Love you and you and you.....infinity!

I know ya'll are all probably getting ready for the big day that is coming up. Julia will soon be out of school and maybe I can talk her into helping with some cooking this year. :)

But..... before I fire up the oven to make the below pie.....I wanted to stop in and share a little love.

 (If you can not read this recipe click on the picture and it will take you to the site.

I have made a few changes to the recipe after doing a little reading in the comments.)

~~~~~

It is so important for me to let you know how thankful I am for you.

I look back on this year....yes, I know it is not over yet......but as I look back and consider all

the wonderful things our Lord has done...... and thank Him for carrying us through-- I would be way off if I did not include you in my thankful list.

What would I have done without your support?

This year has been a doozy for sure!

There have been so many ups and downs....what a roller coaster ride.

But...... He is faithful!

Who would have thought at this time last year

that we would have the harvest of gratitude that we have?

~~~~

So I stop now and offer thanks to God for our families...both spiritual and physical. \o/

I thank Him for the way He has supplied our needs and kept us safe within His loving arms.

Are any of us homeless?

Are any on the brink of starvation? ;)

Are any of us without a God who knows the very number of the hairs on our heads?

Are there any of us who do not have our names written in the Lambs Book of Life?

(If your name is not there..... I would be glad to let you know how you can get published.) \o/ 

We are a blessed people!

Thank you Father for the family You provided  for us by your blood.

A family that will never be taken from us.

Thank you most of all that you love us unconditionally....what a love that is!

Father let us see our lives through Your eyes.

Let us see how blessed we are.

Let us walk in the assurance 

that neither height nor depth can ever separate us from your Love.

We touch our heads to your feet....we are so unworthy...but oh so grateful 

that You did not pass us by.

As You look into our hearts 

may You find a wealth of love and appreciation

that belongs only to You.

Amen

Have a blessed Thanksgiving day!

Love ya girl

So let's seeeeee

I guess it is time for a little update about what is going on in our next of the woods.

Everyone is doing well and God is at work.

Let's see......I am trying to go through some physical changes. :)

This past Tuesday morning I got up and got myself together to go to a meeting for the first time.

I found out about a group called TOPS through a sweet blogger named D. She lives in Canada and has been a member of this group for awhile now. She has spoken of what a help this group has been to her weight loss.

So I got on their site and found out that we have a group here in our area!

The meeting starts at 9:00 with a weigh in being the first thing on the agenda.

I dropped Julia off at school and came home to hurry to get myself together...who wouldn't be in a hurry to step on a scale for strangers. I grabbed my clothes and scurried to get my shoes on....only to find that I could not find both my socks. The clock was ticking as I madly looked around for that one missing sock. Finally giving up the search I went back in my room to get another sock and came back in to sit on the couch to put that sock on......only to find that the missing sock was already on my foot! :)

Yes, just a tad scatter brained.

I arrived at the meeting and was sweetly greeted by the other members.

And then..... the moment that I had been waiting for arrived.....it was my time to step on the scale.

It is nice that you don't really do this momentous moment in front of the whole group.

Everyone stays back as you jump on the scale....well not jump but lightly step on the scale...ha! like that is going to influence the outcome any.

BUT..... I was pleasantly surpirsed when I stepped on their scale and realized that my recent move to get off sugar was indeed working!

I have been off sugar a little over two weeks now and have lost VERY close to 10 pounds. Wahoooo!

I enjoyed the meeting...the women were very sweet and I look forward to getting to know them better.

One of the older women lost the most weight and I couldn't help but grin as they  placed a little tiara on her head and sang a song for her success.

Honestly, I don't know if this is a help or hindrance to loosing weight. :)

I wasn't even wearing the jewels and I felt myself blushing.

But hey....if joining this group gets the weight off--- I guess I will have to be willing to wear the tiara.

Do I dare take a camera just in case I get to wear the lovely tiara?

Next in news.....

This weekend Keith and I will celebrate our 21st anniversary!

We are going to park Julia at my brothers and head for destinations unknown.

It will be nice to spend time alone with my man

as we head in a direction of the country we have not yet explored.

I guess I will be taking my camera....hopefully to find some neat scenery.

Speaking of Keith.....he is LOVING his new job. He began this new job about three weeks ago.

One of the men in our church owns the company, Appalachian Antique Hardwoods   and Keith got in just as they were closing out hiring for a new project they are starting.

It is an incredible company and he is enjoying...."Making History....Again".

At this point he is working with a team of four making furniture out of antique wood for a very large company.

I can't release the name of the company because the press release has not happened yet...but here is a picture of my man being silly with one of his creations.

Here is a better picture of the whole thing.

They are making tables, lamps, mirrors, coffee tables and a few more additions to come.

He is really loving what he is doing....and should the Lord continue to bless...this business will greatly provide for our family. And think about this....over a hundred years ago when a farmer built a barn-- God knew that one day someone would come along to remove that wood and use it to meet our needs financially.

Pretty cool!

Other than this.....we are just in waiting to see what God has for us next.

As far as the ministry on the mountain? I am doing some research in order to set up PR packets for Mountain Top Experience. If you remember you could pray for what God has in store for this place.

And although we are not sure that it is God's will for us to be working there when it opens....I know God wants this place to open for His glory. Our enemy has been fighting this opening for awhile now...but where the Spirit of the Lord is.....the enemy is powerless to stop what God has in store.

There is still a small financial need to get this place finished.....so we would all appreciate your prayers.

I guess that is about it.

I pray you are doing well and that you clearly see the hand of God at work in your life.

Love ya....talk to you soon.

Come, come now!

Come now!

all you who toil with wearisome effort

who feel loaded down with burden 

and I will cause you

to cease from any movement

so that you may collect My strength and recover.

Rise up

 under my yoke

and walk and learn from Me

for I am gentle and humble in heart

 and you will listen

and know Me

and find rest for your soul.

I could really preach a sermon on these two verses.....but I won't. :)

You may notice that these verses sound a tad different.

I went into the Greek and found the true meaning of some of the words figuring that there were some great hidden truths....and they were there.

I pray this ministers to your soul the way it has mine.

Holy Spirit open the eyes and ears of the reader today.

Sink this truth down into the marrow of their bones.

Let them leave today knowing right where You have them.

Let them listen and know You and find rest for their souls.

Love ya girl....and yes I mean it. :)

It's been soooooo long!

Today I got to climbed through our storage unity..... it has been almost three years

since I have seen some of the things in the bixes.

Tomorrow is our Mother Daughter tea at church and I was blessed to be asked to sponsor a table.

That means that you decorate the table for the theme.... this year it is---Thanks and Giving.

Ya'll I LOVE doing this type of thing.

Back during our time in Louisiana.......when I was teaching our women's Bible study...I would end each study with a meal for the women.  It was a time for me to pull out all those culinary skills from the restaurant business...and pull out all the stops with the table and room decorations.

I just loved it!

But alas....we moved and all those things have been moving

from one storage to another...for almost three years.

It was such fun crawling over all the boxes...ripping off tape (sorry Keith) and finding all kinds of neat things I

had really forgotten I even had. It was like Christmas/Birthday all over again!

Some were things that had been given to me to use in my new house.....and one day

I believe they will have a home! :)

But till then..... it was so nice to pull them out and start envisioning what I could do with my table.

A friend (Tracy) had given me a demitasse set.... and Keith's Mom had given me a tiny tea set...so between the two I had plenty for the girls and women.

I went this morning to set up my table and I thought ya'll might like seeing what I came up with.

These pictures are not the best but you get the idea.

 I wish you could see this close up....sitting in between the candles is the cutest little mouse. The little pillows will be giveaways for the ladies along with the little jar candles.

I can't wait till I have a chance to do this type of thing more often. I want to encourage those of you

who have things hidden away in your cabinets that you would love to use...USE THEM!

There are so many women who would love to get together for a tea or afternoon luncheon.

You don't have to make everything.....let them bring their specialty...or have a cookie exchange with Christmas coming up. 

And just think how great it would be to get a chance to share your life and the LOVE of our Father.

If you don't want to do this in your home...then see if you can schedule something like this at your church.

I know a lot of churches do this type of thing.....jump in if you have not.

Tomorrow my SIL will be speaking at our tea. She will be talking about their journey through cancer with their young son......and how even in the rough times you can be deliberately thankful.

Please pray for her...she is a tad nervous.

Just a thought....this Sunday when you are attending your local church.....ask God to show you a young woman/mother who needs a hug and word of encouragement.

I promise you....she will in turn encourage your heart.

Need a recipe?

I promise I will get here soon to check in on everyone. God has been at work...that's a good thing!
I will be back soon...till then I will leave you with a little something sweet. 
I hope this works...it was an email from my Mom.

In the email all I had to do was click on the type of cookie and it took me straight to a recipe...what a great thing to have saved on your computer!

This is remarkable!  Even if you have no particular interest, please pass on to the bakers in your life.  They'll appreciate it.  

Just click on the name of the cookie and bam the recipe is there. (Me....there are a few recipes that have been removed....but most of the ones i have clicked on work!)

Good to keep handy

 

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion "Puffy" Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises Peanut Marshmallow Cookies Pecan Puff Cookies Peppermint Snowballs Peppernuts Persimmon Cookies Persimmon Cookies Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins Pfeffernuesse Pffefferneuse Cookies Pineapple Filled Cookies Pizzelles Potato Chip Cookies Potato Flake Cookies Praline Cookies Praline Strips Pterodactyl Nests Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Bars Pumpkin Chip Cookies Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Pumpkin Cookies Queen Biscuits Quick Cookies Raised Sugar Cookies Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars Raspberry Meringue Bars Really Peanutty Butter Cookies Reese`s Brownies Reese's Peanut Butter Bars Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies Rich Lemon Bars Ricotta Cheese Cookies Royal Almond Christmas Bars Rudolph Cinnamon Cookies Russian Tea Cookies Russian Teacakes Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies Sand Art Brownies Santa Claus Cookie Pops Santa Claus Cookies Santa's Butterscotch Melts Santa's Shorts Santa's Special Squares Scotch Cakes Scotch Shortbread Scotcharoos Scotcheroos Seven Layer Cookies Short Bread Cookies Shortbread Skor Squares Snicker Doodle Cookies Snickerdoodles Snickerdoodles Snow Balls Sour Cream Apple Squares Sour Cream Christmas Cookies Special K Cookies Spice Cookies Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Spritz Cookies Stained Glass Window Cookies Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Sugar Cookies Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies Swedish Sugar Cookies Sweet Marie's Swiss Treats Taralle (Italian Cookies) Tea Time Tassies Texas Brownies The Best Shortbread in The World Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies Toffee Squares Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies Vanilla Waffer Balls Walnut Butter Cookies Walnut Crumb Bars White Chip Chocolate Cookies Wild Oatmeal Cookies Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Peace Be Still

This is the day that the Lord has made...I will rejoice

and be glad in it.

Why......

because the Lord has done great and marvelous things!

Who can even fathom the depths to which His hands have gone

to hedge us in with His protection.

How can I even begin to thank Him for the times He has comforted my heart 

when it was 

broken and weeping.

What number of days will pass in eternity before my mind

will even begin to understand the unmeasurable love 

my God has for me.

It swells my heart to realize how tenderly His watches over me....yes, 

even when my eyes are closed in slumber.

How unmatchable is our God!