Who was the shelter we ran to in fear?
Who, with her gentle hands, comforted our tears?
Who was the teacher, who prepared us for life?
Who heard the conflicts, and calmed sibling strife?
This Too Shall Pass
This too shall pass. Always remember, this too shall pass. Tired, weary wife and mother surrounded by never-ending tasks and never-tiring children, this too shall pass.
Tenacity – Hezekiah’s Heartbeat
I came across a few verses about Hezekiah that show us something very special about him. Read them and let’s reflect together about this great Man of God.
Seeded Wheat Baguette
I’ve recently been baking breads and experimenting with some different recipes. I’ve never owned or used a bread machine. I do believe that they are probably very convenient, but I also know that there’s nothing like mixing up some dough and kneading it by hand. It sounds like a big chore, but honestly, it takes a very small amount of time to mix some flour, yeast and a few other ingredients and knead them for less than 10 minutes. Yes, there is that rising time and forming time, but I just put on the timer, and forget about it until the buzzer tells me it has risen. Bread really is very simple…
Scrumptious Seeds
Last month, I wrote about the many nutritional elements of tree nuts. This month I would like to touch upon seeds. Nuts are actually the seeds of trees with a hard shell, so many of the same benefits of tree nuts will be found in the similar nuts of plants. Pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds are all very well known. You may already be enjoying them as snack or as an ingredient of your baking or cooking.
My Heart in His Hands
Ann Judson. Ever since I read a biography about her in high school, she has been my hero. The more I read about her and study her life, the more I like her! Her life wasn’t easy – not by any stretch – but she loved God, loved her husband, and did what was right.
Money Myths
We all have deep-rooted attitudes about money, many of which rob us of happiness and peace of mind. What’s worse is many of these assumptions are myths!
Forgiveness
Here is a character quality that should be developed very early in the life of a little princess. That is because people are going to hurt you or wrong you often. I’m sure you have already experienced some of that in your young life. When someone says or does something unkind to you, you may have the tendency to want to do the same back to them or maybe you decide to reject them and pretend that they don’t exist.
Kristin’s May Update
One of the highlights for our family this month was a visit from my mom and Eva Reith from LVBC. Such times are SO SPECIAL! What fun! After many rearranged flights, they finally made it. Their bags weren’t so fortunate. They arrived with NO LUGGAGE! It took 48 hours to get their bags to us here. They were wise and had enough packed in their carry-on bags.
SIMPLIFYING…?
I’m still amazed at how the Lord prepares us for the future that only He knows. When I look back on how we thought we’d have to travel with just a van, how we had “downsized” to doing this, and then how God brought along the new van and camper 6 days before we had to leave for full-time travel, I chuckle. (One of the phrases for simplify is “to reduce to bare bones,” and that’s about what we did!)
Celebrate Small Things
The children of Israel stood on the border of it. The Promised Land. Their Promised Land. They place that they had longed to see for many years. Not just a place to see- but to possess and enjoy! A place in which to dwell and flourish! Their hearts must have soared with expectation of all that the Lord was going to do as He “handed them” this new land!
Michelle’s May Update
What a busy month this has turned out to be!! We are in the process of packing and in 8 more days we are moving!! Am I ready? No! Will I be?? I certainly hope so!
5 Things Every Young Lady Should Strive to Be
1. Joyful
“…he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15b
Life is full of ups and downs. It can be unpredictable at times and even feel like things are out of control. It is at those times we must exercise the joy of the Lord. So, what is the joy of the Lord? It is being thankful and content is the circumstances of life. The opposite of joyfulness is frustration. Frustration sets in when we become unthankful and self-centered. A lack of joy can easily turn into bitterness. We have much to be thankful for—don’t forget the daily blessings of God and become a sour, unhappy young lady. Joyfulness, especially in a women, is attractive as well as an inspiration to others.
Voices
We hear: “You can’t do it! You are all alone and there is none to help. You Fool, you Fool! If you were going the right way, the way would not be so steep, so sharp; so very, very hard.”
Our God says: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:4-6
Substitute to Save
We are planning a little excursion for our family and we leave soon, so I just have a few quick tips for you this month. Some unique ideas of ways things you already have on hand can “double” for another purpose. So without further adieu, here are a few ways to use what you have on hand to stretch your cents!
Santa Fe Chicken and Rice
You know one of those recipes that you clip out of a magazine, then make some changes for yourself, pass it on to a friend who makes some more changes, and you end up with a recipe that is similar to how it started, but so much better? That is the kind of recipe we have today. Santa Fe Chicken and Rice was clipped by Kristin Hammett from a website (now forgotten!) and modified by her, then modified a bit more by Rachel, and then… Well, I’m sure we could go on. This is a one-pot, quick & easy dish that will be loved by adults and kids alike!
Nutritious Nuts
Most people either love or hate tree nuts such as pecans, walnuts, cashews or almonds. We really enjoy them at our house and primarily eat them as a healthy, afternoon snack. There are many different kinds of nuts, and they all contain similar benefits to a person’s health. When most people think of nuts, the first thing that comes to mind is fat. While it is true tree nuts contain fats, they are primarily mono saturated fats, also known as good fat. Instead of causing you to gain weight, eating nuts will actually help you lose weight and keep it off!
My Little Man
As the mother of a son, I’m beginning to accustom myself to looking at the back of him. He begs me to rollerblade with him. Which generally means we start out side-by-side, hand-in-hand. And invariably, he blades ahead. Normally, not too far ahead of me. But clearly in front and not beside.
Legacy of a Single Woman
We all want to make a lasting difference with our lives. But there are times when singles can think their life doesn’t amount to much and that if they never marry, their existence on this earth will just be a blip on the screen of history!