Black Friday Link

It's been a while...I'll catch you up on everything that's been going on soon. I just have a few minutes before Chad gets home and I wanted to share this site with you. I love shopping with my mom the day after Thanksgiving. I am one of those crazy people that gets up way too early and fights through the crowds. To me, shopping on the day after Thanksgiving is a sport. It's not just the good deals that I love; I also love the competition. Anyway, if you click on the link you can check out the ads (some are already loaded) or you can sign up for email updates.

I call it... Pure Love

These are hands down, my favorite brownies! The first time my mom made these I fell in love with them. I think this recipe has been passed around to everyone I know, but here it is if you missed it...

Ingredients:
1 Brownie Mix
3 Eggs
1/2 c Oil
1/4 c Water
3 Symphony King Size Candy Bars

Directions:
Mix the brownie mix as directed on the box. Place half of the brownie mixture in a greased 9 X 13 pan.







Layer on the Symphony candy bars.








Spoon the remaining brownie mixture on top.








Bake as directed on the brownie mix box. Let cool and enjoy! Super easy!

Prayer - week 1

Sunday's Sermon Notes:

"Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." Psalm 5 1-3

Talk to God:
1. with gut level honesty
2. about everything that matters to you
3. continually
4 AND listen for His response

Most of the time my prayers are really rushed. It's more like hey God, thank you for this...or hey God, please help me with this...or please give me patience with my students. When I stop to think about it, my prayers have been pretty lame. I mean really, is that ALL I have to say to God? Why don't I spend more time in prayer? Sometimes it's hard for me to focus. Sometimes I just choose to do other things. I truly do desire a deeper relationship with God. How can I expect for that relationship to grow when I'm not really investing much time with Him? This week has been different and has gone so much smoother. Situations haven't really changed, but my perspective has. Spending time with God makes all the difference. For me, the best way I communicate with God is by writing down my prayers. If I write while I'm praying, my prayers are much more focused and I'm able to stay on track. When I'm not writing them down, I either fall asleep or get easily side tracked with other thoughts. Writing things down also forces me to slow down a bit and listen. Then I can write down what God is showing me. I've slipped out of that practice, but I've started back this week and like I said, it makes all the difference. I just want to encourage you to find your own way to communicate with God and spend time with Him. He will change your life!

This Drink Brings a Smile to My Face

So if I can't fit into my pants this winter, this is cause. I LOVE Sonic's featured drink this month, the Mocha Chip Java Chiller. YUM! I've really had to fight my cravings for one every day! You should try one...it's definitely worth the $2.49.

Embroidery Machine

I think I'm finally about to make up my mind. I've had my eye on this embroidery/sewing machine for a little over 4 months. I'm really leaning towards getting it. It's a pretty basic one, but it's rated really high and has great reviews. I love the sewing machine I've been using and it's from the same line. I think this would be a good one, but I'm not sure because I don't have any experience with embroidery machines. If any of you have ever used an embroidery machine and have any advise, please share your thoughts with me. I'd really appreciate it.

I'm not even going to mention football...

So this weekend was a little more busy than normal... I don't have pictures of everything, but we got to be part of a dorm blitz with our church on Saturday morning. We went with several others to Missouri Southern in Joplin and delivered goodie bags filled with hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies to the students' dorms. Later Saturday, we spent some time on Main Street in Miami. I'm still not really sure what the occasion was, but it consisted of a car show, live music, craft and food booths, and Indian dancing/pow-wow music. Chad was one of the judges in the car show and got to present one of the awards. Sunday was another great day at church, followed by a baby shower for one of our Bible Study leaders.
Here are a few pics from the event in Miami on Main Street

The tailgate says "Witchy Woman" and there's some sort of design on the lid of the truck...I thought this one was interesting.

I don't really know much about older cars. Chad and I seem to have very different tastes. This one was my favorite though. I thought it was very cute and small. Chad went for more of the older boxier looking ones. They just reminded me of my great-aunt Chubby's car or my great-grandma's car. I'm sure they weren't the same as what they drove, but they're all in the same catagory in my mind. Like I said, I don't know much about cars...

Chad presenting an award. He gave it to a '64 Impala.

Gift Certificates

This is for those of you that may live around the Joplin area. I'm a sucker for good deals and I wanted to pass this site on to you. They have some really great deals. I just bought a gift certificate for Oasis Day Spa (this is where we all went to get pedicures before Mindy's wedding) in Joplin for half price. There are also several other half price deals for restaurants and other things. If you live around here you should check it out. www.mallofthe4states.com

October Book Giveaway

I'm going to do this giveaway a little differently. I think most of my friends have already read this one, so....this book will go to the first person that leaves a comment on this post. If I don't already have a way to contact you, please leave your email address on your comment so that I can get in touch with you. Good luck and happy reading!

Happy Birthday Hattie!

Sorry, no singing video this year...hahah. Today my favorite niece turns 5! I can't believe how big she's getting. I wish I could be there for her birthday...

Happy Birthday Hattie! I love you! To celebrate your 5th birthday, here are 5 things I love about you:
1. You're super smart and know how to think for yourself.
2. You give the best hugs.
3. You're a great helper.
4. Your laughter is contagious.
5. You are beautiful.

I hope you have a great birthday today. I miss you and I hope to see you soon!