Tomorrow....

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

by Ira Stanphill

I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.

I don't borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,

And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;

But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;

Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.

There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,

At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;

But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;

But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood.

But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;

But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

More Deliciousness!

So recently I discovered a website.....Food Gawker. I tell you, this website gives me mixed feelings.  I get soooo excited at all the amazing recipes.....but it can be a time waster. So this is your fair warning. Enter at your own risk! :-) It is a pretty neat place and this is my second recipe that I've made from there.

Mini Cinnamon Rolls!!  I just thought they were so darling!  They are sooo easy to make and perfect for get-togethers with friends or at church. Did I mention how easy they are to make? ;-) Simple. The way I like it. I'll certainly be perusing Food Gawker again.....but for now....homework awaits.  Oh! If you'd like to make these yourself, here's the place.

Pretzels

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite places to grab a snack is Auntie Ann's. I love love LOVE to get a big soft pretzel and a huge ice cold lemonade. Mmmm......Today I didn't have any lemonade and they didn't taste QUITE as good, but I did make homemade soft pretzels. And they were sooo delicious! I would say it was a success. :-) You can find the recipe here.

Snow Day!

This morning around 6:00 as I rolled over to whack the snooze button for the second time I heard my cell phone buzz indicating a text.  Sure enough, the college had sent out a notice that classes were canceled.  I jumped out of bed and looked out the window! In my excitement I forgot that I need my glasses to see any reasonable distance in front of me so I scurried back to grab them from my nightstand. Sure enough, a beautiful layer of snow was glowing in the darkness.  With a contended sigh I went back to sleep knowing it would be a good day. :-)  When I officially decided I would get up, I looked out my window again, this time with my glasses.  It had snowed even more and was still falling! I would say we got 6-8 inches today overall. It's supposed to snow some through the night and even tomorrow. I wonder if school will be canceled again.....most likely. 

Happy New Year?

According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, Happiness is defined as "a state of well-being and contentment."   Many of us ring in the new year with this greeting on our lips.  Happy.....what does it mean to be happy?  And what constitutes a "happy year"?  Does it mean a year with no pain?  A year without losing someone you love? Without sacrificing something that is dear to you?  We often take advantage of the fresh start to better ourselves in some way. That's where New Year's Resolutions come in. So is that what makes a good year?  Bettering ourselves in some way?

I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever had a year that was devoid of pain and suffering to some degree.  Every year I look back and think, "I wish I would have done this." or "I could have done that better." Yet, looking back, I can also see how the Lord has grown me through every single one of those trials and pains.  Was it always a happy time?  No. But I can honestly say that God has given me JOY!  Back to the dictionary, Joy is defined as "a source of happiness".  Yup.  It's possible to have JOY even though we may not be going through the happiest of times.

Psalm 126:5,6 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepest, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself in ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

John 16:22  And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

I know many of you (us) are already experiencing some of these pains and sorrows, and the year has just begun! But what a blessing to know that we can have JOY inspite of these things.

May I wish you a JOYFUL NEW YEAR!

What A Year!

2011 has truly been a year to remember.  In all honestly, I feel like I was just sitting here recapping 2010!  This year has flown by, but has not been without event.  I have to say that it has been one of the most growing years for me spiritually.  God has grown me through the valleys as well as on top of the many mountains of 2011.  Looking back, I had no idea that this year would hold so much for me.  We never do predict these things well. :-) 

~Major Events of 2011~

**Started school at Skagit Valley College.  Big change for me after taking several years off after highschool.  I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge musically and academically. 

**Began new ministries, primarily that of working in our church print shop.  I absolutely LOVE this ministry! 

**Embarked on my first missions trip.  Staying in Thailand for three months was an experience I'll never forget.  I learned so much in that little amount of time. God opened my eyes to so many needs!  It didn't take long after being there for me to fall in love with the people and the culture.

**Saw a dear friend married and another close friend join the military.  Miss you guys!!! :-)  Meanwhile, God has provided given me new friends throughout the year and I'm so grateful for them. God is so good to me.

This really just scratches the surface.  Knowing what I do now about this past year makes me so curious about 2012.  What changes will ensue?  I know that whatever happens, God's plan is perfect. 

May your 2012 be filled with God's blessings!

Blessings ~ Friends

Can I just say that God is so good to me?! As I said in my last post, I've been a little lean with my blogging.  Part of it is just not feeling inspired to write.  But the truth is, I've been blessed with SO much!  I really do have a lot to write about. 

God has really blessed me in the area of friends.  Lately I've had several friends leave for various reasons (moving away, military, etc.) yet I still find myself surrounded by a group of Godly people with the same desire to serve Him.  There is nothing like a friendship that is grounded in God's Word and service to Him.  I feel abundantly blessed in this area with those who are close and those who are thousands of miles away. 

It's very easy to get our eyes focused on what we have lost or what we don't have.  Why not open our eyes to what's right in front of us?!  How has God blessed you today?