I Thank God… Day 30
I Thank God… Day 29

I thank God for seasons and celebrations in our lives. Our existence would grow rather hum-drum if we never celebrated anything. I told my daughter yesterday that Fall ends in December; but, we seem to have five seasons now rather than four. The Christmas season has been added to the basic four. I suppose it helps ease us into winter. Today, fall will disappear in my home to be replaced bit by bit with Christmas.
I did go shopping yesterday morning. There were a couple of items that I couldn’t afford any other way. I went to our town’s
Wal-Mart. Things didn’t get crazy like in the city; but, one lady actually fainted. Perhaps it was the crowd. I got the two things that I needed; but, after reading about the deaths at Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, I don’t think I want to participate anymore, regardless of the sale prices. It’s just not worth it. What could shoppers have been thinking as they trampled that poor man at Wal-Mart? Will they enjoy their “bargains” purchased at the price of a man’s life? I’m sickened by it.
God forgive us as a people and a nation for the shameful way that we have idolized the gifts and giving above all else. I wonder that the press hasn’t renamed Your birthday, Buymuch. Forgive us for the Greed that Stole Christmas. Bless the families of the men who were killed. Heal their hearts, bring them close to You.
Laura
Thankful
That Not All
Have Forgotten
You in This Season
German Apple Stuffing
My momma always made sage dressing. When I got married, I decided to do something different. It’s become my family’s favorite stuffing. I always think I’m going to go back and make the sage dressing sometime; but, I’m always voted down! Happy Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas!
German Apple Stuffing
1 loaf white bread in 1/2″ cubes
1/3 cup butter
1medium chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1/4 c chopped celery leaves
2 T chopped parsley
1/4 t salt
1/8 t pepper
2 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten slightly
2 medium Red Delicious or Gala Apples, pared and chopped
1/4-1/2 cup raisins
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 6 cup baking dish. Place bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until dry and toasted, about 5 minutes. I sometimes just have the kids toast the bread in the toaster and tear it up small for me instead.
2. Transfer bread into large bowl. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees.
3. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in onion, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook 3 minutes.
4. Pour over bread and stir. Add milk and eggs. Stir to moisten. Gently stir in the raisins and apples. Spoon into prepared baking dish. Cover with foil.
5. Bake one hour.
How to Plan Your Holiday Meal Preparation Timeline
Happy Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Down to the Wire…Timeline
I Thank God… Day 26

I thank God. This month has made me really think. Thank you Sue at Country Pleasures for suggesting this theme for the month. Last night, I was talking with my children and praying with them after our company left. I amazed them by thanking God for my mother’s cancer. It was a most painful time in my life, in her life, and in the lives of our family members. But God!
I thank God for my mother’s cancer because He used it for so much good. Here is a list of just a few of the things that I know God did with Mom’s cancer.
My mother, Barbara, dedicated her life to God, and sought Him with all her heart mind will and strength. She had known about God all along. Now, she gave her life to Him and set about searching the Holy Scriptures to know God. She was saved by accepting the sacrifice of Jesus’ for her sins and believing in Him and His word, the Bible.
My step-father accepted Jesus and was saved.
My little brother, Brent, accepted Jesus and was saved.
My mom had the opportunity to witness to people in the hospital. She was always as happy and chipper as she could be when she went for chemo. She called her doctor Eyeore and wouldn’t accept his bad news that she had only a 2% chance of beating her bone cancer. She loved life and tried to enjoy even that part. She lived much longer than she was “supposed to” by pressing into God, by exploring herbal supplements in addition to the chemo.
Bless her heart, I’d been a Christian for many years; but, before she died, she told me the entire Plan of Salvation. She wanted to make sure that I’d be with her in Heaven one day. She wasn’t willing to leave it to chance. God bless her for it.
Mom’s cancer was not a tragedy. It was a victory. She fought the good fight. She ran the race. She won. She ran into her Father’s arms.
Mom’s cancer gave a God fearing woman, who had been single all her life, a new husband in my step-father. She helped him through mourning and helped him continue to grow in the Lord. It was hard seeing him marry so quickly after Mom passed; but, it’s been a good for him.
Mom’s cancer allowed two more babies to be born to be raised for God.
There are many things I’m not even aware of. In my heart and emotions, it was so painful. I miss her so much. I sometimes pray and ask Jesus to give her a message; because, I don’t believe in talking to the dead. I figure I cannot go wrong if I go through Jesus. I hope He’ll read this post to her. ~smile~
So cancer was and is a tragedy. But God!
” And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, The Bible
I used to think that meant for me personally. I’m coming to understand that God has a different overall view than I do. He’s looking at what is best for all His people according to His purpose. I’m not going to necessarily feel like it’s best at the time. I’m not necessarily going to like it. But God is going to work with it and use it all for His purpose. I thank God that He loves me so much, I am part of His purpose. With God, everything may not be alright in my circumstances; but with God, I will be alright in my circumstances.
Thank You God.
Laura
Getting a Little Stressed?
I Thank God…Day 24

Thank God it’s Monday! This is an odd week for a sales executive. My hubby will work regularly for Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday will be strange because no one really wants to buy advertising or anything else on the day before Thanksgiving. So, I think he’ll have a meeting with the boss and tie up some loose ends, etc.
I thank God for Lowell’s employment. It really seems to be something he enjoys, his boss seems to be pleased. I’m also thankful for regular paychecks again. Some of you know that Lowell was out of work from last November until August. Those were really growing in faith and creativity months. We’ve learned so much in the last few years. I thank God for bringing us through these hard times and building our faith in Him. I also thank God for protecting our marriage during the very worst of times a couple of years ago. He sent us to Marriage Encounter right before we lost our business. Thank you God!
Laura
Thankful to be Regular
~giggle~





