Italy Mission Trip

Please pray for my son JohnDavid and his friend Danny as they are in Italy for 2 weeks with a missionary family there, Paul and Kelly Childers. Prayers for continued safety during travel and while they are out, and that the Lord will allow them to reach souls for Christ, and to be an encouragement to the Childers family who graciously allowed them to stay in their home, and to others.

The Tyrrhenian Sea

sMiLeS,

New pic ♥

My daughter and her family.

sMiLeS,

Avocado!! ♥♥♥

Avocado Tuna Salad & Avocado Cream Cheese Bacon Roll-Ups

I love avocado, even by itself... it just needs a little salt.
Seriously.  Avocados are a great snack!  ♥

So I saw a recipe on facebook that had avocado, with tuna.  Avocado Tuna Salad.  I was a bit dubious... mess up my avocado w/ tuna?!
But I tried it and although not a hit with my guys, lol, it was pretty good!
Pics and recipe here.  I added tomato.  =)


She has more avocado recipes!  =)





But the Avocado Cream Cheese Bacon Roll-Ups were divine!
I added a little more bacon than the recipe called for, and a little less tomato, for my guys.  ;)

I used these low-carb tortillas (5 net carbs each), and spread it on pretty thick, and the recipe made five.  These are about 8 inches across, and are thin and easy to roll up.  After refrigerating awhile, they slice pretty easily.

I cut the cream cheese into about 6 chunks and microwaved 30 seconds at a time until it was spreadable.  I only mashed up the avocado with a fork because I don't mind if there are small chunks.  =)
Add in crisp bacon, diced onions, and seasonings.
Yummy!

Pics and recipe here.

My youngest daughter knows how to drive...
but she doesn't avocado!


sMiLeS,

Sweet Little Family ♥

My daughter and son-in-law with their little ones. ♥

Caleb & Rebekah, with Carson and Callie ♥

sMiLeS,

♥Notebooks and My Bible Reading

So I'm kind of excited!  This is something I just can't wait to share, and it may not matter to one single other person, but that's okay, because I am excited!  =)

I love notebooks.  I enjoy studying... (okay, I've lost a few of you already, lol).  But I really do!  I love sitting at my desk with my notebook and Bible, favorite pen, highlighters (yes, I like several colors!), my Old or New Testament Survey book, and anything else I might need!  Like whiteout.  =D


For several years now, I've been filling up notebooks.  I use the same notebook for sermon notes, ladies meetings, etc. as well as my daily Bible reading.  During my daily reading, I usually only write down verses that mean something to me, and not too many notes.  And I don't even write something every day!
Those notebooks aren't pictured here - too messy, lol, and just my own scribbles...

I do make notations in my Bible, highlight or underline in my Bible and my Survey books, and cross reference when I see something I want to remember later.
(If you have small children, don't despair... I didn't do this when mine were small!  Or even medium...)

But when I come across a great verse or passage that I really, really want to remember later, in my notebook I will highlight the reference or a phrase in the verse... but then I can't always find them.  I have a small stack of notebooks with lots of stuff in them...  =) =)



So last month, I actually paid $10 for one medium-sized notebook.  I seriously did.  I came across it at a Mast General Store in Boone, NC, and there was only one.  For me.  ♥ ;)
I was so excited because there was a different design on every page!  I prefer color, different designs, something that does not look the same on both sides (kind of like my face, lol).
I didn't know yet what I was going to do with it, but I have a weakness for pretty notebooks.  I simply had to get it.  And it is has a sturdy, hard cover.
The designs inside this particular notebook are not already colored in, but I've used a highlighter on a few pages.

Lang notebook, artist for this notebook - Susan Winget

I was pleased when I finally decided that I could use this notebook as a place to write down my favorite verses and passages that really touch my heart!♥  In addition to scripture, I am including songs or quotes that I treasure as well.

This song is also called I Am Thine, O, Lord.

These verses speak to me... Ps. 139:17-18, 23-24; Ps. 119:97-105

The second notebook that I will talk about is a disc-bound notebook.  It has removable pages, but the whole notebook lays flat and can fold back similarly to a regular notebook, not a binder.  (I just... honestly do not care for binders.... ;)
(This video talks about different brands.)
I haven't used subject notebooks in a long time... When my kids were homeschooling, we had one notebook for math, and one or two notebooks for everything else!  But too many times I wished I could insert another page somewhere... or sometimes ended up with a section that simply didn't get used up and had blank pages sitting there.

I had seen these notebooks several times at Staples, and loved them.  But again, didn't know what I would use it for!  I finally did purchase it when I had a $5.00 coupon that was about to run out!  =)

Love the color and design! ♥

So far I'm using this notebook for two things, one being my prayer list.  I like to write out more things than just a simple list; I want to be specific.  For example, I have listed for my husband and children things I'm thankful for, as well as particular things to pray about.  (For me too!  So I hope no one reads my list!!)  But sometimes I have updates to add that require another page, or just more pages in a certain section, and it's easy to put in an extra page when necessary.

UPDATE: I'm now using PrayerMate - an app that does exactly what I want.  I can have daily lists, lists for certain days of the week, or even a day of the month.  Or the 1st, 10th, and 20th.  etc.  Or if someone has an upcoming exam, or a surgery, you can schedule several days ahead to remember to let others know ahead of time to pray... or to schedule food for their family, etc.  However you want.
It even works well with the Charlotte Mason method of reviewing scripture you've memorized!

Also available are divider pages like the green tab on on the left, as well as pocket pages and other accessories.

--I advise not to remove pages too often.. =)

The main things I'm putting in this notebook for now are verses and passages that are so necessary for those problem areas in my life!  We all have them - those "Till Death Do Us Part" problems!  Those areas that just always seem to get the best of us at the worst times...

I already had a few "go-to" passages and chapters, and am adding more to my list as I come across them.  I have a few verses that are just good to review frequently, and I've grouped others into categories.  I'm writing out some of the smaller passages and individual verses, so it is easier than having to go look them all up each time I have need of them!
The longer passages or chapters are only listed by their references.


sMiLeS,

Callie & Carson ♥

2 years old and 6 months old

Love her little feet sticking out! ♥

He's a happy baby! =D 

sMiLeS,

A Little Off...

I have been THREE CENTS off in my checkbook for several days! I added and re-added, and checked my entries for accuracy....
This morning, I wrote down some more entries, and of course, I was still 3 cents off... then I glanced back a few pages, and suddenly I saw it! An error, on my part of course.  I fixed it and the next few pages, and now my balance is correct.
Thankfully there was only one error. If there are two, it is even more difficult to find, because you don't know what the two errors are that add up to __ cents, or dollars!

It's the same in our Christian lives... we skip (or even just skimp, or hurry thru) on our Bible reading, and things get off, and we end up snapping at our children or spouse, and things just go down hill from there! Even more "errors" add up, and it snowballs...


My problem was, I was starting at the wrong place to begin my scrutiny... I wasn't going back far enough.  I always place a bold check mark at the last point where I have everything balanced correctly.  A few entries before that, my total ended in a 6, then there were a few entries ending in zero, and then the entry where my mark was, at which I had my total with the last digit as a 9 instead of 6... and then placed a check mark there!  Six minus zero does not equal 9!
I had approved the very spot with the error!
No wonder I was wrong -- I checked and re-checked every entry after that, but had actually okayed the error!
I was blind to checking the one detail that was the whole problem.

Psalm 19:12 "...cleanse thou me from secrets faults."

And a false sense of security, thinking I have more in the bank than I do, will get me into trouble!!
It's best to keep checking up often!
We check on our cars if there is a little noise, we check on our health if we sense something is wrong, a few times a day we check our hair and clothes in the mirror...
Measure yourself against the Word... if there is a verse that makes you a bit uncomfortable, that you just want to skim by, you've found an error in your life... =)
God's Word is like a mirror! It shows us for who we really are.

Stay in the Word! Read for meaning, not to check off x number of chapters. Get something from it so it can help you. Be looking for verses and God will show you what you need...


Psalms and Proverbs are great places to start... Look for verses that show you where you need to change, but also look for verses that show God's love for you!  Getting close to him is the only way you can change. ♥



Psalm 16:11 "...and in thy presence is fullness of joy..."

Psalm 8:4 "What is man, that thou art mindful of him?"  [But he is!]

Genesis 16:13 "Thou, God, seest me..." ♥

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 25:1-7
"Unto thee, O Lord , do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord , thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord."

I encourage everyone to watch this message, even if you do read your Bible daily.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rveawoJgyhg
So much in this message...



sMiLeS,

Jesus Loves Me, 8-9-10!

22 months old



sMiLeS,

Carson♥ Smiling at Mommy

9 weeks old

Look at those squishy cheeks!! ♥

He is so precious!! ♥♥♥





sMiLeS,

Six Points for Self-Examination

I John... One of my favorite books because I need it so much.  It is so easy to hold a grudge against someone, to hold onto being offended... I John is my go-to book when I'm feeling that way.
Also Ephesians 4:32 - "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

I read I John this morning, and saw where I had marked the six points at an earlier time, found listed in a book I was reading.  It was a good reminder.
They are in the first 2 chapters of I John, and each begins with "if we say" or "he that saith."

I think the entire chapter needs to be read, not just the exact verses.  There are so many verses surrounding that go along with the point.  So I will copy/paste the first 2 chapters here.  I encourage you to read, and really think about the verses around each point.

I John 1(KJV)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

II John 2(KJV)

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.

27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

sMiLeS,

Happy 4th of July!

Callie (19 months) Carson (18 days)

Kisses ♥

Callie and her little friend from church

sMiLeS,

Mother's Day

Callie is 17 months old, and Rebekah is 8 months pregnant here... cannot tell from front view!

Being silly while Grandma was trying to get my picture! =D 

sMiLeS,

Callie ♥

14 months


sMiLeS,

Big Sister

At a family cookout, they just waited as one by one, we all noticed the shirt....

Coming June, 2016 ♥


sMiLeS,

Creamy Chicken Soup

My Mom's recipe! So good!
Bethany requested this soup while she was home from college this weekend.  =) =)

• 4-5 chicken breasts, cooked with 1/4 c. powdered chicken bouillon 
• 6 carrots, sliced
  
• 4 med. potatoes, cubed
  
• 1 large chopped onion
• 4 stalks sliced celery, sliced (or broccoli)
  
• 1 large can green peas
• 6 cubes chicken bouillon (IF you didn't use the ↑ powdered chicken flavor bouillon)
• 1 tsp. poultry seasoning (I don't use any)
  
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 T. garlic salt
• 1 T. dried basil leaves
• ½ stick butter
• 1 tsp pepper
• shredded cheese (optional)
  
  

►In 1½ gallon soup pot ½ full of water, cook chicken with bouillon on med heat, covered, for about 2½ - 3 hours until tender.  Remove chicken, let cool, cut into cubes, and put back into pot.

►Add in all vegetables.  Carrots, potatoes, onions, celery, and green peas, undrained.
Add all seasonings and butter, except bullion cubes.
Add water to about 1-2 inches from the top.

►If you did not use the Knorr powdered bouillon while cooking the chicken, spoon out a little of the hot broth into a small bowl and drop in the bullion cubes.  Crush cubes with back of spoon and stir until dissolved.  Pour back into pot.

►Bring to a boil, then cover and turn down on medium for about 45 minutes or more.

►After vegetables are tender, you can let it simmer on low until time to serve.

►Then bring to a boil, and in small bowl with about ½ c. cold water, spoon in a few spoonfuls of sifted flour, and stir with a whisk.  Add a little flour until mixture in the bowl is beginning to look like gravy.  Quickly pour into the boiling soup (so it will go to the bottom of the pot) and the soup will thicken.  (repeat if not thick enough)  Remove from heat.

►Makes about a gallon and a half.

If you do not add as much water or if you leave out some things so that your amount of soup ends up being less, you may want to cut down on the seasonings accordingly.
If you are not able to do all the chopping, etc, you can use canned potatoes and carrots, leaving in the liquid.
When serving, you can add a sprinkling of cheese in each bowl.
My kids sometimes like this over rice.

sMiLeS,

Mommy & Baby ♥

Rebekah & Callie, 10 months

♥ ♥ ♥  My favorite  ♥ ♥ ♥

She loves playing peek-a-boo in the curtains!

Lol, love Rebekah's socks.  =D

Awww! ♥

Walking out to see Daddy playing football w/ the guys  =) =) =)

sMiLeS,