Smashbooking Saturday

More clips and favorite quotes for the smashbook.

Here are some of my recent additions...

A recent quote I read & need to remember. "Thank God through it all."
Reminds me of the song, "Through it All...I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God."

A pocket to put all the recipes I want to make...

My thankful page is filling up fast...

A favorite quote I saved for years.

Dream and Believe. Don't ever stop dreaming...



I always need to remember this...

A reminder to keep singing!

DIY and Decorating Dreaming. Not extremely important but some added "spice" to life.

Weekend Rest

PEACE

This weekend... focus on Peace.  The peace of God passes all understanding.
Phil. 4:7

My dad used to tell me a story when I was younger, about an artist.  The artist created two paintings on the subject of peace. The first scene was tranquil, a content, joyful, bird was singing, the sun was shining and it appeared to be a perfect day.  The second painting was a terrible storm.  The painting was dark, filled with confusion and disaster but there was a bird singing in this painting also. 

The artist asked the man the question, "In which painting is Peace?"

The man replied, "The first one of course."

The artist replied, "No, you are wrong.  It is the second painting.  The storm is raging, but the bird is calm and continues to sing.  Peace is not the absence of trouble, it is the fact that inspite of the storm the bird still sings."

Today whatever you face let Peace live in your heart. Let the Prince of Peace calm the storms you face.

Remember:
Peace is not the absence of chaos, but the knowing that in the midst of the turmoil that everything will be alright.---jlyn

Thursday Cafe: Best Ever Banana Muffins

      Best Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter (no substitutes!)

1 c. sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tbsp orange juice

2 eggs

3 mashed super ripe bananas

2 c. flour (can substitute 1c. of whole wheat flour for white flour)

1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pan with shortening or spray with a cooking spray. Cream butter and sugar. Add soda to orange juice. Add eggs, soda mixture and flour to butter mixture; beat well. Stir in nuts.  Pour into muffin tin or mini muffin tin.  Bake for about 25-30 minutes depending on oven efficiency. Cool. Serve with whipped cream cheese. Enjoy!

Note: These disappear in minutes at our house.

Soul Food Cafe

Don't forget to feed your soul today.  Read Phillipians 4 for food good for your heart.

Let it nourish and bless you.

Wednesday Inspiration

Phillipians 4:8
"...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."

What thoughts are we feeding our minds today?  Positive self talk?  Encouraging words? Sometimes we are great at encouraging others, but what we tell ourselves is anything but uplifting.  Just for today live in the moment, dwell on thanksgiving to God, bless the Lord, and think lovely thoughts. Sow a thought, reap an action. May you be blessed and highly favored with "God" thoughts today.

Thankful Tuesday in photos...

Thankful...

Count your blessings, name them one by one....

Miracle Monday

Dear friends, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  I found this to be true about 15 years ago.  My husband and I had been married for two years, both being in our mid 20's, we were ready to start a family. Our friends and family members had their arms full, and ours were feeling empty.  Little did we know it wasn't going to be easy for us.  I went to my first doctor's appointment thinking that in no time I would be expecting a bundle of joy.  After a whole year of appointments I began to get worried.  The ache to hold my own baby was growing every month while I battled infertility.  At first the doctor gave me some mild progesterone to try to help.  No results.  He then prescribed a stronger drug. No results.  Months turned into years. My husband and I were into our 3rd year of trying to conceive and rapidly losing hope. We were on the verge of trying invitro which was a very expensive procedure with no promises. Months seemed to drag by. Our prayers for a child seemed to go unanswered. Every Mother's Day, I would dread going to church.  As moms were presented with flowers and cards from their children, I would sit in service and just count the minutes until it was over.  I remember vividly the Mother's Day when Pastor Jones called my husband and I to the front of the church.  Tears streamed down my face as I listened to the words he prophesied over us.  He pronounced that this time next year I would be expecting a baby.  After months of medication, methods, charts and doctor's visits, my faith had almost evaporated.  What joy we experienced when we found out the next March not quite a year from the prophecy, that I was expecting.  Nine months concluded with the birth of our first born Sarah Elisabeth.  Elisabeth meaning "Oath of God."  When God makes a promise, He keeps it.  God was able to help me when doctors and medicine failed.  He can help you too. His promises are sure and unfailing.  Believe, have Faith and know that God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  If you need a miracle, we serve an awesome, amazing God!