Making My Home A Haven is important to me. Sharing homemaking skills. Recipes and food. Bible Studies. This is a treasure chest of goodies. So take a seat. Have a glass of tea and enjoy. You will learn all about who I am.
As we enter this holiday season, I want to invite you to quiet you heart with me. I thought and I prayed about the best way to enter this holiday season, and as I reading the Word, I kept going back to the book of Luke. I couldn’t help but feel that the best way to prepare for the King was to get to know Him on a deeper level, and to drink from the well of His wisdom.
And so our study begins this Monday, November 21st and runs for four consecutive weeks, ending December 17th. From Sarah : 2019
Advent Started on December 1st this year. I am a little late getting started. I will be doing this Bible Study this month.
There are 24 chapters in Luke. Therefore, I suggest reading one chapter per day/six days a week bringing you to a complete four-week study.
If we’re going too fast for you—slow down. Go at your own pace. If it takes you two months to complete the study, so be it. This isn’t homework, this is an opportunity to fellowship with God, to quiet your heart during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and to find rest in His presence.
There’s a FREE study guide below in which I have provided you with a list of questions for each chapter. This doesn’t mean that you have to tackle every single question. You might want to answer two or three of them each day, and some days you may prefer to answer them all. The questions are simply a method to get you thinking, cross referencing, and rightly dividing the Word. For many of the questions, our answers could be different as God is speaking to each of us in a unique way.
Please note: The study guide is 85 pages. If that is too much for you to print, simply read it on your computer, and record your thoughts in a journal.
As we enter this holiday season, I want to invite you to quiet you heart with me. I thought and I prayed about the best way to enter this holiday season, and as I reading the Word, I kept going back to the book of Luke. I couldn’t help but feel that the best way to prepare for the King was to get to know Him on a deeper level, and to drink from the well of His wisdom.
And so our study begins this Monday, November 21st and runs for four consecutive weeks, ending December 17th.
There are 24 chapters in Luke. Therefore, I suggest reading one chapter per day/six days a week bringing you to a complete four-week study.
If we’re going too fast for you—slow down. Go at your own pace. If it takes you two months to complete the study, so be it. This isn’t homework, this is an opportunity to fellowship with God, to quiet your heart during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and to find rest in His presence.
There’s a FREE study guide below in which I have provided you with a list of questions for each chapter. This doesn’t mean that you have to tackle every single question. You might want to answer two or three of them each day, and some days you may prefer to answer them all. The questions are simply a method to get you thinking, cross referencing, and rightly dividing the Word. For many of the questions, our answers could be different as God is speaking to each of us in a unique way.
Please note: The study guide is 85 pages. If that is too much for you to print, simply read it on your computer, and record your thoughts in a journal.
The Kitchen Is Not Just For Cooking But For Connecting
From Courtney On Good Morning Girls Facebook:
NEW POST: This is our final week of the “Making Your Home a Haven” Series! This week’s challenge includes Conversation Starters for your kids and some of Women Living Well’s Favorite Recipes! Come take the challenge!!
NEXT WEEK: We will begin a special Thanksgiving Series on Wednesdays that includes keeping our candles and prayers going.
WOMEN LIVING WELL
There blog is filled with wonderful ideas for this last week. Easy family recipes. Conversation Topics for Kids.
Courtney’s Stories and Family PHOTOS
The Kitchen Is Not Just For Cooking But For Connecting
This week we are focusing on the kitchen – the heart of the home. At the bottom of this post you will find this week’s challenge, some fun conversation starters for kids and Women Living Well’s Favorite Recipes!
The kitchen is not just for cooking but for connecting.
God created taste buds, the sense of smell, and the eye that is drawn to beautiful things – to please our senses. He created crunchy green peppers, fuzzy peaches, juicy watermelons, sour lemons, and sweet potatoes! Our God is creative!
“Just as it is good to get one’s fingers into the soil and plant seeds, so it is good to get one’s fingers and fists into bread dough to knead and punch it.
There is something very positive in being involved in the creativity which is so basic to life itself.
Home-made bread, home-made cakes and pies, home-made vegetable soup from home-grown vegetables or from vegetable market purchases, home-made jams and jellies, homemade relishes and pickles—these are almost lost arts in many homes.”
I admit the above list does not represent the cooking in my home. Very rarely have I made homemade bread dough; I tend to make quick and easy recipes (I included some of Women Living Well’s favorite recipes at the end of this post).
But it’s the coming around the dinner table that blesses the souls of our families.
In Luke 11:3, Jesus said to pray,
“Give us each day our daily bread.”
In America, we are so blessed we rarely have to ask God for our daily bread, but we must remember to give thanks for our food.
Bowing our heads as a family in thankfulness to God is a gift we give our children and a memory they carry with them into adulthood.
Check Out Courtney’s Stories and Family Pictures……… Family Times – The BEST TIMES
The kitchen is not just for cooking but for connecting!
“Food cannot take care of the spiritual, psychological and emotional problems, but the feeling of being loved and cared for, the actual comfort of the beauty and flavor of food, the increase of blood sugar and physical well-being, help one to go on during the next hours better equipped to meet the problems.”
Read Women Living Well for the
Conversation Starters For Children.
This Week’s Challenge:
Keep lighting your candles and praying. Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home and connect!
“Cook things with pleasant aromas like homemade bread, pies, and cookies. Don’t wait to have a reason to make something special – do it simply to show love to your family. Invite your kids and/or hubby to cook along side of you – make memories in the kitchen – test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remember the importance of dinner time around the table as a family.
Live out the fruit of the Spirit this week by showing love, goodness and faithfulness to your family.”
From Sarah:
Make sure you check out the easy recipes on WLW.
What are meal times like for your family?
What are your conversations like during supper time?
Do YOU Pray?
Do you have a special prayer or do you take turns?
World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Soldiers of the 353rd Infantry near a church at Stenay, Meuse in France, wait for the end of hostilities. This photo was taken at 10:58 a.m., on November 11, 1918, two minutes before the armistice ending World War I went into effect
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”
The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation”which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”
President Eisenhower signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. From left: Alvin J. King, Wayne Richards, Arthur J. Connell, John T. Nation, Edward Rees, Richard L. Trombla, Howard W. Watts
In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.
Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
This Is Still the Land of the Free – Veteran’s Day/Memorial Day Song –
I try and live by those words as best as I can.
I don’t know how many times I have been asked “Why I thought Bobby was taken so early” .
There is STILL no answer to that question. None that I would ever accept. So I don’t question it.
I just accept that we don’t know why certain people die before their time or what WE consider to be their time.
It WAS their time to go.
I was also asked right after he died if I was still going to move to Florida.
I never understood (at the time) what my moving to Florida had to do with Bobby’s death.
I made the choice BEFORE Bobby died.
Later on though,
I realized that it really was a great question.I didn’t know back then, all I was giving up. I gave up EVERYTHING for love. For Danny.
Was it enough? For years it was.
Bobby
Why should I have changed my mind?
I knew leaving Colorado would be hard. I honestly had NO IDEA how HARD it would be.
Not at first. Not in those first 5 years. Danny and I were making a new life for ourselves.
I loved park life back then. The long crazy hours working with Danny. Or by myself, just waiting for Danny to get off. I craved the busyness back then. I needed it.
Danny and I did everything together.
Then we moved into The Cracker House after years of working together on it. We moved out of the RV that was OUR first home.
I tried to volunteer as I had always done. It’s hard to explain how difficult our manager all of a sudden made it.
So I started volunteering less. Then Less.
Danny and I weren’t working together.
We got sidetracked alone the way.
Actually, if I am being totally honest….he drifted.
I also had no idea how much I would miss Colorado.
It IS as much a part of me as is my birth state, Illinois is.
More even.
The mountains call me every day. 24/7. 365 days a year.
I knew the heat and humidity would be hard. I really never realized how hard it would be as the years changed and I grew older.
I hate it here.
The question I heard most was:
How can you have fun without your son being here?
I didn’t die that day, although many times it felt as if I did. Still does.
Even during Hell Week (The week right after Bobby died when Danny and my family were there) as I call it. remember having moments that were awesome and wonderful.
Sure, it was a nightmare. I couldn’t close my eyes because all I saw was Bobby’s lying dead on the floor.
I remember everything about that moment. That day when I walked into his apartment.
I remember the smell.
I remember hearing on his stereo.
“Sweet Home Alabama ”
To this day, Hearing that song makes me GAG If I am home by myself or hear it on the radio.
I live in the SOUTH.
We have Events at the park. At every event : If there is Music and Dancing THAT SONG will be played.
It happened the first event we had at the park.
Danny and I were dancing with so many others when IT came on.
I must have made a loud noise someone asked if I was OK.
Danny held onto me and whispered in my ear,
“Sarah, We can get through this. Hang on and Dance with me. I will hold you. No one will ever know.”
Somehow we made it all the way through the song.
(Danny seems to forgotten what THAT song still does to me. )
We’ve made it all the way through IT every time since then.
I choice to face IT rather than ruin it for everyone else.
I got sidetracked:
I had some good times that week. Hell week.
Bobby’s Mountain
Danny was there almost right away. Donna, my sister flew out right away.
Mom and dad drove straight through.
My aunt and uncle lived in Colorado.
My best friend’s daughter was there.
Danny and I at Bok Tower August 7, 2015
They were all staying at the house I raised Bobby at.
We spent one afternoon going through scrapbooks and photo albums. We all told stories about Bobby and His Cousins.
We laughed and CRIED and laughed and CRIED.
Danny held me that whole week. He sang to me.
We took long walks.
What I am getting at is:
Yes, His death was, and always will be, the worse thing that can happen to me.
After everyone went home, I could have wallowed in my grief.
I did for a week. I gave myself that much time.
Then I went about LIVING.
I had a wedding to cancel and reschedule.
I had to get the house ready for it’s NEW OWNER’S
and I had to clean out Bobby’s Apartment.
Danny was there for the worse of it.
I had 2 close down 2 places instead of one.
I never ever thought about changing my plans. More than anything, I want to marry Danny.
Yes, I could have used some more time to go through things.
But then no Mom should ever have to do what I was doing,
What thousands and thousands of moms and dads have had to do before me.
YOU JUST GET IT DONE.
Life is meant to be lived.
I had years to live back then.
I wanted to make the most of them.
For the most part, I have done just that.
From Sarah:
And because it will probably be asked.
Gentleman: What are the Top 5 things you men want.
Of the Top Of My Head : The Top 5 Things I Want From Danny
1. Respect
To Be Touched and Touched Often
Hugging
Hand Holding
Cuddling
A Soft Caress
Kissing
Sitting on the Sofa TOGETHER side by side,
Any kind of touching that can be done, especially during the day.
To Be Asked . What I DO ALL DAY, and really want to know.
Ask me about the Blog .
Ask me what I write about all day and night.
Ask to read some of what I write.
Do Things I Want To DO
Take a walk with me.
A Day Drive -ANYWHERE
A Vacation – ANYWHERE
A weekend Away – Anywhere
A ROAD TRIP
Romance me.
Dance with me.
Take me to the beach.
Take me places I want to go on Rolling Meadows Ranch and Lake Kissimmee State Park.
Catfish Creek.
Every year it happens. I have an expectation of how I think Thanksgiving or Christmas should go. I have it all planned out- in my planners, in my head, on paper. I shop, I organize, and I prepare. Yet, just as I have an expectation each and every year, I also end up a little …
