Pages

Sunday, November 24, 2013

As I listen to the wind tonight....

“At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.

When his voice resounds,             
he holds nothing back.
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.

He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
  
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.

The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.

The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water his earth and show his love.

“Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders.
Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?

Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
can you join him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?

“Tell us what we should say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?

Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
Therefore, people revere him,
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?
Job 37

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Password Is...

Anyone out there remember the original game show called Password?  Alan Ludden was the host and he would almost whisper the words The password is as the TV screen revealed the hidden word for the television audience.

For me, the password these past few weeks has been:  mystery

Mystery not like the Nancy Drew books that I grew up reading.  In fact, I still have my collection of hard-covered, girl-sleuth books.  Oh yes, I enjoy a good mystery book.

Lately the word mystery seems to surround me.  Like I am living the word.  It is a mystery to me how I am able to work fulltime and do my homework for a college course and go visit my grandbaby every once in awhile and have coffee with friends and freeze apples from the abundance of our crop and give time to my husband and try to make a Christmas shopping list and pray for my Dad & Mom during Dad's chemo and...you know...the list goes on. 

It is a mystery that anything actually gets done <consider a smiley face inserted here>.

Living a life of mystery is bigger than the list of tasks that I did or did not get done.  Recently I listened to an online sermon from a pastor in My City.  He related a story of a woman that visited a Sunday morning service.  The pastor greeted her as she was leaving the sanctuary and she informed him she was in town for medical treatment.  She had been told she had over 20 cancerous tumors in her body.  With determination and faith, she told the pastor she knew she had been healed and that the week of tests in front of her would prove her healing.  The pastor admitted at this point in his message that he knew God could heal the woman but he doubted she would be healed.   At the end of that week, the woman called the pastor to report she had been found to be tumor and cancer free!  The pastor was amazed, humbled, and without explanation.  See, a woman in his congregation, the mother of several young children, had gone through exactly the same diagnosis within the past year.  This young mom did not get the healing and died. 

Was God mad and punishing the woman that wasn't healed?  No, because that would be contrary to His character and promises.

Did the unhealed woman have sin in her life and this was her punishment?  If that was the criteria, no one would be healed, right?   Our manual as Believers In Jesus Christ, the Bible, records several instances where people were healed.  In many of those documented experiences, the sins of the person were forgiven along with the healing.  So forgiveness isn't a criterion for healing.

God must have loved one woman more than the other and that is why just the one was healed.  WRONG!  God loves us all.  Period.  No conditions.  He loves us whether we love Him.  How could He choose who to heal?

That sermon is a true mystery.  As frustrating as it is to understand, I actually love it.  It leads me to believe that I only know and see a small fraction of who My Big God really is.  See I believe that He is in control.  He hasn't lost the battle between good and evil.  He has a plan.  He loves, loves, loves all people.  And I cannot begin to explain everything about Him.  He is a mystery.

He is a mystery.  I had to say it again. 

I did a Bible search on the word mystery.  Depending upon the translation of the Bible there are between 25 and 30 verses that have the word mystery in them.  Here is one of them:

Just as you’ll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you’ll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does.  Ecclesiastes 11:5

 Yup.  That pretty much sums it up.  What is really interesting to me is that in the past few weeks I've probably heard a dozen people say the word mystery or talk about how mysterious and unexplainable God is.  He is really trying to get my attention with that word.  So I'll end this little post praying as I have the past few weeks:

God, my brain cannot fathom all of the concepts of who You are.  You are the Creator, the I AM, my Lord and Savior, Healer, Comforter, Joy Unspeakable, Peace Beyond my Understanding, Lover of My Soul, and so on.  I have experienced You in all of these ways yet I don't understand the how's and why's.  Yet I trust You and know that all of Your mysteries are maybe not things that I will ever understand.  Your timing is a mystery.  In all my life, lead me, guide me, and know that I love You with my whole heart.  In the Name of the All Powerful Jesus, Amen.

Whispering I leave you with this:  the password is....mystery.  As in living life with an incredibly Mysterious God.  He keeps me So Amazed!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Grandpa Pat

In my last posts I've talked about Grandpa Pat.  He was in the hospital for two weeks with an assortment of health issues.  During that time he was rushed into intensive care two times.  At one point the doctors asked for the family to come in and Grandpa was alert enough to say:  I must be in trouble.  He saw all of his kids in the room and he thought he was in trouble!  What an honor for me to lean over and whisper in his ear, "you are not in trouble but your lungs are".

Baby C came to visit her great-grandfather in intensive care, too. 

Today Grandpa Pat was moved to a skilled nursing facility.  He is now on oxygen and has trouble swallowing.  He isn't eating or drinking much. 

Thinking back on the 29 years I've known him, there are so many fun, happy moments.  This man has blessed my life.  And the lives of many people.  It is really hard watching him in these what-could-be-his-last-days. 

An amazingly sad time in our lives yet amazingly blessed.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Bob's Dad and Baby Claire

This week Bob's 91-year-old dad was taken to the hospital by ambulance.  He had fallen and was unable to get up by himself, was having trouble catching his breath and had a bout of intestinal troubles.  He ended up in intensive care for a couple of days with pneumonia from aspirating.  See, he can't swallow well.  The muscles that aid in swallowing have given up working after 91 years and the food sits in Grandpa's esophagus and, unfortunately, has ended up in his lungs.  There are a myriad of other things going on in his tired body that the doctors are investigating so he remains in the hospital. 

Here is a picture of Grandpa and The Husband at Grandpa's 91st birthday.  We would appreciate prayers for him in these days of struggles.

 

Also this week I had the privilege of staying with Favorite-Son-in-Law, Kidlet One and Grandbaby C in their Far-Away-City.  With great joy, I babysat C while her parents went to work.  Oh the giggles we shared!  Here is a video of C singing to her toys:
 

 
The mysteries of life were so evident to me this week:  the aging, tired, sick body of Grandpa and the vibrant, investigative life of Grandybaby C.  Such extremes between the two.  God's planning for our human bodies was done with such creativity and love.  We definitely aren't robots and there are unique changes that occur in our bodies. 
 
He amazes me over and over.
 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

The Husband's Outdoor Fashions

The Husband scrubbed the deck last weekend and has started applying some GUNK to it now.  I call it GUNK because it is thick and has to be rolled on.  He explains to me it is the consistency of peanut butter (can you picture it?) and will protect the deck for years. 

Well, those that have the honor of living near us have often commented on how fashionable The Husband is when he mows or does lawn work.  This weekend was no different as he wore this attire all weekend as he started The Deck Project...

 Can you hear the runway announcement...
The Husband looks snappy in his straw hat,
fashionably worn Life is Good tee shirt,
denim shorts and oh yes, let's not forget
The Boots.
Rubber Boots...your outdoor
work cannot be complete without
a pair of Rubber Boots. 
 As an added bonus, the denim shorts
are able to become paper towel dispensers
and plastic bag holders.
 The iPhone is quite safe on the
belt during The Deck project

It was too hot to be wearing jeans on the weekend.
Perhaps in a Fall Fashion Show, I can grab a picture
of The Husband's jeans-that-are-held-together
-with-duct-tape...
 
Seriously, The Husband has worked really hard
over this past weekend and has made great progress
in re-sealing the deck.  
Once all the peanut-butter-gunk is applied,
we can move the new patio furniture back
and perhaps even throw a party.
I think we should all wear rubber boots to the party.
Wouldn't that be amazing!!!


Monday, August 19, 2013

Turkey In A Crock Pot

Isn't there a song that goes "Turkey in the straw...turkey in the straw...." 

I digress even at the start of today's post.

Today's topic is turkey in the crock pot.  Let me get back on track...

Recently I purchased a frozen turkey breast.  Usually I buy the whole bird but my mom made a turkey breast the last time we went to visit and it was so tasty.  And not so messy!  Last week I pulled the frozen mass from the freezer and placed it in a pan in the refrigerator.  It took a good four days to thaw in the fridge.  I decided to try cooking it in the crock pot, like my mom does. 

Brine the turkey.  Brining means to soak the meat in a water/sugar/salt/spice bath overnight, in the refrigerator.  You'll see in this picture I filled a stockpot about half full.  To the water I added fresh rosemary, about 3/4 cup salt and 3/4 cup brown sugar.  Stir that until everything is dissolved.  Then slide the turkey breast into the water, making sure it is under water.  (Yes, I agree, it looks gross)
 Make space in the refrigerator for this pan.
Aren't I daring to let you see into my fridge...
Cover the stockpot and let it set overnight.
 The next morning, I pulled out the crock pot and
added two washed carrots (I didn't even peel them),
two stalks of celery and about half an onion.
Pull the turkey breast out of the brine water
and rinse the meat off under running water.
 Stuff it into the crock pot.
This was a tight fit and I have a big crock pot!
I poured 2 cups of chicken broth over the meat.
Place the cover on and cook, on high, for
about 4 hours. 
 Clean up is important when touching chicken or turkey.
I used paper towels to wipe out the sink, the faucets
and the counters.  Then I pulled out the
disinfecting wipes to really clean up any residue.
 The delicious smells of cooking turkey started
about two hours into the cooking time.  Yum!
It is important to have a meat thermometer to test
for doneness.  I got interrupted in my day and
our turkey cooked for about 5 hours but it
didn't get dried out. 
I used two big spoons to pull the meat from the
crock pot and placed it on a cookie sheet
to rest about 15 minutes before starting to cut.
 The juices and veggies left in the bottom of the
crock pot look like a good soup!
I used a strainer to capture the good juices and
made gravy on the stove.
 We will be enjoying many meals from this
easy-to-make turkey breast. 
It was amazingly simple.
Give it a try!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Monday, August 12, 2013

I'm Going Back to School

I am 54 years old (I know, I don't look it, ha! ha!).  I've worked in my current position for 29 years with an additional six years at the same company but in a different role.

Approximately six weeks ago, 11 of my colleagues and I were, on paper, set up to report to another department and a new manager.  Our work remains very much the same.  The new twist?  Our job descriptions were re-written to now state that the job requires a bachelor's degree and no longer do "years of service" allow you to perform the job.  See, I don't have a four-year degree as my employer has instructed employees to learn on the job and use the strengths/gifts they have.

Until now.

Since I am way to young to retire , I started looking into schools.  I really didn't feel there was another option.  It was a very overwhelming task for this Brain-That-Hasn't-Been-In-School-For-35-Years.

How am I going to do this?

I'm too old to be going back to school.

Oh, my goodness...is this really happening to me?

Do I work all day and attend night classes?

Do I work all day and take online classes in the evening?

I finally decided to try online classes.  That just seems to fit with our lifestyle right now. 

There are so many programs available but I decided I needed to pursue something I was interested in and not just get a degree to get a degree.  I have spent HOURS and HOURS looking for schools and programs and usually walked away from the computer overwhelmed and in tears at the decisions that needed to be made.

And the expense...don't get me started!

In my searching, there was one school that I kept coming back too.  I made several phone calls to ask questions and everyone was extremely nice and not pushy with me at all.

So...drum roll please...last night I completed my request for admission at the University of Minnesota, Crookston to pursue a degree in Communications.

A sense of excitement and nervous anticipation has settled on me!  After clicking SEND, I ran to The Husband and told him I needed to go shopping for an outfit for the first day of school! 

If all goes well, my first classes will be queued up for me in the next few weeks.  Uff da!

Silly me, I did all of this application work at 10 pm last night.  When it was all sent off, I was too excited to sleep.  So I picked up my Joyce Meyer Starting Your Day Right devotional (I was ending my day right...) and read the day's devo.  God, again, came through with a message for me loud and clear.  Here it is for you to be amazed at!

I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders].  John 5:30

One of the reasons people don't get things done is that they mentally see their unfinished assignments as monstrous undertakings.  If they would just take care of those projects, they would find they aren't that big of a deal.

First Peter 1:13 says, "Brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed." Don't let your mind rule you.  When thoughts of inadequacy fill your head, stop and remember that God's grace is sufficient to meet all your needs.  Just do things one at a time, and keep your mind on God's ability, not your own.

******
Well, that devotional was just for me.  It is a huge undertaking this going back to school.  And being a wife, mother, Nana, working woman, etc etc.  But God's advice to do one homework assignment at a time and Get Er Done is good advice. 

Isn't His timing amazing!    I'd appreciate any prayers as I begin this adventure! 

Friday, August 9, 2013

Live Above the Circumstances

Seriously, this is such an amazing posting.  I wish I had written it as it conveys my heart's desire. 

Please click here to read on...

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Randomness


  • The air is chilly this morning and I shivered under the covers before climbing out of bed.  How thankful I am for the different seasons we have in This Frozen Tundra.
  • My fulltime job is being shaken in every way possible.  Thankfully I still have a job.
  • In the realignment of my job, I have been told I need to complete my Bachelor's degree to qualify for the position I've been doing for 28 years.  Sigh.  I'm not sure this old brain has the energy, stamina and brain cells to remember how to study!  There are many school options that I'm investigating and I'm thankful for options.
  • With summer sports completed, we have empty evenings.  Recently I enjoyed supper/coffee/laughing with some really cool young women.  They energize me and I love hearing what God is doing in their lives.
  • It is eight months since my knee surgery.  I am really thankful I had the surgery as there is no arthritis pain in that knee.  It amazes me that a year ago I would walk to different buildings on my work campus and endure a throbbing, painful knee during meetings or when I went to teach.  Now, I walk that same path and there is no pain.  I do have tight ligaments and muscles that I continually need to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out otherwise my knee feels tight.  
  • My Kidlets are well and happy.  That warms a mother's heart and I'm so proud of them!
  • My folks continue to battle this cancer/chemo thing.  Dad is a true warrior in this battle to beat the disease while Mom is the encourager, worrier, nurse, and prayer soldier.
  • Some arthritis has crept into my hands so I've been told to not do any crocheting or "things that would aggravate your hands".  Good grief, pulling on pants aggravates my hands..what am I supposed to do about that?  Seriously, I have taken a step back from crafts although my fingers are itching at projects I want to start.  Soon I'll post the sewing project I've taken on.
  • Well, is this enough randomness for one post?  I have an amazing day ahead of me and I should get started in it.  May you have an amazing day, too!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

The Coolest Thing

All things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Philippians 3:8

Want to know the coolest thing about Christ's coming?  Not that the One who hung the galaxies gave it up to hang doorjambs....  Not that he refused to defend himself when blamed for every sin of every slut and sailor since Adam....  Not even that after three days in a dark hole he stepped into the Easter sunrise with a smile....  That was cool, incredibly cool.

But...the coolest thing about the One who gave up the crown of heaven for a crown of thorns--he did  it for you.   Just for you.

He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado

********
The above was a part of my morning devotional.  Nothing can stand in my way today.  I feel so empowered knowing that if I were the only person on this earth, Jesus would've left His Heavenly Father's side to come to earth and pay the price of my sin.  Just for me.

You have to admit that is pretty amazing.  Better yet.  He did if for YOU.

Dear Reader, this is Truth.  No matter what you've done or not done in your life, there is nothing compared to the greatness and love in knowing Jesus Christ.  Just say it out loud...hey God, if you are real, help me understand this Jesus thing.  Wait for the answer.  I know it will be shown to you.  Because of His unending, overflowing, indescribable love.  

Amazing grace...how sweet the sound....Jesus!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Baby Yoga

Grandbaby C came for a much-enjoyed visit recently.  She is already four months old.  Those of you that are grandparents, you know what grandbabies do to a Nana's heart.  There aren't words to describe the love and emotions tied up with a grandchild.

Baby C and I spent some time on the floor talking and singing.  She does sing with her mom but she wasn't really in a singing mood with me.  Kidlet One sings Farmer in the Dell to her and when the pig snorts are made, Baby C giggles, giggles, giggles.  My pig snorts must not sound like her momma's as she didn't giggle for my singing!  However, as you watch the video below, don't you think she could lead a Baby Yoga session with all the bending and stretching she does!?!?!?

Here is an amazing baby...but then I don't think clearly when she is around!

Monday, August 5, 2013

Breakfast This Morning


 
I recently purchased a box of peaches (at least 50 peaches) and have frozen most of the luscious fruit but there were a few that I left out to bake with.  Several friends were planning to stop by on Sunday evening so I made up this recipe to test out on them:  Avons-end-of-summer-sunday-morning-peach-coffee-cake/detail.aspx     
 
This cake is delicious!  We enjoyed a slice last night just warm from the oven with a dollop of whipped cream.  This morning I've enjoyed another slice with a cup of hot coffee. 
 
You can get the details of the recipe on the link above, but this is a healthy cake (in my opinion).  The ingredients include:
 
maple syrup
peach yogurt but I used vanilla
banana
steel cut oats
white and whole wheat flour
peach
chopped pecans but I used walnuts
cinnamon
 
Anything with cinnamon is good!
 
Try this recipe for an amazing healthy coffee cake!
 
 
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

There is Life after Baseball

Traveling baseball has been done for one week.  That means that every night last week I was home.  For the past two months we've been on the road to games or practices three nights a week with hockey practice the other two nights.
 
Being home after a day at work is kind of nice.
 
The Husband and I did go shopping one of the nights we had baseball freedom.  We actually were pretty dangerous as we bought a new patio set and umbrella.  It has been a couple of years since we sat on the deck with a table.  Kidlet Three had commented at some point this summer that it would've been nice to eat supper outside and we are now able to do just that.
 
For at least three hours on Saturday, The Husband and A-Great-Neighbor, put the chairs and table together.  Thankfully the weather was nice for these two BOYS to sit outside tackling a task they thought would take, maybe, an hour.
 
Kidlet Three was the first one outside to relax and enjoy the new chairs.
 
 
I decided a hobo packet of sliced potatoes, frozen corn from last year's freezing, onion and lots of butter should be on the menu for supper.  I also marinated chicken in Italian dressing and grilled that separately.
As I grilled, I set the table.  Doesn't this look peaceful and inviting!
Our supper was delicious.  There were no bugs outside.  It was a pleasant, relaxing meal. 
Kidlet Three decided Riley should eat his treat on one of the new chairs. 
The chairs 'rock' so Riley wasn't sure he really sure he liked them.
 
 
Baseball season is really fun.  It is also fun being done.  I hope you've had a chance to be outside enjoying the summer evenings.  Or maybe even your morning coffee on your deck. 

We are amazingly blessed to have this deck, new furniture and nice weather.  Thank you God!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Relax

Relax and let Me lead you through this day.  I have everything under control:  My control.  You tend to peer anxiously into the day that is before you, trying to figure out what to do, and when.  Meanwhile, the phone or the doorbell rings, and you have to reshuffle your plans.  All that planning ties you up in knots and distracts you from Me.  Attentiveness to Me is not only for your quiet time, but for all your time.  As you look to Me, I show you what to do now and next.

Vast quantities of time and energy are wasted in obsessive planning.  When you let Me direct your steps, you are set free to enjoy Me and to find what I have prepared for you this day.

From Sarah Young's devotional, Jesus Calling

It sounds amazingly simple, doesn't it.  This realizing God is in control and letting Him direct our day.  When the phone or doorbell rings, what if we said "okay God, I guess You have other plans for today" instead of muttering "I hope it is a wrong number" or "I really can't be interrupted now by guests". 

I am a big list maker.  Especially on weekends I have the list of things I'd like to accomplish.  Rarely am I able to cross everything off.   And usually I'm okay with that but there are times I feel anxious over getting side tracked or interrupted. 

Oh to have such a closeness with God that the now and the next activities of my day would be a dance with Him.  That I would allow Him to lead me in the next moves and be fulfilled with that. 

Amazing Father, let's start with this weekend.  You lead.  I'll follow. Let's see what plays out!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Your Face


I am mesmerized by this picture of Baby C.  Her daddy snapped it last week.  Just what was she thinking as she looked outside?  And to have her hands folded like that.  As far as I know, Favorite-Son-In-Law did not pose her hands.

Below is a daily devotion that I think goes along with this picture.  From Max Lucado's Grace For the Moment daily calendar, read this:


         He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.  Psalm 40:3
 
God invites us to see his face so he can change ours.  He uses our uncovered faces to display his glory.  By his fingers, wrinkles of worry are rubbed away.  Shadows of shame and doubt become portraits of grace and trust.  He relaxes clenched jaws and smoothes furrowed brows.  His touch can remove the bags of exhaustion from beneath the eyes and turn tears of despair into tears of peace.  How?  God's plan is [simple].  He changes our faces through worship.

What reflection is on Your Face? 
 
Do you have the peace, contentment and wonder that Baby C has on her face? 

Isn't it amazing that the answer is simple....worship God.  Spend time giving Him thanks and glory and honor.   All things He is worthy of. 
 
The benefit of worshipping God is a cheap face lift!  Our countenance changes and as mentioned in the devotional, bags of exhaustion disappear from beneath our eyes.
 
Give this amazing tip a try.  Let's watch our faces change!

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Cancer and Chemo Suck

Suck is like a swear word for me.  When I use that word in a sentence that doesn't have anything to do with Popsicles or Tootsie Pops, I fully intend it to have an impact and intensity.  Tonight I feel great intensity when I say:  cancer and chemo suck.
 

This picture of my dad was taken last weekend.  He is holding his great granddaughter, Baby C (the world's cutest baby).  Dad looks great despite the fact he's had four cycles of chemo.   The first weeks of chemo were uneventful except his gallbladder went on a rampage and he had to have a quick surgery to have it removed.  The past month he has had to skip a chemo cycle because his blood counts were too low.  Now a sense of being cold all the time, extreme fatigue and a loss of appetite are side effects daily.  Today a permanent tooth fell out and a dentist won't see him because of his low immune system.  That tooth held his dentures in place.  It is hard for him to eat now!

Dad has such a great positive outlook.  He really is trying to keep up with his garden and projects in between naps.  Over the weekend he and I fished together and it was a special time for the both of us (I kept him busy taking my fish off the line).


Tonight my emotions have caught up with me and I find myself crying because his tooth fell out.  It sounds silly but it is another sign of that terrible disease and the treatment that have invaded our lives.  After I cry a bit then I get angry that Dad has to go through this.  My mom is such an encourager and helpmate for my Dad and all of this takes a toll on her, too.  Then I feel bad for my mom.  And I cry again. 

Cancer and chemo suck.

But that isn't what I want you to remember from this post.  There is a sure foundation that isn't moving or crumbling through all of this.  Our relationship with God is our sure foundation.  God has been very faithful to my parents over their entire lives and He has been so present for them these past three months.  God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow so the promise of His faithfulness for tomorrow is a sure thing.  Praise God. 

Should you feel The Nudge to pray for my dad, thank you!  Please also thank God for His hand of healing and wisdom for my dad. 

And please forgive me if I've offended you with my I-Really-Want-To-Swear-When-I-Say Cancer and Chemo Suck. 

In all this, I do remain, So Amazed at what God is doing in and through our lives.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Mini Muffin Smores

***Warning***

The food item described below is dangerous.  You will not be able to eat just one of these mini muffin smores.

This evening we arrived home from a multi-day vacation.  Within an hour of our arrival home, Kidlet Three needed to leave for hockey practice.  Thankfully I had shredded barbecue chicken in the freezer that I could thaw for a quick supper. 

After supper, my sweet tooth was not satisfied and I started craving something chocolate.  One of the recipes floating through Facebook came into my mind and I just knew that was what I needed to make tonight.  The recipe is called Smore Cups aka Mini Muffin Smores.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

7 whole graham crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 T. butter, melted

Combine the above ingredients.
Drop a spoonful of graham-cracker mixture into each cup of a mini muffin pan.  Gently press the mixture down.

Bake 4-5 minutes.

Remove from oven. 

I used chocolate chips instead of Hershey bars.  Into each cup I dropped four chocolate chips.
Cut large marshmallows in half.   Place marshmallow cut side down in each cup.
Bake an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
Remove from oven and set aside for 15 minutes.
Remove the smores from the pan. 
As I 'snacked' on them, I decided to not add the additional chocolate to the top. 

Bet you can't eat just one of these amazing treats!



Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Wait for Peace

I took this picture on a Way-Up-North lake on land my parents purchased.

There is such peace that falls over me when I look at it.  Maybe because I know the lake is so small and protected.  There are no boats zipping around the water.  As we fished with the motor off, the sounds of nature were all we heard.

Peace.

There was such peace on the lake the day I grabbed my camera to snap the photo.

My daily devotion for yesterday from Joyce Meyer's book, Starting Your Day Right, was entitled Wait for Peace.  Let me share it with you:

**********
A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.  Proverbs 16:9

You may have to step out to find out the right thing to do.  If you don't hear clearly from God, just step in the direction you think you should go, and then wait for peace.  If you lose your peace, back out of wherever you were headed.

Dave and I almost bought two different buildings to house our ministry.  We were in negotiations until, one morning after praying, Dave said  "Joyce, I don't have peace about buying that building.  I feel like God is saying, 'If you buy that building, you are going to be sorry later.'" So we waited for peace, and now we have a building that is completely paid for with room to grow.  Pray until you find peace.
*********

Friend, are you looking for peace in your life, in a decision or situation?  I love that God says through Joyce...just step out.  Sometimes we have to make a step before the peace comes.  Don't be afraid to take a step before the peace comes.  

Or perhaps you need to stop and be silent for a bit.  Like the flower and the lily pads.  Just float in silence with God.  Let His peace wash over you.

Amazing peace.  It keeps me...so amazed...

Monday, June 17, 2013

Baseball and The Booster

Kidlet Three's summer baseball league
played in a tournament
this past weekend.
 
After five breath-taking games,
they made it to the championship game.
The grounds crew chalked the school's
initials into the batter's circle before
the Big Game.
The Husband is the self-appointed
Booster Club for each team that the
Kidlets have been involved with.
For baseball, check out this video of
a common Booster scene.  Kidlet Three
is in the video warming up to bat (#12).
 On Sunday, the Rockets team played
three baseball games in HOT weather.
The games were played one right after the
other.  Between two of the games. Booster
 and I went into the dugout with the tunes to get
the boys jazzed up for their next game.  They all
got a little camera shy when I stepped in....
 Out of 16 teams, Kidlet Three's team WON first place!
Here is Kidlet getting his trophy from the coach. 
A great group of guys that play some amazing baseball.
So proud of them!

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The Mouse

I must be having fun because time is flying by.  Isn't there a saying that time flies when you are having fun?  It has been a few weeks since I have posted and I guess it is because time flew by.

Before I post about The Mouse, you just have to see this picture of Grandbaby C.  Kidlet One went back to work last Friday.  Favorite-Son-In-Law and Baby C drove Kidlet One to work on that first morning.  Baby C decided to bless her momma by smiling this big smile as she left the car and walked into work.  Baby C...you did good!
There is so much happening in my life.  And I feel bad that this post is about The Mouse, when there are much more important things to write about.

But there are just some stories that need to be told and I guess I feel this is one of them.

I work in an old building.  There are delivery trucks that come and go into the building and apparently mice like to run in and out when the garage doors are up for the delivery trucks (or at least that is how I like to think mice get in the building).

Several years ago I stored a beautiful Ghirardelli chocolate candy bar in my desk for that special day when I was going to need it.  Well, a mouse got in my desk drawer and nibbled on the corner of my foil-wrapped piece of heaven.  Others in the office checked their desk drawers and, they too, found evidence of that PMSing mouse.  All of us with chocolate stashes had been vandalized.  After a call to the maintenance people, sticky traps were delivered (those sticky traps are horrible).  We never caught the sneaky-chocoloate-loving-creature and I forgot about the sticky traps under my desk.

Until this morning.

I have a foot rest under my desk to keep my feet up for some-reason-that-I-can't-remember.  As I sat down at my desk, I saw a piece of white, maybe paper, sticking out from under the foot rest.  So with my foot I tried to grab the corner of that paper and slide it toward me. It is not unusual for me to have papers flying around as my desk is stacked with paper.  Anyway, as I slid the paper there was something wrong with what I was seeing.  My brain and my eyes were not synching and I think it was because of shock.  Finally my brain registered that this was no ordinary piece of paper but a sticky trap with a dead mouse on it and it was now stuck to my shoe.

Oh yes....it was stuck to my shoe.

I shook my foot and shook my foot.  The same leg with my brand-new-knee-of-which-I-am-thankful-I-did-my-therapy-so-I-could-shake-and bend-very-quickly.

Are you shuttering?  I am just typing the whole thing out again.  Remind me, why did I feel this was important for you to know about my day?

The thing finally let loose of my shoe and I backed up to fast.  I didn't scream but I was making some sort of utterances because Mr. Reece in my office stopped working and stared at me. 

Turning to Mr. Reece the begging and pleading started...."oh please...please...please...get that mouse out from under my desk"!  Mr. Reece looked at me like "you've got to be kidding...just because I'm a man you expect me to want to pick up a dead mouse"?  

But he did it.  And I am so grateful.

Looking through my desk drawers, I was grateful to find that The Mouse does not like applesauce or Maple & Brown Sugar oatmeal packets because that is the only food I had in my drawer.  The maintenance people were quickly called and two more sticky traps were brought and placed under my desk.

All afternoon I've wanted to keep my feet UP ON THE DESK instead of using the foot rest.

So again I ask myself the question:  why was this important to post today?  I think it is because we all need to laugh.  If you can picture me with a sticky mouse trap (mouse included) stuck to my shoe and the dance that I was doing to get it off...I know you will laugh.

Our gracious Lord reminds us that "a cheery heart is like a good medicine". 

Being able to laugh is a gracious gift.  I hope I brought a laugh to you with this true story.  And if not, scroll back up to the top of the page and look at Baby C.  She is sure to make you smile.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Crafty

I've been crafty.  Well, crochet crafty. 
This blanket I made while home on surgical leave
 The first person in the livingroom grabs the blanket
so I decided to make a second one.
I finished this second one at the baseball field
this spring.
 My nifty craft bag is portable and allowed me
to start another blanket at the baseball field.
 Single crochet is fast, easy and allows me
to watch Kidlet Three and his team play ball.
 I finished the blanket this weekend.
My flash distorted the color as this is the same
yarn from the picture above.
This blanket will be raffled in a silent auction
in the Relay for Life my parents participate in.
 The yarn is packed and ready for my next project.
I've been asked to make blankets for the hockey and
football fundraisers at Kidlet Three's school.
Both blankets need to be done by July.
Guess I'll need some crafty time in the next month!
Being crafty is amazing fun for me and I'm so happy
I can share my projects with others.