Halfway Through December!

Hello, folks! How is your December going? Mine has had a lot of lovely in it ... I really feel I've seen people way more this month than I usually do. *grins* So yay!

Going to do another post of pictures and snippets from my life. So here we go!

Saturday, 17th of November: I made a batch of hot-process charcoal soap, because I had some orders for it.

Sunday, 18th of November: Family Bible study! My sister and I drove together. I ended up feeling a bit sick. I don't know if it was because I hadn't had enough protein, or I was getting a migraine. Anyway, I took some Advil and did get to enjoy the evening!

Starting to get ready for Thanksgiving Day! My mom made homemade stuffing ...

And sweet potatoes, turkey and gravy, and pies, and such! I made a gf apple pie, gf rolls, and a Paleo dessert. Unfortunately, the Paleo dessert was a bit of a flop. *sad face* It wasn't a complete disaster ... just didn't taste as good as I had hoped. I'm actually thinking it might have still had too much sugar with the honey and coconut sugar combination! Or maybe because we did lemon instead of lime.

Later, my sister and I ran to town to pick up a few ingredients we were missing.

Thursday, 22nd of November: My outfit for the day! If you want to see better pictures of it, follow the new fashion Instagram account my sister and I started!

Happy Thanksgiving! I had such a sweet and lovely day with family and friends. Good food, lots of laughter. Just a pleasant, joyful and relaxing time.

The next day, all of us ladies went out for lunch, and then did a tiny bit of shopping. It was very nice. I enjoy hanging out with my mom, sister, aunts, and grandma!

Wednesday, 28th of November: Ladies' Bible study!

Book mail!!!! Who loves getting books in the mail? ^_^ I got Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson for free from Reader's Rewards. Go sign up if you want free books! I love the cover and title of this book. And I love the story inside! Such a great series ... and I've almost collected them all now!

Thursday, 29th of November: My sister and I made a hot-process batch of peppermint pumice soap (this is our most popular kind thus far). And a cold-process batch of orange peppermint.

Then we spent time labeling soaps ...

And making lip balm! Clove-orange, hot chocolate, and peppermint shimmer!

And also body butter and salt scrubs. I didn't do much with these two besides whipping up the body butter, which took a good while!

Ready to sell some things! We really enjoyed having a table at a bazaar ... Talking to people, selling soap, and seeing what everyone else was selling!

Sunday, 2nd of December: We started an Advent family devotional! This is the first time my family has participated in Advent. I found a study on YouVersion called Advent: Christ is Coming!

We read Scripture, discuss, pray, and sing! And eat snacks! One night we had a veggie tray and ranch dip. Christmas cookies. Sparkling water with fruit in it. Hot apple cider. Fruit bowl. Etc.

It has been a blessing.

Tuesday, 4th of December: I made a hot-process batch of lavender soap! A couple people had requested this one as well. It smells amazing. I love lavender.

Met with some of my Bible study ladies at Starbucks! ^_^ It was so fun chatting and getting to know them a little better. 

Set up a Christmas tree one of these days! I love Christmas traditions ... and pray that my light for Christ will shine like these sparkling lights and draw people to the beauty that is our Lord!

I made yummy mashed sweet potatoes to go with supper one night. Who else enjoys cooking? ^_^

I watched Holiday Inn with almost all six of my younger siblings, and quite enjoyed it! *grins* It was a bit silly, but ultimately quite sweet. And I loved all the dancing! Such fun. It's definitely a movie I would watch again - especially with my siblings.

Sunday, 9th of December: Out to eat with Sunday school group. Family Bible study later. Great conversations with my ladies. Great food. Just such good fellowship with these families. I'm so grateful that God brought us all into this group.

And ... I've been shopping a lot. Searching for fun, unique things to make up a family Christmas gift. Also, finding deals on clothes & books at Goodwill. *grins* I bought two nice shirts and three books (one for someone else) for about $7. And grocery shopping.

I brought my siblings to a meeting of a group they're part of. Went to my ladies' Bible study. Went to a cookie exchange. Lots of fun Christmas cookies! (Nearly all that I couldn't eat, but they were still lovely to look at!)

Sold some more soap. Got orders online. Packed up boxes of soap to ship out. Figured out how much money my sister, my mom, and myself each made. More organizing, and calculating, delivering orders, and such ...

Also, sang with some families at nursing homes. I really enjoy singing Christmas songs, and then chatting a little with these dear folk.

I love Christmas season! Can't believe December is almost halfway over! Looking forward to doing some lovely things on my birthday. *smiles* And looking forward to celebrating with family on Christmas Day.

Hallelujah! Christ is King forever! <3

HOW HAS YOUR LIFE BEEN?

What's Up?

Hello, all! I mean to do an October wrap-up post, but, obviously, that didn't happen! So I decided that I'd share a few pictures from last month all the way up until today, and talk about what's been going on in life.

So. Not too much to share ...

Wednesday, 3rd of October: I lead the study at my women's Bible study at my church. We were going through a little book called Engaging God's Word: Colossians. It was an awesome study, and I'm so enjoying getting to know the ladies in my group!

No work on this particular Monday! I enjoyed cleaning, organizing, and listening to sermons by one of my favorite Christian speakers/pastors, J.D. Greear.

Orange tea and a book! Silencing Insecurity by Donna Gibbs, just so you know, is an amazing Christian Living book on insecurity, self-worth, and identity. I really recommend!

Friday, 12th of October: I left my full-time job due to some serious, on-going problems. I was very anxious about leaving ... especially because it was my first full-time job and I'd been working there less than five months ... but I was counseled by many trusted friends to turn in my notice. So I did. Trusting God's leading me somewhere else!

Nothing quite like sweet potato fries! I try to make them often. *winks* Add some Himalayan pink salt, garlic powder, paprika, etc., etc., and dip in ketchup. They are so good! ^_^

Homeschool group harvest festival! I'm not a stylish person, but every now and then I throw together something interesting that I don't usually wear ... and decide that if I like, that's all that matters! *laughs*

Friday, 19th of October: I made two batches of cold-process, goat milk soap with my sister. Peppermint and orange-coffee. (We use "Young Living" brand essential oils for personal use, but in our soaps we will use brands such as "now" essential oils.)

Sunday, 21st of October: I don't usually wear jeans to church, but since fall/winter has arrived, I'm having a hard time putting together outfits. This is my go-to sweater. It's so long and nice and cozy.

Went to family Bible study, which is always so good. I love my ladies' group there! (Mom, aunts, and two other dear, lovely women.)

Monday, 22nd of October: Volunteering! I haven't helped in many volunteering projects, but it's something I want to do more of. This particular project was helping get a house ready for women with troubled pasts who need help getting back on their feet. I did cleaning, priming, and painting.

Good thing I have some experience with that, what with flipping a house with my family last summer!

Wednesday, 24th of October: Bible study at my church, of course! I love shirts that swoop long in the back. I feel like they suit my shape. I like purple, too. ^_^

Thursday, 25th of October: Made a batch of soap by myself for the first time! (Though my mom, the expert, was there to oversee it, haha.) This was a hot-process batch, which means you cook and cook it so that the lye is neutralized or something, and you don't have to let it cure for six weeks before using! This one was charcoal and bentonite clay, with tea tree and lavender essential oils.

Sunday, 25th of October: Another harvest festival! (After church). And, of course, I wear my fav sweater, haha. But I wore a different shirt, so there. *sniffs*

Started reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, which I picked up from Goodwill or something awhile ago. It is a very moving book ... with poetic, soul-stirring writing! Seriously, so beautiful. So tragic. So thought-provoking. So amazing. I'm still reading it, actually. It's pretty deep.

It inspired me to start writing a list of all the little blessings I see. Sometimes I write a few things down. Sometimes I write lots! It's a sweet practice.

Thursday, 1st of November: Reading and my go-to snack ... hot applesauce with cinnamon! (Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd. Good book! ........ *gasps!* I just realized I never reviewed this book. *facepalm* *groans*)

Friday, 2nd of November: Tried a new recipe found on Pinterest! *grins* Chili with corn, sweet potatoes, and quinoa! I love cooking/baking ... making new recipes and such. And it's great to do with my mom and siblings.

Little bro! And Mom making cornbread.

Sunday, 4th of November: Family Bible study again! We meet every other week.

Tuesday, 6th of November: Time to vote! My sister and I went with our parents to do our voting.

Wednesday, 7th of November: My ladies' Bible study group start Engaging God's Word: Philippians! It been good so far. I love these letters from Apostle Paul.

Thursday, 8th of November: Continuing to get our soaps ready to sell and ship to customers! We spent time printing out labels and tying them on. These are honey oatmeal bars that my sister made while I was working.

Friday, 9th of November: Headed to my aunt & uncle's with three of my younger sisters to housesit and care for their cows, horse, and dog! That was fun. We watched some movies and laughed and ate yummy food, like pizza and izze drinks.

Have you all watched The Road to Avonlea? We watched a couple episodes and it was fun!

We went home on Sunday.

And it between all that, I've been applying for jobs, blogging, cleaning, and all the stuff.

Sadly, winter has come and we've gotten some snow, ice, and cold weather!

Today was lovely, though! The sun came out. ^_^ I went into town for a job interview. I won't mention where it was, because I don't know if I'll be hired yet. *winks*

I'll let you know if I'm hired. I'm resting in God's goodness. May His plan for my life unfold, because I trust Him! If I don't get hired, I know He has something different. He is/and is going to do great things in my life and the lives of my family and friends.

How blessed I am to be His daughter forever!

Psalm 103:1-5 & 11-22

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 

Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 

Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 

Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

11 

For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14 

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

15 

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

17 

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 

To such as keep His covenant,

And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom rules over all.

20 

Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Who excel in strength, who do His word,

Heeding the voice of His word.

21 

Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22 

Bless the Lord, all His works,

In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!