Posts

Comforts

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"What have we become comfortable with?" - That is a question for the generation at hand. Sometimes, I overhear conversations while on errands or walking along a path with my family, and it makes me wonder and ponder on this question:  "What have we become comfortable with?" The man in the above photograph kisses this poisonous viper...the same viper that killed his father. Hmm...seems we never learn, even when past examples are clear evidence of the detriment of certain methods of interaction.  There are some modes and methods of interaction that were hardly acceptable even so recent as 10 years ago, but now they are commonplace. Even before I knew Christ as Savior, I knew that I wasn't righteous. I didn't have the Gospel message alive in me yet. Then, I got saved, praise Jesus, to the Glory of God the Father!! However, today, it seems as if even the greatest heathen seems to not know or even acknowledge his/her unrighteousness, due to an acceptab

Wounded

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If you are wounded,  you need to get healed right away. If a swimmer swims against a jagged piece of metal floating in the sea, it is best if he exits the body of water and seeks attention for his wound. This is preferred over the  possibility of infection or even worse, being sought after by a neighboring predator that smells the blood in the water. Moray eels or sand sharks are possible interested parties. Seek medical attention fast, swimmer; or be left with the consequences. Why am I writing this? Well, true, it is quite obvious that physical wounds need immediate attention. When children are running and playing, isn't it common for them to come to mom quickly when blood is seen? I have yet to see a child with a gaping wound just go along with blood dripping down their leg and onto the ground with no recourse given at all. The child is just smiling along and not paying any attention to the pain of the shards of gravel stuck within the bloody, oozing orifice. No, childre

Banana Nut Muffins

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I always love to cook banana-nut muffins. I have one child who does not tolerate nuts very well right now, and another who likes nuts just fine, but for some reason does not like nuts in a muffin. What is the deal with that?! The nut is the same nut - a walnut. Then I have another child who, "I like cheese on pizza, but I don't like cheese." O-kay. Right. Got it, hun. So, yeah...that's the story of me in the kitchen with 8 children. Now, don't get me wrong - I am no "short order cook". Therefore, my children eat what we prepare. It is healthy and it is what we have prepared, so they know they are supposed to be grateful to their parents and to the Lord, then eat their food. However, there have been times when a child has tried their very best to eat a particular food and just gagged so badly. So, you really just have to KNOW your child and when they just have an aversion to some kind of food. That is a different story from a child just being straigh

Distractions

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So, you are sewing a dress, hemming a jacket, typing up your meal plan for next month, and writing your homeschool schedule for the week when the phone rings. It is a good friend who "knows you can help because you are home". What do you do when she asks if you can help her hang wallpaper this afternoon, because after all - you are just at home . I wonder if there ever has been an age in the history of all of humanity when there has been so much to do. Wait - I know what you are thinking, "Well, our ancestors had WAY more to do that WE do!" Not that, dear reader. I am not talking about chores to do and the effectiveness of technology. I am not talking about "work to do". I am talking about "readily available activities to engage in". THAT is what I mean by " so much to do" . It seems that no matter which way you turn, there is an opportunity. There is NO way people can shout out, "I have no opportunities to do this or that.&

Crockpot

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I love my slow cooker. It is a staple kitchen appliance in our household. The thing about slow cooking is that you can prepare almost ANYTHING in it with a few spices and end up with a pretty good, cheap, edible substance that can feed a lot of people! Yeah, ok, I know that whole "edible substance" part did not sound appetizing, but did I mention that I don't always follow recipes?? Recipes are great, but there are days when I am in a buzzing hurry. When that is the case, I kosher my meats, rinse them, and then just toss them into the slow cooker with a myriad of herbs, spices, and vegetables. When you are slow cooking your meat, the process just tenderizes the food so very well that the herbs infuse the meat fibers. Each bite is just delicious as can be! So, I don't study too awful much about the recipes when in a hurry. Other times, when I am trying to accomplish a particular flavor, I will specifically adhere to a recipe. It is very useful then to have amounts

Updating

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What in the world?! I have not posted here for over a year!? Yeah - that's motherhood, ha ha :-D! It has been a really busy year, but an awesome year! We welcomed our newest baby late last spring, and it has been a whirlwind of busyness. Having a new little baby requires a lot of time and attention, as all mothers know after experiencing childbirth at least once. There is the preparation time, the birthing and welcoming the newborn time, and then the rest and relaxation time. None of these phases are negligible, and there is no true textbook time for each phase that will fit each and every woman. One woman may take shorter or longer of one phase or another, and that is neither good or bad. I tend to enjoy them all :-). So, I don't like to rush my time in pregnancy, birthing, or R&R after baby is here. All of these times are such a blessing from the Lord Jesus, that they should be kept sacred. Sometimes, there is a lot of expectation placed on a new mother; mu

Expectations, Part 1

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What do you do when your husband fails your expectations? First of all, I must say, I think my husband is the most wonderful, absolute best husband ever! Now wait a minute, wait a minute…before I seem narcissistic or self absorbed, I have to explain myself: EVERY healthily married woman would say the same thing. She who writes an answer to the proposed question above would probably be saying the same…about HER own husband. When we assess our husbands, we should not be led to judge them according to those around them (ie: other husbands). Instead, we should be happily assessing how well our OWN husbands work together with ourselves as wives...and in comparison to Who Christ is…that’s all! Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:12: “ For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. ” It must really stink for a husband to constantly hear, “Je