Hey y'all! Here is the recipe from my recent Vlog. I hope you enjoy these as much as we do.
Make sure to let me know if you try them!
Much Love,
Ivy
Watch me prepare them on YouTube:
View or print the recipe Here: Earthquake Ginger Cookies
I Love Christmas. Every single thing about it! Jesus, the nativity, the story, Church, programs, lights, music, decorations, parties, food, gifts, shopping, movies, baking, friends, family, letters, cards, joy, smiling, love, laughter. I seriously could go on and on, I feel a bit like Julie Andrews listing just a few of my favorite things.
I believe I'm fairly well known for saying "it's always Christmas in my heart" mostly referring to my year round listening to Christmas music, however, its true, with Jesus in my heart, it is a wonderful thing to celebrate his birth all year long, so when its finally His actual birthday I become overjoyed! I love Jesus and I love sharing my love for Jesus with others through kindness, smiles, hugs, gifts. Jesus is the best gift anyone can ever receive and since He is the gift that keeps on giving, we must remember to share him and celebrate Him all year round! Merry Christmas Everyone!
11 years! Wow. How can 11 whole years go by so fast? Ayden has blessed our lives so much! He is a precious son, a faithful brother and a loyal friend. He always has a kind word and has such a tender heart. We thank the Lord he has Blessed us with Ayden.
I love decorating for Christmas, so much nostalgia in each tucked away box of décor. Ornaments commemorating marriage, new babies and their milestones; family vacations and loved ones who have gone to be with the Lord. As each ornament is taken from its year long resting place and put in a new place of honor on this year's tree, a story is remembered and told. Such special, blessed times spent with our children remembering years past. I hope as you prepare your hearts and home for Christmas, you too are able to share these special times and memories with your loved ones.
"I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done." Psalms 143:5 NLT
I want to use my article space this week to thank the Ladies of Mountain Bible Church!
Last week was such a blessed day, having fellowship with our church family, all the food was absolutely delicious and it was a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. In addition I want to thank those who served lunch and cleaned up afterward! What a blessing that you saw a need and sprang into action, serving others and our Lord. By the time I finished accounting, the family was served, by the time I finished eating, cleanup had begun!!! I love serving our church family and know beyond a shadow of doubt that God has me here, but to be served this year was a blessing that's kept my spirits bright all week!! I love you Ladies of Mountain, thank you for your servants hearts!
With Thanksgiving this week I thought it'd be nice to start a challenge. Make an acronym and fill in what you are thankful for this year. It could be a great family project! Mine is below.
T - The wonderful grace of Jesus H - How He forgives a sinner like me A - All of my family and friends N - New mercies everyday K - Kindness shown to & from strangers S - Salvation so full and free G - Grandchildren I - I'm alive in Christ V - Venison! Yum! I - Ivy, my unique name! N - New babies, all babies! G - Grandparents (my parents)
Driving in the rain can be a stressful task, especially for those of us with less than perfect eyesight. The rain makes things, seen through the window, have a smudged effect, the windows fog and lights become glowing orbs, throw in some darkness and it becomes nearly impossible. However, if I simply put on my glasses instead of trusting my contacts, all things become much clearer and it literally helps weather the storm.
This becomes a perfect illustration for trying to live our lives in sin. We trust in ourselves to get us through, we see with our physical eyes instead of trying to see things as God sees them and the events around us become foggy and unclear. God is the only one that can make things clear for us, we must trust his to guide us through all the storms in life.
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13
With the state of our nation currently in political limbo as to what the future holds and what that means for each of us. We as Christians must stand firm on our Faith. Knowing that whatever the outcome of this election or any other event in our lives, God knows the answers, He alone can bring change to a person, a heart, a nation. We must pray continually not only for the outcome that God wills but also for our own hearts that no matter the outcome that we be at peace with it because it IS God's will.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27
As I sit in my living room, all warm and cozy, I'm gazing out the window at a beautiful fall day. The wind is gently blowing, the leaves are slowly floating down from the trees and tumbling across the yard. I can hardly imagine a more perfect day.
The fact of the matter is, there will be a more perfect day, the day Jesus returns to take us to heaven with him, that will be the most perfect day. We create thoughts and hopes and scenarios of what a perfect day would be like but we need not look any further than scripture. We may not know the day or time but we can look forward to a one true perfect day.
"While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed." Titus 2:13 NLT
Did we skip fall? I feel like we skipped fall. I know, I know, this happens most years; days go from hot to cold without too much mild in-between. I think with this year specifically it's just amplified since so much of this year has been out of sorts, why would winter not also be?
We've come to expect things to go a certain way because that's the way we have always done it so when a curve ball comes our way and things don't go as planned we get flustered and anxious. Scripture tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."
When scripture tells us something it is then our job to have faith to just continue on, even in the uncertainties. We may not know what weather we will have tomorrow, we may not know who our president will be next week, but what we do know is that in each season of life, God has a plan and He is in control. He can and will bring us through it and we can find comfort and wisdom on how to endure each season through the promises of His word.
