It's not IF, it's WHEN...

We are studying James right now in Sunday School.  I have pondered on these thoughts today, 

James 1:2-3 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

In talking about trials, Jim quoted "It's not IF, it's WHEN"... of course, my mind went immediately to termites, yes termites.  That is what I tell clients, "it's not if, it's when"....I know, I know, I just got you completely off the subject, but I am still human, real estate does take over part of my personality.... to say the least... :)

Anyway, God did not say maybe, he said "whenever"  which means when, which means, trials are going to come into your life, (surely-no doubt).  I am in the midst of a trial right now.  So if I truly believe in God's Holy Word, then I surely know that my faith is being tested and that I AM going to develop perseverance. I often tell others, God's grace is sufficient for each day.  I can truly testify to his sufficiency.  He is sufficient TODAY, in the present, in the moment, right now, right this very minute!  Why do I worry?  Live Today, don't doubt tomorrow, don't relive the past, just today!  Trials bring us closer to God, temptations take us away from God.  Which do I want?  I will take trials, hands up!

Okay, a little humor, "it's not IF, it's WHEN"!  I am ready for some turkey!  Sick humor, I know!

Desktop background...

I love setting my desktop backgrounds with favorite pics.   Just right click on your mouse and select "set as background"... wah...la... :)

Licked...ugh...

I know I posted this pic a few days ago, BUT, oh my, this tongue,

I picked Layton up from daycare today.  I told him we needed to go get the car washed.  We pulled into the car wash on Broadway and Grande, and Layton loved walking down the hallway watching the car move along the track.  He could not figure out,  how it was driving by itself. :)  Anyway, I went and sat down in the waiting area and he walked over to the doors leading outside and just stood there watching the men drying the cars.  I looked up and he had his "tongue" on the plate glass door, going back and forth, back and forth.....on that, omg, dirty, germ infested, licked, nasty, God forbidden door.  I almost had a silent coronary... I patiently, removed him from the situation and told him he might really, really, really get sick from that lick.  I have to laugh now!

Lauren if you are reading this, so sorry... yuck, gross, omg, yuck!  I suppose he will survive.  If I had had a bottle of windex, I would have sprayed him!  (get it?, Big Fat Greek Wedding movie, the father sprayed everyone and thing with windex, a cure all).

Love this little rugrat though!
Muahhhh......

Happy Halloween...

Spiderman / Woody

Blue ring pop, it is!  What a mess!

I only had my phone to take a pic, oh well, this is my only Halloween pic with him!  Better luck next time, huh?

Much needed Bible verse...

I am memorizing a new Bible verse.  One that is important to me the longer I live on this Earth!
Deuteronomy 7:26
"Do not bring a detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. 
Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction."

Abhor meaning to shrink back from, to shudder or tremble.
I did not say this, God says this...

Can't see the forest for the trees?

pic by katiewallart.com

Read this on Facebook just now,
Lysa TerKeurst writes,
"Why doesn’t Jesus work for me?” is never the right question. Instead, when circumstances shift and we feel like we fall short, we should ask,
“How can I see Jesus even in this?”
The only way I can ask myself this question is when I pull back from whatever situation I’m facing and separate my circumstance from my identity."

Surely Says...Texas Real Estate Update...

This is a must read article, RE:  Residential Mortgages,

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Mark Dotzour-Real Estate Center,  Texas A & M

Lender Processing Services (LPS) is an information and technology provider to the mortgage industry. As a byproduct of their efforts, they monitor nearly 40 million mortgage loans and issue a report each month that details the current health of the active mortgages in America.
Here are some facts I found interesting from their October report, which analyzes their mortgage data at the end of September. The facts are listed in order of importance to me.

6,373,000
This is the estimated number of properties that have a mortgage that is 30 days or more delinquent or in foreclosure. This is the “shadow inventory” that you hear about in the media. Potential buyers are aware of this. They are worried that if and when these houses are finally foreclosed and sold, that prices will fall while this avalanche of surplus property is sold. Until this number is dramatically reduced, expect home sales volume to be tepid at best.

FL, MS, NV, NJ and IL

These are the states with the highest percentage of noncurrent loans. This is where the fear of shadow inventory is highest.

MT, AK, WY, SD and ND

These are the states with the lowest percentage of noncurrent loans. This is where the fear of shadow inventory is the lowest. People should be buying homes like hotcakes in these states with mortgage rates at ridiculously low levels.

8.9 percent

The year-over-year change in the foreclosure presale inventory rate is up 8.9 percent. This means that the percentage of homes entering the category of “foreclosure presale” is still going up. We won’t see the peak of the mortgage foreclosure pressure ending until this number starts to drop.
I find LPS to be a useful source of market information

Hot Caramel Apple Cider...

Another recipe from Real Mom Kitchen... I am so ready for this! I usually keep all of this on hand anyway.  Today is such a cool day, reminds me of the holidays! Hot Caramel Apple Cider

• 8 cups or 1/2 gallon apple cider
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping (I used Smuckers)
• whipped cream, optional
• extra caramel ice cream topping, optional

1. In a large sauce pan, combine the cider, sugar, and caramel topping.
2. Cook over medium low heat until simmering stirring frequently. Simmer until heated and well blended.
3. Serve in cups of mugs. Pipe whipping cream on top and drizzle with additional caramel topping if desired.

Rocky Road Brownies...

Rocky Road Brownies

One Brownie mix, ( I use the one that has the Hershey Syrup packet)

Prepare according to the package.

Before taking brownies out of the oven, sprinkle lots of minature marshmallows on top of the brownies.  Leave in oven a couple of minutes until marshmallows are soft but not brown.

Remove from the oven and top with Homemade Fudge Icing.  Cool, or eat while HOT, yum!

Homemade Fudge Icing...delish!

1 Stick Butter

4 T Cocoa

1/3 cup milk

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, add cocoa, 1/3 cup milk and whisk constantly, until

the mixture comes to a boil.

Remove from stove, add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 t vanilla. Stir with wooden spoon till sugar

has melted and is smooth.

Layton was my helper late this afternoon.  He is great at licking the bowl, just like his momma was!
Hence the phrase, I love you more than chocolate.  Smile,

Preparation...

While listening to James MacDonald this morning, once again, I am pondering,

This comment I am going to relay is in response to praying over and over and over, without an answer.  In Genesis, Isaac married Rebekah at 40 years of age.  It took him years, 20 years, for Rebekah to bare him a child.  When I think back about my prayers and my impatience, I hope I can be reminded of this thought,

"When waiting and praying for an answer from God, remember, God is working on ME to receive his response, HE is preparing me for his answer."

So, keep on praying.  I believe a change in attitude is in order for me.  While waiting, how can it be a bad thing, knowing that God is changing me.  Once again, God is paving the way.  I have so many people I am praying for, there are so many people hurting as I speak.  I pray God gives me patience, that God  prepares me, that God uses me in whatever way he deems necessary, and that I am PREPARED.

Nothing fabulous happens overnight!  It is a slow working process! :)

Surely,

Halloween Party Pizza Dip...

I posted this recipe on my last Real Estate Postcard, here it is for you bloggers...

Halloween Party Pizza Dip...

4 oz Cream Cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Mix all four ingredients and spread across the bottom of a greased pie plate.
Top with 1 cup pizza sauce.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese on top of pizza sauce.
Top with 2 oz pepperoni, 2 T green pepper, 2 T sliced black olives.
Bake at 350 until cheese melts, about 20 minutes. 
Serve with garlic toasted bread or store bought toasted rounds.
It is YUM!

My nephew and his bride!

Lance Loggins Jr. and Ashley Loggins, October 22 2011

Paula Dean...

My friend and second child, Claire Bear, waited in line for Paul Dean to sign her cookbook!
Michael was with her! I am envious!

Surely Says...Texas Real Estate Update...

Did you know?

"Texas ranked fourth in entrepreneurial activity (450 per 100,000 adults) in 2009 after Oklahoma, Montana and Arizona."

"Adversity creates the desire for  new opportunity".

Thank the Lord for the entreprenurial spirit.  We live in a state that produces business owners.

Taken from RECON, http://blog.recenter.tamu.edu/2011/10/reason-eight-texans-entrepreneurial-spirit/

Surely Says...Texas Real Estate Update...

Latest data in the form of a graph that was on my October 2011 mailout.  You can see that 2011 sales are up from last year.  This is good folks.  Let's see how the rest of the year plays out!

Potato Soup...

Potato Soup

Small chopped onion

1 celery stalk

1 T soft butter

Saute the three ingredients in a medium saucepan for a couple of minutes.  Add  one chopped medium potato and water to cover potatoes.  Bring to a boil, turn heat down and simmer on stove for approx 20 minutes or until tender.   Gently mash.  Add 2 cups milk ( I use 2%), 2 T cornstarch mixed with a little milk to blend, salt and pepper to taste.  I also put in 2 slices of 2%  American cheese if I have it on hand.  Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often.  I put on low heat after it thickens.

Ladle into bowls and add cheddar cheese and bacon bits.  Oh my, it is good for the soul!  and my cold!

I usually have all of these ingredients on hand and this is so quick and simple.  I also add a few carrots with the celery and onion if I have it!  Yum!

One and Only...

I just love Dueteronomy.  It is packed with our all consuming God.  One God.  The Lord is God.  You shall have no other gods before me.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.  Do not turn to the right or to the left, do as the Lord your God commanded you so that you may live long and prosper.  Do not follow other gods.  Do not forget the Lord your God or you will surely be destroyed.  Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Love the Lord your God and keep his commands.  I could go on and on.

Genesis 1:1  In the beginning, God...

Everything...

I was reading Luke 16 this morning, pondered on these verses...then listening to James MacDonald, he quoted below these verses in red!

Luke 16:14-15

"The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight."

If you have Everything and do not have Jesus Christ, you have Nothing.

If you have Nothing and have Jesus Christ, you have Everything.

Ponder... Surely,

Living Earth App...

New App, absolutely amazing...we are so small compared to God's creation...we think we have control, ha... This app shows the clouds, sunrise, sunset, and the Earth rotating... I find myself just watching...

God's opinion...

In church yesterday David Dykes preached, I listened...

"Live as if the only Opinion that matter's is  God's."

1 Corinthians 4:2-4

"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed I do not even judge myself...it is the Lord who judges me."