....I read this quote somewhere and thought it very interesting. But is it possible to "live a lovely life"  amidst every day life, laundry, sick kids, sick friends, shopping, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, wars,economy fears, folks losing jobs, etc?? How do we live a lovely life in such a fallen world?

Well,  there is not better place to search for answers other than the word of God.  So I sat down and wrote out every verse that God showed me pertaining to this question that I have deemed...."question of the week".  I want to ask questions of God and then see what he shows me through studying his word.  So this is what I received from Him this morning...

Philippins 4:8-9..."Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

Psalm 84:1-4..."How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.  Even the sparrow has found a home and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my king and my God.  Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you."

Deuteronomy 30:19-20..."This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.  For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

Deuteronomy 6:1-2..."These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.  Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you."

I just had to put these few pictures in because this morning when I was searching the scriptures for this post, Anika and Tianna came upstairs and wanted to know what I was doing.  I told them and they also wanted some scripture to give to Audrey as I promised I would email her scripture verses of encouragement and verses that God had given me for each day during this journey she is on.  So my girls got out their Bibles to help search the scriptures for Audrey.  I thought to myself....:now this is what the Bible means when it says..."Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up..."  Deut 11:18-19

P.S.  We  had about fifteen verses that I wrote down, but obviously too many to put on one post:-) God is so good!

What a wonderful Lord's day it is....even with the snow that fell and continued to fall all night.  We woke up to more than six inches "again".

Yesterday, dh, kids and I shoveled our van (finally) out of the garage so we could head out for a dinner invitation with Grace and family.  I had not ventured out since 24th of December and it felt wonderful to leave our little homestead and  visit the outside world once again.  Plus, not having to cook was a treat in itself.  I did help my niece in the kitchen, but it's different  because I didn't need to think about  "what should I make?".  Grace spoiled all of us as usual.  But I know they were disappointed we didn't stay over night:-)   We did have the van packed for the possibility because the roads were so bad and snow was coming down like crazy.  But dh wanted to sleep in his own bed and also, if it kept snowing all night we might not of made it home until...well, who knows.  But nonetheless we had a wonderful time and it was so very relaxing, food was awesome, hospitality was second to none.  Thanks Grace and family:-)

Our home has over 3 feet of snow as of today. But the prospects of sun is just around the corner (according to the weather channel):-). So very quickly we will see the snow melting and just in time for school to begin. It's been a great Christmas season this year.  God has been so good to us and His faithfulness is never-ending.  God has poured His blessing upon our family this year once again and we are so grateful.

With this new year comes challenges of its own and we pray that God will take us through everything that comes upon us.  Dh and I prayed that God would use us mightly for his kingdom this year.  We prayed that we would seek Him more and that He would work also in our hearts in areas that need it.  That God would show us areas that need work and with strength and wisdom to learn how to implement those changes. We serve a mighty God who wants to do amazing things in our lives, but we must ask...and so we ask in earnest.  

As this post is being finished, the snow has started to fall again...and it's a reminder that like everything, change happens constantly.  It happens moment by moment and second by second. Are we ready for moment by moment change?  Can we handle it?  Is God part of it? How do we respond to it?  And a big one..... will I come through it?  And the "IT" will be different for everyone.  My "IT" is very different, than the "IT" for my dearest friend Audrey.  My friends here  in blogland will each have their own "IT", but the answer can be the same for each....God is faithful and... "He will never leave us nor forsake us"... no matter what "IT" is in our lives..... because  "God is the same yesterday, today and forever." and his word is TRUTH and His word never changes.

 Thank you for stopping by for a visit and I pray that each of you who take a little peek into my life, will leave refreshed, renewed and strengthened by the Lord. That you would see Jesus through this person (me) who is a sinner saved by grace and desires to serve the Lord with all her heart.

Blessings to each of you!

...yes, the snow is falling again.  When is it going to stop?  No one knows.  And frankly I don't care...we are snuggled here nice at home with nowhere to go.  Granted, it might not be quite as exciting for others who must venture out in such conditions.  So accept my apologizes for the enthusiasm.  But living here on the west coast, doesn't usually permit many days of low temperature  that allows snow to fall...so it brings back memories of my childhood in Ontario where snow and winter fun go hand in hand.  Some of my best memories are in the winter months of...cross country skiing....toboganning and snowmobiling...mom's homemade baking and hot chocolate after a long day outside.  Now, it's my time for building memories with my children.  And this December has brought many a "memory making moments"...wow, that's a tongue full of  M's!  Oh well...it had to be said that way.

Yesterday started our year off  with  Anika who woke up with the Chicken pox....today she is covered with them.  Poor girl is so itchy and high fever.  But she still did the dishes (to surprise me) while Ethan and I went out to shovel the driveway. Great bonding time for mother and son. Not to mention a wonderful daughter with a self-less act of love.

Speaking of shoveling...it has come to my attention through stars in the eyes, dizzy in the head, sweat running down the back, huffing and puffing.... that I am out of shape.  Yes, that' right your's truly is majorly, horribly, terribly  out of shape.  Now, being the one NOT to make New Year's resolutions only because I never survive more than a day and resolutions and goals change for me like the wind.  But having spoke of dizziness, I realize that at some point the message must come through and register in this head of mine that...."I Connie am out of shape".  When one comes to terms with this, one must contemplate the realities of it all.  And the reality that is yelling at me says I must  do something about it.  So, with that out in the open for everyone to read, there is only one conclusion...and that is, "I must spend 2009 getting into shape".  This must be more than just a long term goal.  It must be a life style goal and a goal that I work on daily.  Because my personality is as such, I change goals or accomplish a simple goal and then must move on to other things quickly even if goals are not accomplished because they are too far in the future.  Goals that seem long term for me fizzle out because I cannot live so far  in  the future through my mind....I can live only in the present and with each waking breath...and my present tells me that, " I'm to young to be this out of shape". 

So, possibly, probably or most definately,  be prepared to read some of my ramblings on my  blog in 2009  about the success and failures of each day.   And yes, you might even read whinings and such as my body goes through a period of adjustment.  But I will wake up every morning (Lord willing) with a renewed sense of  "health thoughts" and I will direct my day as such.  First and foremost, God comes first in my day, but God also gave me this "temple" and unfortunately, it's needs a major renovation.   So, bring on the "sledge hammer".

Happy New Year Everyone!

...of 2008.  Where oh where as the year gone.  I cannot believe how this year swept through so quickly.  As the Christmas season passed without too much stress and our days following were spent shoveling out of more than two feet of snow, it gave for lots of quiet times of reflection.

We were truly a blessed family this year.  God showed his mercy and grace in ways that would take all year to mention.  Our daughters wedding was the highlight of our year. But,  just the fact that we were all healthy and have lots of family and friends, give one an abundance  to praise God for. Even through days where life was difficult and tiredness met our eyelids quite frequently, we can look back and see the hand of God in everything.

(package that Grandma sent in the mail)

So back to our Christmas...it was truly wonderful.  Karisa and JJ spent four days with us because the weather was so bad they didn't want to get stuck at home.  You see, JJ's parents live right across the road from us, and so they could go back and forth from our family to the in-laws.  The boys had lots of fun with JJ out in the snow and building forts and going on his rope swing. 

Did I mention all the snow we received this Christmas.  It was absolutely heavenly.  We here on the west coast don't see that kind of snow.  It snowed for five our six days straight.  I think in total it snowed for almost two weeks on and off.  So our property saw between 26-30 inches.  So needless to say this momma didn't go anywhere.  I was quite content holding down the fort and cooking for my brood and keeping the fire going.  All our Christmas company managed to make it to our home as we were hosting it this year.  There was 23 of us altogether.  A few stressful moments, but all in all...it was a magical and blessed evening.  (if you can put magical and blessed in the same sentence).  I did however need to say a few prayers along the way so that I would not go off the deep end, or get stressed out.  It's amazing how the devil wants to come in and destroy the most hated season by him and his fallen angels.  But praise be to God it never escalated to anything other than...the turkey needed a bit more time in the oven.  That alone was weird as it has never happened before and took me quite by surprise.  Thankfully my SIL kept me calm and the dinner and entire day was a success.

I have spent the past days after Christmas, just doing laundry and putting a few decorations away.  I have had a lot of quiet time as the children are all enjoying their gifts and have lots to do.  Plus playing in the snow has been a highlight for them.  Dh  has also been home since the 21st, and doesn't go back until the January 5th.  So it's been great having him here this much. 

Here are a few of our holiday celebrations in picture form.....See you all in 2009 (Lord willing)

This will be my last post until after Christmas!                                                    

(Photo by Thomas Kinkade)

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with family and friends.

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger. Luke 10-12

Joy...."You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand". Psalm 16:11

 "Send forthyour light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.  Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.  I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God."  Psalm 43:3-4

The weather has been so cold that we have broken records here on the west coast.  I am not complaining because I know that it's good to have this cold weather that is right across our entire country.  Hopefully it will kill the pine beetle that is destroying our forests.

Here at home everything is shaping up for Christmas....trying to "keep things simple" is my motto this year.  The sun was shining so bright even though the temperature was -9 Celsius. I felt so truly blessed by the Lord....he protected me while driving this week in horrible weather.  He protected my daughters while driving and dh also.  We have an abundance of food stored for the holidays and we are all healthy.  God sent his son to be born, knowing that he would be dying on the cross to save me and the world.  What a more precious gift could I ever ask for...what a blessing to have in my life.

My heart is over-joyed this year.  I'm not sure exactly why, well, maybe I know why and it's God's grace and mercy in my life...he loves me more than anyone...and he Loves YOU more than anyone.  Isn't it great to know that ...For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everylasting life....John 3:16   It truly is the greatest gift...and my heart soars at the knowledge of such a verse. 

The boys brought in lots of firewood so we kept the fire going all evening. The house was quiet as all my children and dh were reading....I was so tired that I just laid on the couch.  Not sure where the tiredness came from, but I didn't fight it...just went with it and had my children serve me. Anika and Stephanie were so sweet as Steph was rubbing my feet and Anika made me Peppermint tea...I managed to get a few photos of the boys sitting by the fire.  They are the most handsome boys around...don't ya think so?   

I put a small turkey in the oven for dinner.  I usually make a turkey a week or so before Christmas so that I will have lots of gravy on Christmas day.  So the gravy was saved for the freezer and we had turkey with mashed potatoes, broccoli'n cream sauce with a tossed salad.  We will have Anika's cookies for a treat this evening.  

Today was the last day of school for the children...will be nice to have everyone home.  Tianna however, will be doing her final course for a Life Guard...so she will be busy starting tonight with her first lesson and every day until the 24th.  I will be so glad when this is over.  She has been working on this ever since she was little and doing swimming lessons.  All her hard work is about to pay-off.

Well, I'm off to serve dh his evening coffee and the boys are "chomping at the bit" to sink their teeth into Anika's cookies. I pray that everyone has a wonderful evening staying warm.

Blessings to each of you!

We are under a wonderful blanket of snow today.  Last night we received around 12-14 inches of snow...very unusual for us. And we are also in the minus's for temperature....with the windchill it is around -15-19 Celsius.

The children are having an amazing time in the yard building forts and just plain enjoying the snow.  I did manage to do a little baking in between watching hockey.  Took dh 3-1/2 hours to get home from work because the freeway was a complete parking lot.  So he had to go the long, long way home, and even that was slow going.

Today I kept the kids home from school as the roads were quite slippery and I do NOT like driving in lousy weather.  We cleaned the house and are still working on laundry. I changed the living room around as I felt the tree was in the wrong place and taking too much room, and with lots of company coming, we need all the space we can get.  So hopefully dh won't mind the changes (as he was fine the way it was).

 Anika baked the most wonderful cookies today.  She read the recipe alone and did really well.  The recipe was from our Advent book that we are going through.  She was very proud of herself and we were grateful for the treat.

Here is the recipe if anyone is interested:

Oatmeal Christmas Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup M&M's

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon,cloves and salt; stir into the sugar mixture.  Stir in the rolled oats and M&M's with a wooden spoon.  Drop dough by rounded teaspoons, two inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes until light and golden.  Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for two minutes.  Transfer to a wirerack and let cool completely.  Store in airtight container.

I also made our very favourite raspberry dessert.  Being that raspberries are my favourite fruit, this would stand to reason that I LOVE this dessert.  It's a recipe that I have had since my 4-H days many, many years ago.  Hard to believe I have had this recipe for so long.  There are only three ingredients which makes it also a lot of fun and easy to whip up.

Raspberry Bavarian cream pudding

This is also a family favourite.  I made this when I did 4-H clubs many years ago. 

1 16 oz. pkg frozen raspberries

1-1/2 cups raspberry juice & water

13 oz. pkg raspberry jell-o

1-1/2 cups whipping cream whipped

Thaw raspberries.  Drain.  Keep berries chilled.  Heat juice & water to boiling.  Add jell-o powder.  Chill until consistency of unbeaten egg white.  Beat thickened Jell-o with electric beater until foamy & fluffy.  Fold in whipped cream & berries.  Chill

**I always double this recipe for our family.

Yes, it's true I have discovered two wonderful things this week...

First, I just finished reading the most amazing book ever.  I know, some of you will think..."she always says that when she posts about a book she has read" (wow, that's a lot of "shes" in one statement)....well, it's true I love reading great books and they all are the "best" one.  But this one was so good, that I ordered two from  here.  This book has revolutionized my way of praying and approaching God...the book radically changed my thinking on "God wanting to be loved by US". My mom gave it to me when I was visiting this Fall. She said I could borrow the book...but she also ordered another one.  So I was able to keep it.  The pages are well read and the binding is falling apart, so I thought that I should order a couple and keep one to loan out.

This book was so good that I have decided on January 1st, 2009 I will be having a "Giveaway".One lucky person will receive a copy of this book. (as soon as it arrives in my mailbox) It will change your life forever. And what a better way to start the New Year, than changing the way you approach God...who by the way is the King of King and Lord of Lords...and YOUR Father.   But more on the giveaway later.  Afterall, can't very well give something away that I don't have yet.  But it's on the way to my house as I type!  So check back and I will give more details on the giveaway.

Now, on to my second discovery....while reading a great book, one must have a comfy place to read...a great cup of tea/coffee...a quiet place in which to read  and a wonderful "treat" to go along with the atmosphere that I have just set up for you.  Well, I have discovered an amazing treat for you to enjoy.  It is a  Pumpkin Streusel cake from over at Gloria's blog.  This cake was so delicious that I made it Sunday afternoon and by Monday evening it was gone.  And now the troops are asking for more...what is a girl to do?  I'll just make another one for the freezer.  This way it will be safe for Christmas.  So go over to Gloria's blog and scroll down to Dec 7th and try this  recipe.  You will be pleasantly pleased and your tastebuds will thank you.  

**In the recipe it calls for 1 cup of sour cream...I only had about 1/4 cup so I added buttermilk to make up the difference.  It was still amazing. 

**Also, on the second piece of cake we each had (while watching the hockey game), I added whipped cream and a little sprinkle of nutmeg.  Oooohhh lala~ 

Thank you Gloria!!