A Heart For My Home

Old Fashioned "Soft" Pumpkin Cookies

If you like pumpkin and a soft cookie - you will LOVE these. I still can't believe how soft they are. My family loves them and my husband said he likes them better than my pumpkin cupcakes.

Cookie Recipe

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 stick butter - softened

1 cup Pure Pumpkin

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

** Combine all dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

** In a smaller bowl - combine eggs, pumpkin , butter and vanilla.

** Combine the 2 mixtures and beat until smooth.

** Drop by rounded teaspoon full onto greased baking sheet. (I used parchment paper lined baking sheets)

** Bake: at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges are firm.

** Cool for 2 minutes then move to wire racks to cool completely.

** Drizzle glaze over cookies.

Glaze Recipe

3 Tblsp. milk

1 Tblsp. melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

** Combine all ingredients until smooth.

** I used a piping bag or Ziploc bag with a very small hole cut in the corner to apply my glaze.

Yield: This made about 3 1/2 dozen cookies for me.

Found this recipe at The Very Best Baking

Maintaining Good Family Relationships

Continuing right along this week with The Power of a Praying Parent series and this week we are praying for our Children to Maintain Good Family Relationships!

Week 7

I have this idea in my head of what it will be like for our family years down the road when my children are grown and married with families of their own. I see one big happy family that loves each other and genuinely wants to spend time with each other. A family that has fun together. A family that meets up weekly (or more) for dinner and time together. A family that goes to church together and loves Jesus with all of their heart and a family that is focused on and centered around the LORD.

Do you wanna know something? I believe that I can have this for my families future. I totally believe it.

If my mostly unbelieving extended family (my brothers and their families) can meet up at my parents house each Sunday afternoon for lunch and a quick visit why would that not be possible for me and my centered around God family?

My mother has several siblings and she rarely ever talks to them. Thanks to Facebook I can keep up with my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and their families and keep my mother posted about their goings on but it breaks my heart that she doesn't have a real relationship with them. In her case it's not that any of her siblings are upset with her or that she is upset with any of them it's just that they don't take time to keep up the family relationships. That can not be said of many of the other sibling relationships though. :(

I refuse to leave my family relationships not covered in prayer. I can't imagine not getting to see and talk to my own siblings and their families regularly. Likewise the thoughts of my own children and thier future families not having a good relaionship with each other and my husband and I is not something I will stand for.

There is power in the Name of Jesus and we can pray about this area of our children's lives now and believe God for good family relationships rooted and grounded in HIM.

What about you? Do you pray for your family relationships? Do you notice when you don't pray that even the best family relationships can often times be tested and can even break down?

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From the Book

(The following are quotes and passages from Stormie Omartian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent")

How many family relationships are left to chance because no one prays about them?

We need to teach our children to resolve misunderstandings according to God's Word.

Pray for God to give our children a heart of forgiveness and reconcilliation.

Matthew 5:9 Bleseed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for bretheren to dwell together in unity.

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween - Part # 4

What we shouldn't do as Christians is to hide away in our houses with our doors locked and our lights off and pretend like this day isn't happening.

Mark 16:15 Jesus says “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

He didn't say hide when you disagree with what others are doing on this day. :)

John 15:19
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

We live in the world but as Christians we are not of the world so therefore we should not act like the world. I believe that every Christian should pray and seek God about what is the right thing to do concerning Halloween for their family. If you are not convicted in the same way I am, that is fine. I have many Christian friends and family members that do participate in Halloween and I love them dearly. I respect them and their decision and do not cast judgement on them.

Like I said at the beginning of this series of posts - This is a decision we have made for our family.

Thanks for reading and sticking with me for this long post.

What about you? Do you celebrate Halloween in the traditional way? If not, what are some alternative things you do?

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween Part # 3

I have been known to dread the entire month of October because of one single day at the end of the month. I have even found myself saying how I hate this entire time of year. God is working on me with that because hating this time of year is the wrong attitude to have. After all, this day like every other day belongs to the Lord.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Ok, so if we are not going to take our kids trick or treating or celebrate in the way the rest of the world is what are some things that we as Christians can do instead?

Participate in Church sponsored activities. This was always a favorite for my boys when they were younger. Fall Festivals, Trunk or Treats, etc.. are all fabulous alternatives and you can use it as a witnessing tool by inviting school friends or family that do not know Jesus as their personal Savior.

Find a friend or family member that also uses alternative ways to celebrate this time of year and plan something with them and their kids. God is so good. For over 2 years I felt pretty much alone in my conviction about this until one day at my boys public school I was introduced to an awesome woman that loves the Lord like I do and we have since became great friends. Upon getting to know her I found out that she also believes the way I do and in her home they do not celebrate Halloween either. So I encourage you to pray and ask God to send you someone to be a support to you. God had mercy on me and gave me someone because I wasn't smart enough to pray and ask him for help in this area. :(

Decorate for "Fall" and not Halloween. We decorate with scarecrows, pumpkins, gourds, sunflowers, etc... but not with jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witches, and black cats (unless you count my real black cat). This also makes it easier on me because I can decorate from mid September all the way through Thanksgiving with basically the same decorations. All I have to add is a few Turkeys and Pilgrims at Thanksgiving and we are good to go.

Allow your children to carve a pumpkin using the pumpkin prayer and lesson for Christians by Liz Curtis Higgs. I will post this next week.

Find something in your area like a pumpkin festival, apple festival or corn maze to participate in.

Hand out Candy on Trick or Treat night. We live out in the country and do not get any "trick or treaters" but if you live in an area with lots of children going from door to do use this as a witness for Jesus. Along with your candy, hand out tracks or an invitation to visit your church. A friend of mine wraps her candy with new labels and the label is the track that invites them to church and to know Jesus.

Remember we are supposed to be lights shining in the darkness.

Matthew 5:14-16
Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Instead of letting this day or month get you down or make you want to hide, use it as an opportunity to tell your friends, neighbors and family about Jesus. We ALWAYS have a reason to celebrate Him.

I finish my post Here Tomorrow, I hope you'll join me again...

Click Here for Part 4

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween - Part # 2

I knew that Halloween had evil origins but really didn't know much about them. What I knew was that the Holy Spirit was leading me and my kids away from this day of celebrating like the world. I took my thoughts and convictions to my husband and after our conversation we decided together that this was what was the best for our family.

I am not going to write about the origins of Halloween in this post and depending on what you are reading they vary slightly. I do encourage you to look up the origins of Halloween for yourself so that you can make the best informed decision for your family. I will say that in my research of this day, I find nothing Christian about it. Halloween is a sacred day to people who follow Wicca or Witchcraft (worship Satan).

The Bible says that we, as Christians have been called out of darkness and that we should not participate in evil practices.

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

Colossians 1:13

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,

Deuteronomy 18:9-11

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil.

So, as you can see from the scriptures above the reason we do not celebrate is pretty simple. However, not celebrating Halloween in the traditional way that the world does has been a hard road for us at times. I have felt alone and isolated because of what we believe. I have had to explain myself to teachers and staff at school many times as to why we do not allow our children to participate in school Halloween parties, dress up days, etc.. We have had to explain to our children's friends and parents of friends why our children can not go to the haunted house with the rest of their friends. One thing we didn't say was that is was against our religion because in our house we try to focus more on a relationship with Jesus than having religion. I explain that we are Christians and celebrating Halloween does not glorify Jesus and that it's origins are evil. One of the reasons that my youngest son will tell people is "that we don't celebrate the devil's birthday" LOL He knows that it is not the devils birthday but for him as a child that was an easy way to explain it. When writing this post I asked my kids for the reason we don't celebrate and I was very pleased with the answers they had to give. They talked about how it was an evil holiday and had nothing to do with Jesus just to name a couple. Sometimes this is understood by others and sometimes they think we are "just silly for not letting our kids participate in a harmless holiday".

Continue reading here tomorrow when I talk about some alternatives to celebrating Halloween...

Click Here for Part 3

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween - Part # 1

This post is about why we don't celebrate Halloween.

I want to begin by saying I realize that this can tend to be a bit of a touchy subject to some and this is not a post putting you down if you do choose to celebrate. I am not judging or condemning anyone, this is what is good for our family and the decision we have made for us.

When I was a child Halloween was one of the two days a year that we got a large amount of candy in our house (Easter being the other). We would usually at last minute dress up in some cheap or homemade costume (believe me none of them were fancy or store bought) and my dad would load my brothers and me and sometimes a few cousins in the back of his truck and he would drive up the road only stopping at the houses of people we knew (we lived out in the country and knew most of our neighbors so there were a lot of stops) and we would get our bags filled with candy. We would always take time to stop at an older couples house that my family was friends with where they would not only give us candy but would serve us hot chocolate as well to help warm us up from the cold. Yes, I went trick or treating as a child and yes, I turned out alright. However, our world around us has changed drastically since I was a child where we knew most all of our neighbors and our family knew their family before them for generations back. It was a time of fun in the community. Growing up in a primarily non-Christian home we thought nothing more of Halloween than a day to dress up and get candy.

When my children were 3 and 5 years old I decided that I would take them for their first ever "Trick or Treating" experience. This was the year my oldest had started kindergarten and of course there was a lot of hype in the classroom around this time of year as to what everyone was going to dress up as. Before "real" school we had never been faced with this and honestly my boys didn't really even know what people did on Halloween. Anyway, I dressed them up as cowboys because we had all the stuff in our toy box and closet to make this happen and off we went. We made only a few stops at some family members homes that live close to us and they ended up with a huge amount of loot.

The next year when Fall arrived and Halloween was drawing near I had a strong conviction in my heart that we were not supposed to be a part of what the world was doing on that day.

Continue reading here tomorrow...

Click here for Part 2

Honoring Parents and Resisting Rebellion

Week 6

Honoring Parents and Resisting Rebellion

This is such an important thing to be praying about. I had already thought about my own kids and a story that I could relate about them for this post and just this evening that got reaffirmed to me.

My kids are only allowed to listen to certain music. It has to be Christian. Something that glorifies Jesus and lifts up His Name. Now, there are various "teaching" songs we learn and I am not saying we never listen to an occasional oldie from the past or a song that holds special sentiments that may not be classified Christian but 99.99% of the time any and all music listened to in our home or cars or by my husband and I is Christian. We like a variety. My husband and I like everything from gospel bluegrass to Third Day, Skillet, Toby Mac, and so on. There are so many varieties of good Christian music out there today that whatever you like, you can find. We allow our kids to listen to whatever specific type they like, not just what we like because we know there is a big generation gap between them and us. So when I hear my son listening to things that are not allowed it does not set well with me. I realize music is a small thing, but in the big scheme of things it's not so little. See the Bible says that what is in us will come out.

Luke 6:45 (Amp.) The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.

That is why it is so important to be on top of what our kids are watching on TV, viewing on the Internet, listening to, reading, and what friends they are hanging out with. We should be filling ourselves up (and so should our children) with the Word of God and with good things. - Getting Way ahead of myself here, that is a post for another day. :)

Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

My husband always reminds me (lovingly of course) to choose my battles wisely with our kids and I do my best but we have taught our kids from the time they were very small what type of music is acceptable and we live it in front of them. I expect Honor from my kids. Just tonight I asked my son about his music. "Is that Christian?", "No, Mom.", "Are you supposed to be listening to that?", "No, Mom.", "What kind of music are you allowed to listen to?" and then he quoted my famous words about whatever is glorifying to Jesus and lifts up His Name - then he apologized and changed the song. I informed him that if it happens again, I will take his IPOD because of his disobedience.

I will stay on top of this though. I will pray that my son(s) do not rebel against us and our rules or against God and His rules.

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From the Book

(The following are quotes and passages from Stormie Omartian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent")

Rebellion is actually pride put into action. Rebellious thoughts say, "I'm going to do what I want, no matter what God or anyone else says about it." The Bible says "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" (1 Samuel 15:23) because it's ultimate end is total opposition to God. That same verse also says that "stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." Pride get us into rebellion, but stubbornness is what keep us there.

The opposite of rebellion is obedience, or walking in the will of God.

Remember, your battle is not with your son or daughter. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:20)

Rebellion will surface in your child at one time or another. Be ready to meet the challenge with prayer and the Word of God, along with correction, discipline, and teaching.

Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

Proverbs 20:20 If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

The fact that we can affect the length and quality of our children's lives is reason enough to pray, instruct, and discipline them.

TV/Play Room Closet Organization

I love plastic storage containers and baskets. Here is a little peek into my TV / Play room closet that holds my children's games, extra school supplies, movies, etc...

When building our house and working on closets we went with the Closet Maid shelves that are adjustable. They are great because it's nice to be able to change the height of your shelving when the need arises.

Plastic containers in this closet hold Lego's, card games, video games, controllers and accessories. I also use the Dollar Store plastic baskets to hold a variety of items. In this picture one is the home of extra school paper (loose leaf and notebook) as well as pencils for my boys. They know right where they are and can get it themselves as they need them - yea right, like that actually happens (that's a post for another day, LOL).

Check back often to see other ways I try to keep things organized around our home.

What are some of your favorite ways to organize your closets?

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

If you are wanting a perfect pumpkin snack then you need to try these cupcakes. They are super simple to make and taste GREAT!

Cupcakes

1 yellow cake mix

1 cup pumpkin

1/3 cup oil

1/2 cup milk

3 large eggs

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Icing

8 oz. cream cheese

4 Tblsp. butter

4 cups confectioners sugar

**Optional - You can add 1 tsp. cinnamon to the mix to make a cinnamon cream cheese icing if you like.

I decorated these with yellow sugar sprinkles, candy corn and pumpkins.

Note: You could also make this recipe as a cake instead of cupcakes!

"You Shouldn't Feel That Way"

"You shouldn't feel that way" is an inside joke between my husband and I. We can laugh and joke about it now because time has passed and God is healing the hurt in our hearts. Now, when he and I are talking to each other and expressing our feelings the other one will quickly reply "Well, you know you shouldn't feel that way".

Feelings are: something felt emotionally, a perceived emotional state.

Perceive means: to understand or comprehend, to understand or interpret something in a particular way

In other words, YOUR feelings are the way you perceive or comprehend something. So, someone else that is not going through what you are or feeling the way you are can't tell you that you shouldn't be feeling that way because in reality they do not understand how you feel or how you are perceiving a situation.

Several years ago my husband was expressing some feelings he was having to someone very close to him. Someone who loves him and is a fellow Christian. He was looking for some compassion and understanding. My husband opened himself up and shared from his heart some hurt, aggravation and disappointment that he had inside and the response from this person to him was a casual "you shouldn't feel that way".

Our feelings are important. They may not be founded in truth but the way we feel inside is important and does have meaning at that particular time in your life. When someone makes hurtful comments like "you shouldn't feel that way" it gives the impression that we are not important and neither are our feelings.

Feelings are the way we perceive things to be and they are important but God's word is TRUTH in and for all situations and we need to remember that.

Psalm 33:4 says For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

2 Samuel 22:31 says As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

When we feel like we have nobody that loves us:
God's truth says: John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

When we feel alone and like we have no friends:
God's truth says: Proverbs 18:24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

When we feel abandoned:
God's truth says: Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

When someone comes to you and shares their feelings of hurt and disappointment don't "down play" them and act like they are silly for feeling the way they do. But rather encourage them and speak life into them by sharing what God's Word says and show compassion. Say something like "I am sorry that your feelings are hurt or that you are feeling that way. Please know that is not the truth and that you are loved and important and I care about the way you feel. What can I do to help make the situation better? May I pray for you?"

Has anyone ever made "light" of you and your feelings? How did you deal with it?

5 Bean Chili

I could eat soups, stews and chili all year and sometimes I do but according to my husband fall and winter are the time of year for them. Today I am adding another "soup" to my recipes. This is a pretty simple chili recipe that my husband and I created after many attempts at getting it just right several years ago. It does make a big batch because we eat on it for a few days plus we not only eat it as chili we use it for chili/chips/cheese, waffle fries/chili/cheese, Petro's (a dear friend's recipe) using Frito chips/chili and topping it like a taco salad and some others. It freezes well so you could always do that with half and have some ready when you need it later or I am sure you could cut the recipe in half and it would be fine. Also, I use the cheapest brands possible. What ever is on sale or I have a coupon for is what we use.

10 cans of beans - (2 each of the following - black beans, light red kidney beans, dark red kidney beans, pinto beans and great northern beans)
1 jar of mild salsa - if you prefer spicy chili you could go with a medium or hot salsa
1 bottle of veggie juice
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 medium onions chopped
3 pounds hamburger
water
2 - 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
sour cream

**Combine first 5 ingredients in a large stock pot
**Add in water to get it to the consistency you want
**Fry hamburger in skillet, drain off grease, and add to soup mixture
**Allow to simmer for an hour or so
**Serve

We like to top it with a little shredded cheddar cheese and a small amount of sour cream but you don't have to. It tastes just fine without it. I serve it with crackers (saltines or oyster) and/or peanut butter sandwiches.

Super easy recipe! I hope you enjoy.

Establishing an Eternal Future

Week 5

What is the most important thing you can think of concerning your children and their future? Is it where they will live, what college they would attend, what career choice they will make, or who they will marry? While those are all important and we should be praying about them for me the most important thing is that they receive Jesus in their heart as Savior and that they live their lives loving and serving Him.

This week we are talking about Establishing an Eternal Future.

My boys were both saved at a young age and followed that up with "Believers Baptism". I remember feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders the days that they said yes to the Lord and decided to follow Him. Knowing that when this life is over and we step into eternity that my husband and I along with our children will be dancing around the Throne of God together is such a great thing for a mommy.

However, as time goes on I realize that it is an everyday battle. Not to keep our salvation, because we believe that no man can remove us from God or cause us to lose our salvation and that God is not going to walk away from us, however, we have the choice to serve Him and live for Him and we have to make that choice daily. We don't get saved daily, that's not what I mean but the bible says that the devil is roaming about like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour in 1 Peter 5:8. We have an enemy out there that is going to try everything he can to get us to walk away from God. John 10:10 says that he is the thief that comes to kill, still and destroy. We have to be vigilant and we have to be praying for our children not only to get saved but to remain full of the Word and God's power in their life after they are saved so that they can live a full and prosperous life here on earth as well as in Heaven to come.

Romans 8:38-39 says For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This verse says NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE OF GOD, It doesn't say that we can never be separated from God. We have the choice, it is up to us to stay connected with God.

Pray for your children, no matter how old they may be to receive Jesus in their hearts and to build a lasting relationship with HIM.

What about you? Are you saved? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
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From the Book

(The following are quotes and passages from Stormie Omartian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent")

No matter what age your children are, it's never too early or too late to start praying for their salvation.

Remember, if you don't pray for your children's eternal future, they may not have the kind you want them to have.

Once our children have received the Lord, we must continue praying for their relationship with Him.

Praying for the Lord to pour out His Spirit upon our children must be our ongoing prayer.

My 35 Birthday Blessings!

Today, I turn 35 years old. I am not sure where I thought I'd be at 35, what I'd be doing or what exactly my life would look like at this point but I rest assured that I am right where the Lord has placed me for this particular season.

I was reminded the other day of a song that I learned as a child and I sang it to my son on our way home from something (sorry Jamey that you had to listen - haha).

Count your blessings, name them one by one

Count your blessings, see what God has done

Count your blessings, name then one by one

Count your many blessings, see what God has done

So, to that I give you a list of 35 ~~things~~ blessings that I am thankful for. (The first few are in order but after that they are in no particular order.)

My Jesus, My Salvation - without Him my future would look pretty bleak
My Husband - A man that Loves the Lord first, then me. My best friend. He's the smartest man I know and he can do, make, build or fix anything
Joey - My first born. A talented young man, a leader that excels in all he does.
Jamey - My baby. A smart young man, full of compassion with a tender heart the size of Texas.
My parents - both who love me like crazy and aren't afraid to show it.
My 3 brothers and their families - God truly has placed a special kind of love in my heart for you.
This Country, The USA - though it is not perfect, We are a Blessed Nation.
Our Military - thank you for my freedom.
My Church. Best Church in the World. God placed us here!
My Pastor and His beautiful wife. My Spiritual Parents, both have taught me more about the Lord and living for Him than anyone, anywhere, anytime in my life EVER!
My extended family. There are A LOT of you CrAzY people and I love you all!
My friends. Life long oldies, church friends and newbies.
Our Home. It's been a LONG journey to get it, but Thanks to God - It's Ours (even if we aren't finished with it yet).
Our vehicles. They may not be the newest or the best but they get me where I need to go without walking!
My husbands job. God is our Source but He provided the job.
Getting to be a STAY AT HOME MOM. I don't take this job lightly, it is my ministry to my family and I realize what a blessed woman I am to have this opportunity.
Health and Healing - bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus.
The beauty of God's creation with 4 distinct beautiful seasons.
The ability to learn "new" things.
The lessons I have learned in my past that make me stronger today.
My mom's Roast with potatoes and carrots! My FAVORITE.
Diet Pepsi - my guilty pleasure, oh Yea!
Central heat and air! If you have lived with out it for 33 of your 35 years you know what I mean.
New Tennis Shoes - My first new pair in about 6 or 7 years.
Full moon nights. Just something about them I love.
The ability to cook - at least I think I can, haha
My awesome pets.
My camera - because I love to take me some pictures!
Modern appliances. Dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, stove, etc..
To live out in the "country". Def not a city girl.
Makeup and Hair color to cover my gray. To quote Pastor "every old barn needs a new coat of paint sometimes". LOL
My BIBLE or should I say Bibles. I love to dig into God's Word. I love to read them and mark them up with my notes.
Speedway Wild Cherry Slushies, a new found love.
Facebook - It's how I keep up with my family.
That my boys are smarter, more talented and gifted and have more drive and determination than I ever had at their age. They have the favor of God at work in them.

Homemade Biscuits

Proverbs 31:15 says "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls."

Today I am focusing on the first part of the verse and showing you how I make my homemade biscuits for breakfast. I admit though I make these the night before and once they cool I put them in an airtight container so that I can reheat them in the morning. ;)

First in a bowl add 2 cups self rising flour and 2 teaspoons sugar and mix.

Measure out 1/2 cup of shortening and add to flour mixture.

Using a fork, I mix the shortening and flour together until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Now I make a "well" in my flour mixture and add in 2/3 cup of butter milk and mix.

Dump mixture onto a cutting board dusted with flour and knead several times forming into a ball. Dust your rolling pin with flour and roll dough out.

Using anything round, cut your biscuits. Repeat the kneading, rolling and cutting process until you have used all of your dough.

Place cut biscuits onto your baking sheet (I use a stone) and top with a small amount of real butter or shortening to give you a crispy top. Put in a preheated 425 degree oven and bake for about 15 minutes.

Finished Product!

For breakfast some will be having sausage biscuits and some will be having biscuits and gravy. While my family loves homemade gravy and it is super easy to make I have found that these cans of Libby's country sausage gravy are quick and delicious and when heated and put over a biscuit tastes just like the gravy and biscuits you can buy at McDonald's. :) Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite breakfast dishes?

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**SIDE NOTE: I taught my husband how to make these today (11-16-12) and he did a wonderful job with them, however he cut his much thinner than I usually do and they only had to bake about 12 minutes in a preheated oven. So depending on the thickness of your biscuits and your oven the baking time may vary so keep a watch on them. When they are golden brown on top, they'll be done!

Feeling Loved and Accepted

This weeks chapter is about feeling loved and accepted.

What makes you feel loved? What makes you feel accepted? I grew up in a home where deep down inside I knew that I was loved and looking back now as an adult I KNOW for sure that I was loved but there were many days where chaos reigned in our home, mostly between my older brothers and my dad and that spilled over onto my mother and me. I grew up wandering a lot of times if my dad was even capable of "love". The love was there and compared to alot of dysfunctional families, growing up in my house was a dream but for me it didn't feel that way and I didn't feel love like I should have. Notice I said, I didn't feel loved.

Feel (v) means : to seem to yourself to be in a particular physical or emotional state

To seem to yourself. Sometimes we feel something to be true even when it really isn't. Sometimes though unfortunately for some children the feelings are real and the situation is bleak for them.

The day I got married, before the doors opened for me to walk down the isle I was alone with my dad and I told him I loved him. He in return told me that he loved me. We both "choked" up as this happened. See, for me that was the first time I could remember my dad telling me that. Oh, I am sure at various times growing up he told me but I could not remember any of those times probably because they were clouded by some unhappy childhood memories.

I have made it a point from day one of having kids that I tell them "I love you" everyday and I "love" on them. A hug, a kiss on the cheek, a cuddle before bed, a rub on the back or pat on the shoulder - all signs of love and affection for my precious boys that God as entrusted me with.

What happens when we don't feel loved and accepted?

* We fall in with the wrong crowd at school because they accept us and we end up doing things we normally wouldn't.
* We experiment with drugs and alcohol to help us attempt to cover or hide the "feelings" of being rejected.
* We have sexual relations with people when we know we really shouldn't but it's hard to walk away from someone showing you this very close kind of love and acceptance - even if it's not really love. But to a young person it "feels" that way.

When our children do not get what they need at home from us they will go looking for it in other people and places. Remember even if the love and acceptance is there for your children they may not "feel" it and it is our job to make sure they do.

Some things we can do to help our children feel loved and accepted.

* Pray for your children to feel loved and accepted. Pray that God would open their minds and hearts to you and that they would know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are loved.
* Praise your children.
* Love on them and tell them you love them. Don't just assume they know you love them! Kids (and adults) need to be told these special "3 little words".
* Spend time with them. Quality and Quantity - both matter.
* Do special things with them and for them.

What about you? Have you ever personally felt rejection? What are some things you do to show your children they are loved and accepted?

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From the Book

(The following are quotes and passages from Stormie Omartian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent")

Rejection brings out the worst in people. Love and acceptance bring out the best.

A person may not actually be rejected, but if he believes he is, the effect is just as damaging as if it were true.

Knowing that God loves us and accepts us changes our lives.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Isaiah 41:9 (NIV)

I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.