Oh God, Can't You Cut Me a Break?

"Oh God, can't you cut me a break?" I asked one day.  "Why does it have to be this hard!?"

It had been a rough month, and before that a rough year, and before that . . . well it just felt like it had been a hard knock life.  And I was tired of struggling. 

But even as the questions entered my mind I could hear the answer. 

"I have cut you a break.  I did the hardest part for you.  Your salvation is secure in Jesus and you are never left to walk alone."

And with that gracious reminder I was once again strengthened and encouraged.  Life isn't going to be easy.  We live in a broken world.  There will be pain and trouble and days that are breathtakingly hard.  But it's OK. We were never promised an easy road but we were promised peace, strength and His unfailing love, even in the hardest of times.

LINKING HERE
WEDNESDAY - From House to Home FRIDAY - Blogger's Pit Stop, NO RULES Weekend Blog Party

Menu Plan Monday: December 21-26, 2015

We were blessed with a box and two bags of apples last week so we're using them in a variety of recipes as well as eating them fresh. Amanda is taking over more of the cooking leaving me more time to work on other things which is a wonderful blessing to our family. 


MONDAY

Lunch - Tomato Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Veggies and Dip

Dinner -  Pork Spare Ribs, Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese, Sweet Potatoes, Salad

TUESDAY 

Lunch - Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, Fried Potatoes, Fresh Fruit

Dinner - Baked Chicken, Noodles, Honey Roasted Carrots, Stewed Apples

WEDNESDAY

Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit

Dinner - Vegetable Chicken Soup, Potato Wedges, Bread

THURSDAY 

Lunch - Ramen Noodles with Turkey, Green Beans, Fresh Fruit

 Dinner - Twice Baked Potatoes, Broccoli and Cheese, Apple Muffins

FRIDAY

Christmas Day - We'll be at my sister's for Christmas and I'm not sure yet what the menu plans are.

SATURDAY

Lunch - Cheesy Grits Casserole, Sausages, Fried Potatoes, Mandarin Oranges

Dinner - Turkey and Rice Casserole, Corn, Pineapple

Menu Planning Resources

Read

13 Reasons to Menu Plan at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Six Steps to Successful Menu Planning at Cooking Light

Watch

Printables

Ten Fabulous Free Meal Planning Printables
at The Mad House

Monthly Menu Plan Printable at Picklebums

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation if you make a purchase using these links.
LINKING HERE
MONDAY - Menu Plan Monday , Monday Madness TUESDAY - LouLou Girls Fabulous Party WEDNESDAY - From House to Home

The Walnut Acre Weekly - Our New Friend Kojo and More

WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
And on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."
Luke 2:14

TODAY'S QUOTE

He who has not Christmas in his heart will not find it under a tree.
Roy L. Smith

FUR, FINS, FEATHERS AND FOUR FOOTED FRIENDS

Call me crazy, but we have a  new addition to our managerie. Michael has been asking and asking for a dog. I really thought it would be good for him to have one but I just wasn't sure if I could handle the expense of another animal. Then a friend of mine found out she had to move and couldn't take her dog with her to her new apartment. So she said if we could take the dog she would help with the expenses. So yesterday Kojo came to be Michael's dog. It's his job to give him food and water, take him out for walks and clean up after him if he makes a mess. Today was their first full day together and they had so much fun. 

And now, as I write this Michael and Kojo are both sound asleep, with their beds right beside each other, worn out from a full day of fun. 

In other animal news, Amanda has decided that she eventually wants to get a gecko. But she doesn't want to have too constantly be buying mealworms for it. Instead she wants to set up her own mealworm farm and raise them herself. So she took this old set of drawers, cleaned it up good, and set it up for raising mealworms. This process involved saws, screen, a hot glue gun, painters tape, and a burned thumb. But it's all ready now for a happy family of mealworms. 

HOMESCHOOL

SOME OF THE RESOURCES WE USED THIS WEEK

Austin and Amanda

Scripture reading - Luke 1.

Michael
  

OUT AND ABOUT

This week has been full of appointments. I had an appointment Michael had an appointment, and Amanda had two appointments. So Monday through Thursday there was one appointment each day. 

Besides appointments there were our normal activities. Somehow I did not get any pictures of our activities this week. Sunday we went to church and then to my sister's. Sunday afternoon Austin and Amanda went to the youth Christmas activity. 

Wednesday evening Michael and I went to church for dinner. Instead of prayer meeting and classes after dinner we went Christmas caroling. Austin and Amanda did not go. Neither of them enjoy singing. I told them they could still enjoy being with their friends but they decided to just stay home. Michael and I had a good time though. After caroling we met back at the church for cookies and hot chocolate.

Thursday evening Michael and I went to my sister's for the evening. Actually, Michael had been there all day. I took him over Thursday morning so I could do a few things. Austin stayed home because he had a friend here and Amanda just didn't feel like going anywhere. 

Saturday Austin spent the afternoon and evening with a friend but the rest of us were home all day. 

AND MORE

We had very warm weather this week so we took advantage of it and tried to get outside every day.

THIS WEEKS DEALS

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WHY I WRITE THE WALNUT ACRE CHRONICLES

LINKING HERE
SUNDAY - Small Victories Sunday  MONDAY - Monday Madness TUESDAY - LouLou Girls Fabulous Party, Tell It To Me Tuesday WEDNESDAY - From House to Home FRIDAY - Blogger's Pit Stop

Truth - Five Minute Friday

And now comes the time when writers from all corners gather to write, without too much editing or planning for five minutes on a given word. 

This week we were given the option of choosing our own word and I chose the word Truth.

Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth and the life." John 14:6.

He also said "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Truth is such a beautiful thing.  Jesus Himself is truth and wherever there is truth there is light and freedom. This is the season when we celebrate truth - born as baby, ultimately bringing life. 

Thank you God for truth.



Now please click on over and read more about this weeks prompt and the beautiful posts written by others at Heading Home with Kate Motaung.

ALSO LINKING HERE
SUNDAY -   Small Victories Sunday MONDAY - Monday Madness   TUESDAY - LouLou Girls Fabulous Party , Tell It To Me Tuesday FRIDAY - Essential Things Friday, Home Matters, Faith and Fellowship SATURDAY - Weekend Linkup

Books for Kindle - Free - .99

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