Gratituesday: Not Goodbye, But "See You Later"

This Tuesday I find myself so grateful for the hope we have in Christ. On Saturday morning, a dear friend of our family, Mr. Morrison passed on into glory after nearly 94 years on this earth.

 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
 -Psalm 116:15 

I rejoice that he is in heaven with his Savior and that he has been reunited with his wife, Doris, and many other saints who have gone on before him. We miss him, but as I stood next to his casket tonight I realized that I was not truly saying goodbye, but "see you later."

"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, 

concerning those who have fallen asleep, 

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, 

even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

 that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord 

will by no means precede those who are asleep. 

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, 

with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. 

And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together 

with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 

And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

Therefore comfort one another with these words."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Friday Funny: I'm Innocent!

Yeah, sure... :) 

Gratituesday: My Sister

This week I am grateful for my older sister, Rosanna.

(October 2011)

 Her love for the Lord is a great encouragement to me. 

(June 1996)

She is one of my best friends.

(Summer 2000)

(Spring 2006)

I became especially aware of how much I enjoy her company this week, because last Tuesday she sprained her foot badly and she is sleeping downstairs until she can climb the stairs easily again. 

(Fall 2008)

 Our room is so quiet without her and I am looking forward to when she can come back up. I miss our talks at night. 

(Homemade Easter dresses, Spring 2009)

 On the brighter side, I am getting more sleep! :) 

(Sisters: Spring 2010)

 Get well soon, Rosanna. I love you.

Easy Butterscotch Bars

I love these bars because they are so easy to make; only five ingredients and very little clean-up involved! :)

These are perfect if you need to whip up something fast to take to a get-together or just when you've got a hankering for something sweet. I made these tonight and from start to finish it only took me a little over 30 minutes, and a large part of that was waiting for them to bake.

I don't make these very often, simply because I don't want to be tempted to eat the whole pan. Okay, more like half the pan; with four brothers around there wouldn't be time to get the whole pan down! :) 

Easy Butterscotch Bars

1 cup melted butter

1 3/4 cups sucanat, rapadura or brown sugar (I only used 1 1/2 cups)

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla 

1 1/2 cups flour (I used 1 cup of spelt and 1/2 cup of unbleached white)

Stir melted butter and sucanat together.  Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.  Stir in flour and mix until well combined.  Pour batter into a 9×13 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.

HINT: For a twist, you could also throw in about 1/2 a cup of chocolate chips. Mmmm! :) 

Did They Know?

I came across this poem this evening while reading the book, "Designing a Lifestyle That Pleases God," and it really made me stop and think. I hope it will do the same for you.

Did They Know?

Contentious Sarah, did she know

That her plan could only bring woe?

But as she lived by God's rich grace

She would be the mother of a race. 

Sinful Rahab, did she know

As she hid the spies, and kept them low, 

She would be freed from her awful vice

And her name be found in the line of Christ? 

Faithful Ruth, did she know

As she stayed by Naomi long ago, 

Her kinsman redeemer, salvation would bring, 

And she would become the mother of kings?

Lovely Esther, did she know

While in the palace, more beautiful to grow, 

God would grant her that highest station, 

And use her to rescue His chosen nation?

Favored Mary, did she know

As she lived her life humble and low, 

That God would make her exalted among women,

And allow her to bear His Son from heaven?

Widow Anna, did she know

As her life to the service of God bestowed;

Her fastings and prayers were but a small price, 

For the privilege of seeing God's Holy Christ?

Barren Elisabeth, did she know? 

As her husband prepared to the temple to go; 

That he would return with a story of joy-

God would grant them a special little boy?

Godly Eunice, did she know

As she guided her son more Christ-like to grow;

That he would be used, beloved friend of Paul, 

To bring many to Christ, redeemed from the fall?

And you, dear women, do you know

On the embers of your faith God will blow?

That child to raise, or that gap to span, 

He will use them all to further His plan! 

-Debbie Ward

Friday Funny: Man vs. Kitchen

Need a smile? :) Some homeschooling friends of ours have produced several short "flicks." This is their latest one and I really enjoyed it. **

**Disclaimer: By sharing this video, I am by no means endorsing the cooking methods portrayed in this video. Please do not try this at home. And NEVER put plastic  in the toaster!!

Gratituesday: Another Year Is Dawning

This Tuesday, I am grateful for a brand new year. I am looking forward to what the Lord will do in my life in 2012!

Here is one of my favorite hymns, especially around New Years and my birthday. 

Another Year Is Dawning

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face; 
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in Heaven, another year for Thee.

-Frances Havergal

A New Year...A New Blog

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that 2011 is past.

In 2011, I...

-Experienced firsthand all the work that goes into a grocery store grand re-opening (I never realized before all the little details that go into making a store work).

-Rejoiced over God's salvation of my oldest brother, Joshua.

-Began to overcome my fear of playing the piano for congregations in order to be available to bless my church family (I'm still working on that one).

-Switched jobs and started my own housecleaning business.

-Experienced more challenges with my health and was reminded again that my strength is only in Christ, not in my physical abilities.

As I look over the past year, I see many areas where I could have put my time to better use. By God's grace, I intend to work on that in 2012.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. 
As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, 
unless it abides in the vine, 
neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 
I am the vine, you are the branches. 
He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; 
for without Me you can do nothing." 

-John 15:4-5

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; 
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
 and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 

I press toward the goal for the prize 
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

-Philippians 3:13-14 

P.S. Welcome to my new blog! Be patient, it's under construction; just like me.