LOVE & WAR

"...In choosing marriage you have chosen an assignment at the frontlines in this epic battle for the human heart. You will face hardship, you will face suffering, you will face opposition, and you will face a lie. The scariest thing a woman ever offers is to believe that she is worth pursuing, to open her heart up to pursuit, to continue to open her heart and offer the beauty she holds inside, all the while fearing it will not be enough. The scariest thing a man ever chooses is to offer his strength without knowing how things will turn out. To take the risk of playing the man before the outcome is decided. To offer his heart of strength while fearing it will not be enough.

A lie is going to come to both of you, starting very soon, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. It can't be done. It's too hard. We had unrealistic expectations. It isn't worth it. The lie to you, wife, will be, 'You are nothing more than a disappointment.' And the lie to you, husband, will be, 'You are not really man enough for this.' And so, I have two words for you today. Words that I want you to keep close in your hearts as you go forward; You are. Wife, you are radiant, you shimmer, you shine, you are a treasure of a woman, a gem, you are. Husband, you are a man, you are strong, and you are valiant. You have what it takes. Hold this close to your hearts. IT CAN BE DONE. AND IT IS WORTH IT."

~LOVE & WAR By John and Stasi Eldredge

Almond Roll Delight

2 pkgs. crescent rolls
2 8oz. cream cheese,softened
2tsp lemon juice
1tsp almond extract
3/4c sugar
1 egg
Glaze:
1/2c confectioners sugar
1 to 2 Tbs. milk
1/4tsp almond extract

Mix cream cheese and sugar well. Add egg,lemon juice and almond extract;set aside
Layer 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of greased 9x13" baking dish,pour cream cheese mixture over the top and top with another can of crescent rolls.
Bake 25 to 30 mins at 350.
Remove from oven and drizzle with glaze.

Battles

"Make sure that whatever battle you’re facing right now is something God intends for you to be in. Otherwise your expectation that God is going to fight for you is ultimately going to lead frustration when you find yourself still fighting in your own strength."
~Pastor Steven Furtick


To Read more on this sermon snippet, go here:
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/spirtual-growth/the-battle-is-not-the-lords/

Day of the Dozers

Spent a fun day with some of my family at Day of the Dozers.....

And what made it even more special is that Jacob moved back home and gave his life to Jesus!

It is so awesome to have him to hang around again....we missed him BIG!

The day was beautiful.....just look at the color of the sky!

Spirituality

"I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone. I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus, who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome, incomprehensible, and unwieldy Mystery. "
— Brennan Manning

The Cross

"The key to change is continually returning to the cross. A changing life is a cross-centered life. At the cross we see our source of sanctification (Ephesians 5:25-27; Colossians 1:22; Titus 2:14). We find hope, for we see the power of sin broken and the old nature put to death. We see ourselves united to Christ and bought by his blood. We see the glorious grace of God in Jesus Christ, dying for his enemies, the righteous for the unrighteous. We see our hope, our life, our resources, our joy. At the cross we find the grace, power, and delight in God we need to overcome sin. If we don’t come to the cross again and again, we’ll feel distant from God, disconnected from his power, and indifferent to his glory — and that is a recipe for sin.”

- Tim Chester, You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions, 127
found at: http://godetchedyourname.blogspot.com/

ANOTHER LIFE TRANSFORMED BY THE CROSS TONITE!!!!! MY BROTHER JACOB GAVE HIS LIFE TO JESUS!!!!YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!!!!!!

Heaven

Gabe told me the other day he's not ready to go to Heaven. He says he wants to go see Paw-Paw Doc but he's not ready to go to Heaven cuz he wants to stay here with Daddy and Mommy......and I thought: That's just fine with me. Of course we want all our kids to give their lives to Jesus and be together in Heaven someday.....but I just can't imagine letting go now...
or ever........I have to keep reminding myself our kids are just "on loan" to us.

You'll Never Wear Him Out

"I believe with all my heart that every adult still has a need to be loved like a child. I didn't say every adult has a need to be treated like a child. We'll leave that to the narcissists.
I said we have a need to be LOVED like a child.
Here's the good news: you can indeed look for that kind of love from God, and He will always love you and take care of you like the perfect father does his child.

"Even when you are old, I will be the same.
Even when your hair has turned gray,
I will take care of you.
I made you and will take care of you.
I will carry you and save you."
~Isaiah 46:4

If you've lived your life looking for someone to take care of you but always end up taking care of everyone else, your search is over. God has what you need, and you'll never wear Him out."

~Beth Moore from SO LONG INSECURITY, YOU'VE BEEN A BAD FRIEND TO US

Sermon Snippets

"...In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to seperate us from the LOVE of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
~ROMANS 8:37-39

"Because of Jesus, we are more than conquerors. We fight a battle that's already been won."


"Conquerors fight earthly battles...More than conquerors fight ETERNAL battles.
Conquerors overcome by force...more than conquerors overcome by FAITH.
Conquerors are victorious over their struggles...more than conquerors are victorious
IN their struggles."


*Joshua and the Israelites shouted for victory BEFORE they had even drawn the first sword.

~Pastor Steven Furtick

WEEKEND RECAP

Sorry I haven't been posting, but these adorable Muskateers kept me busy this weekend.
We had soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun. Now I must sleep........Goodnight ;)

Things Unseen

“Unseen. Things Unseen. Invest in Things Unseen.”

For more, go to:
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/08/when-your-trying-to-get-your-priorities.html

Lookin Sharp

Butterfinger Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
~Mix as usual then add:
3/4 cup applesauce
1 full size butterfinger candybar (chopped in pieces)

~Bake @ 350 til golden brown...serve warm.

Mom made this cake tonite and used a Toffeebar instead and it was AMAZING!!!

Pictures-6 months!

Dear Aubrie Grace....
Just yesterday you looked like this and you were 5 mths old.....

a happy happy little girl.... still lovin' sucking your thumb....

Lovin' yer johnny jumper.....

Lovin' playing with yer toes, even when you can't get to them......
and then time just kept going faster...

and you kept growin.....you started sittin up halfway thru 5 mths.....

you have kept yer long lashes and blue eyes....you remain chubby and squishable

(which is the way we like our babies )

you roll to get all over the place at 6 mths....you are rockin back n forth on all fours....

you love your walker, but the exersaucer only for small amounts of time...unless Gabe and Ellie are playing around you in the same room....then you will sit forever and watch them ;)

They love you so much......and love to help Mommy take care of you...

you look exactly like Gabe did at this age...

and Ellie just LOVES to "mother" you ;)

We love you sweetpea.....and thank God for the gift of you!!!

Go and Smile....

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

No words of wisdom today other than: Go to this blogspot and you will SMILE
if you haven't seen it already. What an amazing gift this woman has!!!!

Photo Shoot #2

THANK YOU girls for a great time today....you were so much fun and each of you have the most beautiful smile!!! Blessings to you as you start your senior year and may you feel God's arms holding you close as you head out into the big, big world ;)

Pictures-Senior Girls Photo Shoot #1

Had so much fun today shooting these beautiful senior girls....they did awesome!!!