TLC X4 Coming Soon

Looking forward to the 4 AZ TLC's coming for the weekend and then hosting our church family on Monday for a big backyard cookout.  Yippeee!

Wish the Kentucky grandkids and their folks could be here too but hopefully we will be there for some summer fun in July.

God is amazing and each day I pray for a grateful heart that shows my appreciation to Him.  In the good times and in what we would deem bad times He is amazing in His love for me.  

Just bought these popsicle makers at Walmart last night in preparation for fun in the backyard.  Speaking of backyards Precious Husband has ours looking beautiful!  He is so enjoying his labor of love there too which makes it even nicer.

Check out my rose from the rose garden:

Who but an amazing God could create such beauty?

Retirement

Precious Husband is most certainly enjoying retirement and our back yard is all the happier to have his delightful attention.

When we were away for the weekend Precious Husband said that what made the weekend more enjoyable than those in the past was that he did not have to worry about what needed to be done for work when he returned home.  I am so happy . . .

 

This beautiful delicate butterfly was a gift from Precious Husband this weekend.  This photo does not do it justice - it is so pretty.

 

We just returned from a wonderful few days in northern Arizona.  Beautiful blue skies, gentle breezes, all just perfect.  I am so thankful for my Precious Husband who enjoys spoiling his wife ***

 

As I sat down this morning for my quiet time I realized I had not changed the calendar in my sanctuary.  Look what came with the turn of a page.  

It is a wonderful life but in my opinion it is only wonderful when we give praise to God all through the day for the amazing things He has done, is doing and plans to do in our lives.  

Lord, give me a grateful heart that is full of praise and thanksgiving to You.

Amen

Thought For The Day

"Life is too short just to use black or blue ink.  Especially too short to use permanent black markers."

My original quote for the day.  Can you tell : - )

Watch and be UTTERLY AMAZED

The Lord tells Habakkuk, "Watch and be utterly amazed."

Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Habakkuk's prayer of faith:

Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.


This little book of Habakkuk gives awesome encouragement this morning.  Thank You Lord.

Watch and be utterly amazed!  Oh, this sounds exciting.  This sounds encouraging.  This prompts my faith to agree in prayer with Habakkuk and say, no matter what I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength!

Watch and be utterly amazed!

My Heroes

Such a day of mixed emotions.

Last night we were blessed to take part in celebrating Pastor Walt Rattray's 70th birthday.  What an amazing man he is.  Pastor Walt is the man God has used to establish Church on the Street a ministry that has been duplicated across our country and overseas as well.

Truly I look to Pastor Walt and see the heart of God.  He has ministered to the down and out, the crazies of the world, those who no one else gave the time of day.  He has done this day in and day out with an amazing sense of energy and zeal that most certainly comes from the Lord.  When other men may have been enjoying retirement for 6 or 8 years now this man of God has not even shown signs of slowing down.  Paul and I were both snapping pictures from the front row but were hard pressed to get a good one - most came out in a blur because the man does not stand still.

His wife Louene, my friend, has been by his side through out the years of ministry and is truly one of the role models of a christian woman for me.  She too is amazing and words will never be adequate to describe the woman referred to as "Miss Louene" by all the disciples of Church on the Street.

The birthday cake was ablaze but more so were the hearts of those in attendance - ablaze with love for a very special man.  My hero, Pastor Walt!!

Yesterday we celebrated the birthday of one of my heroes and on the same day grieve the loss of my other hero.  David Wilkerson 79 years old was killed in an automobile accident in Texas and his wife badly injured also.  

This is the man that established Teen Challenge Ministry that is very similar to Church on the Street.  He was the "Skinny Preacher" that led Nicky Cruz to the Lord and was the basis of the movie, The Cross and the Switchblade".   I watched this movie when I was a teenager in our little youth group in California.  

David Wilkerson too had an amazing heart for the hurting and an amazing ministry.   I have kept all the newsletters I received from his ministry and they are never old or yesterday's news because they are full of the Word and full of God's encouragement to the hurting.  They spur me on in my faith.

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Yes, I have mixed emotions this morning but so thankful to God for such godly examples to me for these many years.  David Wilkerson is basking in the Lord's presence today for which I praise God and Pastor Walt is again today doing what he does best, loving and winning people for the Lord.

Lots of Needs

Yesterday I received word of a friend in the hospital undergoing tests.  Today another friend called who was admitted to ICU.  There are so many needs around us it seems.  Such times call for abundant prayers.  I take such encouragement knowing I can pray and trust the Lord for answers and for peace to my heart.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

The Prayer of Faith] Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.  James 5:13

 

Time to go to prayer for friends. Prayer is what I would want from my friends.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday - Broccoli Salad

Now that I found the recipe for Broccoli Salad I won't have to go to Sweet Tomatoes' Soup and Salad Bar any longer.  Oh, my is this salad ever good and it is the actual recipe from Sweet Tomatoes.  Try it and see if you don't agree that it is yummy yummy in the tummy!

Sweet Tomatoes’ Broccoli Salad

1 bunch uncooked broccoli*
½ cup crumbled cooked bacon
½ cup cashews
1/3 cup raisins
¼ cup chopped red onions

Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Mix the first five ingredients in a large bowl.
In a second bowl, beat dressing ingredients together gently until smooth.
Toss the salad with the dressing approximately 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve on chilled salad dishes.

Serves 6-8.

Delight Yourself . . .

 

It has always been my desire - this concept of open heart - open home.  Concept is one thing.  Bringing a concept to fruition is quite another.  My heart is open.  My home is open.  But pride raises it ugly head and makes this whole delight of my heart quite a challenge.

Anthony had been here since his surgery on Thursday and Jason came down on Friday for the weekend.  The brothers had a good time together doing what they do best.   I spent Saturday in the kitchen most of the day putting together a dinner for Easter afternoon.  

Needless to say the house - our home - became a little messy.  Bird seed covered the floor in the family room.  Dust covered most everything else - hey, just being honest here.

Sunday usually is relaxed because till now our service had been 3 PM.  I loved this time because it meant a little sleeping in and a leisurely morning and lunch before leaving for church at 2.  But yesterday we changed service time now starting at 10 AM which meant we had to be on the road by 9:00 AM. 

I did not hustle my little self quite fast enough and the house was left in some disarray to be sure.  

This disarray was the first thought in my mind when Precious Husband told me we were bringing home someone who would have otherwise been alone for Easter.  Immediately PRIDE kicked its ugly head up and all I could think of was 2 guest rooms with beds not made and bird seed all over the floor. What would he think?

Praise God I am growing and my heart's desire is greater than my pride which I took a big gulp of and swallowed hard.  We had a lovely day getting to better know a member of our church and share our family with.  Our guest got quite a kick out of watching me attempt to get a picture of our 4 TLCs in their matching summer outfits they got for Easter.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Psalm 37:4

Yes, I desire to have a home that is open and enough love to conquer the pride that would challenge me in this area.  God is good.

Mom's Confidence Today

 

My kids hear this comment from me more than anything else, "life happens."  It is true, but no need to worry, no need to get anxious, no need because the Lord is in control.  

Just sat down after seeing Anthony off to surgery and when I opened my computer I came to this verse:

The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, 

"Surely , just as I have intended so it has happened, 

and just as I have planned so it will stand"

Isiah 14:24

I love the fact that God knows exactly what is happening and nothing surprises Him.  Our lives have been mapped out perfectly before time began. This fact gives this mom great confidence.

The picture above is Anthony watching dad's Ipad after we are told the surgeon will be 40 minutes late.  Dad to the rescue - always there for us.  

Just ready to push the publish button and the surgeon came out to say all is well and Anthony is in recovery.  Thank you Jesus.

So Easy - So Good

On the way out the door but want to get my Family Favorite Recipe out to you today.  What could be easier for quick hospitality than a fruit cobbler and it is delish - to be sure.  Top with some vanilla ice-cream and you have an instant winner.

Fruit Cobbler

1 stick of butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

can of cherry pie filling (or 3-4 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches is good)

Melt butter in 8x8 glass pan. Mix sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and milk together and pour over melted butter. Don't mix. Top with fruit and again don't mix. Bake at 375* for 30 minutes or till golden brown.

As always on Tuesday go see Lisa for more great ideas.

Remembering What Mary Chose

This morning my mind is a whirl as I contemplate a full week and many things in our family that would in the natural cause me to worry.  With 5 children there is always something for sure BUT then I come back to what I know: God is more than sufficient for all my needs and more than capable to take care of all my situations.  

Martha was busy with her to-do list.  Oh how I love Martha!  I can so relate.  I cope best with my to-do list.  I like my ducks in order and I don't like surprises.  But Mary!  She chose the best and I am heading the Lord's advice this morning and letting Mary be my role model for the day.

Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. 10:40 But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” 10:41 But the Lord  answered her,   “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things,  but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”

Bountiful Springtime Beauty

I am so blessed to have a beautiful yard with lots of flowers.  Such an enjoyment to go out first thing in the morning and cut fresh roses for the table and my window sill over the kitchen sink.

TLC#3 and Tea

TLC#3 came home with us yesterday.  Today was girl's day all the way.  

We started the day with our aprons on for breakfast.  

We gathered our purses, hankies, added some jewelry and it was off to Walmart to shop for pink nail polish.  Unfortunately the little town of Maricopa doesn't have an antique store so we were limited to Walmart.

Home from Walnut it was grilled cheese sandwiches and fresh vegges followed by a nice nap.  Amazing what the promise of fun to come will do to promote quick napping.

Peach tea served while watching Peter Rabbit movies.  These water colored delights just make my day but usually I am the one more intrigued than the child I am with.  So it was today, oh well.

Pink nail polish always makes little girls smile.

All in all we had a delightful day.  

Old Standby Revisited

Tomorrow is my day to go over to my daughter's home and hang out with the 4 TLC's but we are changing things up a bit this time.  Precious Husband is going with me so he can spend time with the kids and allow Danielle and I time to do a mega shopping and cooking day in the kitchen.  Looking forward to getting lots of good things stocked in the freezer.

In preparation for the day I automatically think about two very favorite cookbooks, Make a Mix and More Make a Mix by Karine Eliason.  These are cookbooks I have had for years and their pages show the signs of ingredients that got to close to their pages.  Hey, these are memory making stains right?

With the economy as it is making the price of groceries skyrocket cookbooks like this are so much more important.  Cooking from scratch and buying the ingredients in bulk if possible makes so much sense.

So tonight I will get my cookbooks out and get a list of ingredients going on paper and look forward to a big day tomorrow.

Garden Lessons

This morning having breakfast by the pond with Precious Husband I couldn't help but notice the asparagus ferns that hug both sides of the waterfall.  Green, soft, supple, eye catching, healthy.  Not so a few weeks ago.  A few weeks ago they were yellow, dry, over-grown, brittle with lots of dead prickly hurtful branches jetting out everywhere.

What made the difference?  The gardener got very busy with his pruners.  Yes, Precious Husband really cut them back to the bare minimum and they were definitely not pretty to look at after this severe pruning but so worth it now to see the results.

Viewing my asparagus fern I find myself praying, "Lord, prune me.  Clip me back to the roots if You need to because I know I need it and I will flourish as a result."

The Vine and the Branches

John 15

1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.