A Little This, A little That......

Does anyone remember what happened on November 14, 2008????? Take a few moments......ok, you can't guess???? Some hints???? It was a very significant day, a day of bliss, a day of clean counters, a day of no more grumbling???? ever???? not hardly!!!! I know your in suspense.....here goes...... The Morris Family got their_______!!!! Maybe I should offer a prize for the right guess???? Oh.....we do not have anything baked up so I'll just have to tell you.....On the 14th of November in the year of our Lord, 2008, we got our I believe 7th Brand New Dishwasher!!!! I know, I know.....thank you, thank you!!!! Well....we were blessed with it for, lets see about 5 months and then the dreadful day happenend.....it "croaked!!!" Can you believe it???? I told you we could, or my dad said we can break steel!! Anyways we have been washin' for about a month now. So today.....is a glorious day!!! Thankfully it was under manufacturers warranty and it had to have a new motor and he put in a new heat element as well. This process has been in progress for about two weeks. Waiting on this, waiting on that.....but thank the Lord today is another historical marker for the Morris family..... our First Resurrected Dishwasher, all the others were thrown into the mouth of the everlasting dump!!! And may I say, I am extra blessed to have a clean kitchen floor, no cluttered up counter tops all to go with our "new resurrected dishwasher!!" I enjoy conveniences of our day, probably too much, that's probably why they break, so maybe I should loosen my grip upon pleasures such as dishwashers!!! "Scripture says we are to put our hope not in material things but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment, (I Tim. 6:17) If he provides everything for our enjoyment, we shouldn't feel guilty for enjoying it, should we?" Quote by Randy Alcorn in the book Heaven, I read it today and thought it went with our dishwasher story!!!

The rain has been great for all the garden, but quite frankly, I am ready for some sun and blue skies, plus we are getting swallowed up by the grass, although I do hear in the distant a hum of sort, it must be a mower.....Micah to the rescue!!

With the guys gone, we do not have to eat at a certain time, so I do not know if I have the creativity to "out do" Anna as in her meal she served last night. I will probably have to prove myself with an old stand by. I am in love with avocodos as of late, I have been eating them for my lunch with a little salt and pepper and a few chips. that would do me again for supper but I do not think the little crew here would go for that. I''ll figure something out......

Better go.....Mercy is not showing herself a mature 3 year old....she is screaming her little head off.....probably some brother torturing her, I doubt it could be her inflicting judgement on her dear brothers or sisters!!!

Mmmmmm !!!!!

If your hungry, Do not read any further!!!!! I have been craving Mexican food since Sunday when someone mentioned this particular restaurant that supposedly serves authentic Mexican food. I even told Terry that I wanted to try this place out. All I really wanted was the cheese dip and chips and salsa. Today was Anna's evening to cook and I had to go to the bank so I left it all in her hands. She had asked me one question about how much meat was in a package and I asked her what she was fixing and she just said "wait and see." I saw a little of this and that happening in the kitchen and my mouth was watering.....I had to "git" as I was dipping a chip in this magnificent cheese sauce that would go on top of this dish!!!! So.......after having dinner.....Ole'!!! (that means excited approval in Spanish!!) This dish met my craving, so I wanted to share it. Anna served Frijoles on the side, (dry pinto beans cooked) and we had a big spinach salad chopped full of fresh radishes and freshly picked green onions by Andrew and of course some tortilla chips to scoop up any gooey's on our plates!!

Enchiladas Verdes

1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups shredded chedder cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 pkg. 8oz. velveta cheese
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 4 oz. can chopped green chilies, drained
1 jar 2 oz. pimientos, drained
12 corn tortillas
1/4 cup canola oil

Cook beef, onion, garlic, salt over med. heat til no longer pink, drain. Stir in chedder cheese.
Meanwhile in a saucepan, cook and stir soup, velevta,and milk until melted, stir in chilies and pimientos. Heat corn tortillas for 5 seconds in oil, (we used a pancake griddle) Place some of the meat mixture down the center of each tortilla and roll up and place seam side down in greased 9x13 baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over the top. Cover and bake 350* for 20-25 min. or until heated through.

Hope you give it a try.....its so easy too!!! Next time we'll hav to double it, as the guys were not here to enjoy it with us!

In the Beginning....

In the Beginning........ (can you tell I have been reading in Genesis??) By this thought though I am referring to in the beginning when and before Terry and I were married. The Lord gave Terry and I grace to embrace, to believe, to trust Him with fruitfulness and children. How many, how soon, and when!! Of course when you're so in love and can not wait to get married the depth of this commitment did not really sink in.....until they, Caleb and Daniel arrived. If I remember correctly, it was when they were under 6 months, and it was not because I was back tracking, but I was just doing the math in my head and just thinking of the possibilities." We could have ALOT of children, if He were willing!!! I remember it like yesterday, our home in Pine Bluff, Ar, laying in bed one night, Terry was reading and I had got hold of a book by Mary Pride, The Way Home. ( I challenge you to read it :) Since we were both reading, the boys had to be asleep, thats good for new parents!!! Anyways, like I said when my mind thought of the possibilites it was a BIG thought and being a new parent and trusting the Lord with our family, I have to say I was a bit "trying to figure" how all this could work?? And as I was reading in Genesis yesterday, I read the scripture that totally gave me freedom, gave me confidence, gave me peace that when trusting Him with how many children, our family would be built for His glory and exciting adventures lay ahead. I had read the "other" scriptures that speak of children are a blessing and all, yet this math calcualtion still lay in my thoughts of how MANY we possibly could have, so the Lord gave me an "answer" to my math caculation. It was on page 63, in the book I mentioned above, last paragraph; But God dosen't dispense his blessings that automatically. In the Bible times, when nobody used birth control (except Onan), Sarah had only one child. Rachel had two....Noah had three children-even though he lived 950 years. That's it right here, he lived 950 years and ONLY had three children. Of course I surely was not hoping for only three children but this fortified in my heart that God would give how many He wanted us to have. I remember taking that scripture for all it was worth and I felt in my heart that this was the greatest plan and looked so forward to what the Lord had for us. I was so grateful the Lord met me in my heart where lay wonderings and figurings and now I could skip away with full confidence that He would provide and bless us with all that was needed to have a few or many, and here 23 years later, nothing has lacked although at times it has been very needful to cry out for his mercy and provisions, but that is His plan as well, to depend upon him, to trust him!! So I thought I would just share as I was reminded as I read that scripture in Genesis that named Noahs sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, (5:32) I was reminded of how faithful the Lord has been, how blessed we are, how rich we are, how wonderful it is to have a peace in my heart that none are missing because of "plans" that we could have made. Only the Lord knows if he has any more in store for us, I sure can not lift a finger to Him and say you owe me, if He has completed our family, I praise Him and if he has another blessing then I praise him too. May the Lord give you grace as well because even though it might seem like they, children are popping out like rabbits, there is a day when our bodies will rest from childbearing and then Lord willing we can sit back and see what the Lord hath done and reap so many benefits from them being in our lives. (we reap ALL the time from them but as they get older its fun too)

Monday.....we need to get with it this morning. Terry is here while the guys have a to pick up some braces at a job site, then this week they will be back on the big commercial job.

I can hardly believe April is almost up....I love the months of May and June!! Not too hot and not too cool!!

Happy Monday!!!!

Economic Package

****Just bagged up 10 gallons of spinach from two short rows....wow!!!! Can you believe Terry and I are here at the house with only 4 children, that's like the "old days" of Caleb, Daniel, Bethany and Elijah.*******

There are many out there"preparing" for an economic crash, or something to happen in the next few years. I can not say I know all the in's and out's of these thoughts but I read a scripture that I told Terry this could be our "our economic package." There are some of us I am sure that do not have the resources to "prepare," to stock up and fill our rooms, pantry's to the brim with what might be needed, so what do we do, you do???? Luke 12:29-32, And seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that you have need of these things. But rather seek we the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. I realize we need to go the ant and be wise, so I guess for us, things we can do is plant a garden, can a few things and more than that pray and trust and not fear and know that this scripture is true and He will take care of His own children!!! I am curious, are you doing anything? What are you thoughts?

Heading to the Farm Show.....remember when we went in 07, when Josiah got lost.....we will hang on to him and sweet Mercy!!!!

Grocery Day.....

Stocked up once again on the groceries, thankful for every trip that we can make! I bought quite a few strawberries, they were a great price, they'll likely be gone by tomorrow evening!! Found some cute summer "nighties" for Mercy and Siah. I had to buy some new bath towels too as Bethany has used many for her goat births and they have disappeared or I do not really want them back with all the gooey and yucky stuff on them, even after washing, they are not the same. I found some things at the thrift stores, some tops for Bethany and Anna and I got Mercy a very small child umbrella for a $1, and this cute tiny bead purse for her. She thinks she is something!! Looks like we are going to a rodeo tonight but just to watch. The other night when Micah and Andrew rode our steer, Micah sprang his wrist so that has not been fun for him for a few days. The guys will get in later this evening.....so glad for that!! Not much else for now. Have a a great weekend!!!

Yesterday morning Mercy and I were out in the garden, she was so fresh in her little clothes and picking lettuce.....mornings like that remind me of Joel.....he loved to get out in the early morning. Later afternoon, Hosanna hosted a tea party for Josiah and Mercy!!

Steer Ridin'

We have a steer...we have boys......they were looking for something to do.......had a good ride.....BUT we do not have soft arena dirt to land on!!!!!!! Andrew (13) has the chaps on, Micah(14) does not have chaps on.

Stuff We Did Yesterday!!!

We had a very busy day yesterday, a good day, a profitable day!! The morning started off with a special visit from a special person, Dara and her little boy, Evan who is one!! Dara was Joel's nurse in PICU and if you remember the nurse on the DVD that shared. Dara holds a special place in my heart and this journey, she was one of about 4 that saw Joel as a little boy, heart beating, blood flowing, she saw him as alive when all the others discounted he was worth "treating" anymore. She stepped in and even showed Terry how to take care of Joel when the Dr.'s did not make rounds to his room anymore! She was a light in our darkness. She spoke tenderly to Joel when another one said with words louder than a normal speaking voice shouted out to me, "he's dead! he's dead! he's dead! As I thought about that moment in the hallway as this person, this Dr. said this to me, the Lord reminded me of the words they shouted at Him, "crucify him, crucify him!!!" I was comforted in a sort of way to know that in every way, in what might be the darkest and lowest moment in this trial, He has gone before me and he has experienced the depth and even more so. This last week it seems heaven has been silent, but as I thought how the the Holy Spirit speaks, foremost through the Word but also he speaks his words to my heart from scriptures I have read in the past, so that is why it is so critical for all of us to be in the Word reading and being washed with sciptures so the Holy Spirit can speak truth into our hearts. Our visit with Dara was fun, we sat by the sandbox much of the time, enjoying, talking and watching the little ones play, then we had a little tea party for lunch! I made some chicken salad sandwiches, we had some fruit and cheese, Anna made these pastry type cups and filled them with strawberries and fresh whipped creme and we had some mango iced tea. Hosanna said that was the best lunch we've ever had?!?! A sweet time !!

I can hardley spend time in prayer where tears are not shed. Tears of sorrow, tears for enabling grace that continues to fall as I get up each day, tears of gratefulness for his saving mercy and not by my works of righteousness, and tears that plead his power to take this trial and turn it into "something beautiful." Once again, I did not read this scripture this morning but as I was on my knees, the Lord brought to my mind the story of Jesus turning the water into wine. Just the simple thought of how He can turn something into something else. You see I did hear from Him this morning, He did speak and it was from scriptures I had read in the past. He gave me words of hope that he did turn, that he can turn something into something else!! So I started praying he will turn my sorrow into a song, turn my depths into heights, turn my tears into trust, turn my missing Joel into longings for Jesus, turn this trial into a testamony, turn this into something else for your glory!!!

Yesterday was also our first trial run for music day with the students coming to our house. It went very well, I was able to visit and to get dinner going, it was smooth and for that I am grateful. Bethany had 4 violin students come and Anna had 1 piano student for that day. I am sure Bethany and Anna would say they too are grateful for the invested time that they put in to lessons themselves so that they can have the opportunity to do this now at home.

The guys are finally off to the big commercial job that was delayed last week and after this one the Lord has another commercial one waiting too!! If you think about it pray for their safety and ours here at home too as we operate the home front!!

I haven't given the scoop on the goat show and rodeo. Bethany did well. She pulled in several thirds and a couple of fourths. I think anytime you can at least make the top 5, your in the game! At least we have competing goats and the judge sees that. We just need to keep breeding up. As for Andrew and his ride, he came out of the chute looking good and had some nice bucks but he got off set and on one buck he went sailing through the air and came down with a thud right on his bottom and not catching himself at all. I knew that one hurt and after he limped off and the crew did not come on around where we were sitting for a bit, I called over and Terry said he was laying down,catching his breath and it did hurt!! He's good to go now but for that night and some the next day he was having some pain from the jolt! It did not shake him too bad, he said he would go for it again!! I do not like "owies," and hey why don't we stick with "bike riding, goat showing....or something else:)

Agenda for today.....we need to do school work, like serious!! Do our Wednesday cleaning, cut more spinach, of course getting laundry done and figuring out dinner will be " to get done," getting my grocery list and menu together for the end of the week shopping, and whatever else we can figure out around here.

Thank you for keeping up with us.....it really is a blessing!!!

Family Spring Pictures 2009

I told our crew that tonight I wanted to do something I wanted to do!! For several nights they have wanted to play basketball and went for the evening but tonight was going to be my night to take Family Pictures!! We went downtown to Guthrie to the train station. A few trains came by and at first some of the little children were sooo scared!! It was fascinating to all of us!! It is a challenge to get everyone to look, smile and take a picture with so many but it went ok.

Spinach For Sale...

Fresh, Organic, Garden Spinach
For Sale

$3.00 for a Gallon Bag

If you'd like to come out and get some you can e-mail and let me know!!!
13blessings@sbcglobal.net

S's....

Sawing....

Spinach....
Scrumptious....

Skillful....

Smack.....

Sunflower.....

Sleek.....

Spring.....

Serious...

Gone Fishing!!!

Here's whats been going on around here....some fishin'!! Looks like the Rodeo is on, no rain as yet! We'll head to that after dinner and hope Andrew can hang on!!! Tomorrow the goat show, Bethany and Elijah have already left to check in, and groom the goats and then they will head over to our friends the B's later this evening and spend the night. The rest of us will go that way tomorrow.

I read a verse in Philippians 2:22, But ye know the proof of him, that as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Once again just so grateful the Lord has allowed our family to experience this verse. Who knows our sons better than Terry, he knows what they can do, what they need to do and as he continues to work with them he can have the input in their lives and "prove them" as they work together and work the things in they need and work the things out that do not reflect Christ. And then in verse 25, Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministers to my wants. I hope and pray that our older children realize what a blessing it is to labour together and even more than that to be fellowsoldiers of Christ together and may they have a greater vision each day of seeeking the kingdom and ministering to their family and as the Lord gives opportunities to those around us. These verses jsut made me grateful for what the Lord has done and may he fulfill visions that you have for your families as well!!!