UPDATE: Little Harper is home with her mommy and daddy!! She is doing great and keeping her parents on their toes! Way to go girl...

"My Husband Rocks" Friday

It has been SO cold down here for this southern girl; my bones are cold! I can't stand it.

Last night I was sitting at the computer and I was freezing. My sweet husband went and got a pair of his camping socks and put them on my feet for me. What a sweetie!!!!

MY HUSBAND ROCKS!!!!!!!

Cupcakes!

Hannah made these tasty devils yesterday evening. They are Raspberry Devil's food cupcakes and they are amazing!!!


Devil’s Food Cupcakes
makes about 2 dozen

9 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups cake flour or all purpose
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup strong coffee
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup milk

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sift together cocoa powder, cake flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl.
3. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer, or by hand, beat together the butter and sugar about 5 minutes until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. (If using a standing electric mixer, stop the mixer as necessary to scrape down the sides to be sure everything is getting mixed in.)
4. Mix together the coffee and milk. Stir half of the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, the add the coffee and milk. Finally stir in the other half of the dry ingredients.
5. Pour into lined cupcake pans, about 3/4 of the way full, and bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.


The frosting is raspberry jam, butter and powdered sugar.

Yesterday after church and lunch/fellowship we decided to ride into the National Forest not far from our house. We saw a sign for a church and decided to go find it. This is what we found! I can see children playing out in front 100 years ago.





Sarah





Here is our puppy, Scout, out with us. She is now 16 lbs!!

Sunday Thought

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer...All the believers were together and had everything in common." ~ Acts 2:42, 44

We are looking forward to a great day of worship and fellowship today! Hope you do the same...

Finally Someone in Washington Is Thinking

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, introduced a bill that would cap compensation for employees of any company that accepts federal bailout money. DUH! 18 Billion dollars was paid out in 2008 in BONUSES. How arrogant!

The economy is tanking and Wall Street executives are not tightening their belts. The stock market is bottoming out (the Dow is at 8000) and these companies are still paying huge bonuses. Citigroup received a 45 billion bailout and were still going to take delivery of a 42 million dollar jet. They decided against it with some encouragement from the Treasury Department. Good choice guys!

But wait, Rudy Giuliani says No Way! If you take bonuses out of the economy there will be more unemployment. Excuse me; so these executives get to keep their tax payer paid bonuses because we can't live with the possible consequences. There is situational ethics at its best.

We cannot reward poor choices and/or bad behavior because employment MAY be impacted. We cannot allow companies to receive tax payers money and then pay their executives not their salaries, but bonuses. There is a higher moral and ethical code at work here. To exempt a group of people from consequences because they may spend a little less is assine.

Millions of families in America have had to and are making hard decisions about their home, cars, insurance, etc. People are loosing their jobs daily and they have no assets to sell or savings to fall back on. Our small town paper has 3 or 4 pages of foreclosures a week. But, we are going to pay out bonuses to those that could easily save and live very comfortably on less than they do at present.

Yes, we each make decisions that effect our lives and the lives of our families. We live in a free nation where each can pretty much choose his or her path. We all must live with the consequences of our lifestyles and spending. But, remember, we are talking about big companies that are asking for government money to save them. I don't know about you, but I don't think if a submit a request for a 'bail out' that the government is going to send me a big fat check. And we have suffered in our business and investments.

I am not bitter, but I am angry. Angry that anyone could turn their head from the suffering going on in our nation and act as if everything is status quo. Angry that our government has gotten so big and involved in the affairs of private companies to the point of giving them money.

The assumption that spending more of the taxpayer’s money will make things better has survived all kinds of evidence that it has made things worse.

Thomas Sowell

99 Balloons

If you haven't seen this video, go here and view it now!! It is heart wrenching and inspiring. Most of us have it so incredible easy.

Girls Day and Other Stuff

The guys decided to get out into the woods with the puppy today, so we girls took off to the bookstore!

William, Hayden and Scout headed out into some of the national forest we have around us for some 'guy time'. Well, Scout is a girl, but I don't think she cares one way or the other! She just likes being outside.

Hannah, Sarah and I went to look for Sarah a new Bible and enjoy a Skinny Vanilla Latte. My favorite hot drink besides straight up coffee. Sarah finally found a Bible she likes, the ESV; Hannah and I looked at magazines on cooking. I found a new journal to take notes in on sermons.

Our pastor is a reformed expository preacher, which I love. I also love to take notes, but my Bible just doesn't allow enough room. So now I can write to my hearts content!!!

We are enjoying our new church family so much. They have already blessed us abundantly with their hospitality and friendship. They open their home every week to us for worship and the imparting of God's Word. After the service we share a meal and fellowship. WHAT A BLESSING!! Our family joined along with another family which added 10 people to their fellowship!!! We have filled up their dining room!

Our children absolutely love it as much as we do. They have young people their age that have been homeschooled or being homeschooled. Hannah enjoys the expository preaching so much as it is more teaching of the Word. Sarah likes that also and is enjoying the intimate fellowship right now. Hayden is just happy.

I don't question why this now and not sooner. God's timing is perfect. We had talked and talked about wanting a fellowship just like this; I mean down to wanting to join a house church. Wow, God is incredible! Our pastor has talked about how he had tried to start this church several times with no real success. But, he too, trusts God's timing . Not sooner, not later, but now. Don't question, just trust.

I desire to live my life trusting God's sovereignty and wisdom. Even that which seems hard, painful or difficult has a purpose. One of our children related a story they heard from someone in leadership not to long ago. They were released from a church and said that was not God's will. The reason they believed this was not God's will was for what I would call 'worldly reasons'. Our child felt that it was God's will as He directs our paths.; that like Job, God gives and takes way.This adult didn't agree. Funny, I think our child had it right.

Our desire is that our children trust God implicitly with their lives. This provides real peace; a peace the world can not give. Then when troubled winds blow, which they will, there is no fear, no question as to who is in control. When the rug is pulled out from under you, which it will, you know who is holding you up. He is either God of all or not God at all.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

photo courtesy of Hannah Queen

Update on Harper!!

Harper is doing so much better. Go over to Kelly's Korner and see the latest pictures!! If you remember, I had a button that said "Praying for Harper". This sweet little girl had major health problems after she was born and many have been praying for her.

Scout Award

We attended a District Scout banquet Saturday night. William received an award for his adult training. Go William!!! He is also working on his Wood Badge; one more bead to move!!

Hayden decided that Piper needed some learnin. So now Piper gets school time like everyone else!!!

"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to sustain ourselves, according to the Ten Commandments of God." ~ James Madison

How far have we drifted? I love history and I especially enjoy reading about he founding of America. I am awed by the commitment of these men that risked and sacrificed so much. What I do not enjoy is realizing how far we have drifted from the original intent of our Constitution.

Our government has forsaken the very foundation on which it was built.

100 Things I've Done

I found this over at The Great Adventure and thought I'd play along. Everything that is in BOLD I've done. If you decide to post this, please comment so I can check your list out!

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii.
5. Watched a meteor shower.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland. Been to Disney World
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning.
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train.
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you're not sick.
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping.
27. Run a marathon.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset.
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to truly be satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo's David.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.
52. Kissed in the rain.
53. Played in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater.
55. Been in a movie.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business.
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia.
60. Served in a soup kitchen.
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies.
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check.
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guards in London.
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.
80. Published a book.
81. Been to the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the paper.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had Chicken pox.
89. Saved someone's life.
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous.
92. Joined a book club.
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a lawsuit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Read an entire book in one day.

Obama's Plan for Education, Etc.

I do not even know where to begin, but President Obama evidently wants to begin indoctrinating our children at birth. I guess waiting 5 years is just too long for our government; get them before they can talk. The enemey wants nothing more than to get our precious children out of the hands of their loving mothers from birth.

Early Childhood Education

• Zero to Five Plan: The Obama-Biden comprehensive "Zero to Five" plan will provide critical support to young children and their parents. Unlike other early childhood education plans, the Obama-Biden plan places key emphasis at early care and education for infants, which is essential for children to be ready to enter kindergarten. Obama and Biden will create Early Learning Challenge Grants to promote state Zero to Five efforts and help states move toward voluntary, universal pre-school.
• Expand Early Head Start and Head Start: Obama and Biden will quadruple Early Head Start, increase Head Start funding, and improve quality for both.
• Provide affordable, High-Quality Child Care: Obama and Biden will also increase access to affordable and high-quality child care to ease the burden on working families.

Whitehouse.gov is a interesting site to puruse if you want to see what is going on in the Executive branch of our government. You will want to read the changes President Obama desires to make concerning hate crimes, gay rights, adoption, AIDS, etc. We are seeing a clear socialist agenda and we must be prepared to pay a price for standing on the truth before it is all over.

Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” (Romans 1:32) Lord help us as the leader of our country gives his approval to sinful practices.

As Christians our allegiance isn't to a political party, but to the Kingdom of God. We must continue to stand on the Word of God and speak the truth whenever the opportunity arises. We can not wavier or shrink from the fight.

Stand up Church!!

Obama reverses abortion-funding policy

It is a sad sad day.

President Obama signed an executive order Friday striking down a rule prohibiting U.S. money from funding international family planning groups that promote abortion or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion services.

I do not believe that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or actively promote abortion. I do not believe in abortion. I do believe that President Obama has made it clear what we can expect from him. What a statement to make as the new sitting President.

This is who is effected. Tell them...

"My Husband Rocks" Friday

He is building a chicken coop so we can have chickens and therefore have eggs! There is always something to be done around here to keep him busy. Sometimes he shakes his head at me and plunges in to the newest project; but I know it gives him joy to fulfill my wants and needs.

He just ROCKS!!!

Harper is a sweet 1 week old that is having some serious medical problems. Click above and read about her.

It spit snow all day Monday, but we didn't think it was going to really do anything. Then around 4:00 it started coming down. So, I yelled at the kids to get ready to go driving. I love to drive in the snow! It is beautiful in the mountains and I love to see the snow hanging on the small pines.

Here it has just started snowing.

At Home


Our Driveway on Tuesday





Beautiful!

photos courtesy of Hannah Queen

What Paul Said

Paul gives three characteristics of a Christian in the book of Philippians.

1) Worship in the Spirit of God - The true source of life. Our conversion and sanctification is the work of Christ.
2) Glory in Christ -All our hope is in Christ. Our affections are on Him alone.
3) Put no confidence in the flesh - We recognize that we are sinners and our works are useless. We rely solely in the righteousness of Christ.


These are God's true covenant people; a covenant that covers our sins and what we truly deserve. Romans 5:12 Ecclesiastes 7:20

The work of the cross is not abstract, the effectual call of the Spirit is real, and the sovereign grace of God is AMAZING.

Oh to joy in Christ alone!