Butterscotch Bars

This is another absolute divine recipe from Heavenly Homemakers. So far I think it's my favorite.

Butterscotch Bars
1 cup melted butter
1-3/4 cups sucanat
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Stir melted butter and sucanat together. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Stir in flour and mix until well combined. Pour batter into a 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Pledges

Mike and I were talking flags the other day and it reminded me of the pledges we did every morning in middle school. I didn't realize it but Mike had actually never heard of the Christian flag and he didn't know there were pledges to the Christian flag or the Bible. I tried to remember the words but I got myself all confused so I thought I better look them up and give myself a refresher course.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I pledge allegiance to the Christian Flag and to the Savior for whose Kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again with life and liberty to all who believe.
I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God's Holy Word, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and will hide its words in my heart that I might not sin against God.

Missions Monday ~ Tolsons

Last Sunday we had this sweet couple come to our church and speak about their calling to be missionaries to China. They are currently at 67% of their support. It is their desire, Lord willing, to go to the field in August 2010.

Here is a little excerpt from their website.

We are the Tolson Family, my name is Mark, my wife is Natasha, and we have one daughter Ava. We believe God has called us to be church-planting missionaries to the country of China! We are sent out of Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA under the leadership of Pastor Austin Gardner.

I was born into a Christian family and had the opportunity of growing up in a home that served God faithfully. But it wasn't until I was a teenager that I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

Shortly after, I surrendered to be a missionary. Since then I have been preparing for the mission field. I attended Bible college and received a bachelors degree in missions, spent six months on the mission field, and worked on the pastoral staff of Vision Baptist Church for two years.

While working at Vison Baptist Church I met my wife. We were married on August 18, 2007. We have finished our training at the Church and have gained much of the necessary experience before starting deputation and heading toward the field.

We are now on fulltime deputation with the hopes of leaving for the feild in the fall of 2010.

--------------------

Another blurb from their website:

Our baby has what is known as “Body Stalk Anomaly.” Basically, all the organs from the midchest down have developed outside the body and have attached themselves to the wall of the placenta. This condition makes the baby “incompatible with life.” If the baby does make it full term then it will most likely pass away during the birthing process or live very shortly thereafter. With that being said, please be in prayer for the baby, my wife, and our family. The baby is currently living, and Natasha will continue to carry the baby as long as it lives. We know the Lord is in control, and we will continue as normal to see what the Lord does.

Prayer Requests:

• Meet their goal of full support by August
• Natasha to stay healthy through this pregnancy
• God's will to be done regarding the baby
• Safety and strength as the family travels around visiting churches

Project 365 ~ Week 13

Sunday

Mike put his new purchase on the truck window. The rooster and hen we bought at the Flea Market we went to last week. The dog sticker is new too but that one was much harder to find but thanks to a sweet family at our church we got one.

Monday

No, this isn't shredded cheese... it's a bar of soap that... and why did I shred a bar of soap... you guessed it... I made my first batch of laundry soap. Haven't used any yet but I hear it works great. I can't wait to try it because if it really does work well, it is really cheap to make.

Tuesday

Just getting myself ready for Easter next Sunday. I made this one for a special friend and I hope she likes it!

Wednesday

Just a little more spring cleaning going on here... my bathroom cabinet somehow always ends up a mess... so this week we were making a run to Walmart and I decided to buy something to help me get this mess organized.

Before

After

Thursday

A dear friend of mine was coming over so I made these delicious little treats... more on this later this week... sad to say my friend never made it over here but these are in the freezer waiting for her visit next week.

Friday

One of my new projects is coming up with some wedding invite examples. This one here is what I started to make for a Beauty and the Beast themed wedding. This was just the beginning but I later found out the colors are wrong, so back to the drawing board I go!

Saturday

Mike worked real hard all morning... cutting trees, loading and stacking wood... I think Betsy wanted to help him... or maybe she was overseeing his work :-)

Now I am heading on over to Sara's blog to read how everyone else's week went.

Because He Lives

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Head on over to her blog and take a look at all the other participants.

Peanut Butter Honey Bars

For the past few months I have been reading the Heavenly Homemakers blog. I really enjoy reading her blog. She has some great posts and I always look forward to reading her blog.
If you have some time to look at her blog, be sure to also check out her recipes.
This Peanut Butter Honey Bar recipe is one of several of her recipes that I have tried. Let me just say YUMMY!

Peanut Butter Honey Bars
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/8 cup sesame seeds

Mix all ingredients well. Spread mixture into a 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Allow bard to cool completely before cutting.

Missions Monday

This year the Lord has really been working in me in regards to my prayer life. We are told to pray without ceasing and to give thanks in everything (I Thessalonians 5:17-18).
I admit I have not been as faithful in prayer as I should be.

To challenge me in my prayer life I have created Missions Monday. I am starting next Monday March 29th. Join me each Monday as I strife to support missions through prayer!

Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Swagbucks & Paypal Special

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If you haven’t signed up for Swagbucks yet, you can get started now and redeem your swagbucks for prizes like this one! You can read more about how Swagbucks works here.

Project 365 ~ Week 12

Another week closer to my vacation and I just can't wait. This week flew by for me...did it for you too?

Monday

I got a wonderful treat in the mail. I won 10 free coffee drinks from McDonalds just by leaving a comment over at I heart Publix. If you've never seen this site and you live near a Publix, you really need to check it out. It's an awesome site and it will help you save even more money while shopping.

Tuesday

These are the kiddos I help with once a week. They are an amazing bunch! In this picture they were practicing a song.

Wednesday

Mike bought this ice cream specifically for St. Patrick's day...next year I am going to work hard at coordinating our entire day and meals around a green color theme. Anyone have any suggestions? How did you celebrate St. Patty's day? Thursday

Mike is going to be heading to Colorado in a few weeks for training. While he is gone I am going to be taking everything out of my craft room and organizing everything and getting rid of whatever I can't fit find a home for. My craft room needs lots of work so I thought I better get a head start. I have way to many stamp sets so I posted some to sell on Split Coast Stampers. These packages are all ready to go to the post office. Friday

I've got the spring cleaning bug. I wish I would have taken before pictures of my laundry closet but I didn't even think about it. I am so pleased with the end result. Saturday

Mike is on call every other weekend. This was his off weekend and we didn't have anything planned. Mike grabbed our "Some Day" can and pulled out an idea. We have passed this flea market a few times but we were never able to stop, until now. It was fun walking around looking at all the different vendors. Lots of stuff up for sale but we walked away only buying two stickers for our truck window. We found a rooster and a hen sticker and Mike just had to have them :-)

Now I am heading on over to Sara's blog to read how everyone else's week went.

Living Water

John 4:13-14 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Check out her blog and all the other participants.

I Can't Wait

I am so looking forward to our cruise in May. I can't wait to get away, to relax, to celebrate 8 years with Mike, to see my sister and to make memories! I am on countdown... only 58 more days till I am on this fabulous boat!

Car Ride

We had to run some errands this morning and Mike invited Betsy to go along with us. Of course she was sitting (well, more like pacing) in the back seat. As soon as I got out of my seat to go into the store Betsy climbed right up into my seat. She loved looking out the window She kept close watch of the cars driving by

Look at that face... Isn't she adorable!

Created to be His Help Meet ~ 10

Chapter 10 ~ Reactions Define You

• A wise woman does not dream of what "could have been." She does not see herself as "God's gift to men;" therefore, she is joyful and content in her present circumstances.
• Reactions are not premeditated actions springing from our best motives, carefully thought out, planned, and weighed. They are emotional responses, breaking loose like wild horses when we feel hurt, cheated, used, or misunderstood.
• Your reactions break you loose from your social inhibitions and manifest who you really are inside and what you really believe at your core level.
• Researchers have determined that the average person thinks over 40,000 thoughts each day. The heart is filled with thoughts, and it is out of that reservoir of thoughts that the mouth speaks words of praise or bitterness.
• A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth man out of the evil the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45
• For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he... Proverbs 23:7
• Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. II Corinthians 10:5
• For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts..." Matthew 15:19
• Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians2:5
• And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
• You are what you think, and God tells you how to think: Think the truth. This is not the power of positive thinking; this is the power of the truth as God defines it. You are created to be your husband's helper, not his conscience, not his vocation director, and certainly not his critic.
• When you develop an adversarial relationship with your husband, you do so on the premise that you are right and he is wrong. You are also assuming that you have the duty to resist, confront, and challenge him. In thinking he is wrong and you are right, you declare yourself wiser than he, more spiritual, more discerning, more sacrificial, etc. All this adds up to the obvious conclusion that you have assumed the role of leadership, teacher, and judge. This is sinful and odious, and it displeases God greatly. No woman will ever have peace and joy until her mind is filled with goodwill toward her husband, and she is committed to becoming a good help meet for him.
• If you can say "Not my will, but thine be done," then you can know that your prayer is based on the fear of God. It is the beginning of wisdom. Ask God to give you the beginning of wisdom by asking him to teach you to fear him.

Time to Consider

• Is much of your life a reaction to real or perceived wrongs?
• Are you truly as wise as you think?
• Learn to understand and appreciate her man for who he is.
• Learn to be flexible.

Random Dozen #10

This week Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee had a St. Patrick's Day theme to the Random Dozen.

1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly? not at all... I don't even know very many superstitious things to be superstitious about.

2. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Which circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe? High School... but only by the strength God gave me.

3. If I peeked in on your day like a mischievous little leprechaun, at what time would I most likely find you blogging? just depends on the day... some days I enjoy blogging first thing in the morning other days I enjoy getting done the things I need to get done for the day before I start blogging.

4. Re springing forward for Daylight Saving Time, is there anything you've ever been really early or really late for? No... Mike is a very organized guy and he keeps us on schedule which I really appreciate about him!

5. What are you most looking forward to concerning Spring? the warmer weather, the colorful flowers, the baby animals...looking forward to it all!

6. Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland and are picked on St. Patrick's Day and worn on the lapel or shoulder. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day? Most years I have but I don't have anything green on today. I did make lunch and used green plates, bowls and cups... does that count for anything?

7. One of Caesar's assassins, Casca, said, "But, for my own part, it was Greek to me," which of course means he didn't understand something. Probably his own lines in the play. Anyway, what is something that is "Greek to you," something incomprehensible or indecipherable? How any mother could hurt her child!

8. Is March behaving more like a lion or a lamb where you live? I guess like a lamb

9. "An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later." -Winston Churchill. If you had one extra hour per day every day, what would you do with it? I don't know what I would do with an extra hour... I guess at the beginning I would be wise with it but as time went on I would struggle with time management just like I do now some days.

10. Legend says that every Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. Aside from real gold or money, what material item would be in your dream pot of gold? food

11. "The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you." Robert Louis Stevenson. Look around you right now and tell us about something essential or beautiful very near you that you take for granted every day. Light... the electricity that runs through the house and allows us to have light in every room.

12. Just for a bit o' fun, click here and then report your Irish name. Izett Hughes

SwapA DVD

Do you have any used DVDs laying around? I did and when I found out about SwapA DVD I signed right up.

Let me tell you how it works -- because it is so easy! I listed a bunch of DVDs on the site (listing your first 10 DVD titles gets you a free credit!) and I got a free DVD credit to get started. So you can order a DVD right away - free of charge -- and have the DVD mailed directly to you! No strings attached. No gimmicks. No spam mail. Nothing.

When another member selects one of my DVDs that I have listed, I mail it to them. Yes, I pay for the postage. But then I get another DVD credit and I can select a DVD that I want. So another Club Member returns the favor and mails me one of his or her DVDs free of charge. For every DVD I mail out, I get another DVD in return - a true shared system!

When someone requests one of your DVDs, all you have to do is drop it in the mail. You really need to check it out.

Note: I have even accumulated so many points that I have sold some of my points to other SwapA DVD members.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of March 14

Breakfast

• Waffles
• Eggs and Grits
• Breakfast Tortillas
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• Bagels and Smoothie

Fruit

• Pineapple
• Apple Sauce

Lunch/Dinner

• Spinach Rice Casserole
• Mike's Favorite Sandwich
• Bean and Bacon Soup
• Spanikopita
• Pizza
• Baked Salmon

Veggies

• Lima Beans
• Corn
• Peas
• Broccoli
• Green Beans

If you want some more great recipe ideas, visit orgjunkie for Menu Plan Monday.

Project 365 ~ Week 11

Had a busy but productive week. Although I made sure not to be too busy to take my pictures each day. I am already looking forward to this week. I have lots of great things already planned.

Monday

I won this $25 gift card to Publix from a giveaway on Family, Stamping and Food blog. I was so excited when I got this in the mail. God blesses in many different ways!

Tuesday

We took our friends and all her children to Cici's for all you can eat pizza. We took up three tables and we had a great time. Sorry this picture isn't the greatest... I snapped it without anyone even noticing.

Wednesday

I got some card stuff done. I don't normally keep Get Well cards on hand but I thought I better make some. You just never know when you may need one.

Thursday

Took Betsy to the vet for her yearly shots. She gets so excited when we go. I guess the treats there are really yummy. They put us in a little room and after a while the assistant came in to take Betsy back to weigh her and have some blood drawn. Well she was so excited that they had to restrain her to get the blood so they ended up giving her all her shots and the vet did his exam before they brought her back to us. I wonder if she will ever calm down. She just loves meeting new people. For all the dog lovers out there - Betsy is in excellent health. The vet always comments on how beautiful her coat is. She weighed in at 67 lbs and as healthy as can be.

Friday

I had a sweet friend from church over for some time of fellowship. We had a great time talking, sharing and just getting to know each other better. Elaine has the biggest heart for animals. She wants to care for all animals. She is so sweet!

Saturday

Mike and I went walking around the North GA Premium Outlets. We live about 8 miles away and have never really walked the entire mall. So we decided Saturday was the day. Mike thought it would be fun to touch the handle of each door, so as we walked he touched the door handles. If you have ever watched the show Monk, that is what he was doing... just being like Monk. At times I am sure people wondered what he was doing but that is Mike always having fun.

Sunday

This morning, like most Sunday mornings, we got to church early. I snapped this photo of the orchestra (yes it's small but we attend a small church) practicing for their special music today. It was beautiful! Wish I would have recorded it.

I didn't get around to many blogs last week so I am hoping I can get caught up this week and go see everyone's blog that participates in Sara's Project 365.

This is the day...

...that the Lord has made!

What a beautiful day today has turned out to be! Praise the Lord for each day He gives us!
Thanks to Amy @ Signs, Miracles, Wonders for hosting Then Sings My Soul Saturdays. Now go check out her blog and all the other participants.

Random Dozen #9

This week I am late in completing my Random Dozen but I thought better late than never in joining Linda from 2nd Cup of Coffee ...so here goes.

1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet? I would say about 3 years old or so. I don't really own alot of shoes and I don't normally buy shoes. I get my shoes from my sister (Thanks Kathy!)

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety? No Girl Scout cookies this year and come to think of it, I didn't buy any last year either... see how good I am :-)

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to? I don't know and honestly I am not sure if I am coordinated enough to even learn how to ballroom dance.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager? I think I was

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see? well this is a touch question because I don't even know what movies were nominated for the Oscar's this year.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself? I try not to think to much about any medical procedure so I don't stress myself all out... I guess I would rather just have it done than watch someone else first.

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Right now it is Saturday because that is really the one day Mike and I can spend the day together and go do whatever we feel like.

8. Do you miss anyone right now? My Mom... it is her birthday today and I wish I could have been there to make it an extra special day for her.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy? not really

10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you. I guess I would say Walmart because I can buy more of a variety of things

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items? it depends on the product/item... some things the store brand works just as well but on other things the quality of store brand is just not the same.

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels? looking into someone's eyes when I am telling someone how I feel.

Created to be His Help Meet ~ 9

Chapter 9 ~ Finding Your Life in His

• From the beginning, God meant for us to be a comfort, a blessing, a reward, a friend, and encouragement, and a right-hand wo-man.
• God didn't create Adam and Eve at the same time and tell them to work out some compromise on how they would each achieve their personal goals in a cooperative endeavor. He created Adam, gave him an occupation, appointed him as ruler of the planet, endowed him with a spiritual outlook, gave him commands, and specified his occupational duties. Adam commenced hi rule of the planet before God created Eve to help him in his life's goals. Adam didn't need to get Eve's consent. God gave her to Adam to be HIS helper, not his partner. She was designed to serve, not to be served, to assist, not to veto his decisions.
• Find your life in his.
• God made us women to be help meets, and it is in our physical nature to be so. It is our spiritual calling and God's perfect will for us. It is the role in which we will succeed in life, and it is where we will find our very greatest fulfillment as a woman and as a saint of God. God said in Genesis, "I will make him an help meet for him." Paul said, "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man" (I Corinthians 11:8-9). "Unto the woman he said... and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee" (Genesis 3:16)
• Life is full of choices. How you choose to respond will help decide your fate in life. Life is now.
• Someday people will say to you, "Your personality is just a happy type, and that is why you enjoy life. Isn't that right?" You can laugh and know that being in God's will is the only thing that makes you full of joy. God is not looking for happy women to make them into help meets for good men. He is looking for women willing to be true help meets to the men to whom they are married, so He can fill them full of joy.
• God says so clearly and emphatically that, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men [and women] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). Ask God to help you know and appreciate your man.

Time to Consider

• Unto the women he said...and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee ~ Genesis 3:16
• So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding ~ Proverbs 2:2
• Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding ~ Proverbs 4:7

Guns, Snow and Memory Making

Brittany (Mike's daughter) and Andrew (her husband) came for a visit this past weekend. We had a great time together Saturday. The day turned out to be beautiful which worked great since we planned to go skeet shooting.

Mike showing everyone how it's done!

Andrew did a good job... I think he hit 17 out of 50
Brittany was in charge of the controller

Right at the end Mike had her take a few shots too.

Andrew and Brittany

Mike ~ always having fun!

After shooting we played with Betsy for a little while. Andrew gave her a disk from his Disco Golf game. She enjoyed chewing it up while laying in the sun.After lunch we headed to the square downtown...we enjoyed walking around and when we were all done we headed back home. On our way home we saw this area that still had quite a but of snow still on the ground from last Tuesday. Andrew had never seen snow before. We stopped so he could play in it for a few minutes.

He even made a snow angel

Happy Anniversary!

Sunday they celebrated their one year anniversary by spending the day at Six Flags.