Russian Tea Cakes

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
powdered sugar

Heat oven to 400.  Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and the vanilla.  Stir in flour and salt until dough holds together; shape into 1-inch balls.  Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until set but not brown, 10 to 12 minutes.

Roll in powdered sugar while warm; cool.  Roll in powdered sugar again.  About 4 doz. cookies

Grace’s first Christmas dresses. 

The red plaid was made for her by her Great Grandma.  I admire the smocking and think of the loving hands that pieced this tiny dress together.  I wonder what Grandma was thinking of as she worked?  No doubt she thought of the little baby girl who lived too far away for frequent visits.  Grace has Grandma Lillian’s name for her middle name.

I bought the blue and white checkered dress for her.  After two baby boys, I was so pleased to have a baby girl.  She was born in November and I found this dress before she had even arrived.  I thought it was so pretty.

She has a new dress this Christmas, too.  Now that she is seven year old, it is getting harder to find those special little-girl dresses. 

I love you, Grace.

Blessed

thanks to P.K.for taking a couple of pictures for me

The night was great.  It felt like a family get-together.  It was relaxing and fun.  We ate and we talked.  People left at about 10:30 (including Rich, lol).  He is still out getting the children from my sister’s house. 
This has been a HUGE night for me in many ways–personally and spiritually.  

I am so thankful to my heavenly Father, who doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me!
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy
Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace divinest comfort
here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what-e’re befall me
Jesus doeth all things well.

My house is quiet right now.  Rich took the kids out shopping and he is leaving David, Caleb, and Grace at my sister’s house before he comes back home for our big night of company.

All is well.  Thank you to those who have been praying for my stress levels, LOL.

My dinner roll dough is rising in the kitchen.  The house is clean but I still need to vacuum.

This morning, Rich and I went for a walk before the kids woke up.    We have a pond on the side of our house and a pond down in front.  This is the one on the side, we can walk all the way around it.  Isn’t it pretty with it’s new coat of ice?

Last night I went shopping for some things for our dinner.  I also bought some crazy socks:

Rich and David gave me roses this weekend (the rest are in another vase):

Rich bought me a new refridgerator this weekend, too:

I just got done eating this:

Here I am, happy today, but I notice that in this picture, my fists are clenched a little too tightly:

The font I am using is making me write like a elementary school girl. 

That’s all for now!  I’m going back to vacuuming.

I’ve heard a lot of talk lately about preparing for the attacks of Satan.  We certainly do need to prepare and put on the whole armor of God. We also need to be encouraged that we are more than conquerers in HIM.  We have victory in Jesus.  We need to have faith in His awesome power!

My church is going through a very important process.  We lost our Pastor last February, he left the ministry, leaving us with heavy hearts and a determination to see things through to the end (pressing on toward the goal!).

My husband is one of the 7 members of the pulpit committee which has been meeting almost every week for many many months.

They have been seeking God’s will in searching for pastor and now tomorrow we meet the man who may be the one of God’s choosing.  His wife will also be with him, and their 3 year old daughter.

The pulpit committee are all (18 adults total, plus children) having dinner at my house at 6:00pm to meet this man and his wife.  I beg your prayers.  I am feeling weak.  But in my weakness, HE can make me strong. 

For myself and my sisters in Christ who are also feeling weak, I write these verses:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; His is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend of God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.  Psalm 62:5-8

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:  His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4 (warm place, isn’t it?)

Casting all your care on HIM; for He careth for you.  1 Peter 5:7 (all. all. all. all.)

Be still and know that I am God. Ps. 46:10 (a command!)

“Lord, keep me still,
though stormy waves may blow
and waves my little bark may overflow
or even if in darkness I must go;
Lord keep me still.

The waves are in Thy hand,
the roughest seas subside at Thy command.
Steer Thou my bark in safety to the land
and keep me still,
keep me still.”

~Author Unknown

Be still my soul! the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still my soul! thy best, thy heav’nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul!  The waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still my soul!  the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul!  when change and tears are past;
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

words by Katherine von Schlegal, b. 1697

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, WITH MY SOUL!!!!

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul!”-from the hymn “It is Well” by Horatio Spafford

“Let everything that hath breath PRAISE THE LORD!”

Spend much time with the Lord today and focus on His goodness.  When all around us is dismal and bleak, He gives us sunshine in our souls always.

Also, we need to take care of our bodies and amazingly enough at this time of year we often neglect to do just that.  Here are a few ideas:  Get enough sleep at night and take time to rest during the day.  Eat and drink wisely.  Get some fresh air.  Exercise.  Take a daily vitamin.  Spend quality time with your loved ones.  Do a little something to pamper yourself.  Don’t overdose yourself with caffeine.  Keep a sense of humor.  Wear PINK!~or RED and a pair of crazy socks or tights! (coffee and fashion tips ispired by ebabe)

I am really tired right now.  A good tired.  Rich’s Mom, Step-dad, and sisters came today to celebrate Christmas with us.  I made lasagne for dinner and we had pie and ice cream for dessert.

The children had so much fun playing together.

We opened our gifts.

We laughed and talked. 

It was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the children.

Merry Christmas!

Marissa, Laura Ann, and Grace

Grandpa and Ethan

Reading to Caleb

Reading to Caleb. . . .again

Just when I thought I could relax. . . .

Marissa 

Family

I am really tired right now.  A good tired.  Rich’s Mom, Step-dad, and sisters came today to celebrate Christmas with us.  I made lasagne for dinner and we had pie and ice cream for dessert.

The children had so much fun playing together.

We opened our gifts.

We laughed and talked. 

It was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the children.

Merry Christmas!

Marissa, Laura Ann, and Grace

Grandpa and Ethan

Reading to Caleb

Reading to Caleb. . . .again

Just when I thought I could relax. . . .

Marissa 

Family

We took some family pictures this morning before church and the whole process was quite interesting.  BUT, here it is:  The Picture that will be included in all our Christmas cards for 2006!

And, here is one that will not be included in the cards:  (Hey, we had fun. . . . . .)

Merry Christmas!

Where are you going
sweet girl child?
Come sit here beside me
stay a little while

Don’t be in a hurry
don’t grow up so fast;
In the sweetness of innocence,
let this time last.

Hold tight to your dollies,
and dance with your dreams;
For time it is as fleeting,
As flickering moonbeams.

I cherish every moment
sweet little girl child;
Come sit here beside me,
Stay a little while.
~A.Chambers Coxsey

Grace and Abbie, cousins