stuff and ramblings

We had:

25 pounds of turkey, which, for the first time since I started using the bags, came out dry.

cornbread stuffing made by QOTW

Organic stove top type stuffing with cranberries in it made by me

mashed taters and gravy.  Homemade gravy made by momstheword.  I made the taters

green bean casserole by QOTW

broccoli cauliflower casserole by QOTW

sweet potato goo with marshmallow stuff made by momstheword

cranberry sauce

veggie trays

relish trays

devilled eggs

rolls - all brought by my anonymous aunt

corn - I warmed in the micro

4 pumpkin pies my son and I made

2 apple pies my cousin once removed in-law made

a gooey delicious oatmeal cake my lurker aunt made

pumpkin puff cookies my anonymous aunt made

Iced tea and coffee.

It was delicious.  It was way too much food and a lot of fun.

My cousin the QOTW dug though some old stuff that had been my grandmas.  It was like looking through treasure.

I have a bunch of old pictures that I am going to scan into my computer and will share some of them with you in time.

I am appalled and horrified about the Walmart worker who was trampled to death by greedy people trying to save a few bucks yesterday.  Absolutely sickening.  And heartbreaking.  What is wrong with people that saving a few bucks means more than a human life?

My cousin Jen has put some diary entries on her blog.  Very cute.  Inner voices of a Spinster in the making is her blog.  I'm too tired to do the link - it's on my sidebar.  I'm thinking I might dig out my old diaries and see if there's anything I'm not too embarrassed to share.

My hubby and I celebrated our fifteenth anniversary this week!  We had a couple of kid-free days thanks to grandma (momstheword) and some sleepovers.  Now we're all together again, and it's nice.

We will do our Christmas decorating tomorrow!   

I'm sitting here resting while the Queen of the World does my dishes.  Hmm.  What does that make me?

thankful

Warm blankets

A bed - how much of the world sleeps on the ground?

Electricity 

Running water and indoor plumbing

Grocery store two miles away

A 25 pound turkey in my fridge

A fridge

My hubby - a good man 

My daughter - a creative, bright girl

My son - a funny, intelligent boy

Living near family

Expanded horizons, both literally and figuratively

My hubby's job

Health insurance

Two cars

Spending money

Wonderful friends

The presence of God

Finally finding a church we love

Always being in sight of the mountains

Lots of books

Not only shelter, but shelter I love

Someone  else to pick the grain, make the bread, slaughter the chickens, milk the cows, etc

When I back off, get not just a broader perspective but a world-wide perspective, I recognize my incredible abundance.  I am very thankful.

I am thankful that God has blessed us so much.  

May you be blessed, and may you fully appreciate those blessings this Thanksgiving and always!

thanks-living

I read somewhere the other day that being grateful isn't thanks-giving; it is thanks-living.  

This culture does an excellent job informing us of all we lack.  We lack the right clothes, the latest gadget, the smallest rear, the most expensive car, the biggest house, etc.

The other night I was having serious troubles with my blankets.  I have issues when it comes to the covers.  And it was frustrating me no end.  But then I decided to repeat, "I am thankful I have blankets.  I am thankful I have blankets."  It didn't help the situation really, but it did bring to mind the people who would give anything to be fighting two blankets and a comforter!  They can't even imagine such a thing.

I have so much to be thankful for.  And rather than making a list once a year, I want to live in a place of gratitude.  

But making the list is a start!

I'll do that tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, tell me what you are thankful for.

gaps

Sorry, I can't really think of anything to say lately.

If you have a topic - give it to me.  Otherwise, here's something:

There Are 1 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge: Religion Economics Literature History Science Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

when you're smiling

Just for fun...

1. Put your iTunes/iPod on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get 

your answer.

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER

 HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 friends who might enjoy doing the 

meme as well as the person you got the meme from. 

I got this from my friend Sherri's facebook page.  

I'm not tagging anyone, but if you want to do it, let me know.

IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?

"Peace" (Rich Mullins)
 
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
"Do I Trust You?" (Twila Paris) - that might be right

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
"Perhaps Love" (John Denver)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
"Great is Thy Faithfulness" (Avalon) - pretty much sums it up

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
"I'll be Seeing You" (Rod Stewart)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
"Fairest Lord Jesus" (Natalie Grant)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
"Jeepers Creepers"  (Louis Armstrong) - sheesh!

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
"I See You Standing" (Twila Paris)

WHAT IS 2+2?
"Tea For Two"  - Ha ha.  That's good.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
"It's Not Unusual" (Tom Jones) - well, actually....

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Let There Be Love" (Tom Jones)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
"Night and Day" (Rod Stewart)


WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
"A Kiss to Build a Dream On" (Rod Stewart)  

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
"Holy, Holy, Holy"  (Steven Curtis Chapman) - hmmm. 

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
"Holy, Holy, Holy" (Keith Green)  - HA!


WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
"Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" (Keith Green)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
"Till" (Tom Jones)  - Is that what you keep money in?

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
"It Had to be You" (Rod Stewart) - shhhh... don't tell.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
"How Beautiful" (Twila Paris) - awww.  That IS what I think!

WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
"For All We Know" ( Bette Midler)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
"Can't Stop Loving You" (Tom Jones) - Or I will die

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
"Runner" (Twila Paris) 

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
"Rushing Wind" (Keith Green) - Rushing is always funny.

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
"For Sentimental Reasons" (Rod Stewart) - yep.  Quite often.


WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
"Green, Green Grass of Home" (Tom Jones) - mommy, help.


DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
"All Creatures of Our God and King"  - That's about right

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
"I Need Thee Every Hour" (Jars of Clay) 

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
"I Remember You" (Bette Midler) - and that one time?... ouch.

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
"When You're Smiling" (Louis Armstrong)

who cares?

Decorate only as much as you like.  Candles are easy and go a long way is setting a festive atmosphere.  Something that smells good - some cinnamon and cloves in a pot of water does the trick.  Use themed towels and such to help decorate.  They are easy to "undecorate" too!

Use the dishes you have.  Mix and match.  Nobody cares.  They just care about what is in the dishes.  I would love to have coordinating plates and platters, but I don't.  Who cares?

Buy pre-made food.  Nobody but you knows when it is made from scratch anyway.  I usually make a couple of things and buy the rest. There is stuff out there better than I can make anyway!

Go casual.  Buffets, snack foods, easy things with a light atmosphere creates relaxation for all involved.  

What are some tips you have for saving time?  Making things easy?  Decorating on the cheap? 

let it go

Continuing with thoughts about things I'm learning when it comes to entertaining, doing the holidays, etc.

~ Let go of control.  I have a problem with control freaks.  Unfortunately, I am one.  I didn't realize it until a few years ago, though.  Oh, I knew that I was bossy, and that I had a good idea of how things should be.  But I didn't think I was controlling.  I sure got stressed when things didn't go the way I envisioned, though!

It became clear to me the year my sister came for Thanksgiving.  I had a perfect dinner planned.  A great natural, fresh turkey and all the fixings.  And mom says, "Julie wants ham, so I'm gonna bring a ham."  Ham?!!  Ham was not in the Plan.  The Plan was that everyone would eat and love my turkey.  I got so upset about it that I decided I needed to figure out why.  Turns out, I wanted all the control.  I had Expectations and no one oughta mess with my Expectations.

So, God talked to me a bit.  Made me see that truly blessing people means making it enjoyable for them.  If Julie wants me to serve Brats with the turkey... if that's what would really make her happy, then I need to provide Brats.  Those fit nowhere in my idea of a perfect Thanksgiving, but so what?

~Let go of perfect.  There is no such thing.  I have been striving for a perfect Christmas since I was about two.  The more I strive, the more I expect, the more disappointing reality turns out to be.  What makes a perfect Christmas - or Thanksgiving, or Easter, whatever- is spending time with the people you care about.  Ministering to them.  Spending time with God in Thanksgiving, or worshipping His son, or rejoicing in His resurrection, etc.  It's about letting go of ourselves and relaxing and just taking it in.  If the turkey explodes in the oven, the dog steals all the rolls, the sister expects ham... whatever.  It can still be perfect.

~Let go of obligations.  If it isn't fun-- DON'T DO IT.  The lady at the talk that I mentioned yesterday said that we should only fix four types of Christmas cookies.  Well, shoot.  I don't fix any.  Ok, I make some for my party, but that's it.  One year as I was making cookies and grumping around I thought why am I doing this?  I don't enjoy it.  I don't like making cookies.  Some of you do.  Go for it!! (And send me some)  If it's fun, do it!  If it is just because it is something that you are "supposed" to do, let it go.  That goes for attending parties, hosting a dinner, going to Christmas Eve service, making a Christmas breakfast, etc.  Do what you enjoy.  Make it a fun time, not a time of obligation.

~ Hang on to your family.  One year I suddenly heard the way I was talking to my family.  Whoa!  Snarl, snap, gripe and boss boss boss.  Awful!  I was so stressed out about impressing other families that I was mistreating my own.  They are the most important part.  If I am so stressed that I can't be nice, then I need to re-evaluate.  Something else needs to go.  There is always going to be a little tension when getting ready for a party or what-not, but there are things that can make it easier.  We'll talk about some of those tomorrow.

Please share some things you've learned. How do you make this time of year more relaxed and pleasurable for all involved?

get over it

My friend Robbie posted about the pressures of the holidays on her blog, Joy Dance.  So go read it; it's really good!

Just so you know, I am not copying her.  I didn't steal the idea from her.  We happen to be thinking along the same lines because we went together to hear a lady talk about simplifying the holidays.  Turns out, if I did all the things the lady suggested, I would have the most complicated holidays of my life!

Side note: don't be offended that I'm saying holidays instead of Christmas.  It is because I am referring to the holidays, not just Christmas.

The lady talked about entertaining in general, and hospitality -- the fact that you can be hospitable without ever having anyone in your home.  That was a nice thought.  Take dinner to a neighbor who's having a rough time.  Or send them some grocery gift cards.  That counts as hospitality!

I would like to share some lessons I am learning in these areas.

~ Get over yourself.  The lady (I'm sorry, I don't remember her name) said this too.  When you have people over, it's supposed to be about them, not you.  We, Ok - I, worry so much about how clean my house is and how the food will be -must make everything from scratch- and how gorgeous the decorations are.  Why?  Well, honestly - so I can hear how wonderful my house looks, how awesome the food is, how gorgeous the decorations are, etc.  

As another lady put it once, "Strive to bless, not impress."  That really stuck with me.  I've been in homes where the goal is to impress and well... it's just not that comfortable.  So, I repeat that little mantra now every time I am expecting anyone in my home.

~ Get over your house.  All of us have houses that pale in comparison to someone else's house.  Maybe you live in the best house among your group.  Great!  But most of us have a least one friend who has a bigger house, better countertops, nicer floors, better views, fancier stove, prettier faucets...something. Get over it.  Really.  Even the most shallow people aren't going to dump you as a friend because of your house!!  It's easy for us, especially women, to feel like people are judging us based on our home.  But I don't judge others when I go to their houses.  Do you?  I think most people don't.  The lady kept saying that people will just be thrilled that the event isn't at their house!

I'm going to do the rest tomorrow.  So stay tuned!

 Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,

 in the middle of its street On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2

thursday thirteen

Thirteen pieces of information.

1. I hit the snooze 3 times before I get up.  That's 30 minutes.

2. The wind kicked up.  Hopefully it's blowing in a storm.

3. My book club is tonight.  We just read Rebecca by Daphne Du Muerier

4. I like re-writing WAY more than writing.

5. I'm addicted to a new computer game.  Just what I need.

6. I just now realized that I forgot something I really wanted to do this morning!  Pooh.

7. We were on the Neilson Ratings.  I couldn't tell you about it because it is top secret.  You might have sent us a lot of money to watch your favorite shows and that just can't be done.  It's not ethical.  But now we aren't on it anymore, so I can tell you.

8. I very nearly forgot to do a Thursday Thirteen!

9. I am expecting there to be 15 people at my house for Thanksgiving.  I love it!

10. I can't decide if I prefer blue or black ink.  I guess black, but I really want to prefer blue.  It's happier.

11. I like anticipation.  If I get a package I will set it down and do something else for a bit before I open it.

12. I almost never eat in the car anymore.  Unless it's my parents' car and we're on a 13 hour journey.

13. I can barely hear out of  my right ear.  I don't hear very well overall, either.

lessons learned trying to find an on-ramp to the interstate

Be very careful, use wisdom, when choosing whom to follow.

Some people don't know any more than you do.  They are lost, too.  They may seem to know what they are doing, but they don't.

Some people know exactly what they are doing.  They have the correct information and they know where they are.  But they are heading somewhere you don't want to go.

And some people are heading your way, they know how to get there, and they are happy to show you the way.

But at first glance, these people all look alike.

thursday thirteen

I am teaching a Bible Study about the names of God.  We are using Kay Arthur's book, LORD, I Want to Know You.  I also am using Nathan Stone's book, The Names of God.

So, here are 13 names that are used for God in the Bible.

1. Elohim.  El is the word that means god.  Baal is an el.  If you are talking about Hercules, Aphrodite and their cohorts, you are talking about Greek elohim.  Elohim is the plural for el.  

But Elohim in reference to GOD denotes His creative power.  The first verse of the Bible says, In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.  And while the word is plural, the pronouns used in this passage is singular.  He.  Him.  One God, but plural.

2. El Elyon.  God Most High or Most High God.  This name denotes God's sovereignty.  There is none above Him.  And there is none equal to Him.  He is above all things.

3. El Shaddai.  Almighty God or God Almighty.  This name means "All-sufficient One."  It is the name that shows us God's ample supply for our needs.  It goes beyond ample.  The name suggest a flowing of bountiful supply.

4. Jehovah.  This is THE name of God.  When asked by Moses what His name was, this is the answer He gave.  Jehovah means "Self-sufficient One."  He exists in and of Himself.  He relies on nothing to sustain His being.  He IS Being.  The name is similar to a word that means "to be".  Nobody knows how to pronounce this name. The ancient Israelites would not write it nor pronounce it.  Some say Yahweh.  Jews say Hashem, which means simply The Name.  They believe that the sign of the Messiah will be that he will know how to correctly pronounce this name.

When you see LORD in your Bible, as opposed to Lord, it is this name.

5. Jehovah - Jireh.  The LORD Will Provide.

When Abraham took Isaac to the alter and God provided a ram for the sacrifice, this is the name given to God.  He provided a way.  This name speaks to God's ultimate provision for us through the sacrifice of His own son.

6. Adonai.  Lord.  This name has to do with position.  Do we let Him be our master?  

7. Jehovah- Rapha.  The LORD Heals.

8. Jehovah - Nissi.  The LORD My Banner.  This is a name for warfare.  Just as our soldiers fight under our flag, we fight under the LORD.  Armies as far back as Joshua's army fought under a banner.  Often it was a pole rather than the way we think of banner.  A rod.  

9. Jehovah-Mekoddishkem.  The LORD Sanctifies You.  We trust God to save us, but many times we think we can sanctify ourselves.  Only God can save.  Only God can sanctify.  So while I talk abouts living a holy life, the truth is that only God can bring about holiness in our lives.  We must surrender to it, but only He can accomplish it.

10. Jehovah-Shalom.  The LORD Is Peace.

11. Jehovah-Sabaoth.  The LORD Of Hosts.  This is a name of deliverance.  When we come to the absolute end of ourselves we find need of The LORD of Hosts.  Every use of it in the Bible is when an individual or the nation is desperate.  

12. Jehovah- Raah.  The LORD My Shepherd.  All that a shepherd is for the sheep, He is for us.  Protector, provider, supplier, guide, etc.

13. Jehovah-Tsidkenu.  The LORD Our Righteousness.  This name gave the promise of a new covenant.  The covenant of grace.  And with it the promise of a new heart.  We cannot be right with God without God.  

Two bonus names:

El Roi - The God Who Sees.  You are never out of His sight.  When you are suffering, He sees.  He knows.

Jehovah- Shammah. The LORD Is There.  You are never alone.

the people have spoken

(Just to be clear - this post is NOT about politics)

So many people that I know are unhappy and even frightened about the election results.  But there has been a bigger, different "election" going on for years and most of us have not even noticed.

Why do we have so many abortions?  Why the trend toward homosexuality?  Why do so many marriages end?  Why is violence on the rise?

Because it's what the people want.

Sin is rampant and it's because the people choose it.  We, the people.  We choose it.

And while there are those of us who want to live moral lives and want to be surrounded by morality and godliness, the truth is, we are outnumbered.  The people have spoken.  They want sin. 

And the heartbreaking part is, the stats in the church are the same as the world.  Divorce rate, porn addiction, unwed pregnancies, marital infidelity, etc.  The church looks like the world.

Beyond that, what about pride?  gossip?  greed?  materialism?  fear?  We all choose sin.  We all have cast our vote at one time or another and sin won.

And we act shocked and horrified at the prospect of government funded abortion.  We are stunned at the prospect of legalized gay marriage.  Really?  We didn't see this coming?  

I don't know what I can do to make you, or he, or them choose righteousness.  I don't know how to make anyone else desire holiness and then open their hearts to God for inspection and cleansing.  All I can do is open my own heart.

We love to quote the scripture that says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and heal their land."  But do we personalize it?  Or is it just a vague statement about the church in general.

I am His people and I am called by His name.  I must humble myself.  Fall on my knees.  Get off my spiritual high horse and don't just talk about turning from my wicked ways - actually turn.  Turn around, choose the better way.  I must do it.  Each of us as individuals must do it.  

I have a longing, a passion for holiness.  But if I don't start with me, it won't be holiness, it will be arrogance and judgementalism.

The world has spoken.  They choose sin.  Let us make a new choice.  Let us who are called by the name of Christ choose a better way.  

Because it doesn't matter who the president of this nation is.  He is a man.  He has no power over our souls.  Our allegiance and obligation is to the KING.  We must be sure that we are serving Him as He requires.  All else is secondary.

piper on politics

one more time

Yes, I hate politics.  No, I wasn't planning to post about it anymore.  But...

I do wish I had heard about Chuck Baldwin before I voted.  If he runs again next election, he's getting my vote.  I actually agree with him on all the issues.

So many of the things that I gripe about, he wants to fix.  He's radical.  He would really shake things up!  And I think that's exactly what we need.

Read his article about the "wasted vote."  He says any vote for someone who doesn't share your values is wasted.  And that's how I felt leaving the polls.  I felt like I had wasted my vote.

Anyway.  The end.  No more politics from me.