Au revoir October - Bonjour November

Au revoir October...I think I'll end every month with a photo journal of recaps of the month. I'm noticing that I downloaded over 30 pictures - it was a busy month. I will still be writing about some of these moments in the days to come, but for now..this was October 2011...

 I got to go on a date with my man...we cruised to Starbucks and walked  around World Market..it was fun!

 My boys (Kyle & Shane) got new Bibles!

 I went to the hospital..always fun! They couldn't find my veins..I have them, the just couldn't find them. No biggie...just strange heartbeats and very bad anemia....but at least I didn't miss this highlight..

 Brendan's Baptism!

We did school...finished up the Vikings and have now entered the Middle Ages...Brendan is presently studying the Civil War.

 Oh..we watched a dear friend celebrate being clean for 1 year!! What a joy!

 We baked.....A LOT!

 Had some serious fun at the Sanford Zoo....

Surprisingly stayed away from having nightmares...

 Met up with our favorite nurse at Downtown Disney...

 Hung out with friends in our backyard...

 And built some forts too...

 Watched some beautiful sunsets...

 Blew bubbles instead of tempers...

 Made special surprise snacks...

 Brendan rode to the store for his Mama...

 We watched the Orionid Meteor Shower at 4:00am at the beach..

 And watched the sun rise up over the ocean...

 Received a wild flower from a wild friend...

 Dodger turned a year old...Happy Birthday Dodger!...

 We made delicious caramel apples..

Got to put Plan C into action (you know when Plan A & B fall through)...and had tons of fun... (our friend Will skipped school joined us for this fun day)

 Went to Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens...

 Then enjoyed the river...

Had fun just being kids...yes me too...

 Went for family hike to Spruce Creek Park...

 The boys designed & carved their own pumpkins...

 Oh and I've spent quite a bit of time here....
and finally, yesterday on the last day of October...

We spent time with friends..laughing..

 ...being goofy...and of course...

eating candy.

Bonjour November!

We Are Acts 29

The book of Acts, all 28 chapters, penned by Luke and breathed by God to recount the triumphant spread of the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. I will at times here people mention the book of Acts and refer to it as the book that talks about the Acts of the Apostles. While that is somewhat true, we mustn't forget that we too are "Apostles" in the general sense of the word...one who has received a mission from God (there are many many missions...Acts 1:8 says "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.") We are in fact, ambassadors for Christ.

So why Acts 29? It is the continuation of the book of Acts...we, His people, are chapter 29. So, one of the best sermons preached by one of my favorite pastors and friend was yesterday morning. He explained Acts 29 and instead of preaching a sermon we were going to be the sermon. He worked it out with our local food store and they were ready for Edgewater Alliance Church (all 400 plus people) to shop for our local food pantries and pregnancy center. It was an incredible site!

We packed the place out! I would say 80% of the shoppers were from EAC. I got a little choked up watching everyone enjoy their shopping spree. Outside was a huge truck prepared to go and make the deliveries and our church staff was standing outside collecting turkey vouchers to help with Thanksgiving Dinner. This spoke volumes to our boys, whom have seen the Mighty Hand of God move in our home and lives on a regular basis...it does your heart good when you are doing the work of the Lord.

Picture credit Kinsey Whittet - I was whisked away before I could get this shot!

So thankful for the bountiful blessings that come from loving and serving my Lord and loving and serving my community. On this day, I had another extra special honor. Right in the parking lot of this store was a woman who needed a different kind of love. She needed the love of a mother, a sister, a woman. Something so horrific had happened in her world, she came to our church looking for someone to minister to her. One of my pastors introduced us and off I went. Left my husband and sons at the store and she and boyfriend drove me away so that I could talk with her in private. We were strangers, yet I held her in my arms, prayed for her and loved on her...one Mom to another. When she left she was uplifted by the love of Jesus and the hope we find in Him alone. When I got home, my phone rang and it was an older woman who is a member of another church in our town, yet comes to Bagels & Blessings regularly. She and I talk and pray frequently. She called to tell me her 91 year old mother died suddenly on Friday. She cried on the phone as I approached the Throne again. We ended our conversation with worship and thanksgiving, so thankful to be doing this journey of life together.

As I reflect on a pretty perfect Sunday and a beautiful palpable sermon...I continue with my 1000 Gifts..my list of gratitude.

Thank you, my precious Lord and Heavenly Father for..

210. The blessing of giving.

211. Opportunities to love one another in different ways.

212. An amazing church family and gifted Pastor who hears from the heart of God.

213. Beautiful weather for wonderful walks with my super family!

214. The gift of time...learning to treasure it every day.

215. Your incredible provision.

216. Binding up the brokenhearted.

217. Healing wounds too deep to even imagine.

218. Friendships that span generations.

219. Tears that are caught by you...because only you know what to do with them. ♥

The Cookie Chronicles 4th Ed.

Cookie #10
October 28, 2011
Candy Corn Cookie Bark
Lisa's Choice

Found this recipe on The Girl Who Ate Everything's Blog. There are so many wonderful blogs that I love to read. She actually credits another website, so if you are interested feel free to follow the link (she a professional so her photography is beautiful). So the story behind the cookie (there is always a story right?!) is that my son Brendan couldn't choose a cookie because he was "sweeted out" - all because we made these this week too...

Remember, the caramel apples? Well, he really couldn't commit to a cookie and I couldn't let a week go by without inscribing the next edition of The Cookie Chronicles, so I decided to make a different kind of cookie for a harvest party that we will be attending on Monday night.

Take a closer look at these ingredients. This is something that I never ever do....substitute. If a recipe calls for butter, I use butter, if it calls for exact measurements, I use exact measurements. Remember, I'm not a cook, I just love to bake. I could not find almond bark/white chocolate candy melts anywhere local. I mean I'm talking, WalMart, Winn-Dixie, Publix, Target, K-Mart...I had to use what was in my closet..so I had to combine white chocolate baking squares, white chocolate chips, and some white bark. This killed me. My husband laughed at me, my best friend laughed at me, but it really troubled me that I didn't have the exact ingredients. I did however weight the white sweetness on the scale and that was indeed exact. (Also called for the orange colored filling in the oreos..something else I was unable to find.)

The 2nd issue I had with this "cookie" was that it didn't require any baking...I think I'm only good with baking cookies...this was not my thing. My children loved crushing up all the ingredients and even my husband got involved by melting the chocolate, while I consulted the website to follow the "exact" instructions. It was a messy ordeal, but fun and extremely sweet.

Here is the final result. I allowed the children to sample a few pieces of bark and they absolutely loved it - me..not so much. Way too sweet for my liking. I have a feeling it will be a hit among the young people at Monday's party. The final issue with this particular cookie is that it isn't going into my cookie jar. So the jar is empty. Sad isn't it? Feels strange to have this beautiful jar sitting empty. Next week it will be filled again...until then we will talk, ponder and dream about the next pleasurable delight that will fill my glass cookie jar, because after all, we all need a little sweet now and then.

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

It seems just yesterday they were drooling on their shirts and riding in any basket I had available.

Then before I could say..."Faster than a speeding bullet"...

They're going bike riding on their own...and lovingly picking up important items for Mom and Dad...

What is going on here? How do they grow up so fast. Today was a classic moment that I knew I had to journal. My 10 year old has been riding his bike alone for about month now. I know, that is so "big girl" of me. He rides all over our neighborhood..he goes about 10 miles a day...it has become his sport of choice. Good for him. Today 10/26/11, he took his little brother on a superhero adventure..and did they ever get an adventure..one they will not soon forget!

He takes younger 8 year old brother (a padawan or "Jedi apprentice") for a bike ride, together, (without me) all the way to Duncan Donuts. Younger brother buys big brother a bottle of water from Duncan Donuts and big brother calls to check in with Mom. (Very Important) This is how the conversation went on the phone..."Hi Mom, Shane did so well, you would be so proud of him, he was really obedient...hold on Mom...Shane, do you have your wallet?, ok good go wash your hands now...Anyway, Mom, he did great we're going to check out this bookstore and maybe go to Chick-Fil-A...I'll call before we head home." He is such a mini me! Looking out for his kid brother..I am really proud..but wait the story continues...

At the bookstore, young son purchases a book (he has millions of books at home, but I understand the book addiction thing). The woman at the bookstore sadly tells the boys that she does not have a bag to put their purchase in. They get outside only for Shane to realize, how do I hold on to my handle bars and carry a water and a book? (Brendan is an old pro and always wears big pockets to put his water in)...Being the older brother Brendan suggests they go to Winn-Dixie to get a bag. (Remember they have their water bottles and young son has a book as well). They stroll into the store and nonchalantly go to take a bag off of the self check out lane and begin to walk to the doors. "HOLD IT!" shouts the clerk. "What do you boys think you are doing? Did you pay for that water?" Brendan's face (I'm picturing) turns pale and he speaks up, "We bought this at Duncan Donuts." "Oh you did? Well, lets see that receipt!" Brendan turns to his little brother and says.."Shane do you have a receipt?" "Ummm..no..she didn't give me one" Shane speaks softly. Brendan speaks up on his brother's behalf, "He didn't get a receipt, he didn't know. We were just trying to get a bag because he bought a book and can't hold the water and the book and his handle bars on his bike...I promise..that is the truth." The woman let them go. When they got outside, Brendan placed his brother's things in the bag and made sure he was ok. (Very proud Mommy moment here!)

He brings his young brother to Chick-Fil-A where they go up to the counter to ask for Mr. Smith..a friendly face (owner of this Chick-Fil-A) and a friend...Shane shares what happened and is comforted by Mr. Smiths smile and some french fries of course! I love that my boys found a little oasis on their journey through this rough world - so very glad we have such wonderful friends all over this neighborhood. The boys ride home, bag on the handlebars and a little more grown up than when they left.

So they may be growing faster than a speeding bullet, and at times they may feel more powerful than a locomotive and think they are now able to leap tall obstacles in a single bound....but when the rubber "tires" hit the road, I as a superhero Mom must be sure my superheros have the ability to LOOK UP...and recognize it is not a plane, not a bird, but a God that is firmly rooted in their hearts and minds that they can lean upon when life brings it scary and challenging moments. As for me, I thought I handled all of that just fine..until 10 minutes after being home my boy comes running over to me yelling with great excitement and pride..."Mom, come look!! (he proceeds to raise his hand in the air and points to his armpit)...do you see it? I have a hair under my arm!" Yup, I'm just undone!

Sometimes I Just Sing

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1

I once read a true story about an English steamer that wrecked on a rocky coast. I don't remember where exactly. Twelve women survivors set out into the dark stormy waters in a lifeboat and the sea carried them away from the wreckage. They didn't have any oars, they were basically at the mercy of the wind and the waves. They must have been terrified...they spent the entire night being tossed by the raging sea! They most likely would have lost all hope if not for one woman who was known for her faith and her voice. She calmly prayed aloud for protection, then encouraged the others to put their trust in the Lord and to sings hymns of comfort. Throughout the midnight hours her voice rang out across the raging water. Early the next morning a search team did come out looking for survivors. The man who was steering the rescue boat would likely have missed the women in all the fog if he had not heard a woman singing. Steering in the direction of her voice, he spotted the lifeboat and these women were rescued.

It reminds me of how I handle some of my storms. I'm big on prayer! Pray first - silently or out loud! I also sing! This photo is one is from Michelle Meiklejohn (giving credit where credit is due)..my guitar looks similar, except at this point...I need to string it! I love to sing in the privacy of my own room, to my audience of One. I majored in music and theater when I was in college and so instruments came easy. Guitar is by far my worship instrument of choice. There have been many many times I would escape to my room, especially in the midst of a storm, and sing praises. I would sing softly at times, but then other times I would sing like my life depended on it!

I find great comfort in worshiping! I don't always need my guitar. It has been without strings for months, so I use the instrument God gave to me (he gave one to you too), my voice. I will often find myself singing old hymns of faith. I get totally lost with Him, my true Rescuer! So how do I practice faith in the midst of fear, storms, adversity?..."There is a Fountain", "His Eye is On The Sparrow", "It Is Well With My Soul", "Blessed Assurance". Try it! As you practice turning your thoughts to your True Rescuer, you may just find yourself resting and relaxing right in His arms. What better place to be when the storm is overwhelming or the sea of responsibilities are overtaking you! Just sing!

I'm Not An Unfit Mother!

Did that title get ya? Well, what I mean is, if I ate everything I baked or made..well, I might be unfit. So, in case you follow my weight loss journey, please fear not..I may take a tiny bite, but I'm not gonna blow it! I'm still losing weight..have 30 pounds to go. Once I'm through with fighting this anemia I will have my energy back and we'll be back to running 4 miles a day. So, doing the cookie baking and the candy creations...well, that is more for memory making with my superheros than anything else..oh and blessing others (practicing hospitality). So here is what we did today.

We always do caramel apples, every fall. This was my test bunch..I've never allow for such creativity before! Boy did my superheros love it! Not sure today was the best day, we went to the dentist today...Shane had a cavity filled and Brendan had two extractions and Kyle..he had a cleaning and absolutely no cavities! Should we really be making these today? Who know..it felt right when we sorted through all the sugar!

 Not exactly sure why I only got Kyle in on the pictures. He was just a ham today!

 It took some time to separate all of those lovely colors -- Teamwork!  Reeces Pieces, mini M&Ms, candy corn sprinkles...

So here they are. Really this was experimental. Some tips I learned (from trial and error)...you must scrub those apples, especially if they are store bought and not fresh picked..must get that wax off. Then I probably should have let them set for just a tiny bit longer..that is why there is some slippage on the Reeces Pieces Caramel Apple. Kyle made a Boba Fett Apple there with the green and brown (I don't see it, but Kyle does..that is all that matters). Then below is my personal favorite.

Doesn't that look decadent. Caramel apple..I cooled that off in the refrigerator, then melted some white chocolate chips (had those left over in my cupboard from the cherry vanilla chip cookies). Spread the white chocolate over the caramel and sprinkled it with cinnamon sugar (also left over from making snikerdoodles). I think it is called Caramel Apple Pie Apple or something like that..it is all over the Internet this fall!

Well, my children loved doing this "art" project. That is what we're calling it! Homeschoolers have the ability to stretch outside the box for subject matter. Our favorite art teacher returns to us from Michigan in just another week! Thanks for peeking into my art class today.

Galactic Promises of Hope

"Then He brought Abraham outside and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be.'" - Genesis 15:5

On Saturday, October 22nd at about 5:00am my children and I sat on the beach at witnessed a beautiful display of "cosmic litter" as the earth passed through a trail of dust left by Halley's Comet. It is called the Orionids Meteor Shower. This particular meteor shower is dubbed Orionids because it appears to emanate from the constellation Orion.

As we stood there and looked at all the stars on this amazingly clear yet dark sky, it made me think of when the Lord had Abraham look out at the stars. I remember a time when Abraham's promise of hope was my hope as well. Trying to get pregnant for so long and believing God had children in my future regardless of the number of failed pregnancies I endured...it was all I could do to hold onto the promises God had given me.

My son Brendan has a knack for seeing those constellations. For me it is so difficult. I need someone to "connect the dots" in order to see it. In a way, when we are staring at the sky..all of those dots remind us of a picture of Hope. When God showed Abraham the stars and asked him to count them, He was giving him hope that the promise He had made to him, that he would have a son, was coming.

Whenever the sky is clear at night, I encourage you to do some stargazing! To me, the stars are a picture of God's hope--for me, for my family, for the world! Looking at the sky and then seeing the sun rise up over the beautiful ocean, is one of the best ways to get our earthly life back into perspective and realize in God's infinite universe, He has a specific plan for us, just as He did for Abraham...oh, and it is a good plan!

Upon reflecting on the promises of God, I humbly continue with my gratitude list or my 1000 gifts:

Thank you Lord for...

200. Your enormity - God of the universe - yet you still love me and care about me!

201. Time for special memories made with my arrows.

202. Promises fulfilled and unfulfilled which keeps exercising my faith.

203. The vast beauty all around that keeps my heart warm and grateful.

204. Your consistency...you were back in Abraham's time the same as you ARE now!

205. Redemption!

206. Direction....a path that is hidden in You...the only path I would choose.

207. My daily Bread...sustaining me...uplifting me...teaching me!

208. Being my solid Rock..the only one to bring stability and security to my often times crazy life!

209. A husband whose hand I can hold as we journey through our "dash" as a couple.



"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 ESV