Where is our focus?

There are many things that people look forward to and enjoy at Christmas time. There are the numerous Christmas cookies to bake, the beautiful lights and decorations to put up, the trimming of the Christmas tree, Christmas cards to send out, presents to buy, family gatherings...and the list could go on and on. You know the drill at Christmas time; we all rush around trying to get everything done on our many lists, and seemingly forget what all the celebrating is even about. Or more importantly, WHO all the celebrating is about... I know we've all heard this before too--Keep Jesus as the reason for the Season...but have we REALLY done that? In my own life, I know that a lot of my Christmas Season is taken up with preparing and planning for the Church Christmas program, Candlelight Service, Caroling, teen functions, and all these "legitimate" things... but even though they are "legitimate", and yes, even good things that need to be accomplished, we must keep our focus on WHY we are doing them. If my focus is strictly on doing all these "things" for our Church.... my focus is in the wrong place. It is difficult in the busyness of the Season to allow our focus to blur; but let's all (me definately included!) try to keep our focus on the ONE who truly deserves our praise and adoration. Jesus came to earth as a newborn baby nearly 2,000 years ago. Why? So that He could grow up experiencing life as we do with all of its heartache, temptations, joys, and triumphs; and ultimately to pay the price for our sins. He gave ALL for us. Let's give our ALL to Him this Christmas Season! He deserves above and beyond all that we could give Him!

Happy Birthday Bro!

Happy Birthday Jerry! Hope you're day is as fanastic as you are! ;0) Love you bro! You're the best!

To the most amazing mother...

Happy Birthday Mom Davis!! I have had the privilege of growing up with the most amazing mom. She has been there for me through thick and thin all of my life. From day one she has put aside her own needs and desires to make sure that mine were met. She has been a godly example for me to follow. She has taught me how to laugh when life isn't so funny; love even when it hurts; and to live for Jesus--my Savior and friend. I love you mom!!

Family Photos

It is a tradition in the LaVan family to do our "Family picture" at Thanksgiving time. So this year, a family member took them for us so we wouldn't have to wear ourselves out running back and forth to the camara that we perched on a tripod.

Grins and Giggles

As always, we make the most of our trips up north; and try to visit both sides of our family while were up. We might as well, since we drive 8 1/2 hours to go up there, and our family is on the way there, and on the way back! :0) Anyhow, as usual, I took several pictures of our niece and nephews who grow and change so much everytime we get to see them. Here are a few from our last trip.


Me and my buddy Jessica
Don't you LOVE his shirt?! ;0)

My sweet Jeffery...Love that guy!

Silly Jerrod, making me laugh as usual... :0)

Joey.... content to be in mommy's arms

Let me think here..... :0)

Special Congratulations!

Happy Anniversary to mom and dad LaVan! Today they are celebrating 34 years together. In a world where that is unheard of, It's worth mentioning!! :0) Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating together mom and dad! We love you!

Colors of Fall

A photo I took in Williamsburg last week. Beautiful fall colors this time of year! ;0)

Footprints in the Sand

This past week my family got to come down for a few days and spend some time with us. Among other things we got to spend a day in Virginia Beach. We had absolutely gorgeous weather, and very few people to share the beach with! ;0) We even got to spot some Dolphins out in the ocean!

My mom, dad, me and Jerry

Our little seagull friend

Me and my best friend--my mom

Friends and Fun

The David Cope family was at our church for our fall revival this year. The Lord came in such a sweet way in our services. What a privilege it is to serve Him! The Cope family did a beautiful job of singing each night and Bro Cope brought challenging messages. The monday following revival we took them to Williamsburg for a day of fun and relaxation before they headed back home to the daily grind.

The Cope kids:Tyler, Trista, Tausha, and Tiffany

Trying on hats in Williamsburg--even found one tausha's size! ;0)

Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares

Here is another fall recipe I thought I would share with you all. I just made these this week for revival, and they seemed to be a huge hit! :0) Enjoy!


Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares
Base

1 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Filling

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 eggs

Topping

2 cups sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla


1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Using pastry blender (or two knives going in opposite directions), cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and walnuts. Press in bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes.
2. In large bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Pour over hot base. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set and dry in center. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix topping ingredients. Drop mixture by spoonfuls over pumpkin layer; spread evenly over hot filling. Bake about 5 minutes or until topping is set. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

The link below is for the website
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/pumpkin-cheesecake-squares/f430e9b3-2318-4f05-9946-0cfaa1fda979

Birthday Wishes!

Today my Grandpa Hunt turns 88 years old! What an accomplishment! :0) I talked to him on the phone today, and we had a wonderful time laughing and talking together. Even though my grandpa is battling with Alzheimers disease, he still knows how to laugh and have fun! We have always had a special relationship, and would often find ourselves laughing together over anything and everything. As I reflect back on my grandpa's life, a lot of things come to mind. First and foremost however, is the fact that his Jesus was always (and still is) precious to him. Often, as he sang specials in church, he would have tears coursing down his cheeks as he sang about his Jesus.

Most men retire at a ripe old age of 65...not my grandpa! He worked until he was 80 or 81 years old... never a lazy bone in his body, and would hardly ever take a rest. There was always time for cookies, however... :0) He still enjoys treats now and then, whenever he gets them. (Runs in the family) :0)

My grandparents set a beautiful example of a godly lives and marriage before their daughter; and she then has passed that heritage on to her children. I am greatly blessed to have such a beautiful, sweet, and godly heritage! Even though now, my grandpa can't always remember things like he used to due to his Alzheimers, there is no doubt in my mind that he loves Jesus and will someday join my grandma at His feet! I love you grandpa!! Happy 88th Birthday! :0)

Fall Fellowship

This past saturday we had a fall get-together for our church people at our house. There was lots of food, fun and games, and wonderful fellowship! The kids got to have sack races (with pillowcases), pin the nose on the pumpkin, and bob for apples! One of the adults even got in on the bobbing for apples! :0) Isn't it wonderful to have good, clean, christian fun?! Who says Christians can't have fun?

One of the girls holding up the apple she bobbed for!

Hmmm....Now, where did all those apples go?!
On your mark, Get Set, Go!
Pin the nose on the pumpkin...who goes first?
Mmm...dessert table...what else do you need? :0) (This was before most of the desserts were brought in too! LOL)

Top 5 Favorite things about Fall...

I did this last year, and since this is my favorite season, I thought I would do it again. I will list my top 5 favorite things aobut fall, and then it will be your turn! Please post your top 5 favorites in the comments portion of this post, or email them to me at Ljlavan08@yahoo.com. I will post the over-all top five favorites once I hear from you all! :0)


My Top Five
1. The burst of colors!
2. The Spicy Smells(pumpkin, cinnamon, etc)
3. The delicious food (Pumpkin Everything, Apple
pie, Sweet Potato Bake, Caramel Apples etc)
4. The cooler weather ( I love to wear Hoodies!)
5. Bonfires and Roasting Marshmallows


Don't forget to share your favorites! :0)

And the Winner is.....

In my last post I asked you to vote on which edited photo you liked most. Between your votes, and our votes, the winner was #8. Thank you for your participation!

Place Your Vote!

Like in the previous post... I used Picnik.com to edit these wedding photos. Just for fun, vote on your favorite edited photo! :0) Put your vote in the comments box for this post.

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#8

Photo Fun

I have re-discovered the wonderful world of Picknik.com... As you can tell, I'm a big fan of sepia... :0) I thought I would share with you the photos that I had time to change.