God's Country!

Can I just say...I LOVE and MISS The Natural State AKA Land of Opportunity AKA Hog Country AKA ARKANSAS!!!!!!!!! *Don't be offended, Texans. I love the Lonestar State, but I'm an Arkansan by birth!*

I have been traveling this past week and I got a little choked up driving across the state line into my home state. I think I was even humming "country roads, take me home...to the place...I belong..." Forget West Virginia--Arkansas is BEA-U-TI-FUL, especially this time of year!!!  I even took a few pics via my phone while crossing the Arkansas River while driving...but not texting.

Now you will have to excuse me.  I'm off to get a tissue (tearing up again).  Did I mention I love Arkansas?

Trick or Treat

For Halloween, we went to a friends' house and took the kids on a hayride around the neighborhood to trick or treat. (What's up with me and prepositions?)  I'll spare you the details and just let the pictures do the talkin'.  You're Welcome!

Remember These???

Oh how I loved my CABOODLE!!!!  I remember youth choir tours--every girl had one.  They were a MUST have, fo sho!

Who's too cool for school?

THIS GIRL!!!

I bought her one to keep up with all of her hair stuff.  Fixing her hair is a constant battle....I have to continually bark out orders like...bring me a brush...a hair tie...the water bottle...a barrette...etc.  So when I saw this lone Caboodle for 10 bucks at Wal-Mart, I said, "SOLD!"

You would have thought this was the best. gift. ever.  She loves it and I'm a little jealous.  I must get video of each girl saying "Caboodle".  Ro's version is hysterical!

So ladies, are y'all with me?  Who had a Caboodle?

A Mighty Fortress

Personally, I never get tired of hearing/learning about the great visionaries of the faith--like Martin Luther.   I am so thankful that Luther, although an imperfect saint (like me), was not a coward but defended the Scriptures!

Luther redirected us to the clear teachings in the Bible that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ alone and not a result of works--contrary to what the church was teaching at the time.

The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God. - Martin Luther

Evangelical Christians will either stand upon the authority and total truthfulness of the Bible, or we will inevitably capitulate to the secular worldview. - Albert Mohler

My prayer is that we will continue to be faithful to the true gospel and joyfully declare it to the world!

For Reformation Sunday, the sermon was on  Martin Luther *big surprise, right?*.  If you're interested, you can listen to it here.  good. stuff.

A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD....HIS KINGDOM IS FOREVER! - Martin Luther

And all the people said.......AMEN!

Sweet Treats

Every year, I am in search of the perfect caramel apple as seen here and here, but this year we got the bright idea *I wish there was a sarcasm font* to make our own.  Uhhh....might have been fun for the kids, but not near as tasty as the ones I've enjoyed in the past.

We also made pumpkin spice cookies from the box.  They were really yummy!

The girls had so much fun "helping" make the goodies while I, on the other hand, hated the mess. I know, I know...roll those eyes...it's how I'm wired.

After dinner and baths, we enjoyed our sweet treats.

What a great day with my girls (and husband, of course)!!!!