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Hello Again, Ladies!  We hope you have had a lovely desert day and a peaceful hour being silent with the Lord and listening for His voice.  If you are like me, you had a bit of a hard time quieting your mind and being still.  My mind goes a thousand different places...what I need to do for dinner...what errands I need to run, what book I need to read...(oh, this room is so cozy and comfy)....maybe I can get to the gym before I pick up our son....and random thoughts such as....wonder what the price of gas is at Costco today.....did I really dream about mountain climbing last night?  Oh heaven help me, because I am so easily distracted.  There is always something to read, see, do, call....silence and solitude are very difficult for me.  But I persist.....and I actually did get my cup filled.  I pray that you did, too.



       

Desert Day Pondering......

                    I have stilled and quieted my soul.  Psalm 131:2


      

           

Morning Solitude

by, Thomas C. Duck

My favorite time of every day
is in the morning when I pray.
Just me and God, all alone.
I bare my soul before His throne.
I bring Him my burdens, and all my concerns.
When I can’t express it, His Spirit discerns.
He gives back a peace beyond understanding.
Like a parachute gives a soft gentle landing.
So when life is a free fall that’s out of control,
Make solitude with Jesus your primary goal.
And when everything seems to be going okay,
Still get with God alone every day.
For life is a series of trial after trial,
And strength comes daily, alone with God for awhile


       


Hey gals, look what I came across as I was buzzing around the internet.  If you're tired of the same ole faces on your jack-o-lanterns, why not give these a try?  Aren't they different and pretty?

           

 

           

   

        Interview Corner - sitting down with Debbie Gahan

I recently had the privledge of sitting down and having a chat with one of our wonderful Discussion Leaders, Debbie Gahan.  I had a great time getting to know her, and she was very open with her answers and made it very easy for me.  Thank you, Debbie.  Read on to find out more about her - maybe some things you didn't know....and a little game at the end....

I found out right off the bat that Debbie is married to Tom Gahan, and they've been married 17 years.  They have two children, Olivia, age 11, and Andrew, age 9.

Kim:  Do you have a job, and if so, what?

Debbie:  I work part time for a chiropractor, and I like it.  I do patient insurance work, ten hours per week.  It's a perfect blessing!

Kim:  What's your favorite thing about Autumn?

Debbie:  Decorating the house, the candle smells like apple cider, pumpkin pie, and vanilla.

Kim:  Have you started Christmas shopping yet?

Debbie:  No.....

Kim:  What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

Debbie:  When we were young, one year my mom wanted a microwave oven.  After all the gifts were opened, it was clear that she had not gotten the microwave.  We all knew she was disappointed, but she didn't say anything.  Then my dad stood up and said, "What's this?"  There was a string on the tree that he then followed out to the car, where dad had put her new microwave.  That's a memory that I remember made me feel very secure, that he would do that for her.

Kim:  What's one Thanksgiving tradition that you can't do without? 

Debbie:  During dinner, we all write down our blessings on a strip of construction paper, and then save them to hang on the tree at Christmas time.  Also, shopping with my group on the day after Thanksgiving.  We have matching t-shirts and everything!  (I think she mentioned they get a little wild and crazy, so watch out if you are an after Turkey Day shopper!)

Kim:  What's your favorite way to waste time?

Debbie:  Facebook! 

Kim:  What's your favorite TV show?

Debbie:  The O'Reilly Factor

Kim:  What are some hobbies you enjoy, and your favorite weekend activities?

Debbie:  Reading, organizing (the closets), politics; on weekends we have kids' activities, church....we always eat out on Sundays after church...sometimes with friends....sometimes by ourselves, and save time on Sunday for a nap.  (Um, Debbie, can you come and visit my closets?)

Kim:  How long have you been going to Southeast?

Debbie:  Eleven years....I first went to a moms group when my daughter was a baby, which led to womens' bible study.

Kim:  Where did you grow up?  Did you grow up in a Christian home?

Debbie:  I grew up in Louisville, went to Catholic schools, and yes, I grew up in a Christian home.  :)

Kim:  What prompted you to become a discussion leader?

Debbie:  A discussion leader I had five years ago was moving to something different, and so I stepped up after that person asked me to.

Kim:  Have you been a DL before? 

Debbie:  Yes, five years of studies.

Kim:  What are you enjoying most about the study of Acts?

Debbie:  Realizing how relevant it is to helping us live out our faith now.  I also like the pace, slowly taking it apart.

Kim:  How are your ladies "meshing" together?

Debbie:  Wonderfully.  It's a large group, and I see them planning and ministering to each other without me.

Kim:  Do you see early signs in your ladies that indicate God is touching their hearts toward discipleship?

Debbie:  Yes, because they're starting to invite people to study their bibles - taking more ownership.  I see several that are willing and equipped to lead.  I love to see them ministering and praying for one another, lovingly challenging one another to trust.

Kim:  Have you read any good books lately that you'd like to recommend?

Debbie:  Radical, by David Platt.  Amazing!

Kim:  Where is your special quiet place or "mom cave" that you are able to use for quiet times with the Lord?

Debbie:  I love that question!  I have a very long closet, and so I cleaned out a spot in my closet.  (That sounds awesome, can we have a field trip to your closet?) 

Kim:  Deep Question:  If you knew the Lord was coming back tomorrow, how would you spend today?

Debbie:  I would want to spend today telling all the people that I love, that I've been reluctant or afraid to tell, about the Lord. 

Kim:  What is your favorite bible verse, and why?

Debbie:  My favorite verse is Psalm 113:9  He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.

Thru a 6 year infertility struggle, I learned to trust God by leaning on this scripture.  The doctors told us that we would not be able to have children - no chances.  But I knew God was telling us not to give up, to believe Him for the impossible.  This was the first time I remember  choosing to believe God over men.  This verse always reminds me of Gods faithfulness and that what is impossible in the natural is never impossible for our God!!  I think this is the reason I cherish my kids so much, they are the result of a miracle of God.

And now something fun about Debbie.  Two statements below are NOT true, and ONE is true.  Can you guess which one is true?  I will have the answer for you next week:

Debbie says:

1.  I love animals and have 3 dogs and a cat

2.  I don't drink coffee, but love tea

3.  I have an unusual ability to remember phone numbers and can sometimes recall phone numbers I have not dialed in a long time

OK gals - take a gander!  Hmmmm......which is the true statement? 


         


           Recipe of the Week - Pumpkin Chili !!

3 pounds lean ground beef 2 cups solid pack pumpkin 2 cans red kidney beans 2 medium onions, chopped 3 (15-ounce) cans chopped tomatos 2 tablespoons chili powder (less if serving children) 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (omit if serving children) 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 bay leaves In a large casserole, brown ground beef and drain off excess fat. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir well, and simmer over low heat for 1 to 2 hours. Serve with crackers or garlic bread.

        



Here's an amazing David Crowder video done with the lite-brite toy that we all know and love....with time stop video, it took a long time.  Apparently they had "lite bright parties" to complete this....it obviously took quite a while.  You can click the X to get rid of the advertisements, I could not figure out how to get those things off as I'm still learning my way around these technical computer situations.  This is a love story, enjoy! 

    

He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.  Psalm 23:2

Hope you have a great week ladies.  We love you and are praying for you!

Let's Get Refreshed!!

Let's go out into the dry, barren desert, and come back refreshed...

"As Christians, we are called to convert our loneliness into solitude.  We are called to experience our aloneness not as a wound but as a gift--as God's gift--so that in our aloneness we might discover how deeply we are loved by God."

~ Henri Nouwen ~

 Zephaniah 3:17  The LORD your God is with you,
       he is mighty to save.
       He will take great delight in you,
       he will quiet you with his love,
       he will rejoice over you with singing."



We pray you all have had, or are going to have, a refreshing desert day, chalk full of Godly wisdom for your barren lands....we do all need Him to fill our cups, don't we?  I hope you have had a little "desert day" time this week at home, where you curl up in a chair and turn on your lamp to refresh yourself with His powerful life manual that we are so privileged to hold in our blessed little hands.

I enjoyed Sarah's teaching last week where we took a few moments to count our blessings.  I have so many, big and small, that I was not nearly done writing when the exercise was over!  As Sarah reminded us, "Our ordinary day may become another's life changing moment".....although I am guilty of sin, I am not counted among the wicked....thank you, Lord!!

 

Update on Duggar Idea:  Last week my husband and I started our bible study time with our son, and I am happy to report that it was great!  Granted, the boy did text a few times during....but it was our first one, so I will cut him a little break.  He was listening as my husband read....(for the most part) - so I am not going to complain about the little things at this point. 

 

In the News:

Next week, I am going to attempt my "interview" portion of the blog.  This will be featuring one discussion leader per week, so please be ready for my call hoping to get an interview with you.  I will be taking a photo and asking you some fun and thought provoking questions.   I can't wait to start, and I'm excited to chat with all of you.

I was asked last week if I am open to ideas for this blog, and my answer is of course, yes.  If you want to make a suggestion, please don't hesitate to email me at KimmyJill@aol.com.  I'd also like your favorite recipes.  Until I receive some I will continue with some great ones that I find.  I actually made the stuffed squash last week, and my family loved it!

 

Here is your Recipe of the Week!  Hope you all get a chance to try it! 

Pumpkin for breakfast is a treat way to start the day. Ready in minutes, this recipe is especially good topped with a drizzle of real maple syrup.

Ingredients:

1 medium egg
1 cup milk
¾ cup unbleached white flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup cooked pumpkin
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
Pinch powdered ginger
2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, as needed

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients except vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl, whisking to blend.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a medium skillet over medium. Add ¼ cup pancake batter at a time, allowing to cook until bubbles break around the edges. Flip and allow to cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until light golden. Repeat with remaining oil and batter.



And of course, after a little hard work in the kitchen, time for a little giggle....with Tim Hawkins....hee hee, he's hilarious!



Pearls of Wisdom for you.....



PEACE of MIND

Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.

- Elisabeth Elliot

LONELINESS

The soul hardly ever realizes it, but whether he is a believer or not, his loneliness is really a homesickness for God.

-Hubert van Zeller

BEAUTY

Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy.

- Anne Frank

May the Lord refresh you as you embark on your desert day.......

Rom 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Getting Through it!

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' – 

Matthew 22:37-39

Hello Again!  I hope you are all having a great week, and that the study of Acts is sinking in to your hearts....right where His Word belongs....I pray that you have a peaceful week of study, and that nothing gets in your way as you carve out your time for the Lord.  We do have an enemy....and when God's people study and seek, this one feels threatened.  So I pray that whatever obstacles all of you encounter will part like the Red Sea as you walk through it with confidence.

I hope that you all had a chance to go see at least one of the nights of Momentum.  I was able to see three shows, and it was tremendous!  We saw Bear Grylles, The Chapmans, and the Duggars.  I loved all of them!  I especially enjoyed how Mary Beth Chapman shared her ultimate heartbreak, and how she didn't really "survive", but made a choice to push forward and trust the Lord with her gut wrenching pain.  I'm in the process of reading her book, and so far I am really loving it.  Her pragmatic style of writing is easy to read and she has a wonderful sense of humor that really shows through as she tells her story.  Their family touched my heart in a very real way this week.

I also had an epiphany, of sorts, from the Duggars on Thursday evening.  I think they are a wonderful family and although I know I could not handle that many children, they do it with such grace that it makes you quite aware as you listen to them, that the Lord is watching over them as they put their trust in Him.  Jim Bob Duggar said something that really got to me though.  He talked about how they sit down and read the Word with their children.  It dawned on me that although we have taken our children to church regularly and talked to them about God, we have not sat down as a family and read scripture.  My two daughters are grown and married (to wonderful Christian men), but I decided as I listened, that it wasn't too late to start doing this with our son, even though he is sixteen.  We are going to take Jim Bob Duggar's suggestion and start going through the book of Proverbs, which is chalk full of wisdom we can all use.  We haven't started this yet, but intend to this week.  I'll let you know how that goes!

“When you become a mother, you stop being the picture and start being the frame.”
~

Here's a fun little something to do with the kiddos in your life, for Autumn

Leaf Suncatcher
You need:

• Wax Paper
• Fall Leaves
• Crayon Shavings
• Adult with Iron
• Newspaper

Instructions:
Cover work surface with newspapers. Sprinkle a small amount of crayon shavings on a piece of wax paper. Arrange leaves on top. Sprinkle more crayon shavings and cover with another piece of wax paper.
Place a piece of newspaper on top and iron with a warm iron until crayon shavings melt. Trim and hang in the window.

Somethin' Yummy Cookin'!

 Baked Stuffed Squash With Beef, Black Beans, and Chili Seasonings

                                           

This is a tasty stuffed squash with Tex-Mex flavors. Serve the stuffed squash with Spanish rice or your favorite mac 'n cheese.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium acorn squash
• 1/2 pound ground beef, chuck or round
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
• 1 can (15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 cup corn kernels (use canned, drained or frozen, thawed)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Dash pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• Dash garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
• Shredded Cheddar cheese, for topping

Preparation:

Line a 13x10-inch baking pan with foil; lightly grease the foil or spray with nonstick olive oil or cooking spray. Heat oven to 350°. Cut squash in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds. Spray cut sides with olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray and place, cut side down, on the foil. Add about 1/2 inch of water to the pan then cover with foil. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until tender.
Meanwhile, cook the beef and onion until beef is no longer pink; add bell pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes longer. Stir in all remaining ingredients except cheese and set aside or refrigerate until it's time to stuff the squash.
Stuff squash and put back on the baking pan. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, until hot. Add cheese and continue baking for a few minutes longer, or until cheese is melted.
Serves 4.

Sending Autumn Love your way

From ilonasgarden.com, some Autumn advice for you, if you do your own gardening:

The late September-October period is excellent for reworking the perennial beds, planting all those beautiful bulbs, and for all shrubs and trees. In the city I might chance planting roses, but everyone is much better holding those off for spring. The great deal of vegetable matter from trees and gardens provides a supply for the compost pile. If nothing else, make a trench in your vegetable garden, fill it, add some fertilizer, cover with soil. You would not believe how good this makes the soil after a time. Chopping the leaves up speeds the decay time, and the fertilizer helps the good bacteria to do its work. Organic in the true sense of the word. If you have flower beds that need to be edged, this is the ideal time for that job, any garden construction work, in fact.  The soil is workable and the weather stays clear and pleasant, much better than the muddy spring conditions.  Think ahead to make everything ready for the spring planting: using the open window of spring for planting and dividing because the earth is in all readiness from your diligence in the fall.

                            



“But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees”-   C. S. Lewis

This comes from Francis Chan....if you have not seen it yet, it's amazing!

Jeremiah 32:17

  "Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Q: What did one autumn leaf say to another?
A: I'm falling for you.

Q:  What did one jack-o-lantern say to the other?
A:  Cut it out!

Q:  What is a pumpkin's favorite sport?
A:  Squash









Inspiration from Sarah:

"Beautiful"
I wonder what different people consider beautiful.   Is the sounds of a baby napping, a warm blanket right out of dryer, a perfect plate of Thanksgiving Dinner, inhaling the crisp fall morning air, the golden hues of the leaves in October?  Does beauty involve all five senses?  Hearing, touching, tasting, smelling, as well as seeing?  Recognizing beauty in the things we can not see, hear, touch, taste or smell can be a challenge.  Many times I think maybe I take my five senses for granted.  I draw conclusions about my surroundings and circumstances based solely on those senses.  When I stop, and try to imagine how God sees our world through the sacrifice of Christ, my senses seem to change.  I become sensitive to forgiveness, mercy, grace, faith, and gratitude.  My world appears much more beautiful.

Amen, Sarah!!  Let's ponder that!

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16

Fall is Here!

            "Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee
             according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil."
              ~Isaiah 9:3~

Hello Sweet Ladies!  I hope this week finds you feeling well and energetic as we make our way through the book of Acts.  What a wonderful study this is!  Our team has been praying for all of you, and hope you are getting as much as your heart can hold, because there is much to learn! 

This is my favorite season of all...the days are getting cooler, the leaves are turning beautiful Autumn colors, and we are seeing pumpkins on porches as we drive by.  I've been getting outside and walking lately in the park, and enjoying it so much!  It's my hope that you, too, can get outside and enjoy the comfy cool weather and thank our Father in Heaven for the natural beauty that surrounds us....that He has given to us!  I often use my walking time as worship time as well.  Just put some praise music on my ipod and away I go!

October is the 10th month of the year according to the Gregorian calendar, which is used in almost all the world today. Its name comes from the Latin word for eight. October was the 8th month in the early Roman calendar.  It later became the 10th month when the ancient Romans moved the beginning of the year from March 1 to January 1. October has had 31 days since the time of the  Roman emperor Augustus.

In the North Temperate Zone, the first frost usually occurs in October. Farmers must finish harvesting most crops, but the cold weather does not come to stay. Days of warm, hazy sunshine still appear. They inspired poets to sing the praises of October and Indian summer. Leaves change to brilliant crimson,russet, and gold. Wild asters, goldenrod, and fringed gentians bloom at this time. The frost kills many insects, and most birds have left for the South, but sparrows are fond of October. They are seedeaters, and the fields and meadows are rich with seeds. Sparrows eat millions of weed seeds that might otherwise damage the next crop.

 

October is Clergy Appreciation Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month

                           

Remember to express your appreciation to your Pastor this month. Be creative!
You are only limited by your own imagination!

Activities. Farmers bring in the fall crops and store them or ship them to market. A few fruits, such as apples and grapes, are still on trees and vines in some areas. Many apples are harvested at the end of October. The excitement of football dominates the sports scene, though the World Series steals some of the spotlight. Hockey teams begin their schedules in October.



Suggestion:  If your man gets caught up in football, and you are truly not interested (like me) - don't pain yourself by faking it anymore!  Take this season to enjoy a new hobby of your own.  Something you've never done before such as knitting, crocheting, painting....take a music class, join a yoga class, study scripture a little more, journal a little more.  The world is your oyster and you have talent!

  "What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul. "

       — Corrie ten Boom



                                             ANYWAY.......

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« U»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«

You see, in the final analysis, It is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. 
Psalm 118:24



The following video made me chuckle, but unfortunately, I identify with it as well!  Gotta love Anita Renfroe!

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came;
The ashes, oaks, and maples,
And those of every name.
Source: George Cooper

A tasty recipe for your Autumn table:

Autumn Apple Salad II  

"A sweet, tart, crunchy side dish that is especially nice in the fall."

Ingredients

• 4 tart green apples, cored and chopped
• 1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries
• 1 (8 ounce) container vanilla yogurt

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the apples, almonds, cranberries, cherries and yogurt until evenly coated.

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 162 | Total Fat: 0.7g | Cholesterol: 3mg

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."-   Elizabeth Lawrence

 Ladies, don't forget to take care of yourselves this month.  Since October is breast cancer awareness month it's a good time to think of yourself and get your exam, and remind your sisters and friends to do the same.  Pray for all those battling breast cancer....

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27