Awesome Giveaways at Leelou Blogs!!!

I just LOVE great giveaways, don't you? I'm sharing a link here for a site that has several AWESOME Giveaways going on at one time-just in time for Christmas! You have until November 30 to enter, so check it out!!!

Love & Blessings!

HERE'S THE LINK!!! Leelou Blogs

Thankfulness

As I reflect upon all that has happened this year, it would be very easy to feel a bit down. But when I consider it through the eyes of Jesus, Adonai-Lord and Master, Savior and Redeemer, I can't help but be thankful.

If the only thing Jesus ever gave was salvation, that would be enough. But He has given so much MORE.

He has given Life. He has given healing. He has given provision. He has made intercession. He has given Himself.  The list of all He has done and continues to do each and every day is infinite.

In light of THIS, Jesus, Savior of the world, I choose to be thankful. For better or for worse, I am thankful.

Are you?

Christmas Tag Swap

Little did I know that embarking on this journey into "blogland" would provide me the opportunity to connect with so many gifted people! I am overwhelmed by the Creator's creative nature in so many people!

I am sharing this link for any of you who are interested in participating in this amazing and fun Tag Swap. Have fun with it and PLEASE post pictures of your creations! I would just LOVE to see them!

Wishes for a blessed day!


http://creativebreathing.blogspot.com/

Blue Bird Paper Crafts

Aren't they all ADORABLE?!?!

http://creativebreathing.blogspot.com/

Reaching Out

Upon reflecting, this morning, on the past few years of my life and the many trials we have been faced with and comparing that with the joy and elation I have been experiencing lately, the Lord spoke with resounding clarity. "You are filled with joy as a result of reaching out to others with encouragement. It is the natural blessing of loving people." WOW!

I then realized just how TRUE that statement is. All of my life I have struggled with small bouts of depression. What the Lord has shown me, many times over the years, is that when I determine to reach out to others despite my current turmoil, He, indeed, blesses me with an uplifted spirit and the strength to go on!

Feeling good is the natural result of loving and caring for others. It's HIS design! Isn't our God so loving and gracious? It is exactly what Jesus did in His life. It is what He did on the cross. And it is what He continues to do today!

While He walked the earth in bodily form, He encouraged, uplifted, healed and blessed people. While He hung on the cross, He forgave and interceded for people. Now, upon the throne, He continually uplifts, blesses, encourages, heals and intercedes for us! What an amazing Lord and Savior!

Before He left the earth, He told us, as His followers, to DO the same as He does. Uplift, encourage, bless, intercede, heal...need I say more?

Well, I WILL say more! I will say to you, dear reader, "Have a wonderfully blessed and encouraged day! And remember, He formed you in your mother's womb and KNEW you before you were born. He has an amazing plan for your life if you will just submit your will to His!"

Love & blessings!

COTTON PICKIN CUTE: Please Pray for Dan and Kate!!!!

As a Follwer of Christ, I believe it is important to be aware of other's sufferings and that it is both our responsibility and privelege to lift other members of the Body of Christ up in prayer whether we know them personally or not. Thus, I am sharing a link to a prayer request for another family in need. I hope you'll join me!

Love and blessings!

COTTON PICKIN CUTE: Please Pray for Dan and Kate!!!!: "I just found out my dear friend Kate's husband Dan is in the hospital. If you don't already know Kate you is just the sweetest person from..."

Thoughts on Holiday Shopping

For the past several years, the Lord and I have really been simplifying my life. I have been pondering over this a lot lately, especially with Christmas quickly approaching.

In my determination to be led by His Spirit, I have been seeking Him out as to how He would have me go about my holiday shopping. With resounding clarity He has told me to keep it inexpensive, to keep it simple and to keep it personal.

By this, He means to support my community by shopping at my local businesses, online from my friends who have personal websites (ie. Etsy), and to really consider each person as I am shopping. He has reminded me to follow His leading so that I will spend the right amount on the right things.

I would encourage you to also do likewise. Check out the Etsy website (http://www.etsy.com/) which has endless goodies, and other websites by people you know. If you know others who handcraft items, phone them up and see what they have for sale this season! It's a wonderful way not only to support one another, but to give some really wonderful gifts to the people we love!

Here are some of my favorites that I hope you'll check out!

http://www.trulytruetreasures.etsy.com/

http://www.wildhorsesdesigns.etsy.com/ 

   

http://www.yeringtonflowers.com/

http://www.manycrowns.etsy.com/

Be sure to check out my blog site for a complete list and links to more of my favorites!
Happy shopping and many blessings!

Pumpkin Pancakes Anyone?

When I began this blog, I had every intention of posting something every day and I was pretty consistent for the first couple of weeks, but now...not so much.

I realized last night that I have allowed the daily toils of life to keep me from doing some of the things that I really love, ie: writing!

Upon realizing this, I decided to simply share a recipe - a recipe for pumpkin pancakes!

YUM! So here it is!

2 cups flour

3T brown sugar

2t baking powder

2t baking soda

1/2t salt

1/2t each, cinnamon & nutmeg

1/4t cloves

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup pumpkin

1 egg

2T vegetable oil

2T vinegar OR lemon juice

In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. In a medium bowl, whisk the wet ingredients together. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisk until just mixed. Spoon approximately 1/4 cup servings onto hot, lightly buttered griddle. Cook until bubbles appear, then flip and cook for a couple minutes more, until done.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!