Third Annual Christmas Baking Day

For three years now, I have had a baking/candy day with some of my girlfriends in our home. I love it! It is one of my most favorite times during the holidays. We laugh and chat all day! We have chocolate everywhere. There is always one or three batched of the bark scorched. I am learning though. I know the times now that makes the bark perfect in the microwave so I am writing it down in my cooking journal!



I think this year was the best year yet! It was so relaxing and things flowed so well. We had more than enough goodies for everyone to have several tins full of the delightful treats! We made caramel pretzels rods drizzled with chocolate, chocolate covered pretzels, peanut butter ritz dipped in chocolate, sugar cookies, oreo balls, snickerdoodles, thin mints, sugar cookies,chocolate spoons, turtles, and peppermint melt cookies. We had chocolate and peppermint everywhere! I monogrammed aprons for everyone. The aprons turned out to be really needed this year!

Angela and Amy making peanut butter ritz dipped in chocolate. (actually Amy put Brett's call down to take this pic)

Mandy, Shawna, Angela, Wendy, Me, Amy, Amanda with a plate of our creations!

Amanda making snicker doodles!

Shawna and Mandy dipping pretzels in caramel. Nicole, Rebecca, and Amanda making thin mints. Wendy smiling for the pic!
Mandy and Shawna icing sugar cookies!

Life Group Christmas Party

Our Wednesday night life group had our Christmas party at the Walrod's house. Jill made some yummy goodies and an amazing punch! It was such a fun evening. We exchanged white elephant gifts by dirty Santa. Then played catch phrase which was a blast!


Joe and Mandy looking at the lighted picture which makes city noise!
Doug and Angela during catch phrase!
Daniel admiring his school desk book ends!
The wonderful hosts and our dear friends, John and Jill Walrod!
Oh the anticipation of the gift!
Joe and Mandy Nellis, another couple who are dear to us!
Angela and Doug Murphy and Shawna and Daniel Parks.
Yes they are dear and loved by us also!


We are so blessed with this life group! We all are there for each other in the good and bad times.

Christmas Presents

Last year, I went a little over board on Rob's presents. This year we set a limit on the presents! Well I am over it as usual sorta. I am planning on the gifts I went over to be his Stocking stuffer!! I did something extra to day I hope he likes. I can't say what it is at this time but it is something that he will use daily but also remind him of some of our adventures! Just having Rob as my husband has been such a blessing and a great gift from God!

I love this time of the year! I love the lights on the houses, the church looks amazing, the smell of cookies baking, and the tree all decorated. When I see the bright Christmas lights around town, I think of the wise men following the bright star to see the new born Christ baby! Can you imagine the anticipation they felt knowing an angel told them to follow the star. As kids ( and adults) we are excited to open our presents on Christmas morning. It can not compare to what you would feel seeing baby Jesus in the manager.

So when you open your presents this Christmas, remember the best gift given to us! The birth and death of our saviour Jesus! The toys will break, and the other gifts will be forgotten but the one gift that is everlasting is Jesus!

Disappointments

Last week had to be one of the worst weeks! I will not going into details but it was just a really bad week.

As I was struggling to understand things and why bad things happen to people who love God so much, I decided I can not let this hurt my walk with the Lord. I read my bible alot last week. I kept going to Philippians. I kept saying the Lord doesn't promise us to be happy. Joyful in Him, yes but that doesn't mean we will have an easy life. I am trying to stay positive and not become depressed with our sad news. I keep leaning on God and Rob at this point. Rob is such an amazing husband. He takes wonderful care of me. I have been an emotional roller coaster for the last week. God blessed me with him.

So positive things:
It is almost Christmas! Happy birthday Jesus!
I will get to see my family in 9 days!
Rob and I are definitely closer!
Cookie day was very successful this year! Probably my favorite time yet! ( I will post pics and details this week)
Wonderful friends who have been there for us this last week! You know who your good friends when they can cry with you or sit with you at the hospital. I am so thankful for all the love we have received this last week.
Very thankful for our family!
I am thankful for our bosses! Rob's work was very understanding as well as mine! It is good to know when something happens you know you can take care of things and not have to worry about your job!


I will post pics from cookie day and our Christmas tree this week. Rob and I have been trying to go on a date for two weekends but it didn't happen with the problem we had. This Friday night we will go on a date like we did the first time we went out! Mexican dinner and Christmas lights!

Sorry such a vague post! Not ready to disclose the sadness to everyone!

Thanksgiving week

I have been such a slacker lately on posting. It seems time is something I am always lacking.

Well in the Young's world, things are busy! We spent Thanksgiving in Delaware with Rob's sisters family. It was a wonderful trip and very relaxing. I enjoy being with the Beams. They spoiled us!

Rob and I flew into Baltimore the Friday before Thanksgiving. Well you could say Saturday morning. The Beams picked us up late morning. We went to Fort Mchenry! What an amazing place. That is where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner! It makes think about the battle that was won there!

Next we were off the the harbor for shopping. It was also a time to build up our appetite for seafood that evening. We went to Woody's Crab House! Wow, the crab cakes were scrumptious. We may have to fly into Baltimore every time we go to see them so I can have more crab cakes. We left there ready to pop! It was a delightful day!

Sunday we went to Longwood Gardens! I want to go back in every season to see God's beauty! The conservatory had amazing flower sculptures and flowers everywhere. I can not describe what all there is to see. It is just amazing!

Monday we had the pleasure of having lunch with our niece at her Thanksgiving luncheon at school! Afterwards, Vickie, Danielle and I went to the nail salon. Vic and I had a relaxing pedicure while little Danielle had a manicure!

Tuesday was shopping day! We shopped so much, we had to borrow another suitcase to bring everything home. Wednesday we baked four pies for Thanksgiving dinner and went shopping again with the whole family! For dinner, we went to a great little Italian restaurant. It was the real deal!

Thursday we stuffed ourselves into a turkey coma. Friday the men got up and did the Black Friday specials while us ladies stayed in bed! Then we had to fly home!

It was sad leaving the family! We love them so much and wish we all lived closer!

December is going to be a very busy month!
Next weekend is the third annual Christmas baking day with a few of my friends! It is a day I look forward to all year. So does Rob! He loves the goodies!
Then the following weekend,we will have Christmas with the Youngs and then off to Missouri for a few days!

Just remember during this busy time, the Reason for the Season is Christ! Remember to reflect on His grace, love and mercy! Be patient with your family, friends and the clerks at the mall. When all is said and done, it is all about the little baby born so long ago who would die for our sins. I am so thankful for Jesus! He loves me no matter what! I do not deserve His unconditional love but isn't it amazing!

Grateful

Thanksgiving is in two weeks. We all give thanks for the things we have or the people in our life. This year I am thankful Rob and I can give.

We give monthly to help our Little Naomi in Kenya attend school and to have food. She has clothes and is receiving a Christian education. What a blessing to know we are giving back to the Kingdom!

We support several missions! Rob and I may not be able to live in Africa but we are supporting friends that are doing work for God! We see how lives are changing and accepting Christ!

I challenge you to give yourself, give a bible, give money to help others here in the US or in another country.

A Thanksgiving in my Heart

I am trying a new outlook with a new month. I want to have a Thanksgiving in my heart always.

Here are some things I've been thinking about lately. For those of us who are Christians, we will always be able to give thanks. Following Christ isn't easy, in fact, we are guaranteed that we will suffer in one way or another if we do give our lives to Christ. I know of Christians who have suffered, and who are currently suffering unspeakably horrible things. But as Christians, we really can "give thanks in all things".
Because will never experience the worst.
1. We will never suffer alone.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15a
For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:52.

2.We will never suffer fruitlessly.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Cor. 4:17

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Rom 8:283.

3.Our suffering is temporary.

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

Thank you Lord that whatever happens, I will always have something to thank You for!