Christmas Parties

Becca had her Christmas party at youth group - and Praise the Lord she met her first requirement for the mission trip.  She is trying to come up with ideas to raise her remaining balance.  Chuck and his college class talked about Tebow and his testimony.  They talked about the stands which he has taken and how he is living - what a great example for all christians.  My group also had a sweet Christmas celebration getting to know our leader and her sweet mom and sister - talking and sharing about Christmas.  It is always a sweet time of fellowship and fun.

Praying for Wisdom

Dad has taught you since you were young...Pray for wisdom - the Lord will graciously give it to you.  He told you to remember Solomon and how the Lord let him choose what he would like and he picked wisdom.  He received more than wisdom - he received all that was offered to him.  Wisdom is a treasure that shouldn't be taken for granted.  You both are very gifted and talented - Pray God will make clear His plans for you - Dad and I are praying for you both to know exactly which steps to take!  Dig into the word - it is full of truths, wisdom and treasures.  We love our weekly trivia, learning facts about football, art, cooking and other odds and ends.  It is great to learn about all of these things and increase our learning  and expertise in various areas of our lives.  But always remember to stay in His Word daily.  Don't just quickly read it to read it - but dig into it - find the truths and wisdom that God wants you to know.  It is His Living Word  - Listen to Him Speak.

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Here are the correct answers to the trivia...How did you do?

Topic: Is It In There?

•            1. Is the statement "God helps those who help themselves" in the Bible? Scripture Reference: no
•            2. Is the saying "cast your bread upon the waters" found in Scripture? Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 11:1  Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
  yes
  • 3. Is the truism "you reap what you sow" based on Scripture? Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
  yes
  • 4. Is the adage "money is the root of all evil" from the Bible? Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  no 
  • 5. Is the maxim "cleanliness is next to godliness" in the Bible? Scripture Reference:
  no 
  • 6. Is the maxim "honesty is the best policy" based on Scripture? Scripture Reference: Leviticus 19:36  Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.
  yes
  • 7. Is the aphorism "a fool and his money are soon parted" found in Scripture? Scripture Reference:
  no 
  • 8. Is the proverb "It is more blessed to give than to receive" found in the Bible? Scripture Reference: Acts 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
   yes
  • 9. Is the maxim "do unto others as you'd have done to you" based on Scripture? Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  yes
  • 10. Is the adage "to err is human, to forgive divine" found in the Bible? Scripture Reference:
  no 

Texas Style Meal and Trivia

I'm a little under the weather today.  This cold and rainy weather combined with going shopping with out dressing properly, may have had some part in the way I'm feeling.  Not to mention,  others passing around colds, strep throat and other fall bugs!  Trying to fight it off with vitamin c, hot lemon and honey tea, chicken noodle soup and a few medications too. 
Charles made the perfect meal to warm my throat.  It's one of our favorite dinner choices and one that I had not heard of before moving to the South. 
Frito Pie! 
Take a handful of fritos and place in your bowl.
Cover with chili (I prefer Charles' homemade)
Top with Cheese
and Dig in!
Tonight Charles made smoked brisket chili and it was delicious. 
The boys like to add onion and ketchup to the top of theirs.

Friends in the North - you need to try this - it is really good - and always a hit with the kids.

By the way - Chuck did AWESOME on his speech - he got a 95 - Y.E.A.H CHUCK!!!!!

I always loved a good game of trivia - are you up for it?

The Weekly Bible ChallengeProvided by Back to the Bible
Topic: Is It In There?  - yes or no?

1. Is the statement "God helps those who help themselves" in the Bible?

2. Is the saying "cast your bread upon the waters" found in Scripture?

3. Is the truism "you reap what you sow" based on Scripture?

4. Is the adage "money is the root of all evil" from the Bible?

5. Is the maxim "cleanliness is next to godliness" in the Bible?

6. Is the maxim "honesty is the best policy" based on Scripture?

7. Is the aphorism "a fool and his money are soon parted" found in Scripture?

8. Is the proverb "It is more blessed to give than to receive" found in the Bible?

9. Is the maxim "do unto others as you'd have done to you" based on Scripture?

10. Is the adage "to err is human, to forgive divine" found in the Bible?  

I will post the answers tomorrow.

Things To Do on a Cold and Rainy Day

I made my To Do Board - but the girls haven't made theirs yet!  It's another neat idea from pinterest.  

A little bit of scrapbooking paper and accessories with yet another dollar store frame is all you need. 

Print your check boxes and lines. 

Add a dry erase marker and Voila - you have just made yourself a reusable checklist.   

Misti had to go home early due to an overload of studies. 

Becca worked on making more magnets for her other board. 

Their "to do" boards will be posted soon!

Football and a snack tray of crackers, cheese, pepperoni and salami was on the schedule of our afternoon.  Yeah - Tebow - I pray he keeps it up not only with his good playing - but more importantly with his outstanding testimony!  Now as for that stupid end to the Cowboys game - we were not happy campers!  I bet even that fly on the wall will be in trouble at the after game meeting - Yikes! 

Hope they do better next time.

The rain was an answer to prayer this weekend as well as the cooler weather. 

Chuck finished his persuasive speech for school and went through a few practice runs - I know he will do great this week!  Finals are coming up and we are praying for A's...we are so proud of his efforts!  Becca is also doing great in school - she is so motivated and focused - and we are, of course, also so proud of her too!

All the parts are in for the window repair - but the weather didn't allow for the labor - maybe next weekend!  The weekends always go way to fast - so thankful I'm part of a family that loves to spend time together in our home filled with love and laughter.  I have a few friends that just dread heading home due to the turmoil and drama.  I pray that Chuck and Becca will have happy, loving Christ centered homes when they are grown and on their own.

Shop till ya Drop, then Craft, Craft, Craft

Thank the Lord for the Rain - He knows we need it!

Today - Becca, Misti and I had a day of shopping. Most of the afternoon was spent going from store to store.  We were shopping for a few new projects we found on pinterest.  The first one completed today was a magnetic board.  They will either be used as earring holders or just to hold our random notes.  The uses for these boards are endless.  We talked about using them for our sewing notions, scrapbooking supplies, beads, jewelry, or it could be used to hold recipes while cooking.  We are not only making our little rock magnets - but also some magnetic containers.

Here are our supplies - tin snips, tacky glue, paint, magnets, rocks, ribbon, fabric and little containers.

A few stickers, feathers, and embellisments were used too.  We also used a frame and matte.  We purchased as much as possible from the dollar store - the one where things really are a dollar. 

Cookie Sheet - $1

Stones - $1 per bag

Containers - $1 per 10

11 x 14 Frame - $1 

The other items were purchased at a local craft store.

Paint - $.50 each

Magnets - $6.99 for 50 magnets (they had smaller quantities for less)

Fabric - 1/4 yard- 1/2 yard - prices vary - we paid $2.99 per yard

Ribbon - $1.50 per roll

Matte - $3.99

If you need to buy the tacky glue and tinsnips

That size tacky glue - which is way more than you need for this project was $5.99.
 The tinsnips from a local hardware store was $9.99.

Snip the edge of of the cookie sheet

(be very careful - it will have very sharp edges
 - totally suggest this be done by an adult)

Use tacky glue and a foam brush to spread the glue to secure the fabric around the cookie sheet
Remove the glass from the frame

Place the matte in the frame
Now the fabric covered metal sheet

Followed by the back of the frame

Decorate the frame and matte to your hearts content.

This is Becca's Board!

This is Misti's Board

I will add my board tomorrow!

The girls painted the bottom of their stones and also painted the lids of their containers to personalize and perk them up a little before adding the magnets.

I'm going to try to make a few magnetic stones with fabric tomorrow.

The boys went shopping too - but they went to a more manly store - Best Buy!  They always enjoy that store. I was even presented with a sweet surprise from my wonderful husband, a few things that he found on their trip.  I got my car charger and a new phone case, a pink Otterbox!  YEAH, ME! 

Here is my board with the fabric stone magnets...

That's enough!

(Phil 4:5 KJV) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

self-control
tempations
strongholds

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coming soon!

what's your draw?!?!

Cookie Swap!

    This seems to be one of the most tiring weeks of the year at work.  The phones ring nonstop with our clients finalizing their programs and our staff busily ensuring the success of our part for each of the events.  Every night, I have wanted to just come home and drop.  Tonight, though, was the big event - The Great Cookie Exchange! 

      I remember as a little girl the times that Gramma would go to a cookie exchange.  Away she would go with her big container of cookies - usually taking her yummy sugar cookies which had been decorated so pretty for the holidays.  She said when she would be home later, she would be returning with a new batch of cookies.  It was so fun to open her container and see so many different kinds of cookies.  All kinds of shapes, sizes and flavors and all were delicious.  For years I've talked to my sisters-in-law and friends, wondering if they wanted to have one...either they didn't want to or time would fly by and we just wouldn't get around to having one.  This year we finally did it and it was so worth the wait.  Tracey was the hostess with her home decorated so beautifully, nice and festive for Christmas.  It was a small group of sweet friends getting together with their home baked creations to share.  I hope it becomes an annual event!