Upon reading my devotion this morning, I came across this scripture,  Exodus 25:8 “I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them.”

I began to think of my home and wonder, “am I making it a “sacred residence that He can live among us?” As I think about that, I have to remember that when we moved into this home, both Randy and I dedicated it to the Lord and told Him that this was His house. That He could use it for anything HE wanted!. As I look back over the last 3 years, I remembered “taking it back” many times from the Lord. There have been times when I knew that I should be inviting someone over who just needed a night of laughter, encouragment and a meal, but I was “too busy”. There have been times when I think back of nights when we sat in front of the television, when in fact, we could have had the new minister and his family over, to welcome them to our church; or a new widow that is still trying to get adjusted to eatting dinner alone every night.

There were nights when Randy and I would sit there talking about tired we are of being so busy and not much time to ourselves. Then when I read this mornings scripture………it reminded me that we had told the Lord that this was His house, and that it means, not just when it is convenient for us, but at all times, for whenever He desires to open it to others. The scripture, “you might just be entertaining angels unaware” comes to mind. We both feel that we have entertained “angels, unaware” at certain times, and it was those times when we were the ones to receive the blessing. Is my home always open to who God puts on the doorstep? Is it warm and inviting? Do I treat each person that walks in that door as important as another? Do I share the Love of Christ to them? Is Christ reflected in my smile or welcome? Do they leave this home feeling that they have been in a “sacred residence” one which honors the Lord, that only edification and encouragement was heard?

Will you join me in making this year the year of making our homes a “sacred residence”? Let’s honor God where we are, our homes! Let’s make it a place where our husbands want to come home and our children want to be there. Let’s use our homes as an extention of God’s love to whoever He brings to our front door.

Part of my morning devotion the last few mornings has been to read a little in the above mentioned book. There is a page in it that I would like to share with you.

“The Fear of Speaking Out to the World around Us” In this part of the book, God has told Abraham to leave his country, his people and travel to the Land of Canaan. Abraham has arrived and has heard God speak to him telling him that this land would be given to his offspring. Upon hearing this, Abraham proceeds to build an alter to the Lord, right there in the middle of Canaan. Can’t you just imagine the Canaanites asking him what he is doing….this leads up to this page in the book, where Abraham, must have felt all eyes of the Canaanites  on him, as he builds the alter to worship God, “What God are you building this alter to, as we have many god’s here in Canaan?”  Abraham’s response, “My God, who is the one true living God. The Creator of the universe and all that is in it.” “That sounds pretty narrow minded to us. So what’s with the alter?” (Canaanites)

Abraham…”God has said the only way we can be reconciled with Him, the only way we can enter into His presence, is through the sacrificial blod of a lamb. I’m worshiping God as He requires.”

Canaanites response, “didn’t I tell you that he was narrow minded? I’ve never heard of anything more intolerant or exclusive-not to mention weird. We need to keep our eye on this stranger in our midst.”

“When have you presented the gospel to the people around you? Who has seen your “alter”? When have you told others that you have been reconciled to God through the blood of the Lamb and that they can be also? Are you afraid, in our politically correct, increasingly pluralistic, multicultural society to exalt Jesus as…………

the unique Son of God,

the sinner’s Savior,

The captive’s Ransom,

The Breath of Life,

The Centerpiece of all cultures,

the one who stands in the solitude of Himself, by His own authoritative declaration, as “the way and the truth and the life”?

“Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” So don’t be afraid. Build your alter”

This page in Anne’s book spoke to me so vividly this morning, as I prayed that God would use me. Where am I allowing Him to use me and where will I build my alter to Him? It might be someplace new, it could be in my neighborhood, or among people who God brings into my life. As we walk this “spiritual walk” with Him, we learn that we are always surprised at how God comes to us. It is never in the same way. It will always be in His time, His way and it will always be an adventure. I want to commit to Him to come humbly before Him, seeking HIS WILL, not mine……..will you join me in “building our alters” wherever and whenever He speaks?

OK, I know now you think I have totally lost it. I probably have, but have to share a secret with you. If you are ever in the downtown Dallas area, you MUST go to Fuel City for the best tacos in the world.

We were up preparing for church when lo and behold we hear one of our favorite gospel groups on the radio and they are saying that they will be at First Bapt Dallas this morning. Well, we forgo some of the normal “prep” work of getting ready, like eatting and get on the road to head downtown. The music and the sermon was so worth the drive and the skipping of breakfast. Now, on the way down the tollway, I tell Randy, “you know, while we are down here, why don’t we go to Fuel City for breakfast. He looks at me with that “look of love” and smiles and says “oh yeah, that’s why I love you, I was planning on taking you to a nice breakfast someplace where we could maybe sit and have a great cup of coffee by a fireplace, eat warm rolls and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, but you are on, missy”. Of course, this also appeals to his “frugal” side, as he is getting out so cheap. Instead of a $20.00 breakfast, he can fill me up with about $6.00 worth of tacos. Now the scenery isn’t all that great, and the only fireplace is when we turn on our heated seats as you have to eat in your car. The points of interest is the city jail, the Copa Capana Strip Joint across the street, but trust me on this, the tacos are just the best you could find anywhere in Texas. So don your bullet proof vest, fill up the car with gas, and head on down to Fuel City and enjoy the barbacoa dripping down the front of you while sitting in your car, watching the bail bondsmen, city attorneys, truck drivers, people who have not been home since around 8:00 last night with still the same clothes on, and eat until your hearts content. Next time, we are just going to give them a $20.00 bill and tell them to keep the tacos coming until we have our $20 worth.

It was also on this excursion that we discovered that our honeymoon stage is over. When we are driving home, Randy takes one hand off the steering wheel and says, “wow, I can still smell the taco on my hands.” Now ladies, if you are like me, you remember the time when you were first married or dating and if your “sweetie” had touched the steering wheel or your phone, you would smell your hands and think, “oh, doesn’t it smell just like him” and you would remember having him hug you and look down and kiss you. Well, now, it is a little different, now we lift our hands, smell the tacos and dream of the next time we can head down to the Riverfront exit off Interstate 35 South, downtown Dallas.  Because of the onions and cilantro, we won’t be doing too much kissing until we get home and are able to gargle…….

The potato casserole which is listed below is the recipe of my new Lock & Lock friend. She brought this to the funeral luncheon yesteray and I have to say, it is soooo good and gooey. When I asked her if it was the hash brown casserole, she looked at me and made me feel just like I had accused her of using canned frosting. This lady grates her own potatoes. That’s right, she grates her own potatoes. She is right next to Paul Deen in my books. So thank you Rita for the wonderful new recipe. Maybe that’s why they say, “Rita Rocks”. Also, my other new best friend, Jerry, she brought me a recipe for a new cupcake which is suppose to taste like an Almond Joy, so when Randy brings the rcipe back from making a copy of it, it will go on the blog. Plus my son-in-law’s Pork tenderloin which I forgot to put on here is also being posted. So many recipes, so little time. Enjoy this gorgeous day and remember, “butter is better”……..

Before the day gets away from all of us, I wanted to share something with you. Right now, WallMart has the cutes little marshmellow “pals” that are 3 to a package $$1.00 that are on the Valentine candy isle)  that could be broken apart and used on top of cupcakes. I bought the green frogs which are holding a little pink heart. I am going to make them and outline the top of the cupcake in pink for the girls and the kelly green for boys. They are just precious. Go get some. It will make decorating your cupcakes for Valentines day so simple.  Then buy some of the frosting in a tube (any color you want) for the outside border and you are done. Unless you want to feel like a Martha Stewart or Paula Deen and make your own frosting, which sure makes the adults you give them to, think you are the best cook in the world. But if giving them to children, the frosting in a tube is great. They don’t care what it tastes like, they just want it to look cute. HA.

I know right now that you must be thinking “what in the world do funerals and lock & lock’s have in common”. Well, I’m going to tell you. Now  I know that this is probably one of those stories that isn’t funny unless you are there to experience it, but………I have to tell you, this really was so funny, or I’m getting so old that it just doesn’t take alot to make me laugh. Either way, I learned something today. Now, I do not want you to think that we were being disrespectful, discussing QVC while in the kitchen while the families of the deceased were standing around sharing events in their lives with their now passed away loved one, while we are in the kitchen laughing our heads off at what “hum, some of us…..(RH)”…are addicted to…….but since we didn’t know the person or anyone there except the owners of the home where we were serving….we allowed ourselves some bonding time between the 3 of us. We are putting things away and one thing led to another and before you know it, we are discussing what we like to buy and (not mentioning any names here, but I will say ” the blond one among us” says, that she is addicted to Lock & Locks. Jerry and I didn’t have a clue what Lock & Locks were so before we can say, “Tupperware” we are 10 minutes into a conversation as to all the wonderful things regarding this most wonderful invention called Lock & Locks…….Well, I had to come home to check this out on QVC and she’s right. With these new gorgeous colorful little plastic containers, I can have my kitchen totally packaged up in round, square, rectangle, straight upright, long or flat, containers. Now, I will have to think about what color I am going to organize in. Do I pick red and then all the patterend containers to go with the red, or do I want a mixture of colors, like all blue for the staples like flour, sugar, cornstarch, etc…..then the green for the festive spices, yellow for the fruit or just the clear containers so I can use my imagination as to what I would like painted on them, if I so choose.

Honestly, I came home and spent $100.00 ordering containers to put the spaghetti, macaroni and rice. Now am headed off to the store to buy different shaped and colored spaghetti and macaroni products to look pretty in the different containers. Thank you “oh new blond friend”.  I’m sjure that when Randy finds out, he will  thankyou also……now besides HGTV, we will be watching QVC just in case Lock & Lock come out with a new colored container, which I must have…………

Seriously, this was a wonderful time of bonding with two ladies who I have not really known very well up until today and it was an honor to have them there and to visit and work together. What a blessing our Bible Fellowship has been that we continue to be amazed at the sweet people God puts in our lives and allows us the chance to fellowship and laugh and enjoy being and working with ladies who share so much of the same feelings, hobbies and thoughts. Thank you Jerry and Rita for today. It was such fun and rewarding to laugh, to work and to know that our hearts were bonded just a little more than yesterday…..let’s make it a point to continue this conversation over a cup of coffee, a cupcake and an order form for Lock & Lock!

What a most glorious day today. The sun is shinning and the weather is just beautiful! Am doing a little cooking and then will take off a couple of hours to watch “Jack” on the season premier of 24 tonight. After us going over to Randy’s mom’s house and cleaning up after moving her to a nursing home, I have really rethought about what I keep and what I don’t. So kids, you would be proud of me. I have been throwing out things that haven’t been looked at in a couple of years. Don’t worry, we are not throwing out any treasures like all your report cards, or your cigar boxes with pasted on macaroni, sprayed gold, all over it. I want you to have the joy of doing that. One day you are going to thank us for what we are doing this week. Have thrown out old cookbooks that we never use, clothes that are the size I want to be, but will never be again, funiture that has the “gorilla glued on” leg. Things that we should have tossed many years ago. But in going through some of the things at Hazel’s, there were a few cookbooks that I just had to bring home. I made some peanut butter cookies from one of those books which I will share tomorrow. They are just delicious. And since it was written in the 1950’s, it has 1 cup of shortening in it. That’s right, shortening, not margarine or half butter, but pure shortening and that is simply what I used. So stay tuned in tomorrow, as that recipe will be posted. Gotta ruin and get another trash bag, am going to attach the hall closet now………

OK, I just got really busted by Son In Law, Eric, for not talking about how awesome his pork tenderloin was Christmas night dinner. Actually it was fantastic, and I have continually told him, since that day, that that was the best tenderloin ever. So today, he asked me why I had not written about it on the blog. Since I’m old, I was able to use the excuse, “I thought I did”. So Mr. SIL, here it is. I have to truly say that it was just the best ever. It was wrapped in bacon, marinated in mustard, brown sugar and apple juice, I think and then put on the grill outside to cook. Scrumpcious! It was also nice just walking in to their house and only bringing a couple of items. What a wonderful Christmas day we had. Thank you Eric and Jodi for hosting all of us this year. It is just so much fun to be friends with our adult children and to share meals, laughter and watch as you begin new traditions with your children. This growing “older” is not half bad. We are able to sit and relax sometimes “just because we want to” and not apologize for doing so. We enjoy sitting by the fire, reading, talking on the phone or simply just watching television. It’s nice this time of year, to just settle in some nights and enjoy the moments. So, thank you Eric and Jodi for hosting a most wonderful memory. Eric, please send me your recipe so we can share it with our friends! They are waiting!

What a beautiful day. The sun is shining and I am cooking tacos for my daughter and her husband to come to lunch. Their office has moved over close to us and she loves to come to lunch when I offer. She loves homemade tacos, so we will sit by the window, enjoy the sunshine and chomp down on tacos and chocolate cream pie for dessert. While in the kitchen, had the tv on watching “Tool Time”. It is the segment about Tim not ever wanting to talk to his mom and, of course, at the close of the 30 min show, he comes to realize that if he does not talk and share his heart with her, and her with him, there will come a time when he would be unable to do so. This understanding comes after hearing from a friend that he would never really get to know his mom as a person. It started me thinking about our adult children and what they think they know about  Randy or myself. I remember during my young adult years that I was pretty self centered and pretty much everything was about me. (Yes, I am an only child). As we mature, we realize that our parents, like us now, were not just parents, but “people” as well. They had friends, feelings and thoughts that I probably will never know. Now, is the time, that when I talk to my mom and dad, I try to ask them about not just what they are doing, but what they are thinking. It feels good to hear them talk about why they made some of the choices they made, why they moved to certain places, why they worked at certain jobs, what they felt when I made some of the choices I made. It will feel good to know, one day, when they cannot share their hearts with me, that maybe, just maybe, I gave them the chance to share who they really were, not just telling them what I was doing, not what I was feeling, or telling them my plans. It’s sad that we have to waste so many years sometimes, before we allow the people we love truly love to share “who they are” . These parents of ours shaped the people we are today. It is interesting to hear the stories of their trials and their accomplishments and their failures, their goals they met and their goals they never attained. Life happens so quickly. It is amazing, this gift God has given us…..life, with so many family members and friends, coming and going through different seasons of our lives. I want to live the rest of my days sharing, when asked, what is on my heart, not being afraid to speak words of love and encouragement to those I love. I hope our children will one day ask us these questions, desiring to understand our hearts.