The Cross

In evil long I took delight, 

Unawed by shame or fear, 

Till a new object struck my sight, 

And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree, 

In agonies and blood; 

He fixed His languid eyes on me, 

    As near His cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath, 

Shall I forget that look! 

It seemed to charge me with His death, 

    Though not a word He spoke.

A second look He gave, which said, 

"I freely all forgive; 

This blood is for thy ransom paid; 

    I die that thou mayest live."

Thus while His death my sin displays 

In all its blackest hue, 

Such is the mystery of grace, 

    It seals my pardon too!

                    —John Newton 

Cleaning up the roof

Steve ask the girls to clean off the pool room roof...it seems to me that there are snowballs in the hands!!

Notice how high the snow is on the pool room!

 Ahhh...I think I know where their snowballs were aiming...Steve is standing on an eight foot ladder removing ice from the gutters.

 It seems the girls ARE planning to work on the roof...they now have the snow rake in hand.

 Yep...looks like Christianna is going to pull some snow off the roof. 

 See how high the snow is compared to the roof.

So Lydia takes over with the shovel while Christianna packs the snow down for steps along the edge of the roof.

When the work is done...the play begins. Smile.

Winter is a blessing. 

Soon winter will gone and Spring will be here.

President's Day

During the American Revolution, a British officer became separated from his unit. Silently, he walked through the forest trying to make his way back to camp. Entering a clearing, he was shocked to see an American General on his hands and knees, his face buried in the ground in fervent prayer. Tears came to the officer's eyes when he realized that it was General George Washington, commander of the American forces. He proclaimed later, When I saw that sight, I knew we were defeated for any army whose commander was so humble before Almighty God could never lose the war.

On Sept. 17, 1787, George Washington became one of the founding fathers of the American Constitution that would become the cornerstone of the United States' law, rights, and moral and ethical values. This constitution acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ and America as a Christian nation.

The Delaware Constitution of 1776 expresses, everyone appointed to public office must say, I do profess faith in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost... and I do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be given by divine inspiration.

During the early revivals in the 1700's, America looked upon herself as being theHoly City on a Hill, the New Jerusalem, a Light to the World.

On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln and the United States Senate officially proclaimed a Day of National Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. In this powerful proclamation, this most loved and respected President stated the Supreme Authority and Just Government of Almighty God. Lincoln was convicted that America had become proud and had forgotten that her strength, peace and prosperity came from obedience and humility before God.

Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self–sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

Abraham Lincoln

Blest, Blest Forever

Only a little while, sowing and reaping, 

Only a little while, our vigil keeping;
Then we shall gather home, no more to sever,
Clasped in eternal love, blest, blest forever.

Only a little while, heartbreak and sorrow,
Dark though the night may be, cloudless the morrow;
Only a little while, Earth ties to sever,
Then in our Father land, blest, blest forever.

Only a little while, shadow and sadness,
Then in eternity sunshine and gladness;
Only a little while, then o'er the river,
Home, rest and victor palm, life, joy forever.

                               —Fanny Crosby 

Hospitality

What a wonderful weekend we had with the Vaichus Family from Watertown, CT.

Several weeks ago, Rebecca called wanting to plan a sledding weekend

to bring their family up to New Hampshire...well that sounded 

great!  -- Anything to see our little grandchildren!

Then she wanted to know if it would be alright to bring another family with them.

Well, I guess that would be fine.  

A family of 8?

That would be great.

So the weeks week by until the appointed time.
Saturday morning we meet some new friends!

After serving breakfast to 19 folks...(Stephen is still a non eater.),

We played games, interacted in conversation,and  examined the sledding hill!
For the weekend -- 14 children and 5 parents...

Lunch was served, children put down for naps, and the older children (and Chris)

grabbed their sleds and hiked out for adventures in down hill sledding!

After a big turkey dinner,we enjoyed  conversations, Settlers of Caton, chiropractic adjustments, chess challenges, word riddles, story telling, and more conversations.  

After the Remembrance meeting and a message by Tom Swaim, we enjoyed conversation around the fellowship meal.

About 4 oclock...we began our good by's...not to strangers...but to friends.  As the Vaichus' left our home...I heard voices saying "Mom, let's have them over again!".

The Galla family began their departure a bit later.  Hugs and kisses were given for by all for all....

 Abigail, Chris, Rebecca, and Stephen

Now isn't this the cutest little guy?

Looking carefully you can see two little white teeth on the bottom.

He crawls...where ever he likes even up the stairs.  He pulls up on what ever he.  He just turned 7 months old -- February 8th.

The Bright Forever

Breaking through the clouds that gather, 

O'er the Christian's natal skies,
Distant beams, like floods of glory,
Fill the soul with glad surprise;
And we almost hear the echo
Of the pure and holy throng,
In the bright, the bright forever,
In the summer land of song.

Yet a little while we linger,
Ere we reach our journey's end;
Yet a little while of labor,
Ere the evening shades descend;
Then we'll lay us down to slumber,
But the night will soon be o'er;
In the bright, the bright forever,
We shall wake, to weep no more.

O the bliss of life eternal!
O the long unbroken rest!
In the golden fields of pleasure,
In the region of the blessed;
But, to see our dear Redeemer,
And before His throne to fall,
There to bear His gracious welcome,
Will be sweeter far than all.

                   —Fanny Crosby 

Pumpkin Harvest Cookies

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground allspice

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup Coconut sugar

1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped raw pecans

1 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Pecan halves

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Place flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and allspice in a medium bowl.  Whisk till combined. 

Beat butter and sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.  Beat until well combined.  Gradually mix in the flour blend at a low speed.  Stir in the chopped pecans and cranberries (if desiredJ).

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.  Press a pecan half into the center of each mound, flattening them a bit with the pressure.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cookies stand on cookie sheets for 1 minute before removing.  Cool completely on wire racks.  Store in an airtight container in a cool place. 

Thanks for making these delicious cookies, Moriah!!

Raw Chocolate Almond Truffles

Keziah is cooking up something yummy in the kitchen

Ingredients:

1.       1 cup of almond butter (or peanut butter)

2.     1/3 cups of honey

3.     2 teaspoons of carob powder (or unsweetened organic cocoa powder)

4.     ½ cups of raisins

5.     ¾ cups of unsweetened, shredded coconut, divided

6.   ½ cups of semisweet chocolate chips(gluten-free, if it is desired)

7.     ¼ cups of sesame seeds    

8.    ¼ cups of finely chopped walnuts (or any other nut)

Method:

Before measuring the almond butter (or peanut butter), stir it well.  Mix the almond butter, honey, and carob powder until well combined.  Stir in the raisins and 2 T* of the coconut.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Freeze for 30 min. or refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Place the remaining coconut, sesame seeds, and nuts into 3 separate bowls.  Scoop small globs out of the dough and form them into good bite-sized balls.  Roll in coconut, sesame seeds, and chopped walnuts.  Place  balls on a pan.  Cover and then put in a cool place for at least 30 min.  These freeze well.

Pena's Playdough for Children ( young and old)

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup of Cheap flour ( all purpose)
• 2 Tablespoons of cream of tartar
• 1/4 Cup of salt
• 1 Cup of warm water
• 1 Tablespoon of oil
• food coloring
• Flavorings

Directions

1. Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium-sized pot.
2. Add the water, food coloring, and oil.
3. Stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes.  Don't worry if the mixture looks like a lumpy mess; it's turning into dough!
4. When the mixture forms into a ball in the center of the pot, turn the burner off and dump the very warm dough onto a  lightly floured surface.
5. Knead while still very warm until nice and smooth.
6. With finger press an indention into the center and add a few drops of essential oils or food flavorings...continue to knead in.
7.  It's time to play!  
8. When not being used store in a Ziploc bag. 

Thanks to Keziah for these directions and pictures!

Think Gently of the Erring

Think Gently of the Erring

Julia A. Carney

Think gently of the erring:

Ye know not of the power
With which the dark temptation came
In some unguarded hour.


Ye may not know how earnestly 
They struggled, or how well,
Until the hour of weakness came
And sadly thus they fell.


Think gently of the erring:
Oh! do not thou forget,
However darkly stained by sin
He is thy brother yet;


Heir of the selfsame heritage, 
Child of the selfsame God,
He has but stumbled in the path
Thou hast in weakness trod.


Speak gently to the erring:
For is it not enough
That innocence and peace have gone,
Without thy censure rough?


It sure must be a weary lot, 
That sin-stained heart to bear,
And those who share a happier fate
Their chidings well may spare.


Speak gently to the erring:
Thou yet may'st lead them back
With holy words and tones of love,
From misery's thorny track:


Forget not thou has often sinned, 
And sinful yet must be;
Deal gently with the erring, then,
As God has dealt with thee.

This is Winter

This post is for some of my favorite people --my Floridian Family!!  Especially for Brooke, Luke, and Grace, who have never seen snow!
This is winter!  Snow on the wood pile. Lots of snow on the wood pile. The wood pile provides heat-- when dug out from under the snow and put in the wood stove!

 Snow on the ground, snow on the roof (more about that in another post!), snow on the deck, snow on the steps!  Snow, Snow Everywhere!!

Snow on the play gym.  Wouldn't that be fun to jump in?  
Snow, Snow, Snow on the driveway.  The plow must come to plow us out....many times this year.
This is winter!

Keeping our Fingers Crossed

Aunt Keziah with Abigail.

Keeping her fingers crossed!

Sparkling eyes!

Adorable Granddaughter! 

Precious: Sleeping or Awake

Aunt Christianna with sleepy Stephen Galla

Stephen prefers sleeping to socializing!!

Aunt Lydia gets Stephen when he is awake...

Isn't he adorable.

Grandchildren!!

Immanuel

When once I mourned a load of sin; When conscience felt a wound within; When all my works were thrown away; When on my knees I knelt to pray, Then, blissful hour, remembered well, I learned Thy love, Immanuel. When storms of sorrow toss my soul; When waves of care around me roll; When comforts sink, when joys shall flee; When hopeless griefs shall gape for me, One word the tempest's rage shall quell-- That word, Thy name, Immanuel.

When for the truth I suffer shame;

When foes pour scandal on my name;

When cruel taunts and jeers abound;

When "Bulls of Bashan" gird me round,

Secure within Thy tower I'll dwell--

That tower, Thy grace, Immanuel.

When hell enraged lifts up her roar;

When Satan stops my path before;

When fiends rejoice and wait my end;

When legioned hosts their arrows send,

Fear not, my soul, but hurl at hell

Thy battle-cry, Immanuel.

When down the hill of life I go;

When o'er my feet death's waters flow;

When in the deep'ning flood I sink;

When friends stand weeping on the brink,

I'll mingle with my last farewell

Thy lovely name, Immanuel.

When tears are banished from mine eye;

When fairer worlds than these are nigh;

When heaven shall fill my ravished sight;

When I shall bathe in sweet delight,

One joy all joys shall far excel,

To see Thy face, Immanuel.

by C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

(written at age eighteen)

"Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, God with us"

(Matthew 1:23).

A Ballast for My Soul

Life is like a stormy sea
That tosses to and fro,
But God's Word will ever be 
A Ballast for my soul.
By its truth I'll be held fast 
Till I reach heaven's shore
Where I will be home at last
And sail life's sea no more!

                   —Perry Boardman