A Baby's a Comin'!!!

This little picture frame won't be empty too much longer!!! My grandson is "scheduled" to be born sometime this Sunday and I'm getting ready to go visit him! I don't know if I can slide a picture in from Amy's computer or not, but hopefully someone will help me do that when I'm there, otherwise, just check their blog for snaps! Please pray for safe travel that is free from those nasty flu bugs that are floating around and most of all, for a safe delivery of a fine healthy baby boy! (and pray for my dear son in law...b/c he's going to have to stay up all night long Saturday! I'd say he's putting his wife first here!) Hopefully my next post will have his picture on here somewhere. I just realized I can't slide a pic in this frame from there b/c the software isn't on her computer, but I'll find a way to introduce you to him before I come back!!! (or hop on over to Grammy Sandy's blog (find it on the right sidebar!)....she'll have pictures on her blog probably before I can get em on mine!) So thankful for the internet!!!!

Pray that I would have more...

In the message "Eternal Healing" we saw that God's plan will often allow trials for the purpose of bringing us to a greater understanding of His glory. God's desire is for us to turn our eyes from the things we can see and begin to trust the things which are unseen; "for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

This lesson is obviously important as we face extreme hardship, but it's even more necessary as the trials begin to fade. The temporary things of this world (even the good wholesome things) will never satisfy the deep longing of our heart. We will always hunger for more until we place the entirety of our life firmly in the unseen hand of God - the same loving hand which holds all of creation.

Trusting in what we cannot see is the very essence of our faith; "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). We will never find true contentment and peace until we completely "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). Our trust should be consistent and invade every area of our life.

If we say we trust that Jesus Christ, who "was with God in the beginning" (John 1:2), and who, "being in very nature God" (Philippians 2:6), came to die so we may live; "in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7), then we must also completely trust that "God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). Saying we trust in Jesus for our eternity without trusting Him to guide and protect us during our daily walk is like trusting in the need for air while refusing to breathe. Both are a false trust and will ultimately lead to death.

Romans 8:32
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all - how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?"

God loves us so much that He gave us His absolute best; "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This love assures us He will give exactly what we require to become sons and daughters who glorify His name. God will not give up on a project which cost Him the life of His Son; "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6).

When we give Him our life through faith in Jesus, we must also trust He will not allow the fire to get hotter than we can stand nor the load heavier than we can bear - He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We must trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and then focus on what is eternal as we give Him a lifetime of consistent trust.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

Personal Note: As Dennis and I walk through these day's (now almost 6 months) of unemployment, I find myself {at times} wondering if God is going to take away our entire savings and material posessions in order to teach us how to TRULY learn to trust in HIM entirely. My husband has always been a saver. I am so thankful for that since we've needed that which we've put away for a "rainy day" in order to pay the bills. (It rains a LOT in Chicago!) We're not suffering yet when it comes to money, but when I read devotions like Steve wrote above, I often wonder "how long"..."HOW LONG, Oh Lord, do we have to wait when my husband is ready and willing to work and there seems to be no jobs available for him?" I'm struggling at times with knowing God has a plan...and the holding pattern He has us in now is for our good and for His glory. Most of the time, I'm fine...walking with my eyes on the Lord and trusting, but we've been talking lately about me getting back into nursing (where they are hiring) or if we are to be patient and WAIT upon the Lord to provide a job for him. I guess I'm just beginning to get a little "restless" in my wait and beginning to question what is going on.

Here are some things we've been praying about and it would bless my heart to know you might join us by asking the Lord to give us wisdom and answers so we can follow out the plan He has for us:

1. Would for me to take the Indiana State Boards and then an RN refresher class be what the Lord would want me to do in order to wait out this recession without depleting our savings, or would He have us continue with me home, to live off the savings and trust HIM to provide at just the right time be what we are to do?

2. Would me going back to work be an indication of my not trusting God to provide? (note: it is not my DESIRE to do this, yet I am willing if this is what my husband asks of me...he's NOT asked this of me yet..we've just been 'talking' about it!)

3. Pray that I would be a sweet encouragement for Dennis! That I would be biblical in my thoughts, words and ultimately my actions.

"The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5b-7

Allyson's Shower....

Take a peek at my youngest Grannybaby!!

Soo...here's the prettiest little girl in NW Indiana!!! We got to go with Ally and Adam this morning to watch her 3-D ultrasound and truly ladies, it's like taking a peek into places that are sacred! I am in love! I am just so blessed to have 2 little grannybabies on the way...and both of them look to be perfectly created! Thank you Lord!! Praying now for safe deliveries for both of them...and for the day this Grammy can sit and rock em and love em to pieces! A new stage of life...and I'm gonna dig it! I'm uploading pictures from the shower next, so stay tuned for more!
(p.s. I did get permission from Ally to post this before she did...b/c she's a slowpoke at these things!)

Thrifty Thursday

The price of postage is going up on May 11, 2009, to $.44 and it would be a smart time to stock up on "forever" stamps which are only $.42. You buy them at today's prices, and they are good regardless of how high the price is when you use them. Tomorrow's postage at today's prices = a thrifty lady!

This'-n-That's...

Just a few random ramblings tonight. First, we just finished watching American Idol. As you know, this is the only show I watch b/c it's so fun for me to see how "like America" I really am in the voting. I will add that I've NEVER, not even once, called in my vote, so I take no credit or criticism for any of it! ; ) Tonight, I think we've seen the last of Lil Rounds and Anoop. Neither have really impressed me as being totally creative and artistic so I think tomorrow will be their last night. Dennis and I went on to "decide" in what order they will continue to fall and came up with the following:

Tomorrow night- Lil Rounds and Anoop
Next week- Matt
Following week- Danny
Following week- split vote, I say it'll be Allison that will go, Dennis think's it'll be Kris
Finals- Kris (my personal favorite!!) and Adam
Winner- Adam

There is no rhyme nor reason to our vote...just random adult? conversation on commercial. We could be (and probably ARE!) all wrong! Remember, I guessed my grannybabies wrong!! Ha!

On a lighter note...I found a new recipe in one of Jeanne's cookbooks (we borrow each other's cookbooks every now and then to give us inspiration!)... and I found this!!! We love Olive Garden's Italian Dressing so I thought I'd give it a whirl...this is what it looked like!

And here's the salad we put it on! (and yes, that lemon you see is off a very special tree in Arizona!!)

And here is the recipe!!!

Olive Garden Italian Dressing

Ingredients:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 tsp vegetable oil
2 Tbls. corn syrup
2 Tbls. Parmesan cheese
2 Tbls. Romano cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
1 Tbl. lemon juice

Olive Garden Salad Mix:
1 bag American blend Dole Salad
4-5 slices red onion
4-6 Black olives
2-4 Banana peppers
1/2 cup croutons
1 small tomato, quartered
Freshy grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a blender or processor until well blended. If this is a little too tart for your personal taste, please add a little sugar.

Then, I decided to make a recipe that keeps popping up all over 'every woman that lives in the south's' blogs...

Artichoke Chicken

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbls garlic salt

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, mix together the artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic salt. Place chicken in a greased baking dish, and cover evenly with artichoke mixture.
Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear.

And this is what it looked like!

Pretty good stuff!! I called my girls to tell them of this wonderfully delicious new find and both of them informed me they didn't really care for artichokes! REALLY?? MY GIRLS?? Little pregnant artichoke snobs! Ha!! Dennis and I really liked it...A LOT! We're not snobs! : )

Guess that's about all for now. I've been a busy girl these days getting ready for 2 grannybabies! I can't share what I've been up to just yet, but very soon I will! The weatherman say's it's going to get real warm here the next few days. Today it was in the 40's and rather chilly. Amy said it was 104 or something silly like that out West. Guess I'd better find my shorts! Did you know I am going to make a trip to the southwest in the next couple of weeks?!?!?

Spring Day, Spring Garden, SPRING FEVER!!!

We've had a busy last few days...Thursday night was Bible Study here and Scott, the church plant leader brought his wife and new baby, Solomon Scott. He was just 2 months old that day and I got to "practice" holdin' a youngin' with him! I'm going to like it real good...so lets get going girls!
Last night, Adam and Allyson came for dinner and a sleepover b/c she was supposed to have her 3-D ultrasound this morning. Just as we were munchin' away on cinnamon rolls and hash brown casserole, the gal called and both her ultrasound techs were out, one sick and the other out of town...sooo...it's postponed until next Sat. at 8:30 AM! They'll spend the night again Friday night so they don't have to get up so early to come to town. (the place she is having it done is just 5 minutes from our house!) That'll be a big day since that's the same day as her shower...so much excitement!!
After dinner last night, we took a stroll around the yard to see what flowers were blooming...then took a mile walk. Spring is certainly in the air!!! Soooo thankful for that!
Enjoy my garden walk....things are a poppin!

Deliver Me, Oh Lord...

Just talked to Amy at bit ago after her Dr. appointment. With all the excitement of baby AnnaBeth, then cousin Jude arriving just a few days ago, she was really hoping that someone might say she was ready to go into labor too! Alas...not only is she not dilated at all, her cervix is still thick & posterior, which means Carter isn't even engaged into his mommy's pelvis yet. Not surprising at all since he's not due for another 4 weeks. (but a little disappointing to Amy, I'm sure) God knows Carter's BD and we are all willing to wait patiently for it! (well, most of us!) Hang in their Amy...he'll be here before you know it and you'll be wishing for a couple of these lazy afternoons that you can just put your feet up and take a nap! He'll be totally worth the wait!! We love you and are praying you right along!

A Weekend of Praise!!

There is so much for us to be thankful for this weekend and I wanted to share just a few specific things that I'm especially thankful for today!

First: I'm so thankful that God saved such a wretch like me. Sounds cliche', but that is the perfect definition of who I am. I thought at one time that I was a pretty good person, compared to the rest of the people in the world, but when I opened the Bible, God opened my eyes and then I realized it isn't at all how I compare to others, but how I compare to perfection. God's perfection...which is required to enter His Kingdom. I failed. God had such great mercy on me that when I read the Word, and beleived that His Son, Jesus Christ died and took the penalty for MY sin upon that cross, HE SAVED ME from having to pay the penalty of death myself. Jesus did it ALL! There is not one single thing I have done or can do to assure my own salvation. Not my good works, not my baptism, not my confirmation (as practiced in the Lutheran denomination), not my giving, not one single thing. JESUS DID IT ALL! Just as there was nothing I could do to earn my salvation, neither is there anything I can do to maintain my salvation! JESUS DOES IT ALL!! I stand in awe every day of why he would do that, and I've come up with one answer: Because it brings HIM GLORY! As we remember this weekend, even tonight, the walk to Calvary, Jesus being nailed to a cross to die, the agony, the pain, the separation from his Father....all for ME...I hang my head in shame.

Praise God that isn't the end of the story! After 3 days, he ROSE from the grave!!! HE's ALIVE! This is what separates my God from all other 'gods' of the world! Just as he quickened my heart to receive him in salvation, so did he quicken my heart to serve HIM forever!! May each one of you reflect once again, this story, found in the Gospels, but settle in and read John 19 and see for yourself what a Savior we have! I'm so thankful for this truth. So thankful that I have eternal life, found in God's Son, Jesus. THIS is why I have joy!!

Second: I'm so thankful for Jude Christian Frahm!! Congratulations Andy and Anna on the birth of your third child today! I'd say it truly is "Good Friday" for you! (for those of you who are not family, Andy is Brian's brother, and best man at Brian and Amy's wedding.) I pray that God will raise him up as a mighty warrior for the faith and a follower of Christ.

Third: I'm so thankful for the lessons of trust I've learned again this week. Wednesday, my Dad had an angiogram. He did great and the results were very good. No major heart blockages!! His recovery was good and swift...just in time to take Mom to the ER last night while we were having Bible study here in our home. A series of events (God things) took me to the computer at 7:13 PM last night only to find an email from Dad, written at 6:45, telling me he was taking Mom to the ER, and not to be worried. (sure Dad!) We prayed for whatever was wrong with her and continued on with the study. After everyone left, Dennis and I went to the hospital and found them there in the ER with their attending nurse being our little neighbor, Kelly. What a sweet thing to see her face so carefully tending to Mom. Long story short...Mom is still in the hospital, has an infection in the bone in her lower leg and is on high powered antibiotics through her IV to heal her. So thankful for medicine to make her more comfortable. Between Dad and us, we were at the hospital all morning and afternoon, and she finally called us this evening to tell us the Dr. came in and said she was doing much better and might get to come home tomorrow! Sooo thankful for this good news!
UPDATE: Today, Tuesday, April 14 marks two important dates! First, it's the day before your taxes are due...get on it if you haven't done it yet! Second...MOM CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL THIS MORNING!! Turns out this infection is due to vasculitis in her lower right leg and they have had her on a high powered antibiotic in her IV for several days. The swelling is down and the reddness is mostly gone now! She's thankful to be coming home today and I'm making dinner to take them for tonight. Thank you for praying!

Fourth: I'm so thankful for my little unborn grannybabies! I pray for them almost every day and ask the Lord to set them apart for his glory and to protect them from that which would harm them. People say there's nothing like being a grammy....and I'm so anxious and blessed to have this opportunity to love and spoil little Carter and Kierstyn!

And finally: I'm so thankful for my husband! Dennis is a rock. His example to me during these past 5 months of unemployment have been so of God and have pointed me to my Savior every day. He never grumbles or complains. He BREATHES patience. He rejoices in times of trial and is such a beautiful example of trusting God day by day. We don't know what the future holds as far as employment, but we know who holds our future and we couldn't be any more secure than we are in the hands of our Lord. God is our Jehovah Jirah....our provider. He is our Emmanual...God with us. He is our Bread of Life...and sustainer of our souls. He has proven Himself over and over and we truly do not fear or fret, but are waiting and resting. I'm so thankful! (and continue to covet your prayers as well!)

What are you thankful for? Take a moment today and reflect on ALL that God has allowed in your life to have you look to Him! When we're on the mountain tops, we trust in Him; when we're in the depth of trials, we trust in HIM!

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday! HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Aren't these the cutest things....

...ya ever did see??

Yesterday, Mom and I took a little trip to Good.will to get rid of some of her "unused things" so we had to spin around to the front and go check out what they had for sale. We were just hoping that they hadn't already put out her things, b/c we've been known to buy our "junk" back! Ha! Anyhow...these little "Birks" were just beggin' me to buy em for Baby Carter. Chances are, they'll never see the bottom of those pudgy little feet, but they'll look great for at least ONE picture!

BTW...I found about 2 bags of VERY gently used things for both the babies yesterday! This is SOOO much fun!!

P.S. Another prayer request. Dad is having an angiogram today b/c his breathing has bothered him again the past few weeks. I'm thinking it's probably the COPD, yet his cardiologist is making sure and going to check out his "heart hoses" to be sure. He's been doing SOOO good....it's hard to see him having troubles again. Thanks! And OH...Amy felt much better yesterday! Thank you for praying. She rested and that, along with cutting back on high sodium foods is sure to at least help. The other thing that will really help is to have Carter in her arms instead of her belly! ;)

UPDATE: Dad did great during his test and PTL, the Dr. found no significant blockage in his heart this time!! They had told him if he had anymore blockages in that artery they would be forced to do open heart surgery...so we are mighty thankful this isn't the case! They have determined that his shortness of breath and blood pressure issues are due to the COPD and Emphysema. Smoking is NOT worth it in the end...let me tell you! I'm also thankful that both Mom and Dad gave up smoking about 20 years ago! Thank you all who prayed...he is very grateful for the news about his heart being okay!

'Put on your Easter Bonnet..."

Tonight our sweet friend Anita, came over to learn about digi scrapbooking....all the way from Boston! Her mama came too...and we had Chili and Cinnamon Rolls for dinner, then headed upstairs with Ally to look over some cute baby things. Then...off to the den so she could learn how to do these cute little pages for herself. This is the one that I made along side of her. Playing with a few new elements, but as you can see, I'm stuck in the same ol' grind of paper on paper, adding a few little things here and there. I'm definately wanting to challange myself to something much more creative!! Anita was on her laptop working with the big girl photoshop, so I got stuck trying to help her a few times. She's lots smarter than I am though, so she got through it on her own! Good for her! Anyhow...I love this picture of our little Arizona cupcake....and wanted to use her "Easter Bonnet" picture for the example. I miss that little sweetie! It won't be long till Grammy Cheryl comes back for some huggins and book readin'!! Love you little Miss Rylie! Can't wait to see you in a few weeks!! Have a happy Easter!

One other thing...Amy called tonight not feeling very well again b/c it's 100 degrees in Phoenix and her hands were so swollen that she could hardly cut up the turkey for her noodle soup...so if you would please, just ask the Lord to help her be more comfortable and keep the swelling at bay for the remainder of the pregnancy. She's almost done cookin' Carter now...just that last, LONG home stretch to go! Wish she could be up here for the final weeks...it's only getting into the upper 40's to low 50's for the next couple weeks here. Much more pregnancy friendly weather up here! Sheesh....I thought Spring had sprung!