Merry CHRISTmas

'Even the World's first Masterpiece

was only framed in straw.

Who but God would think of sending a Message

and wrapping it in swaddling clothes?

Who but God knew it would take the heart of a child

to reach the soul of the world?

Peace on earth began in a manger, the Christmas

Presence asleep in the hay.

Our Savior, Jesus, our best, our ever friend.

May the simple beauty of Christmas

take your breath away.'

author Chris Shea

Pumpkin Mousse

Need a recipe for the holiday parties. I love pumpkin bread, pie, ice cream, anything!!!
I found this recipe on my friend Lorrie's blog (her recipe) and thought I would post it on mine for you to see. Sounds easy and yummy!

Pumpkin Mousse

1 med container of cool whip
1/2 can pumpkin (15 oz can)
1/2 bag of powdered sugar (like the brown sugar bags)
1/2 t. pumpkin spice
1/2 t. cinnamon

You can use more powdered sugar if you want to make the consistency thicker.

Serve with Ginger Thins by Anna's (find in the fancy cracker section) or apple slices. Enjoy!

Emmanuel

As the year draws to a close. Christmas offers its wonderful message: Emmanuel. God with us. He who resided in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly descended into our world. He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins. He didn't come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for He has visited us and accomplished
redemption for his people."
Luke 1:68

Charles Swindoll, Bedtime Blessings

Christopher Monckton spoke at Bethel University, where we went to college, in October 2009.

Pause the playlist before viewing.

Sing to the Lord with Thanksgiving;
make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of
the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of man;
the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing
love.

Psalms 147: 7-11

Happy Birthday Alex!

We love you!!

Cementiments

Beautiful from the inside...out. That would be a description of my friends Jill and Cathi! These two women are decorating the world with some beautiful stones. I will post some of them from time to time, so you can see some amazing, custom stones for the garden. Enjoy looking at them and imagine your name, thoughts and ideas poured into cement. Leave it to these gals to make you an unforgettable stone! Enjoy!!!

Chapel and Hall of Heroes

This was a very full week for the kids...Jenny led the school in prayer at Chapel and then as a class, presented a play written by her teacher. They used stories and people from the Bible to show obedience and the importance of making good choices...Jenny did a great job!

Austin had to read a biography published by a Christian publisher. A fun part of the project was finding the person to do the biography on....wow! I was so inspired to read more of these books sold through ywam publishers. At the Hall of Heroes, the kids were to dress up like their character and pretend to be their character during the HOH's event. They needed to be able to give a three minute presentation by memory to any person who asked. They had to make their own business cards and display boards, etc. It was a wonderful thing to see...these kids are really creative and I found really loved learning about their Hero. There were so many! Austin did his project on a WWII bombardier, by the name of Jacob DeShazer. At one point when his plane was losing too much gasoline from a leak, they all had to bail out of the aircraft with parachutes, landing in China. The Chinese soldiers captured them and gave them to the Japanese military out of fear. For Jacob DeShazer, this was the beginning of a horrendous experience and a new found faith in Jesus Christ. The story is truly fascinating and I love how Austin presented his story to the many parents and kids who came through the Hall of Heroes event. Austin did a great job!

Flag Football Fun

Great fun, families and...weather!

The Hiding Place

This movie had an impact on my life when I was young, and it has one on my life today. This particular War can bring me to tears in an instant...Corrie Ten Boom and her family lived in Haarlem, Amsterdam, right in the midst of WWII. Corrie, her sister Betsy and Father did what they could to hide as many Jewish people from the Nazi's, until they were caught and sent to the concentration camps. It is a story of faith and obedience lived out in the most powerful way. Even though it was made in the 70's, it is a movie worth seeing. This is a true story.

Dorothy Irene Moyer 1913-2009

What a privilege and a blessing to have spent time with someone who has walked with Christ day by day. Since I have been home and found myself overwhelmed with all the little things that I face in a day, my thoughts keep going back to the impact this wonderful woman has made on my life and so many others. Her devotion to Christ, her family and friends was nothing short of extraordinary. She did it with a selfless love and she did it so well. Dorothy made me feel like I was her grandaughter from the start. It was a special thing.

I love to remember a time, when for some reason, I was staying alone with Gram and the kids for a week at the Okoboji Conference. Tim must have been overseas. There happened to be a tornado warning one evening and I felt the responsibility to get gram to the tornado shelter down in the basement of the hotel. I will never forget her face when I told her where I was taking her. She didn't think that was necessary. She sat so sweetly on that bench while the kids and I entertained her. I know she thought I was crazy to make her do that, but I did not want anything to happen to her. We survived the storm and we would often laugh about the length of time I had her sitting down there. I know she only did that for me.

I will forever be grateful for her amazing example of how to live for, and with Jesus, work hard and serve others. Her endless prayers and her love will be missed. She was a gift.

Proverbs 31:10
Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.





This stone was made for the family by my dearest friend Jill. The yellow roses sparkled in the church...it was beautiful! Gram would have loved it in her garden.

Jacquie

We love you sweetie...Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Tim!

Tim turned 51 today!






The kids wanted to make donuts for breakfast.....so we did. Full of oil and covered in powdered sugar. I wondered if we were going to need Tums after the meal...but, I think we all did fine. I think we will stick with our pancakes and caramel rolls in the future. We also made him a tin full of homemade chocolate covered pretzels. We used chocolate, butterscotch and white chocolate, and Jenny decorated the tin with all of dad's favorite things. Dinner included Tim's favorite meal and dessert, Tator Tot hotdish and Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch ice cream. Thats what you do when you can't afford to get him what he really wants. Food...lots of his favorite food!

We love to celebrate dad!!!

Psalms 121:1-8

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

Where will my help come from?

My help comes form the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip-

He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber or sleep.

The Lord watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalms 121:1-8

Happy Birthday Tim

Happy Birthday Tim...We love you!

You are older and wiser than I, and your creativeness, intelligence and zest for life never ceases to amaze me. I pray your year will be fulfilling, filled with happiness and great times!