Thursday, December 8, 2011

Burnished Gold

Still in awe of YOU! The following is an excerpt from the writings of Ellen White, on the glory of Jesus' coronation!! Can't wait to be there!!

Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the city of God and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance.

Nearest the throne are those who were once zealous in the cause of Satan, but who, plucked as brands from the burning, have followed their Saviour with deep, intense devotion. Next are those who perfected Christian characters in the midst of falsehood and infidelity, those who honored the law of God when the Christian world declared it void, and the millions of all ages who were martyred for their faith. And beyond is the "great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, . . . before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands." Their warfare is ended, their victory won. They have run the race and reached the prize. . . .

In the presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and heaven the final coronation of the Son of God takes place.- My life today pg.351

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Gold


Gold is very beautiful! God obviously thinks so as well, because his home (heaven) has streets that are lined with it. In Revelation 21:21 it says, The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was
pure gold, like transparent glass.

God Himself has said that in His dealings with us He is acting as a Refiner. He states this clearly in Malachi 3:3: He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD
An offering in righteousness.


God is trying me in the fire just as gold is tried in the fire. The refiner knows the exact temperature to purify the gold. God knows the exact set of circumstances to orchestrate my permanent refinement. The intense heat of refinement will never destroy me! I know many of you have heard this analogy before, but I ask you to meditate on this promise in a new light! God values us infinitely more than the refiner values his gold. In John 6:51 Jesus tells us, I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. God dedicated His life to giving us eternal life. That means that we are very precious to him, our life cost Him His life... God will purify this earth and all sin, suffering, and sorrow will be consumed. God promises in Malachi 4:1, “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. We are being purified now so that we will be pure and holy and able to abide with God in His holy habitation. In Amos 4:11 God reminds us, "you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning". God has invested in the refiner's business to purify all of His children. His life covers our life with holiness, perfection, beauty and infinite value. Because of this He has plucked us out of sure destruction and determined to make us holy. God is very much concerned about us and personally invested in purifying us to enable us to live with Him forever. I am thankful for His love, thankful for His providence, and very thankful for His patience.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Vegan Recipe Index



I am trying to keep track of all the recipes I find online that I would like to try for Gabby. I haven't tried most of these but when I do I will post about the ones she really enjoys :))

Muffins/Cupcakes

Pancakes/Waffles

Bread

Cookies/Candy

Main Dish

Side Dish


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Vegan Blueberry Muffins


Well it seems like forever. And today I thought wow I might as well delete my blog I never write here anymore! But today I realized I need to write about all my vegan baking adventures!! My sweet baby girl is allergic to several things- milk, eggs, peanuts, tomatoes, soy, pineapples, cashews, and chicken... She is 13 months and baby food no longer fills her up. So I have been on an mission to figure out what to bake for my sweet little angel. Along the way I have had a lot of fun, and she seems to enjoy everything I have made so far:

Oatmeal waffles
Jam Swirled Pancakes
Zucchini Muffins
Vanilla Cupcakes
and... Blueberry Muffins

Today I just felt like blueberry muffins soooo I checked out Baking Illustrated from the local library and decided to make some. They were absolutely AMAZING! Gabby kept on pointing to them and crying and I felt really bad soo I did a quick search on the internet and found some vegan blueberry muffins! I halved the recipe to make 6 adorable little muffins. She is in LOVE. As we speak she is finishing off one whole muffin!


  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 scant teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 scant cup sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 4 tbsp vanilla rice milk
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • Directions:

    1. 1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. 2) Line muffin cups with paper liners or spray with nonstick spray.
    3. 3) Mix all ingredients together until moistened.
    4. 4) Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups. Each should be filled 3/4 full.
    5. 5) Bake 15-20 minutes or until the tops are firm.
    6. 6) Cool on a wire rack

    Makes 6 muffins

Thursday, September 1, 2011

A Hug from YOU

You hugged me today.
I knew you loved me but when you hugged me it squeezed away all doubt
The embrace that shut out loneliness, fear, and emptiness.
Filled with the tiny stoke of your hand on my shoulder, as you lay your little head down
I realized that I love you
But more than I can say
More than words could ever convey
I'm so glad He has a place for us
A place where we belong
In the forever of His love song
Never ending, loneliness forever gone
Together in His eternity
And today when you hugged me I knew it was true
Not only a promise destined for reality
But a truth in sincerity
In an atmosphere of smiles
You hugged me
Through her, and from You
She can't articulate the words that encircle her heart
So from her and I both
Thank You
We love You
Both now and forever

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I am a mini Chef



Sooo lately I have been cooking/baking ALOT. SO much so that I have kind of lost track of everything I have made but I just wanted to give you all an idea of what is going on in my kitchen!!


Sweet Potato Pie
Cream Cheese Pound Cake -Lime Glazed
Red Velvet Cupcakes-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana Bread
Grapefruit Scones
Vanilla Cupcakes
Squash Casserole
Sweet Potato Zucchini Bread
Sugar Cookies-Royal Icing
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread
The PERFECT Chocolate Bundt Cake
And Right now as I type --in the oven smelling yummy.... Bacon(Veggie) Cheddar Scones!!
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake
Vanilla Cupcakes
AND Counting!!!!

And Just so you know my absolute favorite so far is....
The PERFECT Chocolate Bundt Cake

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Ma-Ma


It started with more of a na-na until she could form a good mmmmmmhmm.. She finally did it. And I am going to attempt to tell the world how it melted my heart.

Feels a little like this:

The most beautiful fireworks you have ever seen. But some kind of a way you can feel them. Beautiful exploding balls of light. Your favorite food just the way you like it. A genuine smile from someone you love more than anything in the whole world. A heartfelt thank you for each and every good thing you ever did (even the things you don't remember doing). Sweet surrender. A warm embrace of innocence. A heart smile. A love so powerful words can't hold it, describe it, or convey it. Joyous peace. Innocent understanding. Humble exhilaration. Roses that you can smell with your soul. A brilliant rainbow. A hug warm, pure, and so tight that it squeezes away all the hurt from a long hard day. A smile so sincere that you start to cry. Purity so rare you stare because you know you won't see it again, not like this, not on this side of the sun. The warmth of sunshine. An angelic symphony-clear, indescribably beautiful, and pure. Love's first verbal affirmation materialized.

Summary:
Fireworks. Smile. With a Pure Heart. To the beat of Sunshine. With the voice of Angels. Love is heard.


My heart will freeze this moment for eternity..the first time you called me Ma-Ma.

Love now-always-forever,
Mommie

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Anticipate Goodbye?

I am sad. Sometimes I try to anticipate goodbye as if that will make it better. Maybe it wont hurt as bad if I try to make myself accustomed to life without you. Live with you further on the edge than closer to the middle.I wish I could close my eyes so I'd never see you leave. Maybe hold them shut to hold you there longer. The sound of your voice. The smell of your shirt. The warmth of your genuine smile. A sincere laugh. A fraction of the things I know I will miss. Trying to store you more indelibly on my heart. I love you. I always have and I forever will. Through our memories we will never say goodbye.


Love,

your Nina


Friday, January 7, 2011

Balance Beam



The reality of knowing I have been doing this has caused me to re-evaluate my life.
Jesus CHANGE me!

GLORY was SOLELY meant for YOU

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

An Image of YOU


The twinkle in Your eyes
I’ve seen You in a thousand starry night skies
A portrait of all that is true, lovely, and pure
Shining through a million faces
A hint of the image.. that is You
Illuminating rays of sunshine
Converge
My blind eyes
to
Revel in the Divine
Focused on the blue skies above
Bid my mind dwell in the limelight of LOVE
To large to fit in my view
O Lord my God
With my heart I stand in awe of You

~Nina~

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

I heart you 2011

Soo about those new Year Resolutions...

I was listening to the radio last night and apparently most new year's resolutions last until about mid January (especially those regarding dieting). I immediately began to think about my 2010 resolutions. I couldn't remember so I looked at the "2010 New Year's Post"

I didn't really have any!! I just reflected on the goodness of GOD and realized how much I have been blessed! I have decided that resolutions are a good way to plan ahead but as my mom and I were discussing its best to actually surrender your life to Jesus everyday and each moment ask Him "How can I best serve You". By doing this you can be sure that you will move forward into the person that God would have you be.

I just Praise Him for his Unfailing Love and I know that in 2011 I will continue to get closer to my Savior.

MY BIGGEST BLESSING from 2010 is the Addition of
My beautiful daughter Gabby!!









So as we look to make it through 2011 I do believe that it is very important to remember that God truly does have plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. The text that has really stood out to me as an encouragement for this new year is 2 Chronicles 16:9

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

This year my prayer is for God to grant me Grace through His Holy Spirit and Faith in Jesus to live the following :

Belief in God
Trust in God
Loyalty to God

I will pray the same for you. Yes, you. Whoever is reading this I want to let you know that you are included in my prayers as I pray for whoever comes across this blog. That your thoughts, heart, and entire life will be granted peace through God's sweet Holy Spirit, and that you will come to know Jesus Christ as not only your Savior but your dearest friend.

God Bless you

~Nina~