Bible Study

My sister and I decided to do a Bible Study together. It's an odd story of how that came to be, but I am oh so thankful it did!

The Study we participated in was from GoodMorningGirls.org. I started out in a group, but because of some differences in myself and some of the others in the group, I left the group. At the time, I was so very hurt and didn't understand. Instead of walking away from God, I ran straight to Him!

I was determined to do the Bible Study, even if on my own! I mentioned something to my Dad and in turn, he mentioned something to one of my sisters. After V found out, she sent me a text and the idea to do it together was formed!

Now, V, has been a huge prayer warrior in our family, so I knew right away that I would be blessed just by talking with her. It has become so much more than just a Bible Study!! We have learned, we have laughed, we have cried. Being two and a half hours apart from each other is difficult. During this study, even though I could only hear her voice, it has been a gift only God could give! We started the eighth week and sometimes it feels like we just got started and other times, it feels like we've been doing this together all our lives!

I have grown so much over the last eight weeks. I have work to do, still, as I am human! Anyone who says they don't need to grow in their faith is lying! We will always be growing in our faith, learning about our God and our Sweet Jesus who gave His life for us!

I think back to when I was starting this study with the other group. I have to admit that I did question why one was so awful to me. She was suppose to be my friend, my confidant. We were going to make this awesome journey together. I know God always has a plan. Now that we have entered week eight, I no longer question why things happened the way they did. I am thankful they did. I could write a book, but I don't want the heart of this post to become about something it should not. Some things are better left between myself and Our Lord and Savior! I realized that Sister V and I were meant to travel this journey together!

Thanking our Heavenly Father for my sister, V the words Thank You just don't seem like enough, but with all of my heart, I say them! I also can't thank sister V enough for traveling down this road these past eight weeks with me! Without even knowing it, she has walked beside me, carried me, held my hand, gave me a shoulder to cry on and a heart only a sister can give.

Finally launched my Etsy Shop!!

Where?  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OSUFROGMOM 

What? 
Crafty items - right now I have an old cabinet door repurposed into a chalkboard! I will be listing more chalkboards soon and hopefully some paper crafts. 

Why?
This is what I love to do!

Chocolate Mikshake Day

Doesn't this look yummy?? I follow Ball Canning & Recipes on Facebook and this was in my news feed today! I will be making these after dinner today without the sprinkles, though! Can't wait to surprise DS with them :D

Where Were You

Twelve years ago, on September 11, 2001, the world was taken by surprise. The United States was under attack. Much of the 911 remembrance is about what happened when two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, however, we must remember the plane that hit the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in Pennsylvania!
I remember where I was, what I was doing and who I was with like it was yesterday. I will never forget that day as long as I have my rightful mind. I had just gotten my oldest off to Kindergarten and come back up to the house to check on our youngest and his nurse. My Mama and Daddio were at our home visiting while my hubs was at work. I had just turned on the TV downstairs for my Daddio and we sat down to watch the remainder of the news. We had no idea that we would be watching the news for the remainder of the day. At first, they replayed the first plane crashing into the first of the twin towers. We were horrified. We stopped everything and said a prayer. As we went back to watching the television, my Daddio made a remark of seeing the plane over and over only to hear me screaming "No, No, No - that's another plane - the other tower has been hit by another plane!" It was then we realized that the Pentagon also had a plane crash into it. Then shortly after, yet another plane crashing in Pennsylvania that was believed to be heading towards our Nation's Capital! We were wracked with grief and disbelief! I called my husband as soon as I could gather myself. My first thought was I want my loved ones home with me. If I'm not mistaken, I think hubs told me they were on lockdown and would be following the news. I wanted so badly to go get Drew from school but they were on lockdown as well. All we could do was watch and pray. My Mama and I got to talking about family back East. I wondered if my cousin Eric was in the city that day working. So many questions, but no answers. It seemed all circuits were busy. All we could do was pray to our Lord and Savior that He be with all those affected.
I remember many people asking "Where were you?" I also remember many people asking about where God was. God was right there. I suppose I will never understand when someone blames God for what happened on 9.11.2001! When Alan Jackson sang Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning, I would instantly tear up and pray.
Many of my friends and acquaintances went to New York to help with Ground Zero and many of my friends that served in The Armed Forces were shipped overseas when the invasion happened a few years later. For a time, The United States of America seemed to grow closer and it seemed so many that had turned away from God were running back to Him. If only we, as a Nation had held onto that...I do believe many became stronger in their faith, but so many turned their backs on Him. I couldn't imagine my life without having The Lord!

Family Crockpot Apple Cider

I found this oh so yummy recipe through Frugal Girls Recipes. If you've never checked out their recipes - head on over! I actually found that website while doing a google search, but later came across them on Pinterest. I did put Family in front of the recipe as I will be adding an Adult only recipe, also. 

What You’ll Need:

• 2 Quarts Tree-Top Apple Cider
• 1/4 cup packed Brown Sugar
• 1/8 tsp. ground Ginger
• 1 Orange ~ unpeeled, and cut into wedges
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 tsp. Whole Cloves
• Small square of Cheesecloth

What You'll Do:

• Tie up Cinnamon Sticks and Whole Cloves into Cheesecloth.
• Add Apple Cider and all other ingredients into crockpot.
• Cover and simmer on low.
• Cider will be ready in about 3 hours, but can continue simmering on low.
• Remove cheesecloth bag and orange wedges
• Serve in regular mugs, or so-cute Mason Jar Mugs… and ENJOY!
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day.