Thanksgiving...

Thanks To God

by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945)

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,

Thanks for all Thou dost provide!

Thanks for times now but a memory,

Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,

Thanks for dark and stormy fall!

Thanks for tears by now forgotten,

Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,

Thanks for what Thou dost deny!

Thanks for storms that I have weathered,

Thanks for all Thou dost supply!

Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,

Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure,

Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,

Thanks for thorns their stems contain!

Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,

Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!

Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,

Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!

Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,

Thanks through all eternity!

Wordless Wednesday...

Tuesday Twilight Review...

Well, I succumbed to the hype and got on the waiting list for "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer. The movie just came out...and that always sort of "cools my desire." The reviews weren't very good. I talked to a librarian friend of mine and she said she read them all in one week. I generally share her taste in books so had her put me on the list.

So, to my surprise the book was already available from the library. I started it...big mistake. It was so enthralling that I couldn't put it down. I read it all in ONE DAY! And, just for the record...it is really really mean to put the first chapter of the next book at the end like that!!!

So, my review...obviously, I liked it. I haven't seen the movie...and probably won't. Generally, I'm a BIG movie snob--when it comes from a good book. My saying is something like...Read the BOOK!! Case in point...Prince Caspian. Ugh...kissing....argh!

Just a piece of advice (for myself and others)...don't start reading this unless you really have the time. Otherwise, the laundry doesn't get done, the kids don't get attention, etc. etc. Ha ha ha! Thankfully, my husband really loves me and shares my passion for books! It all worked out...he went upstairs and got some finances and paperwork done!

Memory Monday...Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal but keep you spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, "It is mine to avenge, I will repay." says the Lord. On the contrary, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Not bad...only three minor booboos. I had return instead of repay...the wrath of God instead of God's wrath...and give him something to eat instead of feed him. I'll chalk those up to translation issues.

Next week...I'll be working on 1 Chronicles 29:10b-13. If you'd like more info. on this idea here's the link. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Not I , but Christ...

Not I, but Christ be honored, loved, exalted,
Not I, but Christ be seen, be known and heard;
Not I, but Christ in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ in every thought and word.

Oh, to be saved from myself,
dear Lord,Oh, to be lost in Thee,
Oh, that it may be no more I,
But Christ that lives in me.

Not I, but Christ to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ to hush away all fear.

Christ, only Christ, no idle word e'er falling,
Christ, only Christ, no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ, no self-important bearing,
Christ, only Christ, no trace of I be found.

Not I, but Christ my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for spirit, soul, and body,
Christ, only Christ, live then Thy life in me.

Christ, only Christ, ere long will fill my vision,
Glory excelling soon, full soon I'll see;
Christ, only Christ, my every wish fulfilling,
Christ, only Christ, my all in all to be.

by Mrs. A.A. Whiddington (19th Century)

This is one of my favorite hymns. I was reminded of it this week...as it came up in our Bible study. Elizabeth George also read a poem that went something like this...
"Say NO not only to the wrong and sinful...
but to the pleasant, profitable and good...
If it clogs our chief duty grand and glorious."

She continues to challenge my heart with becoming a woman after God's own heart by making daily time, focusing on my daily walk, with a daily desire for His Word.

"Good. Better. Best.
Never let it rest...
Until your good is better...
And your better best."

Friday Fill-ins!

1. The last band I saw live was Point of Grace in 2001 at Cedarville.

2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie, no wait, pecan pie, no pumpkin, no....hehehe you get the idea!

3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is always done by Thanksgiving.

4. Thoughts of gluten filled holiday goodies fill my head.

5. I wish I could wear hats without my hair being flattened.

6. Bagpipes make me feel sad and excited all at the same time.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relax and enjoy movie night with the fam, tomorrow my plans include getting my unibrow seperated with hot wax, and Sunday, I want to enjoy the Praise Banquet!

To learn more about Friday Fill-ins go Here.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies...

Emma and I made these out of the Betty Crocker Cookie Book. They were super easy!

One box brownie mix (9 X 13 size)
1/4 c. water
1 egg

Mix into stiff dough!
Spray hands with Pam
Roll into 1 inch balls.
Roll in powdered sugar.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Chewy and Awesome!!

Wordless Wednesday...

Fall Into Reading Frozen...

Just wanted to update my Fall Into Reading Challenge stuffs.

I have frozen the following for the winter...
Blue Fairy by Andrew Lang possibly out of print and lost in my library
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer on really really long waiting list at library

I'm still working on...

Being The Parent You Want To Be by Drs. Parrott
It's still going well. My husband and I are reading this together.
The Needle's Eye by Margaret Drabble
Gammage Cup by Carol Kendall
The House That Cleans Itself by Mindy Starns Clark haven't borrowed it from friend yet

I will make a list of the books/authors that have distracted me. There were some really good ones and I wouldn't want anyone to miss out!

To check out my original list go here.

Memory Monday...Romans 12:9-13

I was so excited to hear about this Meme from Kayren and immediately began thinking of which passage I wanted to choose! This is something I've been wanting to do...knowing that I needed to...but not having the gumption or accountability. Thanks for coming up with this idea.

I recently received part of this passage in a letter regarding a sick child. It stuck with me. I want to memorize the entire end of the chapter for next week but here is the first part now.

From Memory: NIV version, emphasis mine

Romans 12: 9-13

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Bathroom Redo...

Well, this would be a lot more interesting if I could find the before pictures that I'd taken for ya'll but watcha gonna do? Just imagine blue and white striped wallpaper done by a drunk! The drywall was damaged because they stuck the wallpaper directly to it...so the walls are now Olympic Drifting Dune with a neato crackle texture! HA!

Notice our turtle toy catcher....he totally rocks! Got him at Meijer for under $10. The wall art in white I got at Goodwill for a dollar each. The curtain I got at Walmart.

This white cabinet we got at Lowe's at the end of season sale for 75% off the 25% price. We paid something like $12 for it when it was all said and done! We bought it two years ago when I originally had this crazy plan!

Here's a closer shot of my Goodwill art and the light cover that was here when we moved in!

Emma and I made this fishy art! Tissue paper and Elmer's glue with some water and paint brushes! Lots of messy fun! I made the Jesus loves me piece too! Awww!

So, Grandma...we are all set for you to visit for Christmas. We even have a towel rack for you to use now! Wah hoo!

Friday Fill-ins!

1. Please feel free to send me new recipes.
2. When I get flowers from my hubby I can't help sniffing them occasionally.
3. My favorite thing to cook is Perfect Parmesan Pork.
4. Coffee is something I can't get enough of.
5. That's the thing I love most about Starbucks cards from my secret sister.
6. CNN, ABC, NBC always makes me think to myself, what the heck?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to priming the bathroom walls tomorrow my plans include painting the bathroom walls and Sunday, I want to go out with some girlfriends for dinner! ...all while caring for a sick baby, of course!

To learn more about Friday Fill-ins go Here.

Thankful Thursday...

I am thankful:

1. ...For a warm house.

2. ...For a great washer and dryer.

3. ...For my sweet babes sleeping through the night...most of the time.

4. ...For a family that loves me.

5. ...For praying friends at church who love me.

6. ...For good Dr.s and insurance.

7. ...For a strong, dependable, hardworking and loving husband.

8. ...For a sanitation dept. that picks up my garbage, sucks up my leaves, and waves to my kids!

9. ...For a patient and loving God.

10. ...For a chance to write my praises down!

Wordless Wednesday of the Past...

Company Picnic at Connor Prairie...

Darren's company had their annual picnic at Connor Prairie this year. A picnic in November could have been a real disaster but we were blessed with a gorgeous weekend...in the 70s! The hayride was super neat...with the headless horseman riding out! Cool! The kids really enjoyed the animals.

Emma loved this cow milking play area. It was rigged with water so that when you squeezed it "milked" like a real cow!

Friday Fill-ins!

1. My blueprint for success includes God's Word.

2.Sweet Tarts from my kids' Halloween stash was the last candy I ate.

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Oil of Olay.

4. Starbucks with a friend can be good therapy.

5. I'd like to tell you about my true post election feelings, but I won't.

6. Honesty is my strongest characteristic. (Enthusiasm, Frankness, etc.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to filling perscriptions and buying meds tomorrow my plans include taking care of my sick hubby and kids and Sunday, I want to rest and work on Christmas present projects!

To learn more about Friday Fill-ins go Here.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden's getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

I don't know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.

And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood.

by Ira Stanphill

Voting Victory!

I'm so grateful for my husband's support. He went with me to vote this morning.

Now, that might seem like no big deal to some of you. It means a lot to me. Dealing with the two kids alone wouldn't have been fun.

We waited an hour and a half!

We live in a large precinct...go us!

We could have split it up...him go in the morning...me at night...but we wouldn't see each other at all...and the bigger reason...we want them to know this is important.

Emma was very excited to go vote. We even taught her a little cheer....

"No bama, No bama, NO!...GO MCCAIN!"

I said I was going to have her tell it to the exit poll people but we ran out of time. So sad! Some of you may be in shock...yes, this is a partisan post. Gasp!

Oh well, you'll live!

Marriage Monday...

"The Grace of Christian Marriage"

As I was thinking through this topic, I asked my husband to define grace for me. He said, "it's undeserved favor." I like that definition. I've also heard it referred to as unmerited favor...God's sufficiency...God's fullness. As Christians we realize that God's grace is indeed undeserved. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...that saved a wretch like me." But not only are we saved by the grace of God--we also serve the Lord and live the Christian life by the grace of God. Because we realize how important God's grace is to us...and hopefully being humbled by this thought...we bring that grace into our marriages.


1 Pet. 4:8, "Love deeply because love covers a multitude of sins...vs. 10 administering God's grace in its various forms." I was drawn into this passage and back tracked to chapter three. There it talks about a wife's conduct being

...pure and reverent

...submissive

...compassionate

...humble

...able to live in harmony

...returning insult with blessing!


Wow...that's pretty challenging stuff. So, how do those things play out in my Christian marriage? Well, I've got a lot to work on but by God's grace


...I'm still working at it


...for His Glory!