Trust His heart...

This song keeps going through my mind. It is where I am today! Is there something you are walking through where you can't see His plan? If so, read the words to this song and do as it says...Trust His heart!

All things work for the good

Though sometimes we can't

See how they could

Struggles that break our hearts in two

Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

So when your pathway grows dim

And you just can't see him,

Remember He's still on the throne

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When you don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust His Heart

He sees the master plan

He holds the future in his hand,

Don't live as those who have no hope,

While our hope is found in him.

We see the present clearly

But he sees the first and last

And like a tapestry

He's weaving you and me,

To someday be just like him

He alone is faithful and true

He alone knows what is best for you

When you can't trace his hand

When you don't see his plan

When you don't understand

Trust His Heart

(Trust His Heart, Babbie Mason)

Jesus will never leave us...

An out of town friend visited us this week end. It was very good to see him. One of the first things he told us was about the loss in his pastor's life. We know his pastor and were so saddened to hear that his 19 yr. old son was killed in a car wreck in August. My heart still hurts deeply for them. Our 21 yr. old daughter went to be with the Lord on a warm August day also, 11 years ago. I pray the Lord will continue to comfort and give them strength as they wake each morning and live this new normal. I know He will because He has done this for us!

Our friend had given this young man a book for his graduation called Jesus Calling . Each day is written as if Jesus Himself were speaking to you. He shared with us that his pastor had read the devotion that was written on the day his son went home to the Lord. I am always amazed at God's timing. Here is the devotion for that day. I hope you will realize the love God has for you as you read it!

I am yours for all eternity. I am the Alpha and the Omega: the One who is and was and is to come. The world you inhabit is a place of constant changes-more than your mind can absorb without going into shock. Even the body you inhabit is changing relentlessly, in spite of modern science's attempts to prolong youth and life indefinitely. I, however, am the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Because I never change, your relationship with Me provides a rock-solid foundation for your life. I will never leave your side. When you move on from this life to the next, My Presence beside you will shine brighter with each step. You have nothing to fear, because I am with you for all time and throughout eternity.
(~ Sarah Young)

I made small loaves of pumpkin bread for our Apples of Gold ladies a couple weeks ago. One of them requested the recipe so thought I would post it here too. I tasted pumpkin bread for the first time when I was about 16 yr. old. The lady that made it for me gave me the recipe and I was so glad that my mother made it often in the fall and winter. When I married I began making it and it is the only recipe I have ever used for pumpkin bread. I hope it becomes one of your favorite recipes!


Pumpkin Bread

3 C. sugar
1 C. oil
4 eggs
1 ½ t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
3 ½ C. flour
2 t. soda
1 can pumpkin
1 ½ C. pecans (or walnuts if you prefer)
2/3 C. cold water

Combine sugar and oil. Add eggs and beat. Add salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and soda alternately with water. Add pumpkin. Add nuts. Stir well.
Grease bread pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 70 minutes. Turn out and cool.
Makes 2-3 loaves. Bread freezes well.

Happy Birthday Joshua!

Last week we decided to go to Ft. Riley, KS and celebrate Joshua's 21st birthday with him. We left around 6:45 Friday morning and arrived early afternoon. We stopped in Florence, KS for lunch. We realized that this might be the last place to eat for miles and it turned out that it was. We ate a hamburger as we continued our drive.

We picked up Joshua on post and headed to Manhattan for dinner at a bar-b-que restaurant.

We had a great dinner and had fun giving him gifts and cards!






Saturday we picked him up and took him to a late breakfast at Cracker Barrel!







We had a wonderful time with him but the hours went by too fast, Soon we were headed back to Texas!

In memory of...

We are so glad that we have been able to give a scholarship to a graduating senior in memory of our daughter Amy Elizabeth these past 11 years. We will be presenting one again this year in November to a graduating senior at Ruach International Christian Academy in Comayagua, Honduras. This is the city where Amy went on a mission trip in July, 1998.



September 30, 2009

We are happy to once again contact you as the time approaches for the presentation of the Amy Elizabeth Pack Memorial Scholarship. With your help last year we once again presented a scholarship to a student in Comayagua, Honduras. A $1,000 scholarship went to David Godoy from Ruach International Christian Academy. David’s plans are to be a doctor and this scholarship has greatly helped him fulfill this desire.

We are excited to be able to present this scholarship again to a graduating senior from Ruach International Christian Academy. Jim will be in Honduras in November and will present the scholarship.

Helping another young person fulfill their dream is a blessing to us, as is keeping Amy’s life story and testimony alive. You will never know what a meaningful event this is for us, and hopefully for you also, as we remember Amy in this way!

Happy Fall

This morning Colette (4 yr. old) and I made banana bread, wrapped each loaf and put it in a bag with a tag that she made. It was an easy and fun project and we plan to give them as gifts. Below is the recipe we used. It was given to me years ago by my husband's secretary and is the only one I ever use. Enjoy!

BANANA NUT BREAD

1/2 C. butter
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 C. flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/2 C. sour cream
1 C. mashed bananas
1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients. Alternate dry ingredients with sour cream. Beat well. Fold in bananas and nuts. Bake in 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until brown.

Sweet memories...

We had a great time at Gulf Shores last week! I thank the Lord for blessing me with such a wonderful family and a relaxing vacation with them!

Psalm 8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Playing in the rain...

For weeks our granddaughter's parents have been preparing her for our family trip to the beach. When we arrived it was raining. The rain didn't seem to bother her, as she was so happy to finally be at the beach. While we were sad that it was raining and wishing the sun was shining all she wanted to do was go outside and play. You can see from her face that she was just happy to be where we told her we were going! This got me to thinking about my own attitude when I have looked forward to something and how I react when it doesn't turn out the way I thought it would. Do I go on, even in the "rain", with a cheery heart and a smile on my face? I want to have the same attitude and enthusiasm Ashlynn had whether my days are sunny or rainy!





Beautiful rainbow after the rain!

Surprise!

Joshua surprised me today! He flew in from Ft. Riley, Kansas. He told his mom and Shawna and Austin knew he was coming for the week end. They planned a family dinner today and the rest of us had no idea it was because he would be here. He showed up at church and I could hardly believe my eyes! What a great surprise!!!!!