Christian Camp Songs & Chorus Hymns #23

Christian Camp Songs & Chorus Hymns #23

I spent many years in my late teens and early twenties working at Christian Camps.  I even met my husband at a Christian camp.  These wonderful memories of great experiences make Christian camp songs very special to me.

On top of featuring an old hymn each month in what I call "Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing" - I will also be featuring a chorus hymn every month - ENJOY!
Today's featured song is "The Gift of Love" - words and music by Hal Hopson.  Here again I was unable to find any historical information on this chorus hymn - only that it is based on 1 Corinthians 13.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
(please continue reading the remainder of 1 Corinthians 13) 

I have included a YouTube video of this wonderful hymn (see below the lyrics) - ENJOY!

The Gift of Love

Words & Music by Hal Hopson

1. Though I may speak with bravest fire, and have the gift to all inspire, And have not love;  my words are vain, as sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

2.  Though I may give all I possess, and striving so my love profess, But not be giv'n by love within, the profit soon turns strangely thin.

3.  Come, Spirit come our hearts control, our spirits long to be made whole.  Let inward love guide every deed.  By this we worship and are freed.

A special thanks to "St. Mark's Episcopal Church" for sharing this with us on YouTube

Other Camp Songs & Chorus Hymns:

Into My Heart
His Banner Over Me His Love
Reach Out To Jesus
Wondrous Love
There's a Quiet Understanding
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Majesty
His Name is Wonderful
There's Something About That Name
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

 Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

_____________________________________

"Prayer Warriors United" is a google+ Community where Christians come together in prayer. 

Click HERE to view or join this community

If you need prayer please fill out this

Prayer Request form

Potato Planting Lesson - Plus Potato RECIPES

Potato Planting Lesson (Plus Potato Recipes)
I know that buying potatoes in a grocery store is very affordable, however, nothing compares to the flavor of homegrown potatoes! Not to mention the fact that they will be healthier (no pesticides) and the joy that the growing process will bring to you.
Today I am sharing with you the easiest way to grow potatoes - in a compost pile.  I have many compost piles in my yard - the kitchen waste compost has a special bin, but the grass clippings & fall leaves go into my potato growing compost section. (growing potatoes in last year's straw is also an option).  By growing potatoes in a compost pile the "mounding" step that is required when growing in soil is eliminated. 

There are 3 steps: preparing, planting & harvesting.



Prepare the Potatoes & the Ground

Have you ever noticed, when you buy a bag of potatoes in the grocery store - occasionally you will find an older potato that has a little bud or eye on it? - Well, this is the beginning of the potato plant.  In the past I have planted "old" potatoes that I bought from the grocery store but I recommend buying "Seed Potatoes" from your local greenhouse or nursery instead.  This year we bought three 5lb bags of three different varieties (Yukon Gold, Kennebec and Red Skin).

Preparing the Potatoes

Before planting your "seed potatoes" - you must first:

1.  Place the seed potatoes in a paper bag and set them in a warm place (60 to 70 degrees F.) with lots of sunlight.

2.  Keep them in this warm place for about 1 to 2 weeks or until you notice the "eyes" or "buds" sprouting (see the picture collage that says "Prepare").

3.  Now you will need to cut each potato into "sets".  Whenever you see an "eye" (or bud) - cut just below the eye (see that same picture collage above).  Now I have 2 potato plants from 1 Seed Potato.  From some of the larger potatoes you might get 3 or 4 plants.  Continue cutting until you have completed the entire bag of seed potatoes. 

4.  Place these cut "sets" in an open and sunny area (NOT in the paper bag).  Wait 2 more days before planting to allow the cut side to harden or "leather."

Preparing the Ground 

We have two compost potato patches.  Last year we made a raised compost potato patch but that is not necessary.  Our first patch is simply a pile of leaves/grass from the previous fall season (it has been "wintered over").  Spread these seasoned composted leaves so that they create a level surface (it should be at least 6 inches deep).  Now your "ground" (compost pile) is ready for planting.  

Plant

After the potato seeds have been prepared - plant each prepared seed potato about 4 inches deep and about 6 to 10 inches apart (see picture collage above).  Cover these seed potatoes with compost (or dirt) and water - it will take about 2 weeks before the plants start peeking through the compost.  You might need to add more compost throughout the summer (last summer I did not add more compost & they did just fine, however the year before I did add extra - it just depends on the weather.  If you start to see potatoes[not the plant but the actual potato] poking through the top then you will need to add more compost).  Now it's up to the potato plant to grow.

NOTE:  If you are planting in soil - then you will need to mound or plant them in hills/furrows.

Harvest
How to harvest Potatoes:  You can see the progression in the pictures above.  The plants must be light brown in color and the stem should look dry before harvesting.  First, using a potato pitch fork, dig about 6 inches away from the brown plant.  Then gently push back on the handle of the pitch fork (therefore lifting the potatoes out of the soil/compost).  And, the last step is the most fun - I get down on my hands and knees and dig for the delicious fresh treasure.  Dust off the dirt and ENJOY!!


In the growing season of 2016 we grew many varieties: Red Skin potatoes, Yukon Gold, Kennebec, Russet & Blue Heirloom potatoes (click HERE to view more about the Blue potatoes).  Please enjoy the following potato recipes.

(click on each title below to view the entire recipe/post)

Potato Bacon Spinach Chowder



Baked Potato Dinner - 4 Toppings



Making Real Mashed Potatoes



Layered Quiche Loaf with Mashed Potato Crust



Oktoberfest Kale & Potato Casserole




Leek & Potato Soup



German Vanilla/Chocolate Loaf Cake Made with Potato Flour



Ham, Asparagus & Potato Pancake Stacker




Cheesy Scalloped Ham & Potatoes Squared


Kale & Bacon Potato Patties

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

Linked to:
Pretty Pintastic Party 154
Friday Feature Linky Party
Happiness is Homemade
Tuesdays with a Twist
LouLou Girls
Turn It Up Tuesday
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Homemade & Handcrafted
Homestead Hop

____________________________________________________________________

Recently on "Essential Oil Saturdays"
We learned how essential oils are extracted from flowers/leaves/roots.
Click HERE to read.

Click HERE to view more about Essential Oils

Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #63

#63 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge last year, so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been thankful for a resolved issue.  I am thankful beautiful Spring rains that will bring May flowers.  I am most thankful that I can trust God every second of every day.



"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist........" Ephesians 6:13 & 14

This was a series on becoming a Christian soldier.
Read: Stand With the Belt of Truth


Half of our potatoes have been planted and the tomato plants (started indoor) are looking good.  Also, the lilac bushes are almost in bloom

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,271
Bloglovin - 4,319
Twitter - 6,696

Pinterest - 5,948
Google+ - 2,290
Facebook - 4,442
Linky Followers - 109
Networked Blog - 1,243
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 27,892 followers in some form or another (which is up 19 from last week).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
I originally shared this post about 4 years ago - we have some crazy squirrels around my house:
Circus AcroSQUIRREL




This week is HOME feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & you might just be featured next month!


Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer


Linked to:
________________________________________________

Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/thankfulness-challenge-365-days-of.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="THANKFULNESS Challenge" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/THANKFULNESSchallengeButton_zpsievqkttd.jpg" /></a>

Time To Link Up! Tuesdays with a Twist #209

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist #209!
Checkout the many great giveaways going on right now!

Click the button below to enter each Giveaway!!:

_____________________________________________________________

Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

We're your hosts & co-hosts 

Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

Checkout my amazing "Featured" Pinterest Board

(click HERE to view & follow)

Features!

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured! 

My Features this Week are:

1. "More Stencils = More Signs" by a Vintage Green

2. "The Blossoming of a Gerbera Daisy" by Gentle Joy Photography

3.  "The Ultimate List of Road Trip Food"  by Kapp's kitchen

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="Tuesdays with a Twist Featured" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/TWTfeatured_zpsxgfhxhtk.jpg" /></a> 

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!

_________________________________________
Your monthly ad could be here!

Click the button to see how

Teleflora Mother's Day Bouquet GIVEAWAY

Teleflora Mother's Day Bouquet GIVEAWAY!
Enter for your chances to win!

Part of the Mother's & Father's Day Gift Guide
but first - read this great post:
Strawberry Blonde Sunflower Variety


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
____________________________________

Welcome to the Teleflora Mother's Day Bouquet Giveaway!

1 winner receives a &75 Gift Code To Use at Teleflora!!!

This contest is hosted by the Social Media Gurus Network!

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide.

Michigan Saving and More

Deliciously Savvy

Tales From A Southern Mom

Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains

Welcome To My Kitchen

Life in a House of Testosterone

Here We Go Again ready

My Silly Little Gang

Everyday Gizmos Sweeps & Views

Bargnhtress

PaulaMS’ Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies

Central Bargains and Giveaways

Eclectic Evelyn

Mami’s 3 Little Monkeys

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let’s get to the sponsor!

Teleflora

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ INSTAGRAM ~ PINTEREST

1 Lucky Winner Will a $75 Gift Card To Use For Their Next Bouquet Gift from Teleflora!

See My Review Here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site.This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 5/12/17. The winner will have 24 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

Enter below and Good Luck!

Entry-Form

_____________________________________________________________

Click the button below to enter the Great Giveaways going on now!!:

You're the STAR - Week#4 HOME (April 2017)

I can't believe how fast April has flown by!  Next Monday we will start the May "STAR" hop.

Thank you again for joining us!
There are many ways to follow me:

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

blog  |  facebook  |  pinterest  |  twitter  |  bloglovin  |  google+  |  etsy

___________________________________________________________________





WELCOME to the April "You're the Star" Blog Hop!
Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share from my blog:



Tiny "Giant Sungold" Sunflower Variety

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



__________________________________________________________________________

WELCOME to HOME feature week of the April "You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your HOME week Hosts

This week is HOME feature week
Swing by the Home Hosts' Blogs:
Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn
Heidi @ Heidi's Wanderings

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)




(All features were chosen from the March "You're the Star" blog hop)

Make Your Own Air Fresheners by Feathers in the Woods

Spring Mantel Inspiration by Debby Goes Shabby



 Easy S'mores Brownie Bites by This Autoimmune Life


Easter Slime by Curly Crafty Mom

If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:


<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2016/09/new-youre-star-blog-hop-cohost-sign-up.html" target="_blank"><img alt="You're a STAR" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/YourAstarFEATURED_zpso7ovwjyt.jpg" /></a>
*******************************************************
We are in need of more Cohosts (click HERE to view a list of our current hosts/cohosts).  For HOME feature week we  need 2 more Cohosts.
If you are interested in joining us as a Cohost then please click HERE & fill out the form.


*******************************************************

All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )

___________________________________________________________________

Click the button below to enter the Great Giveaways going on now!!: