prayer needed

My sister Angela is on bed rest. She had surgery this past Wed. to keep her cervix from dilating. She continues to have contractions. Please pray that she will recover and not have to go to the hospital for the duration of her pregnancy.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday.

little mommy

Squanto

We did not let him leave it like this although he insisted. He is Mister Personality, to say the least.

firewood

I know it is hard to believe I'd be talking about firewood on such a heat advisory August in TX day, but the Heaney's came over for a visit and to help us clean up a pile of oak wood. We had cut the tree down last week after a limb had fell on our friend's car. The top was dead so we didn't want further damage to occur. We had a nice fellowship with the Heaney's and the Huffman's.

Simple meals

I got some great ideas from my fave website www.passionatehomemaking.com

Here's some ideas from her:
Breakfast -we stick to the same breakfast routine at our house, rotating between oatmeal, smoothies, and eggs. Lately we have been eating a lot more green smoothies, because they are easy to prepare, the kids love them (and we don’t have to deal with picky eaters!), and you can throw practically anything in them for increased nutrition. They make an easy simple lunch or dinner as well. We add coconut oil or coconut cream for good fats and flax seeds as well. Stephanie recommended the addition of Green Foods Magna Plus Powder to increase the greens and veggie content. Great suggestion that I will be starting!
I also make a large batch of homemade granola for a simple breakfast or over top of fruit salad and yogurt, but also buy organic cereal for the enjoyment of my husband! This is one thing he really likes for me to buy on occasion. It sure is nice to have on hand for those busy Sunday mornings before church.
Hamburgers – yes, hamburgers are wonderfully delicious made from grass-fed meat. We serve with raw cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and such on a sprouted bun. Utilizing the husband and the BBQ is wonderful. He loves learning a new skill while mommy gets a break. I appreciate this immensely! Another favorite is chicken thighs with some natural Montreal steak seasoning.
Pasta Presto - a simple meal that takes 20 minutes to prepare! Add chopped zucchini, onions and carrots for increased veggie content if you don’t have the energy for a side salad. During busy seasons I often prefer to stick with one main dish to maintain my energy.
Hummus & Pita – a wonderful simple lunch with quality protein! Make a hummus platter for a light dinner.
Salmon Melts - I keep my pantry stocked with cans of wild salmon to make these easy sandwiches that are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Makes a nutritious lunch or dinner.
Burritos - a seven layer burrito style is simple and nutritious with the addition of brown rice, black beans, grass fed beef or pastured chicken and your favorite toppings. Use canned beans if you need to!
Fish Tacos – I purchased some packs of Frontiers Organic Fish Taco Seasoning mix and what a delicious simple meal they make! I combine wild cod with the seasoning mix and fry it up. I use this mayo/lime juice mixture over cabbage, sliced avocados and tomatoes and serve over corn tortillas. Yum!
Baked Potato Bar - grad some chili (a can of chili if necessary) and serve over baked potatoes with an array of toppings – cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, bacon bites, etc. Along these lines we have also done nachos for a quick easy meal.
Cobb Salad- this yummy salad has been a regular lately! Make your own ranch dressing with my recipe. Taco Salad or Chicken Caesar Salad are also simple main dish salads, perfect for warm summer days.
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches – these are simple and delicious!
Roast in the Crock pot - another easy meal is to throw a pork or chuck roast into the crock pot with natural BBQ sauce and allow to cook on low all day. Nice way to get dinner out of the way in the morning

I recently did the baked potato bar idea by getting the huge bag of potatoes from Costco. We had bacon baked potatoes three times, brisket stuffed potatoes once, and regular baked potatoes. The bag went a long way!!
Today I did the seven layer bean dip and that went well. If you have any ideas, please share.

Rain

Yeah! Thank you Lord. It has been so dry and hot. I took advantage of the cloud cover and weeded my back flowerbed. I hope to finish it tomorrow.

Decluttering

I was sick most of last week so my latest project has been a slow go. I got to work on the bookcase in the office Sat. and so this morning I got to continue working on it. I have cleared quite a few books out and hope to make room for this years home school books. I want to finish the office by Wed. and then move upstairs...I'll need courage for that!

great child training book

At the home school store I came across a little treasure, Child Training Tips by Reb Bradley. http://www.familyministries.com/
This short, concise, 160 pg. book offers great wisdom for child discipline. I was soooo convicted as soon as I started to read it. It is a book of practical wisdom and definitely one to put into practice in your home. You will see immediate results in your own heart and in the hearts of your children.

answered prayer

We have got all the materials for home schooling that we need for the next two semesters! God is gracious and good. Thank you for praying for us.
Albert went to the sessions at the convention in The Woodlands and was greatly encouraged and inspired to develop a vision and goals for our family. That was an answer to many prayers as well. I made a run out to the Home School Store on Judiway and found all the items used for 4th grade! I called Albert and he ordered the rest of the workbooks from A Beka since shipping was free at the convention. I haven't done the math but I know we saved over 60%.
I have planned out the next 8 weeks to complete this past semester's goals and we should be starting our new grades in the first full week of Oct.

please pray

We are contemplating Christian's 4th grade school material. Albert and I are praying for God's wisdom in how He would have us teach him this new school year. We are finishing up 3rd grade through the summer.

when someone is on your heart

A dear friend of mine was on my mind this morning. I thought I was thinking of her because we were going to the same baby shower (another dear mutual friend's daughter's) this Sat. and that must be why. At 11am she called. She had been praying and the Lord put my name in her mind so she called me. We had a sweet time of fellowship and prayer and in the end also planned to travel to Livingston together on Sat. with our daughters, Kara and Kyra. Cool huh. The Lord is so wonderful in knitting us together in unity. Praise Him!

in need of recipes

I am in search of a great home made banana pudding recipe. Please email me you favorite. Thanks!

John 14

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. "John 14:26

We discussed this and the verses surrounding it tonight at our ladies' Bible study on the book of John. Oh, how He brings to mind with impeccable timing, His Word. John 1:1 says "in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. What peace and comfort He brings when He speaks to us- He brings us Himself!

on dying

This morning on the way to get a shot for my back, I heard Nancy Leigh DeMoss' program Revive our Hearts. The speaker was a young woman who was dying of cancer. Please tune in to the following link to hear her give glory to God in the midst of suffering. http://deathisnotdying.com/

family mission statement

I got an email today from my favorite website, passionate homemaking. It was addressing mission statements. The first verse they used was Proverbs 29:18 "where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." What was so amazing was the Lord woke me up at 4:45am and that is the verse He reminded me of. So, needless to say, when I came across this email, it made me smile. Has anyone worked on something like this? What is your experience? Please share any thoughts you have on the subject.

book report

Christian is attempting to finish his 3rd A Beka work. He is doing two lessons at a time. We worked together today learning about book reports. His first one was over one of his A Beka readers, Secret in the Maple Tree. I am amazed we are already doing book reports. He is growing too fast for his Mom.

In the midst of a storm

I found myself in a storm this morning. No, not the kind that brings thunder and lightning which for us in south Tx is a common event. This storm had fear and pain that flooded my heart. Just as Jesus calmed the waves and the winds, so He calmed me His child. He spoke softly with patience His Word to me as I fought back the tears. He reminded me that I learn as He did obedience from that which I suffer (Heb. 5:8). I learned to trust Him because His Word holds promises that He reminded me of when my emotions were trying to rule me. His Spirit provided self control. In His power I was able to depend on Him to speak life and not death. To give the Gospel instead of repaying evil with evil. All the while being reminded of the right path I was to take moment by moment. The more I surrendered pride and fear and listened, I heard truth in love coming out of my mouth. God's Word is living and active (Heb.4:12). He reminded me of that this morning. He can do exceeding abundantly more than I can ask or think (Eph 3:20-22). He reminded me in worship the night before I had prayed for the Spirit to empty me of me and fill me with Christ. He answered that prayer. In the condition I was in, I asked "Lord how will I be prepared for all that I have before me today?" He answered by saying "worship Me". I was blubbering with red swollen eyes, in need of a Kleenex, and I said "Lord, you want me to sing? " "Yes, glorify me." My heart wanted to. Why wouldn't I? However, my flesh was not cooperating. It wanted to work towards self pity. I began to sing, The Joy of the Lord is My Strength. It barely came out. My voice was fading in and out between wimpering. I knew the praise He deserved and what lined up with the words to the song was to be joyful. I didn't feel joyful. Actually flesh said go back to bed and stay there. Wollering in self pity does suit me more than being off key. But as I fixed my red flaming face (make up can only do so much) I sang stronger. I listened to the words I was singing. He gives me living water and I thirst no more. No more thirst. No more pain. No more tears as Rev. 7:17 says" for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their Shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Oh, the glory of eternity in Him! Even come so Lord Jesus.

Armour's

Our dear friends have headed back to Minnesota anticipating a move down here!! We are so thankful the Lord is making a way for them to come down here permanently.

Exotic Pet care

Albert and children have been hitting the streets the last two days to get the word out for their new business-pet sitting. They will care for various creatures and offer additional home services such as lawn care, pool cleaning, and power washing. They are marketing pet stores and vet clinics. They even passed out flyers in front of Pet Smart. They are very hopeful to encounter some unusual critters in this endeavor. Please pray for their safety and for some customers.