Graced with Grace

Hello  Awesome People, How are you this fine night? This is the night before January 1, 2013! Yay! Are you excited about that!  So  today 3 years ago, I started this blog. I had been wanting a blog for a long time before that! Back when everyone had xanga! Do you remember those days?! So, yeah, now I just gave away how old I must be to have lived in the xanga days. Hehe! ;) So after xanga went out of style I still wanted one, but then I started finding out about blogspot and decided that might be a better route.Therefore, after many years of waiting, I finally got a blog, which I absolutely love writing on... when I can think of something to write on it. Some times my brain is working really well and is full of all kinds of quaint thoughts, but then sometimes it is quite stale and unmemoriable (I don't think it will do any good to google that word because I am pretty sure it isn't there.). So why do I have a blog? Well, I saw it as a way to be able to encourage oth...

Hello Blogging World, We recently were able to go visit some of our relatives that we don't get to see very often. We made some good memories and had a great time. Here are some photos! This is me with my beautiful 105 year old Great-grandma! Four Generations.  My crazy family

Yesterday marked 7 years since my brother Micah went home to be with Jesus. I miss him a lot! Life will never go back to "normal". I sometimes think about the things Micah might would be doing now if he had lived. He probably would have gone off to college. I would eagerly wait for each home visit as I do with my other brothers. I would have fun playing the matchmaking game for him, trying to find the perfect girl for him to marry. I miss that I never got to see him graduate from high school, or college. I miss that I'll never see him get married or have children. Nevertheless, I rejoice! Yes, I miss him, and yet I rejoice. I rejoice, because I know he is home. He fought the good fight and won. He completed the race with endurance. He has reached the goal! He has won the prize! I rejoice, because he rejoices! I rejoice because God is awesome and His grace is sufficient for me! Micah is so much happier where he is now, than if he were do...

I am thankful that I have a brain and that I can think and learn so much! Yay! This is day 100! I bet you are thankful that you won't be getting so many notifications from me every day because I don't plan to be posting every day any more. Hehe! Even though I am done with my 100 days of Thanksgiving, I do not plan to stop being thankful. There is so much to be thankful for! There is never a day or a thing to complain about. Yes, I do complain a lot, but those things I complain about are not valid. ;) God tells us to be thankful for everything. That is what I want to learn to do! "Bless the Lord, O my soul,  and all that is within me,  bless his holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul,  and forget not all his benefits ,  who forgives all your iniquity,  who heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit,  who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,  who satisfies you with good  so that your youth is renewed lik...

Thankful for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord! The greatest gift of all!  The reason for this season!

I am so thankful for my brother, Gabriel, whose birthday it is today! He brings much joy and laughter to everyone. Happy birthday, Gabe! I love you!

I am thankful for vegetables! They are delicious and very nutritious! So children, eat your vegetables! ;)

Thankful for sunshine! I love the warmth of the sun upon my face!

Thankful for the gift of giving!

Thankful for my Hands! Thankful that I can use my hands to work hard for Jesus! Washing dishes at work so someone else won't have to! Crocheting a blanket for someone special! Writing a letter to a friend! Rubbing mama's shoulders just because I love her! Cleaning tables for customers! Refilling someone's cup! I do all these things with my hands that God gave me! I love to serve God with my hands! When I serve others with a cheerful heart,  then I am ultimately serving God with my whole heart!

Socks! I am thankful for socks! They keep my feet toasty warm!

Thankful for our new vacuum! I strongly dislike vacuuming, but I also strongly dislike a dirty house. Therefore, I am thankful that we can now keep a cleaner house.

The dinner I made turned out phenomenal! I made lasagna... without using a recipe. (who uses recipes any more, anyway? Isn't that kind of old-fashioned? ) As I cut up some onions with tears streaming down my face, I wondered how in the world the chef at the restaurant I work at can possibly cut so many onions and never get a tear in his eyes. ;) He actually told me the trick how to do it, but I personally don't think it works, at least not for me. ;) The bread I decided on was orange Bread. Yes, I did use a recipe for it. It turned out very delicious, but extremely sweet.  What did you have for dinner today? Did you make it or help make it?

Yay! I am making dinner tonight! Mom said so! I am so thrilled! I am going to go into the kitchen real soon and start cooking up a storm! Mom just doesn't know what she got herself into. lol ;) I guess we'll be having something awesome for dinner today! I  am going to have lots of fun! To bad you can't join me! Have I made you jealous yet? ;) Any who...I really do like to cook for my family! I just hope they like it as much as I do. ;)

Thankful for a lovely day to spend at home with my family! ;)

Woops! I forgot to post yesterday, but here it is today! Day 89: Thankful for creativity! Day 90: Thankful for all the ways that God has provided for me and my family and continues to provide for us. God is so faithful!

So thankful for my dear friend, Susanna, whose birthday it is this day! She has been my friend since the day I was born basically.  I have been so blessed by her friendship. She is a truly beautiful woman of God inside and out! She brings so much joy and happiness to all she is around! Happy Birthday, Susanna!

So thankful for my dear sister, Bethany, and awesome brother, Jesse, who we celebrate their birthdays today even though they're not twins. ;)  Yes, they are born on the same day, yet 12 years apart! They are such a wonderful blessing to me! I am so thankful that I get to be Jesse's little sister and Bethany's big sister! What a privilege! Happy Birthday, Jesse and Bethany!

Thankful for Christmas music that sings about what Christmas is really about!

Thankful for shopping trips with my Mom and sister, Priscilla ! So much fun! New memories made! Lovely times!

I am thankful for stary nights! The stars some times distract me at night as I drive home from work. I just want to look and look and look and then...

Thankful for people who are patient and understanding! ;)

Dear Friends around the world, How are you doing this fine day? I, for one, am doing very well! ;) I haven't much to tell you, but I am working on a more lengthy post. (whether or not I post it is yet to be seen.) Today I made a Strawberry cake which I am hoping will be very good. It sure did look good! ;)  I have good hopes for the cake as it seemed to turn out very moist and fluffy and that is how I like a cake. Unfortunately, I won't be here when the cake is cut into because I will be at work. I made the cake for my family and the guests that we are having tonight for dinner. Nevertheless, it might be a good thing  that I will not be here because, if for some reason it does not turn out well, then I won't be around for any comments people might make about it. ;) Or if it falls apart while being cut, I won't be around to mourn the destruction of my beautiful formation. Enough said about cake. ;) Questions for you now? What would you like me to write...

Thankful for little jigs with Lydia! So much fun! So silly! So much laughter and giggles!

Thankful for this beautiful day I've had to serve the Lord and live for Jesus!

I dedicate this whole blog post to Priscilla because she is so stinkin' hilarious! (That is a phrase of endearment, by the way.) It is Thanksgiving night! We have eaten our fill of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green bean casserole, pies, and more. Priscilla turns on some music, top volume, goes into the kitchen, pulls out a garbage kitchen bag and begins to enthusiastically dance around the kitchen with that bag. I, in the mean time, am calmly sweeping the floor and trying my best to ignore her so that she knows she is not getting the attention that she so dearly wants! Yet, out of the corner of my eyes I spy on her and my eyes twinkle with laughter. I don't know if Priscilla was just being Priscilla, or if it was the results of too much sweets, or if she was feeling guilty about all she ate and decided to do a bit of exercising. Although, honestly, I think she was just being herself and that is just the way she is and I love it! Guess what!? Her middle name is Joy...

Happy Thanksgiving, to my Friends around the world! ;) I am thankful for Thanksgiving! A day to celebrate what Christ has done for us!  A day to remember our blessings and name them one by one! But let us not  forget to thank God every day!  Every day should be a day of Thanksgiving, because we are blessed beyond measure! God is so good to His children! What are you doing this glorious Thanksgiving day? Do you have special family traditions? Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving dish that you just have to have every year? What are you thankful for today?

Fingers! Fingers to type with! Fingers I use to crochet! Fingers to eat with! Fingers I use to write letters to a friend! Fingers to make little gifts for others! Fingers to serve and be a blessing! Thank you, God, for fingers!

So Thankful for God's grace and gift of salvation! I am so thankful that I don't have to depend on good deeds to get me to heaven because my righteousness is as filthy rags. I am nothing but Christ is my everything!

Thankful for the blue sky!

I am so thankful for washer machines!  It is so much easier to throw your close in a washer machine, then to have to wash them by hand in a tub, especially when there are lots of members in the family. ;)

Toes!  I am so thankful for toes! They are so funny!  They make me laugh! They're so unique and cute! Laugh at me if you want! Call me strange! But I love toes! ;)

Thankful for refreshing sleep! Therefore...Good night! I am going to go to sleep! ;)

So thankful for the godly examples that I have in my life; my mom, my Dad, my friends, my siblings, authors of books, pastors, and so many more.

So thankful for Christ's love for me! ‎"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! This just makes me so happy! Nothing can separate me from God's great love for me! No president, no suffering, no nothing! Nothing! God loves me! God loves you! So let us live in God's love today! Let us show God's love to others today! Let us shine the light of Jesus where ever we go! Smile! Jesus loves you!

This post marks my 200th post and it doesn't seem that long ago that I posted about my 100th. Wow! That feels like a lot of posts! So, I think my top most read post is Staying Cool at the Pool While not a Fool . I feel very happy. I am happy in Jesus! If I try to make myself happy with other things, than I don't really find happiness at all, but only grief, annoyance, madness, and great disappointment. True happiness can only come from Christ alone. He is my everything, but I have to continually be reminded of that because I forget so often. Sometimes I think that I must have some material thing in order to be truly happy and satisfied, but, no, that is only Satan deceiving me. It is his big lie to get us distracted with the things of the world rather than being fully devoted to Christ and finding full satisfaction in God alone. Christ is and needs to be my treasure and, oh that I could always have that thought in the forefront of my mind!  I want to s...

Thankful for my Systematic Theology class and all the good stuff I learn in it.

Waterfalls splashing down over rocks and cliffs! Oh, so beautiful and magnificent!

The author of 1 Peter is Jesus’ disciple bearing that name. It was most likely written in between A.D. 62-63. The theme of 1 Peter is rejoicing in our suffering and trials. Peter is writing to a people who are suffering, yet he sees that they have joy. He says that their joy comes from the knowledge that their inheritance is not on this earth, but waiting in heaven for them. It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, and God is the one who is reserving it for us. Therefore, even though we may suffer for a little while, we have that hope of the prize at the end of the race, thus, we can rejoice in our trials. If we suffer for Christ with joy, then He will strengthen us and give us grace for each day, and we will be glorifying Him. A. What is the author telling me in 1 Peter 1:1-2?             Peter begins his letter stating who he is and who he is writing to. He is writing to the pilgrims who ha...

Thankful for a sweet hug from my cute little friend, Ethan!

Recently I wanted to make some healthy bread, but we didn't have any whole wheat flour, so I thought maybe I could make oat bread with ground oats as my flour. My mom found a recipe for me in our cook book called “Jane Brody’s Good Food Book”. The recipe is found on page 572 and is called Richard’s Best Bread. I used that recipe as my guide, but added several things and altered the recipe a bit. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it was delicious and my mom wanted me to write out what I did, so we could try it again some time. So here it is. ;).  Hannah’s Everything Bread 2 cups milk, scalded 1/3 cups vegetable oil 1/3 cup honey 2 teaspoon salt ½ cup water 2 tablespoons yeast ½ teaspoon sugar 2 beaten eggs 2 ½ cups oats, ground in blender to a floury consistency (+ ½ cup oats not ground) ½ cup bran flakes crushed lightly ½ cup unprocessed wheat bran ¾-1 cup cornmeal pancake mix (optional, use only if you have some that yo...

Thankful for my hard workin' Dad who is trying to fix our washer machine. (but I am afraid it is broken forever.)

Thankful for God's protection! He is always lookin' out for His children! Example: The other day my mom and I were in a Walmart parking lot looking for a place to park. A truck to the right of us looked like he was about pull out, but since we were directly behind him, of course, he would wait till we moved, right? Wrong! It turns out he hadn't seen us at all, so he backed up right into our little car and made a big dent in the passenger door. No one was hurt, but I was the one sitting in that passenger seat. ;) It was a rather interesting experience. 

Thankful for candles! They smell so sweet and refreshing (at least some of them)! They give light in darkness! They bring cheer to the weary traveler! Their flame flickers across the wall!

Thankful for eggnog! Even though I sometimes wish they sold it all year round, I am glad they don't because it wouldn't be such a treat if they did.

Thankful for the free cookbook kit that I received today in the mail from Morris Press Cookbooks!  Yay! It made me so Happy! I am so excited!

Thankful for the comments that people leave on my blog! It brings me so much joy! God bless each and every one of you! ;) Have a happy day full of sunshine, smiles, and laughter!

Thankful for up lifting Biblical fellowship with family and friends!

Thankful for the freedom I have to be an influence on my country by voting at this election. Every vote count! "The right to vote...was purchased at great price and should not be squandered for the sake of convenience."

Well, because I didn't have time to post my 59th yesterday I'll have to do it today! Day 59: So thankful for Mama Chachi! She isn't my Mama and she isn't my Grandma. In fact, she isn't really related to me, but she is one of the dearest older ladies I have ever known. She is an amazing woman of God and a real prayer warrior. You could possibly liken her to Elisabeth Elliott. I am so blessed to know her. Day 60: Thankful for my wonderful, awesome, beautiful mother, who loves Jesus and loves her children so much that the only thing she really wanted for her birthday (which was the 29th of October) was that her children would be walking in the Truth. I love you Mommy! Thank you  Mommy, for teaching me that true beauty is a beauty that comes from a heart that loves the Lord. Thank you for being such a godly example to me. To read encouraging posts from my mom check out her blog here and follow it.  http://momforever9.blogspot.com/

Computers! It can be a big distraction, but it can be a blessing, too.

My Job! I am so thankful for the job I have. I enjoy it and I have learned so much. I love the opportunity I have to witness and share the Gospel to those I work with and to the customers. I love to be a blessing to these people and bring a smile to there face. ;) I love it when the people are so grateful and tell me how much they appreciate my help. I love it when a customer comes in and I just know they are a christian even though they don't say so. I love it when the older man, who seems so intimidating and stern, says "thank you" and smiles. I love the regulars who I can basically know what to order for them because they always get the same thing. I also love when these same regulars decide to try something different for a change. Your Blogging Friend,           Hannah Grace

Thankful to come home after a hard, yet delightful day of work to drink a nice hot cup of tea.

Sunday, a day of rest! ;)

Here is the long awaited bread recipe that I told you about awhile ago. I hope you get a chance to try it out and like it as much as we do. God bless! Whole Wheat Bread In Bosch mixer bowl with dough hook place the following: 5 ½ cups water (130 degrees) ½ cup oil 1 cup brown sugar 2 Tbsp. Dough enhancer (optional) 1 cup gluten (optional) 2 Tbsp. Salt 8 cups flour Using spring switch on machine, fold flour into liquids gently until all flour is moistened. Turn to speed 1 and blend for about 1 minute. Add: 3 Tbls. Dry active yeast (or 2 ½ Tbls. Instant yeast) 3 cups more flour (milled above) and fold in. (At this point I usually let dough sit for 7 minutes) Turn to speed 1 and while machine is running, add enough more flour to form a soft dough that is beginning to pull away from sides of bowl slightly (about 4 more cups for a total of about 15 cups of flour). When dough is as described above, time for 10 minutes, and knead on speed 1. Dough will ...

This may not be the healthiest soup you've ever eaten, but it sure is delicious. It is a family favorite, so I hope you try it and enjoy it as much as we do. Cheeseburger Soup ½ pound ground beef ¾ cup chopped onions ¾ cup shredded carrots ¾ cup diced celery 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 4 tablespoons butter (or margarine), divided 3 cups chicken broth 4 cups diced, peeled potatoes ¼ cup all-purpose flour 8 ounces processed American cheese, cubed 1 ½ cups milk ¾ teaspoon salt  ½ teaspoon pepper ¼ cup sour cream In a 3-qt. sauce pan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same sauce pan, sauté onions, celery, basil, and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile in a small skillet melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or u...

Here is the recipe for our pie crust that we use for almost everything. It is so good! Easy Pie Crust  1 ½ cups flour ½ tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. sugar ½ cup oil 2 Tbsp milk Mix together dry ingredients, add milk then oil. Stir until mixed pretty well together. Press into pan. Cook crust at 350 degrees until lightly brown, cool and add filling. Makes 1 pie crust (this pie crust is great for everything, sweet pies or not sweet pies) 

Herbs and Spices! Some of my favorites are cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, pumpkin spice, oregano, parsley, Italian seasoning, and cumin. I love to add spices and herbs to my cooking. It is amazing how adding just a little can totally make whatever I am cooking, taste so much better. What spices do you like to use? What is your favorite spice?

Thankful for the stars that shine and twinkle at night!

Note: This is not really how we do the first day of fall, but simply a creative way of writing to combine some of my favorite things about fall. Also, this is concentrating on the indoor aspects of fall.   I awoke to the sound of the crackling fire down stairs with its light flickering across the wall. I hastily got dressed for the day and ran down the stairs to warm by the fire with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, and my Bible. Today is the first day of fall and I couldn’t wait to begin our traditional first-day-of-fall cooking. Coffee cake was to be our breakfast, as always, and then we would begin. You can’t have fall without pies, breads, and pastries. A bushel of apples sat in a basket ready to cut. A number of us would set to work cutting apples, while others would make our all time favorite pie crust, roll it out and put it in pie pans. With lots of members in my family, the work always goes smoothly and is sure to be lots of fun. I could just imagine the arom...

Thankful for the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center's ministry.

Thankful for the opportunities that I have to serve in my community, such as volunteering at the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center.

Fall 2010 The majestic iridescence that is seen in the forest in autumn is one of singular enchantment. Each day brings a freshly painted display of original rareness. The maples gleam in their blush red or purple leaves. The poplars stand erect in their ostentatious radiance of yellow and orange hues. The oaks in there impressive refinement dominate the grounds in their magnificent splendor. You would hear the clamor of birds warbling their ebullience and squirrels clattering nonsense, or the bellowing of dogs promulgating that winter is near. The ants are hastening to secure the last of winter provisions. Deer bound contentedly about in their jaunty manner, or glean from the lingering greens of the year. The brook gurgles down its labyrinth design in utter ignorance of all the frenzy for the approaching winter. The whole forest is proclaiming that winter is near each in its own unique fashion.  Penned by Hannah December 1, 2010 (Yes, I did write this 2 years ago.) ...

Yay! I am half way through my 100 days! I am thankful for forks and spoons! They can make eating a whole lot less messy and easier.

Pot holders! What would we do without those little and sometimes hardly thought about, yet extremely necessary pieces of cloth? Well, we would burn our hands (or else find something else to use to get hot things out of the oven).

Blankets to cuddle up in and keep me warm at night!

Libraries! I love going to libraries and finding new and interesting books to bring home and read! Our family is known for taking out huge stacks of books when we visit the library, especially if  several of us are in at one time. ;)

So thankful for my sweet, loving sister , who so graciously forgives (mischievous grin); uses her talent to make a knitted hat for me; brings joy to the family; and is simply an awesome sister! I love you Priscilla (also known as Prilla, Bill, Cilla, Billa, Prill and a multiude of other names)! 

Watches! Ever since I learned how to tell time, I have been deeply fascinated with watches and clocks and just being able to know what time it is at any moment through the day or night! As my family knows, if my watch breaks, it is a necessity that I get a new one as soon as possible. I have noticed that more and more people don't care to wear a watch. They have their cell phone, iphone, or some other thingy-m-jigger that has the time on it, so they don't bother to wear a watch, but I' going to stick to wearing a watch. My wrist feels quite bare without it. ;) Not only that, but I don't have any of those thingy-m-jiggers (cell phones, ipods, mp3s, etc.). Call me old-fashioned if you want! ;) Have a lovely day full of sunshine and pass on a smile! ;) Your Blogging Friend, Hannah

Blogs! I am thankful for encouraging blogs that build up brothers and sisters in Christ!

T he fl a mbo yant a utumn co lor s !

Thankful for the opportunities I have to share the Gospel, the Good News, with others! God is so awesome and I am so happy that I can serve such an awesome, loving and great God!