Wednesday Nights

Every Wednesday evening we host a Small Group Bible Study at our house. We so enjoy the people that are in our group. The people have changed a lot over the years, but no matter who is involved, it's an awesome group of people who gather weekly to pray together and to study God's word together and to learn from each other. My husband is a great leader and comes up with thoughtful questions every week.

Before we get to the heavy stuff we always enjoy a dessert and coffee and fellowship together. Okay, I never drink the coffee (yuck) so I make iced tea for myself. (Yes, I make it year round.)

I thought it would be fun to post the recipe and pictures of the desserts that I make. I really enjoy baking and finding new things to make.

So of course the first thing I make after I decide to post about this is the easiest thing ever.

Andes Mints Brownies

1 package of brownies (enough for 9x13 pan)
1 bag of Andes Chocolate Mint Baking Chips

Follow the directions on the box for the brownies and bake accordingly.

When brownies are done, remove from oven and pour the bag of yumminess on the hot brownies in an even layer.

Let sit for 2-3 minutes and the spread the chocolate mint goodness over the brownies.
Ooo, the smell.

Cool completely. Cut, serve and enjoy!

Quilt Projects

I thought I would post pictures of the latest quilt that I made. I made this for my sister & brother-in-law. The fabrics are all from Hawaii and bought when we went there last Christmas.

Close up of the back and the label.

Since I had plenty of leftover fabric (and a few fabrics I didn't use in the quilt), I decided to use the leftovers to make some potholders (or are they called hotpads?) for stocking stuffers for the women on my side of the family. I used two layers insulated batting It was fun to make 12 different quilt blocks. Some ended up bigger than others. Below are pictures of all twelve hot pads followed by close-ups of a couple of my favorite ones.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

I came across this verse from Habakkuk the other day. It really struck me in light of the country's economy. It calls for me to be joyful in God and to praise Him no matter what seems to be failing around me. It causes me to acknowledge the source of my strength.

Read. Contemplate. Enjoy.

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.

# 9 & 10 (or is it #11 & 12?)

I thought of two more things I could have added to my list yesterday.

9. (11?) The other day I was coming home and had to stop to wait for a school bus to drop off several elementary kids. About 7 or 8 kids got off the bus, crossed the street, and immediately went for the snow bank. Not one of them walked down the street, they ALL went in the snow. It made me giggle.

10. (12?) I found a program that can change the background if my blog. I'm so excited! I doubt I'll be able to settle on just one, so expect changes. :)

A List

Just a list of things that have been going on and some thoughts.

1. It's a good idea to make sure you turn off the oven on Sunday morning when you bake something before church for the church potluck. I came home four hours later to discover that the oven had been on the whole time. :( On the other hand... the kitchen was nice and toasty warm!

2. Two week old fettuccine and garbage disposals don't like each other. I tried to stuff some down the disposal and the sink got clogged up. Ugh. I didn't want to pay for a plumber. My "personal" plumber moved away. (Otherwise known as our former pastor...that's a whole other story)

3. Pete came home and flipped the disposal switch a few times and ran the water and it worked! (I had put several doses of baking soda, white vinegar and boiling water down the drain all afternoon...) He's my hero!

4. Why does Bath & Body Works keep changing their fragrances? I find one I like only to have it discontinued.

5. Living with my best friend is cool. Still. After going on almost 25 years. Awesome.

6. Baby boys are active! I watched a 6 month old this morning, and the little guy never stopped moving or "talking". He had quite the conversation with a sweet little baby girl. It was so adorable.

7. We're having turkey for supper tonight. Yep. A 15 pound turkey for the two of us. Yum.

8. Just had a great talk with my daughter over video chat. Fun to see her face. What a cool technology.

9. I wish I could think of ten things to write about so this can be even.

10. But I can't. :)

Historic Day

I sit here with my computer not being able to tear myself away from the TV. This really is an historical day. The Presidential Inauguration. I think every inauguration is historical no matter who the man is who is being sworn in. We are a country who has the privilege to elect our leader. The transition happens without violence. Not so in every country on this planet.

God in His sovereignty has appointed this day.

He changes times and seasons;
He sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and Knowledge to the discerning.
Daniel 2:21

I may not be very interested in politics, or even understand the workings of it all, but it is my responsibility to not take my citizenship in this country for granted and to pray for those in authority over me.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who want all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4

Christmas Break Activities

Yes, I know Christmas was three weeks ago. But Caleb and Amanda and Megan just headed back to college on Tuesday, so I feel like Christmas Break just ended. I'm a little slow with posting this because I have been recovering (and still recovering) from my own bout with the stomach flu that made it's nasty rounds through the family.

Here are some fun pictures from some of the things we did over the break.

The first one is Zach and Megan modeling their new bibs and coveralls. Aren't they cute in a dorky sort of way, or dorky in a cute sort of way?
Zach and Megan also spent a lot of time making their own snowshoes. (Thanks Megan for the pictures.)


We put together two big jigsaw puzzles.
This activity was my husband's idea. Candlemaking. He remembered making candles when he was a kid and asked his sister about the kit they used and she still had it. She graciously gave it to us.




A bunch of us playing "Catchphrase." Fun game!





Zach taking pictures of Megan. Happens a lot.


It was great to have everyone around.

A Good Day To Mark Another Year

Today was my 48th birthday. It was terrific to spend it with my family.

I am truly blessed.

Pete and the kids fixed a yummy lunch of Taco Salad and cleaned up the kitchen. They sweetly showered me with gifts. I now have some new CDs to sing to at the top of my lungs in the car and Casablanca on DVD. Believe it or not I don't think I have ever seen that movie.

I think the best gift is a night at a very nice hotel in St. Paul. It said with the person of my choice...Pete says he is available. :)

I had a quiet afternoon of listening to some of my new CDs and playing on my computer.

We all went out to dinner at a new and really nice restaurant in town. That was fun and the food was so yummy. After a quick stop to get some candy, we all headed to the movie theater to see Marley & Me. It is a very good movie.

I had a good day. Thanks everybody!

Megan is tired but feeling better. Caleb is feeling great and healing. But now Pete is sick and Zach doesn't feel very good. Bummer. Let's pray it's not at bad as Megan had it, okay?

Caleb and Amanda head back to Kansas tomorrow. It has been wonderful having them here!

Update

Today has been very calm after a crazy previous 24 hours.

Megan is recovering. She's still very tired. But the great thing is she has eaten some today and it has stayed down. So, thankfully, she is on the road to recovery.

Thanks to all who prayed for her today.

(Caleb is doing great today too.)

Oh What a Night

I started writing a post several hours ago about a little sickness in the house. It started out with Caleb having his wisdom teeth removed and the codeine in his pain killer not agreeing with him.

Then about supper time Megan was feeling worse and worse and vomited (I've tried to think of a delicate way to write that, but just can't -- so I won't mention the fluids she was loosing at the other end too.) and said she felt better. But then she continued to vomit and continued. I think we counted well over a dozen in 5-6 hours. After phone calls to a nursing help-line and our own hospital, we decided to take her to the ER. They confirmed that she was dehydrated and needed some meds for the vomiting. So at 1AM she and I headed out in the cold/snowy night to the hospital.

As we waited for a doctor I prayed for a compassionate one. I almost cried when he was talking to Megan so gently and was so kind and quick to respond. Thank you God, for that quick answer to prayer.

The sweet nurses then gave her some IV fluids and several meds for her various symptoms.

As that was doing it's magic, I read a few Psalms to Megan from the Bible I stuffed in my purse as we were leaving the house. That idea comes from my husband who has spent probably too many hours by a hospital bed reading the Psalms to me. I read Psalm 139 to her and told her I used to pray that over her after she was sick as a toddler. She looked at me through her drugged/sleepy eyes and said, "Mom, that's my favorite Psalm," and weakly smiled.

We had some sweet, healing conversation.

After her IV was taken out about 3AM we thought we would try to come home so she could sleep in her own bed. She sat up slowly and put her coat on and then sat back down on the edge of the bed for a minute, then suddenly vomited again. I laid her back down and went to tell the nurses. The doctor came back and decided to give her some strong nausea medication through a shot. She fell asleep for a while and about 4AM I woke her and we spent the next 1/2 hour getting out of bed and coat on and to the car.

She did vomit again once she got up to her room, but is now sleeping soundly. The poor thing is so tired and weak.

I know a few people look at this often, and I am asking when you do to pray for healing for Megan. I'll try to put updates on here. And pray for Caleb to be feeling better too.

Now maybe I should get some sleep. But I'm trying to stay awake until Pete gets up. I called him enough through-out the night to disturb his sleep.

Christmas Photos

Here are a handful of pictures from Christmas in Iowa.

The happy newly engaged couple. Caleb and Amanda. Aren't they sweet?

My niece's little girl, Maddie. She reminds me so much of my niece when she was that age.

Our family with my husband's parents.

The grandparents and the grandkids (plus two).

Psalm 3:3-5

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord,
and He answered me from His holy mountain.
I lay down and slept,
yet I woke up in safety,
for the Lord was watching over me.

BIG News

I realize I have been quite neglectful in writing.

Since Christmas Day we have been very much enjoying hanging out with our kids. I have been collecting pictures of our Christmas Vacation Activities and I will post them in a few days.

As Peter and I were driving down to Iowa on Christmas Day, we were anxiously and excitedly waiting for a phone call from Caleb. He had been with Amanda and her family for the week after finals were done.

FINALLY at about 1:30 (well, I think my phone says the call came in at 1:41pm, but whose counting...) Caleb called and said he had proposed and Amanda said yes! Pete and I both screamed with excitement. We are so excited for them!

Here are a few of their pictures I lifted off of Facebook. In the first one Amanda is hiding her face because she was crying. I love how she just happens to be using her left hand to hide her face. Very strategic. I think I see a big smile behind that hand. :D