Reformation Day... And PICTURES!

Finally :-) I know. Absent. Busy. Whatever.

A Quick Explanation: I asked Gabe earlier this fall what he was feeling about Halloween and our personal family convictions. Every year I've struggled with it. It's like all year long I feel on the inside that we shouldn't do it, but then as it comes, it's so easy to just go along, plus they have so much fun... blah blah blah. This year, I really wanted to know what his convictions were; something we should have discussed long ago. Sure enough, we felt the same- that this was just something that God was telling us our family shouldn't participate in anymore. Hard part? How to tell the 5 year old who knows exactly what she's missing that we aren't doing it anymore? Simple. God answers prayer before we even worry about it; our church + co-op plans a Reformation Day celebration. So we go and have dinner, the girls still get to dress up 16th century-style, get candy, have a ball with their friends, and learn a little about church history. Isn't HE good!?!!

And here's the fun part... pictures!

Jealous? Yep, I was. I totally wanted to try it too. Isn't she cute? ;-)

Some things that touched me...

On a T-shirt at the SP conference last weekend:
It's against my relationship to have a religion.
Love it.
From Galatians class:
There are only two religions in the world: the true and the false. False religions are alike in that they say, "Something in my hand I bring." The true religion revealed from heaven [Not created by any man!!!] leads one to sing, "Nothing in my hand I bring."

From Galatians
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (13)
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.(16)

Along those lines...
"Go, and sin no more..." John 8:11

Good Encouragement

Here's a link that I found in my inbox this morning. While I appreciate most people saying that it's best to give God your time first thing in the morning, although it's ok to just find what works for you, I didn't necessarily feel that was truly "ok." But after reading this, I did feel at peace. It probably helped that I laid in bed last night praying for a good 20 minutes, and was totally blessed doing so, even though it was the end and last of my day.

:-) He knows just what we need to hear, and when we need to hear it the most!
Finding Your Quiet Time in a Busy Household

Conversations

Melia: I miss Daddy.
Kiera: Me too. I miss Daddy too. Daddy's up on the mountain; he's catching deer.

Kids: Can we go see Daddy?
Me: Yes, maybe when he gets a deer.
Kiera: He's catching a deer RIGHT NOW!
(Like we need to leave immediately.... Not thinkin' she gets the whole "hunting" idea yet... :-)

Melia: Can I have the phone? Mommy, can you make Kiera give me the phone? (old cell phone)
Kiera: IT FELL ON THE FLOOR DOWN THERE AND NO ONE CAN REACH IT. STOP TALKING ABOUT IT, OKAY???

Sad Day

All our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to my parents and sister. Last night I arrived home to the news that Ditzi/Gypsy had fallen ill again, just a few weeks after being sick previously, and they made the tough decision to put her down. This is the filly that has been with our family since her birth at the Joe Miller house so many years ago. She entertained and terrified us with her clumsy antics, and warmed our hearts with her sweet disposition.

A Good Excuse

When the "Elders" in suits come-a-knockin', tell them you are sick :-) One good thing today about having a fever for the third day in a row....

Uh Oh...

At not even 5 months, I think Isaac qualifies for the "partially" mobile status. He can scoot backwards and sideways.... Now I can't count on him staying on a clean blanket :-( Boo... Although, as always, it's fun to see him learning what he can do!

Denaye's Chili

I didn't follow any particular recipe, but mixed and matched from several different ones... Here's a *rough* recount of what I threw in...

2 cans black beans, not drained.
1 can great northern white beans, not drained
1 can corn, drained
1 small onion, diced
1-2 sweet bell peppers, diced
1-2 cups cooked roast, diced
16 oz salsa
couple sprinkles of garlic salt
a sprinkle of pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
dash of chipotle rub
sprinkle of italian seasoning
couple sprinkles of cumin
Cook in crockpot for several hours :-) I've heard the more the better!

I called it medium spicy. If you withheld the cayenne and chipotle, I think it would be mild.

I can say this because it's my blog...

Yea ME! I won the Bean Queen cook-off!!! Woohoo!

(although I totally would have thought I had a better chance winning the baking contest instead of the chili one... ;-)