ON TRIAL

I started this blog post last week but just didn't have it ready to post. There was a reason.....my Sunday School teacher said some things that went along with parts of the message I listened to and some of my pastor's sermon went along with it as well. Was just an added encouragement from God. That's just how God works!!!!!


Lately that's how I feel I am all the time........On Trial!!!! 
Why?  That's a good question, one I've wondered countless times. A few days ago, after the recommendation of a friend, I listened to a sermon by TD Jakes talking about your faith being on trial. It was such an encouraging word from the Lord for this season of my life.  I'm not one to normally share why I feel or to even feel so many of the emotions I have felt over the last while, up and down like a roller coaster ride, not understanding so many things, doubting myself more than usual, and just wondering some days, "Where are you Lord, I'm doing all I know to do? Why do things keep going this way? Why, why, why???" Well......could it be my faith is on trial? Am I just talking the talk or am I really walking the talk?  Am I really prepared to walk a real walk with God? (Yes, I am!) Am I really willing to persevere and stand the trial?  (Yes, I am!) All these questions require a long hard look at myself, understanding no matter who we are our faith will stand trial at some point in our walk with the Lord. God does have a plan even though I may not know it right now or understand it. These are the things that spoke to me:

• I must stand on God's word and promises
• For every trial there will be a blessing 
• His strength is make perfect in our weakness 
• God will give me the grace to stand 
• He will equip me for the trial
• God will be my thermostat during the fire
• God is in control, not me
• My faith may be on trial, but I have a great lawyer
• There is a place, purpose, and a provision in a trial
• Real worship is a sacrifice 
• I am stronger and tougher than I think I am
• I can go through more than I think I can
• Trust is a form of worship
• There are just some things I can't get away from
• God always has a plan
• God is a way maker
• What God has for me He will hold in place until I get there
• God is my provider
• When I've done all I can do to stand, I have to just STAND
• Standing is a spiritual attitude
• No weapon formed against me shall prosper
• Just trust God even when I don't know what He is doing

I am standing and trusting God, even though I don't know what the end result of this season will be. It may not be what I want or expect but it will be God's plan.  And yes, I may even continue to struggle, honestly, I probably will struggle some days but that's OK too because in my weakness He is made strong!!

Is your faith on trial? STAND AND HAVE FAITH!!

Eggsellant Giveaway To Check Out

Check out Danica's Daily @ http://danicasdaily.com for a great giveaway from Eggsland Best Eggs. 
Eggs are a great source of protein and very filling.
Have an eggsellant day!!!!

Getting Healthy---Mid February 2012

I recently ran across a blog while searching for new recipes. http://www.danicasdaily.blogspot.com  She had posted a recipe for some mini muffins. I couldn't find the exact things she had used so I adapted it for the ingredients I could find. So yummy and just the right bite of sweet.

This is my recipe.........


Apple Spice Mini Muffins
1 box Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
5 oz. white chocolate chips
1/2 cup water
15 oz. can pumpkin

Mix all ingredients and bake in mini muffins. Danica's recipe came out to 48 mini muffins but I got 53 out of mine.

For those following WW these are very point friendly.


I have also made them using chocolate cake mix and last night I used orange cake mix with butterscotch chips. Those were a big hit as well.  This is a keeper recipe for me. So many different variations you could use. Enjoy!!!

Our Life--Mid February

Finally a day to catch up a little!!! Finally got some of my pictures downloaded and organized on my computer, finished up some laundry, semi-straightened the house,  and finished a book I've been reading for what seems like weeks and weeks.  Here are some pictures from our life over the past few weeks.

Caleb checking the cattle on a very cold and snowy morning.

Haley in the doctor office week before last. She was feeling very rough. Much better now.

Just one of the sweet notes my baby girl leaves for me in my office at work. Makes my day to come in and see them.

My often messy desk lately but yes I do know where everything is and what I'm suppose to be doing.

Snow!!!! We just didn't get enough of it. 

Sitting in the parent pick up line at my kids school!! You have to get there very early to avoid the long line. Needless to say, I never make it early!!

Foggy foggy morning on my way to work.

I found these conversation hearts at the christian bookstore.  Got them for my family. Remember God loves you!!










I love my crazy life. So thankful for my great family and friends. Lately it has been pressed upon me more and more to not take people, days, or even things for granted for they could be gone in the blink of an eye. Enjoy the small everyday things, even your crazy busy life, I do!!

Time.....Where does it go????

Where does our time go? It's like I have blinked and it's already February. My carefully constructed plan of my life blog and my healthy life blog has just completely went out the window. I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and pour into it as I really want, I mean I do have to try to sleep at some point in this crazy life!!!! So just to combine the two topics in one blog and give a brief rundown...........


My Life.......crazy as always. Kids here and there, work, church, errands, and the list goes on and on. And yes, I do love my crazy life!!!!! Hopefully in the next few days I'll have some pics downloaded to share. We celebrated my daughter in law's 21st birthday with a cookout, picked back up with tumbling and twirling classes, archery, drama, and a new Bible Study for me. It's been very eye opening even though I have read these same scriptures numerous times before. I'm just receiving a different message this time around.  I am blessed beyond measure and am so thankful God loves me and all my quirkiness!!!


My Healthy Life......I'm still on fairly good terms with my scale. LOL!!! Just focusing on choosing healthier foods. I'm always looking for new recipes. I've been following a blog that has some neat things on it. I'll be sharing that later. On the recipe try list this weekend.....Mini Apple Cinnamon Muffins. They sound amazing. Be watching for the recipe and hopefully a pic or two soon. 


That pretty much sums it up for now!!

Our Life Journal 2012 W-2

Busy week for us as always. The weather turned cooler and we had another small snowfall, continued my focus of getting healthy, church, work, school, and the many other daily routines we have. I am so blessed with such a great family!!


Foggy Morning several days this week!!

I love this little skillet. I use it to make my egg sandwich for breakfast.

My baby girl cooking supper. She did a great job.

My son is such a great help to his dad on the farm.

"Dancing Feet"  Just us girls having some fun!

Snow Fun!!!!

A cute find for my laundry room door.

And even had some down time for reading.

I love my crazy life!!!

Getting Healthy--Week 2

Week 2 seemed to be somewhat challenging a few days this past week. I didn't plan as well as I should have but I made the best of it and continued on. Planning is key for me. I must plan ahead for my week and stick with it. Plus I like knowing what I need to do and how much time it will take each day. Yes, OCD tendency, but that's just me!!!

Some things I ate this week:

• Cheeseburger with oven potatoes
• My version of the Weight Watcher soup
• plenty of vegetables
• fruits
• salads
• almonds
• Special K protein snack bar
• Chicken
• pinto beans
• cabbage
• eggs
• pancakes
• smoothies

I'm always looking for new ideas so I don't get bored with the same old things. Still working on my week ahead but do have a few things in mind like taco salads, turkey burgers, and maybe soup. 

My fun exercise for this week was a great evening of dancing around the kitchen with my baby girl while cooking. It was just me and her so we just acted silly, danced like crazy people, and laughed a lot!!! Will have to do that more often.

Remember "Today is a great day to get healthy"!!!!