Find New Friends Weekend Hop!

Rules are easy, there are only 2:

1. Follow HOST blog and CO-HOSTS through GFC

We are the top 3 links of the hop!

2nd Co-host CHANGES weekly so be sure to follow new co-host if you link up weekly!

2. Grab the button and put it in a post, sidebar, or blog hop page and let us know where it is. This will help the hop grow and gain us all new followers. It's a Win, Win for everyone!

Please play nice and follow our simple rules!

HOP is open

 Thursday night at 10pm to Sunday night midnight EST!

I will randomly pick a blog from this blog hop to be next weekends co-host! If I offer it to you and you do not want to co-host then I will pick another!

If you WANT to co-host please e-mail me.

2nd Co-host CAN CHANGE weekly so be sure to follow new co-host(s) if you link up weekly!

Please make sure you Follow the top 3 links of hop 
if you want you link up!

    

Five Question Friday

1. Have you ever testified in court? For what?

       No, but always wanted to!

2. Do you still have your wedding dress?

       Of course, doesn't everyone keep it?!?!  Can someone remind me when exactly I wore a size 7???

3. Is there a special place you like to go when you're happy, sad, stressed, etc.?

        Happy.. with my family

        Sad/Stressed.. off by myself (I'm not good company)

4. If you have kids, do they sleep with you? If you don't have kids...will you let your kids sleep with you when/if you have them?

         Not since they were wee ones... really, do you want to share a bed with three (3) teenagers!?!?

5. Do you watch late night TV?

   Yes, unfortunately.  It seems we are addicted to Nightline, which doesn't come on until 11:35 PM EST.

You can join the fun!  Go to My Little Life and link up!

     

A Wee Bit of Me...

 <center><a href="http://www.myleighashley.com"><img src="http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt244/leighbenner/weebitwednesdaysbutton-1.png" width="350" height="350" /></a></center>  {one} scruffy or clean shaven?clean shaven.  We are talking about men, right?!?! 
{two} what’s your favorite sundae topping?hot fudge and marshmallow. {three} do you own slippers?yes... and they fell apart. {four} did you ever have a tree house?no  : ( 
{five} how you do relieve stress?caving... going into a room all by myself, then talking it out with hubby. 
{six} what’s your favorite dr. seuss book?The Spooky Old Tree. 
{seven} have you ever taken dance classes?I want to, but hubby has other plans (no dancing). {eight} which do you use more: the thesaurus or the dictionary?thesaurus. 
{nine} what’s your favorite form of exercise?Is reading a form of exercise?!?! {ten} what’s the longest you’ve ever waited in line?don't remember... I must have deleted that memory! 

   

God's Extravagant Generosity

Romans 11.33-36

(The Message)

God's Extravagant Generosity


 

"Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.

Is there anyone around who can explain God?

Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?

Anyone who has done him such a huge favor

that God has to ask his advice?

Everything comes from him;

Everything happens through him;

Everything ends up in him.

Always glory! Always praise!

Yes. Yes. Yes."

What a convicting piece of scripture.  I was introduced to this translation at the Women of Faith conference last weekend.  The conference centered around Romans 11.33a focusing on the 'extravagant generosity of God.'  Since this translation was new to me, I looked up the same verse (Rom. 11.33a) in NASB, which state, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God..."

I have been meditating on the "extravagant generosity of God."  God sprinkles blessing on us without asking  us for anything in return.  Or does He?  We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, His Son, loving all the people He has put on our path.  Am I doing this?  Unfortunately, no. 

The verses go on reiterating God's sovereignty in all things.  Really, who am I to think I know more than the God of the universe?  Even though there are times I don't understand what God is doing in my life, I must trust and believe that He is who He says He is. He will accomplish what He will in my life with or without my help.  I can look back over my life and see where God has truly brought beauty from the ashes of my life.  Thank you GOD!

The section of scripture ends with reminders of who God is... our Provider, the source of all things (including me), and He rules the world with perfect wisdom, justice, and love.  In all things, we are to bring glory to Him.  Praise the Lord! 

Ellen

This Post is linked to Mustard Seed Planting. 

Thankful Hearts

During this Thanksgiving season, I take the time to consider all the blessings in my life.  I am thankful for my family. 

Rod, my husband, is the sole bread-winner and works very hard to supply our needs (and wants).  He is a realtor, and even though we have had some months of no paychecks (like 3 months straight!), our bills are paid on time and we have more than enough food.

My oldest son, Robert, married a wonderful woman in July... welcome to the family, Mallorie!  They have moved to Texas to be close to his son, Xander.  They are working on putting Christ first in their life.  What more can you ask for?

Matt, Melissa, and Michael continue to bless my life in how they complete their schoolwork and participate in outside activities - Matt's theater, Melissa's sports, and Michael's good-natured personality and love of camping! A smile, a hug, an "I love you, Mom" all make my heart sing!  God has made each one so unique that they all bring special blessing to our family!

I'm thankful to have my parents living near us.  They moved to our area in January, and since they are snowbirds, are still acclimating to the area.  They are active in our lives and the lives of our children. 

I thank the LORD for his many blessing we receive year round.  Many of them we don't even recognize or acknowledge.  Others seem so trivial... the sunrise, a flower blooming, a garden growing, a cool breeze on a warm night.....  I could go on forever.  The truth is... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." ~ John 3.16 (NIV).  God's greatest blessing to me came when I was a sinner and in opposition to Him, and He still sent Jesus to die for my sins!

This post is linked to No Ordinary Blog Hop.

Ellen

Lunchtime doldrums... or not

The Homeschool Village link-up this week involves food!

Link to your lunch post and share how you have broken out of the soup and sandwich box! What are some of your children's lunch time favorites?

Since I have 3 teenagers, lunchtime is no longer a "mom-centered" meal.  Most days, they will eat dinner leftovers or sandwiches.  Yet, on some special days, I will plan ahead.  Here are some of their favorites:

   1.  Cheese or cheese and chicken quesedillas (I have precooked chicked breasts in freezer!)

   2.  Chef Boy-r-dee pizza kits... remember to add your own mozzarella cheese

   3.  Hot Pockets

   4.  Breakfast... pancakes, waffles or breakfast sandwiches

Thanks for stopping by!  I can't wait to get new ideas for the lunchtime doldrums!

Ellen