Summer Vacation is Officially Underway

Well, summer is in full swing at our house and the first week was a whirlwind of activity. My kids finished well this year with school and I am glad we are done! (can I hear a big AMEN!) I love this time of year when the days are longer, the feet are dirtier and the laundry is lighter. (or I can dream at least!) Bedroom hampers can hold alot of shorts and t-shirts. Socks rarely see the light of day this time of year and all the swimsuits and towels hang in the mud room night after night to dry on the hooks which once held layers of coats The schedule and routine have completely changed and I am sure I will be a bit sporadic in my blog posting but if it means that more time was spent with my kids, than all is well. But little do my children know in the shadows of our warm summer days, mom keeps some simple goals for her crew so that the temptation to do absolutely nothing is not met.

Our week began with a bang or maybe I should say a "jump". The first thing on our summer schedule was to set up one of these in our backyard!



We were not able to bring ours with us when we moved across the country, so we promised the kids we would replace it when we were able to. They have been jumping all week even in their pajamas. (yes my little guy is wearing his pjs) And, yes it is square.

Our second week began with another real treat and surprise. My mom is here with us visiting. She flew to a city about five hours away at the end of last week from California to see her sister who is ill, and drove to our house to spend a few days with us before heading back to be with her sister. We were all very excited to see her and the kids are getting lots of Grandma's hugs.


If I didn't say it already, I will say it again, "I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!"
It is a time to step back from the routine that school brings to our family and take some moments to listen to, walk along with, watch as they play and truly treasure my children's childhood.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss

About five years ago I read Brokenness: The Heart God Revives by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. It was so good, that I went and purchased her two other books in the series: Surrender: The Heart God Controls and Holiness: The Heart God Purifies. So it was no surprise to me that I would absolutely love and appreciate her book Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free. For some reason I had not read this book until earlier this year.
This summer I have selected four books to either re-read or read for the first time and this is one of them. Nancy shares so many powerful "truths" in this book, that I have decided to go back through the book and look closely at many of the lies that so easily creep into my heart and meditate on the truths that Nancy shares from God's Word.

So I was thrilled on Monday when Girl Talk was posting an interview all week with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I would encourage you to go here, here, here, and here to read the entire interview. This has only confirmed my decision to re-read this book.
She shares in this interview that she is teaming together with Dannah Gresh to co-author a book called Lies Young Women Believe. This is so awesome. Last summer my oldest daughter and I both read Dannah's book, and the Bride Wore White. This is an excellent book and a must read for every young woman.

Happy 21st Anniversary!

It was a wonderfully overcast Southern California June morning in 1986 when we took our vows to love and cherish each other. We were so optimistic and fearless about our future together. We made a commitment to each other and to God that we would spend our lives in service to Him. Through the years we have endured many trials only to discover that the vows we exchanged twenty-one years ago have been strengthened through God's work in our lives. Thanks for being the only one who can melt my heart with your smile, who never leaves the house without a kiss and does not let a day go by without telling me you love me! Happy 21st Anniversary! I love you more than you will ever know!

The Design, The Cafe, The Menu

I have a new design thanks to Susie at Bluebird Blogs. Susie did a wonderful job! Thank you again, Susie!

In case you didn't get them "Your Marching Orders" are over at the Internet Cafe today.

And finally here is my very simple summer (we have four nights of baseball games) menu for the week.

Monday: Spaghetti

Tuesday: Taco Salad

Wednesday: Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday: Chicken Fingers with baked fries

Friday: Grilled Hamburgers with chips

For more menus go to Organized Junkie

Wordless Wednesday - Up in a tree!

In "Other" Words

"Lower your expectations of earth. This isn't heaven, so don't expect it to be."~ Max Lucado ~

This quote reminds me of a section at the beginning of Linda Dillow's book, "Calm My Anxious Heart". The section is titled, "Contentment Begins With An Eternal Perspective." The word perspective according to Webster's suggests "looking through; seeing clearly; the capacity to view things in their true relation of relative importance." Living my life with an eternal perspective helps keep life on earth in its proper place.

In her book, Linda shares the story of a missionary who worked with the pygmies in Africa for fifty-two years. She goes on to say that "primitive doesn't begin to describe her living conditions in the scorching heat and humidity of the African bush." Her daughter discovered "...a treasure, a much more significant find than gold or silver. In an old diary of her mother's, she discovered her prescription for contentment."

Her words convict my heart every time I read them.

• Never allow yourself to complain about anything - not even the weather


• Never picture yourself in any other circumstances or someplace else


• Never compare your lot with another's


• Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise


• Never dwell on tomorrow - remember that tomorrow is God's, not ours

The words of this missionary are powerful. In her book, Linda concludes this section with these words: "The secret is in her last statement. Her eyes were fixed on eternity. Her tomorrows belonged to God. She had given them to Him. And because all her tomorrows were nestled in God's strong arms, she was free to live today. One day at a time she could make the right choices and grow to possess the holy habit of contentment. Her focus was eternal, and her focus led to an internal contentment."

It is so easy to place value in "earthly" things rather than "eternal" things. I have learned to ask myself the question, "Does this (thing, event, place, etc.) have any eternal value?" A verse I have written on the inside cover of my bible as a reminder to keep an eternal perspective is 1 Timothy 6:15, God... is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters.

For more In "Other" Words visit Iris at Sting My Heart

Memorial Day

This morning I woke up safely in my own bed. I didn't have much to worry about or fear. Yet thousands of men and women including my youngest brother stand in the face of danger each and every day to serve our country and protect the freedoms we so easily enjoy.

Let me never forget what it has cost so many. As I drove past our local cemetery with the parade of American flags displayed so beautifully this week, I am moved by what those colors represent. I am thankful for the men and women who have gone before me to protect what I have and what my children will also have FREEDOM! Freedom to worship God!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

**updated to add: yes, I changed the template for my blog. I am waiting on a new design. But in the meantime I thought it was time for something new to look at.

God never misses a single tear...

I write this with all reverence: God Himself cannot deliver a person who is not in trouble. Therefore, it is to some advantage to be in distress, because God can then deliver you. Even Jesus Christ, the Healer of me, cannot heal a person who is not sick. Therefore, sickness is not an adversity for us, but rather an advantageous opportunity for Christ to heal us. The point is, my reader, your adversity may prove your advantage by offering occasion for the display of divine grace.

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon on Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92 Teach me Your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before, and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place. Beth Moore

God never misses a single tear of the oppressed. He sees our suffering and knows the depth of our need. He anguishes yet he waits...until the tears that have fallen on dry ground or upon the shoulders of others equally frail are poured instead before His throne. He waits - not until the oppressed cry out - but until we cry out to Him. Only then will we know the One and Only who redeems us. "Praying God's Word" Beth Moore

These words spoke to me so powerfully this morning as I sat quietly before the Lord asking for His word to refresh my soul and for my afflictions to be removed.

The Internet Cafe - Created to be a Helper!

No one wants to be called the "helper"! Yet, this is exactly what God called the woman when he created her, "...a helper fit for him." God in His word has clearly defined our role. Join me today over at CWO as I share a small slice of the journey God has used in my life to teach me what a woman's biblical role in marriage is to be.

Potty Training and Driver's Training

As a newly married twenty two year old young woman never did I imagine those two things happening at the same time in my life or better yet on the same day. Never! I planned to have four children two to two and half years apart not five children with a differing amount of years between each one. But we make a plan and God orders our steps. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."


So here I find myself some twenty years later with five kids ranging in age from two to fifteen teaching my oldest to drive and potty training my youngest all in the same day.


My two year old son has all of a sudden taken this huge interest in going to the bathroom on the potty. It's not much different than my fifteen year old asking if she can drive every time we get ready to leave the house. He pulls on his diaper and says something that I interpret as "potty", she grabs the keys and says, "can I drive?" (sorry LT) I am not ready for either one. Don't get me wrong I would love to get rid of diapers and I would also love to have a child who could drive herself places . But just as it will take patience for my little guy to learn how to use the bathroom on his own, I am patiently letting my daughter drive as often as possible in order to give her alot of experience before she receives a real "able to leave home and drive somewhere alone" driver's license.


But each day as one child is gaining more and more independence and I am wanting to reach out and pull her back I look down and see my youngest holding onto my leg. I have found myself reflective of how as moms we often want to pull back and hold on to our children who are slowly moving further away from needing us every day and yet often times in the weariness of carrying for our young children wishing for a moment of solitude and quiet. I find myself living in this place. My oldest will turn sixteen in the fall, my youngest just two and a half. She is reaching for more and more independence, he is still reaching for me. I don't want to wish away either one even if it means in one day I am chasing a two year old around the house and reading "brown bear brown bear" for the thousandth time and what seems like minutes later driving down the highway with my daughter as we talk about driving safely, her desire to serve God with her life and where she would like to go to college.


This makes me walk a little slower (not because I am older), but because I am fully aware of how quickly these days will go by.

Monday Menu Plan and a little more

We had a very nice weekend. It started Friday night after enjoying a meal outside on the deck, we dropped our oldest daughter off to play Frisbee golf with some of the youth from our church and than we headed over to a park along the river. The kids played and played. Afterwards we went home and sat out on the deck again and roasted marshmallows in the fire pit and made s'mores.

Saturday we continued to enjoy the beautiful weather in the low 80's by doing a little work in our yard, watched two of our boys play their last soccer game for the season and then headed to a graduation open house.


Sunday after church we had another graduation open house to attend which was alot of fun. In the evening, we sat outside again, played some Bocce ball in the yard and ended it with some more roasted marshmallows. The best part was while I was cleaning up in the kitchen, I was listening to my four older children sitting outside telling stories around the fire pit and the baby sitting in a chair with his brother giggling and trying to keep up with the conversation. What a treasured moment as I looked outside at all of my children enjoying each other. I said a quick prayer asking that their relationships continue to grow strong and their friendships would remain as they grow older.

My menu this week is going to be very light. (on the cooking side that is) We have a busy two weeks with lots of evening activities as we finish out the school year, baseball and softball season is in full swing and my oldest daughter will be doing her Lifeguard training four nights this week and will need to eat dinner at 4 pm before she goes for her training. This week alone we have four baseball/softball games. So, in order for us to get everyone where they need to be and still eat at home (eating out is too expensive), we will have easy quick meals that can be prepared and eaten anytime.

Monday: Grilled hamburgers (made early and kept warm) with potato salad (I made a large batch so we could eat it all week) green salad (already made just add the dressing)

Tuesday: Tacos (meat made in the crockpot, all the fixens put into Tupperware container in the frig, pre-made shells ready to go)

Wednesday: Chicken sandwiches (chicken has been pre-cooked) Just warm in the microwave. Potato salad and fruit (I am using canned fruit that has been put into a Tupperware container and chilled)

Thursday: Grilled teriyaki hamburgers (made early and kept warm), potato salad (if any left), chips, pineapple slices

Friday: Pizza (the frozen kind, easy and inexpensive)

Yes, we will eat hamburgers twice this week. They are easy to make and it is really no different than if we found ourselves at the McDonald's drive thru, but much healthier. They are something we rarely eat unless we can grill them. I can grill the patties at any time and than just keep them warm. All the fixins are kept so that we can quickly make our sandwiches. (On occasion I will use ground turkey instead of ground beef)

If you are looking for me after 3pm, I will probably be in route somewhere, sitting at the ballpark or taking a walk at the park. The weather is just too nice to not be outside.

For more great menu ideas go to I'm An Organizing Junkie

Prayer for Cyndi @ One Day More

Our wonderful friend and fellow blogger Cyndi leaves tomorrow May 19th for a missions trip to China. Please check her blog for updates from her husband and keep her and her teenage daughter in your prayers as they travel and share the gospel in this country.

One of my favorite quotes!

for most of life, I think we fight God. we keep trying to show Him what we were made for. we keep giving him better ideas. we keep working for something bigger & greater than anything he seems to have in mind. for many of us, by the time we are in mid-life, we feel we somehow have missed out on some of the great things we were born for. we fight God over this. i come to you, however, knowing God made me not to impress you and not to be perfect. God made me to be uncomplicated in my faith. to watch children & kites & sunsets & rainbows & enjoy them. to take your hand regardless of who you are or how you look. to listen to you. to accept you right where you are. to love you unconditionally.

ann kiemel anderson

Wordless Wednesday

More on "trust"

This morning we concluded our time together at ladies bible study looking at the very familiar passage, Proverbs 3:5.

To trust in the Lord means I lean upon Him; I rely upon Him: I commit the whole weight of all I am and all I need to His care. 1 Peter 5:7 says, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV) Trust should not be based on anything but God, His word, His character, His integrity, His divine attributes.
To trust in the Lord means we trust in His purposes for our lives. God is at work in your life fulfilling His good purpose. What is that purpose? To conform you to the image of His Son, to make you and me like Jesus. He is always working.
To trust in the Lord means we trust in His plan for us. Psalm 37:23 says, The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; (ESV) and Eph. 2:10 says, For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)

The next part of Proverbs 3:5 says, ... and do not lean on your own understanding. The command to trust in the Lord is reinforced by the command to not trust in our own understanding. Isaiah 55:8 says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. (ESV)

This afternoon as I reflected on our time together this morning I was reminded of Jeremiah 17:5-8:

5Thus says the LORD:"Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (ESV)

What a beautiful promise we have here to those who "trusts in the LORD"

These verses present us with a contrast between a man who trusts in himself and another who not only trusts in the Lord but also makes the Lord his total trust. Linda Dillow

Trusting in myself is making my flesh my strength. yuck! When I use control, intelligence, manipulation, strategies, I am trusting in myself. Often times "trust" forces us to "wait". Waiting can be hard and painful, so we help God out. What is the result? Look back up at Jeremiah 17:6, He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come.He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (ESV)

Linda Dillow in her book "Calm my Anxious Heart" states, "Our hearts become a desert, and we do not enjoy the prosperity of the heart in communion with God. Our focus is on what we can do to get what we want rather than on how we can trust."

Yet when I make the Lord my trust what am I promised? verse 8 says, "He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Notice that heat will come. But when my eyes are so focused on my Sovereign Lord that even when a year of drought (or continued problems) comes, I will stay green and continue to bear fruit. What a glorious picture!

As I have put these thoughts together tonight, I couldn't help but think of Heather at Especially Heather. Her post today speaks of seeing God at work in the midst of it all. I have gone to her blog purposely at the end of each day as a reminder to continually pray for her healing.

The Facts of Psalm 139

As we conclude our Tuesday morning ladies bible study at church on God's Steadfast Love, much of the teaching has been centered around Psalm 139. Debbie Alsdorf concludes the study guide with these facts about Psalm 139:

1. God knows me, I am not a stranger to Him.
2. He understands me as an individual.
3. He is intimately acquainted with me.
4. He knows me well enough to know what I'll say next.
5. He is covering me, I am protected.
6. He is always with me.
7. I cannot separate myself from the love of God.
8. He leads me.
9. He holds my hand.
10. My life is not in darkness, but basks in His light.
11. He made me, putting all the pieces together
12. I am a wonderful work of God's hand.
13. My life is a miracle.
14. My days have been ordained by God.
15. His thoughts are tender toward me.
16. He is always thinking of me.
17. God preserves me from day to day.
18. When I wake to start a new day, He is still with me.
19. I am alive by His design and plan.

Even in my sinful state, God knows me, loves me and is intimately involved in every part of my life. This leads to our study today on "Trust".
Why then do we struggle to truly "trust" in the Lord with all our heart?(Proverbs 3:5-6)

Menu Plan Monday

We had a nice weekend and beautiful Mother's Day Sunday. I am so thankful for my husband. He and the kids cooked for me and cleaned up afterwards. I so appreciated this because I know how tired he is Sunday afternoons. He gets up very very early Sunday mornings to pray ( I usually hear him praying before his feet hit the floor.) My husband asked me last night if I enjoyed my day. (I think he was concerned that he hadn't taken me out for lunch on Mother's Day) I told him that if he wanted to repeat the day tomorrow he could. (smile) Nothing too exciting happening in my menu plans this week. Baseball games are beginning, so it is the start of using up the meals that I have prepared and frozen. I wasn't able to try the garlic chicken last week, so I will try it tomorrow. I will let you know what we think.

Monday: Grilled Sirloin Steak with potatoes and veggies

Tuesday: 40 Clove Garlic Chicken with noodles

(I did not make this last week - our plans changed)

Wednesday: Lasagna (already made and frozen), salad & garlic bread

Thursday: Tacos, rice & beans

Friday: Grilled Hamburgers, salad & chips

For more great menu ideas visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoy these eight, not very profound, but surely funny tips for moms of young children.

1. Buy stock in companies that produce bandaids.
2. For girls, never buy a dress without first considering the "twirl factor"
3. For boys, don't worry if the only word he knows is vroom. Before you know it, his vocabulary will expand from engine sounds to include body noises.
4. Keep your sense of humor. What upsets you now will be good joke (or blog) material in five years.
5. When your child wants to wear the same outfit two months in a row; let him. Eventually it will rot and fall off.
6. In all situations, apply the "Thousand Year Test." Ask yourself, "In a thousand years will anyone care?"
7. Don't be too hard on yourself. You will fail. Forgive yourself and move on.
8. Above all, love "because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be a Mom to the five gifts you have entrusted me with. They are all each unique and fearfully and wonderfully made. I stand in awe that I am called Mom. It is a wonderful gift!

The Internet Cafe - Our Shelter

I am over at CWO today. Jesus never promised us a life free from storms, but He has promised to be with us in the midst of them and to provide shelter.

Wordless Wednesday - She called me "mommy"

NOTHING will separate you from God's love...

28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28-39 (ESV)

In preparing for our Tuesday Morning Bible Study, I have been meditating on these verses. This is taken from our study guide on "Steadfast Love" by Debbie Alsdorf

I find two thoughts incredibly encouraging:

• all things work together for my good;
• nothing can separate me from the love of God

I have gone through many things, and when I see that no "thing" can separate me from the love of God and that every "thing" will work together for my eventual good and growth, I am released from the need to worry or fear. But I must remind myself of these truths, and that cannot be accomplished in a one-shot glance at Scripture that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I must have firmly planted within me the truth that I have no need to fear because God

is my shepherd;

is for me;

is with me;

works in my circumstances for good;

cannot be separated from me;

gives His angels command to protect me;

delivers me from evil.

Menu Plan Monday

Here is my Menu Plan for this week. I am hoping to use up some of the roasts we have in our freezer over the next couple of weeks. We attended several graduation Open Houses this weekend, so I didn't do any cooking. I think it may be this way for the next month. (smile)

Monday: Spaghetti with salad and garlic bread

Tuesday: Shredded Beef Tacos with rice and beans (This recipe uses my husband's favorite sauce El Pato. It has a wonderful flavor and we make a dip using cream cheese softened mixed with either a can or half of can (depending on how hot you like it) of El Pato and served with tortilla chips.

Wednesday: Beef Dip Sandwiches with fruit

Thursday: 40 Clove Chicken served with noodles and salad this recipe is from Susanne. Laura also tried it and I quote, "it was absolutely delicious", so I have a cut up whole chicken in my freezer and I have been wanting to try this recipe.

Friday: Kid's Night Out!

For more great recipes visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

I wonder... does anyone invite two year olds over to play?

It's so hard being two sometimes. On most days my sisters and brothers come home from school and they take time to play with me. But not today. I watched as each one whisked in and hurried off. My six year old brother who is usually good for some play time left for a birthday party with a boy who is in his class. My oldest sister is usually ready to take me in her arms when she comes through the door and let me tag along with her as she puts her things away or fixes a snack. But she had to change clothes quickly and head right back out the door for a choir concert. My twelve year old sister comes home every day and takes me for a walk. She packs the two of us a light snack, fills our water bottles and we head out the door for the sidewalks of our neighborhood. But she was invited to a friend's house from church and needed to get her homework done and chores finished before she could go. And finally my big brother is always there for me, but not tonight. Dad had his bike fixed and picked it up today, so he was off to ride into the wind immediately after school. So here I am with no one to play with but these two big people who I have been hanging out with all day. It's a quiet Friday evening and I think Mom wants to finish a book and Dad would like to put his feet up and rest after having me tag along with him today while we worked in the yard. I wonder... does anyone invite two year olds to come over and play?

It isn't enough...

It isn't enough to say in our hearts
That we like a man for his ways,
It isn't enough that we fill our minds

With paeans of silent praise;
Nor is it enough that we honor a man
As our confidence upward mounts,
It's going right up to the man himself,
And telling him so that counts!
If a man does a work you really admire,
Don't leave a kind word unsaid,
In fear that to do so might make him vain
And cause him to "lose his head."
But reach out your hand tell him,
"Well done," and see how his gratitude swells;
It isn't the flowers we strew on the grave,
It's the word to the living that tells.
~author unknown~

Why do we withhold words of encouragement to others? Often times those words can bring healing and hope to a weary heart. (I know I have been the recipient of them) Yet how many of us have walked away from a situation downhearted because no one spoke (especially those we love and hold dear) an encouraging word. In our own selfishness, we stop ourselves from encouraging others in fear that they may look better than we do. Hebrews 3:13 says, But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Good words are worth much, and cost little.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Wordless Wednesday - Five Bars

For more Wordless Wednesday go here

In Other Words

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."

~ Charles Spurgeon ~

How many times do we want to give up? Quit? It is just too hard. I am a snail trying to reach the ark in time, but I know I can only go so fast (or do so much). If I look to the right or the left I will easily be distracted by what may look like an easier road, smooth sidewalks or a cool place in the dirt. It is tempting to stop, not go down this path because it is long and difficult at times but off in the distance I see the ark. I keep my eyes set on that which is before me and I persevere.

In our ladies bible study this morning we looked at "hope". One of the scriptures that was shared was Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In order to make it to the ark the snail had to throw off (or ignore) everything that would hinder or entangle him from reaching his destination. He persevered (persisted in spite of opposition or discouragement) the path that was set before him. The snail's eyes were fixed on the ark.

The ark represented life to the snail. Without it there was no future. Jesus is my ark. Without Him there is no life or hope for my future. As I run (or crawl) through this race set before me (life) my eyes will be fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.

For more In "Other" Words visit Sting My Heart.

Monday Menu Plan

We had a very nice weekend. We took a short trip to a resort with a water park and enjoyed our time away as a family! Our kids spent about ten hours in two days at the water park and loved every minute of it. I (yes me) even went down this huge slide. My kids are still talking about the look on my face when I came shooting out of the tube into the pool.

This week I am planning to grill several times. The weather is so great everyone just wants to be outside. Tonight we grilled smoked brats and enjoyed the 80 degrees.

Here is my menu plan for the week:

Monday: Grilled barbecue chicken, red potatoes, asparagus & corn

Tuesday: Taco Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches with fresh fruit

Thursday: Grilled chicken over fettuccine alfredo with salad and garlic bread

Friday: Grilled Hamburgers with teriyaki sauce and pineapple, salad and chips

I posted here a few recipes from last weeks menu.

For more great menu ideas visit Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie

The Internet Cafe

Today (Sunday) I am over at CWO's Internet Cafe. I am asking a question I addressed here a few months back, but please get dressed and go to church and worship our Lord and Savior first today, than I hope to see you back here or over there later. Blessings on your Sunday.

Thankful for Friends

"A friend," someone wrote, "is one who knows the song in your heart - and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words." (quote from Alice Gray)

There is no better gift in all the world than a dear friend who knows you well and loves you still! Acquaintances come and go, but true friendship is like a pathway through a fragrant summer garden. Whether they resemble dearly loved rosebushes, with blooms that seem to grow more lovely with the passing years or a bright new flower that lifts its face to the sun and has arrived with a new season of life, friends are the most delightful garden. How soothing to linger through a long afternoon, to talk and laugh, dream and maybe share a tear or two. It is a garden where pretenses are set aside and we can just be who we are.

I am thankful for a dearly loved rosebush who has been there for years. She is a sweet fragrance and has graced my life for more than a decade. She is now officially a blogger and I am so thankful that even though many miles distance our old familiar walks and talks, she is only a click away from me hearing her heart and smelling the sweet fragrance of her life. Go and visit her at Traveling Light.

For more "Thankful" posts visit Iris at Sting My Heart

Recipes

On Monday several of you requested two recipes. Here they are:

I made these last night and my kids loved them.

Slow Cooker Italian Shredded Beef Hoagies

-Boneless Roast, trimmed of fat (the recipe called for an arm roast)
-2 medium onions sliced into four sections
-1 can (14.5oz) Italian-seasoned diced tomatoes, undrained
-1/4 cup tomato paste

-Hoagie Buns
-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Place onions at the bottom of slow cooker. Place beef on onions. In small bowl, mix diced tomatoes and tomato paste; pour over beef. (I usually will put some Italian Seasonings in mixture or you could just use a small jar of spaghetti sauce)

Cover; cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours.

Remove beef from cooker; place on cutting board. Use 2 forks to shred. Return shredded beef to cooker. Spoon beef onto each bun and top with cheese. (I microwave sandwich for about 25 seconds to melt cheese)


Layered Chicken-Black Bean Enchiladas
(This recipe is super easy if you have your chicken already cooked.
Just open a few cans, layer, and bake. It is great for a crowd!)

-2 cups chopped or shredded cooked boneless skinless chicken breast
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
-1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained, rinsed
-1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chiles, undrained
-1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce
-8 corn tortillas
-1 1/2 cups shredded colby-monterey jack cheese blend
1 cup sour cream

Heat over to 375 degrees. Spray glass baking dish with cooking spray. In bowl, mix chicken, cilantro, black beans and chiles.

Spread 2 tablespoons of the enchilada sauce in bottom of baking dish. Place 4 tortillas over sauce, overlapping as necessary. Spoon half of the chicken mixture over tortillas; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Spoon half of the remaining enchilada sauce and half of the sour cream randomly over the cheese. Repeat with remaining tortillas, chicken mixture, 1/2 cup cheese, the enchilada sauce and sour cream. (sour cream could be eliminated)

Cover with foil. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake uncovered 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand before serving. (Optional - top with sour cream)
taken from Betty Crocker-Easy Recipes

Wordless Wednesday - A moment in time

* edited to add a requested close up of the butterfly

For more Wordless Wednesday go here or here

I have left a comment to explain what is taking place in this photo

In "Other" Words

"Busyness is not a spiritual gift."

~ Lisa Harper ~

Tonight after dinner I was headed outside with three of my children for a walk. For the past week, I have been walking in the evenings for exercise and enjoying the nice weather. I was excited to get out tonight and make my way through our neighborhood.

I was standing in the street waiting for my daughter to get her scooter and fastening the buckle to a wiggly two year old in the stroller. My six year old had come racing down the driveway on his bike explaining something about the brakes when I heard the sound of a baby crying. I heard one of my neighbors calling across the street to my next door neighbor who I hadn't noticed sitting on her front porch with her new baby. She asked how she was doing and I heard my neighbor reply, "oh, just ok, my baby is really fussy and we aren't getting much sleep." They chatted for a few minutes when the neighbor who had been doing the inquiring shouted, "you know what that is like don't you Chris?" For a very small second I thought just answer the question, "yes" and be on your way down the street to enjoy the walk. After all I told myself, "you deserve this time alone with your own children and you have been looking forward to this walk all day and don't mess up your routine now," but before I could finish the thought, I heard the nudging of the Holy Spirit to go over and see how she was doing.

I walked up to her yard and asked if I could hold her seven week old son. She explained all about his fussiness, her lack of sleep (I could see it in her eyes) and her own post pregnancy health concerns. I remembered how difficult those early weeks and even months can be when you have a little one who doesn't sleep. For the next hour I stood outside and held her little one. He fussed for awhile, I talked and cooed with him. I patted his back and rubbed his tummy trying to bring some relief. My own children realized mom was no longer going for her walk and had headed off to join some kids in a game of baseball.

Soon the baby's dad who had been visiting with another neighbor came over and we all stood and talked while the little guy finally settled down and was fast asleep in my arms. He was even snoring. I continued to hold the baby while mom and dad were able to enjoy a moment. I stood and listened as they talked about how difficult the days and nights had been and how their three year old was handling the new addition to their family. I was no longer concerned about my own agenda, but truly grateful that for a moment my own busyness (or maybe my own plans might be a better word) had not interfered with an opportunity to share the Love of God through my available arms.

You see my neighbors know my husband is a Pastor. We know they don't go to church anywhere. We don't want to preach at them, but we do want to show the Love of God by how we live our lives. At the moment, I was hoping the other neighbor would stay and visit with her, but she didn't. Busyness is not a spiritual gift. In fact, often times (moms especially) run from here to there all in the name of "good" things and how many truly "good" things are they missing out on because they are just too busy? My home has been my "busyness" measuring stick for many years now. It usually speaks to whether or not I am too busy. Of course, there are always seasons when things get a bit crazy, but that is not where we want to live.

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you Psalm 63:3

For more In "other" Words visit Christine at Fruit In Season

Monday Menu Plan

Here is my menu plan for the week. It was 80 degrees on Saturday, so we were outside grilling. I am hoping to get outside this week and do some more.

Monday: Maple and Mustard-Glazed Grilled Chicken with red potatoes and green salad

Tuesday: Layered Chicken-Black Bean Enchiladas

Wednesday: Slow Cooker Italian Shredded Beef Hoagies

Thursday: Raspberry Glazed Grilled Chicken with asparagus, corn and red potatoes with a honey-mustard glaze

Friday: Tex Mex Chicken Salad

Recipe for Maple and Mustard-Glazed Grilled Chicken

3/4 cup maple-flavored syrup
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (optional)

Cook chicken on the grill for about 15 minutes over medium heat; turn chicken, cover and cook 20 to 40 minutes longer turning occasionally and brushing 2 or 3 times with glaze until juice of chicken is clear when thickest piece is cut. Heat remaining mustard mixture to boiling; boil 1 minute. Serve sauce with chicken

For more great menu ideas visit Laura at I'm an Organized Junkie

Your Manners Matter - part 3

Here and here I shared how I use meal preparation and meal time to teach my children etiquette. I explained that the foundation of all etiquette is kindness, which expresses itself by consideration for the people around you. Knowing proper etiquette makes you feel comfortable so that you can reach out to others and make them feel important. If you are concerned about making a mistake or appearing to be foolish, then your thoughts are consumed with yourself. However, when you know how to properly conduct yourself in the presence of others, then you are free to focus on them.

We have taught our kids some simple table conduct. Of course, elaborate instructions or rules are available for every state of a guest's dinner experience in any etiquette book, but following strict rules is not our goal. We are hoping to help them learn how to properly conduct themselves so that they may be a blessing to others.

We have a little one who drops food on the floor and and another who is still learning not to use his fingers for everything. We encourage lots of conversation. We want our meal times to be a time in which we connect with one another and a chance to hear the hearts of our children. Here are some simple etiquette rules made simple for our home:

-Wait for mom (or the hostess)to be seated before beginning to eat

-Put your napkin on your lap

-We encourage the kids not to comment about the food. We have explained that kindness does not embarrass the hostess who may not always know what we like or dislike.

-If you are served something that you do not eat or like, we have explained to just leave it on your plate and eat around it.

-When serving family-style (all the food on the table), pass the food to the person on your right. Hold the dish for the person while they serve their plate. They should then hold it for the next person and so on until it returns to you.

-If I am serving from the kitchen (stove), I will sometimes have one of my kids help me and again everyone waits until each person has been

served.

-Eat with your mouth closed and do not talk with your mouth full.

-If you must leave the table for an important reason, ask to be excused.

-When our kids have finished eating we have them take their plates to the sink. We have taught them to place their silverware in their plate. Even if some food remains on their plate, laying the utensils together and at an angle lets the hostess know you are finished with your meal.

-Of course, there are times when food is passed across the table especially on taco and tostada night. On occasion we have a carpet picnic in which the meal is put on a blanket in the family room and we eat as if we were outside having a picnic.

Most importantly enjoy your family meal time together! This time is given to us each and every day. Treasure it!

Friday's Thoughts... Our Mother Shoulders

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Oh, for more of the wisdom of Solomon, we cry, looking at the responsibilities placed on our mother shoulders and then at our limitations! How can we lead our children in straight paths when we ourselves have walked such a crooked road?

But God whose strength is made perfect in our weakness can use our very mistakes to show us a better way. Even Solomon himself uttered this prayer: "Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties...So give your servant a discerning heart." (1 Kings 3:7,9)

God honored Solomon's prayer, and in Ephesians 1:17 we are told that we today will be given "the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that (we) may know him better." To every believing Christian the Holy Spirit is promised, the Spirit who will lead us into all truth.

A Mother's Prayer

Father in heaven, make me wise,

So that my gaze may never meet

A question in my children's eyes.

God keep me always kind and sweet.

And patient too, before their need;

Let each vexation know its place,

Let gentleness be all my creed,

Let laughter live upon my face!

A mother's day is very long

There are so many things to do!

But never let me lose my song

Before the hardest day is through.

Margaret E. Sangster

God loves to decorate

I sat down this afternoon to begin work on next week's lesson for our Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study. We are currently in the middle of a study titled, "Steadfast Love - Finding self-worth through God's truth." We are on Lesson 9, "Love Changes Me". On the first page of this week's lesson the author shares this quote:

"God loves to decorate. God has to decorate. Let him live long enough in a heart, and that heart will begin to change. Portraits of hurt will be replaced by landscapes of grace. Walls of anger will be demolished and shaky foundations restored. God can no more leave a life unchanged than a mother can leave her child's tear untouched." (taken from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado)

God's been redecorating around here for a long time and just when I get to thinking I like what He has done, it's time to rearrange some furniture, tear down a wall or two and freshen things up with a coat of paint. But just as I would wipe my child's tear away with my own hands because of my great love for them, God's love does and will continue to transform my life.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:6 (ESV)

Wordless Wednesday - Looking Back

For more Wordless Wednesday visit here

Internet Cafe

Do you ever arrive at a special event only to wish you could slip behind a curtain and change your clothes? In many social settings the message is very clear. To be accepted, you must be clothed according to the “standard”...whatever that is. Join me over at CWO's Internet Cafe as we look at "The Dressing Room".

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Chicken Packets, potatoes and corn (Prepare Chicken for freezer)

Tuesday: Cheese Enchiladas, rice and beans

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes (one of my kids just love these) & pasta salad

Thursday: Lasagna and salad (Make an extra lasagna for the freezer)

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo and salad


It's Monday and we are finally getting some nice weather again. I am ready to change my menu planner from roasts, soups and stews to grilled chicken, shish ka bobs on the barbecue and salads. I sat this morning and reorganized my planner moving some of my soup recipes to the back of the book and inserting some new marinades for the grill to the front. I also moved my cookbooks around so that the ones that are specific to spring and summer cooking are ready to go.
The boys are in the middle of spring soccer season and baseball practice is starting. Our evenings are beginning to be busy again with running kids here and there, so this is a great time to plan ahead so that we don't end up eating too much fast food. A little preparation goes along way. Here are a few things that I have used in the past and have served me well:

• Cook and chop up (I will also shred some for enchiladas) several pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts. I then freeze in 3-4 cup quantities for quick meal preparation.
• Prepare several freezer meals such as lasagna, tamale pie and other casseroles that freeze nicely. For the next two weeks, I plan to cook "double" on two days in order to build my stock of freezer meals.
• Utilize your crockpot!! There are so many great recipes for crockpots from very simple barbecue chicken to roasts.
• Make a menu plan. I make the plan for the week based on what I have on my calendar. Our goal for most nights is to gather at the table, but if I didn't have a plan I am afraid we would miss many opportunities for this important time together. Having a plan as always served me well.

I will finish my post on "Manners Matter" next week. Have a great Monday!

For more menu plans visit Laura at Organized Junkie

Happy Birthday Kelsey!

What has happened? Twelve years has gone by so quickly. The day you were born will be forever etched in my mind. You were the most wonderful baby (and I am not exaggerating). Your toddler years, like most toddlers, were busy and filled with me wondering what happened to the sweet and content little baby I had just held. I love this picture of you at fifteen months in your tiny night gown and slippers. We had just arrived home from a summer camp, I had given you a bath and we were all ready for bed at like four in the afternoon. I couldn't help after a long hot week but snap a picture of you with your sun kissed cheeks.
Finally, as a preschooler your hair began to grow and stayed as a cute brunette bob for years. Elementary school has been full of growth. Your passion for gymnastics and your accomplishments in theatre ballet have helped develop your confidence to perform in front of other people. But it is your love and passion for Jesus that blesses me most.
I love to go in your room and find all the little notes you have left or see the many crafty projects you are creating. You love to read to me what you have written in your journal. I have noticed the extra time you are starting to take in the bathroom. It is a sign of things to come, but most days (weather permitting) you are outside on your bike, roller blading or just exploring with friends.


You have been my adventurous one at times, always curious and yet a very pleasant little girl. Others would not know this about you, but there is a very shy side to you. You are beginning to change into a warm, caring and lovely young lady. April 12th, your golden birthday! I pray that you will continue to love to talk, sip warm tea, and never stop wanting to just be with your mom. Kelsey, I pray that you continue to grow in character, strength and wisdom as a young woman of God. You bring our family great joy and with an older sister and three younger brothers, you hold your position well. (wink) Enjoy your tamales tonight, lots of birthday cake and thank you for waking up this morning with the best smile ever.


I love you so much!
Mom

Twelve Years Old ~ April 12, 2007

Wordless Wednesday - Our Easter

For more Wordless Wednesday go here

In "Other" Words

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

I love the description that the writer of Hebrews paints for us. I think of the surgeon's knife cutting away at my inner most parts, exposing my heart and dividing (or imparting) that which is truth from everything else and removing that which will bring destruction so that I may be changed for God's glory. Using the Life Journal as a tool for daily reading of God's word imparts truth into my life directly. Each time I sit down to read, I ask the question, "How will I be different today because of what I have just read?" 1 Tim. 4:7 says, "Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness". It is God's word (ancient words) that makes this quote so powerful!

"Ancient Words, ever true

Changing me and changing you

We have come with open hearts

O let the ancient words impart."

~ Lynn DeShazo~

For more In "Other" Words go here

It's never too late to say thank you...

I am a little behind with this but it is never too late to say thank you to others for their kind words. Over the past couple of weeks several of my favorite blogs gave me one of these.

Since someone else already beat me to giving each of them this award, I will just say "thank you" again to each of you by sending it back to you and share a bit why each of these blogs bless me and cause me to think.

Cyndi at One Day More challenges me to dig deeper. She encourages me almost daily in the word of God through her posts. She is a powerful writer and definitely causes me to think about my relationship with God.

Susanne at Living to tell the Story is a beautiful Godly woman. Her posts at Faith Lifts are inspiring and full of God's truths. It is her comments at my own blog that often times has caused me to think. She is such an encourager and finds the good in all things.

Kelly at A Spacious Place was one of the first blogs I began to read regularly and hopefully will never stop! We walk in similar paths. I have found her love for mentoring the young women God has placed in her life as well as her love for her husband and children refreshing. She is truly a woman after God's heart.

Deidre at For Such A Time as This is a buried treasure. If you have never read her blog, go now. She is a beautiful writer who expresses what God is doing in her life so powerfully! Her posts not only cause me to think but they inspire me!

Tammy at Family Doin's is brand new to me too! But thank you Tammy for your kind words. She has been leaving such nice comments, but it was reading this post that not only made me think, but made me thankful that I am not the only one at times feeling a bit awkward.

Go read and enjoy!

Monday Menu Plan

Monday: Egg Salad Sandwiches and chips

Tuesday: Ham & Bean Soup with cornbread

Wednesday: Spaghetti & garlic bread

Thursday: Birthday Dinner *It will be mexican her favorite* Cake & Ice Cream

Friday: Teriyaki Burgers, salad, & chips

Saturday: Taco Salad

Your Manners Matter - Part 2

Last week, I shared that the foundation of all etiquette is kindness. Here are three simple ways I have used my preparation of a meal to teach proper etiquette as a host/hostees to my children. I started when my oldest daughter was young. It has never been rigid, but something that fits in with our lifestyle and family.

1. Setting your table - The simplest part of your preparation is to provide your guests with the tools they need to comfortably dine with you. (Remember proper etiquette has to do with others) Whether you are having guests for supper or not, setting the table or placing the table utensils at appropriate locations provides an inviting atmosphere to all who are coming to your table. At a very early age your children can begin setting the table. This is a great time to talk about serving others and preparing a place for them to come and feel special. I have one of my children help me each evening not only with the setting of the table but also depending on their age, I talk about ways we can make others feel welcome including our family members. For example, if Daddy has a special glass encourage your child to look for it and place it at his place. Even If I am serving from the stove, utensils, cups and other items can be neatly placed on the table.
2. Simply Prepare - Simply preparing things ahead of time and planning can free us to be more attentive to others. This is a skill that will make things much smoother when hosting others. Allowing your children to participate in some of the preparations provides the opportunity for them to see what is required in serving others. Talk to your children about how we can ask the Lord to teach us other ways that we can honor our family and guests. With my children, I will walk through all the things that are needed at the table or the serving area so that we can remain at the table during the meal and enjoy our time together.
3. Prepare to lavishly love - The obligation for following the rules of etiquette belongs to those who serve as host and hostess. In the dominion of our own homes we have the awesome privilege and Biblical mandate to represent Jesus Christ to those who walk through our doors. If your children are very young and the thought of entertaining guests just does not seem realistic, (which for many years, I was in this place ) first begin with your own family. By having one of your children work with you in the kitchen, you are teaching him/her to be the host/hostess. Next, start by inviting grandparents or other friends or family members who understand the season you are in with young children. Often times there is not enough seating at the table in our homes for those we may chose to invite, but we can still teach our children about showing kindness to those who have come to our home even if it means they are sitting in the living room or other designated places. Start simple and small, maybe just invite someone for dessert. Our home provides the perfect environment for practicing hospitality. We just need to give our children the opportunity to practice it.

Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).

1 Peter 4:9 (AB)

This by no means is an exhaustive list. But please remember, the most important thing in teaching our children manners or etiquette is to teach people are more important than protocol.

Next week I will share some of the specific areas concerning proper table conduct that we have found useful with our children and have provided for enjoyment while we are at the table.

For more great menu plans go to I'm an Organizing Junkie

God's Work on My Behalf

this was taken from the Gospel Primer for Christians, prose version which has been a part of my daily quiet time with the Lord this week.

"However, what I could not do, God did (Rom 5:6) - and in doing it, He did it all, sending His own Son into the world to die on the cross for my sins, (Rom 8:3) thereby showing me unfathomable love. (Rom 5)
God loved me so much that He was willing to suffer the loss of His Son, (John 3:16) and even more amazingly, He was willing to allow His Son to suffer the loss of Him at the cross. (Mark 15:34)
Jesus loved me so much that He was willing to lay down His life for me. No one could ever love me more or better than Jesus. (John 15:13)
On the third day after Jesus' death, God raised Him from the dead, thereby announcing that His death was completely sufficient to atone for every sin that I have or will commit throughout my lifetime. (Acts 13)
God then exalted Christ to His own right hand,(Eph. 1) where Christ now reigns from on high, granting salvation and forgiveness to all who call on Him by faith. (Acts 5:31)

"For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh" Romans 8:3 (ESV)

Have a blessed Easter Celebration!

CWO - The Internet Cafe

Join me today for my first contribution to The Internet Cafe as I share of Christ's redeeming work in my life titled "No greater love..."

I give thanks to you...

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:12

Taken from Gospel Primer, Poetic VersionBut wonders of wonders, so great to behold, My God chose to save mewith method so bold. What I could not render,God fully has done,And doing, He rendered itall through His Son.He sent Christ to dieon the cross for my sinTo suffer my anguish my pardon to win.Amazing it is, when I stop to regard,That God would consentto an anguish so hard,Surrend'ring His Sonunto mayhem and death,To torturous writhing'til His final breath. 'Why does God forsake Me?'alone Jesus cried;Yet God left Him hanginguntil He had died.That Jesus was willing His life to lay down,Be scourged and insulted and wear thorny crownFor one such as I who had spited God so,Amazes and blesses and makes me to knowThat greater a loveis no man than He,Who laid down His lifefor a sinner like me.

For more Thankful Thursday posts go here