{The End}

This marks the last post that will be posted here on One of the Bunch. I have blogged here for about six years. It seems strange to be saying “goodbye”, but I believe it is time to move on to something new.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I am moving on into a new chapter of my life, and with that, I would like a fresh start here in the blog-o-sphere.

My new blog will be here, at …little blots of ink…

Please kindly update your links. I look forward to seeing you there! =]

Blessings!
~Courtney

Resurrection Sunday

Jesus Christ died for me.

He made a sacrifice. He was crucified on a cross. He took on the weight of our sins, taking our punishment for us that we might live with Him forever in eternity.

Each time I think about the sacrifice that our LORD made for us, it brings tears to my eyes. The LORD took a punishment for me. A punishment that I deserve. I deserve to die for the sins that I have committed against my Saviour. The LORD saw fit to take my punishment and bear it for me that I might live forever with Him in eternity. Death has no sting. The LORD has victory over death. Praise the LORD for His goodness, His mercy, and His grace-  too precious to simply be cast aside.

^” Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 6:8-11

^“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” — Phillipians 3:10-12

The story doesn’t end with the crucifixion. On the third day, after being placed in a tomb, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He is a mighty savior!

Today, on Resurrection Sunday, we take the time to observe Christ’s sacrifice for us. We shouldn’t just observe the blessing of this gift today, but on every single day. May we always remember and be grateful for God’s mercy and grace. ❤

I posted the following hymn, ‘Christ the Lord has Risen Today’ on my FB page this morning and wanted to post it here as well.

Christ the Lord has Risen Today by Charles Wesley

“Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection day, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! ”

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He is Risen! He is Risen INDEED!

With love,

~Courtney~

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 14

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:
Music! =) God graciously saw fit to bless us with music and the ability to praise and glorify Him through psalms and songs.

I am thankful that He has allowed me to learn (or work on learning) several instruments. There is nothing like being able to play a song successfully for the first time! =)

I enjoy listening to many different genres of music as well. Bluegrass, soundtracks and crooners are some of my absolute favorites. I love how different types of music can affect you in many different ways. Classical music can be so very soothing, while a fast bluegrass tune can have you tapping your feet in no time! I personally love having a variety of music playing while working on craft projects or chores. It seems to help me work and focus better on the task at hand.

My family would like to play and sing together as a family bluegrass group. We think that it would be a great way to share the message of God’s love to many different groups of people. A song that my family is recently learning to play together is “I’ll Fly Away”.

We feel like this song reflects a lot of our personal family values and it is fun to be able to sing and play together as a family.

~*~Courtney~*~

Don’t forget to drop back by Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge!

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 13

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

the sweet little chapel where we meet

My church family. =) My family has been blessed to find a wonderful like-minded church about 15 minutes from our home. We have been attending now for right around three years, and feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the fellowship there.

Every Sunday, we meet in a little chapel, have our Sunday service and share a fellowship meal afterwards. The children run and play through the adjoining field and the adults enjoy each other’s company while comparing notes from the week or seeking advice for projects yet to be accomplished. Us ladies enjoy sharing recipes and crafting ideas, or perhaps even the newest idea that we have seen for our homes that we would like to make or utilize. (Pinterest has been a huge topic of discussion lately. =) )

Every week my family comes away refreshed and ready for the week ahead.

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

Don’t forget to drop back by Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge!

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 4

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:
Technology. =) My brother has been gone on a job interview now for about 4 months. I am thankful for technology that allows us to keep in touch even though he is many, many miles away from home.

We’ve missed seeing Josh, so webcamming, texting, etc. has been a really nice way to be able to keep in touch. =)

~*~Courtney~*~

Don’t forget to drop back by Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge!

(My computer died this week so I am behind on posts for this meme. This was posted after the linky link had already expired, so I am not on the linky list.)

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 3

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:

Our house. =) Our house is a special blessing from the LORD that we prayed about for many years. We lived in a small house before, and with so many people, we knew that we would need to find a larger home so that we could spread out a bit.

The LORD saw fit to answer our prayers, more so than I think any of us could have imagined. Our new house has more than enough room for everyone and room for guests and friends as well.

One day, perhaps, I will write out the story of our new house, but for now, I remain,

a very thankful,
Courtney

Don’t forget to drop back by Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge!

(My computer died this week so I am behind on posts for this meme. This was posted after the linky link had already expired, so I am not on the linky list.)

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 2

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:
My family. =) The LORD saw fit to place me in a house with 12 of the most amazing people that I have ever had the blessing of being around. Each and every one of my family members have their own personality and way of doing things, yet God has allowed us to mesh each of our strengths together to be a strong family unit.

I am so thankful for my family.

My parents are a huge source of wisdom for me. I know that I can ask them about anything and they will help me work through whatever issue I am needing help with at the time. I am so grateful that they have a genuine interest in the things that are going on in the lives of my siblings and I. Us children are truly blessed to have such a godly example of married life and of parents guiding their children and seeking to raise them in the admonition of the LORD.

My siblings are also a huge blessing to me. Even though we have our moments, we all love each other dearly and are working to further build our sibling relationships. I can truly say that my siblings are my best friends. =) We know how to make each other laugh and enjoy working on projects together. We enjoy playing board games and singing at the top of our lungs when our favorite songs come on the radio. There is so much more that I could say, but I will leave you with this: Siblings are the bestest. =)

I am one grateful girl.<3

Don't forget to drop back by Young Homemakers to read more postings for the “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge. =)

Blessings to you!
~*~Courtney~*~

30 Days of Thankfulness – Day 1

Today, I am linking up with Rachel and Jessica over at Young Homemakers for their “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge.

For each day in the month of November, I will be posting something that I am thankful for. I hope that YOU will join in as well. =)

TODAY I AM THANKFUL FOR:
My salvation. I can’t put into words how grateful I am that God chose, in His sovereignty, to send His only son to save us from our sins. I feel so blessed to be one of His own.

1st John 3:16 – “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

I am thankful that God can take this broken sinner, wash my sins away until I am white as snow, and lead me down a path of reformation, restoration, and sanctification.

*Thank you, LORD. Please help me to continue to follow you through everything that I do.*

Don’t forget to drop back by Young Homemakers to read more postings for the “30 Days of Thankfulness” challenge. =)

Blessings to you!
~*~Courtney~*~

Friendship Casserole

This evening, we had Friendship Casserole for dinner. This is one of our favorite casseroles, mainly because it freezes and reheats well. It is also one of our favorite casseroles because it tastes quite yummy!

Friendship Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs ground chuck
2 TBSP sugar
2 large jars spaghetti sauce
1 16oz pkg of egg noodles or penne pasta
1/2 c butter
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 c parmesan cheese
1 12oz pkg mozzarella cheese (pre-grated or grate yourself from a block)

—
Brown hamburger meat, drain fat. Add spaghetti sauce and sugar to meat. Simmer for 20 minutes. Cook noodles as directed on noodle package, drain, then toss with butter, salts, and parmesan cheese. Spray 2 9×13 pans with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 of the sauce into the first 9×13 pan, pour half of the noodles over that. Pour 1/4 of the remaining sauce over the top of the noodles. Repeat with second 9×13 pan. Cover both pans with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Yields 2 9×13 pans, or 24 servings.

This casserole is easy to freeze and reheat! Simply place the assembled and unbaked casserole in the freezer, and PRESTO! You have a casserole ready to go for a busy day or night.

Enjoy!

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Blessings, friends. =)
~*~Courtney~*~

Autumn

The seasons have rolled by once more.

It is finally time to pull out the hot cider, extra blankets and floor heaters, for Autumn has come at long last.

I love Autumn. I love everything about it. ❤