Happy New Year!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
and days of auld lang syne?
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand o' thine
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne

May you find yourself sitting at the feet of God anxiously awaiting the grace, compassion, love and forgiveness He so freely gives. May you find the Truth that He is and yearn to grow closer to Him. May others see Him in you, in your actions, in your speech, in your relationships. May you find the friend, confidant, teacher, lover and guider that I have found in Him. May this be a year that you offer your hand to those in need and open your heart to feel others pain and not be a year of selfishness. May you pray for the leaders of this country and place them in God's hands. May we all love more and hate less. May our past remain our past, our present be our present and our future our future in His hands. God bless you and your family this year. May you find peace and comfort in and through Him.

I want to know

Ok, so Christmas is over, but hopefully you'll carry it's spirit throughout the year. I want to know what your favorite part of this Christmas was and what your favorite gift was.

My favorite part of Christmas was giving. We didn't give much but what we gave was loved!!
My favorite gift would be my mp3 player! I found this morning that I can listen to my mp3 player, read a book and work out on the elliptical all at the same time. Oh how it made the time pass by faster than I expected!!

Ok, now I want to read some from you!

Ahead of things...

All right, I've done it now. I've started another blog. Yes, you read that right! I am ahead of the new year's resolution thing this year. LOL!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!!

A tiny babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
A child teaching in the synagogue.
A friend and mentor leading his sheep.
A man of miracles and promises.
A son who sacrificed himself for you and me.
A Savior who arose and is with us today.

Remember not only his birth and the miracles that surround it, but remember his walk and the life he lead. Remember today the sacrifice he would make for each of us. For without that sacrifice we would not be celebrating his birth.

May his blessings flow down upon you today and carry you through the new year!

Christmas Recipe

So I have baked and cooked for Christmas presents the past couple of years. My grandma does the same every year and I so look forward to getting her box of goodies. Well several people have asked for the recipe for my cashew brittle. I get most of my recipes online and tweak them to my liking.

Buttery Cashew Brittle

2 c. sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
1 c. butter
1/2 c. water
2 c. cashews, *online recipe calls for 3 cups, coarsely chopped* but I leave mine the way they come
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda, *online calls for sifting* I don't.

Butter or spray with butter flavored spray 1 - 1inch deep cookie sheet*online recipe calls for 2 large baking sheets*. *I use throw away pans. I do this because you can turn it upside down on a regular cookie sheet to and hit the throw away one to break it up. This eliminates damage to your cookie sheet.* In a sauce pan combine sugar, syrup, butter and water. Cook over medium high heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Clip candy thermometer to pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thermometer reads 275 degrees (soft crack stage).

Stir in Cashews. Continue cooking the candy, stirring frequently *so cashews don't burn*, until thermometer registers 295 degrees (hard crack stage). Remove from heat. Sprinkle the soda over mixture, stirring constantly. Pour cashew brittle mixture onto baking sheet. Cool thoroughly. Break into pieces.

Enjoy!!! Brittle is a bit tedious to make so plan to have plenty of time!!

Belles-Lettres

In loving memory of Ruth Estelle Douglas ~ my Naomi!

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,
Around the world below.
With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,
Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear.
For I'm spending Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear the angels sing.

I can't tell you of the splendor,
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?

I'll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love.
So then pray one for another,
As I lift you eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,
And let your spirit sing.
For I'm Spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I'm walking with the King.

~© Wanda Bencke ~

Christmas Thoughts

A month ago I was the most excited person about Christmas. I pulled out the music and was in full swing Christmas mode. Well in the midst of that I had a break and fell far from the light holiday spirit that had filled me just weeks before. I am now ready for Christmas. Today in our young adult class one of the young men said, he was glad that the economy was doing so poorly because it has made him realize what he'd forgotten. That being what Christmas is really all about. I've heard that same statement made by so many people this season. I was also reading a friends note on facebook and the statements he made just got my attention. He said, "The One thing that I love most about Christmas is Easter.You have to have Easter in order to truly celebrate Christmas!" So very true! I love the group Downhere and found this video of one of my favorite songs that they do that really ties that statement together. The end of this video is graphic.

Whacked Upside the Head

This morning I read through my devotional then popped over to look up some scriptures on biblegateway.com and the verse of the day just smacked me in the head. I love when God does that. I so often need just whacked in the head by Him to get it.

We have been studying Mark and Acts in our young adult class and it seemed the disciples even needed this action done and God oblidged them as well.

Anyway todays verse is:

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5.

*whack, whack, whack with a blow-up bat* Get it now, Shasta??? I got it! I got it!

Yesterday was my doctor's appointment and I knew before hand what she was going to say and do, but I was blessedly wrong. She is handing me off to a specialist and it's an avenue I'm excited to go down. I know that I am in God's hands and He is directing these steps. There is such a relief and weight gone now that I am geniunely happy to the core. I know the journey ahead won't be easy but with God by my side we can do it!!

Thank you to all of you who have loved me, prayed for me and just let me be for the past month and always! God has blessed me with such great friends and family!!

It's been a powerful, eye-opening, heart mending week!!

I have had a break through this week. As most of you know I've been a bit down, actually way down. I told a friend I didn't just hitch a ride on the self-pity train, I got in the drivers seat. Really what I found myself doing was questioning God and turning from church and those who love me most. Last week one of my cousins made a comment on my blog and I then went to check out her blog. She had a link to a daily devotional for women on there and one of the devotions was on patience. I can hear the collective gasps that I always hear when someone mentions patience. I have not had any patience what so ever as of late. I want, what I want, and I want it NOW!! *stomping foot with hands on hips* Sound like any 2 years olds you know?? I have not been attending church regularly for the past 2 months now. I went the Sunday Dwayne preached, I stayed only for praise and worship last Sunday and really did neither; but today I stayed for church and I was genuinely happy to be there. Actually I've been genuinely happy most of this week. During praise and worship I was so moved I was crying and almost couldn't contain the tears. Those of you who know me know that I'm not an outwardly emotional person at least when it comes to crying in public. However as of late the tears just seem to flow like fountains. I'm not enjoying it too much but today they were tears that were from within. Tears of praise and worship. We sang a couple songs and I worshiped and sang, but when we sang "Mighty to Save" the lyrics ,well one in particular, just really moved me. The whole song is great! But back to the lyrics that I sang with all my heart and changed part way through the song are "Saviour, He can move the mountains." I realized today that He can move the mountains and halfway through I was singing "Saviour, You can move my mountains." Oh what a peace came over me then!!! It was almost like an epiphany for me. Then low and behold the next song just brought me to tears fully. "The Power of Your Love."





On top of all of this Porky's sermon was right on with "God perfect timing," being his first point. Oh, how I've hated that statement for the past year, but this week I have realized how true it is. I know that God will gift us with children and when He does it will be in perfect time!! Oh, how wonderful it felt to raise my hands and truly, whole-heartedly worship my Heavenly Father!!!


Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment to find out what the next few months will bring me. I am hopeful but not too hopeful. I am praying that God will be in the doctor's decision and he will give me the strength to accept that decision.

Two Christmas Quizzes

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

Cafe Chat

I have been visiting the "Internet Cafe Devotions . " I love it! Anyway today before I read the devotional they have what they call Cafe Chat. They post a question and then ask you to do the share your answer. I didn't figure this out until just a bit ago so here is today's question and my answer.


Last week we asked what was the best gift that you a have ever been given. This week the question is:

If money were no option, what gift would you give to who and why?

I would love for family to have the gift I paid nothing for to begin with and that is the gift God has given me, Salvation!

I would also give to many families that I know who are going through a rough patch the means to have a worry free Christmas.