Well It is Good Friday

Well it is Good Friday, and for Jesus followers, that is a time for sad yet wonderful memories. Someone sinless took upon himself the sins of everyone else so that we may have eternal life. Wow, for God to send his one and only son, just for us is incredible.

John 3:16-17; KJV, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to the Ilumina Bible program,

THE MEANING OF MESSIAH:

“The title of Messiah came from the Hebrew, mashiach, and means "anointed one." Christos, or Christ, refers to an individual who is set apart to serve God.” It continues to say; “Messiah is a title for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In the Old Testament, God told how he would send the Messiah to rescue his people, to make everything right, and to destroy evil. The Jews looked forward to the arrival of this Jewish hero but rejected Jesus Christ because they expected someone different. Instead of a soldier, Jesus was a servant. Instead of being a mighty king, Jesus died on a cross. The Jews did not recognize God's plan for Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus still saved those who believed in him by his death on the cross. He came back from the dead and now rules in heaven above.”

Yes it is Friday, Good Friday, but hang on as Sunday is coming!

                                               

My First Road Trip

Well it took a lot of thought and prayer as making a long road trip alone posed many fears for me. However, the need to see my girls out weighed my fears.

When I started early on Sunday am the weather forecast was to be foggy and 80% chance of rain. It did sprinkle for maybe 5 minutes but no fog.  The roads were dry and sunshine came out and stayed out the whole trip.

4 hours into my trip south, I stopped at the last chance rest stop before hitting the bridge between Indiana and Kentucky Bridge. 

Since I could not find any Christian music channels on the radio, I decided to make a playlist on my tablet. As I am setting there, a nice older man approached me spreading the word to other drivers that he heard on the CB that there was a delay on the bridge. 

Fear again tried to sneak in as I started to drive; however, I yelled aloud at satan and with Jesus’ help took control of my fear.

Well the delay was miles before the bridge and the traffic was backed up making my trip an hour longer. Therefore, I was so glad I took the time to make my playlist of music. No fears, great music and snacks on the seat beside me made the delay bearable. 

I made it, and the trip was worth it!

Therefore, my advice to anyone who does not like doing things alone, especially long trips, you can do it. Simply be prepared for anything.

 

                                                                                                                         

Snow Snow and More Snow

My husband's footprints

Yesterday March 5th we had pretty much green grass trying to show. OK as it is still winter, it wasn't really green, however, it was not snow covered. Then yesterday late afternoon, everything changed.

My truck has drifts surrounding it

 When it started to snow it cut loose and really snowed. It was tiny flakes, however, it was a wet and heavy packable snow.

look at all this white st

Look how many inches we got. 





Oh boy!!! I am so ready for spring and sunshine!

Drip drip drip

I do thank God it was 31 degrees and very little wind.Even the icicles were dripping so maybe winter will be ushered out of Indiana soon.

  

                            

Birthday Family Fun

Loves her mommy!

 Missing our daughter’s 33rd birthday was something that saddened me, however, the winters in Indiana and driving 6 hours south for the first time by myself frightened me.

Oh what a surprise it was one week later when she surprised us by making her first trip north with my 4-year old grand daughter. It was not because of her birthday it was for her dad’s, which was one week later. 

Saying birthday cheers with cheese!

My son had already been invited to come for dinner for his dad’s birthday; he knew she was coming, so he popped in with the grandsons. It was a tad noisy but oh, what a great noise it was!

Grandpa, son and grandchildren

Another surprise for my nephews, we all got together for breakfast at the local restaurant the following Saturday. That was part of our kid’s plans, which we did not know about, until the girls arrived. 

Scrap wood project

While the girls spent a couple of days with us, our grand daughter wanted not only snuggle time but the crafty time her and mom do at home. She wanted to make something with wood, scrap wood would be fine, however; we had to scale down what she actually wanted to build. She had in her mind to build a tree house. We convinced her to do something smaller so grandpa and Zeely made a bookshelf.

My son and grandchildren

To end our good, quality, fun family time we met, at our son’s home, after church Sunday. We celebrated the upcoming 5^th birthday of my grandson.

Our kids and 3 of the grandchildren

  

Snow Drop Flowers:Tiny yet Beautiful

 Snowdrop flowers are as a ray of hope, for all in the colder climates, that winter is ending and spring is right around the corner.

The snowdrop flower is actually a winter flower that peeks there little heads up even if there is snow on the ground.

Snowdrops are tiny little flowers so trying to get a unique, yet lovely photography, can be challenging. I hope you agree with me that I have succeeded in getting at least one good one.

Now if the winter in Indiana would actually end and springtime weather gets here.

Road Trip to the Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

Afternoon sunset

On Thursday January 24, 2013, I went on a small road trip to the lighthouse on Lake Michigan with my niece. It is less than a one-hour drive, however, the amount of snow on the ground there with the winds coming off Lake Michigan was a huge difference compared to here.
 

Frozen railing

The beauty of the ice on the pier, the railing, the ice covered light on the end of the southern pier as well as the ice covered lighthouse on the northern pier was a site to see.

Water splashing

It is awesome to see the flowing water as it splashes up against a frozen chunk making it even larger each time it hits and freezes. Also amazing is watching the ice bob up and down when the waves come in. If it had not been for the cold temperatures, I could have sat down and watched that for quite some time. However, the pier being snow and ice covered was not inviting to my butt. It was not the type of weather, where you set on the pier, dangling your legs and put your feet in the water.

Crazy kayaker

Isn't it angelic looking?

One kayaker did not view the cold water in the manner I did, as he was out there paddling his kayak around in the freezing water. At one point he perched himself on a big chuck of ice, at first I thought he was there inviting me to take his picture but then realized he was taking a moment for a photo op of the ice covered lighthouse. He was definitely going to get a different vantage point from all the others we saw that day.

Ice covered Lighthouse.

If you get an opportunity to take a road trip this winter viewing the Icy Lighthouse on the St. Joseph River/Lake Michigan, in St. Joseph Michigan is beautiful.

Cold Indiana Winters

Preparing for winter weather can sometimes be challenging in Indiana. Winter months can be cold or even sub zero, add in western winds and it can make it extremely hard to keep the pipes from freezing.

My advice is to stay prepared for any weather, but especially, severe winter weather.  I do not know how the winter months are in your area, however, the cold temperatures that Indiana has been having is not fun.

• Of course, the obvious is stock up on canned goods. If you can get things that you can eat without cooking is the best.
• Purchase cans that have either pull tops or have an old-fashioned can opener like the one I use everyday. If there is no emergency your pantry is stocked up, no harm no foul. You never know when a storm is going to hit whether it be a blizzard, ice storm, frozen water lines or just a storm that sends your electric out.

This week the temperatures in Northern Indiana have dipped below zero and our cold water line to the bathroom did lightly freeze. Therefore having plenty of bottled water on hand was necessary.

Creating a New Normal with Exercise

OK, not only is it a new year, but also new exercise program has been started. With the closing of 
Curves for Women in my town, I joined a gym that has men and women. To me this was a bit intimidating, I don't like to shake my fat in front of women and the thought of doing it front of men was really not in my plans. Well plans change therefore creating a new normal with exercise.

I struggled at first doing the stepper, the elliptical and treadmill for any length of time. I now try to do everyday, if the machines are available, .5 mile on the stepper, 1.5-2 miles on the elliptical series of reps on weight machines followed with 1-1.5 miles on the treadmill. I also try to push myself for faster times and higher inclines.

I am still struggling with my weight as I really baked and ate to much from Thanksgiving thru the New Year. Therefore, it's my motive to reduce the waistline and improve my health in 2013 by creating a new normal with exercise. 

Merry Christmas

 Merry Christmas to All

^{Luke 2:8-12; NIV}
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

I was blessed on Sunday Eve to see my son Ian, his girlfriend Erin, my daughter and her family for Christmas fun and celebration.

 Christmas Eve at great grandma's house, the cousins shared a little bit of time.

 Family dinner, fun and laughter

My daughter Jasmine, Granddaughter Zeely Jade and myself at our home. 
Zeely decided to show her love to us (in her own way) in this picture. She grabbed on tight and had a genuine smile of love. I am one blessed mom and grandmother.
 Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 

  

It's Christmas Cookie Time

Are you like me and you love to bake cookies? Doesn't it make Christmas time feel like Heaven? I truly am a cookie monster.

Whether you are baking regular or normal cookie recipes, or the gluten-free variety for family members, the Amish Drop Sugar Cookie and the Sugar Cookie Pumpkin Bar recipes are a must try.

Both recipes can easily be converted into  a gluten-free cookie.

 BOTH RECIPES ARE ON SEEKYT

                                              
This post linked to: Frugal Food Thursday