Carob Pudding

Cooking is a skill that every homemaker in training should master. This is an easy and healthy treat that the whole family will love.

Sorry I don't have a picture, but I will post one the next time I make the pudding.

Don't let the ingredients turn you away, it's really delicious.


Carob Pudding

1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
1 Cup Nut Milk or Milk
2 Cups (about 3) Avocado
1/2 Cup Carob Powder
2 T Vanilla Extract
Dash of Salt

1. Melt the coconut oil in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the carob powder. Stir well and set aside to cool.
2. In a food processer, add the avocado, vanilla extract, maple syrup, milk, and salt.
Process until smooth.
3. Add the chocolate and process until fully mixed and smooth.
Chill and enjoy!
Add cinnamon or a peppermint sprig as garnish.

If you have any questions about the ingredients, like substitutions (or what not), leave me a comment and I will hopefully have an answer for you.

Living Grace

I have been wanting to post notes from the sermon we had two weeks ago, so here they are. I pray that these notes will bless and encourage you as they did me.

___________________________________________________

Text: John 15:1-5

John 15:1-5

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

The Notes:

"The objective of pruning is to produce strong, healthy, plants."

Abiding and pruning always bear much fruit.

Every time I try to bear fruit apart from Him, I am denying the reality that I can't bear fruit without Him.

He gives us the power to abide. Our responsibility, but His power.

Do I really believe that apart from Christ I can do nothing? If I don't, I won't strive to abide.

Pruning: Key to fruit bearing!

God brings issues and circumstances to prune us.

"The Master is bringing us upon our way to bring forth more fruit, but as yet, the fruit-bearing branches are not perfect. Pruning is the lot all the fruitful Saints. You may escape it if you are not fruitful—you will be cut off—you will not be pruned. But all the fruit-bearing Saints must feel the knife." - Charles Spurgeon

The Father's hand is never so near then when He is pruning!

Without pruning, a Christian could never grow.

"It is because the Lord loves His people that He chastens them. The object in this pruning is never condemnatory. God does not purge His children with a view to visit them penally for sin. He chastises, but He can't punish those for whom the Lord Jesus Christ has died." - Charles Spurgeon

"EVERY branch that bears fruit He prunes!

Pruning is for fruitfulness.

The branch lives for the vine, therefore, to bear fruit for the King is our highest calling as Christians.

_______________________________________________

So...be encouraged if you feel that you are in a "winter" season of your life. The Father is doing a good work in your life! There is going to be a beautiful blossom come spring!

Remember, His hand is never so near then when He is pruning you. Look to Him, trust in His grace, and you will be blessed.

An Ode to My Brother

Today is Caleb's 15th birthday. I am so blessed to have him as a brother. He is such a blessing to me and our family.

So...

Happy Birthday Caleb!! I love you!

Earthquake Eyewitness: 'Total Mayhem'

Earthquake Eyewitness: 'Total Mayhem'- Fox News video.


As some of you may know, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake just hit Haiti. Please pray for the people of Haiti, as many people have lost loved ones. Pray that this disaster would cause them to look to Christ who is our Comforter and Peace in times of great trials.

Please pray for safety of the relief workers that are on their way even now.

Pray, pray, pray, my dear friends!

Music

God's standard for music is this:

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Alex

Today my 2 yr. old nephew came over. I took him outside and we played some basketball & soccer and then we petted horses, came inside and had a lot of fun together . He is so much fun. And funny too! He runs around the living room screaming "ARARGH" and makes all of us laugh. My prayer is that I will be able to influence him in some small way for the Lord. I know that He has great plans for him and it brings me joy knowing that I might play a part in his life. Children are truly a blessing from the Lord. They give me a new view of life by showing me how to find joy in the simplest pleasures of life. This reminds me of what Jesus said:

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. " Matthew 18:1-6

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." ~Provers 22:6~

Scrooge and First Snow of the Year!

Sorry I haven't posted anything since Thanksgiving. I will offer no excuses though. A week ago we went to see "Scrooge" at the Roanoke Civic Center with our youth group and we also got our first snow of the year in Hardy, VA!

Marley Visits Scrooge

Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Past (in the right corner)

The Ghost of Christmas Present

The Ghost of Christmas Future

And we all know how the story ends...Scrooge has a change of heart! And for the snow, we ended up getting 5 in...

Close Up of Trees

The Front Yard

The Back Yard

I am just so amazed by our God! At His creativity in creation especially. For none of the snowflakes are the same! Lord, I am truly amazed by You!