FOR TODAY November 24th...

Outside my window... Kind of a gray gloomy day. We had a hard frost this morning, so everything is kind of sparkly from the ice crystals.

I am thinking...How faithful our God is. His word says that we cannot add one hour to our life by worrying, and we do it anyway. I just got word that He pulled through for a family I know and have been praying for, and it is so encouraging! They trusted him and tried not to fret and were an example for us all.

I am thankful for...Quiet mornings that I can gather my thoughts and lists for the day.

From the kitchen... Oh the kitchen will be busy this week, as I am hosting Thanksgiving for our family. I'm expecting 11 this year. I will be baking pumpkin and apple pies, a 22 pound turkey, candied yams, mashed potatoes, home creamed sweet corn and some other things. For dinner tonight, it will be crustless chicken pot pie.

I am wearing...comfy purple house slippers, running pants, and a green 3/4 length sleeve top. Ready to Fall clean today!

I am creating...My Christmas house. I'm starting to think of the decorations and when to get the tree. I might even pull out my manger scene to work on painting it a bit.

I am going...Nowhere! This week will be spent at home as much as possible.

I am reading...Grace based parenting

I am hoping...That can space out my tasks enough that I can get everything done that I want to before Thursday.

I am hearing...Silence that is golden.

Around the house...Just organizing things and clearing the way for Christmas things to arrive at their proper spots.

One of my favorite things...Curling up on the couch with a blanket, hubby and the dog at night. Add a cup of tea too!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Eat? LOL I want to deep clean most of the rooms in the house before decorating. Maybe get our tree this weekend. I'm fretting over the tree, as we now have a 9 month old, knee high, bundle of energy dog. Did I mention she likes to chew on twigs and bark? I have garland at the top of the stairs (wrapped around the banister) for autumn that resembles twigs, with some sparkly beads throughout. She has chewed off many of the pieces while we weren't looking. It looks terrible now! So much for my fall deco....*sigh*

Here is picture thought I am sharing...Jessie at the fall display at Longwood gardens. Christmas pictures coming soon :)

Secret Keeper girl

Are you a mom? Do you have a daughter? You must see this! www.secretkeepergirl.com Are you tired of your little girl being pressured to grow up too soon? ME TOO! My little girl is 8. She is in the 100th percentile for height. Do you know what this means for her? She is in a small junior size. JUNIOR! Do you know what that means? You got it.....midriff baring, cleaving showing, and skirts that barely cover the derriere. NO! FOOT DOWN, NO!

If you feel the same way, please, please, please (Yes, I'm not ashamed of begging you) go to this site www.secretkeepergirl.com and sign Dannah Gresh's petition to get the fashion industry to listen up. We will not allow our little girls to compromise their integrity for the sake of fashion! NO WAY!

Can you tell I am passionate about this subject? We went on retreat this weekend to the assemblies of God women of purpose in Hershey PA. They had many speakers and worship leaders and soloists there. Dannah Gresh was by far the one who captured my attention. She teaches our little girls modesty in a fantastic fun way. She also speaks to our youth about purity. About waiting. About saving the gift they have recieved from God for their marriage bed. How amazing is that? If she is coming to your town any time soon, you MUST go see her. She also speaks to women about overcoming the lies of the enemy, saying that you lost your purity, and now are unable to serve the body of Christ.

If you know me, and my heart, it is to see women set free. Free to love, free to worship, free to dance, free to live, free to serve God and free to serve each other. We cannot do this when we are in bondage, and captivated by the enemy and all he has to "offer". No! Jesus has come to set us free, and offer much more than the enemy of our souls ever can.

Let us put feet to our faith and fight the good fight. For our babies. For our daughters and sons. For the next generation and the one after that!

Stephanie