Be Still

God reminded me of a a familiar verse today for which I'm so grateful. Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in all the earth." I'm sure all of us can agree that this is the least of people's minds as they hurry to do last minute Christmas shopping. Christmas Eve is next Monday, and you can feel the excitement and anxiety in the air.
This morning as I took time alone with God He brought this verse to my mind. As I began to mediate on it and pray, a dog began to bark very loudly in our back yard. For those who know where I live this isn't uncommon. This particular dog began getting louder and louder and I knew he was not in his fence, but in our yard. Well, since I had just laid Emily down for her nap I didn't want this dog to wake her up, so I went out to see where it was. Well this is probably one of coldest days we've had so far, so I had to come back inside find a coat and shoes and then go back out. Well to my amazement this dog had chased a cat up a tree in our yard. Well we don't have animals so neither was ours. Well after many minutes of chasing the dog with a stick he ran off, and the cat finally came down. When I came back inside and returned to my "quiet time" God again reminded me of the verse Psalm 46:10. How funny and ironic the situation that had just happened. I was then reminded that I must sometimes fight (literally as I had to do today) to get quiet time with God, time in which I can sit and be still and know who He is.

I hope that this has made you laugh and reminded you to do the same. Fight for peace, fight for stillness, and fight for your time with Him!

(This picture is not of that dog, but of my parents dog Dutchess, I thought it would go cute with this blog).

Happy Wednesday, 13 days till Christmas

We have 13 days left until Christmas day. 9 until we go see family. As I hurry to get projects finished and gifts purchased I realize just how easy it is to loose sight of what Christmas is about. Glenn and I went to the mall last night, and enjoyed it because no one was there. There wasn't a sense of hurry and anxiety. It reminded me that this is what the season should be like, full of peace--after all we are celebrating the Prince of Peace coming to earth.

Well as we looked for Emily's "big" gift I found it humorous that we both started doing exactly what I said I wasn't going to ever do as a parent. They didn't have the exact item we wanted, one similar, but not exact. I had the thought of driving an hour away this week to see if another store had it, but then I realized wait a minute we are doing this for "us" and not her. She's only 15 months old she doesn't care if the horse has a blue scarf instead of a red one. In that moment I thanked God for bringing me back to reality quickly.

Isn't it great to have such a peace during one of the fun and craziest times of year? Hope you have a great week.

Emily is 15 months!

Well Emily turned 15 months yesterday, and over the weekend she got her first ear infections (in both ears). I know she's been blessed to have not had one so far, but I feel terrible that she's sick. God has blessed her life so far and she's only had this one infection! Praise HIM! Enjoy these cute little pictures. She's a sweetie. She said "baby Jesus" this weekend too. She has a little nativity scene and she loves baby Jesus and the sheep (which say Baa Baa). Have a wonderful week to all who read this.

Do Not Judge

This past Wednesday our TeamKID lesson was on "Do Not Judge One Another" from Matthew 7:1. Being as this was probably the last time for me teaching at Mabel, I really took this lesson to heart. With all that has happened over the past few months I thought this lesson was really meant for me, but I'm just sharing it with you who read this in case God might use it to speak to you.

Do not judge! Jesus said it, and also said that we should not worry about other's problems since we have bigger problems of our own. It reminded me to focus on my own relationship with Christ instead of trying to "fix" everyone else's. This doesn't mean we are to ignore when others sin and need to be shown that, but we are not to judge them and look down on them because of it. Let me just say in closing that God has really been showing me this lesson all week. I hope that none of you struggle with this problem, but if you do go read Matthew 7:1-5.

Have a great weekend, and I hope to make Emily's 15 month pictures this weekend, but she's been sick so we'll see how that goes.

The Making of Molasses

I just thought I'd share a favorite cookie recipe to anyone who reads this. My mamaw use to make these all the time, and now I've started the tradition again. My daddy grows his own sugar cane and makes his own molasses, so that is why I love this recipe. It's a good one to bake and give to others during the Christmas season. I have some pictures of us helping make the molasses a couple of weeks ago. We had alot of fun. If you've never seen it made it's real educational. I'm so blessed to come from a family with many talents! Enjoy.

Molasses Cookies

3/4 cup oil (or melted shortening, I use oil)
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg

sift and add to the above ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ginger

mix well, roll into small balls roll in sugar and flatten on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min.


Have fun, they're easy, and it makes 40-50 cookies!

This is a picture of the mill, and he cooks the juice in a pan under this house. It has to reach 220 degrees to make the best molasses. It's a neat process.



This is what the sugar cane juice looks like when it's squeezed. It's green!

Evening to Rejoice

We had our ladies dinner last night and Christy and I decorated and hosted a table. It was alot of fun, especially since I love decorating and parties. The speaker we had was wonderful, she spoke the Word of God with authority, something our church needs so desperately. It was a refreshing time for me, and God really spoke to me in more ways than I can grasp. 1st He showed me how I'm greatly blessed. 2nd He showed me more reasons why Glenn and I are still living here, and not somewhere else. God has us here for a reason, and He's is starting to unfold more of what that reason is each day. God is awesome!

Trip to MS

Well we had a wonderful trip to Mississippi. Emily loved being outdoors and around all the animals, horse, dog, cows, ducks and stuff. It was nice to be able to go and spend a few weeks away and regroup. God is so awesome and provides us with the respite we need, exactly when we need it. Here are a few pictures of our trip. Enjoy

Love those Mums!

Well we haven't left yet. My parents are on their way right now, to ride with us back to MS. I know that sounds silly, but most of you know Emily hates to ride in the car, so they were glad to come ride with us so we can spend the extra time there with them. Anyway, I thought I'd tell about the experience we had yesterday. Emily, as you know, loves the outdoors and plants like every child does. Well yesterday she tried to eat a mum flower. Luckily she started gagging and I saw what it was and got it all out before she swallowed it. I think I scared her more than myself as I was digging down her throat to get this flower out. Well like any young mom (new at this), I went inside and researched the mum to see if it is poisonous. I honestly thought she was fine, but I learned yesterday that the Chrysanthemum (aka mum that we all have in our yards this time of year), is the 6th most poisonous plant. I immediately began freaking out and called Glenn, who made me then call the Dr., who made me call poison control. Well to make a long story short Emily is fine, and nothing came of the whole ordeal, praise the Lord. It's actually the leaves that are most poisonous, and they contain a chemical which is like a pesticide. Hmm...something to remember next year when planting those mums huh. Well let me go, I just thought I'd share our little experience with you to either make you laugh or educate you. Hope to "blog" again soon from MS.

Thankful for..

Well Emily turned 14 months over the weekend.

I tried to make pictures of her, but she just wants to run around now. Well we were both sick this weekend with a cold of some sort, so we haven't done much but lay around and play. It's amazing how time flies by so fast. I'm so thankful for the past 14 months that God has blessed me with and the time I've had with my little girl. God is so awesome isn't He! Well we will be off to Mississippi in a couple of days to stay for a while so I won't be able to write till after Thanksgiving probably. My parents have dial up and it takes forever to do anything on the internet. I would like to know from you what it is you're thankful for this year during this Thanksgiving season? If you'd like to respond please do so. I cannot begin to write all the things I'm thankful for and wouldn't want to leave anything off so I will not try on this posting. I can't wait to hear back from you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving next week!

Sunny Day

Well, I changed my template to one with Sunflowers. It has only taken me 2 days to figure out how to do this, and rework everything. As many of you know I have a thing with sunflowers. I love to paint them, photograph them, and just have them around. As I cleaned out my office last week I brought home with me many things that had sunflowers on them, cups, notepads, paintings, and of course the dust collecting fake ones. One of the big reasons I love sunflowers is the spiritual implication they have with them. They always face the direction of the sun! If you've ever have noticed it's true, in the morning they face east, and in the evening (if possible) they face west (or whichever direction the sun comes from for where they're planted). This is how Christians are suppose to be everyday as well. We are to keep our face looking to Jesus at all times. Sometimes this isn't an easy thing to do, especialy when we're going through tough times, but it is what God commands.

Hebrews 12:2,3 says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such oppostion from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." This passage says enough and I hope it will encourage you through out the day no matter what you are going through. For my parents, please keep your eyes on Jesus as you struggle with your daily tasks. I love you.

What is Your Calling?

As was reading this morning God showed me a verse I haven't read in a while. 1 Corinthians 7:17, says, "Nevertheless each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him." Wow this is a really neat verse especially now that I have changed "jobs" so to speak. This verse gives me a peace and assurance to know that I am following in His will. I told Glenn yesterday that I felt guilty this week as I've been at home with Emily. He asked why, and I said because I'm having so much fun! I'm able to wash dishes, and clothes whenever I want, and clean and play whenever I want. Now I actually have time to spend with he and Emily when he gets home from work. It's an amazing thing being in God's will at God's timing.

Oh before I go for the day, let me say a special "thank you" to Amy, who kept Emily for me while I worked. She "trained" Emily and got her to take naps in a bed (instead of by being rocked). God used Amy in more ways than anyone will ever know, and for that I am truly grateful. Emily is already missing her "bubba's". Isn't God awesome for providing us with what we need exactly when we need it.

Have a fun Thursday, and don't get too cold.

Jennifer

We had over 1,200 at our Fall Festival last Wednesday. Emily was a pumpkin, and I was just me. We worked all day setting up and by the end of the night were worn out. Thankfully Mamaw and Papaw were in town and could keep Emily. We gave away over 1,500 hot dogs and 200 Starbucks, as well as other goodies like cotton candy, popcorn and peanuts.

This was my last day working at Mabel, and I had a blast. I'm so thankful for Holly and Janice for all the support they've given me over the past few years.

Enjoy the fall weather because it's just now getting cool...who am I kidding, it's flat out cold today! The leaves are beginning to turn a little, but with the drought most of them are dying. Enjoy the fall day!

Full Time Mommy

Well, for those of you who haven't heard I am now a full time stay at home mom. God works in mysterious ways, and I thought I would be doing full time children's ministry for a while, but He has other plans for me right now. I resigned from my position as children's minister and had my last day last week. Being in the ministry has been a fun and exciting thing, but with it has come many trials and struggles. Dealing with one conflict after another led me to see that I needed to focus more on my child right now than worry about "fighting fires" so to speak. God is awesome and I just thank Him for His leading and directing in mine and Glenn's life.

It feels so strange not to rush off somewhere everyday, but it feels good. I'm also new at blogging so bear with me for whoever reads this. I thought this would be something fun to do to keep everyone back home up to date on what's going on at the Walker household.

It was very cold this morning, in the 40's, but that didn't keep Emily and I from going outside. We had to go prune the trumpet trees for the hard freeze we are suppose to have tonight. She was so cute in her winter gear. Anyway, we have church tonight, my first night there not on staff. Have a great week,

Jennifer