Family

I am back and it is Thankful Thursday.  After a brief visit from dad and mom, I have a renewed thanksgiving for family.  What a great design, that we are placed into families with the inner desire to care for one another.  This world has become so sin-cursed that many have suppressed that love or fail to feel it any more causing division in families and homes.  We have no guarantee of how long we will have any particular family member here on earth - let's appreciate the time God gives us!

Our visit included a night to chat, a trip to chapel, a trip to Lowes to get some lumber that just won't fit in a Focus, the introduction to boiled peanuts and Peach Cider, and a trip to King's Mountain National Military Park for a picnic, some history, and a hike.

Thanks dad and mom for 34 years of provision and guidance which continue to this day.  Thanks for driving some 27 hours to visit for about 48 hours this week.  I hope that it didn't take too much out of you.  Thanks for finding us some bargains and sharing of your abundance.  Thanks for sharing your van so that we could do some hauling while you were down.  Thanks for coming to chapel and sharing in our day to day life.

I am also blessed to have a husband who desires to take the leadership role in our home and who understands and ever improves the way to love and encourage his wife (that's me!)  It is nice this week to be on Fall Break and to have some extra time together.

God is good. 

May I ever see that and desire to follow His plan for families.

A welcoming meal

We have family coming for a visit today, and they will be with us for a few days.  There may be a lapse in blog entries until after our visit.  Our guests have quite the drive today and will be in for supper tonight. I have plans to make some Hearty Chicken and Noodles.  It is basically a chicken-noodle soup, but not an excess of broth.  I hope that it will feed for tonight and also for lunch tomorrow.  Our guests are bringing steaks for dinner on Tuesday night - hubby and I are really looking forward to that - what a treat!

Hearty Chicken and Noodles

2 pounds chicken pieces

2 1/4 c water

1 - 14 oz can chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1 tsp dried thyme

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 c sliced carrots

1 1/2 c chopped onion

3 c dried wide noodles (6 oz)

2 c milk

1 c frozen peas

2 T flour

1.  Skin Chicken.

2.  Combine chicken, water, broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper.  Add carrots and onions.  Bring to boil, reduce heat.  Simmer, covered, about 30 min. or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.

3.  Discard bay leaf.  Remove chicken from pan; cool slightly.  Remove meat from bones; discard bones.  Chop or shred chicken and set aside.

4.  Return vegetable mixture to boiling.  Add noodles; cook, uncovered for 5 minutes.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups milk and the peas.

5.  Mix 1/2 c milk and flour.  Stir into noodle mixture.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.  Stir in chicken.  Cook for 1-2 minutes more until mixture is heate through.

Makes 6 servings.  316 calories per serving.

As I type, I have the desire for some nice warm bread or rolls to go with our dinner.  We'll see if that happens.  The possibles bags are coming along.  Had some kinks to work out since I am not working with a pattern and hubby has grand plans on improvements to the original model :)  I think that they will turn out great - just a little taxing to my abilities :)

Must get back to work - 2 loads of wash await the clothesline and a bag of pears must become a pie and maybe some muffins or sweet bread.

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily;

as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive

the reward of the inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.

AAHH! Saturday!

Well, another week is through.  It was a very good week.  I finished my niece's sewing projects early in the week and have a small pile of parts to make possibles bags today.  Haven't heard of a possibles bag?  Originally they were small bags that young colonial girls kept their sewing work in.  In our home it is a bag that carries caps, balls, ramrods, gun powder ... while going to shoot the muzzleloader.  I came up with a pattern over a year ago when we began pricing commercial versions.  I made one, but hubby would like one that is a bit stiffer ... so here we go.  I got the garden ripped out this week and a fresh batch of compost mixed in to start getting ready for next year.  Still plugging away at the violin.  My teacher is pleased and I am just looking for consistency on intonation (hitting an F when I want an F instead of an E or an F#).  He suggested that I play some of the hymns that I have been working on for offertories ... maybe, not yet!

Hubby only has one more exam left.  So far things have gone well.  Even in the midst of studying he was able to stay about 3 weeks ahead on his work.  He felt relaxed enough that we had another date yesterday afternoon.  He was going to take me for one of our walk/runs after classes yesterday when I suggested a hike at South Mountain.  He took me up on it!  It was beautiful up there.  We had had some rain, so some of the trees were bare, but there was still some color around us.  We love FALL!  Then we went for some Sesame Chicken and then a walk around the campus of Gardener Webb University.  We followed that with Seedline at Church where we are putting John/Romans together to send for distribution at the World Cup in South Africa next year.  Last night we were staplers!

Today is cleaning day.  I need to get things in shape for company next week.  Yep - having some family head our way for a few days.  After the cleaning I will work on the possibles bags - I think Muzzleloader season opens next week.  Then I think it is homemade pizza night!  Tonight is Sausage and artichoke hearts - maybe a pepperoncini or two.

Then, tomorrow is our favorite day.  We will be in the Lord's House on His day and worshipping with His people.  What change will He have for us tomorrow?  What friend will we need to build up?  or who will build us up?  What stranger will visit and become a friend?

Have a good day, friends! 

Praise the Lord for His goodness

and rejoice in His mercy.

ALL THINGS!

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things

 unto God and the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;...

It is Thankful Thursday and there is always much to be thankful for.  The Word says to be thankful in ALL things ... some are easy, some are more difficult.  I am so thankful this week for the beautiful sunshine and the crisp morning air.  I am thankful that the air conditioning is off until April or May.  I am thankful that it is cool at night so we sleep so much better.  I am thankful for the leaves that are slowly changing color here in NC.  I am thankful for a God who thought to give us a world full of beauty and color.  I am thankful for those who come along beside us and encourage, exhort, rebuke us.  I am thankful for daily food and shelter.  I am thankful for thsoe who have invested in my life that God might use me in so many ways.  I am thankful for salvation and knowing that my life is in God's hands.

There are the difficult things too.  I am thankful for the changes in life (moves, separations, long nights of study or work) that force me to rely on God.  I am thankful for the trials that make my prayers so much more earnest and fervent.  I am thankful for the delays that test my persistence and patience.  I am thankful that I am not in control.  I am thankful for the tests that try my faith.  I am thankful for little babies that may bring a tear to my eye, but joy in the marvel of God's design.  I am thankful that for everyday that I feel weak in myself, that I have a Heavenly Father who is omnipotent and ready to hold me up.  I am thankful that though America is failing, I still live in the best country on earth.  I am thankful that my salvation is not dependent upon my feelings, moods, or actions. 

No, the thanksgiving does not always flow as freely as it ought.  Nevertheless, God never ceases to give good gifts to His children.  Lets recognize His goodness today and everyday.

Inside and Outside

Ecclesiastes 3:2b

...a time to plant,

 and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

I spent some time outdoors yesterday afternoon.  It is fall here and we are having beautiful weather this week.  The nights are very chilly and the days are sunny and warming into the 70s.  It appears that what remained in the garden did not appreciate two nights at about 32 degrees, so it was time "to pluck up."  It is sad to see the empty garden, but I rejoice in thinking of the next years produce while the earth rests.

Today there are clothes drying out in the cool morning sunshine and I think that I will warm the house with some baking.  It is midterm time and I think that I will bake for 3 college students at church (and my own dear hubby).  I think I will make some pumpkin bread, some ginger bars, and some no bake cookies and stick in some microwave pop corn to go with it.  That should warm the house and create such a pleasant smell.

BTW - Midterms are going well - 5 done today and 4 more to go (3 Friday and 1 on Monday).  Also the rough draft of the research paper came back and there is no need for a final paper - HOORAY!

It seems that this week, I am working on faith - trusting God that His way and timing are perfect.  Sometimes our view does not let us see the end result.  We know that we are supposed to be here in NC and Chris is supposed to be studying for the ministry, but we can't see the end result right now - there are too many obstacles in the way.  The flesh wants to give up, but the Christian life and walk requires faith to trust the good hand of our God upon us.  He has repeatedly shown us that this is the path, we have but to walk in it.

Our struggles remind me of a poem and song about a weaving.  The gist of the prose is that we only see the underside of the work, while Christ sees the finished products.  The back of my stitching projects are full of knots, dragged stitches, color changes - it really is hard to see any beauty there, but the end result is beautiful and that is why the stitches and colors were chosen.

So ... keep trusting.  Keep believing in God's plan.  How 'bout you?  Are you doubting His plan and His goodness today?  Why not just trust him.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments:

for this is the whole duty of man.

Still Working on Things!

Well, I am back from a Wednesday shopping trip.  Not a lot to get today, but RiteAid was "giving away" a lot of cold, flu, sore throat, allergy supplies.  I spent $32 and plan to get $31 back!  If I had not left my $5 off coupon, I could have made $4 just by going!  I also found some flower bulbs 1/2 price at Wally-world and look forward to some early Spring color around the trailer (if I can decide where to plant them).  I got some tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, anemones, and dad is bringing me some crocus bulbs from NY in a few weeks.

What other woman's work am I up to ... I am happy to report that the first draft of hubby's research paper is now turned in, so I have a few weeks off from editing and formatting.  Now I am on to skirt and night gown making for a niece in NY, finishing a blanket that I started crocheting in WA, and making Possibles Bags for a few old-time hunters that I know.  I guess the sewing machine will be busy for a little while. 

As I sit down to type, I can see how God continues to work in my life.  Recently, I was challenged about giving to God and others - even when things look tight.  As a family, we "tested" God and He has again proven faithful.  A check came in the mail at the end of that month for some of my piano students.  I didn't require payment, but God used their grandmother anyway!  Our God is AWESOME!

I am still working on those meek and quiet spirit robbers with some successes and many more failures.  Sometimes I battle the physical body which does not always have the energy that I think it should have.  Recently, it has been changes in MY schedule.  I am still learning that my time is not my own, it should all be for the Lord.  Unexpected school assignments, changes in visitation plans, no car when I think that I need to run somewhere ... why should these upset me?

In the process of submitting my time to Him, He has also blessed.  Hubby got to come home early yesterday because the class hour was talking about dating - his teacher told him to go home and keep dating his wife.  Plenty of oohs and aahs from the Freshman around him.  We got to take a run together before lunch and then before bed last night we had some pumpkin cheesecake and a cup of coffee!  Ah!  Peaceful moments...  Hubby also came home from work on Saturday early because there was nothing more to do.  He finished his schoolwork and we used a giftcard from his birthday and a coupon from the paper for a "Free" meal at Olive Garden.  Oh, and on the way home we picked up an kiddie cone at Chik-fil-A with a free coupon!  What a date night!

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and his righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.

Still Singing a Tune!

Well it is Tuesday and time to tell what tune is going through my mind.  Hubby and I are preparing to sing on Sunday morning, so that particular song is going through my head.  It is a song called "Savior, Lead Us" by Mac Lynch.  The second verse particularly runs through my mind.

Friends may harm us, foes alarm us.

This will push us to our knees.

Unknown testings, trials and wrestlings,

what are these, dear Lord, to Thee?

Though the path be unclear

and we're tempted to fear,

Blessed Shepherd, lead us onward, bring us home.

Our world is highly unsettled, but what is that to the Lord who sees and knows all.  We are driven so often by our finite view of what is happening when we just need to allow God to lead us and to use the situations around us to drive us closer to Him.

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my Shepherd,

I shall not want.

Good to be Back!

Oh, it is so nice to be back online.  The phone line problem was relatively simple.  It seems that when we had the siding on our trailer fixed, the workman crushed our phone line and caused all kinds of static.  For those of you are no longer using the "dinosaur" dial-up ... excessive static leads to constant disconnections from the internet and EXTREMELY slow surfing (yes, dial up can get slower).  I am so thankful that my husband has the know-how to take care of some of these things for us.

So hopefully I can be back to blogging.  It is Monday and time for a recipe.  Two Saturdays ago, I wanted to make some treats while hubby was writing his large research paper (which is almost ready for its first submission).  I asked what he would like.  His first response was ... something you can share with me.  You see, I have been "Chocolate Free" for about 2 months now.  Doing pretty well with that, but greatly limits the desserts that I can share with him.  Anyway - I dug out the bakiing cookbooks and he added ... lets have something with a taste of fall ... nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon ...  YUM!  I chose some "Soft Spice Bars" and they were a BIG hit.  It seems that once I covered them with some icing, they became "Ginger Cremes" a recipe I had been looking for since we married 7 years ago because they were one of hubby's favorites growing up.  This recipe is great with some coffee or with a cup of Vanilla Chai or some "Gingersnappish" tea.

SOFT SPICE BARS

3/4 c. butter, melted

1 c plus 2 TBS sugar, divided

1/4 c molasses

1 egg

2 c flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

In large mixing bowl, combine butter, 1 c of sugar and molasses.

Beat in egg until smoot.

Combine flour, soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves;

stir into the molasses mixture.

Spread into a greased 15 in x 10 in x 1 in baking pan.

Sprinkle with remaining sugar.

Bake at 375* for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool on wire rack.

Cut into bars.

These taste like gingersnaps, but are soft.  I love the recipe because they go together very quickly - no chilling, no rolling, no dropping ...  ENJOY!