Bring The Rain
by MercyMe
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am yours regardless of
the clouds that may loom above
because you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me
suffering your destiny
so tell me whats a little rain
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
_____________________________________________
This song gets me so excited! I know that sounds weird, but I just love that no matter what our circumstances are, Jesus is always there! And in the "rain", He is glorified and I become more like Him. He gives joy and peace! He are guaranteed that we will have trials. Some are almost too much to bear. Those are times we latch on to Him and He carries us. But those times also bring us closer to Him so that when we are in a time of Thankfulness, we continue to cling to Him b/c we know is the Author and Perfector of our faith! He grows us just as much in the thankful/joyful times as He does in the rain.
Lord God, thank You so much for trials and that You show Your character to us. Thank You for giving us opportunity to see who You are. Thank You that You NEVER leave us or forsake us. Thank You for allowing us to become more like you! And even though its really hard, thank You for the rain!
Are you seeing Him in the rain? Are you SEEKING Him in the rain? Fall on Him! Its impossible for any human to meet all of our needs. God intended it that way b/c if there was a person who could meet every need, we wouldn't need Him. Seek Him. Trust Him. Follow Him.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Songs For Life: Intro
Songs speak and minister to me...sometimes more than a sermon. There is just something so moving to me with music! Its a ministry in and of itself! I am so thankful that artists are starting to keep up with the trend in music and applying it to Christian music! Don't get me wrong, I love hymns, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE contemporary praise and worship music. As I drive throughout the day, I listen to the words and I just worship God! I decided that I would start posting songs that really speak to me and that I love singing. I want to explain why I love them so much....even though there maybe times that I just post the song. Sometimes the words are enough, and other times I may just like the song. My goal is to do it every Friday and post the song on the my blog so you can listen along. I also like it b/c it helps me dig into my soul and really seek God through the words of the song...and then relay it back to His Word. I am thankful for the talent that God gives these artists, and that they take that talent and are obedient to His calling.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! :)
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! :)
Renovations, Part 3
Its been a while since I posted about the renovations we have been doing on our 2nd story. Read about it by clicking below:
We are getting REALLY close to being completely finished. I have one last coat of the navy and then we'll be done with the major painting. From there, we have to paint the doors, staircase and trim. Then Ken will hang the trim. And then we floor! Plus we are getting white shutters for the windows. Its been so crazy and taken our time away from other things like school, seeing friends, seeing family...and we are READY to move-in!!!! Plus, I'm SUPER EXCITED to finally have a closet!!!! :)
The Staircase:
The Loft: 
The Hallway:
The Bathroom: 
The Walk-In Closet: 
The Bedroom:
The Loft: The Hallway:The Bathroom: The Walk-In Closet: The Bedroom:Thursday, April 15, 2010
One Year Ago Today...
We got engaged! :)
It was actually a Wednesday b/c it was my day off...and the day that we spend together. Ken works weekends so we take Wednesdays to be together for the whole day. Last year, we were meeting at his house to head over to Tractor Supply to buy a swing and when I got to his house....he had a ring and he was down on one knee asking to marry me! You can read more about it here.
It was actually a Wednesday b/c it was my day off...and the day that we spend together. Ken works weekends so we take Wednesdays to be together for the whole day. Last year, we were meeting at his house to head over to Tractor Supply to buy a swing and when I got to his house....he had a ring and he was down on one knee asking to marry me! You can read more about it here.
Fast forward to one year later....and on our day off yesterday, we were working on OUR home! We were in the same exact location, but this time we are married and renovating our Master-Suite. It was fun yesterday thinking about how far we've come, how much we've grown, how much better we know each other, and getting to be married!Yesterday was BEAUTIFUL! Just like last year! We had wind and sun and SPRING! So today, April 15th (tax day) is the actual DATE for our engagement-anniversary, but yesterday marked the one-year-day of our engagement. It was fun to spend it together and be working to make our home!
It truly has been the best 6.5 months of my life! I love being married to my best friend! I love the we make each other laugh everyday! I love that I get to share life with him! Thank you Lord for your blessings! Thank you Lord for your perfect timing! Thank you Lord for my husband!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Songs For Life: Lead Me To The Cross
Lead Me To The Cross
by Hillsong United
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart
_____________________________________________
I just LOVE this song that Hillsong United "re-made". I say that b/c the first time I heard it, a guy was singing it. I liked it then, but for some reason I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this version!
With Easter just passing, I thought this song was very fitting for this week. All last week we take the time to remember what Christ did for each one of us! He died to take my sin, to take your sin. His love was so great that He gave His own, perfect life. He was our ransom. On Easter, we had the Lord's Supper/Communion at church. To remember His body, pierced for our transgressions. To remember His perfect blood, shed for me and for you. But, what stood out most to me in our sermon was that Easter is a time to think about "all things new" and "LIFE"! Christ rose on the first day of the week! It was a new beginning. Our pastor reminded us that we meet as the Body of Christ on the first day of the week....every week! "All things new"!!! The week is new! I want to take the time each Sunday to not just go through the motions of going to church, but also to refresh and think about life and the new week. Sit down and really think about "walking in the Spirit." My relationship with my Savior. How I can be an offering. How He can use me.
Thank you Lord for loving me so much that you became human...lived a perfect life....took my place....died for all sin...and rose again on the third day! Thank you for conquering death! Thank you that I have the Holy Spirit, God, in me! That same power that rose You from the grave lives in me! Thank you for allowing me to have a relationship with You! Thank you for allowing me to serve you! I pray that through my life, others may see you and come to know You!
by Hillsong United
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and tried
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Oh Lead me, lead me to the cross
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart
_____________________________________________
I just LOVE this song that Hillsong United "re-made". I say that b/c the first time I heard it, a guy was singing it. I liked it then, but for some reason I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this version!
With Easter just passing, I thought this song was very fitting for this week. All last week we take the time to remember what Christ did for each one of us! He died to take my sin, to take your sin. His love was so great that He gave His own, perfect life. He was our ransom. On Easter, we had the Lord's Supper/Communion at church. To remember His body, pierced for our transgressions. To remember His perfect blood, shed for me and for you. But, what stood out most to me in our sermon was that Easter is a time to think about "all things new" and "LIFE"! Christ rose on the first day of the week! It was a new beginning. Our pastor reminded us that we meet as the Body of Christ on the first day of the week....every week! "All things new"!!! The week is new! I want to take the time each Sunday to not just go through the motions of going to church, but also to refresh and think about life and the new week. Sit down and really think about "walking in the Spirit." My relationship with my Savior. How I can be an offering. How He can use me.
Thank you Lord for loving me so much that you became human...lived a perfect life....took my place....died for all sin...and rose again on the third day! Thank you for conquering death! Thank you that I have the Holy Spirit, God, in me! That same power that rose You from the grave lives in me! Thank you for allowing me to have a relationship with You! Thank you for allowing me to serve you! I pray that through my life, others may see you and come to know You!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Mushroom Garlic Cream Tarts
from recipezaar.com
2 Tbs butter
1 (8 oz) pkg fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 Tbs all-purpose flour
1 Tbs onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 (8 oz) can refrigerated cresent rolls
2 Tbs fresh parsley (I used dried)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan (I used a mini muffin pan) with non-stick spray.
2. In a 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms, flour, onion and garlic; mix well. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender. Add cream and cheese; mix well. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
3. Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles; firmly press preforrations to seal. Cut each rectangle into 12 squares (or 24 if you are using the mini-muffin pan). Place each square in each of the muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up the sides of the cups, leaving corners of dough extended over edges of cups.
4. Spoon mushroom mixture into dough cups (I used about 1 heaping teaspoon for the mini's).
5. Bake 9-12 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley. Cool 5 minutes. Remove tartlets from pan. Serve warm.
6. Cover and refrigerate any remaining tarts.
_____________________________________________
Ken LOVED this!!!! I will make it again. I actually had some leftover filling after making 24 mini's, so I kept it and used in my spaghetti sauce later that week. Its yummy filling!!! :) Enjoy!
2 Tbs butter
1 (8 oz) pkg fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
1 Tbs all-purpose flour
1 Tbs onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 (8 oz) can refrigerated cresent rolls
2 Tbs fresh parsley (I used dried)
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan (I used a mini muffin pan) with non-stick spray.
2. In a 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms, flour, onion and garlic; mix well. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender. Add cream and cheese; mix well. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
3. Unroll dough into 2 long rectangles; firmly press preforrations to seal. Cut each rectangle into 12 squares (or 24 if you are using the mini-muffin pan). Place each square in each of the muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up the sides of the cups, leaving corners of dough extended over edges of cups.
4. Spoon mushroom mixture into dough cups (I used about 1 heaping teaspoon for the mini's).
5. Bake 9-12 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley. Cool 5 minutes. Remove tartlets from pan. Serve warm.
6. Cover and refrigerate any remaining tarts.
_____________________________________________
Ken LOVED this!!!! I will make it again. I actually had some leftover filling after making 24 mini's, so I kept it and used in my spaghetti sauce later that week. Its yummy filling!!! :) Enjoy!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Cresent Roll Chicken Pockets
from Stephanie (my mom)
6 oz cream cheese (I used all 8 oz)
4 Tbls milk
2 Tbls butter
4 cups shredded chicken
1/2 c. finely chopped celery (I used about 2 Tbls)
2 Tbls minced onion
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
2 (8 oz) cans cresent rolls (I used 3 cans)
2 Tbls butter (I used spray butter for this part)
I put the chicken in the crockpot with water on high for 4 hours. Then I took the chicken out, drained the pot, and shredded the chicken. I put the shredded chicken BACK IN THE CROCK POT and left the pot on "low". Add all ingredients to the crockpot (except the last 2 ingredients).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate each can of the cresent rolls into 4 rectangles (not 8 triangles). Press the preforations together so its one single piece of dough. Soon about 1/2 cup (I think mine were closer to 1/4 cup...it made more) of the cream cheese/chicken mixture on to the center of each rectangle of dough. Bring all the edges to the center so that the chicken mixture is enclosed in the dough. Place the filled pockets on an ungreased (I greased mine just to be safe) cookie sheet, seam side down. Brush (spray) the tops with butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
_____________________________________________
These are amazing! And a few people have asked me for the recipe! I hope you all enjoy them!!!
6 oz cream cheese (I used all 8 oz)
4 Tbls milk
2 Tbls butter
4 cups shredded chicken
1/2 c. finely chopped celery (I used about 2 Tbls)
2 Tbls minced onion
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
2 (8 oz) cans cresent rolls (I used 3 cans)
2 Tbls butter (I used spray butter for this part)
I put the chicken in the crockpot with water on high for 4 hours. Then I took the chicken out, drained the pot, and shredded the chicken. I put the shredded chicken BACK IN THE CROCK POT and left the pot on "low". Add all ingredients to the crockpot (except the last 2 ingredients).
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate each can of the cresent rolls into 4 rectangles (not 8 triangles). Press the preforations together so its one single piece of dough. Soon about 1/2 cup (I think mine were closer to 1/4 cup...it made more) of the cream cheese/chicken mixture on to the center of each rectangle of dough. Bring all the edges to the center so that the chicken mixture is enclosed in the dough. Place the filled pockets on an ungreased (I greased mine just to be safe) cookie sheet, seam side down. Brush (spray) the tops with butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
_____________________________________________
These are amazing! And a few people have asked me for the recipe! I hope you all enjoy them!!!
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