.:: Michaels levels finally staring to move back to normal! Thank you God! .:: my awesome Keurig! .:: a quiet day subbing at the alternative school today! .:: getting a dishcloth set crocheted for Mrs. Ingwerson over my lunch break! .:: almost being done writing up my sweater wrap pattern. .:: awesome weather over the boys Spring Break! .:: boys homework being done! .:: ...prayers! .:: real friends! .:: Calvary Christian Church! .:: coffee!! .:: Gods comfort ...through songs on the radio when I need them! .:: memories! (I miss you daddy... tell Aunt Joycie ...Uncle Lou and everyone HI for me!) .:: my Bible app!
This life is full of ups and downs. There are moments when it seems as if you're touching the hem of heaven because they're so dazzling. And others when it seems you stand on the brink of hell because they're so heart wrenching.
We can tend to feel far away from God in both. When times are good, we forget how much we need Him. When times are hard, we wonder why He has forsaken us. And yet both of... those responses are only our humanity talking.
Neither height nor depth...will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
God's affection for us is the same at the highest and lowest moments of our lives. The heights of success and the depths of despair cannot separate us from Him. His love is the one constant we can count on no matter what.
Take comfort in this..... Whether this is your best day on earth or one of your worst, you will never be alone or unloved. Not even for a moment
~ Thankful for......... .:: Coffee! .:: my mom getting a clean bill of health from the doctor today! .:: getting 4 miles in today! WooHoo....whew .:: memories! I love you daddy! Miss you! .:: more coffee! .:: crocheting!... .:: family! .:: friends! .:: tv shows on DVD ...it's fun to watch seasons whenever I want! .:: yarn on sale at Michaels! .:: and more coffee! .:: raspberry vinegerette dressing! .:: not being addicted to 'flappy bird' .:: Christian Radio! .:: God! Without Him I am lost! His love is amazing! } "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8b .:: WOW..... Let's be honest. None of us loves perfectly. Thankfully, our gracious God knows that we are incapable of loving others on our own. The only way to truly love is to let Him love through us. When we come to Him, knowing we are broken and sinful, we will find grace to be changed! Thank you Lord!
... 2 hour late start for school! ... fresh cup of coffee from my Keurig! ... 4 wheel drive! ... the beautiful Wintery sunrise this morning! ... strawberry yogurt! ... getting a few more things crocheted yesterday!... ... snow days! ... another fresh cup of coffee! ... my heal feeling a little better today! ... morning prayer!!! ... forgiven debt!!!! God is amazing! ... having the afternoon to spend with my mom! ... Doctors... Mechanics... Fireman... Police officers... etc. God Bless you all! ... living in a small town/community! The love outweighs the gossip! ... yet another fresh cup of coffee! Love my Keurig! ... God showing us everyday how much He loves us! We just need to pay attention better!! ... “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:29-31)
~ Thankful for....... - Coffee! - time with my beautiful daughter! - time with 3 of my silly little grandbabies! - lots of crocheting done between my daughter and I! We sure had those hooks flyin'! - being able to at least get half my laundry done! Maybe my washer will play nice tomorrow! - my snackmaster! Love kitchen gadgets! - more coffee!... - the new shower head in our shower! Ahhh....nice! - my heel hurting enough to keep my mind off my raging headache! - staying home today! - a case full of movies for the grand kids to watch! - hand lotion for my poor dry hands! - some more coffee! - God never forgetting me when others so easily do! - I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies. Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer. (Psalms 6:6-9)
... Coffee! ... the beautiful sunrise this morning! ... only losing one earring! ... getting some fun crocheting done! ... the boys really getting their Server moving! ... my glasses! Whew ...makes it easier to see! ... coffee!!! ... small sweet voices in the back seat of my Jeep? Haven't had that for a long time! Grandbabies are awesome!... ... Game Boy's and DS's! ... a heart for God! ... my beautiful daughter picking up KFC for her kids and her brothers! Love you Jamie! ... more coffee! ... God's awesome word..... Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
= Saturdays. = Coffee!!!... = an awesome time of worship last night at the Paul Baloche concert! God tugged on my David's heart a little more last night than usual. Hallelujah! = my sweet friend Amy for inviting me to the concert! It was awesome spending time with her!!! = the lovely soft dusting of snow. Reminds me how incredible God is. = my mechanic!!! My Jeep is running great! Patrick's is next for some work! = getting 2 miles in yesterday! = Patrick & Michael having fun at the Winter Dance last night. = coffee!!! = being able to spend my day crocheting......or knitting! = my new slippers! They are nice and cushiony so my heel doesn't hurt so bad when I walk! = appreciation of my crocheted or knitted things! It does my heart good to see my creations being worn or used!!! = my beautiful children!!! Mommy loves you to pieces Melvin... Christopher... Jamie... Patrick... Michael... & David! = my Keurig!!! = Gods awesome love ... mercy ... & forgiveness! .......For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5, 6)
Have the best... snowy... beautiful Saturday ever!!!
This recipe will yield 24 regular size rolls or around 12 HUGE rolls. I like mine huge, lol! Cut recipe in half for l...ess.
~3 1/2 cups of warm water ~3/4 sugar ~1/2 cup of oil (vegetable is fine) ~6 tablespoons of quick rise yeast ~1 tablespoon of salt ~3 eggs ~10 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (yes, that's right, lol)
CINNAMON SUGAR ~1 cup of sugar ~1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
FROSTING ~1/2 cup of butter ~2 dashes of salt ~2 teaspoons of vanilla extract ~6 cups of powdered sugar ~milk (as needed) **An additional 1/2 cup of butter is needed (separated in half for each half of dough) for spreading on dough with cinnamon sugar. **Make a double batch of frosting if you like a lot of it.
1.) Mix first 4 ingredients together (water, sugar, oil, yeast) and let sit for 15 minutes.
2.) Then add the salt, eggs and flour. Mix together for 10 minutes, then let sit for 10 minutes.
3.) Oil counter or cutting board and dump out dough. Divide dough in half.
4.) Roll out one half into rectangle. Spread with 1/4 cup melted butter and then half of cinnamon sugar mixture.
5.) Roll up tight, but not too tight.
6.) Divide into 12 rolls and place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise on cookie sheet for 10 minutes. Cut dough in half, cut halves in half, etc.
.:: Coffee!!! .:: my mom giving up her mechanic appointment so I could have it for an emergency fix on my Jeep! .:: our mechanic being the best ever in the world! Thank you for fixing my Jeep! ( Blaha Service in Bellevue) .:: spending the day with my mom! .:: my space heater! .:: more coffee! .:: filling my Jeep for $2.85 a gallon! .:: strawberry yogurt!... .:: getting 3 miles in today! .:: the car wash at our new Hy Vee! .:: and more coffee! .:: yarn! .:: the neighboring school Weeping Water putting on a Memorial Pink Out game tonight at the girls basketball game! .:: Gods word....... So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
~*~“Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD.” Psalm 4:5 ~*~Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems like life would be so much better if you had that one thing. ~*~There would be more happiness. ~*~More contentment. ~*~More fulfillment. ~*~More satisfaction. ~*~More peace. ~*~You can envision yourself with this thing, this person,... this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn’t God give you this longing of your heart? This longing of my heart? ~*~Could it be because He wants us to willingly let it go? Ouch. ~*~That’s not the answer I want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He’s certainly able. But when He doesn’t, it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing. ~*~It’s easy to get down when we’re constantly let down. We hope this thing will happen … we’ll meet this right person … we’ll get this job … we’ll finally be healed … we’ll get that chance … we’ll see that family member turn his or her life around. Time and again it doesn’t happen. That’s when it’s easy to slip. ~*~That’s where trust steps in and reminds us we can’t ever learn how to live real faith if we never need real faith. ~*~As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down. ~*~Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, “Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust.” ~*~Psalm 4:5 tells us: “Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD.” ~*~Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. ~*~Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires. ~*~But not as much today as I did yesterday. ~*~And that is good. Not easy. But good. Dear Lord, I want to offer You sacrifices with a willing heart. Cultivate in me an attitude of obedience as I choose to trust Your plans above my desires. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
> the most awesome red sky this morning as the sun came up! Nebraska sunrise.... country livin'.... yep... Good life! > my Keurig! Fresh cup every time! Fast! > my glasses! Helps my eyes not have to work so hard on headache days like this! > texting! NOT while driving! Helps this mommy feel better when her babies let her know they made it to their destination! > my ice... machine! Sure is nicer than filling trays! Thank you Jessica! > a fresh cup of coffee! > my new printer! We can print from our phones and iPads now too! > getting my dear friend Vicki's birthday presents done! Oops..wait..I have one more thing to make! > spending the day with my mom again today! It's nice having stress free days with her!
> a fresh cup of French vanilla coffee! > getting another 2 miles in today! > a cup of peach yogurt! That was yummy! > Gods love!!! Wow!!! My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1, 2)
.:: coffee!!! .:: propane in our tank!!! .:: a day with my mom! .:: finding the perfect things to make for my dear... sweet... awesome friend Vicki for her birthday! Love you honey! .:: my Keurig! .:: getting lots more crocheting done! .:: finding better stitch holders for this knitted scarf I'm making my other dear sweet friend Jean. .:: coffee!!!... .:: two of Patricks "hunting buddies" staying for dinner tonight! It's always fun to listen to them talk and have fun! .:: yogurt! Head hurts so bad my tummy is upset! Yogurt helped a bit! .:: hand lotion and chap stick! These windy days are doing a number on my skin! .:: Gods word! It's the truth! Whether we like it or not!! ~Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:1-4)~ .:: prayer!!!
- coffee! - extra strength excedrin migraine - pretty decent weather today - washer playing nice today so I can get laundry done! - steaks for dinner! - coffee! - getting a lot of crocheting done today! - my boys helping with some chores!... - Patricks girl buying milk for us today on her way over so the boys wouldn't "DIE" - the boys server running well today and having some kids playing on it! - coffee! - being toasty warm in my sitting room today while I crocheted! - having my iPad read my Bible to me today so I didn't have to strain my eyes with this headache! - today's Bible verse...... “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. (Luke 6:35, 36)
Just a few things I have been working on lately! Always busy making something for someone.
This is the second Comfort'ghan I was making for one of the families who lost their daughter before Christmas in a car accident.
This is just a simple dishcloth set.. was in the mood to play with some cotton yarn.
This an iPad tote I made for myself. I really like it!
And this is just silly.. but works quite well... I put a dark brown ball of yarn I had wound on my winder in a coffee cup and my hooks stand right up in the yarn so nicely.
My boys have been working really hard to set up their own on line gaming server. They finally have it ready for the public to play on. If you or someone you know is into Minecraft.... Please check out their FB page (The Uprising - Minecraft server)... Their server ip is (mc.theuprising-craft.com ). and their website is (www.theuprising-craft.enjin.com ) Thanks so much!
- my Keurig! - another day with my mom! - an awesome show of support last night for the girls with the *Pink Out* game! - David Friedli....enough said! - visiting with my dear sweet friends last night! Miss you Vicki! You look great Ruth..so proud of you! - 2 miles in yesterday! Aiming for another 2 today! - coffee! - getting crochet projects done!... - being able to hold on to memories of the ones I miss so much! - Not tipping over in the wind yesterday while driving! - another cup of coffee! - my neighbor Jeff for all the love...support and hard work he does for and with our community! - my beautiful children! (Melvin... Christopher... Jamie... Patrick... Michael... & David) Mommy loves you all so so so much! - God loving me like He does!!! **We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (1 John 4:16, 17)
Showing their love and support for the two girls our school / community lost right before Christmas in a car accident. Our Love and Prayers go out to the families!!!
.:: Coffee!!! .:: my mom!!! .:: exercising and eating smart today! .:: my ice maker! .:: my sweet family! .:: awesome friends! .:: living in a great community! .:: coffee!... .:: my yarn supply .:: low calorie snacks .:: subway sandwiches! .:: white out .:: great weather .:: God's word..... If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? (1 John 4:20)
.....Read this this morning.... A 93 year old man was asked the secret to aging ...well he said this, "Don't worry about it. It only happens one day at a time." His words echoed in my mind and heart. And I realized there are two kinds of people: Those who see life as a process of getting "over the hill" and then going into a decline. Then the second, like this man, se...e life as a continual climb with heaven at the pinnacle. "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage...They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." (Ps 84:5-7)
If you belong to Jesus, you are never over the hill. You are created to go from strength to strength. And, yes, your body will weaken and ultimately fail. But the core of who you are does not have to. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
Happy Birthday to my sweet Michael!! I can't believe you are 15 years old today! Where did the time go? One minute you were my little glow bug...the next...you're learning to drive! . *sigh Mommy loves you Michael! Happy Birthday baby!
Birthday Brownies I made for my guy!
Out to dinner for his birthday......... Granite City
Oh how fun!!! Michaels birthday cookie after dinner!
·♥•♫♪[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you,
♫♪ [̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you,
[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* God Bless You ♥•
♫♪[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you
} coffee! } my warm house....thank you Sheri for getting fuel to our place! } my sweet Megan for taking care of our animals while we were gone! Love you! } coffee! } my yarn! } friends!!! } family!! } my keurig that makes coffee! ... } God! Who loves me despite my flaws and mistakes! } being able to see my Uncle on our way home from Christmas break! } my boys being so thoughtful when I have a raging headache! } selling more of my crochet items! } coffee! } a New Year. My resolution being..... Mind my own business!
~Whew......What a trip! We had a lovely drive to Florida...a beautiful house to spend our vacation in! Lots of swimming in our pool...and relaxing in the warm weather that was very much needed! Drive home was pretty sad! But...... I'm still very thankful for.... - the time I spent with my Uncle Lou hugging and kissing on him! - the time spent with my cousin and her family! Man how I miss t...hem! - safe travels to and from Florida! - crochet projects! - my new Keurig - towing a trailer with all our stuff so we had plenty of room! - God being exactly who He says He is!!
......Praying for my Uncle! I love you Uncle Lou!! Please Lord....let him sleep well tonight! Let him get some very much needed rest! Father God... Please put your healing hands on my Uncle! I love him so much!! In Jesus name ~ Amen
Hope you're having a fabulous New Year so far! Tonight will be our last night here in Florida ....we will be heading home tomorrow afternoon! As wonderful as it has been to be here ... I'm ready to go home - even if it is cold there I'm busy finishing up this Comfort'ghan right now ... But when I get home I need to play in some cotton yarn... My mom has an "order" in fo...r some new dishcloths.....hehee I'm so thankful for..... > this peaceful trip! It has given me the time I needed to make decisions and plans! > Michaels levels showing 'normal' today! Need two more days of that and he's back on track to remission! > my new Keurig! > a basket full of yarn! > fun new foods! > my Uncle hanging in there! You better fight Uncle Lou ... We're stopping in to see you on our way home....I need to see your smile! > all of the love and prayers that come our way from all my beautiful family and friends! > Nebraska winning the 'Bowl Game' yesterday. (Sorry Sean.... But that gave me a great day of memories about my daddy!)
Well.....off to get a fresh cup of coffee and crochet