I’ve loved this song since I first heard it in college, but the thing that really got me to love it was my senior year of college when I was working a Christian book store.  I had begun to loose my love for God.  I had begun to be apathetic to life and to God’s calling for my life.

One day I was sitting in my favorite part of the store, the kid’s department, which was right next to the music, when I heard a little girl singing this song.  ”You are the Lord, the FAAAAAMMMMOUUUSSSSS one, the Faaaaaauuuumooous one!  Great is your name in all the earth!”

First of all: ADORABLE!  The child got louder and louder and I had to get up and see her.  So I peeked around the corner at this little girl, probably 7 or 8 years old singing this beautiful worship song at the top of her lungs.  Wow.  So I went back to work.

A while later I heard her ask her dad.  ”Daddy, why is Jesus famous?”

Her father’s answer was tender and true. “Because he loves us so much that he died on the cross for us, even though He didn’t deserve that death.  That’s why Jesus is famous.”

I have to admit that there are days I think more about President Obama and the in-pending doom of our economic system or about Governor Patterson and his stupid crazy ideas sometimes more than I think about Jesus.  Sometimes I think about Karen Kingsbury and her next book that’s coming out or about Mark Driscoll more than I think about Jesus.  Sometimes I get so busy with the day to day and think of nothing besides getting the house cleaned before the next set of company arrives.

Why though?  Jesus is famous.  There is no other name under heaven that is known more than his name.  Jesus.

This past month some mamas from my very favorite forum (sorry I don’t share!) were talking about making some, so I decided to take the plunge.

When I was a kid my grandmother taught me a simple double crochet pattern and its all I’ve really ever done.  Now I have never really done a ton of crocheting.  In college a bunch of us decided we were going to crochet blankets in class and chapel and I finished it three years after graduation….

So I decided to start with a new pattern.  :)  Well, it was pretty different and I had to email an online friend to get the instructions without the code, but I thought I knew what I was doing so I started in!

About 15 minutes later, I had this:

Umm…NOT GOOD!  LOL!  So I had to start over and I was pretty sure I knew what I had done wrong, so I started over.  A while later, I had this:

Now that’s more like it!!  So after a bazillion and one interuptions from a handsome hubby and two adorable babes, I came up with this:

All it needed now was a some edging.  Since the kiddos were in bed and my handsome hubby has his own hobbies, it didn’t take long to be finished.

Now I just need to make an entire stack!  :)

1lb ground itialian sausage

1 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers

1 large diced white onion

4 TBSP (about 4 full pieces) Bacon Pieces

2 tsp garlic

5 quarts chicken broth

3 large potatoes, diced

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 bunch of kale or spinach

In a a soup pot (extra large pot), brown sausage, remove fat, return to the same pot. Add peppers, onion, bacon and garlic.  Cook on medium heat until vegetables are soft.  Add chicken broth and potatoes.  Cook on low heat for one hour.  Add in cream and heat thoroughly.  Add kale or spinach and enjoy!

Add Parmesan cheese for a true Olive Garden taste.

We love this recipe for a great after church meal!  I do everything before the cream and then heat it up when we get home, add the cream and kale and serve.  SOOOO yummy on these cold and wintery days!

Crockpot Mac & Cheese

Cook 4 cups dry elbow macaroni
Stir in 1/4 cup oil
Add 2 cans evaporated milk
16 oz shredded sharp or extra sharp cheese *
2 t salt
1/2 cup melted butter
4 T minced onion

Cook on low for 3 hours.

*I also had 8 oz mozzarella.

Some good friends of ours live in Jacksonville, Florida and work at the Baptist Children’s Home.

Len and I will be taking four teenagers during spring break to help at the children’s home with maintenance and whatnot. I am working on getting the Itinerary settled this week.  I can’t wait!!

My children, ages 3 and 2 will be going on their very first missions trip.  :)

For Today…February 22, 2010

Outside my window… It’s cold and clear skies.  The ground is quite white.

I am thinking…I really hope my kids get feeling better soon.  I hate seeing them sick and their coughs are just horrible!!

From the learning rooms… We are working on colors with Moriah and on a reading rampage with Elijah.  My goal is 100 books in one month!

I am thankful for… my nice warm house, good friends and a God who loves me no matter what I do.

From the kitchen… I am working on this week’s menu!  I need to be more organized, which is, of course, a constant struggle for me.

I am wearing…Grey sweats and a purple shirt.

I am reading…a lot about gardening and planning out my the set up of our garden this year.

I am hoping…to get in a good Bible reading plan this week.

I am creating…a youth lesson for next week.

I am hearing…My old computer, which is now a DVD player/tv for downstairs when we want one down here.  The kids are watching Veggietales.

Around the house…there is always something to be done!!

One of my favorite things…God’s provision.

A few plans for the rest of the week…Mon-Thurs babysitting, Friday going to our old Alma Mater for a visit.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

I can’t wait to go camping!!  Bring on the warmer weather!!!!!

Go HERE for more daybooks.

BAKED ONION RINGS

2 egg whites
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tap. pepper
1/2 lg. sweet yellow onion, cut into rings
1/3 c. dry bread crumbs

Cut onion into rings. Combine egg whites, salt, and pepper into a bowl.  Dip onion rings into mixture and coat with bread crumbs.  Bake for 10-15 minutes at 450.

Enjoy!

Life is good.  Really good.  The kids are growing and learning to love Jesus.  Elijah is in speech now and we are beginning to see some improvement in his articulation.  Moriah is going to be two on Sunday.

Len and I are loosing weight.  You can check out his progress at lessof.lenflack.com  I am not as brave as he is.  :-)

There are always ups and downs in life and we are blessed, simply blessed. I will attempt in my endeavors to blog more frequently.  Life is changing as we know it.