New Year's Eve

Do any of you have a tradition that you do for New Year's Eve?

The last day of 2012. Wow!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Day!!!!!!!!!!

 

Christmas Eve is Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you Christmas Eve traditions?

There Are Only

5 days until Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also this is my 126th post!!!!!!!!!!!

We Now Have

A wintery wonderland.

Not enough to play or make anything. It will melt at soon as it rains.

It Is

Snowing and sticking.

December

December is here and soon it will be Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11/30/12

Today is the last day of November and tomorrow will be December. Wow!

It seems just like yesterday was Christmas. It is kind of hard to believe that Christmas is almost here.

Below are some pictures that I took last year.

 

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

 

November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving



Verses For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Verses

1 Thessalonians 5:18

In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.

1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.

Psalms 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.

Ephesians 1:6

To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.

A Motto We Should All Live Up Too~~

My Mom found this saying and since Christ has called each of us to serve, I think that this saying says it well.



We should not be self-aholics, we should be serve-aholics.
                                                                                     Anonymous

Blessings,
Maria

Happy Reformation Day

Happy Reformation everyone! What will you all do today?

Fall Has Arrived~~~~~~~

Fall has brought different colored leaves, rain, and clear air.
I love fall.

October 1st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a number of posts coming!!!!!!!!!!

A fun Candle

 

This is a candle that we had gotten at a sale and we have really enjoyed it.

Zucchini

This is a Zucchini from my sister's garden.

Length: 17 1/2"

Height: 6"

Circumference 15"

Do You Pray?

This was sent to me by a dear friend and I thought it would be good post to share with my readers. My friend emphasized how this reading inspired her to pray for her brother and his future life along with praying for her unknown future husband.

His Faith: Is he a Christian? I’ve always assumed my future husband is already a Christian, but … he might not be today; and for years I’ve prayed periodically for his salvation. We can also pray for the faith of our future husbands to grow in depth and breadth, in strength and tenacity, and also in grace. I pray that my future husband will be strong when he is tested and humble when he is refined. The faith of our future husbands will directly impact our faith, our children’s faith, our grandchildren’s faith … and the faith of countless generations to come if Jesus tarries that long.


His Walk With God: Faith is the foundation of our future husband’s walk with God, but following Jesus is an adventure – and a journey that involves lots of tests: of faith and conviction and obedience. We can pray for our future husbands to walk humbly in faith with God (Micah 6:8) – to have the faith to keep walking by faith and not by sight when it’s tough, to maintain their convictions when it’s unpopular (even with themselves!), to obey the voice of God at any cost. I pray for my future husband to care more for walking with God than walking with friends or colleagues in following the crowd in pursuit of popularity or riches.


His Heart: I often wonder about the heart of my future husband – who he is, deep down inside, alone with God. I think some people would call this “personality” or “character” or something – or maybe “soul”. I pray for my future husband to increase in his knowledge of God and maturity (Ephesians 4:13), know Jesus (Philippians 3:8 and Philippians 3:10), and be conformed to the image of Messiah (Romans 8:29). We can pray for our future husbands to have pleasant personalities and strong characters. For God to purify them of what is not pleasing to Him. And for their hearts to be true and honest and sincere.


Pray for other areas in your future husband’s life. There are other areas of our future husband’s lives that we can remember in prayer – this isn’t an exhaustive list, but examples of things we can pray for:
His Vision: Does he have a vision (Proverbs 29:18) for his faith, his life, his marriage, his family, his ministry and / or work?
His Work / Ministry: Our future husbands may be in school or college or university, they may be working, they may be serving in ministry – or even missions! – and I pray for God to bless my future husband’s efforts.
His Family Relationships: He’s a son – and maybe a brother too.
The Company He Keeps: He has pastors, teachers, mentors, friends, colleagues … and maybe hundreds of “others” on Facebook!
Wisdom: I pray that God grants my future husband wisdom in all his ways.
Purity: Purity of body, mind, heart, soul … this is important!
Generosity: Is he generous – with his time, his possessions, his money … his “self”?

Pray for your future husband from the Bible. The Bible is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) – we can be inspired by the Word of God as we pray for our future husbands!

Psalm 15 says, “Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous …” (:1-2) and Psalm 112 says, “Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands …” (:1) – so I pray, “Dear God, please help my future husband to fear You and love your commands; help him to walk blamelessly and act righteously.”
David is described a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and a man who accomplished God’s will in his generation (Acts 13:36) – so I pray, “Dear God, please shape my future husband into a man after your own heart and guide him into accomplishing Your will in this generation …”
A number of the men in the Bible portray good, godly characteristics. For example, Moses was humble (Numbers 12:3) and Joshua was courageous (Joshua 1:9 and Joshua 24:31) – so I pray, “Please help my future husband to be humble and courageous …”

Charles read Susannah a few lines from a book he was reading: "Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His providence... If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; therefore think of her, and pray for her weal."  Charles asked Susannah in a soft voice, "Do you pray for him who is to be your husband?"

"Therein, the husband acts as a tender head; and the wife, as a true spouse, realizes the model marriage-relation, and sets forth what our oneness with the Lord ought to be. She delights in her husband, in his person, his character, his affection; to her, he is not only the chief and foremost of mankind, but in her eyes he is all-in-all; her heart's love belongs to him, and to him only. She finds sweetest content and solace in his company, his fellowship, his fondness; he is her little world, her Paradise, her choice treasure. At any time, she would gladly lay aside her own pleasure to find it doubled in gratifying him. She is glad to sink her individuality in his. She seeks no renown for herself; his honor is reflected upon her, and she rejoices in it. She would defend his name with her dying breath; safe enough is he where she can speak for him. The domestic circle is her kingdom; that she may there create happiness and comfort, is her lifework; and his smiling gratitude is all the reward she seeks. Even in her dress, she thinks of him; without constraint she consults his taste and considers nothing beautiful which is distasteful to him.

A tear from his eye, because of any unkindness on her part, would grievously torment her. She asks not how her behavior may please a stranger, or how another's judgment may approve her conduct; let her beloved be content, and she is glad. He has many objects in life, some of which she does not quite understand; but she believes in them all, and anything she can do to promote them, she delights to perform. He lavishes love on her, and, in return, she lavishes love on him. Their object in life is common. There are points where their affections so intimately unite that none could tell which is first and which is second. To watch their children growing up in health and strength, to see them holding posts of usefulness and honor, is their mutual concern; in this and other matters, they are fully one. Their wishes blend, their hearts are indivisible. By degrees, they come to think very much the same thoughts. Intimate association creates conformity; I have known this to become so complete that, at the same moment, the same utterance has leaped to both their lips."
                                                                                                                  ~ Charles Spurgeon

Worth Reading........

This is worth reading.

                 Bible                                                                                          Cell phone

VS Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone? What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets? What if we flipped through it several times a day? What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it? What if we used it to receive messages from the text? What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it? What if we gave it to Kids as gifts? What if we used it when we traveled? What if we used it in case of emergency? This is something to make you go.....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill. Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls! When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!

Sorry if the picture does not appear.

Happy Independence Day

Please enjoy the following posts.

***Genie Makinster***

God Grant Us Wisdom

Oh, for the widsom to build a world
Where man may find delight,
Not in the strength of martial power,
But in the quest for truth and right.
We would not ask that the way be cleared
And smoothed for our eager feet;
But, rather, freedom from groundless fear,
So our problems we may meet.
Yes, ours is a prayer for freedom, for strength,
And for opportunity
In a world not only of toil and tears,
But of love and liberty.
                                 -Genie Makinster

From Last Year’s 4th of July post

Quotes from the Founding Fathers, others, and including Patrick Henry's well known speech.

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
_{--Adams wrote this on June 28, 1813, in a letter to Thomas Jefferson.}

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever."
_{--Adams wrote this in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776.}

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

John Hancock
1st signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us."
_{--History of the United States of America, Vol. II, p. 229.}

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; but the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. Trust in Him at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us.

 

"The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

"From the day of the Declaration...they (the American people) were bound by the laws of God, which they all, and by the laws of The Gospel, which they nearly all, acknowledge as the rules of their conduct."

Samuel Chase

"By our form of government, the Christian religion is the established religion; and all sects and denominations of Christians are placed upon the same equal footing, and are equally entitled to protection in their religious liberty."

The Speech by Patrick Henry

No, one, Mr President, thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as the abilities, of the very honorable gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining, as I do,opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I should speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less then a question of freedom or slavery. And in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, thought fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards the majesties of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of a wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of these who,having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging the future but be the past. And, judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry, for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir, it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation, -the last arguments to which kings resort.

I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if it's purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forgoing.

And what have we oppose to them? Shall we try argument?Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing, we have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty, and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have supplicated; we have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned with contempt from the foot of the throne.

In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free; if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending; if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest be obtained, -we must fight! I repeat it, sir, -we must fight! Appeal to arms, and to the God of hosts, is all that is left us.

They tell us, sir, that we weak, -unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strenght by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of Hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people armed in the holy cause we possess, are invincible be any force which our enemy can send against us.

Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone: it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston. The war is inevitable. And let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is like so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

These quotes and this speech ring true for us to pay attention too!

4th of July Sayings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poems and Sayings for the 4th of July.

One Flag, One Land, One Heart, One Hand,
One Nation Evermore!
                -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Our Flag

It speaks in steadfast color:
The red, the white, the blue;
It tells us what to honor:
The brave, the pure, the true.

It graces its staff with beauty,
Enlivens the languid air;
It drapes our country's heroes
And wafts a graveside prayer.

It guards our home of worship
And crowns our courts and schools,
Proclaming the law of liberty,
The heart of freedom's rules.

We stand at grave attention
To salute our nation's pride,
Our flag of cherished history
For which dear sons have died.
                           -Bessie H. Hartling


Our Flag Forever

Stand behind the flag,
Wherever it might be,
For it flies as a symbol
Representing you and me.

Down through all the ages
Of peace or bitter strife,
The tricolered badge of America
Has reigned over death and life.

Let it always instill courage,
Upholding freedom's dream;
And when the world dismays,
Let it shine a guiding beam.

May America be blessed,
As from the days gone by;
May her people stand with pride
And the flag forever fly.
                            -Evelyn Steen Taylor

~~~Cake's~~~

Here are some cake's that we have made over the years. We had allot of fun making and decorating them.

Please enjoy.

A Little Bit of God's Beauty

Flower arrangements we received from a wedding that we attended.

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
                                                                                                                                         —Psalms 8:3-4

"As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes."
                                                                                                       -Psalm 103: 15

                                    

“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
                                                                                                                                      —Psalms 9:1

A Man's Wants to God's Wants ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When my family and I were doing our bible reading in 1 Peter sometime last year, we came across verses 24 and 25 that I read again a few weeks ago.

When you read the verses you all will see why I took pictures of our dying grass and flowers and I thought of the verses.

I hope you all enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the sun rises with a  scorching wind and withers the grass;

and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed;

so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

          James 1: 11

All flesh is like grass, And all its gloy

 like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

The flower falls of,

But the word of the

 Lord endures forever.

Recipe for Happiness

Recipe for Happiness,

A Dash of laughter,

2 cups of Kindness,

Sprinkle of Caring,

Touch of Patience,

Handful of Love,

Serve to Everyone

You Meet,

                                                                                                        Anonymous

A Poem for Father's

My siblings and I recited this poem to my Papa on a Father's Day.

A Tribute
by Sherry Kuyt

If I know that God is loving,
That the best of gifts He gives;
If I know about His judgment
And how freely He forgives;
If I know He's always with me,
That He's faithful,wise, and true;
If I know God's like a father,
It's because, Dad, I know you.

~~~Music Sayings~~~

These are some of my piano teacher's favorite music sayings and they have become mine as well.

Life Without Music Would Bb

Only Practice the days you eat

A Post For Those Who Love Horses ~~~~

Please enjoy.

                                     

July 1st

In his heart a man Plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Love you Papa.

I am sorry this is a day late.

June 1st~ ~ ~ ~

Happy Mother's Day

I love You Mama

Happy Resurrection~~~~~~~

He Has Risen

It's April!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The conference is this month!!!!!!!!!

A Day of Clouds

 I took these photos recently. I just love clouds and their formations.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Happy March!!!!!!

March already!!!!!!!

It Has Been Snowing!!

It isn’t sticking though.

Dad~

My friend creates "buttons" that you place on the sidebar of your blog. I really like what this one says.

 

It Has Covered the Ground!!!!!!

It's Snowing!!!!!!!!!

First snow of the year!!!!

Happy January 1st

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is

from above, coming down from the Father of lights,

with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

                                                       James 1: 17

Another year is dawning, Dear Father, let it be,

in working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast.

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

                                                                  Anonymous