In The Heart of the Home

Dairy, Soy, and Gluten-free Thanksgiving Feast

2011-11-23T11:00:00.001-06:00

A friend asked me to post my allergy safe dinner menu here. I have not included the Turkey.

Spice Blends

I use Mountain Rose Herbs, McCormick or Tones spices. Their basic blends such as Italian Seasoning of Chili powder are free from dairy and gluten.

Chicken Stock

Pacific chicken stock is dairy, soy and gluten free.

Bob's Red Mill four mix

2 bags 44 oz or 4 bags 22 oz of the All-purpose GF flour
1 bag 44oz or 2 bags of the 22 oz. Brown Rice Flour.

Mix all together.

Tapioca Free version
2 bags of Potato flour or starch
1 bag of garbanzo/fava flour or other bean flour
1 bag of sorghum flour
2 bags (or l large bag) of brown rice flour

Mix all together.

These are the rolls I made last year.
Quick yeast rolls

¼ cup coconut oil or shortening
¼ cup and 2 tablespoons of sugar
1 ½ cups hot water
2 packages or 2 tablespoons of active dry yeast
2 eggs beaten
2 teaspoons salt
4 ½ cups Bob's Red Mill flour mix
2 tablespoons Xanthan Gum

Pre heat oven to 425 degrees F and grease 16 muffin cups

In a large bowl, mix the coconut oil/shortening, sugar and hot water. Allow to cool until lukewarm. Mix in the yeast until dissolved. Mix in the egg, salt, flour and xanthan gum. Allow the dough to rise until doubled in size. Divide the dough into the prepared muffin cups, and allow to rise again until doubled in size.

Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean.

This recipe was adapted from a wheat yeast roll recipe. The dough will not be as firm as a wheat flour dough would be. Also sometimes with the GF flour breads I find I need to put them under the broiler for about 1 to 2 min to get them to brown. The bread will be fully cooked but not brown on top.

These are the rolls I am going to make this year. The dough has to be made the night before.
Raye Ann's version of the Boule.
My adaptation of the Gluten Free Crusty Boule from Bread in Five.

I put the instructions in for making roll size boules instead of the larger loaf of bread. I don't remember the cook time for the rolls I think it is 10 to 15 min.

6 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill flour blend
2 Tablespoons of Yeast
2 Tablespoons of Xanthan Gum
2 Tablespoons of sugar (I use evaporated cane juice)
1 Tablespoons Salt (I use Redmond's Real Salt.)
4 eggs beaten
1/3 cup oil
2 1/3 cup lukewarm water (Tip: put the glass measuring cup in the microwave with the water in it. Set the microwave to heat 1 8oz. cup of water. Since your heating around 18oz. of water instead of 8 then it gets it to the right temp.)

In a large container with a lid mix all of the dry ingredients together. Mix in the egg. Mix in the oil. Mix in 1/3 of the water, and repeat 2 more times. This is a very sticky, spongy dough. Let rise for 2 to 3 hours. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. However the older the dough the better it is for flat breads than Sandwich breads or Boule's.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Have a small bowl full of water. Dip your hands in the water. Then scoop out a ball of dough just under the size you want your roll to be. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper. Shape the dough into the traditional Boule shape. Dip your fingers in the water as needed to smooth the outside of the Boule. It is not going to rise as much as a wheat bread. It will get slightly larger than what you shape it as. Let this rise for an hour and a half. During the last 20 min of the rise preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Heat up a pizza stone or a cast iron griddle while the oven preheats. A baking sheet will also work. Place an oven safe pan or casserole with water in it on the bottom shelf of the oven at this time.

At the end of the rise time cut slits in the top of the boule. Leaving the boule on the parchment paper slide it onto the pizza stone or cast iron griddle. Bake for 10 to 15 min. until the crust is golden brown. Remove the Boule from the oven. Slide the boule still on the parchment paper onto a cooling rack. Baste with melted coconut oil or butter. (I use goat milk butter.)

Gravy

½ a cup of the fatty drippings from the Turkey or ½ cup of palm or olive oil.
heaping ½ cup of the GF flour blend
¼ cup of white wine or apple cider vinegar.
Remainder of turkey drippings and enough chicken stock to bring it up to 4 cups.

In a skillet bring the ½ cup of drippings to temp. Whisk in the flour blend. Keep stirring and browning the rue (the fat and flour blend) until it is as dark as you want the gravy to be. Slowly whisk in the white wine/apple cider vinegar. The rue will get really thick at this point. Whisk in slowly the 4 cups of drippings and stock. (You are going to pour slowly while you whisk it into the rue. It took practice for me to not get this lumpy. If it gets lumpy use and immersion blender or pour it into a blender and pulse it a few times. Pour back into the skillet.) Add what ever spices you want to taste to the gravy. I usually have to add a little salt and pepper. It has lots of flavor and seasonings from the turkey since you are using the drippings.

Green Bean casserole.

French Fried Onions
Dairy free version adapted from Food. com version

3 large onions sliced into thin rings
2 cups rice, almond, or coconut milk
2 cups GF flour blend
oil for frying
salt

Soak the onions in the milk for 5 minutes
Heat the oil in a large skillet or deep fryer
Take a handful of onions and run them through the flour with a fork to coat.
Fry in batches in the oil, stirring as needed to brown evenly
Drain on paper towels and season to taste.

Cream of Mushroom soup

½ cup olive or palm oil
8 oz. Sliced mushrooms
½ small onion diced optional
heaping 1/2 cup of GF flour mix
¼ cup white wine or apple cider vinegar.
4 cups of chicken or veg. Stock or rice, almond or coconut milk (if using rice milk use only 3 cups) {sometimes I use 50/50 stock and non-dairy milk}
1 ½ teaspoons of herb blend like Italian seasonings or Herb de Provence.
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste.

In a 3 to 4 qt. Sauce pan bring oil to temp. Add mushrooms and onions. Cook until tender and onions are translucent. (You do not add salt at this time. It almost doubles the cooking time on the mushrooms) Whisk in the flour. This is a very light rue. It is not really browned at all. Add the wine/apple cider vinegar slowly. The rue will thicken at this time. Slowly whisk in the liquid. Add seasoning blend and salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Assembly of the Casserole

Fill a casserole dish with drained canned or frozen green beans. Pour the cream of Mushroom soup over the green beans until all the beans are well covered. Heat in the oven at 375 degrees until all the green beans are heated all the way through. Time will depend on wither using frozen or canned.

Top the casserole with French fried onions just before serving.

Mashed potatoes

Wash or peal one med size potato per person.
Dice potatoes
Use 4 cups chicken stock as part of the liquid you are cooking the potatoes in.
Boil the potatoes until tender. Drain but leave ¼ to 1/3rd of the liquid in with the potatoes. Whip or mash the way you normally would with your favorite season. Sometimes I add a little olive oil.

Sweet Potatoes

These are the easiest to make with the dairy and gluten substitutes. Just use coconut oil for the butter, and almond or coconut milk for the dairy in your favorite recipe. Jet-Puffed marshmallows are dairy and gluten-free. Crisps toppings can be made with oatmeal or GF flour.

Dressing

One to two loaves of a Garden of Life GF bread.
Coconut oil
One package of your favorite Sausage
½ of a diced onion
2 to 3 stalks of celery sliced (optional)
1 to 3 cups of chicken stock (I can't remember how much stock)
Salt and pepper to taste

Toast the bread and butter each piece of toast with the coconut oil (can use margarine if you can find a casein free one) Cut the toast into small cubes.

In a skillet brown the sausage and onions. Add the celery and cook until half way cooked through. Add the cubed toast. Stir in the stock until all the bread is soaked. Add salt and pepper. Put in a casserole pan and bake in oven at 375 degrees until top is crispy and brown.

Dairy Free Fudge

1/2 cup coconut or rice milk
1 1/4 sugar
4 T. coconut oil
1/2 package enjoy life semi-sweet chocolate
1 t. vanilla

Boil milk and sugar in saucepan over medium high heat for 7-9 minutes. Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Continue to stir until everything is smooth and creamy. Pour into greased, lined baking pan. (I lined my pan with foil). Refrigerate for 2 hours or until mixture is solid.

Dairy Free Fudge Icing

Use olive oil instead of the coconut oil it makes a nice fudge icing for things like a rice crispy treats cake.

Rice Crispy Treats.

Follow the instructions on the box using HEB crispy rice cereal or the new GF Rice Krispies. The regular Rice Krispies contain gluten. Substitute coconut oil for the butter and use Jet-Puffed marshmallows

The following Pies are the diary free versions of Shirley's Gluten Free Pies from Gluten Free Easily.

Easy “Crustless” Apple Pie/Cobbler
Original Recipe Mom and Apple Pie

Deep-Dish 9-inch pie plate, greased (Momma's oval French Ware corning casserole works great)
5 to 6 apples, peeled and cut up (4 ½ to 5 cups)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp sugar
¾ cups Coconut oil, melted or Olive Oil
1 cup GF flour
1 cup Sugar
1 egg
pinch of salt

Place Apples in the greased pie plate and sprinkle with cinnamon and the 1 tbsp of sugar In a bowl, mix coconut oil/olive oil, GF flour, 1cup of sugar. Blend in the unbeaten egg and salt. Pour over the apples. (This is a thick mixture so it will need to be spread out over the apples with a spatula.) Sprinkle cinnamon, sugar, or cinnamon/sugar on top of the pie. This is optional. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

NOTE: I have use a 12 to 16 oz. Bag of frozen fruit (berries) thawed and then drained in place of the apples. A little nutmeg is good with the blueberries.

Crustless, Gluten-free Pumpkin Pie
Original Recipe

2 eggs
1 can (15 to 16 oz.) pumpkin or 2 cups fresh mashed pumpkin
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground clove (or 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice)
1 cup full fat Coconut milk or (¾ cup powdered coconut milk in one cup hot water mixed well)
¼ cup GF flour.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease pie plate and set aside In Bosch or other mixer use wire whisk if have them slightly beat egg. Mix in remaining ingredients. Place pie plate on over rack and pour in pumpkin mixture or Place pie plate on top of stove or on counter top next to oven and pour in pumpkin mixture then place pie plate in the oven. (The latter is my preferred method.) Bake at the 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake another 45 min until a knife or toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the pie.

NOTE: Since most none custard pies cook for 45 min. at 350 I will prep ingredients for the pumpkin and then another type of pie. I'll then preheat the oven and prepare the pumpkin pie. While it is baking for the 15 min. at 425 I will then prepare another pie. If everything is ready to mix together then the preparation for most pies can be done in that 15 min. When it is time to reduce the temperature to 350 degrees then I put in the second pie. I have done this with two pumpkin (just double the recipe) and two non pumpkin pies.

Crustless Coconut Pie
Original Recipe
3 large eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
¼ cup plus 1 tbsp GF flour
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch deep dish pie pan.

Beat eggs and sugar in a mixer. Add all other ingredients except the coconut and mix well. Stir in the coconut and pour into prepared pie pan. Place in preheated oven and bake for 45 min. The top should be golden brown and the filling set in the center.

Option: Sprinkle the top of pie about 10 min. into baking with the large coconut flakes/chips.

Option 2: After baking and somewhat cooled top with a 3 to 4 egg white meringue place back into the oven until the meringue is lightly browned. You can also sprinkle the large coconut flakes/chips on top of the meringue before placing it in the oven.

To Run

2011-03-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Many years ago at the beginning of my marriage I asked a family friend who was running for the third time for a congressional seat against a long time incumbent “That if God called you why haven't you won yet?” His answer to me was “I don't remember God calling me to win, but to run.” At times it is our obedience that He seeks as the outcome, and not the outcome we would expect to be His desire. I guess one of the most profound cases of this can be seen with Abraham and Isaac.When God calls us to do something and the outcome is not what we thought it would be does not mean the call was any less real.

"....let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Image: nuttakit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Halloween and the Christian a Re-Post

2010-10-24T11:33:00.000-05:00

A little bit of my back ground. My Grandfather was what we would call New Age before New Age got it's name. His second wife was a self proclaimed witch. As a result we never participated in Halloween.

My thoughts on Halloween for the Christian should be a night that we spend praising, and worshiping God in the face of the enemy. For some that may be an alternative place to go. Letting God take what was meant for evil and using it for Good (ie. God) by giving out tracks and/or scripture candy. etc. Some are called to go where angels fear to tread (These are places that our Children should not and are not ready to tread). Then there are those who are called to separate themselves from that night. What ever you do on the 31st just make sure God is in the middle of it.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:9-12

With that being said stop by Lisa Metzger's A 2nd Generation of Homescholing where they have conducted an interview with Kimberly Eddy at Adventures in Mothering and Jennifer Bogart at Quiverfull Family. They are a former Wiccan and a self-proclaimed Witch. In this interview they talk about Halloween and why they do not participate in it.

A few ideals for honoring God this coming Halloween

At my parents old house the kids kept knocking wither the porch light was on or not. They decided to then give out scripture candy from then on, and did so for years.

A former Congregational Elders who is also a graphic artist makes two or three new tracks every year. Hands them out and talks to the people that stop by.

Another family I know has done what they call "Track or Treating" where they went out door to door passing out tracks. Giving instead of taking.

We feel led to separate ourselves from the night.

Halloween exist and we cannot ignore it. We also do not have to turn it over to the enemy.

Picture of Ancient Israeli oil lamp by FreeStockPhotos.com

Healthy Eating 101 an Overview Part 1

2010-08-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

I find food amazing. The right foods can heal that which seems to be incurable physically, emotionally, and mentally. They can prolong life. They can provide ease and comfort to new and old injuries. The wrong foods can destroy one from the inside out.

With tons of information out there the question arises what really is healthy eating? What are the right foods? What do I eat? Michael Pollan says in his book “Food Rules” that is comes down to just 7 little words.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

While he is right. It is that simple, and then again it is not. Then the questions arise. What is food? How much is too much? Why mostly plants? Should our food then be cooked or uncooked? I will cover each one of these questions in a separate post.

What is food?

Take a trip to the grocery store or even the health food store and look at all the options. Then ask yourself “if they have removed this and added that is this really food?” How much do they need to take out or leave in for it to still be considered food? If they have altered the genetic makeup of my food is it still food?
The Bible is clear on what food is.

Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. Genesis 1:29
Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood. Genesis 9:3-4
Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. Leviticus 11:3
These you may eat, of all that are in the waters. Everything in the waters that has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat Leviticus 11:9
Non-scavenger birds Leviticus 11:13-19
Locust and Grasshoppers Leviticus 11:20-22
...I fed you with fine flour and oil and honey … Ezekiel 16:19

Dr. Rex Russell has three basic food principles that he talks about in his book “What the Bible has to Say About Healthy Living” The first two pertain to this very question of What is Food?

Eat the Foods God Created for You ~~ God created a wide variety of plants, and animals that we can consume. He designed them in such a way that they work with our body they way they are to maintain, repair, and heal our bodies. I keep seeing all these reports on supper foods. When I take a closer look I find that what these supper foods do overlaps quite a bit. There also seems to be one or two for every region on earth. How great a God He is to create such provision and variety.
Don't Alter God's Design ~~ This speaks to the vary issue of GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms). The genetic structure of the food has been altered within the very DNA. The result is a completely different genetic organism than that of the parent organism. These altered organisms are now showing themselves to be harmful to the body instead of healing.

Foods are those things that are in whole form or as close to as can be in order to consume it. Also anything made from ingredients in their whole form. Here is where the question how much do they need to take out or leave in for it to still be called food? That I really do not have an answer to that. I do know that when my husband was unemployed and things were tight that we were given 50lbs. of par-boiled rice. This rice is not completely a white rice and has had nutrients added back in. Even though it wasn't a whole grain anymore, and it was not our first choice it sustained us. It was a great provision from God. I don't believe God would provide anything for us that was not food. Doing our best to keep the foods we do consume as close to the whole version as can be found or afforded is what our goal needs to be.

I believe it is safe to say that those things which have had man made derived chemicals added to them, that to read the ingredients list is like reading the contents of a chemistry set, are no-longer food. That those things that have been so highly altered that you would not recognize them as what they started out to be chemically, or genetically are no-longer food.

Disclaimer:
I am not a licensed medical practitioner. I am a Mother who has studied health, along with home, herbal and natural remedies to better the heath of herself, and her own family. The information given here is on home, herbal, and natural remedies, or on health is information that I have found to be useful in my own home. It is meant for informational purposes only. It is my own opinion and is not intended to replace the advice of a licensed medical practitioner.

Halloween and the Christian

2009-10-29T12:30:00.005-05:00

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:9-12

With that being said stop by Lisa Metzger's A 2nd Generation of Homescholing where they have conducted an interview with Kimberly Eddy at Adventures in Mothering and Jennifer Bogart at Quiverfull Family. They are a former Wiccan and a self-proclaimed Witch. In this interview they talk about Halloween and why they do not participate in it.

A few ideals for honoring God this coming Halloween

Back at one of the Churches my Dad pastored we had a dress up Bible Themed Party (I forget now what it was called). It was promoted as an alternative to Halloween. Everybody had to pick a Bible Character and be able to tell about this person they dressed up as and why they chose them. We had a pot luck with music and worship. Everything about that night was opposite of traditional Halloween celebrations. (I guess with the exception getting dressed up).

At my parents old house the kids kept knocking wither the porch light was on or not. They decided to then give out scripture candy from then on, and did so for years.

One of our Congregational Elders who is also a graphic artist makes two or three new tracks every year. Hands them out and talks to the people that stop by.

Another family I know has done what they call "Track or Treating" where they went out door to door passing out tracks. Giving instead of taking.

We feel led to separate ourselves from the night.

Halloween exist and we cannot ignore it. We also do not have to turn it over to the enemy.

Picture of Ancient Israeli oil lamp by FreeStockPhotos.com

The Loss of Truth: The Crumbling Moral Foundation

2009-10-04T19:36:00.008-05:00

This is a five part video series given by Dr. Ravi Zacharias one of the foremost apologists of our day.

My Walk Monday --- Endless Blessings 14-29

2009-09-28T09:19:00.005-05:00

Join in at a Scrapping Servant as we walk on with Him.

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

As the past year progressed I found myself focused more and more the negatives. I always knew that He is the God of my salvation. However my focus became less and less on Him.

In the past year my husband was laid off and has been for 11 months now. I had two miscarriages. The grasshoppers destroyed our small starter garden. Coons got into the chicken coop and killed a lot of the chickens. The hens left stopped laying. Nanny goat and 3 kid goats died. Remaining nanny has had two miscarriages. So no meat or milk. The freezer died completely stuffed with food. The refrigerator died. The dryer broke down. I pinched a nerve in my neck and was unable to to much for weeks. Everyone in the family got sick. Before one could fully recover from some cold, flu, or bug then they were hit with another one. These are all the things I have been focusing on.

I started then looking at all the negatives about myself. I am overweight. The house is disorganized. I am behind on everything. I can't stand to be disorganized or behind. I then started looking at only the negatives in those around me.

By reclaiming my attitude of prayer I am seeing that I had lost my focus. I always knew that God was there and His hand is in everything. It is like stumbling around in a room in the dark when you know where the light switch is, and you chose not to turn it on.

I can make the choice to identify my shortcomings and instead of using them against myself, I hand them over to Jesus and let Him chisel my rough places. The grace-filled way Jesus chisels is so vastly different than the way I beat on myself. My beat...ings are full of exaggerated lies that defeat. His chiseling is full of truth that sets me free.~~Lysa TerKeurst, "Pounds Lost, Insites Gained" 9/28/09

I am joining Multitude Monday with Ann Voskamp @ Holy Experience. Come and join the Gratitude Community!

My Endless Blessings of Gratitude for today are from the past year.

14.We have not gone without anything this year. Food, lights and water have been there all year round.
15 God replaced our one broken freezer with two. An 8 foot chest freezer (the one that died was 5 ft.) and an new upright freezer for free.
16. He gave us a year and half old refrigerator.
17. Better shoes than we could ever buy for 10 cents a pair for the boys.
18. Every clothing need met.
19. Free job hunting suits for my husband
20. For God meeting some of our needs before we even knew we had them
21. The Christian Film Festival in San Antonio for free
22. The Christian Game Developers Conference in Portland for free
22. Two more Bible Conferences for free.
23. All Health needs and expenses being met.
25. For my dear Friend Christine who has a great source of encouragement and inspiration.
26. For my beloved Sister in the Messiah Stormie who has been my Rock through this and other hard times of the past.
27. For the support of all of our friends who have been and encouragement and help.
28. For my husband getting a part time teaching job.
29. The new friends I have made through the blogs and facebook.

Check out The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry Coming September 18th

2009-09-15T12:00:00.002-05:00

I am excited to share The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry website with you. It comes to theaters September 18th and needs your help in spreading the word. Get your local church involved and help bring The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry to a theater in your area.

My Walk Monday --- Endless Blessings 1-13

2009-09-14T07:59:00.012-05:00

Join in at a Scrapping Servant as we walk on with Him.

An Attitude of Prayer

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I have this friend who I used to think was nice, but a little nutty. She prayed about everything. From what to fix for dinner to the old "Lord show me you will today." I would think why does it matter if I pray about how to set the table for a dinner party? Over time as I watch her have joy and peace in some of the hardest circumstances I came to realize that her constant communication with God over every part of her life was the key. I was not so much that she prayed over each and everything. It was that she was in communication with God almost every moment of every day.

I found myself praying more and more. I would pray when I got in the car. I would thank the Lord for just the parking spot He provided. I would pray about the menu. I found myself being in more and more communication with God. It was not that I needed to pray about how to set the table for a dinner party. It was that I needed to pray. To be ready, willing, and able to reach out to God at a moments notice for whatever reason.

I went into one of the hardest years of my life this past year with this growing attitude of prayer. It has not been an easy year, but it was one of the most wonderful years we have had. The past few month though have not been as wonderful. Somewhere I lost that attitude of prayer. Everyday became harder and harder to get through. When I am trying to do things on my own I want to withdraw. However when I am working, walking, and talking with the Lord on a constant bases then I love to reach out.

Oh how I wish that a 100 percent of the time I was in that attitude of prayer. As I reach again for that goal then oh the better things will be. It takes oh so much more than morning prayers. If I am going to reach my life's goal of 1 Corinthians 10:31 then I must be in constant communication with my Creator, the King of Kings.

I am joining Multitude Monday with Ann Voskamp @ Holy Experience. Come and join the Gratitude Community!

1. That my loving Savior created me and gave His life for me.
2. That I am the Help Meet to the best man for the job of my husband and father to my children.
3. That during this past year of unemployment that we have not gone one day without.
4. We got the rain we needed.
5. AS 15b
6. JD 13b
7. PC 10b
8. NI 8b
9. AC 2g
10. Parents who raised me to love the Lord.
11. A toddler who seeks comfort in her mothers lap while she is trying to write.
12. A son who's first task every morning is to greet his mother.
13. Son's who try to walk in the footsteps of their father.

May His Voice Never Be Silenced

2009-09-11T13:45:00.005-05:00

Our country has done a lot of morning this year. They have mourned a pop star, a news anchor, a actress, and a doctor to name a few. I have mourned our fallen heroes for freedom and life. I have mourned the innocent victims of gas chambers, and butchers machetes. Today I mourn the loss of those who died because of where they were, or the job they did, and those who where not going to let anybody else go down with them.

Today of all days though gives us yet another fallen hero. He went into battle with an oxygen machine. However he carried a weapon of great power. He carried his VOICE. James Pouillon of Owosso, Michigan gave his voice to those "...who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Proverbs 31:8 While holding a sign with a picture of a baby and the word LIFE on it across from a local Owosso high school a shot rang out and James Pouillon became our newest fallen hero.

Keep your prayers with his family.

For more information on the death of James Pouillon go here.

A Trip to the Desert

2009-08-17T00:24:00.010-05:00

I recently found this meme at Scrapping Servant. I love this idea to share what God is teaching you and doing in your life.

He found him in a desert land,
and in the howling waste of the wilderness;
he encircled him, he cared for him,
he kept him as the apple of his eye
Deuteronomy 32:10

The past many weeks I have felt as if I was in this desert place. The "...howling waste of the wilderness..." was all around me. Just after the loss of my tiny little blessing we received grave news about my Grandmother, and Aunt. We have spent several of the weeks since going back and forth between our house and my parents house. Not only were we attending to our property and animals we were also preparing my parents home for my Grandmother to move in.

During this time my allergies have gone completely haywire. My damaged sinus became highly inflamed. An old injury in my neck decided it was going to flair up at the same time. I could not write, type, crochet, or sew. Most days I barely made it through the basics. Many days I just wanted to scream. I think some days I actually did.

Then He encircled me, He cared for me. I realized that He was calling me to a place of rest. So many times God has to bring me stop.

And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.
Mark 6:31 KJV

I needed time to focus on Him. I needed to rest in Him. I will admit that some days as I rested I did not rest in Him. As I read and listen to worship music as of late I have found that place of rest and peace again.

I do not know why I still sometimes forget that God is my rest and my peace.

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
Isaiah 51:3 KJV

We have been through so much this past year, and our living, loving Creator has been with us every step of the way. In the midst of the desert place I can find rest and peace.

Photos from FreeStockPhotos.com

Just for God's Girls

2009-08-16T23:30:00.004-05:00

A Women Inspired is hosting the free online conference and slumber party Just for God's Girls August 21-22, 2009.

I know it has been quite a long time since I was a teen, and it will be a few years before my tiny tot will be a teen herself. However I plan on attending so I can prepare my little one for those years. For all of you girls out there AWI says

We want to promote Biblical truths and Christian values, enhance self confidence and empower you, God’s Girl, to be transformed from the girls of today into the inspired women of tomorrow.

So if you are a teen girl, a mom of a teen girl, or the mom of a teen to be come and join in the fun. This could also be handy for those women who work with teen girls as well.

And remember it is FREE!

Contact Me

2009-07-27T12:48:00.003-05:00

To Contact me you can leave a comment on any post, or email me at

livinginhisglory@gmail.com

A Few Places I Like To Stop By

2009-07-26T20:48:00.036-05:00

These are some of my Favorite Blogs. These are only the blogs that have buttons. They are just too beautiful not to be shared. I also have a blog list. It has the 10 most recent post from the blogs I read regularly or periodically.

Bring the Rain

2009-06-11T09:00:00.001-05:00

We had planed on making a big announcement. You know the kind you make from the Mountain Top. One that for us is filled with Joy. That announcement will have to wait for another day.

Sunday morning I woke up to contractions. For any mother who has gone through labor they were good stage two contraction. There were some other signs that things were not right. As I laid down the contractions eased. At this time some hope had remained. Because when I moved the contractions worsened we chose to say home as the drive to the nearest medical care is an half hour away. Even though laying down and still did help to ease the contractions it did not have the desired effect.

As I lay there listening to music, praying and hoping the song "Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me came up. These words spoke to my heart as if it were God speaking to me.

Chorus:
Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus Bring the Rain

As I listened to these words I told my little blessing good by and handed him over into the hands of my ABBA. Five hours after I woke up that morning our tiny blessing went to the arms of our King. I praise Him for the short time this tiny little blessing was here.

ABBA, my Dearest Father what ever rain you allow to come into my life I accept it. I do not know why this tiny blessing was here for such a short time. What I do know is that you are here now holding me, crying with me, and feeling my grief with me. How wonderful it is to have a father like you who is there with us in the midst of this fallen world.

Held

2009-06-07T14:24:00.002-05:00

This is my hearts cry today.

At the Well -- What to Wear to the Store

2009-06-01T07:08:00.006-05:00

What do YOU wear to the grocery store? It seems a simple enough question. However Gina from Chats With an Old Lady purposes in today's Gathering at the Well that it is not such a simple question. How we dress when we go to the store or anywhere else reflects our relationship to God and his influence on us and our relationship to the world and its influence on us.

Let's look at these questions:
What am I allowing myself to be influenced by?
Who do I allow to dictate to me what I should be wearing?
How am I representing the God I claim to love and live for?
Do I know the details of how God wants us to live as well as I know the details of what is in fashion?
Am I seeking to become conformed to the image of Christ...or the image that our ever changing society throws in front of our faces?

I will admit I like nice things for my hair. Shiny hair pieces. A nice fashionable scarf. I call them fashionable because that is what is on the sales racks at the Wal-Mart. I am really in love with the new EZ Clip. When I choose to wear a head cover I really like the lace ones, or a scarf with a nice fringe or accent piece. I do not know how much the world influences this. Do I like these things because they are beautiful or because the world says that I need them. I got the EZ clip because it looked nice and it seemed to be quick and easy to use. When you have five kids and a house to run, schooling to do, etc. something quick and easy goes a long way.

Proverbs 31:22 says "...her clothing is as fine linen and purple." In the days that Proverbs was written purple was the rarest and most expensive color clothing to have. The same could be said of the fine linen. This women dressed in the best, and looked her best. Now granted I cannot dress in today's equivalent of fine linen and purple, but I can dress the best I have and look the best I can look. I dress to go to the store as well as for the every day. I have a few lounge clothes that I save for those days when I am ill or such. Most days I dress before the kids are even up.

What does this mean to be dressed. I am not getting dressed for a ball or wedding. I am not even dressing for church. It means that I am dressing modestly, and nicely. I try to be stylish without being faddish or even fashionable. Since most of my clothing comes form the thrift store then they are at the very least last years fashions. I guess I do not even know what is in fashion. I used to keep up with it by what I wouldn't buy at the store.

"...Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control..." 2 Timothy 2:9,10

What does this mean? All I can tell you is the way I dress and why. I like long skirts. I feel more like a women in a skirt or dress. Does that mean I am a dresses only gal? No, I am a dresses mostly gal. One of the keys for me is does the garment flow, does it have feminine lines? I do not believe most pants meet those qualifications. Some skirts or dresses do not meet those qualifications either. I do have one pair of jeans and two pairs of capris. If I am crawling under a sink to unclog the drain, or down cleaning out the back of one of my deep cabinets I am not wearing a skirt. Where is the modesty in that?

My clothes must fit but not be tight and form fitting. Clothes that do not fit right are always having to be readjusted and draw undue attention to me. When someone sees me I want to make a good first impression. I want them to open to listening to me should the opportunity arise to share the Good News with them. If I am fidgeting with my clothing the whole time I am speaking with them then what has their attention my fidgeting or my speaking. This is also the reason I wear more skirts than dresses. I am very long waisted so most dresses do not fit me right. Then we are back to the fidgeting with the clothes again. I do like the stream line look of a dress so I am making some skirt and top sets out of the same material in order to achieve that stream line look.

I also wear layered tops. I am large chested with narrow shoulders for my frame. Cap sleeve tops and tank tops many times have higher neck lines than most other blouses and tops. I get them a size smaller so that they do not create bulk under my top. I have found that having the under layer keeps my tops from sliding down too much or off my shoulders. I have not been able to alter the tops to fit me right so far, so the layers work best. This give me a nice clean look that sometimes with some beading or lace it can be dressed up a bit.

The one person who has the most influence over what I wear is my man. He doesn't like paisleys so I do not wear anything with paisleys. He prefers the natural look, so I do not wear makeup. That makes it quicker and easier to get dressed. The Bible is my guide. If I have any questions then I refer back to it. I try to keep the worlds influences out as much as possible. The TV feed is gone. I try not to look at all the mags at the register. Of course if you take your kids with you while your doing your shopping you do not have time to look at the mags. I am sure some of the influences of the world creep in and have some impact. To please the world is not my goal. To glorify God is the goal of my life.

I want to present to the world a pleasing picture. One that most if not all of the world can accept. I do not want to offend or distract those that I may be of a witness to. I also do not want to blend into the background where I am not seen. A lit candle in the window can be seen and is inviting.

Getting to Know You -- At the Well

2009-05-04T07:07:00.004-05:00

I took a few days off to take care of some things and then pick up a bug somewhere as well. So my few days turned into a little longer than planed. However God used that time with me to help me start to find a better balance in my life and to distress a bit. I get up this morning ready to just jump right back into the blogy world and find that I am the featured bloger at Lynnette Kraft's Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground "Getting to Know You" event. Then as I pop on over to At The Well I find that today subject is none other than Getting to Know You. So wither you are stopping by from Dancing Barefoot or from At the Well take a look around and get to know me and the wonderful things that God has done in my life.

I recently did a post called 101 Random Things About Me so today I want tell you a little more about me by telling you about my goals.

The most important thing I learn from my wonderful man is that being a Christian is more than just saying I'm a Christian and trying to live a good life. That it is doing everything for the Glory of God. That I trust in Him for even the slightest little thing to the biggest issues of my life. So that is my number one goal in my life is to live every moment for the Glory of God.

My second goal is to aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I know that this women was a mother's ideal dream for a daughter in law and that no woman could never be all that she is. I keep thinking about all that I will gain from striving to be like her. The more I become like her the better it is for those around me. Although I will never be a perfect Proverbs 31 women my goal is to get a close to the mark as I can.

My third goal is to raise my children to take the banner of Christ to every corner of the world. Paul Washer said that his dream for his son is that he would grow to take the flag to the top of the hill that no one else had reach even if it cost him his very life. (paraphrased) My children living a life by serving God to the fullest yes even if it cost them their lives is one of my greatest goals. I pray this for them.

My fourth goal is to be a Titus 2 women teaching other women what I know and have learned. Becoming the older women and gleaming what I can from my older women.

I am far from these goals. Oh how far away I am. That is why they are my goals. All my other little goals in life, becoming debt free, becoming healthier, starting Daughters of the Word and The Sensitive Stove, teaching, writing, schooling, house keeping, full time ministry, starting an online store front (in the works), etc. have come from reaching for these goals. By focusing on these things I have a greater joy and peace at this time in my life than I should.

Thank you all for stopping by and taking a little time to get to know each other better. Tell me a little about yourselves and your goals.

Stop by the Well and meet our At the Well hostess Chelsey from Joyfuly Living for His Glory and get to know her and the other ladies At the Well. Let's not forget to stop by and say hello to Lynnette at Dancing Barefoot.

Going fishing or some such thing.

2009-04-21T07:45:00.001-05:00

Well SJ has asked me to take the day off from bloging today. That means no reading, commenting, or responding to comments. I had hoped to be able to respond to a few comments today, and to answer a few questions. I was also going to join in on a new meme today. But alas that is not to be. I will miss everybody today.

Instead of bloging I will be rearranging my kitchen. It is a big job and had needed to be done for some time and I keep putting it off. The boys and I are going to make it a family affair. Well it is not exactly fishing, but I hope to make it somewhat fun.

Making Your Home a Haven -- Morning and Evening

2009-04-20T06:40:00.001-05:00

I have been reading the challenges over at Tammy's Recipes "Making Your Home a Haven" for the past few weeks. Establishing a Morning Routine and setting a Set Bed Time. This weeks challenge is to Set a Wake Up Time. I am going to try to do all three now.

It is one of those things that seem simple enough. Putting a bed time and schedule into action can be easier said than done. With things getting bruiser around here is seems to be more important than ever.

Rise and Shine: 5:00 AM Yep that early. If I don't get up well before the kids do then my time with the Lord seems to just go out the window.

Morning Routine:

Bible Study
Bloging
Fix Breakfast and Wake up Kids
Bible reading with Kids
Morning chores

My Bible Study and my Bloging seem to overlap. It just seemed to make since to schedule them next to each other.

Bed Time: 11:00 PM used to work well in the past. We will see this week how well that works now.

Stop on by Tammy's Recipes for you "Making Your Home a Haven" challenge

A 101 Random Things About Me

2009-04-19T02:00:00.001-05:00

Well at the end of February I am read Mrs. Lindsay's of Longing for the Meadows post "25 random things about me". I thought what a good idea. This idea is floating around in the back of my mind for about a month or so. Then Lynnette Kraft of Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground posted "100 Weird, Random or Juicy Tidbits About Lynnette", and she sort of issued a challenge for others to do so as well. She even set up a Mr. Linky so everyone could read other's list. It seemed like everyone is having such fun and I am getting to know everyone a bit better that I think I will let it be more than just a good idea in the back of my mind.

Why a 101? I love those titles that say "A 101 ways to ......" or "A 1001 best ......" I have never actually read a book with one of those titles, but I love the titles. So here we go with "A 101 Random Things About Me".

I LOVE babies!
It is because of a baby that I now serve the Lord. My Mother was not supposed to be able to have anymore due to an injury. When I was five I prayed for a baby sister. Her name is Taysha. (My Testimony).
When I was 8 I made a prayer request in Children's Church for another baby sister. Her name is Tabitha.
My Mother had her tubes tied and told me not to pray for anymore babies. I was going to ask for a brother next. It broke my heart. Oh by the way I LOVE babies!
I have really wide feet. They are EEE wide feet with little bitty short toes.
I went to college for 10 years, and 5 majors and got my MRS degree. :)
I am back in school off and on now working on Biblical Studies.
I do not eat chocolate anymore. (food allergies)
I have a moderate to server allergy to dairy.
I have a mild allergy to latex.
I have moderate allergy to wool.
I am allergic to the state of Texas.
I have a server allergy to soy. Finding that one out almost killed me. I should have gone to the ER. Learned again that God protects and provides even in our own stupidity.
I am not dealing with this new allergy well.
I had to give up coffee. I can not drink it without some type of creamer. Rice milk just does not work.
I lost 50 lbs and gained back half of it.
I do not have cable or an TV antenna.
There is one small TV in the house for Educational and Biblical instruction DVD's. Sometimes a good clean movie.
I sometimes sneak an old TV show on Hulu.
I watch the HGTV when I go to my parents house.
My favorite movie is "The Gospel of John". It changed my Life.
My second favorite movie is "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry". I saw it at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. It is coming to a theater near you this September. Yeah!
My favorite song is "God Of This City" by Blue Tree.
My two favorite hymns are "It is Well With My Soul" and "Amazing Grace".
I am an Air Force brat.
I am also a Preacher's Kid.
I married a computer programmer because I did not want to marry a minister.
We are now going into full time ministry. I love God's since of humor.
I wanted to get married young and have my first baby by the time I was 21.
I got married at 26 and had my first baby the week before my 28th birthday.
I gave up trying to find the right man on my own and gave it to God. Then my Daddy came in one day and told me that he had just met my husband. Which was alright with me since he was a computer programmer and not a minister. Ha! laughs on me. 16 years next month.
After watching the original "Cheaper by the Dozen" when I was a kid I decided a bakers dozen was an even better deal than just a dozen and I was going to have 13 kids. 5 so far. I'll take them any way I can get them.
I am a babywearing momma.
I am gluten intolerant
I am lactose intolerant
I am sugar intolerant
I am pre-diabetic
I could stand to loose a few pounds. Say somewere around 90.
I love garlic. Garlic is probably the best spice ever.
I love Italian food.
I love Mexican food.
I love all oriental foods. opps I can't eat those any more. Oh I am not handling this soy allergy thing too well.
The only fast food I can eat is Chick-Fil-a fries. It is the whole soy and dairy thing. Maybe I'll lose some weight then.
I love being a women, wife and mother. I can not think of anything better to be.
I have not worked outside of the home for the past 16 years.
I attended 13 different schools between 1st and 12th grades. Some schools I was in for 2+ years.
I have lived in this house for 15 years. That is 5 times longer than I lived in any other home.
I lived in Italy from ages 3 till almost 7. About 3 1/2 years.
I am only 1 inch shorter than my husband.
I am 13 months younger than my husband.
I love to cook
I love to bake
I sew
I crochet
I tapestry crochet
I embroidery
I cross stitch
I loom knit
I am learning to knit. argh! maybe I'll sick with loom knitting.
I make kippah's
I am learning to make my own clothing patterns
I am learning sign language
My oldest son is just an inch shorter than me
I try to make everything I do have meaning and reflect on Christ. Easier said than done.
I do not eat pork
I do not eat shrimp
I do not eat shell fish
I love celebrating the both the Christian and Jewish holidays.
There is 6 1/2 years between my 4th born and my 5th born.
I love jello
My dream vacation would be to go to Israel and see all the places I have read about for years in the Word.
I suffered from chronic pain for over 30 years and now I do not thanks to the Healing Grace of God.
I am going non disposable, but I am not giving up my TP.
I go back and forth between cloth and disposable diapers.
I started focusing on scripture memory this year.
I can know a person for a year before I can remember their name.
I have been writing myself notes to help me remember peoples names and other things.
I always assumed I just had a bad memory, but the more I work on it the better it is getting.
I love bloging
I am a dresses (or skirts) mostly kind of gal
I love being a Texas gal
I can't stand lemon in my Ice Tea
I was a summer missionary with the Baptist Student Union.
I served in Buffalo New York
I want to be a certified herbalist
I miss my old SLR camera
I do not like digital cameras
I want to learn Hebrew
I love to sing
I am part of our congregations worship team
Above Rubies is my favorite magazine
I tried to join the army, but they would not let me because of my health
I edit classic books to be sold as ebooks
My husband is my number one favorite person in the world
My kids are in the top five after my husband.
My first dog was a Boston Terrier.
We had a vineyard in the back yard of one of the houses we lived in in Italy.
We have goats that I am allergic to. The whole wool thing.
I sometimes miss the snow from when I lived in Montana.
I love musicals
My greatest joy is being a child of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

That was tougher than I thought it would be. There you go you now know me a little better. Now what is your 100?

Stop by Lynnette's and get to know a few more people.

Smallest Blessings -- Life

2009-04-16T11:18:00.001-05:00

We had 9 chicks hatch this past Tuesday. My Little Bird gets so excited over the new life. She loves to hold the chicks as she squeals with excitement. My other blessings ages 8 through 14 are still in awe of each and every new life that comes along. I am so thankful that they all have a respect for life. They understand that all life came from their creator.

This is my Little Bird holding one of the new chicks.

Thankful Thursday -- Joy of the Father

2009-04-16T08:24:00.002-05:00

Laurie at WOMEN TAKING A STAND is hosting our Thankful Thursday today. Our topic is "I am God's Daughter". This is one of my favorite topics of all.

Two years and nine months ago I told my husband that I was pregnant. It had been six years since I gave birth to my last child. Since the other four had all been boys he was sure that this one was a girl. I woke up sometime after two in the morning that night to find him on the computer. He was looking up baby girl names. He said "what do you think of the name Abigail." I responded with "Abigail? Why Abigail?" He said "It means 'A Fathers Joy'". He had done a search for names meaning joy. So Abigail it was. Upon doing some more research myself I found out there is more meaning to this wonderful Hebrew name. It also means "Bountiful Joy", Joy of the Father", and "God's Joy". Wow this little blessing of God is also His Joy.

For You formed my inward parts;You wove me in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:13 (NASB)

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. Psalms 22:10 (KJV)

The fact that God knew me from the beginning. That He created me to be His has always amazed me. To know that God chose my name, who I would be, is simply amazing.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace Galatians 1:15 (KJV)

I am thankful for many things being one of God's daughters, a princess, a child of the King of Kings.

That He created me.
That He shed His blood and let it wash over me.
That through His Grace I am saved from eternal damnation.
That He gave me a calling as a Women, a Wife, and a Mother.
That He gave me a heart for other women, to reach out to them and teach them, and to see what I can learn from them.
That He has met my every need. Some even before I knew the need was there.
That I am His Abigail.

There are many more things to be thankful for. As the old song says If the sky was a parchment, and the ocean an ink well it would not be enough to record the wonders of God (paraphrased).

I Can't Believe She's Two

2009-04-15T09:00:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our Wednesday's Walk hosted by Lynnette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground.

My Little Bird just turned two on the 7th. We went over to my Mom's where the boys and her cousins made her birthday cake. Under Gram's supervision of course. The boys also helped me make pizza for her big birthday dinner. We love having pizza for birthdays especially the homemade kind.

We were able to find her an age appropriate baby doll. We can go through an entire toy store or toy department and she will be board. However when we get to the dolls she will just about jump out of the cart. Her big gift was a doll, with a doll carrier, blankets made by her Gram's, and a diaper bag. Top it all off with a couple of puzzles and a dress from her Aunt Tabi. I have never seen a face light up so much as her's did when she pulled that baby out of the gift bag.It is hard to believe that this was just two years ago.

Pop on over to Dancing Barefoot to walk down a few memory lanes.

At the Well -- The Older Women

2009-04-06T00:22:00.001-05:00

O.K. what is this making us take a good long hard look at ourselves again. Having to go in and weed out all the junk. Just so we can come that one step closer to being who God created us to be. Deb from One Single Moment ask us today At the Well who we are as "Older" women. It is not so much about being older in age as it is in Christ. Titus 2:3 says "Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good". So many times we focus on the "...teach what is good" part and not the rest. As I observe my tiny tot follow me around and mimic everything I do I have become acutely aware that I teach as much or more by what I do and by who I am than by the words I use. Do not get me wrong words are very powerful, however I think it is as the old saying goes "Actions speak louder than words."

Do I teach others what love is by showing God's love to all those around me at any given time?

Do I teach reverence by being reverent?

Do I teach honer by showing honer?

Do I teach them trust by trusting only in God?

I wish I could say "YES" I do that all the time. Unfortunately I can not. Too many times I let the stresses of this life get the best of me. (Once is too many.) I have had a long hard day so I walk into services with an air of tired grumpiness. I am working on something that is difficult and one on my son's will walk in and call my name. At times my response can be less than loving.

So Deb has come up with these wonderful discussion questions. Questions to once again make us take stock of ourselves. To take a good long hard look at Galatians 5: 22-23 in relation to our lives in both our relationships with others, and most importantly with our Redeemer.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

How are you doing as an older woman?

I feel as if someone is asking me "How have you been feeling?" after you have been sick for quite some time. I can say that "Some days are better than other days. I doing better today." I wish beyond anything I could say "I'm doing terrific today and everyday."

Do you live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord?

I constantly "try" to live a life "pleasing to Him" (Proverbs 16:7, John 8:29, 2 Corinthians 5:9). I do fall short more than I care to admit.

How is your speech, your attitude?

Although my speech is often filled with all the right words, my attitude does not always match my words. I mean what I say, but I always convey what I mean.

Are you producing the fruits of the Spirit in your life?

I would have to say that if you asked me this question earlier I would have said "I think so, I think I am doing good in that regard". Like I said this At the Well makes you take a good, long, and hard look at yourself. Now I would have to say "I'm not so sure how I am doing in this area."

If you can't answer a resounding yes!..then share with us what your starting point is in being an older woman who is well equipped to teach the younger.

My starting point is where my starting point always is. If we learn by example then I want to follow the best example of all. That is my Messiah. I guess it is spring cleaning time here within me. Now I am going to go take out the trash.

If you would like more on the topic of the older women then come over and join Deb and the rest of us At the Well.

Palm Sunday -- The Lamb

2009-04-05T07:56:00.001-05:00

I love this time of year. New life is everywhere. The harvest from the early crops are coming in bringing in the first fruits of our labor. The time for the Passover (Hebrew: Pesach) is coming. In a way it is already here. This year Holy Week lines up with the preparation time for Passover and with Passover itself the Hebrew Holy Week. I love it when this happens.

Now let us go back nearly 2000 years to sometime around 28 to 33 AD. It is Yom Rishon or "first day". It began the night before about 1 hour after sunset as prayers and the sweet aroma of spices filled the air closing out the Shabbat HaGadol (The High Sabbath. The Sabbath before Pesach). Now in the daylight hours of Yom Rishon the crowds are heading into Jerusalem. They are coming on this day to select a lamb for the Passover. It is the lamb selection day. This lamb will be set apart from all others for four days until it is slain at the blast of the Shofar at 3:00 pm the afternoon before the Passover begins.

Jesus begins his journey from Bethany where He had spent His last Shabbat HaGadol with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 12:2-11). The crowds are filled with quite anticipation that this may be the year that HaMashiach, The Messiah would come and redeem them from the tyranny of the Roman's. The Roman solders are on guard, because this is the time of year that small uprisings begin from amongst the Jewish population. Word had reached the crowds about the resurrection of Lazarus by the words of Jesus (John 11:1-44). The crowd asked "Is he the one? He must be the one. No one but The Messiah could do what he does." They ran to meet Jesus along the pathway to the Eastern Gate or the Golden Gate. The crowd adorned the pathway with their cloaks (Luke 19:36) and palm branches (John 12:13). Jesus was greeted with palm branches, the symbol of Judea's national freedom. The banner had been waved. The crowd shouts "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!" John 12:13. This highly charge political statement had been made. The gauntlet had been thrown down. The Pharisees beg Jesus with fear in their voice"Teacher, rebuke your disciples." Luke 19:39. The Roman solders were near by. Their positions were at stake, even maybe their very lives. However the time of the Messiah had come, and Jesus answered "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."Luke 19:40 (Habakkuk 2:11).

As Jesus approached the great city he began to weep (Luke 19:41). Once before he had wept so (John 11:33) when he felt the grief of all those weeping for Lazarus. This time he wept for the crowd, because they did not understand that they had chosen the Lamb (John 1:29, 36). That He was not there to bring them the physical redemption from Rome, but to redeem their very souls.

As I think about all the preparations for Passover from the first to all of those to fallow I am in awe how God prepared everything for that one all important Passover 2000 years ago. As I prepare for the Passover and the glorious day of Resurrection on the Feast of First Fruits I am thankful for the salvation that He has provided from the first Passover until now.

All scripture quotes are in the ESV.

Smallest Blessings -- Pictures From the Heart

2009-04-02T12:21:00.001-05:00

Please join us at The Southern Housewife for more "Smallest Blessings".

This is not a photo, but a picture my son made for me on the computer. I love it when the boys make me the little things. I walk into my room and find pictures hanging on the walls. Sometimes they roll them up in a scroll and tie them with a bow sort of. They have made me mask, and cars and guns out of Lagos.

My small blessings today come from my small blessings. Even though one is only an inch shorter than I am.

Thankful Thursday -- House and Home

2009-04-02T00:36:00.001-05:00

Today's Thankful Thursday is hosted by Laurie at Women Taking A Stand .

One of the things I have been battling are my skills as a homemaker. You know keeping organized, getting things done, and not letting things get piled up. I had started resenting my house. I did not even want to be in it. After reading a post today God convicted me of my attitude.

I have so much to be thankful for when it comes to my house and home.

It is paid for.
My man designed and built it for me with his two hands.
The house is sound.
I have a 9 foot long kitchen counter top.
I have dishes to wash, clothes to pile up, floors to mop, etc. when others may not.
My little ones love coming in our room and being around us.
He built me a 3rd floor so that I could see the view.
I have lots of windows.
I haven't had to move in 15 years. I had to move a lot as a kid.

Lord thank you for my home, and for bringing me such a good provider. Thank you for his wisdom and artistry in building such a beautiful home for our family. Forgive me for my ungratefulness in your provision.

Butterflies and Red Envelopes

2009-04-01T08:20:00.001-05:00

Come and join us at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground to take a walk down memory lane. Memories are best when shared.

Well I have conquered the technology. I remembered that the phone has a camera and I used it. I was able to get the pictures out of the phone and into the computer. I was even able to put a pic. in one of my post. I had a little help from my computer programming man, but I did it. I Win!

I have always loved butterflies. I can remember my Mother telling me I do not know how many times that butterflies are one of the best symbols of a new life in the Messiah. (I believe that she thinks that the butterfly is not one of the best, but that it is the best.) She said that we are just this little thing crawling along until we meet Jesus and then we go into this cocoon until we emerge as the new beautiful creature that God always intended us to be.

My Mother loves butterflies so much that when I was eight she bought a butterfly cake pan for my 8th birthday and my sisters 3rd birthday. (Both in August) She wanted to share this symbol of life with us on our birthday's. For every birthday during all the years we were growing up she made all three of us girls a butterfly cake for birthday.

It is now 33 years after the first butterfly birthday cake, and a good friend of mine is getting ready to bring a new life into the world. I could not help but share this symbol of life with her at her shower. I even used the same pan. Yes my Mother still has the pan. The butterfly is pink and blue because we do not know if the baby is a boy or girl yet. Although I think it is a girl. She already has four boys.

It was a wonderful shower. Our baby showers are filled with fun, fellowship, games, gifts, and of course food. However they are also fill with of sharing from mother to mother, scripture, worship, and prayer. I love how our showers turn into old fashion prayer meetings.

We shared so much with how this baby had to do with learning to trust God. Because I could not remember the reference given for the Psalm on trust I went on a word study of the word trust. Wow does God have a lot to say on the issue. It seemed as if whole of Psalm was written on the subject. I'll share a few that leap out at me.

Yet you are he who took me from the womb;you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. Psalm 22:9(ESV)
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:2 (KJV)
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Psalm 25:20 (KJV)
The LORD is my strength and my shield;in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;my heart exults,and with my song I give thanks to him. Psalms 28:7 (ESV)
In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Psalm 31:1 (KJV)
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19 (KJV)
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Psalm 33:21 (KJV)
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 36:7

It is amazing how one scripture during one Sunday afternoon discussion (baby shower/prayer meeting) can start a whole new study. The things God uses to move us. I am sure there will be more to come on this topic.

As the moms shared their stories of trust in God it reminded me of my own time that I needed to really rely on God concerning my womb. My health was were having another pregnancy was dangerous for me or any child. It was also to the point that taking care of the children I had very difficult. Those around me, being well meaning told me that I should seek sterilization. I almost did it. It made the most logical since or so I thought. However I changed my mind and put my trust in God. I knew that God can open and close the womb at anytime. I trusted Him to protect me by keeping my womb closed or by protecting me as well as the baby if need be. After a time God healed me. (More about that here.) He then gave me my little AC. My first little girl. She will be two this coming Saturday.

One of the other moms shared that as she sat and listened to her son preach how she would not have been then had she not trusted God with him, and had followed the advise of others and had aborted him. I marveled again at the gift of life that God had provided for us. My heart broke also as I was reminded of how others so carelessly throw that gift away. As I sat in between my two friend due this coming May. I remember my own little one that would have been due the week after theirs. I wondered how anyone could throw such a life away.

Yesterday we were preparing our red envelops to seed off to the White House. A Voice For Life. One that was quietly spoken, but it was heard so loudly. As we put the stamps on the envelopes, the boys and I got to talk about Gods blessings through children. It was wonderful conversations that I will never forget. As we talk about abortion my youngest boy NI said about abortion "That's not funny!" That is his phrase for this is a really, really, terrible, horable thing.

This whole week was about symbols of life from the butterfly to the red envelops. Of learning to trust in our Great Creator. Of getting share wonderful memories with my children, and friends. Some of them old, and some of them new.

Breakfast At The Well

2009-03-31T08:25:00.001-05:00

Chelsey of Joyfully Living For His Glory gives us a Good Book and Cinnamon Muffins (Mmm) In the Kitch en this morning.

This is one of our breakfast favorites

Cooked flaked or rolled grains:

2 cups flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons whey (optional)
2 cups water

Soak flakes in salt, whey and water overnight. Drain and rinse.

2 to 4 cups of water
1/2 cup honey (optional)
2 cups soaked flakes (the volume will be closer to 3 cups at this point.)

Bring the water to a boil. Stir in honey. Stir in the flakes until flakes are cooked to desired consistency. (The more water used the soupier the cereal will be, and the less water used the thicker it will be. I like to use 2 1/2 cups. For the first time I would start with two cups and add water while stirring the flakes until it is desired thickness.) I find I don't need to add any more salt after soaking, but you may want to add some salt to taste.

Serve 1/2 to 3/4 cup per person. Top with 1 tablespoon coconut and/or flax oil, or butter.

Options: Add 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil to the boiling water.

Use coconut milk, rice milk or any other milk for all or part of the water.

Add 1 diced apple with 1 to 2 teaspoons of cinnamon.

Add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.

What is your favorite breakfast recipe and/or story? Come over to the Well and share with us.

Getting to Know You

2009-03-30T12:36:00.001-05:00

Well it is Monday again and Lynnette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground has reviewed two more blogers.

Danielle @ Cripe's Sake and Christa @ Quintooples

They each have a list of wonderful favirot blogs for you to visit. Click here and find a few more good reads.

At the Well -- El Elyon The Most High God

2009-03-30T07:43:00.001-05:00

Jenifer at By His Grace is our hostess for our Gathering at the Well today. She brings us a wonderful scripture Psalm 97:1-12 It is a beautiful picture of our Most High God.

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him
and burns up his adversaries all around.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!

Zion hears and is glad,
and the daughters of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgments, O LORD.
For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

O you who love the LORD, hate evil!
He preserves the lives of his saints;
he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

Psalms 97:1-12 (ESV)

Jenifer ask in our discussion questions:

Who or what is "most high" in your mind and heart today?
Is it the Most High, or someone or something else?

I wish beyond anything that I could say that every moment of every day that my "most high" was the Most High (Hebrew "El Elyon"). It is a goal that I strive for, and as I come closer and closer to archiving it the more my life makes since, I find the freedom that I lacked before, and I know who I am. It is just like as Francesca Battistelli says in her song "Free to Be Me"

On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

I think what I tend to make my "most high" is what I am doing for God. Wither it be being a wife and mother, or a ministry I am involved in with my congregation. I get so focused on what I am doing that I have to remind myself "who" I am doing it for. When I start getting cranky because I am trying too hard to get what I am doing done just right. I have to stop and pray. I ask God for forgiveness. "...for I the LORD your God am a jealous God..." Exodus 20:5 (ESV).

Just as we want to spend time with our own children, well because they are ours. God wants us to spend time with us because we are His. Above all our hearts are His, or should be. No mater what it is, even if on the surface it appears to be good, if it is not done with the right heart, a heart for the Most High, then it is nothing. It is all in vain.

Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2

The Websters 1828 dictionary defines vain as:

Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance.
Fruitless; ineffectual.

It is humbling to think that no matter what I do, if I do not put the Most High in the center of it it is worthless, having no substance, value or importance, fruitless, and ineffectual. In other words vain.

Jenifer ask "How would our lives be different if we saw God as great and powerful as the Psalmist declares Him to be?" (Psalms 97:1-12) I think that we could truly change the world. For some of us it may be by giving our arrows the vision of Psalms 97 and equipping them to be the world changers. For others we my become the arrows out on the front lines. For many of us I think that it is both.

The Jew's start many of there prayer's and blessings with "Baruch atah Adonai Eloheynu Melech HaOlam" "Blessed are Thou Lord our God King of the Universe". The first time I really listened to this I thought what a beautiful way to look at God. To remind ourselves of who He is. I had "heard" this a few times before I really truly listened. In the Hebrew the word is "shama" It is translated as hear, but it means so much more. Not only do you physically hear it, you internalize it, make it a part of yourself, and act upon it. Have you ever told your child to do something, and find a short while latter that they have not done as you asked? When you speak to them about it most of us would say to the child "Did you hear me say go do __________?" That is what it is like to "shama" something.

What if we were to "shama" Psalms 97:1-12? For me a few years back when I began to "shama" this old Hebrew blessing the times I have had to come before the Most High and ask for forgiveness for putting anything above Him have decreased. I may never reach my goal of having to come before "El Elyon" again and ask for forgiveness for ever putting anything before Him again. For forgetting whom I am doing what I do for. However the closer I get to "shama" Psalms 97 the change that can stem from me. What kind of change for His Glory could stem from you?

Thank you Jenifer

Chicken and Rice

2009-03-27T02:00:00.002-05:00

Growing up we made one of my favorite dishes Chicken and Rice. I loved the flavors all through the rice caused by the rice being cooked with the chicken. Of course the skin was left on the chicken and it called for a can of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup. Add some salt, pepper, and rosemary then slow cook it in the oven. Mmm it was good.

Today we are trying to be a little if not a lot healthier, and yet still get to eat all of those favorites we so loved growing up. So this is my version of a healthier Chicken and Rice the way Mom (or sometimes Dad) used to make.

3 cups HomeMade cream of chicken soup (recipe to follow)
8 cups water
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove grated garlic
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups brown rice
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables
8 oz of fresh mushrooms or drained and rinsed canned mushrooms.
1 1/2 whole chickens pieced and skinned.
1 large roasting pan.

In the pan mix soup, water and spices. Add rice and level out across the bottom of the pan or crock. Evenly spread mixed vegetables and mushrooms on top of the rice. Layer the chicken in on top of rice and vegetables. Place lid on pan. Set oven on 250 to 300 degrees depending on how slow you want to roast it. To me the slower you cook it the better it taste. Roast for 3 to 5 hours until all the water is gone and the meat on top is done. I do not pre-heat the oven. It makes no real difference in the amount of time it takes to cook, and not pre-heating save you on your gas or electric.

Cream of Chicken Soup

1/8 cup or 2 tablespoons of first cold press olive oil (If there are nut allergies in your family DO NOT use first cold pressed oils)
1/8 cup or 2 tablespoons white or ww flour
1/4 cup white wine or 1/4 cup chicken stock
4 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon garlic or a small clove grated
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
Salt to taste
1/2 cup of shredded or chopped chicken (1/2 pound)
2 to 3 quart sauce pan
whisk

Heat oil on Med/High. Add flour and whisk until flour just begins to brown. You want a very light rue here. Slowly whisk in the wine or 1/4 cup of chicken stock. Then slowly whisk in the chicken stock. Stir in the spices and chicken and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. When I use this in something like the Chicken and Rice I usually leave out the chicken.

She Speaks So Others Will Hear

2009-03-25T14:02:00.001-05:00

Lysa TerKeurst is hosting a Scholarship Contest for Blogers to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks Conference 2009 this July 31 - August 2 in Concord, North Carolina.

She Speaks is a training conference for women who are already called and are being called into Women's Ministries covering speaking, writing, and leadership skills. At this time when our women have been taught that they are less than others and that they must lift themselves up above this secondary position that has been thrust upon them the training at She Speaks provides to a new generation of Women's Ministries leaders the tools needed to reach the women of our nation and world.

A few years back I started feeling a strong desire to start teaching women. At first I strongly doubted that this could be God making a great call on my life. How could I possibly teach anybody anything, there was just no way my health would allow it. I could barely take care of myself, my husband, or my 4 boys. I felt that it was just part of my desire to be normal. Then one night I came home to the movie " The Gospel of John". This is were I came in:

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:1-5

There it was, and it hit me across the head like a two by four. This was me. No I was not born blind, but my heath condition stemmed from birth. A condition that had gotten progressively worse over the years. At that moment it did not matter anymore. My whole life was His. Every step that I had painfully taken, every tear I had cried over my oldest son, every fear I had felt as my third born lay in the hospital, every ounce of joy I felt as I held and nursed each son for the first time, and the comfort and trust I felt as I walked down the isle to become the help meet to the man God had placed in my life. It all was God's that His works might be displayed.

I then started thinking about writing a book as well. Although I really did not know much about writing beyond the basic term paper. The urgency to teach became even stronger than before. I still did not know how all would be accomplished, however I knew it was to God's glory and He would provide the way. A few months later John 9:6-7 was then lived out in me. The incurable was cured. (More about that here) I started teaching in the Women's Weekly Sabbath study and writing lessons for it. I have also taught in the Women's monthly "Ladies Night Out" that I have also written lessons for. None of these teachings and writings however are on the level of the desire I now feel swelling within me.

In the first part of 2008 my husband SJ and I started seriously talking about going into full time ministry. We tentatively planed that January of 2009 would be the time. Then the news of the lay off came. It would fall 3 months short of our goal date. We did not question if this was God's will. We were both at peace about the whole thing. We revised our plan and started making provision for our new life. One of the questions I had was how am I going to reach women with little to no funds. I then started getting emails about peoples blog post. My sister started talking about starting a blog of her own. I then started my three blogs. It turned out to be to much for a newbie bloger. I since have started over now with my blog "Heart of the Home" at the end of last year. I have had my ups and downs with it.

As we set out on our new journey I want to reach women for our Great King. I want women to know who they are in God's great plan. For women to see that they are the crown of his creation. That our rolls as a woman, wife, mother, homemaker, etc. do not make us second class citizens. How could we be second class when all of creation could not be completed without us. I truly need the training and the teaching in order to reach these women. I want to go beyond a church congregation and a blog and reach the women of the world of every age. I want to teach, speak, sing, write, and live His wonderful glory.

I truly do not know if She Speaks is the place I am to receive that training right now. I do however know that if I do not receive the scholarship it does not mean that this conference is not where I am supposed to be. All it mean is that if She Speaks is where I am supposed to be that God will bless me with a way to get there. God has bless us with free passes to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival where we were blessed by some great instruction and enjoyed some really good films. SJ was also blessed with a all expenses paid trip to the Christian Game Developers Conference. If She Speaks is where I am to receive my training be it through this scholarship or some other means I will be there.

Although I know that this post is part of a scholarship contest I also want everything I do to be “...that the works of God might be displayed...” (John 9:3) in me. So that those who come by later might also receive something from it. Thank you Lysa for this wonderful opportunity to speak from my heart.

A Simple Birthday

2009-03-25T10:46:00.001-05:00

Please come and walk with us on our Wednesday Walk and share your memories as we walk along together. To find out how to join us just click on the "Wednesday's Walk" button above.

Well PC's 10th birthday was this past Monday. He got up that morning excitedly saying "I'm 10, I'm 10, I'm 10". He got to play computer games. That is something reserved for 1 hour on Saturday afternoons and special days. Oh also there was no school for him that day. Now if only Mom could take the day off on her birthday.

We spent the afternoon in town letting him shop for his gift. He couldn't decide what to get so we put up his $20 for another day. We ended the day at my parent's place for pizza and cake. When it came time to take the pictures no one had a camera. I had forgotten mine and mother could not find hers. We completely forgot that SJ has one on his phone. I never really think about phones having cameras on them. It just seems weird to me. Needless to say there are no pics. Not that I have figured out how to post them up on the blog yet anyway.

In addition to the cash PC received a sports bottle from us. All the boys have identical sports bottles for our trips into town. PC having one different from the rest was very important to him. My parents gave him a hand held Tetris game. It is his favorite game. Now he can take it with him where ever he goes. They also gave him a huge water gun that also shoots a large foam water powered rocket. Mother gave the others including AC little tiny water guns. Here she was in her little purple and green plaid dress with her purple pants and her new little purple empty water gun chasing after all of her big brothers.

Eventually all of the boys got to go outside and have a wonderful water gun fight. Of course they were all out gunned by PC's new water gun. After a bit Cassy, my parents 5 month old Great Dane puppy, decided to get in on the fun. Here were all my boys romping and rolling with Cassy and having a high old time. Boy I wish I had remember the camera or at least about the camera. Well it was a great afternoon and evening.

At the Well -- Do Him No Harm

2009-03-23T10:29:00.001-05:00

She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12

I seem to be the most critical of my man when God is dealing with me on my own issues. When I am cleaning out the junk in my own life I tend to throw the majority of it on him. This is even more true when I am dealing in the area of submission. As is the case right now.

Sherry of Large Family Mothering in today's At the Well says:

Criticism is something I am especially talented at. I can find the flies in any ointment, I can find the flaws in anything--especially my husband. It can be so easy, especially when life hands me lemons, to make my poor man the focus of my sour attitude.

Can you relate?

Boy can I ever. Sherry's post today is so timely for me at this moment.

Today's Devotion Question:

What are some things that you can publicly thank God for, in relation to your husband?

He has his priorities strait and puts God before anything and everything. Myself and then the kids come next.
When I gained 100 pounds he still thought I was the most beautiful girl in the world.
His favorite people to hang out with are myself and the kids.
He married me even though I was ill and would most likely wind up in a wheel chair with no legs. Read more about that here.
He is one of the smartest men I know.
Because of his wisdom we are in a much better position with his being layed off than most.
He prays daily for wisdom and guidance.

Lately my focus has been too much on me and my junk and not on God and my man. I think that it is time that I took this anonymous preachers advise

"Good. Try this; whenever you think of your wife (husband), I want you to thank God for her (him), for anything and everything about her (him), even those things that get on your nerves."

So what if he forgets a few things or leaves his boots in the doorway he knows what is what and the proper order of things. He stands right with God, so everything else will fall into place.

Biblical Submission: What It Is and What It Is Not

2009-03-12T08:15:00.001-05:00

Note: I am a little behind here. I have been at my parents were they do not have the most reliable internet service.

Lesson 1

This lesson has gotten my brain and heart thinking. I am not quite sure how to put it all down at this time. I think the answers will come as I continue on with this study.

I have known for quite some time that to be submissive to my man did not mean that I am his doormat to walk over or to wipe his feet on. That it did not mean that I am his property or slave to do with as his will having no rights of my own. It does not mean that I suppress who I am to be what I think he wants me to be. God put us together, two parts of the whole.

When I think about wither I am of less value to God than my husband I remember Genesis 2:18-23 God had almost completed His creation saying "It is good" all along the way Genesis 1. However in Genesis 2 when it goes into the details of day six we find in verse 18 that God says "It is not good for the man to be alone;" God does not say it is "good" about the whole of creation Genesis 1:31 until after the woman was created. We as women, in our roll as the wife are a key component in the creation of the world.

I think of all the bosses I have submitted to before I found my man. If it is important to follow my bosses lead how much more is it important for me to follow the lead of my man. I have seen my husbands lead change direction in whole or in part based on my council. Although I have not always given council, but I have nagged in order to push my way. Since we are part of a whole then unless we come to a place of agreement we have a marriage that is not functioning to its full potential. The more I council instead of nagging the closer we come to that fully functioning marriage the way God designed.

In Pursuit of Proverbs 31 --- A Short Introduction

2009-03-01T08:26:00.001-06:00

About the Proverbs 31 Bible Study HERE

After spending much time in prayer I have decided to do the "In Pursuit of Proverbs 31" study in conjunction with "A Wife's Biblical Submission" study. I am a little concerned about the time constraints, but I strongly feel the pull to complete these two studies together.

A little about me. I am the wife and help meet to my man for almost 16 years now. We have five beautiful blessings, four boys and one tiny girl. Here in the Heart of Texas we raise goats, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. We have always homeschooled our small crew. More about me here.

Introduction questions:

What do you hope to get out of this bible study?

I do not feel that I truly understand Proverbs 31 the way I should. I am wanting a better stronger understanding of these scriptures. I want to ingrain them into my very being, and to make my life be a witness of a Proverbs 31 wife.

What, if anything, has prevented you from studying these scriptures in the past?

I have studied a verse here and their from this passage of scriptures, and of course they are incorporated in other studies such as “Created To Be His Help Meet”. I would say what has prevented me from studying this passage of scriptures is that I felt that I had study them through various other studies. However I have never done an in depth study of Proverbs 31 in and of itself.

What have you found helpful or frustrating about living out these scriptures?

I find it helpful that it helps me to set the goals for my life, and I know what my purpose is. At the same time it is also what I find frustrating about these scriptures. Although I strive daily to reach these goals I know that it is a level of perfection that I will not be able to achieve I join my “Father” in His house in glory. That does not mean I do not need to try, because it is the journey that is important.

Journey to Submissiveness -- A Wife's Biblical Submission Intro

2009-02-24T21:40:00.001-06:00

I have been the help meet to my man for almost 16 years now. SJ and I have five beautiful blessings. We have four boys ages 8 -14 and a little girl who will be two this coming April. We have always homeschooled our crew on our half acre in the Heart of Texas.

I have always tried to be the submissive wife. Although I do not feel that in the begging I really knew what that meant. My view of a submissive wife was too mixed up with the feminist views of this world. I did not even realize just how much feminism had invaded my actions and views until one day about half way through the book “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands” by Dr. Laura Schlessinger my eyes opened and I realized I was of all things a “Feminist”. Me the stay at home, homeschooling mom was a “Feminist”. “What! How did this happen? This is not who I want to be!” I know that the world looking in on my life would have disagreed with my assessment. However I started to asses myself by a different set of standers.

I started praying that God weed out all the feminist “weeds” that had crept up in my life. Paul writes to the believers in Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception,
according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the
world, rather than according to Christ.

I had been taken captive. Fighting your way toward freedom is not always easy. Dr. Laura's book was only the starting point. Even though it was on the right track it was missing a few things. When I was ready the Lord brought me to the book “Me Obey Him?” by Elizabeth Rice Hanford. If I had read this book first I think it would have made me angry instead of inspiring me. I started praying for mentors in this area. To find some women who were truly submissive in the way that God intended. God brought two of the women into my life. One I met a an Above Rubies retreat. The other was right there in my own congregation. I have read a few other books on the subject, but in my journey to submissiveness I try to seek out those on the same journey, through forums, blogs and in those around me.

When I first started my new bloging adventure I discovered the "At the Well" meme. That lead me to “A Damsel No Longer in Distress”. This is now one of my favorite blogs. I decided to check into A Wife's Biblical Submission link. After reading through the into and spending a couple days in prayer about it I feel that this is the next step in my journey to submissiveness.

That Where I Am There You May Be Also -- Transformation to "Motherly"

2009-02-23T10:17:00.001-06:00

Hosted by : Sherry of "Large Family Mothering" at At the Well

Cold.

It is an enemy. We tense up when we step from the warmth of the house to check the mail in the middle of winter. We pull our arms close to our bodies to keep the warmth in. We protect ourselves from the effects of the sharpness with coats and gloves and hats.

Warmth.

It is our friend. We see the red glow of the fire and the softness of the easy chair pulled alongside, and we slink down and release all of our tensions; we relax and breathe easily.

Motherhood can be many things, but it should never be like the cold of the outside air in winter.

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Discussion Questions:

A good friend of mine ends her emails with this quote:

"Motherhood is a journey our of self-centerdness" -- Author Unknown

Are there areas of hardness and coldness in my life?

I think many times as a mother I can be self-centered, and cold. I get focused on what I need to do, or I am doing. Many of these things I am doing for my children. Making a dress for my daughter, or a winter hat for one of my sons, or even fixing the evening meal. I am a list maker, but sometimes I so caught up in doing what is on the list that I forget why I made the list. I want things to run so efficiently and smoothly for my family that I sometimes forget the family.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth:...

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

What are the roots of these?

My life was never as ordered as I wanted it to be as a child and even as a young adult. I started the list making to try to order my life.

Do I need to release someone who has hurt me in my past?

Yes I do, but to discuss any part of that here would also mean that I would be betraying a trust.

Do I need to confess and release myself from the bondage of sinful patterns in my own life?

There is nothing wrong with seeking order in my life. After all I serve a God of order. It is part of His very nature. It can be seen in the very creation of the earth. My sinful pattern is not in making the list, it is again turning to myself to fix things instead of turning to the author of order. Quite frankly my method is not working.

What are some ways that I can turn the conversation around when other women begin to gripe and complain about their children?

It so hard to not jump on the bandwagon when you start hearing that Johny did this, and Sally did that. You start thinking about all the like type things that your little blessings are doing. Start your own bandwagon by remembering that your children are really truly your little blessings. Talk about how your youngest son always comes and says hi every morning before he does anything else, or how you son fixed all the meals while you and other members of your family were down sick. Try to get them to thinking about the wonderful things there children do.

“...Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren...”

Deuteronomy 33:24

Name some creative ways we can create warmer, more inviting environments for our children.

Get the band in a box or something like it. Put on some worship music and start playing the percussion instruments along with the music. Also sing along as a family. It is a great way incorporate worship together as a family when you do not have anyone who plays an instrument.

If you have boys break out of your comfort zone and do a project with them out of the book “A Dangerous Book for Boys” or another book like it.

Thankful Thursday

2009-01-08T07:43:00.000-06:00

Hosted by Iris at Grace Alone.

As I come into this new year I have been focusing on all the things that went wrong last year. As I look back on it further I see where God provide in many small and large ways.

1. I am thankful for God's intervention in my father's health. He was able to come home from the hospital after 6 weeks. The week before he came home they were going to put him in a long term care facility. He is home driving, walking, and taking care of himself.

2. I am thankful that we had warning and time to prepare for my husbands layoff.

3. I am thankful for all the little things God has provided. Sometimes it was just what we needed at the local thrift store, or on the clearance rack. Other times we were given what we needed and more.

4. I am thankful for the lower gas prices.

5. I am thankful for the 5 wonderful blessings that God has given me and for their father that was/is a wonderful gift from God.

6. I am thankful for God's Word where I always find just what I need when I need it.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

Psalms 18:30-34

The Healing Grace of God

2008-11-25T10:20:00.001-06:00

When I started blogging I set up 4 blogs. It was overwhelming to keep up with that many blogs right out of the box. So I am starting over with this blog. I originally made this post back in July of 2008 on one of my old blogs. I really wanted to share this with all of y'all so I am reposting it here.

This is my story:

In a way it starts at birth, or maybe before that. I had a condition called Lymphedema. Lemphedema is caused by many different things. For some it is from a surgery where the lymph canals are severed from the lymph nodes. For others it is due obesity. Then there are those that are born with it. Congenital Lymphedema is rare. Sometimes the lymph canals are flatten, sometimes there are not enough lymph canals to do the job, and other times as with my case the canals are underdeveloped and too small.

As a child I had these odd little red dots all over my lower legs. As I got older they started appearing on my upper legs. As I came closer to the end of my story they were on my arms as well. It was the edema pushing the pours in my skin inside out. I had leg pains that no one could find a reason for, and by the age of eight I was in constant pain. Since a reason for the pain could not be found my parents thought I was a bit of a hypochondriac.

I did come down with every little cold, or flu that came along. It became harder and harder, and took longer and longer to get over them. The backbone of the immune system is the lymph system. Well my lymph system was shot.

As a teenager I would get bruises and not even know how I got them. It turns out that a light touch a times could cause a bruise, or even the swelling itself would cause the bruising.

Then we come to the summer just before my 17th birthday. At this point my skin was starting to hurt. There would not be any sores or rashes, or anything else to indicate why it hurt. By this time I was beginning to agree with my parents that it may all be in my mind. So I said nothing about my skin. Then I woke up one morning with a 10 inch long bruise on my right shin. My leg hurt so bad it was hard to stand on it. I had not bumped my leg, or hit my leg on anything. It was only the first of the big bruises to come over the next 20 plus years.

I actually only spent about two months going from doctor to doctor. It seemed like forever at the time. The one doctor walked in and looked at my legs and said I think I know what this is. I have only seen it three times before. He sent me to a vascular surgeon who was one of the top three experts on Congenital Lymphedema. I was his 6th case. The prognoses was that I would not be able to walk by my 30th birthday, and would have to have my legs amputated by the time I was 32.

In the next 20 years God provided me with and understanding husband and 4 beautiful blessings. The pregnancies were hard due to complications from the Lymphedema. One being is that I could drink as much as 3 gal. of water in a day and still be dehydrated. All of the fluids were staying in my extremities. After the birth of my 4th son I really felt as if God was saying not now, wait.

In the last half of 2004 things started getting worse. The doctors had been off by a few years. I was 36 and still walking. Although some days I was barely walking. The home my husband had built for me has stairs. I could not walk up them most days. I crawled or pulled myself up them. We were looking into the cost of putting in a lift for me. The edema had caused nerve damage to the point I had no feeling in my left foot, and very little feeling in my right foot. It was becoming harder and harder to grip with my right hand. By the end of 2004 I was starting to drop things. My skin hurt so bad that even the lightest and softest clothing hurt to wear. If I caught a cold it took over three weeks to recover.

The worst part of it all I was trying to hide it. I did not want people to know. I would stay home and hide. I had a cane I would not let anybody see me use. Even my parents. Suffering alone and not letting anyone in is the worst kind.

We now come to the first Saturday in January of 2005. I do not know why I did not make note of the date, but only that it was the Sabbath. I was at service with my oldest two sons. The pain was so great that I wanted to scream out and never stop. That is when I decided that the hiding had to stop. That I was not only hiding from others that I was hiding from God. I needed to trust Him to get me through. I needed to trust Him to give me the strength to be a Mother to my boys, and a wife to my husband. I needed to trust Him to shape me and make me into the woman He created me to be.

I went up for prayer, not for healing, but for the strength to be everything God had put me on this earth to be. If I was to do it in a wheel chair, with or with out legs so be it. I was His and He is mine. My sweet, sweet sister in the Lord anointed me from head to toes. She and another sister prayed for my healing as I prayed for God's strength to get me through. I felt better, and I thought God has answered my prayer. Not only did he answer my prayer he answered the prayers of my sisters in Yeshua (Jesus). I can feel the cold of the floor beneath my feet.

Thankful Thursday

2008-11-20T10:12:00.000-06:00

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Psalms 30:11-12

Thank you Iris for Thankful Thursday's.

This is my first Thankful Thursday. It is also my 7th day of blogging. I had tried blogging before, but over did it by have too many blogs. I am thankful though for the lessons learned. I know that those lessons will help this blog be a success.

I am thankful for learning about memes and blogrolls this week. There is a whole wonderful bloggy world I did not know about before.

I am thankful for SJ's support in my new bloggy adventure.

I am thankful for God giving me SJ and the 15 and half years that we have had together.

I am thankful for my 5 wonderful blessings. One who is now as tall as I am.

Most of all I am thankful the saving Grace of God.

Why I Am Here Part 2 -- My Testimony

2008-11-19T13:42:00.001-06:00

I came to know my Messiah at a very young age. It was just about a week after my 5th birthday. I have heard many times over the years that that was just too young to make that kind of decision. I strongly disagree. I had heard the Gospel or Good News from the time I was a baby. My Mother never taught me that Santa or the Easter bunny were real. She did not want me to believe in someone whom I could not see, touch, or smell, and then have them taken away. She did not want me to say "Well Santa is not real, and the Easter Bunny is not real, what about Jesus?" Thanks in part to my Mother I have never had to ask that question.

The other reason I have never had to ask that question is that God showed me who he is in a very real way in my life just before my 5th birthday. When I was barely 4 years old I wanted a little sister. All of my neighbor hood friends were getting baby brothers and sisters. I asked my Mother why I could not have one. Because my Mother did not want to tell be that there had been an accident before I had even turned 1 and that she had miscarried a baby. As a result of this she could not have any more children. So she told me to go ask Jesus for one. "Jesus?" I thought. "The Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus? Jesus the one who came out of that cave?" Ok So I asked Jesus for a baby sister. My Mother said that one month after she told me to pray about a baby sister she was pregnant.

Because my Mother lived the Gospel for me I had faith in what she said. She had said that I could ask Jesus for a baby sister, and she was going to have a baby. We were in the base exchange in Italy at the time she was pregnant buying baby clothes. My Mother wanted to get a pink set in case the baby was a girl, and a blue set in case the baby was a boy. I told her she did not need the blue set because I had ask Jesus for a sister. I do not remember this part, but my Mother says that when she told me that we really needed to get both because we really do not know if the baby will be a boy or a girl that I stomped my foot, put my hands on my hips, and yelled "I asked Jesus for a baby sister, and He is going to give me a baby sister!!!!"

From the time I put the Gospel to the test to the time I realized that it was truly real and powerful was well I guess you could say around 9 months. (I say around because we were all 3 very late. Yes 3, myself and two younger sisters.) It took another month for me to come to the decision that I wanted that power to be a part of my life.

Today I try to be the Gospel to my crew of 5 as my Mother was the Gospel to me. It used to bother me that I could not show them how to walk up to someone and start witnessing. The opportunities never came no matter how hard I prayed for them. One day I realized that as we talk to each other about the Bible and what that means to how we live our lives everywhere we go then people are listening. Used to when I would notice that people were giving us funny looks, or uncomfortably started walking away I would have the boys quite down. Now I am learning to encourage the conversations. I have also noticed that when we have these conversations in public that their behavior is better. "...if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Philippians 4:8 We as a family start living the Gospel in front of the world. I want this to grow. I want to encourage my 5 blessings to show the world the Gospel. I once heard a quote "Sometimes the only Gospel people will ever read is in you." I realize now that this was the lesson that God was teaching me to teach to my crew at this time. That my witness needed to be more than the words that came out of my mouth.

I feel the release now that it is time to do more than just live the Gospel. That it is now time for me to start taking the Gospel out to the world. As a fist step I started this blog. SJ and I are now developing apologetic software. (SJ is doing the programing.) I am working on a story line for the software. I am not sure when or how yet, but witnessing one on one is in my future. With SJ's blessing I want to work with a few missions around here.

As I am learning more and more everyday about taking and showing the world the Gospel one scripture is helping the most with that. "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" I Peter 2:11 I show the world Jesus by being a pilgrim here on this earth.

Standing Alone Together

2008-11-17T05:52:00.001-06:00

I think that many times that both the husband and the wife are standing for their marriage, but at the same time they are both standing alone. They have different ideas about what a marriage, wife or husband should be. Both of them are standing strong for what they think a Marriage is. I guess this comes under "Maybe something just doesn't seem right."

I found myself in that place for many years of my marriage. It was if I was looking at my marriage through a camera, and this camera had all of these different filters on the lens to change the light, or the color to give it the allusion of being something that it was not. I will admit that I had a few more filters than SJ. Learning to see my marriage through God's lens and not the filters of the world has not been easy. It is painful when you realize that there is another filter that needs to be removed.

These Discussion questions go right to the heart of what a marriage should look like.

What does commitment in marriage mean? It means putting God first above all else. It means to live our lives every minute in Him, and for Him. Your commitment to God and His commitment to you will teach you how to be committed to your husband.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be (ehad). Genesis 2:24

The Hebrew word ehad means two or more different things that are all part of the one thing. A blackberry is a good example. All of those little bumps on a black berry are individual little fruits. When we pick up a big juicy black berry we do not say "oh look at all the little black berries." What we do say is "look at this big juicy black berry". Another part of commitment in marriage is being an ehad. This is two very distinct people, a man and a women, who retain their distinctness, and who at the same time act, think, talk, live, etc. as one.

What kind of wife are we called to be to our husbands? We should be joyously, lovingly, patiently, be submitting to his authority. We are equal parts of the same ehad, however when it comes to the function of the home there needs to be order. There needs to be one Head of the House. As the name of my blog says we are the Heart of the Home not the Head. Just as the heart of the body cannot function without the head giving it instruction, the head of the body cannot function without the heart pumping the blood through the vascular system. One is just as important to the other in order for the body to live and to thrive, but each has its place and its job to do.

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 1 Peter 3:1-2 (ESV)

What are ways that we can Biblically stand for our marriage?

To pray with loving sencerity daily for our man
To not argue with him in front of others
To defer to him in all things that would effect the family
To hold his hand whenever posaible
To never go to sleep angry
To always remember that we are his Help Meet. Hebrew: 'ezer ke-negdo "a help as his counterpart" or a help sutiable to him
To not read, listen, or watch things that do not uphold the values of Marriage. "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." Psalm 101:3
To walk him out to his car and kiss him goodby for all the world to see
To learn his "love language" and use it

Join our Host Chelsey and the others at At The Well

A Place of Comfort

2008-11-15T13:17:00.001-06:00

I had this thought this morning as my little one woke up a bit cranky. She came and climb up on my chest with her legs wrapped around my waist, her arms around my neck, and her little head resting over my heart. Here she was back in her old tummy to tummy position that I used to carry her in in the wrap all the time when she was so tiny. Ever since that has been her place of comfort. I started humming the song “Smooth Me” by Serene and Pearl. This song starts with a little one seeking comfort on his mothers chest and how God wants to offer us that same comfort.

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Psalm 37:7

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

When we allow ourselves to be in that place of comfort, and listen to the heartbeat (the word) of God then we can find rest. As my little one listened to my heartbeat she soon relaxed and drifted on back off to sleep.

Blessings All

Hot Pockets

2008-11-14T14:28:00.001-06:00

The boys and I made 12 doz. mini hot pockets last week. I wish I had thought to take pictures of all the boys stuffing the pockets. I got the dough recipe from Cooks .com Here's what I did.

The Dough

3 pints or 6 cups warm water
2 pkg. or 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast

In a bowl dissolve the yeast in the warm water.

2 Tablespoons sugar

Add sugar and allow foaming to develop or for the yeast to proof for 5 to 10 min.

5 lbs or one bag of flour
1 Tablespoon salt

Mix flour with salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour. Pour the proofed yeast in the middle of the flour. Mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes to stiff to mix. Mix in the remaining flour by hand. Knead the dough for 5 min. Let the door rest for 5 min. Roll dough into a log and cut into eight pieces. Cut each eighth into 16 pieces for mini hot pockets or 8 pieces for reg. hot pockets. Roll each piece into a circle and fill with the stuffing of your choice. Fold over and press the edges closed with a fork. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Olive Oil

Baste the top of the hot pockets with the olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 to 20 min.

Makes 6 doz. hot pockets or 12 doz. mini hot pockets

We made:
4 doz. Turkey peperoni with cheese
4 doz. Cheese
4 doz. Mushroom and Black Olive with cheese
4 doz. Turkey Italian Sausage with Spinach (No Cheese)

We made these for a covered dish at church. They went fast.

Why Am I Here?

2008-11-14T10:00:00.001-06:00

As much as I do not want to quote him I think Dr. Phil said it best. "When Momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy." We as women, wives, and mothers are the very heart of our home. We organize it, manage it, and keep everything running. We bare the brunt of the responsibility for the teaching and training of the children. When we grieve the whole house grieves with us, and we laugh the whole house laughs with us.

One of the most important things is that when we make Jesus the center of our lives then that goes a long way toward making Him be the true Heart of our Homes. Yes it takes two to truly make Jesus the Heart of the Home, but we as wives and mothers can be the light of Jesus to our family's. When we live Jesus in our lives everyday, in every thing that we do we bring Him into the lives of our family's.

I want to cover everything that is evolved with being a woman, wife, and mother. Topics such as Bible Study, Theology, Homemaking, Homeschooling, Child Training, Crafts, Debt and Finances, Health etc. I want to share with you what I have learned, what I am learning, and what I will learn.

1As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. (John 9:1-3)

Every thing in our lives is so that "...the works of God might be displayed..." So I am here to share with you Gods works in my life.

A Quick Hello

2008-11-14T08:50:00.001-06:00

Hi, I'm Raye Ann. My Hubby of 15 years SJ and I live in South Central Texas on half acre of land with our 5 kids. We have 4 boys AS age 14, JD age 12, PC age 9, and NI will be 8 next month. We also have a 19 month old daughter AC. We raise goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, quail, and guineas. We are putting in two small green houses so we can grow basic veggies all year round.

We are really exited to be starting up a new ministry at this time. More to come on that. SJ just received his Masters in Apologetics and Theology. He also teaches at a small seminary.

I home school our kids, manage the house, sew, crochet, loom knit, and some cross stitch. I love to study the history of new type of project I start. My favorite topic of study is the Bible. I am an advocate of baby wearing and Kangaroo Care.

We attend a Messianic Congregation of Jews and Gentiles who have trusted and accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah. We also believe in trusting God in the size of our family.

Well that is just a little about me. There will be more to come.