The Sparrow's Home: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

Waiting for Emmanuel

November 27, 2017 by Susan 9 Comments

Finding meaning and worship in the songs of the season. The lyrics of Christmas carols speak of Christ’s birth, but they also often describe his second coming.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

The lyrics of this song are haunting. Of all the Christmas music that we hear this time of year this one touches me more than any.

These words tell of our Messiah Jesus’ birth, that we celebrate at Christmas. But whenever I hear them, I think, as well, that they speak to his second coming. The song is almost mournful in its longing for fulfillment and they well up that feeling within me.

Longing for my Savior to come.

I’m Praying for You

November 22, 2017 by Susan 6 Comments

We can pray for each other even if we see the world differently or live very different lives. Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

Somewhere along the way, we bought into the lie that we have to do it all on our own. Self-sufficient and all that.

But inside we feel the loss, even without realizing it. We weren’t meant to carry it all..to walk alone.

Shortcut Coconut Cream Pie

November 20, 2017 by Susan Leave a Comment

This shortcut coconut cream pie proves that you can present a rich, amazing dessert using easy to find ingredients and almost no cooking.

Isn’t it terrible when you like something, but no one else in your family does? Frequently, when we got to potlucks, or other events, I’ll make one of these recipes.

Coconut is one of those things around my house.

I looooovve coconut, but my family won’t eat it. Weirdos.

So can you guess what I made for our church’s annual Harvest Supper dessert on Saturday? Coconut cream pies of course.

The Only Pecan Pie That Matters

November 15, 2017 by Susan 5 Comments

This is the perfect recipe for pecan pie. I found this recipe in a cookbook from Betty’s Pies near Duluth, MN. Haven’t made a different recipe since.

Has someone ever gotten you a gift that was more for them than it was for you?

Years ago, my husband and I spent a romantic weekend just north of Duluth, MN. We rode bikes along Lake Superior, walked in the woods, and ate at Betty’s Pies. That year, for our anniversary, my husband got me a copy of Betty’s Pies Favorite Recipes cookbook.

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

Don’t get me wrong…I love to bake, and I love the cookbook. But I had a sneaking suspicion that this gift was as much for him as for me!

I’ve tried a number of Betty’s recipes, but it’s her pecan pie that grabbed a hold and won’t let go. I haven’t made a different recipe since.

Food for Thought #30

November 9, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

I went to a blogging conference a few weeks ago. I LOVE conferences. Workshops. Key note speakers. Break-out sessions. {Swoon} And the thing about conferences is that it’s almost never totally new information that you’re getting. It’s the reminders that I love. Renewing convictions and re-lighting fires.

And that’s kind of how these articles are. Probably nothing you’ve never heard. But enjoy the reminders.

100 Ways to Show Your Wife She’s the Apple of Your Eye

November 6, 2017 by Susan 9 Comments

Your wife knows you love her.

She also knows that finding ways to show that to her is not always easy for you. But the thing about marriage is that it’s really easy to drift apart if you’re not consciously working to draw together.

So to help the fellas out, I put the word out to my fantastic readers and compiled a list of 100 ways that you can make sure that your lady knows that she’s your one and only. And even if you’re already doing a GREAT job of showing your love, more ideas are always helpful!