New Handmade Items

My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby.  We are all so excited!  She is due to arrive on September 26th.  This will be my parents' 18th grandchild.  Her name is Norah.  Isn't that adorable?  I can't wait to show you pictures of our newest little addition but for today I can only show you pictures of a few of the things I made just for her!

Check them out at Lulu and Joy's blog...

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Wednesday Night

On Wednesday night we visited Fearless Falls and learned that Jesus Cares.  The little children's train was rocking back and forth as you can see below one of the little children's car laid her completely flat while another little boy took it all in stride.  He never even became scared at all.  The memory verse for the night was from 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,".  The bible lesson was from Mark 4:35-41 where the students learned how to trust Jesus during the difficult times of life just like the apostles did when they were on the boat during the storm. 

The craft for the night was a boat with fisherman on it.  As I took the picture; this passenger, which just happens to be my nephew, was rocking his boat back and forth like it was in a storm, and he was explaining the lesson to me.

Charlie with the 3rd & 4th graders.  He takes getting on their level seriously!

Charlie with the K - 2nd graders.  Again getting down with them so they understand.

Three of the 3rd and 4th grade girls leading our theme song "Get On Board Little Children"

   

The kids had a special surprise for Charlie for the closing assembly.  They had all learned this little rap of the song the B-I-B-L-E.  It is super cute!

Two more nights of VBS and I hope to have more pictures to upload tomorrow.  Then on Saturday we are taking a Back to School trip with the youth.  We will be leaving at 6am for Six Flags!!  I'll have to sleep the entire next week to recoup from all this excitement!

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Tuesday Night

On Tuesday we visited Mercy Meadows and learned that Jesus Leads.  It was so cute to see the children making their little sheep in the Craft Caboose.  Then they went to the bible lesson and learned to trust Jesus and to follow him just like sheep follow their shepherd.  The bible lesson text was from John 10:1-9, 27 and the memory verse for the night was John 10:4 "The sheep follow him: for they know his voice."

Charlie leading the children through the lesson.

Boxcar Games - the object of the game was to listen to the leader of your group on how to wrap up one of the children.

The Preschool kids were all proud of their sheep!

5th grade and up singing songs in the Melody Coach

Stay tuned for more of the Sonlight Express VBS!

~Blessings
Krista

Sonlight Express VBS - Monday Night

This week we are having VBS at our church. Charlie & I are in charge of our program.  Charlie takes care of all the bible lessons and I take care of keeping things organized; pretty much directing the programming.  We are very blessed to have a lot of participation at our local church.  We are averaging about 30 kids per night and about 30 adults too!  Isn't that awesome?

On Monday night we visited the Great Gorge and learned that Jesus Saves.  It was a little chaotic on Monday night so I didn't get a lot of good pictures.  For those of you who have directed a VBS program before you know that Monday night is full of excitement and lots of energy as everyone gets used to the schedule.  In the end it always turns out great!

Opening Assembly in the Passenger Car at Sonlight Station

3rd & 4th graders in the Melody Coach learning their songs for the week.

Obstacle Course for the K - 2nd graders at Boxcar Games

Preschoolers in the Melody Coach

Preschoolers at the Sonlight Station learning about Nicodemus

2 of our visitors for the night.  Anthony on the left was one of our youth from our church in Georgia and the guy  on the right is one of my brothers, Dabreon.  His children are passengers this week for their 1st ever VBS program.

Stay tuned for more of the Sonlight Express as the week progresses!

~Blessings

Krista

Dreams

As young girls we dream big dreams.  We dream of beautiful weddings.  We dream of being mommies and having husbands just like our daddies.  We dream of our very own Prince Charming.  As we get older and grow into young adults we dream of beautiful homes and fulfilling careers.  We think we can change the world!  Then reality comes pouring in.  Life never seems to reach our dreams and expectations.

Prince Charming isn't so charming or maybe you've never met your Prince.  Your children are rebellious and you often wonder if you are a good Mother.  Maybe you've lost children and grieve their death.  That career you worked so hard for crumbles as the economy declines.  You realize that you and you alone can never change the world.  We've all experienced a time when life doesn't measure up to our dreams.  

It's very easy to let shattered dreams make you bitter and some even sink into depression.  Many wonder what is the use in dreaming? Your heart may be broken and in a thousand pieces as you realize you're life isn't what you dreamed.  Without God in your life that is all you are...shattered broken pieces.  However, when you come to the Lord he can put all the pieces back together again molding you into a beautiful child of God.  

Psalms 34:18 "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  

Psalms 91:4 "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."

When we depend on God he can take our desires and give us more than we could have ever imagined.  He can give you Prince Charming.  He can change the heart of that rebellious child.  He can give you a beautiful home.  He can exceed our expectations.  He can use your life and testimony to change the world.  We can't make our own plans leaving God out and expect good things to happen.  Let God direct your life and everything will fall into place.  

Romans 8:28  ^"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

First Time Canning

Do you see this?  That is a lot of jars, isn't it?  If you are an avid canner then it probably isn't to you but to me it is.

Over the weekend our niece and her family came to visit.  With them they brought two full cases of tomatoes they had just picked from their garden.  I love tomatoes but my first question was "What am I supposed to do with that many tomatoes?  They'll ruin before we have a chance to eat them."  Well their answer to me was "Just put them up."

What?  Put them up?  What do you mean?  I am becoming Suzie Homemaker but I haven't ventured into the canning arena yet.  Mostly because I don't have a garden.  I don't see the point in buying vegetables to can unless you just find a really great deal.  My niece's husband started telling me how easy it was to can tomatoes, and assured me that I could do it.  I already had jars and lids.  So, why not?

Today I found all of my jars and sterilized them.  You are probably asking "Why do you have so many jars if you don't can?"  The answer is simple.  My mother-in-law, Lethia, was a gardener and canner.  She canned everything, and I mean everything.  I have catered weddings in the past and we always have food left over.  Many times the family doesn't want the left overs.  One wedding we had a lot of fruit left and Charlie took it to his Mother.  It was an entire pan of various fruits; cantaloupe, watermelon, star fruit, grapes, pineapple, strawberries, etc.  She took that fruit and made all-fruit jam.  It was the best I've ever had!  Before Lethia passed away in 2009 I would give her the jars back after we ate the food.  These are all the jars that we've emptied since she died.  I've never been able to bring myself to give them away so they've been in various places in my house.  Charlie even went to the storage building and brought back a couple of boxes I had stored there.  


Back to my story...Today I scoured the internet, looked through cookbooks and called different friends that have canned tomatoes.  I am a perfectionist and I didn't want to get it wrong.  As I was peeling the tomatoes my mind seemed to be flooded with memories.  As a little girl I helped my grandmother can fruits & vegetables.  Then as a young married lady I helped Lethia can too.  I've just never done it by myself.  


It was actually fun to me.  I couldn't wait to complete the process and hear the 'ping' of the lids.  I canned 4 quarts and 7 pints of tomatoes.  I still have about 1/2 case of tomatoes left and tomorrow I am going to attempt to make tomato juice.  I didn't think I'd be able to make tomato juice but tonight I borrowed a Food Mill/Strainer from a friend.  Tomato Juice was one of my husband's favorite things that his Mother made so I am determined to try my best!  I know this is a lot of empty jars but maybe just maybe another gardener will see fit to share their bounty and I can fill them up!  


I wish I had the things Lethia used to can; her pressure cooker, her food mill, her funnel, everything!  I am a very sentimental person and even the simplest of things are worth millions to me!  I don't know who ended up with Lethia's kitchen stuff but I know if it was me I'd be using them today.  Charlie came in the kitchen tonight and saw all the jars lined up on the counter and he said "My Mama & Daddy would be proud of you." They always wanted to make me a country girl.  I wonder if they know how much they taught me?  I hope so!


~Blessings
Krista

Win a Jo Totes Camera Bag

Check out Tater Tots & Jello for a give away!  The Jo Totes Camera Bags are beautiful and functional.  I tried to post pics here but for some reason Blogger won't let me.  You'll have to visit the link to see all the awesome pics!

~Blessings
Krista