Marriage

Little Gestures Make for Many Years of Marriage

RefreshHerLeave a comment

img_20160627_230753.jpg

There is always a reason to celebrate marriage, but I’ve had 35 reasons to celebrate my marriage this month, seeing that we celebrated our 35th anniversary on the 20th!

How does a person get to their 15th or their 25th or their 50th? It’s by making your marriage each and every day.

So here are the little things I did this month to show my husband that he matters; that our marriage matters.

While traveling through Kentucky alone recently, I stopped at a Cracker Barrel for a break and saw these rocking chairs. We own black ones just like them, but I had to send a picture to my husband just to say,

“I know you’d love these blue KY rockers!” But it was also a reminder that I was thinking about him, what he loves and what matters in his world. It’s easy to get too busy or too cumbered about with all our other cares to stop and let a smile creep across our face because we know our husband would laugh at that scene we’re watching, or would enjoy the treat we were just served… or would love that team rocking chair!

img_20160606_065458.jpg

Every month when I repost these entries I almost laugh at how small each gesture was, but that’s really the whole point!  It’s the little things that make the big difference!  This bag of peanute clusters were purchased when I ran into Walgreens for some other item.  When  walked past them, I thought of Dale – a lover of all things that include any kind of nut = peanuts, almonds, pecans – it doesn’t matter.  Cover it with chocolate and it’s even better!  I purchased these, wrote the little note on the bag and hid it in his desk drawer while he was away.  Why?  Because I think he’s nice! He’s real nice!  (Any Andy Griffith fans out there remember that episode?)

img_20160620_102203.jpg

This picture was posted on the day of our anniversary – a reminder that it’s the fun times + the hard times that make up 35 years marriage.  Each day is a treasure to be enjoyed!

wp-image-1433789735jpg.jpg

The phrase on the vase, “I love Us” is a phrase we’ve used for years.  Having a quote that is “yours” is a way to mke your relationship deeper and stronger.  It reminds you of where you’re headed and how you want to get there.

For us, the fact that “we love us” reminded us that whether we had our family close by, if children were home or gone, if ministry was hard or wonderful, if we had “us” we would be okay, with the Lord’s help!

I especially loved that when our girls threw our anniversary party on the 10th of this month, this phrase was the theme.  I pray that they will always see and know that that their parents love being together, living together, and staying together!  Why?  Because Marriage matters!

Do you and your spouse have a phrase that is “yours?”   I’d love to hear it!

With love,

Denise

salvation

I’m Going In!

RefreshHerLeave a comment

Last week our church had VBS and the theme was Ocean Commotion, so obviously it was all about Noah.  All week long we sang songs about this Bible story and event in history.  We learned about sea creatures, and of course the flood, and how Noah and his family were the only ones who trusted and believed God.  They were the only ones who safely got in the ark because they believed God would do what He said!

On the last night of our Bible school, I had the privilege of talking with three children who had each received Christ during the week!  What a blessing to talk with them about their decision.  They were each sure they were now God’s child and on their way to heaven!

  • They understood they were a sinner
  • They knew Christ died for them
  • They accepted His death on the cross as payment for their sin
  • They repented and confessed their need for Christ and each had an assurance they were on their way to heaven!

I came home rejoicing!  Here were three more, who in essence said like Noah and his family, – “I’m going in!”  They made a choice!

The morning after the last day of VBS, I opened my Bible to the reading plan I’m going through and I read in Matthew 24:37-39 ~

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

God had something else to tell me about this account of judgment on the world.  As I read the verses above I realized that:

  • People were going on their way doing their normal things at the time of Noah’s warnings.
    • They were eating.
    • They were drinking.
  • People were ignoring his pleas and were planning special events like weddings.  That means there were young people brushing off the coming doom.
  • People were giving away their children in marriage.  That means there were old people scoffing at the warnings of Noah.

But there was a day that did come that awakened them to the truth, but it was then too late.  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away.    Where did it take them?  To their death.  They had been warned, but ignored the warnings and now they were taken away.  Those wedding bouquets and decorations were now just a part of the accumulation of great devastation.  The meals so carefully prepared, pulled off the tables, out of the houses and into the current that swept everything away.  It took them all away.

Today we aren’t preaching about a worldwide flood to come; we have a promise that that  will never happen again.  We are, however, warning that Christ is coming soon, and we each need to be ready by simply accepting what those three precious children at VBS did last week.  You must walk through the One Door (Jesus Christ) to receive Christ as the penalty for your sin. Just as there was only one way into the ark, there is only One way to heaven, and it is Christ -not good works, baptism, church membership or being kind.  Christ did it all for us!

Have you trusted Christ as the only way to heaven?  Are you looking for His return with eager anticipation, or are you like the people in Noah’s day, going on your way planning all your life and events without even considering the coming judgment if you don’t receive Him?  Don’t be among those who will be “taken away” to eternal punishment in hell; accept the deliverance that Christ came to give you so you, too, can be safely inside!

Are you ready?

With love,

8e63c63ac0bc189bf1c68b03c74dbb5f (1)

 

Refreshing Summertime Pasta Dish
Dinner · Uncategorized

Refreshing Summertime Pasta Dish

RefreshHerLeave a comment

In the summertime I love eating light pasta dishes.  To me that means sauces with fresh veggies that require little or no cooking.  

This recipe today is a new one from a recent Southern Living Magazine.  We loved it!  The marinated tomatoes take the longest amount of time, but that’s only to let them sit and absorb the flavors.  You could add grilled chicken to this dish if you wanted to add some protein.   

spaghetti 2

Spaghetti with Marinated Tomatoes

Ingredients

8 ounces thin spaghetti
1/2 cup small mozzarella balls

Preparation

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain and return to pot. Spoon in Mouthwatering Marinated Tomatoes and desired amount of vinaigrette; add mozzarella balls. Serve immediately.

Marinated Tomatoes

Ingredients

2 pounds assorted tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 small shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup loosely packed Italian parsley leaves

Preparation

Gently stir together tomatoes, minced shallot, crushed garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and set aside for 1 hour and 45 minutes, tossing occasionally. Stir in basil leaves and Italian parsley leaves. Serve immediately.

I added a popover and a green salad and it was a delicious and satisfying meal!

spaghetti 3

 

On a hot day when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen, this is the perfect recipe!  Add toasted garlic bread and you’ll have the perfect summer meal!

What dish do you love to fix when it’s hot outside?

With love from my country kitchen,

8e63c63ac0bc189bf1c68b03c74dbb5f (1)

 

accessories · home · Uncategorized

No-Sew Pillow Cover

RefreshHer2 Comments

Watch the video below to :

  1. See a simple no-sewBolster Pillow cover that I made recently.
  2. See the coolest (as in temperature) way to wear a scarf in summertime
  3. Hear about a fun activity I’m participating in this weekend!

 

Here’s the tutorial about how to braid a scarf.

Check out my finished pillows in the picture below:

image

The fashion show in Jonesborough is on the back patio of Type A, 123 Main Street, Jonesborough.  If you’re not busy come over and see the cute things that will be modeled.  It’s free and it will be so much fun! It starts at 11:00.  Amber, who owns Type A will also be talking about Closet organization – something most everyone needs a little more of!  Come early so you can get a seat!

Stay refreshed,

8e63c63ac0bc189bf1c68b03c74dbb5f (1)

 

home · Motherhood

Don’t Wander

RefreshHerLeave a comment

Look what I found in a bedroom window one spring…

I’m referring only to the nest.  The empty egg was found in the backyard.  This nest was abandoned.  Never did I see the momma that build it.  There are all kinds of interesting things in this nest – mud, twigs, even a piece of scotch tape!  The builder of this nest did some work to gather items to build a home for her little family.  I wonder what happened to her and her babies?
A read a verse in Proverbs 27:8 that the Lord spoke to my heart about yesterday.  It said,
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a (wo)man that wandereth from his (her) place.
A bird that flies off and hops from bough to bough is exposed and unsafe.  A person who consistently wanders instead of staying home is also leaving their nest unprotected.  Matthew Henry said about this verse:

Those that love to be abroad leave their work at home undone. Let every man therefore, in the calling wherein he is called, therein abide, therein abide with God.

What about your little nest?  Are the eggs (your children) under your watchful eye, your listening ear, your teaching tongue?  They will do best that have their momma there to love and care for them, rather than frequently flying to be somewhere else. Even if you have your children with you, if you’re constantly on the run, it makes teaching much more difficult.

A nest is a secure place in which to consistently gather your brood.  Don’t abandon the nest; it’s God’s gift.   It’s a thought to ponder.

With love,

 8e63c63ac0bc189bf1c68b03c74dbb5f (1)