Let It Snow!

It's been pretty amazing around SW Oklahoma! We have had two big snows (big for us!) this year, already, and it's still on the ground four days later. With temps in the 7 to 32 degree range over the past few days, it's easy to tell why it's still here, too.  It's just unusual for us to have this much snow and for it to stay longer than a day! 

The snow began to fall last Thursday, causing the school to close early and letting out Friday, too.  This  gave our three boys a really long weekend of fun and family time!

I like being snowed in. It shows me that I'm not in control, or that any of us are in control of the weather. Only God is.  That shows His power and might!

Being snowed in changed some plans for our town....having to cancel our football state championship game and us having to cancel our church family gathering at our house for Sunday night. I got of online Christmas shopping done, which I wasn't sure when I would have the time to get some of it done - some that involved uploading photos...lots and lots of photos.

When the temperature was a little higher, the boys played and played. They scooped snow for building projects.

They played football. (This one got tackled!) The snow was/is really dry, so they didn't come in all wet like you might think.

They built a bucket-made snowman, with spray-painted eyes, mouth, and buttons. (Ha ha!!)

And they made a huge pyramid.

That thing is about 6 feet tall!

Yesterday I had them pose, right after worship, for a quick "brothers" picture. It sure seems odd not to have a "sister" in the picture!  She'll be home soon for Christmas break, so we'll have to take more pictures with her in the shot.

The boys had to go to school this morning. They didn't want to, but it's probably best. The way it looks, we may be getting more snow days in the future.  We all hope so, anyway! :)

Happy 11th Birthday, Tyler!

 

                                                  

It's been a pretty special birthday for Tyler today!  Because of ice and snow, school was dismissed early - around 12:10 p.m.!  I think it's a birthday he will remember forever because of that.

Although there's not picture of the event, except one of the stadium that I got via text, but failed to save, Tyler and his dad did something special for his birthday.  His gift was a day with his dad at an OU game. It was in early November and had a rain delay for several hours, but they both enjoyed the fun time.  I would have liked a picture, but the important thing is that they went together - just a young boy and his dad.  Just that day alone, without the game, would have been a special treat!  We don't get a lot of free days that are one on one with each child.  We get hours here and there, but rarely a whole day!  Pretty special!

For the first 10 birthdays, Tyler has always had soups at his family birthday parties.  It was always a beef/vegetable stew, chicken enchilada soup, potato soup, garlic cheese biscuits, and cornbread. But this time Tyler requested something different.  So odd since a few years ago, when I suggested something different, Tyler protested! Ha ha! But this year he wanted stacked enchiladas. We did both beef and chicken.  He made a great choice!

Tyler,

You are growing up quickly.  You're a real, true pre-teen. :)  Unbelievable!  

We're proud to have you as our son, and are thankful that God has allowed us to be your parents.  

We can't imagine life without you in it.  Our family would definitely not be the same.  You have such a  funny spirit. You have deep thoughts about life, about God, about Jesus, and the church. You've taught us a lot in his short life, and we're thankful for all of your lessons. Some day you will read about your inspirational thoughts that I've posted on this blog. (The Chronicles of Biscuit posts.)  You'll be pretty surprised at your young wisdom, and probably get a laugh at some of your funny stories!  I think you'll get to ready them all when you turn 21 - the year you will open your time capsule that was made on your 1st birthday.  How special that will be, and hard to believe it's 10 years from now!

In our prayer this morning before school, we thanked God for giving him a healthy life, and prayed that God would continue to bless you with many more years as disciple.  We prayed that God will continue to lead you in being a good example for those around you, so that you are a shining light for Jesus for the rest of your life. We look forward to seeing what God has planned for you.  And we pray that you always keep God the center and highest priority in your life.

Thank you, God, for Tyler, and the blessing of this birthday!  And thank you for the early day off of school! That was pretty neat for him.  He gets another day off tomorrow, so an added dose of winter fun time!

We love you, Tyler!  

MOM & DAD

Contentment

In my ladies' Bible class last night, we talked about contentment. There's a reason I chose that subject right now, right as we're all buying Christmas presents. Right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Are you content?  Do you live a life of total contentment?  Most of us are content for the most part, I would imagine, but we would probably not be able to say that we live a life of total contentment.  

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-11

Godliness WITH contentment is great gain.  

GREAT GAIN.  What does that mean?

Godliness with contentment is great gain because God knows that it is what is best for us. Godliness is great because by being godly we are being like Jesus.  But to be content - as Jesus was content - is something that will help us to be even more like Him and allow us to show Him to others.  He was able to be content throughout His life - being persecuted, being mocked, and eventually being beaten and crucified on a cross.  Nothing we go through (most likely) will be near what He went through.  Some will suffer, yes.  Some undergo horrible persecution, even now.  Some may even be killed.  But for the majority of us, we won't.  We must learn to be content, so that His light is shining brightly in our lives.  We are shining that light so that those around us are pointed towards Him.  

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

“Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.” It’s the other way around. Your heart follows your treasure. If you put your treasure into the things of the world - into trying to acquire financial gain, at all costs, your heart will follow. If you put your treasure into recreation and entertainment, your heart will follow. If you put your treasure into the kingdom of God and seek to please Him and Him only, your heart will follow.

So contentment isn’t a matter with being content with your situation in life and never trying to improve it. It’s a matter of being content with what you have — but realizing that as humans, we will always try to improve, no matter how happy we are. If we don’t, we have given up on life.

To be dependent for contentment upon whether the economy is doing well or not, whether you are in good health or not, and whether everything in your life is going well or not, you are living in bondage to the circumstances around you. Life is filled with problems and uncertainties, so living in that type of life isn't showing real contentment. Real contentment involves having the eternal perspective. It frees you from circumstances as the basis for all happiness and joy.

Contentment is not based on what you have; it is based on how you choose to view life. It is an issue of the heart.

I found a quote that seemed like a great summary on how we view what God has blessed us with. I changed a few words and added a little emphasis.

"I believe that’s why tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament. Maybe God doesn’t want us to just pay Him off with a 10% gift in the collection plate, then feel like the rest is ours to squander and do with what we please. He wants us to realize that it is ALL His. He owns iT ALL; you just manage it for Him. An outsider ought to be able to look at your checkbook (or at our bank statement) and tell who your Master is!" 

Godliness WITH contentment is GREAT GAIN.  Let's strive to live out this truth found in God's Word! He knows what is best for us!

“It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.” - Dale Carnegie

12 Days of Christmas

While we know that the whole idea of Christmas and it's customs is man-made, it has special significance because it is based upon the belief that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born on Christmas Day.

Whether He was or not, it doesn't matter. It is celebrated as it is, and many, all over the world join in the celebration.  At least for a little while, many people are thinking about Jesus, and hopefully they'll not leave Him as a little baby and put Him back in a box when the season is over, but realize that He came to earth to live and die and be raised for each and every one of us!

I was wondering about some of the traditions of Christmas. Where did they come from? What do they mean?  I know they all have a religious significance and most all came from the Catholic church, but I wasn't sure about all of them.  I found this one particularly interesting.  It's the true meaning of the song, "12 Days of Christmas".

Passage Hidden definition My true love Me Partridge in a pear tree Two Turtle Doves Three French hens Four calling birds Five gold rings Six geese a-laying Seven swans a-swimming Eight maids a-milking Nine ladies dancing Ten lords a-leaping Eleven pipers piping Twelve drummers drumming God The Christian Jesus The old and new testaments Faith, hope and love The four gospels The first five books of the Bible The six days of creation The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit The beatitudes The nine fruits of the Holy Spirit The ten commandments The eleven faithful disciples The twelve points of the apostle creed

All of this made sense, except I had no idea what the apostle creed was, so I looked it up, as well (it's it amazing that all of this information is found right in cyberspace?  I can look up anything?  Be careful, though, not everything you read on the internet is true, you know?!) 

Here it is, though I don't believe #4 (He did take on the sin of the whole world and was separated from God, but after reading what others have written, it is not hell where He went.) and I would take the word catholic out of #9.  All the rest is what true disciples of Christ believe. 

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

So, the next time you hear this song, you will think of it quite differently, won't you?  I know I will!

Thanksgiving Memories 2013

In the early 1960's my mother-in-law's family began having a big Thanksgiving together with her whole family.  It still continues today, stretching over a few days, and with a few fun additions that we do each year.

Meeting together for worship, along with our church family, is the beginning of the Thanksgiving time together.  It's a great time of worship and praise to Our Heavenly Father for all He has done for us.

After the worship time, we gather at the in-law's to have appetizers and finger foods, along with games and lots of conversations.

Our Thanksgiving run dwindled a bit this year. Could have been the low 30's temperatures keeping some from joining in the fun!  Cinnamon rolls and orange rolls are the traditional breakfast of champions for Thanksgiving morning.

Thanksgiving dinner was served in the early afternoon. There were 38 present this year. The dessert table held a lot of the pies and desserts.

A HUGE bowl of mashed potatoes mounded up on top! I think there were 20 lbs. of potatoes and the hand mixer only had one beater!  The other one had broken!

The rest of the food - fried turkey, regular roasted turkey, gravy, ham, dressing, potato casserole, macaroni & cheese...

 ....from the garden green beans, homemade cranberry sauce, canned cranberry sauce, vegetable casserole, cut from the cob corn, two different sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, jello salads....

 ....and homemade "hot" rolls. (They have to be called "hot" even when they're not hot! :) )

A few hours after lunch, it's pumpkin bashing time!  The kids gather up the pumpkins at our house - this year there were lots and lots!

For new members of the family, they are initiated at the pumpkin bashing!  That just means they're given a sort of mushy one so that it will splatter everywhere when hit!  H did great for her first time!!

 A cousin (and spouses) picture around the pumpkins....minus nine who weren't here.

The newest little member of the family had his first experience at the pumpkin bashing.  He was okay with all of the excitement!

Some pumpkin launching also took place.....

And finally, a picture of my husband (left) and his uncle.  They look so much alike, so from time to time, I try to get a picture of them together.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!