TownGirl

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Practical Prayer Strategies

2012-02-13T13:20:00.000-05:00

Practical Prayer Strategies

by Jill Marbach

1. Keep a journal for prayer, reflection on what God has been teaching you, etc. Be creative and make it meaningful.

2. Find a place where you can have your quiet time alone so that you can talk out loud. This may help you keep your mind from wandering.

3. If you are tired, do not lay down and try to pray. Try kneeling or pacing.

4. When people ask you to pray for them, pray for them at that time. Then get a piece of paper an write down the person, the request, and the date. You can write it later in your journal. Ask the person a few days later about it.

5. Keep a list of "treasures" at the back of your Bible. Think of a few key times when God has answered your prayers in a supernatural or simple way. Write these down and then when you are lacking faith in a prayer, you can refer to this list and remember God's faithfulness.

6. Write down the day you pray for something, what the request is, claim a passage of scripture with it, and then continue praying for it until you see God answer.

7. Try to think how you personally can incorporate prayer throughout your day. For example, pray as you are walking to class, while you are waiting in line for lunch or at the bookstore, etc. Talk to God about how your day is going, thank Him for what He is doing in and through you that day, etc.

8. Use world prayer cards. Operation World, world maps, etc. to help you pray for the world.

9. Read through a Psalm a day and then reread it and pray it back to God by replacing all the "He" and "God" words with "You".

10. Put up "prayer points" or motivational verses or quote next to your mirror or in your car or on your refrigerator.

11. Do personal studies on prayer so that you will build Biblical convictions on it. Look up verses on prayer and meditate and memorize them. Study famous prayers in the Bible. Study Jesus' prayer life - when and how did He pray?

12. Pray that God would make you into a man or woman of prayer.

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Praying for Non-Christians

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

What to Pray for Non-Christians

1. That God draws them to Himself

• John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him..."

2. That they seek to know God

• Acts 17:27 "God did this so that men would see Him and perhaps reached out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."

3. That they believe the Scriptures

• 1 Thessalonians 2:13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God..."

• Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

4. That Satan is bound from blinding them to the truth

• Matthew 13:19 "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown with his heart..."

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of God."

5. That the Holy Spirit works in them

• John 16:8-13 "When (the Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment...He will guide you into all truth..."

6. That God sends someone to lead them to Christ

• Matthew 9:37, 38 "Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.'"

7. That they believe in Christ as Savior

• John 1:12 "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."

• John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever heard My word and believes Him who send Me has eternal life and will not be condemned: He has crossed over from death to life."

8. That they turn from sin

• Acts 17:30, 31 "...(God) commands all people everywhere to repent."

• Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

9. That they confess Christ as Lord

• Romans 10:9-10 "...if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

10. That they yield all to follow Christ

• 2 Corinthians 5:15 "And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."

• Philippians 3:7-8 "But whatever was to my profit I not consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ..."

11. That they root and grow in Christ

• Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthen in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

**Author unknown to me

Book Reviews

2012-02-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

You all know I love to do book reviews...it combines two of my favorite things a) books and b) telling people what I think. Bwahaha!

If you are a blogger, if you love to read, AND you like free things, I want to tell you about one of my favorite book review programs: Booksneeze.

Booksneeze is owned by Tommy Nelson Publishing and runs their program differently than others (I truly love them all). You can only request one book at a time and cannot request another until Booksneeze has received and reviewed your review In addition to posting on your own blog, you must also post on a book purchasing site such as CBD, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

There are some really fantastic offerings coming out this month so it would be a great time to sign up to be a book reviewer. Just visit the website, click on the green "sign up" button on the blue banner, fill out your information and you're all set to go! Happy reading!

Winner of "Courageous" DVD

2012-02-01T13:28:00.001-05:00

The winner of the DVD is

Comment #18 TEllison

I used Random.org to find the winner. TEllison, there is no identifying information on your Blogger id so please contact me at coveredandpraying (at) sbcglobal (dot) net to give me your full name and mailing address.

If I don't hear back from TEllison by February 15, I will use random.org to pick a new winner! Congrats and thanks for stopping by, everybody!

Share This Lesson With Your Children

2012-02-01T08:46:00.000-05:00

Adventures in Odyssey had the perfect show to go along with this post from last week. Fill some mugs with hot cocoa, grab a special snack and your children and share this special show with them.

Discuss with your children the concept that "words may never hurt me" is quite possibly the biggest lie our moms ever told us. Encourage them to use their words to build each other up - especially those children who are sitting by themselves.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Prayer

2012-01-30T11:07:00.000-05:00

Again, more thought-provoking than helpful today...although I don't know anything more helpful than prayer!

Don't Wait to Pray

We do not need to bow our heads,

or fold our hands and kneel,

When we desire to speak to God

His presence we can feel.

While hands are busy making beds,

or planning daily meals,

Or busy washing little things

and mending toes and heels;

Or busy cleaning pots and pans,

or dusting up the floor,

Our hands can be right on the job

but hearts to God can soar.

When making beds we should thank God

for white sheets which we spead.

For millions never know the feel

of a nice, clean, comfy bed.

And when we're busy making meals

it's nice to breathe a prayer,

And thank God for the rich supply

of good food everywhere.

Though washing dishes is a chore

and we don't like to do it.

Thank God there was food on the plate

and we had strength to chew it.

When tempted to complain and fret

it's time to stop a minute,

And thank God for our "home sweet home"

and everybody in it.

It really "happies" up the heart

and merrily it sings

When we take time to talk to God

'bout little homey things.

We should not wait until the night

to thank God for His care;

In every minute, every hour

there's reason for a prayer.

**Author unknown to me

Courageous DVD Giveaway!!!

2012-01-23T22:21:00.001-05:00

"Honor begins at home" This movie is a much needed call to fatherhood, we need our men to rise up and be men of courage, to lead their families, to be present....to be intentional.

"Courageous" is the newest project from Sherwood Pictures Ministry, the amazing force that brought us "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof". Their first project was called "Flywheel" and although I really, really liked "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof", I like "Flywheel" the best, no matter how low-budget it was.....that is, until "Courageous".

Mr. Steady and I went to see this with our good friends at the theater. It was so moving and profound that Mr. Steady then took The Thinker and The Reader to see it at the dollar cinema. That's huge for Mr. Steady because he's not really a movie guy...well, he says he doesn't mind movies, he just doesn't like paying for them.

After seeing the trailer I knew I would need tissues but I wasn't prepared for the humor this movie has sprinkled within. It is a very serious matter and one that needs to be shared with every man in America and with every woman raising a son, but the humor was so unexpected and quite frankly, made the movie.

I am so excited to announce that Focus on the Family has provided me a DVD of the movie to giveaway! Focus on the Family is dedicated to helping families thrive and they have a plethora of resources available on this topic and more. Other fantastic resources for family shepherding are available from Voddie Baucham and Kevin Swanson.

To enter the drawing, simply leave a comment below with one of two responses:
a. If you have seen the movie, tell us your favorite part (without spoiling it for others).
b. If you haven't seen the movie yet, tell us how you think we, as wives, can best support and encourage our husbands and sons to be courageous.

To receive a second entry, post a comment on Facebook or write a blog post about this contest, linking your friends and viewers back to this blog post and then leave a second comment that you did so.

Contest with end January 31 at midnight and the winner will be announced on February 1. You must leave a way for me to contact you in your comment if your name isn't linked to your blog or email address.

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of the Courageous DVD from Focus on the Family. All opinions expressed are solely mine and I am not being compensated in any way for this giveaway.

One Moment

2012-01-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

As you may already be aware, my theme for this year is "Intentionally". I have to admit, some days are way easier than others. But every once in a while I will be reminded "be intentional" and my demeanor alters, my voice softens, my answer may even change.

The things we say and do can forever impact the people around us, especially little impressionable minds. At 33 I am so forgetful it is scary but my Facebook friends are often astonished at the level of details I remember things from our childhood. One friend in particular I have fond memories of is always amazed that I can remember the Halloween costume she wore when we we in third grade or the bands we listened to in her room in junior high.

I sometimes wonder if my memories are watercolored because of the emotions they conjure up. Was that leader of the "Snob Mob' really as mean and ruthless as I remember her? Were the adults in my life really as caught up in their careers as I felt they were? As I look at my life now a lot of the choices I make are because of what Paul David Tripp describes as "interpretation of experience." He stresses that our attitudes and behaviors are byproducts of our interpretation of experience.

"Human beings made in the image of God do not live life based on the FACTS of their experience, but rather on the interpretation of experience."

It's why two children growing up in the same household can have completely, mind boggling memories of their childhood. It's why one of them can remember that Grandpa was the nicest person on the planet and the other can think he was a selfish, mean man.

I'm getting a little off topic here, I just wanted to demonstrate "interpretation of experience".

We each come into contact with children at different levels in our day-to-day living. Some of us have lots of them living under our roofs, some of you are fostering multiple little hearts, some of you are privileged to have grandchildren, some of you may only see children at the grocery store or library. Whether you see a child 16 hours a day or 2 days a year, stop and take a minute to think about how you are treating them, reacting to them and responding to them.

I can think of many moments in my life both positive and negative. I remember when I was in maybe 3rd grade, my piano teacher said, "You are bold!" and I remember asking my mom what this meant. I am not so sure she meant it as a compliment but I have learned that sometimes boldness, when used in a proper setting, can be quite beneficial. I have the snapshot of that exact moment frozen in my memory film. I'm still learning to filter that boldness but at that instant she could have voiced her opinion in a negative way. I thought so highly of her I can't imagine how it would have impacted me.

When I was in junior high, I had an English teacher who really believed in me and my writing. I remember him standing in my mom's office (which was inside the junior high principal's office - think I got away with anything in school?), putting his arm over my shoulder and telling my mom, "This girl writes with a wisdom beyond her years." That may or may not have been true but it bolstered me up and I still carry that in my heart a lot of years later.

I will be honest, I have a lot of negative memories that splatter my memory bank ad nauseum but I hold the positive memories in my pocket like stardust and they keep me going. Now imagine with me, if you will, if someone had spoke God's promises into my life and I recalled those and sprinkled those like stardust? That is what I want for my boys.

In the book-turned movie The Help, Abilene tells Mae Mobley over and over and over, "You is kind, you is smart, you is important," because she knows no one else will and there is so much negativity in that child's life that she needs a cheerleader. Abilene also knows she won't be there forever and she has to instill this truth in this baby girl at the youngest age possible.

I recently witnessed a moment that made me choke back tears (which, if you know me, doesn't take much). A sister at church was disciplining a child and she could have just wagged her finger at him and told him to stop but she pulled him to her, she wrapped her arms around him, she put her forehead on his forehead and she lovingly corrected him. This child does not get much love and attention from his mother at home and this sister could have just broken his spirit in two with her chastisement but I think he will lovingly remember her countenance and correction.

Where am I going with all of this? Wess Stafford, president of Compassion shares with us how a moment he shared with his daughter may have impacted even her career path:

Dr. Stafford has written a book about the impact one moment has on a child entitled Just a Minute: In the Heart of a Child One Moment...Can Last Forever and I encourage you to read it and learn new ways to speak truth into a child's life (with both a capital T and lowercase).

I wouldn't be a very good Compassion blogger if I didn't also mention taking a moment to sponsor a child and if you are already a sponsor, take a moment and write your sponsored child a letter. Compassion has some really neat new stationary for your online letters.

And you can take this one step further, think about the people in your life whose positive "moments" have stayed with you through the years. Take a minute to look them up and send them a note thanking them for the impact they made in your life. Through a series of events my husband met someone I went to school with. This boy was kind of a loner and very, very quiet in school. When my husband mentioned meeting him I said "Wow, I can't believe he remembered me, I don't think he ever said more than 5 words to me," I about crumbled in two when my husband replied, "Huh, that's weird because he said he remembers you well and that you were always so very nice to him." I don't remember being nice to him, I don't remember ever having a conversation with him. And that right there is why we always need to be intentional about our moments. Because positive moments piled one on top of the other make a huge difference in a child's life. And negative moments piled on on top of the other make a huge chasm in a child's life.

Be intentional this week about speaking truth and Truth into someone's life. Tell a child, "You is kind, you is smart, you is important,"...even if they are not yet. Because one day they will remember that someone believed in them. And they will be smart, kind, and important because that is the truth that you poured in to them.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Dirty Dishes Poem

2012-01-23T10:50:00.000-05:00

This is more thoughtful than helpful.

Picture from allposters

"Thank God for dirty dishes,

They have a tale to tell.

While other folks go hungry,

We're eating very well.

With home and health and happiness,

We shouldn't want to fuss.

For by this stack of evidence,

God's very good to us."

**Shared on a Yahoo group

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Gifting a Pie Plate

2012-01-16T10:22:00.000-05:00

Picture from allposters

Here is a cute poem to include when you give a new bride (or anyone) a new pie plate:

Apple turnover,

Strawberry tart.

That's the way

To any man's heart.

Deep-dish cherry,

Apple pie...

That's how to keep him

Till you die.

And success is gauged

By this simple test;

With pastry or man,

A light hand's best.

**I believe this is from Taste of Home or Country magazine.

My dad might not always like me sharing this story but when he and my mom were going through a particularly rough patch I asked him what made him stay and he replied, with a twinkle in his eye, "She makes a really good pie." Not long after that I spotted a sign that said "Pie fixes everything." A similar sign with the same sentiment now hangs in my dad's kitchen. :o)

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Donuts!

2012-01-11T08:54:00.000-05:00

We had a fun family night recently around a delicious theme - DONUTS! In the Holiday 2011 issue of Life Beautiful magazine, there was a stunning feature on donuts. I had never made donuts before so I thought we would try it.

As a side note, I would highly recommend this magazine. I have cancelled all of my other magazine subscriptions except this one. It is a Christian magazine with scripture liberally sprinkled throughout, regular monthly contributors such as Gary Smalley, Dr. Dobson, and Janet Parshall. The pictures and projects are reminiscent of Martha Stewart in quality with a focus on faith and family. I have used lots of ideas and recipes and often cut the scriptures out for inspiration around the home.

Soon after, I spied this book at the library - a title we had never read before and knew it would be a perfect compliment to our donuts!

We made the chocolate cake and vanilla cake donuts. This was an easy batter to whip together, topped with chocolate ganache and chocolate jimmies. We all thought these were a little dry but 1) it was my first attempt at donuts and 2) it was chocolate batter so it was difficult to tell doneness and I'm wondering if I overcooked them?

I found these adorable "donuts" on Pinterest and decided to throw them in for extra fun. It's simply Cheerios covered with cinnamon & sugar, powdered sugar, or chocolate frosting and sprinkles. They suggested painting the cereal with honey but I just sprayed them with cooking oil and tossed them in a baggie with the topping (except, of course, the frosting and sprinkles). One of the boys decided they preferred these "donuts" over the real ones!

The dog wanted apple juice with his donuts so we had apple juice with ours as well. There's a first (and last) time for everything....donuts deserve milk. The boys loved the story - who doesn't love Laura Numeroff's "If You Give A...." series?

This was, hands down, the favorite, a simple glazed vanilla buttermilk cake donut with a touch of nutmeg.

Philly Beef Sandwiches

2012-01-10T08:14:00.000-05:00

This is a favorite family dinner and it's so easy and quick when you use leftover roast. This recipe is from The Occasional Cook by Cyndy Salzmann, which is my all-time favorite make-ahead cookbook. If you have never attempted freezer cooking, I highly recommend starting with this recipe. When we have a roast, I reserve half of it and shred it, adding a small amount of broth back in to keep it moist. Then I add onion, butter, and Worcestershire sauce. Put in a gallon size zip top bag, smoosh all the air out and flatten. Freeze flat.

If you want to be really prepared, you can place sub buns in a gallon size zip top bag and shredded cheese in small zip top bag, all bags into a 2-gallon zip top bag, label and freeze. I don't do this - I typically just wait to serve this until I find sub buns or French bread on sale or marked down.

When you're ready to serve, thaw meat, heat over med-high heat until heated through. Then pile on to sub buns (or halved French bread), butter the top bun, top with shredded or sliced mozzarella (or provolone) and broil until cheese is bubbly.

The whole family loves this quick and easy meal - so very tasty! If we have extra broth left we like to dip the cooked sandwiches in it.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Prayer Busters

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

Prayer Busters
Taken from "Too Busy Not to Pray" by Bill Hybels

1. Prayerlessness (James 4:2) "You do not have because you do not ask God."

Have I prayed earnestly, fervently, purposefully, expectantly?
Am I expecting God to fill my needs?

2. Unconfessed Sin (Isaiah 59:2) "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Am I tolerating sin in my life? Do I need to make a "sin list"?

3. Unresolved Relational Conflict (Matthew 5:23-24) "If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

Is there an unmended relationship in my life? Have I sincerely tried to restore the relationship?

4. Selfishness (James 4:3) "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."

Are my prayers short-sighted and self-centered or do they follow Jesus' model of the Lord's prayer?

5. Uncaring Attitudes (Proverbs 21:13; Isaiah 58:3-9)

Do my prayers reflect God's character of concern and compassion?

6. Inadequate Faith (James 1:5-8) "...but when he asks, he must believe and not doubt..."

Do I believe that God is able? That he is the mountain-mover.

Go Ye Into All The World

2012-01-07T03:00:00.000-05:00

"…we are like the 3 Wise Men who journeyed to Jesus. Now, like those Wise Men, we return to the world from which we came, to the everyday life where we will witness to what we have seen.
…"indeed it compels us to start out afresh on a new stage of the journey on which we become proclaimers and heralds.…The Wise Men were in a sense the first missionaries. Their encounter with Christ did not keep them in Bethlehem, but made them set out anew on the paths of the world.
"We need to ‘set out anew from Christ,’ with the zeal of Pentecost, with renewed enthusiasm. To set out from him above all in a daily commitment to holiness, with an attitude of prayer and of listening to his word. To set out from him in order to testify to his Love by living a Christian life marked by communion, charity, and witness before the world."

Pope John Paul II

Epiphany

2012-01-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

"The twelve days of Christmas come to an end on January 6, and the season of the Epiphany begins. But Epiphany not only ends Christmas, it also fulfills it by celebrating the revelation of the Christ to the whole world. The coming of Incarnate God to all people, especially to those of us who are Gentiles, is the bridge from birth into life, the event that makes Easter possible for most of us. The light of the Epiphany illuminates the church’s year as it illuminates the human race from whom the kings came."

Phyllis Tickle

"The word ‘epiphany’ means ‘to show forth.’ Epiphanies, both large and small, tend to be private events – yet events with great significance for the public. Trying to share the details with another of an epiphany is fraught with complications. The words are never quite right, and even the most sympathetic listener cannot fully bridge the gap between description and what is was like being there. Most of us keep our personal experiences of the Holy to ourselves. Who would believe it? And who would really understand? The irony is that epiphanies are made for sharing, even as they are impossible to communicate fully.…
"Unlike the poor shepherds, the Magi had to travel a long road; they had to face adversity to reach their goal. It was anything but a romantic, sentimental pilgrimage that we often see in our manger scenes!…
"The experience of the magi reminds us that all who make the tedious journey to the truth will finally encounter it and be changed in the process. They can never go back to a ‘business as usual’ way of life. When we meet Christ and see who he really is, we will never be the same – and only then can we hope to begin to share in his mission.…"

Father Thomas Rosica, CSB

The Gentleness Challenge

2012-01-02T08:42:00.000-05:00

I've joined Courtney's Gentleness Challenge at Women Living Well. Intentionally offering gentleness to my children and husband, purposing to "touch them gently, use their names gently, use (my) words gently, slow down and be loving, kind, and gracious." Join us?

Intentionally

2012-01-02T08:31:00.003-05:00

There are a number of bloggers who chose a character trait or "buzz" word to focus on throughout the year. I have never done this before but as I read Monica's 2012 focus word and then decided to join Courtney's Gentleness Challenge, I felt the word "intentionally" come to mind.

I have a tendency to flutter about from projects and passions. I have started countless books, Bible studies, and reading programs. I have regret when I go to bed at night because I missed opportunities to speak Jesus' name or truth to someone.

I often have the best of intentions. But rarely do I wake up with the mind to do much "intentionally".

Merriam-Webster defines intention as:

1: a determination to act in a certain way : resolve
2: import, significance
3a : what one intends to do or bring about
b : the object for which a prayer, mass, or pious act is offered
4: a process or manner of healing of incised wounds
5: concept; especially : a concept considered as the product of attention directed to an object of knowledge

Yes, please...I would love to live a life of determination, resolve, significance, offered prayer, healing, and attention.

In searching the Scriptures for "intention", I found several verses I love and intend to focus on this year:

1 Corinthians 13:1 "IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal."

Ephesians 4:12 "His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church),"

Philippians 2:2 "Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention."

1 Peter 2:15 "For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons."

1 Peter 4:1 "SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],

Revelation 17:17 "For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His own purpose by acting in harmony in surrendering their royal power and authority to the beast, until the prophetic words (intentions and promises) of God shall be fulfilled.

We serve an intentional God and this is one attribute of God I want to focus on in 2012. Where is your focus this year?

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: There is No Easy Way

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

"There is no EASY way: the achievement of meaningful goals requires sustained, consistent efforts over an extended period of time." Gordo Byrn

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Predictions for 2012

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

I originally received this from a friend in 2009 for 2010 but I think you will agree the predictions will still be accurate for 2012. Have a blessed 2012!

Top 10 Predictions for 2012

1.. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still honor the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love you.

10..Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't it great to remember Who is really in control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever."

( 1 Peter 1:25 )

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: 31 Biblical Virtues to Pray For Your Kids

2011-12-26T12:30:00.000-05:00

This slip of paper I had have for quite a while, I used to help our associate pastor at our old church with PowerPoint presentations and such. He wrote his notes for this particular month on the back of a copy of Bob Hostetler's "31 Biblical Virtues to Pray For Your Kids". I saved it and have prayed through it several times over the years. Perhaps with the new year coming up, we can purpose to cover our children in intentional prayer for the virtues of godly warriors.

Rather than type it all out for you again, I am going to send you to someone who has already done the work. :o)

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Christmas Begins Now

2011-12-26T03:00:00.000-05:00

"When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
     to find the lost,
     to heal those broken in spirit,
     to feed the hungry,
     to release the oppressed,
     to rebuild the nations,
     to bring peace among all peoples,
     to make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.
The message of the Feast of Epiphany announces to all people, everywhere:

Rise up in splendor…your light has come,
The Glory of the Lord shines upon you!

Let the work of Christmas begin, and let it begin with you."

~Howard Thurman (adapted)

Not Christmas Yet!

2011-12-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

"The celebration of Advent is one of those places where the Church and the world in which she abides are clearly at odds. This becomes very apparent when you watch the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade and hear that the Christmas Season begins with the arrival of Santa Clause in New York City and then go to Church the following Sunday to witness a family lighting the first of four candles to commemorate the beginning of the Advent Season a time where we prepare for the Feast of the Incarnation of the Lord, Christmas.

We hear relentlessly how our economy is dependent on merchant’s ability to see enough goods during the “Holiday Shopping Season”. Every where we go, the world is getting frantic, loud, and even at times chaotic, all in the name of Christmas.

Advent’s message comes from a very different place. It comes from Isaiah calling the Jewish people back to a humble faithfulness. It comes form John standing in the River Jordan reminding us that this world is passing and that we need to renew ourselves in its waters to become whole. It comes from Mary, the young mother-to-be, quietly waiting to introduce Jesus to the world in a very real way. Advent is a time that is fundamentally quiet, reflective, joyful, and hopeful. It has very little to do with the commotion of shopping, the stress that comes with trying to make ends meet while generating new debts, and the guilt that can be associated with not being able to buy enough for your kids or family.

Stop. Be still and let God be God. Prepare the way of the Lord. Remember that Jesus came in the quiet of the night in a stable and was not born at Macy’s."

Flos Carmeli

Between the Already and the Not-Yet

2011-12-18T03:00:00.000-05:00

"In Advent, we remember that we are living in the interval between the already - that Christ has come - and the not-yet - that He will come again. This is the period in history where He is calling His Church to Evangelization. We begin with ourselves, reflecting on our own life in Christ. We also think of the future hope that belongs to all who are in Christ and those yet who will come to Him."

Randy Sly

Advent is not just for Catholics

2011-12-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

"Some Protestants oppose observing Advent because it sounds “too Catholic.” I see where they get it, what with candles, colors, rituals, metaphor and all. But this misses the point, and it denies worshippers the opportunity to experience rich, fervent spiritual evidence of God’s active, redemptive presence in the world.

Ironically, some of the Christians who complain the loudest about the commercialization of Christmas and the secularization of the season miss out on an excellent opportunity to counter those forces when they decline to observe Advent.

That points to the reason we need Advent so desperately this year. It’s counter-cultural. Sure, pushing against commercialism and secularism is part of it. But those concepts, while obvious, are sidelights compared to the primary issue.

Advent tells us to wait. It reminds us we’re not in control; God is. Advent provides a structure for remembering that the world waited in lonely cosmic exile until the Messiah, Jesus, arrived to redeem us from our sins and the morass of our own making. And Advent suggests what was true 2,000 years ago remains true today. We do not set the agenda for our lives; God does.

We live in a society that hates to wait. That’s because we inherently believe we -- individually, each of us -- are most important. We want to microwave our lives so what we desire happens immediately. We want gratification now. This is a symptom of deep-set selfishness as old as Adam and Eve and as current as Washington gridlock, the latest financial scandal and the newest petulant media or sports superstar.
The one issue Americans seem to agree on is that our society is in decline. The skids have been greased by selfishness. The demand to get what I want and to get it now is but a symptom of epidemic egotism that refuses to consider the common good. So we need to be reminded we are not the center of the universe; God is. Waiting is a good discipline for learning that lesson.

Take a deep breath. Light an Advent candle.

And wait."

~Marv Knox

Christmas Could be Any Day

2011-12-16T03:00:00.000-05:00

The Church does not superstitiously observe days, merely as days, but as memorials of important facts. Christmas might be kept as well upon one day of the year as another; but there should be a stated day for commemorating the birth of our Saviour, because there is danger that what may be done on any day, will be neglected. ~Samuel Johnson

Hush

2011-12-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

“Let's approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.” Anonymous

We Are Waiting

2011-12-14T03:00:00.000-05:00

“Sometimes it seems as though we spend our lives waiting. Daydreaming about an upcoming vacation, worrying over a medical test, preparing for the birth of grandchild-our days are filled with anticipation and anxiety over what the future holds. As Christians, we too spend our lives waiting. But we are waiting for something much bigger than a trip, bigger even than retirement or a wedding: We are waiting for the return of Jesus in glory. Advent heightens this sense of waiting, because it marks not only our anticipation of Jesus' final coming, but also our remembrance of his arrival into our world more than 2,000 years ago.” Anonymous

The Spirit of Expectancy

2011-12-13T03:00:00.000-05:00

“Christmas has lost its meaning for us because we have lost the spirit of expectancy. We cannot prepare for an observance. We must prepare for an experience.” Handel Brown

Wise Men

2011-12-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

“This Advent we look to the Wise Men to teach us where to focus our attention. We set our sights on things above, where God is. We draw closer to Jesus... When our Advent journey ends, and we reach the place where Jesus resides in Bethlehem, may we, like the Wise Men, fall on our knees and adore him as our true and only King.” Mark Zimmermann in Our Advent Journey

Jesus - Our Keyholder

2011-12-11T03:00:00.000-05:00

"Life in a prison cell may well be compared to Advent: one waits, hopes, and does this, that, or the other - things that are really of no consequence - the door is shut, and can only be opened from the outside.” Letter from Dietrich Bonhoeffer at Tegel prison, 1943

Christ is for Everyone

2011-12-10T03:00:00.000-05:00

"Christ was born in the first century, yet he belongs to all centuries. He was born a Jew, yet He belongs to all races. He was born in Bethlehem, yet He belongs to all countries." George W. Truett

Affirmations of Christmas

2011-12-09T03:00:00.000-05:00

I believe that Christmas is more than a time for parties and ornaments; it is a time for remembering Christ and the incarnation of God’s love in human flesh.

I believe there are gifts more important than the ones under the Christmas tree, the things we teach our children, the way we share ourselves with friends, and the industry with which we set about reshaping the world in our time.

I believe that the finest carols are often sung by the poorest voices; from hearts made warm by the wonder of the season.

I believe in the angel’s message that we should not be afraid—that the Child of Bethlehem is able to overcome all anxieties and insecurities.

I believe in prayer and quietness as a way of appropriating Christmas—that if I wait in silence I will experience the presence of the one born in the manger, for he lives today as surely as he lived then.

I believe in going away from Christmas as the wise men went: "another way." I want to be different when these days are past—more centered, more thoughtful, more caring.

And I believe God will help me. Amen

~Anonymous

1 Corinthians Christmas Version

2011-12-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way. Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

~Source Unknown

At Christmas

2011-12-07T03:00:00.000-05:00

"A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.

When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.

If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait
Till he’d fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he’s striving for himself.
I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed,
But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s shining at his best.

Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be."

~Edgar Guest

from Collected Verse of Edgar Guest
NY:Buccaneer Books, 1976, pg. 239

What Christmas Is Not

2011-12-06T03:00:00.000-05:00

"It’s sharing your gifts, not purchasing gifts;
It’s not wrapping presents, its being present
and wrapping your arms around the ones you love;
It’s not getting Christmas cards out on time,
It’s sending any card, anytime, at the right time;
It’s not having the biggest and best Christmas light display,
It’s displaying the Christ light that comes from your heart;
It’s not Santa coming down the chimney,
It’s Jesus coming down from heaven,
and giving us the gift of eternal life."

~Anonymous

Let Me Not Keep Christmas

2011-12-05T03:00:00.000-05:00

"Let me not wrap, stack, box, bag, tie, tag, bundle, seal, keep Christmas.
     Christmas kept is liable to mold.
     Let me give Christmas away, unwrapped, by exuberant armfuls. Let me share, dance, live Christmas unpretentiously, merrily, responsibly with overflowing hands, tireless steps and sparkling eyes.
     Christmas given away will stay fresh—even until it comes again."

~ Linda Felver A Book of Christmas, Nashville: Upper Rooms, 1988, p. 48

In the Least Expected and Obvious Place....

2011-12-04T03:00:00.000-05:00

"There is no evidence of any kind regarding the date of Jesus’ birth. His nativity began to be celebrated on Dec. 25 in Rome during the early part of the fourth century (AD 336) as a Christian counterpart to the pagan festival, popular among the worshipers of Mithras, called Sol Invictis, the Unconquerable Sun. At the very moment when the days are the shortest and darkness seems to have conquered light, the sun passes its nadir. Days grow longer, and although the cold will only increase for quite a long time, the ultimate conquest of winter is sure. This astronomical process is a parable of the career of the Incarnate One. At the moment when history is blackest, and in the least expected and obvious place, the Son of God is born…"

~ Joe E. Pennel, Jr.

Nashville, Upper Room, 1984, p. 61

Nothing Ordinary About It

2011-12-03T03:00:00.000-05:00

"A noted poet was once asked in an interview if he could explain one of his poems ‘in ordinary terms.’ He replied with some feeling, ‘If I could say what I meant in ordinary terms I would not have had to write the poem.’
From the time of Christ’s birth the people of God have ‘had to write a poem’ to Christmas, composing a single multi-stranded paean of praise spanning the centuries, because ultimately the meaning of Christmas resists being fully spelled out ‘in ordinary terms.’"

~ Dr. Brian Linard A Way to the Heart of Christmas

Take Time to Be Aware

2011-12-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

"Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.
"An old abbot was fond of saying, ‘The devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.’
"The supreme trick of Old Scratch is to have us so busy decorating, preparing food, practicing music and cleaning in preparation for the feast of Christmas that we actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egos—the list of clouds that busyness creates to blind us to the birth can be long, but it is familiar to us all."

~ Edward Hays

A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 196

Fire of Advent

2011-12-01T05:30:00.000-05:00

"Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer. Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts. Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time."

~Edward Hays

A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 187

Old Fashioned, Spiritual Christmas

2011-11-30T05:30:00.000-05:00

"What has happened to the old-fashioned, spiritual Christmas? The cause is our disregard of Advent. The church set aside this four-week pre-Christmas season as a time of spiritual preparation for Christ’s coming. It is a time of quiet anticipation. If Christ is going to come again into our hearts, there must be repentance. Without repentance, our hearts will be so full of worldly things that there will be ‘no room in the inn’ for Christ to be born again.…We have the joy not of celebration. Which is the joy of Christmas, but the joy of anticipation."

~John R. Brokhoff

Preaching the Parables—Cycle C. p. 28.

Keeping Christmas

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-05:00

There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day,
and that is, keeping Christmas.

Are you willing…
     to forget what you have done for other people,
     and to remember what other people have done for you;

     to ignore what the world owes you,
     and to think what you owe the world;

     to put your rights in the background,
     and your duties in the middle distance,
     and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground;

     to see that men and women are just as real as you are,
     and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy;

     to own up to the fact that probably the only good reason
     for your existence is not what you are going to get out of life,
     but what you are going to give to life;

     to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe,
     and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds
     of happiness—

Are you willing to do these things even for a day?
     Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to stoop down and consider
     the needs and desires of little children;

     to remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old;

     to stop asking how much your friends love you,
     and ask yourself whether you love them enough;

     to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;

     to try to understand what those who live in the same home with you
     really want, without waiting for them to tell you;

     to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke,
     and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you;

     to make a grave for your ugly thoughts, and a garden for your kindly feelings
     with the gate open—

Are you willing to do these things, even for a day?
     Then you can keep Christmas.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—
     stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—
     and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago
     is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas.

And if you can keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.

~Henry Van Dyke

Six Days of the Week, NY: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1924 and 1952.

Christmas

2011-11-28T03:00:00.000-05:00

Christmas is more than a time of music, merriment and mirth;
     it is a season of meditation, managers and miracles.
Christmas is more than a time of gaiety, greenery and gifts;
     it is a season of wonder, worship and wisemen.
Christmas is more than a time of tinsel, trees and toys;
     it is a season of preparation, prayers and peace.
Christmas is more than a time of festivities, family and friends;
     it is a season of generosity, gladness and gratitude.
Christmas is more than a time of carols, cards and candy;
     it is a season of dedication, direction and decision.
Christmas is more than Santa, stockings and surprises;
     it is Christ, care and concern.

~William Arthur Ward

First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-27T03:00:00.000-05:00

“The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton. In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you’ve never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart…The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.”

— Frederick Buechner, Whistling in the Dark, pp. 2,3

Stumbling Into Grace

2011-11-21T11:40:00.001-05:00

Humorous yet poignant stories from Lisa's life help readers relate to spiritual truths found in the life and ministry of Christ.

Stumbling Into Grace is the diary-devotional of one woman's honest, ongoing, bumbling journey of faith and how she finds encouragement through a deeper understanding of Christ's time on earth. Within each chapter she alternates her often humorous memoir with stirring portraits of Jesus and his own encounters as recorded in the New Testament.

Both intimately relevant and refreshingly inspirational, this book will help readers to jettison the theological misconceptions, guilt, shame, and hypocrisy they struggle with, exchanging them for a vibrant, passionate relationship with Christ that results in a more abundant, joyful life.

**I was provided a copy of this book from BookSneeze.

Today's Tidbit of "Helpful" Information: Grandma's Laundry Instructions

2011-11-21T10:05:00.000-05:00

Some of these "helpful" tidbits are more humorous than helpful. This one just makes me thankful for my two servants in the backroom - the washing machine and dryer! I originally saved it because it was funny (I saved the original language and spelling) but now I'm thinking it might not be a bad idea to know how to wash clothes without a machine. Who knows where God will send us?

Pitcure from allposters

Grandma's Laundry Instructions

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water
Set tubs so smoke won't blow in yer eyes if the wind is pert
Shave one hole cake f lye soap in boilin water
Sort things; make 3 piles - 1 white, 1 colored, 1 pile of work breetches and rags
To make starch, stir flour in cool water to make smooth, then thin down with boiling water
Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then boil
Then rub colored things, but don't boil, just wrench and starch
Take things out of kettle
Wrench and starch
Hang old rags on fence
Spread tea towels on the grass
Pore leftover wrench water on the flower beds
Scrub porch with hot soapy water
Turn tubs upside down
Go put on a clean dress, smooth down hair
Brew a cup of tea
Sit a spell and count yer blessings

**Original author unknown to me

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Missions In Action

2011-11-18T21:51:00.001-05:00

As you finalize your Thanksgiving prep over the next few days, cross the groceries off your list, polish the silver, make the name cards...see if there is something you can do without. Some of our birds alone will cost nearly $38. The amount it costs to sponsor a Compassion child.

Maybe you're not hosting Thanksgiving this year but you're starting a list of Black Friday deals. How about sponsoring a child through Compassion in your mother-in-law's name or your grandchild's name?

I want to share with you a short (7 minute) video.

Missions in Action is an interactive web series that was created with the purpose to make a difference around the world. The team is:

traveling around the world to identify problems that people are facing.
highlighting the actions that individuals and/or companies are taking to help those in need.
providing a way for viewers to help out.

Right now, this team is in the Philippines. They have visited children and families who live in poverty in flooded villages in northern Manila.

It's kind of hard to worry about whether the orange in your dinner napkins matches the orange in your tablecloth after watching this video. There is something each of us can sacrifice this month to find those $38. Won't you join Compassion in helping one child find their way out of poverty?

End of Molasses Classes

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

The boys and I recently listened to The End of Molasses Classes by Ron Clark. I typically prefer paper pages over audiobooks but you simply must skip the hardback and listen to Ron tell the story. I have been watching this man since he won the Disney Teacher of the Year award in 2000.

This book is a must-read for teachers and parents whose children go to a brick and mortar school. Homeschooling parents can glean a lot from Mr. Clark as well. I do not agree with everything he says, but keeping in mind his students and their background, you cannot help but admire Ron Clark and the entire staff, parents, and students at The Ron Clark Academy.

In the audio version, Ron adds his trademark "y'all" and guffaws in his wonderful Nawth Carolina accent...you will be entertained beyond belief. I laughed out loud at several parts and even teared up at several. I'm not exactly sure but I'm pretty certain Mr. Clark even chokes up a little at the end.

Check it out and see how you can get your own kids unstuck!

Disturbed

2011-11-14T15:04:00.001-05:00

I recently read "Sold" by Patricia McCormick. This was one of those books where it sickens you to read it but you can't sit by and pretend it doesn't happen.

The fall issue of "Compassion Magazine" published by Compassion International highligted this topic as well. Wess Stafford writes, "...for a girl to be enslaved in a Bangkok brothel, an awful lot of things had to have been wrong upstream in her young life, and we at Compassion believe there is an equally compelling, powerfully strategic approach called prevention. It may have less 'marketing' sizzle, but it is our goals to make sure children and families don't fall into that trap in the first place."

I love this thought, because the first thing you think of when you finish Sold is what you can do to help to end this awful thing that is happening, not only around the globe, but right here in our neighborhoods as well. And the next thing you feel is defeat because you can't possibly save these children. But God did not give us a spirit of timidty but a spirit of love, of power, and of self-control.

We can't help all of these girls (and boys), but we can help one at a time.

"There are 27 million people living as slaves in our world today. That is far more than were enslaved when William Wilberforce fought for the abolition of slavery in the early 1800s."

"In the United States, one in every three little girls is sexually abused before her 18th birthday, and one in every six little boys."

Compassion partners with local leaders in these poverty-striken cities where "children are kidnapped or recruited for prostitution". When children enter the child development program, they are surrounded by staff and volunteers who are trained in and committed to child protection. Compassion is equipping its center directors and staff, with training and resources, to be able to help and protect children from sexual abuse.

Please consider sponsoring a child through Compassion today. You can participate in the Child Survival Program, which provides prenatal care, immunizations and education to expectant mothers. You can participate in the Leadership Development program by helping a young Compassion-assisted man or woman attain their Undergraduate degree, then return to their community to influence their family, church, community, and nation.

2 children are sold into the human sex slave trade every minute. You can prevent this by helping a child from "extreme poverty to enough".

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: How Do I Clean...?

2011-11-14T09:56:00.000-05:00

"Daily cleaning is tough enough, but it's the once-in-a-while jobs that can really stump me. Removing the smudges from wallpaper can be just as daunting as cleaning the whole living room. TO get through your next cleaning quandary, use this short list of quick tips so you can spring into action.

Candle wax on wood surfaces. Can be removed in two ways: Soften with a hair dryer for a few seconds, then wipe with paper towels. Or use a stiff piece of cardboard to scrape off in the direction of the grain.

Stuck contact paper. Wave a hair dryer set on warm back and forth for a few seconds about 6 inches away from paper. The adhesive will loosen and you can lift the paper up. If residue remains, remove by wiping with a soft cloth moistened with a little paint thinner.

Crayon or tar on hardwood floors. Freeze by applying ice, then crack into fragments and scrape them away with a wooden ice pop stick or your fingernail. If residue remains, remove by carefully wiping with a damp cloth and a dab of toothpaste/

Mildewed grout. Make a paste of baking soda and warm water, apply to grout with an old toothbrush. Let sit until dry then wipe off. If stain persists, rub with a cotton ball soaked in bleach, then rinse well.

Grease spots behind stove. Rub with heavy-duty household cleaner and a plastic scrubbing pad. When the wall is clean, apply a coat of paste wax. Future spots will come off easily.

Finger smudges on vinyl wallpaper. Gently rub with an art gum eraser (found in art supply stores).

Greasy dirt on mini blinds. Put on a pair of old cotton gardening gloves. Dip them in a mixture of household clean and warm water. Then run your fingers along each slat, top and bottom. Rinse.

Soap scum on shower door. Wipe with a solution of white vinegar and warm water, or spray with laundry prewash. If scum is heavy, scour with a nylon scrubbing pad. Rinse.

Dirty patio door tracks. Wrap a terrycloth rag around a screwdriver, spray with an all-purpose cleaner and make several passes along the track.

Grimy portable fan. Unplug before cleaning. Vacuum dust off the grille with the brush attachment. Use a hair dryer (on cool setting) to blow dust off the blades inside. If you can remove the grills, wipe the blades with a household cleaner and a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly, then replace grille.

Musty picnic cooler. Shake baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub the inside. Rinse off with warm water, dry with a soft towel, then prop open and air-dry for a few days. Clean the outside with a mild soapy solution.

Dusty drapes or curtains. Remove any hooks or rings and run the window treatment through the dryer on the no-heat setting with a damp towel to attract the dust. Rehang immediately to prevent wrinkling."

From Woman's Day magazine (date unknown)

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Sprayed By A Skunk

2011-11-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

I am in commando declutter mode around here. I have been clipping and saving little bits of helpful information throughout my married life....and that's it. Just saving them. Sometimes they are in my nightstand drawer, a folder, the junk drawer, the cookbook, etc. I know a great idea is to store them in a household binder but I am not even remotely interested in adding ANYTHING else to this house right now. So in an effort to rid my house of these little bits and bobs of paper, I'm going to post them here, like a cork board...my own Pinterest, if you will.

Today's Tidbit of Helpful Information: Sprayed By a Skunk
If your pets were sprayed by a skunk, don't bother bathing them in tomato juice. That only masks the odor of the skunk spray.

Instead, try a mixture of 1/4 c. baking soda, 1 quart 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 tsp. liquid detergent. This will neutralize the skunk spray, but may also slightly bleach your pets fur. Don't worry, it won't hurt you pet and the fur will grow out.

NOTE: Do not store this mixture in a closed container. Oxygen is released and could cause the container to break. Mixture must be used immediately to be effective.

*From Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

A Local Christmas

2011-11-02T10:03:00.000-04:00

I received this email just minutes ago and I usually roll my eyes at "Buy American" broo-ha-ha but I love the message of this. Let's buy local, not from big box stores. Let's buy (or even better - GIVE) services instead of stuff. I am not even getting on my soapbox this year - just going to share what the email said.

"Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the
summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains --this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theater.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US (Uh, Towngirl here...technically Christmas is still about Jesus), encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition."

What are some other things you can think of to give that would support your local community? I heard of a mother who gives each of her children a cord of wood for Christmas - love it. I still really love Anna's idea of a Christmas trip instead of gift, you can stimulate another town's economy by eating local and staying in an owner-run establishment when you are there. I'm quite sure your adult children would love a weekend away! How about a gift certificate to your local optometrist for an eye exam or glasses?

Don't forget when you are buying your food and decorations for the holidays, someone that forwarded the email to me reminded me to buy flowers from local florists instead of FTD. Can you find a local source for your turkey? I just saw an ad in our local paper yesterday advertising homegrown turkeys plus we have a huge local turkey farm here. It's more expensive but in the long run it's worth it. Local eggs, pay a local baker to bake your rolls if you're going to buy them anyways. The list could go on and on.

What are some other gifts you can give that would support your local community?

Giveaway at Sew a Fine Seam

2011-10-27T18:31:00.001-04:00

My friend, Jill, is having a super fun giveaway over at her blog! It's a pretty sweet computer scrapbooking program. Go visit her and enter to win!

Here is a sample of some of the pages she put together (isn't Little Sister the cutest?)

The Difference Between the Voice of God and the Voice of Satan

2011-10-19T15:08:00.002-04:00

The voice of Satan is always loud and strong and calamitous.

But the voice of God is always quiet and persuasive.

The voice of Satan never deals with specifics but is often dealing with things in general terms.

The voice of God is always to the point. The voice of God is specific and God is the not the God of confusion.

The voice of Satan is demanding and always trying to get an immediate decision.

The voice of God is always leading. Time is always a great asset to know the voice of God.

The voice of Satan perplexes us, creates turmoil and mixes us up.

But the voice of God is always clear and distinctive.

The voice of Satan is never marked by a restful and peaceful spirit.

The voice of God gives us great rest of certainty.

The voice of Satan is always afraid of the Light of God and will draw back from it.

The voice of God is always open and willing for council and question.

The voice of Satan brings depression and discouragement.

But the voice of God brings great encouragement to the believer.

The voice of Satan appeals to the lower instincts and suggests "I want."

But the voice of God appeals to the higher instincts and suggests "I ought."

The voice of Satan disappears if the Christian refuses to listen to it.

But the voice of God grows stronger and stronger in my personal relationship with Him.

-Taken from a message by Gerhard Du Toit and shared with me by a dear Christian sister.

When You Can't See the Difference

2011-10-15T05:00:00.000-04:00

Late in the week during our trip to Torreon, I started to feel really discouraged and defeated. Was I making any kind of difference at all? Was I more of a burden than a blessing? What was the point of my being there? On our last day there, I climbed a large hill next to the Indian House and watched the sun come up. I asked God all of these questions and more. Here is how He answered:

Look at the sunrise - when you begin in the dark and it is gradually getting lighter around you, you don't notice the change from moment to moment. You know it's getting lighter but it's unmeasurable just by looking at it.

And so it is when God is working through us. You don't notice the difference but it's there. It's not something tangible and measurable, we just have to trust that the change is there. After all, the change isn't about us and we can't take any of the glory - it's His. If there is a seed planted, a weed pulled away, a seedling watered, a harvest gathered - it's His. Maybe He did use me to make a difference to one person, maybe the only difference He made was in me, whatever difference was made - it's His.

"Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life." John 8:12 AMP

Tips for Traveling Without Going Insane

2011-10-14T05:02:00.000-04:00

I do not consider myself a seasoned traveler but I've made a few road trips in my life, seeing as how Mr. Steady and I dated long-distance for almost a year. I drove the 1400 mile round-trip several times by myself, stopping in truck-stop parking lots (because I was a poor and also naive college student) to sleep.

But this is the first 1500 mile one-way trip I have ever made and we did it with three children! So I thought I would share a few traveling tips. I got a few ideas from Monica's blog, borrowed a few ideas from other blogs, and {gasp!} even came up with a few of my own!

Our rental car trunk on the way out - filled to the brim!

Goodie Bags - I saw several ideas, from wrapping Dollar Tree toys and giving the children a gift every hour, at the entry of every state and several other ideas. We decided to do one goodie bag a day and let the boys learn to budget their fun and snacks. My dad's girlfriend very thoughtfully gave the boys a large bag of goodies so I combined her gifts with things I had bought. On the first day (of the road trip my mother gave to me....oh, sorry), they each received an ink pen, personal package of tissues, fruit snacks, beef jerky, a curly straw and Sunday comics. Yes, the Sunday comics...I'd been holding them hostage for several weeks. The other days bags contained items such as peanut butter crackers, personal bags of Oreos and Chips Ahoy cookies, dot-to-dot pages, the seek-and-find pictures from the local daily newspaper, word searches, candy, more fruit snacks, more beef jerky, and recent issues of Highlights magazine (also held hostage for this specific purpose). On the first day of the return trip they received new ink pens and new curly straws because they are boys (or maybe just kids?) and had either lost them, broke them or used them for swords.

Our friend, Mindy, gave us two sets of Roadtrip Bingo and I saved some of the bigger gifts Sue had given the boys (spiky inflatable balls, a slinky, a small chalkboard, and a game) along with some bigger things I had bought (a Lego minifigure and a book for each of them) as prizes for winning. I had one big gift per child per day on the way out. Thanks, Mindy - they were sure a hit and they boys were disappointed to find there were no more prizes for the return trip!

I downloaded several ebooks from the library onto my iPod and requested several audiobooks. Instead of taking all the cases, I loaded up the CDs into a small CD holder - that way all the CDs were together and we didn't have to store all the cases.

Anytime we are on a long trip and are planning to stop overnight I pack an overnight bag with just the necessary things for our whole family for one night in it. That way, when we stop at the hotel the only thing we have to take in is that one bag. Since we were staying overnight two nights this time (or is it because their clothes aren't teeny tiny anymore?) all of our stuff wouldn't fit into one bag. But I did manage to get everything into two bags.

One thing I did to save on space was only pack one pair of pants in the overnight bag for each person. You're already wearing one pair and all you're doing is sitting (and sitting....and sitting...and sitting....and occassionally whacking your brother....and sitting some more). So you wear a clean pair of pants the second day and by the third day the first pair has aired out enough you're good to go. Some of you may think that is gross but when we are at home we wear our pants (well, to be fair, I wear my skirt and they wear their pants) more than one time before washing and we're not just sitting around so why not save room on the road? There was a washer and dryer where we stayed so I only packed 5 outfits plus church clothes and we were able to pack everything into 3 suitcases. I don't know about you but I think that is pretty good!

A dear minister and his wife gave each of our boys a gift card for different fast food places. What a treat for them to be able to pay for a meal. They each got to pick lunch one day and kept their eyes peeled for their choice. We also gave each of the boys their allowance plus an extra $5 to spend however they chose. Next time I would wait until we got to our destination to give them the money because even though our intention was to let them spend their money however they wanted, I knew I didn't want them buying junk on the way out and not having anything left for the duration of the trip. The Reader (who has become my spender) bought a sand art picture from Lorraine, polished rocks at a trading post, and who knows what else. The Thinker bought a book on our way out of town in Albaquerque and The Entertainer spent a whopping $1.29 on a package of Vanilla Sugar Wafers at a gas station in the middle of Texas. It was a good thing too since we ran out of cash and had to borrow some of The Entertainers money to pay for a toll to get out of Oklahoma!

The boys found a cattle skull the day we left and they considered this the ultimate souvenier! Mr. Steady ~~was hoping I wouldn't let them~~ didn't think I would let them bring it home but I thought it was as cool as they did! We took our groceries for the week and left a few clothes there so we thought we would have gobs of trunk space on the way home but we were wrong!

See the cattle skull on the right in the garbage bag? Too cool!

Torreon Days 5 & 6

2011-10-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Thursday brought more sewing and another trip out to the job site. The men had finished the job up on Wednesday and stayed around the mission Thursday making a new cover for the well pump, cleaning out Paul & Sarah's drain pipe and doing odd jobs around the mission. Paul and Jason are more than capable of doing all these jobs themselves but after teaching and tending to the children's needs all day...you know how the cobbler's children have no shoes?

Friday morning we got packed up to go. After a quick lunch we headed into Albuquerque where we were to meet Paul and all the sisters for dinner. They had been at a teaching conference all day. Since the teachers were gone, the students didn't have school and it was too quiet around the mission! We stopped ~~along the way~~ every mile to take a picture. We just couldn't get enough of the scenery.

This was a "camp" on the way to the mission. The Navajo are matriarchal and live in clans. I still do not quite understand the clans but Paul told us you don't ever leave your clan, even when you marry you are still a part of that clan and that clans come before family. You cannot intermarry in your clan though. Clear as mud? You can see, if you click on the picture, the wide variety of houses, from mobile homes to the traditional hogan. Sometimes we saw a travel trailer as the original basis of the house and then they added on to that. Some homes were just OSB stood up on end with no roof and seemingly no foundation.

Ranchers taking care of their animals. You could see flocks of sheep and groups of ponies or cows just roaming around. The roads had cattle guards so they wouldn't go into the intersections but basically, out there, the animals rule the roads. We had a very "Wild West" moment when a wrangler was gathering his ponies. They were running like the wind - gorgeous sight!

We met everyone for dinner at Outback Steakhouse, a bittersweet end to a wonderful week! That is L-R: Jason and Sheena Carpenter and Paul and Sarah Skiles. Jason has served at the mission for 9 years, Sheena is part Navajo and went to the mission school. I don't remember how long they've been married. Paul moved onto the mission with his parents when he was 7. Sarah and he have served there since they got married. Thank you, Paul and Sarah, and Jason and Sheena for your tireless commitment to the work of God going on at Torreon Navajo Mission! You truly are the hands and feet of Jesus to each student who crosses the threshold of your doors!

These are the teachers, Abbey Hawbaker, Grace Meyers and Candy Carley (Candy is currently pursuing a degree in nursing and therefore isn't teaching this year). These sisters have committed a year or more (Laura has been there several years and two different periods of time) and put in long hours. These ladies are almost like homeschooling momma, in that they are the teacher, the lunch lady, the cleaning lady, and even in some cases, the laundry mistress! Bless you for your commitment and service, sisters!

We didn't get a group picture, which I was so saddened about and the goodbyes were bittersweet. The boys were already talking about when we can go back before we were out of New Mexico and it has been the topic of conversation at least once a day since!

Yes, Satan is at work in Torreon, New Mexico. Jobs are scarce, immorality is high, and alcoholism abounds. But the teachers and staff at Torreon Christian School infuse Jesus into each one of those students every day. And the fruit is unmistakable.

Torreon Days 3 & 4

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

Tuesday morning we sat in on devotions, the children say a pledge to the Christian flag, sing 2 songs and read Isaiah 9, then either Paul or Jason gives a devotion. The children all stand in front of their desks with the utmost respect.

Tuesday we sewed, sewed, and sewed some more. Here is Sheena's new dress.

Then in the late afternoon we took dinner over to the job site and fed children and adults out of the trunk of the car - whoever came, so long as there was food. We served hot dogs, potato chips, Kool-Aid, and candy. Pretty kid-friendly fare!

This little guy wanted to make sure The Thinker took his picture "with the hot dog!"

This is the house across the road from the work project. This is one of the nicest houses that we saw in the area (save for AJ's). Sadly though the mom has to work full time and the dad works for the railroad and is gone long stints at a time. See the horse in the front yard? Just roaming around!

This is the project house - the part that was usable.

Here you can see the guys have finished the outside of the project already. I don't know about the roof at this point.

Mr. Steady helping to finish the inside.

Wednesday morning Karen stepped out of our door, looked down and very calmly said "Oh, there's a snake". By the time I got my camera it had wriggled back out into the sun. I think it was a garter but am not sure. It definitely didn't have a rattle! :o)

Janell helped the students make caramel apples and my boys got in on the fun as well. Who wouldn't love an apple dipped in caramel and peanuts then drizzled with chocolate?

Wednesday night we got to walk to church again! Praise the Lord!

Another precious baby, I think he is about 4 months old. We asked his momma to show us how the cradle boards stand up - he never woke up once! Here he's just propped up against the wall. The part by his feet can come untied and somehow the board can be made longer. His momma offered to show us how but we wouldn't let her take the chance of waking him up. They said the children can stay on these boards until they are 18 months and their feet will just be hanging off!

His mom had great black and white pictures for him to look at inside his head board. I thought it was quite humorous to see this beautiful traditional Navajo cradle board with something so modern tucked inside. The best of both worlds.

Torreon Days 1 & 2

2011-10-10T15:10:00.001-04:00

After 2 1/2 long days in the car, we were greeted by one the most glorious sights in the world (that we've seen) - New Mexico. It is absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous there! We arrived Saturday evening and were greeted by Jason and Sheena who gave us the keys to the Indian House and we settled in. We went for a short tour of the mission and rested.

Sunday morning we walked (!!!) to church. For a family who is used to a 45 minute drive, this was a real luxury. Mr. Steady remarked that is was the most calm and relaxed Sunday morning we've ever had! We sang hymns in English and then Sarah led 2, maybe 3, hymns in Navajo. The tunes were familiar and the language was beautiful. It was not hard to follow along in the Navajo hymnal, although some blends were pronounced differently that I would have expected.

We were treated to Sunday lunch by the missionaries and had a nice time of fellowship. We rested in the afternoon and then Paul took us to see the job site - I regret that I don't have any pictures....there was a group of children swinging so Mary Elaine, the boys, and I went to go meet the children and talk to them. After looking at the job site Paul took us around the immediate area and behind the mission. It was a lot of fun to learn about the origins of the mission and see the area.

Sunday evening we went by bus to David and Mildred's for services in Rio Rancho. We traveled with A.J's and that was fun to get to know them a little better. It was a great time for our children to get to know each other as well. Fellowship is always sweet, whether with brothers and sisters you have known for years or ones you've just met!

We also got to see our first cradle board in use. Paul makes cradle boards but I am not sure which ones he has made. The babies ride in these cradle boards in the cars and sleep on them at home. They feel very secure on them! The curve up by their head is so you can place a blanket over them and the headboard will keep the blanket off of their face. This little guy was 3 months old, I believe.

Monday my boys realized AJ's younger two boys were outside playing while their mom was in the school helping so the boys came over to our house and played - this became their morning routine for the rest of the week!

Shirley, Karen and I set up a sewing shop in our kitchenette and pretty much settled in there for most of the days. I wasn't much help with the sewing but I can get drink refills! :o) I learned a lot of tips and tricks over the week and I think I sewed or cut one part of every dress. I lost track but I think these ladies sewed up 7 dresses that week!

Every night we had supper together as a "family" and it was a blessed time. We got to sit by or close to most everybody before the week was up and it was such a fun time to get know each of them a little better. (This is the rec room of the school where the children do some of their gym class and roller skate!)

After dinner on Monday some local artisans came over. This is Lorraine, the sand artist. She showed us how she makes her art - one painstaking layer at a time! This is original sand art, she makes her own sand by grinding local rocks. She told Shirley she still has some of her mother and grandmother's turquoise!

The Reader snatched up on of the little coyote pictures there on the left and I brought home the bowl of Indian corn (third from the left of small pieces with the turquoise in it).

This is Lorraine's husband, Gilbert (thanks Mary Elaine!). He was stringing up hot chiles, he said he eats hot chiles and corn in some form or another every day. He was humorous! (This is in the kitchen of the school)

These next two ladies brought in their beadwork - it was gorgeous as well. Teeny tiny, very tight rows of beads. Sarah has a keychain that she was given several years ago and said it has held up very well. I wish I would have bought some of the beadwork!

Getting There

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

Originally we were going to try to make the 1300 mile trip in two days but after some thinking and planning and sweet deal making on Priceline we decided to stay overnight two nights on the way out.

This sign was so appropriate because the phrase "...or bust" originated from Okies leaving the Dust Bowl for California.

Three boys at the beginning of the trip, so excited and happy to be going. I didn't get a picture when we got back home but suffice it to say not many of us them were wearing such big grins.

Stopped off the the Archway to the West just after crossing the Great Mississippi river into St. Louis, Missouri.

The museum was absolutely fascinating!

"I don't want you touching me or breathing on me in the car but come a little closer and pretend to be happy for the camera!"

Lambert's Cafe in Springfield, Missouri - "home of the throwed rolls"

Lambert's "kids meal"! I don't think they know how to do anything small!

That guy in the bow tie was the "roll thrower" and he would walk around yelling "fresh, hot rolls!" and then lob them to you!

We stopped off at Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ Ministries, visited the Stations of the Cross bronze statues as well as several other Old and New Testament statues and marveled at the 19-story cross. Truly a must see if you are driving on I-40 in Texas!

I won't bore you with the pictures of the gorgeous scenery we saw on our way, particularly when we got into Texas but suffice it to say, we thought it was the most breath taking scenery we'd ever seen...that is, until we got into New Mexico!

First Time Obedience

2011-10-04T14:20:00.000-04:00

We have really been working with the boys lately on first-time obedience. It means being told once and no more. Our mantra is "all the way, right away, the first time." I'm sure the boys are sick of hearing that. I'm sick of saying it.

Late last winter a sign-up sheet was posted at church for a mission trip to Torreon, New Mexico. We signed up to go but then the trip got postponed and assigned a new project. We signed up again for the second trip. Not much prayer went into it, we just thought it sounded like a good opportunity to visit our church's mission and expose our boys to a little bit more of the world.

We set aside money from our tax return for the trip but one of our vans needed work and then the electric bill was higher than we planned for and then work was scarce and hours were short and on and on until our nice chunk of money was nearly gone.

As we sat back and looked at finances, it didn't seem like it would ever happen. We did the math and crunched the numbers...we would never be able to afford it. We decided to take what money was left and donate it to the expenses of the project and just stay home. Thankfully we were told to just hang tight and the money for our family would be there.

I would be lying if I said I was doubtful. I was highly doubtful. I planned a garage sale but a series of events kept that from happening. Someone gave us a very generous donation with the instructions to pay-it-forward the next year. Could this really happen? We stepped forward in faith and rented a car.

I scheduled a Zumbathon to raise money for the trip. 11 people showed up. God, are you trying to tell us not to go? If this was meant to be wouldn't the people show up? 11 people, $15 per person....miraculously the dollar amount taken in was over $400. Thank you God!

The next day at church we are abundantly and generously gifted more than a sufficient amount to make the trip and cover the time off of work. Confirmation. Confirmation that this is really His will, His desire. He took what we could do out of our hands, for the van, for the bills, and showed us what He was able to do. The money He gave us was more than what we had originally set aside!

As Mr. Steady and I laid our hands on that gift and prayed, I asked God's forgiveness for never seeking His will and then questioning whether we were really supposed to go, was this really His will? We are spreading His gospel, showing His love with a family of unbelievers, who are closely related to the tribes medicine man, a family in bondage who needs to see God's love. He told us "Go into the all the world and preach the Good news".

He told us once. Why do we think He has to confirm it for us over and over and over again?

Let's take this first-time obedience and turn back to our children...can you imagine this conversation?

"Son, please wash the dishes."

"Me? But I'm not qualified, I don't know how to do it, I don't have the tools I need."

I give him a dishcloth, a towel, and soap and lovingly show my son how to wash the dishes.

"Son, the dishes aren't washed,"

"Oh, I didn't know you wanted me to wash the dishes, I thought my brother would be better suited to do that job. I don't feel called to do the dishes. I feel called to only minister on the couch. There are lots of needs right here within my reach, see I could hold the remote, and I could even watch a movie. Movies have feelings and needs too, you know. How come everyone wants to talk about the dishes when there are needs right here in this room? In fact, I have needs and they aren't being met. I really need to just fill my own love-tank up. I need to be ministered to. I'm not really ready yet to do the dishes, I know you trained me already but I just feel like maybe I should practice here on the couch before I actually do real dishes, you know? Maybe I might mess them up somehow and then that would be bad. You wouldn't want me to damage the dishes would you?"

How do you think that would go over with a child who is supposed to be practicing first-time obedience? God is long-suffering and patient but that doesn't mean we need to be disrespectful and disobedient.

I was waiting on a personal invitation. A physical confirmation. Lightning bolts and a booming voice from above would have been really great. How would I feel if my child, after being told to do something said "Oh, I was waiting on a lightning bolt or some real, true confirmation that you actually wanted me to do the dishes."

I wonder how many times I say "All the way, right away, the first time" and God says "Isn't that like the pot calling the kettle black?"

What are you waiting for? Are you practicing first-time obedience? Are you following God all the way, right away, the first time?

Eating Local

2011-08-05T10:14:00.000-04:00

Our family has decided to not eat at any chain restaurants through the end of the year. This came about for many reasons. The biggest reason being we eat out WAY too much and the places we migrate to are known for quick-service, drive-thrus! I absolutely love McDonald's Coke. Don't know if I've mentioned it before but I'm pretty sure they put crack cocaine in the Coca-Cola.

So our little family sat around the dinner table one night....okay, it was at a pizza place but it was the table where we were having dinner...and defined what exactly Mom-and-Pop, local eating would look like. We have encouraged our children to always support local businesses their whole lives but we weren't living that out very well. We decided (some of us, reluctantly) that in order to get our moola a business has to have three or less locations. This took out my beloved Marion's pizza (aka the aforementioned "dinner table" we were sitting around) and also my bestie Super Subby's.

The incentive? Well, we knew we needed to tempt ourselves with something big so we decided at night away at a hotel (with a pool, of course) would be in order. Everytime we have a real urge to go to a chain, we'll throw the money we would have spent in a jar and use that money to pay for the hotel. If we can go the whole 5 months without cheating, we'll spend two nights.

Daddy gets to cheat occassionally when the office goes out to eat together and we also had to give Daddy a grace week while he "remembers" our plan.

Never fear, we are not going to starve. We live in an area with so many great, locally owned, restaurants, some that we are super duper fond of. The thing is, we are so interested in quick, cheap, what great coupons we have, etc. that we neglect eating at those great places. Sounds kind of like our relationship with Christ....He has the best of the best to offer us, but we get so wrapped up in quick fixes for our troubles, we turn to what is quick and cheap - food, drugs, alcohol, sex, work, our homes - instead of seeking Him out and finding His best.

Can't wait to share this journey with you! We've already remembered our own hometown ice cream place that we've been neglecting for a while. Poor thing!

A New Blog For Your Reading Pleasure

2011-08-03T11:17:00.000-04:00

I just found this delicious blog, a kindred heart who is seemingly a little more in love with her library than I am of mine! Enjoy!

Dear Waitress

2011-07-26T15:03:00.000-04:00

"Dear Waitress,

I liked your courstyness and good serves. The food was delishus. I am 9 and like steak and shake. Please enjoy and spend the tip wizely. I look forward to our next viset."

A note The Thinker left for our waitress about a month ago at Steak & Shake. I took a picture of it because it was too sweet and just found it.

On My Nightstand...and desk, and carseat, and end table

2011-07-08T18:05:00.001-04:00

Is there ever enough time to read all the books on your list? Here's what is on my stack of summer reading:

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris

The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

Radical by David Platt

Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Day of War by Cliff Graham

House of Testosterone by Sharon O'Donnell

Read My Hips by Kim Brittingham

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham

A Hunger for God by John Piper

30 Ways in 30 Days to Save Your Family by Rebecca Hagelin

What's on your summer reading list?

Warning: This May Step On Your Toes

2011-07-07T19:00:00.000-04:00

***I needed to rewatch this and thought you might too, so I'm reposting :o)***

The Hidden Flame by Davis Bunn and Janette Oke - A Review

2011-05-09T09:34:00.000-04:00

In first-century Judea, the followers of the Way have burgeoned into a vibrant, growing community that cannot be ignored. Jerusalem is in turmoil as its religious leaders on one side, and their Roman rulers on the other, conspire to stamp out the fledgling Church. And Abigail, who thought she had finally found home and safety, is caught between the opposing forces.

Two suitors desire the lovely Abigail's hand in marriage. Ezra, a successful Hebrew merchant and widower with important connections among the Sanhedrin, is looking for a mother for his children. The Roman soldier Linux is fascinated by her winsome charm and possibly could offer the sanctuary--maybe even the love--for which she yearns. But her heart has been captured by neither of these. Will her faith and courage survive a heartbreak beyond comprehension as the followers face a gathering storm of persecution they never could have foreseen?

A glimmer of hope beckons Abigail forward.

This is the second book in this series but the authors did a good job of catching the reader up on the events that were missed in the series debut. It is always interesting to me to read historical fiction set in Biblical times. I knew Stephen was going to die when he was introduced but hearing two author's interpretation on his life and the lives of the followers of The Way was intriguing and interesting.

I enjoyed this book very much and am looking forward to going back to read the series debut The Centurion's Wife and will anticipate future books in this series.

***I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson

2011-05-09T09:19:00.000-04:00

When it came time to review my next book for BookSneeze I was not overly excited about In Constant Prayer by Robert Benson. I initially was anticipatory but while I was waiting for my book to arrive I read other reviews and realized this book was about praying "the office" or "fixed hour prayer" I got a bit unsettled. I'm not Catholic, I don't know anything about liturgy but I don't think I like it.

I've been intriguied by fixed hour prayer since I started reading Ann Voskamp and I've made feeble attempts when I've fasted. I grew up in an Anabaptist church and am very unfamiliar with formal liturgy, although Benson assures me that every church service has its own liturgy.

To be fair I must disclose that I shudder at rote prayers, the call-and-response prayers that I grew up with leave a vile taste in my mouth and a self-righteous annoyance washes over me when someone reads a prayer, particularly one that they themselves did not write.

But in case you hadn't noticed by the heavy quoting I did last month (and most likely copyright-law breaking in the sheer volume of selections), this book has really made me think and changed my outlook on this topic.

Let me put it to you this way. It has been a very long time since I have put sticky notes in a book that I read. I have never used an entire pad of sticky notes and had to go back and rip them into tiny pieces in order to have enough markers to go throughout the entire book.

Benson advocates that you do not do anything important: a job change, vacation, house purchase, nor anything unimportant: a trip to the grocery store, dinner out, a workout without setting an appointment time, having some sembleance of order, and carrying through. Why, then, do we approach the very most important thing of our day - approaching the Creator of the universe with our desires and needs, as haphazardly as we do?

The Jews had fixed hours of prayer, our Lord and Savior had fixed hours of prayer "As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice." Psalm 55:16-17

"At some point, all of this high-minded discussion about our life of prayer has to work its way into the dailyness of our lives. It has to be stuck in and around and up next to the meetings and the schedules and the packing and the leaving and the coming home of our lives.

At some point, we have to move from talking about prayer to saying our prayers. If the marvelous that is possible in our lives of prayer is to have a chance to appear, it will because we have done the mundane."

So, how do you begin to say the office? "You begin the same way you begin to do anything else that matters in your life. Ask some questions; take some notes; do some research. Get pracical here; make a list."

This book has opened a wide, gaping hole in my prayer life and spiritual life in general. You would likely be aghast or chuckle at the titles of the books sliding across the library check-out counter towards me. I'm being stretched and I'm questioning.

***Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com, book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Not a Sparrow Falls - Book Review

2011-05-06T09:14:00.000-04:00

I've had this book in my stack for quite a while now and it never called to me. I don't typically pick up contemporary fiction unless it comes with a strong suggestion from a trusted friend. However, I wanted to dwindle my stack so I decided to shove this one to the top.

I. am. so. glad. I. did.

Full of twists and turns, unexpected connections and every emotion you can think of, Nichols weaves loveable characters you can't bear to hate and hateful characters you can't help but love into this story.

From the book jacket:

Mary Bridget Washburn is tired of running, tired of being haunted by the empty shell her life has become. How in the world did the little girl she once was become a woman on the wrong side of the law? Determined to make a new start, she escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia, where she takes on her mother's identity and finds sanctuary in the shadow of a decades-old church. But a little girl's plea proves to be her undoing, and the reverend...well, someone's got to open his eyes before disaster comes calling. Can Mary Bridget and her tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family falling apart?

My favorite line? "You can't out-sin the cross." Reminds me of Beth Moore's closing sentiments in Believing God (my paraphrase), He's the God who raises people from the dead! If you have something more pressing than needing a dead person to be raised to life, you're out of luck but if it's anything less than that - HE CAN DO IT! This book just echos that sentiment over and over.

Those who have been forgiven much, love much!

*I was provided a free copy of this book by BethanyHouse Publishers without further compensation. All opinions are mine.

Good Morning Girls

2011-04-25T10:29:00.000-04:00

Angela and her partner in ministry, Courtney, had a fantastic giveaway on their Good Morning Girls blog - 3 copies of The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson. Angela and her husband decided to surprise their readers and bless 7 more people with copies and I WON! I am so excited, God is SO good. I wanted to read this but the library doesn't have it and new books are not in the budget!

Angela and Courtney are going to be reading this book with the blog readers on Good Morning Girls this summer. We have a local group of Good Morning Girls that virtually gather every morning after we've had our time with God and share what we learned or how God spoke to us each morning. It has been a tremendous blessing to me to not only have the accountabilty but also the fellowship and friendship of these ladies. Meeting together once a month for breakfast doesn't hurt either!

If you know me in real life and desire to have accountability to meet with God daily, we have more than plenty of room in our Good Morning Girls group, contact me and I'll get you signed up. My desire is that our group will be participating in this book club this summer. You can go to the Good Morning Girls website and see about finding a group in your area or starting one of your own as well! We need to constantly encourage, lift up, and exhort one another in the Lord!

Thank you Angela and Courtney for being the hands and feet of Jesus and for following through with the vision and ministry of Good Morning Girls

It Is Finished

2011-04-23T16:53:00.000-04:00

"One preacher described it as if you and I were standing a short hundred yards away from a dam of water then thousand miles high and ten thousand miles wide. All of a sudden that dam was breached, and a torrential flood of water came crashing toward us. Right before it reached our feet, the ground in front of us opened it up and swallowed it all. At the Cross, Christ drank the full cup of the wrath of God, and when He had downed the last drop, He turned the cup over and cried out, 'It is finished.'"

Radical, David Platt

You Can Actually Talk to the God of the Universe

2011-04-21T06:00:00.002-04:00

"...Any sort of prayer is built around the permise that we are in conversation with the God of the universe...and if that is not marvelous and wondrous and mystical, then nothing anywhere is marvelous and wondrous and mystical.

A priest or a minister will say 'Let us pray,' and we will all just bow our heads as though nothing out of the ordinary was about to take place. What is about to take place is that we are about to presume to talk to the One who made heaven and earth, and presume that we will be heard....'Hear us, good Lord,' we say together in one of the liturgies in the cathedral where I worship, and sometimes I want to add, 'Good Lord, He might hear us.' There is something so astonishing about the whole notion of talking with God that sometimes I just want to lie down for a few minutes and catch my breath. Every once in a while I will hear someone say, 'And so I just told told God that I needed this or that,' and I wonder how it is they are still standing up."

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson

It's Not Irrelevant, We're Ignorant

2011-04-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

"We have all been called to be the body of Christ We have all been called to pray the prayer that He prays himself, the prayer that makes each day and hour holy, the prayer that He prays through us. We are all responsible if His prayer is not prayed and if it is not heard by the One who made us all.

We are called to pray the prayer that has been prayed without ceasing by God's faithful for six thousand years. The fact that it is so faintly heard in our time is not a function of its irrelevance; it is a function of our ignorance."

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson

What Did They Know That We Don't?

2011-04-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

" For those of us who are not Catholic or Orthodox, this is the history of the Church we were often taught: Jesus came, Jesus died, Jesus rose again, and Jesus ascended into heaven. Paul wrote his letters and made his mission trips. The Pilgrims brough religious freedom to America. There was a revival in the 1800s, and the real Church was born. That history is a little like saying that American history is the story of the first Thanksgiving, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and D-Day. Some other stuff went on, other stuff that shaped us, bound us together, and made us one.

But the truncated view of the Church many of us were taught has left us with some questions and some fears about the ancient ways of the Church, the ancient ways that sustained the Church in the first place, the ways that made it possible for there to have been any Church for the Pilgrims to bring over.

One of the obstacles to embracing this way of prayer is our ignorance of and our fear of the anvient, our fear of anything that is too close to the Catholic Church. We are afraid that such prayer will lead us astray somehow, and that sch liturgical prayer is dead and lifeless and rote....What I am afraid of is that the ones who went before us, who sustained the Church for the eighteen hundred years before the revival broke out here, may have known something that I do not know. They sustained the Church, not me.

And this prayer is one of the ways they did so."

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson

How Busy Are You?

2011-04-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

"We who will get up and walk, or even run miles in the mornings, not to mention those of us who are not willing to wait for there to be enough light to see the bottom of the flag or for the frost to go away before we tee off, we who will haul ourselves through our neighborhoods in the dark to make sure that have the box scores as quick as we can - for all kinds of reasons, including some good ones, I suppose, we will not, cannot, do not rise in the morning to greet the dawn with a song of praise on our lips, as did those who went before us.

We who will stay up late to watch the televised version of the news that we heard on our drive home at size, who will TiVo enough must-see television that we have to stay up late to keep up, who will not go to sleep without reading a novel, who will burn the candle at both ends and in the middle if we can figure out how to get it lit, will not end our days with praise and worship and confession and blessing.

We will not do these things in the name of love or discipline, devotion or worship...Call it postmodern, call it post-Christian, call it Post Toasties if you want to, but there is a world out there that says we - the Church united, divided, militant, or otherwise - can do nothing to spread the gospel here on earth. Much less do anything to make each hour of the day or night any holier.

The witness of those who went before us is that we can. We just don't."

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson

Isn't Your Prayer Personal Enough Already?

2011-04-16T16:12:00.000-04:00

"We live in the age of the personal, I think....We have personal soundtracks on portable personal sound sustems so we can sort of clear out our own personal space...We have personal computers, and we can hire personal shoppers - though I have to confess that I am still personally up to the task of disposing my personal income myself.

We have personal identification numbers, and some of us have personalized license plates. I heard on the radio an advertisement that says I have a personal banker, though we have never actually met. And if you met me, you could tell by looking at me that I clearly have personal style that fits comfortably around my persona.

Once a quarter, I get a personal invitation in the mail to have my car's oil changed...by my personal mechanic, the one who works for the dealership that services my ultimate personal driving machine. Actually, my car was made in Germany for someone else in 1986; it says so in my mechanic's personal files that he keeps on the personal driving habits of all the persons who have ever owned this car.

I take personal responsibility whenever I should, or at least when I have to, and I am personally convinced that I am on the planet to be my own person.

So it is not really a surprise that my personal prayer to my personal Savior is all too often about one person.

We live in the age of the personal. And personally, I am tired of it."

In Constant Prayer, Robert Benson

Winner, Winner Turkey Dinner!

2011-04-16T16:05:00.000-04:00

Or whatever protein you prefer to serve with your Loaded Mashed!

The winner of the Betty Crocker Loaded Mashed Potatoes Giveaway was.....ToyStory. I've emailed the winner and MyBlogSpark will send her prize pack right away.

If you didn't win, you can download a coupon for $0.55 off a box of Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes!

Creamy Parmesan Broiled Tilapia

2011-04-09T06:00:00.004-04:00

I found this recipe on SparkPeople.com and paired it with the Loaded Mashed potatoes we had yesterday and some cooked carrots (my favorite veggie). The Entertainer couldn't get enough of it! If you are not a big fish fan but know you really need to eat more fish, or if you're just looking for a new way to prepare tilapia, give this a try. Tilapia is a great mild fish to start with.

2 Tilapia Fillets (5oz to 6oz each - if frozen, be sure to thaw fully before cooking) (I used 4 4 oz filets)

2 teaspoons Light Mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Non-Fat Plain Yogurt (I used greek style)
4 Tablespoons Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 to 4 sprigs of fresh Dill
1 tsp Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt, divided
Black Pepper (use as much or as little as you like)
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Makes 2 servings, 5oz-6oz depending on size of fillets.

1. Place Mayonnaise, Yogurt and Parmesan Cheese in a small bowl, mix with a spoon until well combined.

2. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum and spray with Non-Stick Cooking Spray of your choice.

3. Set oven to Broil on High (if you have that option)

4. Place Tilapia fillets onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

5. Divide the Cheese mixture and spread half onto each fillet with a spoon, using the back of the spoon to distribute evenly over fish.

6. Rub dill between your fingers to separate and sprinkle 1 to 2 sprigs worth of leaves over each fillet.

7. Sprinkle each fillet with half of the Garlic powder or Garlic Salt and desired amount of Black Pepper.

8. Place cookie sheet into oven about 6" below the broiler. (I used the first level down from the very top).

9. Watch fish carefully. Depending on the weight of the fillets it will take between 5-7 minutes to cook fully. When you notice the cheese starting to brown, check fish every 30 seconds to see if it's done. Fish will flake easily with a fork when fully cooked.

10. Turn broiler off and leave fish in oven about 5 minutes. (this is optional, but will ensure it's cooked all the way and give you a chance to finish the rest of your preparation)

I am a huge rule follower but not a very patient reader so I mixed all the topping ingredients together, added some Old Bay and used dried dill weed. My filets were the frozen-in-the-bag type and were done in 5 minutes. Delish!

Betty Crocker Loaded Mashed Potatoes - GIVEAWAY!

2011-04-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker asked me to try their newest instant mashed potato flavor - Loaded Mashed. The potatoes had a fantastic flavor and my family loved them!

With a taste that is just like homemade, new Betty Crocker “Loaded Mashed” potatoes are made with 100% real russet potatoes, and a blend of real seasonings and natural flavors like bacon, cheese, chives, and sour cream.

Add Betty Crocker flavored mashed potatoes to your favorite recipe for an ideal addition to any dinner-time dish. With nine tasty varieties to choose from, like Four Cheese and Sweet Potato, and a great value price, Betty Crocker flavored mashed potatoes are the perfect go-to side dish for your favorite meals.

Want to try them too? Good news - MyBlogSpark and Betty Crocker has offered to send one of my readers a great prize pack...you will receive a great bowl, spatula, pot holder, measuring cup, and a box of Loaded Mashed potatoes!

To enter, just leave a comment and tell me which family-favorite foods you would pair with these delicious potatoes. I served Creamy Parm Topped Tilapia (I'll share the recipe tomorrow!) Contest ends April 15 at midnght. You must leave a way for me to contact you (email addy) in your comment.

This product, prize pack, information and additional prize pack to give away were all given to me from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

Free Issue of The Old Schoolhouse

2011-04-04T11:40:00.000-04:00

If you are not a current subscriber to The Old Schoolhouse, you can snag a FREE copy of the Spring issue, right now! Just visit The Old Schoolhouse, register, and then add the Spring issue to your cart. Enter the coupon code SPRING11TOS (all caps) and you will not need to enter any credit card information at all!

The Paradox of Worship

2011-04-01T05:00:00.001-04:00

"The paradox of worship is this: we perform these acts of worship, but they are not actually for us. We do these things for God, and then we are the ones who are changed.

We offer our songs of praise, and we are the ones who are moved to joy. We offer our thanksgivings, and we are the ones who are blessed by the,. We offer the ancient prayers of the psalms, and we are the ones who begin to hear "the prayer of God that rises in our hearts," as my friend Father Edward Farrell says. We offer the gifts of bread and wine in the Eucharist, and we are the ones who are fed and strengthened.

...

There is another paradox that I have noticed about us and our life with God. Very often our prayers are for us as well. We spend a great deal of time and energy telling God all of the things we profess to believe that God always knows and is already working on in our behalf, in ways far better than we can desire or pray for, as the old prayer says it. Those prayers are for us. The prayer of office is for God."

In Constant Prayer Robert Benson

April is a good month to start something!

2011-03-28T15:05:00.002-04:00

Wow, have I been remiss in posting regularly or WHAT? Whenever I set goals, blogging regularly is one of them and it's also one I regularly fail at! I know some bloggers have a set schedule when they post but the ideas just don't seem to be coming these days.

There is lots going on in April though, both under the nutritious brown dirt, on my calendar, and in the blogosphere.

Clare at Peak313 is starting a Try It Challenge. She is going to give us an item and is challenging us to try it 4 out of 7 days each week. If you are looking to push your limits, create new habits, or just enhance your physical life, check out Clare's Try It Challenge. I plan to participate - check back in on Peak313 on Monday, April 4 to see what this first week's challenge item is. Clare also promises to add a spiritual challenge each week on top of the physical challenge.

I have set a personal goal for myself for June 1 so Clare's Try It Challenge comes at just the right time to help me get the results I want in my physical body.

Also, if you are a mom of boys, join Brooke, myself, and plenty of other boy momma prayer warrior's for 21 Days of Prayer for Sons at Warrior Prayers. We are committed to praying for our sons TEN times a day for the next 21 days in 21 different areas. Simply purchase a copy of Brooke's ebook Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most for $5.97 and sign in to her blog every weekday between April 1 and April 29. I truly believe that the next generation of boys will be God's warriors, fighting a battle like we have never seen before. We need to clothe them and cover them with warrior prayers and arm them with Shields of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit. And if you need even more encouragement and camaraderie in this call of mothering boys, visit The M.O.B. Society.

Mr. Steady and I are headed to a homeschool convention this weekend but I plan to pop in here a lot more frequently this month. See you soon!

Progresso Soup Souper You Debut -GIVEAWAY!

2011-03-06T21:42:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Time is UP! Winner is #1 - Lisa! I used Random.org to choose the winner!

Available in 40 delicious flavors with 100 calories or less, Progresso® Soup can help curb your hunger, making it easier for you to stick to your weight management plan all year long. With hearty ingredients like pasta, beans, corn and rice, and flavor-packed vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and peppers, Progresso Soup varieties with 100 calories or less offer a good source of fiber and a full serving of vegetables.

To help kick off a new outlook on the New Year, Progresso is excited to announce the return of the "Souper You™ Debut" contest! From January 3rd through March 16th, you and your readers can visit Progresso on Facebook to enter for the chance to win a full makeover in New York City.

Three grand prize winners will be awarded a trip for two to New York City from May 20th-22nd. The prize includes roundtrip airfare, a two-night stay in an NYC hotel, a full makeover, a guided wardrobe shopping spree with a personal consultation at a New York City department store, and $1,000 in spending money.

To enter, you’ll need to do the following:

Go to Progresso on Facebook to learn more and enter the contest

Submit your essay (200 characters or less) telling Progresso why you love their soups that contain 100 calories or less, and why you deserve a chance to win a trip to NYC for a full fashion overhaul

In addition, please submit a photo of yourself that visually reinforces the theme of your essay

Once the 10 finalists are announced, you can visit Progresso on Facebook from March 30th through April 13th to vote for your favorite.

Visit the Facebook page to download a coupon for $1.00 off four (4) cans of Progresso Soup and to check out makeover videos provided by MyStyle.com and the Style Network. Be sure to also "Follow" Progresso on Twitter to keep up with the latest news from Progresso.

And in addition to that fantastic giveaway, Progresso and MyBlogSpark are offering Towngirl readers a great prize pack as well. You will receive a VIP coupon for a free can of Progresso soup, as well as a yoga mat, water bottle, set of aerobic bands, sport headband and two sport wristbands.

To enter, simply leave a comment with which flavor of Progresso Soup you would most like to try (visit Progresso's website to view their varieties) OR how you plan to incorporate Progresso Soup into your healthy living plans. Maybe you already have incorporated Progresso Soup - share how it is helping you reach your goals.

Contest is open until midnight March 15.

Progresso provided me with the free product, information, and giveaway through MyBlogSpark.

General Mills Giveaway

2011-03-06T21:28:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: Giveaway is over! Winner is Eunice! I used Random.org to choose the winner!

MyBlogSpark and General Mills have teamed up to bring you a great giveaway! General Mills have introduced a great new flavor of Cheerios called Cinnamon Burst Cheerios and they are quite delicious. My boys enjoyed them as did I. A cereal that we can agree on is not to be taken lightly!

From Big G "With many Americans making New Year’s Resolutions to live healthier, it’s never been easier to get the whole grain you want without sacrificing taste. Every Big G cereal contains at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving, with more than 20 General Mills cereals delivering 16 grams or more. (At least 48 grams of whole grain are recommended daily.) Big G cereals are America’s number one source of whole grain at breakfast, providing America with more whole grain at breakfast than any other breakfast food from any other manufacturer."

Let's face it - cereal is quick, easy and something the children like. So consider trying the new Cinnamon Burst Cheerios or choose another Big G cereal. To be sure the other foods you are choosing have the healthy whole grain you need, just follow these two easy rules:

1. Look for a whole grain symbol like the big white check on Big G cereals or the Whole Grain Stamp developed by the Whole Grains Council

2. Scan the ingredient list and choose foods that list a whole grain near the top of the list

Visit http://www.wholegrainnation.com/ for more tips, additional information about the benefits of Whole Grain and how Big G cereals can be a convenient and tasty way to incorporate more whole grain into your day.

I have a great prize pack to offer you to help fulfill healthy living goals, including a VIP coupon for one Big G cereal, a cereal on-the-go bowl, lunch bag, walking enthusiast kit and a digital jump rope. To enter, simply leave a comment and tell me how will you incorporate more whole grain into your diet -OR- with which of your favorite Big G cereals do you like to start your day off?

One entry per person, please leave an email address if your account is not already attached to your email address. Contest ends at midnight March 15.

The coupon, prize pack, information and giveaway were all provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

The Only Gift Suitable for Regifting

2011-02-10T09:28:00.000-05:00

I shared these thoughts with my online accountability sisters this morning and thought I'd share with you, too.

Image from My Big Fat Greek Move

Ephesians 1:15 says "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people," When we have faith in the Lord Jesus, others should hear about it, know about it, see it in your countenance and actions.

I distinctly remember the day I decided I never wanted anyone to ever wonder if I was a Christian. One of my favorite teachers from junior high lost her husband suddenly and I went to buy her a sympathy card. I stood there reading the cards and picked up several with scripture, ones that promised the reader their loved one was in Heaven. And I wondered if she was a Christian or if her husband had been one. She was the nicest, sweetest, soft-spoken lady and the old me, the one who thought she was a Christian, would have sent it to her because all nice, sweet, soft-spoken teachers are Christians, right?

But I couldn't do it, I couldn't promise her something that wasn't true. And right then and there, in the middle of the Hallmark store I decided to never wanted anyone else to stand in the middle of a Hallmark store and wonder if I was a Christian. It was time I started proclaiming it, behaving in a way that pleased God and told others Whose I was, and sharing this gift with others instead of being a little embarrased about it and putting it in the spare bedroom closet.

The gift of salvation is the only gift suitable for regifting - and it's the best way to show your appreciation for it too!

Be My Valentine Challenge - Week 3

2011-02-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

Courtney is continuing to challenge us - this week show your husband you love him, like him, desire him in the way every man dreams of! I'll not elaborate on this one - let your imagination help you out!

Thank God I'm Being Remade!

2011-02-02T09:46:00.000-05:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'They’re all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

-author unknown to me

Burp Rags

2011-01-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Regular ol' store-bought cloth diapers make great, thirsty burp rags.

A small piece of flannel, cut to fit and sewn right sides together then turned out and sewn shut makes sure the back of your stitching doesn't show through and also finishes it off nicely. Fun baby gift to make!

(Again, another set of pictures lost, seemingly forever, on the camera but lovingly recovered by my darling husband!)

Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge - Week 2

2011-01-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

The challenge continues! How are you doing with it? It is not natural for me to verbally praise my husband so much, I didn't hear it from my parents growing up and it's just not intrinsic. And yet, words of affirmation is one of my love languages...how weird is that? I *LOVE* my husband and I know my mom and dad loved each other, we're just not gushy. But I found that once I started praising him publicly, specifically verbally and on Facebook it just started to flow easier.

Here's Courtney's next challenge for us - I'm ready, are you?

This week's challenge is: be a little more creative with your praise. Surprise your husband with:

1. A love message on the mirror

2. A love message packed in his lunch

3. Use sidewalk chalk and write a love message on the driveway

4. Write a list of ten things you admire about him and then read them out loud to him.

5. Make a toast to him at dinner with friends. Or raise your glass at dinner and list the things you admire about your husband for your children to hear!

6. Buy or make your husband a trophy and engrave it with the words "The Best Husband in the World." (I found a cheap trophy at a party supplies store - the kids loved presenting it to daddy)

7. Write a poem - even if you can't write - it can be goofy. Include in it references to your favorite movies, restaurants, places to go and memories. He will enjoy the trip down memory lane and the laugh!

8- Blow up balloons and put a loving message in each one. Fill your bedroom with balloons as a surprise.

9- Take a roll of receipt tape and write a long message with the things you admire and respect about your husband - then roll it up and put it in a bottle for your husband to open and read. (I made many of these for my husband in college when we were dating long distance. I mailed them in packages.)

10. Get creative with your selflessness!

"When you touch your husband's deepest need something good almost always happens!"~ Dr. Emerson Eggerich

So I challenge you today to not just show your husband you love him but show him that you LIKE him!

I'm excited to get started! When I ordered Ann's new book I also ordered something special for him and it just came in the mail today! Can't wait to surprise him with it/them (I can't give details because he reads this!)

"New" Towels

2011-01-26T13:55:00.001-05:00

Sorry this post is belated, I'm having computer issues and couldn't get these pictures off the camera. Mr. Steady had to email them to me from his work computer. I did this project in November!

I had to trim some length off of our shower curtain, although I learned too late that I trimmed off too much, and, because I'm a fabric hoarder, held on to the cut piece for a while. When I borrowed and renewed and then renewed again One Yard Wonders I found the perfect use for the scrap. I ironed and folded and sewed strips on to towels we already had here.

Then I got a crazy notion to add some polka dots to my shower curtain using some scraps of linen I had ~~hoarded~~ laying around. I had never done any appliqueing before so I thought I needed interfacing, turns out I didn't. I need to take those top two dots off, remove the interfacing and resew them on but I'm lazy and haven't done that yet.

So, an hour or so of sewing and I had some new (FREE!) accessories for the bathroom. I'll take it!

Be My Valentine Marriage Edition

2011-01-20T08:25:00.002-05:00

Some of us think of Valentine's Day as roses and chocolate, most of us think about what *we* will receive for Valentine's Day, I view Valentine's Day through the eyes of a child and focus on candy hearts and Charlie Brown and make the day about my children.

But this year I am taking Courtney's 25 Day Praise Plan. There are now 23 days left until Valentine's Day and we're going to focus on our husbands. We are going to embrace this time to praise, encourage, inspire, admire, build up, thank and appreciate your husband. Each week Courtney will give us a variety of ways to express your praise. Feel free to tweak it for what you think is best for your husband.

We are in Week 1 and our challenge is to:

"Look for ways to praise your husband verbally. Praise him in front of the kids, friends, family, co-workers, on facebook, tweet it - get praise out anyway you can! Try to mention something noteworthy he has done - in his role as provider, father, husband, lover, or friend. If the thought of trying to come up with one terrifies you, then pray right now that God will give you new eyes to see your husband as God does. Then open your mouth and say something kind and uplifting to your husband today and tomorrow and the next day until Valentine's Day arrives!"

I am also going to restart today Nancy Leigh DeMoss's 30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge for Wives...join me, won't you?

I have seen firsthand and as recently as last night was reconfirmed that there is a mighty strength and power in a wife lifting up her husband. Not to change him, not to fix him, but to strengthen him, to bring him before the very throne of God to receive everything he could possibly need.

We are their biggest cheerleaders, who else will lift them up with love and compassion? It is not only our duty, but our honor. Who will join me?

Holy. Ordinary. Brilliant. Amazing Grace.

2011-01-17T09:24:00.000-05:00

Dinner for Daddy

2011-01-04T23:51:00.000-05:00

While grocery shopping yesterday the boys decided to make a special dinner for Daddy - spaghetti and fruit salad. They know how much he enjoys fruit salad. Gifts and Acts of Service are The Reader's (and I am beginning to suspect The Entertainer as well) love language so he just explodes with excitement when he can do something like this.

They were so excited to use the "black knives" and I hadn't realized it was the first time I let them use them. They chopped apples, pears and bananas, added canned peaches and mandarin oranges. It was delightful.

Then they wanted to use the good china and it turned into a whole "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" scene because then they wanted cloth napkins and since the cloth napkins were on top of the tablecloths, could we please use a tablecloth too? And since we're already going to that trouble could we please use Great Grandma's silver?

Daddy was thrilled with his special supper - Mommy should have taken a picture of them together!

Tea Party

2011-01-04T23:43:00.000-05:00

Who says tea parties are for girls? My boys love to have tea parties! We used to try to have them about once a week but have really been slacking lately. So last week we decided we were due for one. They love to go through all my special tea cups and pick out the one they want to use that day.

Usually I make one pot of tea but we were out of sugar and I had a craving for chai so we had a variety tray this day.

A small plate with the last two sugar substitutes, milk (don't use cream in your tea, it's too heavy for the delicate tea), and homemade marshmallows.

Our usual bakery was closed for the holidays so we picked up donuts from our favorite donut shop. What does that say about us that we have a favorite bakery AND a favorite donut shop?

A cheesy pose.

The ubiquitous toast. Not quite sure that this is appropriate with tea cups but whatever.

We use this tea time to learn about manners. We usually try to use cloth napkins and it's the only time the napkins actually make it to the laps. I let the boys take turns being the host and asking "one lump or two?"

Someday soon we'll have to try a proper Cream tea complete with scones and clotted cream and lemon curd - oh my!

How to Support a Compassion International Child on Mininum Wage

2010-12-31T22:32:00.000-05:00

We have three boys living in our home but in our hearts we are a family of six. We have a five year old little boy who lives in Kenya with his parents named Nyamawi who, like our three natural born children, was born in July. After following MckMama through Kenya, through much prayer and buckets of tears, our little family gathered around the computer screen last spring and hand-picked Nyamawi.

Every month we send a small amount of money that helps to give Nyamawi the opportunity to hear and know the Gospel and learn about Jesus Christ, regular Christian training; educational opportunities and help; health care, hygiene training and supplementary food if necessary; a caring and safe Christian environment to grow in self-confidence and social skills; personal attention, guidance and love. We send letters with photographs, hand drawn pictures, stickers, and band-aids.

What we get in return is far greater than what we give - heartfelt letters with the most adorable pictures. I don't understand all what he is writing most of the time (even after it's been translated) but I get so excited when I see the envelope and tears fill my eyes as I read his letters. We sent a small amount of extra money for his birthday present and Compassion bought him a goat for his birthday. I pray that the little goat is teaching him valuable skills that he can use later in life.

Don't think you can sponsor a child with Compassion? You don't have to, there are numerous other worthy organizations to donate to. But Compassion does have a stellar financial record with only 17.3% of donations going to supporting expenses and only 9.7% of that going to administration. That is really unheard of for international organizations of this magnitude.

Plain and simple Mr. Steady doesn't make much more than minimum wage. I'm not saying that to make you feel sorry for us or to put us on any kind of pedestal, for sure and for certain. We know that we are exactly where God wants us right now, making the exact amount of money He desires for us right now. I'm saying that purely to show you that anybody can do this. I've heard wonderful stories of young teenagers and college students sponsoring children. Anyone can do this!

Some creative things we have done to make sure Nyamawi gets his sponsorship every month include:

not spending coins or $1 bills - you would be shocked at how quickly this adds up, we can usually save a month's worth of sponsorship every other month or so this way. Even the children love to round up the spare change they find laying around and put it in Nyamawi's jar.
use your bank's easy saver program - it will be called something different at every bank but if you use a credit union or other bank that offers a program to round up your purchases on debit cards, use it to fund a sponsorship. We use our debit card quite frequently and can usually save about $5 a week or so. Every purchase is rounded up to the next dollar and the difference is set aside in a savings account. We set up a seperate savings account for Nyamawi and when we balance the checking account we scoop whatever is in our Easy Saver and put it in Nyamawi's account
do some extra jobs on the side - I do some secret shopping and often use that money to fund our sponsorship. Maybe make crafts and set up at a craft show. Make a sign with your sponsored child's picture and let people know all of your proceeds will help your sponsored child. I'm always a stickler for spending money at the booths that are going towards a worthy mission.

What ideas do you have for squirreling away a small amount of money without drastically hurting your family budget? It's only $38 a month. You probably spend that much in fast food and takeout pizza every month! Make 2011 a year of giving, change a child's life. Sponsor a child today.

Voices of the Faithful

2010-12-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

A 366-day devotional with inspiring stories from the front lines of faith.

"A willingness to go is all they have in common," says Beth Moore, speaking of her friends on the front lines who are spreading the gospel around the world and with whom she collaborated to create this book. This brilliant, 366-day devotional features incredible stories of God's faithfulness in the face of uncertainty and danger, written by hundreds of missionaries worldwide.

With a foreword by International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin and an introduction by Beth, this volume also includes advice on how to hear God's voice, pray for missionaries, and understand the church's and individual's role in missions.

This book is beautiful, weighty, and will help draw your attention to the many needs around the world. What better way to begin 2011 than to focus our prayer closet on those who put shoes on the Great Commission?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Handmade Christmas - Activity Bags

2010-12-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

For The Entertainer and my four-year old nephew I made activity bags (since they are made with Buzz Lightyear fabric we call them "Buzz Bags")

I completely, totally, unashamedly copied these off a picture I saw on Facebook. I contacted the lady to try to give her credit but haven't heard back from her, when I do I'll update it here. I simply took a sheet of felt and cut fabric to fit it. I added pockets for crayons.

Then I added a pocket for a small coloring book or notepad.

On the other side I added pockets with elastic to hold four Hot Wheel cars.

On the inside I added a felt race track. I also added a flap with a piece of velcro to hold it all together.

Handmade Christmas - Signs

2010-12-27T06:30:00.001-05:00

This year for Christmas I was really inspired to make as many handmade items as I could, using materials I already had here at the house. Financial reasons played heavily into this decision but also just the idea of cultivating a heart of gratitude in my children and wanting to be a good steward of things we (or others as the case may be) had already spent money on and were just sitting around.

I came across this great idea on a blog a year or more ago. When my mom passed away last December I saved what I refer to as "the pie list" off of her refrigerator. She kept a list of what type of pie every family member liked on the side of her fridge. I knew as soon as I saw it what I would do with it. Mr. Steady took the list to the copy store and had it enlarged. Then I took a picture I no longer liked and a stretched canvas I had purchased previously. On the large sign for my dad I wrote "Pie fixes everything", a saying from a sign Mr. Steady and I saw on our second honeymoon two years ago. Then around this I copied, using carbon paper, my mom's pies. Dad's favorite is blackberry so it went on the center top. I just kind of moved the others around until they fit. Then I painted each pie type.

I did something similar for my brother, using the stretched canvas. His favorite was coconut cream so it went first. I didn't have room for the whole "pie fixes everything" so I just put PIE on his.

I think it's really fun to have a memento of a loved one's handwriting. I have some of my great-grandmother and grandmother's handwritten recipes. Even though I never met either of them it's fun to know what their handwriting looked like.

Candy Land Party - And a Giveaway! Giveaway now closed

2010-12-26T21:31:00.001-05:00

I was so blessed to be asked to host a Candy Land party recently. Hasbro generously provided me with 15 CandyLand games, a Flip camcorder and a very generous gift card through MyBlogSpark.

I started off brainstorming ideas for the invitations. I knew I would hand-delivering them so I used a card stock door hanger, adding cute scrapbook paper along with foam stickers from the Dollar Spot at Target (hint: if you are thinking of using a Candy Land theme for a birthday party or other occasion, Christmas time is a great time of the year to buy candy-themed items, I was so pleased with the selection I found). I added a spiral lollipop and printed invitations provided by Hasbro, adding handwritten details.

I then set about decorating the house with - what else - CANDY! This was so much fun, trying to find all kinds of different candies...some my boys had never heard of or seen before (I guess they are like their momma and tend to stick to the first thing that they like.

I set out five games to play in the living room and guests were invited to play while they were waiting for other guests to arrive.

Even non-readers can play this fun, iconic game with very little help!

When the party began I read the story from the inside of the box that takes children through the fun land of Candy and King Candy's kingdom. We traveled down the rainbow path on a journey of discovery through enchanted lands filled with sweet surprises around every corner. Our first stop was to create delicious treats at the Cupcake Commons to deliver along the way.

I found the directions online to make candy shaped name tags. I thought they added a very nice touch, along with the peppermint plates.

Icing and sprinkles and candy galore was available to add to their cupcakes. I was very impressed with the creative choices all the children made.

Next we went with through the Ice Cream Slopes with the Duke of Swirl where the ice cream popsicle molds from BlogSpark and Yoplait made a reappearance.

We slipped through Gummy Hills and found ourselves at the Gingerbread House where the children all made greeting cards, kits I picked up again at Target.

We slid through Licorice Lagoon without getting caught by Lord Licorice and settled down for a reading of the Legend of the Candy Cane.

After this we trudged past the Ice Palace where everyone was invited to take home a cake pop which were nestled in glasses with sprinkles and sugars.

Finally we climbed up Chocolate Mountain and ended up at the Candy Castle. Goodie bags were awaiting there with pencils, a gingerbread cookie, and some candy. All the children were invited to stuff their bag (and their pockets!) with whatever candy they wanted (sorry Moms!).

Each family was then invited to take home two Candy Land games, one to keep for themselves and one to give away to a child in need.

I want to again thank Hasbro and MyBlogSpark for the fun and generous party pack - I know how much fun we had planning it and it seemed as if everybody had fun participating. After all, who doesn't love Candy Land?

And now, it's your turn to own a newly redesigned Candy Land. To enter, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite memories of playing Candy Land. ~~Contest will be open until December 27 at midnight.~~ Emily is the winner!

Joy Swap

2010-12-15T06:00:00.003-05:00

Monica and Carrie hosted another swap and I was so thrilled to participate. My swap partner, Michelle, replied when asked what colors come to mind when she thinks of Christmas "red, green, silver, sparkly," So I took the sparkly silver and ran with it. This theme was titled "Joy" so I tried to keep the theme the best I could.

I spotted a really neat large pinecone at a local boutique sanded with silver glitter and topped with other pretty sparkly things. I recreated this by incorporating a sparkly "Joy", I bought a large greenery pick that had red berries on it, I tore this all apart and made two smaller picks, replaced the red berries with silver, sprayed the pinecones with adhesive and doused them with glitter. I added some silver bells and a hanger of silver ribbon.

I also sent three black and cream paper medallions. I was going to make a garland with them or attach ribbon for hanging on the tree but decided to just include the ribbon and let Michelle decide.

When I was all out of ideas on what else to include I found this great ezine (click on the picture of the magazine) through Jenny Allsorts. I completely forgot the contents of the swap were supposed to fit in a shoebox, hence the name "Shoebox Swap". This caused a real glitch in the mailing process (they wanted $45 to ship this box Priority - yikes)!

You simply take a wreath form (instructions said foam but I had straw) and wrap with batting. Then you layer strips of white and cream fabric. As you wrap the fabric you can add bits and bobbins such as twigs, doilies, etc. I made photo copies of Joy to the World sheet music then tea-stained it, cut into strips and pinned on. Then I added a felt dove, the title from the sheet music, and a brooch. The only thing I purchased for this was the wreath form. I had all the fabric (white eyelet, creamy burlap, a cream with white pattern, white felt), batting, the silver twig was left over from the pick above. My dad's girlfriend found the brooch in a parking lot and I begged it off of her :o) Thanks Sue!

I added a bar of soap that said "Joy" and a package of Ohio Buckeye candy to complete the package. Hope you like everything, Michelle!

UPDATE: I hadn't added what Michelle sent me - oops! It was a really fun box that matched my personality and decorating style perfectly:

A tea towel, an adorable tin snowflake ornament, a really cute snowman head ornament, two wonderful smelling candles, a cute tin sign that says "Ring in the Season" and has rusty bells hanging from it. A box of Stash Chai Holiday tea - yum, a star ornament (not pictured - it was hanging on the tree already), and my very favorite is that stuffed owl ornament with rusty bell feet - so, so cute. Thank you Michelle!