Who doesn't love a party?



It's a birthday party! My sweet  friend, Megan has been advocating for a precious little girl named Naomi.  Naomi is waiting to be adopted.  Her story is here.   Well,on Tuesday Naomi turns 7 but even more exciting than turning 7 is the fact that there are some wonderful families that are hoping to be Naomi's family.  Holt International is in the process of determining the best fit for Naomi.   In honor of Naomi's birthday, Megan is having a party over at Naomi's blog  The Sweet Naomi.  Would you consider joining our family in celebrating  Naomi by donating to the FIG fund that has been set up through Project Hopeful?   What an incredible gift to give to Naomi and her future family.  International adoption is expensive and any amount will go a long way to get Naomi home!   Please head on over to The Sweet Naomi and check out the party. 

 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need,

yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 3:17-18

Love

Tracy

Lighthouses blow no horns

A holy life will produce the deepest impression.

Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.

-D.L. Moody



Make it Monday!

I wanted to share a great recipe for homemade ice cream sandwiches. The kiddos and I made these this afternoon and they are very easy to make. 

Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches



10 miniature candy bars ( we used m&ms and kit kat)

1 chocolate cake mix

2 eggs

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

1/4 cup of water

2 cups of vanilla ice cream

1.  Unwrap candy and place in resealable plastic bag.  Seal and freeze 2 hours.

2.To prepare cookies, preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl combine cake mix, eggs, oil and water.  Beat with electric mixer until combined.  Drop by well rounded teaspoons unto ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake about 10 minutes or until tops are set.  Remove cookies; cool completely on wire racks.

3.  Spoon ice cream into large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes to soften slightly.  Meanwhile, using  a rolling pin, crush candy.  Stir into ice cream; return to freezer until ready to use.

4. Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, place some ice cream mixture onto flat side of cookies.  Make a sandwich and  place on baking pan and freeze for about 2 hours.

5.  Serve immediately or wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and freeze in freezer container for up to 1 month.

Love

Tracy

More Grace

He Giveth More Grace

Annie Johnson Flint

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater. 

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

To added affliction He addeth His mercies

To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done.

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father's full giving is only begun.

His love has no limit.  His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth and giveth and giveth again.

This song/poem was written by Annie Johnson Flint who has written some of the most inspiring poems dealing with faith and triumph in times of trial and suffering. She was born in Vineland, NJ and lost both parents before she was six years old. She was adopted but later on  became afflicted with arthritis as a teen and soon thereafter became unable to walk.
She aspired to be a composer and concert pianist but when illness deprived her of her ability to play the piano she resorted to writing poetry. Some of her poetry she set to music. Later in life, being unable to open her hands, she wrote many of her poems on the typewriter, using but her knuckles.
The song “He Giveth More Grace” was based on three Bible promises “He giveth more grace” (James 4:6); “He increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29); and “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied” (Jude 2).
There is a grace and strength from God that is not given in the everyday routine of life. But God gives it to us in our hour of need when our trust is in Him. When troubles and trials come upon us, may we know His added grace, His increased strength, and His multiplied peace

from “Songs In the Night” – Inspiring stories behind 100 Hymns born in trial and suffering.



Love

Tracy

Love these things...



Amazing coffee...If you love coffee check out this new coffee company with a mission.  The name is Avodah, a Hebrew word, which describes action that is simultaneously work, worship and service.   Go check them out here.



I love these placemats.  Tabletop Truths...bringing God's truth to your daily routine.



We love to make S'mores at our house.  Great  idea for a gift.  S'mores in a jar!!

A  free printable here from Jessi at  Naptime Diaries



A  great article at The Gospel Coalition.  Teach Children the Bible is Not About Them.

More than Amazing!

Happy Monday!

Love

Tracy

I had heard of you

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eyes see you;

Job 42:5

 I admit Job is not one of those books in the Bible that I just gravitate towards because honestly it just kicks my tail. Job was not perfect in his waiting but his reaction to his circumstances always amazes me...every time I read it.  When I got to the end of the book recently and read I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you;  it was one of those V8 moments. How have I missed this stateemnt before?  It is so profound.  Job had heard about God his whole life but it wasn't until he suffered and became totally helpless that he really saw Him and got to experience Him.  It is in the waiting times, the hard times in life when we really experience God.  It is not that he isn't there all the time, but I know  in my own life when things are just going along and all is good, it is easy to overlook God's provision and his grace, but when I am completely helpless His provision and grace are easy to see. I don't want to suffer as I am sure you don't either but I am thankful for the gift that comes from suffering in the form of a deeper relationship with God.

Love

Tracy

a quote from the Talmud

A mother is likened unto a mountain spring that nourishes the tree at its root, but one who mothers another's child is likened unto a water that rises into a cloud and goes a long distance to nourish a lone tree in the desert.

-Talmud