crunchy bars

My family loves to eat these healthy treats. They taste so good,you would never guess that they are healthy too. I am always on the lookout for snacks that full of protein and not loaded with sugar. I hope your family likes them too!

Crunchy bars
Makes 12-16 bars

4cups uncooked oatmeal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter or margarine
(for an added bonus a handful of dried fruit, like raisins is nice)

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Press into well-greased 9 inch square pan.
2. Bake at 425 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and cut into bars.

Meditation of the heart

Psalm 19:14

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.


The Lord has been speaking a lot to me about this verse. When I go to bed at night, these words play over in my head. When I wake in the morning these words pour forth from my spirit. When I go about my day, he gently corrects me with these words.

I notice that the words of my mouth are a reflection of what my mind is meditating on. So often I find myself grumbling or complaining in my heart... Instead of being thankful, I am sullen. Oh how I want God to change this in me! So I go to His word and I find wonderful verses to encourage me, to teach me how to think.

Philippians 4:8 (Message bible)
Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

I see in this verse that I have to put into practice what I have learned. I have to work at being positive. It takes effort, but I believe the effort is worth it. I know that God is there to help me.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New International Version)
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


Isaiah 55:11 (New King James Version)
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

I cling to these verses because they are filled with promise for me. That God is working in my heart, and his word is transforming me. God is my constant help, and what I can't do by myself he is doing in me.

I hope this is an encouragement to you all well. I pray that you will find rest, peace, and joy in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A gentle word turns away wrath

Proverbs 15
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.


Lord thank you for your words of knowledge, please help me to always speak in a manner that is pleasing to you. The husband and the children you have blessed me with, are true treasures and I want to treat them as such. Help me to keep my tongue, and when I need to speak, help me to whisper instead of yell. Help me to smile instead of frown. Please help me to walk in the Love you have given me, through your Holy Spirit. Have your way in my heart, and in the hearts of my family.

I love that God is still working in me, I love that he knows my struggles and he loves me and gently encourages me. I want to be that way to those around me as well. I want to be a reflection of his glory. Just like when Moses came down off the mountain after being in God's presence his face radiated. I want Gods love to radiate through me, so that I can be an encouragement to those around me. I know God is faithful to finish the work he has started in me.

Sweeter than Honey

Psalm 19:9-11 (New International Version)

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.


Psalm 119:102-104 (New International Version)

102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

King David declares that the fear of the Lord, and the commands of the Lord are sweeter than pure honey, even honey from the comb! He says, that the words of the Lord give him warning,understanding, and that in keeping them there is GREAT REWARD!
Who doesn't have a sweet tooth? I know that for me there are times that I just crave something sweet, and nothing else that I eat will satisfy my taste buds. An interesting fact that I have learned is that honey is two times as sweet as sugar, and it is actually very beneficial to your health.
So I find it is very fitting that David would make such a claim about the word of God. It satisfies our souls, and nothing can take it's place. So here is my question... Why do we try to find a substitute for God's word? Why do we go to the cupboard when we feel depressed, or tired, or lonely, or board. I use this illustration because we are talking about honey. But I know we all have our own things we go to when we are trying to fill that void, that only God can fill. Why don't we go to God's word first?

Exodus 3:17
And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey.'
Numbers 14:8
If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us
Deuteronomy 6:3
Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.

In these verses God sees his people and there suffering, and he has compassion on them. He promises to bring them out of bondage, and bring them into a land flowing with milk and HONEY. But, there is a condition... They must obey the words of the Lord.
It should never be a chore to read the Word of God, because it is a delight. It satisfies us in a way that nothing else can. All other things are imposter's, they may satisfy an itch, but they don't last. Often they lead us away from the Lord, and his will for us.
The Lord wants to bring us into a land flowing with milk and honey, he wants to satisfy you with his word. But, he is not a God who will force our hand and make us spend time with him. He wants us to love him enough to spend time with him, and in doing so He will give us a great reward!

What do I know of Holy

I hope this song blesses your heart as much as it does mine. Sometimes we try to make God so small, and we just don't understand the awesomeness of our God!

A dog house for Saydee, and Koda

When Joshua was a small boy, he would spend hours with his wooden blocks or plastic Lego's, with his cars and trucks, and his small plastic animals. He would build, and build, and build. He has always loved to work with his hand!


Now that he is becoming older, those toys have turned to tools. The wooden blocks have turned to planks of wood. Plastic tools have turned to real tools. This is Joshua's first time using the miter saw. Dad stayed close by his side, and made sure he was paying attention to all the safety rules. Larry and Joshua love to build things together.




This is day two of the building project, and the frame is completed. They had fun cutting and nailing all the pieces in place.

This is Saydee, and Koda in there finished doghouse. They both fit so snug inside, and they are kept warm will the wonderful cedar shavings. Notice we keep hay down in their kennel to keep them from getting muddy when it rains.

Fishing is Levi's favorite thing to do with his dad. This year they spent many hours fishing the Stilly river. They had a wonderful time and we were blessed with quite a few salmon dinners.

This a fish that Larry caught. My nephew didn't know quite what to think of it, but when Uncle Larry started the cleaning process, Sean said " Oh Gross". I have to agree with Sean, but I sure like eating them.

Salvation Message-Shock and Awe