Butterflies!

We went to Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens today and saw Butterflies in the garden.  I love butterflies and enjoyed seeing all the different colored ones.  Also enjoyed the pretty flowers and trees that were in bloom. I think everyone else thought today would be a good day to go too, as it was very crowded. I am glad it is a warm day so we could have a picnic! Fun day!

Surprise!

I received two sweet surprises from my daughters in the past couple weeks! Each one gave me a gift and each gift came at a time that I needed a hug! That's what I felt each gift was! Hope someone gives you a "hug" when you need it!

Walk in love...

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1,2

The other night I had a girls game night.  We had so much fun.  I rarely win the game we were playing and was so close to winning and knew I could get that last card down and make big points. :) Well, it didn't happen.  I felt the way it ended was unfair and my attitude and words showed it.   Everyone went home and I was left with my thoughts and God speaking to my heart.  I knew my actions were  not right  and it grieved me.  Then yesterday I was studying for my weekly Bible study and read the scripture in Ephesians 5.  I looked up the meaning of some of the words in the Greek to better understand. I saw that to be an imitator of God meant that this was to be my lifestyle, not just now and again or when I feel like it. And to walk in love means to conduct one's self, to make one's way.  Wish I could take my actions back that night but I can't.  I am so glad for God's forgiveness as well as my family and friends.  I want my life to be a testimony to others.  I want them to see that life is so much better when we imitate God and walk in love.  I'm going to make sure those that played the game with me the other night know I am sorry that I was not loving.  Hmm, I think I will send them this blog.

How about  you?  Is your lifestyle one of love? 

Who am I wearing?

I want to share another devotional from my friend, Jennifer.  I love that she is writing a devotional each week for our Ladies Group!  She has given me permission to share some on my blog.  May each one that reads this have "a heart to hear"

A Heart to Hear

Who are you wearing? This is the question all the actresses are asked on the red carpet. Everyone wants to know who deserves the credit or, in some cases, the blame. Who are you wearing? That question has been echoing in my thoughts lately. As I waited before the Lord, He held up His mirror and let me see what and who I was wearing. The first thing I saw was a dense, black cloak sitting heavily on my shoulders and making it hard to do anything with my hands - it is a spirit of heaviness and hopelessness. Then I noticed a thick, choking scarf full of knots wrapped around my neck - it is fear trying to choke the life out of me. On my feet were high heeled shoes that make me wobble and pinch my toes - I'm trying to live up to what I imagine is expected of me. On my head was a band of guilt squeezing my brain and never letting me relax. Who do you suppose is the designer of this ensemble? Of course, it is custom made by the enemy, who loves nothing better than to torture and torment. The question I am asking myself now is why would I choose to dress this way? I know Isaiah 61:3 declares that God's design for me is a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. I know that perfect love casts out fear. God has promised that he will instruct me and teach me His ways. I know that the blood of Jesus cleanses me from all my sin. I know that my heavenly Father will complete the work He has started in me. I know that nothing can separate me from His love. So why am I standing here looking like a candidate for "What Not to Wear - Holy Spirit Edition"? It is simply because I haven't been actively choosing to live by the Spirit. I have defaulted to my original programming of living according to the desires of my flesh: choosing extra sleep over time spent seeking the Lord before the day begins, attempting to run on the empty tank of my own sufficiency. In Romans 13:14, the apostle Paul tells us to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." The flesh desires above all else to find a way to function apart from relationship with God, but the end result is always hopelessness and despair. Just as standing on three inch stilettos doesn't really make me taller, all my human attempts to be good are doomed to fail. I have to choose each day, each hour, sometimes each moment to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. To put on Jesus is to admit that my only hope for a life worth living is found in Him. Galatians 5:1 tells us, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." To be passive is to be a prisoner. Let's choose freedom in Christ, even when it is a battle to believe and walk in the truth.

Lord, please give us a heart to hear you.

~~Jennifer Davis

Cookies from a cake mix...

A lady on one of the blogs I follow has the book 101 Things To Do With A Cake Mix and is going to make all the recipes.  It reminded me of the movie where Julia made all the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook. Sounded like fun! Since I don't have the book I decided to find one of the recipes online from the book and try it today. It was easy and Colette helped put all the ingredients together. After the cookies cooled we shared them with two neighbors and my daughters.  Colette had fun delivering them as well as eating two. She had to try both kinds that I made.  One of the variations in the recipe was to put in chocolate chips.  I put chocolate chips in half and white chocolate chips in the other half.  I liked them too and just might buy the book. 

Basic Cake Mix Cookies

(101 Things To Do With A Cake Mix)


1 Cake Mix  (I used white)
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together cake mix eggs, and oil until mix is dissolved. (at this point I divided the dough and put choc. chips in one half and white choc. in the other half) Drop balls of dough onto greased baking sheet. Bake 9-12 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from pan and cool.

A Single Story...

My daughter Stacy is one of the writers on a blog called Destiny in Bloom. Her recent contribution is one I wish all single ladies could read. She is open, candid, and honest as she talks about her journey as a single lady and God's timing of  the man of her dreams coming into her life.   Single or married, I know you will be blessed as you read her story.

 destinyinbloom.com

Apples of Gold...

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Proverbs 25:11

This is our fourth group of ladies to go through Apples of Gold.  Once again we are blessed with committed women who have teachable hearts.  We began this group with a get-to-know-you Tea on a Saturday. .  Two Applesauce ladies (what they are called after they graduate from the class) served us.  After we ate we looked at wedding pictures and heard stories of how we met our husbands.  It was a fun time of sharing!

Our first week's teaching was on Truth, the next week was Kindness and this week we will study Loving Your Husbands.   I, along with the other three mentors, look forward to each week.  We have a theme for each week's meal.  The first was a special dinner (yummy pecan crusted chicken) and last week was Italian.  The cooking demonstration is so much fun as the girls get to not only watch but also try some of the techniques. 

I just love having my home filled each week with sweet ladies learning how to be better wives, mothers, friends, etc. 

"The older women… can train the younger women" Titus 2:3-4 NIV

Beef Stew

 Jim and I have been eating a lot of soup this winter.  Texas has had many cold days and a steaming bowl of soup with bread is so good on those days.  I was looking for something different to make and found this recipe in an old magazine.  I have never been able to make good stew so was so hoping this one would be good.  I was not disappointed.  I followed the directions except I used red potatoes as I prefer them and cooked it on high for 6-7 hr. because I started it later than planned.  I served it with warm homemade rolls. We loved it!



BEEF STEW
2 pounds beef stew meat
3 large carrots, cut into 1 inch-pieces
2 medium baking potatoes (I prefer red potatoes and used enough to equal the baking potatoes), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (14.5-ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 (14.4 ounce) can beef broth
1 (10.75 ounce can tomato soup
1/2 cup red wine
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt


In a 6-quart electric crock pot, combine all ingredients. Cover, and cook on low 8-9 hours, or until beef is tender.

Beautiful jewelry...

I want to share my friend's blog and website with you.  She makes beautiful jewelry.  I just ordered some for a gift and was very pleased.  I hope you will visit, look around and when you find something you like, order from her.  I bet you will be like me and find many things you like! 

mpdesignsjewelry.com

melinda-jernigan.blogspot.com

Hearts...

Yesterday Colette and I had a fun morning mixing, cutting out, baking and decorating heart shaped cookies for Valentines Day.  As I think about this day coming up where we show our love to special people in our lives I think about the love God has for us!  I hope you know His love for you today! 

 

Colette could not resist a little fun when I was not looking.

She said, "I put my dolls in the snow!"