I'm wishing...and wondering....

I'm really wishing I was in GA right now. Not because I don't totally adore my RV and my family and my new church...but because I would like to be smack dab in the middle of planning my mom's wedding and my sil baby shower. Instead, I'm here, in Texas.

I wish I was helping mom pick out food, flowers, wedding attire, honeymoon attire (if you know what I mean), giving her the good ole' wedding night talk and just enjoying her company for these last few days that she is just mine.

I wish I was getting to know my soon to be step-dad...Pops as my kids are getting used to calling him. I'd love to get to know his kids, their family and see how we all mesh together into what will resemble somewhat of a Brady-Bunch looking family by the time this is all done.

I wish I was there to help Jan get the house in order for the baby, and help her get the room ready for Sidney Clare...of course I know my brother can do that...but there's something about another mom helping you get things ready for the arrival of your firstborn.

I wish I was there to help Amy, my sister, get all settled into her new apartment. Mostly I want to see how she's fixed the place up with her new furniture and stuff.

I'm just missing home....and all the things that accompany it. Late night talks and hilarity, exaggerating childhood stories so Mom freaks out some, and just enjoying being together.

If's funny. Today mom and I were talking about the timing of all this...how crazy life is for everyone right now. Made me thankful that in all the craziness we will be coming together to be still and celebrate love. A love that popped up surprisingly and has rested on her life. I feel calmer just thinking about that.

I'm wondering if God in all his infinite wisdom, knew our family would need to come together for this celebration. With babies, and moves, and weddings and RV living, and skunks and everything else that we are dealing with...we get to come together to celebrate LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

Waiting

If you are in the midst of doing Beth Moore's Esther Bible Study you know that lesson 5 deals with the four letter word- WAIT.

In my adult life I feel like I've spent a lot of time waiting for things to happen...here are a few:

1. to finish college
2. to get pregnant (took almost 10 years)
3. to wait for our daughter to come home for NICU (3 months)
4. to buy our first home
5. to finish remodeling our first home so we could move in
6. to get word about new jobs
7. to move from the RV to our new to us house

...and so much more.

You can make your own list- maybe like me, you feel you're playing the waiting game too. It's a test of patience...and I'm not saying I pass it.

Tonight as Beth Moore spoke she said something like this:

Don't spend your life waiting on events. Spend your life waiting on GOD! He's the only One worth waiting on.

That'll preach! Waiting on events always has that beautiful let down feeling after it's all done. Think about it...when we are pregnant...we don't say things like, "I can't wait to change 12 diapers a day". "I can't wait to be up all night with a fussy baby". All we think about is this picture of a woman in a pretty rocker and white gown rocking a baby and singing a lullaby. But, reality, or the beautiful letdown comes when we realize that woman doesn't exsist. The norm in life is a ragged mommy with spitup on her sweat shirt (which hasn't been changed in 3 days) rocking in the recliner and falling asleep way before the fussy baby does! It's not that it's a horrible life....it's just a phase of life.

When you fix your eyes on Jesus, the beautiful letdown will never come, because you'll be waiting on Him for everything. As He answers one prayer, or hears one concern, you move onto the next- and life continuously revolves around waiting on Him....and HE will give you strength as the eagles. When we wait for events, we lose sleep, we worry, we anticipate, we stress...but in waiting for the LORD we receive strength for the waiting, endurance for the journey and hope for the favor of God to shine on us.

As I am in a state of waiting right now, these words encouraged me. Maybe they will encourage you too.

Fall Recipe Exchange #7

We are in the midst of our Fall Recipe Exchange. If you are interested in participating here are the details: Fall Recipe Exchange .

Cheesecake Delight

Crust:

1 dry butter bake mix
1 stick of butter melted
2 eggs beaten

Combine ingredients and press in a 9x13 pan

Filling:

3 eggs beaten
1 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 pound of powdered sugar

Beat together and pour on top of crust. Back at 325-350 for 40 minutes.

*You can add chocolate chips to the crust....and it is delicious!

Thanks to Helen Starrett for sharing this recipe with me!

Your Attention Please

I recently started following Stuff Christians Like . Today's post, while extremely humorous, is sadly more the norm than the random. I'd love for you to read the post #626 Evangelizing the Trivial and let me know what you think. Why do we have such a problem sharing our faith?

Thankful Thursday

It's another Thankful Thursday over at Sonya's

Truth 4 the Journey .

This week I'm thankful for:

1. The opportunity to house-sit for a family and take care of the foreign exchange student they are hosting. He is such a blessing and a joy. And...we've been able to spread out in their house....nice since we are on month 3 of living in the RV!!

2. We put our down payment down on our house. (still praying our other house sells, but thankful for this step of faith)

3. There were 4 brand new faces on the church bus on Sunday morning. God is blessing the efforts of that ministry and I know that is an encouragement to my hubby and the bus workers.

4. A great new mom's ministry kick-off night last week at church. 30 moms came out for fun and fellowship!

5. It's not raining ...at least at this moment. We have had about 14 days of rain in a row...makes for no play time outside and a lot of RV playtime imagination. Thank you Lord...you know my limits!

A thankful heart is a happy heart! What are you thankful for today?

Rainbow Day

We are house-sitting this week for some new friends who are a host family for a foreign exchange student from Korea. Sonny is a delightful 15 year old young man, well mannered, kind, plays well with others. We are enjoying him tremdendously.

It's homecoming week at the high school and so it's also spirit week. You remember...wacky hair and sock days, backwards day...Well, seems the schools not too good about speaking Sonny's language. He didn't really understand the madness behind Homecoming Week at a State Championship Football Team highschool. We didn't know anything about it so we didn't know he was confused...and missing out! So, Tuesday afternoon, after two days of spirit week at school, he tells us that Wednesday is "Rainbow Day" at school. Hmmmm...rainbow day. Dress in colorful attire???...that must be it. So we begin thinking and planning something for him to wear...it's a little weird...haven't really heard of this spirit week activity before...but, what do we know...we are new to town.

About 10pm, Bruce's sister, AKA Home and Family Science Teacher at the highschool calls and Bruce happens to ask about "Rainbow" day. She laughs...seems rainbow day is really tie dye day!!! Poor Sonny! He didn't know. We were laughing! So after calling around to see if anyone has any tie dye apparel....or will even admit it if they do, Bruce, Sonny and Tucker head to walmart to get the supplies for what would become the most awesome tiedyed shirt SSHS has ever seen! FUN Times!

After a day recovering from this extremely late night/early morning activity, I was thinking about how this scenerio is so true when we as Christian talk to the world in our religious language. They have no clue what we are talking about most of the time when we say things like saved, redeemed, holy, sacrifice, sanctified, purified. Just like Sonny, it's not their fault. It's ours for not explaining it better.

Let me add that the joy on Sonny's face when we finally discovered what he was talking about was priceless....I wonder if that is the same look an unsaved person has when they finally understand what Christ has done for them.

Bloggers Who Love Books

If you love books....then check out New York Times Best Selling Author- Cec Murphey's Blog Tour Opportunity.....great prize and giveaways!

Happy Fall Ya'll

As mentioned before, I am joining in on my friend Keelie's Fall Wreath Party. One slight problem...didn't really think about where I would take a picture of this lovely hanging wreath once I finished...being that living in the RV doesn't afford a lot of photo worthy space. So, pardon the photography and just think about how lovely this will look in my new home in October!

Head on over to Red Writing and take a look at all the other great wreath ideas.

Wreath Party at Red Writing

I'm joining in on Red Writing's wreath party tomorrow. If you are interested....and I know you are...she's got all the details at her site . Looks like there's gonna be some pretty nifty prizes too! I'll be posting my wreath sometime tomorrow....gotta get those supplies all rounded up tonight! Happy crafting!!!

Prayer Journal Idea

At the Moms of Central Meeting at church Felicia (our fearless leader) and Sonya (another mom) both talked about prayer journaling. Seems these ladies had learned before about a journaling process that keeps you praying all week long. For some of you this might not be anything new. This way of journaling was new to me so I will share it here.

1. Buy a three ring binder...you choose the size.

2. By page dividers, label them Sunday- Saturday

3. Insert paper between the page dividers.

4. Each day focus on one person or group of people

Some examples might be:

Husband/Marriage

Children

Church

National Leadership

Extended Family

Unsaved

Health Concerns

Finances

Needs

What makes this unique is, by not stressing out over praying about these issues everyday, you are able to be more specific in your daily prayers. You keep track of the specific requests in the notebook and also keep track of how God answers them.

You can get really creative by scrapbooking pages according to your categories. For example, I might have picture of Bruce and me together for the marriage section of my book. You can get as creative as you want to be.

I think this is a great idea. Maybe you can use it too!

Moms of Central Night Out!

What happens when you get 25 or 30 moms together for an evening of friendship and well...let's just say it...adult conversation??? A LOT of stuff we promised not to ever mention outside of the first ever Moms of Central Meeting!

From the beginning of the night we knew we were in for a treat. The best ever finger foods were there....from desserts (all homemade of course) to pizza...that might have come from a dominoes box...but we knew Angie made it from scratch....to cherrios and candy corn- either it was all super good...or we were just so hungry we didn't care. Either way- we enjoyed it!

We played the purse game-a variation I had never experienced before! Tons of fun. There were door prizes from our host, Felicia and jewelry maker Rebecca Alexander.

Felicia gave us a run down about how important prayer is for ourselves, our families and our church. She showed us a really great prayer journal and Sonya also talked about how she had used hers for their foster home ministry. I'm going to for sure try their journal idea.

We finished up by answering some pretty funny questions. Here's mine...I'll let you guess the answer.

Our first meeting was such a success. We are excited about what God is going to be doing in our midst and thankful for the time to get away and grow closer to each other and Christ.

Next meeting : Chocolate party...Oct. 8th, 7pm Central Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Join us!

Prayers that Avail Much

My new blogging friend from Luvin This Life tagged me to be part of a prayer chain. I've added one request to the prayer chain and you can do the same. Just copy and paste this list into your blog and add one or more requests to the end. Then link back up to Luvin This Life so we can pray and rejoice together at how God works everything out for His own purpose. Use first names only please! And hey...if you don't have a blog or the time to do this activity, then just say a prayer as you read each name...then leave me a comment so I can pass it on. I can't wait to hear all the good reports!


Lisa~ pregnancy

Sherri and Todd~ waiting for Emma

Debby~ broken ankle; travel

Steve~ Medical Concerns

Cameron~ Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Valerie~ Medical Concerns

Joy S~ Pedi Open Heart Surgery

Valerie~ Unspoken

Heather~ Unspoken

Doug~ Salvation

Heather R~ Medical Concerns

Christina~ School & USAFR Decisions

Krista T~ Cancer

Nell~ Cancer

Nika~ Missions in Russia

Anonymous~ Fertility Concerns

Heather S~ Medical Concerns

Elijah~ Cystic Fibrosis

Merle and June~ Missions

JK~deployed

Duane~Medical Concerns

Natalie- 2 year old with health issues

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday again at Truth 4 the Journey and I am running about 8 hours behind....but better late than never right?

1. I am thankful for a new mom's ministry kicking off tonight at our church. I'm thankful for my friend Felicia, who stepped out of her comfort zone, to start this ministry and I am most thankful to God for confirming over and over to her that this was in HIS plan.

2. I am thankful for a successful day of packing at the Gunter house....and that everything is moving right along for us to move to our new house on October 1.

3. I am thankful for a breakfast out to Cracker Barrell with my missionary friend Miriam. I am thankful for the work she and her husband do in Peru...and especially that they are on furlough and that we are getting to spend lots of time together.

4. I am thankful for hot water- not because I have it...we have been out of it for 5 days in the RV...we need a part replaced and are having trouble locating it. Sometimes you have to go without something before you realize how thankful you are for it. Hot water is one of those things!

5. I am thankful for my mother in law, who loves to do laundry and has been doing mine for the last 2 months so that I don't have to spend time or money at the laundrymat. Bless her!

What are you thankful for this Thursday?

Summer 09

Make a Smilebox photobook

Enjoying Your Home

I recently started following  the Sugar Pie Farmhouse . Last week she shared pictures of homes decorated for Fall and now I am salivating over each!!! I am enjoying looking at all the pretty pictures of golds, oranges, reds and browns. The smell of pumpkin pie wafts gently through the air (well, ok, that's in my imagination). I thought you might enjoy a tour of her home also, so go check it out the blog .

I hate to break it to you, but there will probably be many more posts like this in the coming weeks, due to my overwhelming love of autumn and the fact that I will be doing my own decorating in my OWN HOUSE sometime around the first of October. Get your glue gun out and give me a couple of old window panes and a can of paint and we will be in business. I can hardly wait!

What's your favorite decorating tip for the Fall? What do you do to make your home feel festive during this time of year? Please share...I am living vicariously through you until October!!!

Where Were You?

It's the eighth anniversary of 9.11 -those numbers etched in the mind of every American forever. Today, I'm remembering specifics, but actually there aren't too many days that go by that something doesn't stir me to remember...the sight of a soldier at the airport, a family friend in the Middle East, the site of an American flag, the news - all remind me of how much America has changed because of 9.11.

Where were you?

I was at my home in Beaumont (Fannett), Texas. I was on week two of homeschooling four, 9th grade boys. School had just begun, when Bruce ran in the house. He had been down the road getting our car inspected and had heard on the radio that the first tower had been struck. Immediately, the boys and I headed to the living room and the rest of the school day was spent in front of the TV. We were glued. Sometimes I watched in horror, other times in fear, and other times in sorrow. As the days went by, I remember becoming more and more proud to be an American.

That next day, for the first time I can ever remember, our high school allowed students who could drive to have an excused absence if they wanted to come to our church to pray with us. We had a community prayer meeting that night. I had never seen a community come together like that before....and since then only 2 times...both after hurricanes.

I know that there are mixed feelings about the war, how long we've been there and the costs...both in money and lives, but I just want to say that I have NEVER seen a country handle things with such grace when something so tragic happened. Man helping fellow man, Stranger helping stranger, risking life and limb for another, common man became a hero that day. Firefighters became soldiers and Policemen became counselors. It was a day when an American citizen stepped up and became enlisted- officially or not.

I'm proud of that kind of humanity. No matter how you feel about the war....we should never forget the kind of people we saw on 9.11.

Where were you on 9.11?

Fall Recipe Exchange #6

I've been making this pumpkin bread recipe for 15 years. It is especially good if you eat it warm with cream cheese or honey butter. I'm not a coffee drinker but someone once told me it was delicious with Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte....so I'm passing that info on to my coffee loving friends! Enjoy!

Possible Perfection Pumpkin Bread

INGREDIENTS:
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7x3 inch or 2 larger loaf pans.
In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50-60 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Don't forget if you want to participate in this exchange just follow these directions.

Thankful Thursday

Rejoicing with you as you praise and thank God for all He is doing in your life.

1. I am thankful for a great 1st day of school for both my kids.

2. I am thankful that Bruce was asked to preach at a fellowship meeting Tuesday.

3. I am thankful for encouragement that the Father sends my way...whether through His Word or His People.

4. I am for new relationships that were fostered on Monday.

5. I am thankful that when I don't see God's hand moving, it doesn't mean it's not- It means I am not paying close enough attention!

Be At Rest

Be At Rest
Be at rest,
be at rest once more
O my soul,
for the Lord has been good
Be at rest,
be at rest once more
O my soul, o my soul
Be at rest once more
For the Lord has been good to you

For You, O Lord
Have delivered my soul from death
My eyes from tears
And You, O Lord
Have delivered my feet from stumbling


Words and Music by Jeremy Johnson© 2005 Van Ness Press, Inc. / ASCAP

Fall Recipe Exchange #5

This recipe comes all the way from Atlanta, Ga. My sister in law introduced HOMEMADE Pimento Cheese to our family about 4 years ago. I can't even begin to tell you how good it is...Eat it on fresh bread, crackers, or out of the fridge at midnight...yep, it's THAT good.

1 (16 oz) package sharp cheddar cheese
finely grated 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups Hellman's mayonnaise (I only use 1/2 - 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (4 oz) jar chopped pimentos, undrained

In a medium bowl, mix cheeses with mayonnaise, sour cream and pimentos, stirring until combined. Store in refrigerator. This will keep 3 to 4 weeks. For an extra twist, chopped jalapeno peppers or olives may be added.

If you would like to submit a recipe for the Fall Recipe Exchange click here for details. Can't wait to see what you submit!

School Days...School Days

Today was our first day of school. We all got up early with Tucker and escorted him to his first day of preschool.

Savannah is ready to start 2nd grade!

Tucker's modeling his new backpack for preschool.

Such a big and handsome boy.

Giving kisses to Deet before he marches off to school.

Hand and hand...

This is what was going on when we left him...do you see the tears???

Me either!!!

How to Catch a Skunk

HOW TO CATCH A SKUNK

First: Find someone who owns a trap...or perhaps you have one in your garage. Set the trap in the area where you have seen the skunk. Use tuna fish or bread for the bait. We used bread.

We set the trap at around 9:30pm last night. Here's what we found at 7am today:

Find someone who is willing to dress up in a tarp. Evidently the key to this process is not allowing the skunk to see you. Mr. Ray Calhoun was willing to be the skunkman and risk his life for us....what a hero.

Another key ingredient is for the tarp person to be very slow in sneaking up on the skunk. They don't like abrupt motions.

After you get close enough to drop the tarp over the crate, tuck the tarp around the trap like a present so that the skunk cannot see out. Beware: The skunk is not happy at this point.

Convince a couple of unsuspecting guys to help load the critter into a truck, then wave goodbye to the skunk....You're skunkman will take care of the rest. Don't ask questions.

And that's how you catch a skunk.

I've Changed My Mind

Ever thought you had something all figured out only to find out when the rubber meets the road - you don't? I don't imagine I am the only one to do this..on a variety of issues, but I never imagine this one hitting so close to my heart. MUSIC.

My love for music is no secret. In fact, lots of my blogging has to do with music...songs I like, music lyrics, concerts I've attended, worship teams...anyway, you get the picture. It's been a huge part of my life since I started playing the piano for the church I grew up in when I was 14 years old....and maybe before that because I do remember being in the "Sunshine Choir" with Ms. Paula at Belmont Baptist Church in my very wee years.

Before college I had already fallen in love with instrumental praise and worship music. In college I had my first try at Handel's Messiah and it was also my first time to sing Brooklyn Tabernacle's music.

Once we left college we worked at more traditional churches who sang mostly hymns and had more southern gospel tendencies (something I was familiar with but not necessarily a big fan of). Only when Bruce became a pastor did I feel like I was in a church that had a really balanced music approach...and that didn't happen overnight. We've tried almost everything, worship leader alone, worship leader with praise team/band, praise team, choir, soundtracks, live music....you name it, we have tried it.

Somewhere over the course of time, I got in my head or reasoned within myself, that choirs weren't the way of this century and that the praise team was best...with all live music, of course. I strayed farther away from hymns than ever before and fell head over heels in love with groups like Starfield, Third Day, Pocketful of Rocks (most of the stuff you find here on my blog).

I've made fun of congregations that wouldn't move past hymns. I'm ashamed.
I've made fun of southern gospel music. I'm ashamed.
I've made fun of pastors who wouldn't let a set of drums on the stage. I'm ashamed.
I've made fun of Christians who I didn't think were making a difference because their "worship style" wasn't what I Preferred. I'm ashamed.

Keyword: Preferred.

Did you know that God doesn't care if the music is high church, southern gospel, praise and worship or ...
As I was examining my heart recently I was saddened by the thought that I have wasted so much time standing in judgement of other's preferences that I couldn't see past my own pride. What was I thinking???? Was I telling God what HE was going to like???

Do you think God cares if He hears: How Great Thou Art or How Great is Our God? I don't. He cares about the condition of our heart when we sing the words to any song. Who am I to say that someone can't be totally swept away in worship when they sing a hymn written 300 years ago- just because that's not my style- doesn't mean it's not God's.

About church choirs: If you don't like church choirs you won't like heaven....or at least that's what I have figured out these past few weeks! Doesn't the Bible tell us that we will all be singing HIS praises? Sounds like a big church choir to me! It's not gonna be me up there leading all you in worship...wow...that's some pride there isn't it???

I guess I'm just realizing I haven't got this whole music/worship thing figured out. I truly LOVE praise and worship music. It is MY favorite, and I guess I am just learning that somebody else might feel just as strongly about hymns or high church music...and that's OK. God likes it all. It's about HIM...not us...and it takes a MIGHTY humble worship/music leader to stand humble week after week alone or with the presence of a choir, worship team or band to do that...and it not be about him/her/them. Lord help us.

I still love praise and worship and contemporary Christian music. I don't imagine that's gonna change, but I am open to more styles because I am realizing every day that God's not necessarily into style...He's into worship, praise, adoration, kneeling down, humbling ourselves and getting swept into his presence. After this morning's service at church....I've been in HIS presence and that's where I want to stay...forever.

I realize that if you are still reading this....you either love me or hate me...and probably have something to say about all this....if you do...leave me a comment. I'd love to hear it!

"Lord You're Holy"
Anthem Avenue
music and lyrics by: Eddie James

Lord you're holy, Lord you're holy
And we lift you up and magnify your name
Lord you're holy, Lord you're holy
And we lift you up and magnify your name
As I look around and I see,
all the works your hands have made
The awesomeness of you, and how your love will never fade
Mere words cannot express how I feel inside
I can't describe your glory divine
But as a token of my love, this is what I'll do
I lift my hands and cry, Holy
Lord you're holy, Lord you're holy
And we lift you up and magnify your name
Lord you're holy, Lord you're holy
And we lift you up and magnify your name
There's not enough words that I can say
TO tell you how much I appreciate
All the wonderful things, You've give me
Your love and kindness, your tender mercies
It's my desire, to praise you,
and to tell you how much, I love you
Cause you're worthy of all the glory, yes,
You're worthy of all my praise
I don't know how you could love
How you could give me so much mercy
Cause you didn't have to suffer and die for me
Way back on Calvary
But I just want to thank you.
We thank you! Lord we thank you
Wonderful, Glorious, Holy and Righteous,
Victorious, Conqueror, Triumphant and Mighty
Healer, Deliverer, Shield and Defense
Strong Tower and My Best Friend
Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Soon Coming King
Alpha, Omega, Lord of everything
You're holy, Holy is your name

© 2001 New Spring Publishing, Inc /
Fresh Wine Publishing (ASCAP)

Meet the Teacher Night

Who: Tucker

What: Meet the Teacher Night

When: September 3, 2009

Where: Kid Central Preschool and Kindergarten

How: We aren't sure...and we aren't asking!!!

Big sis being supportive

Welcome Sign at Meet the Teacher

Round Up Theme for Preschool

YeeHaw...School starts Tuesday!!!

Home Sweet Home

This past week Savannah (7) said, "Mom, we don't have a home do we?"

I guess she's finally realized that after 2 months of living in the RV in Sulphur Springs we aren't going back to our traditional brick home in Gunter. Her statement kind of caught me by surprise. My eyes welled up a little and I found it hard to swallow momentarily. I quickly glanced at Bruce and he had that deer in the headlights look so I knew he wasn't going to be his especially helpful self with this one.

So, gently I tried to explain to Savannah what home is all about. Tell me if you agree.

Home isn't a place. It's a feeling of security offered by people who love you. It's wherever the people you call family are. For us right now, it's an RV, but it could just as easily be a brick home or an apartment. The presence of the people we love is what makes us feel loved, secure, capable and transparent. It's not the stuff you have. It's no the amount of space. It's not the modern conveniences you have or don't. It's not the price of your mortgage. For us, it's wherever we can all be together.
After I talked to Savannah about all this, Tucker, who was listening in on it all, appropriately announced "RV sweet RV".....we all had a good chuckle. That kid cracks me up.

I wouldn't give this experience up for anything. God knew just what the Stinson family needed. In His wisdom He knew we needed a time of adventure. He knew we needed to have some fun. He knew we needed to be together..I mean REALLY together. He knew we needed to build up some trust in His provisions.

It's with all that thankfulness that I am so excited to announce we are buying a great house in Sulphur Springs. We haven't sold our Gunter home (please keep this at the top of your prayer list) but God has made it possible for us to move forward with the move into a beautiful home around the first part of October. It's a charming older brick home with a large, beautifully landscape yard..with 2 goldfish ponds to boot, a covered patio, 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, formal living, cute kitchen, large den...and the most appealing factor of all....the same paint color scheme in my Gunter house so I won't have to lift a paint brush (can you believe it?) God is so good!

I'll post pictures as soon as we get the house...before and after move in...because I know you are sitting on pins and needles waiting to see

I'm severely addicted to HGTV on a normal day...but now even more. I get so excited about decorating and fixin' up! ...and how great that we are moving during my favorite season of the year.

Thank you Lord for the home you've given us over the last 2 months...and for the one we will have in October....and the one you are preparing for me in heaven....the ultimate home sweet home.

Thankful Thursday

I've missed a few weeks participating in Sonya's Thankful Thursday posts.

I'm back this week with my list of blessings.

1. A place to live....and another one on the way. We should be moving into our new to us house within a month. Bye, bye RV living....it's been good while it lasted.

2. Being in choir at our new church.

3. My soon to be step-dad. Yes! My mom is getting married after being widowed 18 years ago she's finally found that someone special! Wedding date set for Oct. 17th.

4. New friends

5. Preschool starting for Tucker and Homeschool starting for Savannah....indications that some sort of normalcy is right around the corner for my family.

Thank you Lord for all your wonderful blessings on my family!

What are you thankful for today?

Fall Recipe Exchange #4

In case you missed it...we are having a Fall Recipe Exchange here at The Journaling Gina. You can find out all the details at The Fall Recipe Exchange Post . We would love for you to join us!

Here's one of my favorite super easy recipes. I got this from my friend Deedee in Gunter...another fabulous cook.

Corn Casserole:

Ingredients:

1 Stick of butter
1 8oz pkg. cream cheese
2 cans white shoepeg corn
1-2 Tbls. diced Jalepenos

In saucepan melt one stick of butter and 1 8oz pkg cream cheese.

In casserole dish, place 2 cans (drained) white shoepeg corn (found mine at Brookshire's) and 1-2 Tablespoons diced Jalapenos

Pour melted mixture on corn, stir, and cook in oven for 25 minutes @ 350 until cooked thoroughly.

Send me your favorite recipe for the exchange!

CBI Dropout

It's been 16 years since I sat in a classroom...with teachers who give tests.

A few weeks ago Bruce signed us up to take Old Testament Survey on Tuesday Nights at Central Bible Institute. We are now on week two and the familiar tune..."Beauty School Dropout" has been changed in my head to "CBI Dropout".

Oh. My. Goodness. It's a great course. It's interesting. It's amazing...largely because we spent a whole hour talking about Darwinism and evolution and Hitler, Marx and Freud. Amazing stuff I'm telling ya. But it is an hour of complete, hardcore concentration....and frankly I don't know if I can do it! I know you are probably thinking "sure you can, Bruce is the one with ADD". Thank you, but unfortunatly by 7pm most of my brain cells are spent.

However, I am not giving up yet. I figure if I audit the class, I can sit there a whole lot less stressed out because I don't have to pass a test. Poor Bruce...he won't be able to cheat off of me :)