Have We Forgotten?

Ten years ago, our nation was attacked by a great enemy; the same enemy who has raged war with the world for centuries. This enemy was born out of sin and disobedience to God. This enemy hates our country's Christian heritage and despises our beloved friend, Israel. (I would like to add that though this is our enemy and we must protect and defend our country from our enemies, let us not forget to PRAY for our enemies as Jesus told us to do in Matthew 5:44)

On September 11, 2001, my family and I were conducting a revival in Mississippi. I remember my mom awaking me that morning and telling me that the north tower of the World Trade Center had been hit. I got up, dressed, and went into the Church's fellowship hall where my family sat with the pastor, watching the live footage. Just moments later, we all watched as Flight 175 crashed into the south tower. Like probably most of you, I felt like I was watching a movie. It didn't seem real.

Where were you ten years ago today?

Did you watch along, in horror, as people jumped to their deaths?

Did you gasp as the towers collapsed and fell to the ground?

Did you sit, open mouthed, at the footage from Iraq as many gathered in the streets rejoicing?

Were you unable to comprehend the fact that those terrorist men had no thought to killing themselves and countless others all in the name of their god?

On that day, our country proclaimed, "We will not forget!"

Have we forgotten?

Have we forgotten the 3,497 lives that were lost that day? Have we forgotten the hatred our enemy (who we now bend-over backwards for) had - and still has - for us and our country? On that day, our nation banded together and there was massive prayer. Suddenly, everyone was desperate for God. Have we forgotten that too? It appears so.

Watching the footage of September 11, and watching the 10-year-anniversary specials on the event, I am burdened all the more for the state of our world. I mourn those lost. I wonder how many opened their eyes in hell on that day. I mourn those families who have, no doubt, endured ten years of overwhelming grief. I applaud the firefighters and police force and countless heroes that gave their lives to save others.

Have we forgotten them? I pray we never do.

But other than the events of September 11, 2001, I believe there is much more that we have failed to remember.

Have we forgotten that in the United States, 3,700 are aborted (i.e. murdered) each day for "convenience" sake? Worldwide, 115,00 per day are killed.

Have we forgotten that every day 6,000 children all over the world die from water-related illnesses?

Have we forgotten that about 25,000 people die every day of hunger or hunger-related causes – a huge majority of them being children? (That’s one person every three and a half seconds.)

Have we forgotten that every 45 minutes, someone dies due to drunk driving?

Have we forgotten that every day, approximately 150,000 die without Christ?


I pray, just as we vowed in 2001 to "never forget," that we will make that vow once more and NEVER forget the dire need all around us. Those hurting. Those grieving. Those hungry. Those in desperate need of love. Those searching for truth....

People need the Lord.....may we never forget that.
 

Homemade Reeses Cups

         

So last night Grant and I had a sweet tooth. In an attempt to do something different (and also fulfill more unimaginable culinary goals aroused by Pinterest), I rolled up my sleeves and made homemade Reeses cups. Trust me, if you know my husband and his insane love of peanut butter (and if you know ME and MY insane love of chocolate), then you can bet that he was thrilled when I handed him this desert.

Please note that mine did not turn out LOOKING as amazing as the above picture. However, they tasted wonderful (though very, very rich). Below is the recipe!


For the chocolate:
1 1/2 cups chopped semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
Pinch salt

For the filling:
12 tablespoons (or 3/4 cup) natural peanut butter
1/3 cup evaporated cane juice or light brown sugar or even powdered sugar
2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs, optional
Pinch salt

Prepare a standard muffin tin with 12 paper liners.

Combine chocolate, peanut butter and salt in a sauce pan and cook on low heat until melted, stirring occasionally.

Place 2 teaspoons melted chocolate in each cupcake liner and carefully spread it with the back of a spoon at the bottom and only 1/4 of the way up the liner. Repeat with all 12 liners.

Place the chocolate-covered liners onto a plate in the fridge to firm up, for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: Stir together peanut butter, sugar, optional crumbs, and salt.

The chocolate should be hard by now, so divide peanut butter paste into all 12 liners, about 1 heaping tablespoon  per liner, pressing down gently to make sure the paste goes everywhere. Place in fridge to firm up, for about 20 minutes.

Top with 2 teaspoons melted chocolate, spreading carefully so that none of the peanut butter can be seen.

Let cups firm up in fridge for at least one hour before enjoying. Store in fridge or freezer.

Yield: 12 candies

GO HOGS!!!!

Football season is here! And, being true to his state, Nathan modeled his support for the Hogs yesterday afternoon. :)  My little boy is just adorable.... :)

  

Movie Recommendations -- 09/06/2011

This is a great movie! I watched it for the first time a few years ago and instantly loved it. "The Ultimate Gift" is about Jason Stevens, a spoiled little rich kid, living on his trust fund, who believes money is what brings happiness. When his insanely wealthy grandfather dies, Jason discovers that his grandfather left him a very big gift. Believing it to be money - and lots of it! - Jason agrees to twelve tasks, which his grandfather calls, "gifts" which, in the end, teaches him what life is truly all about. I have watched this movie many times over and am always reminded the greatest gifts in life are the ones that money could never buy. Again, this is a fantastic movie that I highly recommend it!

  

This is one of my all-time favorite musicals. Set in Tsarist, Russia in 1905, the story centers on Tevye, a poor, Jewish milk man and the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and Jewish traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives. I adore this musical and often go around singing songs from the movie (Grant even bought the soundtrack!). It is very humorous, very sobering, and a very great watch!
            

I like the Veggies....especially the older ones. This is the first full-length feature film that Big Idea produced. The movie weaves two stories together. The first takes place in the current day and concerns a mishap that occurs on the way to a concert. The second, set in ancient Israel, is based directly on the story of Jonah. Through both stories, we learn that we must be compassionate and merciful, and that everyone deserves a second chance. It's a cute movie for children that does a good job at mixing Bible values with "Saturday morning fun."

           

                
This is a wonderful movie. Buchan and his family move from Zambia to South Africa. With nothing more than a caravan on a patch of land, the Buchan family struggles to settle in a new place. Faced with ever mounting challenges, hardships and personal turmoil, Buchan quickly spirals down into a life consumed by anger, fear and destruction. Finally, his wife convinces him to attend a local church, where the testimonies of other farmers influence his decision to give his life to Christ. His life makes a complete turnaround and he is challenged to grow in his faith. Believing he is led by the Lord, Buchan plants potatoes - a massive risk due to the drought in the area. He calls for prayer and plants potatoes in the dry dust. I cried as I watched his struggle to believe, in faith, that the Lord would answer his prayers and it inspired me to have faith "like potatoes."

          
If you like to read, go check out the books by Beverly Lewis. This movie is based upon her book, The Redemption of Sarah Cain. I have heard about this movie for a while and was finally able to watch it a couple of weeks ago. The movie begins as Sarah Cain, a successful columnist in Oregon, is told by her boss that her column has been rejected. She isn't writing about life anymore, just cheesy little articles that have no meaning. Frustrated, she leaves for a restaurant when her phone rings. To her dismay, she is informed that her older sister, Ivy, has just died of heart failure. Upon hearing the news, she rushes to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where her sister lived as an Amish believer, for the funeral. Once there, she finds that as the sole surviving relative, the court has appointed her as the legal guardian for the five children. She begins to write about her days events and soon discovers that the readers want more. After that comes a sweet story of family, self-denial, forgiveness, and redemption. A good watch!

Monday Meanderings - 09/05/2011

Bible Study... Titus 2

Memory Verse... 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
   
Husband Encouragement...
♥ Love with God's love
♥ Laugh!
♥ Seek to serve
♥ Cook healthy

Train Them Up...
* Cherish these times...he's growing too fast
* Work on "Bible Story Time"
 
Personal Goals...
* Journal
* Work on book
* Exercise hard and eat healthy

New Habit of the Month...
* Season my words with grace
  
MUST Do...
* Go to post office
* Finish laundry
* Arbonne
      
Zone... living room

  
Menu
 
M - Breakfast for dinner
T - Deer steak wraps
W - Deer chili
Th - Honey Mustard Chicken with carrots
F - TBD
S - TBD
Su - BBQ deer
      
FUN THINGS!
* Pictures of Nathan!!
* Possible girl's night on Friday
* Enjoying life with my little family
  
3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. The beautiful weather!
2. Naps
3. My precious boys (hubby and son ;)

Sweet September

Hello September!!!

After scorching heat and record breaking temperatures, I have to say that I am glad we are about to experience some cooler weather down in the Bible belt. September 1st is here! This month will mark the beginning of autumn. The leave will begin to turn and, soon, fall to the ground. The wind will begin blowing and the cool breezes will remind me that winter is coming. And speaking of....Christmas is nearly three months away! Wooooo!!!

This weekend, Grant and I will be taking Nathan and heading out to celebrate Labor Day with some of his family. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house, relaxing, visiting, and eating some good food!

Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

These Are The Mothers....

Mothers with courage; mothers who pray,
These are the kind the world needs today.
  
Mother who think, who study and plan;
Mothers who laugh as much as they can,
  
Having the gift that is better than money–
The habit of seeing that some things are funny.
  
Mothers whose faith never wavers or falters;
Mothers whose spirits the world never alters;
  
Loving the right and scorning the wrong;
Facing the problems of life with a song.
  
Mothers whose bravery transcends their fears;
Winning the battle with patience and tears;
 
Never submitting to weakness or sin—
Storming heaven’s gates till the children are in.
  
Mothers heroic, not guilty of whining;
Hands graced with service and faces with shining.
 
Mothers of purity, virtue and faith,
Steadfast in life and triumphant in death;
  
Looking beyond the dark pathway of sorrow,
Seeking a home in God’s joyous tomorrow,
 
Leading the children; pointing the way—
These are the mothers, the world needs today!


by Kathryn Blackburn Peck