Pour you out a blessing

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10

Do you ever have those times when God opens a window of blessing? It recently happened to me. I had just brought my son to the doctor for earaches (too much pool water?) and was on my way to the pharmacist when I made a quick stop into a flower shop that was advertising a dozen roses for $6.99. Who couldn't resist that??? I dragged my boys inside and once inside we were greeted by the friendliest people who told us they were celebrating the shops birthday. Did we want cake, soda, popcorn and to play some carnival games? They didn't know the best they could do for us! Since my boys love to eat they were happy to get some treats. My youngest got his face painted with a smiley face and he played all of the games. He even won a bouquet of flowers (his older, wiser brother suggested I pick them out :) !) Just as we had made our purchase and eaten the last bite of our cake they filled my boys hands with cotton candy. Our hands were full already!! But, what a fun adventure it was and it really lifted our spirits that day. Thank you, Lord!


" . . . because He delights in mercy and lovingkindness."
Micah 7 :18

Enjoy!

Sanctus Real

I attended a Sanctus Real concert awhile back with my family. I was so glad we did! We enjoyed Mikes Chair who opened for them and Tony Diaz. It had been ages since we had been to a concert and it was fun to get the boys reactions. The lead singer for the Sanctus Real band, Matt, shared the story behind their latest song, "Lead Me." It was incredibly touching and it really hit close to home with me. If you go to their webpage he shares his story and you can listen to the song, as well. They are expecting their 3rd baby, a boy, in September. In fact so many of the artists that played that night had wives expecting babies all around the same time! The music was VERY LOUD (the guys were all oohing and ahhing over the sound set-up before it began. For me this translated into LOUD MUSIC. My hubby graciously went to the hardware store to buy some earplugs pronto! They were much needed!!!) The music was AWESOME. The personal stories were encouraging and I LOVED IT :)

Be blessed!

Summer Reading

Trips to the library keep my boys busy reading. It helps fill in the long summer hours! The days have been really hot and humid so an activity that keeps them indoors in the air conditioning is nice. Because once they get started in a good book they don't want to put it down!

With his older brothers reading my youngest created a fort in my kitchen! He had thoughtfully arranged everything here. Here he is paging through his bible.

I have been enjoying this book by Joyce Meyer, "eat the cookie . . . buy the shoes." I so appreciate her practical biblical teaching. I love how she teaches taking time to celebrate gives us strength for our journey.

I hope you are enjoying some good books this summer, too!

Sunday Scripture - Just Believe

Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed." Luke 8:50

Jairus, just moments earlier, had pleaded with Jesus to come and see his 12-year old daughter who was dying. Along the way to his home, Jesus stopped to talk to the woman who had touched his garment and was healed with the issue of blood. During that time Jairus got word his daughter had died and was told not to bother Jesus anymore. Do we sometimes think the same thing? Don't bother the Lord with our problem/need because it's beyond hope. I love what Jesus says to Jairus, "don't be afraid; just believe." It's so simple but profound. We have a choice to make: do we give up or do we be believe?

I have a good friend who has been searching for a teaching job for 2 years. She has been doing substituting and daycare in the meantime. Her victory came just days ago as she was offered a full-time teaching job. During those 2 years she really missed having her own classroom and languished over why she couldn't get a teaching job! She had applied so many times and was about out of hope. But, God moved on her behalf and how sweet the victory is!! Just as it was for Jairus! Jesus healed his daughter when others said it was too late. My encouragement today is for you not to give up hope in a difficult situation. Choose to believe and wait for God to move!

God's blessings!

Mall of America

We are back home again after a week in Minnesota. We had so much fun visiting our families and stayed busy every day! We managed to fit in a reunion, funeral, wedding and a party! One day we visited the Mall of America. The boys enjoyed LegoLand and Camp Snoopy. Riding in this semi truck was a hit with my youngest!

He also humored me with a picture of SpongeBob and Patrick.

The older boys were into the bigger rides like this Log Flume. They couldn't get enough of these rides. My oldest wasn't with us on this trip as he was vacationing with his friend at Cedar Point. He's into the really big roller coasters! That is for the serious riders!

I had so much fun touring the American Girl Store. Oh my goodness what fun that was!!! So many dolls to look at! This one was my favorite - doesn't it look like fun to join her for an ice cream sundae?

On the second floor (yes, there are actually 2 floors in this store!!!) was the cutest little restaurant with these doll size high chairs that attach to the tables. If you forget your doll they even have extra's to use! It was so darling to see little tea cups in front of them!

Lastly, we went to the IKEA store. I came home with these colorful plastic dishes. I couldn't resist the bright, summer colors. They are my kids first choice now to eat off of. I love using them because they are so cheery looking and really work good for portion control!

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Lost and Found

I have been reading this book, Everyday Deserves a Chance, by Max Lucado. It is really a wonderful book about enjoying everyday life despite the challenges. The truths are simple but really life changing if lived out. Looking up to God for our help was something I had just read when we were getting ready to go on a trip to Minnesota when one of my sons couldn't find his Nintendo DSi. With a 10 hour drive this was a must find! He remembered "hiding" it from his younger brother who erased some of his files. But, he hid it too well and was pretty upset about it being lost! We had done a pretty thorough cleaning for a BBQ a few days prior and it wasn't seen then. After searching last evening, I prayed to God who knows all things, to reveal where it was. We still hadn't found it when we went to bed. This morning as I was getting our things packed I stood in my kitchen and asked God to remind Justin where he had put it. Just a couple of minutes later he came downstairs and walked to our dining room table, reached underneath and pulled it out! He had such a big smile on his face and said "Hallelujah!" Oh, praise the Lord!! I told Justin how much God cares for him; even the little things, like a Nintendo. Isn't God sooooo good? Oh, how I want to have more childlike faith to trust God in every situation!

Be blessed!

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July everyone! How blessed we are to live in a free country founded on godly principles. I am praying you all have a joyful day celebrating our nation's independence with lots of good food, warm conversations and a whole lot of fun!!!

God bless America!

Blueberry Pancakes

We went blueberry picking last night and I promised everyone blueberry pancakes for breakfast. This was my youngests 3rd year picking but he still isn't the most cheerful of companions in the blueberry patch! My other boys like to compete and see who can pick the most blueberries. They love to see who was "right" when their bags are weighed! They were satisfied with almost 6lbs of berries all together. I located a blueberry pancake recipe in this beloved cookbook of mine. It holds special memories since it was given as a wedding shower gift by our college friends. I love how they each contributed handwritten recipes, they really reflect their personalities and ingenuity. One is for grilled cheese sandwiches (now mind you most people live in dorms) and uses none other than an iron to melt the cheese! My favorite is a recipe for "The Perfect Pizza." It is an 11 step process to call Domino's for delivery (yes, he was a Domino's driver!) Then the more seasoned cooks gave me recipes for "Country Fried Chicken" and "Oven Baked Fruit Pancake." The shower was a complete surprise for us and it was so thoughtful of them.

The recipe is very easy with few ingredients.

Blueberry Pancakes
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
fresh blueberries

Beat egg until light. Add milk. Sift baking powder, salt and flour together and then stir into the first mixture. Pour onto hot griddle. Sprinkle blueberries on top. When bubbles form then flip.
Serves 4 (or 2 hungry people!)
In my family I have to double or triple this recipe!!

Enjoy your day!

House Anniversary

Today marks one year in our new home. I give God all the praise and glory for making it all possible. My husband was laid off from his job early of last year. Despite the economy and housing market God really went above and beyond all we could ask or think to open up a new job and sell our house within hours of it going on the market! We were ecstatic!

A new job meant relocating to a different state. In this area, too, God was faithful to us in giving us such hardworking, kind young men to move all of our belongings. We really bonded with these guys as we were with them before and after the move. They were really a blessing. They even gave my younger kids a ride in the truck!
My kids were so entertained by all of the empty boxes. They made forts out of them and here my son is making a "TV". He wrapped the whole box up in tape!

We had to say goodbye to some very special people but the memories together are forever in our hearts. And so we began a new chapter in our lives and we have had a wonderful first year in our new home. My prayers are for those in similar situations seeking employment and listing their homes.

"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Blessings!