And He walks with me...

Glory to God in highest heaven,
Who unto man His Son hath given;
While angels sing with tender mirth,
A glad new year to all the earth.
~Martin Luther

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

How is your walk with the Master? He gives us each new day to begin again with Him. He wants us to talk to Him, praise Him, and love Him. He wants to talk to *us* as well! The main way He does that is through His Word. If your Bible is not being opened and read enough...how can you know what He is trying to tell you?

This new year is the perfect time to begin, if you don't already, to spend time with Him *every* day. For me, it is in the early hours of the morning, before the rest of the house wakens. Maybe for you, the best time is at night...or during naptime in the afternoon. Start small and work your way up. Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to read too much or pray for an hour. That may happen for a few days (or even weeks) but eventually, you'll putter out. Start with reading a few verses...ask God to show you what you can learn from these. Praise Him and love Him. Lay your worries and needs at His feet.

You will find that your relationship with the Father grows and grows... as each day, then each week, then each month passes. You will find yourself craving more of His word and time with Him. :) You will find yourself desiring to walk with Him and talk with Him every moment of the day...consulting Him in everything you do.

This is the best way to live your life...in constant communication with God. It doesn't mean your life will be *easy*...but it does give you a peace and security that you are walking the path that God has for you. You belong to Him and oh, how He loves you.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
~Romans 8:28

So no matter what the trial you are facing, the Creator of the universe is right there with you. He will make any situation, as bad as it may be, be used for good.

Have you read books by Corrie Ten Boom? When her sister, Betsie, and she were in the concentration camp from the Nazis...they kept a New Testament hidden with them to share Jesus with the other prisoners. They had room checks...but because their room was infested with terrible fleas, their bunks were skipped from room checks...allowing them to keep God's Word and share it with more people. It was miserable and torcherous there...but they were grateful for the fleas so they could share the Good News with more people!!! Can you imagine? When you suffer...remember:

"There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still."
~Betsie Ten Boom

Just keep walking with God...and know He is using you for good. :)

Things have been cold here in PA, although we were not hit by the major snow storm many others were slammed with. We are blessed that our wood stove is keeping us warm and toasty in our home. **Although some upcoming weather predictions say that we may get into the 40 or 50 degree temps for the next few days!!

A couple of the *girls* enjoy some scratch. This scratch was put in by Xavier...he doesn't sprinkle it all over properly for them to "scratch" for it ;)...

Jack-the-cat (he always visits me when I go out to tend to the stove!)...

Stu...

She's getting a bit bigger and her coat is getting nice and thick to keep her warm through the cold winter!

Inside is warm and holds nice, light fragrances throughout the house...

The children love drawing and coloring...

A painting by Madelyn...it is of Cookie Monster. I think she did such a great job with it!

The latest book I have been reading is The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot...

I am really enjoying it. It teaches a lot and is enjoyable overall to read. I whole-heartedly recommend it. If you have already read it, I would love to know what you thought of it! :)

I hope you have a lovely New Year's Eve and Day! Ours will probably be spent quietly....playing games together and eating popcorn...maybe watch some movies as well. Thank you for visiting and I look forward to talk to you again, in *2011*!

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

"Christmas is forever...

..., not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself..."
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

The tree is now down, for to get the house back to it's rightful state, things where they belong, it needed to go to make room. But may we hold the spirit of Christmas in our hearts every day. A spirit of love, giving, sacrifice and gratefulness. May we remember, daily, that God came to earth as a babe...to be the greatest sacrifice of all....because of His love for us!

Above are some mini bagels I had made over Christmas time. I used the same bagel recipe I have posted about before...but just made them smaller! :)

One of my favorite books I have gotten recently...

Jaxson loves *seek-and-find* books...

Madelyn received a *make-your-own* quilt set for Christmas and has been having a lot of fun putting it together...

A few pictures of around the dining room where I had to do a bit of rearranging to make a spot for the cupboard my parents gifted me for Christmas...





It's nice to have things basically back-to-order around the house. There are still a few things to put away...some trash to burn...etc. But overall....things are tidy. :)

Last evening was a wonderful night. After Chris arrived home from work, we enjoyed a supper of stuffed chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and broccoli. We did a little Brain Quest trivia and then after supper was all cleaned up...we played Bingo! The children (as well as Chris and I) had such a fun time with it! I was the *caller*.

After a few games of that...we all snuggled into the living room and had devotions and read a chapter from Little House on the Prairie. We also prayed over our family for health...as we found out that some members from Chris' side had caught a stomach bug...and we had just been with them all the night before! So far, we haven't gotten sick...but only time will tell!

Thanks, so much, for dropping by. :)
Until next time,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

Christmas Memories!

Hello! Merry Christmas! I hope you each enjoyed a wonderful holiday with your loved ones! We sure did...although it was *quite* busy! Although I have more pictures than this (and so far, Christmas isn't finished with us...we still need to celebrate with Chris's immediate family!)...but I thought I would share a few memories from our celebrations...

I did lots of baking (as most mamas do!)...

Christmas Eve we had supper with family and then headed to church for a beautiful time of worship and praise!

Mr. Blue-Eyes...


Christmas morning, I awoke early, as normal. We have a rule in our house (as a general rule)...children must stay in bed till 7 am. On Christmas, this is the case as well...although they aren't allowed downstairs until Mama and Daddy give the *OK*. So they anxiously awaited the signal, at the top of the stairs! ;)

Early morning peace...


Soon they came down and got to open fun, small gifts from in their stockings. We don't *do* Santa here...but we still fill their stockings as extra fun for the day!


Then we take turns opening gifts. It took us a good hour or so to open everything (although there wasn't *a lot*). The children were excited to give Chris and me gifts, as well. I was so warmed by their giving hearts.


I stayed on a basic theme for their gifts this year. Madelyn mostly received miniature items for in her dollhouse! Oh...there is such fun dollhouse things out there! I think I need my *own* dollhouse! ;) The boys were gifted with legos. I found some good deals on some used legos...and they were thrilled!


Then...after everything else was opened...came the *big* gifts...I found each of the children two Melissa and Doug Puppets. They thought they were just great....then we made them all go in the bathroom and shut the door while we brought out....


A puppet theatre! I told Chris how I wanted it...and he built it. I also asked him to paint the lower front panel with chalkboard paint so the children can write "Now Showing" or whatever else they want to on it! We used paint we already had...so that was a nice money-saver! Since my sewing machine is still at the *fixers*, I had to make due with the curtains I could find. :)

Here the children are when they first saw it...

Then, of course, it was time for some puppet shows!

Before other family came for brunch...all four (yes, even Daddy) were down having fun, playing with Legos! ;)

Soon, family and loved ones arrived and we enjoyed a delicious brunch, gifts and fellowship! We were so happy to have my cousin, Jesse, with us this season...as his parents are visiting friends down south over Christmas. He was a great help getting things seperated from their packing boxes! :) (We also welcomed our friend, Heather, too! It was such fun enjoying the Christmas season with many people!)

More puppet shows entertained us for a bit in the afternoon...


Mid-afternoon, friends and family left to go home. We all napped and I began, slowly, cleaning up the house! ;) The evening was spent with Chris's dad's family...having a large meal and fellowship!

I was blessed in so many ways this year! A few things I was really grateful for were some homemade cloth napkins from my sister! Some of my older ones will get turned into dust cloths!

I also received this beautiful cupboard from my parents...

The inside...

For it to have a home, it required some rearranging! The dining room is still somewhat discombobulated, at the moment...but I will share some pictures soon!

Hoping you all enjoyed your day! Thanks so much for visiting! :)
There's lots I need to accomplish...so I better get moving!

Warmly,
Katy :)

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

The Fourth Week of Advent

We lit the last candle on the advent wreath...now all are burning brightly!

My Grammie gave me a Christmas gift and told me I was to open it right away...

She made those pillows! I just love yo-yos. She has made me a yo-yo runner before as well! Aren't the pillows just wonderful? I always love handmade gifts! Don't you? :)

My littlest loves' masterpieces on display...

Fresh bread from the oven...


I love the look of a warm, glowing candle inside, with the cold, snowy outside seen through the window...

I did a little decorating/rearranging in the kitchen area last evening...

The holder that the measuring cups and telephone are on used to be on the counter. Now that I have found it a good home, it has freed up a little counter space!

And finally...a picture of the *Leaning Tree of Christmas*. (We tried to get it straight...but it seems to like to lean *into* our home...I think it just loves to be here! ;)

The week will be busy...baking, wrapping, cleaning and preparing for Christmas. I am so thankful for each of you...that you come and visit, read and share with me. It helps me to know that I can share a form of ministry, while still at home tending to my family and chores. I am just a simple woman, learning every day. I walk this journey of life beside my Savior. It blesses me that you take the time out of your busy day to walk with me too!

I wish you all a *very* Merry Christmas.
May the love of Christ fill your hearts to overflowing.

With love and gentleness,
Katy

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20

Christmas Preparations

In the same manner in which we clean and prepare our homes in the anticipation of welcomed guests and family members this Christmas season, let us also prepare our hearts in anticipation of the Lord's coming. Christ, our most honoured and eagerly anticipated guest, desires to meet with us in a heart prepared for his arrival. So eager is he to meet with us that he offers to help us with our spiritual housecleaning, working with us; creating a resting place for Himself within our hearts.
~Katherine Walden (emphasis, mine)

Housekeeping, homeschooling, laundry, baking, fellowship and the like, are keeping me busy these last few days before Christmas.


Fresh from the oven homemade bagels, a gift for friends...

I've been wrapping gifts for loved ones, lately, too. Simple wrapping...but gifts from the heart! :)



The children were asked to go with my mother, this past Sunday, to her church. After their services, they were building and decorating gingerbread houses! (I have tried this before, myself, with the children and had no success. It was quite frustrating to me when the walls kept falling down...so I was glad they had *this* opportunity!)

The picture above is of Xavier's house and below is Madelyn's house. Jaxson gave *his* house to his great grandmother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, to enjoy looking at...so we don't have a picture of his. He was sad that he didn't have a picture to show...but I think that sharing it with grandma was a beautiful thing for him to do! :)

Of course, Christmas preparations include the house-cleaning, baking, gift wrapping, gingerbread-house-making etc. But the most important preparations to be made are the ones in your *own* heart. I love the quote I began this post with. Our hearts need to be centered on the right things this season... a thankfulness for the beautiful Gift God gave us, in His Son and a focus on loving others.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable Gift— indescribable, inestimable, incomparable inexpressible - precious beyond words.
~Lois Lebar

As we prepare for our traditional celebrations, let us remember those who will not be looking forward to this festival. Let us remember too how Jesus identified with the oppressed and the homeless. Let the joy of the festival touch more of the people of our world this year than ever before. May God be glorified and may people of good will once again experience His peace.
~Denzil John

I hope you enjoy the week ahead in glorious anticipation of our true Reason for celebration!
Thank you for stopping by.
Warmly,
Katy

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ~Ephesians 3:16-20