Goodbye Facebook

Some of you might be my friend on facebook and have come searching for me wondering where I have gone. If that is you, I’m glad you found me. Facebook has been a great way to stay in touch with some of my very special friends and family. I love getting on facebook and seeing what my sisters are up to, seeing pictures of all my nephews and nieces...love being able to write to my best friend in Florida, love corresponding with my high school friend who is now a missionary...encouraging a wonderful friend and military wife in Colorado,  love that I am in contact with cousins I haven’t spoken to in  years... and as most of you know I love to debate politics. What I love the most are all the ENCOURAGING posts, status updates, Bible verses and quotes some share. However, I am not a fan of using facebook as a tool to hurt, judge, accuse or make assumptions. There are some posts, quotes that are just so obvious. So this past weekend I realized the best thing for me right now, as hard as it may be, is to take a break from facebook for these three reasons: 

Distraction - it's just not a wise use of my time. 
Drama - 80% of the people on Facebook are pretty normal people, but the other 20% really wear me out! 
Dissension - People airing their personal disputes or opinions of someone else on facebook just isn't the right place.

I decided this on my own accord because I know this is going to be the best for me right now... best for my spiritual walk, for my health and sanity! It will allow me to spend more time with God and my family. I will continue to blog about my family, continue to be that very, very busy soccer and homeschooling mom and continue to be a supportive and wonderful wife to my husband. Oh, and be politically active - find me on twitter! Most of you have my email so feel free to keep in touch. 

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; 

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

So Many Easter Blessings

Easter Sunday... As always, the kiddos couldn't wait to get dressed in their Easter outfits. We then took some pictures and headed to church. We had a fun time in our Sunday School class. We had the kids tell the Easter story to us this year. My favorite part of the morning was worship with our church family.  I am not sure about everyone else but when  I worship on Easter morning it is an experience like none other!

We then headed home and made some side dishes then headed over to my parents for a yummy lunch. Kids enjoyed hunting for eggs, especially the ones filled with money. We went outside to enjoy the beautiful day before heading in for some dessert and a few games of UNO then sang Happy Birthday to my sister Tricia in Colorado. Later that evening the kids enjoyed coloring eggs and then I cleaned up their mess :)

I am so thankful for my family and for another year of Easter memories...

ALIVE! ALIVE!

Look what Mercy's overcome

Death has lost and Love has won

ALIVE! ALIVE!

Hallelujah Risen Lord

The only One I fall before

I am His because He is Alive!

Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing
Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries
The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave.

ALIVE!

Empty Tomb Cookies

Of all the Easter craft ideas we enjoy, this is one of my favorites to do with my kiddos.

 

Empty Tomb Cookies

You will need:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1 cup sugar
a zipper baggy
1 wooden spoon
scotch tape
Bible

Instructions:
These are to be made the evening before Easter. Preheat oven to 300F.
*** (this is very important --- don't wait until you are half done with the recipe).
Place pecans in zipper baggy and let children beat them with the wooden spoon
to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested. He
was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read: John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar
to drink. Read: John 19:28-30

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life
to give us life. Read: John 10:10&11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest
into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers,
and the bitterness of our own sin. Read: Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the
sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to
know and belong to Him. Read: Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins
have been cleansed by Jesus. Read: Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.
Read: Matthew 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read: Matthew 27:65-66

GO TO BED!

Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read: John 16:20&22

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter) morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read: Matthew 28:1-9

Peace

My computer crashed a few weeks back so I am now using another computer upstairs and it is super slow... I have been tempted to just throw it out the window but then I thought: how would my son do his school?  Anyway, hope to have a new one soon so I can blog a little more.  I did want to share something from my devotion this week. It was a total blessing to me and hope it blesses you too!

"Taste and see that I am good. The more intimately you experience Me, the more convinced you become of My goodness. I am the Living One who sees you and longs to participate in your life. I am training you to find Me in each moment and to be a channel of My loving Presence. Sometimes My blessings come to you in mysterious ways: through pain and trouble. At such times you can know My goodness only through your trust in Me. Understanding will fail you, but trust will keep you close to Me.

Thank Me for the gift of My Peace, a gift of such immense proportions that you cannot fathom its depth or breadth. When I appeared to My disciples after the resurrection, it was Peace that I communicated first of all. I knew this was their deepest need: to calm their fears and clear their minds. I also speak Peace to you, for I know your anxious thoughts. Listen to Me! Tune out other voices, so that you can hear Me more clearly. I designed you to dwell in Peace all day, every day. Draw near to Me; receive My Peace."

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
—Psalm 34:8

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 20:19

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Wedding Bliss

This December Jim and I will celebrate 15 years of wedding bliss. I have been so blessed to be married to a wonderful man of God. For the past month our pastor has been going through a marriage series "To Have and To Hold." It has been such a blessing. This past Sunday, March 18, 2012  Jim and I renewed our wedding vows. What an awesome time it was. There were couples all over the church standing up with their loved one. What a blessing it was to share this day with so many of our friends and family. My heart was full of Joy. Like any other married couple, we have had to battle the storms in life. But you know, when life throws bad things at us and lays traps to try to tear apart our relationship we continually stand firm in God. Our love is so strong that we can take life's hits and dance through them together and that is exactly what we have done. We are actually thankful for them because each one has brought us not only closer to each other but  has deepened our walk with the Lord. I thank the Lord for Jim...I am incredibly blessed. I pray we will have many, many more years of happiness and laughter!

March 18, 2012

Spring is Near

I hope you have had a wonderful week. Ours has been great! I have so enjoyed this beautiful weather we are having. I have enjoyed school with the kiddos, sitting outside talking with my mom, watching the kids play in the creek,soccer practice and sewing! I've enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and spots of Spring...it's just around the corner! It's about that time.... Garden time.... and Soccer!

Under His Wings...

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  Psalm 63:7–8

This morning I was so blessed in my devotion time. I read Psalm 63. Just like David, we will have troublesome times, but we can be sure that God will be there for us. The God that has been our help in the past will continue to be our help today and tomorrow.  Troubles and heartache will come but with it comes the hand of God to uphold us and help us. I read this quote in my devotion today:

Our faith is not based on promise alone, it is also based upon our past experiences.  So, it is reasonable to expect help from God.  God’s help is also personal.  David said, “Thou hast been MY HELP.”  Thank God we are not alone; God is our help!

How awesome to know that God knows what we are going through and he is bringing us through it for a purpose.All the darts Satan throws our way, God will always be there and that should bring us great joy and much rejoicing. I love the verse above. When our hearts are broken He hides us under the shadow of His wings and there is nothing in this life that can penetrate that Heavenly covering.  Under His wings, we are helped, comforted, secure and rested.  There are times you have to just let go and let God... give it ALL to God and allow Him to do the mending... He is always there to hear our every prayer, so I'm clinging to that promise of a lifetime! 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds...