The Changing of the Seasons: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Do you love the fall leaves changing color as much as I do??  Oh, I love the beauty of fall, with the vibrant reds, deep burnt oranges, and golden yellows! I'm so grateful that we live in a place where we have a change of seasons.  I haven't always felt that way.  The older I get, the more I love the beauty in the change of seasons.
Here is a book to read to your children which tells about leaves, and the change in colors.  It's a beautiful and very fun book, by Lois Ehlert, called Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf.  You can read a review of this wonderful book by clicking on the title!

Timely Tips on Tuesday: Trip Planning (Part 3)

Are you thinking, "How can there be any more to say about her trip planning??"  I completely understand.  I'm kind of surprised there is anything more to say, too:)  But here are some stray thoughts of a few more things that I have on my "To Do" list (very random):

• Update our will:) I don't think we're going to get it done, but I'd sure like to
• Buy walking shoes and break them in (I got some at Clarks ON SALE! and they're really comfortable and I'm so excited I got them on sale)
• Buy new underwear for everyone:) (got that done, too; fall is a good time to do this, as it's usually on sale)
• Get out the fall clothes and buy some new items for family members (Jerry's done, and I just have a little left to get for myself)
• Contact friends that we plan to stop and see (this is done)
• Research on NCFIC on their Church Network page and find churches to attend (almost done)

1. I am so thankful that my husband believes in being in church. No matter what. Every Sunday. No matter where he is!  Worshiping the Lord, not forsaking the assembling of the believers together.  He's even willing to contact people we've never met in another state and attend their Home Church! (That part is really so not like him.  Who are you, and what have you done with my husband)
2. Visiting other churches while on vacation is a fun way to see how other Christians do church.
3. Advantage:  You get to meet new "brothers and sisters in Christ" all over the country and world!

• Find someone to check in on your house while you're away and give them a duplicate key.  (Also, ask someone to take in your mail, and paper; or cancel it for the time you're away.)
• Read up on the area you're going to be visiting.  Find out about festivals or special events scheduled for the time you'll be there; find out what famous people are from the area, any historic sites, etc.
• Check your camera, camcorder, equipment--need to update, get any accessories, etc.?
• Clean and declutter your home.  ("What if I die and someone has to come in and see it like this??!!!")  What can I say--I really do feel compelled to clean up my house before I leave, and there's this inner "Aaagghh!" feeling right now because it's not in the condition that I would like to have someone come in and see it in--even someone just checking on the house. (Guess I'd better move that up on my list or forget about it!)
• Pray and start to look forward to going and having a really good time!

So, did I leave anything out?  Any suggestions for me before I go?

After The Storm

Here are some cool photos Kelsey took after a summer storm a little while ago.  It seems our electricity goes out almost instinctively.  Oh, a storm's coming, I'd better go out.  I don't mind too much, as I like to imagine myself living in a simpler time 100 years or more ago.  I bring out my antique lanterns, light them, and listen to the quiet (no humming, clicking electrical appliances or electronic equipment).
The light emitted from the lantern is beautiful and calming, and reminds me of Jesus' words, "I am the Light of the world."

A double rainbow

I like to focus on the light

What beauty the Lord gives to us in simple things!

Food Friday: Can you tell me what would improve this recipe?

As promised, here is the recipe for the dessert that Kelsey served at her Girls Prayer Gathering on Sunday.  I have to be honest, though:  Kelsey and I didn't think this was that great.  I'm not sure why.  Neither of us absolutely loves gingerbread--that could be why.  Everyone at Kelsey's gathering told us it tasted wonderful and raved about it!  But both of us thought it wasn't the greatest.  So, I'm curious what you think.  Kelsey didn't even want me to share the recipe! But, I am sharing it because the recipe was requested, and I said I would post it, and because a lot of you have way more experience than I do, and I wonder if you will be able to see instantly what would improve it. Or will you try it and let me know what you think?  Here are two thoughts I had that I think would possibly make it taste even better:  if you use a sweeter apple, and/or possibly reduce the amount of molasses. Serving it with vanilla ice cream was a necessity!  It mellowed it and the sweetness and smoothness of the ice cream tasted really good with it.  So, if you make this cobbler or end up tweeking the recipe and think it tastes much better, please let me know!

Apple Gingerbread Cobbler

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

4 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced
1 cup water
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp each baking powder, baking soda and ground ginger
1/4 tsp each salt and ground nutmeg
2 tsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp cold water

Directions:

• In a saucepan, combine the apples, water, brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon.
• Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until apples are tender.
• Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In a bowl, beat the egg, sugar, buttermilk, molasses and oil.
• Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, salt and nutmeg; Stir into buttermilk just until combined.
• Combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into apple mixture.
• Pour apple mixture into 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Spread gingerbread mixture over apples.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Thankful Thursday: Little Pleasures

Today it was Thankful Thursday all day.  (To read more thankful posts, visit Iris at Grace Alone.)  It was a good day.  I started out very stressed, however, by having to call and TRY to reserve a hotel for one of the three last nights on our upcoming trip still up in the air.  Who knew West Virginia would be so busy this time of year?!  Finally, after three hours of checking online, talking on the phone, GETTING CUT OFF BECAUSE MY CALLING CARD RAN OUT OF MINUTES (AAGH!) after a kind gentleman had checked out multiple hotels and rates and rooms for me and having to call and then starting all over with a different person, finally I got a hotel room with a king-size bed and a sofa bed, and a full breakfast included, and I think it will actually be CLEAN. Is that so much to ask?  From there, the day got better.  I went out to finish shopping for essential items, got a lot in a short time, and met a friend for a two-hour lunch, and drove in pouring rain for an hour--have you heard that Minnesota has been deluged, deluged, deluged with rain??  Southern Minnesota has experienced loss and one city in Wisconsin was virtually closed down.  On my way home, even Interstate 94 was flooded in one place  and instead of 70 mph, everyone was going 50.  But the good news is that the excessive rainfall made the Outlet Mall very empty and all the store clerks unusually attentive and I was able to find the PERFECT gift I needed to get, for soooo cheap! And then I found a pair of exceedingly comfortabe walking shoes, and they were on sale!  And then I was able to pick up the things at the grocery store that Kelsey needed for her party for her friends tomorrow, and she asked me to get the movie "Letters to Juliet" and we are ending the day watching a romantic movie--what could be better.
I'm thankful for all the little, little, little pleasures, the little successes, even the refreshing rain. It was so enjoyable! Walking through the dark streets around theoutlet stores, the comfort of my umbrella and the lights from the store windows shining out..The cherry on the top was the fact that I was able to talk to the store clerks and get to know them a little before giving them a tract.  I'm just grateful for getting on top of things and the sweet, pleasant day the Lord gave me! Thank you, Lord!
(I need to make a disclaimer: we just finished "Letters to Juliet" and while I enjoyed the story line, I can't recommend it to you, for at least one reason:  the immodesty of the main star's dress, or lack of it.)
It was still a good day:)

Some of My Favorite Quotes--Guest Post by Kelsey

"One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Book of God, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed." -Leonard Ravenhill
“The next moment is as much beyond our grasp, and as much in God's care, as that a hundred years away. Care for the next minute is as foolish as care for a day in the next thousand years. In neither can we do anything, in both God is doing everything.”-C. S. Lewis

“I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking Him to do His work through me.”–Hudson Taylor

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliot

"A true servant is someone who continues to serve even if they are treated like a servant."

"What kind of a God is it who asks everything of us?  The same God who '...did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all; and with this gift how can He fail to lavish upon us all He has to give?'

He gives all.

He asks all."

-Elisabeth Elliot 

"If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad." -Ruth Stull, quoted by Elisabeth Elliot

"Beware of reasoning about God's Word--obey it." -Oswald Chambers

"He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only."  (quoted by C.S. Lewis in "the Weight of Glory")

"Those who catch the vision are ready to follow the Lamb wherever He leads, and as they follow, in this spirit of joyful adventure, their path becomes clear before them and they are given power to fulfill their high calling.  They are those who have the courage to break through conventionalities, who care not at all what the world thinks of them, because they are entirely taken up with the reality of Christ." -Bishop Bardley, quoted by Leslie Ludy

"Notice, we never pray for folks we gossip about, and we never gossip about the folk for whom we pray! For prayer is a great deterrent." -Leonard Ravenhill

"Lord, make me what You would be

if You lived in person where i do." -Ann Kiemel, YES

"You get more done in 4 hours of work and one hour of prayer than in 5 hours of work." 

-George Muller

"Satan pays little attention to our strivings and our efforts, but trembles when we are on our knees in PRAYER." -Jennifer Lamp

"Live as if Christ died yesterday,

rose this morning, and is coming back again tomorrow."

-Martin Luther

"real success is willingness to accept God's place for us today.  realizing that the world's evaluation of us is very different from God's.  His way of rating our success is to test our hearts...does He live in the center...are we willing to give each day our 200 percent best?  nothing less?"  -Ann Kiemel, YES

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

-Jim Elliot

"Resolved, never to do anything which I would be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life."  -Jonathan Edwards

 "Lord, make me a crisis man. Let me not be a mile-post on a single road, but make me a fork that men must turn one way or another in facing Christ in me." -Jim Elliot

Tuesday Tag-Along and Timely Tips on Tuesday: Trip Planning 101 (Part 2)

Welcome to those of you visiting me from Tuesday Tag-Along today! I'm so glad you came! Please follow me and leave a comment--I would love to meet you! Today, I'm writing about the second part of my trip planning. A little disclaimer first:  There are many kinds of people, styles, and also many unique tastes in travel, so these Trip Planning ideas are not to be taken as the only way to plan, or the best!  I hope they will be interesting or help you get to know me better, and maybe they'll give you resources for the next vacation or trip you want to take!
Read Trip Planning (Part 1), if you haven't already done so!

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• If a member of AAA, get TourBooks and choose sites to see in the locations where you're headed.
• I wrote out a "tentative schedule" in my notebook (lined paper), with each day and the date on the left, then: how far we would drive and to where, hotel/B&B/rental house where we would stay, (and room for the address, phone number, confirmation number and details), the approximate cost of expenses for hotel, gas, sightseeing, etc. that day.  I left a few spaces for information about multiple hotels that I see as possibilities.

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• Decide what kind of accommodations you want/need, and what your price range is.  I knew that I would have to pay more in the DC area, so I wanted to spend less on the way out and back for hotels.  We'd only be needing, basically, a place to sleep for one or 2 of the nights. Those, I was willing to scrimp on.  I decided that I wanted a little nicer hotel than Super 8, but at Super 8 prices:) and that included breakfast, since with a good breakfast, we don't need lunch.  We planned to pack a cooler and buy groceries and snacks for eating along the way and back, when needed, to save time and money. Our family has enjoyed staying at Bed and Breakfasts on past trips, and I LOVE an historic house filled with antiques, and I really wanted to stay where I could see the mountains and the Peak Color of the Fall Leaves, so just one night I hoped to find an inexpensive-ish Bed and Breakfast out east somewhere.  Because we'd be staying in one place for 10 nights at our final destination, I was pickier on those accommodations. For example, because we are 4 people and our children are adults, a boy and a girl, I wanted them to each have a bed, if possible, for that major mid-section of our trip. Sleeping on the floor could dampen the excitement and affect the enjoyment of whoever had that thrust upon them. When they were younger, we would always just put one of them on the floor in a sleeping bag, and that will still work for one night each on the way and back, but not for the whole time.  I googled "deals" on suites in all locations we'd be staying, and looked a little further away from expensive areas where most people would want to be, but still on our route, referring to a map.

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• We decided we wanted to stop and see something on the way out there.  We had heard good reviews on the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, OH, from friends who'd been there, so we decided to go there, if possible.
• I looked online for information on the Museum hours, cost, location, etc.
• Checking with my husband and family, they wanted to drive a long ways the first day.  We lose an hour, crossing a time zone, and I know my husband doesn't like to be up really late, and that we wouldn't be leaving until about 1:00 p.m., so I looked for a hotel in a major city that we could get to by about 10:00 p.m.  Then I looked for deals!
• A very important part of your search for accommodations is to READ REVIEWS!  I went to TripAdvisor, but also googled "reviews" and the name of the hotel and its location, because TripAdvisor reviews can sometimes be more negative than others, before I got too excited about a hotel! On more than one occasion, the reviews turned me away from what I thought was "THE" hotel and deal for us!  ("Found 3 dead bugs in the bedding" is a quote from a review that I won't soon forget!!)  Do your research and you won't be sorry!
• Other considerations for the accommodations once at our destination:  we would want to leave our vehicle and take the metro rail, and needed safe and free parking.  A way to cook at least some of the time--microwave and fridge--was important.  Near to the metro rail was also important.  Our kids are tall, and we are 4 adults.  We have figured that we can save money and time if we have breakfast provided where we stay.  We like our morning coffee; we like to use the internet at night, and often catch up on news on the TV or watch a movie together in our room, so a little more space (such as a suite), a hot breakfast provided free, and WiFi, are specific amenities that I looked for.

• I talked to people and did a lot of research online.  In DC, things weren't looking good.  Really expensive, not enough beds for all 4 of us, etc.  A breakthrough came when a friend asked how things were coming in my plans, and I told her my "tale of woe."  My friend told me about their good experiences using VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner), especially when they traveled with her parents, and sister and brother-in-law, sharing the costs. They'd had a wonderful house with 6 bedrooms and a pool in Florida (I think she said overlooking the ocean), which after dividing up expenses, had only cost them about $55 a night, and they have a large family.  Plus, they could cook and do laundry.  I was greatly encouraged! She also told me that I could dicker on the price with VRBO.  (I LOVE to get a bargain, and am not afraid to haggle:)  The VRBO site was very fun, looking at all the pictures, and dreaming of staying in much nicer accommodations than I'd thought possible--and in a house!  I found what we wanted, and sent off an offer for, basically, the price I was willing to pay, hundreds of dollars less than they were asking.  I knew that I would be reserving the entire time that he had open, thus helping him out a lot, and if he didn't like my offer, he could turn me down or make a counter offer.  (My husband had given me license and told me to find a place and make an offer! After making the offer, I was a little afraid to tell my husband for fear he would be upset with me for possibly insulting the man by making too low of an offer! I needn't have worried--he definitely was not!)  The offer was accepted, but he asked us to pay the tax, which is 14%.  It still was a very good price for the area, and a whole house!  I was very excited.  A bedroom for each of my children, a separate master BR and bathroom for us, and also a bathroom just for my daughter--that has to help in the morning rush to get everyone ready and out the door!--plus a full kitchen if we want to cook sometimes, and a living room to spread out in--these were wonderful perks!

Throughout the whole process, prayer is the most important thing!  Prayer that God would guide the process, lead us to the right place, where He wants us, prayer for safety and a good trip, prayer for wisdom, prayer to be a good testimony to everyone we meet.  And thankfulness for the opportunity to go!

Stay tuned for Part 3 of Trip Planning 101!

Manage It (Victorious in Christ) Monday: How Do You Celebrate Your Birthday?

How do you celebrate your birthday? Do birthday cake and presents come to mind? Maybe "doing nothing" sounds good to you?  Or maybe doing something special--very special, because, well, "it's my birthday!"

Thinking Of Others On Your Birthday

For the last few years, my daughter, Kelsey, has added to the list above.  She has used this special time in her life as an excuse to get together with some of her friends and encourage them in some facet of their Christian walk.  She invites a group of friends to come for some food, talk, laughter, yes, but also, to watch a challenging DVD by a motivating Christian speaker.  The year that the theme was witnessing, they watched a great talk (or two) by Mark Cahill.  Then they spent some time in prayer and sharing.  She may have props, or questions to spark thought and discussion.

Friends

Tonight, 6 young women (ages 21-31) joined Kelsey at our house to have a fun evening and be challenged in the area of Prayer. Lots of laughter, lots of fun.  All knew each other, except one gal, who only knew Kelsey and one other, so it was important for her to have a little time to get to know the others.

Food

Kelsey served them a light meal:  Chicken Salad Sandwiches on Croissants, three kinds of chips, and fresh veggies with two kinds of dip. After a relaxing supper and lots of light-hearted chatter, they headed downstairs to watch a video.  This time the theme was on Prayer and the video was presented by a powerful and passionate speaker, Doug Small.

True Fellowship

Following the video, they spent time sharing and praying--praying about "pretty much everything," according to one participant...which was really good.  Everything from their own personal problems and issues, to others' situations, to people around the world.  She put up a map of the world with information about persecuted people in regions on the map (available from Voice of the Martyrs).

Photos

When they were all finished, she came up and asked me if I'd be willing to come down and take some pictures.  After the photo session, we all went upstairs and ate the delicious dessert (Apple/Gingerbread Cobbler with ice cream), before the gals had to leave.

Starting at 4:00 in the afternoon on a Sunday was the perfect time. They were able to eat at 5:00 and spend time from 6:00-8:30 watching the video and praying, and finish up by about 9:00, including the pictures.  The goodbyes and thank-yous were long and heartfelt.  No one wanted to leave and all said they would love it if she "did this again"!  They left with a gift: a book from Kelsey which had really impacted her:  Set-Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy. Great evening and everyone was encouraged in their faith in Jesus Christ and made more passionate about prayer! Have you ever done anything similar, or for others, on your birthday?

Field Trip to Como Zoo

I thought I'd update you on the "Mom Thing" Field Trip:  we had a really good time!  The weather was really cool in the morning. But it warmed up a little and was comfortable, with the proper clothing.  It had rained 2" here the night before. In fact, our electricity had been out for a couple of hours. (I don't mind because I love getting out my antique kerosene lanterns and using them, though we don't use kerosene.)  In the morning it was 49 degrees F. and still wet.  I thought, "Oh, no, there'll be tons of huge puddles, and all the little boys will just want to jump in them, and be muddy messes and not care about the zoo!" But that was no problem.  Kelsey and Jeanie (her friend who also loves little kids and is the special favorite of one of the mom's little boys) came along for crowd control.

Kelsey, Jeanie and I got there early to scope things out, which was good, since the new Visitor Center isn't labeled very well, and we kind of drove around trying to make sure we were in the right place.  After about a half an hour we started out with 4 moms and 3 "helpers" and 10 kids under 3-years-old (oh, that's right: Cole was our Man. He's 8). Later 3 other moms arrived and their 6 kids!  It really was fun! We saw a tiger, a lion, a mama giraffe and her 5-week-old baby (how is it that even a baby giraffe is "oh look how cute he is!")  We marveled at that. Baby animals are always cute!  We saw a baby orangutan with its mother, playing with, well, basically, garbage:  cardboard that they'd ripped apart! But, you know how when you give your toddler a gift, and they take it out of the box, set it aside and play very happily with the box? It was kind of like that.

We watched a polar bear being trained.  What would you think would really be a treat for a polar bear?  Well, it's lard. Yep. Lard.  A big huge piece of...lard.  Who woulda thunk?  After a couple of hours, the kids (and we) were getting hungry, so some who had had time to prepare lunches beforehand went across the road to the lovely park and ate at the picnic tables by the playground!  It's really a nice park.  The kids had a great time playing at the playground, even little Jebadiah, who had one week ago broken his arm.  He's 3.  I love being with these young moms, so experienced and mature, so laid back.  Most of the kids there were boys.  The prevailing attitude when anybody falls or anything happens is: "No blood? Ok, you're fine."  Raising Tough Boys. All the children were really well-behaved, and I got to hold lots of babies and little people--in other words, I had a great time!  It seemed like everybody did. Thank you, Lord, for that answer to prayer.

Food Friday: Tortilla Española

Yesterday got away from me, (as did most of this week:) so I didn't get this recipe from Kate (Dancing about Architecture) onto my blog, but hope you will forgive me!  It is certainly worth the wait!! I love Kate's descriptions of Spain--you will feel as though you have been there.  Once again, thank you so much, Kate, for sharing your recipes these last weeks! (Click on Food Friday to see All recipes!)

Hello everyone,

Wendy has been so kind as to let me share my recipes with you and it has been so wonderful to share some of my favorite Italian dishes with you. I love getting to know new cultures, new people and new food. I have had the privilege to get to know wonderful people and places through my travels. One place I love is Spain. I don’t know why it speaks to me, but the people are kind and friendly, they have wonderful art, a rich history and amazing places within their beautiful cities and varied countryside.

Spain is a multi-people country which means you have different cultures and even languages in different regions of the country – I guess you could call them states, though Spain doesn’t really have states. I love traveling in Spain because each region is so different from its neighbor regions. Each region also has its typical food, mainly depending on what is traditionally available within the region and what type of climate dominates it; in some you can get a lot of sea food, in others only meat, and some even mix sea food and meat in one dish.

Personally, I love Catalan food. Catalonia is the region which has Barcelona as its capital. People there do not consider themselves Spanish, even though they live in Spain, since they have their own culture, their own history and their own language. When they were still independent, before Spain became Spain as we know it today, Catalan food was famous throughout Europe and kings and queens hired Catalan chefs for their kitchens because they enjoyed the food so much. If you ever get the chance to try Catalan food, you absolutely should. I hope to find a simple dish in my notes so I will have one to share with you. The only ones I have been using would be better for a family festivity or family feast and thus are somewhat complex.

One dish that can be found pretty much all over Spain, though, is tortilla or as we probably know it the Spanish tortilla/ tortilla española. The first time I ever had tortilla was at the airport in Madrid where I was looking for a snack in between connecting flights. I liked it from the first bite. It is a simple dish and either eaten with a side salad or on baguette bread, which has already olive oil and tomato spread on it. You can also cut it up in smaller pieces and serve it as finger food or for a picnic. The best thing about a Spanish tortilla is, though, that most of you have all the ingredients at home already so it can be easily made, even on short notice.

Tortilla Española

Ingredients:

• 1 – 1.2 lb potatoes
• ½ lb onions
• 7 eggs
• 3 Tbs olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions:

• Peel potatoes and cut in thin slices.
• Peel onions and cut in small pieces.
• Mix potatoes and onions in a bowl and add salt and pepper.
• Heat up a pan and add some olive oil.
• Add mix and roast slow and gently with little heat until done.
• While the mix roasts, mix eggs in a bowl and add some salt.
• When the potatoes and onions are done, add them to the bowl with the eggs. (It is important to do it this way around so that the potatoes get soaked in the egg mix.)
• Mix everything well.
• Add some oil to a pan and heat at medium heat.
• Put the whole mix into the pan and roast on medium heat until the egg is done/ the omelet is light brown on the bottom (You can lift it up carefully on the sides to check).
• Turn the whole mass by switching it onto a plate.
• Add oil to the pan, then add the omelet top down (former top side now on the bottom side).
• Roast the second side until light brown.

Enjoy your meal!

Come and Follow!

Bloghops are about meeting new friends, and finding new blogs that you may not have happened onto any other way. I love seeing who has come to visit. (If you don't want to read all the fine print, just click on all the red stuff  and read:)
If this is your first time here, I'm so glad you came!
(Picture me with big smile meeting you at my front door and opening it wide and inviting you inside:) And Old Friends, you know me so well, just come on in and help yourself to something to eat and drink, take your shoes off and sit down--in other words, 
Everybody Please come in and make yourself at home!
I love company, and I hope you'll read a bunch here and get to know me a little.   
And won't you give me a chance to get to know you? Please leave a comment and, you know what, I'd really love to get over 200 followers before our trip to Washington, DC! (I've been kind of stuck at 179 now, and it would be so great and encouraging to see a bunch of new followers, but as always, I pray that the Lord will send who He wants to come and read and follow.)  But, that would be so wonderful! (But follow only if you truly want to:) Ok, So... (official welcome now)
Welcome, Old and New Friends!
  Introduction to you who don't know me (wow it's hard to describe yourself in a few words!): I am a Christian who loves and lives for the Lord Jesus Christ, a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom), wife, and a Homeschooler, (though my teaching days are completed, as my "children" are now 24 and 21).  We are blessed to have our kids still living with my wonderful husband and me at home.  My passion is to help and encourage young women, wives and moms to fulfill their God-given roles, and I love to write, so this blog is my way of doing it all.
Specific themes that I have written on which you might enjoy (click on the links):
 Hospitality Series: check out "The Ghastly Guest"  and "The Goldens"
• Love and Marriage Series which is on a break due to Guest Posts by my daughter, Kelsey, but read some of these posts under Love and Marriage:  "Meanings of Wedding Traditions," "Belittling and Henpecking"; Courtship interviews (Chase and Sarah, David and Briana); How and Why the subject of Courtship applies to you as a mom of little ones; "Preschool Premarital Counseling" (Ways to teach young children about Godly love and marriage and great resources to use).   Grab my button on the sidebar to let people know about this series!
• Timely Tips on Tuesday  Everything helpful: from organization, to scheduling your prayer time, to child-training, to running a home, to tips for you as a mom to littlees.
• Food Friday (Clicking here will take you to all my Recipes: Every Friday I share a tried-and-true recipe that you'll love! And don't miss Rob Barrett of "Cooking for Dads"--you'll love his cooking show, and find some of his recipes here!) 
• And Read Thankful Thursday posts, a meme (though I do miss sometimes) that I try to participate in weekly.
So, get a cup of coffee or tea or a glass of lemon water, and enjoy looking around and reading! I also really love meeting new people, so please let me know you were here and I will come by and visit your site, also.  Follow or Subscribe me, and Grab my button on the left, if you like what you see here!
Disclaimer: Like everything else in the world, don't leave your discernment at home--check everything out yourself and check it against the Word of God:) 
Please come back later today to see another great recipe (one more time only from Kate) on "Food Friday"! 




Thanks, Mail Carrier



Nan with Quality Time Bloghop

New Friend Friday will return, but go over to The Trendy Treehouse and check out the Before and After projects, and enter, if you have one!

What Do You Do When You Think God's Speaking To You?

This is the story of one time when I thought I heard God telling me to do something.  This is how it turned out when I just did what I thought He was telling me to do. (Reprinted from an earlier post, but with an update at the end:)

 Isaiah 55:8, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."  It's Thankful Thursday today. Click on the link to go over and participate or read more thankful posts.  Thanks, Iris, for hosting this month!

I'm so thankful that the Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the world, and the Holy Spirit who resides within me is not limited by my ability in any way.

Young moms were gathering in my Family Room Tuesday night.  Some I had met, others I was meeting for the first time. Lively chatter filled the room.  I had been very nervous beforehand, and still felt a bit discombobulated, but knew that I would thoroughly enjoy the evening once we got going.  I was out on a limb again, in obedience to the Lord.  I had invited almost a dozen young moms to my home for the purpose of encouraging them, because the Lord laid it on my heart to do so. Secondary purposes were to share, in answer to their questions, about Homeschooling, and to introduce one particular mom who was new to the area, to other moms of little boys, like herself.  Encouraging young moms is a real passion of mine.  But earlier in the day I wondered what I had been thinking!  What did I have to say that could possibly help these women?!  I prayed fervently that God would encourage them, that He'd lead me to whatever He wanted me to do or say during the evening, and that they'd leave encouraged and refreshed--strengthened for the work God has for them in their roles as moms.  I calmed my own heart by reminding myself that whenever God has called me to do something like this, not only has it been fun for everyone, but I have been the one blessed the most!

Well, this was no exception. But, as the evening progressed, it became very clear that God had done something so much bigger than I had ever imagined or thought of, in bringing each of the women to my home. As the women began sharing, one woman in particular opened up, encouraged by the prompting of her kind friend sitting next to her, and she shared so sweetly from the depth of her heart. A tear or two was shed. The women's hearts were knit together as encouragement was given and love was shown.  God was working in a powerful way!

It blessed my heart so much so see the interaction:  the exchange of encouragement among them, as well as practical tips and suggestions on parenting, discipline, and everyday life as a mom.  The sharing was deep and real.  Eyes and hearts were opened to new possibilities, and strengthened to believe that God was powerful enough to meet them in their need. With teary eyes and a full heart a mom confided, "I know God brought me here tonight."

I know that God brought all of us together that night. It was agreed that we would continue meeting. "What should we call ourselves?" they eagerly asked..."Well, I said I was going to "a Mom Thing," came the answer.  So, "A Mom Thing" was born.  His ways are so far above my ways, and His thoughts so gloriously above anything I could ask or think, in answer to my prayers. Sometimes all I can do is stand back and be in awe, and say, "Thank you, Lord."

Over the summer, everyone has been very busy, and we didn't meet again until August, but we are starting back up!  In fact, we're going on a Field Trip to the Como Zoo today!  We have about 7 moms, 3 helpers (including my daughter and me), and potentially about 17 kids, ages 0-8 going!  Pray for us:)  Seriously, it should be a lot of fun!  I will keep you posted! (Hopefully some photos, too.)
God has continued to be at work in all of our lives through this, and it's so exciting to see what He's doing, as we all learn to yield to Him and trust Him in different areas of our lives!
Is God speaking to you?