A Thanksgiving Treat

This delicious Oyster Cracker Snack is a must have for my family at the holidays!

It combines the tang of lemon pepper seasoning with the sweetness of ranch to get
a taste sensation-try to eat just one!

Ingredients:

2 bags of oyster crackers

1 cup of oil

1/4 t. of lemon pepper seasoning

1 pkg. of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

Combine all ingredients together.

Place on baking sheet place in the oven at 250 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can be enjoying this savory snack in less than 1/2 hour!
Bon Apetit!

Crossroads

This past week at my church, we held our annual teen conference-Empowered Youth. Oh how well I remember those days! :) So many good memories and great decisions made...

This year I was scheduled to work in nursery during that midweek service that ends the teen conference. I was extremely disappointed. So...what did I do?

I got a sub to take my spot in nursery so that I could once again feel like a teenager listening to Pastor Damron's corny jokes and get to hear wonderful preaching geared towards youth!

As I sat in the service I couldn't help but remember my friends and I, along with the several other churches' youth groups that used to gather some 6-12 years ago. I thought of the several I ended up going to Baptist college with and then I thought of the many who never made it to high school graduation; classmates who had come to the Crossroads in their life and chosen not to follow Christ. I looked out into the many faces of teenagers and I was filled with a burden for the teens of my church. So many of them at the same Crossroads that I was at when I was their age.

I was reminded of a song we used to sing with the bus kids I picked up on the Gary route:::

I met Jesus at the crossroads,

Where the two ways meet.

Satan too, was standing there,

And he said "Come this way,

There's lots and lots of pleasures,

I will give to you today."

But I said, "No!!

There's Jesus here,

Just see what He offers me...

Down here my sins forgiven,

Up there a home in heaven.

Praise God,

That's the way for me!"

Choosing Christ over the pleasures of sin for a season, is a decision I know I will never regret; a decision that I pray the teens of FBA will make as well.

And they're off!

Just said goodbyes to my parents who are leaving

my sisters and I for 9 whole days...

After much packing and planning, they are finally off!

Recently my Dad and Mom celebrated their 25th

Wedding Anniversary. In celebration of this,

they are able to take an Eastern Caribbean Cruise!

They were able to leave this...

{What I awoke to see outside my window...}

...And

see

places

like

this.

*Sigh*

They will be missed, but I am so glad that the Lord

has given me such wonderful parents who are still

in love 25 years after the altar.

{ Now...let the games begin! ;) }

Recent Reads

I have been an avid reader since I was a small child, however, finding a good book seems to have gotten much harder. Recently, I completed three books and I thought I would give you a brief synopsis of them just in case you are looking for a new read!

#1

one word...AWESOME.

{and a few more}

This was a book that I had always wanted to read, but had

never gotten around to it. I knew it was a Pulitzer Prize winner

and a classic, but the book insert and back cover just didn't

seem to interest me at all. I checked it out several times

from the library with the intention of reading, but I would end up

returning it without ever cracking it open.

And then I finally did, and I absolutely loved it!

If you have never read this book, it is definitely one you should.

It is one of those books that you have to slowly digest; one

you will be sad to complete.

#2

This book dates back to my junior high years...

the one that all the girls read.

(somehow I 'missed out')

Finally, checked it out and forced myself

to read it through.

One word...graphic

A little too much for me.

I am not a hunky-dory reader, but this book

was just too dreary. I know in order to gain

full appreciation I must read the other two books

that Pelzer wrote, but I struggled to get through the first one,

so I doubt I will ever read the others.

#3

one word...moving

I have read Angie's blog for about two years, so

when she wrote a book I was anxious to read

it and even more surprised when I found it in the

public library. I laughed, cried, and imagined

myself with Angie and her husband when the

doctors told them that the child she was

carrying was incompatible with life. Inspirational

and a great testimony to our Lord who heals the broken in heart.

A book that I have already added to my Amazon cart-my own

copy to make notes throughout.

Excerpts:

[ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it... Harper Lee ]

{ I gobble down the food so fast I can hardly taste it. I finish the tray in record time. David Pelzer }

[ This baby has something I cannot fix. Miracles are the Lord's business. Angie Smith]

October Ends

October is ending, tomorrow starts a new month. A new page in

the journey of life. A month full of great things planned. A month full of

exciting things that will happen that I am not even aware of yet.

And so I let go of this month of October, one full of great memories, captured with photos to remember them by, and reach ahead to embrace a new month...November.

{ Moments from October...}

Sharing a fun moment with my kiddies

Madeline has been with us for two years and just moved to

Indy. This pic was taken on her last day.

I was able to take some photos of the Hodges.

I had such a great time with them...a great fun-loving family!

Apple Orchards: a "must do" for the fall season!

Absolutely love this barn!

Developed a taste of apple cider...delicious!

[Halloween Party at work]

Creating a jack-o-lantern

Drawing

Carving

and displaying!

Happy Halloween

and

Welcome November!

Content to mend the nets

{ God is good! It seems every time I start to feel downhearted or discouraged

the Lord reminds me that He has not forgotten about me.}

I read this little poem in my devotional book and found myself

uplifted through it.

{ I had to read it over a few times before its truth sunk in. }

To some Christ calls: "Leave boat and bay,

And white-haired Zebedee;"

To some the call is harder: "STAY

And mend the nets for Me."

My new client

Photography is a passion of mine, and a hobby that I can never get enough of. This past weekend I was able to take pictures of our close friends' new addition to their family...Remington!

I did not know quite what to expect, seeing as all of my subject thus far have been people. But, I had so much fun; Remington is an adorable, fun-loving puppy.

This is how our session went...

No silly faces, Remington.

Open those eyes!

Please stand still!

Remington, Come back here!

No, you cannot have any more treats.

Okay, I am sorry I yelled. Now please look at me.

Shh! Not so loud.

That a boy, Remington. Good puppy!

{Sharing my mosaic with Mary; view more great photos here!}