Everyday Blessings...

Psalm 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Way back about 10 years ago we built a house. It had lovely red cabinets. They looked just about like these below. I loved that kitchen. I love my kitchen now. Really, I have learned that we can be happy in any house. I don't think we will ever build again. It was fun but way overrated. Way too much time involved in getting it done when you can just find one and move in. Not sure why I am thinking about kitchen's today. They are just happy places. The smell of food and sound of fellowship and laughter. The hub of most homes. I love my friend Cheryl's kitchen. It is gorgeous and it is big so that she can fill it with people all of the time. She is an incredible cook but more importantly a person that loves to give the gift of fellowship. Her kitchen is like she is...open armed and open hearted. Check out her blog: http://grace4greta.blogspot.com/2011/04/not-another-picture.html Here is where my kitchen dreams really get going. I love these pictures below. This white kitche...

On these crazy days... Words like these are so comforting and strengthening... Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will never pass away. Luke 21:33 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Ps . 71:1-2 Wild storms in our part of Texas last night. Whew...thankful for the rain though. It seems we are going to get this kind of weather again today. Rain, rain...don't go away. Any more twisters...you can go away. We went back to C. Station last weekend for Aggie Muster and to see Will. Our deal on a house that we were buying for the boys to live in next year fell through and so we had to spend time looking for another house. Grrr ...spending money on inspecting a house and the inspection turning out to be really bad is VERY aggravating. Anyway, this sweet sign is the front window of a cafe we see going through a town on the way to College Station....

His name is "Jack" Well...he is not " the " Easter Bunny. He is just our bunny. Soft, cuddly and sweet.

Early on a Sunday morning something happened. (Michael Harbour) Mark 16:1-8 (NRSV) When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. 6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 So they went out and fled from the tomb, for t...

Good morning. This lovely tree lined street is one that I am blessed to be able to walk up and down most days. I love it because it is kind of at the top of a hill and I can feel the breeze a little on this street. It is a quiet, beautiful morning. Our days have been pretty crazy and it makes these quiet early mornings even more special. I am pondering this statement this morning that I heard in Bible class last night. Spiritual growth specializes in violating comfort zones. When we get comfortable spiritually, are we in danger? I think that satan loves for us to be comfortable. I pray that today we will be uncomfortable. I pray that we will seek Him with a thirsty heart. Blessings. Amy

Worship was wonderful this morning. Singing praises, having my heart moved and touched and having the blessing of singing Hosanna to the Highest. Praise. Palm Sunday. Today in the cycle of Passover would be Palm Sunday. Thoughts from today's good news: (Michael Harbour) Matt. 21:9- The crowds that went ahead of Him and that followed were SHOUTING, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna is the highest heaven!" What difference does it make in my life? Does Jesus make a difference? John 1:29- Behold , the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. All the difference. That is what it makes. All the difference. God has made the world, the whole world, acceptable to Himself, by the blood of His Son. I am saved. I am loved. It makes all the difference. Yesterday we had a most beautiful day here with crisp cool air and warm sun. We were blessed to be able to spend some of the day in the flower beds adding some lovely ...

We have been doing some bird watching the past few days. This mama bird has been flying in to feed her babies for a week or so. And feeding them and feeding them. She makes me tired. I am sure she is tired. All she is doing is feeding them. Now the babies are trying to get out and get their wings to working. They are so cute and the mama is so sweet and protective. Reminds me of me and lots of other mama's. Especially the feeding the kiddo's constantly part. Mr. red bird is watching the busy-ness too. He is a little bit above it all and seems (if I do say so myself) a bit uppity. Our baby bird is about to stretch his wings and learn to fly. He would not like that description of course. I also think he might starve to death without his mama getting him food all of the time. This mama is going to sit back at a distance and watch him fend (feed) himself. Should be fun and interesting. I will miss our baby bird. We are counting on his brother to whip him into shape. I LOVE this...

It is melt in your mouth good! Ok, I know that yesterday I wrote about not eating any more sugar and I'm not. This is for YOU. I just had to give you Mom's recipe. It is so easy and so incredibly yummy. Hope that you enjoy it. It smells heavenly while cooking too. Easy Apricot Cobbler Jan McCoy 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 2 Tbs. Baking Powder (Mix well in mixing bowl) Add 1 cup Milk and about a third cup of oil Mix well. Pour in oblong Pyrex cake pan. Heat at least 1 quart of sweetened fruit (apricots) to boiling. Pour on top of the batter. Add dollop (don't you love the word dollop?) of butter and sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes until brown. Enjoy. Blessings on your day! Amy

Join me for a cup of joe. Pull up a chair and lets' have a visit. Let's skip the pastry or donut though. How many of those have we had in our lifetime anyway? I have had enough to pad my hips and well... enough is enough. Goodbye sugar. Where was I? Verse that I loved today: Proverb 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. Boy have a had to learn how right this verse is way too many times in my life. With my husband and children and well...everyone. True words to live by. Speaking of sharing coffee. I remember as a child my Mom walking across the street to her good friend Dorothy's house and having coffee every few days. They loved getting together and I loved how much fun they had talking and laughing and probably crying sometimes about life and their husbands and kids. What a blessing it was to Mom to have a friend so close and to enjoy that friendship over hot, percolated coffee. I am thankful too for the friends that I am...

We were visiting our oldest last weekend and stayed with Sid's Dad. It is still so strange and well...I don't know the words. Mama Jo is not there. She should still be there up early reading her Bible and fixing breakfast and smiling and encouraging. She would have loved having two of her grandkids living in the same town as her. Life has gone on and really everyone is doing pretty good. It is just so strange. Before we left I took a picture of this beautiful painting of Sid and his brother's and sister. I love it. All gorgeous red heads, except for one handsome blond headed brother. Life moves on...I am thankful that we know the ending...I am thankful that we will see Mama Jo again...I am thankful that DaddyBob is doing good...I am thankful... Life moves on...this is the front yard of the house we have found for the boys and their buddies to live in next year. I am so excited for them and a little nervous. I am sure they will all do great. We (all the mom's and dad...

This is a wonderful short article about the winner of the Master's golf tournament. It warms my heart. So thankful this young man won. He is a nice breath of fresh air... From Jim Denison's blog "God Issues" Monday, April 11 As you know, South Africa's Charl Schwartzel won yesterday's Masters. He began Sunday's final round four strokes off the lead, but birdied the last four holes to win the world's most famous golf tournament by two strokes. After his historic victory, he was asked how he did it. His immediate response: "Playing with K. J. Choi kept me calm." That was my first clue. I had never heard of Mr. Schwartzel before the Masters, but I knew something of Mr. Choi. He is the best golfer South Korea has ever produced and a passionate Christian. He was introduced to Christ in December of 1992 when he started dating his wife. He states: "My belief and faith in God is very strong now." His charitable foundation has helped victims...

This link takes you to an unbelievable web cam that shows views in Yosemite National Park. If you need to be inspired by God's nature and beauty, just click. Enjoy. http://www.tranquilityimages.com/cams.shtml We were blessed to attend the Yosemite Family Encampment for about 5 or 6 summers when I was younger. It was a great time. No place more beautiful in my opinion (if you love mountains) than Yosemite. The entrance to the valley. You come through a tunnel and all of a sudden...BAM...you have this view. Awesome. Thank you God! We always stayed in Housekeeping Units like this one below. Easy for bears to enter into. I experienced this up close and personal one dark night. Yikes. It. Was. So. Fun!! Blessings! Have a great day and if you ever get a chance, choose a National Park visit for your vacation. Yosemite should be on the top of the list. Lovely.

We had a straight-line pretty ferocious storm blow through a few mornings ago. Afterward I went out to check on Jack. As you can see below, he was doing just fine. After all he does have a deep hole to run into. Cutie pie. Our back porch table did not fare so well. I heard a big crash during the storm as the wind was howling and this was the result. I think the wind picked the umbrella up and slammed it back down funny and it busted the table. Sad. Yuck. On another random note. I miss Will. I walked by his room this morning and I just missed him. He had a rough day yesterday. I know that learning to stand on your own is what our kids are supposed to do but I sure with I could have given him a hug. I thought of these wonderful Winnie the Pooh words about when we are down on ourselves... “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the mo...