Is God Busy?

My precious daughter was pretending there were wolves in our house the other day. I was busy cleaning up the kitchen so I suggested she pray and ask God to help her. She did, but replied God couldn't help her right now because someone else has a boo-boo that he needs to heal first.

We all have to wait sometimes to be heard or get our turn, but our Heavenly Father never asks us to wait for our turn. We are continually welcome into his presence for an audience with the King of Kings.

"Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Our prayers ascend to heaven's throne

Regardless of the form we use;

Our Father always hears His own;

Regardless of the words we choose.

- D. De Haan

Welcoming Fall

It is October. In Atlanta that means that you wear shorts one day and sweaters the next. This week the leaves have slowly begun to change to their flashy oranges and purples. It's a beautiful sight! What a magnificent display of God's workmanship.

Each year our family goes to Berry Patch Farms' Pumpkin Patch to ride the hayride, tromp through the patch, and look at all the baby farm animals. Lucy was not very sure of all the animals but quite interested. She stood almost motionless as she watched them. Ella Kate laughed with her friends and enjoyed running back and forth across the fields.

My New Favorite Casserole

The pasta layer reminds me of the Italian noodles my mom made when I was a kids. The tomato layer is not quite Italian and not quite Mexican. Enjoy!

Beef Lombardi
(Southern Living)
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced or stewed tomatoes
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 (6-ounce) package medium egg noodles
6 green onions, chopped
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Italian cheese

Preparation
Cook ground beef in a large skillet until it is no longer pink. Drain.

Stir in chopped tomatoes and next 4 ingredients; cook 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and bay leaf, and simmer 30 minutes.

Cook egg noodles according to package directions; drain.

Stir together cooked egg noodles, chopped green onions, and sour cream until blended.

Place noodle mixture in bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle evenly with cheeses.

Bake, covered with aluminum foil, at 350° for 35 minutes. Uncover casserole, and bake 5 more minutes. Garnish, if desired.

Day Dreaming

When Ella Kate grows up and is a mommy she is planning on having a girl named Sarah and then boys named Joe and Tyler. Joe is going to help her with the laundry and Sarah is going to help her put the baby to bed.