Miss Charlotte

Psalm 103: 16

" the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. "

This verse reminds me that time here on earth is so precious and fleeting. One minute you are holding your precious newborn in your arms and the next, they are off to college and working, and someday, having precious children of their own.  I was trying to find a verse that reminded me of Gone with the Wind. The night before my Charlotte was born I was watching that movie and timing my contractions. It was twenty-three years ago this past Wednesday that my second beautiful daughter was born. I have such wonderful memories of her growing up a precocious, adventurous, sweet, smart, precious girl. I have video of her, not nearly a year old, sitting on the floor and just pivoting around in a circle. I have a photo of her covered from head to toe in a bag of flour, just moments before we were to take her big sister to ballet class. I remember her first ballet recital when she was a busy little bee, buzzing around the fair. I remember her first preschool Christmas performance when she rocked "Felice Navidad". Everyone came up to me afterwards to tell me she was the star! I remember her standing at the bus stop on her first day of kindergarten in her school uniform and her red "Chuck" hightops. I sobbed all the way back to my house. There are so many more memories, I'd have to right a book, not a blog post to share them all.

My baby girl is now a kindergarten teacher. A grown woman. I am so thankful for her and proud of her. Even though I don't see my girl as much as I would want to, I think of her everyday. I see parts of her in her younger brothers and sisters (most of them good...).  It has been such a blessing to be her mother. Thank you, Lord, for my beautiful girl!

Happy Birthday, Charlotte!
Here's a pic from Charlotte's graduation from the University of MD, this last spring. What a wonderful day!
Go Terps!!

Costume dilemma

Zephaniah 1: 8
" On the day of the Lord's sacrifice I will punish the officials and the king's sons and all those clad in foreign clothes. "


I am really unfamiliar with Zephaniah (shame on me). I just need to sit down and read it. Really, I just need to sit down and read the Bible. (emphasis on period) In the King James translation, the words "foreign clothes" are translated  "strange apparel". I can't think of any other day of the year that we don't don strange apparel than on Halloween. I know a lot of Christians don't celebrate this pagan holiday, and I get it. I'm of the thinking that you can be in the world, but not of the world. In other words, share candy and fun with the precious little trick-or-treaters, but let's not participate or emphasize the ungodly or evil part. I even have friends that send a message of hope with the candy. You could do something like this...

What a "sweet" (pun intended) idea!
(photo found on Pinterest)

My dilemma, though, is not so much the candy....it's the costume, specifically for my 2 yr old. Never ask a 2 yr old what she wants to be for Halloween, present them with a costume and tell them excitedly that this is what they will be for Halloween, yay!!  Well, silly me...I forgot. So here I am with a perfectly good ballerina costume that belonged to my 25 and 23 yr old daughters, and now she wants to be a...(drumroll please)...

A SLICE OF PIZZA! Thanks a lot, Dora the explorer and Benny the Bull! So now, 2 weeks before Halloween, I've got to come up with something creative. Back to Pinterest I go.

There is hope after all! This actually looks doable.
(pizza costume, Pinterest)

and another...

I like the mushrooms and olives on this one (or maybe I'm just hungry)
(pizza costume, Pinterest)

Off to the fabric store I go. It looks like with some felt and some glue (maybe just a simple straight stitch on my sewing machine here and there), voila, pizza costume! Pray for me.

I pray that you have a Thursday that's full of fun!

Hair today

1 Corinthians 11: 15
" but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering "


I may be in trouble here with this verse.. I just cut about 10 inches off of my hair last week. We have to look at the customs of the people in the time of Paul, to understand this part of his letter to the church in Corinth.  I think I'll be ok on this one though, for me long hair was more of a distraction. As much as I loved it (I may even grow it back one day), it just took too much of my precious time. Time is much better spent on spiritual things, my family, friends and my home: not hair. Lord, thank you for the 24 hours you give us every day. I pray that you would help me use my time to honor you and to do your will.  Help me not to be distracted from the blessings you have given me, or the work you have for me to do, for in this world we are "hair" today, gone tomorrow (lol), and I don't want to miss a single thing. Amen!

My hair texture has changed so much over the last 10 years, I went from straight hair to wavy (almost curly) hair. Where was this hair when I wanted to look like Madonna back in 1984? I still like to straighten my hair, and I'm sure I'll get around to it again sometime, but for now, I'm just trying to adjust to my new "do". I'd post a picture, but my silly cell phone broke a few weeks ago and I don't have any yet. You'll have to take my word for it. Here's the pic I took to the stylist.

Amy Robach (GMA) has a cute hairstyle. I thought I'd try. I saw her give an interview about her new book "Better".

My hair reminds me a little of this style without the green thingy, and not blonde
(and certainly not the sexy Madonna thing going on!).

It probably looks more like this without the bangs.
I just loved Gilda Radner!
(all 3 photos above found on Google Images)

Oh well, I'm sure I'll get used to it. I can't wait to show you a real photo. If you recently changed your hairstyle, let me know, I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or even a pic and share. Thank you so much for reading my blog. 

I pray you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Farfegnugen

Proverbs 21: 1
" In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels towards all who please him. "


This weekend I was able to walk on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. I was surprised by all of the people that were there, even though the temps are too cool for sunbathing. While we were checking out some of the shops, we ran across a coffee/dessert shop that sells an Austrian confection, Kaiserschmarrn. I couldn't remember what it was called the rest of the night and called it "farfegnugen" (you gotta love me).  We were lured in by the shop's owner who promised us a free sample, and $10 later, came out with a hot cup of tea (vanilla chai latte) and some kaiserschmarrn to share. It was delicious. Quite simply, kaiserschmarrn is a torn pancake mixed with rum soaked raisins, butter, and topped with lots of confectioners sugar; sort of like a funnel cake, but not deep fried.  Apparently this dish got it's name specifically because it was first served to the kaiser, Franz Joseph, and his wife. Today it's a popular Austrian dessert served in taverns and ski lodges in the Austrian Alps. I think it would make a delicious holiday breakfast.

Here's a recipe for kaiserschmarrn that I found on allrecipes.com (click on the link to try it out).

This recipe has it served with a side of plum sauce, I did not have any of that on Saturday, but why not give it a try.
(photo from allrecipes.com )

The shop in Rehoboth is called Kaisy's Delights. If you're in the area give it a try. Not only was the kaiserschmarrn delicious, the employees where delightful and friendly.

 

I pray today that you put your heart in the hand of the Lord and he guides you like as stream of water. 

Choices

Deuteronomy 30: 19
" This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, that you and your children may live "


In this chapter, Moses is reminding the Israelites about the promises God has made to them. If they choose to live in repentance, and truly and fully love God with their whole hearts, then they can yet still live a life full of abundance and blessings.  I'm writing this today, to remind myself.  I have had quite a weekend. I witnessed my BIL jump out of an airplane, a literal leap of faith. Just a year and a half ago he was told by his doctors to get his affairs in order, as he was diagnosed with ALS.  Although, he has daily struggles, he chooses to live his life to the fullest. Tim chooses to honor God and grow and serve His kingdom with everything he has, as long as he is able.  I love this quote from Tim, " if all you can move is your fingers, then move your fingers...just never stop moving. ".

Everyday we are given choices (probably not as big as Tim's). We choose how we treat others, how we can show them love, or not. We choose where our feet go and how we spend our "free" time. We choose the music we listen to, what we watch on television, what we read. We choose the people we talk to or spend time with. Choose,choose, choose. When things get hard, or seem impossible, we can choose to give up. We can even choose whether or not to follow God.  God knows we have these choices, that's how He made us (remember the garden?). But He also gives us tools to make the right choices. We still don't always make them, but coming before Him with a repentant, contrite heart, we will be made right again. "Choose you this day whom ye shall serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. " Joshua 24: 15 (KJV).

Here is one of the articles and videos written/taken on Saturday at the Ten Mile Miracle from  WMDT 47 ABC. Please choose to take a moment to read it/view it.

Here's another one from Sussex County Post...

Photo from Sussex County Post
A quick hug before boarding the airplane.

Post jump, Tim and his family. The event was covered by a lot of local media.
What a wonderful opportunity to share this story of faith.

Here's my beautiful family enjoying some pizza after the event at the airport.
What a great day!
Both photo's above are from Ten Mile Miracle

I pray today you are motivated to make choices with wisdom and reflection.

 Choosing first the One who chose us.

A day off...

Exodus 31: 15
" For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord.  Whoever does any work on the sabbath day should be put to death. "


Boy, am I glad we live in light of the New Testament, or we'd probably all have a big problem with this verse!  I can interpret for my own selfish purposes, though.  Michelle's translation Exodus 31: 15b, " Whoever does any work on the sabbath will work themselves to death! ".  So now who's in trouble? Probably still most of us, but if you're a parent, most definitely, you're toast! Children are a full time,24/7, lifetime job. So, yesterday when I found myself free of most everyone (still had baby) for a few hours, I was thrilled.  Not because I don't love my beautiful children, but Lord, I need a break. I need adult interaction. Working myself to death here, Lord!! That's why it's so important to take some time and "rest" in the Lord. I get up super early in the morning to make sure I have time to rest (sounds counterproductive doesn't it?).  It's true, resting in His word and seeking His will rejuvenates me. We are no good to God if we are run down and out of gas. So, take a day, a couple of hours, a few minutes off (even from your precious little gifts), otherwise you're gonna work yourself to death! Amen.

Here's my clan (minus the 3 biggies). Love them so much.
Help me!!!! I need a break, they're working me to death!

(Image from Pinterest)

I pray your soul, your body, and your mind find rest and peace today and everyday!

Winner, winner!

Romans 8: 37
" No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. "


 When we fall on our knees and seek his will, realizing we are not in control, we are victorious! Victory is not in winning a game, it's in belief, faith and hope. Amen.

Having said all of that...the Ravens finally won last night! And last Friday, my son's football team won their first game, too. Winner, winner, chicken dinner! (see Fancy Chicken to make your own chicken dinner, btw)  Let's admit it, winning is fun. So while my fave teams seem to be on these winning streaks (of one). I'm going to enjoy it. Being a Christian is not about being the Queen of "no", rules, hardships, and austerity. Being a Christian frees me to give and receive joy, hope and love; and to do it abundantly!

What are your plans for this weekend? We live in an area that will be affected by hurricane Joaquin, so while it looks like the hurricane is going to remain out to sea at this time, we will definitely have some soggy weather. The weather also just turned a bit chilly here; time for a little bit of fall prep around here. I need to locate and wash my childrens cool weather clothes and outerwear and make a list of things we need to replace or update (I know they'll love that, they are shoppers like me).  And, I want to make a big pot of soup! Nothing makes me as happy as a good meal (except shopping and maybe sleep).

My favorite gal on the Food Network, is Ree Drummond, "The Pioneer Woman". She is amazing! I love so many of her recipes. Here is the soup recipe that I am going to try this weekend- Italian Chicken Soup.
Click on the link for the recipe and read her blog, it's so fun and of course full of so many wonderful recipes.

This photo is from The Pioneer Woman blog.
Doesn't this soup look delicious?

Let me know what you plan to do this first weekend of October. Are you picking pumpkins? Trying out a new recipe? Please comment below and let me know. I'd love to hear from you. Whatever you choose to do, I pray you do it in joy and happiness! Have a great weekend!!