Pondering the Past

THE TRACK

 My morning walk awhile back was a bit more challenging than usual. Snow covered the paved track at the local high school where I like to walk, making it impossible to tell where it was. As I stood staring at the whiteness, I realized I had a number of choices: I could choose to make my own path, I could choose to follow the tracks of others or of the snow mobile that had gone through, or I could search for the real path. The path of the snow mobile seemed the most solid, so I started there. It didn't take me long to realize however, that this path wasn't the right one. Besides going through the deepest snow, it led towards the middle of the open track area, in front of the baseball diamond, nowhere near the paved path. I then decided to follow in the tracks of others, but again, I quickly realized that they hadn't necessarily followed the path, either. Instead of going around the field, their tracks led off towards the high school campus. Making my own path was also not a good option. My tendency was to take short cuts, and where the ground underneath was a bit lower, I sank into knee-deep snow. Finally I decided to search for the true path. I knew that the track ran just to the outside of the 5-6 lights around the course. This was a good place to start! Next I watched for patches of pavement where the snow had melted, and I soon discovered that there were actually quite a few of these. Finally, I watched for signs of grass coming up through the snow, and if I could identify this on both sides but not under my feet, I had a pretty good idea I was on the track, even when there was snow. I soon found that parts of the track were easier to identify than others. The backside, for example, was easy. It was nearly bare. The front, on the other hand, was covered in about six inches of snow. I definitely had to pay more attention there.

 This reminds me of the Christian's walk through the world. We are told to stay on the path: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matt 7:13-14 NIV). 

This could mean lots of things, but one of the very important applications is to have good, God-given convictions, and to stick to them. But often the path is hard to find because there is too much "snow"-our own desire-covering it. We want to "fit in", to "be like the crowd". We wish for an "easier path", one that runs into fewer conflicts! These desires can completely obscure our way! So what do you do? Just like I had several choices then, we have several choices.

        1. Make your own path-look at what seems logical and socially acceptable to base your convictions upon. This              alleviates the problem of not being like the crowd. But the world's wisest man warns against this:"There is              a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Prov 14:12 NIV) 

2. Follow the crowd. If everyone else is doing it, it can't be that bad! But what happens if the crowd's way isn't             Jesus' way? If you aren't careful you will soon find yourself on the wrong way! Jesus warns against this                     option: "For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through                       it."(Matt. 7:13) 

3. Take the "path of the snow mobile"-the "easy road"-the path of least resistance. Paul warns adamantly                     against this: "… All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end                           street." (Phil 3:18-19 The Message) 

And none of these options worked for me that morning. There is one other choice, the one that worked for me: Search for the true Path, the "small and narrow road" that leads to life: "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matt 7:14 NIV).

  So how do you find this "small and narrow road"? The same way I found the track this morning: 

1. Watch for the lights: Just as my track had a few lights around it, we have been given a light, God's Word. The Bible gives you all the guidance you need, and God's Spirit helps you apply the principles of His Word to your individual situations. 

2. Clear away the snow: Allow Jesus to work in your heart to change your desires into Godly ones, to learn to hate the things of the world. 

3. Watch for the grass: Ask God to show you what compromise looks like and watch for it. Ask Him to show you the moment you step off the path! Naturally, this is easier to do sometimes than others. But in all times, we can ask God to help us, for "I can do all things in him that strengthens me" (Phil 4:13 NKJV) 

Lord, help us to not see the world in shades of gray, but in black and white! Help us to hate even the tiniest tinge of compromise so that like David, we will to be able to say: "I try to walk a straight and narrow path of doing what is right …" (Ps 26:11 TLB)

SPRING

Spring has finally peeked it's head out of my front border in the form of Daff~o~down~ dillies.hosta buds and tulip leaves! Yippee! Thank you God for the miracles You give us in the morning, and everyday!

Following

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Psalm 143 A psalm of David Ps 143:1 O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. 8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, O LORD, for I hide myself in you. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant. Clearly, the psalmist, David, wrote these words amidst circumstances of deep trouble and turmoil. In situations of suffering, we all know how appealing it is to wallow in the mire or self-pity and to think dark, vindictive thoughts against our 'enemies'. The Psalms are very candid in expressing grief and anger; and they give us the language for our own prayers when our own language fails us. God seems to be saying, through the Psalms, that it is all right to recognize and express these deep emotions to Him! After all, he knows that we are feeling them better than we know it ourselves! There is more to this poem than complaint, "I hide myself in You!" writes David. The place to flee in the midst of our struggles is to God, the only secure place of refuge. God is the only place of hope and comfort and safety. God is also the place to learn. "Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul." To remain in the place of refuge, and to know the peace we all long to have in our hearts, we must seek to know and do the will of God. Isaiah 55:8 says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD." Because this is true, we need to be taught His ways and His will. He teaches us His will in many ways, and even though we may not find the discipline easy, there is tremendous fulfillment in following them. We are learning as we follow. Our prayers are being answered even as we pray.

"While we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem-cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means."

— President George W. Bush, Aug. 9, 2001

Tuesday Dinner...

Dishwasher Salmon with Carrot Soup!

For years I have tried to remember where I saw that Salmon could be cooked in the dishwasher.  I think it was the Galloping Gourmet when I was little...

Anyway, no one has heard of it, and I thought I was crazy...but guess what we are having for dinner?!?!?!?!?!  

Picture...

I really like this picture. It's so cool. It's how I feel sometimes. Jesus just holding me. Cool.

Disney World and Downtown Disney were so much fun! Bundled up in three sweatshirts and hats...we were cozy...

WinterHaven, FL and Clearwater, FL vacation

...once we got there...

what a wonderful, and totally stress free vacation we had.  Aunt Donna and Uncle Jim are the most wonderful hosts we have ever encountered!  "Thank you, thank you and thank you, again!!!!! We love you and your home!  An inspiration for Dan and I to work as hard as we can so someday we will be able to move in next door!!!!!!!"

  Even though the cold blasted in, 50' during the day and 20's at least 2 nights, and stayed, as we did, we couldn't have asked for a better vacation with our family of 4, and now an added two with tons of memories!!  Pineapple growers unite!!!!

 Tampa PowerWorks with the Manatee observation deck and education building is a must for any Manatee lover!  The synchronization of their breathing was amazing!  Are Manatee and a Dugong the same thing?  

Later, with the rest of the story...

"Children, yours and mine, are the true wealth of any nation, and in them lies the hope of the future. A society that is too busy or too preoccupied for its children is just a nation of aging, dying people who feed on their own selfish interests."

Tribute to Mammy Hamster

Mammy.

She was by far the most endearing hamster EVER!

She never bit anyone in her 2 1/2 year life.

She loved carrots and cabbage.

When we first got her from our friend Drifter,

she was so small.  Tiny, in fact.

She would get food in her little pouches,

the run to her wheel and RUUUUUUUN!

{We always said she was running to South Dakota}

She'd drop her food in the wheel, and go get more.  

She was so silly!

When we had her wire cage, she would climb,

 up and down, up and around, and then JUMP off of her 

red platform.

She sure had night~time energy.

For someone nocturnal.

She escaped one time, and our Border Collie found her.

Sitting behind the washing machine.

Daddy got her and took the tiny little feet in his big hands,

checking for boo-boos.

She did hurt her back left paw, but she healed up fine.

The last time she escaped her cage, we looked fervently.

We tore the house apart.

We couldn't get the Border Collie to do her job again.

I was a mess.

Every song reminded me of her.

We called the radio station to ask for prayer.

We checked under the dresser as a last thought...

She was sleeping , under the dresser, where she was...

probably all day.

I was not a mess any longer.

I just wanted to hold her.

Recently, she had been gaining weight.

She was fat.

She was LARGE...

ok, she was OBESE.

Last night we played with her and loved her,

and cleaned her cage.

We heard her on her wheel ,

cause it was really squeeky,

cause Ma'am was FAT!

Then this morning when I said good morning,

She didn't lift her little head

squint her little eyes and 

rub her tiny face

to say good morning.

That's when I knew.

Mammy died.

I woke Haley, 

we cried together.

Now we have to bury her.

By the Hibiscus in the garden.

She loved flowers.

Or, she would have, 

I'm sure.

I loved Mammy.

Goodbye, dear girl.

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Creating a successful Butterfly Garden involves attracting a wide variety of butterflies and encouraging them to return the next season. The best way to do this is to plant both nectar-producing and host plants. The nectar-producing plants need to provide flowers that bloom throughout the season, especially in mid- to late summer when most butterflies are active. These plants should be grown in open, sunny areas, as the adults of many species rarely feed on plants in the shade. The host plants should offer a source of food and shelter for larvae and a place for adults to lay their eggs.

• Plant a variety of nectar-rich plants, as well as shrubs and evergreens for shelter.
• Grow a wide range of host plants to provide food during butterflies' larval (caterpillar) stage.
• Avoid using pesticides, especially around nectar-producing plants. Even the use of some organic or biological controls can harm butterfly larvae.
• Provide a shallow source of water (try a birdbath with pebbles lining the bowl).
• Place a rock in a sunny spot for basking and resting.
• Create a "puddling area" by digging a shallow hole filled with compost or manure where rainwater will collect and release essential salts and minerals.

Note about 'new chapter' In another presidential ritual, Bush left a note for Obama in his desk in the Oval Office, wishing him well as he takes the reins of power.

"I won't provide any details, but the theme is similar to what he's said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best," outgoing White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

She said the two-term Republican incumbent wrote the message to his Democratic successor on Monday and left it in the top drawer of his desk, which was crafted from timbers from the H.M.S. Resolute and given to the U.S. by Great Britain in 1879.

During his last moments in the Oval Office, former President Ronald Reagan scribbled a note for his successor on a notepad with a turkey insignia that said "Don't let the turkeys get you down." He, too, slipped the note in the presidential desk for his successor, President George H.W. Bush.

Four years after that, the elder Bush left a note for President Bill Clinton. And eight years after that, Clinton wrote a note for Bush, and included a copy of the message he had received from Bush's father.

It's ironic that Barack Obama chooses to infuse these opening days of his presidency with the imagery of Abraham Lincoln.   I don't think there could be two more different men. Understanding why may help us think about what to expect in the days ahead.

 

Beyond his trademark "change we can believe in," Obama's defining theme has been unity and inclusiveness. "...There's not a liberal America and a conservative America -- there's the United States of America....We worship an awesome God in the Blue States...and have gay friends in the Red States."   Obama, of course, does not suggest that we don't have differences. His point is that those differences are not critically important and they're getting in our way. Let's put differences aside, get practical, and solve our problems.   The inaugural ceremonies have pastors for everyone. A white evangelical that opposes same-sex marriage, a white homosexual, a left-wing black male, and a left-wing black female.   His economic stimulus plan has large government expenditures to please Democrats and tax benefits to please Republicans.   Lincoln, too, sought unity. But Lincoln's notion of where national unity would lie was far different from Obama's.   He prophetically stated the challenge after accepting the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1858.   "A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure half slave and half free. I do not expect the union to be dissolved. I do not expect the House to fall. But I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing, or all the other."   As historian Harry Jaffa points out, "For Lincoln, as for Jefferson and for all genuine supporters of the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the distinction between right and wrong is antecedent to any form of government and is independent of any man's or any majority's will."   Lincoln knew that some principles are so fundamental they cannot be compromised. He knew that we couldn't ignore our key differences. Unity could only come from facing them and making the hard choices.   He knew that even though there were competing religious claims on the issue of slavery -- some found biblical sanction in it -- we would still have to choose and decide who we are.   As Americans killed each other, he observed: "Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God....The prayers of both could not be answered...."   We have many Americans today who read the same Bible but see the truths that define this country very differently. And, of course, we have Americans who do not see the Bible as relevant to those truths at all and those who would claim that there are no truths.   As Lincoln observed, the prayers of all cannot be answered. Unless we're resigned to meaninglessness, we must believe that our future will reflect today's choices.   On the hardest moral dilemma of his day, Abraham Lincoln stepped up to the plate and took a stand. He did not say that it was above his pay grade. And this is what makes Abraham Lincoln very different from Barack Obama.   Each time has its challenges. Americans feel betrayed by what they see as unethical behavior in American business and in Washington. Yet few seem to appreciate that moral problems lie at the root of our faltering economy.

Sanctity of life and sanctity of property are cut from the same cloth of eternal law.   In the view of many, including me, it's this law that defines our free country.   Our new president, who sanctions both abortion and massive government intrusion into our economic lives, sees things very differently.   So let's not pretend these fundamental differences don't matter. How we choose will define our future. As Lincoln said, the nation "will become all one thing, or all the other."

God's Spirals

When God planned the spiral, He had more than numbers, beauty, and dynamic symmetry in mind. He wants me to thrill at the tiny accuracy of His Creation. He longs to reveal Himself by sharing His wisdom and love. Won't you bow in admiration and reverent worship with me? "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," says the LORD, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 Global spirals appear in air and sea currents, rotating in one direction in the northern hemisphere and the opposite in the southern hemisphere. In an area of high pressure, winds blow clockwise in an outward spiral, usually bringing fair weather. Owtwardly expanding spirals are all good and bring growth or life-giving benefits, but ever since sin entered our world, destructive patterns have come in the form of reversed spirals. In areas of stormy weather, low pressure winds spiral inward in a counterclockwise pattern. Destructive cyclones blow inward toward the center, and the enemy must delight in the fury of hurricanes and typhoons and tornados with winds up to 300 mph, causing massive damage and loss of property and life. Satan surely becomes outraged when he sees God expanding my spiral of growth toward eternal joy as I focus on things above that are not of this world. The devil uses anything he can (from tv, to fashion, to over-consumption of anything) to turn my thoughts from God and His Word. Gradually my life would turn inward, centered on my own selfish desires. Spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally, my selfish thoughts would grow smaller and less spiritual, possibly spiralling out of control, like a hurricane, headed toward self-destruction. God can and does reverse Satan's spiral if I claim the promise of Jeremiah 29:11-14, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," says the LORD, "and I will bring you back from your captivity." Yes, God planned for my life to expand by His spiral. I am called to reach out away from my selfish center and grow by His power. He longs to enlarge my capacity to receive more and more of His character. Daily He will impart wisdom, love, strength, and joy! No limit! With God, I have infinite possibilities to become like Him spiritually, physicaly, mentally, and emotionally. I claim His promise to "...supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" ~Philippians 4:19 ~ a limitless spiral of hope on into eternity, you should too! ~\0/~

Red

Red has always been my favorite color.

Growing up, everything in my closet was

one shade of red or another.  It was quite

a chore choosing what to wear to school

on any given day.  I'm glad we have 

chosen to home school our children...I would 

feel awfully sad if the kids didn't wear red to

school!

 Speaking of red, I just found out that Red 

Skelton is from Indiana. We used to love to 

listen to Red Skelton, living in Pittsburgh we

didn't have much to laugh about...except 

maybe the lopsided birds. Daddy thought 

Mr.Skelton was quite funny!

  YouTube shows some silly out~takes!

Here for your viewing pleasure.  

Does anyone still wish for laughter in the New Year?

Happy!

~\0/~

Reflection on Friends

When twilight drops her curtain down;

  and pins it with a star;

Remember that you have a friend;

  'though she may wander far.

So many distractions in our lives.  Some fun, others just bothersome.  While I try to say "No" to stuff that is meaningless, visiting the elderly in our church is the best thing  I have said "YES!" to this week.  In particular, Grandma and Grandpa Pastor!  My favorite people! They moved here last Spring when Grandma got sick and they needed to be taken care of by one of their children.  Well, Albuquerque was out, because Grandma 'hates that mesa filled place.'  Grandpa is at home 'wherever he hangs his hat' , but Indiana is their new home.  First Winter blues and getting used to the climate has been difficult.  BUT, I was privileged to be invited to spend a day with them due to a day that their son would be out all day.  Vacation for me! 

Grandpa is a master clock workman, and he is working on my Grandmothers Cuckoo Clock that just wouldn't stop going.  With out the energiser bunny!   What a remarkable thing the talent and gifts God gives us.  What a blessing it was to spend the better part of the day with my favorite adopted Grandparents!!! 

  

 

Kitchen hair!!!

WOW! Look at those curls!  Look at how th elight reflects into the                                          We call it kitchen hair in the industry.

  Beach hair, if you are getting ready to plan a trip to the beach, which we are.  Only the female of this family wish to get ready for the beach with beach hair. And really, only the youngest female in this house.  the older one just want to live vicariously through her daughters hair!  People pay BIG BUCKS to get beautiful, strawberry blonde/platinum highlighted beach hair!!!!  Haley, she just has to ask and do her little ant dance.!

Winter

We've had our first 'winter storm' Whoopee!!!  Ice everywhere! 

The bare trees look so beautiful with all the ice on their branches.  

The streets do too, except when sliding instead of stopping...

I love this time of year. We play games and have challenges on the Wii.

Drink hot chocolate with {sugar free} candy canes to stir it with. 

Don't forget the mini-marshmallows!

Even though the rest of the week is going to be raining and warmer,

today is good, and just knowing that there is a possibility of more, 

that is what makes this time of year my favorite.

And the planning of the February Florida vacation!

"Life is ten percent what happens to you

 and ninety percent how you respond to it."

Forgive, and Celebrate HIM this CHRISTmas

Remembering a past hurt, I prayed about how to forgive. Obviously I sometimes don't listen well. But, here's what I found out; God was up to something when He tickled my Spirit inside, and being the mature and godly woman that I was, I was furious! "That woman does not deserve forgiveness, Lord" I ranted.  My Father whispered, "Neither do you, child."  I was still angry.  "Lord, she is the one that hurt me," I cried.  "Just as you have hurt me," He responded. I wasn't through. "I think it is only fair for me to wait for her to make the first move.  And then she needs to come crawling on her hands and knees, begging for my forgiveness!"  In the silence, I heard the words of the Great Physician, a voice I have come to love so much, "Aren't you glad I didn't wait for you to come to me?" 

I suddenly realized I had a choice to make.  I could choose to hang on to my anger and bitterness, making her my jailer, or I could choose to forgive her and set myself free!  But I just couldn't forgive her on my own, so I did what David did.  I cried out to God.

Psalm 40:1-3a (NIV) "I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."

As I wrestled with the choice to forgive, I learned several life-changing truths: 

• If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.   
• There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to His.   
• Forgiveness is not a feeling or an emotion.  Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.  
• Forgiveness is our greatest need and God's greatest gift.  

While we cannot change the past, we can change our response to the past and dictate the power it has over us.  If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.  If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist, but because our greatest need was and is forgiveness, God sent a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is calling us all to a higher place, a place of forgiveness.  The choice is ours to make.  Today, we can choose freedom by choosing to forgive. 

Let's Pray  Father, it is not within my power to forgive, but it is within my power to choose forgiveness.  Right now, I surrender my pain and hurt to You.  I choose to forgive as You have forgiven me. 

In Jesus' name, I pray  Amen

Now It's Your Turn  For some reason, the holidays seem to intensify old wounds and resurrect old hurts. Examine your heart for wounds that have not healed.  Decide today to deal with the pain of the past.  Choose to give the gift of forgiveness and receive God's healing and restoration in return. 

Emmanuel

  For the last few years, many conservative Christians have been concerned with the secularization of Christmas.  They've spent a lot of energy protecting their right to say "Merry Christmas" and perform other public acts of sectarian merry-making. 

   There is much to lament in this particular front of the culture war, especially since the brouhaha distracts us from combating the real threat to Christmas. But for now, I just want to point out the irony of Christian attempts at protecting our right to make merry. 

  In keeping with Christian tradition, we should be reflecting on our longing and need for the Messiah, not defending our right to a public Nativity scene.  December should be marked by humility, not cultural defensiveness. Let's not reflect on the need of others to acknowledge our privileged status in this pluralist democracy; rather, let's reflect on our own need for hope, for a visible inbreaking of God, for salvation. 

 I value the wisdom of the gorgeous Advent hymn "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," which sums up what should be our true holiday spirit in the days before the 12 Days of Christmas:

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory over the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Gingerbread

YUM!

For a couple of years we went to my friends home and made Gingerbread houses...with graham crackers for ease.  Gingerbread men were made from scratch to decorate, and oooohhhhh, they were yummy. Just the smell is good for me.  This year, my dilemma is this; Corban is Autistic and on a special diet. {Wheat free, gluten free and casein free diet. That removes all breads, pastas and goodies that also include milk and the by~products.  He is the healthiest one of the family.  I am going to switch after the first of the year.  } I digress...

  With this specialized diet, Corban can't eat cookies, let alone gingerbread men, or houses!, and I feel that I need to be a little more sensitive to his cause... none of us are going to eat or make Gingerbread anythings this year...well, I do have a sewing project...  and there's the Muppets Gingerbread Song from the very first Muppets season that we found at the library.  You can watch it over there------>

Soon it should snow, then we can take our winter wonderland picture, before we go to Sanibel in February!  2nd Honeymoon...with dependants this time!  Mucky Duck....here we come!!!

Digressing again, I found a recipe for wfgfcf gingerbread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!                {AWESOME BOOK!!!!!    'The Gluten~Free Kitchen' by Roben Ryberg}

...here goes:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup molasses

1/3 cup light corn syrup

2/3 cup boiling water

3/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons potato starch

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1     teaspoon cinnamon

1     teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup sugar {I'll use Splenda}

1     egg

Directions  {or destructions depending on the chef!  ;D}

Preheat oven to 325deg.  In a small bowl, combine molasses, light corn syrup, and boiling water.  Set aside to cool.

In large bowl, combine cornstarch, ginger, salt and xanthan gum.  To flour mixture, add oil, sugar, egg and cooled molasses mixture.  Mix well to remove lumps.

Pour batter into greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan.  Bake 40 minutes, until toothpick inserted in middle of cake tests done.

Makes 9 large servings.

oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh! Here are some gingersnaps!

This is what we'll use for gingerbread men this year! Yippee!

Ingredients

1/4 cup shortening

1/2 cup sugar  {Splenda again}

1/3 cup molasses

 2    egg yolks

1 1/4 cups cornstarch

3/4 cup potato starch

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup oil

1     teaspoon xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

For Topping

1 Tablespoon sugar (real this time)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350deg.  In large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and molasses.  Add remaining ingredients, mixing well to remove all lumps.

Drop by rounded teaspoonful onto greased baking sheet.  Sprinkle well with sugar.  Bake 8-9 minutes.  Dough will be just set, with no wet spot in the middle.

  Over baking will make the cookie too hard...so use them for a 

GINGERBREAD HOUSE!!!!!  

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaah!

Off to make some...Merry Christmas Season.

May He be with you for eternity!

You only have to ask 'him in and trust that He will guide you through!

Jesus is truly the answer~

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Inspiration from HSLDA

This article was inspiring and exciting for me to read!  We are not alone! We will show You strong in our lives, LORD!

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect [at peace with or loyal] toward him….

—II Chronicles 16:9 KJV

I find this verse one of the most personally inspiring verses in the entire Bible. Let me share how it became such a powerful life verse for me in the hope that it will bless you as well.

I have been speaking about homeschooling teens for over 20 years. I have a list entitled “Ten Reasons to Homeschool Teens” that has been shared at conferences and in magazines across the country. Several years ago I was preparing my notes for a talk when I felt the Lord was getting my attention and sending a very clear thought to my mind, “There’s another reason to homeschool your teens. I want to show Myself strong on your behalf.” II Chronicles 16:9 immediately became the 11th reason on my list of reasons to homeschool teens.

Over the years I have come to realize that the Lord wants his Word to be very personal to us. He wants it to be a “living Word” in our lives. Each day in my quiet time I open the scriptures expecting to hear from Him, and I try to take it as personally as I can.

In that vein, let’s take a closer look at this verse and see how each one of us can be encouraged in our commitment to homeschool to know that we are not alone in the task.

It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the concept that He is going back and forth over the whole world, continually scanning the earth, seeking us out and searching for those of us who are completely loyal to him. To me it means God is pursuing us with a desire to walk with us everyday. He says He does this because he wants to “show” His strength in the things we face day in and day out. He knows our frailties and the limitations of our human condition. And because He is a loving God, it gives Him pleasure to meet our needs in this way.

Of all the compelling reasons to continue to homeschool our teens, none compares to these few powerful words that tell us that the Lord wants to meet us where we are with His help and strength.

 Paul knew how to tap into God’s strength for his life. In II Corinthians 12:10 he says, “Therefore I take pleasure in my infirmities… for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.” KJV

The necessary ingredient we need for God to release His strength in our lives is humility. All we need to do is acknowledge our own need or weakness. Our willingness to humble ourselves and admit that we can’t do it without Him is all He asks.

Wouldn’t it be a little insulting to the Lord for Him to make us this offer and for us to disregard it? Hasn’t He proved Himself by sending His own Son to earth to give His life to satisfy God’s requirement that our sins be covered by Jesus’ blood sacrifice? What more could God do to prove His love for us? It is through God’s sheer power, or strength, that He raised His Son from the dead and won the final victory over sin and death. It is this very strength that is made available to us when He offers “to show Himself strong” on our behalf.

So, when we begin to doubt our ability to homeschool through high school, when we feel we can’t teach challenging courses, or our children are pressuring us to go to “normal” school, or we worry that they won’t get into the college of their choice, perhaps it is time to remember the Lord’s offer to provide us with the strength we need.

I want to leave with you a prayer to pray when doubt sets in:

Dear loving Heavenly Father,

I face so many unknowns as I consider the decision to homeschool through high school. You know my fears and concerns. I confess that in my own strength I can't do it, but with your help I know I can. Right now I ask you for your strength to continue to teach through the teen years. Please grant me the grace to do what you have called me to do. Thank you for answering my prayer.

In Jesus name, Amen

The question that plagues modern homeschoolers, in the same way that men and women in the middle ages wondered if the world was flat, is:  "Are we making any progress and are my kids really learning anything?" I say 'modern homeschoolers' because I don't think the pioneer homeschoolers asked that question.   For them, it wasn't about whether their children knew enough, but about 'what' they knew. They used God's standard in the Bible as their standard. In the last couple of decades, we've changed that standard.   Now the standard used is the level of academics a boy or girl should be at by age 8, 12, or 17. We look towards the "experts" who say a child should be reading chapter books by age seven, doing algebra by 9th grade, and taking Chemistry in 11th grade.   "Says who?"   It certainly isn't God. The truth is that some children don't read until they're ten, struggle to learn algebra, or never make it to Chemistry. And that's OK!   Our children are learning! They will be well prepared for whatever it is God created them. That  gives us grace to enjoy our children at whatever level they are.     "Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein   I couldn't have said it better...

Father God, I really need Your help to know what to do today when homeschooling my children. Show me what lessons to focus on and what lessons to leave for another day. Guide me with Your Word and bring those circumstances into our lives that reveal Your divine hand of guidance. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

Starting over...

I guess it is time to start over...sad to see it all go off the screen, but computers really aren't as efficient as they should be. I'd rather just journal in a real book. But, how would you keep up with me? Do you really want to know all that is in my mind? hmmmm. Do I ?

thankful

I am thankful for the homeschool moms who taught me that homeschool doesn't have to look like public school.  And I'm just thankful for my homeschool friends who are there for me with encouragement, support, and friendship and love on my family as we all learn and grow together.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving Day, I am overwhelmed at the things God has done in my life.  My family is a treasure that I didn't realize for a long time.  I took them all for granted, just walloring in the fact that they were mine, and not taking the time to step back and SEE them.  This year I am thankful for each and every one of my family...the four of us, and all the extended ones, too.

 This year I am thankful that Jesus has opened my heart to the teenagers in my church, giving me the burden for their purity, and praying them into a closer walk with Him!

 This year I am thankful that I still have the freedom to worship and praise the God who gave me Jesus and His Spirit to indwell in me.

 This year I am thankful for Christian artists/bands that keep me singing and dancing ~well, I think it is dancing!~

 This year I am thankful that home education is the blessing and adventure we have chosen to continue.

 Next year will be different, and I will still be thankful for all of these things, and, Lord willing, MORE!!!!

 The reason I am writing is to say that everyday is different, and so should our lives be; speckled with surprises that God has for us as mature Christians.  The way that HE can change even the heart of a 15 yo Autistic child to want to listen to the words and find pearls of truth in HIS message to us is amazing to me. If I look from a different, Godly perspective, my life can be transformed as well, with only a little bit of the baby Christian fire that I muster up every now and again.  I think I'll do that, right now. Blessings to all and to all a good day! ~ \0/ ~

It's the pizza guy at the mall.  The greatest pizza guy we know. He has a brother, but we can tell them apart.  I told him I took his picture, because I didn't want him to think we were stalking him.  He probably has enough of that.  I wonder, is there a better pizza guy at another mall?  Highly unlikely.  ie:  I eat the #6 salad with two pepperoni breadsticks    {and only get one because Haley takes the other one piece by piece},    I never order a kids meal... but this time they have   SLINKYS   for the toy prize!!!!   I only had to ask, and the slinky was mine.   How cool is that?  Maybe someday, we can do something for 'our' pizza guy, something other than take pictures of him and talk about him on this blog.  Enough pizza talk, another week will go by before I can have another #6 with a diet coke.  Can I survive?  I think so. {we got the t-mobile guy a slinky too!}

Memaw

Memaw loves the color blue. Almost everything she has, has some blue in it. Sometimes, even she is blue. I don't really blame her. When I am 86 years old, I only pray that I can walk and get around like her. Yes, she can't hear. Yes, she broke her back a year ago, and she doesn't remember it. Yes, she had breast cancer and had a masectomy. But just look at her! She has beautiful hair, and a good taste in clothes. She cares about how she dresses, and if her lipstick is placed on her lips. I want to care about those things when I am that old. And if I have mustard on the shirt I am wearing, that's just being saved for later! Memaw. She's all ours. I bet you have one too. If you don;t, I'll share! Memaw, she's awesome!

I saw ELVIS!!!!!

I know, I know, you are all jealous... unless you saw him too! It was quite a night!