Happy Veterans Day

This morning we were surprised to hear F16 jets fly over our town. This has been a wonderful way to celebrate our country each holiday-Memorial, 4th of July, Labor day and today.
It wasn't just a once over but lasted for several hours; I imagine the jets flew out of Colorado Springs and gave our entire state a buzz. It is so good to be an American, good times and in bad, we have the freedom no other country possess and I for one am grateful.
To those who loved have served, are serving or will serve in the military I salute you and say Thank you for your devotion to our country, for your great sacrifice. I thank all the military personnel and say thank you from the depths of my heart; I don't take lightly what you've given up for my freedom.
May the Lord's Hand of Protection be upon you and yours and may He bless your life as you willingly serve us.

True Contentment

If ever you feel like your trials are big and possibly insurmountable or if you are going through something overwhelming right now I challenge you to click on the link below and watch the video of this young man. It was so powerful that it brought tears to my eyes and his testimony is amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI

I am so thankful for all the Lord has done for me and all the many ways He has blessed me-may you find joy and contentment in Him today.

A Sweet Surprise

Amidst the changing of the season and the cold settling in, it was a joy to walk out our front door to the driveway and see this little flower had sprouted up, on its own, while everything else had died away. Mind you the grass is still somewhat green but the trees are bare and even the established bushes and shrubs are dying back. Here sits this little bud bringing joy to my day, reminding me that His mercies and blessings are new every morning. I'm not sure how long this little plant will survive but it was such a surprise to me that I'll enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Blessings on your weekend. May your days will be filled with sweet surprises from the Father.

On Bread Baking and Such

My baking whole wheat bread began when I was in high school and a couple of college fellows taught me to make whole wheat bread in a coffee can. I don't remember the recipe but it was so easy and it was delicous. Then when I was pregnant with our second daughter I took a class at our church on the Prov. 31 woman and making our own breads. It was a rich time in life, enjoying life with a two year old and learning so much about the Word of God. Carrie and I would bake bread every week and she loved it as much as I did. Then a problem occurred-I gained 9 lbs in a very short period that I attributed to having fresh, warm bread in our house to which my doctor told me to stop sampling it so much. I continued on until I burnt out my mixer. When my girls were older we got a bread making machine and we made bread several times a week and loved it. I'm not sure when we stopped or why; I was homeschooling at the time and also doing childcare so it is possible that I just didn't have the extra time or energy it took, even with a machine. Now Carrie has my machine and uses it continually to keep her family provided for. Yesterday I went to a friends house for a visit and when I walked in she told me she was making bread. I can't tell you how much I loved smelling the yeast and whole wheat mixture, needless to say today I went out and bought stone ground whole wheat flour to make bread with. Now over the years I've forgotten all the little tricks I used to make the loaves look perfect but it was such a joy to knead the dough and then wait while it was rising. Maybe it is the time of year, with the cold upon us it seems natural to stay in and bake and sew. It is so much cheaper than store bought and you know what is in it so that makes it healthier than processed bread. Although I have found Ezekiel bread and that is really a healthy bread my hubby doesn't like it. So as my bread bakes I am excited to have found this pastime and looking forward to supplying Kim's family with homemade bread. I'm hoping hubby likes it as well~I don't need to eat it all by myself.

A New Direction

I didn't post yesterday because I am purposely doing my best to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and I didn't want to write anything if I couldn't be positive about the elections.

Today I am looking at two verses and reminding myself that no matter what happens in our world or our country God is still on the throne.

"Trust in Him at all times, O people.
Pour out your heart before Him,
God is a refuge for us." Ps 62:8

"Lord Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations,
Before the mountains were born or Thou didst give birth to the earth and the world
Even from everlasting to everlasting,
Thou are God".


So I will continue to trust in Him even when we are faced with a change in the direction of our nation. May He have mercy on His people.

Prayer for our Nation

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation
THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'

On this election day may our Lord have mercy on this nation. May His people get out and vote and more importantly may His will be done.

Leaves of Gold

A woman we met up near Estes Park on Saturday told us that this year the Aspens are especially brilliant with more gold and bronze than she can remember. I am so thankful for the beauty of this season.