Merry Christmas!!

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas day.  This is a time to remember the real reason for this holiday... Jesus Christ - God made into flesh. What are some of your favorite traditions?

With love in Christ,
Mallory Beth

Softly and Tenderly

This hymn is very dear to my heart. God saved my soul almost five years ago, and I will be forever grateful! Please take a few minutes to meditate on these beautiful words. 

"Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Oh, for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me."

I would encourage you that if you know anyone who is lost and hasn't responded to God's call of salvation, please share the Gospel with them before it's too late! They're yearning for something more but just don't know what they are yearning for. So please, even if you struggle with witnessing ,(as I do), you can sew those seeds with your actions, a little smile or a few words to brighten their day. It will show them that we have something different about us, and they will either not like it and push us away or will want to ask us why we're so happy and content.
Well I hope you all have a great week. :-)
~ Mallory Beth

John 3:16

Katie's Journey Short Story 2

I know it's been a while since I posted anything, and I very much apologize for that.  I'm still writing on my story, but I just haven't had the time lately to get as much done as I would like. Please enjoy. :-) If you're just tuning in, visit the Katie's Journey Short Stories page.

Short Story 2

One week passed…

“Mother?” Katie asked her mother.

“Yes, dear?” her mother answered.

“What do you think the New World is like?” Katie wondered thoughtfully.

“It will be different than home, but it will be nice to get to worship God together freely”. Her mother

smiled at her. Katie stopped chopping the carrots that were on the cutting board in front of her to look out the window. She loved to look out at the beautiful scenery in the fall.

“ I hope it’s beautiful, with lots of trees, amazing sunsets…”

“Katie, you can chop while you speak,” Mother pointed to the chopping board and smiled.

“I'm sorry Mother”, Katie apologized. “I guess I’m getting a little excited about going to the New World.” Katie started chopping again. “Mother, do you think we will be happy there?”

“We’ll be happy as long as we’re together, darling.”

“I know…” Katie said slowly.

“It’s all right, Katie. Why don’t you go outside and take a break,” she nodded toward the window. “You've worked hard today,” She smiled.

“I have to ask you something first”, Katie stated. “ It will only take a moment”.

“ What is it, dear?'' Her mother asked curiously.

Katie set her knife down, and leaned against the counter. “ I feel as if I’m abandoning Father by leaving Plymouth. Although I know he would want us to be happy, it still feels wrong. Is it?”

After a few moments, her mother turned to her. Katie could see the tears in her eyes as she declared , “I know it is hard, and this very thought has gone through my head a lot as well. It kept on pestering me at night until I couldn’t stand it any longer, and so I prayed. I asked the Lord to not be angry with me for moving on with our lives, and I now know that God is not; nor is your father. They both want us to be happy.''

Katie felt tears in her eyes and she had to turn away from her mother so that she wouldn't see her cry.

But Sarah Cross knew her daughter well enough to know that something else was on her mind.

“Katie, what else is bothering you so that you have to turn away from me? ,'' she inquired in pure concern. Katie decided that she wouldn't worry her mother with what was on her mind right now. She knew it would be a lie, and a sin, if she said that there was nothing on her mind, but she didn't want to talk about it.

“Nothing, Mother... I am just thinking of father again,” she smiled, feeling a little prick of guilt. Her mother still had the look of both confusion and concern, but she didn't want to push her daughter too far. Then Katie declared , “ I think I'll go outside to think a little bit. Is that still alright, Mother?''

“Sure it is, Katie. Supper is on the stove and Abigail is asleep, so I can manage for a while.", her mother smiled. "Oh and look, Charles and Jacob are walking outside. Maybe you should go say hello.

~

Katie glanced out the window, she spotted Jacob and Charles walking up the lane. She glanced over at Charles, he was tall and handsome 16 year – old young man. They had all been best friends since they were young. He was the most gentle and kind young man she had ever known, and he had a wonderful faith in God. He and Katie had a lot in common. Charles's father died when he was 14 years old and than he started working for Katie’s father to raise money for his family when he was 15. He had been a lot of help around the farm when Katie’s father died a year later.

Katie came back to the present, and grabbed her shawl and waved goodbye to her mother, all she could think of was how she just wanted to be alone to think. She almost wished for a moment she could avoid Jacob and Charles, but she knew it would be disrespectful to do so. So she slowly walked up to them, and decided that she can take a walk by herself later.

As she was getting quite close, Charles smiled at her and stated cheerfully,

“Hello, Katie! How are you?''

“Hello, Charles,'' she began as she faked a grin, “I am alright, what are you two doing?''

“We were going to see if you would like to come with us for a walk on the pier, Jacob said said that it's your favorite place to go on a stroll.”

Katie looked at Jacob,who had not said a word the whole time they were talking. He kept on staring at her, as if he sensed there was something wrong with her. But she tried to hide her sadness, and talked to Charles, who was awaiting her answer.

“Yes, Jacob was right, that's where I do a lot of my thinking, and it is very peaceful up there for me and I am sure for others too... ,'' She knew she was rambling and felt embarrassed at first, but then she caught Charles smile at her with amusement and she had to laugh at herself. “Yes, indeed, I love to go, Charles, thank you,'' Then she turned to Jacob and inquired, “ Shall we go and tell mother where we are going?''

Jacob nodded and started to walk off without saying anything else and she told Charles that they would be right back.

When she caught up with her brother, she whispered , “ Is there something that I have said or done that has made you angry with me, Jacob?”

“I am not exactly angry with you, but are you sure that you're alright, Katie? Because it seemed to me that you were trying to hide something back there with Charles,” he said with a little hint of concern in his voice, but the rest was anger.

“I am fine, Jacob-”

“I don't think you are, Katie!” Jacob interrupted more loudly. “ I thought you were alright with leaving Plymouth, but now you're acting as if you don't want to go at all!”

“ I am still having a little bit of trouble getting used to the fact that we are leaving our family and friends. That if we leave here, we might never see them again!” she hesitated, “Well... there is no need to talk about it right now. Let's go tell mother we are going, and we don't want to keep Charles waiting.”

Katie hurried to the back door of their home before her brother could say anything more, and they walked in. Their mother was in the same spot that she was when Katie left.

“Jacob, Charles and I are going to the pier for a little bit. Is that alright?”

“As long as you are back for supper, dears. But why don't you ask Charles if he and his family would like to join us for supper.” their mother smiled at them.

“Sure, Mother.” Katie smiled back at her. “ Bye,” she said as she and Jacob walked out the door.

When they were outside, Katie walked ahead of her brother towards the place where Charles was waiting for them. She didn't want to speak with Jacob at that very moment, so she called to Charles,

“Are you ready to go?”

Charles replied, “I'm ready if you and Jacob are.” He smiled down at her.

“First, I want to invite you and your family to supper. That way your mother and sisters are saved the trouble of fixing it. We'd love to visit with you, and I know Mother would enjoy the company!”

“What if I go and see if Mother and the girls have started cooking, and I'll let you know. Then maybe we could go to the pier another day. Is that alright?”

“That's perfect! I probably need to help Mother with the cooking anyway.” She turned to Jacob and inquired, “Is that ok with you too?”

Her brother nodded, and said, “I have to feed the animals and water Mother's garden for her, so that would work.”

“ See you in a while, then.” Charles answered with a smile.

As he walked away, Katie thought, “ I'm glad that's over! It's not that I don't want to talk to Charles,but I don't have to pretend any longer.” But she was wrong...

As she started to walk off towards the house to help her mother, Jacob stopped her by saying quietly,

“ We need to talk, Katie.”

“ Not right now, Jacob. I have to go help Mother with supper.” She said as she started to walk a way.

“ Katie, I -”

“No, Jacob! I do NOT want talk to you right this minute, alright?” Katie angrily interrupted as she turned to face her brother. Katie instantly saw the hurt in his eyes, and knew that he was only concerned for her welfare. This time she spoke with a softer tone, “ Jacob, I really need time alone to think and pray before I speak to you about this. But my words came before I even realized what I had said. I'm sorry! Can you ever forgive me?” Her words came so fast, they came out in a jumble of pleading emotion.

“Of course I forgive you, Katie! I shouldn't have pushed you so hard, but I was concerned. Take as long as you need.” Jacob touched her shoulder, then he simply smiled and walked to the barn.

~

Katie sat up straight in her cot, breathing heavily. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks, and tried to calm herself. She dropped her head on her backboard, and thought,

'Why am I still having these dreams, Lord? I don't understand... I thought I had let what happened to Father go. It's been over two years, and I still feel like it's my fault. But I can't change that... can I?'

Her thoughts went on for most of the night, until she saw the small light of the sunrise on the horizon. She decided that she needed to get up and start on her chores, since it was sunup. She climbed out of bed, and quickly put on her dress and bonnet. 'Help me to be strong today, Lord. I need your help to be strong.'

She kept saying that over and over to herself all the way down the stairs. At the the bottom, she stopped, sighed deeply, and stepped into the kitchen. 

Did you like it?

Would you read more if I posted it?

Are you enjoying this Fall weather? 

~Mallory Beth

Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Tomatoes

My grandma found this really yummy salad in a magazine recently. If you love bacon, cheese and tomatoes, you'll love this! :-).

Here's what you'll need:
Salad:  1 head of broccoli
  8 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese cubed (we used Colby cheese)
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
Sauce: 1cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
Salt and pepper to taste.

Hope y'all enjoy this!
Your sister in Christ,
Mallory
P.S. How have you all been? I have been so busy that I haven't had time to post anything.

"Changed" by Rascal Flatts

I had heard this song about a year ago, and I loved it! I don't agree with everything that Rascal Flatts sings, but this is a powerful song about how God can really change the heart of a person.  I just felt convicted to share it with you. :-)
I don't know why, but Blogger still won't load my videos.... so here's the link.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvHw-QcLjZg


Hope you all have a great week! :)


P.S. What do you and your family do for Easter?

Wonderful Song- What Do I Know of Holy by Addison Road

I found this song on You Tube a couple of weeks ago, and I thought I should share this with you. We've started to sort of stop listening to CCM (Contemporary Christian Music), but this song really spoke to my heart, and I hope it does to you too. :)  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6J5TzSE_18

P.S. I couldn't get the video to upload for some reason, but here is the link. By the way, I loved this song so much, that I chose it for my dance solo this year. ;)

I hope you have a blessed rest of the week!

~ Mallory Beth

Katie's Journey: Short Story 2 Coming Soon!

I have finally had time to sit down to write more of my story, so I wanted to let you know that I will have it posted as fast as my brain will allow. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ok so I forgot to post this yesterday, but here it is! HAPPY VALENTIN'S DAY!  We don't celebrate Cupid or anything, but Momma and Daddy usually does something special and our Grandma take us girls out to dinner. :)

      "So, one day out of the year is set aside for celebrating love. But my question is, why not do it all /365/ days? And, we focus so much on human relationships, but what about a relationship with the One who made us and is the /Author/ of love?"  My friend Leah posted this on Facebook yesterday and it got me to thinking of how many times I have put the Lord aside to do something that I wanted to do, without doing my devotions first thing in the morning.  So I am making a late New Year's resolution to make more time for God, because He took the time to send His Son to save all of us!

    What do you do for Valentine's Day?

Have a blessed day!

~Mallory Beth

Mmmmm......

Ahh... nothing like smelling three batches of meatballs frying in a cast iron...! ;)  Momma makes Ree Drummond's recipe all of the time for our Daddy.  :)

Ingredients

• Meatballs:
• 3/4 pounds Ground Beef
• 3/4 pounds Ground Pork
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 3/4 cups Fine Bread Crumbs
• 2 whole Eggs
• 3/4 cups Freshly Grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup Flat-leaf Parsley, Minced
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Splash Of Milk
• 1/2 cup Olive Oil
• Sauce:
• 1 whole Yellow Onion, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole (28-ounce) Can Whole Tomatoes
• 1 whole 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1/2 cup White Or Red Wine (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Flat-leaf Parsley, Minced
• 8 whole Fresh Basil Leaves, Chiffonade (optional)
• 2 pounds Spaghetti, Cooked To Al Dente

Preparation Instructions

To make the meatballs, combine meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, and a splash of milk in a mixing bowl. Mix together well with hands. Roll into 25 1 1/2-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet into the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to firm up.
To brown the meatballs, heat olive oil in a heavy pot or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meatballs 8 at a time, turning to brown. Remove and drain on a paper towel after each batch. Set meatballs aside.
In the same pot, add the onions and garlic and cook for a few minutes, or until translucent. Pour in whole tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and wine, if using. Add salt, pepper, sugar, and parsley. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.
Add meatballs to pot and stir in gently. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring very gently a couple of times during the simmer.
Just before serving, stir in basil if using.
Serve over cooked spaghetti. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan.

This is what it looks like after it's all done! Doesn't it look yummy? What's your favorite comfort food?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 

 Wow! Is 2014 really here already?!
There are so many blessing that the Lord has given me and my family over the course of this year, that I can't name them all. He's given us a new church family who have welcomed us with open arms, and I have made so many friends that I'm truly amazed! We've had hard times, tears, but a whole lot of wonderful laughter that got us through those hard times. I thank God for everything that has happened this year, for I know in my heart that it has brought me closer to Him and my family.
I am very thankful for everyone in my life, and I pray that this year is better than the last.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR! :D