The words in John 15: 7-8 have been playing in my mind for several days. ABIDE in ME.

As I kept reading this verse over and over, God was with me, just He and I. My Rock, my encourager.  “Believe in yourself, you CAN do it.”

I knew that He was encouraging me in regards to the new Bible study I am starting.  As excited as I am about studying the Book of James, I was not sure I could take on the challenge of memorizing the Book of James.  However, after listening to a short ‘tutorial’ on how to take on this challenge there again John 15 came up.  Again “Believe you can do it”.   Never did I think I would even take on this challenge, heck I can’t remember what I did the day before, how am I going to memorize an entire book?   Well, I am asking God for that ability and I am not going to leave any room for negative thoughts or talk.  I have to believe I can do this.  I may not do it as fast as others or I may just get through the first few chapters, but I am going to give it my all and I am going to enjoy it.

The second time this week that I felt God’s encouragement was while I was trying to decide if I should join the Ava Anderson team.   I was feeling uncertain about it all and after meeting with my team leader and others in my group I went home and just asked God for clarity.  Why was I considering this?  What was my ultimate goal?  Could I really make this work?  How would this time be different?  Again, I kept hearing, believe in yourself.  I took God’s advice, I am going to believe I can do it!!!

Ultimately I would love the chance to make Ava work to bless our family financially, but the bottom line is that for several year,  I have been passionate about the same things that this company is.  I want to make a difference.  More importantly, I feel that it will bring glory to God in many different ways.  To share these products  with a family who will see a remarkable change because of them is like sharing The Gospel, on a much smaller scale of course!   I didn’t just feel a spark of excitement, it is an explosion.   I have had the pleasure of sharing this with many friends and I am astounded by the encouragement and support.  How blessed am I?   Who knows where this journey will take me, but I am excited to find out.  I would love to share what I know with you.  I will be posting two opportunities if you are interested.

If you would like to come to my February or March Stamp Club as a guest please contact me ASAP so I can make sure I have supplies prepped for you to stamp with us!  If you place a qualifying order your guest fee of $7 is waived.  Remember this is a fabulous time to stock up on cardstock, ribbon and inks, spend $50 and pick a free item out of the Sale-a-brations Catalog.

Would love to have you join us for Stamp Club:

Thursday February 9th 12:30-2:30   This date is subject to change

Wednesday March 13th 12:30 – 2:30

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/kimberlyrussell

Even with the pecan’s my kids loved it. It is fresh and perfect with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Recipe: Nantucket Cranberry Pie
Prep Time: 10 Minutes | Cook Time: 45 Minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 10
Ingredients
Butter, For Greasing
2 cups (heaping) Cranberries
3/4 cups Pecans, Chopped (measure, Then Chop)
2/3 cups Sugar
1 cup Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 stick Unsalted Butter, melted
2 whole Eggs, Lightly Beaten
1 teaspoon Pure Almond Extract
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Sugar For Sprinkling
Preparation Instructions
*Adapted from a recipe by Laurie Colwin*
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Generously butter a cake pan or pie pan. Add cranberries to the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle on chopped pecans, then sprinkle on 2/3 cup sugar.
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, melted butter, eggs, almond extract, and salt. Stir gently to combine.
Pour batter slowly over the top in large “ribbons” in order to evenly cover the surface. Spread gently if necessary.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. 5 minutes before removing from oven, sprinkle surface with 1 tablespoon sugar for a little extra crunch.
Cut into wedges and serve with ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

My sweet eight year old daughter is growing up so fast, but it brings me great pleasure to see her interested in creating things with her hands.

What seems to be a growing trend, many of my dear friends and mommies, like me, are trying to bring back the art of homespun simplicity.

Back in the day, it was the only way to get many such items by many American families. Today, in 2012, it is almost more expensive to make things from scratch. Even so, I love that our children are interested and willing to learn how to bake, cook & sew. In learning a few of these timeless talents, I think they are also learning how special and unique something handmade with love is.

A few weeks ago, Gillian asked if we could make matching blankets for her American Girl dolls and herself.  This week we picked out some fleece for the project.   I cut both pieces of fleece into the four parts.  Gillian helped me line them up and I cut the strips for her as she tied, all four blankets in one afternoon.  We watched a few episodes of The Walton’s while we worked.  It was a wonderful mother-daughter memory for me.   They turned out beautifully and I think that Gillian, Lillian, Libby and McKenna are very happy.

Quinoa and Pistachio Salad with Moroccan Pesto

1 cup             uncooked quinoa
1 cup             chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup         water
1/2 cup         orange juice
1/3 cup         coarsely chopped cilantro, or basil
1/4 cup         olive oil
2 Tbs             coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
3 Tbs             lemon juice
1/2 tsp          cumin seed
1/2 tsp          salt
1/4 tsp          cayenne pepper
2 lg                garlic cloves, minced
1/2 1 3/4 C  Roasted red pepper, chopped – or sun-dried tomatoes
12                  black olives, pitted and chopped
1/2 cup        pistachios

Place quinoa, broth, water and juice in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Place cilantro and next 7 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor and process until smooth. Combine roasted pepper, quinoa, cilantro mixture and olives in a large bowl. Gently stir to mix. Sprinkle with nuts.

Hayden wanted some software training so Santa paid for that and Gillian had the extreme pleasure of picking out a million earrings for herself at Claire’s – so fun to see the joy on  their faces.

One night we headed to the Shops at Briargate, Hayden and Kip headed to The Apple store, and Gillian and I went to Claire’s.  About 40 minutes later we met  up and had dinner together at CPK – I love those little outtings as a family.  Great memories for all of us.

This recipe was a hit- lots of flavor and plenty hearty for the men in your life.

1 Pound of pork sausage or turkey sausage. (I actually used Italian sausage)

2 (16 oz) cans Chicken broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 (10 oz) package of frozen spinach
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 oz) can tomatoes with green chillies
1 garlic clove chopped
1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts
1 (20 oz) package tortellini with cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Brown the sausage in a skillet, stirring until crumbly; drain. Combine sausage, broth, bouillon, spinach, tomatoes,tomatoes with chillies, garlic and water chestnuts in a Dutch oven and mix well. Simmer for 1-2 hours. Add tortellini. Cook using the package directions. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and ladle into soup bowls.

Week One

Week Two

Week Three

Week Four

Along with the amazing musical talent, the articulate sermons, we were given the weekly gift of a talented carpenter.  Each week he created something new out of the same pieces of wood.  Simply beautiful.

Week 4 -  Joy

How much does Christmas cost me?  Nothing! ?  The real cost is given to us by GRACE.

Isaiah 55  1. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in that which is good for you.

3. Incline your ear, and come to me;  hear that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.

These gifts are free to us, but they did not come without a cost.  It is because of the gifts of Hope,Peace, Love that we may have JOY.

Star was transformed into the Manger

Loving the Gift Series that we are going through this Advent season.  

When we are adopted into God’s family, we are privileged to enter a new realm, eternal life.  This privilege is not something we have to wait until heaven to enjoy, we get to enjoy some of God’s gifts immediately.  Gifts like Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.   

This week’s gift was Peace. 

Where does Peace come from?

It is a gift from God, it is free to us but it did not come cheap or without cost.  It is only through Christ’s sacrifice that we may have Peace.