Music Monday ~ How Great Is Our God

Thanks for joining me for Music Monday, we have a busy day today since it is our first day back to school. Today I am sharing a live version of How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin, it doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, it always seems like new to me. Enjoy!



The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in Light, and darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names
Worthy of our praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God

My Book of Blessings ~ August 26

Weekly memes are all the rage here in the bloggy world, I see them pop up in my google reader daily. I enjoy reading them all but feel participating in any more than I do would render me incapacitated! I was so thankful when Judy moved her meme to Wednesday, it just balanced my blogging out a bit more; and with us easing back into school routines I feel I will have even less time to blog. With that being said, please click the lovely new image to the left, it will take you to Judy's blog where you will find one of her many wonderful memes, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings.

~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Heavenly Father, these few words I type each week seem hardly enough to fully express how eternally grateful I am for you and all you have done for me. I humbly thank you for:

♥ my friend Judy, though we truly know little about each other, our common bound is you and only that can make complete strangers call each other friends
♥ Judy, Karin, Colleen, Ali, and Hannah, I was so blessed this week by their participation in my meme; it was the highlight of my Monday
♥ guiding my choices as I rearrange my priorities and keep my eyes on you and your will for me
♥ the sweetness of Cowboy Fans love for me, I love him more today than I ever have, and this would not be possible without your gentle touch
♥ Sunshine's interest in reading the Harry Potter series; we are really enjoying ourselves discussing these books, and it is so nice for me to be able to revisit the stories without re-reading the books!

~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Music Monday ~ Get Up ~ for the 2nd time

Yesterday I looked back through my posts and was surprised to see that the first time I posted a music video was five months ago! I am so glad that since then I have had some friends come along the journey with me, posting their favorite songs, whether they are oldies, classical, spiritual, or even childrens songs, it has been a wonderful thing I enjoy sharing with you.



This week I am re-posting the very first song I posted here. Since there were no comments the first time around, I thought I would give it another go. Get Up by Mary Mary always gets me on my feet, so if you haven't had your morning coffee yet this just might wake you up!! I hope you will join in for Music Monday today and share a song on your blog. By request I have added Mr.Linky to make it easier for you to link (I hope it works); feel free to leave a comment as well, you know how much we bloggers love getting comments!!



Layin' Low
Rest n' pause
Sleeping long
Slow motion
Gonna do
Shoulda, coulda, woulda done
Excuses

What are you afraid of?
Don't you know what you're made of?
One of God's greatest creations
Take this invitation now

Get Up
'Cause you can't stop
Get Up
Got a lot to do
24 hours
Almost gone
Get Up
Don't sit there
Get Up
If you wanna get there
Clocks don't stop and
Time won't wait

He said
She said
They said
What do you say?
It's your dreams
Your choice
Your time
Your life
So don't you
Don't you
Miss it

What are you afraid of?
Don't you know what you're made of?
One of God's greatest creations
Take this invitation now

Get Up
'Cause you can't stop
Get Up
Got a lot to do
24 hours
Almost gone
Get Up
Don't sit there
Get Up
If you wanna get there
Clocks don't stop and
Time won't wait

Welcome to the rest of your life
From now on, just try
To live more, want more, work a little harder
Dance more, laugh more, be a little smarter
Hug a little longer, love a little stronger
You've been down but now it's time to

Get Up
'Cause you can't stop
Get Up
Got a lot to do
24 hours
Almost gone
Get Up
Don't sit there
Get Up
If you wanna get there
Clocks don't stop and
Time won't wait [2x]

One more time, Say...
Get Up [x9]

My Recipe Collection ~ Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Salmon

Something that brings me great joy, besides being thoroughly engrossed in a book that I can't put down, is preparing a meal that my family loves. Last night I made one of those meals. As we were eating I thought to myself, this is something I would expect to eat at a good restaurant, it was that good, my family thought so too! It was so delicious. I kid you not, really mouth watering, yummy!!! To add to my enjoyment, the recipe is easy to prepare and needs few ingredients. Try it, I am sure your family will enjoy it as much as mine did. :)

BROWN-SUGAR-MUSTARD-GLAZED-SALMON
---------------------------------
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
juice of half a lemon
S&P
four 7oz salmon fillets
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
---------------------------------
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, mustard, lemon juice, and 1/2 t. pepper.
2. Heat a large, oven proof skillet over high heat. Rub the salmon with the oil, season with S&P and place skin side up in the skillet. Cook until a crisp brown crust forms, about three minutes. Remove from the heat, flip the salmon and coat with the brown sugar mixture. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the glaze caramelizes and the fish is cooked through, about five minutes.
---------------------------------
Notes from my kitchen:
~I used a boneless skinless salmon fillet(from Costco) and cut it into portions.
~Be sure the pan is very hot or the salmon will stick.
~When I flipped the salmon, I scraped all the little bits up before pouring the sugar mixture.
~I served it with a long grain rice and sauteed zucchini and onions.
~Spoon the remaining sauce over the salmon before serving.

My Book of Blessings ~ August 19

It's that time again, Judy's Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings meme, won't you join us?


~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

I have so many things to be thankful for, whether they are obvious to me or not, I know these blessings are gifts from you Lord, thank you for:

♥ my allergies, they help keep me aware of the awesomeness of your creation :)
♥ the doubt you place in my mind, helping me remember my calling and what I am here to do
♥ holding together my marriage through all it's hardships, this week more than ever I am aware of how beautiful the sanctity of marriage is
♥ the bonus Cowboys Fan received, at just the right time, I praise you for providing Lord!
♥ loving me, even though I am not deserving :)

~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Loyal Friend and Follower Award

Judy over at BENMAKESTEN has been so thoughtful to honor me with the Loyal Friend and Follower award. Thank you my friend; do the rules allow me to give it right back to you?!!?



Here are the rules of acceptance:
1. Copy the loyal picture above and post it on your blog.
2. Pass it on to whom you think is/are deserving.
3. Leave a message to them
4. Pass as many as you want.
5. Message back or leave a comment to the owner.

I was so excited to accept this beautiful award from Judy and now I am happy to share it with a couple of my faithful followers (not including Judy, who would be first on my list!) who stop by to read my ramblings and then take the time to comment, what more could I hope for? I always look forward to reading their encouraging words, and I am joyful to call them my friends.

Kela @ Pursuing What Is Excellent

Donetta @ My Quiet Corner

Laura @ My Lovely Days

Kelly @ Sargent's in The Springs

Music Monday ~ Sometimes By Step

You can learn a lot about people from hearing the music they listen to, and each week I hope you learn just a bit more about me from the music I share.

Last night while lying in bed I was going over the list of things I needed to do today, and I heard a small voice say, "What about me?" I continued gong over my list of things and again I kept hearing a voice, "What about me?" I had an 'ah ha' moment. You see, I work very hard at getting done all the things on my list each day, and the one thing that gets put to the side is my time with God. I do my daily bible reading and bible study also, but it has just been another thing on my to-do list. Not anymore, God is not something that I can check off on my list each day! No, He is the one thing I can include in all that I do, every word from my mouth, every action I take can include Him. This is a new concept for me, although my faith is strong my walk is weak. With that I invite you to listen to my music selection today, Sometimes By Step by Bebo Norman & Rich Mullins; this is the song I woke to this morning and I will be singing it all day.



Sometimes the night was beautiful
Sometimes the sky was so far away
Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close
You could touch it but your heart would break
Sometimes the morning came too soon
Sometimes the day could be so hot
There was so much work left to do
But so much You'd already done

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

Sometimes I think of Abraham
How one star he saw had been lit for me
He was a stranger in this land
And I am that, no less than he
And on this road to righteousness
Sometimes the climb can be so steep
I may falter in my steps
But never beyond Your reach

Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You
I will seek You in the morning
And I will learn to walk in Your ways
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days

And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
And step by step You'll lead me
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night . . .)
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days
(. . . Was beautiful)
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days
(So beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
(Oh God, you are my God)
And I will follow You all of my days
(Oh God, you are my God)
And I will follow You all of my days
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night was beautiful)
And I will follow You all of my days
(Sometimes the night . . .)
And I will follow You all of my days

My Book of Blessings ~ August 12

I smiled when I sat down at my computer this morning as I remembered that today is Wednesday and it was once again time for Judy's weekly meme, a meme that causes me stop and ponder what I am so thankful for. Won't you join us?


~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Heavenly Father, I have so many things to be thankful for, whether they are large or small, I know these blessings are by your grace. Lord, thank you for:

♥ my new neighbor, she is such a beautiful woman, so encouraging and uplifting, she makes me smile :)
♥ your guidance and voice concerning our school lessons; I am listening Lord
♥ Cowboys Fan, Little Man, Sunshine and Angel, next to you they are the light of my life, I shudder to think where would I be without you all
♥ the little green tomatoes that are growing on my deck, it is such a joy to watch them change everyday and realize that they are form You
♥ your word; everyday my eyes are opened just a little more, I find my bible reading fascinating!

~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Musical Monday ~ What if His People Prayed

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

This weeks song is What if His People Prayed sung by Casting Crowns. I truly hope you enjoy this song and humbly ask, "Who are you praying for today?"



What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more

What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith, yeah
And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face yeah
And turn from their own way

He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear, yeah
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face, yeah
And turn from their old ways
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear yeaah
If only we would pray

Homeschooling Dilemma

I can't believe that it is August already, where did the summer go? I have noticed many of my friends have started schooling already...my plans for continuing all summer long fell by the wayside rather quickly. heehee Last year was such a great learning experience and I could list a number of things I liked and didn't. That being said I am sitting on the fence (dang procrastination again!) trying to decide exactly what path I would like our homeschooling to take. It is pretty easy with the girls, Saxon math, copywork, narration, history notebooking (maybe blogging) that sort of thing. Now when it comes to Little Man I am really stuck. Originally we had decided to go with an online school that would offer courses and grading and transcripts, Cowboys Fan is most comfortable with having someone 'oversee' what is going on, and is worried about graduation credits and a diploma. Anyway, that plan is not coming to fruition like we had hoped and now I feel we are running out of time in regards to what he will do. HELP!!! I will not panic. I will figure this out. Trusting God. Praying for wisdom.


My favored order of prizes for this fun giveaway are:
Prize #2 Rainbow Resource Center $50 Gift Certificate
Prize #5 Revive Our Hearts Package
Prize #10 Circle C Adventure books
Prize #11 Blast Off on a Writing Adventure!
What are you waiting for? Head over to THL and join is for this fun giveaway!!

My Book of Blessings ~ August 5

Today my friend Judy is hosting one of her many weekly memes. A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings meme encourages us to share at least five things for which we are thankful each week. Taking time to "count our blessings", so that we may remember to have a joyful heart, for gratitude and joy go hand in hand. Please join us.


~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Father, you amaze me each and every day! I come to you this week with so much gratitude, thank you for:

♥ providing the little extra we needed this week to get by; such an expected blessing from our Lord
♥ the beauty that surrounds me; as I enjoy the view from our home I am in awe that You created it all!
♥ encouraging me in my daily reading of your word, only You know how quickly I fall out of a good habit
♥ revealing yourself to me this week by answering so many of my little prayers, Lord You are listening! I won't let You down!
♥ the ministry of my online friends who speak to me with their writings

~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~

Our Move

I hope you are not too disappointed to find that there is no Music Monday today. My life has been in an upheaval since last Tuesday when we picked up the keys to our new place, having decided that relocating out of state was not going to happen, this year anyway! After signing our new lease we proceeded to give the place a quick cleaning, although it is brand new it still needed it. The moving began on Wednesday morning, picture the five of us loading up the dolly and our arms and trekking down the sidewalk, across the parking lot and up a flight of stairs, and into our new place...for three days! Why do all that work just to move across the street you ask? Well for two reasons really; lower rent, and even though it is the same layout and square footage with a few minor construction changes, the view is phenomenal! We can see the mountains from all the windows and at night the city lights are something to stop and enjoy. We love it! But, let's get back to my story. After getting everything moved over, we went back to the old place to clean it up so we can get our full deposit back, ugh. The kids were wiping baseboards and doing an awesome job helping out, they are the best kids in the world. They did more than their fair share of lifting and pushing and packing and pulling, they are awesome. I spent Sunday trying to organize my kitchen because one of the small construction changes is that the kitchen cupboards are all a couple inches higher...heehee...those of you who know me IRL know that I am not that tall so it has been a challenge to arrange things so that I will be able to grab everyday items without needing a stool! Did I mention the view is lovely?!!? So needless to say, I am behind on my reading list and updates, my Esther bible study, commenting on my friends blogs, as well as numerous other things. But it is so exciting to be in the new place we will call home for the next ten months.