that maybe the blessing is actually found in the absence of the thing that I’m praying for. No one wants a brain tumor, and no one wants a severed marriage and these things that we pray that God will reconcile. But even though this situation is definitely nothing that we ever would have asked for or prayed for, there has been a depth of intimacy with the Lord that I’m not sure I would have known apart from such a hard road that we’ve walked. And in the end, if I’ve learned to cling to that old rugged cross all the more, I truly can say that I’m a blessed person.

Laura has learned that even if everything is taken away, you are still blessed by having a God and a relationship with him. God is God and He is still on the throne! We are blessed! - rejoicing in the present!

Be My Valentine Challenge

I want to encourage all my followers to check out the WomenLivingWell.com Marriage Challenge. I was super excited to see this challenge in my email this morning. I hope you will follow her the next few weeks for some great ideas. It will be a great blessing to you. This week the challenge is...

Week 1 Challenge - Take the Initiative!  Look for ways to praise your husband verbally.

Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it – get praise out anyway you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done – in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine’s Day arrives!

 Here’s some practical ways to communicate your praise:

1. Text him with a sweet message that includes something you appreciate about him (or maybe a picture collage like my one above) I learned this from Pinterest !

2. Email him today telling him how grateful you are for him.

3. If he’s on Facebook – go to his wall or post a status update praising him

4.  Offer to say the prayer before dinner and then in your prayer thank God for him and give specifics.

5. As you give him a kiss hello, goodbye or goodnight – insert a little word of thanks and praise.

The challenge includes doing this every single day until Valentine’s Day but I want to be realistic…for some of you this is gonna take babysteps.  So just do what you can – something is always better than nothing.  And next week, we’ll get even more creative with ways to show our men we don’t just love them – we LIKE them!!

I love it!~ Praise is one of the greatest and most encouraging things we can do for our hubbies. It shows them that we respect and love them. Provers 31:12 "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." We can really hurt him or help him with our mouth. TAKE THE CHALLENGE and leave a comment about what you did and his response... - rejoicing in the present

Beware of the Husband Basher

Please forgive me if my posts are later in the day or at night for a while. My hubby and I cut the wireless internet at our house and are trying to work off of his hotspot (phone internet).

In conjunction with Valentines Day coming up, I will be posting about relationships, giving 14 days of love note ideas/gifts and blogging about engagement stories from my mom's group.  I hope you will enjoy this!

To start off, I want to give you an article that I cut from Truewoman.com. It was shared with me on my mom's group and was a big help to me. This article is so true and extremely helpful. Here it is...

 I had a rare morning out with a friend last week. We sipped yummy coffee and enjoyed quiet conversation. As a mom of two little kids, outings like this are a rare treat. I couldn’t have done it without my hubby who watched the kids while I was gone (he even did the laundry and dishes!). He’s wonderful.
Even so, when I got home, I was cranky. I griped at my husband and pointed out the jobs he didn’t accomplish in my absence. I wouldn’t have fed the kids that. I definitely wouldn’t have dressed them in those clothes!
As I heard the shrill sound of my own voice, I wondered what was wrong with me. Why was I acting this way? Then I remembered some of the turns my conversation had taken during my morning getaway.
My friend said things like:

• “I told him it’s my decision. He may not like it, but I have the final say.”
• “My husband’s been working a lot of overtime. I’m so aggravated. He never sees the kids.”
• “He mowed over my flowers again. I don’t know how many times I have to show him the difference between a flower and a weed.”

Harmless comments, right? After all, don’t two girlfriends deserve the right to vent? I no longer think so.
My coffee-loving friend is a committed Christian. I happen to know she adores her husband of more than a decade. But she’s forgotten the power of her words when it comes to her husband. I can say from experience that her memory loss is contagious.
She’s not my first friend to speak poorly of her husband. I’ve hung out with men- bashers before. It always amazes me how easily I slip into a pattern of negativity and criticism when I have frequent contact with such women. It is a habit that doesn’t make much sense to me. I’m crazy about my husband. There are so many reasons to brag on him and so few reasons to complain. And yet, when I spend time with a husband-hater, it doesn’t take long for the bashing to begin at my house. Even worse, I’ve noticed that my heart tends to follow my words (and vice versa). The more I talk negatively, the less I admire, love, and respect my man.
There’s a lesson to be learned here. There’s so no such thing as harmless conversation. I think that’s why Paul wrote:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

Ladies, this passage is especially helpful when we apply it to how we talk about the men in our lives. In public and in private we need to be committed to esteeming them highly and speaking words that build up instead of tearing down.
So what about my husband-bashing friend? Do I ditch her? Call her out? Cut off the coffee dates until her words sound more like a Hallmark card? I don’t think so. Instead I will look for every opportunity to speak highly of my man when she’s around. If the conversation goes south, I’ll make an extra effort to steer it in a different direction. I may even bring along a friend who has a history of speaking well of men to our next java stop.
The bottom line is that my friend’s mouth is not my responsibility. It’s my job to love my husband well and to speak highly of others at every opportunity. I want to encourage you to do the same. How can you specifically praise the men in your life today?

How many of us, get into that type of conversation. "I wish my hubby did_______."   "Can you believe he said that?" "Well I am not going to let him run over me like that."  NO NO NO! We need to shut down the conversation or start talking about our husbands in a positive light. Otherwise, we will slip into a negative, critical mood and bring our husbands down. Go write a note and tell your husband 5 things that you appreciate about him....and just see what happens. - rejoicing in the present

FAITH: Refusing, Choosing Rather...

We have choices everyday. What to wear, what to eat, where to go, how to go there... and on it goes. Some choices are easy (like the above examples) and some are more difficult. The most important choice that we can make is the choice to REFUSE the world and CHOOSE God. There was a time in life, that Moses had to do this...

Heb 11:23-29 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandments By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Moses had to give up the world and all the comforts of the world to follow Christ. He was a prince, raised in one of the riches kingdoms at that time, but he gave it up to follow Christ.

Other Bible Examples

1. Jesus left Heaven and all the beautiful comforts to come to this world and save us from ourselves and our sin.
2. Abraham packed up his bags and left his home for a place God promised him. This was faith!

Maybe you think its to difficult to give up the world. Maybe you want both. The Bible says YOU MUST CHOOSE!!! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. - Matthew 6:24"

Former president Ronald Reagan once had an aunt who took him to a cobbler for a pair of new shoes. The cobbler asked young Reagan, "Do you want square toes or round toes?" Unable to decide, Reagan didn't answer, so the cobbler gave him a few days. Several days later the cobbler saw Reagan on the street and asked him again what kind of toes he wanted on his shoes. Reagan still couldn't decide, so the shoemaker replied, "Well, come by in a couple of days. Your shoes will be ready." When the future president did so, he found one square-toed and one round-toed shoe! "This will teach you to never let people make decisions for you," the cobbler said to his indecisive customer. "I learned right then and there," Reagan said later, "if you don't make your own decisions, someone else will."
 
...and that someone is the prince of this world. He wants YOU! He will claim it if you don't give your life to Jesus! Once you give your life completely to him, you will be a follower of Christ. Saved from your sin and a child of God.

Choosing to follow God does not stop at salvation. As a saved, Christ-following believer, here are some ways that you can see this FAITH play out in your life...

1. Choose to give up some of your social media (facebook, twitter, email) time to have a social time with God (read and pray daily)
2. Choose to be in church every week, refusing family outings, sports events or tiredness that likes to get in your way
3. Choose to give your tithe even when are short on money....TRUST in God
4. Choose to not go to that party that might have some form of ungodliness choosing rather to go somewhere that would honor God
5. Choose to listen to music that glorifies God refusing the ungodliness of the world
6. Refusing_______________________Choosing Rather_______________(Fill in the blank)

Joshua24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: ...
(HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY) but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Choose today who you will follow. If it's God then you must refuse the world and choose Him. - rejoicing in the present

A New Year...How ya doing? :-)

 A new year, new resolutions, new ideas,  new beginnings. However, by February (if not sooner) many people get discouraged and give up.
This is a sad commentary. Here are the top ten resolutions of 2012...
1. Lose Weight
2. Getting Organized
3. Spend Less, Save More
4. Enjoy Life to it's fullest
5. Stay fit and Healthy
6. Learn Something New
7. Quit Smoking
8. Help Others achieve their Dream
9. Fall in Love
10. Spend more time with Family

Sound familiar? So, are resolutions bad? No, it's just that maybe the way we go about them is. The Bible says "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again"  - Prov 24:16. I think this is key.

We are going to mess up. Ye,s we are going to eat that sugary snack, say that mean comment, forget to exercise, lose our list and get too busy for family. HOWEVER, the difference is that we need to RISE BACK UP and start all over. Instead of having a new year, have a new day.

Every day is a new chance to start again, to be the best person that God has empowered you to be. So make your list for today...

1. Read 2 chapters of the Bible and Pray
2. Hug my hubby and tell him I'm proud of him
3. Take a jog through the neighborhood
4. Make a healthy dinner
5. ...etc

Do as much as you can, (keeping God the priority) and start over tomorrow. Be a good steward of your body, time and money while enjoying your present. :-) - Rejoicing!!!

I Like Adoption!

I love adoption because it is so closely related to what Christ did with us on the Cross. Jesus bought our souls with his precious blood on Calvary. It is terrifying to have no father or a wicked abuser as a father (like the Devil)...but do not be afraid....

  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. - Romans 8:15

This is a beautiful clip of  a beautiful family who adopted some very special kids

Adoption Costs:...but it has eternal value.  It wasn't easy for Him to do this, but He did.  Jesus redeemed us, bought us and made us His children.

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's". I Cor. 6:20

"To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." - Gal 4:5
 It gives the protection of a GOOD God/Father who loves and cares for us, it gives us a home in heaven and it gives us hope for the future.

What an example for us. This is why we too, should favor adoption - rejoicing in the present

Gift Idea: Post-It Holder

Super-cute teacher/mom/secretary gift. Thanks to Violet Paper Wings or this idea.

What you need...
1. clear frames
2. post-it notes
3. scrapbook paper/embellishments

What you do...
1. Cut and fit the scrap booking paper inside the plastic frames
2. Glue the post-it notes on the plastic frame.
3. Embellish and you are done :-)

Cute easy present that only takes seconds to make - Rejoicing

Specific Faith

Specific Instructions.

Over the years, God has had specific instructions for his children. Even

To Abel: Blood Sacrifice
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh


To Noah: An Ark (which would later save his life)
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith

To Abram: Leave town and family
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 

To Abram: Sacrifice your first born/promised seed
Heb 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

To Moses: Lead "my people out of Israel" / Passover / Passed through the Red Sea
 Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Heb 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 

To Joshua: Walk around Jericho
Heb 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

The following letter was found in a baking-powder can wired to the handle of an old pump that offered the only hope of drinking water on a very long and seldom-used trail across Nevada's Amargosa Desert: "This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough water in it to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour about one-fourth and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You'll git water. The well has never run dry. Have faith. When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller. (signed) Desert Pete. P.S. Don't go drinking the water first. Prime the pump with it and you'll git all you can hold." Keith Miller and Bruce Larson, The Edge of Adventure.  If a traveler, came along and did not follow the instructions, but just drank the water in the water bottle, he and the rest of the travelers would be able to obtain no more water. However, if he followed the instructions and had faith in the letter, he would get all he could ever want.

If you follow the instructions (the Bible) you'll git all the blessings you can hold. God wants to bless your life. He loves you and he has a plan for your life. You just have to trust Him. You just have to trust in the letter. Read it today. Have faith in his instructions. It always works when you follow them - Rejoicing!
 

LOL Medicine

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." - Proverbs 17:22

 

 

I hope this clip gives healing to your pain and brighten your day - rejoicing in the present

Cooking w/ Brandy - Easy Texas Chili (Crock Pot)

This recipe is my grandmothers. I have been eating it since I was a girl and never get tired of it. :-) Enjoy! - Brandy O

What you need...

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 med onion
• 2 cans ranch style beans (or your favorite chili beans)
• 2 cans of Rotel
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder

What you do...

• Brown meat with onion and season with garlic powder and chili powder to taste.
• Drain meat and add to crock pot. Add beans, rotel, and approximately 2 cups water.
• Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve with crackers and cheese.

MYO Rice Cozy

For Christmas, I wanted to give my friends and family something that I felt would give them some comfort and relaxation. So here it is..

As some of you know, I have had four major back surgeries and now deal with the pains of a neck injury from a car accident and fibromyalgia. I know pain and I know what gives me relief from that pain. So when I saw these on Pinterest, I had to make them!

What you need:

1. Lavender essential oil

2. Plastic Buckets (I used large empty yogurt containers)

3. Rice, rice and more rice

4. Fabric

5. Scissors

6. Sewing Machine

7. Thread

What you do:

1 A few days before you start your sewing, fill the plastic tubs up with rice and then drop 10 drops of lavender into the tub. Place the lid on the container and shake shake shake. Allow the lavender rice to sit for several days to absorb the smell

2. Sewing Day: Cut out material to twice the size that you want your rice cozy

3. Turn the material inside out and sew along the edges of 3 sides and then flip the material back to the nice side (you should have a nicely sewn bag) 

4. Pour the rice into the open side

5 ...and then sew shut
6. Place a label with directions that say:  Microwave for 1-2 minutes for heat or place in freezer for cold

Life Lessons with Dad by Andy Stanley

If you are a parent or planning to be a parent, this is a must watch...

1. God has a plan for your life - Psalm 32:8
Your kids are accountable to God (teach your kids to go pray about it)

2. Be Generous and stay out of Debt -  Proverbs 22:7
Give (10%), Save, Live on the rest

3. As a leader, sometimes you have to stand alone.
Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.

4. Family is worth fighting for!

Organizing Tip Purse Trash Can

Saw this idea on Pinterest and had to make one. How many times do we go to clean out our purse and find a bunch of little scraps (chewed gum in a paper, receipts, a little of this or that.) Well,  this is a perfect-sized trashcan for your purse. Whenever you have a little scrap, throw it in your purse trash can and then empty it out whenever you are near a real trash can. LOVE MINE...you can make one too...

What you need...
1. Scrapbook Paper
2. Old Pill Bottle with lid
3. Mod Podge
4. Stickers (optional

What you do...
1. Cut the paper to wrap around the label
2. Mod Podge it
3. Apply stickers and let it dry
4. Stick it in your purse and enjoy :-)

Without Faith - It Is Impossible

HEBREWS 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him:

God wants nothing less then faith. Complete trust in him that He is and He can and He will. You can bring him money, you can give him time, you can be religious, you can get baptized till you become a prune but nothing will please Him but faith. You can see an example of this with Abel (Heb 11:4)

   for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and

".... With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." -Mathew 19:26   Do you believe that HE CAN ? Do you believe that HE IS who He says He is? When you have faith in a BIG God, you can do BIG things. This was the reason that we see many of these faithful servants doing some extraordinary things.

1. Noah builds an ark even though he never had seen rain - vs. 7

2. We see Sara having a baby in her 90's - vs. 11

3. Joseph spoke of a promised land that he had never seen - vs. 22

4. Rahab hid the spies from the enemy land  -vs. 31

5. Gideon conquered an army with 300 men - vs. 32

6. The Bible is FULL of these stories

Faith honors God and God honors faith! A story from the life of missionaries Robert and Mary Moffat illustrates this truth. For 10 years this couple labored faithfully in Bechuanaland (now called Botswana) without one ray of encouragement to brighten their way. They could not report a single convert. Finally, the directors of their mission board began to question the wisdom of continuing the work. The thought of leaving their post, however, brought great grief to this devoted couple, for they felt sure that God was in their labors, and that they would see people turn to Christ in due season. They stayed; for a year or two longer, darkness reigned. Then one day a friend in England sent word to the Moffats that she wanted to mail them a gift and asked what they would like. Trusting that in time the Lord would bless their work, Mrs. Moffat replied, "Send us a communion set; I am sure it will soon be needed." God honored that dear woman's faith. The Holy Spirit moved upon the hearts of the villagers, and soon a little group of six converts was united to form the first Christian church in that land. The communion set from England was delayed in the mail; but on the very day before the first commemoration of the Lord's super in Bechuanaland, the set arrived. - unknown

Is your God BIG? Do you believe in Him? He is BIG whether you want to believe or not. But when you believe, He rewards you!

that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1. Noah received protection- vs. 7
2. Sara received a baby/heir -vs. 11
3. Joseph's life was filled wih blessings - vs. 22
4. Rahab and her family were saved - vs. 31
5. Gideon won the battle - vs. 32
6. We WIN!

Healthy Alternative for Ear Infections

When Avery was sick recently, the doctor told us that his ear canals were red and swollen and most likely had an ear infection. So, my doctor (homeopathic), prescribed this Garlic Willow Oil  for Avery. We gave it a try and it worked!  

Anyone else tried this? Testimonials wanted :-)

Cooking W/ Brandy - Meat and Potatoes (Crock pot)

Here is a great recipe for a cold yet BUSY day. You can throw this in the crock pot in the morning, get all your work done and by the supper time, dinner is ready :-)
 
What you need:
1. 4 Potatoes Peeled and Sliced
2. 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef (browned)
3. 1 small onion
4. 1. Can of Cream of Mushroom
5. 1 Can of Beef Vegetable Soup
6. Salt and Pepper to Taste
 
What you do:
1. Turn on the crock pot to low
2. Lightly spray the crock pot
3. Layer the ingredients
4. Cook for 6-8 hours

ENJOY - Brandy

Snow Covered Oreos

This is a super easy, fun activity for your kids, during this cold, snowy season.

How did this come about? Well that is good question. :-) Our church had a ladies cookie exchange over Christmas and since my kitchen floor was being redone, I had to come up with a creative way to make cookies without baking. So here it is...



What you need...
1. Oreos
2. White Chocolate
3. Sprinkles


What you do...
1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. (Read the instructions)

2. Stir up the chocolate

3. Dip the Oreos half way into the chocolate, or spoon on the chocolate

4. Sprinkle!!!

This is fun, festive and EASY!

Still, My Soul Be Still

In all the craziness of life and trials and bills and pain and people and work....STILL MY SOUL BE STILL. This is a great song to listen to before you do your devotion time with God - rejoicing in the present

 

Snap Shot of our Christmas

We had a great Christmas! Jeremy spoiled me with attention, his love/care and a NEW camera (to take better pics of our baby). Of course my favorite gifts was a sweet letter from my favorite man. All in all it as a great time with family and friends.Here are some pictures I took over the Christmas holiday. I thought this might give you some ideas for next years pics. Enjoy!!!

Disclaimer - If you try the picture with the Christmas lights, BE CAREFUL! Test to make sure that the bulbs are not hot. Also DO NOT LEAVE THE CHILD UNATTENDED at any time. You can not turn your back for 1 second and make sure the cords do not get wrapped around. We took these shots in a few minutes and those lights were taken off and put out of reach. It's a very cute idea BUT please be careful!