JOURNEY TO ........

We are leaving on a trip tomorrow and in the midst of packing,

trying to get last minute errands run,

getting everything done at work,

plus spend a little time with my grandchildren,

I am trying to fit in time for blogging!!

The Lord has been putting on my heart lately about

the journey we are all on in this life. We are all

on a pilgrimage through life. If we know Jesus

as our Lord and Savior then our final destination is

a wonderful place called "HEAVEN".

We can try to make it through this journey

all on our own, without a roadmap, not

noticing the road signs and hope we reach

the place we've originally set out for, but

chances are we will take the wrong road and

either take the long, hard way, or not even reach

the final destination we had hoped for.

Jeremiah 31:21 says,

"Set up road signs,

put up guideposts.

Take note of the highway,

the road that you take."

It seems to me that we need to actively pursue in our

walk with the Lord, our pilgrimage on earth.

This is just our temporary home; we are going to a

wonderful place the Lord has prepared for us.

I need to STOP and listen

for the Lord's voice.

I need to YIELD to the Spirit's Leading.

I need to use CAUTION when moving

ahead on the road that I don't go off one side or the other.

I need to GO when the Lord says to and

take as many with me as possible!!

Remember

The Destination

is Worth the Trip!!

Isaiah 35:3-10

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;

say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear, your God will come.

He will come with vengeance, with divine retribution, he will come to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty grounds bubbling springs...

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness...

But only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return.

They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Come Along with Me!!!

Correct Way to Weigh!!

The correct way to weigh yourself:

I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

Have you been twittering?

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Suddenly, it seems as though all the world's a-twitter. Newsweek

It's one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet. New York Times

Cidney who is 3 1/2 was playing while I was twittering on the Internet. She loves to twitter, too, but her twittering is in person as she loves to talk and share about everything going on in her life!!

Friends are the Family I get to Choose! :)

FRIENDS

I have several friends in my life that are so special to me. One of them is my friend, Lisa. We have shared many things together; working out until we're groaning and don't feel like moving, going to Boise to see Chicago in concert, acting and singing in the musical "GODSPELL" together, and a road trip to the Shakespeare festival in Ashland.

Here in this photo, Lisa and I are at the corn maze at River Rock Ranch in New Plymouth.

Friends are important in our lives and we usually choose friends that have similar interests and with whom we get along great with and enjoy being with, but have you noticed that it's easier to get along with friends, not get feelings hurt as easily, and be able to just drop the friendship if the relationship becomes too difficult.

FAMILY

God chose our family even if we didn't and it is for our good!! Family is sometimes more trouble than friendship, but those troubles and challenges can be effective in directing us to the feet of Jesus. We are more likely to be changed for the good as long as we are seeking the Lord and His will for our lives, and we will also be more effective in reaching the lost.

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder"

Zephaniah 3:9

I have been blessed with a wonderful family and also priviledged to live close to most of them, but I also know I have grown because of my relationship with them, so thank you Lord, for Friends and Family!! I need them and love them both so much!!

"How good and
pleasant it is when brothers can live together"

Psalm 133:1

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Mmmm...More Pumpkin!

I never get tired of foods made with pumpkin this time of year, so here is a dip I made for a group of ladies who seemed to really enjoy it.





A yummy dip for pita chips, apples, other fruits or cookies is this:

Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Dip

3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 Cup Pumpkin Butter

1/2 Cup Marshmallow Creme

Mix the cream cheese and pumpkin butter

together until there are no lumps. Add marshmallow creme

and mix until completely smooth.

Me... Be Still?!

As I was having my quiet time this morning, I kept getting distracted by all the things I wanted to accomplish today and as I sat looking out the window at my fall display, the Lord spoke to about stillness, not even moving, and just resting in Him, kind of like this scarecrow! ;)

I remembered Psalm 46:10,

"Be still and know that I am God"

He will help me accomplish those things that He has determined for me to do, but only if I am completely and totally leaning on Him and quieting my heart before Him.

"In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Saint Theresa's Prayer

ABBY'S PUMPKIN

My almost 7 year old granddaughter, Abby was spending time at my house and we found a ripe pumpkin in my small pumpkin patch so she decided to paint a face on it. When she was done we knew something was missing. I grabbed an old cap of Uncle Kerry's and we put it on the pumpkin's head and "Jack" came to life!

CREATIVE KIDS

It is so much fun to do creative things
with the kids or grandkids.

Some ideas for the fall are:
1. Going on a nature hike and collecting leaves, rocks, nuts, etc.
2. Having leaves, small sticks and other items on hand for the children to glue onto construction paper as a collage.
3. Baking cookies in the shape of leaves or pumpkins and decorate.
4. Reading books together by the fire with hot chocolate (in a spill-proof cup, of course)
5. Raking a pile of leaves and jumping into it. (You will have to keep raking over and over again, but it's worth it :)

AAHHH....PUMPKIN!!!

PUMPKIN TIRAMISU

1/4 C Pure Maple Syrup or maple-flavor syrup

1/2 of a 15 oz can Pumpkin (3/4 C)

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ginger

1/4 tsp Salt

1/2 C Whipping Cream

1/4 C Granulated Sugar

1/2 8oz container Mascarpone Cheese, softened

1 TBS Powdered Sugar

1/2 C Whipping Cream

1 3oz Pkg Ladyfingers, split

Ground nutmeg

1. Line a 9X5X3" loaf pan with plastic wrap; set aside.

2 For filling, in a small bowl, combine pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. In a small mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup whipping cream and granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form (tips curl). Gently fold whipped cream into pumpkin mixture.

3. For topping, in another small mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese and powdered sugar. Beat on low speed until combined. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup whipping cream just until thickened (do not overbeat).

4. To assemble, arrange half of the ladyfingers in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared pan. Drizzle evenly with half of the syrup. Top with half of the filling, spreading evenly. Arrange remaining ladyfingers in a single layer over filling. Drizzle with remaining syrup and top with remaining filing. Dollop topping over filling. Using the back of a spoon, carefully spread topping evenly over filling. Cover and chill for 8 to 24 hours.

5. Use the plastic wrap to lift tiramisu out of pan. Place tiramisu on a serving platter. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Carefully cut the dessert crosswise into slices. Makes 6 serving.

A Season of Change

As a I look outside and see the beautiful colors and the colder temperatures, I enjoy the change of seasons, but in my own life, change is harder. Each time one of my girls left home it was a change in our family forever as I knew it would never be the same. But with that hard change has come many blessings far surpassing that loss. Our sons-in-law are such a blessing in so many ways and then of course, the real blessing: Our sweet, wonderful grandchildren.
There is another change in the horizon for me. My 21 year-old-son is moving out of the little apartment behind our house to be out totally on his own. I knew it was coming, but the twinge is still there. Another change to the family and it will not be the same again. I keep thinking that it is not a big deal but the tears are still coming. I know that with this loss will come blessing in some form, because my Lord is so faithful to take care of me, like a mother takes care of her child.

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you. Isaiah 66:13a

I have so many things to be thankful for. My son is serving the Lord and is a thoughtful young man. It is that season in life and I have to give in to it and find the blessing through it. Oh yes, back to those blessed, lovable grandchildren...!

There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children; one of these is roots, the other, wings. -Hodding Carter

Don't you just love Autumn?

I was fortunate enough to travel to New Hampshire and Vermont the end of September and was able to see the changing colors as Autumn came to New England. I love this photo with a small reflection in the water of the colorful trees and the cattails in the foreground. It was such a blessing to see more of God's creation and at such a beautiful time of year.
The verse I want to bless you with today is Romans 15:13.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings to all who venture here and travel far!!

Some of my Favorite Things

MUSICALS - Sound of Music, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Mary Poppins, White Christmas

AUTHORS - Jane Austen, Robin Jones Gunn, Elizabeth George, and Beth Moore

MOVIES - Enchanted, Princess Bride, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, Anne of Green Gables

FOODS - Coffee (It's not really a food), Breads, Pastas, Pastries, and homemade cookies

My Help, My Protector

I took this photo while hiking in Waterton Park, Canada. It is such a beautiful picture of God's creation. I am doing a Beth Moore bible study on the Psalms of Ascent and am in the process of memorizing Psalm 121.

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.

Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.

The Lord protects you; the Lord is a shelter right by your side.

The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night.

The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.

The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Psalm 121:1-8 (HCSB)