The Verdict is In, NOT GUILTY

And so, after months of trial and several hours of deliberation, George Zimmerman was acquitted. 
The jury was not convinced enough evidence existed to prove guilt. One young man lost his life, and one man lost his life "as he knew it". 

I have decided not to reveal my belief of guilt or innocence in this case. No one except God and George Zimmerman can possibly know the actual events that unfolded that February night in 2012. It's my understanding that there was not a witness to "all that happened", so Trayvon's family cannot know, George's family cannot know, President Obama cannot know, and no, not even the jury can KNOW what happened.
The jurors, (and God bless them for doing their civic duty, I don't envy them) could only come to their verdict by what they were presented as "evidence", or lack there of. This is still America where you are innocent UNTIL you are proven guilty. He was not proven guilty.

My point of blogging on this is because I feel that those of us proclaiming to be Christians need to act as if we are. Even if you have strong feelings one way or the other, lets not attack each other. Let's pray for both families involved, and for peace, especially here in central Florida, but nationally too.

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you      Matthew 5:44 

You see, this case (well, actually the media and higher government) has CAUSED racial hatred to explode. They made it about race, instead of about human life. Well done Washington and mainstream media. Is this seriously what you were aiming for?  I would hope not, but I do believe that's just what has happened.

Two things to consider:

1. No matter the reason, Trayvon Marton, a 17 year old young man is dead, his family and friends still mourn and will always have a void in their lives. Even if Trayvon was at fault, the family has the same loss.

2.If George Zimmerman is innocent, and he acted in self-defense, his life is "ruined". This whole thing will never leave him or HIS family.

whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6

As Christians, let's honor God with our thoughts, words and actions. Pray for all involved, and don't be party to those "claiming to know the truth", we just can't, we are not God.
Be thankful that it was not YOU on the jury, I am quite certain that they will live in fear always.

Thanks for stopping by, feel free to comment below. Christ's blessings to you!

I'm a Genius!

Well, maybe not quite a genius, I just baked a cake. However, I did impress myself a bit. My daughter and I decided a Jello-poke cake would be awesome for the 4th if we used one package red jello, and one package blue with the white cake, with the delicious pudding & Coolwhip frosting. We bought strawberry and blue mixed berry Jellos.
If you have ever made one, you know that the project is best started the day or night before due to cooling times.

So, last night I baked the white cake, but rather than use the 9 x 13 pan that I would normally use,  I decided to get all fancy and make a layer cake. That way I knew that the Jello colors wouldn't mix together. I used two 9" round pans. After baking, I did my pokes and added the blue Jello to one and the red Jello to the other. In the fridge they went.  As I did this I wondered if the cakes would ever "pop out" for me, even though I did spray and flour the pans. I was pretty sure the jello would be an issue. Hmmm. Well, morning would tell. If it didn't work, we would have two separate cakes. Boring.

Sure enough, the Jello was preventing my masterpiece from being completed. Drats! Hmmm. Oh, wait...wait a minute. I have an idea. How about setting the bottom of the pans in hot water?  That could work. It's worth a try. Yep, it worked for the first one. Beautiful.  Now, easy, let's do this again. Got it.  Awesome!

that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever

    Psalm 30:12

My red, white(ish) and blue cake worked. See, I may not be a total genius, but, a bit ingenious, don't you think? Anyway, I took some pictures, so that you all can visually enjoy my cake. Wish you could taste it, because this cake rocks, even in a 9 x 13 pan!

Hope your day is going splendidly. Enjoy, stay safe. 

Christ's Blessings on You.

One Nation Under God

Well, our plans for the 4th of July are rather low key, which usually proves to be very enjoyable on holidays. Being one of 10 children, I always enjoyed the GREAT BIG family to-dos when we lived in New York. Seriously though, it eliminates a ton of stress to keep plans to a minimum. Actually, with the baby, we are more likely to do some small, short lived, activities over a few days, rather than plan a whole big day of stuff.

With the big kids on summer break, I have been enjoying hanging out and doing things with them. Today we took in the local zoo, ending our short stay there at the splash pad.

  Our annual pass should prove worth the money for us, the baby had lots of fun, and the big kids always enjoy it!

My biggest plan (hope) for Independence Day is to sleep in. As always, Little Miss Munchkin has total control over my sleep pattern; and well, pretty much every aspect of my life right now. We have typical American Fourth of July foods planned-hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and plenty of desserts. I'm guessing there will be some pool time and maybe a movie. Not so different from many weekend days at our house. Hoping to end the Holiday with fireworks at a local park.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

No matter your holiday plans, even if you have to work, let's not forget why most of us have the day off from work, why we celebrate July the 4th as a federal holiday.  It's not just a great day for a BBQ, or even an excuse for fireworks. It's a day to celebrate this great nation we live in, the freedoms we have, and the premises on which this country was founded.   Our money says "In God We Trust". Not only did our Founding Fathers believe in God, they put their trust in Him.

Some of Abraham Lincoln's famous words come directly from the Holy Scriptures. (I know, I know, he's not actually a Founding Father, but he is a pretty important man in the history of our country!)

“A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Abraham Lincoln

Happy Independence Day!

 May Jesus bless you with food, fun and faith!

There is No GOD Like JEHOVA

If you are Canadian, happy Canada Day, if you are not, Happy July first! It was a happy day for me.

The day started nicely, at about 6:30 am I awoke to singing birds and a fussing baby. Well, the fussing baby wasn't really that nice, but the fact that I awoke to that beautiful blessing from God  WAS nice!  She gulped down a food pouch and drifted back to sleep, my slumber was soon to follow after sharing a bit of time with Jesus.  It's not that I was in a sound sleep, mind you, but I was restful until nearly 9:00 am!  I may have mentioned this before, but I really like to sleep in!  Perhaps it makes me a bad Mom, but I am constantly trying to get our big kids to sleep in, too. Actually, just our big girl, I don't have to ask the teenage boy twice to sleep late!

I had a plan, I was going for that morning walk I have been promising myself. I told my daughter my plan the night before, thinking she would likely hold me to it. She did, So, I woke up, guess who...my son.  The baby enjoyed the ride in her stroller, I know this because she didn't cry most of the way, in fact, she never so much as grumbled. I good day indeed. I hope the walk is the start of a good habit.

Back at the house, time for showers and then out the door for a quick trip to Publix and a haircut for my son. Or not. I got the shower, and got dressed, only for the kids to tell me the neighbor girl showed up for my daughter's Birthday shopping at the mall.....hmmm... her birthday is NEXT Monday.  Her mom had planned her entire day as if I would have her daughter with me.

Okay, so we're going to the mall, kids! Get dressed. Oh, wait, still some variables: lunch, baby naps, things I needed to get done this afternoon. Hey, my daughter only turns 10 once! Yes, 10! Wow, how did that happen?  But back to my story.

I called my husband who was on his way home for lunch. Honey, could you grab a couple $5 pizzas from Little Caesars? Perfect. Lunch, diaper change, out the door for a fun girls' shopping day (except my son snuck in the van so that he could hang out at the book store for the afternoon). Truly, I was feeling somewhat exhausted before we started.

It would be a good day, it would. It would be fun to watch my daughter make choices, and "run it past the modesty police" (me for today) After all, she held in her hands enough money to actually buy things at Claires and Justice and Bath and Body Works.

and he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keepest covenant and lovingkindness with thy servants, that walk before thee with all their heart;  1 Kings 8:23

The drive was good, as good as it gets on I-4 in central Florida. The music was better...Z88.3, "safe for the little ears", and a blessing to Momma's soul! Just as we exited the highway for the mall, one of my favorite songs was playing; Days of Elijah, originally written by Robin Mark, performed by many. And you know what?  THERE IS NO GOD LIKE JEHOVAH! There is NO God like Jehovah!  A perfect peace came over me, no more feeling frazzled because my plans had been changed, no more worry if the baby would be happy.  Just peace and excitement to take these four kiddos to the mall. Isn't it amazing how a song can totally change your outlook at that moment.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.  2 Thessalonians 3:16

It was a good day. I already knew that there is no God like Jehovah. I already knew that I had in my minivan three of God's greatest gifts to me and another blessing in the girl from across the street who is a good girl that Naomi has a friend in. I knew that I am blessed to have the ability and privilege to take them all to the mall!

It was a GREAT day!

One week from today, as a family we will celebrate my second baby turning double digits on her actual birthday, and that will be a great day too!

May each of you know and remember that there is no Go like Jehovah.