Preaching to Myself

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

Have you been in a place in your life where you do your best to give it to the Lord? Let Him handle your fears? And then when He doesn’t deliver, feel forsaken?
I have had many fears over the years, in the last few years and then most recently in the past couple of months. Fears that I cannot share and choose not to share. Today some of those fears are still there, I told the Lord about them, begged Him to hear me, tried to do everything “right” and yet I have not been delivered from my fears. Instead they have increased. I feel forsaken…I don’t understand. I feel broken and want to be healed…it will take time, I know the pieces can be fixed.
I was thinking that Jesus has never told us, His children, that He needs to give us an explanation…He has just told us to trust, lean not on our own understanding, place our yoke upon Him, serve Him, KNOW Him, keep our mind on Him. My stomach is in knots knowing that I have no explanation to the why’s of my present situation…it’s in knots as the future hangs in the balance.

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Psalm 34:15

I had to keep reading that passage to be reminded in spite of my feelings of forsakedness (that’s probably not a word!) that God heard me and He still hears me.

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. “ Psalm 34:19-20

God is still near. And I still have to believe that deliverance is mine because He says, “delivereth him out of them ALL!” I really can’t see God’s hand right now, I need to trust His heart.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28
This present situation is for my good because I love God and this is a part of His purpose.

So, yes Lord I really don’t know what You are doing; but I don’t have to know it all…You don’t have to offer an explanation because You are God! Somehow, I will muster the strength to praise You, sacrifice my feelings of fear and praise You because You still love me and I still love You!

Rolo Cookies

I made these cookies yesterday and just had to share the recipe! So yummy and fast to make!

1 bag Rolos
2 eggs
1/3 c. Oil
Devil Food cake mix

Mix cake mix, oil and eggs. (I had to add a lil water) Take small ball of dough, just enough to cover the rolo and form into a ball around the rolo.
Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 7-8 minutes.
Yields approximately 3 dozen. I used up the entire bag of rolos!
Taste like a candy bar!

15 Months

Klayton You Are 15 months:

This month, you:
• Had your first sucker, it was grape and you loved it!
• Started saying, "up".

You:
• Wear size 4 diapers.
• Weigh in at 22 lbs.
• Wear mostly 12 month clothes and a few 18 month.
• Wear size 4 shoes.
• Have discovered the art of picking your nose. Gross!
• Hum and "sing a long" with the radio!
• Spin and make yourself dizzy!
• Have become a self feeder...this is a huge blessing to me.
• Are testing and learning your boundaries.
• You have decided that you are anti-crib...sad.
• Still determined as ever!
• Love to play chase. Its so fun to chase you and then have you chase us.
• When you get really tired you become very hyper!
• It seems that you are always getting a new bruise as you have discovered running is faster than walking; but not always safer!
• Have a few favorite toys. Victor, your teddy bear and your golf clubs!
• Love to climb stairs and you are fast!
• I think you might have a sock fetish like mommy! You always seem to have a sock in hand and if we let you I think you would take them with you everywhere we went!
• When you want to be picked up, you reach your hands upward and say, "up".
• I think you are stretching your vocal chords because I'm always hearing you make new sounds. I think talking is right around the corner!
• You like to walk around the house carrying anything from socks to the wii remotes.
• Made the discovery that running is faster than walking.
• Help unload the dishwasher.
• When I say, "come here" you know what it means and I love it!
* Still say, mama the most! Up is now a close second, followed by daddy!
* Enjoy tearing paper!

Project 365: Days 14-20

Day 14-Unhappy...this was not on purpose! Apparently, Klayton did not want his picture taken!


Day 15-Sitting


Day 16-Brushing teeth...Klayton loves having his teeth brushed! Next tooth brush will be one that he can hold on his own!


Day 17-Favorite toy! Victor the bear!


Day 18-Standing, which also means walking and a very difficult task to get a decent picture!


Day 19-Random! I found a pair of monkey pajamas, similar to ones he had when he was just a few months old! They had to be bought! I should mention, this photo was taken at bed time...one of my favorite times together! We always gather in bed to pray and read our Bibles together before official bed time, a memory I will always cherish!


Day 20-Snow Day, first time playing in snow.

Homemade Baby Wipes

So, as I have mentioned many times in the past I am addicted to Pinterest! Very addicted! Well, my latest find on there was homemade baby wipes and since I was nearing the end of mine, I decided it was time to make my own! After all I already had the supplies at home: baby wash, baby oil, paper towel and water! This would definitely be a savings! I tried to follow the recipe I was given but ended up kind of making up my own, ha! Can I just say how much I love them more than store bought baby wipes? Yep, I love them a whole lot more! Klayton is very prone to diaper rash and if he sits in a dirty diaper for even the shortest amount of time he always ends up red and stays that way through the next 2-3 diaper changes. However, since I have been using the homemade wipes this doesn't happen, the red is always gone by the next diaper change! I can tell its definitely better for his skin and yes even better than store bought wipes that are made for sensitive skin! And usually I can get away way using only 1 wipe per dirty diaper; but there have been a few cases where I needed more!
This is what I did!
1. Took a paper towel roll and cut it in half with a butcher knife. I used one half now and put the other half up for next time!
2. I poured 1 cup warm water, squirted a few shots of baby wash and baby oil in the water and put it in a small rubber maid plastic container.
3. The paper towels, about half of the roll were already in the container and soaked the mixture up very quickly so I put the rest of the paper towels in and repeated step 2.
4. The towels seemed to need a little more moisture so I ended up adding another 1/2 cup of water and a couple more shots of baby oil and wash!
I am sure you can find an exact recipe online, at pinterest or anywhere for that matter! I just had to share...oh, another thing I haven't had to use any diaper rash cream in a week! Yay!

Project 365-Days 7-13

Day 7-Eating


Day 8-All dressed up


Day 9-Outside


Day 10-In the Stroller


Day 11-Climbing


Day 12-In Pajamas


Day 13-Close Up

'Til the Storm Passes By

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:" Isaiah 26:3-4

Isaiah is giving us the remedy for dealing with the storms of life.

Yes, there will be storms in the forecast for us. Storms are inevitable. But we also have the confident assurance that the Lord will shelter us in the storms.

He will not always use the same methods to protect us, but He will do so. At times He will allow the storms to pass by on each side while we are protected in the palm of His hand.

At other times He will permit us to go through some violent storm. I think He does this to show how true believers should react when our world is turned upside down.

Do you want peace in the midst of your storm? Place your trust in the Lord and do not allow the storm to shake your faith. Praise the Lord that He is greater than any storm we will encounter!


TILL THE STORM PASSES BY
(Mosie Lister)

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me, and there's no hiding place.
'Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Chorus
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered, "There is no need to try,
For there's no end of sorrow, there's no hope by and by"
But I know Thou art with me, and tomorrow I'll rise
Where the storms never darken the skies.

Chorus
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence on the bright peaceful shore;
In that land where the tempest, never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Chorus
Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more,
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky;
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand,
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

10 on Tuesday

1. Since its a hour and a half until Wednesday, I decided that I just might want to post on Tuesday...per the title of this post!
2. Today my dad surprised us and came for a visit. He took us to lunch and just enjoyed some time together.
3. Last week Joseph's parents were here for a visit. We had a good time with them, don't know when we will get to see them again.
4. During my inlaws visit we accomplished lots around the house. We painted the dining room, changed locks on one of the doors, put in a motion light outside and I really feel like we did something else; but its just not coming to me right now.
5. Tomorrow I get to go to the doctor. Ugh. Its a good thing I like my doctor. Just going in for a check up.
6. Looking forward to Friday and getting my hair trimmed. Klayton will also be getting his trimmed as well.
7. I have been wanting to get rid of a lot of my cleaning products because of all their chemicals and because I have a little boy that gets into EVERYTHING! So, I have been switching to vinegar, baking soda and Dawn dish soap. Vinegar has so many amazing uses, as does baking soda.
8. Its been gorgeous outside and we have been loving it. Today we went for a walk and it was so enjoyable. Unfortunately, "they" say snow is in the forecast tomorrow.
9. I have not been a good blogger lately. I really do have so much to say; but yet I just can't right now. Hate times like these.
10. My daily reminder to self: God IS good, God IS right.

Project 365-Days 1 to 6

So, I started Project 365 on Sunday and quickly realized that my picture ideas are great; but they might now always work for that day. I am still trying to follow the list and just cross things off from the month ideas as I do it!
Day One-Happy


Day Two-Sleep


Day Three-Game Day (this was added to my list as the Wolverines were in the Sugar Bowl)


Day Four-Drinking from cup


Day Five-Sitting in high chair


Day 6-Mischievious