twizzlers and answered prayer

I am sitting here munching on twizzlers.  Strawberry twists to be exact.  They are a weakness of mine.  Discovering Wal Mart sells a bag of them for only a $1.50 was a good thing and not a good thing. :)  Sugar is not good for my Crohn's...but it is good for making me smile (as long as I don't get sick!).  Right now I'm grateful for them.

A much bigger thing on my mind, is the answered prayers regarding a couple situations with my job.  God's graciousness amazes me.  I've been focusing so much on the "little" gifts He sends each day that I think I may have (unconsciously) lost sight of the fact that He gives big gifts and answers big prayers too.  Often His answers to my "big" prayers are wait (and wait and wait and wait and wait).  Once in awhile it's a blessing to my heart and a booster to my faith when He answers a big one quickly...because honestly, I just don't expect that.  Should I?  I don't know.

It has been forever since I posted.  That means I've been busy, sick, and very busy thinking about other things.  I will post some random things from my daily list of gifts soonly.  In the mean time, remember God always answers prayer.  Sometimes with a quick yes, sometimes with a wait (and possibly wait and wait and wait and wait) and other times with a no.  But no matter what, His answers are ALWAYS best even when we don't understand them.  I am clinging to that as I enter another week of challenges and pain.  He's so good!

P.S.  Life is fun!!!  Doesn't matter how awful it gets, we can choose to have fun!!  So thankful for some awesomely fun family time today laughing our heads off.  God is good! (Have I mentioned that before?!)

always give thanks

I am typing this from my comfy bed in which I have spent a lot of time the past thirty-six hours, thanks to an awful, sudden head cold.  It's been a miserable set of hours (my Crohn's disease is flaring up too) but it's given me more opportunity to look for the daily gifts.  They aren't hard to find...the hard part is focusing on them (instead of on my state of misery).  God is really teaching me to give thanks in and for everything...to always, always, always, always give thanks and praise to Him.  Below are some more of the gifts He's been showing His love for me through...I'm jumping a bit out of order so that I can include the gifts of sickyness with this particular post.  (I'll catch up on the ones between ninety-three and one hundred fifty-one later.)

151. a head cold that hit on a day I already have off work

152. a family who loves and cares for me when I'm sick

153. a very hardworking family...who hauled wood ALL day (two days in a row!)

154. chocolate chip cookie & milk...baked by Mom and delivered by Susanna

155. a straw to sip my milk with :) (thanks Susie Girl!)

156. a recliner to get a little sleep in at 4am after hours of restless tossing & turning in bed w/head cold

157. colloidal silver, viral immune stimulator, vitamin C, elderberry, water, & Reliv

158. a new box of Kleenex to supply my huge need for snot wipes

159. two beautiful cards from two beautiful friends to brighten my sick day

160. a mom who loves and serves tirelessly

161. lotion & lip balm for chapped nose & lips

162. opportunities to praise Him in the storms

Hope you all are healthy and well!!  I'm SO grateful this is the first cold I've gotten all winter...God is good!!!

pain

My heart is so heavy for all the people I love who are going through so much pain and suffering right now.    It breaks my heart.  It would crush me if I didn't know I can trust Jesus to carry them through...how blessed I am to know so many who love and serve Him and can lean on Him during heart wrenching times.  I honestly don't know how people make it through life without Him...I guess it explains all the bitterness and depression we see around us.  I came across this verse yesterday and it was such a blessing to my heart...such a precious promise for the pain in my own life and the pain in the lives of those I love.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.  (Revelations 21:4)

frosted banana bars

I am craving these moist, delicious banana bars covered in scrumptious cream cheese frosting.  I've been making these for probably at least ten years and thought I'd share the recipe.  I just hope I don't fry my laptop with all the drool dripping on the keys!

Frosted Banana Bars

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• 
  
  Frosting:
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3-3/4 to 4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture.  Stir in bananas.

Spread into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool.

For frosting, in a bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy.  Gradually beat in enough confectioners' sugar to achieve desired consistency. Frost bars. Store in the refrigerator.  Yield: 3-4 dozen.

Can I just repeat that these bars are delish?!  Try them....they are worth every second of work (and just fyi, they are not a lot of work! I love simple! :) )  Happy Wednesday evening everyone!

randomness

A few random facts for today....

huge, black, devilish spiders just know when it's me in the bathroom (apparently I'm the most fun to scare)

for the price of one concrete mixer from Culvers my siblings and I got twelve donuts and six ice cream cones (w/chocolate and nuts and caramel centers!) from Aldi (frugal celebration of lil bro's basketball win at it's finest!)

I refuse to believe it's March because two months of 2011 cannot possibly have gone by yet

I'm thrilled it's March because that means SPRING will be here soon

my heart is aching for hurting loved ones

I completely forgot to do my laundry last night...this is a big deal in a big family where laundry is done on a schedule...if you miss your time slot, you better hope you have more than seven days worth of undies (and in case you're wondering/concerned, yes I do have more than seven days worth)

I'm wearing pink socks with white polka dots (funky socks make me happy)

Jesus is more amazing than I can begin to fathom!!