Hearts in Service

We had planned on going to the Bronx Zoo for Emily's birthday. However, normally we go on Wednesdays when it is free. I looked at their website and after finding out it would cost $100 just to get into the place, we looked for an alternative place to go. We ended up going to Space Farms Zoo and Museum. It was a place we used to go to all the time when we lived in New Jersey. We haven't been there for 8 years so it was really nice to go back. It turned out to be a gorgeous day and Emily had a blast. We packed a picnic lunch. Emily fed the animals corn that the farm had available. A young grizzly bear looking for a meal. This guy's head made me laugh. He looked like he had a wig on. Lions. Racing up the hill to see the fiercest bear - the kodiak. He didn't seem so fierce to me. LOL! The boys were good sports about the day. They hung out at the snake pit. After we looked at the animals and walked about 3 miles, we went into the museums. They had old cars, farm equi

My baby is 9 years old today. ACK!!!! I can't believe how she's grown. She is becoming so grown-up and is quite the young lady. She is so extremely joyful and fun to be around. Life and energy just ooze from every pore. Grandma sent her a dress for her birthday. Here she is modeling. We are off to spend the day at the zoo per her request. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

After spending the entire afternoon and evening with our church planting director, Dan & I need to cling to God's promises today. I do not like change. I do not always handle it well. As of the beginning of July, our church will be meeting in the local Veteran's Hall. It's not the ideal situation but the only one that is available to us at the moment and the only one that our church plant can afford. There is more visibility but it will require us setting up and tearing down each Sunday. Something we have not had to do for the past 2 years. It will also mean the end of some of our programs, like 3D Girls. The church is not a building, it's a body. But you know what? A building sure helps at times! However, I know that the Lord is preparing us for something.

We had a very nice Memorial Day weekend and started and ended the weekend with a barbecue. On Friday night, we had our small group over for a time of food and fellowship. There ended up being 16 of us, including the children. The littlest member. There was lots of talking and laughing. Even wild flowers can make a pretty centerpiece. We ended up moving it indoors because it got cold! Then yesterday we had a family from church over. Waiting for the guests. The weather cooperated and it was close to 80 degrees though very windy. This luna moth was not invited! Overall, it was a very relaxing weekend.

It's Sew Crafty Friday again. Shereen at Waiting for Him is so gracious to host this on her blog each week. Go check out some of the neat crafts. I had a very productive week. I started a quilt for Emily. She told me the other day that she HATES pink so I wanted to pick something girly but without the traditional pink and purples for little girls. So far I got 4 rows done: Here is a close up of the material: I also finished hemming the purple shorts I made her and made 3 other pair as well. Here they are! It's a great feeling when you can look back and see the fruits of your labor. :-)

I have quite a few bags of sliced apples in my freezer from last fall. I decided to make apple crisp yesterday. Slice 6-7 apples. Add 1/2 cups of sugar, 2 Tbsp. flour, 2 tsp. cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a 1/4 tsp. of salt. Transfer to 9" x 13" pan. In a bowl, cut together with a pastry cutter 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup of margarine, and 1 cup of brown sugar. Sprinkle on top of the apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

This is one of my husband's favorite meals. It is very easy to make and is great for a busy day. Kielbasa & Cabbage First, get the following ingredients ready: 6-8 peeled potatoes, cut into bite size chunks 1 bag of baby carrots or about 6 large carrots, peeled 1 medium onion, peeled and cut into chunks Slice 1 head of cabbage into thin wedges. Take 2 lbs. of kielbasa and cut into small pieces. Mix everything together in a crockpot and then fill the crock about 1/2 full with water. Turn the crockpot on high and cook for 5-6 hours. After about 2 hours, once the cabbage has cooked down a bit, add salt and pepper to taste. It turns out perfect every time. Enjoy!

Okay, are you ready for a celebration? As of today at 9:56 a.m we are officially........................DEBT FREE!!!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!!!!! After 6 years of living on one income in one of the most expensive areas of the country, and being about $26,000 in debt, we have done it. I paid the last outstanding balance today. I feel FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Care to celebrate with me?!

"One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts." Psalm 145:4 What an awesome time of worship in church yesterday. It is a blessed thing to look out at the congregation praising God and seeing both old and young lifting up praises to our Lord. We had a large crowd yesterday, from a newborn all the way up to an eighty year old man. Generations of people, all praising and worshiping. God was surely blessed by the praises of His people!

Each week Shereen at Waiting for Him hosts Sew Crafty Friday. I haven't been able to participate for a few weeks because I couldn't show the Mother's Day gifts I was making. Here they are! This is the same table runner I made for myself about a month ago. I had lots of leftover fabric so I made two more just like it. Close-up of front: Back view: I've also been making some shorts for Emily too. They still be need to be hemmed but here is the first pair. I've also been plugging away at my afghan and it's coming along nicely too. For more crafts, check out Shereen's blog.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!" 32 Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! 33 Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.