I don't know about you all, but it is a tradition at our house to put up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Now for us that is usually on a Saturday. We have church on Thursdays so we have our meal and such on the Friday. This year since we had Youth Meeting on Friday night my husband decided to have our bible study on Wednesday at the house (we can't get the school on Wednesdays, hence the reason for Thursday night services). We had Thanksgiving on Thursday as usual.
Friday morning we got the tree up and then had to get some things ready for Youth Meeting since we had to do the games. Roger and I finished sorting out the living room after we got back home late Friday night. My only problem is, I can't seem to find the 2 stockings, their hangers and 1 little snowman (I like snowmen!). It looks as though we may have to get back into the loft and see if we've left a small box up there somewhere. Oh well!
Can I just say this? Karate and Christmas trees DO NOT go together!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL In all these years we have never had a problem with the children and the tree. We had it up all of about 24 hours and my son, while practicing his Kata for class today, managed to fall into it not just once but TWICE!!!!!!!!! AAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!! Needless to say I don't think he will be practicing in the living room for awhile (at least not until Christmas is over). LOL Oh the joys of having children! Never a dull moment! At the youth fellowship the ladies were talking about their cats and the trees. They should try having Karate Kid at their house! HA! HA! HA! HA!
Anyway, enough rambling. Just a funny moment in the life of us. May you have a lovely evening.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
Saturday 29 November 2008
Friday 28 November 2008
TOO MUCH FOOD!
I pray you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. A time to renew friendships and family ties. A time to rejoice in the Lord and all that He has done. Truly a time for which to be THANKFUL.
As most folks did yesterday, I ate too much! Although I was only able to eat one plate, it was full. I had a little bit of everything, and there was just about every food known to man there so everything was quite a bit. LOL We drank Christmas (Cranberry) Tea, which was filling as well. I may send that recipe along, too . Played Phase 10 and then ate pie. We had Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate & Carmel Pie. I had small slivers of each, but just about couldn't handle the Carmel Pie. You want to talk about sweet and that was with a cup of coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm thankful that the Lord has always supplied us with wonderful friends on the field. We missed our best friends this year, whom we always spent Thanksgiving with, but the Lord has let others come into our lives that we can share the holiday with. We praise the Lord for the blessing of friendship.
As most folks did yesterday, I ate too much! Although I was only able to eat one plate, it was full. I had a little bit of everything, and there was just about every food known to man there so everything was quite a bit. LOL We drank Christmas (Cranberry) Tea, which was filling as well. I may send that recipe along, too . Played Phase 10 and then ate pie. We had Pumpkin, Pecan, Chocolate & Carmel Pie. I had small slivers of each, but just about couldn't handle the Carmel Pie. You want to talk about sweet and that was with a cup of coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm thankful that the Lord has always supplied us with wonderful friends on the field. We missed our best friends this year, whom we always spent Thanksgiving with, but the Lord has let others come into our lives that we can share the holiday with. We praise the Lord for the blessing of friendship.
I'm thankful that the God sent His Son that I might have eternal life. Without Him everything else would be meaningless. This life would not be worth living if it wasn't for Jesus. And I want to publically 'Thank' God for sending Him.
Thankful,
Sis. Tammy
Wednesday 26 November 2008
Carmel Pie
Being as how THANKSGIVING is almost upon us I thought that I'd send a recipe your way.
1 graham cracker pie crust
3 cans of condensed milk
cool whip
Directions:
1. Take the 3 cans of condensed milk and put in a pan of water (making sure the water completely covers the cans).
2. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 3 hours (make sure to KEEP THE CANS COVERED WITH WATER AT ALL TIMES).
3. Take cans out of the water and LET THEM COOL COMPLETELY. If you open them hot you will have an almighty mess to clear up as they will explode from the pressure.
4. Once cool, open and put in the pie crust.
5. Top with cool whip and serve.
This is very good and VERY sweet. The condensed milk carmelizes as it boils. YUM!!!!!!! Also might be good to use for Carmel Apples!?! Just a thought.
God bless,
Sis. Tammy
1 graham cracker pie crust
3 cans of condensed milk
cool whip
Directions:
1. Take the 3 cans of condensed milk and put in a pan of water (making sure the water completely covers the cans).
2. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 3 hours (make sure to KEEP THE CANS COVERED WITH WATER AT ALL TIMES).
3. Take cans out of the water and LET THEM COOL COMPLETELY. If you open them hot you will have an almighty mess to clear up as they will explode from the pressure.
4. Once cool, open and put in the pie crust.
5. Top with cool whip and serve.
This is very good and VERY sweet. The condensed milk carmelizes as it boils. YUM!!!!!!! Also might be good to use for Carmel Apples!?! Just a thought.
God bless,
Sis. Tammy
Monday 24 November 2008
Weigh-In Day
Today was our weigh-in at Weight Watchers. I'm very pleased. I lost 2lbs this week and was really surprised. I only have 1/2 a pound to go to get my first stone. For all those who are not familiar with the UK, here we go by our weigh in stones and pounds instead of just pounds. Each stone is 14lbs, so for example (got this from the W.W. magazine) if you weighed 159lbs it would be 11st 5lbs. Kind of confusing, but once you get used to it you don't think twice about it.
Anyway, I'm really excited. I know that it will be a challenge this week with Thanksgiving and all, but if I can manage to at least stay the same I know I will be pleased with that. If I can just keep it to that day I know it will be much easier. We are getting together with friends and having it at their house this year (although we are sharing in the cooking) so that will help with the problem of all those leftovers. Hhmmmm, I wonder if she would mind hosting it every year!?! LOL
Just in case I get busy with Turkey day preparations I will send my Thanksgiving greetings to everyone now:
Anyway, I'm really excited. I know that it will be a challenge this week with Thanksgiving and all, but if I can manage to at least stay the same I know I will be pleased with that. If I can just keep it to that day I know it will be much easier. We are getting together with friends and having it at their house this year (although we are sharing in the cooking) so that will help with the problem of all those leftovers. Hhmmmm, I wonder if she would mind hosting it every year!?! LOL
Just in case I get busy with Turkey day preparations I will send my Thanksgiving greetings to everyone now:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Saturday 22 November 2008
Food, Fun & Fellowship
We had our monthly fellowship at the house today. The men met in town this morning to do some outreach and I was getting the house organized after the wild week we had and being out all day yesterday.
We had a wonderful time. Everyone got here about 11:45 and didn't leave until 5:00. We had
fellowship while the chicken wings finished and the pizza cooked. We had simple fare being as how I was gone all day yesterday:
We had a wonderful time. Everyone got here about 11:45 and didn't leave until 5:00. We had
fellowship while the chicken wings finished and the pizza cooked. We had simple fare being as how I was gone all day yesterday:
Pizza (from Cosco)
Chicken wings (homemade sauce)
Crisps (potato chips)
Bread & butter with pate'
Salad
Mandarin Orange cheesecake
Chocolate Gateau (pronounced gato)
Nothing fancy by an means, but the fellowship was grand and the fun was great. We were combining our church fellowship with Choir practice. The only thing is we ate before we practiced. LOL Roger and I were pretty good. We had some of everything, but drank water instead of sweet tea, has alot of salad and a small portion of dessert. Since the desserts were not that big anyway it wasn't too bad.
The Lord really blessed in the choir practice. Being as how I am not a professional pianist or even trained period, we didn't do that bad. Another lady in the church plays, but she can't sing and play at the same time, soooo . . . . . . . All in all things went very good. Most of them had not even heard the music before today and we only have about 2 weeks before we have to sing them for the first time.
On the first Saturday of the month we go to a care home and have a service there. The lady in charge of the home really liked what we did last year. They are having a Christmas Bazaar at the care home the same day that we are suppose to be there and she is going to invite everyone to stay for the service. They have alot of visitors that come out and it is a great opportunity for not only the residents, but for the families to hear the gospel as well.
Anyway, we had a wonderful time and the Lord definitely blessed with the learning of the songs.
So I guess you could say that we really did have a great time of food, fun & fellowship (and choir practice, lol). I would say that the quote, "A good time was had by all!" would be appropriate.
God bless until next time,
Sis. Tammy
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in you hearts to the Lord."
Colossians 3:16
Our Visit with a Dear Young Lady
I sure thank the Lord for answered prayer. As you know the children have both been unwell this week. Caleb picked up on Wednesday and Rebekah on Thursday. We had been praying that they would be well for today as we had already made plans to go and visit one of the ladies that used to go to the church.
This lady had been with the church from the very beginning and has been a wonderful blessing and encouragement to us. To make a long story short, they changed alot of the tax laws here in Britain and that affected her. There were certain rules that governed whether or not she could stay in the country as she is originally from the Philippines. One of those rules was the amount that she HAD to earn in order to live here. The people she worked for by the church did not want to up her salary so she had to move somewhere that would pay what she needed. This is about 2-2 1.5 hours from us. She left at the end of July and and we told her we would go up and see her in November. Today was the day we had arranged to meet.
It was so good to see her again. We have really missed her, not just in church but just all the way around. I know the children have missed her alot also. She is getting married next month in the Philippines and we wanted to see her before she left and give her a card and gift. She is due to come back around the beginning of January and then we are praying that her husband will be able to come soon after. Complicated, I know.
Her sister is working with her, and I know she enjoys having her there or she would be completely by herself without knowing anyone (save for the Lord). But she has a very bad work schedule and can't get to church (what they call a church is really a joke, but that's all there is up there) most of the time. When she lived in Kettering she was able to come 3 times a week 95% of the time. She is very discouraged and misses us and the church terribly. Pastor (my husband) had told her that he didn't think she should rush into things and felt it was unwise to move so quickly before she left, but sometimes folks have to learn things the hard way and I know she is regretting her hasty decision. Not long after she moved a position opened up in the town where some of our folks live and travel to church from. If only she would have waited just 2 or 3 months (she had that much time before she had to really make any major decisions anyway). If only, If only, If only. . . . . .
Do you have any if only's? I know that I sure do. I believe this will be one of hers. I asked her today if she felt like she had gone from the frying pan into the fire and she said, "Yes!" She is a great young lady. She loves the Lord and was faithful to the church for just over 3 years before she moved. She has never given us a lick of trouble, she's humble, helpful, teachable, etc., etc. I wish we had a church full just like her.
When we finally had to leave she cried. I cried. I just wanted to pack her up, never mind the packing; I just wanted to put her in the car and bring her home, where she belongs. Please pray that the Lord would have His way in this situation. We KNOW that it's God's will for her to be in a sound Biblical church where she can grow and be fed by the Word of God (KJB [AV])and there isn't one where she is. While we are praying for God's will, we are also asking that it might be His will for her to be back down here. We've watched her grow and have seen her faith strengthened and it breaks our hearts to know that she so far away and struggling without any spiritual encouragement.
I'm so glad that God is with us. It gives me great comfort to know that she has Him by her side, or I probably would have hauled her back down here. I know that she may have caused this by not being sensitive to the Lord and getting ahead of God, but it still hurts to watch. I also know that God Himself has allowed it and I pray that she might learn whatever He has for her to learn so that she doesn't have to 'lick this calf over again' as we would say in southern terms.
Enough chattering!!! I'm just so glad that the Lord touched the children that we could go. He is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
This lady had been with the church from the very beginning and has been a wonderful blessing and encouragement to us. To make a long story short, they changed alot of the tax laws here in Britain and that affected her. There were certain rules that governed whether or not she could stay in the country as she is originally from the Philippines. One of those rules was the amount that she HAD to earn in order to live here. The people she worked for by the church did not want to up her salary so she had to move somewhere that would pay what she needed. This is about 2-2 1.5 hours from us. She left at the end of July and and we told her we would go up and see her in November. Today was the day we had arranged to meet.
It was so good to see her again. We have really missed her, not just in church but just all the way around. I know the children have missed her alot also. She is getting married next month in the Philippines and we wanted to see her before she left and give her a card and gift. She is due to come back around the beginning of January and then we are praying that her husband will be able to come soon after. Complicated, I know.
Her sister is working with her, and I know she enjoys having her there or she would be completely by herself without knowing anyone (save for the Lord). But she has a very bad work schedule and can't get to church (what they call a church is really a joke, but that's all there is up there) most of the time. When she lived in Kettering she was able to come 3 times a week 95% of the time. She is very discouraged and misses us and the church terribly. Pastor (my husband) had told her that he didn't think she should rush into things and felt it was unwise to move so quickly before she left, but sometimes folks have to learn things the hard way and I know she is regretting her hasty decision. Not long after she moved a position opened up in the town where some of our folks live and travel to church from. If only she would have waited just 2 or 3 months (she had that much time before she had to really make any major decisions anyway). If only, If only, If only. . . . . .
Do you have any if only's? I know that I sure do. I believe this will be one of hers. I asked her today if she felt like she had gone from the frying pan into the fire and she said, "Yes!" She is a great young lady. She loves the Lord and was faithful to the church for just over 3 years before she moved. She has never given us a lick of trouble, she's humble, helpful, teachable, etc., etc. I wish we had a church full just like her.
When we finally had to leave she cried. I cried. I just wanted to pack her up, never mind the packing; I just wanted to put her in the car and bring her home, where she belongs. Please pray that the Lord would have His way in this situation. We KNOW that it's God's will for her to be in a sound Biblical church where she can grow and be fed by the Word of God (KJB [AV])and there isn't one where she is. While we are praying for God's will, we are also asking that it might be His will for her to be back down here. We've watched her grow and have seen her faith strengthened and it breaks our hearts to know that she so far away and struggling without any spiritual encouragement.
I'm so glad that God is with us. It gives me great comfort to know that she has Him by her side, or I probably would have hauled her back down here. I know that she may have caused this by not being sensitive to the Lord and getting ahead of God, but it still hurts to watch. I also know that God Himself has allowed it and I pray that she might learn whatever He has for her to learn so that she doesn't have to 'lick this calf over again' as we would say in southern terms.
Enough chattering!!! I'm just so glad that the Lord touched the children that we could go. He is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
Thursday 20 November 2008
Better Day
Today has been much better. Caleb is just about back to his complete normal self and Rebekah's fever broke about mid-day. What a blessing! I know that they are fed up with not feeling well, bless their hearts.
I have finished my photo albums, what I can that is. I still have a few little packs left to do, but ran out of albums. I think I'm going to try and get some more to finish it next week. I should have taken a before and after photo of the bookcase. Talk about a colossal mess. It has been totally transformed and now matches the rest of the room. Some of the shelves needed readjusted to different heights to fit things back on there where I wanted them and some of the shelves had started to bow in the middle, so when I took all the stuff off I just simply flipped them over and now they are as good as new. They go up instead of down, but will level off eventually and the with the bow going up it isn't as noticeable.
Next project, Rebekah's room. I did Caleb's the other week, now it's her turn. Hers will need alot more work, because she has the wardrobes (built in closets) in her room, the book shelf and all the games under her bed. Caleb's room is too small for any of that stuff. He has to keep 90% of his toys under his bed just so he has room to get in and out. I think it's about 8' x 7' or there abouts. SMALL, VERY SMALL. That's why it didn't take long to do it. LOL
Sorry for boring you to tears. Just a day in the life of me. God bless you all.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
I have finished my photo albums, what I can that is. I still have a few little packs left to do, but ran out of albums. I think I'm going to try and get some more to finish it next week. I should have taken a before and after photo of the bookcase. Talk about a colossal mess. It has been totally transformed and now matches the rest of the room. Some of the shelves needed readjusted to different heights to fit things back on there where I wanted them and some of the shelves had started to bow in the middle, so when I took all the stuff off I just simply flipped them over and now they are as good as new. They go up instead of down, but will level off eventually and the with the bow going up it isn't as noticeable.
Next project, Rebekah's room. I did Caleb's the other week, now it's her turn. Hers will need alot more work, because she has the wardrobes (built in closets) in her room, the book shelf and all the games under her bed. Caleb's room is too small for any of that stuff. He has to keep 90% of his toys under his bed just so he has room to get in and out. I think it's about 8' x 7' or there abouts. SMALL, VERY SMALL. That's why it didn't take long to do it. LOL
Sorry for boring you to tears. Just a day in the life of me. God bless you all.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
New Look
Well, as you might have noticed I've been playing. I think I could change it everyday and not run out of options. I never knew that I could have THIS much computer knowledge. LOL I know it's nothing like some of you all have, but for me I'm cruising'!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait until the Christmas season comes along. I wonder what they have out there for that. This one came from: http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/gifs.php?catid=15
Thanks, Sis. Julie for the site address to get all these cute things.
'See' you all tomorrow, Lord willin', it's past my bedtime!
Blessings,
Sis. Tammy
Proverbs 3:5-6
I can't wait until the Christmas season comes along. I wonder what they have out there for that. This one came from: http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/gifs.php?catid=15
Thanks, Sis. Julie for the site address to get all these cute things.
'See' you all tomorrow, Lord willin', it's past my bedtime!
Blessings,
Sis. Tammy
Proverbs 3:5-6
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Been Busy Today
Today has been a little hectic. I had not been out of the house since Saturday, so to say that I have cabin fever is putting it very mildly.
Rebekah is still very unwell. Her fever broke last night for a bit while she was sleeping, but she's had one all day today and has been just laying around. Not to mention that she can't breathe out of her nose because it's so stuffed up. Caleb is doing much better. His pink eye has just about cleared up and he didn't have a fever when I put him to bed tonight. Praise the Lord! He is still a bit stuffy, but that will go away soon. I'll just keep giving them both their meds until it goes complete. We are suppose to have a church fellowship at the house on Saturday, but we may have to cancel that.
My husbands gout had started to act up yesterday, so today he has been sort of out of commission. He needed to get to the bank and post office, but putting the pressure on his foot to drive was painful so I had to take him. I thought it might do the children good to get some fresh air being as how they have been in about the same amount of time as I have.
Also, we have this bookcase behind our living room door that has collected all manner of things.
Yesterday I sorted it out, but we have this little basket that has been collecting pictures for the last 9-11 years. I have gone through them periodically and put them in order and filled a few albums here and there, but I needed to get them sorted out once and for all. WELL, my beloved husband decided that today was the day. While we were out (I say out, but the children and I sat in the car) he was able to find some albums really cheap so bought like nine of them. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening working on that project in between medicine dosages. They are almost done and the bookcase looks great, but I don't know that I want to take up photography anytime soon! LOL LOL
Well, enough rambling for now. Maybe next time I will have something more coherent or interesting to talk about.
Have a blessed day,
Sis. Tammy
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13
Rebekah is still very unwell. Her fever broke last night for a bit while she was sleeping, but she's had one all day today and has been just laying around. Not to mention that she can't breathe out of her nose because it's so stuffed up. Caleb is doing much better. His pink eye has just about cleared up and he didn't have a fever when I put him to bed tonight. Praise the Lord! He is still a bit stuffy, but that will go away soon. I'll just keep giving them both their meds until it goes complete. We are suppose to have a church fellowship at the house on Saturday, but we may have to cancel that.
My husbands gout had started to act up yesterday, so today he has been sort of out of commission. He needed to get to the bank and post office, but putting the pressure on his foot to drive was painful so I had to take him. I thought it might do the children good to get some fresh air being as how they have been in about the same amount of time as I have.
Also, we have this bookcase behind our living room door that has collected all manner of things.
Yesterday I sorted it out, but we have this little basket that has been collecting pictures for the last 9-11 years. I have gone through them periodically and put them in order and filled a few albums here and there, but I needed to get them sorted out once and for all. WELL, my beloved husband decided that today was the day. While we were out (I say out, but the children and I sat in the car) he was able to find some albums really cheap so bought like nine of them. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening working on that project in between medicine dosages. They are almost done and the bookcase looks great, but I don't know that I want to take up photography anytime soon! LOL LOL
Well, enough rambling for now. Maybe next time I will have something more coherent or interesting to talk about.
Have a blessed day,
Sis. Tammy
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Still alive and kicking!
Howdy everyone! I've been completely out of the blog world for a few months. Sorry about that. I've been busy, but that isn't an excuse. I've not even checked out any blogs. Pitiful I know!! Anyway, I'm trying to get to back to blogging and get back on track.
The last few days have been rather crazy. We went on a family day out on Friday. We went bowling and had a blast. Rebekah creamed us the first game with a score of 125. The side bars were up and she used the ramp but still, that was a good score. Caleb took his turn with the ramp and then decided that he wanted to try and do it without it so gave that a go. He didn't do to bad either.
I noticed that Friday Caleb's eye was a little blood shot and puffy. Well, Saturday he woke up with goo and a really swollen eye. I took him to the doctor and they confirmed that he has pink eye. I have to put stuff in his eye 3 times a day. Not only did he have pink eye, but he also has a cold. He started running a fever Saturday night and is still running a low grade fever. Needless to say I missed church on Sunday. Well, Sunday our daughter Rebekah was not feeling well but never said anything so she went ahead to church. My husband said she was like a zombie all morning. She slept all the way home (which is no means like her at all) and then changed and went to bed after she got here. Now I knew she wasn't well. Sooooo, she has joined her brother in the fever and cold world. I just don't seem to be able to get their fevers to break. It hasn't been as bad today as it was yesterday, but if I'm ready for them to feel better I know they have to be over it. Pray they get well soon. I don't like to see my babies ill.
My husband and I have also started back to Weight Watcher. So far I have lost 11.5 pounds in total. There have been a few times that I have put on in the last 3 months or my total would have been more. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will I be thin in a day! LOL I just take it one step at a time and trust the Lord to help me. It didn't pile on overnight and it won't disappear overnight either.
Well, I've probably bored you to tears now so I'll go for now.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil 4:13
The last few days have been rather crazy. We went on a family day out on Friday. We went bowling and had a blast. Rebekah creamed us the first game with a score of 125. The side bars were up and she used the ramp but still, that was a good score. Caleb took his turn with the ramp and then decided that he wanted to try and do it without it so gave that a go. He didn't do to bad either.
I noticed that Friday Caleb's eye was a little blood shot and puffy. Well, Saturday he woke up with goo and a really swollen eye. I took him to the doctor and they confirmed that he has pink eye. I have to put stuff in his eye 3 times a day. Not only did he have pink eye, but he also has a cold. He started running a fever Saturday night and is still running a low grade fever. Needless to say I missed church on Sunday. Well, Sunday our daughter Rebekah was not feeling well but never said anything so she went ahead to church. My husband said she was like a zombie all morning. She slept all the way home (which is no means like her at all) and then changed and went to bed after she got here. Now I knew she wasn't well. Sooooo, she has joined her brother in the fever and cold world. I just don't seem to be able to get their fevers to break. It hasn't been as bad today as it was yesterday, but if I'm ready for them to feel better I know they have to be over it. Pray they get well soon. I don't like to see my babies ill.
My husband and I have also started back to Weight Watcher. So far I have lost 11.5 pounds in total. There have been a few times that I have put on in the last 3 months or my total would have been more. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will I be thin in a day! LOL I just take it one step at a time and trust the Lord to help me. It didn't pile on overnight and it won't disappear overnight either.
Well, I've probably bored you to tears now so I'll go for now.
Until the Shout,
Sis. Tammy
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil 4:13
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