Thanksgiving is coming up and I was sharing with the Princess what I was planning on fixing for the family get together. Being the strawberry fanatic that she is, she suggested I also fix a strawberry pie. Seeing how I am completely and totally culinarily inept, I don't know HOW to make a strawberry pie.
No problem. The princess enlightened me.
Get pink icing and strawberries.
Mix them together.
Put them in the pie thing.
Put them in the freezer to cold them up.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the recipe for strawberry pie.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
BE HEALED!!!!!
Those two words should not cause the cynicism in me that they do, but they do. Nothing will cause me to go on "hyper alert" when listening to a preacher than to hear him proclaim that God has told him someone in the congregation will be healed. To me, it is almost as if they have spread out the crystal ball and are reading the future. I'm that dubious.
Perhaps I shouldn't be because God CAN heal, and I believe He does -- perhaps more than we realize.
When my father had his heart attack in 1999, I was convinced that his coma was temporary and that he would indeed "rise up and walk." In my mind, I entertained no other outcomes. My daddy was going to get better -- no other options existed. So, on January 3, 2002, when he passed away, I naturally asked, "What happened?????" I was upset that my daddy died; most people are. I was also upset that I had been wrong (not something I deal with easily, anyway, my husband tells me) about his healing.
In the months following his death, I asked God, "Why?????" Actually, I asked Him a lot. Then, one day He answered. It wasn't an audible voice, but real in my heart nevertheless. I asked, "God, I was convinced Daddy would be healed. I had faith in YOU that YOU would heal him. And you didn't. Why?"
"You only needed to believe that I could."
Wow.
So, why do faith healers bother me so? I used to think it was because they accused me of not having "enough" faith.
I have the faith. I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God can, and does heal. When dear friends recently found out that their little girl was going to be born with some special issues, did I think God could "fix" it? Yes, and I still do. In fact, I've even prayed to that end. So, if she is not "healed," did God fail to answer my prayers? NO. He, in His infinite wisdome knows exactly what needs to be done and He will do it.
In fact, to say that my lack of faith, or the parents' lack of faith, or Joe Blow's lack of faith prevented this little unborn child's healing is an abomination. Is GOD, the Creator of the UNIVERSE so small that the only way he can answer a prayer and honor faithfulness is through a healing?
I think not.
The other day, I read on a website a 7 year old's testimony that his preacher had proclaimed that he would be healed from his life debilitating, yet non-life threatening, disease. That bothered me. It also bothered me that if I "argued" with this preacher, or anyone else who was "claiming" this promise, I would be the one with the lack of faith.
Instead of looking at the omniscient power of God, instead of trusting in His grace and wisdom in knowing that sometimes bad things happen to good people for a REASON, and that instead of believing that God's glory can be revealed in ways other than healing, they choose to put their hope and faith in one single outcome. To me, claiming a healing (and sometimes "demanding" God to heal) is arrogant, selfish, and short-sighted. I would go so far as to say that it is time to let God out of this box we tend to put Him in, and allow His power to work.
Perhaps I shouldn't be because God CAN heal, and I believe He does -- perhaps more than we realize.
When my father had his heart attack in 1999, I was convinced that his coma was temporary and that he would indeed "rise up and walk." In my mind, I entertained no other outcomes. My daddy was going to get better -- no other options existed. So, on January 3, 2002, when he passed away, I naturally asked, "What happened?????" I was upset that my daddy died; most people are. I was also upset that I had been wrong (not something I deal with easily, anyway, my husband tells me) about his healing.
In the months following his death, I asked God, "Why?????" Actually, I asked Him a lot. Then, one day He answered. It wasn't an audible voice, but real in my heart nevertheless. I asked, "God, I was convinced Daddy would be healed. I had faith in YOU that YOU would heal him. And you didn't. Why?"
"You only needed to believe that I could."
Wow.
So, why do faith healers bother me so? I used to think it was because they accused me of not having "enough" faith.
I have the faith. I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God can, and does heal. When dear friends recently found out that their little girl was going to be born with some special issues, did I think God could "fix" it? Yes, and I still do. In fact, I've even prayed to that end. So, if she is not "healed," did God fail to answer my prayers? NO. He, in His infinite wisdome knows exactly what needs to be done and He will do it.
In fact, to say that my lack of faith, or the parents' lack of faith, or Joe Blow's lack of faith prevented this little unborn child's healing is an abomination. Is GOD, the Creator of the UNIVERSE so small that the only way he can answer a prayer and honor faithfulness is through a healing?
I think not.
The other day, I read on a website a 7 year old's testimony that his preacher had proclaimed that he would be healed from his life debilitating, yet non-life threatening, disease. That bothered me. It also bothered me that if I "argued" with this preacher, or anyone else who was "claiming" this promise, I would be the one with the lack of faith.
Instead of looking at the omniscient power of God, instead of trusting in His grace and wisdom in knowing that sometimes bad things happen to good people for a REASON, and that instead of believing that God's glory can be revealed in ways other than healing, they choose to put their hope and faith in one single outcome. To me, claiming a healing (and sometimes "demanding" God to heal) is arrogant, selfish, and short-sighted. I would go so far as to say that it is time to let God out of this box we tend to put Him in, and allow His power to work.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Wow.
Wow. I have a blog. I think I'd forgotten about it. There are spiderwebs everywhere in here and it is more than a bit dusty.
Maybe I should claim that I gave up blogging for spiritual reasons. You know, kinda like a fast of sorts. Except if I did that, I would be lying and that doesn't go well with the whole "fast" thing, ya know?
Truth is, May was FULL of testing homeschoolers, as were the first couple of weeks in June.
Then, we found out that Travis made the 7 year old all-star team (trust me, no one was more surprised than me), and that extended our baseball season another month. We've got a bit of a break (20 days or so) between the last baseball game and first football practice.
So, here it is, the middle of July, and we are FINALLY slowing down somewhat.
Maybe I'll find something to write about in the coming days.
:)
Maybe I should claim that I gave up blogging for spiritual reasons. You know, kinda like a fast of sorts. Except if I did that, I would be lying and that doesn't go well with the whole "fast" thing, ya know?
Truth is, May was FULL of testing homeschoolers, as were the first couple of weeks in June.
Then, we found out that Travis made the 7 year old all-star team (trust me, no one was more surprised than me), and that extended our baseball season another month. We've got a bit of a break (20 days or so) between the last baseball game and first football practice.
So, here it is, the middle of July, and we are FINALLY slowing down somewhat.
Maybe I'll find something to write about in the coming days.
:)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Baseball
It's hard to believe that Trav only has 3 games left. Currently, they are 6 - 3 and in 2nd place. They play the first place team next Tuesday, and if they win, they will be in first. They have already lost to this team once (I *think* it was the day Trav busted his nose).
Trav's batting is abso-stinkin'-lutely awesome. The kid smacks the snot out of it. He hit one the other day that everyone thought was over the fence (that is a picture of it below). Since then, he has hit two or three more that go right to the fence.
Yea, I'm proud.
(We won't talk about his fielding right now -- hahahahha. He has been playing third base).
Trav's batting is abso-stinkin'-lutely awesome. The kid smacks the snot out of it. He hit one the other day that everyone thought was over the fence (that is a picture of it below). Since then, he has hit two or three more that go right to the fence.
Yea, I'm proud.
(We won't talk about his fielding right now -- hahahahha. He has been playing third base).
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Mountain Paparazzi
So, we are driving through Pigeon Forge, looking for our motel, and see that there is going to be a parade. After just a few minutes, I realize it is the Dolly Parton parade (don't know what it is really called), and that Dolly was going to be appearing soon.
My husband is driving, so I grab my camera, tell him to roll down the window, and start shooting.
Nothing.
It's on.
Shoot.
Nothing.
What the??? At this point, I am almost panicking thinking that my camera is broken. :( :( :(
Then, I see it -- the flashing "No CF card" message. Awww man. grumble, cuss, grumble, grumble, cuss (though admittedly the words I said were NOTHING compared to what I was thinking!)
We finish watching the parade, cut back a side road, and continue in our quest to find our motel.
WoooHHooooo. The back road we were on, is the same back road Dolly is taking. This is the shot I got of her (through my windshield).
Bernard got my camera and got a couple of shots with her standing up -- her profile and from behind. He jokes that you can tell what he was looking at. :)
My husband is driving, so I grab my camera, tell him to roll down the window, and start shooting.
Nothing.
It's on.
Shoot.
Nothing.
What the??? At this point, I am almost panicking thinking that my camera is broken. :( :( :(
Then, I see it -- the flashing "No CF card" message. Awww man. grumble, cuss, grumble, grumble, cuss (though admittedly the words I said were NOTHING compared to what I was thinking!)
We finish watching the parade, cut back a side road, and continue in our quest to find our motel.
WoooHHooooo. The back road we were on, is the same back road Dolly is taking. This is the shot I got of her (through my windshield).
Bernard got my camera and got a couple of shots with her standing up -- her profile and from behind. He jokes that you can tell what he was looking at. :)
Monday, May 04, 2009
Wow.
Parenting is not for weenies. Seriously.
When Travis had his first stomach virus, it was rough. Ditto with snot. Both make me a bit squeamish.
That was NOTHING compared to blood, though. >karma passes out<
Last Monday, Travis took a baseball to the nose. Blood and more blood. Bernard joked that I didn't take a picture of it. Truth be told, I couldn't look at it without almost passing out.
Today, I was about 70 miles away doing testing for a private school. Just as I'm finishing up the last student, I get a text message from Bernard -
I panicked. Why? Broken arm? Seizure? I finally get a hold of someone and find out that he was climbing up on the back of the pickup truck, the tailgate wasn't secure and it opened as he climbed. He fell backwards and apparently cut his head on the wood pile behind him. Ouch.
By the time I could get to the ER, he was already being sewn up. This time, I did get pictures (and more than a bit nauseous).
So, I've decided in order to maintain my sanity (not to mention my breakfast), I am going to purchase a couple of giant gerbil exercise balls. Then, my children will be safe.
Here is a picture of the prototype --
When Travis had his first stomach virus, it was rough. Ditto with snot. Both make me a bit squeamish.
That was NOTHING compared to blood, though. >karma passes out<
Last Monday, Travis took a baseball to the nose. Blood and more blood. Bernard joked that I didn't take a picture of it. Truth be told, I couldn't look at it without almost passing out.
Today, I was about 70 miles away doing testing for a private school. Just as I'm finishing up the last student, I get a text message from Bernard -
trav at er
I panicked. Why? Broken arm? Seizure? I finally get a hold of someone and find out that he was climbing up on the back of the pickup truck, the tailgate wasn't secure and it opened as he climbed. He fell backwards and apparently cut his head on the wood pile behind him. Ouch.
By the time I could get to the ER, he was already being sewn up. This time, I did get pictures (and more than a bit nauseous).
So, I've decided in order to maintain my sanity (not to mention my breakfast), I am going to purchase a couple of giant gerbil exercise balls. Then, my children will be safe.
Here is a picture of the prototype --
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Oh. Wow.
We heard about this on the radio today.
The Life Saving Bra
Of course, my son had a barrage of questions afterwards (ever tried to explain "underwiring" to a 7 yo boy, or a grown man for that matter).
What this online version of the story didn't have that the radio story did is that it was a wonderbra (called as such because you take it off and "wonder" where everything went, but I digress).
The story still has me dropping my jaw. This is the oddest thing I've heard in awhile.
(I figure I'm already pushing the "tasteful" limits with this post, so, sorry, no illustrative pictures)
The Life Saving Bra
Of course, my son had a barrage of questions afterwards (ever tried to explain "underwiring" to a 7 yo boy, or a grown man for that matter).
What this online version of the story didn't have that the radio story did is that it was a wonderbra (called as such because you take it off and "wonder" where everything went, but I digress).
The story still has me dropping my jaw. This is the oddest thing I've heard in awhile.
(I figure I'm already pushing the "tasteful" limits with this post, so, sorry, no illustrative pictures)
Monday, April 20, 2009
41 Reasons
Why I love you on your 41st birthday. . . (in no particular order)
(disclaimer and warning -- i'm not intentionally trying to make all you other men out there feel inadequate, but dang, when you got it, you got it, and Bernard's got it!!!!)
1. Black F-150, Grundy County Auction and the Mt. Pisgah Parking Lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
2. Your integrity and honesty.
3. You're musical ability.
4. Your socks match, and you tuck in your shirts and pockets on your own.
5. You will talk about your emotions and how you feel.
6. You're hardworking.
7. You're respected among peers.
8. You have cool scars.
9. You are unbelievably loyal.
10. Travis
11. Kristi
12. Bass fishing
13. Photography
14. Beating me at chess.
15. Cool hair.
16. Your analytic ability.
17. You provide for your family.
18. You know how to, and will do, laundry, and you will do housework.
19. You serve your church faithfully -- out of love not duty or obligation.
20. You change my oil and you can fix things.
21. You like to read.
22. You are intelligent.
23. You have a nice body. :P
24. You're good at math.
25. You mow the yard.
26. You look sexy in your sunglasses.
27. You know a lot about a lot of things.
28. You respect your parents, grandparents, and family (both yours and mine).
29. You are wise and exercise caution.
30. You think things through thoroughly.
31. You kiss GOOD!
32. You show emotions in public.
33. You will fix your own breakfast and don't expect me to get up at the crack of dawn and cook for you.
34. You don't complain about my cooking.
35. You laugh at my jokes.
36. You like gadgets.
37. Your beliefs are sincere -- you act what you believe.
38. You are compassionate and conscientious.
39. Yer a gud speelr.
40. The way you come in every morning to pray with me before you leave for work, even if I'm only half-conscious.
41. You love me and I can trust you to always love ME.
(disclaimer and warning -- i'm not intentionally trying to make all you other men out there feel inadequate, but dang, when you got it, you got it, and Bernard's got it!!!!)
1. Black F-150, Grundy County Auction and the Mt. Pisgah Parking Lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
2. Your integrity and honesty.
3. You're musical ability.
4. Your socks match, and you tuck in your shirts and pockets on your own.
5. You will talk about your emotions and how you feel.
6. You're hardworking.
7. You're respected among peers.
8. You have cool scars.
9. You are unbelievably loyal.
10. Travis
11. Kristi
12. Bass fishing
13. Photography
14. Beating me at chess.
15. Cool hair.
16. Your analytic ability.
17. You provide for your family.
18. You know how to, and will do, laundry, and you will do housework.
19. You serve your church faithfully -- out of love not duty or obligation.
20. You change my oil and you can fix things.
21. You like to read.
22. You are intelligent.
23. You have a nice body. :P
24. You're good at math.
25. You mow the yard.
26. You look sexy in your sunglasses.
27. You know a lot about a lot of things.
28. You respect your parents, grandparents, and family (both yours and mine).
29. You are wise and exercise caution.
30. You think things through thoroughly.
31. You kiss GOOD!
32. You show emotions in public.
33. You will fix your own breakfast and don't expect me to get up at the crack of dawn and cook for you.
34. You don't complain about my cooking.
35. You laugh at my jokes.
36. You like gadgets.
37. Your beliefs are sincere -- you act what you believe.
38. You are compassionate and conscientious.
39. Yer a gud speelr.
40. The way you come in every morning to pray with me before you leave for work, even if I'm only half-conscious.
41. You love me and I can trust you to always love ME.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
I'm Braggin' Again
Trav played his first baseball game yesterday.
Waiting for the game to begin
At first base.
He Swings
He HITS
(the two batting pictures were different pitches)
He went 2 for 3 yesterday and was responsible for a couple of outs at first base. :)
Waiting for the game to begin
At first base.
He Swings
He HITS
(the two batting pictures were different pitches)
He went 2 for 3 yesterday and was responsible for a couple of outs at first base. :)
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Justification for Procrastination
I am the Queen of Procrastination, or would be if the organization ever got around to forming and crowning me.
Sometimes, procrastination works to my advantage. Like the time I had to write an essay as part of my annual review at work, but I put it off and then my review was canceled. Had I been diligent, I would have done work for nothing.
Now, consider spring flowers. This little guy would have well served (and much warmer) had he not bloomed for a couple of more weeks.
Sometimes, procrastination works to my advantage. Like the time I had to write an essay as part of my annual review at work, but I put it off and then my review was canceled. Had I been diligent, I would have done work for nothing.
Now, consider spring flowers. This little guy would have well served (and much warmer) had he not bloomed for a couple of more weeks.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
My Opinion
Related to March 27th's post --
It seems to me that when you are obnoxious about your faith, and don't care to offend people "for the gospel," you really don't show them Christ's love, either.
It seems to me that when you are obnoxious about your faith, and don't care to offend people "for the gospel," you really don't show them Christ's love, either.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
