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!!!!!

In Memory of Amy Elizabeth...

Amy was born March 31, 1977. When she was five months old she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. This never stopped her from living life to the fullest. Her name means Beloved and that is what she was to her family. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and a friend to many. Her beautiful smile and laugh would light up a room. She wrote poetry and loved being in plays. She loved children and animals. She had a heart of compassion and I think that is one reason she wanted to go on a mission trip. She went on that trip in July,1998 to Honduras. She became sick while on this trip. When she came home she was in the hospital for 4 weeks. The Lord called her home Aug 26. She is and will always be greatly loved and missed!

Serving our community...

Yesterday our church participated in the HEB ISD Back to School Festival. This is a coalition of churches, social services, school & civic agencies that gave those less fortunate a “hand up” in starting the school year off right by supplying up to 2000 children with a new backpack & school supplies. I had no idea how they would ever pull this off. This had been worked on for 6 months and you could certainly tell as it was very organized. Jim asked me if I would take some pictures and I was so happy to do that. This allowed me to see many different areas. Police, firemen, hospitals, social services were a few of the agencies that were there to serve the people. I saw the volunteers being so kind, helpful and supportive to each family. I saw parents receiving help and information that they needed. I saw moms with their children and families being prayed for. I saw children that would probably not have a back pack or supplies receive them with big smiles! A few would not take them off when they went into the bounch houses. I saw parents who had come looking sad leave with smiles and hope. This morning at church we heard some wonderful stories about the day. One that really touched my heart was the 5 yr. old boy from our church that wanted to know where the backpacks were. When he was told he said, "That's where I will stand, so I can tell them about Jesus!" It was a wonderful day and I am so glad I was a part of it.

Impossible Pie

When I was newly married a friend gave me an article with a recipe for a pie called Impossible Pie. I haven't made it for years. I found it today when I cleaned out my recipe box and thought it would be fun to make it. I remember the first time I made it and saw the mixture in the blender. I wasn't sure there was any way it could come out looking like a pie!

I was also glad to read the article again and then remember all the impossible things God has done in my life over the years. The mixture of obligations and activities sometimes get all mixed up and lose their purpose and order. Sometimes I lose perspective when things go wrong and I want to give up. These are times that I wonder if God can straighten it all out for me. Only God knows how things will turn out. Other people's stories and how God has done impossible things in their lives is always an encouragement to me. If He can do it for them, if He can do it for the lady that wrote the article and made the pie, He will do it for me. I can trust Him! He has done the impossible in my life and will in your life too!

Impossible Pie

4 eggs

1/4 C. margarine (I used butter)

1 C. white sugar

1/2 C. flour

1/4 t. salt

1/2 t. baking powder

2 C. milk

1 C. coconut

1 t. vanilla

Place all ingredients in blender at one time. Blend until mixed together. Pour into a buttered 10-inch pie pan. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 1 hour. When done, crust will be on the bottom, custard in the middle, and coconut on top---right where they belong!

What mirror?

I am very proud of my daughter. She is the Creative Director of the Editorial Dept. at her church. She is also part of a blog called Destiny in Bloom. Her latest entry blessed me so much that I wanted to share it on my blog. I think most women will relate to it and I hope it will cause you to stop and think about how God sees you! http://destinyinbloom.com/

Who would have thought...

A precious minature schnauzer I named Molly Joy

joined our family Sunday, Aug. 2.

She was born on June 16.