so thankful for the truth of God's Word.

a new journal

Does anyone else who keeps a journal have a hard time writing on the first page? I have such hesitation staring at the first blank page that my natural instinct is to turn the page so my first words would be hidden behind the first page. Because what if my penmanship is poor the first page? I will have to see that every subsequent day. Do I begin with cursive? What if I want to switch to print? What I write in the first lines could be too telling. What if someone mistakingly claims it and reads a few words before realizing their error? I don't want the tone of the first page to set the pace for everything else, I want to wait for the right tone-setter. So I leave the first page blank, so there is room to write the perfect thing later. To make it look pretty. To not waste anything. Because a journal is a year-long comittment for me, here's to second pages.

the great indoors

this weekend has been a delight.  Although we have been up to our ears in paint (a LONG kitchen cabinet project that I started in May, I don't want to talk about it) we have been able to sneak in some relaxation.  Leave it to football and temporary low temperatures to get this girl into the fall mode.  I know, football?  Me? its not the watching of the game, but the sounds of football in the background while I do something else that is so soothing.

We made chicken noodle soup and chili, put out some delicious smelling candles and I even did some crafting.  That might be why I love fall so much.  It ushers in a season of nestling inside and eating comfort food.  I love being inside.  I am one of the weirdos who grew up in Colorado and somehow does not like to hike.  Call me lame, call me lazy, but I call me a lover of my home, wherever that is, a temporary summer dwelling in the smoky mountains, a small apartment in the semi-ghetto or our new home.

So to marry some of my favorite things, fall and food,  Amy introduced me to the most delicious cookie I  have ever had.  Its a family recipe. The cookie is so moist its like cake.  And its not too sweet, don't let the icing fool you.  Its enough to make you want a fourth.

So here it is

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Mom's Pumpkin Cookies

Sift together:
   2 cups sifted flour
   1 tsp. baking powder
   1 tsp. baking soda
   1 tsp. cinnamon
   1 tsp. salt

Blend in 1 cup of shortening (Amy used butter, and accidentally cut it in half and they were amazing). Add 1 cup of pumpkin, 1 egg, and 1 cup of sugar.  Mix well.

Add 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 cup pecans, and one cup chopped dates or raisins (we were out of raisins and Amy must have not been interested in the dates)

Bake 10-12 minutes.  Frost with caramel frosting

Mom's Never Fail Caramel Frosting:

   1 cup brown sugar
   5 Tbsp butter
   1/4 cup milk (as more as needed)

Boil.  Take off heat and add 1 cup powdered sugar. Beat with egg beater.  If its too thick, add cream.

there is a first for everything

John and I were delighted to kick off the year with the very first NavNight at UNF! John set a perfect tone for our ministry. We want to glorify God, grow spiritually, share the gospel and make generations of Christ-following laborers.

Look who has joined us!

Last weekend I got lucky and traveled to AZ to watxh my sis become a PA MMS.
The weekend was full of good company, good food and all that makes up my sis and her husbands fun and full life.
And I got to eat froyo with my very great friend Becca, who happens to live in small little Gilbert AZ as well. What a lucky gal I am.
And look at this line of beauty I call family. Love you. And April, I am SO proud of you. You can check my moles anytime.