Happy New Years Everyone!!!

Happy New Years! 

Praising God for the Thorns

This Christmas has not been what we had anticipated. My sister is battling a mental disease. I spent days trying to help her. I was wore down physically and mentally. My children witnessed too many horrid things, we simply couldn't get them out in time. Please pray for her as her very life is at stake.

I had over 550 new pictures from our Christmases taken on my new camera. I came here to blog some of the greatest ones, like the gingerbread house daddy decorated with them, I had days and weeks worth of stories to share with pictures and I was very excited. I pulled my chip from my camera and put it in my computer and alas, all was lost. I have no idea what happened to my chip but its empty. I cried and started to explode, then I remembered that the Lord has been dealing with me on my self-control and that my girls had witnessed enough turmoil so I bit my lip and decided to take down my Christmas Tree.

As we worked on that tree and put away all of our ornaments and decorations together, cleaning and getting our home back in order I thanked God for our Christmas and every blessing I could think of. I thanked Him for the thorns too, like my sister's sickness and my lost pictures because I remembered that God uses all things for His glory. As I did my heart felt lighter and my anger dissipated and I realized that I still had every loved one here with me that was in those pictures and that I could take more. When we moved our real yet very dead tree outside I realized something else....even though this tree was full of water it was very dry and brittle. My husband had been smelling a burnt smell the past few days and it was truly the hand of God that erased my pictures in order to guide me to take down that tree. Had I left it up until after the New Year which is our usual tradition I'm sure it would have caught fire. I cannot believe the tree was not drinking any water and the branches were so brittle they snapped off with the gentlelest touch.

I also baked a cheese cake after Christmas instead of for Christmas due to the emotions flowing through the holidays and I burnt the top of it. I could have screamed, maybe I did, I know I jumped up and down and finally accepted that all I could do is cut the top off. I did and it was delicious. You never knew the top was gone after I added the white chocolate ganache and poured on the homemade raspberry sauce. Yummy. I wanted to post pics but well...you already know where they went. I will however post the recipe and say that if I have any cheese cake loving viewers that this recipe is a must.

My husband was home praise God!! I could not have made it through this tough time without him. The day after Christmas I was so spent I prayed and asked God to please give me more time with my husband and God answered. My husband is still here and is leaving in the morning! Prayerfully he will be home tomorrow night and not have to leave until next Wednesday.

I have much to be thankful for. My sister is still alive, my pictures can be replaced, my home is safe from the dried out tree, my husband was home for the holidays, my cheesecake turned out delicious, I exercised my self-control through the grace of God, God is speaking to me and using me and guiding my husband and myself. God has reminded us through all of this that we honestly do not spend enough time on our knees. God is merciful and faithful and He is a mighty deliverer, and that when I pray I pray in faith knowing He is fully capable of answering my prayers because He is the Almighty!!

I pray that all of your Christmases were wonderful and blessed. I'm looking forward to the New Year. God Bless You all!!!

Grand Finale Cheesecake With White Chocolate Ganache and Raspberry Sauce

Crust
1-1/3 cup fine vanilla wafer crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp of cinnamin (if desired - I do not care for it)

Cheesecake
5pkgs of cream cheese softened
1-3/4 cups sugar
3Tbs Flour -plain
3/4 tsp grated lemon rind
3/4 tsp grated orange rind
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 vanilla
5 eggs at room temperature
2 eggs yolks
1/4 heavy cream

White Chocolate Ganache
8 oz white chocolate chips
3 tsp butter
1/4 cup heavy cream

Raspberry Sauce
1 bag of frozen berries
1/2 cup jelly (grape or currant)
1/2 to 1 cup of sugar (to your taste)

To prepare crust mix vanilla wafer crumbs, melted butter, sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Press into bottom of springform pan, 3" deep and chill.

Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Combine next 6 ingredients and gradually add to cheese beating contantly. Add eggs and yould one at a time beating well after each. Gently stir in cream. Pour into prepared springform pan over crust and bake extremely hot oven 500 degrees for 10 minutes. Turn oven down to 200 and bake for 1 hour and a half. DO NOT OPEN DOOR ( Cheesecake will crack)

Turn off heat after an hour and a half never opening oven door leaving until completely cool. Once completely cool move to refrigerator while you prepare the ganache.

Melt butter, cream and white chocolate chips in sauce pan stirring with wisk and pour over top of cheese cake and return to fridge over night.

Take the bag of frozen berries and thaw them, squeeze them through a seive and wisk juice, jelly and sugar to taste. This sauce is very thin. Refrigerate and serve drizzled over each individual slice. Delicious and beautiful.

Merry Christmas ~ 2007

Christmas Glitter Graphics

Fall Into Reading Wrap Up

How I did: Well I have to say I am quite proud of my reading this fall. Although here at the end I gobbled books up!! I read 10 books! Not including my bible studies so yippee!! Thanks so much Katrina at Callapidder Days for hosting this awesome reading event!

What I thought and what I learned:

Anne of Green Gables & Ann of Avonlea by Lucy Maud Montgomery ~ Here I learned that I should have read classics like these years ago. I cried, I loved and I lived through Anne. I can't wait to read these aloud to my girls. There were many great lessons of responsibility and yet a reminder to have fun. Perseverance too.

The Sons of Encouragement Series by Francine Rivers.

Aaron ~ The Priest

Caleb ~ The Warrior

Jonathan ~ The Prince

Amos ~ The Prophet

Silas ~ The Scribe

I have to say that I learned more about the Old testament than I have ever known. I remember so much and I am able to go back into God's word with a new undestanding and ease of comprehending what it going on. Francine has a wonderful way of opening your heart and allowing you to slip into the shoes of the one you are reading about so that you can feel their sorrow, their joy.

I learned much about our Lord and His ways. Things I had never even thought of. I learned more about having a reverent fear of our Father and how He desires our obedience even more than our sacrifice. I learned what a real Sheppard is and I learned a lot about sheep. I was amazed at the ways and characteristics of sheep and how much like them we are. I learned a lot about myself reading this series.

I am starting now on her other series: Lineage of Grace- Five women, whom God chose, destined to play a key role in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Francine Rivers tells these women’s stories in a way you’ve never heard before and lets them speak to us in new and life-changing ways. I can't wait! I already have the last book Unafraid about Mary ~ The woman of obedience.

Next are two books by a new author I discovered (new to me). His name is Chavda Mahesh, commonly refered to as Hesh.

The Hidden Power of Speaking in Tongues

The Hidden Power of Prayer and Fasting

These books were great reads, the Lord led me specifically at this time to read these. I was ready for the wealth of truth in them and I soaked it up like a dry sponge. I drew closer to the Lord and experienced things with Him that were a first for me. I have grown spiritually this fall and have become a better and more powerful prayer warrior. I overcame a stronghold of not being able to fast. I experienced a very successful fast. It was awesome!! I recommend these to anyone looking to grow closer to God and to experience His power. They dig into many scriptures ringing out truth that most do not want to know because of fear and tradition.

Lastly was

Alien Entities by Lester Sumrall. Let me add I am also in the middle of reading his Spirit, Soul and Body, and his The Life Story of Lester Sumrall~The Man~The Ministry~The Vision.

All I can say is, "Why on earth didn't someone teach me these things when I was younger?" I am sure it is because the Lord is truly pouring out His spirit in these last days. This man had faith, he walked it, he lived it, he believed it. I love how the Lord spoke to him and the revelation that Lester walked in. He truly was an anointed man of God. Did you know my pastor sat under Lester Sumrall during his training? Of course you didn't, heehee! But now you do, that is kewel isn't it? I thought so. :) I would have loved to have met Lester and I am thankful that he allowed God to use his life the way he did.

Well friends, that a wrap!! Hope you enjoyed reading about my adventure as I had taking it!

In Loving Memory

Mary Leggewie 10/20/57 - 12/20/07
If you have a memory to share please comment. If you have shared Mary on your blog then sign Mr. Linky.

Wordless Wednesday~Meadow

Meadow~schooling reluctantly

Meadow was unhappy doing her math but even pouting still beautiful.

Just Moments later she had forgotten what she was so upset over.
Tony bought me a new camera for Christmas. I am going to have to take some time to learn how to use it so it will not be a waste to own. Right now I'm just point and shooting but hopefully soon I'll be doing a lot more. I love it!

Meadow

Words Left For Me...

Tony was only home for a few hours this weekend. Stress reigned. When I woke this morning these were the words he left for me...

Climbing into a cage week in and week out,
Causes one to look at life with much doubt.
Leaving those I love so very much,
Many miles from home and away from their touch.
From the time I leave, until my return,
For their love and affection my heart it does burn.
I drive a Big Truck across many a great state,
A job some love but one that I hate.
Out on the road with nothing else to do,
I think about life and “wasted time” too,
About wants and desires and things that we need,
For more time with my family to my Lord I do plead.
I come in most weekends, providing I don’t break down,
To a house full of family but it seems LOVE is not around.
Through out the week while Daddy is not here,
Pressure and tension drowns the good cheer.
Mother doing the job that God meant for TWO,
Is taking its toll on one who is true,
True to her children and responsibilities of life,
Is what makes me proud to call her my WIFE,
She works over time, and without any pay,
I do not envy her, that I must say,
Homeschooling, cooking and cleaning all day,
No time for herself to keep the devil at bay,
So I lift her up to our Father above,
And ask that He bathe her with patience and love,
That which only God Himself can give,
The desire to love to laugh and to live.
My greatest desire is to be a family man,
And with the help of my Lord, I know that I can,
So I also pray, it be the will of my Lord,
That I soon come home, to a home of one accord.

My heart is broken today....

UGH!!

Tomorrow is Sky's Birthday. We have been planning for weeks to celebrate her birthday today. Sky doesn't like big parties so she wanted to invite her best friend over and go out to eat and to the movies. Well the movie she wants to see is not playing in the county of the restaurant she wants to eat at so we all agreed to go out and eat and then to the mall.

We had planned to go as a family. Mom Dad and Sky. You all know Tony is always gone and is often only home for one day. Well he broke down yesterday and is still sitting. UGH! He isn't going to make it in to go with us today and Sky is simply heartbroken. She is such a Daddy's girl. Not to mention hearing the distress in Tony's voice over the phone, he sounds so broken. Who knows when he will be home and we haven't seen him since last Sunday morning.

Please lift us up in prayer today and continue to pray and be in agreeance with us in the name of Jesus that a new and better job that will enable to him to provide financially and be a Daddy to his family come available soon. This is one of the hardest trials our family has suffered. Today just adds to the UGH!

I told Tony the Lord must have someone there that he needs to share the gospel with and witness to or the Lord is protecting him from something unseen. He wants to be with us so bad. I created a Christmas Card for him to help cheer him up. Wanna see? You'll have to wait for it to load. Merry Christmas 2007

Tater Tot Casserole

What you will need:

2-2 1/2 pounds of ground beef

1 whole vadalia onion chopped

1 Family Size Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

Large bag of frozen tater tots

First I browned the ground beef with the onion and simmered until onion was transparent. Then I added the can of Cream of Mushroom soup. You spread this in a 13 x 9 inch pan and then you will need a helper.

My helper today is Meadow.

Meadow ~ is placing each tator tot in its place.
It takes a lot of tator tots to cover this baby!! Meadow is smiling, she's almost done!!

Then you cover the tator tots with cheese. This is really fun!

Meadow spread the cheese out evenly. Notice that manicure...blue nails on the left hand and pink ones on the right. Perfect for every six year old...

Then mommy puts it in the over to bake at 350 for 45 minutes, until tator tots are golden brown, cheese it melted and beef mixture is bubbly.
Smile, it smells sooo good!


Spoon it into dishes and....

Yummy!!!

Confession....this was our first time making this dish and Meadow informed after a few bites that she really didn't like it! Sigh...oh well it was fun while it lasted and the other girls loved it! :)

Thankful Thursday

It is Thankful Thusday once again! They seem to be rolling around quickly now don't you think? First of all I'm going to say I am thankful that I got the image to load. Some of you may notice that my image is a little blurry, I noticed too, but I have done all that I know to do in my very limited skills to clear it up. I have tried to copy older codes from older posts but for some reason it doesn't work. I must load the image using the image button on each post and I copy the properties into the box as I always have and I load the image in small but its still large and blurry. So today I'm just thankful its there!! :)

Now I want to thank Iris at at Sting My Heart for her generous giveaway. I won! I won! I won!!! What did I win exactly? I won a Mug of Truth and the new Casting Crowns cd The Alter and the Door!! I have been wanting this cd since it came out and I'm so excited to have won this bloggy giveway! This is my first time winning in bloggy land!!

I am thankful that the Lord has led me to blog and that this community is so Christlike. I love you all and it truly is a joy getting to know everyone better and growing closer to you.

I am thankful that it is Christmas time. I love the spirit that comes along with it and I love seeing family that I haven't seen all year.

I am thankful for the reason, the real reason for this season, Jesus!!

How about you? What are you thankful for this day??

A not so Wordless Wednesday!!

My daughter's first car accident. This happened Thanksgiving night. She was driving a Jeep Cherokee and it was late, dark and on an unknown road. She wasn't paying attention looked up and had run off the right hand side of the road. Heaven then over corrected and lost control of the vehicle, over corrected a second time picking up speed because she was going down a large hill, she then slid sideways across the intersection of the parkway and blew out the front drivers side tire at which time the jeep went up on two wheels. She screamed her request outloud, "Please do not let us flip in the name of Jesus!" The jeep sat down and slid down an embankment. I do believe she was in shock at this point....Tyler my nephew (it was his mom's jeep) decided he could get them out so not knowing the front tire was out he put the jeep in four wheel drive and tried to get them out. He managed to run the jeep up and down several trees but they were stuck, this is where most of the damage came from. Sigh....I just praise God that He had His hand upon them. That my daughter cried out to Him in her time of need and that He was faithful. :) And I'm thankful my sister in law was such a sport about the whole thing and not upset over her jeep...

Sons of Encouragement Series by Francine Rivers

I began reading this series in October. My husband bought me the last book in the series *Silas~ The Scribe* first for my birthday present. I could not put it down. I loved reading about Silas, Peter, Paul and being able to almost feel what it would have been like to walk in their shoes, to live under such persecution and to have such a strong devout love for our dear Lord. I was hooked and immediately went to our local bible book store where I found another volume to the series and then ordered the other three.

I read *Aaron~The Priest* next and tonight finished *Caleb~The Warrior*. I feel as though I have seen our Lord through new eyes. I see how jealous our Lord really is and how much He desires our obedience. Obedience before all other things, immediate obedience, a love so strong and consuming for Him that we do not even consider anything other than obedience. I learned how far I have to go on my journey and in my relationship with Him. I realized that I thought I was so close to Him but I am no where near as close as I had thought I was. I learned that a lot of my relationship with my Abba Father was about me. How little I sought to truly know Him better. The Lord opened my eyes and my heart and enabled me to see how I sometimes grieve Him, how often His children hurt Him, how He desires to be amoungst His people and He comes and cries, "Where are my children?!! "

Tonight He bore into my heart this message: "How long will these people reject me? Will they never believe Me, even after all of the miraculous signs I have done amoung them?" Numbers 14:11

Oh how it grieves my heart to think of people who reject the Almighty God, our Holy Father and refuse to see His love and sacrifice for us.

"Dear Brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is." Romans 12:1-2

I pray for the lost, those who do not know of our Lord and those who hear and know but reject Him. Those who serve their own gods, their own desires. I pray that our Lord soften their hearts, remove the binders from their eyes and ears that they may receive our Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and that they may swell with a love than runs so deep that it grows and grows and grows, that their faith daily multiplies and strengthens and the Lord Almighty use them for His will and glory.

Another giveaway

Harry is giving away The Planets Dvd Set go to The Great Seperation to join in! Thanks Harry!

Give away at Sting my Heart!!

My dear friend Iris at Sting My Heart is having a unique giveaway. So very special this Christmas season. Iris is driving us to get into God's word and know the details of our Savior's birth. Feel free to drop on by and visit her, leave her a sweet comment too! May God Bless you and enjoy!!

Great Homeschooling Days

Meadow working diligently on her numbers.

I am so proud of Meadow's efforts. She truly is a blessing to teach and I do believe I learn as much from her as she does from me. This Thanksgiving we studied the first Thanksgiving and learned about the pilgrims and the indians. I wanted Meadow to dress up for our family Thanksgiving as a way of sharing what we had learned. Much to my surprise Meadow didn't want to be a pilgrim or an indian, nope...she wanted to be a puppy. So a puppy she was. She made her costume and Heaven and I painted her face. I think she turned out great! What do you think?

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that I had five days with my family over Thanksgiving.

I am so thankful for my husband and our close healthy marriage, I remember those years before him and this love we experience, this security is truly a gift from our Lord.

I am thankful that the Lord is forgiving and merciful.

I am thankful that He guides me and protects my family.

I am thankful that its almost Christmas and we have our tree up and decorating done. :)

I am thankful for our church and our pastors.

I am thankful that our pastor and his wife are a true couple of God and that they are mature in Him and that we are in a deep season of learning under them.

I am ever so thankful for the Lord's precious presence here this week.

I am thankful for each new day.

God Bless You this wonderful Thankful Thursday!!!

My Father's World First Grade

My Father's World first grade is one of the programs that I am using to teach Meadow this year. I love this program because there is so much bible included. We haven't gotten as far into as I would have preferred so far but we are getting ready to pick up our pace. MFW is a unit study that covers every subject that your child needs for 1st grade.

We are just beginning to get deeper into My Father's World and I am excited! It was written by missionaries David and Marie Hazell. They started MFW to help fund bible translation. Their ministry is called God's Word for the Nations and you can read more about them here: My Father's World and then click missions. To see the program we are using click first grade.

Right now Meadow is learning more intense phonics. She is reading quite beautifully and learning how to decipher the harder words. She is writing and memorizing one proverb each week. The last few weeks of proverbs have had a recurring theme, speaking kind sweet words....honey words are healing to the bones. Meadow is quick to remind us when we are not speaking honey words!

We are studying weather, rain, lightening, thunder, soil, rivers and beaches for science...so far. Meadow has also been absorbing as much information as she can about the planets only because she has such a strong desire, so I oblige and read her what I have about them.

This week we are beginning our timeline and our study in Genesis. I will soon be blogging pictures of her work. I hope all of you enjoy this part of our journey as much as I enjoy teaching her!

Great News!

First of all little Luke from 500 prayers for Luke is in remission. Yay! He is at the end of his second round of chemotherapy and will finish his treatment with one more round but being in remission is a great sign. Please keep on praying and for anyone who would like an update or who missed it before here is the link: 500 Prayers for Luke .

Second is an update on Mary Leggewie the owner of my homeschool board that I have been a member of for over six years now. Mary is hanging on! Praise God! It truly brings my heart joy to know that our Lord has stirred Mary's will and that she desires to live and if fighting for her life. Nine days ago they gave Mary 3 hours to live and I am so thankful that the Lord led us into prayer and fasting and that He has His hand upon her. Please continue prayer for both Mary and Luke.

I have been scarce lately, it is because of this season that the Lord has me in. It is different than any other I have yet to experience. I so desire to share so much of what He has been revealing to me but He has not released me to do so yet. There is still so much to come. The fasting He has had me in for Mary has opened doors for Him to deal with me on so many things and I am learning, seeing and hearing things in a new and different way. Drawing nigh unto Him.

I plan to share much of my fast with you and some great revelation from a book the Holy Spirit led me to read. I'm going through it for the second time now so hopefully I'll have the time to blog about it. I just pray that the Lord is able to use me to draw His people closer to Him and in a deeper relationship too.

Thanks to each of you for joining me in corporate prayer for Mary and Luke. God Bless You all!

Another Day

Please continue prayer for Mary and let us also take this time of prayer and remember Luke. He is going through his second round of chemo and while he is definitely a trooper it isn't easy. I pray for the Lord to heal Mary and Luke. In my heart I simply do not believe it is God's will for Mary to go. I have to admit it has been very hard to stand in my faith with all things pointing the other direction. It is also hard to stand in faith alone. I know we must respect one another beliefs but I simply refuse to give in until the Father says so. He is a miracle worker, He is great and mighty and I will speak life, stand in the gap, and claim God's word's from the rooftops. I pray His will be done and of course I trust and will accept whatever He brings forth but I will not be afraid to ask for miracles.

This a song that has been on my heart since worship Sunday morning. When I looked it up online there was a prayer attached to it and I thanked my Father for how appropriate a time for Him to speak to me. I so wish I was talented enough to create a play list so you could hear this now. If you can look it up and listen while praying for our Mary. Thank-you.

Open up the skies of mercy
And rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us
Hear our cries Lord let 'em rise

Open up the skies of mercy
And rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us
Hear our cries Lord let 'em rise

It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord
That makes us stand in silence
Your love
Your love
Is better than life

We can feel Your mercy falling
You are turnin our hearts back again
Hear our praises rise to heaven
Draw us near Lord Meet us here

It's your kindness Lord
That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord That makes us stand in silence
Your love
Your love

It's your kindness Lord That leads us to repentance
Your favor Lord, is our desire
It's your beauty Lord That makes us stand in silence
Your love
Your love
Is better than life Is better than life

Your love

Open up the skies of mercy
And rain down the cleansing flood
Healing waters rise around us
Hear our cries Lord let 'em rise


(praying)
Lord, We stand here,

As the desperate people

Hungry for the things of you

Come quiet the storms,

That rage all around us

So that we hear

The passion that Beats through your heart

Spirit put healing in our hands

Put life in our words And drive a passion

For the lost deep In the hearts of your people

Inhabit the praises of us Through children

And Father send us out With a reckless passion

Deliver us from evil

And set a standard of unity

To break down laws And to heal your people

Unity is the cry of your church,

Lord Reckonsile the children to the fathers

And with forgiveness and mercy

Rush through the hearts of our land

We cry out our deep need for you Jesus

Oh God come in power And bring glory to your name
Amen!

Please pray for Mary

This is Mary. She owns Homeschool Christian, HSC, the homeschool board that has been my home for the last six years. Mary has recently and suddenly become very sick. She is in ICU at the present time. I would just like to ask anyone who stops by or whose eyes happen to read to please join with me in agreeance of asking God for a miracle for her. She is a homeschooling mother, she is a great wife and wonderful woman of God. The link to HSC for anyone who would like to check it out is on the right hand side of my blog further done the page.

For those of you who will please pray this outloud and with authority when needed. When we pray we engage war with the enemy and its important during intercession that we come to war fully equipped and with the authority of Jesus Christ....

Father first we come and ask for forgiveness, search our hearts now and show us anything that we have allowed to come between You and us, cleanse us Father that our prayers penetrate the heavenlies and not be hindered by any evilness. Father our desire is to be united in oneness with You completely, we want to be pleasing to You.

Father, our creator, Jesus lover of our souls, sweet Holy Spirit leading and guiding us we beseech You to place a hedge of protection around Mary, we ask that you charge angels over her and that You send warrior angels to fight this spiritual battle. We come against this attack from satan in the mighty name of Jesus, we bind you spirit of death, we bind every evil force and we loose life, healing, restoration and love to Mary in Christ name. We know that Lord that Your word tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places so we stand together for we know a three fold cord is not quickly broken, and we break the assignment of the devil in the name of Jesus Christ and we declare that Mary will live and NOT die and will declare the works of the Lord. MARY WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD!! Psalms 118:17

We will not fear for Lord The only living God, our God, You are on our side, for You are for us and not against us. You are our strength our song and our salvation! Oh in the mighty name of Jesus, to whom we give all the glory. Father we believe Your word, we stand firm on it and we will not be persuaded. We will call things that are not as though they were and we will see this situation with spiritual eyes and not our physical ones. Oh Father, speak to us, strengthen us and teach us Lord of Your ways. Father we praise You, and we remember that You are in control. We trust You Father.

We read your word outloud......

Eph 6:12-18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Saints keep reading outloud....

Romans 4:17-25 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Father we stand on this word, we praise and exalt Your name, Oh Halellujah!! We see that it was NOT imputed for Abraham alone but for also, we believe on You heavenly Father who raised our dear Jesus from the dead!! We call on Your power Father, we loose it over Mary now in the name of Jesus and we thank YOU for revelation knowledge.

Psalms 91:1-16 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Yes Father, You will deliver Mary from the snare of the fowler, You will cover her with Your feather and wings, we will not be afraid for You and You alone are the mighty warrior upon Whom no one or nothing can stand up against! We call upon Your name and You will answer, You will deliver and with LONG LIFE You will satisfy Mary and show her and us Your salvation!!! Praise You Father, Glory in the highest be to Your name. Halellujay, Halellujah...Yes Lord, You gave Allie instruction, You revealed that this attack was from satan, and we Father are being obedient and praying according to Your word. Thank-You Father!

AMEN!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful that its almost Friday and I'll get to see my husband soon.

I am thankful for the new friends the Lord has sent into our lives. I had prayed for Him to send new laborers and He answered, so I'm thankful for answered prayers too!

I am thankful that our friend's insurance was approved for a desperately needed surgery which is Friday this week. Please be in prayer for him.

I am thankful that my girls are seeking God deligently at this time.

I am thankful that my brother stopped by and I was able to seep a little word into him.

I am thankful for the tribulation (great adversity, anguish and intense oppresion) that I went through this past week and the deliverance I experienced because when all was over God used it as a witness for my sister who is going through a similar warfare but isn't quite grasping what its going to take to receive from God, or simply put she isn't ready to surrender. Had I not went through the battle I couldn't have related to what she had been through. Henceforth I couldn't have shared God's mighty power and victory. Halellujah!!

I am thankful that when my computer just freakily shut down and locked up that blogspot saved this blog in a draft!

I am thankful that little Luke is doing well, please don't forget to pray for him and check on him as the Lord leads you to. 500 Prayers for Luke

Happy Thankful Thursday!

Psalms 30:4 Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

Psalms 136:3O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 Thessolonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Jesus ~ All I Have is You

ALL I HAVE
Tim Dobbelmann, Gabriel Brennan, Nate Brennan


What have I in this life
But the love in Your eyes
This empty world will one day fade
Only Your truth will remain

Jesus, all I have is You
You're the hope I'm holding to
I might weep but still my faith

Rests in You

As the heavens hold the skies
It's Your hand that holds my life
And Your love will lead me on
When all else is gone
End

I love this song. I lift my hands and pour out my soul and I sing to my Savior. Every word is so true. What have I in this life? But the love in YOUR eyes, oh my Jesus. How I thank You for the love, how I need it so.

This empty world will one day fade....how I feel it fading already. Time moving so fast, my children growing, my skin aging, things all around me changing.

Only Your truth will remain. How I love the truth. In times of despair, when my flesh rises up against me, when emotions try to take over and consume me, when my spirit cries out from the depths of me it is the truth and only the truth that sustains me.

JESUS,

all I have is YOU,

You're the hope I'm holding to

I might weep

but still my faith

rests in YOU

As the heavens hold the skies....I can see the heavens holding the skies when I close my eyes....It's Your hand that holds my life at this moment I remember what I realized so long ago, my life is because of Him, I'm alive because Jesus saved me, because He sent forth laborers to share His truth, He matured me and gave me revelation knowledge of His power, He gave me the keys to the kingdom and delivered me and set me free. And my life still rests in His hands, every breath I take, each and everyday.

And Your love will lead me on when all else is gone.... This reopens my eyes and speaks volumes to my ears and understanding to my soul, body and spirit. He will lead me on, He will never let go, however long it takes Him to return He will remain faithful to me on this journey. Even when all else is gone, through the deepest valleys, come what may, persecutions, warfare, battle. Oh my battle cry today is:

Jesus,

all I have is YOU

YOU'RE the hope I'm holding to

I might weep

But still my faith

Rests in YOU

Give away at Praise and Coffee

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. It just brings a spirit of thanks and giving to the season. It makes you think of just how blessed we are, how much our Savior has given to us. It also makes you want to give something back. I find it inspirational that this spirit carries over into our wonderful blog land and Sue over at Praise and Coffee is giving away two things that I so look forward too in the holiday season and that is Christmas music and coffee. The memories that these two things conjure up in mind are priceless. My nannie use to play Christmas music every year in her home and all of us grand kids would pile in and sing. I like those memories. So....if you would like to be entered into the giveaway feel free to stop by for a chance at winning Sue's give away blessing!

Its Friday and I'm back online!

I am finally back online. My computer crashed, I had to wait for the new one then dial up simply stopped working like it was and I can't explain how that happened either! My sweet hubby agreed to let me try satellite. It took seven days to get the installers out here and finally now I'm up and running. Yay! I'm ecstatic with my computer and my internet. Praise God for these sweet blessings.

Our weekend.....

Today Tony is suppose to be home early and I can't wait. I miss him so incredibly bad and often times the weeks seem to d-r-a-g out forever. I have a small honey do list for him which he will probably get to in the morning.

Tonight I think we are going to round up some teens and head over to the food bank to help pack food boxes. We done this last month and enjoyed it immensely.

Saturday, after the chores we have been invited out to dinner by two other couples and a short Bible Study after. I'm torn between my excitement of wanting to go and fellowship and wanting to have a night home alone with my husband before he leaves on Sunday again. I have a feeling we will go and cut out early if we have to, in order to gain some alone time! :)

How about you? Plans for the weekend?

Oh, and did I say its good to be back online?!?

Thankful Thursday~For Another Day

Today I am thankful. I have a thankful heart. I am very thankful for my husband, my children, our health, our home, food, the air I breathe (this fresh mountain are is so invigorating) clean water to drink, warmth from the cold and coolness from the heat, homeschooling and for living in America where we can freely serve our Father. Where we still have freedoms. I pray for those freedoms. I never take them for granted. I'm thankful for my life. My Father is so good to me. I'm thankful for Him and to Him.

I'm thankful for Luke and his heart for Christ. He is such a brave little boy. I am thankful that God is answering prayers and that both his brother and sister are perfect matches for bone marrow! I am thankful to those of you who are praying for him. I am thankful for this blogoshere. There are updates about dearest Luke on his family journal and the blog that is keeping prayers for him. Please go and read about him, put a face to his name and intercess for him today. If you would like to pray online for him but haven't yet go here 500 Prayers for Luke. Once there, there is a link at the top left of the page that will take you to his online journal. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support!

Happy Thankful Thursday!

1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Psalms 30:12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Thoughtful Blogger Award

The Thoughtful Blogger Award is for those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.


Mary at Kisses from Heaven has blessed me greatly with this award. This truly means a lot to me. Not only was this award a surprise but YOU were a surprise! I honestly was not aware how often you frequented my blog home and I LOVE surprises! Thank-you Mary!

As always there are rules with awards given so here goes!

Award Rules

1) If you have received an award simply choose either the dark or light background image and save it to your files, then post it proudly on your blog!

2) Pass the award on to five other people, you can choose any of the awards from the series, you do not have to pass out the exact award you received. Choose whichever of the awards below that you'd like to give out. You can give out one of each or five of the same one, whatever you prefer. ( Awards in this series are Inspirational, Courageous, Charity, Thoughtful & Creative)

3) You can change the size and color of awards to suit your blog, that's up to you, it's your blog, just leave the titles the same.

4) Please link back to this post so that people can read these rules and so that the meanings of the awards will not be lost.

5) If you feel that you or a friend are deserving of an award and no one has given one to you yet then email me at sayhitochristy(at)hotmail.com and tell me about your website.

Now to pass this on, the hardest part I believe for everyone who has ever received an award is passing it on, only because our hearts desire is to pass it onto everyone we know! Soooo.....my choices are.....

To Karen at Surviving Motherhood I pass on the Inspirational Blogger award that is for those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others. Karen is so inspirational to me. She somehow knows how to step inside of my mind, know my thoughts all while knowing exactly how I feel! Her advice is right on time and it shows her wisdom comes from our Lord. Karen I want to thank-you for sharing your own trial and error with us. For always lifting us mothers up and stopping the condemnation that tries to creep in.

Next I would like to pass on the Thoughtful blogger award to Chickadee at A Familiar Path for being so honest and so open and so faithful. I love reading your blog girlie.

Mandalyn at Grace and Hope for sharing her heart and littles whom are so adorable!

To Karen at Karen's Ramblings for her honesty and driving ambition that always manages to challenge me to dig deeper with God.

And finally to Joyful Days for her encouragement and love of reading! She always has something going on. She's great!

To read more about the awards click here Writer's Reviews. Thanks for reading!

Another Meadow Moment

As most of you know Meadow is my baby. My little girl, the one who is spoiled so rotten that I'm quickly becoming the only one who can stand her! (not really) :)

The other night my friend Tammy, her family and youth group from her church, then Heaven, Meadow and myself volunteered to help pack food boxes at a local food bank that needed help. We had such a great time, it was such rewarding work. Everyone pitched in and worked together and friendships were formed. It was great fellowship, a great time had by all. (Tammy and her husband Brad are working on starting a food bank in their community so if you wouldn't mind please keep that in your prayers.)

The lady who ran the place commented several times on my Meadow and how she was a mommy's girl. She commented that she didn't like to see mom's complain when their children desired to be with them because it was a good thing and they may not always have that desire. I assured her that I was thankful for Meadow's clinginess and I enjoyed her wallering me!

A little later she commented again and said, "Your daughter really is clingy isn't she? And you are so use to it you don't even notice." Meadow was at that time sitting on my foot with her arms wrapped around my leg. I just laughed. Then Meadow stood up and began walking circles around me, round and round she went. She began giggling and got louder and louder so I reached down gently to stop her and ask her to be a little more quiet so that she didn't interrupt our conversation, and that is when I felt it. Wetness.

We had moved outside and the sun had gone down, there was cool brisk breeze gently blowing and Meadow's nose had started to run. So while she was playing ring around the rosy on my body she had also been wiping her nose on my shirt, all the way around my shirt.

I have to admit that I was a little embarrassed so I simply said nothing. On the way home I had to laugh while thinking that becoming a mother turns you into many things that you never ever imagined or dreamed that you would become. A human tissue is one of them! And yet it reminds of those little hand prints on my living room wall that she put there with my lipstick, when I look at them I smile because I know one day Meadow like Heaven will be grown. Time flies and somehow days like these make me wish I could slow it down just a little.

Take the time today to be thankful for their mishaps, spend some time in prayer for them, and never ever forget that they are blessings to you from your Father!

(Sky was away at camp last week and decided to come home early, so her daddy picked her up in the big truck and she spent 3 days on the road with him. This was a dream come true for her. She is home this week and I'm so happy to have my three girls back together and home with me.)

Thankful Thursday ~ Healing ~ 500 Prayers

Today I am thankful for healing from our precious Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful that He still heals today. I am thankful that Jesus is intercessing for us at the right hand God. I am thankful that our God is alive, that He is all powerful, that He is the Creator and that He is a supernatural God.

Yesterday I read the story of a little boy named Luke who was just diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. I learned of him yesterday here: Purple Kangaroo Puzzle I cannot imagine what this family is going through nor what this trial will bring. The one thing that touched me so was I read that when Luke was asked what he wanted one of his replies were that he wanted "100 no 500 prayers." In his little mind 500 must be such a huge number! After this request his family started a blog called 500 Prayer for Luke so that people from all over could come and type in their prayer for Luke. I would like to ask each of you to please go and pray for Luke and help reach or exceed the prayers that he has asked for. Wouldn't it be great if he received a double blessing.

I am believing our Lord for healing for this little fellow and am posting some scriptures below. Our God is a miracle worker so let's ask Him to heal and be willing to receive and believe on Him for supernatural things! Let us join together and be in agreeance in the mighty name of Jesus!

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Matthew 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Mark 3:15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luke 5:17 and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

John 4:47-54 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Matthew 15:30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

Matthew 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

What a Rough Night!

Ok, this picture shows my mean side. This is my sister in law and I took this of her while she was sick. She does not know I'm using it for my Wordless Wednesday so let's pray she doesn't kill me when my mother in law shows it to her! ROFLOL! You guys didn't know I had a mean side did ya? Heehee!

Click here for more

Wordless Wednesdays

and here

5 Minutes for Mom

!

What Season Are You?

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

I just love the fall, its my favorite season of the year and if it had told me that I was another season then I would not have shared! Heehee I stumbled across this at Chris's.

Anyway let me know what season you are by participating with Mr. Linky! Happy Fall everyone!

A Very Special Award

Mathetes award: Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple (per the Great Commission) is to make more disciples.

Karen my dear sister in Christ has once again passed an award on to me. Karen said, "Jenileigh at Jenileigh's Journey, because she is passionate about God and her family. Jenileigh is another sister who shares her ups and downs and allows us to grow through her experiences. I'm so glad she is a part of this community!"

How grateful that I am to be a part of this community. I simply never understood the closeness, the genuiness of other bloggers. To know their cares, their hearts and to know that they are there for you. Really there. It is like having another family and it is another blessing from my Abba Daddy that He has bestowed upon me and I thank each of you for the welcome and acceptance that I have found here. Thank-You Karen!

The last award was my very first and I was actually stunned that someone had thought enough of me and my writings to give me an award. At that time I explained about what I had thought my blog would be about and that was my homeschool journey but what it has actually turned into is a witnessing tool, our journey with HIM. The Lord has been using my blog for His glory and I am honored to be obedient to His call. This award, the Mathetes, means so very much to me. It lets me know that what I am doing here is honoring the Lord. It is my hearts desire to be pleasing to Him, to bring honor to Him and to spead His truth, His gospel. It is my prayer that He continue to use me in every way imaginable and that I continue to grow closer to Him and am able to share that growth with others. If there is only one that is helped along the way then that is enough.

As blog awards often do, this one also has "rules." They are simple.
Winners of this award must pick five other "disciples" to pass it on to. As you pass it on, mention and provide links for:
1) Dan King of management by God as the originator of the award.
2) The person that awarded it to you.
3) Name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.

And it please me so to pass this award on to:

My Little Leni Sunshine at Anything Worth Doing is Worth Doing The Hard Way Leni is true, she is real and she shares her heart. Leni is always, always, always there for me. No matter my need Leni tries her best to help me out. Leni's love for the Lord shines through her blog, her homeschooling board participations and through her homeschool journey itself. And finally Leni keeps me laughing with her humor and that is something I need! I am very blessed to know Leni!

Next is Susan the Penless Writer Susan is a sweety. She is faithful to me even when I cannot be faithful to her. Susan is family. That is the only way I know to describe her. Not just an aquiantance but family. Her blog is real, passionate and she shares so beautifully and there are many times I leave with tears falling. Susan's heart is big and she is quick to be in prayer for others in their time of need. She is a true servant, a selfless servant! I love you Susan!

To Chris at Come To The Table Anytime I am feeling empty and need lifting up I pop over to read about Chris and her sweet relationship with our Savior. She is such a blessing.

Then Iris at Sting My Heart Oh Iris, I know I can always visit you for the best devotions around. And in my time of need the most beautiful prayers flow from you. Thank-you Iris for being faithful.

And lastly I have to pass this on to my very precious Annie at My Life As Annie Annie is something else. She always sees the glass half full instead of half empty. She is persevering and teaches me about longivity and never giving up. Annie is strong in Christ and her love for Him flows not only in her blog but in her life. Its an honor to know you Annie!

Several I know already have this award but I felt that you truly deserved it again. God Bless each one of you!! You are the best!