*And the Winners Are*

After much anticipation, the day is finally here! And the winners are...

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~ PRIZE #1 ~

* Buttercup*

at Soaring on Wings Like Eagles

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~ PRIZE #2 ~

*Hannah*

at Hannah of Marilla Heights

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~ PRIZE #3 ~

*Tessa*

at Chase Your Dreams

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Congratulations to the winners!

I will need you to leave me your mailing address in a comment (which I will not be publishing!) and I'll get your prizes mailed off as soon as possible.

Thank you to everyone who entered! I had a lot of fun with this giveaway and I hope you did, too!

~ GOD BLESS YOU! ~

Thanksgiving Pictures

Our family had a very nice Thanksgiving.

We first celebrated last Saturday (a week ago) with my Mom's side of the family. It was held at a community center nearby and there were around 50-60 people there--with tons of food and dessert! It was delicious! :)

Yes, this is me... and that's my Dad's arm in the background! lol

Swinging on the swing outside... it was a beautiful day!

Sister #2 sitting on the bench watching the kids play ball.

The bright blue sky!

We had a chance of rain, but thankfully we didn't get any!

The children playing "20 Questions" together. It was so cute!

My beautiful Mommy & Daddy :)

When we got home that evening, we enjoyed ourselves by sitting around the fireplace. It had gotten a little chilly outside!

Apparently, Ty was enjoying it, too! :)

(Sorry about the spots in the picture. The camera just does that sometimes.)

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~ Thanksgiving Day ~

We spent Thanksgiving Day with my Dad's side of the family. The gathering was held in a family's airplane hangar... how interesting! :)

It was actually quite neat. Behind all of the neighborhood houses there was a runway for the planes taking off and landing. We decided to take a few fun pictures...

This is Sister #1 jumping high in the air!

And here, Sisters #2 & #3.

I thought Sis #3 looked so cute here! lol

Now, I'm sure you're wondering if "big sis" gave it a try. Yes, I did in fact. But there is no way I'd ever let anyone set eyes on the picture! Let's just say I'm not quite as talented when it comes to jumping... I guess.

Another BRIGHT blue sky!

L to R:

Sis #2 - Me - Sis #3 - Sis #1

I hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving! I'd love to hear how you spent your day!

"PRAISE THE LORD. GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD; HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER." Psalm 106:1

*Giveaway Reminder*

Just 3 more days until I will be announcing the winners for my special 100th post giveaway. If you would like to enter and haven't, please do so by clicking on the giveaway button on my sidebar. I can't wait to see who the winners are!

Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessings on Me :)

I thought I would go ahead and post the video of this song for those of you who don't know it already. The first minute is Jeff Easter explaining how his dad wrote this song... so be patient!! :) May the Lord bless you and keep you always!

Thanksgiving Blessings

Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessings on Me

As the world looks upon me as I struggle along

They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong

In my heart I'm rejoicing, how I wish they could see

Thank You, Lord, for Your blessings on me

CHORUS:
There's a roof up above me

I've a good place to sleep

There's food on my table

and shoes on my feet

You gave me Your love, Lord

and a fine family

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me

I know I'm not wealthy and these clothes are not new

I don't have much money, but Lord, I have You
And to me You're all that matters tho' the world may not see

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me

Let us remember to glorify our mighty God with thanksgiving as we celebrate this special holiday tomorrow. I pray you have a very blessed day with family and friends, everyone! God bless you!

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Song by: Steve Easter

Something to Be Thankful For

"If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either."

Romans 11:17-21

What a wonderful blessing that we have been grafted in with God's chosen people, the nation of Israel. That is something that we--as Gentile Christians--can take for granted sometimes... without even realizing it. The part about God grafting us in with His chosen people that amazes me most is that we were undeserving sinners, yet He saw fit to bring us together as one. It wasn't a result of our own good works or something we had done, but quite the opposite. -Now that is grace! :)

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:1-5

"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2:11-22

Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in... PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE EARTH! :)

Picture: Spring Farm Work--Grafting from Wikipedia

One More... :)

I just wanted to thank Moriah for awarding me as well... I really appreciate it!

These are the rules for the tag:

1. Say thanks and link to the person who gave you the award.

2. Share ten "honest" things about yourself .

3. Award this to seven people who's blog design you like or who have encouraged you, and inform them of their win and of the rules of this award.

Because I've done this award before, I thought I would just give you the link to my answers from the previous one... that way I won't have to think of ten more new "honest things"! :) You can get to them by clicking HERE.

Now, I tag anyone who--honestly--has curly hair! ;) Let me know if you do this... I would love to see your answers. God bless!

A Few Blog Awards

This award came from Buttercup at Soaring on Wings Like Eagles. Thank you so much, Buttercup!! I'm supposed to award everyone this applies to, but since that's basically every blogger I know... I will award this to all of my followers who see it and want it. :)

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This award came from Chloe at Blooming in Christ. Chloe is a very sweet, Christian young lady and I have greatly enjoyed getting to read her blog posts! She has some very thoughtful and biblical things to write about and I always appreciate what she has to say. Thank you very much for the award, Chloe!

Since I have already done this tag before... if you'd like to read my answers to the tag portion of this award you can get to them by clicking HERE.

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Now, this award is from Taylor at My Little Home in the Ozarks. Taylor has a very nice blog where she posts about things going on throughout her daily life. We have quite a bit in common, actually... not to mention, our names! Thank you for awarding me, Taylor!

Also, if you would like to read my answers to the questions for this tag, click HERE.

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This one came from Maggie at Behind the Teen Scene. Thank you very much, Maggie!

Here are the rules:

Give this award to 5 people who you think are doing a great job about telling others the message of Christ.

I award...

Lindsay at Content in Christ

Rebekah at Living in His Beauty

Mallory at Cradled in His Mercy

Kayleen at Only God

&

Kayla at The Lord is King of Kings

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And lastly, I was given this award by Hannah at Hannah of Marilla Heights & Jennifer at Walking.

These are the rules:

• Thank the person who gave you the award


• Copy the award


• Post it on your blog


• Tell us 7 things your readers don't know


• Link 7 new bloggers as recipiants


• Notify the winners of their award with a comment on their blog


• Keep on sharing the light of Christ with others!

Thank you so much for thinking of me, Jenn & Hannah!

Here are my seven things... this is going to be really hard!

1. I'm following a 365-day Bible reading plan.


2. My favorite way to sing is a capella with a lot of other people.


3. I work Mon-Thurs each week, babysitting.


4. My two littlest sisters' 6-year adoption anniversary was yesterday, November 22--National Adoption Day!!


5. I have dark brown eyes.


6. I'm only 5'1" tall.


7. I wear size 7 in shoes.


8. I have my drivers permit.


9. I love reading true missionary stories.


10. I am the chief of sinners saved by grace, and I greatly look forward to the day when I will meet my Savior face to face. Until then... I continue to offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God! Praise the Lord all the earth!!
    

Now I will award:

Abigail at A Light to Follow

Allison at Strength and Dignity Are Her Clothing

Zara at Christian Maidens Throughout the World

Haley at Haley's Happenings

Moriah at Momo and Me

Tessa at Chase Your Dreams

&

Joelle at She is Unworthy

Thank you for the awards, everyone! I hope you all have had a very blessed Monday!

Darcy: Our Newest Addition

We recently got a new calf, and she is such a cute little cow! One of the reasons we thought it would be a good idea to get her was so that Molly wouldn't be alone once Hamburger is gone. (It should still be a few months, though!) Also, once she becomes old enough we plan on breeding her to sell her calves.

Front to Back: Molly, Darcy & Hamburger

(The cows in the background belong to our neighbor.)

~ DARCY ~

(The easiest way to tell the difference between her and Molly is that she has a yellow tag in her ear and Molly does not.)

Protective Molly!

Darcy walking along the back fence.

Darcy and Hamburger... so sweet!!

And, Ty -- the jealous, onlooking "pup"! :)

I hope you all are having a very blessed week... enjoy your Friday!!

"Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind'; and it was so."

Genesis 1:24

The Blessings of Work

Each year our church has a Christmas program on the life of Christ as an outreach to the community. It is a wonderful ministry and we are always extremely blessed to be a part of it. This year we're having to do things a little bit differently since we don't have quite as many people signed up. The previous years we've done a sort of "drama" with narration, songs, and even a few speaking parts. This year, however, we will be doing more of a walk-through with Scripture signs set up next to each scene and our pastor will be guiding each group through with a bit of preaching, as well! ;) Therefore, we're having to do quite a bit of work getting things prepared for the program! ...December is fast-approaching! (And I really cannot believe it!)

My sister has taken a few pictures from the different work days we've had. I thought I might share a few...

Here I am doing some touch-ups on the signs we used for last year's drama. Obviously, the dates will need to be redone!

This used to be a zebra, actually, but we needed to repaint it to use for a donkey. There are two of them. No one knew how to paint the faces on, and they were all afraid to mess it up! One lady volunteered to do it but by the time she was finished with the first one she was hoping someone else would do the second. I finally volunteered, although, I am definitely no artist!

So I got to painting!

Now he is finished!

(Keep in mind, they will only be seen from a distance, lol!)

Here, the men are putting the brick on the tomb. (The tomb from last year wasn't made with stone and was, unfortunately, torn up by the weather.)

Mortar mix. :)

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 :)

It is a wonderful thing to be working for the Lord! We are his servants, the sheep of his pasture, and the work that we do is done for his glory. It is his Gospel story and the saving power of Jesus Christ that we want to share with others--starting at the manger, then going to the cross! Our goal is to glorify the Lord in all of our work. We do it as unto him!

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." Psalm 90:17

PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE EARTH!

Hope Not Forgotten

This morning we had a wonderful church service. The message was about Jesus Christ, our one and only hope. Unfortunately, there are so many people in this world feeling completely hopeless for a number of reasons. One of our jobs, as Christians, is to share the hope of Jesus Christ with others!

I know that none of us want to get our hopes raised only to have them dashed to pieces. An example of this can be found in 2 Kings 4:28 which says, "Did I ask you for a son, my lord?" she said. "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes?'" The story goes on and the woman's son is raised to life again... but my point is that none of us want to be let down. We all want someting to believe in. Sometimes people are afraid to give themselves completely over to a belief, because of the fear that it might not be the truth--that it might not work out.

Praise the Lord that we have hope in a God that will not fail us, in a God that is the one and only Truth and Way! In a world full of hopelessness and failure we are to turn to God and trust Him. He is our only hope! We shouldn't forget that we have a reason for living and that God has a purpose for our lives here on earth.

As a Christian, I can say with full confidence that I know where my hope lies. My life and my trust are in a God that is unfathomable, the Creator and sustainer of the entire universe! My hope is in the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God! My hope lies in the promises given by God in His holy word! My hope is in Christ, and Christ alone!

A hope not forgotten. :)

"Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?

Can reeds thrive without water?

While still growing and uncut,

they wither more quickly than grass.

Such is the destiny of all who forget God;

so perishes the hope of the godless."

Job 8:11-14

He Has Made Everything Beautiful...

I got the chance to take some pictures of the roses on our rose bushes last night. They just look so bright and beautiful... I had to share them!

"He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

My 100th Post: My First Ever Giveaway!

I'm so excited... My 100th post is finally here! In celebration I thought it would be a lot of fun to host my very first giveaway! Now, I know I don't have the greatest amount of followers and readers but I thought this would still be a fun way to celebrate. :) So here are the items I will be giving away:

~ Prize Number One ~

This is a beautiful, 14" x 16" pillow that my sister made especially for this giveaway. Thank you so much, Sis!

Isn't it just gorgeous?!

Here is a close-up of the three different fabrics.

~ Prize Number Two ~

A set of three different cards made by me! :)

Here is the first.

A look inside...

This is the second card.

Another peek inside...

And here is the third one.

And, of course, a look at the inside.

~ Prize Number Three ~

A cute button journal!

With some pretty ribbon on the side to tie it closed.

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Now here's how this giveaway will work:

I will be giving away each of the three prizes to a different winner.

• By leaving me a comment on this post... your name will automatically be entered one time for each of the three prizes.


• By putting the special button I've created for this giveaway on your sidebar (linking back to this page) OR (for those without a blog) by sharing with me your favorite thing about my blog... your name will be entered a second time for the prize of your choice. Just leave me a separate comment telling me you've done so and for which prize number you'd like to have your second entry.


• By posting about this giveaway on your blog (feel free to use the button I created) OR (for those without a blog) by sharing your favorite Bible verse or quote with me... your name will be entered a third time for the prize of your choice. Be sure to let me know you've done so and for which prize number you'd like to have your third entry.

ANYONE can enter, but I will not be shipping outside of the U.S.

The drawing will be held on Monday, November 30th. Happy entering!!

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

~ Taylor