Hello!

{Kneeling is my daughter Samantha and her fiancé, Jarrett. 

Back row from left to right is Andrew, Jonathan, Myself, Scott - holding Lizzy and Christopher)

It's been pretty quiet around this blog for the last month.  I've needed to slow life down and refocus a bit.  I've missed being in this space and keeping a record of our days though so I hope to be back soon.  I wanted to pop in and wish my friends who read here a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours. 

Psalm 27

This week I started memorizing Psalm 27.  It is one of my favorite Psalms and one that I had wanted to memorize.  Psalm 27:13-14 was very important to me last winter, very close to this time of the year in fact, when I had a herniated disc in my lower back.  The Lord used those Scripture verses to encourage me; what better way to remember them than to memorize them!

 

Won't you join us? It's not to late.  Visit the Do Not Depart blog HERE to register.

First Snow of the Season - traditions

In our family we have a tradition to celebrate the first snowfall of the winter season and yesterday we had the first snow of the season - we bring our red and blue snowman cookie jar out from the cupboard storage and fill it with freshly baked cookies. 

Usually our first batch of cookies are Grandma Sue's soft sugar cookies (recipe to follow), but first a bit about the snow or lack thereof!  I thought we were going to have this big "snow event" and to be sure some areas did get snow.  Many of our friends got over a foot of snow but down here in the south (45 miles) we got just a trace.  Poor Andrew, the only one who was really looking forward to getting snow this early, walked down the stairs this morning with a disgusted look on his face, pointed out the window and said, "This!  This is NOT snow!"  Haha!

Now onto our favorite sugar cookie recipe! 

Soft Sugar Cookies

1 C. butter
1 C. shortening   (I use 2 cups of butter flavored Crisco)
1 C. sugar
1 C. powdered sugar
2 eggs
4 C. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. pure vanilla
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Cream butter, shortening, sugar and eggs.  Add vanilla, baking soda and cream of tartar and mix well.  Add in the flour by cupfulls, mixing well between each one.  Roll into balls and then roll in sugar.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  You want them to look not quite done but not too soft.  Cool on rack for two minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.  If you want the cookies to stay softer store them in a tupperware or rubber container - they will get a little harder being stored in a cookie jar.

Enjoy!  If you make these for your family, let me know how you like the recipe.

Blessings,
Theresa

Daybook

For Today...

Monday, November 10th, 2014

 

 

Outside my window...  the morning light is beginning to break forth.  I thought I would wake to a ground covered in snow but so far there is just a dusting. 

 

 

I am hearing... beautiful piano music by Paul Cardall

 

 

I am thinking... that I will enjoy another cup of coffee with cream and coconut sugar while I listen to this beautiful music.  Mmm

 

 

  I am thankful...

• for a wonderful week full of so many blessings
• game night with my family
• God's word
• Sunday afternoon talks with my boys - always lots to share after fellowshipping with friends.
• being able to have my nephew spend the weekend with us
• that I can worship God through the creativity He's given to me
• beautiful piano music to soothe my soul
• for the wonderful years with our sweet Sheltie, Tess who we had to put down on Friday - very unexpectedly. 

 

{Tyler and Andrew playing legos}

 

 

{Lizzy wanted to play rummy too.  She went from lap to lap.  At one point we put her bed on a chair because she was crying so much to be part of the action.  ☺  Sleepy Jon in the background}

 

 

{Andrew showing Sammi his hand - there were two separate games going so she was helping him decide what to do.}

 

 

{Tess}

 

 I am wearing... a new white nightgown with lavender trim and flowers. 

 

 I am creating... planner pages.  Last week's theme before I started to fill in the details and then the start to this week - decorated for our first snow.

 

 

  I am enjoying...

 

 

I am wondering...  if I can get all of my Christmas shopping done before December this year.  It is a goal each year but never happens. 

 

 I am reading... through the Bible with my Good Morning Girls group.  I read Genesis 41 this morning.  I am almost finished with Aunt Jane's Hero - I probably could have finished it last night but I was so sore (knee problem) and decided to take an extra long hot soak in the tub.  By the time I crawled in between the sheets I was too tired to read. 

 

 I am hoping (trusting God)... for the salvation of some very precious loved ones and for my older children to be led by God in all areas of their lives.  For the love I have for my children to be clearly understood in even all of the little unseen things I do for them. 

 

 

 Around the house... we got the yard prepared for our big "snow event" that was supposed to happen but thus far seems to have taken a break. 

 

  In the kitchen...  We have a tradition to bake cookies on the first snowfall of the season and fill our winter snowman cookie jar.  We only use this cookie jar in the winter.  I'll have one of the boys get the cookie jar from the closet and wash it up while we make cookies. 

  

I am (still) learning… to let go and let God.  It is best to be taught by Him.  This is such an old entry but it is still so applicable.  Even this morning as I read and studied in Genesis 41 - Joseph who had been called forth from prison to interpret the Pharaoh's dream had two sons.  He named the first Mannaseh and the second Ephraim.  Mannaseh means to cause to forget and Ephraim, fruitful.  Joseph was able to "let go" of the unkindness and betrayal of his brethren and rejoice in the affliction of his current situation.  I have seen this played out in my own life.  How graciously God has healed hurts and after letting go of them He's brought His peace and joy even if still in the midst of affliction.  I also think that I have been more spiritually fruitful during those times of affliction - I've realized I really do have no control and the only right way to respond is to come before Him in total surrender and cling to Him. 

 A quote to share...  “If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out… Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter… Do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself.” (St. Charles Borromeo)

 

 A few plans for this week:  If we get all of the expected snow they say we are to get, I am looking forward to staying home.  As much as I am not looking forward to the cold returning I do love that feeling of winter - where you feel all tucked in.  ☺ Just the normal activities this week with a possible skating day on Wednesday.

 

 A peek into one of my days... on Friday's, in my Facebook Bible study group I put up a new Fun Friday question each week.  Sometimes they are serious... sometimes silly.  Here is this week's question.  I would LOVE to hear your answer in the comment section - I'm sure others would too!  My Scripture and answer is below.

 

Luke 7:36-39 - "Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.  And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."

This account has always touched me… The courage and vulnerability of this woman, a sinner (aren’t we all!), to enter into the Pharisee’s house to see Jesus and then cling to and weep upon His feet is so raw and pure – her need of a Savior overtook every inhibition she had.  May I be as she… pouring out my life at His feet.  Tossing out all pretenses and man made expectations and worship my King.

 

  This post is linked at The Simple Woman's blog.

Daybook

For Today...

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

 

 

Outside my window...  it is dark... almost bedtime and boy oh boy am I ready for it!

 

I am hearing... Christopher and Andrew working on a snap together model at the kitchen table.

 

 

 

I am thinking... about what a wonderful week we've had.  We celebrated Andrew's 12th birthday and had a special surprise birthday tea for a friend of mine and overnight guests. 

 

{Andrew before opening gifts}

 

{My oldest two, with their dad who is an expert photo bomber}

 

 

  I am thankful...

• for God bringing restoration to relationships
• Birthday celebrations
• beautiful piano music
• for a wonderful time of celebration and fellowship on Monday and Tuesday with a lovely group of ladies.
• For lively music filling my home
• Late night chats with friends
• Overnight guests
• Seeing the heart and desire of a friends daughter to be taught and mentored
• For this sweet entry my daughter left in our thankful journal.
• A new to me tea flavor that Sarah brought and left for me yesterday.  Bengal Spice with cream and honey added.  Mmm

 

 

 I am wearing... a jean skirt, floral tank and a grey zip up workout sweatshirt.

 

 I am creating... journals.  A friend shared with me about her journaling - it was very inspiring.  I of course had to add my own artsy flair to it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm also knitting new dishcloths for me.  Mine were getting faded and very full of holes.  Here is my favorite pattern. 

 

 

I also made Andrew a Packers fleece blanket for a birthday gift.

 



 

 

 

  I am enjoying...  this Stephen Marq cd right now. 

 

 

I am wondering...  When I'll warm up!  We've been home for over 2 hours and my fingers and toes are still cold.  Burr!  Guess I should have worn a jacket.

 

 I am reading... through the Bible with my Good Morning Girls group.  I read Genesis 35 this morning.  I am about half way through Aunt Jane's Hero. 

 

 

I am praying (trusting God)...

• for the salvation of some very precious loved ones and for my older children to be led by God in all areas of their lives.
• For a friend who is to deliver soon
• Another friend who is in the hospital
• For ladies in my Bible study group who've recently lost loved ones.

 

 In the learning room...  We had a day off this week and have had computer problems which delayed the boys' math for a day.  I'm debating on whether or not we should school on Saturday this week or just let it go.

 

 

 Around the house... Things are neat and in order and I aim to keep them that way.  I'm hoping to get back to my room zone chore charts.  Here are some pictures of the guest bedroom that we decorated this week.

 

 

  In the kitchen... We've had lots of sweets and treats this week - so on the marketing list for this week I'll be adding in more fruits and veggies.  After my friend Brenda mentioned they were having chili for supper I now have a craving for it.  Definitely going to make some this weekend. 

Isn't this a creative Rice Krispie treat!  A sweet 9 year old named Esther made it and brought it over for our party on Monday.

 

 

I am learning… to listen to my body and slow down.

 

 A Scripture to share...  "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."  Romans 13:14

 

 A few plans for this week:  Hopefully we can lay low the rest of the week after the busy excitement at the beginning of the week.  Our daughter and her boyfriend are coming on Friday for supper and to play cards so I'm looking forward to that.  :)

 

 A peek into one of my days...  A cutesy new lamp for my kitchen counter.

 

 

  This post is linked at The Simple Woman's blog

A Greater Grace

 

"And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men.  And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids.  And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost. And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.  And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.  And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.  Then the handmaidens came near and their children, and they bowed themselves.  And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.  And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.  And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself."

Genesis 33:1-9

Twenty years earlier Jacob, after deceiving his father Isaac into giving him his brother Esau’s blessing, fled to his mother's brother’s house to escape the anger of his brother.  Genesis 27:41 says that Esau hated Jacob and that after the days of mourning for his father were over he had plans to slay Jacob.  For twenty years Jacob worked and served his uncle Laban and God had prepared and blessed him during that time.  God was now calling Jacob to return to the land of his fathers but what would he be met with?  Did Esau’s anger still burn so strong that he wanted to slay Jacob? 

Have you ever so messed up or even allowed the busyness of “life” to put distance between you and God that you didn’t know how you could get back into God’s favor?  Or maybe you thought you had to come to Him with works and offerings.  Thinking you must deny or prove your devotion to Him in order to be accepted.  Oh dear heart, have you?  I have.  I’ve tried to appease God – so many times I have allowed the enemy to skew my view of God or have taken my finite knowledge and relational experience and applied it to my relationship with God.  If we were honest, I believe we all have.

Beloved, His LOVE and GRACE and MERCY and TENDERNESS and FORGIVENESS towards us is SO great and He desires for each of us to know it.

“…that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.” 

Ephesians 3:17-19

I know my own anxiousness and trepidation when coming before Him after times of separation.  What was Esau’s response?

He RAN!

Esau ran to meet Jacob!  He embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him and wept!   He didn't want the droves sent as an offering - he wanted only the restoration between himself and his brother.  Oh the grace!  I read that and heard the Spirit of God speak these grace words to me.

 “Theresa, why did you bring all of this to Me?  Sweet, precious, daughter, I do not require this of you.  You do not need to appease Me or buy back My love toward you.  I have already secured your place in My Son!  My love for you is everlasting.  My grace for you is in Jesus.  Daughter, I desire you to have a broken and contrite heart before Me (Psalm 51:17).  A heart that trusts and is wholly Mine – surrendered (Proverbs 3:5-6).   You are a chosen generation, chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world that you should show forth the praises of Me who has called you out of darkness and into my marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:4).

 Why do I complicate something that is so simple – Come before Him with a broken and contrite spirit.  Confess my sins (1 John 1:9), trust in His forgiveness and faithfulness and show forth His praises (goodness). 

Father, I lift up each one that might read here today, Lord I pray that we might wholly surrendered to You and allow Your Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all Truth.  Father I pray that we would no longer allow the enemy or our humanness to replace Your words spoken to us and over us.  May we be renewed in mind as we read and meditate on Your word and have complete trust and confidence in You.  Thank you for Your Son, Jesus and for the picture of grace you showed to me today in this story of Jacob and Esau.   May we give as we have been freely given,  In your name I pray, Amen.   

 

  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Isaiah 1:18

Be Still

 

Be Still My Soul ~ My memory hymn for the month of November.  The Lord keeps bringing me to this; Be still, my soul.  At our church we sing the following three verses so these will be the ones I will use for memory work.

 

 

Be Still, My Soul

 

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heav'nly friend

Thro' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

 

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be Still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

 

Be still, my soul: the hour is hast'ning on

When we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Daybook

For Today...

Monday, October 27th, 2014

 

 

Outside my window...  it is dark... but there is still a bit of orange from the beautiful sunset this evening.

 

I am hearing... Christopher practicing piano.

 

 

I am thinking... about the fun date night that Scott and I had last night.  It was a themed date with many different activities and it was so much fun!  Perhaps I'll share in another post.  If you don't already, can I encourage you to date your husband?  It is such fun!  <3  Here is a picture taken before we left for our date.

 

 

 (windy day... blowing my skirt around)  ☺

 

  I am thankful...

• for my wonderful, hard-working, witty, easy natured and playful husband.
• Our successful shopping trip on Saturday.  We found clothing for everyone that coordinates for our up-coming family pictures.

 

 

 I am wearing... a new jean skirt and a mint green and white striped top.

 

 I am creating... Not a lot of crafting this week.  I am making a tied fleece Packers blanket for Andrew's birthday and we've been cleaning and getting our extra bedrooms ready for overnight guests.

 

 

  I am enjoying... the beautiful weather we've been having lately but tomorrow it will change - temps will drop almost 20 degrees and be wet. 

 

 

I am wondering...  What to serve at a ladies birthday tea I am hosting next Monday.

 

 I am reading... through the Bible with my Good Morning Girls group.  I read Genesis 30 this morning.  I am finished the Ruth Bell Graham book but haven't started a new one yet.  I have a few in my stack but not sure which to start with.  We are finished up the Tanglewoods Secret book last week and started Star of Light.    So many good books... not enough time!  Argh.

 

 I am hoping (trusting God)... for the salvation of some very precious loved ones and for my older children to be led by God in all areas of their lives.

 

 In the learning room...  plugging away... nothing super exciting.  ☺

Last week Andrew made some potato stamps.  He had fun stamping an envelope to send to his friend Phoebie in Wyoming.

 

 

 

 Around the house... The leaves are officially off the trees and have been mown and mulched.  We still have our volley ball net up in hopes of a few more games before the snow arrives. 

Inside, as mentioned before, we are getting our two spare bedrooms ready for guests. 

 

 

  In the kitchen... For dinner tonight we had meatballs, baked potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie for dessert.  Mmm

 

 

I am (still) learning… to let go and let God.  It is best to be taught by Him.

 

 A Scripture to share...  "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word, be won by the conversation of the wives;"  1 Peter 3:1

 

 A few plans for this week:  We picked up my husbands new (to him) semi this morning and did some car schooling.  Christopher has Civil Air Patrol and I plan to spend a quiet evening at the coffee shop while he's there.  I have shopping to do and need to make Andrew's birthday present yet, Saturday he'll be turning 12!

 

 A peek into one of my days...

 

 

  This post is linked at The Simple Woman's blog.