Friday, February 25, 2011

Sisters


"Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood" -Louisa May Alcott


"In thee my soul shall own combined the sister and the friend" -Catherine Killegrew


"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, that no subsequent connections can supply" -Jane Austen


"Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart-oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape-of your sister" -Katherine Mansfield


"The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble" -Clara Ortega


"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend of the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life" -Isadora James

For my sweet girls, Emma & Mackenzie. Always love one another, God has given you a beautiful gift in one another.

Friday, February 18, 2011

My Refuge and Fortress

It has been a rough week for me this week. I have been sick and have gotten behind in my housework. Rick had an outpatient pain management procedure on Tuesday, and although this is not the first one and the procedure is rather routine, I was surprised by how anxious and stressed out I was about it. The thought of anything happening to the love of my life just set me on edge for several days before and after.



During this time, I found strength and comfort in the words of David in Psalm 91:

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust'.
Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday." -Psalm 91:1-6

Monday, February 14, 2011

My Valentine

My husband and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, we don't feel like we need a holiday to express our love for one another. But I do want to share a few things that my husband has done for me in the past week that made me feel special and reminded me why he will always be my Valentine....

-he filled up my car with gas this morning, just because he noticed it was low

-he brought me flowers last week...just because

-he gave me time to snuggle with my children at bedtime when I had been out of town, even though it meant he would not get to go to bed with me and would have to move them out of the bed later

-he was patient with me during a stressful time last week

-he did the dishes this morning after I left for work, even though I told him I would get them this afternoon when I came home

These are just a few ways my husband makes me feel special every day. I would encourage you to remember the things your husband does on a daily basis for you that may get overlooked and not wait for a holiday to celebrate those things and your love for one another.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Saturday Baking 2/12/11

Chocolate Banana Pie

1 lg. package chocolate pudding/pie filling mix
1 frozen pie crust
1 large banana

Prepare chocolate pie filling per instructions on package, set aside. Bake pie crust according to package directions. Once cooled, add pie filling to pie crust and top with sliced banana. I know-embarrassingly easy!


Banana Walnut Bread

2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c butter
3/4 c brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 c mashed overripe bananas (about 4 bananas)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease 9x5 loaf pan.

In large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together brown sugar and butter. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes. Allow to cool in pan 10 minutes.




Love One Another


"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification." Romans 15:1-2


We spent this morning helping a dear friend whose husband has been working out of town for many weeks. The men cleaned up the yard, and the women watched the children, did laundry, and cooked a meal.

I brought my oldest 2 children with us to teach them how helping a friend in need and sister in Christ can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience even when involves tiring, physical labor. I have gained such a new and wonderful outlook from this experience. The intention was to teach my children, but I feel like I was the one who learned the biggest lesson. It was such a blessing to help a friend and it has taught me that needing help does not indicate weakness.

Helping one another is the truest form of expression of God's love. Serving one another and helping one another is a continuation of Christ's own ministry! I am blessed to have had this opportunity.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Best Is Yet To Come

My mother recently told me a story of a woman who was dying. She knew she was dying, so she called her Pastor and said, "Pastor, I have but one request for my funeral...I want to be buried with a dinner fork in my hand." Well, the Pastor, thinking this was a strange request asked the woman,"Why a fork?". She replied, "When I went to dinner parties and the hostess said 'Hold on to your fork' as she was clearing the dishes from the course, I knew that the best part was still to come. I know that is what I have to look forward to now as well-the best is yet to come!"


What a beautiful reminder of our Father's promise to us!

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the of the truth of the gospel." -Colossions 1:5

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." -Matthew 6:20



God has promised us a home in heaven to spend eternity rejoicing with Him! I can't wait to see what He has in store for us. Hold on to your forks!!!






Saturday, February 5, 2011

Early Riser

So, again, I am convicted...this time of oversleeping. Not that I slept particularly late this morning. But, being that it was Saturday, I hoped my husband would get up with the children and let me stay in bed for a while. I ended up getting up by 7:40 am, but that was after the rest of my household was up and rowdy!


"She also rises while it is yet night,

and provides food for her household,

and a portion for her maidservants."

-Proverbs 31:15





I totally blew that this morning. Note that it doesn't say "she also rises while it is yet night Monday through Friday." Hmmmmm....really, Lord, even on the weekend???



So I have two choices, I can choose to get up early and do my devotion, spend time in prayer, and prepare breakfast for may family with a positive and joyful attitude, thankful for my blessings; or I can choose to get up early and have a negative attitude and grump around and be snippy with those who love me. Either way, I am getting up early, so I might as well make it a positive experience!


So last week I started getting up at 5:45 am (the goal is really 5:30 am), and that went well...but now I need to carry that over to the weekends. I need to stop considering sleeping in a privilege, and view getting up early the joy that it is!

Kitchen Win!

I am excited to say that I have successfully created a dish that changed pierogies from a food my husband completely disliked into one he enjoys and frequently requests. Kitchen win!


I use frozen pierogies, usually potato and cheese or potato and onion. I boil them for about 5-7 minutes.


Meanwhile, I saute onions (sliced thinly) in about 2 tbsp of butter.


Once the pierogies are done boiling (you can tell by the way they float to the top). I transfer them pan with the sauteed onions and cook for another 3-4 minutes.


These are great with kielbasa or other smoked sausage or by themselves for a snack.


Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Not Now...Mommy's Busy


I am so convicted today regarding the way I treat my children, the way I speak to them, and the example I have been setting for them. It has been so busy at our house since Rick went back to work full time. Add to that I have been travelling every week for the past 4 weeks and will continue to be out of town every week through the end of February.


But really, these are excuses...Psalm 127:3-4 says "Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth."


A heritage refers to something that is of value and is passed down from one generation to the next. Children are our valuable gift from our Heavenly Father, our inheritance. They are also a reward, not a burden, not an extra responsibility, but something to be cherished as a precious gift!


How often do I tell my children "just let Mommy do this, it's easier if you don't help"? (okay, maybe not those exact words, but you get the idea). How often do I send them out of my sight/way to play while I try to do housework, or work, or blog (ahem)?


I need to work so much harder in this area, to enjoy and cherish my children. To involve my children, to engage with them, participate with them. I need to stop viewing them as more work, a start viewing them as the joy and pleasure and reward they are!