~WFW~ Victory!~

1 John 5:4-5 ~ "because everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith. So the one who conquers the world is the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

Without Christ, we could do nothing! But through Christ, we can do all things.

~Tempt My Tummy Tuesday~Brunch Casserole~

Brunch Casserole

1 ½ pounds sausage
8 oz Crescent rolls
2 cups shredded cheese (½ cheddar and ½ mozzarella)
6 eggs, beaten
¾ cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Brown and drain sausage. Line bottom of 13x9 buttered dish with Crescent rolls (press perforations together). Sprinkle with sausage and cheese. Combine remaining ingredients and pour in dish.

Bake 15 minutes @ 425 degrees (maybe a little longer, until set). Let stand for 15 minutes. Serve.

For more great recipe finds go to Lisa/Lana's Tempt My Tummy and all the others joining in.

Recently I told you about my uncle with lung cancer. He was put in the hospital last week for a couple of days. He went home on Friday, but they had to bring him back this morning because the pain is so intense. I went to see him and my cousin today at the hospital. It doesn't appear to be much longer. The cancer has spread. He is 87 and has had a good life, but this is still difficult no matter what your age. Please pray for a reprieve from the pain, peace and no more suffering.

Also, my cousin from San Antonio is planning to come to visit tomorrow. Her Mom has Alzheimer's and things change from day-to-day. Please pray for traveling mercies, as she will be flying, Pray for peace for Sheila if it is the right decision that she gets away for a few days. Allow her to feel God's comfort, either way.

~Grace Flows Down~ Passion Worship

I've heard this song on several blogs, and just love it. I thought I would share with you.

Life is especially tough these days. This has to be my prayer:

Psalm 25:4-5Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Also see: 2 Tim 3:16-17, 1 Peter 2:2)

Hebrews 12:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

~Thank You Friends~

Well, I guess I'm not as pathetically slow in acknowledging these awards as I have been.

I wanted to thank some special people for thinking of me when passing on their awards.

This first one I got from Debra and Laurie Ann. I believe on the same day. I think most of you know both these lovely ladies. If not, please check out their blogs, you will be blessed. Debra will even let you call her Denise, if you like, or probably anybodies name (AS LONG AS YOU ARE BEING NICE). This is a joke between Debra and myself, where I called her the wrong name, and it even took me a bit to catch on.

The first one means....To translate the gift from Portuguese to English, it means:"This blog invests and believes, the proximity"[meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' -being close through proxy]



This second award is also from Laurie Ann. Laurie Ann is such a sweet, sweet person. If you haven't been to her blog, please go check it out. She has such a heart of gold. You will not leave without being blessed. I also received this Autumn Friends Award from Peggy.




I'm going to pass these 2 awards on to the following. You may have already received them, but enjoy them again. If you choose to pass on, that is great and if you choose not, that is great also:

1. Amy @ Mom of 4 Saved by Grace.
2. Krista @ Krista's Kronicles & Coffee Talk.
3. Stephanie @ My Sacrifice of Praise.
4. Erica @ Amazing Adventures Await
5. Christina @ All That Blog

So, I need to correct this, while over at Laurie Ann's just now, she has also shared "Sharing the Love" award with me today. I am going to be "Johnny on the Spot" today. Thank you Laurie Ann. I do not feel deserving of any of these. You are such a blessing to me.


I'm going to pass this award to:

Debra @ Clothed With Scarlet






I almost forgot, Ripley and I also got an award from Peggy. Thanks Peggy, that is so sweet.

And, Lisa @ Blessed with Grace and her twin sister Lana @ Right Here...Right Now were so kind as to include me in this Beautiful Blogger Award.

Lisa and Lana host Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays. You should check out these recipes and join in.

Have a great week!

~Get Out Of Your Cave~

1 KINGS 19:9 NCV ~ There Elijah went into a cave and stayed all night.
Then the Lord spoke his word to him: "Elijah! Why are you here?"

Elijah was hiding in a cave, fearful, discouraged, and
confused.

Why?

Elijah knew God and had seen God do mighty things, even in
answer to his own prayers. Yet he was human, just like the rest
of us.

JAMES 5:17 NCV ~ Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed
that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three
and a half years!

Elijah had only one real problem, and it was not the
adversaries he faced. It was that he got his focus off of God
and onto himself.

To me, God seems amazed at Elijah's hiding. I picture Him
thinking, "Doesn't Elijah know that I am greater than all his
adversaries? Doesn't Elijah know that I will help him?"

I would paraphrase the verse above as, "What in the world are
you doing here, Elijah? Have you forgotten who your God is?
Have you forgotten who you are, a servant of Almighty God?"

Elijah was human -- just like us -- and we face the same
difficulties in life. But just like Elijah, our real problem is
not the problems we face -- but our focus.

We can focus on our inability and lack, or we can focus on
God's ability and abundant provision.

Are you hiding in a "cave" today, afraid to venture forth and
face life? Are you afraid of failure and rejection? Are you
discouraged because things haven't worked out like you thought
they would?

What are you doing?! Get out of your "cave!"

God is on your side. The Greater One is in you. The Lord is
your helper. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you.
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Taken from Daily Devotion

Blessings!

~TSMSS~ Beloved~Tenth Avenue North~

Have a blessed weekend!

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

Tenth Avenue North ~ is a group who I've recently been listening to. I think they have some really great songs! Hope you enjoy!
Blessings!

~You Don't Face Life All Alone~

JOHN 14:18 NCV ~ "I will not leave you all alone like orphans;
I will come back to you.

Being alone -- with no help -- is a horrible feeling. One the
devil would love for you to believe is your lot.

You are NOT alone! Jesus promised!

When you feel alone, desolate, and helpless -- remember the
promises of Jesus.

HEBREWS 13:5 NIV ~ ...God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you."

Your feelings are not the true test of reality. God cannot lie.
He is with you now, whether you feel like it, or whether it
looks like it, or not.

Since God is always with you, it would be rude to always ignore
Him. So call on Him and discuss things with Him. Let God be
your friend. That's His plan.
Taken from Daily Devotion.

Blessings!

~Correction~

Hey all,

As I was looking over my Thankful Thursday post, I had failed to put that this was taken from a recent Daily Devotion.

As was pointed out to me, and I agree with also, there are times when chemical imbalances can lead to depression, as well as other circumstances that may lead to depression.

The following is an excerpt from the devotion, "You will not be bothered with depression if you act on the Word of God and "be thankful." The cure for unhappiness is being thankful. Try it."

It was not my intention to offend or hurt anyone and if so, please accept my deepest apologies.
Blessings!

~Thankul Thursday~Be Thankful~

PSALM 107:1 NKJ
1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy
endures forever.

It seems the more people have the less thankful they become.
Today complaints are abundant, but thank you's are few.

COLOSSIANS 3:15 NKJ
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also
you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Being thankful is not a choice for a Christian. If it was
impossible, God would not have told us to do it.

So, why are people not thankful?

Gratitude is a mark of maturity. Ingratitude is a mark of
immaturity. Babies are never thankful.

Neither are proud people thankful. Why? Because their mindset
is that they deserve not just everything they have, but even
better. "Why be thankful for something less than what you
deserve?" describes their thinking.

A funny thing you will notice if you consider it: unthankful
people are never happy. In fact, the more thankful a person is,
the happier they are.

(This is an example of how acting on God's Word is for our
benefit. God didn't invent commands just to be bossy.)

You will not be bothered with depression if you act on the
Word of God and "be thankful." The cure for unhappiness is
being thankful. Try it.

But how can you overcome the bad habit of ingratitude? Only by
changing your core beliefs. As long as you believe you are
getting a raw deal, or less than you deserve, you will never
become a thankful person.

But if you realize that you deserved punishment and eternal
separation from God -- yet in His mercy God instead gave you
what He deserved, and EVERYTHING you have -- including every
breath you breathe -- is a gift -- then you will become a
thankful person. Taken from a Daily Devotion

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Iris at Sting My Heart.

Blessings!

~Word Filled Wednesday~

Psalm 8:1 ~ O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Several weeks ago there was a program on all the major networks ~ Stand up to cancer. In this program, it stated that 1 out of 3 people would have cancer at some point! With that being said, it seems everywhere you turn there are more and more people that are being diagnosed. There are several right now in my family with cancer, two of which have lung cancer. My uncle, Spencer, my Dad's brother has lung cancer. He is the last of my Dad's siblings who is alive. He chose not to have treatment. I'm not sure why, maybe his age? His wife is still living, but she has many medical problems, one being dementia. My cousin, Anita is his only child, so this falls all her shoulders. I spent some time talking with Anita Monday and this is a very difficult time for her. I remember vividly how it was the days before Dad passed on. It is hard enough with a Mother who is aware and siblings.

So, today I would just ask to remember these in my family with this horrible disease, but also the many others who are fighting this ugly disease! And, September is Childhood Cancer month. Chili's takes a percentage of the money spent this month to go to support childhood cancer.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods
Blessings!

~Tempt My Tummy Tuesday~ Chicken Spaghetti~

Chicken Spaghetti

12 oz cooked chicken
3 cups spaghetti
4 oz Mexican Velveeta (cubed & melted)
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 can Rotel tomatoes (use whatever strength you can stand)

Sauté onions and peppers. Cook spaghetti. Mix all ingredients. Pour into
a greased baking dish (I used an 8 x 11 size) and bake at 400 degrees for
approximately 20 minutes.

6 servings

Have a great day!

~I LIKE TO SHARE~

Do you like surprises? Well, I do, BUT, not if you say, "I have a surprise" and then make me wait. That I don't like. See these
earrings to the right. Aren't they fabulous. Well, you should see them in person. They arrived today in my mail.

A couple of weeks ago Laurel's Wreath, now Laurel's Reflections there was a fall giveaway. I won these earrings from Crystal @ Two Belles & a Bead. You can link to the store. And, please do. You will find MANY great pieces of jewelry and very reasonably priced.

I will be putting a link to Two Belles & a Bead on my sidebar also.

Please also visit Crystal's blog, Song of My Soul. You will see very blessed.

I'm still having difficulty with my blog. I haven't figured out what I've done to mess it up yet, but I've got a temporary fix.

Have a great day!

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday~ Empty Me~

Have a blessed weekend!

For more "Then Sings My Soul Saturday" posts visit Amy at Signs, Miracles and Wonders

~Thursday Evening Ramblings~

I don't know if any of you who have "Blogger" are having difficulty, but I have been. I've been having sidebar floating difficulties, and adding links to the sidebar difficulty. I reloaded by template, well partially because I've taken off a bunch of stuff. I'll have to work on that later. I have a good friend "Echo Lafawn" who is becoming rather savy in this technical world. She may have to teach me some things soon. Ok, somebody help me! My sidebar is off floating again.Ugh!

Thanks for all the kind words about my Dad. Do you ever get used to a parent(s) being gone. I haven't yet. But, we do have wonderful promises that are ours, only for the asking.

I'll leave this with you:

What Is God Like?

NAHUM 1:7 NIV ~ 7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for
those who trust in him,

Much could be said about God. But the first thing we need to
realize is that God is good. He is not a bad guy. He is not
against you. He is not your problem, but rather He is the
answer to your problems.

Although the world doesn't know what God is like, they
desperately need to know Him. Even sadder is the fact that most
Christians do not really know what God is like, either.

If you want to know what God is like -- look at Jesus Christ.
He perfectly revealed God to us.

JOHN 1:18 TEV ~ 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as
God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

COLOSSIANS 2:9 Phillips ~ 9 Yet it is in him that God gives a full and complete
expression of himself in bodily form.

Why be content to just listen to what others say God is like? You need to taste and see for yourself.

Have your own relationship with God!

PSALM 34:8 NKJ ~ 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man
who trusts in Him!

Blessings!

~WFW~ Titus

As I sit here tonight, getting this ready to post, it is almost the exact time 8 years ago today that my Dad left this world and went on to Heaven. It seems like so long ago, but then on the other hand still hard to believe he is gone from this life. A lot has changed in these 8 years in this world, and especially in our family. We would all love for him to still be here, but he is in a far better place. Because of the gift of salvation, which is made available to all, he is in Heaven, waiting on the rest of his family and friends.

Blessings!

~Tempt My Tummy Tuesday~ Minestrone

MINESTRONE

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional)
2 large ribs celery, sliced
3 carrots, sliced
1 28 ounce can tomatoes, drained with their juice reserved
1 19 ounce can cannelloni beans, drained and rinsed
6 cups beef broth
1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained
1½ teaspoon marjoram
1½ teaspoon pepper
1 cup uncooked, small soup pasta
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Hot pepper sauce, to taste
Grated parmesan

1. In large saucepan heat oil, add onion, jalapeno, celery, and carrots. Saute.
2. Add chopped tomatoes w/juice. Add beans, broth, ground beef, marjoram and pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Add pasta. Cook 8 to 15 minutes until pasta is al dente.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and hot pepper sauce.
5. Serve with grated cheese.

Serve with bread and/or salad.

For more recipes go to: Blessed with Grace

Blessings!

~Love Never Fails~

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
-- 1 Corinthians 8-13

In the last sentence of the Bible's well known "love" chapter, 1 Corinthians 13 is a beautiful profile of love itself: "Love never fails" (v.8, NKJV). Have you ever asked the obvious question--Love never fails what? Here it is in summary: Love never fails to win. Let me point out two ways love can conquer what might be ailing your relationships.

1: Love never fails to conquer selfishness.

I am selfish and so are you. We never have to work at putting ourselves first--we've got that one down. But notice how:

"Love is patient and kind"(v. 4) Selfishness is mean and demanding but love overflows with kindness.

"Love does not envy or boast" (v. 4c). Love is not arrogant because it's not selfish.

"Love is not . . . rude" (v. 5a). Selfishness insists on the spotlight but love is not demanding or unreasonable.
"It does not insist on its own way" (v. 5b), because it's not selfish.

"It is not irritable or resentful" (v. 5c) because it's not selfish.

So love conquers the biggest obstacle in me, selfishness.

2: Love never fails to conquer skepticism.

Over time, it's easy to doubt that anyone is ever going to change. Your family disappoints you and you want to bail but love holds on. Like no one else, our family members can hurt and disappoint us. They do foolish things, and say wicked or hurtful words. In those moments, you want to run. But love does not sell out in the crisis. Love still believes the best; it doesn't keep score. Love trusts again. Love finds a way to give an opportunity for God to work. Love waits for God's agenda to be accomplished in their life. Love is being used by God to transform that person.

When I choose not to love, I'm in God's way but when I choose to love, God's helping me, and I'm part of the solution. In our wounded moments we think, we sometimes forget how desperately we hope others will give us another chance when we fail them.

Love never fails? Yes, love is part of the solution. Love is a tool in God's hands to work through you and transform your relationships.

Read 1 John 3:11-24.

This is taken from James McDonald's weekly devotion.

Blessings!

~Then Sings My Soul Saturday~ Chris Tomlin~How Can I Keep From Singing

I guess earlier I forgot to mention, the statistics for this type of cancer that Jan has, is 7-9 months. But, with saying that we have come in contact with people who are living 20 years after being diagnosed, who have beat the statistics. HOWEVER, we choose not to go by statistics. We believe this is in God's hands.

In Psalm 139: 13 ~ You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother's body.
I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.
You saw my bones being formed as I took shape in my mother's body.
When I was put together there, you saw my body as it was formed.
All the days planned for me were written in your book
before I was one day old. God, your thoughts are precious to me.
They are so many! If I could count them,they would be more
than all the grains of sand. When I wake up, I am still with you.

Here are pictures of Jan, Mom, Donna, and myself. Our lunch was not real long, but that did not matter. The point was for the 4 of us to be together. It was a bit last minute, and I had asked Jenny, my niece, but she had to go to lunch at a different time today. She was greatly missed.

Jan used to have, in her words, "thin, straight stringy hair." There was a BIG possibility with radiation, she would not get her hair back. But as you've seen, she was blessed. Her hair is now very CURLY. It isn't long enough yet to know exactly what it will be like. She said she would never complain about her hair again. Not sure if you can tell, but it is curly.

Enjoy these pictures!

Janet - 09/12/08 ~ Birthday @ McAlisters. Mom
Donna

I didn't really like my picture ~ Not sure where this look came from. I'll have to blame it on Jan, she took the picture and approved it. I will finish the history part. I'm doing some extra work right now. We have another birthday tomorrow in our family. I'll see if I can remember my camera. It is for my nephew, Micah. This picture here is of my nephew, Micah and my niece, Jen.

Happy Birthday, Micah!

I will be back shortly... to finish this.

Blessings!

~Statistics~

Tomorrow will be 10 MONTHS since Jan was taken (emergently) to the hospital. We were lucky in that Jan's daughter-in-law, Katie works for the hospital where she was taken, and was working that day. They were on standby waiting for when she arrived. I'm sure she was seen quicker because of this. Within a few minutes a CT had been performed and reported several tumors in her brain. Next, an MRI was done and we were advised she either had an abscess or tumor. We prayer for the abscess. However, it was what we would later find out the most aggressive type of brain cancer, GBM (glioblastoma multiforme).

I tell you this today, because we did not know if on September 12, today, Jan would still be here. Why do you say is September 12 so important. It is because it is her BIRTHDAY.

Mom, Donna, Jan and myself went to lunch today for her birthday. We had a great time!

I have to run, but will be back shortly to post pics from lunch, and to relay some more history.
Blessings!

~Thankful Thursday~Joyful Heart

Blessings!

~Results~

Everything on Jan's MRI was just as before. No growth. Her oncologist is VERY PLEASED with this. With such an aggressive cancer, and no growth, this is truly an answer to prayers. Jan will return in 1 month for, as her oncologist put it, "a well-baby check." She will have not have a MRI at that time, but will just return to see her doctor and probably lab.

Jan was still in with the doctor, but Gerald was taking the prescriptions down to the pharmacy at MD Anderson, so it could hopefully speed their process up, as Houston is in the process of evacuating. Jan/Gerald will be trying to get out of Houston, as I'm sure many others are. It may be a tricky process to find a route they can take to get back home.

Would you pray for safe travels, not just for them, but also for the other travels, a smooth evacuation process for Houston, etc., and the safety of many lives, homes, businesses, etc. from the potential of yet another hurricane.

Thank you for your prayers.

Blessings!

~WFW~ Isaiah 40:8~

Please join us as we pray for good test results. Jan has had her testing, now she sees her oncologist at 1:30 p.m. I will update when I know something, but it is usually 1-2 hours from her appointment time until we hear from Jan.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods

Blessings!