Sundays

 Above is the Men's Songbook that we use in Services.  We also sing contemporary songs with our praise band that plays at the beginning of Service.  

We hold our own Chapel service with our Men early Sunday mornings (Wednesday evenings too) and most of the time head over to the Corps (Church) when we're finished, although if other things in our family need attention, we pass after already attending 2 Services in a week, it can quickly become a drudgery for the kids, not matter how you put it ;)  Some of our Men attend there too and a few Alumni. 

It's a GREAT Corps (Church). We have felt most welcomed personally and in ministry partnering too. There are several retired officers that inspire me to keep going no matter what and others in the Corps with a strong Witness. 

We participated in United Divine Service Sunday (aka Youth Sunday) at our new church. 

Moonbeams: Hannah, Mary and Sunbeam: Ann

David played with the band.

Elijah is such a natural behind the pulpit.  He gave the Welcome and Announcements, the very detailed version :)

A young man from the Corps who is 13, I believe, gave the Message.  He asked to give it and he wrote it too.  It was such a blessing to our Corps to hear him.  I was so blessed and reminded that we must really listen to the hearts of our young people.   Too often we forget what they're up against and ask them to face things that are even difficult for mature adults to face.   I pray this young man keeps on pursuing Christ and sharing his Witness because he does it so well! 

A Major and his girls.  It pushes his buttons when we call him "Major Daddy" though!(hee!hee!)

Elijah in his Jr. Soldier uniform.  Ann can't hardly wait to make her promise when she turns 7 in just a few short weeks.  I pray they keep their fervor!

Here we are. 

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. "

~Deuteronomy 7:9

David put my loops and nametag on. 

He wears it well doesn't he?

It's Not You, It's Me

I can often find myself in a panic as I look at the world around me. Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Itching ears being soothed by almost truths. Sound doctrine, logic, being replaced by deceitful emotions. And yet we have no control over any of it. Influence YES! but not control, that is still God's job.

We can convince ourselves of all sorts of things when we are trying to get our own way or trying to satisfy the crowd. While all the while ignoring/denying the TRUTH and LIGHT that the Word and the Holy Spirit pierces into our lives. Through and through He WILL do it! PRAISE GOD for the reprieve He gives us from the flesh!

We must truly be the change we want to see. It's not "them", it's us! Or more spefically, I. I must be the one to remain in Him and honestly answer when I ask myself...

How am I living?
Am I authentically practicing the answers that I quickly apply to the world around me?
Do I have integrity in dilligently loving God and His Ways?
I am only accountable for myself and will give an answer to how I have managed what He has laid in my path.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:22-25)

And so we must have resolve about the way in which we live. Not being pulled this way and that by popular opinion or what we can talk ourselves into at the moment just for the sake of easy. There must be substance and sincerity to our own walk with God or our touch on the world around us will be fleeting and will not last. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, yet we are of no use if we lose our saltiness.

Protect your Holiness.  Do not continue in situations that you know will be the demise of you and your family.  I would rather lose face than my holiness.  Do what God says.  Continue in it so that you will remember God's Way and be blessed (content, happy).   Seek God above all else.  Recognize the distractions that creep into your life for what they are, detractors from what is really most important for you to be doing. 

Potato Bits and More

What do you do with leftover potatos, fries, tots?  No need to make them wait out their doom in the fridge or feed them to the trash can.   

Start a zippy bag in your freezer and add all those little bits of leftovers.  Get a good variety going.  The garlic roasted potatos didn't get finished off?  Toss them in your potato bits bag.  Cook too many tator tots again?  Straight to the potato bits bag.  And those extra-crispy Ore Ida fries that nobody went for?  They can serve their time in the bits bag too.

Next time you cook up a casserole, break out the potato bits bag and give them a good chop.

Mix in some or a little of both of Ranch, mayo, sour cream, buttermilk. Whatever you have on hand.

Add some dried onions or other seasonings like Rosemary or Chili Pepper.  Get creative.  Add cheese too if you'd like. 

Spread it over top of your favorite casserole.

Bake to perfection.

Thank the good Lord and enjoy.

And More....

Mary has been fighting an awful case of impetigo.  She is now taking antibiotics.  Poor thing.  Paul stayed home with her this morning because I still had so much to do for our Employee Christmas Party.  I know he will be playing catch-up, but I'm so glad to have that extra time this morning at the Center.  Our party is going to be fabulous :)  Although I still need to head in super early tomorrow AM to micro-manage and control freak the final set-up. Just doing my DSSing.  Smile :)  

Then I had the most unusual call from David's school that he was sick.  So I picked him up and well... after I dropped him off at home... I had to go get the van cleaned.  Poor thing #2.

Elijah is quite into Geology lately, so as I sit here, he is teaching his sisters from the Rock collection we bought 5 years ago in Sequim, WA. 

I promised the kids a quick walk.  Mary really needs to get out of the house.  David can be sick without me.    

I'm so glad it's Pizza Night.