Kisses From Mom

My absolutely favorite recipe that my precious mother made each year at Christmas was this recipe. Christmas was a special time in our home, and mom is the one who made it that way. She is dearly missed.

Raspberry Meringue Kisses

3 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 tablespoons raspberry gelatin
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Beat egg whites with salt until foamy. Add raspberry gelatin and sugar gradually, beating until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Mix in vinegar; fold in chocolate chips. Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet covered with brown paper.

Bake at 250 degrees F for 25 minutes. Turn oven off; leave cookies in oven another 20 minutes.

Makes about 9 dozen cookies.

Happy Gotcha Day, "Marie"!

This adorable little button came into our lives 10 years ago today. She came with many needs and through the Lord's help has overcome so much.

"Marie",

Our hearts desire for you is that you grow in the knowledge and grace of our Savior. You have become a beautiful young woman who openly shares her heart with us. Thank you. You challenge us to challenge ourselves. God has a special plan for you, Princess.

Keep your heart soft toward Him. For He is your Creator and Sustainer. He will give you the grace to endure what will come your way.

Keep your eyes focused on Him. For the world will try to entice you away. Don't get distracted, love.

Keep your mind aimed on Him. He wants you pure and clean. Remember He made you just the way He wants you and you truly are beautiful. Your heart is precious. Your loving spirit glorifies the Lord.

One day, God may give you little ones, for we know this is your heart's desire. We love to watch you at church loving on all the babies, preferring to be with them over your peers. God's greatest gift to you is this desire to be a Mommy one day. Keep praying and accepting His will. Your own Mommy had this desire. It came in the form of a special little girl. We thank God for you every day.

We love you.

My Hero

He is the man I wake up with every morning...but I have the option to go back to sleep for a wee bit longer. He doesn't. The sounds of alarm arouse him before the sun rises.

Ready to work.

Work for his family. Work so I can stay home with my precious children. Work so I can home school.

Today is our 16th Anniversary.

The days slip away. Uninvited events occur. Time gets lost.

But, he remains constant. So many things have happened in the last sixteen years.

Babies are lost. Adoptions are interrupted. Death is awakened. Feelings are hurt. Emotions are raw.

But, he remains constant.

He does this, you see, because he knows the One who upholds him. He is looking to the Wise Leader so he can lead us. He is being herded by the Chief Shepherd, so he can take be the tender guide to his little flock.

"Mr. Cartwright", I love you. You are truly a gift I do not deserve. I am thankful for each day we have together...the hard times and the good. Please know my love is steady and sure.

Sisters....

Tonight, I am thinking of my sister. From the time we were little we watched "White Christmas" together, crosstitching and enjoying each other's company. Here tonight I sit watching it with my girls as I am thinking about my precious sister and friend. This was our favorite part, so when it came on we would stand up and sing it while fluttering around the room.

This year we are missing one special person....but we must remember she is singing a much greater song tonight. She is missed.

I love you, Jen.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are likegrass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the LORD, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I Will Follow

God knows what He is doing....will you follow, even if the road gets tough or you seem all alone?

Missing Her

This the beginning of the first holiday season without Mom.

Throughout my life, so many memories have been made and traditions started because of Mom. Her homemade cranberry jello always was a staple at Thanksgiving. At Christmas, she was the ultimate baker...almond crescents, pecan couplets, dozens and dozens of sugar cookies...iced by her children and grandchildren.

As my sister and I were talking and reminiscing last week, we were reminded of all the special things she did. My sister heard a song on the radio and it jogged her memory of mom playing it on the piano. My sister does a much better job at remembering and I think it is because I don't want to sit there...it is painful...I would rather keep going. But, I must stop and sit awhile. I must remember.

There are days when I can still hear her voice singing. She had a beautiful voice. She was a beautiful woman.

Job Chapter 2

Job has lost all. Now Satan comes to the Almighty asking for permission to sift Job by physical illness. God gives His permission, but commands Satan to not oppress him to death. In the midst of this dialogue, Jehovah reminds the devil, "...and he still holds fast his integrity."

Job is smitten with boils. Sores that won't heal. Pain that doesn't end.

I'm sure Job feels like dying.

In all this, Job's wife comes against him. "Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!"

This made me do a little heart surgery...Am I an encourager to my beloved? Even in the midst of his sorrow? When he feels discouraged, how can I lift him up and not be the salt in his wounds?

Job's response to his discourager is astounding. He gently puts her in her place, likening her to the foolish women. But turns to His Great God.

"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not except adveristy?"

In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Now, if this was my story, I think it wouldn't have ended the way Job's did. I would be complaining to everyone in hearing distance. I would be asking God, "Why?" I would be MAD.

I wonder if before Job's trials, he would have thought the same thing. Because I know God's grace is amazing when He brings the storms and rains.

He IS Greater!

Our God is Great. No matter what you are going through, He is greater!

Amazing Man!

The book of Job is where I find myself settled in God's Word. As I meandered and studied through the first chapter, I was amazed at the events at hand.

Job is described as "blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil". These are truly evidences of his close walk with his God, Yahweh.

We've all heard the story of this man who was sifted by the devil with the permission of God.

He was a rich man, by all accounts. 10 children. 7,000 sheep. 3,000 camels. 500 yoke of oxen. 500 female donkeys. Countless servants. Yet, as we find out when all is taken, not one of these things was an idol in his life. He knew he was blessed. He knew all came from the hand of God.

Then all was taken.

And the man's response certainly bears witness of his strong faith.

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

The last few words of chapter 1: "Through all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God."

None of us have ever gone through what this man of God did. We have endured our own trials. I, myself, have seen my mother leave this world and know, by faith, she is with the Lord. I have been temporarily separated from my oldest treasure. My heart at many times feel such pain that I don't know if I can go on. I want to give up. Surely, I have subtly blamed God, yet always come back to his sovereignty and majestic mercy.


The "whys" have been great at times. The tears can fill many vials.


But, without a doubt, I want and desire to bless the name of the Lord.

My Master, give me the strength from you to do this.

My Speech

You may read the title of this blog and be expecting some grandiose written presentation.

NOT!

For the speech I am referring to is the oral poison or gems that come out of my mouth daily. And so many days it is the former. For if I just thought before I spoke, so much would be different. So Much!

As I have been taking in the first couple of chapters in Elizabeth George's book, Beautiful In God's Eyes, I learn these essentials:

1. Speak less often.
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

2. Speak only after we think about what we are going to say.
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

3. Speak only what is sweet and pleasant.
Proverbs 16:21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

4. Speak only what is wise and kind.
Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

My friends, our words will cut or heal. They will bring life or death.

What are your words saying today?

Today, I Am Thankful For

...my special family. God has given me such unique gifts that challenge and grow me daily.

...this resource. It has transformed our view on trials.

...my man. November 26th will be 16 years. Soul-mates, lovers, best friends, iron sharpening iron. This is what we are.

...salvation. God saved me from me. He crushed His son for me.

...beautiful Florida weather. Highs around 78; Lows around 50.

...the Word of God. For this is what transforms a life.

...homemade spaghetti sauce. The aroma is filling the Ponderosa.

...Saturday nights. Coffee with Mr. Cartwright. Reconnecting from a busy week.

...freedom to home school my treasures.

...:Agape Boys Ranch. They have loved my biggest lamb through the last 15 months of his life. Sometimes tough love.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I have a very special man in my life....other than "Mr. Cartwright".

This man has been a strong example of Godliness. He has had the privilege and challenge of raising me. He has been through much this year and He has remained strong and steadfast in His love for the Lord.

Dad, Thank you for all you have done in my life. I am who I am because of the Lord's work in your life. You have mirrored my Heavenly Father so well as you raised me to love the Lord. I love you and am so grateful to have a Father like you.

Another Resource

Polar Bears. Crabs. Houseflies. Mice. Caribou. Peacocks. Kidneys. Appendix.

All of these "Inger" has been learning about using this resource. Uncle Bob's Nature Corner has been playing on our local Moody radio channel for many years. Thanks to a friend of mine, we now are using the cassettes (yes, remember those old things) daily. "Inger" will sit for up to an hour listening as she draws or pieces together puzzles.

Each program personifies the bug, animal, bird, or part of the human body. Uncle Bob "interviews" each and there is so much learned about each in such a way that "Inger" can relate back to me what she has learned. There have been times she has actually corrected my "wrong" information given during school. Most importantly, it is from a Christian Creation perspective.

As a home school mom, this resource provides my littlest one with a wonderful way to learn, while keeping her busy for a while I school everyone else.

And each episode ends with a Bible Verse about the "Kind Creator".

This is the most important nugget for her to glean.

Trials...For Our Good!

Man, humanly speaking, hates trials. But the new creature in Christ must embrace them with a passion. For our kind Creator has our growth and future in mind. The pain at times can seem unbearable, yet God promises in 2 Corinthians 12:9a "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

And the Apostle Paul's response in part B is "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

This is my heart's cry.

My weakness is what Christ uses to show forth His power.

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning Devotional
Thursday November 11, 2010

"Underneath are the everlasting arms."-Deuteronomy 33:27

God-the eternal God-is Himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet "underneath" thee "are everlasting arms." Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ's great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as "the uttermost"; and to the uttermost He saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are "the everlasting arms." He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the "everlasting arms"-they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan's efforts to harm him avail nothing.

This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the "everlasting arms"-arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for "the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary."

Autumn IS Real!

The little ones here on the Ponderosa have never experienced autumn before. I'm sure they even questioned if it existed as we studied seasons in school. For here in the sunny, tropical Florida, our leaves go from green to brown and fall around February. So part of the excitement of our last trip to see "Hoss" was the kiddos being able to play in the leaves.
"Play?" they asked. "Not rake?"

I Am Meditating on This Today...

8 Counts Agape Style

During our visit to see "Hoss", we all learned many things, one of which was the 8 count. These are a series of disciplines that at given to boys at Agape Boys' Ranch. At the time these pictures were taken we thought only "Little Joe" was the one watching and learning. But keep your eye on the cute little button in the orange shirt.

He is My Maker!

The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. Psalm 24:1

This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

What great deeds are done by His hands. Mark 6:2

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Shout joyfully to God...How awesome are your works. Psalm 66:1,3

Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16)

My Four Favorite People

Thank you, Lord, for these special gifts.

Raising Leaders

My servant leader. My cherisher. My lover. My husband.

He carries so much each day, as he lives to love and works to nurture, protect and provide.

He has two young men looking to him to be the example they need, to do the same as they grow up.



My precious Lord,
As my best friend and lover extends himself to be all to those around him, please cover him with your protection, in mind, body and spirit. May You lead him as he leads us. Please give him the wisdom he needs to make the daily decisions to guide us. May his heart be ever dependent on you. May his mouth speak only what is true and right. May his mind think on your Word. Each day he cries to you. I know you hear him. Please remind Him of your love for him in tangible ways. Give him courage to go against the flow, especially in raising his boys. He wants their hearts. I know you must have them first.

I am so thankful, Jesus, for this man whom you have given me. Help me to show appreciation in the big and little things. Help me to love him more important then myself. Help me to obey and submit to what he desires, for it is done unto you.

Shepherd him as he shepherds us.

Much Grace Needed

I have been strangely surprised.

When I signed up to read Andy Stanley's book, The Grace of God, I was somewhat leery. It seems like in the day and age we live in, the grace of God is seen as an excuse to sin. So, I delved into this book on guard. And I have been refreshed.

Andy Stanley writes with passion for the believer to see the grace of God in the lives of those who lived many years before us. Those who lived in the pages of Scripture. He starts at the beginning of time with Adam and Eve. He takes us on a journey of the fragile lives of the Old Testament saints.

Noah. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Not to mention Rahab, King David and Jonah. I finished each chapter with a new sense of understanding God's grace. Not grace that sugar coats sin. Grace that shows discipline as actually a means of amazing grace.

He hits the New Testament with gusto. Matthew. Nicodemus. The other 11 ordinary men. All people who were given much grace amidst there questionable lives.


I need such grace and I am thankful for the insights Andy Stanley has brought out from God's Word. Without covering up the bad news. For it is because of our sin we need abundant grace in the first place.

Happy Gotcha Day, "Little Joe"

"Little Joe", I will never forget the day your Dad and I drove up to the northern part of our state to pick you up.

To say, "I will, forever".

As we were introduced, Dad and I were both wondering if the case worker had made and mistake...for we were sure we were looking at a little girl. But, alas, we realized you were a boy, just 2 huge brown eyes surrounded by the biggest Afro we had ever seen on any baby. You were just adorable.

As we celebrated your Happy Gotcha Day this year (Oct. 16) I know you were so thankful to be with your big brother again. We know this year has been hard and it seems that you are so young to have been dealt so many things. Yet, we are confident that God is using all these things for your good. To show you the power of Almighty God. To teach you that dependence on your Savior is so necessary.

We are so thankful for God's gift to our family...YOU!

We are grateful for one more year with you and pray for many more.