Thursday, November 27, 2008

A New Kind of Thanksgiving Day

For the last couple of days I have found myself spending more time than usual in prayer.

You see, I have a friend who has a terrible injury, he is in excruciating pain requiring morphine and while he waits to see one of the only two physicians in this country who will treat his injury I am praying for him – every hour. Won’t you join me in praying for my friend and his family?

And also, I have another friend. She and her husband thought he just had a terrible case of pneumonia. It is actually lung cancer and the Dr. says that there is only a tiny sliver of hope that he will ever be off life support again. She is reeling from the shock and spending all her time at his side while their mostly grown children gather. So, I pray for dear Anne & Don and their family as well.

So, I shed tears and pray on Thanksgiving Day, crying out to God for His mercy on these loved ones. And I thank Him that He is God of the universe who holds all things in His hands. And that He loves me, and these friends.

“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philipians 4:6b,7

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Thanksgiving Recipe

I made this dressing (stuffing) for Gaelan & Emily's rehearsal dinner.

Cornbread Dressing with Andouille Sausage
2 c. chopped onion
3 c. chopped celery
1 lb andouille, diced
1 stick butter
6 c. cornbread, crumbled
3 c. stale or toasted white bread, cubed
2 tbs. poultry seasoning
1 tsp. each, celery seed, sage, salt
3 eggs, well beaten
2-3 c. broth
Put crumbled bread and seasonings in a large bowl.
Sauté the onion, celery & andouille with butter in a large skillet until the onion is transparent and the andouille is beginning to brown. Add to the bread mixture. Mix.
Add the eggs and broth (should be wet, the eggs give this a soufflé type texture.) and turn into a greased baking pan or pans and bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until hot & golden on top.

Cornbread
Mix 2 cups each of cornmeal & white flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 2Tbs +2 tsp. baking powder in a large bowl.
Mix 2 eggs, ½ cup vegetable oil & 2 cups milk together. Add to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
Pour into two greased 9x13” pans (for thinnish cornbread) or 1- 11x14” pan for cornbread you want to split in half to butter. Bake in a 425° oven for 30 minutes or so.

Note for those who don't have access to real andouille...Costco sells a wonderful chicken andouille that tastes better than some andouille I've had from New Orleans. You could substitute any spicy smoked sausage in this recipe.

Friday, November 14, 2008

A Good Article

by one of my favorite speakers, Voddie Baucham.

"It's Not All Bad"

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Wedding Snapshots 3

I'm so busy starting a new diet, and getting my kids back into their lesson routines (we took off the whole month of October...not even required readings!)








So here are a few more pics.




the reception and a glimpse of the work & helpers behind it.
The first dance was "hole in the wall" and the wedding party danced it.







More dancing!

The cakes!





















Steven's "best man's speech"



















After we sang 128b "Blest the Man that Fears Jehovah" the couple left the reception.

Bye to Daddy & "little" brother.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Wedding Snapshots take 2


Gaelan & Emily
The Wedding Party

Isaac clowning






Groomsmen, waiting...
Steven, David & Isaac




Shayna & her newfound friend, Meghan

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Election 2008 results are in!

For a timely reminder, read Doug Wilson's article from a few days ago. It is excellent.

Ten Things to Keep in Mind After the Election.

1. God is still Father, Christ is still at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit is still abroad in the world, recreating that world according to the image of Christ. When the nations conspire against Him, He laughs at them.

2. The most important thing we can do for our nation, and for the world around us, is to gather for worship every Lord's Day. The privilege of voting in presidential elections comes to us every four years, while we are graced with the opportunity to take the Lord's Supper week to week. Right worship reforms the Church, and is therefore God's central instrument for remaking the world. For this reason, we must insist on worship that is in accordance with Scripture. Judgment begins with the household of God. Our generation is fatherless. In the power of the Spirit, in the name of the Son, we must therefore worship the Father.

Read the rest...

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

One more for today!

The cake...




catching up on a little blog reading...

I saw this post at Flourishing Mother.

AMEN.

A few Snapshots, take 1






From the rehearsal.















From the rehearsal dinner.













Beautiful maidens, sister Christine, friend Meghan, Emily & sister-in-law Shayna












My hug! Conrad looking on.












Brothers, Gaelan & Isaac
We're still recovering...doing laundry, trying to find my kitchen counters, returning items to the lenders such as platters, candle sticks, vases... God is so good!