Happy New Year!!!

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

Author Unknown

Take twelve whole months,
Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,
Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or
thirty-one different parts,
but don’t make up the whole batch at once.
Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.

Mix well into each day one part of faith,
one part of patience, one part of courage,
and one part of work.

Add to each day one part of hope,
faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer,
one part meditation, and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits,
a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,
and a cupful of good humor.

Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy,
garnish with a smile,
and serve with quietness, unselfishness,
and cheerfulness.

You’re bound to have a happy new year.

Christmas Questions & Answers

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I like both but I like wrapped gifts the best!

2. Real tree or Artificial?
Artificial~ I would sneeze a lot with a real tree and my son's asthma would go bonkers!

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the week after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually the week after Christmas. I really don't like the tree up too long. I never have. I don't like clutter and sometimes feel like the tree is cluttering my livingroom.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Nope!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A play organ when I was about 9 years old and my Cabbage Patch doll when I was 11 years old.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My inlaws.

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My children.

9. Do You have a nativity scene?
Yes...after all, isn't that what Christmas is about?!

10.Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail. I prefer getting a "real" card too!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I think I'll opt out of commenting on this one : )

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Honestly...I don't have a favorite..not much of a movie person.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Sometime in the summer.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My mom's cheese ball, fudge and Christmas cookies!

16. Lights on the tree?
Absolutely!

17.Travel at Christmas or stay home?
All our family lives here so we don't have to travel.

18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Contrary to my children's wishes every year to cheat and open gifts early~
It is always Christmas morning!
I am a "It has to be the day~ Girl."

Death Is Not Dying...

As this year draws quickly to an end I've been reflecting on all the many blessings and sorrows this year has held. With the death of Kara, our family experienced loss in a way that we had never felt or experienced it before. However, in the midst of all the grief, all the loss, all the pain that I was feeling, there was a constant joy that I can't explain other than to say that it was the Lord holding me up, giving me peace and reminding me that "death is not dying."

A few months after Kara's death I was driving the boys across town. The radio was on and I was listening to a testimony of a lady (Rachel Barkey) that had cancer on "Revive Our Hearts." What I heard playing that day has been a huge blessing to me. I just listened to it again a few days ago and felt that I needed to share Rachel's message. It's a message of hope, courage, and faith in the midst of the storm. I hope that you can carve out some time to listen, be blessed and be reminded that "death is not dying..." It's only the beginning of our eternal life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
http://deathisnotdying.com/fullvideo/

Steak coupon!

Here's a link where you can print coupons for $3.00 off of steaks. Walmart sales these for $3.98 for a 2 pack (I checked this myself). Remember you can print this coupons twice allowing you to score 4 steaks for really cheap! You'll have to fill in the form first before you can get the coupon.
http://www.chefsrequested.com/coupons-.aspx

Let your light so shine before men....

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5: 16

I just wanted to post a picture that I took a few years ago. We were at Lake Michigan and I just couldn't resist the photo. We were attending Life Action Family Camp and the above verse was the theme verse for the week. The picture was definitely appropriate and in good timing!