Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
March 26, 2008
This year I entered a photograph of my father in the IAHE Convention Art Contest. The category for my age group (8th – 12th) was a photo of someone that has encouraged me in my walk with the Lord. I decided to capture a photo of my father, he has been a wonderful blessing and encouragement to me.
He has taught me about God’s Word, shared with me what God has taught him and still teaching him, he has encouraged me to read and study the Bible everyday, he has led us as a family in worshiping God every evening, and he has provided for his family. I love my daddy!
This is the picture I “captured” of him. We spent a couple evenings just working on getting the “perfect” shot. He was very patient with me as I tried to get everything just right, his position, the camera and tripod, the board behind him, etc. Finally I captured this shot of him. The black and white gives it a classy look, and keeps the color from being a distraction. The board behind him is actually a dark blue.
Today when I went out to get the mail after lunch, I saw that there was a letter for me from the IAHE Convention. All I could say was, “Lord Your will be done. I entered this to honor my father and glorify You. May You be glorified. Your will be done.” When I entered the kitchen I held up the envelope to Momma. She hurried and put the milk away and I opened the letter with Bre and Mom watching me.
“Congratulations! You are a winner! Your entry has been chosen to receive the First Place Award in the Photography category for 8th thru 12th Grades and Champion for the Photography Division.”
My eyes almost fell out of my head.
“Thank you Lord” was all I could say. Excited, I hurriedly picked up the phone to call Daddy who had come home for lunch, but had already left for work when I got the mail. He was excited and happy, and he actually came home (he works about seven minutes from home) to read the letter. Isn’t that just sweet!
My dear sister, Breezy, won the Champion over all the portfolios (click here to see her entry). She had been notified that she won about a week ago, but we didn’t know about the photography because it had not yet been judged. Our friend Kate won Champion over the other 8th – 12th categories (excluding portfolios and photography). Also, our sweet distant cousin Holland won Champion over the K – 3rd category!
“O my strength, I will sing praises to You:
For God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness.” – Psalm 59:17
We will all receive our awards at the convention . . . on stage. I’m a bit nervous about that part, but oh well. The portrait of Daddy will most likely be on the big screen where they will display images of the artwork for all to see. I hope he doesn’t mind. ;)
Little Janaya
March 19, 2008
On Saturday we had a couple and their baby from church stay the night here at our house. Their daughter’s name is Janaya, and she is such a little sweet heart. This was the first time I got to hold her, and it was wonderful. I hadn’t held a baby in quite a long time. She fell asleep while we were looking out the window together, what a precious moment.
trying NOT to complain
March 16, 2008
I‘m not sure whether you’ve felt this way or not, but I know I feel it far too often: I wish for something I don’t have. A common instance is in the dead of winter, wanting summer to come so it will be warm outside . . . and vise-versa.
There have even been times where I wish I could just skip a part of my day . . . such as studying health.
“. . . with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – Phil. 4:6b
This is an area that I need to work on: not having a complaining spirit. Many times I don’t even realize I’m complaining . . . which is definitely not a good thing in the first place.
But what do I have to complain about? I am extremely blessed by God, He has saved me, taught me, and blessed me with a wonderful life. My father works with his hand to provide for his family, my mother spends most of her day taking care of her family and teaching Bre and I. Breezy is my sister, but more than that — my friend, encourager and the girl I like to tease.
I need to have a joyful spirit, and to thank God for all that He has blessed me with. When I complain, I’m not complaining about something, I’m really complaining against God! So many times the Israelites complained against God, and God judged them for their disobedience and complaining.
I am extremely blessed by God. He is my Creator, Savior, Lord, and King. He never had to create me, but He did. My goal is to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever, obeying His every command.
“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” – Deut. 4:2
Goodbye Mr. Snowman
March 13, 2008
Mr. Snowman has resided on our front door since early December. We are ready to boot out the snow, and let the Spring enter our lives. He was only beckoning more snow to come.
Oh well, we will of course see him again next winter (unless something terrible happens). But for now, it is time for him to have a break and have a long Spring/Summer/Fall nap. I hope he enjoys it.
Spring, I think, is here. The past couple days have been beautiful! The birds have come back up from their winter stay down south, and are singing with joy, praising their Creator:
“All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your Name. Selah.” – Psalm 66:4
God is so good!
Corn Muffins
March 12, 2008
Don’t they look so extremely delicious? Check out Mom’s blog for the Corn Muffin Recipe!
For other’s Wordless Wednesday posts, please visit Confessions From The Rubber Room.
Kefir – Update
March 8, 2008
The kefir’s still the same. Still tastes the same. Still smells the same. Still looks the same – except a little bigger.
If you read my last post on kefir, you know that we just received it recently. If you did not read it, and you don’t know what kefir is, you might want to read it.
Kefir can be used interchangably with milk, buttermilk, and sour cream, there will only be a slit difference in texture most of the time. Before we had only used it in smoothies. Now, we’ve used it as an ingredient in several different things:
Crumb Cake – Momma replaced the buttermilk in our crumb cake with kefir. I didn’t really notice a difference, since we hadn’t made that dessert in a while. So, I’m not sure what difference it actually made, but from my recollection it was more moist.
Pudding – This is highly not recommended. We replaced milk with kefir in an instant box mix – it tasted quite nasty. Actually, it was almost like carbonated pudding. Very sour.
Corn Muffins – Instead of using sour cream, Momma used kefir. The first batch (a dozen muffins) she simply replaced it, and they came out a bit extra grainy, as well as a tiny bit sour. Then Momma did another batch (two dozen muffins), tweaking the recipe, and they were simply perfected. The muffins even tasted better than before with the sour cream.
Making kefir is actually much more affordable than using sour cream. If you are interested in growing your own kefir culture, please visit From Field’s and Gardens.
Glorifying God In Our Attitudes
March 3, 2008
“He did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart.” – 2 Chronicles 25:2
This verse is about Amaziah, who was king over Jerusalem for twenty-nine years. He obeyed God’s commands, but he didn’t do it with the right heart.
How many times have we obeyed our parents – and through obeying them, obeyed God – without a joyful attitude? How many times have we swept the floors, washed dishes, or even cleaned the bathroom with a bad attitude?
We must remember to have the fruits of the Spirit, and to glorify God in our actions.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
The fight between our flesh and the Holy Spirit is continual. Often it is difficult to say “no” to the flesh – even when we know it’s wrong. We should be fully devoted to our Lord and Savior, and strive to give Him glory in all things, even in our attitudes.
While living the life my Lord has blessed me with, I am at home with my family enjoying being a daughter, homemaker and artist. My highest goal is to give glory to God and enjoy Him forever. It is He that has saved me with His amazing grace and is continually molding me; to Him I owe everything. Read more . . .
