In All Things Give Thanks

A Lamp Unto My Feet

" Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. "

                          ~ Psalm 119:105 ~

  I recently purchased this lovely Bible at a local Christian book store. Isn't it lovely? It looks old but it isn't. 

God's word has become very near & dear to me. It has seen me thru many a storm and many a tearful moment. In it's pages are words of hope, words of comfort and beautiful promises from our Lord.  Truly the Word of God lights my path and is a lamp unto my feet. Like water to a parched soul, and bread to a hungry heart is God's word.  

May we all treasure up the Word of God and hide it in our hearts,

~ gloria ~

Prayers for Israel

    " Pray for peace in Jerusalem: May those who love her be safe. May there be peace within her walls and safety within her strong towers." 

                   ~ Psalm 122: 6 & 7 NCV ~

Like many of you my heart goes out to Israel at this time.  The media has launched an anti-Israel campaign.  They are not telling the truth about what is really going on there.  My prayers are that peace will be in Jerusalem. The bible tells us to pray for Israel and for her peace. I pray the United States may always be counted as one of her allies.  Israel still has a destiny to fulfill and God has His eyes on His people.  His promises will be fulfilled in due time.

Praying,

~ gloria ~

Homeschooling thru the years...

I realized today I have not blogged much about homeschooling.  Our family began homeschooling years and years ago, when my oldest child  ( 15 yrs old now) at the time was getting ready for kindergarten. I remember reading everything I could about home education and then taking the "plunge"!  Of course back then I had just a few little ones to school, and now there are 8 children being homeschooled at home! 

Homeschooling does pose it's challenges --  but overall I have been really pleased with the results.  I can't even imagine putting my kids in the public school system.  I know there are many wonderful & gifted teachers teaching in the schoools, and I am sure many kids are receiving a good education.   The decision to homeschool is much more than "academics" to me.  It's more about "relationship" with my kids then academics. Oh sure, we do have our texts and our projects we are working on, but the focus has never been on the "books" but on character development and relationships. My greatest desire is to keep my kid's hearts and to really lead them to a personal walk with the Lord.  I want our schooling time and our books we use to glorify God and to teach truth not relativism or humanism.

So we continue to homeschool. Some days I am tired. Like many of you I deal with the yearly "burn out" syndrome, and the days do come where I ask myself "why am I doing this to myself"!   But when I stop to really think about things and look into my kid's faces and eyes..... there is NO way I could put them in the local school.  I just can't. 

Does that mean homeschooling is a "perfect" fit? No! I am sure that there are many things I could be doing better as their teacher and there are hard days when I am struggling along with a child and something they are trying to understand or learn.  But overall, homeschooling is so much more than academics. ... it's a way of life...... our life does not revolve around "school" ........ we do have a time set aside each day for doing the math, the grammar, the spelling, etc. But we have learned to be flexible and to keep the "big picture" in mind.

Recently I found out a good friend of mine has quit homeschooling her kids after years of doing so. It just broke my heart.  She has beautiful children and for the life of me I don't understand why she would make that choice. But regardless of how I feel about homeschooling, I know it's not for everyone.

One of the things I really love about homeschooling is the ability it gives me to really *know* my kids.... there is no "guessing" what is going on in their minds...... everything is revealed and there is nothing hidden....if there is a problem, it's evident..... if there is an attitude that needs to be adjusted that is known too...... it's all up front and open....... no hiding anything... that can be tough, especially when mom's flaws are "open" too!  So I openly admit, homeschooling is a "stretch" for mom, and it certainly does keep me on my toes!  ( no hiding my sins behind closed doors around here!!)

I wanted to share one aspect of homeschooling that I really, really love and that is the opporotunity that homeschooling can give to really develop a love of learning in our children . By that I do not mean learning their math facts or spelling words -- what I mean is loving to learn about something for the sake of loving to learn!  Each month my kids choose a topic that they wish to study and dwelve into.... it can be anything........ and believe me we have had some interesting topics thru the years. :)  After their assigned subjects are completed they can spend as long as they wish studying their "topic of choice".   At the end of the month we have a "report night" where each child writes up a report on their topic, presents an oral report ( they hand in a typed report for me to file) and can also share a display board with drawings or print outs.  The kids really look forward to this night!  They enjoy sharing their knowledge with the rest of the family.  It gives them a sense of accomplishment.   My husband & I also enjoy hearing about what they are learning and what they have gleaned from their in depth study. 

Here are some snapshots of  our report night we held a few nights back.  As always the reports were interesting and varied.  :) 

This past month we had:

Sarah studied  about the Pilgrims.  Big sister Hannah, helped her put a display board together. :)  She loves to give these reports, even though she is just 6 yrs old and needs help reading her report a loud. :)

Paul learned about Abraham Lincoln .  The twins are getting much better with their reading and didn't need much help giving their reports!

Peter gave a wonderful report on Martin Luther King Jr.

Rebekah studied about Anne Frank.....

Samuel gave a wonderful report on William Penn -- the founder of Pennsylvania ....I learned a ton just by listening to his report!

Rachel enjoyed learning about the "maide of Louraine"....Joan of Arc.......

Hannah studied up on Mary Queen of Scotts......... what a sad and interesting life she led.....Hannah loves to study about famous women in history....... she's a lot like her mom. :) I too love studying the lives of famous women -- right now I am reading about the life of Susanna Wesley the mother of Charles & John Wesley.

Last but not least, Jacob gave us a very detailed report on the Vietnam War.......he loves to study wars, and he really learned a lot. This month he has chosen to study  the Korean War, so he really is into this "war" studies lately!  He loves history and mostly chooses historical topics of interest.

This coming month the kids have chosen the following topics to study:

Jacob: Korean War, Hannah : Christopher Columbus, Rachel: Eleanor Roosevelt, Samuel: Lightening, Rebekah: Horses, Peter: George Washington ( again!), Paul: Trains, Sarah : Dogs

I hope my kids can look back upon their years homeschooling with fondness. :)  I know I will have many many memories to look back upon.  No regrets here, even though there are the the "days" I wonder what on earth I have done to myself!

~ gloria ~

Cute photo

I thought I would share this photo of my children -- taken a few weeks back at our little church's Christmas pageant. My camera broke down that night and my pastor's wife took this snapshot. :)  I loved it........ this was our children's first ever Church Christmas pageant.  Our previous Church never held Christmas pageants or Christmas' Eve services, so you can imagine how very excited the kids to be involved with the nativity pageant this year!  The text was taken right from the bible word for word, so the kids had a bit of memorizing to do - but they did a great job and enjoyed themselves.  ( they are holding treat bags in the photo -- the "wise man" brought "gifts" for the children)

The kids had the following parts:

Hannah: Mary

Jacob: A Wise Man

Rachel: A sheperd

Samuel: Joseph

Paul: Zachariah

Peter: An angel

Rebekah: The angel Gabriel

Sarah: A Sheperd

John & Naomi :  "sheep"

I am so thankful for my little Church that focused on the true meaning of Christmas this year and really chose godly activities to bring Jesus front and center to the Holiday season.  It is so refreshing.

~ gloria ~

Our New Year's Celebration

    It's hard to believe another year has begun! It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming in 2008 and here we are beginning 2009!  Where has time flown?  I remember when I was a young child it seemed like time passed so slowly....... I remember thinking it would be "forever" before my birthday or Christmas....... and now I find myself saying " wow, here it is again!"  Know what I mean?

   Well we enjoyed a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration.  Nothing fancy, just family, but none the less very fun! My sister sent us a huge package full of new games and it arrived on New Year's Eve!! Perfect timing!  She is such a wonderful sister - she is very thoughtful and always sends the kids little cards and games, etc. I am blessed.   We stayed up way too late...... ( I think I crawled into bed at 3 am!) and had fun playing all the new games, listening to music, dancing the conga and eating! 

   Here are some snapshots of our fun evening........ this was taken right after our big huge box arrived! The kids were so excited!  Look at all the fun fun games Auntie Teri sent!!

   We decorated with streamers, party hats, and some noise makers. :) 

Some yummy snacks.........we had some sparkling cider to drink and toast with when 12 AM arrived!

Playing cards........Jacob, Rebekah, Samuel & Paul.....

Playing chines checkers.......rebekah, paul, rachel & jacob.......... haven't played chinese checkers in years!

 The twins playing checkers........

 Peter & Hannah playing  "Connect Four"........

We have a tradition that on New Year's Eve the kids can eat the gingerbread houses we made earlier in the Christmas season........ it's something they really look forward to. :)

Happy dancing kids..........

                                              Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!

Something new we did this year, was we made a big list of all the things we were thankful for this past  year........ here are some things that were shared :

Paul :  "I am thankful we don't have to pay the entrance fee to get to heaven -- Jesus did that for us because the price was too high for us to pay. "   * Amen to that, Paul!  Jesus did pay the complete price for eternal life with God! *

Rebekah:  "Our new wood stove that provides such warm heat!"  *  Rebekah loves to stand behind the crook of the stove......there a spot just behind the stove on the tile hearth that she really really enjoys.... we are really enjoying the radiant warmth of wood heat!*

Rachel:  " Freedom to worship"...... * Rachel is so right! There are 54 nations that Christianity is "illegal" and bibles are not allowed to be distrubuted or read.  To read more about our brothers & sisters  in Christ,  who are being persecuted for Jesus go to www.persecutedchurch.org

Jacob:  " Homeschooling"........* Wow! I was suprised when Jacob shared that! Sometimes he complains about the reports I make him type up and all the math he has been doing lately......but I am happy to know he is thankful! Homeschooling is a way of life is so many ways, and our family will be beginning it's 11th year of home education!

Peter:  " Water, food & a roof over our head"...... * Amen, Peter!  Children always remember the simple blessings that many times we adults take for granted.  So many have no access to clean water or food. He knows that first hand from the expierences we tell him of his fellow Guatemalans who live in such dire circumstances. We are thankful for our food our clothing and a warm house to live in. Especially after expierencing a furnace break down in the cold winter!*

Mom:  " For the blessing of being able to pray & worship and also for trials"........ * This year has brought us close to the Lord in prayer and we have learned how to worship the Lord.  I am also thankful for the many trials we were blessed to pass thru this year.  They draw us ever so close to Jesus. *

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I know for many of us this time of year is a time to reflect on the past year and to think ahead and make goals and resolutions for the coming New Year. Our family is no different.  We have our "hopes" and "dreams" and "prayers to be asked and answered" for 2009. 

My heart's desire is to see my family wear out our bibles this coming year........ from continuous use........ for truly the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path........... I also hope that our voices will be hoarse from all the praising and singing we are going to raise up to our great & everlasting God this year!  I want to wear out our hands in serving the poor, the naked, the afflicted, those in prison and the fatherless and lonley.........for truly "when we do it to the least of these, we have done it unto Him"......

Oh I have so many hopes and dreams for this coming year!  There are many loved ones in my life who do not know our precious Lord and  my great hope is that their hearts will be open and their eyes opened to receive the gift of salvation thru Jesus.  He is the way the truth and light and NO man cometh to the father but by Him!  ( John 14:6)

I hope that each one of you enjoy a blessed year, a year full of JOY in the Lord and a year full of blessings -- remember, trials and challenges are blessings "in disguise" ...... embrace each one of them! They are an opporotunity to draw close unto our Lord and really seek His face!

I also look forward to another year of blogging here at HSB! This will be my 3rd year blogging here and I can honestly say this is a wonderful community! Each one of you are a blessing to me! Thanks also to my wonderful readers, who post publically and privately to me.  Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts here with me.  You bless me in so many ways!

May God bless you &  yours in 2009!

~ gloria ~

Our Christmas in photos...

We were blessed with a lovely and peaceful Christmas this year.  We began the day with singing carols around the piano and the reading of the birth of Christ in the Bible.  The kids then exchanged the simple gifts they had for each other ( they drew names so each child had one sibling to purchase or make a gift for).   We enjoyed a quiet morning.... Christmas is very very simple in our home.......

Here are a few snapshots chronicling our day........

We began our Christmas festivities on Christmas Eve. Our church sponsored the anual town Christmas service & nativity pageant.

Here is our Sarah Grace as a "sheperd" .. sore amazed when the angels appeared.......if you look below sarah on the ground are the "sheep"..... they were precious! Dressed all in white and with furry backs......

Bowing down before the baby Jesus..........

Sarah Grace, Peter & Paul enjoying their Christmas treats....... check out those smiles!

 Peter very very happy with his farm tractor he received from his lil' sis, naomi .......he ended up fililing it with Christmas candy.......

Dru working hard on getting our hearth / chimney completed for our wood stove.......yes , he did work on Christmas day! He got the chimney re-mortered ( it was in disrepair) , replastered and got our hearth layed out and tile installed!!!

Hannah, holding up Jesus' Birthday cake!!  She is my "right arm" in the kitchen!

 Big brother Jacob, taking out little sibs'  Naomi, Sarah & John to go sledding on the "big hill"......yes, we enjoyed a white Christmas!

My "big" helpers on Christmas day were Rachel Anne & Hannah Elizabeth! They were indespensable to me! We baked and baked and baked........ good job girls!

Oh yes, I can't forget our #1 dish washer -- Miss. Rebekah! She did load after load after load......

After all our hard work....... we sat down for a lovely Christmas dinner of Spiral Honey ham...... mandarin orange salad...... swedish cardamon braids....... vegetable medley casserole &  yams & pecans.......

And here is the "resident cook" ......... "your's truly"...... taking a minute to enjoy the presentation of this bounteous feast before we devour it!   Yes, I do look tired..... I worked hard all day to create this feast! :)

I so enjoyed spending the day at home - baking and cooking with my girls...... while little ones played with their new toys and big boy jacob and dad worked on the hearth..... After our delightful dinner we bundled up and caroled again..... we got back about 10 pm and then sang  "Happy B-day Jesus" and enjoyed our delicious Rum & Pecan Cake, yummy Christmas cookies and homemade eggnog!  We ended the day watching The Christmas Carol, one of my favorite Christmas movies.

It seems like just yesterday we were anticipating this special day and here we are "looking back" to yet another Christmas past......... and looking foward to another Christmas yet to come.......

I always feel a little bit of sad when I realize Christmas has passed again........ I love this time of year.... and the girls and I all sighed sadly as we started to clean and take down decor........I keep reminding them that there will be yet another Christmas again and of course each and every day is reason to celebrate the JOYous news that our Lord lives & reigns!  I know many folks are relieved that Christmas is "over" but not so for me. I love this time of year.... I love the carols, the lights, the sounds and smells..... and most of all I love the focus on Jesus.......... ahhh....... I will miss Christmas...... every year I feel this way........

Praying & hoping that the beauty  & memories created this season  warms our hearts all thru the coming  year.... until next Christmas.

~ gloria ~

Old Fashioned Christmas Caroling

        " Rejoice Evermore"   -  1 Thessalonians 4:14

After our  "more than challenging" week we have been thru...... I had a good cry on Jesus' shoulder..... isn't He wonderful? He is always available to us 24/7!!!  After placing all my cares and woes at HIS feet, I realized that the enemy was fast at work trying to "steal" our JOY in the Lord -- especially at this time of year when we are celebrating the birth of our beloved Jesus!  When I realized that I became resolved to not allow the enemy to steal the JOY of Jesus or to steal away our joy in this most joyous of seasons! So last night we prayed, bound the enemy ( yes you can bind him in Jesus name!) and bundled up to go Christmas caroling and deliver some fruit baskets to our dear friends.  Oh what JOY!  I was so overcome with emotion and just JOY as we sang :  Joy to the World,  Angels from the Realm of Glory,  O Come all Ye Faithful & We wish you a merry Christmas!  We have been practicing for weeks now and the kids really sang out last night!  We stopped at the home of the wonderful pastor and his wife who head up the prison ministry that I am involved with each week. Oh what a wonderful visit we had! It did us all a world of good! They had us come in and served cocoa and cookies and we just had a wonderful time of fellowship!  Before we left, Pastor Mark prayed over us and it was just a precious expierence!  We came out feeling so buyoed!

Today we have been busy baking delicious cookies for our Church's christmas service and pageant...... the kids are all excited!  Our church host's our town's anual Christmas Eve service and we have been busy baking cookies to serve afterwards! We are just about done. :)  Ginersnaps, chocolate sugar cookies and jam thumbprints..... mmmm..........

We are looking forward to our Christmas service tonight -- time to sing and praise our Lord for HIS humble birth, His amazing life, His painful death and His glorious resurrection!

Friends, I realized this week that the enemy was out with an attack to steal our family's JOY ..... when the Lord showed me that we prayed, bound the enemy and chose, purposefully *chose* to expierence JOY in Jesus -- for HE IS THE REASON for this season!

I want to thank you sweet friends who publically and privately have prayed for us during this challenging week! Thank you dear ones! You are all precious to me! Your love, faith and prayers mean the world!

I pray that each of you will enjoy a blessed and JOY filled Christmas -- remembering my dear readers that we are celebrating the birth of our King and Lord!

Praising His name!

~ gloria ~

Just plum worn out...

Dear friends & readers,

I am really in need of prayers!

This past week we have had:

1. the furnace break down in sub zero weather......

2. the plumbing in our old house give out.........

3. the electrical power box is overloaded - so half of the house lost power.......

4.  my husband's truck won't start........

I am exhausted, worn out and just plum tired.........

Please pray for me......

Thank you,

gloria

A freezing cold midwest winter day ....

Well praise God, we are mostly over the flu or so I hope & pray!! :)  The weekend has brought us very very cold weather...... near zero with lots of wind...... the kind of cold that when you step outside your breathe is taken away, kwim? Oh my..... this girl from the Pacific NW, just isn't used to these bitter cold midwest winters...... this is our 3rd winter, and I still don't feel I am acclimated to the winters......... maybe someday?  Can't wait for that woodstove to get installed.....it's coming......it's coming.......

Meanwhile, we continue to deal with furnace woes! Can you believe our furnace goes out in the coldest week we have had all year long? I woke up last night to use the restroom and as soon as I stepped out of bed I *knew* the furnace had gone out completely......... sure enough by morning, the house was down to the mid fifties. Dru was able to get it running, but again it's not running at full capacity...... just enough to keep us somewhat warm.....about 62 so I can't complain.....I have some space heaters we have plugged into the parlor and bedrooms and that helps immensely. 

We also are dealing with plumbing woes! I tell you when it rains it pours!  Dru is replumbing our upstairs bathroom as I type........ oh the joys of old homes! You know I love love old homes for their charm and history....... but oh one does need lots of love and TLC when working with one of these old homes. :)

I am crossing my fingers that we can get our plumbing problems under control!

Oh yeah, I am almost forgot -- my husband's truck broke down as well..... like I said when it rains it pours! : )  I am not worried about things -- God is in charge and He is more than able to take care of things.... but oh the timing! Oh well. I guess we'll really appreciate when that stove gets installed and working up a wonderfully warm heat!!

Meanwhile, I stayed home today and enjoyed a quiet day at home........ put on a good pot of lentil & italian sausage soup & made 2 loaves of wheat bread......... we enjoyed some Christmas flicks , including a new one that we absolutely loved: An Avonlea Christmas. We are BIG fans of Avonlea and we absolutely loved this movie!! It was wonderful!

I also made another family favorite & holiday tradition.  My camera is broken so new pictures to share with you all. :(    This is a fabulous recipe, and is wonderful good served with warm sauce & a cup of tea.

                                            Gingerbread & Lemon Sauce

2 cups white flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup butter softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

2/3 cup boiling water

1 tsp baking soda

2 well beaten eggs

1. stir together flour, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugar together, add molasses and eggs. Set aside

3. In a seperate bowl, pour boiling water over soda. Add other ingredients.

4. Beat well.

5. Pour into a well battered  9x9 pan and bake at 325 for 40 min. or until done.

                                           Lemon Sauce

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 TBS cornstarch  + 1 tsp cornstarch

pinch of salt

1 tsp grated lemon rind

1  1/2 cups water

1 TBS  butter

1/4 cup lemon juice

1. In a med saucepan stir together sugar, cornstarch, salt and lemon rind

2. Gradually add water and stir continually and cook until mix thickens.

3. Cover and cook on low for about 8 min. Stir occasionally.

4. Remove from heat and add butter & lemon juice.

Serve warm 

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Here's hoping each one of you enjoy a warm evening ~ this is a special week as we look forward with anticipation to the day we celebrate our Lord and Savior's birth! I have many things planned for this week and I am committed to not letting these problems with things at home breaking down get "me down" or rob us of the JOY that truly is in Jesus this time of year!

I pray each one of you finds your greatest JOY and strength in our precious Lord ~~~ He truly is worthy of our Praise!

Blessed be His name,

~ gloria ~

Battling the Flu

We have been battling the stomach flu here this past week...... today it was "my turn"..... it wasn't too bad, but I can't eat and I am just drinking lots of water.  Fortunately this is a 24 hour bug -- so I really can't complain......... I am hoping that it was have gone thru the family before Christmas next week.  I have 10 children, so you can imagine how long it takes for the flu to work it's way thru the family....... get the idea?

Honestly this has been a challening week on many fronts -- starting with our furnace breaking down, last Sunday night ... and this being one of the coldest weeks ( in the teens) ....... and then kids getting sick......

But I am trying to not be anxious for anythings, as Paul writes....... but in all things giving thanks to God. ( Ephesians 5:20) ..... the furnace worked enough to make sure the house didn't get so cold, and our pipes didn't burst! Praise God for that! Plus God answered my prayer of finally putting a fire under my husband to order that much needed stove pipe. It was supposed to be here today -- but didn't arrive, so hopefully tomorrow. Meanwhile dru is busy building the hearth for the stove to sit on......so in the midst of the challenges, good things are happening too!

We spent the afternoon watching some really cute Christmas videos ...... and just resting....... you may have noticed that I changed my template.....I really really love sepia photos ...... so I took one of tthe shots I had taken of the kids this week and played around with it...... hope you like it. :)

God is good -- faithful & our ever present help in time of trouble --ever much so when this mama of ten is sick......

Hope you are all staying warm & healthy,

~ gloria ~

Elsie Dinsmore Fans

Shsh........ I picked up this lovely book for my daughter Hannah for her Christmas book this year.........

Hannah is a big fan of the famed Elsie Dinsmore books...... they are wonderful Christian stories written by Christian author, Martha Finley.  We also enjoy the other Life of faith books..... these are wonderful books for girls. You can learn more about them at www.elsiedinsmore.com

We picked up this book used for less than $2 thru amazon.com ...... it's in perfect condition.

She will be so excited!

~ gloria ~

Christmas Cards

We awoke to some more snow this morning and some beautiful blue skies..... so I decided to take some photos of the children for our Christmas cards..........

Here are my girls......

And my boys..........

And here is all of the "gang".......

And the one we actually chose for our card........

The snow we got was so powdery and not the usual "wet stuff" we get here in Missouri, that I gave the kids the day  "off" from school and let them play outside.  Hannah went to a friend's from church and made & decorated Christmas cookies.  I was able to get the photos printed off and notes written inside. I decided to individually write a personal note in each Christmas card this year.  I really miss this tradition. Doesn't seem like many write personal notes in their cards anymore -- the trend seems to be the " Christmas letter" instead of individual cards. When I was a girl growing up,  my mom would put up in the entry way a felt banner where we would hang the Christmas cards on display.  We would get scads and scads of cards...... this was before computers and printers and digital cameras. No one would put photos on their cards and such.  It was always sooo exciting to go to the mail and get a christmas card! I would race home and show mom and we would read the inscribed message and personal note.  After the holiday season was over, mom would let me take down those cards and I could cut out the pictures on them and make collages and art work. It was something I really enjoyed doing.

It seems we have "lost" the art of Christmas cards. It's gone out of "style" in many ways.  So this year I decided to get forgo the  generic Christmas letter and write a personal inscription to each family.  I used a lovely gold pen and took time to write it out carefuly and neatly. No computer print out this time.

The kids enjoyed a full day.... and we had a late dinner.... so I am off to bed..... but wanted to share these photos with you my readers here on my blog. :)

Goodnight,

~ gloria ~

Softly Falls the Snow

It has been snowing all day here........ we have about 4 inches and it is just softly coming down now....... what is it about when it snows at night? There is such a beautiful hush and silence that falls upon the earth..... it's so peaceful....... I love to take walks at night when it's snowing...... it just quiets my soul......

I also wanted to share a wonderful Christmas CD that I am enjoying .  Each year I enjoy picking out some new Christmas music. This year I chose Amy Grant's new Christmas Collection. She wrote some new songs and oh it is so beautiful!  She also included some old classics too. I love, love love the CD and highly recommend it.

Well I am off to bed.........our furnace broke down and we are all camping out  in the school house..... where it's nice and warm ...... we have the repair man coming tomorrow, and we finally ordered the stainless steel pipe that we needed to line our old chimney with so we can install our woodstove! Yeah!! That is an answered prayer for me, as I have been praying daily for months now to have that liner for the winter months.  God is so good and faithful to take care of our needs!

Sweet dreams,

~ gloria ~

Out of the mouth of babes....

Today I was having a particularly challenging day. My 8 yr old son, Paul wrote this note to me and it was as if Jesus had written it Himself....... it was exactly what I needed to hear!  So precious.....my son who is is learning how to write...so his note was very child like..... but oh so precious! 

"Dear Mom,

I know this is long, but you need to trust Jesus and you need to be happy when things go bad and happy when things go good.   - Paul "

Oh how I needed to hear this today! It was as if Jesus Himself was speaking to me!  I do need to remember to praise God when things are going poorly as when things are going smoothly and well! If we are only praising God for the good -- shall we not praise Him for the bad too? Job said that.....

It was like a jolt hit me when I read this note........my Lord was telling me to have JOY!!!!

I hugged paul and was teary and when I looked down at him I saw tears coming down his cheeks too...

Out of the mouth of babes,

Thank you, Lord!

~ gloria ~

immediate prayer request

dear friends in the faith,

I have need of immediate prayers for a personal situation that I am not at liberty to share publically.

I know many of you love the Lord very much -- would you please pray for me in this situation? I am seeking discernment and wisdom .  

Knowing the Lord is able -- but asking for friends in the Lord to stand in the gap at this time.

Thank you so much dear friends!!

gloria

Weaving Lace

" In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are special rooms devoted to the spinning of the world's finest lace, all with the most delicate patterns.  The rooms are kept completely dark, except for the light that falls directly on the developing pattern, from one very small window.  Only one person sits in each smal room, where narrow rays of light fall upon the threads he is weaving, for lace is always more beautifully and delicately  woven when the weaver himself is in the dark, with only his work in the light.

  Sometimes darkness in our lives is worse, because we cannot even see the web we are weaving or understand what we are doing.  Therefore we are unable to see any beauty or any possible good arising from our expierence. Yet if we are faithful to forge ahead and "if we do not give up" ( Gal. 6:9) someday we will know that the most equisite work of our lives was done during those dark days when it was the darkest.

  If you seem to be living in deep darkness because God is working in strange and mysterious ways, do not be afraid.  Simply go foward in faith and love, never doubting Him. He is watching and will bring goodness and beauty from all your pain and tears."     ~  J.R. Miller

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The shuttles of HIs purpose move,

To carry out His own design

Seek not too soon to disaprove,

His work, nor yet assign

Dark motives, when with silent tread,

You view some somber fold;

For lo, within each darker thread

There twines a thread of gold.

Spin cheerfully,

Not tearfully,

He knows the way you plod;

Spin carefully,

Spin prayerfully,

But leave the thread with God.

                    ~ From  The Candadian Home Journal ~

The fatherless & widows

 This passage was on my heart today.......

" A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows is God in His holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families."   ~  Psalms 66: 5 & 6

Truly the Lord is a Father to us all.  But He does have a special burden for those who are truly fatherless.... the countless children in this world who do not have a father in their homes and heart..... and in today's world there are so many! Many children in America are fatherless --- with more and more children being raised in homes where there is no father, God truly can be the father to these children they do not have!  He also has made special provisions for widows. Women who find themselves without a husband . In the Word we find countless passsages where the Lord directs Israel to watch over the widows and fatherless & to provide for their needs.  In James, we are told that pure religion is to "visit" the fatherless & widows in their afflictions.

God truly has a special place in His heart for the most vulnerable of our society  -- the fatherless & widows.

Many children today do have a father who is physically present, but for whatever reasons is not emotionally present..... perhaps the father is gone for long periods of time and is not able to be home...... God can be the Father to these children that their own fathers can not be! Perhaps some of you ladies feel you have been "widowed" .. perhaps your husbands are not emotionally or spiritually present or available and you feel somewhat left alone........ do not despair!  The Lord is more than able to be for you what your husband is not able to be!

My God is more than able to be everything for everyone! He is God!

How wonderful it is to know that my precious Lord is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and doesn't take off for holidays! No! He is there -- ever present, ever faithful and ever true!

His name be praised!

~ gloria~

Battle Scars

" Just as old soldiers compare their battle scars and stories of war when they get together, when we arrive at our heavenly home, we will tell of the goodness and faithfullness of God, who brought us through every trial along the way. I would not like to stand with the multitude clothed in robes made "white in the blood of the lamb" ( Rev. 7:14) and hear these words: " "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation' - all except you."

How would you like to stand there and be pointed out as the only saint who never expierenced sorrow? Never! you would feel like a stranger in the midst of sacred fellowship. Therefore may we be content to share in the battle, for we will soon wear a crown of reward and wave a palm branch of praise. "  

                                ~    Charles H. Spurgeon ~

"What nobler medal of honor could any godly person seek than the scars of service, personal loss for the crown of reward, disgrace for the sake of Christ, and being worn out in the Master's service!"

 " God will not examine your life for medals, diplomas, or degrees, but for    battle scars."

                                                          ~ L.B Cowman ~

Holiday Eggnog

I love eggnog and so does my family!! We have made this recipe for years and it is sooo good! No raw eggs or alcohol needed! Yummy!!

                                                 Holiday Eggnog

8 cups whole milk ( must be whole milk)

1 3 oz package vanilla instant pudding mix

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp rum extract

1/2 tsp nutmeg

In a large bowl mix pudding with 1 cup milk.  Place in fridge. When pudding is set add all other ingredients and mix well.  Chill at least 3 hours.  Serve with nutmeg & whipped cream!

Enjoy!

~ gloria ~

Christmas Nativity Cookie Cutters

I just found this adorable Nativity Cookie Cutter set on www.amazon.com for $7.95!!!!

We have a set already we purchased years back from www.zondervan.com but I much prefer the metal cookie cutters vs. the plastic ones!

I am definately going to be ordering this one!

~ gloria ~