Hope Continually -- Psalm 71:14

Near the end of November, I finished reading the Bible through which makes twice for 2017.  The first time I read it through in one month.  The second time was on a three month plan.  As I did for my first time, I thought I would share my thoughts. The three month plan is my favorite time frame so far!   Many, many years, I have read the Bible through in one year.  It equals out to about four chapters a day.  In fact, I remember the first time I read the entire Bible through.  I was a teenager - I don't remember how old exactly.  I do remember it being Christmas vacation and I was a little behind on my plan and I wanted to finish so badly - I read and caught up and made my goal.  I read my Bible through for the first time. It was a big thing to me.  I had a spiritual goal and I completed it - on my own! After that year, I read it through the year many times.  Not every year but many.  Then this year, I made m...

OK, so I'm going to tease my husband a bit.  We recently went to Oregon to spend some time with my sister and brother-in-law.  You know how it is when sisters are together...there is a lot to talk about! :)  Well, anytime that my husband couldn't hear what we were talking about, he thought we were whispering about them.  We teased him about it and pretended like we were talking about them when we really weren't.  Just to give him a hard time. But, how many times have we all felt the same way?  I have!  I can be constantly and excessively worrying about what others are saying or doing ...which leads to being paranoid and self conscious...which leads to untrue accusations and anger...which leads to broken relationships.  All because of a feeling. I am probably not the one who should be writing about this because I struggle greatly with it. I'm trying hard to grow.   So, how does one handle this feeling, worrying about what oth...

This is probably my favorite casserole ...hands down.  And if you have leftover stuffing and turkey from Thanksgiving ...this would be a perfect go to meal for those leftovers! (Just substitute the box stuffing and chicken for your leftovers.) Chicken-Broccoli-Stuffing Casserole 2 lbs. chicken breasts 1 bag frozen broccoli florets 2 cans (10 oz) cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup mayo 1 (6oz) box of cornbread stuffing 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Cut the chicken into 1 inch squares and cook until no longer pink.  Steam the broccoli.  Make the cornbread as directed on the box. Layer the cornbread stuffing first in a 9x13 baking dish.  Top with chicken and then broccoli florets.  Mix the soup and mayo and spread over everything.  Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 until bubbly at the sides. Mmmm!!

I think the day after Thanksgiving is one of the best days of the year. :)  We usually enjoy eating all the Thanksgiving leftovers!  Mmm...Thanksgiving leftovers are just the best.  No cooking...just eating and enjoying! We also enjoy decorating our Christmas tree.  Isn't that fun?  We turn on the fireplace, eat Christmas cookies and drink egg nog, crank up the Christmas music and go to work on the tree. :) Then after the tree is decorated and the boxes put away...we pick a Christmas movie to enjoy.  (My top two favorites are It's A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street.) Eat more.  Maybe watch a second movie with the lights off - just the tree.  Cuddle in a blanket. This year, for the first time since we moved to Nevada in 2008, we get to be with my family.  We are in the Portland, OR area and this year will be much different than our normal Friday after Thanksgiving traditions.  We are hoping to do a trip to th...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I pray your day is blessed in every way.

Remember those home videos I mentioned in my recent post?  I wanted to share something very special that we came across in it. Our brother-in-law, Josh, was going around in our reception and was asking everyone if they wanted to give some marriage advice to Eric and Rebekah. He came to my Grandma Holt.  Grandma was my only living grandparent on my wedding day.  She gave her advice on the camera (which she hated by the way! LOL!) and then he went on to the next person. We listened to her voice...we saw her again...and tears for both of us began to fall.  Grandma went to Heaven when our youngest was 10 months old.  She is now seven. My husband sent me this text the next morning ..."I really enjoyed watching those home videos last night.  It was sentimental and sweet.  I have been reminiscing about grandma's advice to us...that made me tear up." Me too, babe. Thanksgiving was always a wonderful memory for me growing up in Ohio....

This is the month that we often think of what we are thankful for. I was thinking the other day...You know what I am thankful for?  I am thankful for what I don't have.    Why?  Because you are more grateful when you don't have.  Things that are given to you are the big blessings. Yes, there are many times when I wish or pray for things I don't have.  There are times that I think...if only I had that...I would be happy.  If only I had that, I would be content.  If only I had that, that's all I would want. But if I had everything or had the ability to buy whatever I would want, I would lose out on the blessings.  The blessing of the love of a friend.  The blessing of my God showing me His love and miracles in my life. A story...several years ago, our friend named Frank, bought a new washer/dryer set.  He asked if we would like his old set.  It still worked fine.  We said, Absolutely!  At that t...

We are not hosting Thanksgiving meal at our home this year but here are the tips that have helped me personally the many years that we have been the host. :) Here are my ten tips in preparation for Thanksgiving Day : 1.   Clean out your refrigerator.    You will need room for your Thanksgiving dishes as well as leftovers after the meal. 2.   Put beverages in fridge to chill. 3.   Gather all items needed for set up on that day.   Example:  Tablecloths, napkins, dinnerware - Count out how many you will need for the number of guests you are expecting.  (I set my table the night before! :) Serving dishes - very important! Some dishes you may not use very often such as the turkey platter. Find all you will need.  Place the items with the dish if possible.  For example:  Chips with the chip/dip tray.  Olives and pickles with their dish. Cooking utensils - extremely important!  What items do you need...

Today, I thought I would share with you a recipe given to our family by my Aunt Connie.  We enjoy this cheeseball on holidays and get-togethers. I nicknamed it the "Holt Family Cheeseball" .  :) 2 packages cream cheese, softened 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. Accent salt 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 packages deli beef, chopped  (Divided) Add all ingredients together minus one package of the beef. Mix well with a mixer.  Put in serving dish and top with the second package of beef, chopped.  Serve with crackers.

This is one of my favorite holiday recipes.  A pastor's wife, Mrs. Vaprezsan, gave me this recipe years ago and our family has used it since then.  It has become a family tradition.   I made it for the first time for my family for Thanksgiving in 1999...yes, in the 1900's!  LOL!   We will be making it this Thanksgiving - enjoy! It is so moist and delicious...it will not disappoint. Creamy Corn Casserole 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 can creamed corn 1 can whole kernel corn, drained 1 container (8 oz.) sour cream 2 eggs, beaten 1 package cornbread mix 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies In a large bowl, combine butter, creamed corn, and whole kernel corn.  Stir in sour cream and eggs.  Add cornbread mix, blend well.  Stir in chilies.  Pour batter into a greased 13x9 baking dish.  Bake 35-40 min. or until lightly browned and toothpick comes out clean.

Guest post:  Jenny Musser Today I'm going to share an amazing recipe for cranberry sauce for your Thanksgiving dinner!  This recipe is so easy and you can make it the night before.  It's as easy as opening a can and slicing up that perfectly molded can shaped "cranberry sauce".  I found this recipe on the Taste of Home website @ Cranberry Sauce .  *I originally posted this recipe in 2014.  It is now an every year must for our Thanksgiving dinner!  It is absolutely delicious!    Ingredients: 1 cup cranberry-raspberry juice 1 cup of sugar 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed 1 tablespoon lemon juice Directions: In a large saucepan, bring juice and sugar to a boil. Add cranberries; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until the berries pop, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. cool. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.  Y...

Sunday night, my girls were sitting with me on the couch and they began to ask me questions about when they were babies after I showed them the above picture.  This is our Summer and Autumn. Who was the cutest?  Who was the funniest?  Of course, everyone loves to hear stories about thems elves and it is fun to reminisce.  My husband was listening to us and suddenly jumps up and goes to the hall closet.  He brings back our ancient video camera (that we bought back in 2001!) and our old home movies.  We laughed until the tears rolled down our faces.  Our babies back then...now teenagers.  It was so much fun! My husband then put in our wedding video.  We couldn't remember when the last time was that we had watched it...it had definitely been a few years!  I was sitting on the floor and Sierra came to sit on my lap.  I had my arms around her and my husband came and sat behind me...his arms wrapped around me.  We sat ...

Something the Lord has convicted my heart about in the last three months is my sin of pride.  I know the Bible says many things about pride.  Here are a few... "Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment." Psalms 73:6 "Only by pride comes contention, but with the well-advised is wisdom." Proverbs 13:10 "A man's pride will bring him low, but honor will uphold the humble in spirit." Proverbs 29:23 "For the sin of their mouth and the w ords of their lips, may they be snared by their pride, and because of curses and lies that they speak ." Psalms 59:12 I used to ponder why God hates pride so very much.  I believe he hates it because it leads to so many other sins.  Pride is the beginning of the path. Why?  Because pride doesn't seem like a sinful thing, does it?  And we certainly don't usually see it in ourselves. I see pride in our hearts when we talk about others and thei...

Thank you for stopping by my blog today!  I hope you enjoy reading about my week here in Reno, NV. :) Easter...one of my favorite days of the year.  I love the pureness of this holiday - where we truly can sit back and reflect on why we have this holiday. Sunday morning, I took time to read the accounts of the story of the resurrection...it never gets old.  It still thrills my heart. Happy Easter - 2017!  From our family to yours. :) We were excited to try out our new VIP tent for visitors that morning. Gah!  I love these new shoes I got for Easter - ($10 at Payless!!) I really like my new dress too!  $14.99 at Ross!  It has been a few years since I actually got something new (and not Goodwill - LOL!) for myself.  I'm just not a big spender on clothes and especially not for myself. After the 10:30am service, we had an egg hunt in the park. Aaron gave me this yummy treat. :) Oh yes, Easter di...