FYI: Posts will be sparse around here until I replace my laptop.... Coming back to work after Christmas break apparently was too hard and it quit on me!
1. driving through autumn covered dirt roads--dripping with rain
2. receiving letters in the mail from friends
3. shuttercal :)
Favorite verse from this week:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:1-2
"We all need to fly once in a while.
The rush of joy, the hint of magic, the pensiveness of loss.. It's all part of the ascent. And once you experience it, you are left to look forward to the descent, where the adventure truly will begin."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I love you, Samuel, and am so proud of you. I love the way when you laugh your whole body shakes because you're overcome. I love the way your blue eyes smile and your cheeks dimple and you pretend to be shy. I love your roars and your love of john deere and the way you say "me gwooten-fwee!" I love your heart and I love you, sweet Samuel!
And so today, I'm praising God for you. For your life."
...procrastinator.
I diddle and dawdle until the last minute until I have to do it.
I waste time doing all sorts of things--reading blogs, facebook, photography websites, etc when I should be doing school or chores.
It is not something I'm proud of.
A while ago my lovely sister found an awesome app for google chrome, the browser I use, called Stay Focused. What does it do? "StayFocusd increases your productivity by limiting the amount of time that you can spend on time-wasting websites." Honestly, I think it is really quite effective for the most part. Of course, it is always my responsibility to spend my time wisely, but I think this is a helpful tool. =)
a post is never really complete without a photo...
Right now it feels like everything in my life is changing. Nothing is how it once was.
My daddy has a new job. He has to commute 6-8 hours away one way. He is only home on weekends.
My family switched churches. Everything is so different. The people, the services, what I do, the whole atmosphere.
My dance studio closed. The flooding from Lee was so bad. The teachers still want to teach, but don't have a building. We will have to use another studio's rooms. Classes still haven't started. It is going to take twice as long to get there.
My life changed from camp to coming home. Camp is its own little world up there on the mountain top. Coming back home has been such a change.
It seems like everything in my life has changed this past year--my life at home, at church, at dance, everywhere.
Yet I have a constant.
Your commands ... are my constant guide.
-Psalm 119:98
Right now it may feel like everything is changing and there is nothing to cling to. Wrong. I can cling to HIM.
Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey His
commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.
-Deuteronomy 13:4
He is always faithful and constant.
Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He
is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand
generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey His commands.
-Deuteronomy 7:9
I will trust Him.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
It is not about me--it is about Him. --something I learned at camp this summer.
He is using this time to grow me, it may not be comfortable(in fact it is not at all!), but He has my best in mind.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28
Scald milk and water. Add butter and sugar. Cool to 100*. Mix 2 c. flour and yeast. Add this to warm mixture. Beat 2 minutes. Add salt and egg. Beat 1 minute. Add 2c. flour and beat well with spoon. Refrigerate overnight(or 4 hours) covered. Roll out. Dot with butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Roll up. Slice into a dozen rolls and place into greased 9x13 pan. Cover and let rise one hour. Bake at 375* for 20-25 minutes until golden.
Cream the sugar and butter. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth.
Yield: 1 dozen rolls
Note: It is easiest to slice the rolls with dental floss. Take a piece of floss, slide it under the roll to where you want to slice it. Then bring the ends up over the top and cross pulling tight until the floss cuts the dough completely.
I also add maple syrup to the frosting. Sometimes I'll drizzle maple syrup on the rolls before I frost them.
So this recipe I typed up weeks ago, but finally decided to share it. ;) It is my grandma's recipe and it is amazing. I have plans to make a pumpkin ring cake with eggnog icing sometime this weekend...anyone say yum!?! That is after the grocery trip is made to get the whipping cream and other important ingredients. =D
I'm off to a dance meeting...The studio I have gone to for nine years is closing this year due to the flood damage. The teachers are having a meeting to see if we can find anywhere else to have classes--they still want to teach and we(the students) still want to dance! I'm praying that they will find someplace--I don't know of any other studio in my area that has the same quality instruction.
