Snickerdoodles

I wasn't raised on this cookie..I tasted my first one in my early 20's (from scratch)  and then again I found it in my late thirties...I know... I am sure that you might have a made from scratch recipe that is awesome....but I've tasted Mammy's snickerdoodles....and nothing really compared to its awesomeness until... Last Christmas when I was making a quick pass through at Big Lots and came across this...and thought to myself....why not? For $1.67? Sure, I'll try it.  And here's what I found... A moist, chewy, delightful cookie.  I liked it so much I sent Bruce back for 6 boxes.  Is it Mammy's??? ....well of course not... nothing will be as good as that....but it's pretty close! Whipped up a batch today....aren't they pretty??? Sure wish you could smell their cinnamon fragrance! Now...Go get you some!

10 Things My Mom Taught Me

She rivals a few of my girlfriends for title of best friend. I don't know exactly when it happened but somewhere between high school and college I realized I had more than a mom in my mom. I had a friend. I think it happens that way most of the time. Once we grow and mature and realize that all the things that we endured as children were really mostly for our own good...we find a friend in this caring individual we call mom.

Here are 10 Lessons My Mom Taught Me..

1. She was raised in extreme poverty..and because of that she taught me how to make the most of what I had. Whether it was food, or my house or even my wardrobe. She taught me to mix and match, look for bargains and use leftovers.

2. She taught me the value of using my time wisely. She was a housewife who modeled the work ethic of a career woman. She cleaned and gardened and cooked and homeschooled and served in our church.

3. She taught me to make time for friends. Before the days of Facebook and texting and even cell phones, I remember mom using the corded phone in the garage. Us kids knew that if the phone cord was wrapped around the kitchen door to the garage that she was on an important call....even if that meant she was just catching up with Ms. Nell or Ms. Shirley (her best friends). Those ladies permed each other's hair, went antiquing and could talk over coffee for hours. (Excuse me while I try to get the smell of the home perm out of my nostrils.)

4. She taught me to make fun memories with my kids. The Grist Mill at Stone Mountain Park was a small little swimming hole that we used to meet up with friends for an early morning hike and breakfast and swim. She also took a painting class and cake decorating class with me....not to mention she engaged in basketball season for all 6 years that I played!

5. She taught me the value of God's Word. She woke up early every morning, made a pot of coffee and sat in her "spot" in the living room. For years we knew that if she wasn't finished with her quiet time, we were to stay in our rooms. In school she and my dad required us to memorize scripture and long before it was cool to journal...we were journaling our thoughts about and towards God.

6. She's taught me how to trust God in the hard times. She became a widow at age 40, but long before that she knew grief. Having been raised in dysfunction, alcoholism and abuse she knew what it was like to grieve and mourn without anyone dying. Her testimony of God's faithfulness has gotten me through more than one hard time. Now it's become my testimony too.

7. She taught me to be hospitable. We had missionaries and evangelists and friends in our home ALL the time. We made pallets and slept on the floor more times that I care to remind my back. We adopted college students on the weekends and housed orphans and cousins and widows when the need arose. We were not wealthy. We struggled. But God always seemed to provide for those extra people..and mom hardly ever turned away the opportunity to serve someone a meal.

8. She taught me the value of a good education. First by sacrificing to put three kids in private school, then by homeschooling us and then by helping me find a good college to go to. But it really didn't stop there. She is a lifelong learner..she reads constantly, goes to conferences and talks with professionals in her line of work (counseling). She motivates me to read up on bestsellers and good articles. She challenges me to grow my mind.

9. She taught me how to love my husband by modeling a Christ-centered marriage to my dad. Perfect? Oh no....my mom was a strong woman..and when they fought...they FOUGHT but it was rare and even though there was an occasional disagreement, I never feared my parents would divorce or abandon the family. She walked my dad to the door every morning as he left for work. She smooched him "goodbye" and "hello". She fixed his favorite foods and even rubbed his stinky feet. She encouraged him, pushed him, believed in him and openly prayed for him.

10. Certainly not the last lesson...but the last one for this post....She taught me to invest in people. She's a Christian counselor who pours her life into others 40 hours a week. She charges fees on a sliding scale and even does some work pro-bono. She listens as others tell their horrible tales of despair and she helps them process their lives. She's helped me on more than one occasion. She truly gives herself away.

So this Mother's Day...and every day...Thanks mom...for modeling Godly womanhood to me. Perfect...hardly. Flawless....nope...in fact...it's this imperfect motherhood that gives me hope that one day, maybe, just maybe I will have come close to being the kind of mom you are today.

Tom Sawyer and My Own Handful of a Boy

My mother in law bought Tucker the book "Tom Sawyer". The abridged version, but still.

Tucker was fascinated by her own personal testimony of how the boy reminded her of himself and that she was sure he would LOVE it. Grandma.of.the.year.

So now we are 6-8 chapters in and Tucker wants nothing more than to spend his entire school day reading the tales..the tall tales of Tom Sawyer. And I wonder just how healthy this is, for a boy like Tuck to be hearing the prankings of a boy much like himself. We already struggle with his insatiable desire to trap his parents, scare his sister and prank call his grandmother (yes...the same one that he got the book from....perhaps she is bringing some of this on herself???)

I love Tucker's creativity, his humor and his laughter. He truly is a boy after my own heart. And on days while he's acting more like Tom than Tuck, and I think he might not make it to 18, I don't even things about stopping to list all his wonderful qualities, his unique abilities and his God-given gifts--I'm doing good just to stay afloat...alive...untrapped!

My heart may be more drawn today than most to think of my son in a sweeter sense. A recent suicidal tragedy hit our small town and it probably has all the momma's holding their boys a little closer and more fondly. All the silly tricks and prankings and messes and forts and traps and dirty projects Tucker brings to our family would be welcomed to a mother who lost her son. So today as I watch over my own, these precious treasures God has given me, I hope I'll remember how quickly these days will pass and instead of being exasperated by boyish shenanigans that I'll embrace these fun times with less worry, more love and patience and an extra helping of hand sanitizer. Because there's a mom out there today and every day that won't get that chance.

Praying for a momma I don't even know as she walks these hard hard days. May her sweet memories of her son bring her some joy in the future and in the time in-between may she be drawn to a peace that exceeds anything her heart has ever know....First peace with God, then the peace of God.

This Week's Top Ten Goals

- Daily Personal and School Quiet Time

- Work in the yard and clear front flower beds

- Spring Clean all closets

- Write Thank You Notes

- Read Tom Sawyer with Tucker

- Order household supplies from Amazon

- Finish embroidery project

- Can Salsa

- Take kids to the library

- Start curriculum planning for next school year

What does your week look like....do you set goals or have a to-do list that keeps you on track? Using our minutes wisely is not only a good habit but it's also biblical. The Proverbs 31 woman was a mastermind at this. She used her days and nights to glorify God with her time and talents. I want to get better at that. I want to fill these hours each day in such a way so that in the end I can honor God with what He has given me.

Let's see what I can do with my time this week!

Ga Trip Recap

Warning...lots of family pictures ahead....you've been warned...proceed at your own risk!

See...I warned you! 

Can't wait to go back! 

What To Do When Your Server Is Down

Computer problems are a hassle, inconvenient and frustrating. I remember about 7 years ago when I sent my first text (yes, I was behind the times) I wondered how anyone could be so dependent on technology and now just a few years later I find myself tapping my computer when the high speed just isn't fast enough. And when the server is down...well pass the ice cream because between two kids and Bruce and I...somebody is going to be stress eating. We are such first world people. Thankfully we have a couple of genius friends who know just about everything there is to know about our gadgets that when we are down...they get us up and running pretty quick. Bless them.

But lately it's been hard not to notice that physically my "serve" has been hit or miss. Oh...don't get me wrong, I've been doing and going and accomplishing but my heart has been tired and worn and I've been depending more on me than on the One who never fails. So last week we went to GA to visit my family and I had some time to think about and pray about my attitude and my serve. And here's what I was reminded of:

--Jesus was the ultimate example of "serve". And yet, even He had to take time away to recharge with the Father. He went away to the garden, to the mountains and who knows where else during his earthly ministry, for the purpose of rest and renewal. Close, intentional communion with God will do that. But He didn't stay gone forever. After His 40 days, He came back ready and willing to do whatever God asked Him to.

--My attitude is important as I serve. His word says, "Serve the Lord with gladness", in Psalm 100:2, is a command ...not a suggestion. I normally enjoy serving my family, my church and my community. But when my attitude isn't plugged into the joy found in Christ, I'm miserable. I find myself complaining about mundane things...laundry and dirty socks and hair in the sink and emptying the dishwasher. What I was reminded of on my getaway is that there are no mundane tasks assigned by God. I'm a wife and mom..that's my job description...and my service to my husband and children should be with joy filled gladness even when there's spilt milk and crumbs on the table.

--I serve the Worthy One. On earth it's easy to think about who deserves our service- family, church, friends, country, the poor. But the truth is, our service should be to the Lord. Whatever we are doing..to whoever we are doing it to...for whatever reason we are doing it. And when my eyes are fixed on Him and I am filled with His Spirit to walk and do the things that He has scheduled for me to accomplish, I'm unstoppable.

A couple of practical things to do when your server is down:

1. Get in God's word and be encouraged.

2. Stay faithful in fellowship with your church.

3. Confess known sin.

4. Ask God to reveal unknown sin and ask forgiveness as He does.

5. Fellowship with Godly people who will encourage you.

6. Recharge. And then get busy again...(Repeat as needed)

7. Ask God to show you His plan for your service. We can't do it all. He has a place designed where you'll be most effective.

8. Remind yourself of what you've been saved from.

9. Defeat Satan by quoting scripture

10. Ask God to stir you up to do good works. Why? So others will be drawn to His spirit in you.


I've returned....revived and recharged to serve my family, friends, church and community by doing the things that God wants me to be busy doing. I have the ability to say no to the things that God does not call me to. And I have the desire to say YES to the many things that I can do. He's gracious to give me so many opportunities to share His love and care for humanity. I'm thankful to be His hands.

The Real Ministers

In the ministry, pastors get a lot of credit for how the church takes care of each other, visitors and missionaries. I know because Bruce and I get credit for tons of things that others do in the name of servanthood and Jesus.

Over the last week there's been a lot of that going on so I just want to take some time to set the record straight...give credit where credit is due...and give thanks.

We've been in the throws of Missions Conference and in a church our size, there's no way that two people could do everything. Months and months ago, planning started for this week. Prayerfully considering participants and planning for stellar missionaries to join us. Our new Missions and Communications Minister, Mitchell, started preparing then...months ago. And he started developing ways to get many people involved. His wife, Wendy, don't let her fool you...she's a genius who works behind the screen...yes, screen...the computer. They are an extraordinary team.

Then we had ----

A Dr. who saw and gifted two of our missionaries with examinations and medicines
A family of 4 and a family of 2 who served the get to know you meal
Staff ladies who prepared salads and some incredible desserts
A lady who set up a tab at her hairdresser's and gave the missionary wives a color, cut or whatever they wanted!
2 Men who took time off from their paying jobs to prepare ethnic meals for our missionaries and staff...yummo!
3 ladies who diced and sliced and grilled and trimmed and served the Tuesday meal
A group of senior citizens who outdid themselves with mini s'mores muffins and homemade potato salad and other goodies.
3 more ladies who fried spring rolls, served and cleaned up Thursday's lunch meal
4 amazing host families....2 of which had the missionaries in their home for 7-8 nights!
4 amazing church families that invited our missionaries to dinner Friday Night.
4 amazing officers who treated those missionaries to lunch in the sleet and ice on Sunday!
9 ladies who made restaurant quality delicious desserts for meals
3 ladies who worked the nursery during the daytime sessions so that 50 people could attend the Bible Appreciation Class taught by one of our missionaries
Visitors who hosted us to a night of food, fellowship and great music and who warmed our hearts with their own passion for distributing God's Word. Their own parents and friends helped them!
Staff who set up, tore down, cleaned up, picked up, cheered up, helped out
The CPA who gave some advice to one of our families
The two ladies who dropped off food...just because
Kids who friended the three missionary kids
People who gave monetarily so that we could give generously to the missionaries
Car Tune-ups and Van Overhauls done by mechanics
Youth who brought visitors
People who asked thoughtful questions during Q and A
Youth that helped watch little ones for meetings
Prayer Warriors who for months prayed for this meeting

And I know I have left someone out....because it truly does take an entire church...every member ministering in the way God has called them to. So, thank you CBC family. Thank you for praying and working and ministering ...for being the church to these missionaries. Thank you for working even if I missed it...because God didn't miss it. He saw everything, heard every prayer.

Because it's not the pastor or even the staff that ever does ALL the work. There are faithful ministers, helping, serving, emptying trash cans and filling Styrofoam tea cups and grilling hot dogs, and praying and paying for haircuts and repairing vans....behind every good pastor. That's what CHURCH is all about.