Imagine that you awoke at 3:00 AM one morning with the realization that your house was on fire. Let’s say you had 5 minutes to gather the things that were most dear to you to save them from the fire. What would you take? Could you get to it easily? Would you have trouble finding it? What would you use to gather it in? Is there something too big to get out that you would regret losing? Let’s say also that all people and pets are already safe, so you only have to think of what you want to save……………………………………………………………..
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I would grab a laundry basket and try to gather:
**as many pictures as I could…especially the portraits of my children at 3 years
**my scrapbooks that chronicle special people and events
**my Bible, all the other books could be replaced
**my box of love notes and little things my children drew when they were younger
**a box of treasures that belonged to my Mother-in-law
**my good jewelry
**my laptop
**necessary medications
**a painting that my husband loves
**OH! I would have to grab my glasses first or I couldn’t see to get anything else

I would regret losing most the things I have collected from different parts of the world and the United States, my real zebra skin rug from Pop, my collection of sheep, my books, my wedding china, my collection of old wooden boxes and dough bowls,
my quilts and whatever pictures I couldn’t save….

I would not be able to get my piano out, and I have an antique dry sink from my Mom that would be too big to get out, too.

What would you save?………

Don left yesterday for a business meeting in California. Plans were for Alex to go with him. He was looking forward to it so much…Don was too. But when he got up yesterday morning, he was just too sick to travel. He showered and dressed and was all packed, but his body just would not let him go. He and Don were so disappointed.
Don had to go ahead and leave to catch his plane. What a bummer. Alex feels guilty for not being able to spend this time with Don. We had prayed that God would give him a few days of relief and a little fun…but it was not to be.

It is at times like this that I get angry. It seems so little to ask that this young man have a few days of fun. So little to ask that he get to do something that others take for granted. So little to ask for ‘normal.’ So, I’m angry. Not at God…just at life, and situations, and illness. These are the times it gets hard to keep a smile on my face, these are the times I want to hit something and cry out that “IT’S NOT FAIR!” And it’s not. But, what it is , is LIFE. And it’s the life we have been given. And I do not always like it. It’s at times like these that I feel as if I am going to fail as a mom…fail at keeping Alex’s spirits up, and fail at showing God’s strength and love…fail at finding a silver lining…fail at giving him hope.

“Because of God’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations3:22,23

Please pray for us. I know I sound really down, but I am not. Please know that I do not blame God for this. Sure I wonder why, but God is all loving and compassionate and He wants only the best for us. He continues to give us strength and sanity(*?*), I know He will never fail.

I found this recipe…and it’s likely the ONLY recipe you will ever get from me…in the diet book, Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet.

COCONUT PECAN GRANOLA

3/4 cup of Fruit Sweet
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup toasted pecan
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
OPTIONAL: may add raisins or other dried fruit

preheat oven to 325

Melt butter in large mixing bowl in microwave. Add Fruit Sweet, oats, pecans, coconut, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray and spread mixture out on the pan in an even layer. Bake, stirring several times, about 25 minutes until mixture is light golden brown. Cool completely. Serve at room temperature. Can be stored in airtight container for several weeks. Makes about 8 cups or 16 servings.

You can add this to nonfat plain yogurt with sliced fresh fruit. It is also a quick breakfast cereal with skim milk, or just out of hand as a snack.

FYI: FRUIT SWEET is a liquid fruit sweetener, made from concentrated fruit juices.
It is a good substitute for sugar and honey in cooking, but is sweeter than sugar and has fewer calories per serving. This is just one brand name, and it can be found in the baking needs isles of supermarket or health food stores.

ENJOY!

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10