L.I.F.T - Ladies in Faith Together

This informal gathering of women coming together for the purpose of encouragement, fellowship and fun in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

No hidden agendas. No judging. No gossip. No cliques or clubs. Just real women of all shades, walks of life, age, personalities to come together in unity and one accord. You realize that although we are differenct, we are yet so much alike.

No Spouses or significant others. Just women coming together for one night to unwind and laugh in a peaceful, stress-free atmosphere. We will focus on the Power of God's mercy and grace, how to overcome adversity, health and wellness and much more....

Hope to see you at our next meeting. God Bless !!

Maria

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Challenges and difficulties are a part of life and words of encouragement can often help you get out of your rut. It’s easy to tell someone to hang in there and to keep a positive outlook when they are going through tough times but when it happens to you, keeping your chin up isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Even so, it’s not impossible. There are a lot of things you can do to help you stand back up and move forward. Whether you’ve been dealt with a setback while working towards your goal, lost a loved one, or just feel down, inspirational words of encouragement can help.
 
Words can have a powerful impact on your mindset. Although we’ve all heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”, the fact is that words really do have an impact on how we feel. Often times, when things seem pointless, when you’ve just come face to face with yet another failure, it can seem as though it’s the end. It can seem as though no matter how hard you try, the life that you want will always be just out of reach.
 
During these times, some positive words of encouragement can help you shift your focus. When it comes down to it, how you feel is really just about what you focus on. What words of inspiration and encouragement will do for you is help you put things into perspective.
 
Who doesn’t go through failures, setbacks, and challenges? We all do. In fact, after you get through this challenging time, you will have more to come in the future. Although that sounds pessimistic, it’s also reality. Those who succeed in life and get what they want as well as those who are the most happiest aren’t people who never face difficulties. If anything, they probably deal with more challenges than most people. The thing that makes them different is how they respond and react to those obstacles.
 
Remember; With God all things are possible !!  Stay positive and Blessed !!!

Monday, December 17, 2012


One Child
By Barbara Cameron
When David walked into the kitchen, Sarah was at the sink, washing the coffee mugs and humming one of the Christmas hymns they had sung earlier that night.
The kitchen was her favorite room. He often found her humming as she did chores or bent over her lesson plans spread out on the kitchen table.
“So, our guests are all settled for the night. Maybe now we can get some sleep.”
“I’ll be up in a minute.”
“Can’t you do that in the morning?” When she merely glanced at him, he laughed. “Of course you can’t.”
Smiling, she finished drying the last mug and put it in the cupboard. “You can’t walk away from your work area without putting away your tools either.”
“True.” He yawned. “I hope you can get some rest.”
“I should be tired, but I’m not.”
Moving to her side, he rubbed her shoulders as she wiped out the sink. “I know. I feel the same.”
The shoulder rub felt wonderful, but Sarah frowned. “I was a little worried there when Kate said she was feeling cramping. You and I are used to witnessing birth, but Jason and Kate are used to city life. Birth only happens in a hospital.” She paused. “What’ll we do if Kate does go into labor?”
“We’ll cope,” David told her with a confidence he didn’t feel inside. This was “woman stuff,” and what man knew what to do about it? “She’ll need our help, and we can’t let her down. I’m afraid Jason won’t be much help.”
They were silent for a long time, staring out the kitchen window at the snow pounding against the glass.
“What are you thinking?” he asked after a long moment.
“I’m not proud of what I’m thinking.” She tried to turn away, but he wouldn’t let her. “Oh, David, I envy Kate. She’s having a baby, and I want one. I want us to have a baby.”
He gathered her into his arms, comforting her. “Shh, it’s all right.”
“No, it’s not,” she insisted, once again getting tears all over his shoulder. “It’s a sin to envy.”
“We’re human, Sarah. We’re not perfect.”
She leaned back in his arms and reached into her apron pocket for her handkerchief. Shaking her head, she wiped her eyes. “I am most definitely not perfect.”
“You are to me.” When she started to pull away, he held on. “Except when you try to push me away. I grieve too, Sarah, and I need you.”
She went still. “You’ve never said that before.”
“It’s not always easy for me to talk about such things.” He took a deep breath. “But I do need you, Sarah. I need you, and I love you, and I want you to be happy again. We need to have faith,” he told her seriously. “I believe we will have another child because I believe God wants us to have that gift. He isn’t giving it to us this Christmas as he didn’t last Christmas. But one day.”

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

These bite-size quiches are loaded with sausage and cheese, plus their crescent roll bases make preparation a snap. Serve these cute "muffinettes" at any brunch or potluck gathering

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound Johnsonville® Hot Italian Sausage, casings removed
  • 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons minced chives
  • 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Paprika

Directions

  • In a large skillet, brown sausage and onion over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in chives.
  • On a lightly floured surface, unroll crescent dough into one long rectangle; seal seams and perforations. Cut into 48 pieces. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of greased miniature muffin cups.
  • Fill each with about 2 teaspoons of sausage mixture. In a large bowl, combine the eggs and cheeses. Spoon 2 teaspoonfuls over sausage mixture. Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 4 dozen.
Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 66 calories, 5 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 27 mg cholesterol, 116 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 4 g protein.
Prep: 25 mins.    Bake:  20 mins.    Yield:  48 servings

Tuesday, December 11, 2012


I believe the message of hope is extremely important at this time—for people throughout the US and around the world. Many individuals are feeling quite insecure and anxious because of economic problems, natural catastrophes, unstable governments in various parts of the world, plus nuclear and terrorist threats. There is a hopelessness creeping into people’s mindsets as they look at problems in their lives and all around them. There is also a sense of helplessness among people who have lost jobs, homes, health, or loved ones. But the hope we can find in the Bible is a sturdy reality—no matter what is happening in our lives or in the world.

For Christians, our hope is firmly anchored in the cross of Christ. Because He paid the penalty for all our sins, we know that we are fully forgiven and that ultimately our story finishes well—at the portals of heaven! Even now, as we live in the trenches of this world, we are assured that God is in control and He is good.

Yep, I love this season of bulky sweaters and fuzzy mittens . . . but not enough that I want it to stay all winter, all the time. Just enough to fill my holiday tank.

It’s easy to get caught up in the nostalgia of the holidays (if not the materialism) and neglect the heart of the matter. It’s not about gifts, but the Gift-giver. It’s not about the lights, but the inextinguishable brilliance of Christ. It’s not about the nostalgia, but our current access to the very throne of God because of Christ’s entry into our world.

Talk about “gift”—we’ll be unwrapping that one until glory.

Monday, December 10, 2012


HOLIDAY COOKIE EXCHANGE 

Information regarding 3rd Annual Cookie Exchange:  Each participant must bring 6 dozen cookies to the Dec. 11th L.I.F.T. meeting.

Rules for participation:

  1. They must be home made.
  2. Place ½ dozen cookies in sip-lock bag (You will have 12 bags total)
  3. Please include your recipe with each bag
  4. Bring your cookies to the Dec 11th L.I.F.T meeting or before to:  Maria or Diana.
  5. Enjoy.