Our church had their annual Christmas dinner at a really swanky hotel, so we got to dress up for the occasion!

Indifference

This will move you to tears, move you to pray, move you to act.

Are you willing? Will you reach out to touch them for Him? The ones He died for? They surround us daily, are we blind to their needs? Will we be willing to have our eyes open and our hearts broken with what breaks His?

Or will we be paralyzed by depraved indifference?

I am indifferent no longer.

There are many organizations that are making a difference. Here are two of my favorites.

Children's Hope Chest

Compassion International

This Is Christmas

Stressed out.

Bank account drained.

Overwhelmed.

Lost, lonely and confused.

Is this what Christmas is for you?

Toys and games.

Wants and must-haves.

Lists of plastic dreams.

Rushing to beat the crowds.

Is this what Christmas has come to?

Santa and reindeer.

Cookies and treats.

Holiday wishes and greenery.

A tree with gifts underneath.

Is this all that Christmas is?

What has happened to that simple story?

Of one Gift so small.

Of one Life given for all.

Of a Love that gave it all.

Of Mercy that covered it all.

Who will remind us?

Of a precious Baby born.

Of angels singing majestic glories.

Of Love come down to earth.

The King-child in a stable.

It is our Story too.

Of sin-stained man.

Of the innocent Son of Man.

Of an agonizing debt that was paid.

When Love was birthed we were reborn.

Hope in the form of One so helpless.

Yet He would rescue us all.

Glory clothed in the garment of humanity.

Peace came to earth, God's will for man.

This is Christmas.

My Obsession

Looking around my bedroom, I realize why it is so hard for me to keep it uncluttered.

There are piles of paper everywhere.

Some people collect tchotchkes, and other things of that nature. I am a paper collector.

A paperphile.

What if I need what is on that piece of paper at a later date? What if I can't remember that really inspiring quote? What if, what if, what if....and the piles grow more.

I am not a hoarder. Just a lover of the written word.

I try to rid myself of this addiction and so I throw piles away. But they multiply overnight.

I am obsessed. Someone help me please! If I don't do something soon I will be entombed in papers!

He's amazing, blessed, creative, daring, enthusiastic, fearless, God-loving, helpful, intelligent, joyful, kind, lavish, mellow, never-quitting, oh-so handsome, practically perfect, quiet, real, steadfast, trustworthy, unique, visionary, Word-lover, eXciting, youthful and zealous...and he's MINE ;

Happy birthday to my handsome and wonderful husband! I love you!

Pantry Challenge :: September

Today I organized my pantry and took inventory. WOW! I could not believe all the food I found hiding in the back! So I decided that I needed to use it up and what better way to do that AND save money than a pantry challenge.

I wrote down items that I had in my pantry that I hadn't even used, and then I went to www.food.com (formerly known as Recipeezaar.com) and searched for recipes. Food.com makes it so easy to find by ingredient, menu type, etc.

So, for example, I had seasoned rice vinegar that had been given to me A LONG TIME AGO. I have never used rice vinegar before, so I searched under ingredient and found Sesame Salmon Over Noodles. Oh my goodness, what a delicious pantry challenge meal! Even the kids loved it!

I won't keep you in suspense...here's the link to Sesame Salmon Over Noodles :)

Anyway, I will continue to post with recipes that came only from my pantry items. My goal is to not have to go grocery shopping at all until the next paycheck on the 15th. We'll see if I make it!

Caterpillars and Butterflies

Caterpillar painting in watercolors by Mr. Pliable

Caterpillar painting in watercolors by Mr. Resilient

Enthralled with color...painted in watercolors by Miss Moldbreaker

What an amazing example of shedding our old sin nature and putting on Christ! We are unrecognizable as the "caterpillar" we once were as we emerge from Jesus a completely new creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Did you know that the caterpillar's name means "hairy cat"?

Did you know that caterpillars have fourteen legs but butterflies only have six?

Caterpillars have legs with no knees, and they are short and stubby legs...butterflies have long lanky legs with knees that bend!

Caterpillars only eat leaves and butterflies only drink nectar.

Can you guess what we are studying here at Potter's Hand Elementary? ;)

I realize that autumn is not the best time of the year to delve into insects, but we found one in our backyard last week and the kids were totally engrossed in watching it for hours! I figured it was something that interested them, so let's go for it! :)

We are having a blast! God is good all the time :)