Canning Apple Sauce

Playing "Bottle Tops"

Count Your Many Blessings

I thought about doing this post as I was humming "Count Your Many Blessings". On Thanksgiving, Grandma Criss has everyone say one thing he is grateful for. I thought it would be a good idea if I did a post on everything I have to be grateful for. Well, I have so much to be grateful for that if I wrote it all out, I'd keep you here all day. So, like in the song, I'll count my blessings that money can't buy.

-An awesomely wonderful Lord and Savior who loves me unconditionally.
-A future home in heaven.
-A loving Daddy.
-A precious Momma.
-Nine very different, but very amazing siblings.
-Long, deep talks with my sisters
-Uplifting and encouraging walks and talks with my bosom friend.
-My many sweet friends.
-A brother-in-law and soon-to-be sister-in-law!
-A niece or nephew on the way!
-A large, dear family at church.
-My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-law, and second cousins once removed.=)
-The sun, rain, wind, and snow-I love it all!
-Little reminders each day that Jesus loves me!

Count Your Many Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain

My Comforter

When I am weak and tired to the bone
I can turn to Jesus, my comforter, my stone!
While I am nothing, He is always strong.
To Him I can turn when my fight is long.
Every ounce of strength we humans posses
Is nothing compared to his awesome greatness.

When I am weak and think I can give no more,
My vessel is tossed by the waves, but He is the shore.
When all of life forsakes me, He is ever there.
He is always ready to listen to the troubles I bear.
When the giants are huge and I begin to fear,
I must never forget that He is ever near.

So often in our busy lives we forget to say
To the caring One Who chose our every way,
"Thank you, dear Jesus, for the trials you send."
Each struggle will make us more beautiful in the end.
Jesus, as You gave You precious life, Your all, for me,
Your Strong warrior and faithful servant I will ever be.

~Susanna R. Criss

"Flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses...Keep this commandment without spot, blameless, until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing."

~1 Timothy 6:11-12, 14

Engaged!!!

The Young Soldier

The boy was a youngster – scarcely eighteen
He carried a gun and a drinking canteen.
He wore a uniform, looking mighty fine.
All he owned was a penny and a dime.
Coming to the war, this boy had much pride
If he joined, he thought, the war would subside.
But in his first battle, fighting for our flag
Shot, mighty bad, missing his left leg.
And so, this young man perished under the black sky
His leave so sudden, no time to say good bye.
But many have to parish in order to win
Many lives must be taken, all because of sin.
But, if we are to win, we must fight on
Never stop, nor look back, until the war in won.

~Susanna R. Criss

Another Great Day with the Murphys!

This morning, around ten-thirty, Mrs. Murphy dropped off her seven children, then headed off with a list of errands. The first order of business was walking that barking dog.=) We bundled up the ones who wanted to come along, then went for a short walk. After getting home, Hannah M., Rebekah M. and I started our usual conversation

"What shall we do now?"

After repeating the question ten different ways, laughing, and playing with Peter, we looked at pictures on the computer and watched a silly movie that Krissy VC and I made together (sorry, it's way too embarrassing to share.=).

Finally, we decided to play "fisherman". We pulled out a knitted blanket that looks like a net. Matthew and Joe were the fishermen and the rest of us were fish. (Quite an experience!)

Then we went outside and played "Nazis and Jew" (a little different version of "Cops and Robers".) The Boys were the Nazis and the girls the Jews. When we tired of that, we came inside and played "Sardines"

Then, Mrs. Murphy came. Hannah returned a big stack of books that she had read from Thursday night 'till Tuesday morning and left with another stack of books - Trailblazers by Dave and Neta Jackson and Rod and Staff books. We helped the children with their coats and shoes and helped them buckle into their carseats. Then, after hugs, and choruses of goodbyes, they drove away.

Looking forward to our next wild adventure with the Murphy children!

I was jusy looking through my folder...

...and came across these pictures.

Getting ready to "block" an afghan.

Ready for delivery!

Trying to get just the right lighting for a picture.=) I don't think any of my pictures turned out though...=)

Furiously trying to finish before Christmas!

So busy crocheting, I just had to get a little reading in! =)

Time with the Muphy Children

This past week, when the Murphy children came over, I was still at piano lessons. As we drove up, Thomas and Ruthie waited excitedly on the curb. As soon as I opened the door, I heard "Hello Susanna!" "Zana, can you play chalk with me?" "Zana, look at my chalky hands!" After inspecting their creative art, I went inside, ate a quick lunch, then we got the strollers out and took the children on a walk. When we got back, we played "musical chairs". I sent Lydia and Ruthie upstairs to pick out some music and they came down with their favorite fiddle CD. Thomas and Daniel are my little helpers with turning on and off the music. After that, we washed our hands, pulled on aprons, and got everything ready to made peanut butter balls. I let each child dump in the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and peanut butter, and they all had fun mixing it with their hands! After rolling them into balls, we made chocolate frosting and coated the balls. While waiting for them to freeze, Lydia and Ruthie headed upstairs, Thomas and Joseph played with Matthew and Joe, and Hannah M, Rebekah M, and I played "Skip Bo". Then after trying our peanut butter balls, we headed upstairs to do some scrap booking. I let each girl do a page, with one rule - they had to sign their name. Then, I had them all, except Joseph, who was downstairs playing with the boys, color a picture, sign their name, or write something in my journal. Even Peter did it! Then, we came downstairs, had dinner of salmon, potatoes, and bread, then played "Sardines" for a little bit before Mr. and Mrs. Murphy came back. While they talked to Daddy, Momma, Sarah and Stephen (who are here for the week!), we got the children's shoes on and Hannah combed our bookshelves for books. (She is an amazingly fast reader!) Then, we placked them into their 12 passenger van and waved as they drove away.

I had a great time with all you children and I hope to have just as good a time when I see you sometime next week!

Happy 21st Birthday, Phil!

Don't Worry...

...I haven't given up on blogging. =) I've either been too busy or forget to take the camera with me on any outings. I'll try to post something tomorrow, since I was just summoned. =) So, I'll "talk" to you all tomorrow!

~Susi