The list has been made

and it is a very long list.

I'm talking about the list I just wrote of things I plan on making for gifts this year.

When did it the holidays sneak up on me?

It does help that I'm done shopping for the kids. It's just a waiting game as far as wrapping goes. Things have to be delivered you know!

I figure I need to start doing my thing very soon...but where do I start???

Hello fellow crafters!

I just thought I would share something that you might find useful with the impending holidays!

It's a website called Factory Direct Crafts! They've got lots of cute stuff and it's very inexpensive :) (which is always a plus!)

I just purchased some corn cob pipes for my boys as stocking stuffers! They are VERY into Popeye right now, and what better than a real pipe?!? And I was able to get 4 pipes for less than $3! Right now anything that they can fit between their teeth is their 'pipe', lol. They will be very excited!

Check them out!

It's the Holiday Shopping Carnival!!

Chilihead at Don't try this at home is hosting a Holiday Shopping Carnival!!!!!

I don't know about you, but I always need help figuring out what to get everyone on my Christmas list!

(Oh, and John dear, it's okay for you to read this...it would be silly of me to even think of blogging anything that I am even thinking of getting you for Christmas!)

There are a lot of bloggers sharing at least 5 gifts that they recommend....complete with links to their ideas!

So check it out! I am :)

I'm really racking my brain on what some good gifts would be. Here are some that I came up with:

**Last year for gifts, we gave the first three DVD's in the Torchlighters series. It includes The Jim Eliot Story, The William Tyndale Story and The John Bunyan Story. It has a parent guide that goes along with it so you can discuss it with your children after you've watched them. My sister and brother-in-law said that their families really enjoyed them! This year, they have released The Eric Liddell Story that might become some more gifts!

**For the young child on your list, I recommend Andrew Peterson's The Ballad of Matthew's Begats An Unlikely Royal Family Tree. "This special book bridges the Old Testament and New Testament, showing Jesus' birth as part of God's plan from the very beginning. -AP" It comes with a cd of the song as well! The artwork in it is excellent!

**We just received this cd set last week. It is now definitely one of my favorites! It is Stuart Townend. It is a live 2 cd set that includes great, theologically sound music. It has just now become available to the US, and I highly recommend getting this! This is what they say on their site: "The writer who has penned such songs as; In Christ Alone, How Deep The Fathers Love and The Power of The Cross. Stuart has the ability and annointing to write songs that are full of sound theology and dynamic challenges. This album takes us on his journey as a writer from the early songs to the new. Be inspired by the very best of Stuart Townend Live."

**Last year for Christmas, my sister got my dad Play Nine. It's a great card game that can be played by young kids all the way to adults. You don't even have to like golf! I highly recommend this

**Here is something else that will interest young minds! I recently purchased these two books for my stepsons for Christmas. Ripley's Believe It or Not: The Remarkable...revealed and Guinness World Records 2008 . I was enjoying going through it! (I would recommend going through it beforehand to make sure there is nothing objectional in it...I found a couple things that I had to remove.)

**Here is something else my boys really enjoy playing with. It's from Target and it's very durable. My boys have had it for a couple of years now and it isn't broken!!! It's a Parents Classic Cash Register. It works like a calculator and comes with play money!

Feel free to add on if you'd like...make sure you check out the carnival!!! Also check out Sew Mama Sew...she is having tutorials for each day of November, showing different crafts you can make for gifts!!!

The Rebel's Guide to Joy - William Cowper

A quote

25"It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the
slave like his master" (Matthew 10:25)

"No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshiped, by those whom He came to bless? No; 'He was despised and rejected of men.' Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? 'Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.' This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such---if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation---you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Savior---they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? 'If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they them of His household?

'If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonor to a child of God to be the world's favorite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout 'Well done' to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honor where our Lord found a coronet of thorn."

--Charles Spurgeon

Look what I got....

I saw this shirt on Baby Brewing and had to get one. So you better watch out...chances are, if we meet up...it's gonna be blogged!

Have you ever eaten something soooo good, you just had to share?

This morning, one of the first things I did was get my crock pot filled with the makings for tonight's dinner: Potato Soup.

I baked the bacon in the oven.

(For those of you who have never baked bacon in the oven, do it! I bake them on the large Pampered Chef stoneware bar pan. If you use a regular cookie sheet, it will spit and splatter. With the stoneware, it doesn't! It definitely takes the fuss out of preparing bacon!)

I peeled and cut up the potatoes.

I chopped up the onion.

Added the rest of the ingredients from the recipe, plus some additives of my own. (I can never seem to just leave a recipe alone when I make it....gotta make it your own, right?)

I just sampled it.

Oh.my.goodness.it.is.so.good!

I am controlling the urge to go get some more....maybe I need to check it one more time just to make sure it is edible....

I want a pair!!

Look at what I made :)

My good friend Melanie just had a baby! Since I found this pattern, I've been dying to try it out.

They are pretty easy to make and are just so soft and comfy.

I plan on making a much larger pair for my boys. I'm just waiting for the non-skid material I got off ebay to come in the mail!

Moms for Modesty

This is from Moms for Modesty blog.

Many of you shared your concerns about the current retail clothing trends for little girls and teen girls. The revealing nature of the styles and the slogans which convey attitude or sexual double entendre were of particular concern to you. You also shared your struggle with finding clothing that was stylish and fun, yet modest. Some of you even addressed this issue on your own blogs.

I've created the Moms for Modesty Mission Statement. If you agree with the Statement, please sign it by leaving your affirmation in the comments of this post. This is not an issue that is exclusively Christian in nature, though I am a Christian mom.

It is a parenting issue, a mom issue.

Many retailers, marketing and PR firms review mommy blogs for trends and opinions. If we speak as one we may be able to effect change. Please let your blogging friends know and if you normally don't leave a comment, please leave one now.

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement

*As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common sense modesty for girls and young women.

*I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.

*I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.

*I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.

*I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls' and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

My Take on Pat Robertson’s Endorsement of Giuliani by Denny Burk

Initially, I wasn’t sure if shock or utter frustration was the dominant emotion evoked by the news of Pat Robertson’s endorsement of Rudy Giuliani. The more I have had time to think about it, the more I’m convinced it’s the latter rather than the former.

On the merits, Robertson’s stated reasons for supporting Giuliani do not measure up to what pro-life voters expect from leaders in the pro-life movement. In announcing his endorsement, Robertson said that he believes “the overriding issue before the American people is the defense of our population from the blood lust of Islamic terrorists” (source). The “overriding issue”? Does he really think that one has to make a choice at this point between protecting the unborn and protecting the nation from terrorists? Isn’t he aware that there are several other candidates who are just as strong on national defense as Giuliani but who are also pro-life? Anyone who cares about protecting the unborn would choose one of the many candidates who is both pro-life and strong on national defense. To back a pro-choice candidate at this point makes no senses at all. This is primary season, after all, not the general election.

But should we really be all that shocked anymore at the gaffes of Pat Robertson?

You can read the rest of the article here.

The Gift of Worship

This video is very well done. My only criticism is that it seems to only talk of worship when we sing at church. I feel that worship is more than a weekly occurrence. Worship is a daily, hourly, minute by minute act of reverence to God. The way that we conduct our lives should be in a state of constant worship.

Thoughts?

Band of Bloggers

As announced at the Said at Southern blog, "the 2008 Band of Bloggers fellowship will take place during lunch (11:30-1:30) on Tuesday, April 14, 2008 at the Galt House in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Guest speakers and panelists for the event include Tim Challies, Justin Taylor, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Mark Lauterbach .... The theme for next year’s conference, 'The Gospel Trust,' will focus on what it means to be servants of God and stewards entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ."

You may find out more about the Band of Bloggers at their website. Here is a description from their About page:

Together.

For the Gospel of Jesus Christ.The Band of Bloggers was started with a vision and collaborative effort to unite bloggers who have a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It carries with it a desire that the gospel be normative in our lives, central in our writing, and powerful in our witness to the world. The first Band of Bloggers fellowship developed when several bloggers who were attending the 2006 Together for the Gospel Conference discussed the possibility of holding a meeting to encourage one another to live and write with a gospel-centered emphasis. Within a matter of weeks, the idea had blossomed to an event with a panel of speakers–Justin Taylor, Tim Challies, Dr. Albert Mohler, and Dr. Russell Moore–and a gathering of more than 70 bloggers hosted by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The meeting served to compliment the thrust of the conference, viz. to come together for the sake of the gospel in this generation.

The second Band of Bloggers fellowship is slated to take place in 2008, again inconcert with the Together for the Gospel Conference. This year’s theme, “The Gospel Trust,” focuses on what it means to be entrusted as servants of God and stewards of His glorious gospel. During the period of time leading up to the 2008 Band of Bloggers fellowship, we will endeavor to fuel a greater passion for the gospel of the glory of Christ through resources, articles, and media (including podcasts).As we seek to facilitate discussion and foster gospel-driven lives and blogs, we encourage you to join in and share this vision with others. For comments, questions, or to contact us, please email to thegospeltrust@gmail.com.

I definitely plan on attending!

November Challies Giveaway!

Enter to win!

Fighting the battle of unmotivation

I woke up this morning in a very blah mood. It seems to be a very common occurrence around here. If I were single and childless, I'm sure that my day would be much less productive. It's always much easier to roll over in bed when you don't hear your children playing/fighting/crying in the room across the hall. It's one of those things you just don't have a choice about. You have to get up!

I realized after everyone was up, dressed and fed, that I still had no motivation to do the things that needed to be done...things like laundry, cleaning, shopping, even showering. I still wanted to just lay around and do nothing. I had to stop myself from being me-centered and focus on the job that God has given me to do.

Instead of looking at my daily tasks as chores, I need to think of them as blessings. It is a blessing that I have four little boys, dependent on me for almost everything. It is a joy that I am able to serve my husband by keeping a clean house (including clean clothes!). I need to live my day with a heart that glorifies God in everything!

What a daunting task!

My heart is so full of selfishness that I only want to think of me all the time....even while doing things for my boys! My eyes are always focused on the end result....not in the act of service.

My daily prayer is that I live a life of JOY that truly glorifies the Lord in ALL I do...not just the things that I enjoy doing!

Check out who is on Huckabee's blogroll!!

ME!!!!!

You have to scroll down to find me :)

Two for Tuesday! Hot Bacon and Swiss Dip

I was going through my recipes, and I found another favorite! Every time I have brought this to a potluck...there is never any left! Enjoy!

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup swiss cheese, grated
1/2 cup mayo
8 slices bacon, crumbled

Ritz crackers, crumbled

Mix the top 4 ingredients together and spread in an 8x8 dish. Top with the crumbled Ritz crackers! Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until warm and bubbly!

This is best served with crackers on the side.

It is very easy to double. I don't think I've ever made the recipe without doubling it! I usually just use a 9x13 casserole dish when doubling.

It is a very rich dip that will keep you coming back for more :)

Holiday Recipes #2: Sweet Potato Casserole (sorry NO marshmallows)

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour

Mix together sweet potatoes, white sugar, 1/2 cup butter, evaporated milk, eggs and vanilla. Spread into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Mix together 1/3 cup melted butter, pecans, brown sugar and flour. Spoon on top of the sweet potato mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

This is another recipe that you can prepare the day ahead. I would hold off on adding the topping until you are ready to put into the oven. You also need to adjust the cooking time accordingly...since it will be cold, it will take longer. You can also take it out of the fridge a couple hours ahead of baking to get the temp down a bit. I usually do this so it doesn't shock the baking dish.

Enjoy!

Amazing Grace by John Newton

Born: Ju­ly 24, 1725, Lon­don, Eng­land.

Died: De­cem­ber 21, 1807, Lon­don, Eng­land.

Buried: Orig­in­al­ly at St. Ma­ry Wool­noth Church, Lom­bard Street, Lon­don.

In 1893, New­ton and his wife Ma­ry were re­in­terred in the south­east cor­ner of the grave­yard at St. Pe­ter and St. Paul’s Church, Ol­ney.

This is prob­ab­ly the most pop­u­lar hymn in the Eng­lish lan­guage. Per­haps it is be­cause its words so well de­scribe the au­thor: John New­ton was a slave trad­er be­fore com­ing to Christ. It was sung at the fun­er­al of Amer­i­can pre­si­dent Ron­ald Rea­gan.

Newton’s mo­ther died when he was sev­en years old. At age 11, with but two years school­ing and on­ly a rud­i­men­tary know­ledge of Latin, John went to sea with his fa­ther. His life at sea was filled with won­der­ful es­capes, viv­id dreams, and a sail­or’s reck­less­ness. He grew into a god­less and aban­doned man. He was once flogged as a de­sert­er from the na­vy, and for 15 months lived, half starved and ill treated, as a slave in Africa.

A chance read­ing of Thom­as à Kemp­is sowed the seed of his con­ver­sion. It was ac­cel­er­at­ed by a night spent steer­ing a wa­ter­logged ship in the face of ap­par­ent death. He was then 23 years old. Over the next six years, dur­ing which he com­mand­ed a slave ship, his faith ma­tured. He spent the next nine years most­ly in Li­ver­pool, stu­dy­ing He­brew and Greek and ming­ling with White­field, Wes­ley, and the Non­con­form­ists. He was even­tu­al­ly or­dained, and be­came cur­ate at Ol­ney, Buck­ing­ham­shire, in 1764. It was at Ol­ney that he formed a life long friend­ship with Wil­liam Cow­per, and pro­duced the Ol­ney Hymns.

A mar­ble plaque at St. Mary Wool­noth car­ried the epi­taph which New­ton him­self wrote:

JOHN NEWTON,

ClerkOnce an infidel and libertine

A servant of slaves in Africa,Was,

by the rich mercy of our Lord and SaviourJESUS CHRIST,

restored, pardoned, and ap­point­ed to preach

the Gospel which he had long laboured to destroy.

He min­is­tered,Near sixteen years in Ol­ney, in Bucks,

And twenty-eight years in this Church.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

I won! I won!

On Friday, I was notified that I won some handmade cards seen here.

I was thrilled since I never seem to win much of anything.

On Saturday morning, I received an email that I had won a DVD to teach sign language to young children...seen here.

I thought 'WOW'...I've won two things...how great is this?!?

A couple of hours later, I got an email from a blogger in northern Ireland saying that I won a cookbook, seen here.

I was so excited....could it get any better???

Then I won a knitted scarf, seen here.

Four giveaways....won by me?

Then I won a t-shirt, seen here.

Then a book and a $25 gift certificate to Kangaroodle, seen here.

As soon as I sent my info to that email, I had won another giveaway for a game that I am looking forward to playing soooooo much!

Ever played Quelf?

It was starting to get kinda weird...and then I won something else! A book....seen here.

I know that I had signed up for hundreds of giveaways, but most of these are random drawings, so I was only hoping to win one!

I woke up this morning, happy that I had won 8 giveaways. I checked my email, and I won something else! A book!

I am kind of shocked that I won 9 giveaways! (John was pretty surprised too!)

So check out the links and you might find a new favorite blog!

Wild Turkeys

My parents have some new visitors this autumn. They have eaten every last apple that has fallen on the ground from the apple trees. They have even gone to such lengths as to fly up to the apples still attached to knock them off onto the ground.

There are about 20-30 turkeys visiting on a given morning....plumping up on fruit. I think they should try to catch one for Thanksgiving. I mean...I know they have a pellet gun that could maim one long enough to chop off its head, right?