Well, I bet most of us had forgotten about this ole thing....

But as we have looked forward to this approaching Thanksgiving, it was fun for me to look back over the past ones.  We have been thinking about this November for 22 months.  I hope each one of you is filled with anticipation as well.

This year will bring newness.  Tye will bring his new wife and we are excited about that.  Jason and I (and the kids) will be close to our final days in Dalhart.  There are lots of good things and opportunities that come with change, but as for me, the best news is that I know all of you will always be the same!!

Something New

Ok, this is kind of a frivolous post, but I thought I'd go ahead and share with all the great Floyd cooks. I tried something for the first time today. I have heard about this before, but just never tried it.

When I cook, I really try to be health conscious. I had read about substituting applesauce for oil in recipes. I made brownies tonight and used unsweetened applesauce in the same amount the oil called for. It turned out really well. The brownies are a little cake-ier than fudgey, but still managed to satisfy my sweet tooth. If you didn't know it had the applesauce in it, you might not notice the difference. I can taste a hint of the apple, but it is still really good.

I really like to make bundt cakes. Jane (Clark) Brock is my inspiration for that! I usually buy those $0.88 Pillsbury cake mixes at Walmart to stock in my pantry. I like to experiment a little with those and try various jello/pudding packets in with the cake mixes. They always call for oil, so I think I am going to try the applesauce substitution. I'll let you know what I learn.....

Anyone else have any experience with this sort of substitution?

Pictures!

I love this picture because I love these 2 people, but also because it reminds me of what Kory and I talked about on our way home from Tipton. How thankful we are to be from a long line of Christian parents. Great parents that raised great kids that raised great kids that are doing their best to raise great kids. Kory and I are so thankful to have such great examples of wise Christians to help us raise our kids. Particularly the cousins that are a step ahead of us. We enjoy watching them as a "preview" of what is headed our way and how we hope to handle things.





On a lighter note, at separate times, Wes and Kolin asked me to take their picture. I made them take a "real" one.....

but they were more interested in poses like this:

or this....

but I demanded at least one like this!

We love you guys so much! Way to go Leslee on starting the blog! This is fun!

Be encouraged today

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined wht GOD has prepared for those who love HIM." I Cor 2:9

Encouragement from Lawyer

Brandon saw the lawyer yesterday. The man listened to his story and said Brandon was a decorated soldier and a credible witness. He had not talked to the DA as he had just gotten B's paperwork, but felt that Brandon could be exonerated. B was greatly encouraged.
Barrett needs to read 12 chapters of a book for class on Wed. The first chapter was 20 pages, so he has figured out a schedule to complete the reading. He can go to the student resource place and get a tape of the reading, but feels the reader is so "mechanical" that he loses the train of thought before understanding the passage. Wish I could be his reader. Master Follies practice is from 9-12 p.m. each evening, so he is trying to stay ahead of the reading.
I'm pretending that we are sitting together around the kitchen table talking and praying.
Bless Heather in her mother, wife, Christian and job pressures; Leslee as she teaches, nurtures, encourages, and strives to be a daily Bible reader; Sarah as she gets deeper into the Word and as she settles down; Susan as she ministers to and counsels her children, husband and friends; Jaymie as she and Kory live to bring Kanyon to growth, health, and joy; Brandon as he deals with PTSD and legal difficulties. Please mature and his and my faith; Barrett as he navigates school, Best Friends, Koininia, new roommate, and away from home faith. LORD thank you for the love and mercy you grant us. Be with all the unspoken needs of our Family today.

Sweet Rachel!

I have friends who are in China now going through the process of adopting a 5 year old Chinese girl they have named Rachel. They have their youngest boy, Caleb, with them. Tommy and Kim are in need of our prayers to keep their spirits up and for God to make this transition go smoothly for their family. The culture shock is setting and they are all weary for home.

I met Tommy and Kim and their boys through my friends, Greg and Angie, who were in the bible chair with them at Mississippi State. They are such focused, godly people. Little Rachel couldn't have found a better family!

Check out their blog at http://innocentlamb.wordpress.com/. I promise you will be blessed by their story!

Love to all!
Sarah

Lawyer tomorrow

Barrett made it into Koininia. He completed the 13 mile walk and is happy to be in club. Brandon got home last night about 10:00 EST. He was exhausted. Tomorrow he is to see a new lawyer. Please continue to pray that there is a way out of this morass.