tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59804291915206433192024-03-05T13:57:07.074-06:00Gretchen's GigglesJust me...sharing the JOYS of my life with others!Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-42697258030895559962013-11-18T21:39:00.001-06:002013-11-18T21:39:27.833-06:00Lens Giveaway from Crave my Photography!Ok...I'm really hoping to win a new fabulous lens...but I'd take the mentoring workshop too! <br />
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http://cravemyphotography.com/blog/lens-giveaway-2/<br />
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I'd love to win so that I can use either prize to enhance my photographs! First faces I'd capture or edit -- My 3 little handsome boys - Lincoln, Justice & Zeke...always my favorite subjects!Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-9134465709866958202013-10-15T14:31:00.000-05:002013-10-15T14:31:09.265-05:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In
March of 1996 I took my first mission trip to Mexico to work in an
orphanage. As a 17 year old girl, the
experience of this trip changed my life.
Although I had already dedicated my life to Christ, this was certainly a
turning point in my life and deciding to serve Him full time. I was able to see first-hand the impact of a
life lived without the love of Christ. Since
that trip I have had the opportunity to return to that orphanage as a sponsor
for high school kids. It was so
wonderful to see some of the children that I had remembered from the previous trip. I think in America we don’t necessarily see
the big picture of children abandoned or left orphans by their families. This was something that hit me like a ton of
bricks on my third trip to Mexico. While
we were there a family of 6 children were dropped off and left at the orphanage
because their parents no longer wanted them. This was absolutely devastating to
me. While I am no longer naïve enough to
think things like this do not happen in America, I was never aware of it
before, so this impacted me greatly. From
that point on, I was committed to giving all that I could to make sure everyone
had the opportunity to know the true LOVE of our Savior. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This
coming <u>February 14<sup>th</sup> - 18<sup>th</sup></u> I have to opportunity
to return to Mexico and share Christ’s love.
I will be joining a team from <u>StoneBridge Christian Church (Omaha,
NE)</u> and traveling to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. We will be working with Amor Ministries and
building two homes for needy families in the city. Families in Puerto Penasco apply for homes
and Pastors from Amor line up homes to be built. All labor is done manually: no power tools,
cement mixers, etc. We want to show the family
and others that they can build and make improvements without needing power
tools since many areas do not have electricity.
As much of an impact that I think a trip like this has on the people we
will be serving, I know from experience that it will be an even bigger blessing
for me to be able to serve them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I
am asking for you to partner with me for this trip in two ways. First and most
important,<b><u> I covet your prayers</u></b>. Mission trips can be risky. Please pray for our safety, strength and good
health! Also, pray that our efforts will
make a difference and that our work will demonstrate the love of Christ. Secondly,
I am asking for you to help support me financially. <u>The
cost of the trip is about $750</u>. I
will be sending in my deposit the 1<sup>st</sup> of November and purchasing my
plane tickets as soon as possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If
you are interested in supporting me financially, please contact me via email stinasander@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook and I will get you the details. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thanks for your prayers and support!</span></div>
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Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-19163520951006334052012-11-18T20:08:00.002-06:002012-11-18T20:08:19.090-06:00The Bright Side.....Today at church I gained a little perspective. Everyone has been doing the "thankfulness posts" (me included), and I'm not going to lie, sometimes, I sit and really have to thank at the end of the day about what I'm thankful for. Anyway, today at church, one of the men was talking about Thanksgiving and how we should have "an attitude of gratitude." This really struck me. Because honestly, I have spent the last 18 months constantly focusing on what is going wrong in my life, and how bad it all is. When I actually stop to think about it, no wonder I've been so miserable. I've never been one to thrive around negativity(really, do any of us?) and I have been breeding in myself for over a year. Why is it so easy to see the negative instead of the positive? I know for me, if I am continually around negative, grumpy people, it becomes contagious....meaning I GET GRUMPY TOO! Negative Nancy! <br />
<br />
So, today, I'm choosing to actively change my attitude. Not just for this season that we are "supposed to be thankful," but back to what I like to think of as "normal Cristina." Happy, positive, cheery, look on the bright side, glass half full kind of girl. I have a good friend who has been coaching me to "take captive your thoughts." At first, it annoyed me, like I was just going to be able to stop thinking things that made me sad or angry, but in reality, she was telling me that I own my thoughts. Yes, sad & infuriating thoughts will cross my mind, but how I choose to handle them is up to me. I know this will not be easy, but I also know that I like myself a whole lot more when I am "normal Cristina" (see description above). I have said for years, "I don't like me when I'm grumpy, I'm sure no one else does either!" So here we go, a few days before the big "Thankfulness day", join me in seeing the bright side, and not the negative first. And, maybe, just MAYBE, if I start focusing on the brighter side of things, that the darkness won't be so noticeable! :-)Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-73789726014949410722012-11-05T21:28:00.001-06:002012-11-05T21:28:40.120-06:00Day 5: My church familyToday I'm thankful for my church family. This church is so loving & kind. I've always known that, but since moving back here about 9 months ago, it has been shown to me time & time again. The love they have for me & my boys is outstanding. At times, I second guess my choice to move back to Norton. This town if filled with many memories & happy times, which seem to make my current situation more painful. As I sit & question if this is the right place for me & the boys, I receive constant affirmation from my church family. Encouraging notes in the mail, a phone call, a hug, a kind word, generous support & help with my house, vehicle stuff etc. I am so humbled by the outpouring of love they continue to show me. I know that I am here for a reason, and that one of the reasons I came back to Norton, is that this is my home. My church family proves that to me. This is where we belong. Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-8082119734470652992012-11-04T08:33:00.002-06:002012-11-04T08:33:57.892-06:00Day 4: Zeke...Today I'm thankful for my baby(not so baby anymore) Ezekiel(Zeke). He is such a light to my life. I absolutely adore him. I don't know what my little family would be like without him. His cheeks are so perfectly kissable, his giggle is infectious, and he is great at snuggling. I love seeing his little personality develop right before my eyes. His brothers adore him too...they miss him when they are at school & love to play with him when we get home. I often think about the meaning of his name, Ezekiel - "the Lord provides strength" SO POWERFUL! For me, every time I say his name I am reminded of that meaning. It is such a humbling thought, that HE (the Lord) is in control and providing & sustaining me & giving me strength. On the other hand, I am so encouraged to pray the meaning of his name as a prayer over him for the future. I pray that Zeke will always stay in the presence of Christ & allow that Lord to be his strength. I am so blessed to be the mommy of these 3 amazing little men. I am so thankful that God saw fit to entrust them to me....may I be ever faithful & do my best to raise them according to His Word!Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-55549282119249657262012-11-03T14:57:00.001-05:002012-11-03T14:57:17.290-05:00Day 3...JusticeThankfulness...Day 3<br />
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Today I am thankful for Justice, my middle boy! He is so full of JOY! On the worst day, he can put a smile on my face that won't go away! He is so full of life & energy. I am so thankful that he is still here today! To be honest, the worst day of my life was the day he was flown to Kearney in the helicopter when he was 11 months old.<br />
<br />
Read the story here:<br />
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<a href="http://gretchensgiggles.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-adventure-with-justice.html">http://gretchensgiggles.blogspot.com/2010/03/our-adventure-with-justice.html</a><br />
<br />
He is the sweetest ornery boy I have ever know & I'm so happy he is mine! He loves so completely & he makes my heart smile! Jesus had a lot of fun creating him!! He is Mr. Personality! I can't wait to see how God will use him as he grows! Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-81820965252955997302012-11-03T14:50:00.001-05:002012-11-03T14:57:40.478-05:00Day 2...Lincoln (catching up)Thankfulness Day 2<br />
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Today, I am thankful for my oldest son Lincoln, the boy who gave me the name Momma! I love his tender heart (a little too much like me at times), I love his stubbornness...as he grows I pray this will develop into perseverance. He is so loving & kind, he is an amazing big brother. His big blue eyes have melted my heart since the first time I caught their gaze. He snuggles, hugs & kisses me all the time. When we drive down the road, he sits up from & holds my hand the whole time. I am looking forward to the man that He grows to be in Christ. Thank you Jesus, for my Lincoln =)Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-18393000343059881142012-11-03T14:47:00.001-05:002012-11-03T14:47:08.737-05:00Day 1...(catching up)Thankfulness (Day 1)<br />
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I am MOST thankful for Jesus. My relationship with Him is the most important thing in my life & I am so thankful that no matter what, I will always have Him. I truly am His forever =)Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-82685577155898833202012-10-18T21:22:00.002-05:002012-10-18T21:22:37.316-05:00On a lighter note....Here are a few things that I really dislike about being a single woman...<br />
<br />
1- Filling up my own gas tank...ugh, I hate getting gas on my own...I always spill & get it on my hands.<br />
<br />
2- Vehicle maintenance in general...so far as a single woman, I have dealt with..<br />
<br />
* hitting a deer<br />
* buying a newer vehicle<br />
* a couple of flat tires<br />
* purchasing new tires<br />
<br />
3- House stuff<br />
* repairs<br />
* dealing with hiring people to fix things and then having to call & try to be <strike>grumpy</strike> assertive when the job isn't finished.<br />
<br />
4- Life insurance stuff...ICK<br />
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Not too much really...it's all just little stuff. I guess maybe I took for granted having someone to help with all that stuff. Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-81041888526628251812012-10-09T23:05:00.003-05:002012-10-09T23:05:41.888-05:00Total honesty....So...I haven't written for quite awhile, truth is, I've been avoiding writing about my situation. I guess I kinda thought that if I ignored it, or pretended that it didn't happen, that no one would know. Truth is, many people don't know what has happened in my life over the last year and a half. I don't know that I'm ready to share, but truth is, most of my readers already know. I think I was also trying to protect Mike & Rachelle, I didn't want them to look bad, but why would I want to protect their image? But, I think that writing my story is good therapy for me.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I wonder if anyone actually realizes how excruciating this experience has been. I know others have been in similar situations. The betrayal, the lies, the deception, but I don't know anyone who has walked a path parallel to mine. In June 2011, when the truth of Mike's affair came out, I remember a friend asking me if I knew anyone who had been through this and survived, not only survived, but thrived. I couldn't think of anyone...and even now...the people I know who have been through this, chose to make their marriage work. She forgave, he stayed. Unfortunately, Mike chose to leave. He chose to abandon his vows, as if the affair wasn't enough, he chose to quit. He chose to walk away from the commitment we had made 12 years previous. I have tried to wrestle all of this through my brain, the whys, what ifs, if only, etc. Nothing makes sense. It hurts more than anything possibly imagined. I don't want to accept that he is not the man I used to know. I don't know what the time frame should be, I feel like everyone thinks I should just get over it & move on. It is as if the whole world is still moving around me & I am standing still. I don't know how let go and give up. <br />
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As I sit here in the dark & see my 3 sweet sleeping boys, I don't know how I feel alone. I try to cling to Scripture and rest in the fact that Christ will never leave me or forsake me, I am never alone. I know I have a hope and a future, I just struggle to remember that. Honestly, 2 days ago I prayerfully admitted the other day that I have a hard time trusting Him now. The man that I believed God gave me, to love me, protect me, honor me, & cherish me forever, failed & broke my trust. I am struggling to trust God, it is hard to not feel like God let me down. I know who I am inside & I know all credit goes to Christ, but I still struggle trusting. I know He didn't do this, that He would never cause me harm, but I guess my struggle with trust is wondering why He didn't protect me from this? Why does He think I am strong enough to handle all of this? Doesn't he know that I'd rather be home with my boys, than to be working everyday & missing out on so much? In a blink, Zeke is now one and I don't even know where the time went. The last year is a blur...and I feel so guilty. <br />
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As I read through this writing, I'm not sure it all makes sense, or if I should even post it. But, I am going to, I am going to let myself be vulnerable, & hope somehow it is part of the road to healing. Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-7864137519297887902012-07-23T00:05:00.001-05:002012-07-23T00:05:24.872-05:00Mentoring...I have had a passion for investing in teen girls lives for about 15 years. Unfortunately, most girls don't ask for/think they need a mentor until they have a sin induced life crisis. Most girls don't come running for help until they have made life altering sin choices that have their life in shambles. The weird thing for me is that I don't always connect with them because I was too afraid of getting in trouble when I was a teenager, so I don't have much "experience" with teenage struggles. I will never give up on these girls, I will always invest in them & offer any advice and guidance that I can. <br />
<br />
When I was in high school, I always remember having "testimony envy." I would hear speakers at various events and always think that since I had never made any "huge" mistakes, that Christ's redeeming story in my life wasn't as good. Now, as an adult, who made it through those years virtually unscathed, I have a different perspective. I feel like more stories of people who don't have what would be considered "huge" sin issues in their life. <br />
<br />
1)Sin is sin....our world tries to put it on a scale. Certain things worse than others etc...truth is "all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. But certain sins/mistakes rank higher on the "scale" because they are more visible and have greater consequences. Therefore, it's better to avoid as many of those as possible.<br />
<br />
2) I want girls to know that it is possible to make it through high school & college & life in general without making those "life altering sin choices" I think too many girls get caught in a trap of thinking that they have lots of years to make mistakes & so many of the influential women in their lives have made "HUGE" mistakes(sin choices) and they have turned out ok. <br />
<br />
Anyway, my brain & heart are stirring & dreaming of a ministry geared to empower girls to be confident & make wise choices. Join me in prayer & thinking about how to mentor and reach these girls who have yet to make those "life alter sin choices" and to help them avoid the years of guilt that follow from moments of pleasure in high school or college.Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-70337077984121506762012-06-26T23:45:00.002-05:002012-06-26T23:45:45.797-05:00Ok...I'm starting to feel ready to blog again....beware...my brain is working over time lately...lots of thoughts in here! When I get them gathered into something readable & sensible I will be sharing...hope you are all ready! :)Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-44652276184826876552011-12-11T22:26:00.000-06:002011-12-11T22:26:18.515-06:00Ezekiel Grey SanderI know this is a couple months late...but, I'm a little busy! 3 boys (and MIKE) so, I hope you all understand! But here it is the official birth announcement for our sweet Zeke. I just ordered some printed ones also...for everyone who doesn't do the whole computer thing. But I will probably have extras, if anyone wants one!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01zXwrDkJhUbAvMiq6MxuwYLR8HsAAkOAo-Bqz6DPwEOF5O7cAJn70o4CGDlzuwe_BHN2UKr0xyoDmuSO9VTXrH56M32qlH_scUxVlSgN0OhT5lF1-IX0R9ACRiP0b58Cnb-SMdfbwkc/s1600/zeke+baby+announce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01zXwrDkJhUbAvMiq6MxuwYLR8HsAAkOAo-Bqz6DPwEOF5O7cAJn70o4CGDlzuwe_BHN2UKr0xyoDmuSO9VTXrH56M32qlH_scUxVlSgN0OhT5lF1-IX0R9ACRiP0b58Cnb-SMdfbwkc/s640/zeke+baby+announce.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While I am on here...I will add some of the best from the last 2 months as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vV2cyq21aLJtC99LEwTpU4l0jDbsLgmJGYC7jB-lDWV9TQJoPBmVF8s3NrreOXgZPfUO_g7uxnQrBG0_7jVqHcSa_mlD_7Tm7XpD_lZfxQ2e6iFo7xyO_D1fgvJ_1FnYRno3FD7Ladg/s1600/Zeke+1+month.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_vV2cyq21aLJtC99LEwTpU4l0jDbsLgmJGYC7jB-lDWV9TQJoPBmVF8s3NrreOXgZPfUO_g7uxnQrBG0_7jVqHcSa_mlD_7Tm7XpD_lZfxQ2e6iFo7xyO_D1fgvJ_1FnYRno3FD7Ladg/s640/Zeke+1+month.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz6rDT_aUFEI5d4LrpjF4qHIUxMlHkGWoaql1m1I8MRz99B1lJH1G4iBrDUEdwgW8enfIHt3ceVcqIviBNhyZbdpdlKc3TXthOeR1xDgmbimIkb6MAqenW7PR-QvJYWrfV4Y8qbhu4d8/s1600/Zeke+1%252Bmonth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz6rDT_aUFEI5d4LrpjF4qHIUxMlHkGWoaql1m1I8MRz99B1lJH1G4iBrDUEdwgW8enfIHt3ceVcqIviBNhyZbdpdlKc3TXthOeR1xDgmbimIkb6MAqenW7PR-QvJYWrfV4Y8qbhu4d8/s640/Zeke+1%252Bmonth.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbBpmDpdnnuL1_JjlENtWxIIiRiwQO7003pAlQZQ-XSWepxXzvDKN9apJ3ZOQXVJDnj1QFApedt7jCSHF-FrX2ssxN886JYFVhjFnOW5nvniI1CHJdPrpa5rteKS5pu2MLzs2orEM9JU/s1600/Zeke+2+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbBpmDpdnnuL1_JjlENtWxIIiRiwQO7003pAlQZQ-XSWepxXzvDKN9apJ3ZOQXVJDnj1QFApedt7jCSHF-FrX2ssxN886JYFVhjFnOW5nvniI1CHJdPrpa5rteKS5pu2MLzs2orEM9JU/s640/Zeke+2+months.jpg" width="637" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For the record...Mike thinks its terrible that I took pictures while Zeke was crying! Oh well, I think he's the most adorable crying baby ever...LOL!</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-67031923974412073032011-09-17T18:04:00.000-05:002011-09-17T18:04:31.889-05:00More domestic stuff.....Some might call it 'nesting,' but I really just don't want all this yummy produce to go to waste! I got some tomatoes from the garden when I went to Kansas last weekend. I wanted to make salsa, & also canned crushed tomatoes. Since Mike is allergic to onions, I use alot of crushed tomatoes for spaghetti sauce, chili, etc...any tomato based stuff...most of all store bought stuff has onions. Anyway, I came across a post saying that you could puree your fresh tomatoes (skins & all) and freeze them in freezer bags to use whenever! I thought that sounded so much easier than trying to stand over the hot stove canning all these tomatoes. So I tried it! I did have enough peppers to make Mike 1 3/4 qts of salsa!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5GAe_4gQBkFWd84Bq2eju8XgJyr1EXRRzCU8azCllrvUa1SgyyZ_elcK07hpox1nJ463rX-om-YzEmfi8N9c4QT09hCkl07qAteBnI7dC4Hlmm9mYCmVYpvgOJPPkMbJIvWcuEWnYWA/s1600/IMAG0471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5GAe_4gQBkFWd84Bq2eju8XgJyr1EXRRzCU8azCllrvUa1SgyyZ_elcK07hpox1nJ463rX-om-YzEmfi8N9c4QT09hCkl07qAteBnI7dC4Hlmm9mYCmVYpvgOJPPkMbJIvWcuEWnYWA/s320/IMAG0471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwE_k3CCz9jjBtC8_zNBew4WW2umk0bb-b3cLVQz7byIce7eYQi0ZQqUBqyAGFLrS_QOQNrQcGpjy_pk-taLx1RSbxQ1Clbe3L9IBft3n7Xm1LqCnBLOOz4SB7LfqA0vN5pHrkbF6fy8/s1600/IMAG0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwE_k3CCz9jjBtC8_zNBew4WW2umk0bb-b3cLVQz7byIce7eYQi0ZQqUBqyAGFLrS_QOQNrQcGpjy_pk-taLx1RSbxQ1Clbe3L9IBft3n7Xm1LqCnBLOOz4SB7LfqA0vN5pHrkbF6fy8/s320/IMAG0472.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little gadget came with my blender & attaches to it. It has a bigger blade...I guess its kinda like a food processor! It works great, I have used it more in the last 2 weeks than the whole time I've had it. *Side note* My mom & mom -in- law both have their blenders that they got when they got married (37 & 36 yrs.) And I already have had to replace my blender once in 12 years (probably about 4 years ago).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHlz4GOBv_RNGF9V68o6rqm6utQuns1yD7yEE4wseoYIFlmfUxfmFeABKN-g_eKl0FfB2154VMNU8QpOSxbo01qZJCLojN5qPswjFJVRSR1RwgmEyFNmEczxxR7P6aJiDoUtph30th6Y/s1600/IMAG0473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDHlz4GOBv_RNGF9V68o6rqm6utQuns1yD7yEE4wseoYIFlmfUxfmFeABKN-g_eKl0FfB2154VMNU8QpOSxbo01qZJCLojN5qPswjFJVRSR1RwgmEyFNmEczxxR7P6aJiDoUtph30th6Y/s320/IMAG0473.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I ran the tomatoes through here & then transferred them to a bowl</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz37k1sX4FyxmZTEo-uLlDl-Bwm9gK3N9AZFZNxtmZ7sIa1-QRdMSo3c3S7BxvER4ETC2gUCHTVWexZ6K7hwjfVyApiOgaZg5w2r8UZ0sYWx20Jq-wJE3Q85fqfGCCHBxJj-L9s58jCE/s1600/IMAG0474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz37k1sX4FyxmZTEo-uLlDl-Bwm9gK3N9AZFZNxtmZ7sIa1-QRdMSo3c3S7BxvER4ETC2gUCHTVWexZ6K7hwjfVyApiOgaZg5w2r8UZ0sYWx20Jq-wJE3Q85fqfGCCHBxJj-L9s58jCE/s320/IMAG0474.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I used this ladle to put the tomatoes into the baggies. The ladle measured just about 1/2 a cup</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAatIP7luKKWuKCq6ilzHzlOSLcu_qeIEnHSuwXpx9hB2_z51yOM1oI3IHpbV9twiWFhvK4MdpLpQr8H5HnKbroD7F5O9Un7zSD36m1rdHeDc_XTy1Sz2rtWll6iKykYvZ7ooSRqQ6abw/s1600/IMAG0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAatIP7luKKWuKCq6ilzHzlOSLcu_qeIEnHSuwXpx9hB2_z51yOM1oI3IHpbV9twiWFhvK4MdpLpQr8H5HnKbroD7F5O9Un7zSD36m1rdHeDc_XTy1Sz2rtWll6iKykYvZ7ooSRqQ6abw/s320/IMAG0475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I filled each bag with about 3 cups.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLETcUJkPRKFcMwh52k9tAIdkauA-EXaIyX_NWEtFjoY8xio07eImaHzAqLXB4djBNYQoTCXk1FrzLYhNxhz4j3JTsr24BkX8ofJqhOvg8gfIlPzhixj7_ZAf1HQsfp20OxW9hh8caJdg/s1600/IMAG0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLETcUJkPRKFcMwh52k9tAIdkauA-EXaIyX_NWEtFjoY8xio07eImaHzAqLXB4djBNYQoTCXk1FrzLYhNxhz4j3JTsr24BkX8ofJqhOvg8gfIlPzhixj7_ZAf1HQsfp20OxW9hh8caJdg/s320/IMAG0476.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I ended up with 8 quart size bags of crushed tomatoes..can't wait to use them! But...I should probably use the canned grocery store stuff that is in my pantry. That way, when it's super cold & wintery, I can use my "fresh/frozen" tomatoes and they will taste so much better!</div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-42168911887301690422011-09-13T23:12:00.000-05:002011-09-13T23:12:33.160-05:00Mmmmm...Peach Rhubarb JamSo, I bought 2 boxes of Colorado peaches recently! YUMMY!! I could easily just eat them fresh, but part of the fun is extending their goodness through the cold of fall & winter! I have been looking for things to use them in. I will be freezing some & also dehydrating some for snacking! But I thought..hmm...jam sounds yummy! Then I remembered I still had some rhubarb in the freezer from earlier this summer! I wondered what the combo would taste like. So I asked my friend google...and it seems like many people pair the two off season fruits together. So I decided to try it! <br />
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I used this basic Peach Jam recipe from Martha<br />
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/345551/peach-jam?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/peach-recipes#slide_3">http://www.marthastewart.com/345551/peach-jam?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/summer-produce-recipes&backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/peach-recipes#slide_3</a><br />
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Then I modified it just slightly to add the rhubarb. I adjusted the amount of peaches to include the rhubarb. I didn't take into consideration that the rhubarb was frozen & therefor a little more watery as I used it, so the jam did not thicken as quickly. But all in all, it was fun & it tasted yummy on my toast today! I made 3 jars & also have a little dish in the fridge!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFGb17jM9X9wePzdQDfVa2LvRdt-Gn3k2tFoMXjcXEdFX8QQ9eWXAM-4R8Cl0Q0-tg_2ZW-cDqkeoa1HWKe2dSiRp_WQ2gg2Sa3pc3WEo0ireCSOeEQb4UAQsxKh__3lURpuJ82QyWJI/s1600/IMAG0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFGb17jM9X9wePzdQDfVa2LvRdt-Gn3k2tFoMXjcXEdFX8QQ9eWXAM-4R8Cl0Q0-tg_2ZW-cDqkeoa1HWKe2dSiRp_WQ2gg2Sa3pc3WEo0ireCSOeEQb4UAQsxKh__3lURpuJ82QyWJI/s320/IMAG0468.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopped peaches added to food processor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjre-DkRlLT9CPZaa1pNJPNUJmrNocy91wToAuNDV5bMX7mO4XKDTHs2xOJfUyn9gaJgOd07VVgZI6GMUNBeBfCqfo7w1zO38bAgI1UCyoD-H-U8UcI_S5C6g9veXGUllmOLBR8nuYdtIs/s1600/IMAG0466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjre-DkRlLT9CPZaa1pNJPNUJmrNocy91wToAuNDV5bMX7mO4XKDTHs2xOJfUyn9gaJgOd07VVgZI6GMUNBeBfCqfo7w1zO38bAgI1UCyoD-H-U8UcI_S5C6g9veXGUllmOLBR8nuYdtIs/s320/IMAG0466.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blend them up!...So pretty!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPJT0jtcwHfnhdaSyOP4MUK_bGz6MgJ5pAFcfVQRFyZG0gBVdeyDdbZFaNKPZnzEMPFpcdlEC7DNvML6EM4BNplSoUy0unl19JmFJs_Vv_yUtwk7xsXtdnk0Pw92Lg7zbI5Wok7bQtGU/s1600/IMAG0467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTPJT0jtcwHfnhdaSyOP4MUK_bGz6MgJ5pAFcfVQRFyZG0gBVdeyDdbZFaNKPZnzEMPFpcdlEC7DNvML6EM4BNplSoUy0unl19JmFJs_Vv_yUtwk7xsXtdnk0Pw92Lg7zbI5Wok7bQtGU/s320/IMAG0467.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking everything together! YUM!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pretty easy & very tasty! Have fun!</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-68046905248415470492011-09-13T11:05:00.000-05:002011-09-13T11:05:39.242-05:00Date to the 'Mountain'Since we moved here, Lincoln has been obsessed with the 'MOUNTAIN' (Scotts Bluff National Monument). He has been wanting to go there so badly. One evening, the boys & I drove out past there & then he got really excited, because he could see the tunnels. The next night as we were leaving church, he told Mike that he wanted to go on a date to the mountain! A picnic date!! So, Mike told him that on Wednesday, we would go! He was so excited! Tuesday night, I asked him what kind of food we should take on our picnic date to the mountain. We decided on: meat, cheese, & crackers, strawberries, cookies with chocolate candy in them, and root beer! So much FUN!<br />
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On Wednesday, I told Lincoln that it was time to get our clothes & shoes on so we could go to the mountain & his response was, "Is it WEDNESDAY?!?!" So, off we went... all <strike>four</strike> FIVE of us! <br />
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We had a blast! The boys loved climbing & hiking on the rocks! Mommy did pretty good too...no worries, I didn't try to do any climbing, but we did have a nice walk! The season pass cost us $15 and it is good for a whole calendar year! We have a card & as long as Mike or I are in the vehicle, we can use it! I originally thought that I would be able to take the boys sometimes when Mike was at work...HA!!! There is no way I will be able to do that for a LONG time! They are so busy up there. Mike had to stay very close to them the whole time. Absolutely not a great idea while I'm pregnant for sure, then when I have the baby....um...still not a good idea! Oh well, we can still go very often! <br />
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Well, here are some pics from our day! Enjoy...OH & come visit & you can join us on a picnic date to the mountain!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_f7L6pmOiMVIH1e2tk3igOLgQD5LQ-84cKbx4j9aSoqIOOYKnnZY5XEok-1G6stWSlgzUf4fGRYDPdnY1HqJF4jpUe_xlHjUhWi1645yTZLOGKjdUL1DGB86AYDUzQPSx7oZRO6qda4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_f7L6pmOiMVIH1e2tk3igOLgQD5LQ-84cKbx4j9aSoqIOOYKnnZY5XEok-1G6stWSlgzUf4fGRYDPdnY1HqJF4jpUe_xlHjUhWi1645yTZLOGKjdUL1DGB86AYDUzQPSx7oZRO6qda4/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My guys!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0aRUnYYa_B4-u0Iu51tNcdwkKlZU_R2gPSTOA4YtP-9Nl2_ni38vdbWzAdtgkVKQBSpU4u8qVDNwp8zfnAa8-JieDw52T1ZNcjxCOFFH5Q30ELzOr-90Zax292FrR53C5PXKJ4c_KSs/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0aRUnYYa_B4-u0Iu51tNcdwkKlZU_R2gPSTOA4YtP-9Nl2_ni38vdbWzAdtgkVKQBSpU4u8qVDNwp8zfnAa8-JieDw52T1ZNcjxCOFFH5Q30ELzOr-90Zax292FrR53C5PXKJ4c_KSs/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justice! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN5qxgSvW4rSNMw4f1b7ZtJUe_rii2qSmPlqB5-9JH3wUj5YSzdLcP2ACnLMFq1FLviqLEfNT2JC5qoE38DRschQMVvkHyyGH6RXKNPvjjvkJxFe2t6aMIc0Z7RKkESkOLv7Flrkxb4U/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN5qxgSvW4rSNMw4f1b7ZtJUe_rii2qSmPlqB5-9JH3wUj5YSzdLcP2ACnLMFq1FLviqLEfNT2JC5qoE38DRschQMVvkHyyGH6RXKNPvjjvkJxFe2t6aMIc0Z7RKkESkOLv7Flrkxb4U/s320/003.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So strong!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6wtAU3lNkqTWE1QEmM46j7Fkd6mcRiYd7W4V_e6PzWyjGvBaW-RZO27Bzu5r3OB9JrgOk39ystoselWyIfVg3K0sS3SXzuQn0xMH7ADycpzNqYCmIDv6thHgx3Roe1RpGFYzOrs1mD0/s320/015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My climbers!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-vHG2SYwSoQg_DSEipXh6rP31LkWjCysyMfshkPSCnGVMOZw6lsYe2ZxpFafjOCMK1ZZrk5ztU83Ze3_3Vy0W1sL8AwO3Y3VSH_4IQ_O8iqzbRajjX4Jlc-LNJLhG8qxa2ynWJOELhs/s320/013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch time!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HKhmA1_9zOwPYUXTHIkSOnrAe1JzNLbm2F-W2GIP1_DshbvU0skvTTqwtt6veLuli7RmRJ85OguonHpjtyznZTNmjl1GBMqnZB5AJtuAXEhom4E3AWUo0BDHTHnd0P9XSoCg94vv_gc/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HKhmA1_9zOwPYUXTHIkSOnrAe1JzNLbm2F-W2GIP1_DshbvU0skvTTqwtt6veLuli7RmRJ85OguonHpjtyznZTNmjl1GBMqnZB5AJtuAXEhom4E3AWUo0BDHTHnd0P9XSoCg94vv_gc/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the way down!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xv034PbmfYmO-J_43HD3BpA3yyUycnYx_odV1tElFlTz5KPt1726cHH8lrkJ9JQtPMOLi7UzOl-nvOU2Ne6xxxhVGTnn-rPyBGE9ItpgkFIC60jJM30NvyoTJyAD0NZTj5Ofwfo8LeU/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xv034PbmfYmO-J_43HD3BpA3yyUycnYx_odV1tElFlTz5KPt1726cHH8lrkJ9JQtPMOLi7UzOl-nvOU2Ne6xxxhVGTnn-rPyBGE9ItpgkFIC60jJM30NvyoTJyAD0NZTj5Ofwfo8LeU/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tunnel(s) there are 3 of them to drive through...THE BOYS LOVE THEM!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEa6s6-sMMSc6HLgecNlwfJJ545qjYzzmbE9lV6sTRmw5vau7jQq3CUhmBde1g5N3ZeJkXsoCorhGX4DfJkSaql47tRtc36j1ifIbEcA2nbjmEZOxwUfZPrZwvrsPo-Fxmhh3r3sSK68/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEa6s6-sMMSc6HLgecNlwfJJ545qjYzzmbE9lV6sTRmw5vau7jQq3CUhmBde1g5N3ZeJkXsoCorhGX4DfJkSaql47tRtc36j1ifIbEcA2nbjmEZOxwUfZPrZwvrsPo-Fxmhh3r3sSK68/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us...the best I could get! love these guys!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-4210488427280942232011-09-05T22:43:00.000-05:002011-09-05T22:43:41.672-05:00Backyard Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a great night tonight! We set up our little fire pit & built a fire, cooked hot dogs for supper & then roasted marshmallows! So much fun...the boys had a blast!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We had some funny moments...I wish I could remember them all! One time Lincoln said, "I love marsh(buuuurp)mallows!" LOL I said, "Lincoln, what do you say when you burp?" He proceeded to "pretend burp" too funny! I explained...about 'excuse me' Oh BOYS...what fun, they are!!!Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-49218614418096364712011-09-04T21:54:00.000-05:002011-09-04T21:54:52.600-05:00Ahhh....FALL!!OK, so I know its technically not fall until September 23rd...but this weather is so not summer!! I AM SO HAPPY! <br />
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First of all, our nice little window a/c unit does well for the front room. Actually, it does too well for the front room, (cold) but the rest of the house is still stuffy & warm. This girl can't sleep when it's HOT (preggo or not)...so I actually slept on the sofa a few times, because I was uncomfortable! ANYWAY, yesterday we actually got to open all the windows & turn the little a/c unit off! IT WAS AMAZING in our house! AND....to top it off, the smell of sugar beats or feedlot were not invading my house along with the cool breeze..YAY!!!! And I actually slept in my room & had to use the sheet to cover up with for a bit...I was actually a little chilly!<br />
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Secondly, FOOTBALL!!!! YAY for FALL FOOTBALL!!! Is there really a better time of the year....EVER??? especially in Nebraska...hello? I love Husker football & I can't wait to see how this season unfolds. There is so much uncertainty...the newness of everything, the conference, the offense, new places to play, etc....I am stoked...no matter how it turns out each week, I anticipate Saturday!!! (of course, it's always better if the Huskers win!)<br />
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Next, cooking & baking! I told Mike the other day that I was so excited because it was finally almost soup season! He laughed & said you eat soup anytime! I know...but I explained that somehow soup always tastes better when you don't have to cook over the hot stove to achieve a tasty pot of soup! YUMMO! Plus, I am kinda "famous" for my chili making skills! But I also enjoy making beef n noodles, chicken n noodles, veggie beef stew, cheeseburger soup, & potato soup! MMMMM.....<br />
Oh and baking...mmmm...so many yummy flavors to choose from! This morning I got up & noticed that Justice had taste tested 4 large apples in the fridge & returned them! HA!! So I cut out the teeth marks & then sliced & cored them. This afternoon, I made apple crisp! YUM! I love making things like this that don't require a precise recipe! After all, how can you go wrong with ingredients like, apples, oatmeal, a little flour, cinnamon, brown sugar, & butter?!! <br />
So really, this also comes down to temperature...really who likes to cook when its 100* outside?<br />
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A few more things I am anxious for this fall! <br />
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<ul><li>BABY SANDER #3...HELLO!!! Can't wait til October...or whenever this little munchkin decides to join us!?! </li>
<li>New wardrobe...actually for me..2 times! I love change of seasons when you can pull out all the things you haven't worn for months...for me I get to do this a few times! I will (maybe) get to utilize my fall maternity clothes & then also pull out all the non-maternity things I haven't gotten to wear for awhile. </li>
<li>Pumpkin patch with my boys!! HOORAY!!!</li>
<li>The fact that summer is actually gonna be over...it's not been an easy one :)</li>
<li>Cooler weather (already said that, didn't I?)</li>
<li>Outdoor parties! We have a ginormous backyard & I can't wait to spend some more time out there in the evenings! Gotta have people over!!</li>
</ul><div>Anyway, I am extremely excited for the change in weather that has sparked all of these thoughts in my head! Hopefully, it's not just teasing me...I really would like it to be here to stay! </div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-75505286274413954022011-08-31T16:24:00.000-05:002011-08-31T16:24:30.537-05:00Great Article!!!<a href="http://theresurgence.com/2011/08/31/a-wifes-testing-ground?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheResurgence+%28The+Resurgence%29">http://theresurgence.com/2011/08/31/a-wifes-testing-ground?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheResurgence+%28The+Resurgence%29</a><br />
<br />
This girl is speaking my story! I really needed this! Sometimes its so easy to forget that God is always there even when things are so uncertain. Change is hard for me...this moving & starting over bit, I DON'T LIKE IT!!! I am not one to reach out, ask for help, seek friends etc. So...obviously this is a difficult transition for me despite all of the things we are dealing with @ home. BUT....GOD is ALWAYS FAITHFUL...he will always be my rock.<br />
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Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-69280813242968898912011-08-09T23:21:00.000-05:002011-08-09T23:21:36.269-05:00LIGHT UP THE SKY!!!!Earlier today we were driving around & my boys insisted on listening to "Light up the Sky" by the Afters, over & over again...so precious to hear their sweet little voices trying to sing along...can you just imagine? Lincoln does really well, and Justice...he's just cute while he sings it! So seriously we listened to it probably 12ish times. Each time before the chorus, Lincoln would say "are you ready Momma?" Then we would sing the chorus together...really loud!! Then at the end of the song, he would say, "I want to listen to light up sky again!" (Have I ever mentioned how much these boys melt my heart?)<br />
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Anyway, it was so much fun!! Here's the song!!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8LQH6UDi15s" width="560"></iframe><br />
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"light up the sky, to show me you are with me!" AND...that's exactly what God did tonight!!! SO AMAZING!!!!! He has really been reminding me of His presence lately! I am so in AWE of His POWER & GREATNESS. From everything He is doing in my life & teaching me lately and also the AWESOME light shows he creates...I like to think sometimes He is just showing off, or maybe just wants to make me smile, or wants me to have a little fun trying to capture a little bit of his GREATNESS on camera! Well, I was so surprised tonight to see that I did just that!! I had some fun & captured what His GREATNESS looks like to us on earth! What a great reminder of a CREATOR!!!!<br />
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Here are the best of the night!!<br />
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Hope you take some time to recognize the Greatness of the Creator! I'M SO IN LOVE!!!!Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-61845128881116000692011-08-05T23:14:00.000-05:002011-08-05T23:14:00.426-05:00Best Dill Pickles EVER....my Grandma's homemade!!!So, as a girl growing up I can always remember having homemade dill pickles @ my Grandma's house. THEY ARE THE BEST!!!! So now as an adult(LOL) I have attempted to make them myself. I tried a few years ago & didn't do something quite right, they didn't stay crispy or crunchy...they got kinda soggy :( This was 2 summers ago..so last year, while visiting my Grandma, we of course had her homemade pickles..which prompted me to ask what makes them stay crispy...she told me & so I was alot more careful this time to make sure I did it right (I hope). Anyway, thanks to a friend with a large garden, I made pickles today! I can't wait to try them...but I know I need to!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><u>DILL PICKLES</u></div><div style="text-align: center;">1 head of fresh dill</div><div style="text-align: center;">one garlic clove</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/8 tsp Alum</div><div style="text-align: center;">piece of horseradish about 1 inch long </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I can't find any...so my pickles won't quite be the same...need to plant some in my garden for next year)</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNsRtb4eObZTlRk19fe-aGGFTF_0md9DtxdABM56IdQckPJ7Ghw6edhXt4G2tpa89Sxn54g1SW3OhgpLmoF8ehja_Ldd3bfVqGfVYvQ6kkfSreiginyJiQaRTJxoBChf2yIbxiCd1r_M/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJNsRtb4eObZTlRk19fe-aGGFTF_0md9DtxdABM56IdQckPJ7Ghw6edhXt4G2tpa89Sxn54g1SW3OhgpLmoF8ehja_Ldd3bfVqGfVYvQ6kkfSreiginyJiQaRTJxoBChf2yIbxiCd1r_M/s320/022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Ingredients</td></tr>
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Scrub cukes and cut off ends<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rc6uHTgXQxhdR30lf-8GSNaxBNcT62laGC4JcpZAm3VR9vZCWSKqg7q5VSMBSdBkCW1lc5bS-JkKRxVm7q3gv78iBWdpKQ5kU0gU-0_56xdcbOsNoyrHFzhMn9VGbBJsMhMv9KjiEFk/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rc6uHTgXQxhdR30lf-8GSNaxBNcT62laGC4JcpZAm3VR9vZCWSKqg7q5VSMBSdBkCW1lc5bS-JkKRxVm7q3gv78iBWdpKQ5kU0gU-0_56xdcbOsNoyrHFzhMn9VGbBJsMhMv9KjiEFk/s200/017.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whole Pickles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQG3io5z2vOUAppW_86D2YqQ3iKrPV-6qp1mxhteovsR8q-EOm0K4z_PHncXaly1-0Sn99Slb0ug_Uy3kFDuTpQK8ABzTKOBBTDdAdM2-N4Dnz0247Mb8Bfl1W4sUoaC4vvPis4oiCYw/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQG3io5z2vOUAppW_86D2YqQ3iKrPV-6qp1mxhteovsR8q-EOm0K4z_PHncXaly1-0Sn99Slb0ug_Uy3kFDuTpQK8ABzTKOBBTDdAdM2-N4Dnz0247Mb8Bfl1W4sUoaC4vvPis4oiCYw/s200/019.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slices for Burgers & Such!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BFArIQSLFrKPf6MR6RcqJx0jGwoSuhhOZpf4wBPNHlEkMNSrupmJtF9pSQDANzcERhtU5ZK-b99EXIEpF90Q395rAAtnxpM9B-KXHU33-dANeApFnbX1bnZnnHi4wA3p-589ujkh7SM/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BFArIQSLFrKPf6MR6RcqJx0jGwoSuhhOZpf4wBPNHlEkMNSrupmJtF9pSQDANzcERhtU5ZK-b99EXIEpF90Q395rAAtnxpM9B-KXHU33-dANeApFnbX1bnZnnHi4wA3p-589ujkh7SM/s200/018.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spears </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
Pack into sterilized jars and cover<br />
with boiling brine made from:<br />
<br />
1/4 c pickling salt<br />
1/2 c vinegar<br />
3 cups water<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliAlAljLGGg2Lq_P_mfJ6jFrNN84vYQcQ33WFmJaLt0vZuY9CplU1il6VxD3XquFV64gXbFmWU27iJRq9JkASRFMdkTSLVZmJbjG0d1l0d1XIekHqJ7doUwrt2CyJ4nwRijANMdMH1fg/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliAlAljLGGg2Lq_P_mfJ6jFrNN84vYQcQ33WFmJaLt0vZuY9CplU1il6VxD3XquFV64gXbFmWU27iJRq9JkASRFMdkTSLVZmJbjG0d1l0d1XIekHqJ7doUwrt2CyJ4nwRijANMdMH1fg/s320/024.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Packed in!!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWRuh7UJhPItEHjpYuRinbVA8jCxlQPu0UCmUzU57o_HIpOMabiF-iIRsfoMpIn7noOm5YWLiu3NZhX6ApN1Paysggxcb10g2ukBPxR2xprmwQFQMhDVHiPh4-TDdAD6GWI4xor6HshA/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWRuh7UJhPItEHjpYuRinbVA8jCxlQPu0UCmUzU57o_HIpOMabiF-iIRsfoMpIn7noOm5YWLiu3NZhX6ApN1Paysggxcb10g2ukBPxR2xprmwQFQMhDVHiPh4-TDdAD6GWI4xor6HshA/s320/023.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boiling Brine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuFn5z0kUJk80k9wAXCwVtWGI4jFPlnQ8REbH3kdFeeUu6hUcr1nZZyFYJoCUn8Wkay-Cq64TTvws0TIWG64rcIYTuqY1m2LZ_SrzfYsVD8_ABhXL7ndy228z6RZv3pBixh8llvVkgiI/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuFn5z0kUJk80k9wAXCwVtWGI4jFPlnQ8REbH3kdFeeUu6hUcr1nZZyFYJoCUn8Wkay-Cq64TTvws0TIWG64rcIYTuqY1m2LZ_SrzfYsVD8_ABhXL7ndy228z6RZv3pBixh8llvVkgiI/s320/025.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding Brine!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seal with lids (I just put my lids on & turn them upside down...then as they cool, they seal...EASY)!!!</span><br />
<br />
YUMMY!!! Enjoy the BEST DILL PICKLE EVER!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-81824346190135492022011-08-04T01:25:00.000-05:002011-08-04T01:25:38.003-05:00Lightning...YAY!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-_51ENF9V07NYWTS4q2K6DfqBGqOJKXC4ayduQZ8yFHQ6PUYtVhHLZIZ9WidOztT-Q5fYlEmAaouA-lVZw6tszfxIyuV8za8lGe44Fue_B0cNPb4T_xSxFTLv_g_VsndZEfmLjksdUw/s1600/085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-_51ENF9V07NYWTS4q2K6DfqBGqOJKXC4ayduQZ8yFHQ6PUYtVhHLZIZ9WidOztT-Q5fYlEmAaouA-lVZw6tszfxIyuV8za8lGe44Fue_B0cNPb4T_xSxFTLv_g_VsndZEfmLjksdUw/s640/085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Best of the night! Actually only got 2 strikes...mostly the lightning was sheety....which made for cool looking clouds. The nice orange glow comes from the lights of the prison! </div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-63051397509192147012011-08-02T15:02:00.001-05:002011-08-02T15:10:18.127-05:00I WILL RISE<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kinda having a rough day...trying to remain confident that someone else is in control of my life & I can trust Him. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I HATE being pessimistic. But lately those negative thoughts seem to be blaringly louder than anything else I hear. It is so frustrating for this "glass half full girl" to not be able to deal with the negativity. This is something I have never struggled with. I am always the positive one, the encourager, the joyful one. But for some reason, Satan is really getting to me lately. He picks & prauds until I can't take anymore & I feel like I just want to scream,( but I don't cuss(rarely-anyway)) so I usually just end up in tears of frustration to get it all out! After the tears have stopped, I compose myself & try to seek some encouragement! Sometimes that is just by opening the Scripture & camping out in the Book of Psalms for awhile & sometimes it is finding just the right song to listen to..which usually leads me to Scripture. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This song, I heard a couple of weeks ago & I LOVE IT!!! It was just what I needed to hear today(and lots of days, actually)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/S2ti1BikZrA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-30608" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29319" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup> This is why it is said:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> “Wake up, sleeper, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> rise from the dead, </span><br />
and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such great reminders :)</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-6121632759433544702011-07-29T01:34:00.000-05:002011-07-29T01:34:08.357-05:00Shooting Lightning!I HAD SOOOO MUCH FUN TONIGHT!!!! I was finally able to get out to try to shoot lightning! For real, I have had some great tips from friends! It was fantastic. Amazing to see that GOD does all of this...creation is sooo amazing! I can only dream about capturing a part of it! <br />
<br />
Here are a few of my favorites from tonight!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_12SK31zsxF7oyrFF52hA02Yqk2jvZ7iBHKh7KwflynLkSQimMnIqbfmXtrom5G-Sx16UNCd-Sj0EOLHyog4s1WGy0L3Jymh_WsUxEbT2YEO211noy-BMfYSy8Y7wHdzKQ-niBZNaSQk/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_12SK31zsxF7oyrFF52hA02Yqk2jvZ7iBHKh7KwflynLkSQimMnIqbfmXtrom5G-Sx16UNCd-Sj0EOLHyog4s1WGy0L3Jymh_WsUxEbT2YEO211noy-BMfYSy8Y7wHdzKQ-niBZNaSQk/s640/047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My first lightning strike capture..EVER!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JfHWqfCNhbNRxAZEStO76XV-v_F-_k9RLZlVyg3ebofT1s4xVi3UddMRvQUwuMog3zFAOEVqJxLmekKpTI0SJ3FQr7ArZ7Pomu_qlnHkkIQ134DmN1O71K2YphHG_a1BM8u4ka59Z5k/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JfHWqfCNhbNRxAZEStO76XV-v_F-_k9RLZlVyg3ebofT1s4xVi3UddMRvQUwuMog3zFAOEVqJxLmekKpTI0SJ3FQr7ArZ7Pomu_qlnHkkIQ134DmN1O71K2YphHG_a1BM8u4ka59Z5k/s640/062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just really like this one!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisysMjGDnJENjXaigBcnXW8_ypJpb__k9VPdtEbUP9oJIJwqw6xxZK3b17bPF8sAteBSdWvfupEoy_4bYn1QNb7D8rdvOdloToAncYZaLw5l9LxM1PLdB4FmGnM3A-T6k8A_HXpC5giUk/s1600/071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisysMjGDnJENjXaigBcnXW8_ypJpb__k9VPdtEbUP9oJIJwqw6xxZK3b17bPF8sAteBSdWvfupEoy_4bYn1QNb7D8rdvOdloToAncYZaLw5l9LxM1PLdB4FmGnM3A-T6k8A_HXpC5giUk/s640/071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love how the tips of the fingers on the left are blue!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B4f6klC2fok-qPNJt93rDqAAGJpUGUkzE1GYaXIK1_qYfqytQ-lPFTE1yXMPZ0-aWGKVl63i30OcTWOBRKRi_K9ohtRb-v2ujEuUEPfy7VhfFDtNQRFIM3gmHUZfQsQxmRAoVKZUBVo/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B4f6klC2fok-qPNJt93rDqAAGJpUGUkzE1GYaXIK1_qYfqytQ-lPFTE1yXMPZ0-aWGKVl63i30OcTWOBRKRi_K9ohtRb-v2ujEuUEPfy7VhfFDtNQRFIM3gmHUZfQsQxmRAoVKZUBVo/s640/090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> My FAVE of the night! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't wait for another chance to get back out & try some more...always fun to learn something new!</div>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5980429191520643319.post-16018598191166697762011-07-23T21:59:00.003-05:002014-04-21T19:57:01.550-05:00Justice & Mercy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently heard the song "Courageous" by Casting Crowns. There was a part in it that really stuck out to me. They sing "Seek Justice, Love mercy, walk Humbly with your God." I knew this was from Micah 6:8...I have loved this verse for awhile. Steven Curtis Chapman has a song based on this verse as well called "The Walk" (I believe..actually I did double check) Anyway, when I heard this song the other day, it really made me think about ALOT! Mostly, I'm sure because of recent circumstances in my life. So the more I think about it, I got to thinking how contradictory these words sound. How can you "seek justice" and "love mercy" at the same time. It seems so opposite! So I went back & looked it up in The Word, and then I went to dictionary.com to find some definitions of the words!</span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: white;">So here it is Micah 6:8</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-CEV-19341" style="font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">8</sup>The LORD God has told us</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"> what is right</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"> and what he demands:</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"> "See that justice is done,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"> let mercy be your first concern,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white;"> and humbly obey your God."</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: white;">And for the words defined....(there were several listed for each..but I picked the one that made most sense to me)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><b>jus·tice </b><i>n.</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">the</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">administering</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">of</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">deserved</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">punishment</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">reward.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: white; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br /></span>
<h2 class="me" style="display: inline; font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.25em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: small;">mer·cy </span></h2>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;"><i>n.</i></span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13px;"><span id="hotword" style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">compassionate</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">kindly</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">forbearance</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">shown</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">toward</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">an</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">offender,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">an</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">enemy,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">other</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">person</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">in</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">one's</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">power;</span><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">compassion,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">pity,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">benevolence</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13px;"><span id="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: white; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">So...how do we administer deserved punishment, but be compassionate or kindly show forbearance toward an offender....anybody else's head spinning?? It's like a big circle...I could talk this around for hours...but, I don't wanna keep you that long. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13px;"><span id="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: white; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 13px;"><span id="hotword" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: white; cursor: default; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: static;">Anyway, the first thing I think about is the fact that I wonder how many of us really understand "justice & mercy." For instance, we all want "justice" when we feel like we "know" someone has done wrong...take for instance the Casey Anthony trial...I didn't follow it enough to come to a conclusion on my own, but I gathered by the reaction via the news & social media that "most" people were convinced that she killed her little girl. So "we" wanted justice. On the flip side of that we all want "mercy" when we have done wrong. Same story, I'm pretty sure (guilty or not) the Casey was wanting mercy. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; line-height: 19px;">For me, this presents an inner struggle of what I want vs. what I know I deserve! I know that when I do wrong to God & others, I WANT mercy, but I know that I really need justice. The beauty that I have come to realize is that the two can only coexist. When it comes to the plan that God designed, they are not separated! God is just & will always be, but he sent his Son to take our place & provide mercy for us! Romans 5:6-8 paints a great picture of this!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him." (The Message)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's so AMAZING to be on the receiving end of mercy, but lately, I have experienced how great it is to be the mercy giver. A few weeks ago, my Aunt told me I was showing mercy, I didn't quite understand what she meant. But the more I think & ponder on these verses from Micah, the more I think I understand & the more I want to be the mercy giver in all situations of life! A huge lesson I have learned is that the more mercy I show, the more mercy I realize that I need in my own life. I am so grateful that Jesus continues to work on me & my downfalls. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This brings me to the last phrase of the verse "walk humbly with your God." Maybe the most important part. Knowing that I can neither seek justice or show mercy without walking alongside of God is the point. It's all about Him & not about me. Again, so thankful that His Truths are revealed to me each day, through trials & through joys! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mentioned a couple songs at the beginning of this post, but I'm only posting the second, because I found this super sweet live version & SCC just totally plays his guitar!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0PJPOGk8GUM" width="560"></iframe></span><br /></span>
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</span>Stina Sanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11399942765440052009noreply@blogger.com2