10 Thanksgivings

I'm not sure how this will work--- but I would like to pose a challenge to all readers of this blog and I am hoping you will post the challenge on your blog and so on. I would challenge you to make a list of ten blessings, or ten thanksgivings. (I'm just thinking if 10 people to do this, we will have 100 thanksgivings, then if each person gets ten more people ...... I'm not so good at math.)

So here are my 10 Thanksgivings:
1. My God is a big God and can do anything!
2. My husband, my best friend and partner.
3. My kids - they are a blessing - sometimes it's hard to remember when they are fighting!
4. My extended family - they inspire me, and make me laugh
5. My friends - they keep me honest
6. My home - it's very warm, and 'sheltery' on cold, rainy days.
7. My part-time jobs - they keep me busy and my mind active
8. My mom teaching me to cook - I like doing it, especially if I know what I am making.
9. My health
10. My blueprint for life - my Bible

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Big 10

Tomorrow is Grant's birthday. He will be into the double digits! I can't believe that 10 years ago he was born! He was so tiny - 6 lbs. 3 oz. He was so cute the very first time we saw him. We were invited to the hospital and got to spend some time with him. The next day was a snow storm so we were worried about getting him on placement day. But we took the pick up which was 4 wheel drive to bring him home. Nothing was going to stop us from getting him! Happy Birthday Grant! I pray for God's richest blessing to fall on you and that you will always love Him! I love being your mom!

Election

I pray for our nation. I see so many whose views are contrary to the Bible. I will pray for our new leader, especially for discernment and wisdom. So many freedoms we take for granted. I pray that those freedoms are always preserved.
The kids had an election at school on Monday. The vote was 100% for John McCain. Cole wanted to come with us to vote. I picked him up yesterday and he 'helped' me vote. We had to fill out the ballot by hand and he actually did mine. I want to show my kids that even though the election did not go the way we voted, God is ultimately in control. He has us in the palm of His hand.

Fall

Fall is in the air, not winter but fall. How do you describe it? I love this time of year. The trees show off their brilliance before they lose their leaves. It seems like they sleep all of winter before they wake up again in the spring. Fields proudly give up their bounty to the combines. The patchwork quilt of the landscape changes once again.
For me, foods change too. I make more soups, and I pull out my pumpkin recipes. I would like to share with you a hot fruit salad made with apples. It is so yummy, I can't keep it to myself.
1/2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
4 apples, sliced
1 can chunk or crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese

Layer fruit, cheese, nuts, and flour mixture. Top with 1/4 c. melted butter and 3/4 c. pineapple juice. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Hope you like it -- Happy Fall!