And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecc 1:13-14)

Please listen to the song. Imagine you’re standing before God. There’s no Tomorrow, you can’t go back and finish up what you had planned on getting to sometime in the future.  What was that thing that you planned on getting to, that thing that now, you’re standing before God and thinking “I wish I had gotten to that…”





Assignment: We only have today. Should God take you today, have you accomplished everything that you wanted to, needed to. Have you said all the things that needed to be said?  Let’s have no regrets, let’s make sure we get to those things, so that when we’re standing before the Lord, the only thing we need to do is to worship him.. and not regret not getting to that thing on our to do list. Stop - go take care of that thing…. then, come tell  us what you choose to share. Don’t embarrass yourself or any of your loved ones.

Picture ideas: Be creative, go photograph something that “REPRESENTS” tomorrow. We can’t photograph time.. but we have ways of “showing” time in images.. how do you see “tomorrow”. This might be the only thing you choose to share about if you can’t publicly share what you needed to get done, and that’s alright too. Somethings are just to personal.

Share your favorite scripture in your post.

Sadly my "undone" list would be very long. Even as a CHRISTian who knows that Glorious Day is soon approaching, I still find myself procrastinating about way too many things. Why do I waste time when I know there is no time to waste? I have family and friends who need to know I love them, even though I say it alot , I can never say it too much. If I have hurt someone with words or deed then I have to stop assuming they know I'm sorry and make sure I tell them that I am. There is a world outside my comfort zone searching for something I have to offer, the way to Jesus. We have the oppurtunity to witness to hundreds a week. Why do we not even witness to one? There are people going hungry and being cold... have I done all I can do? NO! I'm a Preacher's wife and a Preacher's daughter and a Preacher's granddaughter, I work in the Women's Ministry, Sunday School and JR Church but none of that will matter if I'm not fulfilling the law of Christ... "Bear ye one another's burdens" Why do we get so busy in our own lives that we forget to get busy in others? James tells us in simple terms" working faith is living faith" We can say we are CHRISTians but if we are not being Christ like then we don't desrve that title. Christ put others before Himself, He went to those that the world shunned.He healed the broken and diseased. he touched people others wouldn't touch. He sat at the table of sinners to break bread with them so that they might understand what the "bread of life" was. We have so many "great" excuses but God doesn't deal with excuses. Moses tried to give Him plenty when God called Him to go to Egypt but God refuted every one with the simple truth that He is the great I AM, our Creator who endows us with all we need to carry out a job. I need to work as hard outside the church as I do inside the church because that is where the battleground is fellow soldiers... outside the church.I want to be able to hold my head up high when I stand before the One who died for ME. I want to feel worthy when He tells the Father , "this is one of mine". I want Him to be proud to call me his child. I want to be able to deserve the words" Well done my good and faithful servant". I could share many things with you this week about what I need to get done before I meet Him ... but I don't think I could bear to unveil myself to show you my many faults and failures. Just know that they are many my Friends. I'm sure when my works are tried by fire I'll be left with a lot of ashes.Pray for me this week as I work to complete more of the " List". Pray that I will have strength when needed and mercy and grace so that I can share with others what Jesus would have me say (or do).

Blessings! ~ Nikki

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM:

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. (Exodus 4:9-12)

1Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE!

This picture reminds me of two things ... the endless possibilities of tomorrow and the gentle "rolling on" of time thoughout eternity just praising our God.

School For Today

Well it has been a nice cold, cloudy day here. You can tell Autumn is here and that winter is not far away. I would like to encourage everyone to join the Autumn Poetry Party. We have some great poems that have been posted. Be sure to check out the links on the Mr. Linky above.

We had a great day in school today. The dreaded long division for Hoopy was easily conquered and Roosie didn't have too much trouble with adding and carrying today. BabyGirl and Tman have been doing great in their math so far too.

I thought I would share some pictures with you of our Social Studies/HIStory notebooks. We have been studying the African continent and our country study right now is Egypt. We are using a wonderful ebook I bought at Currclick. Our family is ancient Egypt crazy. We could study it for months. Here is a picture of the unit study we are using.

 It is on sale at currclick right now for $8.50. If you would like to purchase it please use this Currclick link.

Here are some pictures of our notebooks. They are a mix of pages from the above study plus pages from Enchanted Learning, Our Los Banos , other websites and some things I have created. The reason you see a clownfish in these pictures is because we also studied what lives in the coral reef in the Red Sea. We found those great pages at Enchanted Learning. The subscription only cost us $20 for a year and it has been great and well worth it. Hopefully you have seen something in this post to inspire you in your homeschool journey. Blessings! ~ Nikki

Homeschool Blog Awards 2008

Ok everyone be sure to go send in your nominees by tomorrow by clicking here. I sent in my nominees today. No, I didn't nominate myself although the temptation was there . But if anyone wants to (hint,hint) they can nominate me(hint,hint) cause I sure do like that "blog bling" (awards and such). My daughter is cracking up at my "blog bling" remark but I thought it sounded cute. That is my made up phrase of the day ... blog bling. Anyway all joking aside , be sure to nominate those wonderful bloggers out there who spend so much time and effort uplifting each other and yes , even teaching us a few things along the way. (A blogger must have 3 nominations for each category for which they are being nominated in order to be listed as a finalist so they can be voted on. example : best teen group blog category: 3 seperate people must nominate "Lucy & Peter's" blog for this category in order for them to be listed in the final nominee list. The reason I put in this explanation is because last year I was more than a little confused about how the whole process worked so I thought it might help some of the new bloggers out there.) Blessings! ~ Nikki

 

Memory Verse: Isaiah 40: 1- Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Intro: “Have It Your Way” (Burger King)  - As cooler weather approaches and the winter eases into our doors I like to lounge by the fire after a hot shower.  I love to make soups that are brimming with a rich and full flavor.  In our home there’s nothing better than a hot bowl of soup or and a hot cup of coffee or cocoa on a cold winter night.

Assignment: Tell us all about how your have “your” relaxing time, more especially how during the cooler months you take time to curl up with your favorite movie, book, Bible study, and what your favorite warm drink would be.

Share a picture of your favorite spot in the house or your favorite warm beverage, your favorite movie or book; possibly even your favorite Bible Study or maybe your women’s Bible group.

Share your favorite scripture and don’t forget the Memory Verse above.



My favorite warm drink is without a doubt ... HOT CHOCOLATE! I love how it warms you up on a cold day. I like to curl up on the loveseat in front of the fireplace in my old comfy clothes and read. Jan Karon and Beverly Lewis are two of my favorite authors. "Mitford" is my favorite place to "visit" during the cold weather months.I also like to relax by watching the birds. I became *addicted* to birdfeeding and watching several years ago. Its strange how watching these lovely creations can make stress melt away. I have feeders all over my yard so I can enjoy watching them from just about anywhere in the house. Looking at the wonderful Fall colors always helps us relax too. We spent Saturday hiking to Clingman's Dome and on the Appalachian Trail. We spent the late afternoon and evening in Cataloochee. The colors are so vibrant this year. (I will post some pictures on my other blog later.)

I don't usually use Bible Studies. Not that I have anything against them, I don't. I have found and used some great ones.Its just I like to pray and just ask God to let me open His Word to what I need to "hear". I believe God always knows what we need before we ever even ask for it and that if we would just be still and listen He could tell us so much. Getting lost in His Word is by all means the best way to relax.

I have several verses I would like to add this week.

~ Blessings! ~ Nikki



Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.



Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 6:8

... for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.



Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God:

A Song of degrees.

(Psalms 132:1-18)

LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions: How he sware unto the LORD, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.









This is Fall color in my yard.



This is my "warm weather" fireplace. Soon there will be real wood burning in it. We have already had to turn the heat on.Winters coming soon.





This isn't the greatest video but I hope you enjoy it. I took it from my living room window.

Autumn Slideshow

The great outdoors is one of our favorite classrooms. I posted this slideshow on my picture blog Over Hill And Under Hill. I thought I would post it here today too so that you can enjoy our "classroom". Blessings! ~ Nikki

 

I was tagged!

I was tagged by Sonia

Here are the rules:

Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following questions.

They have to be real places, names, things. nothing made up!

You can’t use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1. What is your name? Nikki

2. A 4 Letter Word: Newt

3. A Boys Name: Nicolas

4. A Girls Name: Nina

5. An Occupation: Nurse

6. A Color: neon green

7. Something you wear: neck tie

8. A Beverage: Nestea ( instant tea mix)

9. A Food: noodles

10. Something found in the bathroom: nose hair trimmer

11. A place: nashville

12. A Reason for being late: not setting alarm

13. Something you shout: NO! )

And I tag YOU!

Memory Verse

: Psalms 13:6 KJV
I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Please try to learn our memory verse this week. We will be sharing a new verse every week and hope that you will store them in your hearts and find a special joy in His words.

Intro

Assignment:  Post your favorite fall recipe/recipes to share.  I love trying new recipes, do you?  It can be baking, main dishes, veggies, dessert or anything else you can think of.  There are no limits.  Mmmmmm..I can’t wait to take a look at some of those recipes.

Picture ideas: Post a picture of your finished product, or you could just post a picture of the recipe. How about a picture of you cooking? The sky is the limit.

Share your favorite scripture in your post.







I am behind on getting this one posted. We have been in Revival this week and it has been awesome! The Church is being revived and people are being saved. Isn't God great!?!

I'm going to post my recipe for pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie filling and apple pie.

Pumpkin Pie Filling

1 medium pie pumpkin

2/3 cup sugar divided

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbs pumpkin pie spice (or use your own mix of ginger and nutmeg)

1/8 tsp salt

3 eggs

1 5 oz can of evaporated milk

1/2 cup milk

Wash pumpkin inside and outside. Scoop out the inside of the pumpkin.

Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Sprinkle inside the pumpkin and replace top. Place in a greased (shallow) baking pan. Bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours or until inside is very tender. Cool and then scoop out pumpkin and puree in a blender. Place 2 cups of the pumpkin puree into a bowl and add the eggs, milk and evaporated milk. Mix until well blended. Pour into pie crust and bake at 375 for 80 minutes or until inserted knife comes out clean.

* I usually pour mine back into the pumpkin shell and bake it that way.It makes a neat presentation. I call it pumpkin custard. If you intend to do it this way be sure not to cut through to the outside of the pumpkin shell when you scoop it out after baking the first time.

Pumpkin Bread

I found this easy recipe on the internet and it is fabulous.

3 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin pureé

3 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

1 to 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

Combine sugar, eggs, and oil in a large bowl; beat at medium speed of an electric mixer until well blended. Stir in pumpkin pureé. Combine flour and spices; gradually add to pumpkin mixture, beating until blended; stir in pecans. Spoon mixture into 3 greased and floured 1-pound coffee cans or 8 x 4 x 3-inch loaf pans, or 2 9 x 5 x3-inch loaf pans. Bake at 300° for 1 hour and 10 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in cans or loaf pans for 10 minutes on wire racks. Remove from pans and let cool completely on wire racks.
Makes 2 to 3 loaves of pumpkin pecan bread.

Apple Pie

Peel and cut 3 to 4 apples (any kind). Slice apples and place into a bowl. Add 1 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Cover with foil and let stand for several hours. Stir occasionally. Once the apples are tender and have released enough liquid place into a pie crust. Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Easy pie crust

2 cups self rising flour

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup shortening

5-7 tbls of ice water

Combine flour and salt . Use a fork to cut in shortening until the flour mixture looks like crumbs. Sprinkle flour mixture with ice water 1 tbsp at a time. Stop adding water when mixture is moist enough to form a ball. divide into two balls and refrigerate until needed. Roll out and trim as desired.

This is a picture of the pumpkin bread my DD made.



This is my apple pie.

All these tasty recipes brought to mind this wonderful verse.

Psalms 119:103

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Blessings! ~ Nikki

Fall Favorites

1. Favorite Smell? The smell of the leaves as they crunch under my feet. Especially sycamore leaves. My Grandparents homplace always smelled like that in the Fall. I love it!

2. Favorite Food? pumpkin bread

3. Favorite Color? All the shades of Fall.

4. Favorite Drink? hot chocolate

 

5. Favorite Treat? candy corn

6. Favorite Place to go? Driving through the mountains to see the leaves or walking through the woods.

7. Favorite Candy? candy corn

8. Favorite Movie to watch? It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

9. Favorite Clothing to wear? A long baggy shirt, sweat pants or leggings and fuzzy socks.

 

10. Favorite Outdoor Activity? walking

11. Favorite Football Team? UT ( Go Vols!)

12. Favorite Fall Holiday? Thanksgiving

13. Favorite Haunted place? you know haunted means "frequently visited"? Cataloochee is one of our favorite Fall" haunts". We love to see the color and listen to the elk bugle.

14. Favorite Food at Thanksgiving Dinner? My Daddy's stuffing!

15. Favorite Pie? pecan

16. Favorite Fall Hobby? Pumpkin displays and leaves. I also like pumpkin patches and corn mazes.

17. Favorite Fall Memory? Playing football with Toodles and the kids with the leaves changing around us and that first "nip of Fall" in the air.

18. Favorite Fall Sight? the trees

19. Overall Favorite thing about Fall? everything

20. Overall Favorite Season? There is something about each one that makes me want to say ... that one! But to be honest... Fall is my favorite. I love peeking at God's coloring book.

Do you want to join in? Click on the button at the top of this post. Blessings! ~ Nikki

I have been tagged by  Pam  for a "Six Quirky Things About Me" tag.

Here’s the rules:

Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them.
Leave a comment on each blog to let them know they were tagged.

Six quirky things about me? Hmmmmm...

1. When I read a book I sometimes use different voices for different characters. (yes ,even when I read to myself)

2.I love walking in the rain.

3.I like putting mustard in my bowl of chili.

4.I read more than one book at a time.

5.I can make that silly Donald Duck voice.

6.I believe vinegar has many wonderful uses and one of them is spicing up my pinto beans. I know sounds gross but it is great!

Now I tag: Fallenboy3 , Hobbit's Tale , Sparrow's Pearl , My Thr33 Sons , and you................and..........you!

Currclick

When I try to access currclick I get this message

FATAL ERROR: register_globals is disabled in php.ini, please enable it!

Is anyone else having this problem? It has never happened before.

* BFS #104 - Never Leave Home Without It! *

October 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am

Don’t Leave Home Without It! (Marketing Credit: American Express)

Memory Verse: Matthew 28: 20 - Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:  and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.

Intro: Never Leave Home Without It (Marketing Credit:  American Express) Diapers, bottles, wipes, bibs, pacifiers, extra clothing, cell phone, PDA, ipod, iphone, credit or debit cards … what would you never leave home without?

Assignment: In the memory verse Jesus tells us that He will never leave us, not even at the end of the world.  He assures us in this verse that He will be with us and that means through everything we go through in life.  I thought it would be interesting to write about the things we would never leave home without.  For some it might be baby needs, others it might be a gym bag and bottle of water, and for some  it might be your Bible and a notepad or small journal, maybe even your son or daughters favorite blankie!  I’d like for you to write about something that you would never leave home without.

Picture Ideas: planner, books you read, address book, purse, keys, gym bag, water bottles, baby or children things, notepad/Journal, Bible.

Share your favorite scripture and don’t forget the Memory Verse above.

You may use this graphic for all your Assignments.

I don't like to leave home without...

Prayer

I like to pray before we leave the house.I like to ask God to watch over us as we travel.It doesn't matter if we are going 1 mile or 100 miles. Prayer seems to make the trip more enjoyable. We are supposed to pray about everything right?

Bible

I keep a small Bible in my purse. I like to have it to read while sitting in Dr. offices or while waiting in the car for my hubby. Keeping a Bible with you also assures you are able to show Scripture to people you are witnessing to. Lost people don't always wait outside the church doors. They can be sitting beside you in the Dr.'s office or behind you in the checkout line.

Camera

I love my camera my hubby and children bought for me. I keep it in my purse 98% of the time.You never know when you will see something awesome and want to capture it on camera. Our God is an awesome Creator and artist. I love to be driving down the road and see a field of wildflowers in bloom. I love it more to be able to capture it with my camera and use it as wallpaper on my desktop :)

I guess for this post I would have to say that Psalm 104 is my favorite. Yes , the whole thing :) Out of the whole chapter though, this verse really sums it up.

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

(Psalm 104:24)

These are some pictures I got because I had my camera with me. The beautiful skies are due to hurricane Ike and the hummer pics were taken at my Momma & Daddy's.

Free Devotions And Printables

I made a blog for the devotions and printables I have made. I know most of the homeschoolers here are christians and are active in womens or childrens ministries in their churches. Hopefully you will find something on there to be a help or encouragement. You can check it out here Cross Bearer. ~ blessings! ~ Nikki

TOS Homespun Holidays Review

I was so excited to be able to review this new E-book. It is an absolute must have for anyone who enjoys the Fall and Winter seasons. It is filled with awesome decorating ideas. There are directions to make the cutest scarecrow imaginable. The best part is it is so simple to make. Do you like to carve pumpkins? You'll love the one featured in this E-book. You get step by step instructions to help you carve a cross on a pumpkin so you can share your Faith this Fall season. There are plenty of neat craft ideas for the Christmas holidays too. Make a beautiful snowflake or get some great ideas on how to use old Christmas cards. Do you like to have friends and family over for the holidays but don't want the stress? Then you have to see the tips for having a Holiday Open House. Need something to keep the kids occupied on those long car trips? How about Going To Mamaw's Bingo? It sounds like a ton of fun! The best part of course is all the amazing recipes. Just the names of these great treats make my mouth water. Pumpkin pie squares, gingerbread pancakes and peppermint cocoa! You have to get this E- book! Everything in it is so easy and simple to make. The E-book is put together beautifully too. This is definitely a thumbs up review! ~ Blessings! ~ Nikki

My New Niece Is On Her Way

My SIL called earlier today. She is in labor and my niece could be here tonight :) How exciting! Please pray for both of them to have a safe and easy delivery. Fall was definitely in the air here today. it was 42 this morning and our high was 68. Someone had their stove or fireplace going today and it filled the air with the scent of woodsmoke. It was great! Tman wanted pumpkin bread tonight so I have it in the oven and it smells great too.  I made an easy dinner in the crock pot tonight. Its filling even though there is no meat in it and its cheap.  I'll post the recipe :

Chop (peel if you desire) 8 potatoes into cubes

Cut into strips 1 each: green,red,yellow,orange bell pepper

Chop 1 large onion

Chop 2 cloves of garlic

Place into crockpot with just enough water to boil the potatoes (or more if you want a "soup")

Add salt and pepper to taste and cook for 4 hours (give or take)

It may sound strange but this is actually a very good meal. It smells and tastes great plus it is very filling. It  would be perfect with homemade bread.

i do have another prayer request to pass along to you . Please pray for Shirley over at MyThr33Sons. She is having some health issues. I know that God will take care of her simply because He loves her but I want everyone to ask Him to anyway because I love her ... she is my dearest friend ! ~ Blessings! ~ Nikki