Growing in Joy: October 2009

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Amberly with Devon on Cupcake

This is Amberly on the horse, Cupcake,that we are leasing for her to use in 4H. She is taking care of her, feeding, scooping poop, riding, enjoying it all! Busy busy, but very fun. Also making new friends!

Homeschooling

So we did it! We bit the bullet in September and brought the boys home to start home schooling! So far, we love it! It has been wonderful to spend more time together. We are all learning a ton and having a lot of fun. We are also looking forward to having Amberly home in the fall to start MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!

This picture is of a craft project, sock monkeys we made while studying Nubia. (Look it up). :)

At the 4H Barbeque.........

A little hug for my big girl! Amberly is 10 already, can't believe it!!!

Kindred Daughters night

We have been meeting for the past few months with a discipleship group of girls Amberly's age. I am so happy we are studying the Bible with the girls, participating in worship, scripture memorization, even service projects. I am thankful we have the opportunity to do this now!

BVR Parade with Amberly's 4H group

Benjamin's Birthday

At the Pumpkin Patch

we spent Sunday afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, did a hayride out to choose a pumpkin, played games, etc.

Our Yummy Pumpkin Cake!

One of the Joys of Homeschooling! Such fun baking with Jonah and Benjamin. They gave up after we finished the first few m&m's! Can't wait to eat it now :)
Happy Halloween!!!

One Seriously Yummy Chocolate Cake Recipe

Some friends of friends are having a Chocolate contest, so I must enter my delicious recipe for Chocolate Cake (which is the rich, dense consistency of American brownies) that I got from my dear Swedish gourmet Friend, Pernilla: (kindly translated into English for the metrically impaired!)
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tea. vanilla sugar (or 1 tea vanilla)
4 tbs. chocolate/swedish
3/4 c. flour
1 stick margarine
1 tbs. coffee

mix all together except butter
then add butter, then add coffe

spray spring pan
add plain breadcrumbs or flour

pour in batter; bake 20-25 minutes @ 375*
done when you pull it out w/ hot pad and shake it and it doesn't move in the middle...should still be sticky, gooey~yum!

***you can find vanilla sugar and Swedish chocolate at Ikea if you have one near you, otherwise substitute with good ol' Hershey's Cocoa or "european" chocolate powder.....enjoy!

Comments on Romans

Romans 1:1-2
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

No condemnation? If we are in Christ, we are new creations. We have put off the old Self, and put on the new Self; growing in Christlikeness. The law of sin and death condemned us because of our sin, our fleshly and selfish nature ruling in our hearts. But since we died with Christ when He took our sin upon Himself, we are no longer condemned. We are free to live in the Light of God, Life in the Spirit, living abundantly because the actual Spirit of God is living inside of us. Before we were saved, we could not resist sin. Now, because of the "resurrection" power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can say NO to sin, self, flesh, the world and the devil, because Christ lives in us~and He who is living in us is greater than all our sins, any temptations, or any accusations or condemnations of the devil. Now isn't this cause for JOY?

Growing in Joy