~A Picture Speaks 1000 Words~

Periodically when washing towels I will throw some of Ripley's toys in the washer and dryer. Last week he caught me as I was moving towels and toys from the washer to the dryer. I usually try not to let him see me washing his toys, but I didn't this time. The first picture shows

him looking in the dryer at a toy. The second picture shows him sticking his head in to try to get one of his toys. I don't think he realized if he would have put his paws up on the dryer, he probably could have reached at least one of his toys.

But the last picture, he is just staring in at his toys. It didn't matter that he has TONS of other toys to play with. After I started the dryer, he kept going back in the laundry room looking for his toys. He was thrilled the next morning when I pulled his three toys out of the dryer. It was really funny, but I guess you had to be there.

Friday/Saturday Janet had a garage sale. She very graciously allowed me to take my left over stuff from my garage sale to put in hers. I had a loaded my vehicle Thursday, and Ripley had to ride in my lap because his seat was full also. I know this is a "no-no," but he needed to get out of the house as well. Today, after church, I went and picked up the rest of my stuff. And, brought back a loaded vehicle. I made $137, but not really sure what they sold. I'm getting ready to go pull it all out of the vehicle and see what I can get rid of.

Have a great week!

~TSMSS~ God of This City~ Chris Tomlin & Story

You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

For there is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
Greater things are still to be done here

Here is Chris Tomlin ~ speaking about this song!~


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

~WFW~Faith in the Night~

"After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." - Matthew 14:24-27

Why is it that problems always seem bigger in the middle of the night? In the hours between the days, our fears loom larger and burdens grow heavier. It was between three and four o'clock in the morning when the disciples fought the storm on the Sea of Galilee. In Matthew 14 we hear about how their imaginations whipped around like a wild wind. And just when the storm was taking them under for the last time, Jesus walked by on the water! Crazy!

Just look at their response.

"And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."

Why do you doubt? He asked him. I'm right here.

We painfully identify with the disciples' fear. When we're out here on our own, our hearts become filled with fear. Overwhelmed by circumstances, we forget who He is. He's God. He's in control.

The Christian life is a life of faith. In faith you can say, God has made some promises and I believe Him. I don't always understand His ways, but I trust Him. He's in charge.

God has given you some assurances so that you can walk by faith while you're waiting for Him to work. You don't have to take your view your life from what you see happening right in front of you. Living by faith and holding onto God's promises gives stability and strength to life. Devotion taken from James McDonald

I find my heart is heavy tonight. There are so many people who are sick, and the numbers keep growing. In less than 1 month now, it will be a year since everything changed in our family. In this last year, it is unbelievable how MANY people who have cancer, alone. There are MANY other types of illnesses. And, so many people who are hurting for various reasons. Please join me today in praying for the many with illnesses, people who are hurting and for our country.

In particular, Jan was pretty wiped out from her last trip to MD Anderson. She is attempting to come off the steroids. Her potassium was low, so they are supplementing that. She said she felt off balanced. The nurse over this clinical trial she is on made a comment that these new feelings are due to the chemo. Pray that she will not dwell on these comments and that she will remain positive and feel GREAT!

And, Joyce is doing dramatically better. Thanks for praying.

To find more Word-filled Wednesdays, visit 160AcreWoods

Love & Blessings!

~Tempt My Tummy Tuesday~

Hey there, I am going to add 2 recipes today. One new, one old. Hope you try and enjoy!


Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding ~ 12 Servings2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

Line the bottom of a 13 x 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.
In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Note: This is pretty rich. I even used 2% milk, and low-fat cream cheese. Next time, I may used the lower fat sweetened condensed milk. I think it would be good with Nilla wafers also. It got better the 2-3 days. It is super-duper easy! And, BTW, this is a "Paula Dean" recipe.

BAKED POTATO SOUP

4 large baking potatoes
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
6 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 green onions, chopped and divided
12 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled and divided
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 8oz sour cream

Bake potatoes at 400 degrees until done. Let cool. Cut potatoes in half, scoop out pulp and set aside.

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Add potato, salt pepper, 2 tablespoons onion, 1/2 cup bacon, 1 cup cheese. Cook until heated, stir in sour cream. Add extra milk.

Serve with remaining onions, bacon and cheese.

Now head over to Blessed With Grace for more great recipes!

Happy Tuesday!

~Random Things~

Okay, I've been tagged here in the last few weeks by 3 of my GREAT bloggy friends. So, I have to list 7-8 RANDOM THINGS about myself. I'm going to see if I can think of 7-8 things, BUT I'm breaking the rules, just because I think most have already been tagged, but if not and you want to play along, please feel free!

First, let me say I was tagged by, Laurie Ann, Tracy, and Debra Kaye.

1. I don't like to be in the spotlight.

2. I took cake decorating classes when my niece and nephews were young, and made a lot of their birthday cakes, as well as my parents 40th anniversary cake, and Jan's 2nd wedding cake.

3. I love auctions and estate sales. We used to go to an auction every Friday night. We did this for, I think a couple of years.

4. I cried the first day of school from 1st through 3rd grade, that I remember, and probably kindergarten also. But, I do remember that I hung on my kindegarten teacher's skirt.

5. Taking it a bit further, I told my parents that I didn't feel good in 1st grade because I didn't want to go to school. This went on for some time until they figured this out, and also many trips to doctors to try to find out what was wrong! Pretty sad when you would rather go to the doctor than grade school.

6. I teach 1st grade Sunday School at my church.

7. I was never really an animal person, until I got Ripley! The reason I got Ripley was that I had kept my nephew's dog for him for a few months, and was very sad when that ended. I immediately started looking for a puppy and picked Ripley up the next day!

8. Now, you see how boring I am.

Have a great day!!!

~Update on Joyce~ TSMSS~ Just Below~

Update: 7:37 p.m. Central Time

Brianna just called. The message that I thought she left last night was an old message, I guess that I hadn't listened to.

Anyway, Joyce is doing better. Her body is absorbing oxygen. They are trying to find out what type of pneumonia she has. She seems much better tonight than last night.

In regards to her cancer, the treatment so far has worked on shrinking the lung mass. BUT, everything they have tried so far has not worked on shrinking the lymph nodes. And, she has an area, on her bottom where radiation burned her skin. I will not go into detail, but she has some serious problems from this also.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Hi All,

I missed a call from Brianna late last night. BUT, her Mom's condition has improved GREATLY. Brianna was on her way home.

I know Joyce still has a long road ahead, but we can praise God today for answering prayers. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

As I mentioned when Joyce was first diagnosed, she is NOT a Christian. So, please continue to pray for her health, but also that she will have a change of heart.

Have a blessed weekend!

~TSMSS~ Tenth Avenue North~By Your Side~

Blessings!

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