Mumford and Sons, may I be your groupie?

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~My new favorite band.

worth the effort

I'm so excited, I made croissants this weekend and they turned out just like they're supposed to, flaky, buttery and fattening.

It's a rather long process, you make regular bread dough, put about a pound o'butter in the middle, fold the dough around it, roll it out, fold it again and stick it in the fridge to chill. You then do the roll-and-fold-and-chill process two more times before chilling the dough overnight. The next morning I rolled it out as thin as I could get it and cut long triangles that I then rolled into croissants. I was really skeptical that they would turn into just blobs of greasy bread, but they are amazingly crispy and flaky; exactly how croissants should be!

I used a tutorial on Wiki-How: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Croissants

Auntie Emma

Please pray for my Auntie Emma, she is in the hospital after having emergency surgery from a perforated bowel.

She is out of the ICU but not out of the woods yet. Keep praying for her healing and recovery!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday. It's not because I love hearts, roses or have a boyfriend. My love for Valentine's comes from being taught from a young age that it shouldn't just be about romantic love.

Valentine's Day should be about telling and showing the people you care about that you love them. Yes, you should do that all the time, but its always good to have an excuse to show it. How often do you really give the people you care about flowers, candy or cards? Yup, thats what I thought, not very often.

Some look at Valentine's Day as a made-up card company's holiday. I see Valentine's Day as a great opportunity to make life more interesting by celebrating something with people I love. Plus, February is a gross month, why wouldn't you want an excuse to celebrate something?

A Love Letter

My Daughter,

You may not know me, but I know you everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you are made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28).

I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalms 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalms 139:13). And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalms 71:6).

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but I am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1). Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1).

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48). Every good and perfect gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31:-33). My plans for you future have always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

My thoughts towards you are as countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139: 17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). For you are my most treasured possession (Exodus 19:5).

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41). And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all you heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4). For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Esphesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

For I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalms 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered here on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4).

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:26). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:21). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5-18-19).

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32).

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-30). Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15;7).

I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is...will you be my child (John 1:12-13)?

I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11).

snow love

I have discovered a new found love for snow. We've gotten 3 snowfalls this winter and we got over 20 inches this weekend. Far from being sick of it I now think it's one of the most beautiful weather phenomenons. It truly makes everything look magical!

Fortunately when 8 girls, 1 Tim and a Mowgli are snowed in together fun things happen. First, we put on our bathing suits and made snow angels in the snow, the only proper way to christen a blizzard. Then we sledded our brains out, getting multiple injuries and burning hundreds of calories so we could entertain the bartenders at Jack Brown's Beer and Burger Joint by eating masses of deep fried oreos at the bar. I think Jack Brown's is my new favorite place, not to mention its always open when it snows (they have Belgium beer Janoodles!)

We're supposed to get 10 more inches of snow tomorrow and more this weekend. I'm excited.

Hot Chip