Merry Christmas to You!

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:14-20

Norwegian Fruit Soup Recipe (Sut Suppe)

Becoming a working mom has been an adjustment in my life.  Since September, I have been teaching Title I Math and Reading, teaching a 3-4th grade Social Studies Class, and am now working on my artwork for sale.  This leaves much less time for the homemaking treats I enjoyed working on in my spare time.  Today Amy and I have the day off from school for Christmas Vacation!  After our shopping we decided to bake some more goodies for Christmas.  Amy mixed up a delicious Scandinavian Almond Cake recipe, and my project included boiling potatoes for lefse and mixing up some Christmas Sut Suppe (my husband's favorite Christmas treat).  I am recording the recipe for your enjoyment and for posterity's sake.

Cutting up Prunes for Sut Suppe recipe

Sut Suppe / Frukt Suppe Recipe
Dictated in the exact words of my father-in-law, Luther

1-2 lb. prunes
1 lb. raisins
dried fruit (apricots, apples, pears)
1.3 c. tapioca
red hots, opt.
red food coloring, opt.
cinnamon
nutmeg

"Cut dried fruit into smaller pieces and soak in water for a while before adding to the other stuff.  To the dried fruit mexture, add water enough to cover the fruit. Gradually heat so it comes to a boil (watch so it doesn't burn).  When it gets toward the boiling point add ⅓ cup tapioca.  This serves as a thickening agent.  Let it cook slowly for a while - perhaps 15 minutes.  Add some cinnamon and nutmeg to suit your taste.  If you have cinnamon candies, they can be used (provide red color and flavor).  Add red food coloring if you wish to give it a nicer color.  Keep stirring quite regularly as the tapioca will settle to bottom and burn if not watched.  The put in jars like for canning or otherwise store in fridge and enjoy!  A blob of true whipped cream on top is very becoming to this delectable dish that surely was developed in the kitchen of King Harold the Holy."

Hymn of the Week: All Your Works Are Good

All Your Works Are Good (Psalm 104) by Sandra McCracken

Here is a modern hymn for y'all:

All Your Works Are Good
Written by Sandra McCracken, Jill Phillips and Julie Lee

The moon it marks the seasons The sun knows when to go down The ocean holds its creatures The river knows its bounds
The birds, the trees, the cattle And all things great and small We find our place in creation Your hand sustains it all
Chorus
All your works are good
All your works are good
From everlasting, to everlasting All your works are good

He makes the clouds his chariot He wraps himself in light
He stretches out the heavens, like a tent across the sky
He knows our every burden When darkness veils our eyes He comes with spring returning, Bringing death to life (Chorus)
As we labor until evening There’s a message on the wind Be still and know your maker Be satisfied in Him (Chorus) 

© 2015 Drink Your Tea (ASCAP) / Sill House Road Music (SESAC) / The Gullahorns Music (ASCAP)

Happy Harvest Day

Cosmos, Zinnias, and Marigolds

Three types of tomatoes

the BIGGEST tomato!

The tomatoes are starting to come in from our garden.  Though summer is winding down, the garden keeps on giving with lots of harvest coming in the fall.  Today I picked beets and pickled them as well as many tomatoes that are beginning to ripen.  The deer are awful, so I thought I would pick some of them before the deer eat them.  They ripen just fine indoors.  One tomato was half the size of Amy's head!

One of the greatest pleasures I have enjoyed this year from the garden are the annual flowers I included amongst the vegetables.  Marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, gladiolas, and sunflowers (we never saw them grow very much since the deer ate them off the stem) brightened our senses.  Glory to God, our Creator - a creative Genius!

Lots of Love,

Elysia

Psalm of Praise by Lizzy

I'm Never Alone

words by Elizabeth Larson

When I fall You pick me up
When I thirst You fill my cup
You always are near...Jesus
You will comfort in the troubled times
You will calm my restless mind
You always will hear...Jesus

I'm never alone
With You I'm at home
God I follow You
You'll see me through
When I need You You'll come
You are God's only Son
I'm never alone

When I call You'll come to me
You washed my sins and I am set free
I thank You God...

When I call You'll hear my cry
You're worth more than what I can buy
I will praise You all my days
You're prefect in all Your ways
You're more than enough

Clay

Clay

by Elysia Larson

A poem for Ethan Larson on the occasion of his 49th birthday

Big Springs, Island Park, Idaho

Loving God, You formed this man,
     Chosen, steadfast heart;
Created through You, for You,
     A life set apart.

We don't go looking for God
     You came down to us;
Complete in Him, Head of all,
     Making Christ our trust.

Gripped on the mountain alone,
     Lewis book in hand,
Your glory, truth, purpose first,
     Creator 'fore land.

"Two things, my son, last in life:
     Word of God and man,"
His mother spoke.  O what joy!
     A clear purpose, plan.

Steadfast heart, redeemed, chosen,
     Appointed to bear,
Holy fruit that will remain.
     Help him persevere.

O Lord, You are our Father;
     You made him Your clay.
You are the Potter, forming
     This man till that Day.

Glory, Savior comes again
     Speaking to His clay,
"Well done, my good, steadfast heart.
     Enter into joy."

-Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Love to Ethan,

Elysia

Representing God

When God created men in His own image, he fashioned them to reflect the Father heart of God.  I do not understand this, but I trust that one day we will bow our knees to God and see God as He truly is. As we celebrate fathers today, we can truly honor them as Scripture tells us because in honoring our fathers, we are honoring God Himself, the Father of all.

Bible Verses which teach about God as Father:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named... Ephesians 4:14-15

Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:6-15

My father is a representative of God in my family on earth.  I praise God for giving me a believing father and mother.  Without God's grace in their lives giving them faith in Jesus, I probably would have never known true freedom and peace.  I honor my dad today. Dad is a truly creative man who has endured a lot of adversity in his life.  He never gave up on our family.  He always worked hard to provide, and he despite his failures and sins, always runs to God's grace and mercy.  I will never forget dad coming to me (as a junior high teenager, mind you) and apologizing for losing his temper with me.  What dad does that?  Very few.  Happy Father's Day.

Dad had four daughters and later adopted another daughter.

Dad grew up an only child in Montana and Wyoming. His own godly father passed away at age 27 from cancer.

Dad was always reading books, newspapers, and periodicals. You should see his pile of books next to his chair and bed!

Dad is a father to the fatherless. He adopted one child, but had many foster children beginning when mom and dad were newly married.  He has also been appointed a guardian to other young people without fathers.

Dad loves his grandchildren.  Do you see the resemblance?