If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart


Sunrise on the Battery by Beth Webb Hart

Book Description:  Now that she’s arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn’s longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?
At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they’ve dreamed of. Two self-described “small town bumpkins” from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal:  to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had. 
But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn’s childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways.   So clear and strange she can no longer deny it.  When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings.  Now Jackson’s dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement.  Is she willing to go along with him?
What would it be like to go “all out” for God?  Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way.  Mary Lynn has her doubts.

Click here for the author's website.

My Thoughts:   This is a really good book.  From beginning to end, I just couldn't seem to read it fast enough.  Each character was very well written.   Mary Lynn prayed for her husband to get saved, but then wasn't quite ready for the changes when he did.  The girls hadn't been raised to know God, so they had no understanding of what was going on.  They, along with their parents were involved in moving up in society in Charleston.  It was interesting getting a glimpse into the Charleston society, but I found myself hoping that God would win out in the end.  I have no intention of spoiling the ending or giving anything away.  I will say that this book is really good and I highly recommend it to you.

I received a copy of this book from The B&B Media Group for review.  I am not required to give a positive review.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wednesday Hodgepodge


This is the 50th Hodgepodge.  Click the button and join us for the fun.  Of course read my answers first and leave a comment if you want.

1. What gives you goosebumps?
When I'm really cold.  

2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?
I like it okay especially the chocolate candy.  lol

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?
No.

4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose.
Oranges.  Are we getting a little bossy Joyce?  hahaha

5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc)
Disney World!  No that's a little extreme.  How about Texas Roadhouse Steak House

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
Ice packs

7. Are you at all superstitious?
No

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I will get back to more regular blogging soon.  I haven't been feeling well lately, but I'm getting better now.  Recovering from bronchitis.  Sure have been missing everyone.  Take care.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Click the button above to join in the fun with us.

1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency?
 I was a full-time police/fire dispatcher for over 15 years and still fill in when needed, so I kinda have to be able to handle the immediate emergency situation.  After all these years, it still makes me nervous, but you do what you have to and I've certainly done a lot of praying over things.  But now, if you need me to handle a medical emergency (like being there for the blood and stuff), that I don't do quite as well.  :)

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which carmel treat would you choose?
I'm not a major caramel fan, but I do like caramel corn.

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.
I don't really believe in destiny, however I believe God has a plan for our lives, but now it depends on whether we're willing to listen and follow His plan or are we going to do our own thing.

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list.
Probably the end tables and coffee table my dad made for us.

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?
No I really don't care this year.  If the Cincinnati Reds were in it, I'd probably care more.  haha

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is____________.
I can't think of a thing right now.  Maybe after I read some other Hodgepodge answers I'll come up with something.

7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts?
Probably 8-10, sometimes more, sometimes less.  I check it off and on all day, if I have time.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
If you've never done it, I strongly recommend the Beth Moore Bible study, "The Inheritance".  Very good.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Crockpot Beef Roast

A friend at work (Traci) gave us a recipe for a crock-pot beef roast. We put it on to cook this morning before work. It's super simple.  Mix a packet of dry ranch dressing, dry Italian dressing and a packet of dry brown gravy.  We took these 3 ingredients and put them in a small baggie and shook them up.  Then put the beef roast in the crock-pot and poured the dry mix over it and added 1/2 cup water and cooked all day.  When we got home from work, I added some mushrooms to the crock-pot and then cooked some noodles. 

To serve we put the noodles on the plate, added the beef & mushrooms and then some of the broth and added a little sour cream, salt & pepper and hubby added parsley to his. 

Traci, your recipe was a hit at our house.  Thanks for sharing.


Monday, October 10, 2011

Counting One Thousand Gifts



In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings, Gifts, & God moments in my life this past week:

11. A wonderful service yesterday with my husband reminding us that God's mercies are new every morning.

12. God with me in the night. I've had a cold or flu or something this past week and Saturday night I couldn't sleep at all. At one point I got up and decided to read my Bible and God led me to Lamentations and the same verse that my husband used Sunday morning in his sermon that I mentioned above. That verse seems to be coming up in my life a lot recently. No doubt it's a God thing.

13. Wonderful Friends. A friend gave me a recipe for a hot toddy to try for my congestion. I have to say it wasn't very tasty (I've had worse though) but it seemed to help. I really slept last night. Thanks Karen. (I'll try to post it later this week for those of you who may be interested.)

14. Fellowship. Yesterday was "Homecoming" at our church and after service we had dinner. Let me tell you we have some wonderful cooks at our church (both men and women) and lunch was great. But not just the food, the fellowship with each other was too. God has blessed us richly.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wednesday Hodgepodge


Click the button above if you'd like to join Joyce for some Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. What's your favorite meal to serve on a chilly autumn evening?
Chili with spaghetti or breakfast with eggs, bacon or sausage, fried potatoes and toast or biscuits.  Yummy, it's making me hungry just thinking about it.

2. Are you a creature of habit? Explain.
No, I don't think so.  But maybe I should ask my family, they make think differently.

3. What food product (no longer readily available) do you remember and miss from days gone by?
My mom's porkchops fried in cornmeal batter with mashed potatoes and cornmeal gravy.  Yummy.  I miss it because I don't live at home and I don't cook it because I'd be the size of a barn if I could make this (along with some other very wonderful things my mom cooks).
 
4. What's something you've lost that you've never been able to find? Any theories as to what happened?
I can't think of a thing.

5. Zoo~circus~ carnival...your favorite?
Zoo because I love the animals, especially seals and penguins.




6. What song makes you feel instantly happy?
Kiss the Girl from Little Mermaid


7. To what extent are you an argumentative person?
Depends on who I'm arguing with and what we're arguing about.

8. Insert your own random thought here.




This lady makes the most awesome creatures from candy.  Her name is Miyuki and she is at the Japanese Pavilion at EPCOT.  I love to watch her.  She is really terrific.  If you ever get the chance you should check her out.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

More Pictures from Our Trip

Here are a few more pictures from our Disney Vacation.

One of my most favorite rides at EPCOT

Kerri with Dory.  I love Dory (and Kerri too)

Sunset just outside Disney Hollywood Studios

This picture of Woody and Jessie crack me up.  It looks to me like someone must have passed some gas and they're holding their noses.  hahaha

Evening photo of the Castle

Halloween Decorations (this was late August or early September)

Hope you enjoyed another little peak into our Disney trip.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Counting One Thousand Gifts



In my deliberate effort to be more aware of God in my life, here is a continuation of the list of Blessings I'm grateful for:

#6-#10

6. Our wonderful Tuesday Night Women's Bible Study.  I love these ladies so much and they teach me so much.  Plus learning from Beth Moore.  God is definitely using her to teach us more about Him.  Right now we are learning we are Heiresses.

7. I'm thankful for a wonderful weekend with my husband and daughter and the opportunity to "see" and talk with our oldest daughter on Skye last night.

8. Earlier last week my husband experimented with a new recipe for Spaghetti Sauce and it was very good.  I'm so thankful for a husband who likes to cook!


9. I'm thankful for a fun time with my youngest daughter Saturday night.  We went to the movies together without any pre-planning.  Just checked the time and found it was starting in 30 minutes,  then hopped in the car and zoomed over.  We shared some popcorn and some laughter and watched "The Help".  Fun times.

10. Being loved by God...when I take the time to think about this I can hardly believe that the Creator of all loves me.


Sunday, October 2, 2011

I Don't Have To...I Get To

It's Sunday! Today is the day we go to worship the Lord. I was just thinking as I was drying my hair that so many times on Sunday mornings my thought is:
I have to go to church.
I have to teach the Sunday School today.
I have to play the piano.
I have to do this or that.

And then the thought came to me that it shouldn't be "I have to."  It should be "I get to." 
I have the privilege this morning to go to church.
I have the privilege to teach the Sunday School today.
I have the privilege to play the piano or to do this or that.

You know in so many countries of this world, they don't have that privilege.  Or people sick at home or in a hospital bed don't have that privilege.  Or our young men and women out on the battlefield right now don't have that privilege. 

So today I choose to be glad and enjoy the privilege God has given me.

God forgive me for thinking the wrong way.  Thank you for reminding me this morning it is an awesome thing to be able to worship the Most High God.  Thank you for loving me.  Help me to always remember this.

  • I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

I

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Pictures Driving Down the Road

Sometimes when I head out to work in the morning, the sun is shining so bright and the sky is so pretty I can't resist grabbing my camera and just snapping away. Yes, I am driving, but I don't focus the camera. I just open the window (or not) and snap away (and know I don't put the camera up to my face, I am totally watching my driving. I did this yesterday and I'm just now seeing what I actually captured. I often wonder what the people in the cars around me are thinking.

Anyway, here they are if you want to see them. I have a very short drive to work, but it's rather picturesque I think.  As you'll see, I've done no editing at all.  You can see the car in some and all kids of wires, but the sky sure was pretty yesterday and I imagine in a couple of weeks or so the trees should be full of colors.






Have a great weekend everyone!