Thirteen years ago these two got married at the Courthouse in Jacksonville, North Carolina just before Andrew shipped out for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
A year later on their one year anniversary we had a lovely wedding for them surrounded by family and friends in Seattle, Washington. Our pop, Katie’s Dzedushka (grandfather), prayed a blessing over them.
Happy 13th Anniversary to Andrew and Katie. We love the two of you together! God bless you and keep you!
Again the Lord of Light and Life
Again the Lord of light and life
Awakes the kindling ray,
Unseals the eyelids of the morn,
And pours increasing day.
O what a night was that which wrapped
The heathen world in gloom!
O what a Sun which rose this day
Triumphant from the tomb!
This day be grateful homage paid,
And loud hosannas sung;
Let gladness dwell in every heart,
And praise on every tongue.
Ten thousand different lips shall join
To hail this welcome morn,
Which scatters blessings from its wings
To nations yet unborn.
Jesus, the friend of human kind,
With strong compassion moved,
Descended like a pitying God,
To save the souls He loved.
The powers of darkness leagued in vain
To bind His soul in death;
He shook their kingdom when He fell,
With His expiring breath.
Not long the toils of hell could keep
The Hope of Judah’s line;
Corruption never could take hold
On aught so much divine.
And now His conquering chariot wheels
Ascend the lofty skies;
While broke beneath his powerful cross,
Death’s iron scepter lies.
Exalted high at God’s right hand,
And Lord of all below;
Thro’ Him is pardoning love dispensed,
And boundless blessings flow.
And still for erring, guilty man
A brother’s pity flows;
And still His bleeding heart is touched
With memory of our woes.
To Thee, my Savior and my king,
Glad homage let me give;
And stand prepared, like Thee, to die,
With Thee that I might live.
Words: Anna L. Barbauld, (1743-1825).
There are so many beautiful hymns for Easter that I’m starting early and will probably go later in posting them. Thank you Jesus for all your sacrifices for us!
This is a easy Crock Pot soup my high school girlfriend Nancy shared with me that is filling and will warm you up.
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup chunky salsa (mild, medium or hot)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 Cups frozen corn
1 can (approx 15 oz.) black beans rinsed and drained
2 cans (10-3/4 oz. each) cream of chicken soup
1 can (approx 15 oz.) diced tomatoes with jalapenos or green chilies ( choose according to the spice level/heat you prefer)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 or 2 6inch corn tortillas cut into strips
1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
1. Stir the salsa, chicken, corn and beans in a 4 quart slow cooker/crock pot.
2. Stir the soup, tomatoes, water, cumin together in a separate bowl. Pour over the crock mixture.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
4. Stir in tortilla strips, cheese and cilantro. Cover and cook an additional 15 minutes.
Enjoy with warm tortillas or corn bread!
Lets talk about Travel…
1. How far have you gone from home and where did you go?
The farthest I’ve been from home is Milan, Italy. I traveled there in 2013 with my husband who was sent there by his company for a medical conference. While he worked I explored Milan. Before the conference began the two of us were able to travel by train to Lake Como to the city of Varenna and enjoyed a very windy cold few hours there.
On my own I did a hop on hop off tour and I went by myself to an Inter Milan soccer game at San Siro stadium.
While getting on a subway a group of pick pocketers tried to grab my purse. They work in teams to distract you. Thankfully I was on to them and smacked the hand of the one who reached for my purse and they jumped off the subway just as the doors were closing.
2. Do you think the hassle of travel is worth the trouble?
Most of the time, yes.
3. Are there places you would like to visit or have plans for visiting?
We would like to visit some areas of the United States like the Northeast and National Parks in Utah. In Canada, it would be fun to visit Prince Edward Island. We always enjoy planning our next trip to the U.K. Lord willing we will be able to visit again.
4. What trip was the best you’ve ever had?
The best trips we ever had have been our trips to the United Kingdom. Greg and I met in a Christian band that toured England in the early 70’s.
After we got married we always dreamed about going back. In 2003 we were able to take a trip to London for a week with a few day trips out of London.
In 2004 we returned with our daughter for her graduation trip visiting many of the haunts of her favorite British authors.
In 2006 we traveled with good friends to Wales, England and Scotland.
In 2013 we were able to return to England with our oldest son and our daughter-in-law. On that trip we traversed a lot of miles and our son got his dream of going to two premier league soccer games.
In 2014 Dear and I returned for a 40th year wedding anniversary trip. If it sounds like we can’t get enough of Great Britain, that’s correct!
We made plans to return to England in 2020 but we all know how travel came to a standstill then. We re-planned that trip for September of 2022 and spent a week in Oxford with extra days in Woodstock.
We arrived in England just after the Queen died.
We returned home and just 6 weeks later Greg had his stroke on November 5th of 2022. We wondered if our traveling days might be over.
We were thankful for yet another trip with our kids to Dublin and England in September of 2023.
Time will tell if it is God’s will that we take another trip this coming September.
What’s the furthest distance from home that you traveled to? What’s your favorite place to travel to? Any travel plans for this year?
Thursday March 7th
On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!
The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you!
Isaiah 66:1-2 (NIV)
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
From Dianna:
For You light my lamp;
Yawheh my God illumines my darkness.
Psalm 18:28
From Leonard:
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
From Karen:
Revelation 3:20 KJV
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Collections from the past…
Some of my pewter collection with some silver napkin rings thrown in.
Time for the first Wednesday Hodgepodge in March this year. Thank you, Joyce, for the questions.
1. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March?
My post on Monday called it a Cat but that was a hasty evaluation. March came in like a schizophrenic feline. Sunday night the roads were treacherous with low visibility because of the snow storm that blew in, lionish. We were tucked nicely in our bed so we did not know about those conditions. We woke up to a nice white landscape, lamblike. That all melted and then on Tuesday morning we were surprised with 5 inches of new snow. By now that new snow has mostly melted away, too.
Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel ‘under the weather’?
Sunshine and blue skies definitely cheer me up and make me smile. I have been above the weather these days and not under it. If the electricity stays on and we can still drive into town the weather does not affect me emotionally. I could get cabin fever if things are so bad that I’m stuck at home for more than a couple of days.
2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality? Do you like your name?
Ellen: Bright Shining Light. I hope I live up to my name. I can be outspoken and shine a light in dark places to expose how wrong they are only because I have the ‘Light of the World’ inside me.
My mother chose my name, which no other Russian immigrant relative named their child, because she was tired of everyone choosing the same names for their children. Examples of overused names; Vera, Kathy, Manya, Luba, Tanya and others. I didn’t come across another Ellen until high school. I didn’t appreciated being called, Ellen Watermelon or Helen. I’m Ellen with an E.
Gregory (my husband) means watchful, alert, watchman, vigilant.
We make a good team. 🙂
If you have children did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them?
We chose strong Biblical names for our sons and a historically strong name for our daughter. We did think about the meaning of their names.
3. It’s National Sauce Month…what’s your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce?
We did have some good spaghetti sauce, tomato and basil, on Monday. My favorite sauce would be one with a little kick and some good layers of flavor, like in a great steak pie. 🙂
4. Something you’ve seen, tasted, done lately that you’d describe as ‘awesome sauce’?
Despite the snow we have been seeing some signs of Spring. We saw our first Robin of the season on Monday which is always ‘awesome sauce’.
5. What kinds of things do you love to collect?
Because of my age and space limitations, I have stopped collecting most things. I’d rather collect experiences.
In the past I’ve enjoyed collecting; Beatrix Potter Figurines, Napkin Rings, Tablecloths, Cloth Napkins, China, Dishes, Tea Cups, Pewter, Russian lacquer boxes, cake plates, chargers, goblets, creamers, anything blue and white in the dish world. OYE! Stop the madness!!
We also collect good books. We still look for our favorite authors on trips and in used bookstores, thrift stores. In England we look for books by Elizabeth Goudge, Dorothy Sayers, Spurgeon, Bunyun, Beatrix Potter and others.
We bought this book by Goudge in Chipping Campden in September of 2013. Goudge’s father was a reverend who taught at Cathedral schools. She lived in the shadows of Wells Cathedral and then her favorite, Ely Cathedral, close to Cambridge.
The inside cover of the book. We purchased this book for 5 pounds. We have several of the books she authored. This is one of my favorites.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Question 2 sent me on a great search about light. There are so many references to ‘light’ in the Bible. God created light at the very beginning of the world, Genesis 1.
Psalm 56:13: For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Psalm 119:130: The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Isaiah 60:19: The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light, but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
John 8:12: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Romans 13:12: The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Ephesians 5:8: for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Colossians 1:13-14: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Any light I reflect is because of Jesus and what he did on the cross for me. I’m a sinner who has been forgiven of my sins because of Christ’s sacrifice. God requires payment for our sins. Jesus made that payment. God accepts me because of Jesus, His perfect Son, taking my penalty. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for me on the cross, rose from the dead, and is LORD. When I asked for forgiveness for my sins, He forgave me. He can and will forgive and save you, too.
Our soft quiet snow was nice while it lasted. The 5 inches we got has quickly melted. Some people just 5 miles from us only got an inch. Our kids on the other side of town got 3 inches. Now we are in the drip drip drip melting stage.
It’s always fun to scientifically document the snowfall. 🙂
Praying for our friend who used to blog, Pam. She is having brain surgery today.
I’ve prayed for many friends who I have met through blogging.
Philippians 2:4: “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
We’ve had some varied Winter weather here the last few days. Thursday and Friday the skies were blue with pretty white clouds and very cold. This is the view we have as we get close to the highway traveling from our home.
March has not come in like a Lion and I hope it still will go out like a lamb.
This photo is looking back driving towards our home from the highway.
Saturday we had a change in the weather and got some wet snow that started to stick for a while.
It all melted off the plants and posts and bird houses by Saturday evening.
I might have spoken too soon about March coming in like a cat instead of a lion because this morning we woke up to another 3 inches of fluffy snow! And now we have 5 inches!
We have some busier days ahead in March, especially with Easter landing on the very last day of March this year.
How does March look for you?
The King shall come when morning dawns,
And light triumphant breaks;
When beauty gilds the eastern hills,
And life to joy awakes.
Not as of old a little child
To bear, and fight, and die,
But crowned with glory like the sun
That lights the morning sky.
O brighter than the rising morn
When He, victorious, rose,
And left the lonesome place of death,
Despite the rage of foes.
O brighter than that glorious morn
Shall this fair morning be,
When Christ, our King, in beauty comes,
And we His face shall see.
The King shall come when morning dawns,
And earth’s dark night is past;
O haste the rising of that morn,
The day that aye shall last.
And let the endless bliss begin,
By weary saints foretold,
When right shall triumph over wrong,
And truth shall be extolled.
The King shall come when morning dawns,
And light and beauty brings:
Hail, Christ the Lord! Thy people pray,
Come quickly, King of kings.
Words: Unknown author; translated from Greek to English by John Brownlie in Hymns of the Russian Church, 1907.
ht: cyberhymnal
When we lived in Southern California we experienced real good barbecued tri-tip roast. Tri-tip is a triangle-shaped piece of beef from the bottom sirloin. It’s also called a “Santa Maria steak” because Santa Maria, California is where it first became popular. You can barbecue it, smoke it, or roast it in the oven. What I’m sharing with you today is a good rub to prepare this cut of meat for whatever cooking method you choose. This rub recipe is enough for a two pound roast.
Tri-Tip Rub
Mix all ingredients well and rub onto roast lightly coated with olive oil. Wrap the rubbed roast with saran wrap and let marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
When ready to cook unwrap roast. We let it sit at room temperature for an hour before we cook it.
For the grill we place it in the middle of a 3 burner grill with only the outer burners on and cook it to an internal temperature of approx 145 degrees for a medium roast. We place it fat side down for a few minutes and then turned it over to cook it to completion.
If you cook it in the oven it’s good to have the roast elevated slightly and not sitting directly on the bottom of the pan. If you don’t have an appropriate accessory to elevate it off the pan you can use thick cut slices of onion. In the oven cook it fat side up at 350 degrees until it reaches the internal temp for the doneness your family prefers. We enjoy it at approx 140-145 for medium. Slice the meat across the grain and serve.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 