Tuesday, April 20, 2010

This Generation

Hi, everyone. I hope you're all doing well.

We had a wonderful church service this past Sunday. Our youth group went to our district youth convention and had a great time! I always enjoy it when they come back, and we get to hear their testimonies.
Our youth leader said something that has really stuck with me. He said that he noticed a couple of the kids on their cell phones during the message. He asked them to put their phones away, and then realized they were paying attention and following along with the Bible on their cell phones! That was so amazing to me!
The guest speaker even asked the kids to text message their friends and let them know where they were and what they were doing.
We hear so much about the evils of text messaging and cell phones, and I know there are legitimate problems in that area, but I thought it was so neat to hear about them being used for good.

America's Christian youth of today are in training right now to become the next pastors, missionaries, youth leaders, evangelists, deacons, etc.. They're also in training to become the next moms, dads, teachers, doctors, ... (well, you get the picture!). As Christian parents, we have such an awesome privilege and responsibility to raise our children for the Lord. Isn't that something to think about??

As Keith Green said, "This generation of believers is responsible for this generation of souls." I think that is such a profound statement. How are we doing?

For those of you unfamiliar with Keith Green, he gave his life to the Lord in 1975, then was killed in a plane crash (along with two of his children) in 1982. But in that short amount of time he wrote some amazing songs. His wife, Melody, wrote a biography of him called No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green. If you don't have his music or his book, please get it! I know you will be challenged! There is no doubt that his influence is still here today even though he's in Heaven.

Have a great week! :)

Melanie

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Beautiful Blooms

I just love the blooms on the flowering cherry tree in our frontyard.



This is some moneyplant that we found in our woods and transplanted to our flower garden. I think the flowers are so pretty. Every year it multiplies a little more. Too bad real money doesn't multiply as well as this. :)



This is the dogwood tree in our backyard.


Everything is so much prettier than the pictures show, but I hope you enjoyed your visit anyway.
Hope you're all having a good day.
Thanks for stopping by. :)

Melanie

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Refund!!


Good news! We actually got a tax refund this year! God is so faithful to provide!

We pay our taxes quarterly, so last year I sent in the same amount that I usually do. Most years we still have to pay a little extra.
Then as I was doing our taxes this year, I came across the Making Work Pay credit. I'd never heard of it, but was 'shocked and amazed' (favorite phrase of mine) to find out that we actually qualified for it! :)

Our refund isn't thousands of dollars, but it sure beats having to pay! It's going straight to savings for now.

I don't know if it will help any of you last-minute filers out there, but at least check it out.

Hope you're all having a great week. :)

Melanie

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Cookbook Fundraiser

Hi, everyone!
Sherry from The Journey Back has this cookbook for sale ($10 for 126 pages). It's a fundraiser for their ministries, and she asked me if I would be interested in reviewing it for her. There are some great recipes in here! I've made some of them already, and have included a couple pictures and recipes of two that we really liked.
Hope you all will have a great weekend! :)

Melanie







Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:
1 package boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel tomatoes, pureed
8 oz. sour cream
1 package (2 cup size) Mexican blend shredded cheese (or 1 cup cheddar and 1 cup monterey jack, shredded)
10-12 flour tortillas

Directions:
Cook and shred chicken. Combine soup, sour cream, Rotel tomatoes and 1 cup of cheese (or half cup of each kind). Divide sauce in half. Add chicken to half of sauce. Lay all tortillas out on counter and evenly distribute chicken mixture into middle of each one. Roll tightly and place closely together in a 9x13 inch pan. Pour remaining sauce over top and sprinkle remaining cheese over sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350. Serve with Spanish rice, refried beans, and chips and salsa.


Busy Day Cheesecake

Ingredients:
1 package 8 oz. cream cheese
2 cups milk
1 package lemon instant pudding
1 8" graham cracker crust

Directions:
Soften cream cheese, and blend with half of the milk. Add remaining milk and pudding mix. Beat slowly until just well mixed (don't over beat). Pour into crust, sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over top. Chill 1 hour.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

He Is Risen!



Matthew 28:6-He is not here; for He is risen.

Happy Easter!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Good Friday


Thank You, Jesus, for dying in my place.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.