It's Time

Okay, now it's time for Christmas. It is past Thanksgiving and can start listening to Christmas music. We can be all cheery and in the giving mood. Others can cut in front of us in line and not have a cow...okay, maybe that is pushing it...just a little!!

So far, I haven't gotten into the "spirit"...yet. I'm not sure why at this moment it is more ba-humbug than "ho, ho, ho". The economy and job uncertainty can't take the blame for everything but it is a part of it. Or I could always go for the backup excuse...hormones!

So, what is this girl to do? I have to choose to be in the Christmas mindset. (which is something to be all year round but that is a totally different post) I need to make time, not find time but make time, for quiet time with the Lord...something I've been lazy in doing. Thinking about Christ and what His birth really means and not all this craziness of the gift giving and trivial things. See Christmas through the eyes of a young child. And a good Charlie Brown special or Christmas movie is sure to improve my ba-hum-bug spirit. :)

If you find yourself in a ba-humbug mood, join me in choosing to find the joy of the real meaning of the season, Christ our Lord's birth. Meditate on it day and night. I bet the joy you find will become contagious!

And because you can't go wrong with a good Charlie Brown clip, he and the gang were caught up in the busyness of the season and needed a reminder...and a lovely reminder it is!

Mom Moment #2

I want to cry. Just cry. Watching my second child worship God and dance is an amazing thing.

As a dancer she is graceful. She is elegant. She is worshiping. This child of ours has a heart for God and it flows through her as she dances. She communes with her Heavenly Father with each movement.

Sitting ahead of us in church, I can see her during worship. At times I need to stop singing because of the beauty of her hand raised in worship. I can’t see her face but I feel the love she has for God. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not saying one isn’t worshiping unless his or her hands are raised. We all worship our Creator King differently. It’s just this mom’s heart can feel the Spirit surrounding her child.

I do not know what the future holds for our second child. But God knows. Still in high school, as of now, her interest is in interior design. And she would make a good designer. As a mom, I have a feeling God will be calling her into missions at some point in her life. Just a feeling I have….

When our children were younger, I received Elizabeth Elliot devotions through email. One devotion sticks in my brain to this day. The devotion started out with a question. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It proceeded to state that a child will hear this question numerous times. This question is putting the child in charge of his or her career choice. Shouldn’t children be taught to listen to the Shepherd’s voice concerning His will for the child’s life? I have tried to impart the importance of seeking the will of God in all matters, including what one wants to be when he or she grows up. I'm thankful for the devotion because it certainly changed my way of thinking about that seemingly innocent question.

No matter what the future hold for daughter number two, I have confidence that God will direct each step as she dances through life.

(In the near future, Mom Moment #3...don't worry, only one more child to go!!)

UPDATE: photography is now Dancer Daughters interest (instead of interior design/decorating). See her work here.

When a Science Experiment Goes Wrong!

I have a confession to make.
I.

Don’t.

Like.

House.

Work.


!Gasp!

I’m sure this comes as a shock to all of mankind. But really, I’m not the Martha Stewart of cleaning. Admittedly, I’m almost okay with that.

Today, I cleaned out the refrigerator. Hence the title of this post. Yup. Science experiment gone WAY wrong! This happened before (insert another gasp!) and I vowed I’d never go that long between cleanings. Okay, before we go any further, to me “cleaning out the refrigerator” = throwing out the old food and the unrecognizable food….the food that makes you think, “Huh, I don’t remember eating that recently!”

Since my children ran away from the kitchen in fear of “catching” something, I had plenty of quiet time to think as I was scraping the colorful stuff from the containers. On the outside of the container the food still appeared good. Do I appear good on the “outside” yet yucky on the inside? Am I hiding out hoping no one will peak inside and see my yuckiness? Why do I wait until I get all yucky inside before realizing something is definitely wrong with this picture?

I thought of Song of Solomon 2:15. “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards…” I heard a sermon about marriage which used this verse. However, I think it could apply to our personal lives as well. The foxes are little things in our lives that could lead to a really big mess if we don’t guard our hearts. What foxes are creeping in and tearing things up in me?

Only I can answer those questions. But I know God sees all my yuckiness—and maybe, just maybe, He is using my lack of household skillz to bring it to my attention. Maybe.

Stuffing and Sweet Potatoes

"Are you going to make stuffing?" two of our children asked.
"I wasn't planning on it" was my reply.
"But we like your stuffing."
To which I almost said, "Are you calling me fat?"

So, in honor of two of our children, I am making stuffing. This is my mom's recipe. The sight, smell and taste brings back a flood of memories each time I make it.

Savory Turkey Stuffing

1 c minced onion
1 c finely chopped celery
1 c shredded carrots
1 c butter (or shortening)
12 c dry bread cubes (I used a mixture of white and wheat)
1 T poultry seasoning
1 t sage (optional)
½ t pepper
½ T salt (don’t go more than this…you could use less also)
1 c beef bouillon or broth

Sauté veggies 5 minutes in butter or shortening (do not brown).
To bread cubes, add poultry seasoning, pepper and salt
Add veggie mixture and broth to moisten.
Toss lightly to mix and place in baking dish.
Bake covered at 325º for 1 hour removing the foil for the last 15 minutes.

The next recipe is one my dad made each year at Thanksgiving and Christmas. My hubby calls it dessert since it is so sweet but one can adjust the sugar...but not too much!
 

Sweet Potatoes (Yams)

4 to 6 sweet potatoes or yams
1/3 to ½ c water
½ to 1 stick butter
2 ½ to 5 c. sugar
 Peel and slice ¼” thick. Rinse and drain. Place yams in pan and add water, butter and sugar. Do not stir. Cover on low heat – 30 to 45 min. Don’t stir!

Since the above recipe was what I grew up eating, I had no idea it was made a different way...you know, the one with marshmallows on it or in it. I much prefer this one.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

Thanks

Is it just me or is Christmas overtaking Thanksgiving? I’m not opposed to celebrating Christmas. In fact, I love it but I don’t want to forget about Thanksgiving. So….drum roll please…..in honor of giving thanks, here is my list short list of things I am thankful for….

• An understand and loving God
• Grace and Mercy
• Forgiveness
• My husband
• Soft hum of a child
• Our children who have all accepted Christ
• Seeing glimpses of God working in lives of family and friends
• Soft snores and loud snores from said husband
• Memories that will live on
• My 82 year old dad
• Years I had with my mom who is now with the Lord 
• Grandpas (both Grandmas are with the Lord)
• Extended family
• Supportive friends who love me despite myself…they have to put up with a lot. I really, really appreciate them!!
• Jobs in this time of such turmoil
• My dishwasher! Yes, materialistic but so true!!

My list could go on and on but you get the point. Trust me, there are days I am not feeling very thankful. I get down right whinny...just ask my supportive friends. But I just discovered (I'm a slow learner) making a list whether on paper or in your mind really helps.

"Hallelujah! I give thanks to God with everything I've got..." Psalm 111:1 (a)

 What are you thankful for today?

In Strong Like

Growing up, my mom didn't allow us to love "things". I can still hear her saying, "You like things. You love people." So, in honor of my mom who is living with our Heavenly Father, I am in strong LIKE with this song!! Yup, strong like.




The song title is 'Your Hands' by JJ Heller.

Reflective Thursday

"...His way is in the whirlwind and the storm,

and clouds are the dust of his feet."

Nahum 1:3 (b)

It was a stormy Father's day. Severe weather was in the area. One system was to the north and the other to the south leaving us in the middle. As a weather watcher, I peeked out to find the above picture. It is hard to believe but this picture doesn't even do the sunset justice!

I think of God's Majesty when I look at this picture. What do you think of when you look at the picture?

Mom Moment #1

Our oldest child is a writer. Yes. A. Writer. God has kissed her with this talent/gift. I really believe she will touch lives through her writing. Be sure to check her out at her blog here and a blog she started with two friends she met at She Speaks Conference here.

She is also a staff writer for Real Teen Faith. Just look her up under archives.

When she told me the end of her sophomore year of high school cosmetology was in her future, I was shocked. My first reaction in my head was not pretty. What about all that money we forked out for Christian Writers' Guild program? But the good Lord has another plan for her which is going to be so much better (imagine that!). Hairstylist by day, novelist by night! I could only hear the sound of money being flushed down the toilet. A great, wise friend told me how Sarah could minister to people while they are in her chair. And you know what? My friend is right!

Sarah will have a great future because God has it all planned out for her. Why should I worry over these things? He has worked in her life with her writing. And He will continue to work through her as she ministers to those in her chair and as she writes her book(s).....for HE knows the plans He has for her.......

Hello...or as I say, "Hey!"

I guess this is the part where I introduce myself to anyone who happens upon this blog. Without going into too much detail, I started this blog as a form of creative outlet. What will be posted will be a great surprise to everyone…including me. Perhaps pictures I or my kids (IF permitted) have taken, a Bible verse, an observation or a truly embarrassing moment (let’s face it, we ALL like those stories!) and maybe a song or two from the cyber world. And since it's my blog, don't be shocked to find some “proud mom moments” posts…you’ll just need to deal with that one.

Who am I? I’m a wife, mom to three tremendous kids (shhhh, don’t tell them I said that…it is our little secret!!), we teach at home and I work part-time. I am mostly normal. I make mistakes and am not perfect by any means. I try to be positive about situations but a few stump me as I contemplate a positive spin.

You are always welcome here. Keep coming back to see what surprising adventure awaits you in the next post. I’m excited to see it unfold myself.