Move Us

I'm weak.

I am small.

I am distraught.

That is why the other night, a poem began to boil up in my mind, so I climbed out of my cozy bed and began to pen the words. Today things got harder, so I penned more words. I may add more as I see fit, but so far, here is my poem. I hope it encourages you. That's one of my goals in life: no matter how down I feel, I still want to "provoke [others] unto love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). 

Move Us

Move us on

Move us to

Move us on

Moved by You.

Move us to

To the place

Move us on

To see Your face.

Move us by

Your Spirit shine

Move us on

Lord divine.

Move us through

Storm and rain

Move us even 

In the pain

Move us, Lord

Your will be done

Move us, Mine

You are the One.

Move us onward

Through the fight

Move us forward

In Your light.

Move us, Father

In Your will

Move us, Lover

Keep us still. 

Move us, Lord

Just to move

Move us, Christ

Your power to prove.

Move us, Lord

To love You more

Move us, God

You we adore.

Move me, Father

I want to stop

Move me, Gracious

To the top.

Move me, Shepherd

I'm Your sheep

Move me, Helper

Make me leap.

Move me, Strong One

I am so weak

Move me, Mighty

I'm Yours to keep.

Crazy Mexican Brownies

I found this recipe for Mexican brownies and had a lot of fun making them and photographing along the way.

This is the coffee that inspired me to make the brownies. You see, I don't care much for coffee, so when I drink it, I have to doctor it up with creamer, sugar, cocoa powder, and a little cayenne.

Getting ready to cook.

Ingredients. Of course, I tweaked the recipe a bit like usual by using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose and using a little more cayenne than it called for. I also used only 3 eggs instead of 4; I think it makes them fudgier. 

Basically caramel. 

Adding the dry ingredients. 

Pour into a pan and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes. 

Now for icing. The recipe for the icing is here. I also twerked this recipe by adding about a half teaspoon cinnamon and a shake of cayenne.

So delicious. 

I drizzled it in a crazy "design."

Look at the moistness!

The cook. 

Bring a pan of these delicious brownies to your next get together...

And see how much you have left by the end of it. 

Dirty napkins and a crumby plate, maybe?

My studio: the radiator does a fine job.

For a really moist, fudgy brownie, put the pan in the refrigerator over night and slice. Wow! That's good stuff. 

Well, if I haven't inspired you to make some brownies, I don't know who will. 

New Jersey Thanksgiving (#2)

Continuing from my last post...

Thursday finally arrived, and we began the day by watching the sunrise, once again, in the cold.

The sun was hidden by lowing laying clouds. 

There crash those beautiful waves. 

The beauty of the rising sun over ocean is breath-taking and God-praising. 

Later in the day I walked once again across this barren strip of sand between ocean and houses. 

A bike lures a rider. Notice how there's no need for a lock; we're not in Minneapolis, that's for sure. 

I spent a large portion of Thursday in my aunt and uncle's house, helping her cook for the big dinner. 

Finally, dinner is ready. Gabriel and Emily smile at me through the porch window. 

I got to sit at the kids table with our cousin Hudson, Lydia, and Bethany. 

Johanna taking a big bite of soup. 

I jumped back and forth from my table to the big dining room table. Mom, Emily, Gabriel, and Hannah. 

Hudson, Johanna, and Josiah. 

Ten seconds before I shot this photo, Johanna was on top of Hudson. It was so funny. 

Tyler the old man. This chair rises to let people off. 

Lydia and Johanna. 

I blew this picture up because there is so much going on in it. Gabriel being his normal self, Justus looking at him with a funny face, Cindy smiling, Emily resting, and more. 

Lydia took this picture of Jesse dancing with Johanna. 

"Uncle Jesse!" was a phrase we heard a lot from Johanna. 

Who could be a prouder aunt to...

A cuter niece?

What a cute little family! Josiah, Cindy, and Johanna.

We had to get up quite early on Friday morning to get to the airport. Here Tyler and Hannah look wiped out. 

Priscilla and Justus. 

Well, that was my Thanksgiving! What was yours like?

Have a happy Sunday!

Elisabeth

New Jersey Thanksgiving (#1)

What did you do for Thanksgiving? Well, I went to New Jersey, saw all my sisters and brothers, played in the ocean, watched beautiful sunrises and sets, ate lots of dessert, and adored my niece, because she is the cutest niece in the world. Justus, Priscilla, Tyler, Hannah, and I all went there together from MN, and it was fun traveling with them (and being the 5th wheel as usual!). We stayed at my Grandma's shore house.

Hannah and Tyler waiting at our gate Monday morning. 

Tuesday morning Justus, Priscilla, Tyler, and Hannah sit on a bench overlooking the ocean. 

There it is! How many of you got this for Thanksgiving? (Of course, I'm not trying to brag or anything.)

My cozy beach house room. It brought back many memories from two years ago.  

The northern beach. 

It was very windy, as you can see by looking at Priscilla's hair. 

Sadly, the owners of this house across from Grandma's house sold it and it is going to be demolished so that a big ugly cardboard box can go in its place. 

On Tuesday, I went on  walk with Josiah, Cindy, and Johanna. This girl is precious. 

Then I went upstairs, wrapped myself in a blanket, sat in the sun, and read the Odyssey. 

Finally, on Tuesday evening, the NC crew arrived. It was great to see them again. Here Tyler, and Hannah are joined by Bethany and Lydia. 

The sun sets. 

These four walking on the beach made a lovely scene. 

The sunset from the beach. 

Lydia actually let me play with her hair. I thank you, Lydia! I had fun. 

A copper-colored quarter I found in the sand. This must be Wednesday.

The dune fence.

There's nothing like Jersey waves. 

Look at that!

Lydia running in the water. 

Ahhh...for foamy ocean water rushing over bare feet. 

Blue skies. 

Look at those waves, especially the one crashing in the distance. 

Tyler and Lydia. 

Yike! Run for your life, girl!

Green grass is a rare luxury on the island. 

My favorite house. We tramped all over town looking for this one that I had seen two years ago when I lived there for a month. 

Then we watched the sunset in the freezing wind. We huddled on a bench and froze, wrapping ourselves in blankets.

This in the sunset over the bay. 

She's going down. 

And she's gone. 

I think I'll end there and resume in the next post.