Trick or Treat

I couldn't resist this costume for my sweet whippet, Jet. (Jet's the one on the right! ha ha) Jim has had this hat for a few years and when I saw the costume at Target I just had to get it! Jet went to his Great Grandma's today and got 5 doggie treats!

Thank You!!! Praises Ascending!!!

Dearest Friends...

I just got off the phone with my sister... everything is fine! No cancer anyone. Brain - clear, abdominal - clear, chest - clear!!! Everything is fine. The oncologist told my sister she was so sorry she had to wait. Jennifer burst into tears! We just got off the phone and we just kept shouting Praise Jesus. We were crying with joy! I hadn't told her about the prayer request I posted here. I hadn't told her that I had called our church this morning as the prayer team was meeting. She said she felt all of your prayers and thanks you!!!!

Ahhh... Now I feel I can relax. I had been in prayer for 15 minutes - from 2:15 to 2:30. That was the time she would be going in to see the doc!

Again, thank you... you all mean so much to me. It's hard to believe we've never met in person because I love you all so much!!!

Prayer Request

Dear Friends,

My youngest sister, Jennifer is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed at the age of 33... she is now 39. Her liver enzymes are a bit elevated and her oncologist ordered a chest and belly scan. Tommorrow afternoon she meets with the doctor at 2:15 for her results.

If you could, please lift up my sister in prayer. Obviously she is fearful, but she is also relying on God to keep her strong. Ask for good test results and that the cancer has not come back.


Thanking you with all of my heart!

Maybelline Queen ~ Yes to God Tuesday

Well I certainly got off track w/ my Yes to God Tuesday posts. A wedding, travelling back from the wedding... I didn't take time to write down what I had been digesting and learning from our book Behind Those Eyes by Lisa Whittle .

I missed a few weeks of posts. I am so glad to be back on track with Leila, our fearless leader, and my other bloggy sisters as we go through this book together. 2 chapters, whew... a lot to digest. There were so many points that struck me... and not enough time or space for me to post on what and how much resonated in my heart. (Quotes from the book are in bold italics)

The Massive Cover-Up

Chapters 6 & 7

Cosmetics for the Soul & The Feelings we Conceal



Cosmetics and Concealers... How these two chapters melded right into each other.

I have to admit... I LOVE make-up. I think I used to look at make-up as something I used to hide or cover up a flaw. Now I use make-up to enhance what the Lord has given me. I sometimes jokingly call myself The Maybelline Queen. I am not one of those gals who can't go out of the house w/out her makeup on and hair done... you would know that if you would run into me at the grocery on a Saturday morning. However, it wasn't so long ago that Maybelline Queen had a different meaning for me.

"Down deep inside, we as women know the truth: we have become experts at concealing things that we feel we need to keep hidden."

We have all been there. We wake up and there it is... the largest pimple ever! Right there, for all the world to see! We painstakingly use all kinds of concealers, foundations and powders to cover up this disgusting blemish on our face. Keeping that blemish hidden... or so we think it's hidden. Usually I try so hard to cover a blemish that it more than likely sticks out even more... I thought of our sins that way. No matter how hard we try to conceal them, cover them up... at some point in time they will be revealed. Just like Adam and Eve, they covered their nakedness w/ leaves, however God called them out. The charade cannot go on for long. God will eventually call us out too. He wants us to be real! He wants us to be healed not concealed!

"As women, we spend much of our lives trying to conceal things we don't want others to know about us."

As a teenager I was fearful of dating. All of my girlfriends were going out on dates, had boyfriends and were enjoying their High School dances. (I never went to a single high school dance - I was asked and I always had an excuse of why I couldn't go) What was really going on wasn't the excuse I always used "Oh, this weekend I will be at my mom's or this weekend I will be at my dad's." My fear of dating was linked to a fear of being abandoned. A fear of being left... it came from my parent's divorce. The divorce hurt & affected me more deeply than my tender age would let me understand at that time. That hurt and fear manifested itself in how I handled relationships. My make-up, my concealer at that time, and even into my young adult years - I am independent, I don't need anybody.

I recall my first serious boyfriend. I was a freshman in college and I fell in love with a sweet, young man. My best friend said "Miss Independent got herself a boyfriend!" Well, my make-up worked... I was seen as independent! I wasn't seen as afraid. It wasn't long (a few years into my relationship with this young man) that this cover up had to be dealt with. My heart was broken. My boyfriend of 2 and a half years left me for someone else. I had been abandoned. I was devastated. What was a girl to do? I became depressed. I made some pretty bad choices trying to conceal the hurt. Trying to bandage a broken heart with bad decisions. Living out on my own, partying, thinking... 'boy am I grown up now!'

"We mask our true feelings and cover up our sins."

I don't even know if at the time I really understood that my behavior was my attempt to cover up the hurt but boy it wasn't covering up sin. Before, I put up a shield of so called independence. Now I was putting up a shield of carelessness. It wasn't long and this lifestyle was wearing a young 21 year old girl out. It wasn't who I was and God reached down, grabbed my hand and rescued me from a pit of cover-up. It is still a journey I take with Him. I have come A LONG way, believe me! God allowed certain things to happen in order for me to be sifted... in order to come to Him, in order to realize what truly satisfies.

"It's hard for all of us at times to take a long, hard look in the mirror. When we do, we often don't like what we see, preferring to keep our ugly hidden... It is painful to admit that we have strong feelings of insecurity, jealousy, loneliness, and fear... often to the point of actions resulting from them. We find out pretty early in life that pretending is a great way to keep these feelings concealed from others and even from ourselves."

I have learned the hard way, through many lessons in my life, not just the lessons I learned as a reckless girl in her early 20's that God desires me to seek Him and His righteousness. To not be fearful, not be insecure, jealous or lonely. I thank Him for the journey He allowed me to take... that He was right there with me even when I wasn't always seeking Him and His ways. There is no doubt in my mind that He had a much bigger plan... and He would be the best "make-up" remover ever! The old Maybelline Queen had something to hide... the new Maybelline Queen is enhanced by the love and grace my King has lavished upon me.

Birth Verse...

Today is Christy's birthday (so pop on over and wish her a Happy Birthday)
While wanting to wish Christy a Happy Birthday, I also wanted to find a Bible verse to share with her on her special day. I googled Bible verse for birthday, and I found this website!

http://www.birthverse.com/

The site is described like this:

BIRTHVERSE consists of 366 verses chosen from the 66 books of the Bible. Each verse correlates the chapter and verse with its month and day. Your birth was appointed by God and has been recorded as your birthday. Our team spent countless hours searching the Bible for the perfect verse for each day of the year. Claim your verse, study it, memorize it and share it with others. But most of all, allow God to reveal Himself to you through your BIRTHVERSE.

All Scripture 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

I thought, what a neat way to share a scripture with a friend or family member!

Christy's verse for her birthday is:

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:27 NIV

I looked up my birthday verse... and I love it!

My verse:

1 Kings 9:3 NIV
The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

What's your birth verse? I would love it if you shared it with me!

Finally... Food for Friday...

OK, earlier today I was going to post a recipe, but the Spirit led me to ask you to pray for Christy

The recipe I am sharing today is a fav around our house and with our friends & family!
I would love to hear back from any of you who try it out! It's very good... and if you eat it w/ friends there are no calories! Ha Ha... at least that's what I always say!

Enjoy!

Chicken & Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients
1 (6.2-ounce) package fast-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 (6-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 (4.5-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained (I use fresh asparagus instead)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (2.5-ounce) package sliced almonds


Preparation
Cook rice mix according to package directions; set aside.
Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, and saute until tender. Add flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Add broth, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Stir in rice, chicken, and next 6 ingredients. Spoon into a lightly greased 9 x 13inch baking dish. Top with almonds.

Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.


Yield
Makes 6 servings

Southern Living, NOVEMBER 2000

Food for Friday.... guess not!

My plans for today were to post a recipe... it's a rainy day here in Indy and a good fall recipe was something I wanted to share. Something cozy and comforting.

Well we all know how plans can change and change they did! The recipe will wait! Many times when I am reading the LPM blog I will click on a poster's name and visit their blog. I do believe many times it's Spirit led. Today definitely was Spirit led, and when I got to this gal's blog I felt the need to share her story and ask you to pray for her. She's a soldier's wife living in Germany while her husband serves in Iraq. She is a mother who has suffered heartache and happiness all at the same time. She is a Christian sister that today I ask you to prayer for.

Her name is Christy, and to me represents the spouse of a soldier who shares her heart. Please read her story here Lift her, her husband, her family, our country in prayer!

WFW ~ The Pharmacy, M & M's and a Half Gallon of Milk

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
~ Matthew 25:35-40

You might be wondering what the verses from Matthew, the pharmacy symbol, a picture of a package of M & M's and a picture of a half gallon of milk have to do with anything at all let alone a Word Filled Wednesday. An experience I had on Monday inspired me for this week's WFW blog post.

For some reason on Monday of this week I needed chocolate. (not that I need a reason for chocolate) I stopped in the CVS Pharmacy closest to my house to pick up my favorite... Peanut M & M's. The checkout line was long, the ladies in front of me were buying quite a few 12 packs of diet coke. (guess it was a good price) There was only one cashier... you have all been there. Tapping our toes, doing the best we can not to get frustrated at beind held up. Behind me in line was a sweet, little older lady. Tiny thing... darling. She had a half gallon of milk in her hand. After about 5 minutes of waiting she placed her milk on the counter and walked out. Of course just moments after she left the line moved I was next in line and I purchased my M & M's.

When I walked out to the parking lot towards my car I noticed the lady was still sitting in her car. Something made me stop and turn around. I walked up to her and asked if I could go back in a get her milk for her. She explained to me that with her knees and hips she just couldn't stand for very long and had to leave the store. I told her I would be glad to go back in and get the milk for her. She said "I only have a tiny bit of milk left at home." She gave me a $5 bill and I went in a bought her milk for her. I returned to her car and gave her the milk and her change. She said to me "this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." I almost cried right there. My heart was full and it was also breaking. If that was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for this sweet old lady... how sad. I told her that I hoped that someday someone would do the same for me if I were in need. She grabbed my hand and thanked me. When I got in my car I thought of the above verses from Matthew.

I am not sharing this story to toot my own horn, or get a pat on the back. I am sharing this story because sometimes what we do for someone speaks the Gospel more than our words could ever express. There was no motivation when I stopped... it was just the Spirit convicting me to do what Jesus would want me to do. It wasn't a response that I even planned. It just happened.

I hope that if an opportunity presents itself that you do the same. It's about faith not reward.


Heavenly Father, I thank You today that You put me in that Pharmacy, at that time to show someone of Your love. I don't know this lady's name... but You do. Today Father, and every day I ask You to cradle her in Your Loving arms! Amen

Want to be blessed by more WFW Posts? Please visit: 160 Acre Woods

Restful Sunday

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
~ Genesis 2: 2-3

Whatever this Sunday finds you doing... I pray it is restful and fulfilling.

~ WFW ~ Word Filled Wednesday!

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hand formed the dry land.
~ Psalm 95:5

This picture is of the ocean off of Kiawah Island, SC. I cannot tell you what a time I had with my God this past week. When we arrived last Wednesday, even though it was dark, we went out to the beach. (our villa was ocean front). I couldn't see a think. It was black as pitch... but I could hear... I could hear the magnificent ocean waves crashing onto the shore. My hands drop to my side, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. Inhaling deep I thanked God for His creation. I also thought of the beginning

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
~ Genesis 1:2

I imagined the beginning, before there was light. God was there hovering over the dark waters... it was as if I cold feel just God... nothing else. At that moment I was one with Him. I felt so much of Him fall over me. He was there at the beginning, and He is still here! What joy filled my heart!

Yes, the sea is His - He made it! Thanking and praising Him for the beauty He gives us!

For more Word Filled Wednesdays visit 160 Acre Woods

Be Blessed!

Wedding Follow up...

We had a lovely time this past week and weekend on Kiawah Island. The wedding was wonderful. Zack and Chrissy are so happy and we are so happy for them. I thought I would share a few picks of the wedding day. The first is the happy couple signing their marriage license and the second is the wedding party on the courtyard as The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, SC. I am looking forward to getting back to my Tuesday online Bible study and will have a post soon!

Cinderella

My sweet niece Chrissy will say "I will" on Saturday to her fiance' Zack. I cannot express to all of you how much my nieces and nephews mean to me. The children the Lord has blessed me with are as close to me having my own children that I will ever get. When I met Jim, Chrissy was 2. How time flys! We leave Wednesday for Kiawah Island, South Carolina for the wedding as Chrissy has always wanted to get married on a beach. Jim and I will be doing the readings. I will read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and Jim will read from Matthew.

Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
~ Matthew 19:4-6

I am looking forward to some good family time & some awesome God time!

Chrissy is the youngest of three girls and has a personality that grabs you as soon as you meet her! I have always called her "Tweety" as she loved Tweety Bird as a little girl! She reminded me of Tweety - darling and full of mischief! Her giggle, well when she was a little girl... I laugh hearing it in my mind, it was infectious!


Zack is a delightful young man! I got to know him a little better on our ski trip this past March. He, Jim and myself were the non-stop skiers!

I am sure I will have some lovely photos and stories to tell when I get back! I know God will show me a great time!

My Gracious Heavenly Father, I never could have imagined how blessed I would be by the wonderful children you have placed in my life. Not children of my own body, but the children You desired to be in my life. I thank You for showing me the dreams You had for me are bigger and better than anything I could have dreamed for myself! I thank You, for showing me that You would be glorified more by me not having children. I thank You for healing a broken heart, and that Chrissy was an instrument You used to help heal that broken heart. I thank You for my sweet Chrissy, the gift she has been in my life. I thank You for Zack, and I pray Your blessings over Chrissy and Zack's life together. May they love You, and build their marriage on You. Amen


This song is what came to my mind when I found this picture a few weeks ago I took of Chrissy and her dad many years ago. Enjoy...

Why Over the Backyard Fence...

So why "Over the Backyard Fence" ?

When I decided to start blogging last year I wanted my posts to be like conversations... like two old friends talking over the backyard fence. Sharing stories about their lives, their Lord, joys, sorrows, swapping recipes, ideas and friendship! I consider it a blessing and an honor to share a friendship with so many bloggy gals over my cyber backyard fence! I look forward to coming here everyday to read your comments and visit your blogs!

With that said... today I want to hand a recipe over the fence to ya'll. This is one of my favs, perfect for this time of year - and is VERY tasty! Oh, and simple to make as well! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Crisp
Southern Living, NOVEMBER 2005

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (18.25-ounce) package butter-flavored yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter, melted
Whipped Cream (optional)
Ground nutmeg (optional)

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture; sprinkle evenly with pecans. Drizzle butter evenly over pecans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with Whipped Cream, if desired. Sprinkle with nutmeg, if desired.

Makes 8 to 10 servings

If you are participating in Praying4America today pray for the leaders, churches & Christians of California & Colorado. Also pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin and draw Americans to faith in Christ. (John 16:8)

~ WFW

For more WFW blessings visit 160 Acre Woods

Also, if you are following along and participating in Praying4America

Today pray for the leaders, churches & Christians of Arizona & Arkansas (as well as Alabama and Alaska as I forgot to include them in yesterday's post)

Also pray for all our Representatives & Senators who serve in the US Congress, that they will govern with God-honoring discernment and preseve the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.