Thankfully, Grace DOES Tell Us Another Story

The enemy loves to tell us lies.  The enemy will tell us horrible, horrible untruths...whispering them into our hearts and minds constantly...and if we listen long enough to the wrong voice, we will believe those lies.  We will live like we believe those lies. 

I've listened to this song by Mercy Me so many times and yet today it spoke directly to my heart.  I heard these words today and thought of many loved and dear ones in my life right now who are hearing the lies...and believing them...because things are so rough and so sad right now in their lives that it's easier to listen to the untruths than to allow the Truth to shine through...this song is for them.  

The lyrics tell us, GRACE, embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, tells us a different story than the world...different than the enemy.  Thank you Lord!

I love you dear friends and family...and I hope the Lord will comfort you today.  May you feel His hope and His love, His comfort, His strong arms around you somehow today.  May you hear His voice in your heart and mind and believe the Truths that He whispers into your heart through His Word and through the Words of others.

"Grace Tells Another Story"

They say don't waste your time You simply cannot find an ounce of good within the heart of man
they say we've got to lay in the bed we've made and live this life without a second chance but
I'm inclined to say there must be something more.

[chorus]
We've been told that the heart is just too far gone to save but grace tells us another story
Where glory sends hopelessness away oh grace tells us another story.

They say we cannot change there is no other way get used to it cause this is all there is they
say don't raise your voice cause we don't have a choice we're dealt this hand so learn to live
with it well i have to believer there must something more. [back to chorus]

And though we may not understand why You'd give us another chance we praise You who lets us
start again. [back to chorus]

 

All my best to you today,

Is Christmas Over Already?

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I've posted!  Ah, the time leading up to the holidays goes so very quickly.  Kudos to all of you who have done so well with posting during December!  I must try and line up some posts early next year so I can still connect with all of you during one of the busiest times of the year.

I hope your Christmas was joyous and filled with love and laughter.  We enjoyed much laughter and fun with friends and family during the month and over the Christmas holiday.  This time of year is so precious in so many ways.  Seeing and spending time with family, honoring Jesus and His sacrifice for us, and singing Christmas carols and baking with my girls - these are all highlights of our Christmas celebration.

"Busy, busy, busy" would describe my December.  I worked on several gifts for Jeff's side of the family this year.  Two quilts and four baby blankets.  The two quilts were made for our nieces, Emily and Kate.  The material I used in them was from three of their mom's corduroy jumpers that she used to wear for many years.  They were well received and for that I am so thankful!  It was a joy to make them and see the girls appreciate them so much!

 Emily, Louise (these were her dresses!), and Kate with quilts

Emily, me, Louise, and Kate with quilts

The baby blankets were for our niece's children and our nephew's children.  Bella and Zezzie are the oldest and they seemed to love their blankets right away.  It's such a joy to see the little ones enjoy a homemade gift!

 Bella and her dad, Josh - she's wrapped in her cozy blanket :)

Zezzie wrapped in her blanket too :)

Our daughters both made gifts for family this year.  We're so proud of their efforts and thankful that the Lord is growing a heart for others in our girls. 

Julie worked on mats using her loom and then made tassels for each one as well.  All in all, she has made 14 so far!  She also made Jeff and I these beautiful organizers from yarn and a sweet purse for her sister too!  

 Aunt Lisa with her mat made by Julie

Uncle Randy with his mat made by Julie

Heather loves to draw, so she drew pictures and colored them for us and for her Nana, Papa, and Uncle Mike.  Ours were booklets of several pictures - they turned out beautifully!

 My Daddy, Heather's Papa, with the drawing Heather did for him

My brother Michael with the drawing Heather did for him

We cut back a lot on Christmas this year in terms of spending and it is a relief to know that we don't have a huge credit card bill waiting for us next month.  It's freeing and for that I'm so thankful!  I'm starting our 2011 Christmas fund beginning in January again.  It was so much easier to put away a little bit each month rather than shelling it all out in December.  

What were the highlights of your Christmas?  

Did you see family?  Friends?  Bake some delicious goodies?

We baked a lot of cookies this year, but I'll share just one of my favorites with you today.  These are called Super Gingersnaps.  They really are huge!  The cookies turn out to be about 3 1/2 inches across, if not 4 inches across.  Delicious too!

Super Gingersnaps

• 4 cups flour, sifted
• 2 Tablespoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons each of ginger, cinnamon, cloves
• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup molasses

Cream together the shortening, white sugar, and brown sugar.  Add eggs and molasses to creamed mixture and blend well.  

In a separate bowl, combine the sifted ingredients:  flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.  Add the mixed dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix until it's well blended.

Shape into walnut size balls, dip into sugar, and place onto a greased cookie sheet with the sugar side facing up.  Flatten with the bottom of a drinking glass and bake.  I recommend placing only three cookie balls across the sheet because they expand and could "mesh" into one another.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Enjoy! 

All my best to you as another new year approaches!

It's a Good Day When...

Oh yes, it's been a good day when...

• our dining room table looks like this - it means we're baking together!  Love, love this Gingerbread Cookie Recipe at Home is Where My Story Is.  It's truly the best gingerbread cookie I've ever tasted! 

• I get to work side-by-side with sweet Juliebug in the kitchen.  She is becoming quite adept at making and baking cookies!

•  I find Heatherbean with her nose buried in a book (literally!)  When she's quiet, I can usually find her on the couch or in her room reading a good book.  I love that she loves to read!

• I have the privilege of watching both of my girls use my Grandma Robinson's cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread cookies.  I remember watching my Grandma Robinson bake cookies and loved it when we walked through the door to smell her cookies baking!

And it's a good day when...there is laughter, music, and hugs throughout the day.  

Yes, the girls and I had a wonderful day together yesterday and I am thankful!

Are you creating memories today?

All my best to you!

Sharing Great Links

My blog has seen little love lately, so I thought I'd share some links to posts that have been inspiring and interesting to me.  I've been so busy with Christmas projects that I have very little time to write on my blog.  Of course, I want to share what I am working on, but then the surprises might be blown (especially since my girls read my blog sometimes). 

So, once January arrives, hopefully there will be more time to write for fun and I can share with you what has been keeping me so busy these last several weeks and what will likely keep me busy right up until the 24th of this month.

So, here are some links that I've truly enjoyed recently.

Simple Christmas Ideas Using Organic Natural Elements  - my sweet friend Denise over at The Cottage Chick wrote this wonderful post about using simple and natural elements to decorate for the holidays.  Her photos are amazing too!

Sheet Rugs - I simply must learn how to crochet!  After reading this crafty post at Crafty Life and Style, learning to crochet is on my bucket list so I can make these beautiful rugs from sheets!

Advent Origami Boxes - such a sweet idea for creating Advent goodie boxes for the holiday season.  Kirsty has many other great ideas too, so visit her at Kirsty Girl.

Jesus Calling Review and Giveaway - Rachel over at The Cupcake Sprinkles in Life shares her thoughts on two wonderful devotional books, Jesus Calling and Jesus Calling for Kids.  I'm excited to get these books for my girls for Christmas!

Why You've Got to Initiate, Baby - Sheila Wray Gregoire has a wonderful series called Wifey Wednesdays when she talks about issues related to marriage.  Her posts are tasteful, fun, and sometimes comical.  Most importantly to me, she writes from a Christian perspective.  I just love this series!  Visit Shelia at To Love, Honor and Vacuum.

That's all for now because I just realized what time it is and I need to get myself and the girls out of the house in about 1 1/2 hours...so I must move in that direction. 

All my best to you today,