Observing My Senses

For Today, March 30, 2013...

I am seeing...a floor that needs vacuuming.  A pineapple ready to hit the grill.  A sunshiny beautiful day.

I am feeling...God's presence as He moves in ways I hadn't expected.  He is so good, all of the time!

I am hearing...birds chirping.  Lots of them.  The windows are open, and their singing fills the air.

I am tasting...pigs in a blanket.  Simple fare, but tasty and satisfying.

I am smelling...biscuits.  There is no other aroma so comforting as that of baked breads.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Good Friday

Today, rather than my usual Friday posts, I want to share this Bible verse and ask that you all meditate and remember the great sacrifice that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ made for you and me.  If you have not received Christ as your personal Savior, may I urge you to take the time and seek Him?  He is waiting for you.  He loves you.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 - Isaiah 53:5,6

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

I'm taking a quick break to spend some time with my friends at the porch before my oldest son comes out for the beginning of his birthday celebration!  And what's even better, one of the questions is mine!  Thanks to Patrice and Wendell at Everyday Ruralty for hosting and letting me join in.


1. Melanie asks "What kinds of seafood have you tried and liked? What is the most unique seafood you've eaten?
I love all different kinds of seafood:  shrimp, lobster, clams, sea bass, salmon, tilapia, etc.  Crab I'm not fond of.  The most unique seafood I had years ago was fried eel at a sushi place.  It was surprisingly delicious.

2. Anne says, "An unforgettable holiday moment is_____________________. (She's on the other side of that BIG pond. I believe a holiday is a vacation on this side. )
I guess it would be the time we took my sister to Disney World.  Despite the fact that she was in her late 20's or early 30's (can't remember which) she was as giddy as a little girl.  Seeing her so happy made me happier still.

3. Arlene wants to know, "When was the last time you tried something new?"
Funny you should ask! (Or shall I say, funny I should ask, since this is my question, heehee).  I'm baking a cream cheese pound cake from scratch for the first time for my son's birthday today.  I'm really hoping it's a hit, otherwise I'll have to break out some Duncan Hines!

4. Becky asks, "Who or what inspires you?"
Missionaries inspire me.  Men and women who are willing to leave family, friends, and the comforts of home to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ remind me that any little thing I can do here to impact the kingdom of God is worthwhile.

5. Madonna wants to know," How did you chose the names of your children. Wendell adds,"If you don't have kids, how do you choose pet names?"
Since I don't share my children's names on my blog for privacy reasons, I will just say this:  my oldest son's name is Biblical, my daughter's name I got from a cartoon princess, and my youngest son was named by his older siblings.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today, March 26, 2013...

Outside my window...it's COLD!  Yesterday it was in the low 80's.  This morning it's in the upper 50's.  What's going on here?!  It's hard to figure out what the weather will be from one day to the next.

I am thinking...of things to do this week so my son won't complain of boredom.

I am thankful for...my income tax refund!  It finally got entered into my account this morning.  It only took 6 weeks :P.  I guess that's not too bad, considering it's the government.  :/

I am going...to the church office this morning to do some volunteer work.

I am wearing...my pj's.  Okay, so I haven't changed yet.  I'll get into proper attire in a moment.

I am noticing...the weather alerts every morning.  We've had so little rain the last few months that now we're on brush fire alert.

In the kitchen...ribs in the oven, baked beans, and garlic bread.  I was gonna make the ribs on the grill, but I won't be here to tend to them.  It's easier to put them in the oven on low and let the oven do all the work.

I am reading...yeah, still on Ruby.  I'm getting closer to the end though.

I am hoping...this week is one of reflection and gratitude to our Lord.

I am looking forward to...Good Friday service, Saturday service, and Easter Sunday.

I am hearing...my daughter getting ready to have breakfast with some friends, and my youngest son getting up.

Around the house...I've gotten so much done this week even I'm amazed.  I got the grass cut yesterday (yay!).  The only thing left is the master bathroom which keeps getting put to the bottom of the list.

A favorite quote of the day..."Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ." - Billy Graham.

One of my favorite things...helping the local church and community.

A few plans for the rest of the week...tomorrow is my oldest son's 26th birthday, so I'm baking him a cream cheese pound cake from scratch.  Thursday will be a cleaning and catch up day.  Friday is church, Saturday church, Easter Sunday church again.

Wanna join in the fun?  Visit Peggy at the Simple Woman's Daybook.  God bless.

Move It Mondays

Good morning, and welcome to the beginning of Holy Week.  We are taking time to celebrate the greatest gift ever given, eternal life through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  If you haven't accepted this gift, let me encourage you to do so.  It's free!  Jesus paid the price for your sins; no one has ever loved you more.  Take a moment to thank Him, and to accept the gift of salvation.  It's a decision you will never regret.

I had a busy weekend and now have a busy week ahead of me.  Saturday was cleaning day, and boy did I do some major cleaning!  Even Molly got her much needed bath, which the weather and schedule finally allowed for.  Palm Sunday we went to church and enjoyed listening to an excellent sermon by our new pastor.  This man is seriously on fire for the Lord!  It is encouraging as well as convicting to hear him speak.  I'm so looking forward to Good Friday and Easter Sunday!

I didn't get my shopping completed this weekend because of all the other stuff going on, so I'm making a Walmart run this morning.  There are some special things I need to buy to make my oldest son's birthday cake on Wednesday.  My baby will be turning 26 (where has the time gone?!) and I have been wanting to try this recipe for a cream cheese pound cake made from scratch.  All I need to buy is the cake flour and the cream cheese, so I'm going for it.  Once I get back from Walmart, I need to get the master bathroom cleaned up.  It was the only thing I had planned to do on Saturday that didn't get done.  I sort of put it off, since bathroom cleaning is my least favorite chore (when will someone invent a self-cleaning bathroom?  Please!).  I'll be making steak today, possibly pepper steak or just plain old steak with rice.  Let's see if I find some nice peppers at the store.

Tomorrow I'm volunteering at the church office.  We've been filling bags with candy to give out on Easter Sunday.  There are just over 500 bags filled, and another 300 to go.  There are also some paper bag puppets being made to give out to the preschoolers.  I helped trace lion's manes last week which my daughter cut out, and we still have the lambs to be made.  It's a lot of work but a joy to see the children's faces light up at the simple gifts.

Wednesday is R's birthday, and the day will be dedicated to spending time with him.  I'm sure his friends will come over, so I hope the cake turns out good!  I hope to barbecue some chicken that day, though it's supposed to be cold.  Our weather this month has been absolutely bi-polar.  This weekend temps were in the mid to upper 80's.  It's already 75 degrees now, but the weather is scheduled to take a turn, with temps dropping into the 50's tonight and 40's tomorrow night!  It's hard to decide what to wear when the weather is so crazy.  I just hope we don't get rain on Wednesday.

Thursday should be an interesting day.  I finally got the update from the IRS - our refund will be credited to our account on March 28!  Saturday I got a letter from H&R Block stating that the IRS had issues with returns containing form 8863, which is the Education Credit.  Since my daughter was in school last spring I took the credit, and that's what was holding up my refund.  Thankfully there were no errors on my part (that was what concerned me the most), and the money should be in the bank this week.  Thank You Jesus!

Good Friday will be a day of meditating on the Lord's sacrifice.  We will be in church at noon for Good Friday service and communion, then spending time in the Word.  It's a time for reflection; does my life show my gratitude for what Christ has done for me?

Saturday night I've been asked by my old church to help out in children's ministry.  They are short-handed because so many people are on vacation this week.  I volunteered to teach the 2nd and 3rd graders, and I have to prepare for that.  Honestly, I haven't even read the lesson yet :(.  I will get to it though, I promise.

Easter Sunday we have no big plans other than church on Sunday morning.  Since my daughter interns at her church she will most likely be gone the entire day.  Easter Sunday is a day of celebration, so we will most likely celebrate the way I love most - barbecuing!  Perhaps the Lord will bring a family in need to us to share our gratitude with.  I'm certainly open to whatever He sends my way.

Well, I'd better get a move on.  As you can see, I'm not kidding about being busy!  Take some time to reflect on God's goodness every chance you get.  He loves you, and wants only the best for you.  Have a blessed week.

Observing My Senses

For Today, March 23, 2013...

I am seeing...the wet ground after yesterday's showers.  Today we're supposed to get temps in the mid-80's, so the ground won't be wet for long.

I am feeling...the need to do a major overhaul in my house.  Must be spring is here!

I am hearing...peace and quiet.  My daughter is getting ready to do a water distribution for the church, but she's not making noise.

I am tasting...nothing yet.  I'm making eggs, sausages, bacon and hash browns.

I am smelling...coffee.  I got that brewing first of all.

It just takes a moment to observe your surroundings.  Won't you join me?

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun

It's not the end of the week till I get my Friday Four Fill-In's done.  Take the challenge at Feeling Beachie.  Hilary will appreciate it.


This week’s statements:
1. My ___ is my least favorite feature
My chin is my least favorite feature.

2. I was very ____ as a child
I was very shy and quiet as a child.

3. The first room I clean in my house is___ because___
The first room I clean in my house is the kitchen because I can't cook in a messy room.

4. If I had the guts to ____then I could ____
If I had the guts to ride a roller coaster than I could enjoy amusement parks more.