Who's Hungry??

I love baking cookies.  Oatmeal chocolate chip to be exact.  It's a recipe from my Aunt Rhoda and has been a food group all its own in our family.  Once when my nephew was a little boy and at our house I asked him if he wanted a cookie.

He replied, "What kind of cookie?"

"Chocolate chip!" I answered, since that is the only kind of cookie there really is.

"What kind of chocolate chip?" was his immediate comeback.  He was already wise beyond his years.  He knew there was only one kind of chocolate chip cookie really worth eating.  And I'm happy to say I did not disappoint!

I know this recipe by heart, but occasionally I have messed it up, especially when there are other people around and I get distracted.  There are two different ingredients that I have left out at different times...vanilla and salt.  Now when I think of cookies I don't think of them as salty, but it seems to me that vanilla would be a vitally necessary ingredient!  So, so wrong!  When I have left out vanilla the taste is altered very little, and no one would ever know I messed up.  However, only one time have I ever left out the salt!  The entire batch had to be thrown out.  They were completely horrible!!

I was so surprised because, again, when I think of ingredients that go into cookies, vanilla goes along with the others much more than salt.  That reminds me that God calls us the salt of the world.  Do we fit in?  Not really.  Are we on the most popular list of what makes this world interesting or exciting?  Not so much.

However, God sees us as absolutely essential to the world even now in its fallen state.  The world will never recognize our worth, but God knows that we offer a flavor without which the world would be an intolerable place.

I don't know about you, but that really encourages me.  The world doesn't have to understand our worth or realize what we offer.  We make a real difference just by being in the mix as we love and pursue God letting His life flow through ours!

TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, that's what I said!  Megan and Greg are expecting twins in March!  It all seems quite unreal, and everyone in the family is very excited.  There is quite the debate between Bria and Emmy and Tre and Tru as to whether they will be boys or girls or one of each!  They all want to be in the majority between boys and girls when the final count is in.  Oskar is quite pleased that there are two babies in Mommy's belly and has learned their temporary names very well.  Not sure if I have permission to share those, however.  :)  At this point he quite sure they are boys...we shall see!

As for Jon and I, we are just thrilled and delighted whatever the combination, of course.  We are praying often for healthy babies and mommy, and we appreciate your prayers as well!  Also, we would love to hear your best tips if you're experienced in twins because this is all new to all of us. Hopefully, we can be a help and not just be in the way.  I'd appreciate tips on how to do that well, also.

Today football season started for the Melby household.  First games were in Arlington, NE and we rode out there on the motorcycle.  It was beautiful day, and both the boys won their game!  All the fresh air makes me feel like I could sleep for a week, but I don't suppose that can happen...:)

School started this week for both the Holthe's and the Melby's, and everyone seems to be off to a great start.  Emmy especially is excited with how things have started out!  The only hiccup so far is commemorated with a bruise on Bria's hip, but she's a tough kid...she can handle it!  :)

Stay tuned for further updates and check out the Devotions 1-10 page when you have time. Blessings to all!

A New Page

There's a new page listed above the posts named Devotions 1-10.  These are the first ten devotions in my book "Fringes of His Ways".  I plan on eventually getting all the devotions on my blog posting ten per page.  I hope they can help you in your search for the God who loves you so much. Many blessings....